Texas attorney general says county clerks can refuse gay couples

[Arbitr8]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/te...unty-clerks-can-refuse-gay-couples/ar-AAcgo8o


County clerks in Texas who object to gay marriage can refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite last week's landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring states to allow same-sex marriage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Sunday.

Paxton said in a statement that hundreds of public officials in Texas were seeking guidance on how to implement what he called a lawless and flawed decision by an "activist" court.

The state's attorney general said that while the Supreme Court justices had "fabricated" a new constitutional right, they did not diminish, overrule, or call into question the First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.

"County clerks and their employees retain religious freedoms that may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses," Paxton wrote, adding that the strength of any such claim would depend on the facts of each case.

"Justices of the peace and judges similarly retain religious freedoms and may claim that the government cannot force them to conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies over their religious objections," Paxton wrote.

He noted that officials who refuse to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could expect to be sued, but he said they would have ample legal support.

"Numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights," Paxton wrote.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

lawless rulings are lawless

we don't take too kindly to devil worship freaks in the black robes of death- around here

it's like telling texas they gotta suddenly route for ou, not really gonna happen

 

[mstp1992]

lawless rulings are lawless

we don't take too kindly to devil worship freaks in the black robes of death- around here

it's like telling texas they gotta suddenly route for ou, not really gonna happen

 

[ottumwan in tx]

when your attorney general and your governor proclaim the lawless ruling to be lawless, and that the constitutional right was made up from whole cloth, then it kind of goes beyond conspiracy theory and now becomes basic fact that it is happening.

 

[mstp1992]

when your attorney general and your governor proclaim the lawless ruling to be lawless, and that the constitutional right was made up from whole cloth, then it kind of goes beyond conspiracy theory and now becomes basic fact that it is happening.

You truly need some serious psychiatric help.

 

[Funky Bunch]

Gays are at the top of the Do Not Forgive list. Muslims are a close second.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Gays are at the top of the Do Not Forgive list. Muslims are a close second.

that's pretty close to the truth. my pastor says if you go against Israel and traditional marriage, god shall set you ablaze. While I never really believed that this was the sole cause of spontaneous combustion .....

 

[ottumwan in tx]

You truly need some serious psychiatric help.

so, only the supremes can make up in their own words the definitions of what rights and laws are and what they say and how they work? well, that would go against what our founding fathers wanted for the governing of the several states.

 

[markfromj]

It is not the right of any public official to act offically according to what their personal beliefs are. This is really simple, folks.

 

[mstp1992]

so, only the supremes can make up in their own words the definitions of what rights and laws are and what they say and how they work? well, that would go against what our founding fathers wanted for the governing of the several states.

How wrong you are.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Mississippi is refusing to do the deed as well

 

[ottumwan in tx]

How wrong you are.

well, yeah, for now, they truly can lawlessly make up crap in their own mind at the supreme level, but that does not make it right

 

[mstp1992]

well, yeah, for now, they truly can lawlessly make up crap in their own mind at the supreme level, but that does not make it right

Get over it. Your ultra right wing social conservatism is losing traction in today's society. You're becoming a relic. I realize this is difficult for people with limited psychological resources to comprehend and accept, but it will be best for you in the long run. Continually fighting it will only make things worse for you.

 

[gonegolfing]

Get over it. Your ultra right wing social conservatism is losing traction in today's society. You're becoming a relic. I realize this is difficult for people with limited psychological resources to comprehend and accept, but it will be best for you in the long run. Continually fighting it will only make things worse for you.

While mstp's characterizations of the foundations that once made this country great is incorrect, he is correct in saying that the easy road is winning. The country is in trouble because of it. American culture is just about dead. It's sad, but that's what happens when you try to run a country with your heart and not your head.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

come on slave, don't resist. relax and sit down and take it. the more you resist, the worse off you will be.

 

[mstp1992]

come on slave, don't resist. relax and sit down and take it. the more you resist, the worse off you will be.

 

[naturalmwa]

Don't worry OiT, we will take the Texas tax payer's money. Its not a problem for us at all. Bring it. Give us northern libs another excuse to invade your state and set the groundwork for turning you blue. Smart move.

 

[DanL53]

One Teenie Weenie moment in the struggle for Civil Rights. George Wallace's very own Teenie Weenie, moment.

 

[dawills]

So you guys are obviously in favor of forcing illinois to allow concealed carry by individuals who have concealed carry permits issued by another state?

 

[h-hawk]

Sounds like couple will have to seek out enlightened clerks in some of those states. I've read where at least one state is considering having only pastors and notaries provide licenses, in an attempt to circumvent the ruling. Is there any bigger joke of a state than Texas, where the loonies forced the governor to call out the Guard to protect them from the Feds. People in business know that Texas has all sorts of red tape which purpose seems only to make them Texans feel special.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Sounds like couple will have to seek out enlightened clerks in some of those states. I've read where at least one state is considering having only pastors and notaries provide licenses, in an attempt to circumvent the ruling. Is there any bigger joke of a state than Texas, where the loonies forced the governor to call out the Guard to protect them from the Feds. People in business know that Texas has all sorts of red tape which purpose seems only to make them Texans feel special.

"enlightened" is knowing the supreme court does not issue laws nor rights

 

[naturalmwa]

So you guys are obviously in favor of forcing illinois to allow concealed carry by individuals who have concealed carry permits issued by another state?

Has the court ruled this is the law? If so, I am. If not, find a new rebuttal point.

 

[mstp1992]

So you guys are obviously in favor of forcing illinois to allow concealed carry by individuals who have concealed carry permits issued by another state?

As soon as there are governmental benefits afforded those who "conceal & carry" then yes, I suppose that would make sense. Until then, your example is simply fatuous.

 

[mstp1992]

"enlightened" is knowing the supreme court does not issue laws nor rights

Still sticking with your paranoid theme, I see.

Time for you to take your medicine.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

Logic in the State of Texas has gone bye-bye. Under the AG's standard, a state employee could refuse to issue a license, or marry, inter-racial couples.

This issue was decided by the Supreme Court only 48 years ago ...