FRC condemns 'activist judge' (*who was appointed by George H.W. Bush on Mitch McConnell's advice)

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02/12/2014

by Jeremy Hooper

Family Research Council on today's historic ruling bringing out-of-state marriage recognition to Kentucky:

"This ruling is another example of the deep betrayal of a judicial system infected with activist judges who are legislating from the bench. If these judges want to change duly enacted laws passed by the people and their representatives, they should resign their life-time appointments to the bench and run for the state legislature or Congress. Judge Heyburn is elevating his own ideology over that of three-quarters of Kentucky voters who voted to preserve marriage in their constitution as it has always been defined

"This ruling comes at a time when the consequences of marriage redefinition are mounting. Increasingly, Americans are being forced to finance and celebrate unions that not only step on free speech and religious liberty but also deny children a mom and a dad. Rather than live-and-let-live, this court by redefining marriage will create a level of inequality that has never been seen in our country as people are forced to suppress or violate the basic teachings of their faith," concluded Perkins.

Only thing? Judge Heyburn was appointed by appointed to the bench by Republican president George H.W. Bush—at the recommendation of GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)! Heyburn once served as McConnell's general counsel, apparently.

Moreover, Judge Heyburn has twice been appointed to judicial committees—appointments given to him by conservative Supreme Court Chief Justices William Rehnquist and John Roberts! It's hard to believe either man was looking for an activist for gay causes.

So try again, FRC. You can't pin this one on those pesky liberals, Tony Perkins! Gonna have to choose another of your movement's familiar costumes, big guy.

*UPDATE: From Judge Heyburn's bio: "Judge Heyburn was active in civic and political affairs in Kentucky. He was a delegate to the 1984 and 1988 Republican National Convention."

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