Kim Davis Ordered Jailed in Kentucky Gay Marriage Dispute

[rug]

By ALAN BLINDER
SEPT. 3, 2015

ASHLAND, Ky. — A federal judge here on Thursday ordered a Kentucky clerk jailed for contempt of court because of her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The clerk, Kim Davis of Rowan County, was ordered incarcerated after a hearing here before Judge David L. Bunning of Federal District Court. The contempt finding was another legal defeat for Ms. Davis, who has argued that she should not be forced to issue licenses that conflict with her religious beliefs.

“The court cannot condone the willful disobedience of its lawfully issued order,” Judge Bunning said. “If you give people the opportunity to choose which orders they follow, that’s what potentially causes problems.”

Judge Bunning said Ms. Davis would be released once she agreed to comply with his order and issue the marriage licenses.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/us/kim-davis-same-sex-marriage.html

[No Vested Interest]

1. Is Ms. Davis the only person in that office authorized to issue

marriage licenses?

There are other employees, as shown in photos at the location.
It would seem there have to be others who could issue marriage licenses in her absence.

I think I read that the other employees agree with her interpretation, but shouldn't that be determined by asking them to fulfill that duty?
When Ms. Davis is absent in the regular course of work - illness or on vacation, it would seem that others in the County Clerk's office are empowered to act in her absence.

I'm also wondering if Judge Bunning is the son of former KY Senator Jim Bunning. - I think it's very likely, as Jim Bunning had a large family, and could have been promoted to a federal judgeship during the Bush administration.

[rug]

2. Good question.

My guess is, yes.