| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 9:12:52 PM | If I'm not mistaken, what he is doing is illegal. I would be contacting an attorney and suing his racist @ss so fast his head would swim. Who the hell is he to decide whether or not a couple should be married. It's people with his warped viewpoint that cause the problems that some bi-racial children face. Is he aware that the President of the United States is the product of a bi-racial relationship???? Sure doesn't seem to have hurt his in life, does it?
The J.P. should definitely have his license revoked permanently. What he is doing is criminal and immoral. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 9:28:37 PM | Oh man, this guy is so right. He's a ****ing genius! Americans as a whole do not accept the "offsprings of such relationships". This is precisely why we voted Barack Hussein Mulatto Obama to be the leader of the free world.
Let me just add...no one's lineage is pure, if your family has been in this country since slavery times and you are "African-American", I'm sorry but it is extremely likely that you have white ancestry. Someone somewhere down the line had to **** or rape someone who did not look like them. As well as many whites have black ancestry and etc. etc etc...this whole concept of "race" and "racial purity" is just a bunch of stupid ****ing nonsense. Get over it people, NO we do NOT all look the same and we don't all share the same cultures, but we are just people.
There's really no point in me even saying that because people will never get it...I swear humans are the greatest curse ever to be brought upon this planet. But I just thought I'd throw it out there.
As for this ***hole...he has some nerve. That's all I can say. His license needs to be revoked. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 10:09:32 PM | | So there are people still so stupid and prejudice and full of shit, that they think we all aren't from the same race. People like that have no business in a job where they can harm others. Does he also refuse to marry blondes to redheads, or blue eyed people to brown eyed people?| | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 10:12:56 PM | And my thoughts on the JP. He does not have to marry anyone he does not want to. Don't like it...don't elect him next term. Simple as that. What he is or is not doing is NOT illegal. It's his choice.
Not saying it's right or wrong. He believes its right. Some of you believe you're right. But they're still only opinions. It's not like he is the ONLY person that can marry couples. You have judges, JPs and ordained minsiters and hundreds of others that can provide the service.
But to me he is no worse than a religious clergyman that refuses to marry couples because they do not practice the same faith. So guess what...you don't like his decision, you go elsewhere. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 10:31:18 PM | I don't doubt his sincerity and maybe he really isn't a racist, but I don't agree with his sentiments at all. And I agree, he should not have the choice. I believe that in the state of Lousiana, a JP is also always a judge..which is pretty damn scary. It's one thing if he's againt interracial unions, but he is not supposed to let his personal opinions affect carrying out his duties. And it is a public position. And a judge, no less.
It is sad that these kinds of attitudes persist..but we all know they are getting less and less. We just have to teach our children right. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 10:54:58 PM | "He does not have to marry anyone he does not want to".
A Justice of the Peace is a Government's representative, an official from the State, either appointed by a judiciary commission or elected by citizen's vote, whom salary is paid by the taxpayer's money and which services doesn't fall into the private practice with the liberty to refuse or to choice his clients.
He is obligated by the authority which represents to uphold the law and is abusing the power invested for denying service to local residentes under his jurisdiction.
As far as 1963, US Supreme Court ruled that the government cant' tell the people who can or can not marry to and the Family Law of the State of Louisiana has no provision or limitations regarding race for a civil marriage.
(if any provision and/or limitation for interracial marriage, it would be also unconstitutional since federal laws do not condone segregation/discrimination.)
According to the ACLU of LA a letter was sent to the state's judiciary committe requesting to open an investigation over the allegations.
According to the NY Daily News the couple will look into failing a complaint for discrimination against the US Department of Justice. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 10:55:55 PM | | He's a JP not a clergyman. Just like a priest doesn't have to sell me birth control but a pharmacist does. If your prejudice views go against the job you have, then get a different job, don't lay your prejudice, religious or otherwise, on others. Do your job, or find a job that fits your bigotry. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 11:25:28 PM | "He is obligated by the authority which represents to uphold the law and is abusing the power invested for denying service to local residentes under his jurisdiction."
And he is not abusing his power per say...he's opting not to use that power.
"As far as 1963, US Supreme Court ruled that the government cant' tell the people who can or can not marry to and the Family Law of the State of Louisiana has no provision or limitations regarding race for a civil marriage."
And as far as I read in the OP post...he is not telling people who can or cannot marry, he is just not performing that service.
Not saying I agree, but he cannot be forced to perform marriages. And like I said, if people don't agree with his philosophies, then Im sure it'll be forthcoming next election.
If you find where the JP MUST marry each and every person who contacts him about marriage, then I'll stand corrected.
Edit:
Just from what I know about judges and have experienced, regardless of what bench they're on, they're basically like gods. They make their own rules, ask any cop or lawyer. Its only when re-election comes around do their choices haunt them. But that's why I doubt anything will be done to this judge as far as punishment because he has to choice to do what he wants in his courtroom. Only thing that ultimately can be done is for the people to elect a new JP. Hopefully someone runs against him. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/15/2009 11:35:22 PM | What he is or is not doing is NOT illegal. It's his choice.
WRONG!!!! Yes, what he is doing IS illegal.
the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."
A Justice of the Peace is a government employee and therefore, he is bound by the Supreme Court ruling. The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."
The couple involved, Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Here is a link to the complete article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff
I not only think he needs to be removed from office, but sanctions should be imposed. I hope all the couples that he has discriminated against join together to file a class action suit against him and any other J.P. who thinks they are above the law.
Edit: Regarding the duties of Louisiana J.P.s, they are definitely NOT God-like. They only preside over small claims civil disputes and perform marriages. Not exactly the same as a actual judge with a law degree. They have NO educational requirements for the elected position.
"About Louisiana JPs
* Justices of the Peace in Louisiana are elected to serve six-year terms.
* They can perform marriage ceremonies.
* As the judicial authority of a ward or district, they have jurisdiction in civil matters when the amount in dispute does not exceed $5,000."
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 12:11:35 AM | "If you find where the JP MUST marry each and every person who contacts him about marriage, then I'll stand corrected."
The scope of work from a JP, among several other things, is to perform State's sanctioned marriage.
As a basic principle for application, the law is not to tell anyone about what to do but, what can't be done.
As long the interested parties comply with the provisions of the Family Law regarding the requirements for marriage in the State of Louisina, they can get married.
As long a JP has no legal reason -much less personal- to deny services which fall under his jurisdiction/power/authority, is obligated to perform his job.
Btw, in the State of Massachussetts, a Justice of the Peace may be abolished, transferred, and/or penalized if refuses to perform same-sex marriage.
Yet, it's not the same in Connecticut where other considerations apply by legislation. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 12:28:47 AM | I love Louisiana, I lived there for many years, but this is just wrong. I know many interracial couples. Who does that man think he is? He is not God, he has no right saying what is right or wrong? As far as mixed children goes, I see several mixed children every single day. To be honest, they are absolutely gorgeous children, in my opinion.
Times have changed, even in the south. Yes I will agree, it has taken a lot longer in the south, but it is finally moving along. Hopefully they will pull his license, and yes I agree, he should be sued. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 12:49:16 AM | "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry.”"
I read that and still dont see where it says that he SHALL marry everyone that meets the requirements. Im not in any way saying his reasons for not doing so are okay. I just dont see where he told them they cant get married. He just opted not to do the service.
Do I agree that your own personal beliefs should affect someone else's life? No.
It just appears that in his little world and no one had called him on it yet, that what he believed and was doing was right. Apparently he's been doing this function for 34 years.
I'd be pretty pissed if someone passed judgement on my future without knowing any of the history. His reasoning is shallow.
He obviously believes what he's doing is right. But if his opinion is that mixed race couples don't last and that's his reasoning for not signing their marriage license, then he might as well stop signing marriage licenses for everyone because how many of those that he married are still together? Not a cynic but still.
It would seem there must be more going on that just this one couple because generally its a pattern that makes it media worthy. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 12:54:07 AM | idk why you all are freaking out but i dont think this dude is "in the wrong" to the extent you guys are making it seem.. just because he has a license doesnt mean he has to marry anybody that wants to get married.. and as stated earlier he even referred the couple to someone who would marry them.. he has denied a total of 4 marriages so its not like this is something he does on a daily basis..
if he really was racist like you morons seem to imply then why would he marry black people? he is not being racist he just has a certain belief that he is standing by.
who am i to call you stupid for believing in god if i dont? who are you to call him stupid if you believe inter racial couples have the same chance as other couples and he doesnt?
he wasnt even referring to the couple not being in love so much as he was the children not being accepted by the rest of the community (which is louisiana sounds like a very probable outcome)
you guys are idiots. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 1:33:57 AM |
idk why you all are freaking out but i dont think this dude is "in the wrong" to the extent you guys are making it seem.. just because he has a license doesnt mean he has to marry anybody that wants to get married.. and as stated earlier he even referred the couple to someone who would marry them.. he has denied a total of 4 marriages so its not like this is something he does on a daily basis..
if he really was racist like you morons seem to imply then why would he marry black people? he is not being racist he just has a certain belief that he is standing by.
who am i to call you stupid for believing in god if i dont? who are you to call him stupid if you believe inter racial couples have the same chance as other couples and he doesnt?
he wasnt even referring to the couple not being in love so much as he was the children not being accepted by the rest of the community (which is louisiana sounds like a very probable outcome)
you guys are idiots.
I was finding this to be a thread filled with more intelligent responses than found many times on the forum. It's too bad someone had to ruin that.
IMO anyone who opts for a tax paid salary does not have the same right of refusing service due to their personal opinion. It's wrong in so many ways but it also should - if it technically isn't - be illegal. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 1:59:35 AM | | Will he also not marry people if he knows one of the people is an alcoholic and not good for the future children out of the marriage? Will he also not marry a couple if one of the partners has displayed any violent tendencies against women or men in case kids born in marriage are subjected to it? These would be plausible reasons for not allowing a couple to marry, not the reasons he has cited. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 2:35:52 AM | Ref msg # 43 and 44.-
Here is another principle: "the law is reason, free from passion".
It's not about what we believe/think/wish/want, it's about what can be proved.
It's not about moral/fairness as right/wrong, it's about what is legislated.
This is not about John Doe or Joe the Plumber who can say and do wathever they want, not being representatives of the judicial system.
This is a Judge, who represents the State, in its judicial branch and who's job is to apply the letter of the law under the idea that Justitia, is blind.
This situation is about the law, it can't be about what the JP thinks or believes.
He may be a racist, since his thoughts can't be legislated.
Futhermore, under the right to free speech without the political correctness, he can spit all his venom.
Yet, as judicial officer -preciselly on functions for the application of the law- he must comply with his duties according to legislation and can't be above its letter.
Duties that are part of his job, according to Federal and States laws, to be performed without distinction of origin, credo, color of the skin...
Not to be applied as a selective option, nor conditional to his personal opinion but, governed for the sworn affidavit of compliance for application and the oath he took to defend and uphold the same law and the same principles that now he's pissing on... just because he doesn't like interracial marriage.
Technically, there is a violation of the law of the land: the different, but equal doctrine to justify segregation.
By the power invested and the authority granted for social recognition he was asked to issue a license's marriage. Not an audit for income tax purposes, nor to fix a car, nor to fly a plane, nor to change a transformer in an electrical sub-station.
More power and authority than a JP had a President... and he resigned, before to be impeached by Congress or to be removed from Office. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 4:52:41 AM | Msg 44 and 45 gave some good examples on the WHY the JP denied the couple a marriage license. Not sure 44 should have called everyone idiots, but take it with a grain of salt.
I've lived in the south during the 60's and 70's and I can tell you there were times I thought I'd be snatched off a street corner with a noose around my neck in certain areas.
Mixed children from interracial parent get it from both ends, black and white.
But, that being said, the JP is an a$$. He has no right, as long as he works for the govenment, to deny a service.
There was a huge problem with military doctors not wanting to treat single soldiers for STD because they had religious beliefs against pre-marriage sex. Their butts got shipped back/discharged quick! | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 5:23:49 AM | The Reason said:
"Bunch of hillbillies.
Did you know the toothbrush was invented in NewOrleans?
If it was invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teethbrush."
I enjoyed the humor. I thought it was a good laugh.
Here's one for ya:
How can you tell if a redneck is married?
There's tobacco spit on both sides of his pickup truck. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 6:03:01 AM | I love the complete dishonest and prejudice in this thread. As happens in so many threads that contain any issue of race.
Here is a fecking reality check people..
EVERYONE IS PREJADICE to one extent or another. The difference is if we actually live by the beliefs and if one does that makes them a BIGOT!
So all of the people claiming not to have a prejudice bone in their body is living on a river and that rivers name is DENIAL! ( denial Don't Even Know I'm Am Lying)
Do I care about this problem the op has brought to the attention of the forums?
Not a damn bit. Only because this has NOTHING TO DO WITH ME! It's not my problem.
Oh sure I can sit in a rocking chair all day, it may give me something to do but it's never going to get me anywhere.
Complaining about shet and especially others people shet is the same as sitting in that rocking chair.
I sat in a room this morning and listened to a man state that he has never and would never date a white woman. It's only black women for him. I failed to see any racism in his statement. That same man is a man I own many of my positive life changes to due to his love, guidance and understanding when I was struggling.
But as a white person if I was to make that same statement about only dating white women others would be as quick as a lightning strike to label me one.
Change starts at home, and untill it does you can be no help to anyone else. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 6:11:19 AM | | Who cares if their off spring would encounter problems, perhaps by the time their offspring was old enough to be conscious of their hertiage, it wouldnt be a big deal. Also, by perpetuating this thinking by denying their union keeps the "inter-racial" aspect from becming more accepted. The JP, in this case, did no justice for the future of inter-racial offspring, he only succeeded in keeping them in the 60's. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 6:11:38 AM | I think the judge is an ***hole... But there are a lot of ***holes out there in the world. Why is he getting publicity for his bigotted outdated views?
If I lived, god forbid, in Louisiana, I would not go to him to get married, no matter WHO I was marrying. Why? Because I dislike him based on his views. I'm not going to support him and reward him for being an ***hole. That is how *I* can make a difference and perhaps show him that not everyone thinks as he does.
Of course I don't live there. But I do live in Virginia and I can have the same effect on bigots aroundme. There was a very popular chick living in my former town and I would not vote for her when she ran for state rep b/c I've read somethings that suggest pretty racist P.O.V. That whole town was very conservative as well and also against equal rights for homosexuals. Again, I made sure my views in favor of equality for all were well known. And tried to be supportive to those who were being prejudiced against.
One ***hole at a time...I'm working on it... that is what all of us can do. This judge is just one of many. | |
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| Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana
Posted: 10/16/2009 8:02:41 AM | Forum Filly, where did you get all the information regarding Louisiana Justices of the Peace?
Please cite your references and acknowledge the source if you're posting legal statistical information for the forums.
If they were all from the article your referenced:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff
I think it's especially important that Everyone consider taking an introductory college course on News and the Media in the 21st Century.
Perhaps then Joe Q. Public can determine with more validity when the media is reporting some thing that's factual and accurate. Instead of accepting as REAL NEWS the bullshyt that is mostly agitated overblown reporting.
When the members of the media are simply creating a sensational piece of "journalistic" story telling to excite, and incite the masses so that more revenue will be generated for their employer.
Most people realize that the stories you see in the Grocer's line aren't particularly valid or accurate and rarely would someone reference them and tout them to be "fact" or "the law"....
And yet.....that appears to be the case in this instance.
Something I really cannot tolerate is ill informed people getting all hopped up about something that in reality and the bright light of day, got blown out of proportion by the excitement induced and created by a fictional writer pretending to be a journalist reporting the news.
Quite possibly why I have so many issues with the vigilant and relentless posting styles of some of our POF members. Ill informed people who spout "their opinions" based on titillation rather than actual facts piss me off especially when they pull stats out of their azz and wing them around the forums as if to say they know it all....
But you know what? I'll fight to the death saying that as much as I can't STAND when people do it - it is ENTIRELY they're RIGHT to do so, and my own son serving in our Army is giving his own life to guarantee some hick from the sticks can do so.
How do you think that feels? To know my son could/may die so this podunk Justice of the Peace can do and say as he pleases? Not too damn good but you know what? I love the USA and there's the reason why.
Regardless - a Justice of the Peace is paid to provide a service.
This man, individually had NO obligation to marry this couple OR any other.
He made himself unavailable to do so.
For his OWN opinions.
And he has every right under our constitution to do so.
IF - and I say IF because I do not know
IF he IS an elected government official then he STILL HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE
and the people in his 'region" or "territory" or "hood"
have their own rights - SHOULD THEY DISAGREE WITH HIS ACTIONS
The voters have the right to NOT re-hire him in the next election.
But witch burning was never right.
Even when one or two of those women - may have been witches.
IT was then, and is NOW
their right to worship and behave, and think, and exist
as THEY CHOOSE.
Regardless of whether you feel it's wrong.
Or you disagree.
Or you think they're idiots, azzholes, or anything else of that nature.
Witches are people too.
And no one had the right to burn them. Drown them. Hang them etc.,
Or Native American Indians.
Or? Close Minded Southern White Justice of the Peace's.
The man has a right to his own faith. His own opinion. And to deny performing what he considers a sacred ceremony based upon his own faith and his own opinions.
The couple? May take their business elsewhere and vote "No" in the next election.
That's how Freedom REALLY works people.
Deal with it. | |
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