Patterico's Pontifications

9/4/2015

Kentucky Clerk Jailed for Refusing to Issue Marriage Licenses to Gay Couples

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:55 am



In the District Attorney’s office, some people are opposed to the death penalty. The office makes an accommodation for such people because of their beliefs, and finds someone else to do the case. I think this is appropriate.

Kim Davis has a religious belief that she believes prevents her from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Her employers should try to arrange an accommodation for her. Since I don’t work in that office, I don’t know if they have tried, or how easy it would be.

That said, the licenses must be issued, and if no accommodation is possible, she can’t simply refuse. If government officials simply refuse to carry out their functions, the system breaks down.

So I’m disappointed to see Ted Cruz issuing this statement:

U.S. Sen. Cruz, R-Texas, today released the following statement regarding the arrest of Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis:

“Today, judicial lawlessness crossed into judicial tyranny. Today, for the first time ever, the government arrested a Christian woman for living according to her faith. This is wrong. This is not America.

“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 complying with a lawless court opinion.

Cruz goes on to point out the lawlessness of several other actors in the political system, including the lawless judges who declared gay marriage was a right under the 14th Amendment, and the lawless actions of this president. I agree with him, and I could add more examples, Hillary’s handling of emails being one glaring example. It seems that the laws in this country apply to little people. This causes people to be contemptuous of law generally.

But the way to respond to lawlessness is to end it, not to emulate it. I thought Ted Cruz understood that. And while I still support Ted Cruz as the best choice, I do so with a little less enthusiasm today.


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