According to the news, this is not the first time he has refused to marry an interracial couple. He refers the couple to another justice of the peace who will do the job instead.
It amazes me that this is the first time he has been called on this. I understand that if you want to get married, you may well want to avoid controversy, but still I would think that somebody would have complained earlier.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=49720 :
" Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal issued a statement saying the nine-member Louisiana Judiciary Commission that reviews lawyers and judges in the state should investigate. Jindal added, "Disciplinary action should be taken immediately, including the revoking of his license."
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said in a statement Bardwell's practices and comments were deeply disturbing. "Not only does his decision directly contradict Supreme Court rulings, it is an example of the ugly bigotry that divided our country for too long."
The other Louisiana U.S. Senator David Vitter, R-La. who is running for re-election has chosen not to issue a statement."
In another development according to USA Today, Bardwell, who has been an elected judge for 34 years, says the state attorney general told him years ago that he would eventually get into trouble for not performing interracial marriages... "I told him if I do, I'll resign... I have rights too. I'm not obligated to do that just because I'm a justice of the peace."
What is unclear is who was the Louisiana State Attorney General who knew Bardwell was violating the law and decided not to investigate and prosecute him.
Bardwell, a Republican, has served as justice of peace for 34 years. He has run without opposition each time. His current term expires Dec. 31, 2014.
Judge Bardwell would not return phone calls and his answering machine is apparently full.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ybenjamin/detail??blogid=150&entry_id=49720#ixzz0UCl7MeUf"
Of course, Vitter was involved with the "DC Madam", so he can hardly be said to believe in marriage.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n3037338.shtml