…every time. Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) just can’t let that icky gay marriage stuff go. Yesterday, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler

I stand with Kim Davis. It’s a sad day when we imprison someone in America because of their beliefs. Freedom of religion is our first right. 8:59 PM – 4 Sep 2015

The replies:

Jeremy Neely ‏@jeremyneely

@RepHartzler Do you seriously support such defiance of her sworn oath? If she can’t execute the law in good conscience, give up the office. 9:15 PM – 4 Sep 2015

Edgar Shmedlap ‏@edgar_schmedlap

@RepHartzler it’s a sad day when a US Congresswoman turns her back on the law. You are an embarrassment to my district. 12:57 AM – 5 Sep 2015

Marc ‏@alvarado_marc

@RepHartzler Wasn’t jailed for her beliefs. She was jailed because she failed to do her job. Should find another job. 9:31 PM – 4 Sep 2015

To be more specific, she was jailed for contempt for defying a court order to do her job.

Mike Horton ‏@MikeHortonMU

.@RepHartzler Quit pandering and admit that she failed to fulfill the duty of her office. She broke the law of the land, plain and simple. 7:37 AM – 5 Sep 2015

Tina Ellsworth ‏@TinaEllsworthKU

@RepHartzler she wasn’t asked to violate the practice of her faith. She was forcing her views on others. 9:11 PM – 4 Sep 2015

There is the literal prohibition “thou shalt not issue marriage licenses to those icky…” Oh, wait, that’s just made up.

Heath Oates ‏@heathoates

@RepHartzler “congress shall pass no law respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion”… That’s actually our first right. 9:05 PM – 4 Sep 2015

r u i n s ‏@cmruins

@RepHartzler it was her actions, not her beliefs, that sent her to prison. She had choices and she chose wrong. Could have easily resigned. 9:46 PM – 4 Sep 2015

Three Guys Drinkin’ ‏@3guysdrinkin

@RepHartzler she refuses to do her job and can’t be fired so she needs to resign. Getting paid for not working is called welfare. #GOP 9:20 PM – 4 Sep 2015

Three Guys Drinkin’ ‏@3guysdrinkin

@RepHartzler wait. You’re talkin bout Obama, right? 11:55 AM – 6 Sep 2015

Nathan Beckett ‏@gwoNasty

@RepHartzler thanks for speaking up. Now I know what I need to about you. 8:25 AM – 5 Sep 2015

A single issue voter perhaps?

Defenders ‏@defendunborn

@RepHartzler then do something about it! Impeach the judge. Saying you stand with her while she is in jail is useless. 1:58 AM – 5 Sep 2015

Yeah, that’ll work…

Previously:

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

Conversations like this are taking place today in courthouses across Missouri and America (June 26, 2015)

Recorders Association of Missouri: issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples in Missouri (June 26, 2015)

Rep Vicky Hartzler (r): has another U.S. Supreme Court sad – today it’s marriage equality (June 26, 2015)

Missouri marriage license tracker – from PROMO (June 27, 2015)

Not ready to retire it just yet (June 30, 2015)

As near as we can tell the smiting hasn’t begun (July 13, 2015)

Dent County, Missouri (July 14, 2015)

…or even what doing the job you want entails.

Yesterday via Twitter, on the Kentucky county clerk who won’t issue marriage licenses:

Rachel Held Evans @rachelheldevans

No one’s being jailed for practicing her religion. Someone’s being jailed for using the government to force others to practice her religion. 1:30 PM – 3 Sep 2015

You might be surprised by the number people who apparently don’t understand that, even some with law degrees.

So, one of the 2016 republican candidates for Attorney General in Missouri just had to weigh in:

Missouri Attorney General candidate expresses support for jailed Kentucky clerk

Friday, September 4, 2015 ~ Updated 3:19 PM

By Tyler Graef Southeast Missourian

Missouri Attorney General candidate Josh Hawley on Friday denounced the jailing of county clerk Kim Davis of Kentucky and called for more clearly defined protections for religious people in the public sphere…..

[….]

….”[A recorder of deeds in Missouri] should be able to opt out and designate someone else, a deputy or another official to issue the license instead,” Hawley said during a phone interview. “That would protect their constitutional rights and also allow for that license to be issued.”

Uh, correct us if we’re wrong, but it wasn’t that the Kentucky county clerk didn’t want to personally issue marriage licenses to same sex couples, but as the public official in charge of the office she wasn’t allowing the issuance of any licenses to any couples. That is a significant difference.

A statement by Jake Zimmermann (D), one of the Democratic Party candidates for Attorney General in 2016, in response to Josh Hawley’s (r) statements as reported in the newspaper article:

“The Attorney General’s job is to enforce the law, not to make it up as you go along.  Marriage equality is the law of the land.  If you don’t understand that, you shouldn’t be running for Attorney General.”

From the United States Census Bureau:

Dent County, Missouri

Population, 2014 estimate 15,655 [Dent County]

[….]

Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2013 19.8% [Dent County] 15.0% [MO]

[….]

Per capita money income in past 12 months (2013 dollars), 2009-2013 $18,544 [Dent County] $25,649 [MO]

Median household income, 2009-2013 $36,311 [Dent County] $47,380 [MO]

Persons below poverty level, percent, 2009-2013 20.9% [Dent County] 15.5% [MO]

Private nonfarm employment, percent change, 2012-2013 -2.6% [Dent County]

Building permits, 2013 21 [Dent County]

[emphasis added]

From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:

MO DENT [Medicare – 2013]

Beneficiaries with Part A and Part B [Medicare] 3,598

[….]

Percent Eligible for Medicaid 22.08

[….]

[emphasis added]

With all the challenges they face the County Commission in Dent County, Missouri apparently had bigger fish to fry:

COUNTY COMMISSION: Presiding commissioner says flag decision to be rescinded

Posted: Monday, July 13, 2015 2:25 pm | Updated: 7:01 am, Tue Jul 14, 2015.

Andrew Sheeley

The Dent County Commission voted unanimously Monday to observe one year of “mourning” over the Supreme Court’s June 26 decision that gay couples have the constitutional right to marriage.

Tuesday morning, Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commission will meet in special session Tuesday or Wednesday to rescind that order “out of respect for veterans and those currently serving in the military.”

He said all three commissioners are expected to vote to rescind the decision.

The observance of mourning was to come in the form of lowering the flags at the Dent County Courthouse and Judicial Building to below half-staff on the 26th day of the month from July 2015 to June 2016.

The vote Monday came after Skiles filed a letter into the public record protesting, “the U.S. high court’s stamp of approval of what God speaks of as an abomination.”

The letter details Skiles’ opposition to gay marriage and proposes lowering of the flags so “all who see these flags at this lowered position be reminded of this despicable Supreme Court travesty,” he wrote….

[….]

The original vote did cause quite a stir and generate a lot of attention.

“…all three commissioners are expected to vote to rescind the decision…”

Will people ever learn the futility of trying to unring the bell?

Previously:

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

Conversations like this are taking place today in courthouses across Missouri and America (June 26, 2015)

Recorders Association of Missouri: issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples in Missouri (June 26, 2015)

Rep Vicky Hartzler (r): has another U.S. Supreme Court sad – today it’s marriage equality (June 26, 2015)

Missouri marriage license tracker – from PROMO (June 27, 2015)

Not ready to retire it just yet (June 30, 2015)

As near as we can tell the smiting hasn’t begun (July 13, 2015)

According to Promo every county recorder in Missouri is now issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples:

Marriage licenses being issued to same sex couples in Missouri –  by county. PROMO

Apparently, though, all kinds of people across Missouri can now act on being smitten.

Previously:

* SCOTUScare! (June 25, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): has a SCOTUScare! sad (June 25, 2015)

Are we talking about the same Missouri General Assembly? (June 25, 2015)

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

Conversations like this are taking place today in courthouses across Missouri and America (June 26, 2015)

Recorders Association of Missouri: issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples in Missouri (June 26, 2015)

Rep Vicky Hartzler (r): has another U.S. Supreme Court sad – today it’s marriage equality (June 26, 2015)

Missouri marriage license tracker – from PROMO (June 27, 2015)

Not ready to retire it just yet (June 30, 2015)

A little under an hour after this morning’s marriage equality ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court we stopped by the courthouse in Warrensburg to speak with Jan Jones, Johnson County Recorder of Deeds about the immediate impact of the ruling. Marriage licenses are issued by county recorders. As we were waiting to speak with the recorder a patron entered the office to inquire about getting a marriage license.

The office of Recorder of Deeds in the courthouse in Johnson County, Missouri.

Show Me Progress: So, you, you’ve shown up here today for the Johnson County Courthouse in Missouri, uh, for the Recorder to see if you can get a marriage license for same sex marriage.

Patron at Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds office: Correct.

Show Me Progress: So, uh, you, you just heard about the Supreme Court ruling?

Patron: Yes.

Show Me Progress: And so you decided to come out here?

Patron: Right.

[….]

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Good morning.

Patron: Good morning. I guess we have a popular question for you.

[….]

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  And what’s your question?

Patron: I know it’s just passed, but what’s Johnson County doing? Is it gonna be the same application process, everything’s gonna be the same as it always has?

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  What we do here in the office will be the same…

Patron:  Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  …you know, as far as people coming in.

Patron: I was just making sure she was handing me the right brochure. I didn’t know if you guys were gonna change one or what.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Well, I’m kind of glad you said something about changing it. As soon as, what we’re waiting for right now, it was just issued.

Patron: Okay. Right, right.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Right.

Patron: I know things don’t happen [finger snap].

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Right.

Patron: I know, I understand.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Our, our association attorney is reviewing, um, the ruling…

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: And will have instructions for all Missouri recorders, uh, probably by noon today. That’s her goal.

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: That will tell us exactly when it’s effective, you know. We don’t think it’s immediate. Could be next business day, we think it’s going to be the twenty-five days, but we don’t know that.

[….]

We can take the application, have you all sign it, we hold it in the drawer, and then when the, the magic day happens then we can issue the license and you can leave here with the license and go to whomever’s going to marry you.

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Okay?

Patron: Okay. That sounds like a plan. We’re gonna make that happen then.

[….]

I just didn’t know if anything was gonna change because I don’t.  You wouldn’t think and you wouldn’t think it would take ’em long due to the fact there’s other states that have, so.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Right. We’re ready to go. We just need, you know, we have, things have changed, we just need the attorney to say this is the day that we can begin issuing. So, soon as I hear back I can give you a call, let you know what they’ve told me, and we’ll move from there.

Patron: Thank you very much.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: You’re welcome.

Patron: It’s a big day.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, it is.

Patron: Believe it or not, I actually cried when the news…

[….]

Show Me Progress: …there’s actually some states already that are issuing.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, I saw where Ohio…

Show Me Progress: Yeah, Ohio is issuing, so…

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: And we might be issuing on Monday…

[….]

Show Me Progress: And so you’re, you’re prepared to, um, once you get the directives that you can operate and you’re prepared to start issuing licenses.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, yes, we’ve got our system ready to go. We’ve updated the system so that we can take gender and the gender, the system, won’t stop us from having two of the same.

Show Me Progress: So, So the system is already set so that you can…?

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yeah. We’re ready to go.

[….]

Previously:

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

This morning on the White House Facebook page.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled [pdf] 5-4 today that marriage equality is a 14th Amendment right and that same sex marriages in one state must be recognized in all other states.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Syllabus

OBERGEFELL ET AL. v. HODGES, DIRECTOR, OHIO

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET AL.

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-556. Argued April 28, 2015-Decided June 26, 2015

[….]

….The Constitution, however, does not permit the State to bar same-sex couples from marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite sex….

[….]

The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States. It follows that the Court also must hold-and it now does hold-that there is no lawful basis for a State to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another State on the ground of its same-sex character.

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.

It is so ordered.

Some of the reactions via social media:

President Obama ‏@POTUS

Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins 9:10 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Patrick Miller ‏@pmiller1693

In other words, KS and MO have no legal ground to stand on to deny issuing and recognizing same sex marriage licenses. That fight is over. 9:07 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Hillary Clinton ‏@HillaryClinton

Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality-& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible. H 9:05 AM – 26 Jun 2015

MrJM ‏@MisterJayEm

Take a moment to think about all the truly stupid and hateful people that you’ve known and how miserable they are right now. 9:20 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Nancy Pelosi ‏@NancyPelosi

SCOTUS has unequivocally affirmed that equal justice means marriage equality for LGBT Americans! [….]  #LoveCantWait 9:15 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Jason Rosenbaum ‏@jrosenbaum

Bet the people who were opposed to MO 2004 gay marriage ban amendment are feeling vindicated right now. #SCOTUSMarriage 9:25 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Yes.

Claire McCaskill ‏@clairecmc

It’s a good day. No more discrimination against folks based on who they love! I love my country. 9:29 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Through over two hundred years of American history:

MARBURY v. MADISON, 5 U.S. 137 (1803)

[….]

….It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases, must of necessity expound and interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each. [5 U.S. 137, 178]   So if a law be in opposition to the constitution: if both the law and the constitution apply to a particular case, so that the court must either decide that case conformably to the law, disregarding the constitution; or conformably to the constitution, disregarding the law: the court must determine which of these conflicting rules governs the case. This is of the very essence of judicial duty….

[….]

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler

#Marriage should be determined by the states, not the Supreme Court. #Stand4Marriage [….] 12:34 PM – 28 Apr 2015

Some of the responses:

Fake Vicky Hartzler ‏@VickiHartzler Apr 28

@RepHartzler So, now you’re in favor of allowing states to grant same-sex marriages? Congratulations on evolving! 1:25 PM – 28 Apr 2015

Sarcasm.

Fake Vicky Hartzler ‏@VickiHartzler Apr 28

@RepHartzler Re: the gavel about to destroy the ring, are you aware that if gays can marry, your marriage will still be legal? 1:27 PM – 28 Apr 2015

John Schultz ‏@theknobboy Apr 28

@RepHartzler So courts overturning laws prohibiting mixed race marriages were in the wrong? 2:36 PM – 28 Apr 2015

The unanswered question.

B Yates ‏@OldDrum

@RepHartzler You believe the Court’s ruling in Loving v. Va is wrong? So the validity of Clarence Thomas’s marriage should be a state matter 7:04 PM – 28 Apr 2015

PUDCAST245 ‏@pudcast245

@RepHartzler Marriage is a Fundamental right of all citizens. Civil rights should not be slave to the popular vote. #marriagequality 12:47 PM – 29 Apr 2015

Welcome to America.

A petition to the White House on gay marriage:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Define Marriage as One Man and One Woman

We the People request that marriage is officially defined as the union between one man and one woman. The age old tradition must be preserved to ensure America keeps its values. Traditional marriage would in fact be the ideal scenario for a child to be raise and future Americans to be developed. We ask the Obama Administration to preserve the concept Traditional Marriage for future America.

Published Date: Jan 16, 2015

Issues: Family, Human Rights

Signatures needed by February 15, 2015 to reach goal of 100,000 99,749

Total signatures on this petition 251

[emphasis added]

How charming.

What their political overlords actually think:

Gay Marriage Case Offers G.O.P. Political Cover

By JEREMY W. PETERS and JONATHAN MARTINJAN. 18, 2015

….To have the question disposed of and dispensed with, many Republicans say, could make their opinions on the matter largely moot, providing a political escape hatch that gives them an excuse to essentially say: “It’s been settled. Let’s move on….”

For their base it’s another matter.

A bill, pre-filed by Representative Mike Colona (D) on December 17th:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE COLONA.

0814L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri an amendment repealing section 33 of article I of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to marriage.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein:

That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2016, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article I of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

Section A. Section 33, article I, Constitution of Missouri, is repealed and one new section adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 33, to read as follows:

Section 33. That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage [shall] may exist [only] between a man and a woman as well as between a same-sex couple.

[emphasis in original]

This is so gonna upset Representative Vicky Hartzler (r).

Yesterday, via Twitter, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) can’t help herself:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Disappointed by judge’s ruling in KC today throwing out the will of 71% of Missourians re: marriage. There’s no ‘right’ to marry in Const. 4:40 PM – 7 Nov 2014

And your point is?:

…Is it possible that public opinion has changed in the ensuing ten years? Just asking. But go ahead, and cling to whatever you wish…

Meanwhile, the Twitter responses are priceless:

Diana ‏@kccatdr

@RepHartzler Nor is there a provision for who can & can’t marry. If 71% of people approved public beheadings, would that stand as law? 4:43 PM – 7 Nov 2014

Blue DuPage ‏@BlueDuPage

There is a right to equal protection in the Constitution. Bigots like yourself can’t just vote our rights away. @RepHartzler 4:44 PM – 7 Nov 2014

Phoenix Blue ‏@Phoenix_Blue

@RepHartzler So if my faith considers your marriage invalid, you have to get an annulment, right? 4:53 PM – 7 Nov 2014

Louise Perry ‏@louise__lep

@KrisKetzKMBC @RepHartzler Other replies so far seem bent on arguing with you. I won’t. You’re an idiot. No arguing that. 5:11 PM – 7 Nov 2014

Ouch.

Doug Boucher ‏@duglas911

@RepHartzler remember Loving v. Virginia? Marriage is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution for EVERYONE. 6:51 PM – 7 Nov 2014

Tony Wyche ‏@tonywyche

@RepHartzler @KrisKetzKMBC How do you feel about #MOLEG throwing out the will of voters on camp. finance, conceal & carry and clean energy? 11:36 AM – 8 Nov 2014

Tony Wyche ‏@tonywyche

@RepHartzler @KrisKetzKMBC Also, if you feel there’s no “right” to marry in the Const., then why are opposite sex couples allowed to do so? 11:37 AM – 8 Nov 2014

You’ve just got to love social media.

We so look forward to future open town hall meetings in the district. Wait…

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): on court rulings – Missouri’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional (November 7, 2014)