Kim Davis Jailed for Contempt in Kentucky Gay Marriage Dispute

Sep 3

Posted by

The Fifth Column

Kim Davis, the clerk of Rowan County in Kentucky, after refusing to grant a marriage certificate to Robbie Blankenship and Jesse Cruz on Wednesday | Credit Ty Wright/Getty Images

The obvious question would be….what took so long?  Yet it’s assumed she had to exhaust all her legal options via the Court systems.  Now comes the fun part:  The Go Fund Me  (OR SIMILAR CROWD-SOURCING FUNDING SITES) donations.

The thrice divorced Ms. Davis might benefit from the publicity surrounding her strict morals regarding  “The sanctity of MARRIAGE“.  ks

THE NEW YORK TIMES

ASHLAND, Ky. — A federal judge here on Thursday ordered a defiant county clerk jailed for contempt of court because of her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite a United States Supreme Court ruling.

The clerk, Kim Davis of Rowan County, was sent to jail after a hearing before Judge David…

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Posted on 09/03/2015, in Cases, LGBT, Potpourri and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 105 Comments.

  1. Xena | 09/03/2015 at 3:07 pm

    With civil contempt, Kim Davis was given the keys to her own cell. In other words, when she decides to obey the order of the court, she will be released from jail.

    Liked by 4 people

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  2. Rachael | 09/03/2015 at 3:07 pm

    No one is stopping her from believing whatever she wants to believe. She still has the right to believe it. If She “cannot” do the work because it is against her beliefs, however, that is on HER! She needs to go elsewhere. If I were a vegan, would I work in a butcher shop and complain about it?

    Liked by 7 people

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    • lurkingresearcher | 09/03/2015 at 4:12 pm

      Complain…sure that’s what employees do. Taking it to refusal to perform duties…kinda explains the thrice divorced Kim Davis (till hubby four comes along?)

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:19 pm

      Hey Rachael! Kim Davis’ hypocrisy impugns the very nature and ways of Christ. God could care less about the piece of paper. Man needs the license so the government can establish heirs and beneficiaries. That is the foundation of marriage equality. It has nothing to do with gender.

      Liked by 6 people

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  3. Gronda Morin | 09/03/2015 at 3:14 pm

    This was a good example for others. If she wants to act according to her beliefs, she just has to find another job that will pay an $80000 annual salary plus benefits. She has a duty to her constituents to perform the duties of her office. After all, the taxpayers are paying her salary.

    Liked by 7 people

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    • Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:22 pm

      Gronda,
      Right on! Davis’ logic is likened to a member of Islam taking a job with the food and drug administration, then saying they can’t inspect pork because it’s against their religion. She is using her religion to discriminate against others.

      Liked by 2 people

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  4. racerrodig | 09/03/2015 at 3:16 pm

    Once again we have a nobody with nothing heading nowhere being a jackass and a “Hey look at me” attitude.

    “If I were a vegan, would I work in a butcher shop and complain about it?

    Exactly………………

    Liked by 6 people

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  5. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 3:48 pm

    Mike Wynn ‏@MikeWynn_CJ
    Five deputy clerks have said they are willing to issue marriage licenses. Judge said that would purge the contempt charge against Davis.

    Derrick Rose WHAS11 ‏@WHAS11DRose
    CNN: 5/6 deputy clerks willing to issue licenses. #KimDavis to be called back to court to see if she will interfere.

    CBN News ‏@CBNNews 7m
    UPDATE: #KimDavis going back to court.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 3:52 pm

      UPDATE: Kim Davis stayed in custody and did not return to the courtroom. Her attorney told the judge that she does not authorize any employee to issue licenses in her absence.

      http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/09/02/kentucky-clerk-kim-davis-contempt-gay-marriage/71573666/

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:25 pm

        I just had a conversation with someone and am now reminded that we should not think that Kim Davis is sitting in a federal prison. It’s a civil contempt charge and she is sitting in the county jail. Let’s see what she feels like when the lights go off tonight and she can’t go beyond the bars of her cell.

        Liked by 4 people

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        • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 4:30 pm

          “Let’s see what she feels like when the lights go off tonight and she can’t go beyond the bars of her cell.”

          …also, when the paycheck stops when she uses up her vacation time and sick days while hanging out in jail.

          Liked by 2 people

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          • Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:57 pm

            Shall we take bets on how many days Davis will be in jail before she breaks? She’s stubborn, so I will say 60 days, give or take a few days. She won’t want to spend Thanksgiving in jail, but she will resign the same day she is released.

            Liked by 1 person

          • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 5:09 pm

            I think she will stay in as long as people like Huckabee are supporting her.

            I bet the people with her belief stance will somehow get money to her.

            The length of time she spends in jail with depend on her martyr complex.

            Liked by 2 people

        • scrodriguez | 09/03/2015 at 8:05 pm

          Well ill be, County Jail is worse than state prison and State Prison well lets just say this Federal Prison is a country club when you compare them

          Liked by 1 person

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      • Two sides to a story | 09/03/2015 at 8:10 pm

        Whoa. Well, more time may take care of that! Eventually her county will have to fire her – or if this is an elected position, the public will vote her out.

        Liked by 3 people

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    • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 3:56 pm

      ACLU National ‏@ACLU 4m4 minutes ago
      BREAKING: Rowan County Clerk #KimDavis held in custody as deputy clerks take oath to issue licenses. We hope our clients can marry tomorrow!

      Liked by 2 people

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  6. Linda Andersen | 09/03/2015 at 4:01 pm

    That woman is full of herself! She’s as big a hypocrite as Josh Duggar!

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. JHA (@Obamatomic) | 09/03/2015 at 4:06 pm

    Kim Davis was offered a deal which she refused,her deputies must comply with the court or risking contempt charges.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:29 pm

      Hey JHA!
      Her job came with a description. If she doesn’t like the law of the land, she should resign.

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Linda Andersen | 09/03/2015 at 5:20 pm

        I’m sure there are plenty of people in Kentucky who would like to take that salary off her hands, since it’s “tainted.” God forbid that she should have to follow the law!

        Liked by 3 people

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        • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/03/2015 at 5:23 pm

          Someone reported that her mother had the clerk job for 40 years before Kim became the clerk. (Her son works in the clerk’s office and has said that he will not issue marriage licenses to gays.)

          Liked by 2 people

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          • scrodriguez | 09/03/2015 at 8:04 pm

            well I do believe Jail is a good place to tuck bigots away so if they want to make it a family affair so be it.

            Liked by 2 people

          • Two sides to a story | 09/03/2015 at 8:13 pm

            So her behavior is basically showing that in her mind, she “owns” the job. I wondered why such intense stubbornness. Usually you either choose to do an action or quit a job. She thinks she’s up to determining constitutional law.

            Liked by 2 people

          • Linda Andersen | 09/04/2015 at 6:07 pm

            I think it’s time someone put an end to the nepotism in Rowan County. What would they do if they actually had to go out and APPLY for a job??!!

            Liked by 2 people

  8. Xena | 09/03/2015 at 4:44 pm

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. omtatjuan3 | 09/03/2015 at 5:16 pm

    If I thought fixing telephone was in direct violation of The Bible, I wonder how long Id be employed?

    Liked by 4 people

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  10. Rachael | 09/03/2015 at 5:34 pm

    She is to evangelicals as George Zimmerman is/was to the NRA. ughhhhh

    Liked by 3 people

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  11. lurkingresearcher | 09/03/2015 at 5:42 pm

    As for Kim Davis I hope others join me in praying her time serving contempt charges is spent seeking guidance more reliable than her faulty husband picker.

    Over the years I’ve stood before 200+ religious teachers who haven’t quite grasped the concepts of Free Will and judge not lest ye be judged. Nowhere is this more evident than abortion and gay marriage. Where misguided ill informed folks cause more societal harm then they know in the name of religion with right/wrong sin/virtue crap that sucks every ounce of beauty out of our faith. They are under the delusion that Matthew 18 applies to non-adherents without an understanding that for a brother to be brought to the church for correction he must first be a brother of the church.

    The first time I did this I was quaking at the podium then fired up with relief when the bishop and several leading priests stood up and starting applauding when I dropped the bomb. They knew I was ready to turn tail and run from the goody two shoes pearl clutching set and of course still enjoy telling me so every chance they get.

    By a show of hands ….;)
    Some know the sacramental religious marriage ceremony has no legal standing until the civil documents are filed. Very few are aware that these are two uniquely distinct processes.

    How many know someone who has obtained a legal divorce but opted not to pursue an annulment via the church….now some lights start going on hands up.

    How many know someone who has not obtained an annulment before legally remarrying? More hand smiles cuz whoa makes sense.

    How many of you here today would declare its wrong for nuns to cohabit and pool their resources for better living accommodations ….more lights go on
    How many of you just assumed purity where you’d otherwise declare sin…

    Yep I dropped the bomb.

    Next was free will, freely chosen faith and the fact that we cannot command reverence or adherence complete with Canon law references that assuming or declaring another to be a sinner is in fact the greater sin. We can not assume another human has the knowledge, information, capacity or ability to discern what is or isn’t a sin even if they sat in our classroom or recited their catechism to us at the family dinner table. That is Catholic doctrine.

    After that event a pearl clutcher angrily declared ‘you’re off my Christmas card list’ then told the bishop my language and doctrinal distortion were a danger to the kids I taught. He laughed and said ‘oh did she slip and say shit instead of poop again?’

    Liked by 6 people

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  12. scrodriguez | 09/03/2015 at 8:01 pm

    Good she is paid to do her job if she doesn’t like it find a new line of work but her job is to do what the law says to do.

    Liked by 4 people

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    • Two sides to a story | 09/03/2015 at 8:20 pm

      Not to mention she works for Rowan County – which works under the state of Kentucky, which is part of these United States of American – and there is currently a separation of church and state (fed govt), therefore she CANNOT bring her personal views to the workplace, no matter the intention, unless Kentucky chooses to secede.

      Liked by 4 people

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  13. shyloh | 09/04/2015 at 5:19 am

    Does she have a “Go fund me yet?” NO, I am not donating ok! Geesh.

    Liked by 2 people

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  14. renxkyoko | 09/04/2015 at 5:43 am

    let’s say the doctor is a member of Jehova’s Witness, and blood transfusion is against his religion. The injured person has lost a lot of blood, and needs transfusion. he’s the only doctor available … so will he invoke religious freedom vs life of a person ? * shakes head * Oh, well.

    Liked by 5 people

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    • Xena | 09/04/2015 at 3:10 pm

      Hey Ren! What’s the oath that doctors take? The Hippocratic oath? At least doctors are under scrutiny of medical licensing boards and their malpractice insurance carrier. Kim Davis answers to no one other than the citizens who vote.

      Liked by 2 people

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  15. Kev | 09/04/2015 at 2:35 pm

    She is obligated to fulfil her oath of office, not let personal belief’s get in the way… if she has a problem with that then she should not have taken oath of office to begin with!

    Liked by 5 people

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  16. sj4tmjdma01 | 09/04/2015 at 3:31 pm

    What does her marriages have to do with this? I was married 3 times n I divorced all of them. My first husband is was gay n I didn’t find out until my 2nd daughter was born, yep I kicked his ass out the door.. Divorce/remarried is NOT a sin….

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    • Xena | 09/04/2015 at 3:46 pm

      I suppose it depends on how people interpret Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. IMO, Kim Davis’ divorces were reported in the news to show her hypocrisy. Personally, I don’t think that people should use their religious beliefs to control or dictate the personal lives of others.

      Liked by 2 people

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    • scrodriguez | 09/04/2015 at 4:28 pm

      No divorce is not a sin, However if people tout that they are to follow the book to the T as this lady is pretending the vows before God and the Church I do believe end with Til death do we part.
      and that’s the part of it that makes her fake religious position hypocritical its not that we are saying she is a sinner we are saying she is a hypocrite period.

      Liked by 4 people

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  17. Xena | 09/04/2015 at 4:03 pm

    Marriage licenses are being issued in Rowan County, and Kim Davis is still in jail. Her lawyer says he will appeal the finding for contempt.

    Liked by 5 people

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  18. scrodriguez | 09/04/2015 at 4:13 pm

    it appears her son is now denying licenses, now if we want to quote the Bible let us remember what Christ said.
    Give unto Ceasar what belongs to him….
    Ceasar is a representation of the Govt, The Bible also states that we must follow the laws of the land. This woman clearly doesn’t read the Bible very much, why would would give us such a clue it couldn’t be a few failed marriages and children out of wedlock could it?

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Linda Andersen | 09/04/2015 at 6:24 pm

      She picks and chooses which laws she wants to follow–civil or religious. Talk about a sense of entitlement!

      Liked by 3 people

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    • shyloh | 09/05/2015 at 5:46 am

      scrodriguez BINGO!!!! We must follow the laws of the land. She talks but she doesn’t walk. She needs to think for herself. God won’t decide this for her. Man will. (I have always said, once you get into trouble and stand before a Judge. That Judge becomes your God) Just the way I see it.

      Liked by 2 people

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  19. Linda Andersen | 09/05/2015 at 9:28 am

    This post has been more entertaining than the one where George Zimmerman was dropped on his head at birth. Can you remember which one that was, Xena??!!

    Liked by 2 people

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  20. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/06/2015 at 7:21 am

    So here is Kim Davis’ letter from jail:

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  21. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/06/2015 at 12:37 pm

    Across the country,

    “Kim Davis isn’t the only one refusing same-sex marriages”

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/05/kentucky-clerk-same-sex-marriage-license-religious-freedom/71770124/

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  22. Linda Andersen | 09/06/2015 at 1:30 pm

    Many of you have probably already seen this before, but this link is interesting:
    http://patch.com/us/across-america/5-facts-clerk-sent-jail-gay-marriage-dispute-0

    Liked by 2 people

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  23. Linda Andersen | 09/06/2015 at 2:35 pm

    For folks who insist that America was founded BY Christians, FOR Christians, this is an interesting site: http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html One thing I love about Xena;s blog, the people here are well read, thoughtful and discerning.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Xena | 09/06/2015 at 3:44 pm

      Linda,
      Just when I thought that I would have the new computer setup and enabled to return to being more active and writing, I now have to return the new computer to the store. 😦

      Using my oldie, I first want to thank you for your kind words about this blog. Remember, you are a well-read, thoughtful and discerning member. I think that all of us, if not most of us, hold the position that equality and freedom applies to all, and if anyone is deprived of either, that the trickle-down will make its way to deprive others.

      In our love for America, we hold it to the constitution. SCOTUS interpreted the constitution to give marriage equality to all. Kim Davis and those like her might not like it, and use their religious interpretation to pit the Bible against the constitution while using the label “Christian.” Like the men who brought the woman caught in adultery to the stoning place, and asked Jesus about it, Kim Davis stands to judge the sins of others. I wonder if her Bible says that Jesus Christ died for the sins of ALL, or just some?

      Liked by 3 people

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      • Linda Andersen | 09/06/2015 at 6:20 pm

        I love it here, Xena. Reading is about the only education I DO have. I wanted to go to college after HS, but was told, “Not only No, but Hell No! Get a job and help support the family.” So I did. The next year, I was told, “Thanks to you, we lost a tax deduction!” Couldn’t win for losing in that household!

        Hope you’re able to get your computer fixed, Xena. When I could finally afford my new one, stupid me, I didn’t make a “restore” disk. Then I got some kind of malware on it and worried that I’d really screwed up. Fortunately, I was able to figure out how to restore from the Backup Partition. Then I DID make a computer backup! Whew!

        I swear, these computers are getting more and more complicated! My favorite OS was Windows for Workgroups 3.11, because it was so similar to UNIX, which I was learning at the same time. Even now, I still occasionally depend on the old “Control-Alt-Delete” whenever I get stuck and need to find my way back to Square One!

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        • Xena | 09/07/2015 at 12:17 am

          Linda,
          We love you too!

          I did a Google search and found that many people have problems booting up after Windows installs updates. The only way to get around that is to stop automatic updates. However, Windows 10 does not give options to update or wait or not update. There is so much I’m undecided about but one thing for sure is that I do not want to buy a computer with Windows 10.

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          • Linda Andersen | 09/07/2015 at 1:06 am

            I don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10 either. Are we really sure it IS an “upgrade”? I’m just now getting accustomed to Windows 8.1. Like I said, when all else fails, resort to “Control-Alt-Delete”! Works every time!

            Like

          • Xena | 09/07/2015 at 9:46 pm

            Linda,
            The computer I purchased has Windows 10 installed, but the updates even to my old Windows 7 stopped it from booting. I was able to stop the updates by deselecting automatic updates. Windows 10 does not provide that option. Until Windows works out the kinks in their updates that is stopping computers from booting, they should stop the updates. Everything was going fine with my new computer until it installed updates. Even resetting to the earlier system settings ends up with the updates being installed again. It was a vicious circle.

            Liked by 1 person

      • mindyme62 | 09/06/2015 at 10:15 pm

        “I wonder if her Bible says that Jesus Christ died for the sins of ALL, or just some?”

        Very good point, I’m going to use that, if you don’t mind.

        Liked by 1 person

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  24. lurkingresearcher | 09/06/2015 at 6:28 pm

    Oh my! Yahtzee TY for posting Kim Davis letter, seems like that image & the related links could be a post all their own.

    What I’m struck with is the choice of Isaiah 41:10 to open vs say Psalm 23, 91 or 121. It is as if she is holding up herself as a righteous savior vs looking to the Lord for His strength to carry her through.

    Comparing herself to ‘Rose Parks’ takes willful ignorance to the nth! Rosa would be issuing the licenses, reading Romans 12 on her break and because she understood the principles Paul spoke of in 1Cor13 she’d treat every applicant with the same respectful dignity. She sought no publicity or status and what came her way never defined who she was.

    Kim Davis quotes Luke 16:18 to equate the publicity of her divorces as a trial from God…whoa that’s messed up crap! Clearly she’s willing to conform to the world when it suits her desires perhaps thinking one set of footprints in the sand is the goal. I’ll be praying she and other misguided Christians will have an epiphany to see that the single set of footprints in the sand is His grace that allows us the opportunity to resume our walk beside the Lord when we are ready able and willing to do so.

    Liked by 3 people

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    • yahtzeebutterfly | 09/06/2015 at 8:00 pm

      You have made excellent points, Researcher.

      Liked by 3 people

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      • lurkingresearcher | 09/06/2015 at 11:08 pm

        Thank you, still struggling w wanting to slap her upside the head. I’m offended that she’d malign Rosa Parks in a BS attempt to convey a sense of humility. The closest Kim Davis is to the spiritual principles Rosa lived is looking through a shop window and imagining her rags are in the same sphere as some coveted garment.

        What does she know of needing a seat after a long day of work amid luxurious finery and going home not just content but truly grateful for the meager surroundings Rosa Parks paycheck afforded her? What does she know of turning the other cheek as Rosa did for decades of injustice until the day she was just too tired to stand behind the line? NOTHING! Kim Davis, her son and others are still painting the dividing bus lines Rosa Parks defied.

        Liked by 2 people

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  25. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/07/2015 at 4:47 pm

    Update:

    Excerpt from article linked below:

    On Sunday, Davis’ lawyers appealed the contempt ruling with the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

    On Monday, the lawyers announced a parallel maneuver: they asked the appeals court to set Davis free while they fight Beshear for bureaucratic changes that would accommodate her religious opposition.

    Davis already has sued Beshear on the issue. Monday’s motion asks the panel to allow Davis to leave jail while the case moves through the courts.

    “There are multiple alternatives available by which individuals can obtain (same sex marriage) licenses without voiding Davis’ conscience and stripping Davis of her liberties,” the lawyers wrote, according to a copy of the motion posted online.

    Among the possible alternatives, the lawyers wrote, were creating an “opt-out exemption” in the marriage license process, deputizing a neighboring county clerk, taking Davis’ name off of marriage licenses and having the state distribute the licenses.

    http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jailed-kentucky-clerk-kim-davis-asks-court-block-governors-order-n422961

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    • Xena | 09/07/2015 at 9:41 pm

      Wow. Davis’ attorney is smart but not smart. This is what I mean. Davis is in jail on civil contempt — she disobeyed a lawful order of the court. So, her attorney is smart because he probably knows that a habeas petition will get them no where. What he is suggesting is that she not obey the order, but to let her out of jail and wait until the state can pass some sort of legislation giving her alternatives to obeying the order.

      Willful disobedience to a lawful order of the court is just that.

      By the same token, people found in civil contempt for, let’s say, failure to pay child support, can ask the court to let them out of jail while they petition legislatures to hold someone else responsible for paying their child support.

      I don’t know. The court might be lenient since Davis has decided to hold tax payers responsible for her room and board.

      Liked by 2 people

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  26. Linda Andersen | 09/07/2015 at 6:47 pm

    There was a funny article on Daily Kos: Kim Davis’ stunt demolished in one brilliant tweet by Rachel Held Evans. “No one’s being jailed for practicing her religion. Someone’s being jailed for using the government to force others to practice her religion.” Then, further down the page:

    “WHY did we ever stop feeding the Christians to the lions? If we still did that, THEN they might know what persecution REALLY IS….”

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  27. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/07/2015 at 7:33 pm

    Some humor:

    🙂 Oh, oh :

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  28. yahtzeebutterfly | 09/08/2015 at 9:11 am

    Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) said on Monday that he won’t respond to clerk Kim Davis’ recent motion asking the governor to release her from jail while she appeals the contempt of court ruling that landed her behind bars.

    Beshear told CNN that it is a “matter between her and the courts.”

    The emergency motion http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kim-davis-emergency-injunction-appeal filed by Davis’ lawyers on Monday asks for an exemption from Beshear’s order that all clerks issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/steve-beshear-kim-davis-motion-jail

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    • Xena | 09/08/2015 at 1:14 pm

      That battle is a true challenge. The Governor is correct because the governor did not issue the order — the challenge is between Davis and the man in the black robe. Judges have jurisdiction to enforce their orders. To give an option or alternative to complying is compromising the order. In my opinion, Davis cannot keep her job and compromise the court’s order. Her only get out of jail card is to obey the order of the court, or resign.

      Liked by 1 person

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