About that liberal Judge who is persecuting poor Kim Davis

Timothy Kincaid

September 2nd, 2015

(not Harry Potter)

Kim Davis is finding that her personal beliefs make it physically impossible for her to perform the task of issuing marriage licenses. And she’s going to court tomorrow to tell Federal Judge David Bunning so.

What she might not be considering is that Judge Bunning also has strong personal beliefs and has already determined whether an individual can find within themself the ability to do things with which they may not fully agree.

Cininatti.com has a profile on Judge Bunning.

David Bunning is the youngest of nine children of Hall-of-Fame pitcher and former [uber-conservative, anti-gay, GOP] U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning and his wife, Mary Bunning. He grew up in Fort Thomas and was nominated by President George W. Bush for federal judge for the eastern district of Kentucky in 2001. The Senate confirmed the nomination in 2002.

Bunning Sr. was narrowly reelected in 2004 by attaching his campaign to Kentucky’s anti-gay marriage amendment. If any family is vested in opposition to same-sex marriage, it is the Bunning family.

But as for Judge Bunning,

“David is an honest person,” his mother Mary Bunning said. “He doesn’t agree with the Supreme Court but has to obey the law.”

gar

September 2nd, 2015

In other words, a Judge Bunning believes in doing his job. Ms. Davis has run out if excuses.

Spunky

September 2nd, 2015

I’m disappointed that Judge Bunning disagrees with the SCOTUS ruling. Based on the number of wins in the courtroom for gay marriage, he’s probably in a small minority.

That said, yes, hats off to someone who prioritizes professionalism over personal beliefs. He’s like the anti-Roy Moore.

Joseph Singer

September 3rd, 2015

Tim, that would be cincinnati.com just FYFI.

Pridetyper

September 3rd, 2015

The judge could say, “Ms. Davis: We cannot accept a prima facie statement ‘physically impossible.’ This claim for physical disability requires certification from a licensed medical practitioner. Please provide the documentation within 30 days.”

MattNYC

September 3rd, 2015

Timothy, thanks for the info.

I had been wondering–I was pretty sure that in a state like KY, “Bunning” couldn’t be THAT common a name and there must be a relationship to the horrendously bigoted Jim Bunning (omitting obvious jokes).

Actually, another tidbit I heard on NPR this morning which makes this even more topsy-turvy is that she was elected as a Democrat in a place that only elects people with a “D” next to their name.

So a principled conservative jurist defends a ruling he personally opposes against a woman who ostensibly subscribes to the Democratic Party principles (but probably not) but who allows her personal biases to trump her professional duties/job description.

Good for the irony deficient.

Mark F.

September 3rd, 2015

I realty can’t see that Ms. Davis has any argument that wouldn’t be laughed out of court. She might get away with arguing that she should be able to delegate issuing marriage licenses to one of her clerks as a religious accommodation, but that’s not what she is doing.

Timothy Kincaid

September 3rd, 2015

Joseph, I didn’t even get close, did I?

MattNYC

September 3rd, 2015

Not to be so cynical, but is this Judge Bunning’s way of being tough on those who disobey him or secretly hoping that this sets off a firestorm to force a change in law that allows for more religious “freedom”

Timothy Kincaid

September 3rd, 2015

Matt,

I was tempted to think the same… but Judge Bunning apparently has a history of even-handedness, once ruling in favor of a Gay-Straight Alliance.

Nathaniel

September 3rd, 2015

And against a “partial-birth abortion ban.” The same thought occurred to me too, quickly followed by the thought, “That is incredibly convoluted thinking based on some sizable assumptions.” The simplest explanation is what he claims: he doesn’t believe fines are enough to compel her. That is likely true, especially if she is funneled money from wingnuts across the nation (via her lawyers).

NancyP

September 3rd, 2015

Timothy, lots of non-SW Ohioans misspell “Cincinnati”.

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