For the past few weeks, unless you've been in a coma (sometimes I wish I was), we have all been subjected to the self-righteous rants of one Kim Davis, the Rowan County cluck (oh, I'm sorry) clerk in Morehead Kentucky that is refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples under "god's authority". Taking office this past January, Davis claims she can't grant marriage licenses to gay or lesbian couples because it violates her religious beliefs. Grandstanding against the Supreme Court ruling in June, Davis is being supported by religious conservatives across the country. Even though most legal experts claim her chances are slim to none in prevailing in her holy quest, she is undaunted in her convictions even when threatened with fines and jail time. Issuing a statement, through her attorney, that informed all of us that she "would neither resign or relent" adding that "to issue a marriage license which conflicts with god's definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience.". She also claims that "I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and god's word.".
Last Thursday, however, Davis had to heed the law's word when she was found in contempt of court and was put in jail for six days. Her lawyer reported that during her jail time she has bible studied with herself and has compared herself and her situation to Martin Luther King's, who in his famous letter from Birmingham jail wrote he "would pay the consequences for his decision". Ok.... That's enough!.... Let's stop right here! Let me tell you something, lady. Your situation is not even close enough for you to even mention Martin Luther King's name. Comparing yourself to him is one of the most outrageous, ludicrous, asinine claims I have ever heard. Martin Luther King stood for equality for all... despite race, creed, religion or convictions. He stood for integrity, honesty and compassion. This poor excuse for a human being stands for hypocrisy, bigotry, prejudiced, outdated religious rhetoric and hate. Claiming she is being persecuted because of her religions beliefs.... She isn't. She is being persecuted for violating other's rights because of her religions beliefs. Beliefs that are in serious question due to the facts that she has been married four times (guess three wasn't the charm in her case), had at least two extramarital affairs, had two children fathered by her third husband while married to her first (wait... What?), had her second husband adopt them before she divorced him to marry their father, divorced him and then married again. And this is the woman that the moral majority has decided to make their poster child for traditional marriage? That's the equivalent of The American Lung Association making the Marlboro man their spokesperson. Now, if you followed all that (I know I had a little trouble) I'm pretty sure that you will eventually come to the same conclusion that I did and realize this woman is nothing but a two faced, lip serving, pariah of society looking for her fifteen minutes of fame... or in her case.... infamy.
In any case, my fellow Observers, the lines have been drawn. Supporters of Davis are using words like hero, martyr, and crusader. And even though they have learned about her past transgressions, they dismiss them because she has been "born again" and they do not matter anymore because she has been cleansed. One question to all you intolerant zealots, if I may. Just when exactly during all her attempted and failed marriages and multiple affairs did she become cleansed. I mean, that's an awful lot of social dirt to be washed away to get to the clean as a newborn baby part, you know? Her opposition is using words such as bigot, homophobe and hypocrite and have asked for her dismissal. This is easier said than done as she is an elected official and is very difficult to remove from office. The state legislature could impeach her, but since Kentucky is a conservative majority state, this is highly unlikely. Officials have discussed charging her with official misconduct and attempting to get a conviction that could result in a court order to remove her, but the county attorney has referred her case to state attorney general Jack Conway, a democrat running for governor who's office claims that he is "looking into the matter" (well that's a dead end). Outgoing governor Steven Beshear, who is not seeking re-election, has stated that he "has no legal authority to intervene" and "the future of the Rowan county clerk is in the hands of the courts".
With Rowan county having fewer than 24,000 citizens and Morehead, it's largest city, with a population less than 7,000 it seems that Davis is one of the biggest gay bashing fish in her little prejudiced pond and is using the bureaucratic "pass the buck" that's going on to her full advantage. Especially since along with her everyday supporters she has a couple of political ringers on her side. Former presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz have been giving this issue a certain amount of conservative clout that is sure to backfire and blow up in their faces. Yes... I know they're still technically running, but as far as I'm concerned, they might as well not bother showing up for this Wednesday's debate. Seriously.... can you imagine the questions they will be asked when they are singled out by same sex groups? I'm planning on recording it because I know I'm going to miss something the first time through. There's just too much going on with these clowns. Crucifixion would be more merciful than what they're political careers are going to face on Wednesday and along the campaign trail over the next few weeks. And you two thought you were low in the polls last month. Better get ready for "you ain't seen nothing yet" when it comes to your new numbers. I didn't know it was possible to show negative percentages in polls. We all just might be in for a political first.
The amazing thing is that neither one of them is making it hard for us not to criticize their actions just in the way they choose to explain why they are championing this cause. Huckabee described Davis' situation by stating "What we have seen here is the overreach of the judiciary. This, if allowed to stand, without any congressional approval, without any kind of enabling legislation is what Jefferson warned s about. That's judicial tyranny.". Really Mikey?....Your invoking Jefferson? I don't think a slave owner that committed adultery with those slaves is the best choice you could have made to use as an example in this particular case.... but I could be wrong. Huckabee also said that he would consider resigning or going to jail if he was forced to choose between following his religious beliefs and the law. Although, he did not see this situation being a problem if he was elected president. Better stick with plan A, Mike.
Cruz showed his political ineptness by issuing the statement "I stand with Kim Davis. Unequivocally. I stand with every American that the Obama administration is trying to force to choose between honoring his or her faith or comply with a lawless court opinion.". Wow! I think someone should give Ted a refresher course in the system of checks and balances. Our courts are lawless? And they only offer opinions that we have to follow? Last time I checked our Supreme Court was designed to interpret the constitution and apply it to created laws in order to protect it's practice with that interpretation.... but I could be wrong about that too. If these two are trying to make Trump look more appealing to the voters.... they're succeeding.
Not being discouraged by her incarceration, while in prison, Davis's attorney has filed an injunction asserting that the marriage licenses issued by her deputies in her stead that do not carry her signature are void without her endorsement. Released from prison this past Tuesday, she was instructed by the court, in an attempt to compromise with her, to drop her injunction, return to work and although she would not be required to sign a marriage license that she felt contradicted her beliefs she cannot contest ones signed by her deputies. If she still can not comply due to conscience of faith, she can resign. If she choses not to endorse one of these options, it's back to the hoosegow with no clear release date for her due to the state legislature not resuming for 4 months and governor Beshear reluctant to call a special session calling it a "waste of money" to do so. Davis is reportedly taking the rest of the week off to pray and meditate with god to help her decide what to do before returning to work this coming Monday. I wonder if god is going to tell her that this is a no-brainer? As far as I'm concerned there is not a lot of grey matter involved in this. She is an elected official that has a specific purpose and duties. She can not choose to refuse any task that is assigned to her office or position no matter what her reasons, religious or otherwise. That is why our government separates church and state. It's one of the principle concepts in the foundation of our laws. There is law and belief and they can never be practiced combined, no matter what.
Unfortunately she is not alone in her "10 commandments monument in front of the courthouse" way of thinking. Tennessee judge, Jeffrey Matherton is being a creative cretin while jumping on the anti-LGBT bandwagon by not granting divorces to straight couples. Yeah... I know... Ok, now try to follow this "I'm gonna save us all from the godless gay people" line of thought because I was a little confused myself and had to read the article a few times. Matherton submits that the Supreme court "overreached" (there's that word again) their power by legalizing same sex marriage. Accusing them of "trashing" Tennessee's constitution, if not democracy itself by doing so. Matherton stated in court, to a couple seeking a divorce that "implementation of this apparently new super-federal-judicial form of benign and benevolent government termed 'krytocracy' by some and 'judidiocracy' by others with it's iron fist and limp wrist represents quite a challenge for a state level trial court.". He also cited that the Supreme court had "divested subject matter jurisdiction from this court when a divorce is contested.". What he's basically saying, in his high falootin' legal talk is that if a state cannot decide for itself to deny same sex marriage, then let the federal government decide everything for us when it comes to marriage. Ex. Who can marry, who can divorce, when either can be granted, etc...
Texas representative Louie Gohmert (R) was a little more graphic when he said "When you say it's not a man and a woman anymore, then why not have three men and one woman or four women and one man ( some states do allow that, though. I saw a TV show) or why not, you know, somebody has a love for an animal or....? There is no clear place to draw the line once you eliminate traditional marriage.". Ben Carson, another presidential candidate, who at this writing is in a close poll race with Trump, agrees with this philosophy and shows his prejudice against same sex couples by referencing homosexuality in the same sentence with bestiality and pedophilia. Claiming his point for doing so was "If you change the definition of marriage for one group, you'll have to change it for the next group, and the next group.". Really, Ben? You honestly think that anyone is going to seriously entertain the notion of changing the marriage laws to include a person wanting to marry a goat.... or their dog? I don't even want to know what you thought you meant when you put pedophilia on the table as an example. Is anyone actually listening to what these morons are saying? How any of these political bad jokes are still in the public eye is a mystery to me.
Presidential candidate (yes... another one) Rick Santorum stated that "homosexuality was the death knell of the American family" and also compared it to bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery. At least this jerk left out bestiality and pedophilia, but he still feels that gay marriage is a threat to what we consider a traditional family. And as you can see, my loyal reader, by the sheer length of this article ( and I edited.... a lot) he's not alone in this horse and buggy thinking. And this stagnant mind set is not the only thing they have in common. I submit that every single one of them has it backwards. Same sex marriage isn't a threat to family or values or even religion. If anything it will strengthen our view of what we consider a family by binding us all as it bridges our societal gaps with it's diversity. The threat.... is them and how they think we should follow their narrow minded conception of what a family should be. A man... a woman... marriage then children and oh yeah... they have god on their side so they're right and the rest of us will burn in hell if we feel otherwise and question their beliefs.
Webster's definition of "family" is as follows:
A) a group of individuals living under one roof
B) a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation
I didn't read anything about only a man and a woman, did you? I also didn't see anything about religion either. "A group of people" simple, elegant and exactly they way it should be. If there is one thing that I am not (as most of you know) is a pro advocate for our government, but I believe that the decision the Supreme court handed down on June 26th was the right one. Unequivocally, Teddy. Not only was it the right decision, they did something that has been unheard of within the ranks of our legislative body as of late. They minded their own business and interpreted the constitution to reflect a more modern day way of thinking which is exactly what it's architects designed it to do. If everything our government acted upon followed this path I believe that not only threats to the American family would no longer exist, the only threat to any of us would be "American" citizens like Davis, Huckabee, Cruz, Matherton, Gohmert, Carson, Santorum, the positions they hold and the lawyers that represent them. Strictly an Observation. If you'll excuse me, I have to set my DVR.
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