Tuesday, January 27, 2015

AL Chief Justice Roy Moore's anti-marriage equality statement more about bigotry and less about morality or ethics

Roy Moore
For all of the whining they do about alleged "activist judges," it looks like the religious right may have found one which will allow them to make an exception.

According to The New Civil Rights Movement:

 On Friday and Monday a federal judge struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage in two separate cases, prompting state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore to issue a three-page declaration promising he will not observe the rulings.

  . . . "As Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, I will continue to recognize the Alabama Constitution and the will of the people overwhelmingly expressed in the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment," Moore wrote. "If we are to preserve that 'reverent morality which is our source of all beneficent progress in social and political improvement,' then we must act to oppose such tyranny!" he added.

In his letter, addressed to Alabama Republican Governor Robert Bentley, Moore warned "the destruction of that institution is upon us by federal courts using specious pretexts based on the Equal Protection, Due Process and Full Faith and Credit Clauses of the United States Constitution."
"I would advise," Moore added, that any marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples "would be in defiance of the laws and Constitution of Alabama," and claimed that the State of Alabama is not bound by decisions of federal district or appellate courts.

Moore also quoted the bible in his letter, Mark 10:6-9, which begins, "But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’

Now before anyone begins spouting righteous outrage and talk about how Moore should lose his job, I should inform that he once did. In 2003, he was removed as chief justice of Alabama for his refusal to obey a federal court order and remove a  2.6 ton stone monument of the Ten Commandments he had placed at the courthouse. In 2012, he was voted back in as Alabama's chief justice.

But before that infamous incident, there were other incidents which strongly indicated that Moore was prejudiced against the lgbt community.

In 2002, Lambda Legal filed a formal complaint  with the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission against Moore, claiming that he made "shockingly prejudiced statements against gay people in a recent legal opinion."

'Hearing over lgbt protections in Idaho become highly emotional' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Push for gay protections in Idaho stirs emotional debate - Even as we speak, folks are having a huge debate regarding lgbt protections in Idaho complete with testimony given to lawmakers. Included amongst those giving testimony (and also tweeting about the event) is Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council. 

You know, THIS Peter Sprigg: 




 Ted Cruz To Introduce Federal Amendment Prohibiting Judges From Overturning Gay Marriage Bans - It's a ridiculous idea which won't work but always be careful of those willing to push inanely ridiculous ideas, particularly if they have the power of being a United States senator.

Bishops Freak Out After Catholic Hospitals Consider Giving Equal Rights To Gay People - Because freaking out over such things is what Jesus would do. #snark! 

 Former Atlanta fire chief files religious discrimination complaint against city - Good grief! Kelvin Cochran isn't giving up his on persecution angle but Mayor Kasim Reed isn't cutting ANY slack either.

Court Tosses Out Prostitution Conviction For Woman Who Was Just Walking Down The Street - Good! I swear I have never heard of such a ridiculous reason to arrest someone!