Kentucky clerk won't accept gay marriage deal, goes to jail

[webfact]

Kentucky clerk won't accept gay marriage deal, goes to jail
By ADAM BEAM

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — A defiant county clerk refused a judge's compromise offer on gay marriage that could have kept her out of jail on Thursday, saying she can't promise not to interfere as her deputy clerks follow the law.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning said he had no choice but to jail Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis for contempt after she insisted that her "conscience will not allow" her to follow federal court rulings on gay marriage.

"God's moral law conflicts with my job duties," Davis told the judge before a federal marshal escorted her out. "You can't be separated from something that's in your heart and in your soul."

The judge later sought a resolution to keep Davis out of jail after all. He overruled an objection from her lawyer, who argued that her six deputy clerks cannot act against her authority. And he called each one before him to declare whether they intend to follow the law. All but the clerk's son, Nathan Davis, promised to comply.

The judge said Nathan Davis' position wouldn't matter, and that his mother could go free as long as she promised not to interfere with issuing of marriage licenses to all couples. But Kim Davis rejected the offer, her attorneys later said.

With that, the hearing ended, and the saga was sure to continue Friday, as gay and lesbian couples vowed to return to the Rowan County clerk's office yet again in hopes that the deputy clerks would keep their promises.

Bunning said it would set up a "slippery slope" to allow an individual's ideas to supersede the courts' authority.

"Her good faith belief is simply not a viable defense," Bunning said. "I myself have genuinely held religious beliefs ... but I took an oath."

"Mrs. Davis took an oath," he added. "Oaths mean things."

Outside, hundreds of people chanted and screamed, "Love won! Love won!" as word of Davis' jailing reached the dueling crowds.

Davis is being represented by the Liberty Counsel, an organization that advocates in court for religious freedoms. Before she was led away, Davis explained that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June that legalized gay marriage nationwide conflicts with the vows she made when she became a born-again Christian.

"I promised to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul because I wanted to make heaven my home," Davis said.

April Miller, who was denied a marriage license four times by Davis or her deputies, testified that she voted for Kim Davis and has no desire to change the clerk's personal beliefs, but wants to be treated equally in the community where she lives. One of the deputy clerks told her to apply in a different county, she said, but "that's kind of like saying we don't want gays or lesbians here. We don't think you are valuable."

The judge later produced promises of compliance from five of the clerks.

"I don't really want to, but I will comply with the law," said one, Melissa Thompson. "I'm a preacher's daughter and this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life," she added. "I don't hate anybody ... None of us do."

Davis, an Apostolic Christian whose critics mock her for being on her fourth marriage, stopped issuing licenses to all couples after the Supreme Court ruling, and the courts consistently ruled against her since then. But many supporters have rallied around her, including Republican presidential candidates Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz and Bobby Jindal.

"People are calling the office all the time asking to send money," she testified. "I myself have not solicited any money."

Davis said she hopes the Legislature will change Kentucky laws to find some way for her to keep her job while following her conscience. But unless the governor convenes a costly special session, they won't meet until January. "Hopefully our legislature will get something taken care of," she told the judge.

Until then, the judge said, he has no alternative but to keep her behind bars.

"The legislative and executive branches do have the ability to make changes," Bunning said. "It's not this court's job to make changes. I don't write law."

Davis served as her mother's deputy in the clerk's office for 27 years before she was elected as a Democrat to succeed her mother in November. As an elected official, she can be removed only if the Legislature impeaches her, which is unlikely in a deeply conservative state.

Former Republican President George W. Bush nominated David Bunning for a lifetime position as a federal judge in 2001 when he was just 35 years old, halfway through his father's first term in the Senate. But Bunning has been anything but a sure thing for conservative causes, ruling against a partial-birth abortion ban and in favor of a Gay-Straight high school club.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-04

[Jingthing]

She got what she wanted. She'll get rich now. She's a big star now in the gay haters circuit. About as "moral" as a cockroach.

Edited September 3, 2015 by Jingthing

[robertthebruce]

Who knows with a bit of luck she might meet a nice "Dyke" in the Prison.......

[Seastallion]

[JakeSully]

What do we teach our children in school, or immigrants for their citizenship exams?

What is the “rule of law”?

• Everyone must follow the law.
• Leaders must obey the law.
• Government must obey the law.
• No one is above the law.

Obviously one looney bin didn't get the memo.

[pitrevie]

Blessed are the cherry pickers and she is certainly one of them. Picked out just that bit of the bible that re-enforces her particular bigotry while ignoring the other parts that do not fit her lifestyle.

[Credo]

I think they should make a special exception for her and bring back crucifixion.

[DoctorG]

It should be so simple. If her job conflicts with her beliefs, then she should resign.

[little mary sunshine]

Under the jail!! (She will make a fortune, all the

other bible thumping Southern Bigots will come

To,her aid)

[onni4me]

Typical person mixing her personal views with her profession. Met a few along the way and mostly they are the most bigoted and narrow-minded there is.

[granuaile]

I'm glad that this has played out so fast, though sad that she opted for jail rather than just do the right thing. I'm not sure how long she'll hold out now.... She is still refusing to allow her clerks to issue marriage licenses, and the legality of those that are (only her son refused among the clerks) is uncertain. Back home photos are circulating of her mug shot in the Carter County jail, ....

[puukao]

$80,000 a year job. IF you are not making $81,000 USD and work for money.......time to think about working smarter!!!!

$80,000 a year plus great benefits, 401k, tons of time off............think about your job.

This lady is valued at $80,000 USD........

so get mad and get out there and make some cash!!!! because this lady is "worthless"

[NanLaew]

... Before she was led away, Davis explained that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June that legalized gay marriage nationwide conflicts with the vows she made when she became a born-again Christian. ...

Oh... one of THOSE Christians eh? The speaking in tongues brigade?

[Credo]

She can always make some money by writing a book.....oh, wait, she probably can't write.

Maybe a comic book?

[kutjebu]

When she was a Muslim everybody could understand it.

[Anthony5]

"God's moral law conflicts with my job duties," Davis told the judge before a federal marshal escorted her out.

Since she is aware of this the question bears why she didn't resign from her job, as it would also be God's moral law to perform your job duties to the best of your capabilities.

Edited September 4, 2015 by Anthony5

[jesimps]

Roll on the next great flood.

[h90]

Put her in jail for her religious opinion is criminal.

The right thing would be to fire her as her religion doesn't allow to do her job.

Or are they planning to jail the next Muslim till he is willing to eat the pork?

Really putting her in jail is crazy.....

[Linky]

Put her in jail for her religious opinion is criminal.

The right thing would be to fire her as her religion doesn't allow to do her job.

Or are they planning to jail the next Muslim till he is willing to eat the pork?

Really putting her in jail is crazy.....

I wasnt aware that not eating pork was illegal.

If a muslim was in that role and refused to do the job and was in contempt of court then yes, the muslim should go to jail.

[little mary sunshine]

Illogical comparison!!!

[Seastallion]

Put her in jail for her religious opinion is criminal.

The right thing would be to fire her as her religion doesn't allow to do her job.

Or are they planning to jail the next Muslim till he is willing to eat the pork?

Really putting her in jail is crazy.....

Unbelievable non-comprehension of the issue, for someone who is apparently literate and able to use a computer.

Putting her in gaol is for contempt of court. Or do you think everybody can hide behind their religions to evade the law?

The "founding fathers" were wise men, and it was seen then, as now, that expression of one's religion can not trump the law, all the while the law protects an individual's right to religious expression.

By your reasoning, a Muslim should be able to mutilate his wife's genitals if that is his interpretation of his religion. (And interpretation is a whole other issue!)

Your analogy is ridiculous. Eating pork is a choice, not a law. A SCOTUS decree and a District Court Order are not a choice, but law.

I'll say it again, reallllllyyyy slowwwwly...her religion does not require her to refuse to stamp a piece of paper.

[spidermike007]

Whatever happened to the love and compassion that Christ taught, and the part about treating your fellow man, as if he was your self? This is not exactly the practice of kindness and Christian charity, but rather something bordering on a hate crime against a couple of people who are just trying to live their lives, and are doing nothing that is in any way harmful to another soul. Selective cherry picking of phrases within the bible, that someone like this clerk has no possibility of understanding correctly, is an act that is bordering on lunacy, and fanaticism.

Charity, in Christian thought, the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one’s fellow men. St. Paul’s classical description of charity is found in the New Testament (I Cor. 13). In Christian theology and ethics, charity (a translation of the Greek word agapē, also meaning “love”) is most eloquently shown in the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ. St. Augustine summarized much of Christian thought about charity when he wrote: “Charity is a virtue which, when our affections are perfectly ordered, unites us to God.

A few more quotes from this most extraordinary of Christian saints:

Moreover, this is the rule of love: the good that we desire for ourselves we desire for our neighbour also; and the evil that we are unwilling to undergo we wish to prevent from happening to our neighbour.

All who love God have such a desire toward everybody.

[On True Religion 87]

You only love your friend truly, after all, when you love God in your friend, either because he is in him, or in order that he may be in him. That is true love and respect. There is no true friendship unless You weld it between souls that cling together by the charity poured forth in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

[Confessions Bk. V.19]

Edited September 4, 2015 by spidermike007

[Michael8511]

A lot of the conservative Christian Republicans and Democrats as well, are so fake as they come. A few years back I went to a party in BKK invited by a old American gay friend it was a group of republicans from Washington that was official in China for a study visit. They had arrived Being and then they flew with Thai to Thailand for pleasure. I was surprised when I saw the guys, all very familiar faces married at home but enjoyed the whole Thai menu here and openly in front of each other. I felt so discussed to see these guys that voted against gay marriage and are anti gay at home snuggling with guy's and lady boys here. This was not the first time I have seen this, just have so hard to accept that people can't be them selfs and be accepted regardless of sexual orientation or race.

[puck2]

What is the difference between an Imam and the Apostolic Christian County Clerk Kim Davis ?

There is none.

Both believe they must fulfil god's will in all phases of their life. They decide what is right or wrong, not respecting civilian law. The wacky female thinks in the office she "must" follow (dubious) god's law not states 's law. An imam is not different.

What I don't understand, why did she not lose her office job because of acting lawlessly? That should have been the first step in this controversy.

[Jingthing]

She can't be fired because she's elected.

[wabothai]

don't they have inactive posts in the US?

[Chicog]

Many supporters have rallied around her, including Republican presidential candidates Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz and Bobby Jindal.

I'm sure that will comfort her as she munches on her gruel.

[misterphil]

God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

[bendejo]

"I promised to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul because I wanted to make heaven my home," Davis said.

See, this is what what is wrong with religion. The gullible are fed stories of imaginary people and places, some buy into it to so deeply that they'll do extreme things (like this Davis did) so as to qualify themselves as worthy for this nonsense.

"Heaven? Yeah sure, you're going! So is everyone in your family! Now get the hell back to work!"

[Scott]

God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

No, for the fundamentalists, God created Steve as well.