Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.

[Bbucko]

Damn right but time and time again, shit comes straight out of Louisiana (like trying to ban the public display of underwear without checking with SCOTUS rulings on the subject) and a host of other similar states. This IDIOT is an elected official. I blame the electorate of his town for putting such a moron in office to begin with. This is the same state of the ridiculous Bobby Jindal (creationist, opponent of gay marriage, copays for Medicaid, advocate of chemical castration, and a host of other barbaric and backward practices).

Anyone with any sense who hasn't left Louisiana deserves to be condemned to it. If I NEVER set foot there I won't lose any sleep over it and I'm sure the redneck halfwits who inhabit the state will be just as happy that I don't.

And by the way, where are the governor's comments on this issue? Where are the rebukes from other elected officials? The silence is as deafening as it is damning.

Your posts in this thread have mirrored my thoughts precisely, my friend.

 

[jason_els]

Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it. I'm sick of PC-apologetics. Peoples lives and rights are at stake. I'm not going to whitewash their plight by saying it's an isolated incident when it's not.

The Justice Department and Attorney General of the United States should immediately start an investigation into this matter. If the state of Louisiana refuses to remove this turd from office, I'm sure there are legal and financial sanctions that can be carried out against the state of Louisana by the United States government.

More than sanctions. I was telling Davey earlier about what it came to for Little Rock Central Schools to be desegregated. The Attorney General of the United States can bring suit against Louisiana to force the law to be applied or the couple in question can appeal to a higher court. If they are turned down, however, they can appeal through the courts to a federal court which will then overturn the Justice of the Peace's ruling and force him to comply. If he still refuses and the Justice of the Peace is not subject to any penalties within Louisiana, then the court of the town can become subject to federal suspension and its members replaced by federal appointees.

I think it is incumbent upon the AG or even Obama himself to state that this sort of judicial miscarriage will not be tolerated and that unless Louisiana acts, the federal government will act with all force necessary to see to it that the Constitutional rights of this couple are respected.

Sending the army to Little Rock was the wisest thing Eisenhower ever did as president and we must always guard our Constitutional rights down to the muzzle of a gun if necessary. It was true then and it's true now. The slightest waver will be a sign of weakness.

 

[DaveyR]

More than sanctions. I was telling Davey earlier about what it came to for Little Rock Central Schools to be desegregated. The Attorney General of the United States can bring suit against Louisiana to force the law to be applied or the couple in question can appeal to a higher court. If they are turned down, however, they can appeal through the courts to a federal court which will then overturn the Justice of the Peace's ruling and force him to comply. If he still refuses and the Justice of the Peace is not subject to any penalties within Louisiana, then the court of the town can become subject to federal suspension and its members replaced by federal appointees.

The easy option for this couple will be to go find someone else to marry them. I suspect that that is what will end up happening and Cuntwitted Fucktard of a JP will continue as before.

Nothing will change until people choose the tougher options. This couple need to fight him all the way getting as much publicity as they can. He needs to be shown up for what he is and I don't need to spell that out for anyone.

 

[jason_els]

Top Gear is one of my favorite shows. It's ostensibly about cars but really more about three good friends getting into trouble with cars.

In one episode these three overly educated Brits were sent to America to drive through the south in clunkers they bought at dodgy used-car dealers. I think it is one of the best episodes ever done because it's rather like a modern day, Heart of Darkness meets Innocents Abroad. It stands for everything that Europeans don't understand about America and the dangers of not doing so.

This clip is the heart of the story but the entire episode, where they end-up being so shocked by the state of New Orleans that they gave away their cars rather than sell them, really hits home about how just disgraceful this country can get. I urge any non-American who hasn't seen this episode to watch it.

And the gas station scene was NOT staged.

James May, one of the presenters, later wrote:

That bit in our American Holiday Video where we were attacked by the rednecks in the Alabama petrol station: I realise now that I should have seen it coming.

We'd been warned by some American modernists - i.e. Californians - that the southerners wouldn't take kindly to any of our light mockery of the things they hold dear - Bush, heterosexuality, NASCAR, Country and Western, short hair...

But I never really believed they would take it quite that badly.

But then, earlier that day I had stopped at another petrol station and looked at the selection of T-shirts on sale to the locals. One proclaimed 'God, pick-ups and beer' with a picture of a Dodge like Hammond's on it. Another sported some legend about the right to bear arms.

And yet another depicted the Confederate flag and a picture of, er, General Stonewall Jackson. I think this may have been a vital clue to the mentality of the hicks.

Wasn't Jackson a general from the civil war? And didn't he die from complications resulting from the amputation of his arm after he was inadvertently shot by his own men?

It's been pointed out to me that the old flag, rather than standing for a discredited set of social and political values, is now just a fanciful graphic.

The Dukes of Hazzard, after all, had one on the roof of their car, and no one thought it was in any way distasteful. It was just the good ol' boys from the South being sentimental about their roots.

And that seemed like a fair comment. I like a sense of history as much as anyone. But then something else occured to me.

I've never met anyone in Europe wearing a swastika T-shirt. - Top Gear Blog

 

[mindfawk]

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said.....what an idiot!

 

[Lex]

Sad that people still feel threatened by different love in the ways that they do.

I guess Bubba and I can scrap any plans to visit that state. We wouldn't want our interracial, homo love to rub off on anyone.

 

[D_Ireonsyd_Colonrinse]

The justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish is Keith Bardwell.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way,. I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

 

[HazelGod]

For those thinking Hammond, LA, is some backwater mudsplat, think again...(you'll have to forgive the author's inability to spell the state's name correctly):

Hammond is not some teeny-tiny town in Lousiana. Tangipahoa Parish is located in eastern Louisiana. The parish seat is Amite City, but the major city is Hammond. As of 2000, the population was 100,588. The median income for a household in the parish was $29,412, and the median income for a family was $36,731. Males had a median income of $31,576 versus $20,066 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,461. About 18.00% of families and 22.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.60% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over. It is 70% white and 30% black.

 

[BigDallasDick8x6]

We all know there are still cretins like this lurking in the corners, but what outrages me is that he has the power to enforce his views. He can believe anything he wants in his heart, but he should not have the power to enforce his prejudices through his office.

And don't forget that gay couples are denied marriage every day in this country. That's an outrage too.

 

[dude252007]

The federal courts will hopefully set this right and grant to right of these two people to do as they please.

On a side note: be careful about calling people backwards. There was once a time when it was okay to burn people at the stake and when it was okay to hold people into slavery and anyone who thought different was called backwards and vilified. It is never okay to vilify for any reason. Vilify the action or mentality but not the person. Who was it that said when they came for the Jews I did not care because I was not Jewish, when they came for the Catholics I did not care because I was not Catholic....when they came for me there was no one left to care.

 

[mako shark]

This is only one man's opinion and I can assure you that there are other folks (of all races) that feel the same way. Individuals like this should never be allowed to hold such a position and this guy should be removed from office immediately.

 

[ruffboy]

lop his dick off and give him no more air time, here or anywhere else

 

[lakecreeker]

Every state has different laws, some leave it up to the county to make the decision. No different that some of states the clergy and or churches won't marry these people. Won't even talk about the mess with the same sex marriage states. Why even have the piece of paper, The federal government recognizes Common law marriages and most states are required to also IRS sure does! All marriage license are is a revenue source for the states and counties, medical clinic and labs in states that require blood work also.

 

[b.c.]

This Hammond justice of the peace is without question a complete asshole, and he is an excellent example of why and how racism is alive and well in America.

Not that we here in Louisiana have a monopoly on assholes. It just seems we're all more apt to quickly get lump sum maligned (by people who otherwise seem to have half a brain in their heads) by the actions of some among us.

Given that, this son of a bitch was the last thing we needed.

 

[HazelGod]

This is a perfect example of why it's so important to be aware of your local politicians and vote responsibly* in local elections.

This Bardwell asshole wasn't appointed...the people who showed up at the polls put him there.



*That means you don't automatically just vote straight-party...or worse, for the incumbent because you know his name.

 

[jason_els]

This Hammond justice of the peace is without question a complete asshole, and he is an excellent example of why and how racism is alive and well in America.

Not that we here in Louisiana have a monopoly on assholes. It just seems we're all more apt to quickly get lump sum maligned (by people who otherwise seem to have half a brain in their heads) by the actions of some among us.

Given that, this son of a bitch was the last thing we needed.

Point taken. I apologize for throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I get so frustrated by ignorants being placed in positions of power simply because the electorate happens to be dumber than the person they elect. This seems to flourish in the poorly educated areas of the country. I don't see how any reasonable person can tolerate it. You have far more patience than I do.

 

[Sassy]

And some Americans vote for candidates based on liking their names, because they just happen to be in their particular political party, or of their same race...

Either the voters in that county knew about his qualifications and opinions (and supported them), or didn't bother to find out. Either is appalling.

 

[JustAsking]

That JP was right in worrying about the kids of a mixed marriage. I mean who would want kids as hideous and unacceptable in society as Halle Berry, Beyonce, Barack Obama, or Mariah Carey?

 

[blg3floor3]

Now if only everyone was as universally outraged, upset, baffled, confused, shocked, and up in arms about same sex marriage as they are with this.

 

[patronpk]

J/P Keith Bardwell repeats the old mantra..'some of my best friends are______!'
He quacks like a duck(racist), he walks like a duck(Bigot) therefore he must be a duck...throw this man out of his office - quick!Welcome to the new world, you fool!!