# I pit the Louisiana judge who is, apparently, stuck in a time warp **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 15, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960 "2009-10-15T22:32:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/161 "2009-10-18T00:05:48Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I knew about the prostitute and the tax collectors. Took me a second. Nyuk nyuk. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/162 "2009-10-18T01:14:07Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > For some things like rape and pedophiles yeah, you are right. > > For “minor” things like drug dealing, some murders, criminal activity and general irresponsibility its still “meh” IMO. > > And IMO its the latter that is leading society down the crapper, not the former. Not that the former isnt bad, but the vast BULK of shit that goes down is the latter. Exactly! And it should be noted that the “civility” issue is only one of many issues I raised with regard to to the problems liberalism has created over the last four decades, but all the others, which are more serious and harder to marginalize and make fun of, invariably get ignored. > [@billfish678](#): > > And for anybody bitching about Starving Artist making an appearance, don’t bring his name up and say things about him in the first damn place then. Quoted for truth! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/163 "2009-10-18T01:20:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > No, that doesn’t work either, but thanks. worst user name post combo ever. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/164 "2009-10-18T02:25:18Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > To be honest, I’ve never heard of Marbury v. Madison. > > Momentaty lapse of American judicial knowhow **Guin** > > I forgot that the supremes could grant constitutional rights through interpretation of the constitution. > > Given you need a licence to get married, I wondered how different that was from a driving licence which is not regarded as a right,. but a privilege. A marriage license is completely different from a driver’s license. (Do they not have either in Canada?) [_Marbury vs. Madison_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbury_v._Madison)? Probably the very first landmark case in American history. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/165 "2009-10-18T02:44:11Z")
So in this thread we have learned that **SA** and **billfish** either hang out with incredibly callous people or live in a very bad part of town. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/166 "2009-10-18T07:55:16Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Back in the day, bad shit happened. Yeah, it wasnt dinner conversation. However, IF it got out, people were mortified about it. No. If it got out, the victims were told: “stop complaining, be a good daughter/student/granddaughter,” “if he beats you up, you must have done something to deserve it,” “he’s your husband, he can take advantage of his marital rights any time and any way he wants to,” “geez, woman, don’t lie” - followed by a phone call to the husband to go pick his crazy wife at the police station. I was on the receiving end of the first line several times between 20 and 30 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/167 "2009-10-19T15:41:54Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > A marriage license is completely different from a driver’s license. (Do they not have either in Canada?) > > [_Marbury vs. Madison_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbury_v._Madison)? Probably the very first landmark case in American history. To be 100% fair, I’m fairly sure there was no such thing as judicial review in Canada prior to 1982, unless it was national government vs. province powers stuff (and that I’m not sure on). Many of the big issues in American political history, in Canada… aren’t. (And, full disclosure, much as I know about Canada, I cannot think of even one seminal case from Canadian law by title.) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/168 "2009-10-19T15:45:05Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Exactly! > > And it should be noted that the “civility” issue is only one of many issues I raised with regard to to the problems liberalism has created over the last four decades, but all the others, which are more serious and harder to marginalize and make fun of, invariably get ignored. Name three. In another thread. You’re right on civility, and deserved defending. For the most part, you’re wrong on the rest of it. (And FWIW, I prefer a high tax burden to people dying – would as soon have neither, but if that’s the choice I’m faced with, that’s my answer.) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/169 "2009-10-19T15:51:37Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Name three. In another thread. > > You’re right on civility, and deserved defending. For the most part, you’re wrong on the rest of it. (And FWIW, I prefer a high tax burden to people dying – would as soon have neither, but if that’s the choice I’m faced with, that’s my answer.) Having said this … [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11679130#post11679130) is a thread for him to do so. Hopefully this will end ny hijack of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/170 "2009-10-19T22:47:32Z")
On CBS today, Bardwell claimed he “recused himself” from performing the ceremony because the couple was interracial. He makes the point of saying that JPs do not issue marriage licenses. This is true. In Louisiana, marriage licenses are issued by the parish (county) Clerks of Court. Bardwell is holding firm that he did not break the law. My “favorite” part in his CBS interview is that the only other example he offers of possibly recusing himself is if one of the couple would show up intoxicated. I also especially liked when he scoffed at Governor Jindal calling for him to be fired, and said that obviously the Governor doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and that he, Bardwell, can’t be fired because his is an elected position. [http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t...n5396242.shtml](http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t...n5396242.shtml) Actual quote from Bardwell: > [@](#): > > “I’m sorry that I offended the couple, but I did help them and tell them who to go to,” he said. “And they went and got married, and they should be happily married and I don’t see what the problem is now.” He just doesn’t see what the problem is! People are so touchy. /sarcasm Local news stories (I’m in Baton Rouge, btw): Phones ringing off the hook at the Louisiana Judicial Commission which oversees JPs - [http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11329561](http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11329561) Complaints filed against Bardwell with commission - [http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11333031](http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11333031) Jackass speaks part 1 - [http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11332121](http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11332121) Jackass speaks part 2 - [http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11334930](http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11334930) ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/171 "2009-10-20T21:31:38Z")
Federal discrimination lawsuit filed: [http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=11348178](http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=11348178) ---
**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:** [October 21, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/172 "2009-10-21T03:20:14Z")
Jesus Christ. Somebody needs to file suit over that combover, too. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/173 "2009-10-21T13:02:07Z")
Did you read about half the comments on \*\*lisacurl’s \*\*link? This guy has apologists accusing the couple of just going after money, and, golly, what did he do that was so wrong in the first place? They got married didn’t they? Gee whiz, why can’t they just move on? One dumb fuck actually whipped out the bible to explain that if the races interbreeded, there would be no more blonds or red heads, and God wouldn’t like that. What the fuck is with people? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/174 "2009-10-21T13:27:38Z")
It wouldn’t surprise me if the couple were trying to cash in disproportionately. It _is_ the American Way these days. Wouldn’t be surprised if we saw them on Oprah either. Which in no way changes the fact that they were genuinely discriminated against and that the judge is a total [expletive deleted]. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/175 "2009-10-21T14:44:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Did you read about half the comments on \*\*lisacurl’s \*\*link? This guy has apologists accusing the couple of just going after money, and, golly, what did he do that was so wrong in the first place? They got married didn’t they? Gee whiz, why can’t they just move on? > > One dumb fuck actually whipped out the bible to explain that if the races interbreeded, there would be no more blonds or red heads, and God wouldn’t like that. > > What the fuck is with people? Ah, Louisiana. Where people elected Ray “Chocolate City” Nagin as mayor, and Clarence The Page as governor. -MOL, originally from California, currently in Minnesota… what? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/176 "2009-10-21T14:57:26Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Ah, Louisiana. Where people elected Ray “Chocolate City” Nagin as mayor Twice. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/177 "2009-10-21T15:00:01Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Ah, Louisiana. Where people elected Ray “Chocolate City” Nagin as mayor, and Clarence The Page as governor. > -MOL, originally from California, currently in Minnesota… what? Nitpick: Kenneth the Page. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/178 "2009-10-21T15:43:05Z")
Explain to me, please, the mindset of people who believe that this judge was simply exercising his First Amendment rights, and that no harm was done because this couple could have gone to another JoP for a license. How is that statement any different from “Rosa Parks could have sat on another seat, it’s not like she didn’t have a seat at all!” or “Those Little Rock children could have gone to another high school, it’s not like they were being told they couldn’t go to school at all.” If there is more than one business in a town, does that mean that one of the business owners can refuse to hire black people because those black people can just find a job somewhere else? I just don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/179 "2009-10-21T15:52:28Z")
Well, maybe you should just read your bible, mister. It’s apparently in there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960/180 "2009-10-21T15:54:02Z")
Ms., actually. There’s something in the Bible about interracial marriage? Or there’s some portion of the Bible that this person (and people like him) are using as justification for his illegal behavior? (no snark intended). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-louisiana-judge-who-is-apparently-stuck-in-a-time-warp/513960.md?page=10)