Entire Tenn. County Clerk’s Office Resigns Over Same-Sex Marriage Licenses.

[RiffRandell]

Apologize if this is a dupe. Checked and didn't see it anywhere. If it is please inform me and I will delete it.

I wish they wouldn't get their state pensions, but they probably will.

Lawsuit as they won't issue marriage licenses.

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – The employees of the Decatur County clerk’s office in west Tennessee have resigned from their positions.

Clerk Gwen Pope and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler all said their resignations was due to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow same-sex marriages.

The decision reportedly clashes with the employees’ religious beliefs. Their last day will be July 14.

Currently, the Decatur County’s clerk office will not issue a same-sex license.

Just Wednesday, the Associated Press reported all 95 counties in Tennessee are following last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned bans on same-sex marriage. Clerks are legally allowed to refuse to perform the marriages, but must issue the licenses.

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/entire-tenn-county-clerks-office-resigns-over-samesex-marriage-licenses-18421.shtml

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Good.

Maybe they will be able to get people who aren't bigots and can actually fulfill their duties.

[merrily]

3. what you said.

[JI7]

9. being bigots is probably how they got the job in the first place

same as those resignations from some police dept after some black person was hired or elected to have some control over it.

shows we can't count on people out of the kindness of their own hearts to do the right thing. it didn't work with civil rights, women's rights etc . it took courts and enforcement from outside .

[duhneece]

38. Job opportunities for the more enlightened, less homophobic

May this happen other places, too. No one should be forced to work in a place that doesn't allow their racism or bigotry or homophobia.

[duhneece]

40. Job opportunities for the more enlightened, less homophobic

May this happen other places, too. No one should be forced to work in a place that doesn't allow their racism or bigotry or homophobia.

[Solly Mack]

2. Then they are still being allowed to break the law until July 14th.

They should be fired and so should the person allowing them to remain at their jobs without actually doing their jobs.

The decision reportedly clashes with the employees’ religious beliefs. Their last day will be July 14.

Currently, the Decatur County’s clerk office will not issue a same-sex license.

Just Wednesday, the Associated Press reported all 95 counties in Tennessee are following last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling

[merrily]

4. Do Tenn. goverment employees get unemployment when they're fired?

I guess I should know, but I don't.

[Solly Mack]

6. No idea and that is a good point. I wouldn't want them benefitting from their hate.

I'm pissed they keep their jobs until the 14th and still won't do their jobs....so why bother coming in at all? And who is allowing that?

Seems to me they've already quit, so why not make their last day the day they resigned?

[Fumesucker]

12. If you are fired for cause you are ineligible for unemployment

As far as I know that's true everywhere in the US.

Refusing to perform your job according to the law would seem to be adequate grounds for dismissal.

[Solly Mack]

15. You would think, right? But someone is allowing them to refuse and remain on the job

for the next 2 weeks.

[HooptieWagon]

69. They may not be on the job.

They may have vac time due, and are getting 2 weeks off with pay. Or they may have an employment clause requiring 2 weeks notice before leaving. IDK...maybe wait for more info?

[Solly Mack]

70. Could be. Those are good points.

[merrily]

20. True. So in this case, it doesn't really matter if they're covered or not. Thanks! nt

[Flying Squirrel]

22. It would be easier to collect if they were fired

When you quit, it's pretty difficult to prove that you had to leave due to working conditions. When you're fired, it seems like the burden is more on the employer to prove that you really should have been fired (I knew someone who successfully fought for unemployment in such a situation and won without a lawyer in a telephone hearing in WA). I guess it would depend on how sympathetic the hearing examiner was to the religious argument.

[avebury]

63. In Oklahoma, if a former employee files for unemployment, their

former employer is notified and has a certain period of time to file a response that benefits should be denied. Failure to respond can result in the person getting benefits. I know of people who were given a choice of voluntary resignation or being fired. The carrot that is sometimes dangled is the promise not to deny someone unemployment benefits in order to get the person to just leave on his/her own.

Given the nature of the issue I would not be surprised if they were allowed to collect unemployment if they file for it.

[Sheepshank]

48. I thought they quit. That's different than being fired

They will qualify for the requirement benefits based on their years of service. If they go to another state jobs, they are likely able to pick up where they left off in working towards the 30 years of service.

[Fawke Em]

59. Yes. Not always, but in most cases, you can

draw unemployment in Tennessee if you are fired. I think the only time you don't is if you're fired with cause, which might apply in this case since they're breaking the law.

[merrily]

61. Thanks. government, not private, employer specificially?

At this point, I'm mostly just curious because they did quit, although they might claim constructive firing.

[Yo_Mama]

68. They resigned, so no unemployment. n/t

[RiffRandell]

57. Yeah, they could have just put in their 2 weeks.

Sounds like their superiors find this an acceptable reason=keep pension+bens.

[Solly Mack]

64. Their boss would have to be OK with them not performing their job until they leave.

And that's not OK with me.

[Logical]

74. Scotus gave them 3 weeks to comply with ruling. Nt

[Solly Mack]

75. That would explain it.

Thanks!

[bravenak]

5. Job openings!! With benefits!

I would hurry up and send in my resume and fill out an application if I lived there. Those are pretty good jobs to just throw away on some bullshit - like actually having to do the job.

[RiffRandell]

8. Exactly!

State jobs are so hard to come by; it's practically impossible to fire someone even if they are consistently late, sit at their desks balancing their checkbook for hours, (who even does that anymore?) on personal calls all day long or on the internet.

Great benefits and pensions too!

I do know people that work for the state and are exceptional workers as not all of them are lazy, but at my age I've witnessed enough on the phone and in person to know there are quite a few bad apples out there.

Unfortunately, since they go above and beyond their superiors dump more work on them that the above mentioned 'just don't have time to get done' which is absolutely infuriating.

I'm going to follow up on this story as I'm curious to see if they received their pensions.

Wouldn't surprise me if several were on the verge of retiring anyway.

If you have been there long enough, 55 is the magic number!

[raccoon]

34. Great post. I'm sure plenty of people would be glad to get those jobs.

As you say, bennies and pensions...and it is hard to get a full-time state job.

[RiffRandell]

50. Thank you.

A relative of mine works for the state and tells me of the shenanigans that go on in their office.

They were very fortunate to get the job and know it, but it is in a department that is extremely busy and stressful.

They are an excellent worker and are rewarded by ta-da....more work, which the reasons being I listed above.

[Fawke Em]

60. I don't think these are state jobs.

These are county employees.

And, since Decatur is small and relatively poor, these jobs probably aren't all that high-paying, but still probably better than average for Decatur.

[bravenak]

76. I would totally take that job and do it with a smile.

[merrily]

21. I hope this is posted in the Tenn. forum, just in case a DUer there needs work.

My first thought on seeing this thread: "More jobs for Democrats," but then I thought that might be mean. I don't wish unemployment or poverty on anyone.

[Lars39]

32. Clerk will be appointed until election,

And whoever is appointed gets to hire the other 2 positions. Good chance that whoever is appointed might get elected, too.
I can't find the info about it, but unemployment was so bad in that county, the Obama administration put a program in place to help. Unemployment was something like 23% or higher, iirc.
So yeah, there's interest in those jobs.

[calimary]

7. I'm okay with this. Clean house. Start fresh. I'm sure there are lots of locals who could use

jobs like these.

I think these folks did the correct thing. If their conscience or their "sincerely-held belief", whatever the fuck that may be, prevents them from doing their jobs, then they're clearly in the WRONG JOBS. Resigning is exactly the action they should be taking in a case like this.

[RiffRandell]

11. Except they are breaking the law.

Clerks are legally allowed to refuse to perform the marriages, but must issue the licenses.

Clerks are legally allowed to refuse to perform the marriages, but must issue the licenses. Is this going to be the latest 'trend' to sweep the nation?

They don't have to perform the marriage, just issue a goddamn piece of paper!

I'm sorry for sounding mean; it's not directed at you personally and I appreciate the rec.

I'm just so sick of this crap; I'm straight and just imagining how our LGBT citizens feel, never mind what they have endured for YEARS.

The country gets an incredible law in their favor (and their families, friends and supporters) and people won't even perform their job requirement, which I'm fairly certain is a pretty penny. Sick, and fuck them.

I meant what I said. I'm going to follow up, make a few phone calls and see how this unfolds. Like someone said upthread, I'm sure they will get unemployment as well as pensions.

Will keep you all posted, and thank you for the responses.

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/entire-tenn-county-clerks-office-resigns-over-samesex-marriage-licenses-18421.shtml

[merrily]

23. I don't think you are entitled to unemployment if you quit.

They might claim constructive firing, though.

Much as Republicans complain about the government teat, they seem to have a gift for latching onto it.

[calimary]

44. No offense taken whatsoever, RiffRandell!

But thank you anyway!

I TOO am just so sick of this crap! My husband and I go around the house mimicking some of 'em - "MY RELIGION trumps YOUR rights!" "MY RELIGION is more important than YOU!"

For me, as a woman, it's INFURIATING!!!! Their side shoves their religion in our faces when we even try to fill a birth control prescription, duly and legally and properly issued by a legally-accredited doctor, dammit. Think of how it must be to work for an outfit like Hobby Lobby these days? Where they're forcibly shoving their narrow and narrow-minded brand of religion into your bathroom medicine chest as well as your bedroom now.

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

10. Bye-bye!

[rpannier]

13. 3 job openings

[Tobin S.]

18. That's what I was thinking. Those are probably pretty sweet gigs, too.

I've been looking for a new job.

[Tanuki]

49. You could get a really inexpensive house there, too!

For example, $72,000 would get you this 1600sf house on 3 acres:
[img][/img]

[img][/img]

http://www.realtracs.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?PropertyClass=RES&DMQL=%28AreaID%3d|59%29%2c%28ListingStatusID%3d1%29%2c%28OfficeListIsActive%3d1%29%2c%28IsListedOnInternet%3d1%29&AreaID=59&MlsNum=1609223&Digest=MR3FHazlcFCyePM4dmEOfg

[mackerel]

78. Snap! I was thinking the same thing. LOL

Decent job with beni's and retirement. Those 3 who resigned will be hard pressed to find jobs as good, that protect your rights in the private sector.

[BrotherIvan]

14. Fuck the bigots

I hope they stew in their hatred.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. Well, that's the right thing to do...

quit if you can't do the job.

And I imagine they are hanging out for 2 weeks because 2 weeks notice is also proper-- they can't really just walk out when people need building permits, and all the other things the clerks office does.

[mythology]

45. Except they are still refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples

So they still aren't doing their entire job.

If at least one of them was willing to issue the licenses, I'd be more sympathetic to letting them stay on for the next two weeks, but since they are potentially leaving people unable to exercise their constitutional rights, the clerks should go immediately.

[DiverDave]

17. Well, all those commie programs they rail about

will come in handy, I guess...

If they can afford to quit, they didn't need to work in the first place.

[Democat]

19. What if an atheist government clerk refused to help non-atheist

Do you think the same people would be defending that clerk's religious freedom?

[merrily]

24. No, silly. That's called the "War on Christmas." They'd defend themselves.

[Vinca]

25. I don't get these fools. They don't marry couples, they issue licenses.

But maybe they can all get together and open a homophobic bakery.

[Kalidurga]

26. You should link your other OP to this OP just saying

I immediately thought they were connected, but not everyone is going to see both posts.

[RiffRandell]

30. Do you mean the one I posted in the TN group? nt

[Kalidurga]

37. The one about jobs in Tennessee

I don't recall where that one was posted.

[Fawke Em]

62. Your user name is Riff Randell AND you live in Tennessee?

We should be friends. I'm over in KnoxVega$.

LOL.

[RiffRandell]

66. That's my name but I don't live in Tennessee.

Last edited Fri Jul 3, 2015, 10:40 PM - Edit history (1)

I live in NE GA and Chattanooga is about an hour and a half ride.

Nice to meet you though, and I assume you're a Ramones fan.

Not many people get my screen name which I don't fault them for, but it's nice to see every once in awhile someone acknowledging it.

[Fawke Em]

67. I wanted to be Riff Randell when I was in middle school. LOL

I was probably more like nerdy Kate Rambeau, though.

[RiffRandell]

71. I was a Riff, but I liked Kate too.

When our son was 3 (he turned 14 today!) he was big into Thomas the Train and there was an event where Thomas and other characters came to Chattanooga and we could go on a train ride.

He had fun, but it was a looonnnnggg ride.

A friend of mine had a younger daughter whose boyfriend attended UT and she used to drive up their late at night after finishing her restaurant job and I was so nervous for her driving that distance alone late at night.

I'm not overprotective, but I detest long car rides, the highways in Atlanta and driving at night as I can't see well.

I updated my above post as my husband told me the drive to Chattanooga was only an hour and a half, so Knoxville is a 3 hour drive.

At least we weren't Eaglebauer!

[img][/img]

[Latrecia Bennett]

27. Living in the past

Ward and June Cleaver day's are over . The stupid...it burns!

[Turbineguy]

28. There will have to be an increase

in the number of wingnut reality shows to absorb these people.

[yuiyoshida]

29. Jobs are hard to come by...

There are plenty of good, honest people to replace them. By resigning their jobs, in most states they can not file for unemployment benefits.. they are on their own now!

[davidpdx]

73. I'm sure for the two non-appointed positions they will have a ton of applicants

Apparently the head bigot was elected to the position, so someone will have to be appointed until the next election (probably next year). I hope someone is appointed that will follow the law and not hide behind their religion.

[gollygee]

31. Awesome

Do they get to collect unemployment benefits?

[Roland99]

33. Good! Let them clerk for a gov't agency in Iran or Saudi Arabia, then

they love religion in gov't so much.

[hatrack]

35. Good!

[Martin Eden]

36. This reminds me of an experience I had in west Tennessee

My wife and I like to hike in the mountains, so we rented a cabin for the week at Safe Haven Farm Cabins & Wedding Chapel near Roan Mountain. The proprietors were a middle aged couple from California who decided to do something different. The wife became a minister and performed weddings on the property -- including gay ceremonies, which until now were not recognized by the state. When I called to inquire about the cabin she told me they were right up the road from a fundamentalist Baptist church with a preacher who was more than a little unhappy with those ceremonies. She described the area as "the buckle on the Bible belt" but her guests need not worry.

We rented the cabin and had a very nice vacation. When I met her in person she told me the baptist preacher had confronted her about the gay weddings. He was furious, but she remained calm & polite and this only made him more angry. He turned red, the veins bulged out on his neck, spittle was flying from his lips, and he finally yelled "Go fuck yourself!!!"

To this, she calmly replied "Well, if I could do that I'd never have to leave the house."

[MoonRiver]

39. This is a good thing!

Weed the bigot clerks out and let them go on government assistance! Bwahahahahahah!

[Babel_17]

41. In this economy? Conditions favor employers, not employees

They likely backed Republicans and can now savor the irony of their lack of organized bargaining power, and lack of significance in regards being valued in the work place.

In so far as this might have been an agonizing choice for some of them, beliefs held since childhood vs. wanting to do their jobs, I'm not going to jeer. This is just sad, and I guess we have to find comfort in knowing that discrimination like this will eventually be a thing of the past.

I have to hope that their religious leaders experience a major revelation, and very soon.

[tavernier]

42. Wow, they sure showed us!!

And all those gay couples lined up outside of their homophobic town court house!(zero)

[SoCalDem]

43. Help Wanted

Racist Bigots need not apply

[TheKentuckian]

46. Good, they are the epitome of unfit for the duty

[hollowdweller]

47. I'm sure that they have issued licenses to divorced people who wanted to remarry.

See, this is the part of this whole BS I don't understand.

OK so we can say most religions have some passages that condemn homosexuality, so there's that general thing.

However if you read the New Testament, which contains what are purported to be the actual words of Jesus he does not specifically condemn homosexuality.

However he does say:

Matthew 19

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

So to me it's somewhat hypocritical for somebody to say they morally object to gay people getting married, considering it is something that Jesus did not really mention, yet if they have worked at their jobs any length of time they surely have issued marriage licenses to divorced people, getting remarried.

[treestar]

54. Exactly.

No other type of sinner seems to bother them.

[HassleCat]

51. Why the ceremony exemption?

Why do the clerks get to decline to do the ceremony? When I worked for a county clerk office, I was not allowed to discriminate. When a couple 19 year, hillbilly morons came in, I was not allowed to refuse them a ceremony because they were obviously going to conceive a meth addicted baby. If this is a legit article, I am glad they quit. Step aside, Jesus followers, and make room for others.

[Prism]

52. Aww.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

53. I'm constantly amazed that so many people feel so comfortable in simply throwing away jobs. nt

[hifiguy]

55. No unemployment for you.

I am sure jebus will provide. And there will be plenty of job applicants to replace these dimwits.

[Renew Deal]

56. This is the right thing to do

It's better than failing to perform and creating unnecessary lawsuits.

[spanone]

58. they should be fired immediately.

wonder if you have to be 'religious' to get hired?

[Homer Wells]

65. Good. Unemployment is probably high there.

No doubt, there are some qualified people to handle the work.

[nadinbrzezinski]

72. Fabulous, three job openings.

[RandySF]

77. How will they feel about same sex marriage 12 months from now

when they've spent a year either still looking for a new job or working somewhere for less pay.

[mackerel]

79. and they can't file for unemployment or state disability.

[alcibiades_mystery]

80. Laters, Haters

[6000eliot]

82. Let's see.

Let me check my schedule to see if I can spare a couple of moments to feel bad for them. Nope!

[udbcrzy2]

83. Resignations or just changing departments?

I wonder if they are just changing departments instead of resigning from their government jobs? Jobs are hard to come by these days.