I never knew 'family values' meant being able to marry within your family...

[Richardo]

If I'm counting right, that's 25 of 50 states.

[hobbit709]

1. That's the "family" part they go on about.

[peekaloo]

2. What are the chances that those "families"

can count that number of states on THEIR fingers and toes?

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[CBGLuthier]

3. Did you know that we are almost the only developed country that bans cousins marrying

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2564/whats-wrong-with-cousins-marrying

Most of the world does not view first cousin marriages as a problem. Only america sees it as another form of incest.

[madrchsod]

4. well it`s in the old testament......

[hughee99]

8. Do you think anyone will argue "separation of church and state" on this one? n/t

[RockaFowler]

5. I have about 50 first cousins

And I wouldn't marry a single one of them. I'm even squeamish about 2nd cousins

[Bitwit1234]

6. My ancestors ALL started their life in America in Virginia

if most of them and all the other "immigrants" didn't marry first cousins there wouldn't have been any body in Virginia. Wonder what the governor and AG think about that. AND I know what I am talking about I have done extensive research through my genealogy.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. I have always been told that the offspring of first cousins have a greater

risk of birth defects. Apparently research finds this to be true. According to the links in this article, the risk is about double for the offspring of first cousins when compared to couples who are not related.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/24/AR2005042401406.html