The trial of Warren Jeffs began yesterday: he's the leader of the fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the one with 70 wives, who's charged with two counts of rape as an accomplice for using his cult authority to coerce marriage. We're all for due process, but that this matter even needs a trial is almost ludicrous: forcing a 14-year-old girl to marry and have sex with her older first cousin under the threat of going to Hell for all eternity? Seems pretty open and shut. While freedom of religion is one of the great rights of this country, human rights should always trump them.

Unfortunately, even in the 21st century, those human rights--which, if you ask us, include rights to reproductive choice, sexual freedom, bodily integrity, and even access to honest, accurate health information--are still things that need to be actively fought for here, often in direct contrast to the efforts of religious extremists. (Speaking of freedom and religion and speech: during her acceptance speech at the pre-taped Creative Arts Emmys, scheduled to air on E! this Saturday before the Primetime Emmys on Sunday, Kathy Griffin jokingly said "Suck it, Jesus" as part of an irreverent commentary on the ridiculousness of people thanking God for his hand in doling out television awards, football victories, and reality show prizes. If the winner was up to Jesus, she joked, then Cesar Milan would have been up on stage. Outrage ensued and apparently the comment will be cut before the show airs. Yay censorship!) Anyway, Chris Cuomo, who's been covering the Warren Jeffs story, makes some good points about polygamy on ABC news.