Louisiana Justice of the Peace Lets Black People Use His Bathroom

US News • Views: 4,458

Louisiana justice of the peace Keith Bardwell has refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple, but denies that he’s a racist. He’s just concerned.

About … you know … the children.

To prove that he’s a tolerant, non-racist kind of guy, Bardwell notes that he has “piles and piles of black friends.” Why, sometimes he’ll even let them use his bathroom.

NEW ORLEANS – A white Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

“I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way,” Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. “I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else.”

Has white supremacist Robert Stacy McCain weighed in to defend Bardwell yet?

Jump to bottom

187 comments
1 Guanxi88  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:11:42am

Mighty white of him, as they say.

//

2 Kragar  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:12:15am

Mighty white of him.

3 Kragar  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:12:29am

Jinx

4 keithgabryelski  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:12:33am

my comment from the other thread, reposted:

It strikes me the number of people that commit or see racism but deny it as such: possibly their line is a white hood, a burning cross, and a lynching ... and mere verbal attacks or social injustices don't count.

5 Sharmuta  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:12:46am
“I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else.”

Just not when they fall in love with someone of a different color, huh?

6 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:12:57am

How thoughtful and kind of him to let blacks use his bathroom. He falls right in line with the tea cup racialists that RSM hangs with from the Rockford institute, Takimag etc. "I'm not a racist, I'm a racialist, the races shouldn't mix..."

7 arethusa  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:13:35am

"Out of concern for their kids?" That's not his place to judge.

8 Sharmuta  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:14:18am
I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way

I just don't believe it's any of your damned business.

9 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:14:32am

What if the judge had turned down Obama's mother and father?

10 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:14:43am

I wouldn't use his bathroom

11 Four More Tears  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:15:23am

He won't marry two people if one is black and the other white.

Isn't that the very definition of racism???

12 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:15:55am

I think he believes it is "separate but equal"

13 Crashnburn  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:15:56am

I wonder if he has a special set of dishes for his black friends?

14 Guanxi88  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:15:57am

I said earlier about this that he should be stripped of any position of power, authority, or responsibility, run outta the parish on a rail, and then heartily balck-balled by the Elks and Moose lodges wherever his sorry ass lands.

15 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:16:11am

Here's the thing: I can understand denying a couple a marriage license if there is a credible reason to believe that the couple isn't appropriately prepared for marriage. Having a screaming match in front of the justice of the peace isn't likely to win you any favors. However, saying that "most interracial marriages don't last" is not anything RESEMBLING a credible reason. In fact, it's horse hockey. (I don't have statistics on hand, but I'd be willing to bet the statistics aren't any worse than for pasty ol' white marriages, which are pretty bad these days.) And then to try to cover for it by saying you have "piles of black friends" is just ludicrous.

16 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:16:37am

Of course Jindal's pretending not to pander to these people, but we remember the Bubbas for Jindal campaign.

17 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:16:55am
“I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way,” Bardwell told the Associated Press

I wonder what he thinks of our president?

18 Crashnburn  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:16:59am

re: #11 JasonA

He won't marry two people if one is black and the other white.

Isn't that the very definition of racism???

No - I think you have it backwards!

/sarc off

19 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:17:54am

re: #10 sattv4u2

I wouldn't use his bathroom

On second thought, I would

but only after a day and night of eating THE spiciest Cajun and Creole food on the planet

20 [deleted]  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:18:10am
21 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:19:04am

Charles, you can delete my #20 if it's inappropriate.

22 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:19:17am

re: #14 Guanxi88

I said earlier about this that he should be stripped of any position of power, authority, or responsibility, run outta the parish on a rail, and then heartily balck-balled by the Elks and Moose lodges wherever his sorry ass lands.

Sometimes the ACLU is good for something:

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann. She said the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.

23 cenotaphium  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:19:46am
"I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way"

Is it just me, or is this one of the fastest self-refutations ever? It's on par with a classic from a Swedish documentary where a neo-nazi says he wants to "move to a country where they don't accept immigrants".

24 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:19:50am

re: #11 JasonA

He won't marry two people if one is black and the other white.

Isn't that the very definition of racism???

Wonder if he's marry them if it was reversed. Walk in and tell him "we're not a black and white couple, we're a white and black couple"

((I can already see the deer-in-the-headlight look on his face as well as the spittle in the corner of his mouth)))

25 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:20:19am

This also shows how many people still miss the point of Obama: he is a personification of the American Dream, coming from humble origins and making it to the top on his own efforts and accompishments.

Without sounding too overzeaolous about it: you can disagree with his politics and policies, but if you have a problem with Obama as a person, you have a problem with America.

26 Honorary Yooper  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:20:31am

The nicest thing I have to say about Mr. Bardwell is,
What a bigoted asshole.

I seriously, and was obviously naive enough, believed this kind of shit ended back in the 1960s. Ken "Asshole" Bardwell just proved me wrong. As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Bardwell should be shown the exit from his position of power. I'd also never let a turd like that use my bathroom.

27 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:20:46am

re: #23 cenotaphium

Is it just me, or is this one of the fastest self-refutations ever? It's on par with a classic from a Swedish documentary where a neo-nazi says he wants to "move to a country where they don't accept immigrants".

Pat Buchanan says the same thing pretty much and appears weekly on Fox and MSNBC

28 arethusa  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:21:01am

According to the link to the story, this is the fourth time he's done this. And this account (from CNN originally) says that he and his wife actually screened the applicants when they phoned in advance.

29 Ray in TX  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:21:23am

Well, if he lets black people use his restroom then you know he can't be racist.

30 Cathypop  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:22:20am

Interracial marriages don't last? Tell that to my cousin and her husband of 33 years.

31 Ray in TX  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:22:29am

re: #9 ralphieboy

What if the judge had turned down Obama's mother and father?

That would have been good news for John McCain!

32 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:23:08am

re: #31 Ray in TX

Yeah, he would have lost to Hillary instead.

33 Guanxi88  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:23:31am

re: #31 Ray in TX

That would have been good news for John McCain!

The dems coulda run just about anybody and given McCain a run for his money. It bears repeating - the Republican party has been given the presidential nomination instead of gold watches at retirement.

34 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:23:56am

re: #29 Ray in TX

Well, if he lets black people use his restroom then you know he can't be racist.

Since there's no sarc tag here I'm going to ask if you really mean what you say?

35 RogueOne  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:24:10am

I read somewhere that the JOP has been in office since the early 70's, it might be well past time he retired.

36 Ray in TX  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:25:22am

re: #34 Thanos

Since there's no sarc tag here I'm going to ask if you really mean what you say?

Sorry.. sarc tag should have been there, lol

I grew up around bigots, so I know most of the code phrases :P

37 Ojoe  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:26:31am

I have cousins who are "interracial."

It's all good.

38 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:26:46am

re: #36 Ray in TX

NP

39 gonecamping  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:26:51am

Now that is funny, you just can't make up stuff that funny...how does the idiot think he is getting into the country if they don't accept immigrants??

re: #23 cenotaphium

Is it just me, or is this one of the fastest self-refutations ever? It's on par with a classic from a Swedish documentary where a neo-nazi says he wants to "move to a country where they don't accept immigrants".

40 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:27:34am

re: #37 Ojoe

I have cousins who are "interracial."

It's all good.

Hell, we are all interracial if you deep into everyone's past.

41 Ojoe  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:28:46am

re: #40 Thanos

That's right. & as the researchers think the first humans came out of Africa, well...

42 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:28:54am

re: #39 gonecamping

Now that is funny, you just can't make up stuff that funny...how does the idiot think he is getting into the country if they don't accept immigrants??

Ah. You assume that the idiot in question is capable of that level of reasoning. Your assumption is obviously wrong.

43 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:29:34am

re: #28 arethusa

According to the link to the story, this is the fourth time he's done this. And this account (from CNN originally) says that he and his wife actually screened the applicants when they phoned in advance.

Yes, apparently one of the questions they ask when they get a call is if this is an "interracial marriage".

44 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:30:06am

re: #37 Ojoe

I have cousins who are "interracial."

It's all good.

my 17yo niece is mixed...she digs it, and her dad is an outstanding guy...this puke has no moral authority to judge others

45 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:30:34am

The thing that I'm reminded of, as a parallel, how recently did the attitudes in America turn that the idea of interracial marriage was considered acceptable. A lot of the very same arguments being made against gay marriage were used to fight interracial marriage.

If nothing else, the revulsion being directed towards this man by so many people gives me hope that gay marriage will become tolerated and accepted by the next generation.

46 astronmr20  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:30:44am

Being white and just having obtained a marriage license to wed my Indian wife,

This horrifies me.

47 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:30:55am

re: #40 Thanos

Hell, we are all interracial if you deep into everyone's past.

Gene Studies Confirm African Origin of Man


Gene Studies Confirm African Origin of Man

48 Ojoe  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:31:03am

Blue Mink
Melting Pot


Take a pinch of white man
Wrap him up in black skin
Add a touch of blue blood
And a little bitty bit of red Indian boy
Oh like a Curly Latin kinkies
Oh Lordy, Lordy, mixed with yellow Chinkees, yeah
You know you lump it all together
And you got a recipe for a get along scene
Oh what a beautiful dream
If it could only come true, you know, you know

What we need is a great big melting pot
Big enough enough enough to take
The world and all its got And keep it stirring for a hundred years or more
And turn out coffee coloured people by the score

Rabbis and the friars
Vishnus and the gurus
We got the Beatles or the Sun God
Well it really doesn't matter what religion you choose
And be thankful little Mrs. Graceful
You know that livin' could be tasteful
We should all get together in a lovin machine
I think I'll call up the queen
It' s only fair that she knows, you know, you know

What we need is a great big melting pot
Big enough enough enough to take
The world and all its got And keep it stirring for a hundred years or more
And turn out coffee coloured people by the score

49 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:31:04am

Is this for real?

50 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:31:15am

re: #42 enoughalready

Ah. You assume that the idiot in question is capable of that level of reasoning. Your assumption is obviously wrong.

No, when he meant "Immigrants", he meant "non-white immigrants". I sometimes get that here in Germany, when I hear people complain about those "damn foreigners", I point out that I come from the USA. "Yes, but you're white," they reply...

51 Ojoe  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:31:42am

BBL

52 Jack Burton  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:32:35am

re: #49 MandyManners

Is this for real?

Unfortunately yes. I only wish this was the Onion.

53 gonecamping  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:32:37am

re: #42 enoughalready
You are correct, but once in a while I hear someone say something really dumb, and I look at them to see if they are joking...only to find out they are serious...they kind of straight lines Johnny Carson would hit out of the park.

54 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:32:39am

re: #49 MandyManners

Is this for real?

Sadly, yes. I wonder how long before the bigoted side of the idiosphere chimes in with approval for this crap.

55 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:32:50am

re: #47 reine.de.tout

Gene Studies Confirm African Origin of Man

I keep thinking one day I should go to David Duke's website and post that link.

56 Killgore Trout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:32:55am

re: #49 MandyManners

Is this for real?

Sadly, yes.

57 cenotaphium  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:33:06am

re: #39 gonecamping

Now that is funny, you just can't make up stuff that funny...how does the idiot think he is getting into the country if they don't accept immigrants??

Ah! The easy interpretation is of course that he's just a moron and doesn't realize the implication of what he's saying. While that may be, I think the real key to understanding it is realizing that "immigrant" doesn't mean what you and I think it does. It means something like "filthy unwashed hordes of muslim jihadist communists". Consequently, he's saying he wants to move to an all-white (eh, well, with the exception of those "not-quite" peoples) country that refuses to allow any unwanted people in.

58 Honorary Yooper  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:33:30am

re: #49 MandyManners

Is this for real?

Yes, Mandy, there is a Santa Claus bigoted judge.

59 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:33:38am

re: #45 bloodstar

Exactly, which it why it's a long term losing stance to fight that on the Republican side. People under 30 today largely don't think it's an issue for gays to marry at all. Meanwhile the bulk of the people who do think it's a big issue are going to be in their graves within the next few presidential election cycles.

60 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:34:02am

I'd slap this bastard with a discrimination lawsuit immediately...take him all the way out...it has to be done

61 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:34:17am

re: #56 Killgore Trout

Sadly, yes.

What else would you expect from Jindal's state?

62 bosforus  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:34:26am

+1 for reality in the battle of The Onion vs. Reality

63 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:34:53am

re: #50 ralphieboy

It's not quite that easy. See, there are multiple levels of white. Just ask the romanians. It's really rather bizarre.

64 Honorary Yooper  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:35:08am
Has white supremacist Robert Stacy McCain weighed in to defend Bardwell yet?

Day ain't over yet. Real Stupid McCain still has a chance to further prove himself an asshole.

65 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:35:22am

OT:
This is very cool, I want one

Youtube Video
66 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:35:28am

How did this idiot get on the bench? How can he be removed?

67 Killgore Trout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:36:16am

re: #61 Thanos

What else would you expect from Jindal's state?

I'm just really hoping that Jindal and the GOP doesn't come out in support of this judge. Normally, it would be unthinkable but in today's environment it might be a possibility.

68 keithgabryelski  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:36:47am

re: #58 Honorary Yooper

Yes, Mandy, there is a Santa Claus bigoted judge.

justice of the peace.

... but still a government official.

69 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:37:02am

re: #66 MandyManners

How did this idiot get on the bench? How can he be removed?

There is no "bench".
He's an elected "justice of the peace".
These folks primarily operate out of their homes, as far as I've been able to tell. There's a justice of the peace living in my neighborhood, and he basically runs a wedding business out of his home. I'm not certain they have any sort of genuine duties, other than to relieve judges of some duties (like marriages).

70 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:37:12am

re: #67 Killgore Trout

I'm just really hoping that Jindal and the GOP doesn't come out in support of this judge. Normally, it would be unthinkable but in today's environment it might be a possibility.

I don't think you will see that, but next opportunity I bet Jindal gets asked about it if he doesn't make a statement.

71 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:37:26am

re: #67 Killgore Trout

I'm just really hoping that Jindal and the GOP doesn't come out in support of this judge. Normally, it would be unthinkable but in today's environment it might be a possibility.

If Jindal does he's dead on the national scene. So I say "Go Bobby!".

72 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:37:58am

re: #71 enoughalready

If Jindal does he's dead on the national scene. So I say "Go Bobby!".

Jindal's already dead on the national scene.

73 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:38:22am

re: #63 enoughalready

It's not quite that easy. See, there are multiple levels of white. Just ask the romanians. It's really rather bizarre.

Eastern Europeans are regarded as honorary non-whites by most bigots here in Europe...

74 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:38:24am

re: #69 reine.de.tout

There is no "bench".
He's an elected "justice of the peace".
These folks primarily operate out of their homes, as far as I've been able to tell. There's a justice of the peace living in my neighborhood, and he basically runs a wedding business out of his home. I'm not certain they have any sort of genuine duties, other than to relieve judges of some duties (like marriages).

How do you remove an elected official? Recall? Impeach?

75 [deleted]  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:38:57am
76 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:39:13am

The bottom line is that what the judge is doing is clearly unconstitutional.

77 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:39:44am

re: #76 Thanos

The bottom line is that what the judge is doing is clearly unconstitutional.

yeah ,, THATS his biggest problem !

78 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:39:46am

re: #72 reine.de.tout

Even better. Then I'll have a celebratory sandwich.

79 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:40:26am

re: #74 MandyManners

How do you remove an elected official? Recall? Impeach?

Judges and Justices usually take impeachment by a legislative body.

80 John Neverbend  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:40:40am

Would Keith Bardwell marry a Jewish person to a Catholic or Muslim in a civil ceremony?

81 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:41:19am

re: #74 MandyManners

How do you remove an elected official? Recall? Impeach?

Mandy - I don't know.
I don't recall EVER voting for a Justice of the Peace. Ever. I don't recall ever seeing it on a ballot.

I think this is one of those things that if you put your name up for election and go vote for yourself on election day, you've got the job.

In other words - I have NO CLUE what these people do. Except run wedding businesses from their homes.

82 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:41:54am

re: #73 ralphieboy

Correct. I read an interesting article the other day about romanians in Italy which once and for all (if I needed it) proved to me that Italy is currently by far the worst of the european bunch.

83 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:42:02am

re: #79 Thanos

Judges and Justices usually take impeachment by a legislative body.

The Louisiana legislature needs to hop on this.

84 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:42:15am

re: #59 Thanos

Exactly, which it why it's a long term losing stance to fight that on the Republican side. People under 30 today largely don't think it's an issue for gays to marry at all. Meanwhile the bulk of the people who do think it's a big issue are going to be in their graves within the next few presidential election cycles.

I agree, but I think that the acceptance of gay marriage, and homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexuality in general has been driven by the activism of people who've stood out there and fought hard to show that being gay doesn't mean that it's some dirty old man preying on kids at bus stops. Those are the real heroes for the GLBT community.

85 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:42:33am

re: #79 Thanos

Judges and Justices usually take impeachment by a legislative body.

for defying the law?...whatever, Jindal should take a chance and fire the guy...rescind his duties

86 enoughalready  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:42:35am

re: #83 MandyManners

The Louisiana legislature needs to hop on this.

Don't hold your breath.

87 Kragar  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:42:41am

re: #80 John Neverbend

Would Keith Bardwell marry a Jewish person to a Catholic or Muslim in a civil ceremony?

"We dont take kindly to them round here, but they can use the bathroom."

/hocks one for the spitoon

88 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:43:12am

re: #76 Thanos

The bottom line is that what the judge is doing is clearly unconstitutional.

YES.

89 Ben Hur  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:43:14am

IMPEACH!

90 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:43:54am

re: #86 enoughalready

Don't hold your breath.

then this couple should be millionaires in the future

91 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:43:57am

re: #4 keithgabryelski

my comment from the other thread, reposted:

It strikes me the number of people that commit or see racism but deny it as such: possibly their line is a white hood, a burning cross, and a lynching ... and mere verbal attacks or social injustices don't count.

Possible. A relative who was an alcoholic, when confronted about swigging down a bottle of wine, insisted that wine wasn't alcohol, and that he wasn't an alcoholic anymore because he had quit drinking liquor. I can see racism undergoing similar contortions of logic.

92 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:44:14am

re: #81 reine.de.tout

Mandy - I don't know.
I don't recall EVER voting for a Justice of the Peace. Ever. I don't recall ever seeing it on a ballot.

I think this is one of those things that if you put your name up for election and go vote for yourself on election day, you've got the job.

In other words - I have NO CLUE what these people do. Except run wedding businesses from their homes.

Depends on where you are. Some JoP's are only ceremonial and only do weddings. Some do more, like issue hunting/ fishing licenses. Some are elected while others are appointed

Bottom line, there is no "usual"

93 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:44:17am

re: #86 enoughalready

Don't hold your breath.

Why?

94 Kosh's Shadow  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:44:46am

He probably has a special bathroom in the back just for his black friends.
One with a quarter moon in the door.

95 Kragar  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:44:47am

Proving that sometimes they are an actual useful organization;

ACLU Demands Investigation of Justice of Peace for Refusal to Perform Interracial Marriages

In the wake of media revelations that Keith Bardwell, Justice of the Peace for Tangipahoa Parish's 8th Ward, had denied a Hammond couple a marriage license on the basis of their race, the ACLU of Louisiana has written to the Louisiana Judicial Commission to call for an official investigation.

ACLU Legal Director Katie Schwartzmann, in comments to the Associated Press this afternoon, said, "It is really astonishing and disappointing at any time, but especially in 2009. The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry on the basis of race."

96 Ben Hur  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:44:56am

re: #93 MandyManners

Why?

Because you need to breath, silly.

97 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:45:21am

re: #93 MandyManners

Don't hold your breath

Why?


ummm,,, you could pass out!

98 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:45:37am

re: #96 Ben Hur

ding ya

99 Ben Hur  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:45:40am

re: #95 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

. The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry on the basis of race."

They make that sound like a long time ago.

100 captdiggs  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:47:05am

You just can't be too careful about mixed race children.
They might just grow up to be...the President.

101 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:47:06am

Wiki: The racial makeup of the parish was 69.76% White, 28.35% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

102 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:47:45am

re: #69 reine.de.tout

There is no "bench".
He's an elected "justice of the peace".
These folks primarily operate out of their homes, as far as I've been able to tell. There's a justice of the peace living in my neighborhood, and he basically runs a wedding business out of his home. I'm not certain they have any sort of genuine duties, other than to relieve judges of some duties (like marriages).

In Miami, the "Justice of the Peace" is just a clerk's office in the courthouse. Least how I remembered it years ago when I accompanied a friend and her beloved who got married there.

Seems like the small town folk could take a lesson from us citified folk where being "mixed race" doesn't mean a darn thing. Walk down the street of any major metropolitan city and you'll see flesh tones ranging from very light to very dark. Who the hell cares.

103 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:48:08am

re: #94 Kosh's Shadow

He probably has a special bathroom in the back just for his black friends.
One with a quarter moon in the door.

Kosh - I can't help but ROFL - My neighbor across the street has just such an item in her backyard as a lawn ornament.

I love my neighborhood ...

104 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:48:09am

re: #99 Ben Hur

They make that sound like a long time ago.

It was long ago, and it's receding faster all the time friend. Things will be changing faster in the further we get into the future, technology and science will drive a lot of that change, and it's going to change whether we want it to or not. It's scary but exciting, like the first time you went to Disneyland as a child.

105 Wishbone  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:48:38am

re: #48 Ojoe

...Oh Lordy, Lordy, mixed with yellow Chinkees, yeah...

Not a song you want to be caught singing in our local Chinatown, unless you really wanted your egg foo yung nailed to your forehead with a kitchen utensil.

I'm sure the intentions were good when it was written, but somewhat dated now I would say.

106 arethusa  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:49:02am

I've been googling on how to remove a justice of the peace. I can't find anything specific to Lousiana, but some states have the state legislature impeach and others have the local courts responsible for removal.

107 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:49:13am

re: #66 MandyManners

How did this idiot get on the bench? How can he be removed?

All judges in Louisiana are elected. Not sure what the venue for a justice of the peace is - my guess would be that it's probably small, on the order of precinct level, or whatever the equivalent of a precinct is in the state.

All of the judicial apparatus at higher levels can, in theory, be brought to bear against this ridiculous statement - assuming someone files a complaint through the proper channels, like the appeals system.

I imagine that will happen rather quickly.

108 Ben Hur  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:49:15am

re: #104 Thanos

It was long ago, and it's receding faster all the time friend. Things will be changing faster in the further we get into the future, technology and science will drive a lot of that change, and it's going to change whether we want it to or not. It's scary but exciting, like the first time you went to Disneyland as a child.


I have NEVER been!!!

(so i'll use sex as the analogy)

109 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:49:27am

re: #104 Thanos

It was long ago, and it's receding faster all the time friend. Things will be changing faster in the further we get into the future, technology and science will drive a lot of that change, and it's going to change whether we want it to or not. It's scary but exciting, like the first time you went to Disneyland as a child.

There was no Disneyland when I was a child.

110 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:49:29am

He's been a JoP for 34 years yet has done this only in the past 2.5 years. Is there any chance he's suffering from early-onset dementia?

111 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:50:03am

You will have to look at Lousiana state statutes and constitution to see what the procedure should be here.

There could of course also be a civil rights case filed in Federal Court as well, and maybe that's the course this should take.

112 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:50:22am

re: #110 MandyManners

He's been a JoP for 34 years yet has done this only in the past 2.5 years. Is there any chance he's suffering from early-onset dementia?

No.
Permanent onset Tangipahoa Parish dementia.

113 Randall Gross  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:50:58am

re: #108 Ben Hur

I have NEVER been!!!

(so i'll use sex as the analogy)

That works too! (you need to get to Disneyland! Not as good as sex, but worth the time spent.)

114 Jack Burton  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:51:23am

re: #110 MandyManners

He's been a JoP for 34 years yet has done this only in the past 2.5 years. Is there any chance he's suffering from early-onset dementia?

Sudden Racist Syndrome?

115 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:51:38am

re: #66 MandyManners

How did this idiot get on the bench? How can he be removed?

Really good question!

It looks like Justice of the Peace Courts are elected for 6 year terms in Louisiana, however I can't seem to find a removal clause in the LA constitution. There has to be an impeachment clause somewhere... anyone? Here's the LA State Constitution

116 Guanxi88  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:51:47am

re: #63 enoughalready

It's not quite that easy. See, there are multiple levels of white. Just ask the romanians. It's really rather bizarre.

Here in the states, one of the most amazing sociological transformations took place in the case of the Irish. The story of how they "became" White is revealing for any student of human nature and foibles.

117 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:52:08am

re: #112 reine.de.tout

No.
Permanent onset Tangipahoa Parish dementia.

One of the signs of it is sudden change.

118 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:52:18am

From the article:

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

Ya think? They ain't done with this guy yet.

119 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:53:02am

re: #115 bloodstar

Really good question!

It looks like Justice of the Peace Courts are elected for 6 year terms in Louisiana, however I can't seem to find a removal clause in the LA constitution. There has to be an impeachment clause somewhere... anyone? Here's the LA State Constitution

It might be addressed in the statutes/codes.

120 philosophus invidius  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:53:27am

Um, don't they have the 14th Amendment in Louisiana?

121 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:53:29am

re: #113 Thanos

That works too! (you need to get to Disneyland! Not as good as sex, but worth the time spent.)


Is that my girlfriends used to sing "It's a small, small, world" when we were having sex?

122 MPH  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:53:55am

As instapundit says today -- this is "Another reason to separate state and marriage"

123 akarra  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:53:57am

re: #100 captdiggs

You just can't be too careful about mixed race children.
They might just grow up to be...the President.

Given the lunacy prevailing nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people actually feel that way, and I'm sure we'll see those sentiments in print somewhere on the web.

Today I have received two insane links in my inbox so far, asking me for help in promotion: one, a birther article that had received substantial help by others in finding an audience, and the other a "is Obama going to give up US sovereignty for the sake of world gov't soon?" I usually get something nuts once a day, but it's getting shriller, and the people sending me these things weren't ones I thought were into any conspiracy theories before.

124 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:54:13am

re: #110 MandyManners

He's been a JoP for 34 years yet has done this only in the past 2.5 years. Is there any chance he's suffering from early-onset dementia?

It probably hasn't been much of an issue until fairly recently. Interracial dating has become much more prevalent in recent years than it was in the past.

125 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:54:30am

I have a gleeful feeling that Bardwell's about to feel a lot of heat.

126 Gearhead  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:54:39am

What the..? My Windows calendar just changed to 1955.

127 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:55:06am

re: #124 SixDegrees

It probably hasn't been much of an issue until fairly recently. Interracial dating has become much more prevalent in recent years than it was in the past.

Do you live in Louisiana?

128 keithgabryelski  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:55:45am

The question is, why hasn't is ALREADY been removed?

sure, get him out of office, today -- but someone should be looking into why he has been denying marriage licenses for however long this has been going on.

129 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:57:22am

re: #124 SixDegrees

It probably hasn't been much of an issue until fairly recently. Interracial dating has become much more prevalent in recent years than it was in the past.

Louisiana is the interracial center of this hemisphere...mixed blood is as old as NO itself...this incident should be immediately dealt with by the state, and right now...anything less is unacceptable

130 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:57:50am

re: #123 akarra

Given the lunacy prevailing nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people actually feel that way, and I'm sure we'll see those sentiments in print somewhere on the web.

Today I have received two insane links in my inbox so far, asking me for help in promotion: one, a birther article that had received substantial help by others in finding an audience, and the other a "is Obama going to give up US sovereignty for the sake of world gov't soon?" I usually get something nuts once a day, but it's getting shriller, and the people sending me these things weren't ones I thought were into any conspiracy theories before.

Oh the emails from the friends...

I was a Hillary supporter last year. After she lost the nomination, a good friend of mine starting sending me bigoted emails not to support Obama. Shocked wasn't the word. I never knew she was racist. Funny what it takes to get these issue to surface.

131 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:58:26am

re: #128 keithgabryelski

The question is, why hasn't is ALREADY been removed?

sure, get him out of office, today -- but someone should be looking into why he has been denying marriage licenses for however long this has been going on.

Probably because nobody has complained before. From above, it looks as if this is something "new" to him and other couples probably just got into theor cars and went off to the next parishs' JoP with a story about the crazy ole coot down the road

132 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:58:27am

re: #41 Ojoe

That's right. & as the researchers think the first humans came out of Africa, well...

That implies a belief in evolution, Ojoe, and I'd put good money down that the judge thinks that's bad for the children, too.

133 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:58:48am

re: #127 MandyManners

Do you live in Louisiana?

Nope. But I'm certain they follow the trends of the rest of the country, albeit at a different pace.

Thirty years ago, I knew of one inter-racial couple. Today, I see hundreds per week. The world has changed.

For the better. I'm just saying that this guy's backwater probably didn't present many examples in the past.

Why is it thought that this only began a couple of years ago, exactly?

134 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:58:52am

re: #129 albusteve

Louisiana is the interracial center of this hemisphere...mixed blood is as old as NO itself...this incident should be immediately dealt with by the state, and right now...anything less is unacceptable

Steve - yes, "mixed" blood in Louisiana is as old as NO itself. But primarily in certain areas of the state- and Tangi parish isn't one of 'em.

135 TedStriker  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:59:17am

re: #10 sattv4u2

I wouldn't use his bathroom

I'd take a dump in his living room floor...

///

136 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:59:26am

re: #132 ~Fianna

That implies a belief in evolution, Ojoe, and I'd put good money down that the judge thinks that's bad for the children, too.

As an aside, is there a better way to put "belief in evolution"? It seems like people who say they do or don't believe in evolution are making it mystical or philosophical. Would accept evolution work better?

137 sattv4u2  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:59:42am

re: #135 talon_262

I'd take a dump in his living room floor...

///

Theres one there each night he's watching TV

138 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 11:59:56am

re: #133 SixDegrees

Nope. But I'm certain they follow the trends of the rest of the country, albeit at a different pace.

Thirty years ago, I knew of one inter-racial couple. Today, I see hundreds per week. The world has changed.

For the better. I'm just saying that this guy's backwater probably didn't present many examples in the past.

Why is it thought that this only began a couple of years ago, exactly?

He's done this for 2.5 years, not 34. The dating scene has not radically changed in that short time.

139 wrenchwench  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:00:06pm

re: #116 Guanxi88

Here in the states, one of the most amazing sociological transformations took place in the case of the Irish. The story of how they "became" White is revealing for any student of human nature and foibles.

Have you ever read this book? Fascinating.

In 1859, the New York Times termed urban orphans the "ulcers of society." By 1864, child welfare crusaders were advocating their adoption by rural families and sending trains full of orphaned and abandoned children westward. As Gordon documents in this compelling account, they were often dumped at the end of the line, where they were taken in by whoever needed or wanted a child for any purpose. By the end of the 19th century, the Sisters of Charity's New York Foundling Hospital was cleaning up this well-established practice by carefully matching children with families selected by parish priests. Focusing on the delivery of 40 "white" [Irish] orphans to Mexican Catholic adoptive families in the Arizona mining towns of Clifton and Morenci in 1904, Gordon vividly describes how the Anglo women of the townAall of them ProtestantsAbecame enraged and instigated a mass abduction of the children, often carried out at gunpoint. A trial ensued, pitting the Foundling Hospital against the Anglo powers of Arizona, which ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court held that the abduction was legal, and that placing the children with Mexican families had been tantamount to child abuse.
140 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:00:39pm

re: #46 astronmr20

Being white and just having obtained a marriage license to wed my Indian wife,

This horrifies me.

Much health, happiness, wealth and long years to you both!

When's the big day?

141 Jetpilot1101  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:00:43pm

Maybe we can ask the governor to exorcise the racist demons from this man, I hear he has some experience.

142 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:01:13pm

re: #134 reine.de.tout

Steve - yes, "mixed" blood in Louisiana is as old as NO itself. But primarily in certain areas of the state- and Tangi parish isn't one of 'em.

apparently not...time to bring some change

143 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:01:15pm

re: #129 albusteve

Louisiana is the interracial center of this hemisphere...mixed blood is as old as NO itself...this incident should be immediately dealt with by the state, and right now...anything less is unacceptable

Oh, I agree that it needs to be dealt with; I'm not trying to excuse anything. Just pointing out that inter-racial couples have become much more common in recent years than they were in the past, and that I don't find it completely unlikely that, despite his long tenure, this sort of issue hasn't been seen in this judge until the last few years. It's quite possible he simply never ran across a case of it in the first place and has been a bigot his entire life.

144 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:01:41pm

re: #133 SixDegrees

Nope. But I'm certain they follow the trends of the rest of the country, albeit at a different pace.

Thirty years ago, I knew of one inter-racial couple. Today, I see hundreds per week. The world has changed.

For the better. I'm just saying that this guy's backwater probably didn't present many examples in the past.

Why is it thought that this only began a couple of years ago, exactly?

SixDegrees - I do live in Louisiana, but I've never lived in a rural area, I've always lived in one of the larger towns/cities that had a college or university in it, and I've been in Baton Rouge for more than 30 years now.

And that is probably why I do not run across people like this Bardwell fellow. And in Baton Rouge (and I'm sure other areas as well), there are interracial couples galore.

145 freetoken  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:02:47pm

Did anyone here catch the comments on this story at the Breitbart website last night? Made the freepers look like saints!

146 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:03:33pm

re: #138 MandyManners

He's done this for 2.5 years, not 34. The dating scene has not radically changed in that short time.

Maybe it has in his parish. I'm still not clear on the size of his jurisdiction, and know nothing about where it's located.

What's the basis for the 2.5 year claim?

147 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:03:42pm

re: #141 Jetpilot1101

Maybe we can ask the governor to exorcise the racist demons from this man, I hear he has some experience.

LOL I agree!!!

148 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:04:06pm

re: #110 MandyManners

He's been a JoP for 34 years yet has done this only in the past 2.5 years. Is there any chance he's suffering from early-onset dementia?

Or, in the present environment, he feels more comfortable being out with his bigotry.

149 cenotaphium  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:05:10pm

re: #136 ~Fianna

As an aside, is there a better way to put "belief in evolution"? It seems like people who say they do or don't believe in evolution are making it mystical or philosophical. Would accept evolution work better?

Upding because this bugs me as well. "Believe" in X has gotten such a negative imprint by all the rethoric centered around "well, it's just another belief - you have yours, I have mine", that I've consciously began to replace "I believe" with "I think".
I like "accept evolution". It sounds good next to "accept gravity". "Believe in gravity" just sounds silly.

150 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:05:15pm

re: #146 SixDegrees

Maybe it has in his parish. I'm still not clear on the size of his jurisdiction, and know nothing about where it's located.

What's the basis for the 2.5 year claim?

Louisiana pop approx 4.5 million
Tangi parish 117,000

151 spoosmith  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:05:20pm

Maybe Jindal can exorcise him out of office.

152 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:05:27pm

re: #146 SixDegrees

Maybe it has in his parish. I'm still not clear on the size of his jurisdiction, and know nothing about where it's located.

What's the basis for the 2.5 year claim?



Bardwell estimates that he has refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 1/2 years.

153 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:05:46pm

re: #144 reine.de.tout

SixDegrees - I do live in Louisiana, but I've never lived in a rural area, I've always lived in one of the larger towns/cities that had a college or university in it, and I've been in Baton Rouge for more than 30 years now.

And that is probably why I do not run across people like this Bardwell fellow. And in Baton Rouge (and I'm sure other areas as well), there are interracial couples galore.

I'm certain that's true. As I said, that's the case around here, and pretty much everywhere else I've been over the last several years. My point, however, is that this is a relatively recent development, and it may be something this guy doesn't see much of, hence the apparent "sudden" appearance of his racism. I think it's more likely that he's been a bigot all along, but hasn't had such a publicly notable hook to hang it on until recently.

154 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:06:29pm

re: #153 SixDegrees

I'm certain that's true. As I said, that's the case around here, and pretty much everywhere else I've been over the last several years. My point, however, is that this is a relatively recent development, and it may be something this guy doesn't see much of, hence the apparent "sudden" appearance of his racism. I think it's more likely that he's been a bigot all along, but hasn't had such a publicly notable hook to hang it on until recently.

I think your assessment is probably accurate.

155 Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:06:31pm

re: #119 MandyManners

It might be addressed in the statutes/codes.

ah ha, found it I think
Article V - &sect25. Judiciary Commission -

(C) Powers. On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may censure, suspend with or without salary, remove from office, or retire involuntarily a judge for willful misconduct relating to his official duty, willful and persistent failure to perform his duty, persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, conduct while in office which would constitute a felony, or conviction of a felony. On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may disqualify a judge from exercising any judicial function, without loss of salary, during pendency of proceedings in the supreme court. On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may retire involuntarily a judge for disability that seriously interferes with the performance of his duties and that is or is likely to become permanent. The supreme court shall make rules implementing this Section and providing for confidentiality and privilege of commission proceedings.

So it looks like the Judicial Branch has to do this themselves.

156 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:07:03pm

re: #129 albusteve

Louisiana is the interracial center of this hemisphere...mixed blood is as old as NO itself...this incident should be immediately dealt with by the state, and right now...anything less is unacceptable

There's an odd history of persons of color in the Gulf area. I did my undergraduate thesis on Free Women of Color in New Orleans...

The amount of race mixing actually in some ways created more color issues - or at least some very different ones.

It's an interesting field to study.

157 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:07:06pm

re: #150 reine.de.tout

Louisiana pop approx 4.5 million
Tangi parish 117,000

And is the JoP elected at the parish level?

158 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:07:20pm

re: #153 SixDegrees

I'm certain that's true. As I said, that's the case around here, and pretty much everywhere else I've been over the last several years. My point, however, is that this is a relatively recent development, and it may be something this guy doesn't see much of, hence the apparent "sudden" appearance of his racism. I think it's more likely that he's been a bigot all along, but hasn't had such a publicly notable hook to hang it on until recently.

probably a Republican suddenly feeling his racist oneness

159 akarra  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:08:32pm

re: #122 MPH

As instapundit says today -- this is "Another reason to separate state and marriage"

Voting you up, but I don't read Instapundit anymore. He made a very bad choice in implicitly endorsing RS McCain, and I feel his credibility is compromised in a very bad way given the present situation.

160 albusteve  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:08:44pm

re: #156 ~Fianna

There's an odd history of persons of color in the Gulf area. I did my undergraduate thesis on Free Women of Color in New Orleans...

The amount of race mixing actually in some ways created more color issues - or at least some very different ones.

It's an interesting field to study.

social strata from lighter down to darker

161 SixDegrees  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:08:54pm

re: #155 bloodstar

So it looks like the Judicial Branch has to do this themselves.

Shouldn't be hard. I predict a unanimous decision to apply some sort of sanction will be forthcoming almost immediately.

162 reine.de.tout  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:09:33pm

re: #157 SixDegrees

And is the JoP elected at the parish level?

Probably so, although I honestly don't know, and really, I don't care enough to go look for it. As I said upthread, I don't recall ever voting for a Justice of the Peace. I think if a person qualifies in time for the election then goes and votes for himself, he's got the job. I know there's one who lives in my neighborhood, and he basically runs a wedding business out of his home.

163 abbyadams  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:09:43pm

re: #17 NJDhockeyfan

Or, say, Tiger Woods. Or...

I especially like his "The marriages don't last." We call that the Britney Spears defense. /

164 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:10:09pm

re: #149 cenotaphium

Upding because this bugs me as well. "Believe" in X has gotten such a negative imprint by all the rethoric centered around "well, it's just another belief - you have yours, I have mine", that I've consciously began to replace "I believe" with "I think".
I like "accept evolution". It sounds good next to "accept gravity". "Believe in gravity" just sounds silly.

I was explaining this blog to my husband some time ago and started with how LGF is very "pro" all the things my husband is, so I started by saying, "LGF is pro-evolution" and stopped myself dead cold. How can you be pro evolution? Pro science? Oh hey, I believe in science!! Do you believe in science?? The creationists don't believe in evolution, but they're acting like neanderthals, don't you think? SCIENCE IS FACT. How does one not chose to believe? Yea, I don't believe in math either...

At any rate, now I describe this place as anti-Creationist/ID which works much better for me.

165 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:10:23pm

re: #149 cenotaphium

Upding because this bugs me as well. "Believe" in X has gotten such a negative imprint by all the rethoric centered around "well, it's just another belief - you have yours, I have mine", that I've consciously began to replace "I believe" with "I think".
I like "accept evolution". It sounds good next to "accept gravity". "Believe in gravity" just sounds silly.

That's sort of what I was thinking. No one would say that about "non-controversial" science, but people either believe or don't believe in evolution or vaccination.

I guess it's just because no one ever gets asked their take on gravity or the laws of thermodynamics.

166 Abu Kuffar  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:11:36pm

Just logged in to say that Mr. Bardwell is NOT welocme to use bathroom

167 What, me worry?  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:12:05pm

re: #165 ~Fianna

That's sort of what I was thinking. No one would say that about "non-controversial" science, but people either believe or don't believe in evolution or vaccination.

I guess it's just because no one ever gets asked their take on gravity or the laws of thermodynamics.

Hubby has a bumper sticker that says, "Gravity is also just a theory."

168 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:15:12pm

re: #146 SixDegrees

Maybe it has in his parish. I'm still not clear on the size of his jurisdiction, and know nothing about where it's located.

What's the basis for the 2.5 year claim?

The article.

169 MandyManners  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:16:16pm

re: #153 SixDegrees

I'm certain that's true. As I said, that's the case around here, and pretty much everywhere else I've been over the last several years. My point, however, is that this is a relatively recent development, and it may be something this guy doesn't see much of, hence the apparent "sudden" appearance of his racism. I think it's more likely that he's been a bigot all along, but hasn't had such a publicly notable hook to hang it on until recently.

This is NOT a recent development.

170 drcordell  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:17:16pm

Still can't believe this article has a dateline of 2009 and not 1950. There are some seriously backwards people living in this country.

171 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:18:22pm

re: #160 albusteve

social strata from lighter down to darker

Yes. Exactly. And the ways that it was put by some of the people of color is rather... harsh in our current era.

There was an institution called placage, which was essentially a quasi-legal marriage between white men and what were called quadroons or octoroons back then (women who were either one-quarter or one-eighth black). They were often Catholic weddings, which then had some weight, which is why they were considered quasi-legal. Some of the white men never married other women, most did and had white families, often out of the city, but spent a lot of their time with their "colored" families in New Orleans. Many of the men left sizable amounts of money to their children.

Because there was no legal binding on the marriage, it was sometimes carried on forever, but often did not. In the cases where the woman was no longer placee, she generally recieved a settlement of cash, maintainance for the kids and the house her white lover bought for them. In those cases, the women sometimes married free men of color, but would usually place her daughters if she could when they were old enough.

Quadroon and octoroon women would almost never marry darker skinned men then themselves. The goal was to essentially produce lighter skinned people in every generation.

The interesting thing is that they rarely passed in to white society, at least before the Lousianna purchase. They maintained a strong identity as Creole, considered themselves to be French and were often wealthy and slave-owners in their own right.

Very, very interesting history, and not a lot written on it. Doing the research was hard, especially since I did a lot of it post-Katrina and a lot of the documents weren't available or had sadly been damaged or destroyed in the hurricane.

172 Univac  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:20:42pm

re: #171 ~Fianna

In a similar vein, there was something recently about selling "skin whitening cream" to Indian (in India) men. Because lighter was better.

173 ~Fianna  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:22:06pm

re: #172 Univac

In a similar vein, there was something recently about selling "skin whitening cream" to Indian (in India) men. Because lighter was better.

That's pretty frequent in post-Colonial societies. Hair straighteners and lighteners are a booming business in lots of places in Africa and Asia.

174 Fiery Red XIII  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:22:22pm

From a verse of a song I haven't heard in years. Verse 1 of "What Have we Become", by DCTalk:

A preacher shuns his brother, 'Cause his bride's a different color, and this is not acceptable, His papa taught him so. It was love that he'd been preaching, but this was overreaching, The boundary stretching further, than his heart would choose to go.

Youtube Video

Link is a remix, quicker so you don't have to wait/listen to the whole song.

Red

175 Kosh's Shadow  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:23:45pm

re: #103 reine.de.tout

Kosh - I can't help but ROFL - My neighbor across the street has just such an item in her backyard as a lawn ornament.

I love my neighborhood ...

There is a house in a town near me with one in the FRONT - it is a shed for garden implements, as I saw it open one day.

176 watching you tiny alien kittens are  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:32:03pm

Could only happen in the backwoods of Louisiana in this day and age, or at least that is what I wish to believe...

177 Univac  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:36:03pm

This story is mutating as it crosses borders.

In Canada, they note that the JoP refused because it was morally wrong:
[Link: www.calgaryherald.com...]

While in the UK, they add that the white female had just left the military.
[Link: www.guardian.co.uk...]

The UK story does provide a litte more information on the official terms and history:

Bardwell's actions are particularly sensitive in Louisiana, one of 17 mainly southern states that only repealed laws banning mixed-race marriages and relationships when forced to do so by the US supreme court in the 1967 case of Loving vs Virginia. Until then "miscegenation", as it was legally called, was outlawed in many states and was one of the most invasive elements of southern segregation.

In 1883, the supreme court ruled that states were within their rights to ban mixed marriages, finding that this did not breach the constitutional requirement to treat everybody impartially, arguing that white people and black people were punished in equal measure for breaking the miscegenation laws. That ruling stood until the 1967 Loving case.

178 The Sanity Inspector  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 12:48:40pm

If that guy opposes interracial marriages, he's certainly living in the wrong state. Creoles, quadroons, octoroons, etc., are all Louisiana-born.

179 William of Orange  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 1:44:06pm

In a country where the President for Pete's sake is a product of a mixed relation...

This reeks of dung! That Judge's brain must be filled with swamp juice!

180 gamark  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 1:48:13pm

re: #11 JasonA

He won't marry two people if one is black and the other white.

Isn't that the very definition of racism???

I think its more bigotry than racism.
Also, I think the article is wrong that he wouldn't issue a marriage license (unless he is also the clerk of court). That being said, the man has no business occupying a government position. If his personal views won't let him carry out his duties, he needs to find other employment. Preferably with help from his superiors without being allowed to resign and collect a pension.

181 SanFranciscoZionist  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 2:24:40pm

re: #15 thedopefishlives

Here's the thing: I can understand denying a couple a marriage license if there is a credible reason to believe that the couple isn't appropriately prepared for marriage. Having a screaming match in front of the justice of the peace isn't likely to win you any favors. However, saying that "most interracial marriages don't last" is not anything RESEMBLING a credible reason. In fact, it's horse hockey. (I don't have statistics on hand, but I'd be willing to bet the statistics aren't any worse than for pasty ol' white marriages, which are pretty bad these days.) And then to try to cover for it by saying you have "piles of black friends" is just ludicrous.

I want these black friends to speak out! Seriously, I want to see African-American Friends of the Wacky Justice, talking about how he's completely unbigoted, and they use his toilet all the time. Just to see if he's actually surrounded himself with people as crazy as he is, but in different colors.

182 SanFranciscoZionist  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 2:26:42pm

re: #26 Honorary Yooper

The nicest thing I have to say about Mr. Bardwell is,
What a bigoted asshole.

I seriously, and was obviously naive enough, believed this kind of shit ended back in the 1960s. Ken "Asshole" Bardwell just proved me wrong. As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Bardwell should be shown the exit from his position of power. I'd also never let a turd like that use my bathroom.

Mr. Bardwell is not welcome to use my bathroom either. I would make him walk to the Chevron station down by the Safeway. They don't have toilet paper there, but that's not my problem.

183 SanFranciscoZionist  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 2:29:55pm

re: #43 reine.de.tout

Yes, apparently one of the questions they ask when they get a call is if this is an "interracial marriage".

That would freak me the hell out even if it weren't. Similar to the time back in high school that a friend of mine was approach on Haight St. by a skinhead, and asked her ethnic identity. She said, "uh, German and Lithuanian," and he said "want to go out?"

Fortunately, at this point, her biracial boyfriend and several of his large friends came back out of the store they'd been in, and asked if she was ready to go. The kid in the Doc Martens disappeared quickly.

184 prairiefire  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 3:36:15pm

Unbelievable

185 former_secret_agent  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 5:59:01pm

As someone who is involved in an inter-racial marriage, I want Mr. Bardwell to know that:

1) We are happily married (18 years next month)
2) My daughters are quite popular. I am sure that neither will lack for dates.
3) My oldest son is doing quite well also, and has received numerous academic awards.
4) My youngest son shows great promise (he's in pre-school).

Your concern is touching but sadly misplaced.

186 Fiery Red XIII  Fri, Oct 16, 2009 8:14:19pm

I dunno about RS McCain, but Jindal is calling for an ouster:

[Link: www.comcast.net...]


Red

187 zora  Sat, Oct 17, 2009 10:03:54am

I have never heard of having piles of friends of any color. And the bathroom thing? Unbelievable! Next week we'll be seeing articles from wingnuts stating that we are all Keith Bardwell now. He is obviously trying to save white culture like Glenn Beck.
The ACLU, the Center for Constitutional Rights and Justice, and Sen. Mary Landrieu from Louisiana have all call for his dismissal.


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