# Fuck you, Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 13, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757 "2015-08-13T18:09:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/241 "2015-09-01T16:43:05Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That’s only because nothing of consequence has happened to her. See how loyal they stay when the shit hits the fan. While you may end up being correct there is still the possibility they will stick with her. As screwy as it might sound, aspiring to be made a martyr for their beliefs isn’t unheard of among certain fundamentalist Christian groups. Watching Ms. Davis on the news, she strikes me as the sort who will take this to the bitter end. I have no idea how seriously those who work for her are in their beliefs but the fact some of them are her relatives make me think they may not give in all that easily. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/242 "2015-09-01T16:47:58Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [And her brother is the clerk over in Casey County](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-kentucky-clerk-refuses-grant-license-33355677) who was ordered to either issue marriage licenses or quit. No, the Casey County Clerk is not her brother, they just have the same last name and I don’t believe really knew each other at all before this started. They are unrelated. However they have referred to each other as “siblings in Christ.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/243 "2015-09-01T16:48:51Z")
Well, it \*is \*Kentucky. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/244 "2015-09-01T16:54:29Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Sadly, this bitch is probably a hero to most people in Kentucky. [Nope!](http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Bluegrass-Poll-Ky-voters-divided-over-fallout-from-same-sex-marriage-ruling-320509912.html) The poll — conducted for WKYT-TV, the Lexington Herald-Leader, the Louisville Courier-Journal, and WHAS-TV — found 38 percent of those surveyed think the clerks who refuse should be removed from office while 36 percent think they are allowed to refuse issuing marriage licenses. Sixteen percent of those polled think the responsibility for issuing marriage licenses should be transferred to a state agency. The remaining nine percent said they were unsure what to do about the clerk controversy. Too many, but not most. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/245 "2015-09-01T16:55:22Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [Judge Bunning has ordered not just Mrs Davis but her entire staff to face the court at 11am Thursday (3 September)](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GAY_MARRIAGE_KENTUCKY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-01-12-31-36). > > Hooooboy is THAT gonna be fun to read about! It’s probably too much to ask that the judge say, “Where is your god now?”. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/246 "2015-09-01T18:04:59Z")
“When you took office, did you put your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible?” “Yes, you’re entitled to your religious beliefs, but you’re not _entitled_ to hold this job.” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/247 "2015-09-01T18:33:21Z")
What I want to hear is: “Your contempt of this court is at an end. One year in Federal Prison and a $100,000 fine. Bailiff, remove her from my courtroom.” ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/248 "2015-09-01T18:35:27Z")
I believe the [oath](http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/legresou/constitu/228.htm) goes something like this > [@](#): > > I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of … according to law; and I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God. Hm. Maybe the “so help me God” part has to do with dueling and not faithfully executing the office. It is a bit of a long sentence. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/249 "2015-09-01T18:41:36Z")
But duels with comfy pillows are still good? Gotta admit, that one caught me by surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/250 "2015-09-01T18:42:06Z")
That oath doesn’t seem to apply to clerks of courts, who are not listed among the “officers” identified elsewhere in the KYC. It’s pretty awesome, though. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/251 "2015-09-01T19:03:24Z")
I have only scanned the last couple pages of this thread but I have been following this issue closely. Information out there is very sketchy and, in some cases, contradictory but I believe that this is the situation. I apologize if some of this is already covered. Davis is an elected County Clerk and can’t be just fired or recalled by an election. The only remedy is impeachment by the State legislature. They don’t meet again until January but they can have a special session. Given the make up of the legislature, an impeachment isn’t going to happen. There are six or so assistant clerks who work for Davis who are employees. They ordinarily issue licenses as part of their job but have been ordered not to by their boss (Davis). She said that since her name is on every license, it is still a violation of her religion to have one issued in her stead. It could well be that one of more of them would be happy to issue licenses. The judge can fine and/or jail her for contempt. He could also order that while she is incapacitated (in jail) that the assistant clerks can start to issue licenses. He could probably keep her in the clink until she resigns or agrees to issue licenses or is otherwise no longer the clerk via impeachment or not winning the next election. She will probably have a fat legal defense fund so fines will be meaningless. Davis is twice divorced. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/252 "2015-09-01T19:15:35Z")
Can the entire county clerk’s staff be fired leaving her with nobody to toady to her? ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/253 "2015-09-01T19:21:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > There are six or so assistant clerks who work for Davis who are employees. They ordinarily issue licenses as part of their job but have been ordered not to by their boss (Davis). She said that since her name is on every license, it is still a violation of her religion to have one issued in her stead. It could well be that one of more of them would be happy to issue licenses. According to the original court order, there are six deputy clerks. Four of the deputies also object to issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples as Davis herself does, one of them is willing to issue the licenses, and the final one is ambivalent on the subject (presumably being personally threatened with contempt might be a motivating factor for that one). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/254 "2015-09-01T19:57:53Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > No, the Casey County Clerk is not her brother, they just have the same last name and I don’t believe really knew each other at all before this started. They are unrelated. However they have referred to each other as “siblings in Christ.” > [@Casey Davis](#): > > I cannot let my sister go to jail without my doing something to let others know about her plight. I am unfamiliar with the concept of specifically referring to someone who is neither related (whether by blood or adoption) or a nun as “sister”. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/255 "2015-09-01T20:00:13Z")
There is supposedly one potential compromise (which I personally wouldn’t do) which is to change the forms so that Kim Davis’s name is no longer included. This would take legislative action however. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/256 "2015-09-01T20:02:21Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I am unfamiliar with the concept of specifically referring to someone who is neither related (whether by blood or adoption) or a nun as “sister”. [Standoff over gay marriage licenses wears on, despite ruling](http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/standoff-over-gay-marriage-licenses-wears-despite-ruling-0) “I cannot let my sister go to jail without my doing something to let others know about her plight,” Casey’s statement said. Although the two are not related by blood, The Family Foundation says they are bonded by religious conviction. Must be a homophobic county clerk thing. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/257 "2015-09-01T20:02:39Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I am unfamiliar with the concept of specifically referring to someone who is neither related (whether by blood or adoption) or a nun as “sister”. I find that bizarre. You’ve clearly never been to a music festival for starters. It’s common in some Christian sects as well. It’s relatively common usage for people who share a strong platonic bond of some kind. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/258 "2015-09-01T20:06:23Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I am unfamiliar with the concept of specifically referring to someone who is neither related (whether by blood or adoption) or a nun as “sister”. sis·ter (sĭs′tər) n. 1. A female having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another. 2. A girl or woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, specifically: a. A kinswoman. b. A woman fellow member, as of a sorority. c. A fellow woman. d. A close woman friend or companion. e. A fellow African-American woman or girl. f. A woman who advocates, fosters, or takes part in the feminist movement. 3. Informal Used as a form of address for a woman or girl. 4. Abbr. Sr. Ecclesiastical a. A member of a religious order of women; a nun. b. Used as a form of address for such a woman, alone or followed by the woman’s name. 5. Chiefly British A nurse, especially the head nurse in a ward. 6. One identified as female and closely related to another: “the sisters Death and Night” (Walt Whitman). I count at least seven reasonably common definitions of the word “sister” that do not refer to blood relatives or members of a religious order, there. Kind of astonishing that you’ve never come across any of them before now. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/259 "2015-09-01T20:07:07Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > You’ve clearly never been to a music festival for starters. Guilty as charged. Hell, I’ve never been to a concert! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757/260 "2015-09-01T20:09:39Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Kind of astonishing that you’ve never come across any of them before now. Only in the general sense, IIRC. The lyrics of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”, for example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-rowan-county-ky-clerk-kim-davis/727757.md?page=14)