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Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.

He is performing a service. The state is already out of the equation after granting the license.


The granting of the is not the end of the road for the state. The filing of the marriage certificate is. And the in between step is where you take your marriage license to someone granted the authority by the state to perform the ceremony. So the state is in it from soup to nuts.
 
Breaking the law isn't exactly good moral character. Also, I believe someone said he had to get elected too. That's not true everywhere, but apparently where he lives, it is true.

It's an elected position in Louisiana, but I haven't found out how long the term of office is, I got sidetracked with this --

This is from The Hammond Star --

Bardwell said a justice of the peace is not required to conduct a marriage ceremony and is at liberty to recuse himself “from a marriage or anything else.”

He said the state attorney general told him years ago that he would eventually get into trouble for not performing interracial marriages.

“I told him if I do, I’ll resign,” Bardwell said. “I have rights too. I’m not obligated to do that just because I’m a justice of the peace.”

JPs do not get paid for performing marriages, although the couple may give a “gratuity,” he said.

Later in the article it states --

According to the clerk of court’s office, getting a marriage license is a relatively easy process. Application for the license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period, although this can be waived by the judge, JP or minister.

The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

A certified copy of their birth certificate and Social Security care are required. No blood test is required in Louisiana.

The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed within the State of Louisiana. Once it is signed by the minister, JP or judge, the original is returned to the clerk’s office. A certified copy is made and sent to the couple, and the original is put on file.
 
It's an elected position in Louisiana, but I haven't found out how long the term of office is, I got sidetracked with this --

This is from The Hammond Star --



Later in the article it states --



Pretty interesting! (the part about the attorney general previously warning him).
 
There may be precedence that I am unaware of.

Are you saying that a business man (which is what the JP really is), cannot refuse to sign a piece of paper on his own volition because race is involved?

If so, what a sad world we live in. :(


JPs in LA are not businessmen, they are paid by the state (a stipend). As other elected officials are. I read it in one of the articles somewhere (don't have it at hand right now, but I can look).


edit - $6k in 2005 filing: http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=...&gl=us&sig=AFQjCNFKLn4ehM_PrcBNmtz2KcNq5koJYg
 
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JPs in LA are not businessmen, they are paid by the state (a stipend). As other elected officials are. I read it in one of the articles somewhere (don't have it at hand right now, but I can look).


edit - $6k in 2005 filing: Powered by Google Docs

Good find!

Great Caesar's Ghost! A Louisiana JoP only makes $6,000 per year? No wonder you don't have to have anything besides a clean criminal record and a GED to become one!

I'm beginning to get the impression that a Louisiana JoP is little more than a glorified Notary Public.

Man oh man! If I was making only $6K as a JoP, you bet yer' ass I'd marry anyone that came into my office - interracial, same-sex, animals, space-aliens, you name it! Just gimme $20 and face each other...

:mrgreen:
 
Good find!

Great Caesar's Ghost! A Louisiana JoP only makes $6,000 per year? No wonder you don't have to have anything besides a clean criminal record and a GED to become one!

I'm beginning to get the impression that a Louisiana JoP is little more than a glorified Notary Public.

Man oh man! If I was making only $6K as a JoP, you bet yer' ass I'd marry anyone that came into my office - interracial, same-sex, animals, space-aliens, you name it! Just gimme $20 and face each other...

:mrgreen:


Yep, $6k per year. It is a part-time post.

Seriously? Interracial, same-sex, animals, and space aliens are all lumped in together? OMFG :shock:
 
Well if that's the angle you're taking then I'm jumping on board the "abolish all marriage completely" bus :2wave:

Free beer and potato chips! Hop on! :2wave:
 
It appears he was well within his rights.....
Jindal should butt out...;)
 
It appears he was well within his rights.....
Jindal should butt out...;)

HOW SO?

YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT OR DO YOU JUST HAVE A BAD CASE OF DIARRHEA OF THE MOUTH??:confused:


Jeez, I can't believe some of the people on this thread actually defending this!
 
HOW SO?

YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT OR DO YOU JUST HAVE A BAD CASE OF DIARRHEA OF THE MOUTH??:confused:


Jeez, I can't believe some of the people on this thread actually defending this!

I don't have to explain it, he did.... ;)
....And I happen to agree with his reason.....:)
 
HOW SO?

YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT OR DO YOU JUST HAVE A BAD CASE OF DIARRHEA OF THE MOUTH??:confused:


Jeez, I can't believe some of the people on this thread actually defending this!

capslock.jpg
 
Moderator's Warning:
Keep it civil folks, or thread-bans will ensue.
 
You can't put a wink after that.

You just need to get off this site.
I can put a wink, anywhere I please....
I answered your question.....
I'm sorry you don't like the answer.....
I didn't know it was up to you to censor my opinion......;)
....And, further more, it appears that he acted legally, regardless of how you or Bobby Jindal feel...
 
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How else would you suggest getting through to these people?

They're tolls.

You don't.

Anything you do will only feed them, which is how Rush Limbaugh is so successful.
 
Re-read the OP again. This is a Fox News tactic...kinda strange seeing it being applied elsewere.


So...

The first sentence makes you think this JP refused to allow them to marry.

In reality, they already had the license. The JP refused to endorse it - which he is ALLOWED to do for any reason. The JP could careless if they get married, he just isn't going to sign the paper.

There is no issue here. We cannot force this JP to think like anyone. Signing certs is during their off time. It is sickening how out of control people get about stupid things. Sorry it wasted your time...go to another JP and stop thinking you are someone speshal....
i realize they could easily go elswhere, but why should they have to? it's not special to believe the jp should marry an interracial couple when he admits he marries other couples all the time.

he is within his rights, i agree. refusing to marry them is still wrong.
 
i realize they could easily go elswhere, but why should they have to? it's not special to believe the jp should marry an interracial couple when he admits he marries other couples all the time.

he is within his rights, i agree. refusing to marry them is still wrong.
Not legally, & not in his opinion....
It is your opinion that it is wrong, & you are certainly entitled to that.....

That said, I'm surprised this:Louisiana newlyweds want justice of peace fired - CNN.com took so long.....
 
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