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mahatmakanejeeves

(62,903 posts)
11. Several Alabama counties withholding gay marriage licenses despite federal order
Wed Jul 1, 2015, 12:13 PM
Jul 2015

This story went up at 11:34 a.m., and it was updated at 11:35 a.m.

Several Alabama counties witholding gay marriage licenses despite federal order

By Casey Toner | ctoner@al.com
on July 01, 2015 at 11:34 AM, updated July 01, 2015 at 11:35 AM

Yes, Alabama's probate judges have to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a federal judge in Mobile clarified on Wednesday.

But at least four counties are holding out. Probate offices in Elmore County, Tuscaloosa County, and Escambia County are not issuing the same-sex marriage licenses. And, the Randolph County probate office is not issuing any marriage licenses.

Explaining their actions, these probate office officials cited Alabama Supreme Court Chief Roy Moore's controversial claim that no probate judge has to issue a same-sex marriage license for 25 days during a rehearing period for the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Additionally, the National Center for Lesbian Rights claims that Clay County, Marion County and Tallapoosa County are not issuing the licenses either, but probate officials in all three counties were unavailable for immediate comment.

In other news, the crowd in Roy Moore's office is getting even more unhinged, it that's possible. Here's what his employee Win Johnson did:

Roy Moore's lawyer to Gov. Bentley: 'Public officials are ministers of God'

By Charles J. Dean | cdean@al.com
on June 30, 2015 at 2:49 PM, updated July 01, 2015 at 7:41 AM



Win Johnson

In harsh words and a lecturing tone, a lawyer who works for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has written a letter seemingly directed at Gov. Robert Bentley rebuking him for saying Alabama will obey the U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring same-sex marriage legal.

While the letter from attorney Win Johnson never calls Bentley by name or title, a spokeswoman for Bentley said the letter was directed at the governor.

"Public official, what will you do? Will you stand up for the law of Alabama, for the people, for the weak and vulnerable, for the law of God? Or will you capitulate? Will you become complicit in the takeover by the wicked?" writes Johnson, director of the legal staff of the Administrative Office of Courts. The AOC operationally runs Alabama's court system which is headed by Moore.

Johnson said today the letter was not directed at Bentley but to all public officials.

'Minister of God' letter sparks call for the resignation of Alabama courts official

ETA, 3:21 p.m.:

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore reprimands staffer for 'minister of God' letter

By Charles J. Dean | cdean@al.com
on July 01, 2015 at 1:08 PM, updated July 01, 2015 at 1:59 PM

A lawyer for the state judicial system headed by Chief Justice Roy Moore has been reprimanded by Moore for writing a letter seemingly aimed at Gov. Robert Bentley calling on him and state officials not to obey a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage.

The attorney, Win Johnson, also has apologized to Bentley for the letter:

"... Please convey my apologies to the governor for causing him to think it was directed toward him," writes Johnson in an email to David Byrne, Bentley's legal adviser.

Johnson sent the letter via email to Byrne last Friday in which he condemned the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage and called for the ruling to be disobeyed.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Pwned, right? swimboy Jul 2015 #1
Good. Once again making the point that The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2015 #2
Except for the Fifth Circuit of course. ananda Jul 2015 #7
One of them has to come in last place. These days, it's the Fifth. n/t eggplant Jul 2015 #17
Poor dears. Are they being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century? calimary Jul 2015 #3
And being thusly abused against their religious beliefs... Hepburn Jul 2015 #5
Now lets see ......................... turbinetree Jul 2015 #4
Again? Archae Jul 2015 #10
Trust me, if the recent marriage decision from SCOTUS went the way Judge Roy Moore had wanted, Raster Jul 2015 #19
Hey, Judge Moore: DisgustipatedinCA Jul 2015 #6
Some southern marriage license officials won't budge on same-sex issue mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2015 #8
Then prevent them from EVER issuing marriage licenses again! Elmer S. E. Dump Jul 2015 #12
How would you go about that? ColesCountyDem Jul 2015 #16
Hell if I know. I'm just pissed. Elmer S. E. Dump Jul 2015 #20
Oh, OK. Me, too! ColesCountyDem Jul 2015 #21
No more Dumb shenmue Jul 2015 #9
Several Alabama counties withholding gay marriage licenses despite federal order mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2015 #11
Public officials are ministers of which congregation? FrodosPet Jul 2015 #23
Probably end up standing in the door of the court house kairos12 Jul 2015 #13
Maybe Judge Moore is following orders from voices he hears in his head...... wolfie001 Jul 2015 #14
It doesn't get more appropriate than this rocktivity Jul 2015 #15
Judge Roy is having a very bad summer, lark Jul 2015 #18
Watching All In Marthe48 Jul 2015 #22
Alabama judges must issue gay marriage licenses if they issue straight marriage licenses, court rule mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2015 #24
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