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'Boston' attacks Utah

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Already Glad | 4:57 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
already glad that I dont watch that show!
Provo | 5:11 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I always thought growing up in UT that coffee was an illegal and knew of relatives in rural areas that had lots of wives
Boston Lover | 5:15 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Boston legal is the best show on TV and will take on any subject. Lighten up a little bit.
Comments continue below
Spiritual Polygamy | 6:33 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Many Mormons still practice polygamous temple sealings. Just because it isn't practiced in this life, doesn't mean that many Mormons won't be practicing it in the next.
Anonymous | 7:01 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
We let a lot slide in the name of 'religious freedom' that is absurd elsewhere. Don't be surprised if someone points that out now and again.
Joe the Socialist | 7:10 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I thought it was funny.
It illustrated how strange it is to be tolerant of polygamy, something illegal, whild being intolerant of other things that are legal, such as gay marriage.
Laughing Stock | 7:15 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Instead of getting upset that Utah is portrayed the way it is, and in a sense, defending the immoral and illegal practice of polygamy, Utahns should admit that it is immoral, illegal, and that it does occur here much more so than anywhere else (polygamists in other states moved there from Utah) and we should demand that it be stopped. Who cares if you have to incarcerate a bunch of men and break up "families" (I use that term loosely). Let a new generation live without polygamy and they will be freed from its brain washing and tyranny. Then the world would give Utah the respect it so desperately wants.
Fools | 7:16 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
"Fools mock, but they shall mourn....."

Ether 12:26
Leading the way | 7:17 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Well, this guys own state (guessing he lives in Cali) is leading the way to making polygamy legal. So how do you like them apples?
Defensive | 7:26 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
much?
who cares? | 7:29 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Kelley has pretended to be a sophisticated writer for some time. Instead, his contrived, mind bending twists of logic and laugh-out-loud idiot charactoers have shown him to be just an intellectual poseur. Successful? Yes. But that is only sad commentary on the viewers of the show. I gave up BL long ago and now just roll my eyes at Kelley's attempts at leading edge tv.

Good bye and good riddance. Running Star Trek reruns or Star Gate would be better for Shatner and Spade.
Don't be so sensitive | 7:32 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
As times move forward I have grown to believe one thing . . . don't be sad or even upset that hollywood media slanders against Utah. I have lived in AZ, CA and NV now and would still take Utah over any of those states. I mean hollywood is so awesome with all of its smut, illegal aliens and gay rights. Good for them let them make fun. At the end of the day most of hollywood is good for nothing, don't believe me just watch "Extra" for a day and you will see all of the great things they are accomplishing.

Don't be so sensitive, let them have theirs and we will keep ours. Hollywood and "Boston Legal" are ultimately going to have no effect on me and my family so forget them, we don't need them and they don't need us. I'm cool with that.

Boston Beagle | 7:38 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Senseless sexual inuendo. That is all! It is meant to dumb down the role of men, even educated men into complete idiots without any morals. Watch every episode and line the pockets of those who peddle filth.
Oportune time to watch | 7:54 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I usually don't watch the show, but I happened to stop on it while flipping channels as the court scene was getting set to begin. I thought it was pretty funny. I've lived in Utah all my life, and I'm intelligent enough to realize that TV shows try to entertain. Why should I care if a writer/producer uses his own show to spout off about something that he only has a stereotypical understanding of? Also, Utah isn't the only state that has stereotypes about its people.
CHris | 7:54 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Maybe if UTah didn't leave old laws on the books then shows like this wouldn't' happen.
We deserved it | 8:01 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Sometimes the truth hurts. If we can't take the heat, then stop turning a blind eye to polygamy.
Used to watch... | 8:01 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Boston Legal. But after 2 seasons, I felt like they had politicized every issue imaginable, while making a mockery of the legal system. And all of that is fine and good, except...

Eventually, I just got bored with Alan Shore's endless rhetorical flourishes. It's classic hyperbole: misrepresent an issue, then call people hypocrites by railing against the straw man you've set up. It's such a weak device, I'm just not sure how it's survived this long.

@joe the socialist | 8:04 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I'll bet the name is appropriate for you?
I too think it is funny...
The producers are intolerant of polygamy and yet so tolerant of gay marriage.
Which is the most un-natural.
Legal Eagle | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I'm sorry for people who rely on the boob tube for their world view.

How about going to the library instead? Read a book, National Geography, Scientific American etc. Educating.
Instereo | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
What is the difference between the fiction of Boston Legal or the Work and the Glory. Both distort the truth.
Tony McGuire | 8:45 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008


"...At which point he is arrested because "adultery is a crime in Utah, as is fornication out of wedlock."

Something Kelley and Co. apparently ran across on the Internet. But they missed the part about those laws not being enforced..."

Not enforced? Except selectively, when it suits the gubmint's desire.

So, can you just hear the 'They only apply it to outsiders. Yessiree, the Good 'ol Boys are alive and well in Utah'?

I'm so glad | 8:45 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Yes, the show is stupid and also, yes, Utah has old unenforced laws and as compared to the rest of the country, rampant polygamy. I am simply glad that those commenting recognize the equally bad use of time and effort by the writer of the column that those involved with Boston Legal exhibited. A sad comment about the content of this paper, as the BL episode is a sad comment about parts of Utah.
This us funny | 8:57 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
TV characters who want to be immoral, and will pitch a fit if they are told they can't. "I'll hold my breath until I turn blue if you don't let me do what I want!" "I'll call you names and act real stupid if you make me behave!" Yep, ol' Davey Kelly sure gets to the heart of the matter, don't he.
Pierce | 8:59 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
"If he does a slipshod job on the Utah episode, it's hard to have any confidence that he got it right any of those other times."

Kind of how I feel about your column. Since you did such a slipshod job on this, why should I have confidence in anything you write?
Arnold | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
It`s just a television program lighten up. I don`t take everything I see on T.V. to heart.
darkduet | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Honestly, I'm GLAD they did this episode. Utah needs to fix the problem of polygamy. I thought they did an amazing job backing it all up as well. Utah just turns a blind eye.
jim | 9:27 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
utah was not insulted...utah is fine. mormons were insulted.
The Authority | 9:42 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Boston Legal lost its smarts. It used to be my favorite show, but the Utah episode is just another in a long line of episodes that is so implausible, it's not worth watching.

As for the defense being based on Utah not enforcing polygamy, that's beyond stupid. That's like going in for a speeding ticket and trying to defend it by saying "the guy down the street deals drugs, and you didn't do anything about that!" It just wouldn't fly.
Hello | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Can you laugh at yourself a little...hello...this is TV - it isn't personal.
LOL | 9:46 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Kelley did what all good writers do - he got 'someone's' panties in a bunch!
Paperboy | 9:49 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I think Mormonism will remain a target-rich environment for comedians, TV shows and movies for many years to come, due to its uniquely American roots, its insistence in being the "one and only true religion on the face of the earth," its colorful, charasmatic and somewhat oversexed founder who tried a creative way (polygamy) of side-stepping the laws and morays of the time, and especially as its tries so hard to shed its relatively recent past and mainstream itself into society. The appeal to poke a little fun at the all too seriousness of Mormonism is just too tempting to pass up.
Harold Shaw | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
David Kelly writes as the wannna-be social norm preacher. His public exploration of truth, as he imagines it to be, lacks grounding. Predictably, his scripts become (to quote T.S. Elliot), "like rat's feet over broken glass in our dry celler".
Daniel Moir | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Leave it to liberal hollywood to stereotype and attack our faith and then expect that we will vote for thier iberal candidate and suport thier liberal policies. Mormons reject debauchery in all its forms, and those who don't will answer for it on the otherside. Polygamy was a short lived excersize designed to boost our numbers after having them savagely reduced by countless mob attacks. Our numbers stablized and there was no further need. The actions of apostate groups like the FLDS should be blamed on the FLDS and not on the entire state of Utah.
Bring in the Clowns | 10:05 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Don't look now Utah, but we have been laughing at you for a long time now. You have been the laughing stock, and will continue to be so, as long as you hang on to your narrow and backward ways.
What's the Difference? | 10:07 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
The same might be said about the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham.
Shatner and Co. | 10:08 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I used to enjoy Boston Legal (1st two seasons), but I got so sick of the sexual harrasment displayed by the main characters coupled with the blatant politicizing (sp?) of the show, I had to quit watching. I didn't care much for the Alan Shore role, but for a while I really liked the Denny Crane role even though I don't like Shatner much. But the show like many others became a political soapbox while ignoring the blatant sexual harrassment. They made the liberal out to be a savior and the conservative out to be a two-faced nuthead.

And for the trolls out there, politically I am a democrat.
Re: Spiritual Polygamy | 10:13 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
...you do realize that by your argument, millions of people all over the world are also practicing polygamy, right? Everytime somebody gets remarried after a spouse dies, by your reasoning, that's exactly what they're doing.

And what exactly is so wrong with that? Say a man gets married and has children with a women who gets sick and dies a few years later. Then he remarries, and has more children with his new wife. He dearly loved both women and all of his children. Why would you insist he only choose one of his families to spend forever with? Which of the two families would you insist he cast out? Why shouldn't he be able to spend eternity with his entire family?
David E. Kelley... | 10:16 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
has quite a history with this subject, actually. I've never been a regular viewer of his shows, but I have caught a few episodes here and there, and guess what? He loves this topic. There was an episode of The Practice that dealt with Utah, Mormons and polygamy, and there was a previous episode of Boston Legal that dealt with it, too. It seems Mr. Kelley can't get enough of the idea, or of Mormons. How sad that he can't find something better to write about.
utard | 10:17 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I can't wait for somone to forward this article to the writers of the show. We may get to see a second episode taking place on this subject.
Moving Polygamists | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Aren't they moving OUT of the state? Wasn't Jeffs successfully prosecuted in Utah?

Soon polygamists will be moving to California, the women will marry each other and claim they are just "living with" the man.

What will Hollywood say then?
AZCOUGAR | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I agree with "Don't Be So Sensitive"...I think it's better that the whole country (through slimeball shows like BL) thinks Utah is a whacked out territory full of polygamists. The longer people want to stay out of Utah the better for everyone inside the beehive state.

There is something to be said of the peculiarity of Utah. Growing up in AZ I remember with fondness the "small town" feel I used to have. Then everyone and their cousin wanted to move here. Before long the whole place was overun, no more small town feel, and a bunch of Californians writing our laws.

You all know how special Utah is, who cares if Hollywood paints a negative picture?

Anonymous | 10:24 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I can't think of one polygamous group in America who seed wasn't cultivated in early Mormonism.
So what | 10:36 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Boston sucks big time, I've lived there and would not trade Utah for that pathetic place in a million years..And oh ya I'm not LDS...
Many other states... | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
...have laws against co-habitation (North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi and North Dakota), as well as laws against fornication (Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina).

Go to Google and type in "unenforced laws against fornication" and it all pops up (second hit).

It was against the law, generally, many years ago, and what politician wants to come out to repeal the law and appear to lobby in favor of fornication? Laws against fornication become repealed everntually when a related case reaches a supreme court, such as the case of a woman infected with herpes by a sexual partner she was not married to who did not tell her she had herpes. She sued him for $5 million. The trial court judge dismissed the case because she had participated in an illegal act. The state's supreme court reinstated the lawsuit, and struck down the law making fornication illegal. It takes a case in front of a judge.

darkduet? Really? Are you not aware of the numerous "polyamorous" groups in the eastern US who are waiting for polygamy to become legal (though they are not the same)? Both gay marriage, and polygamy, will be widely legal in the somewhat near future.
Q | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
This fine with me. In fact, I'm fine when national shows and media bash Utah and give it a bad reputation as a backwards, rural dude ranch. It helps keep the secret that this state, it's recreation, climate, beauty, and more is the best place to live in this country. The more wacko Utah is portrayed, then fewer people will move here. Keep it up ABC!!
CougarKeith | 10:57 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
If Fornication is illegal in Utah, then why aren't people busted for it? I don't understand, people live together and have sex in Utah, obviously committing "Fornication" which is illegal in Utah, yet they are not cited??? You have to be kidding me!!!!! Something ought to be done!
confuzed | 11:02 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
The LDS church needs to understand that you reap what you sow. At one time in church history, polygamy was what the Lord and the prophet wanted. Now He doesn't. The Lord I worship would not need to change his mind - especially over public opinion.
Matthew | 11:04 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Just a note to anyone that would like to know:
There are a lot more people in the US (and the world) that practice polygamy that have no connection to the history of the LDS church than there are that do. There are polygamists that follow Islam. There are polygamists that follow a wide variety of Christian traditions. There are polygamists that are completely secular too.
So, which state has the most convictions on polygamy in that last 10 years or so? Answer that and then come back and talk about the various states records of prosecuting polygamy. (Don't lump in bigamy cases against men who had more than one wife where the women weren't aware at the time of the weddings, that is a separate issue)
@Daniel Moir | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
I'm Mormon and a liberal... does that make me a sinner? Will thou be the first to cast a stone at me?
Anonymous | 11:28 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008
Last TV season, The Simpsons went to the Park City Film festival and took a swipes @ LDS culture. Where was the whing then?

re: Boston Lover | 5:15 a.m. Nov. 3, 2008

NCIS is the best show on TV.

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