Scarborough: Alabama Judges 'Have No Right To Ignore' Gay Marriage Ruling

[DonViejo]

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough on Tuesday blasted Alabama judges who have defied a federal appeals court ruling that brought gay marriage to the state, accusing them of "ignoring the Constitution."

On Sunday, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore ordered state probate judges to refuse to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples. The New York Times reported that most judges in the state have followed Moore's order.

“We have survived over two centuries because the law of the land still rules us all,” the "Morning Joe" host said during Tuesday's episode. “If we don’t like how federal judges are making laws, there’s a way to get around that. And it’s not by defying the federal government. It’s by winning elections and appointing judges that actually share your view of what America should be." Scarborough then addressed those judges directly.

“Even though I understand your concern with the ruling and I had some of the same concerns, that gives you no right to ignore the law of the land," he said. "It gives you no right to ignore everything you were taught in law school. And it gives you no right to cast a shadow over the state of Alabama.”

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/joe-scarborough-alabama-gay-marriage

[yallerdawg]

1. "Judges"

Thank you for your attention, DV!

Scarjo all high and mighty.

The probate "judges" he is talking about are local Bubbas and the occasional Bubbette whose qualification for election is a 1 year residency in the county. They learn 'law' on blogs and Wikipedia just like we do!

They'll get more educated real soon!

Some did get it right, though.

My Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed (D) said his office would marry any couple who comes in starting February 9, 2015 and he kept his word:

"Unless the federal judge issues a stay then MGM Probate Court will issue a license to ANY couple that wants to be married," Montgomery County Probate judge Steven L. Reed said in a response on Twitter

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/01/alabama_probate_court_judges_gay_marriage.html

Democrats in Alabama still count! Judge Reed about Roy Moore said:

"From my understanding based on the law is that he didn't really have a legal leg to stand on. I was very surprised. I probably shouldn't have been at this point. But the chief justice took those type of tactics. I think that type of demagoguery is outdated, it doesn't have any place when you're talking about being a judge and you're talking about being the supreme justice of the supreme court," said Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed.

http://www.alabamanews.net/home/top-stories/Probate-Judges-Defy-Chief-Justice-Order-291335341.html

[underpants]

2. They elect judges in alAbama don't they?

Not arguing with you just wanted some clarification

I think that's how Moore got back on their Supreme Court. I could be wrong.

[yallerdawg]

3. Yes, almost all "judges" elected.

A few years ago, Roy Moore was removed from office as Chief Justice for not following Federal court order to remove 10 commandments statue from state courthouse.

Alabama voters put him back in 2012.

So, Moore has a bone to pick with Federal court orders.

Probate judges are not required to have any legal background.

http://www.sos.state.al.us/Elections/MinQualifications.aspx

So when an authority like Chief Justice Moore opines that 'judges' don't have to follow Federal court orders, they don't "know" better.

The constituency for a probate judge is more important than the law, which actually sums up the problem with electing judges.