Monkey meat needs permit, N.Y. judge says

[peejay 327]

N.Y. judge: Monkey meat needs permit

Woman claims religious reasons, but argument rejected

The Associated Press

updated 5:40 p.m. CT, Sat., Jan. 3, 2009

NEW YORK - A federal judge in Brooklyn has rejected a Liberian woman's argument that she had religious reasons for smuggling endangered monkey meat into the United States.

U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie ruled Wednesday that Mamie Manneh's faith didn't preclude her from applying for permits to import exotic food or explain why she misled officials.

Manneh was charged with smuggling the meat three years ago after customs agents seized a shipment of primate parts as it passed through Kennedy Airport on the way to her home in New York.

Manneh's lawyers claimed a First Amendment right, arguing that some Liberian Christians eat monkey meat for spiritual reasons.

Her lawyer didn't respond to phone messages Saturday.

She faces up to five years in prison and deportation if convicted.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28483414

[LorriQ 0]

EEEWWWWWW!

And monkey brain is NOT a delicacy in my world!

[peejay 327]

It's funny when people get caught breaking the law and then grasp at straws to find a defense for it.

Five years and deportation seem pretty stiff, but if this person knew the law, the penalty, and did it anyway thinking they could get away with it then she gets what she deserves.

[LorriQ 0]

It's funny when people get caught breaking the law and then grasp at straws to find a defense for it.

Five years and deportation seem pretty stiff, but if this person knew the law, the penalty, and did it anyway thinking they could get away with it then she gets what she deserves.

over my inital ick - and totally agree with you. Very stiff - but if it wasn't we'd have more cases of mad cow and bird flu and...... you can't just bring whatever groceries in an out different countries - or dirt or plants - there has to be some sort of control, and the fact that she had gotten away with it before just shows how lacking it is.

and customs gave me the third degree over forgetting about a snickers bar in my purse......

[peejay 327]

It's funny when people get caught breaking the law and then grasp at straws to find a defense for it.

Five years and deportation seem pretty stiff, but if this person knew the law, the penalty, and did it anyway thinking they could get away with it then she gets what she deserves.

over my inital ick - and totally agree with you. Very stiff - but if it wasn't we'd have more cases of mad cow and bird flu and...... you can't just bring whatever groceries in an out different countries - or dirt or plants - there has to be some sort of control, and the fact that she had gotten away with it before just shows how lacking it is.

and customs gave me the third degree over forgetting about a snickers bar in my purse......

Not that I'm a frequent world traveler or have traveled overseas lately, but the times I went through customs here in the USA I never had my baggage searched. They only asked me if I had certain things and when I told them I didn't they let me go. On my trips to Belarus they physically went through my bags and pockets.

[LorriQ 0]

It's funny when people get caught breaking the law and then grasp at straws to find a defense for it.

Five years and deportation seem pretty stiff, but if this person knew the law, the penalty, and did it anyway thinking they could get away with it then she gets what she deserves.

over my inital ick - and totally agree with you. Very stiff - but if it wasn't we'd have more cases of mad cow and bird flu and...... you can't just bring whatever groceries in an out different countries - or dirt or plants - there has to be some sort of control, and the fact that she had gotten away with it before just shows how lacking it is.

and customs gave me the third degree over forgetting about a snickers bar in my purse......

Not that I'm a frequent world traveler or have traveled overseas lately, but the times I went through customs here in the USA I never had my baggage searched. They only asked me if I had certain things and when I told them I didn't they let me go. On my trips to Belarus they physically went through my bags and pockets.

I'm a USC - and they searched my bags on my fifth trip back from the UK (have made 7 in the last 2 years) - it was the first time I listed purchases on the customs card to exceed $90 - christmas gifts. I had been told that anything over $50 was a red flag, apparently true in my case. And snickers is considered food, which I forgot to mark that I had, and the next time I noted that I had cookies, they only asked me about them - no searches!

Haven't been searched outside of the US, and noticed they randomly pull travelers for searches in the UK as well as Ireland and France - but they are few and far between.

[Ban Hammer 14,097]

that will teach her to monkey around.

[LorriQ 0]

that will teach her to monkey around.

Ooo Punny!

[britty 1]

deport her... NEXT !

[chaishai 1]

Now Im not saying that I would run out and eat monkey, but I think the fact she had meat sitting out for the long haul flight is nastier than the fact that its monkey. really why is monkey any more gross of a meat than anything else that walks and makes noises?

[britty 1]

Now Im not saying that I would run out and eat monkey, but I think the fact she had meat sitting out for the long haul flight is nastier than the fact that its monkey. really why is monkey any more gross of a meat than anything else that walks and makes noises?

its despicable as it was an endangered species, and it is illegal to try and smuggle it into the US. DEPORT !

[Ban Hammer 14,097]

well i'll be a monkey's uncle.

[chaishai 1]

Now Im not saying that I would run out and eat monkey, but I think the fact she had meat sitting out for the long haul flight is nastier than the fact that its monkey. really why is monkey any more gross of a meat than anything else that walks and makes noises?

its despicable as it was an endangered species, and it is illegal to try and smuggle it into the US. DEPORT !

ok i didnt see the endangered species part. And they are cute. but I still dont think one is more of a yuck factor its all just cooked animal flesh. and im NOT a vegetarian!

[LorriQ 0]

well i'll be a monkey's uncle.

- third one is the charm, care for a go?

[Ban Hammer 14,097]

well i'll be a monkey's uncle.

- third one is the charm, care for a go?

sorry, i'm married, so please don't go ape chit on me