Friday, March 19, 2004
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Friday, March 19, 2004 |
| Elected officials causing anarchy By DAVID EPPS All over the country, elected officials who are sworn to uphold and obey the laws are increasingly violating their oaths. The latest trend began in San Francisco where Mayor Gavin Newsom, without any legal authority whatsoever, ordered that marriage licenses be granted to same sex couples. It doesn’t seem to matter that the so-called “licenses” have no legal standing in the state of California because hundreds of couples are flocking to San Fran to “tie the knot.” Although California judges and the Governor of California have been timid to act in accordance with the law, the California health department has said it will not register or record any marriage licenses that differ from VS 113, the standard, state-approved form. Undeterred, other state officials, such as Rep. Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat, are getting into the act. Leno himself “presided” over several same-sex “weddings” Feb. 12. Rep. Ray Haynes, a Republican, noted that “state rules allow for the filing of ethics complaints against sitting members engaged in unlawful behavior.” One group intends to file such a complaint against Leno. But, with the help of a cooperative national media, the same-sex marriage train is gaining speed. Now, other mayors of communities both great and insignificant are climbing on the train, issuing similar decrees and garnering time in front of the national press. From a tiny hamlet in New York to Seattle, Wash., mayors have suddenly become lawmakers, issuing broad proclamations that fly in the face of existing state law. The mayor of Seattle has declared that Seattle will recognize the marriage licenses of same-sex couples who were “married” elsewhere, even though same-sex marriage is illegal in Washington. If you follow the news reports, you would think that same sex marriage is now legal in cities all across the United States. Of course, for now, it is an illusion. Imagine what would happen in the mayor of Dallas, Tex., were to go before the cameras and declare, “As of today, I have issued an executive order declaring all abortions illegal in the city of Dallas. Furthermore, I hereby declare that all businesses that perform abortions will cease doing abortions immediately and lock their doors.” He can't do that, you say? Why not, if the mayor of San Francisco can do it? What’s to keep the mayor of Nashville from banning all rap music and allowing only country to be played on Nashville airwaves? Maybe the next mayor of New York could declare that gun laws will no longer apply in the Big Apple and, from henceforth, all citizens will be allowed to carry howitzers to work. Would mayors of towns in Utah be able to issue marriage licenses for multiple partners, rekindling polygamy in the state of the Great Salt Lake? Will mayors be able to flout other existing laws and declare drug laws invalid in their cities? Will the mayor of Big Puddle, Miss., be able to legalize cock fighting? Will the mayor of Louisville, Ky., have the authority to issue marriage licenses for people who want to marry their horse? Will the Legislature of South Carolina vote to re-secede from the Union? Will Georgia have three state flags in three years? Absurd, you say? No more absurd than what is now happening in California, New York, and in other areas of the nation. Putting aside the issue of same-sex marriages, why are these minor-league elected officials being allowed to encourage wide scale illegal behavior? Isn’t it a crime to entice and invite others to break the law? Some courageous, level-headed judge needs to issue a “cease and desist” order to these officials. If the politicos persist in their illegal actions, he would then have the power to lock them up for contempt of court. It is possible that criminal charges could be filed and these would-be emperors could do jail time and, in a perfect world, lose their office. Rep. Ray Haynes has called the current situation in San Francisco “anarchy.” Anarchy is defined as “a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority.” Rep. Haynes is not far from the truth. This time, it’s the politicians themselves who are causing a state of lawlessness and disorder to prevail. [Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church on Ga. Highway 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan. The church offers Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. He may be contacted at www.ctkcec.org or at frepps@ctkcec.org.] |