Duval, Clay, Baker counties to end courthouse weddings to avoid marrying gays

[ChriswUfGator]

If Fussell cannot serve all of Duval County citizen's he should resign.  How much money is Duval county going to lose because weddings are no longer going to be performed at the courthouse?

If his staff felt uncomfortable DOING THEIR JOB, then they should have been fired.  I am sure there are plenty of unemployed citizens in Jacksonville that can do the job and not feel uncomfortable.

I know for a fact if I told the company I work for that I do not feel comfortable doing my job I would be fired.

So firing someone because they refuse to violate their religious beliefs is not discriminatory? Hmmm. Interesting.

Since when is there a right to discriminate against others in performance of a public duty? What's religion have to do with it?

[carpnter]

It would be like sort of firing a bar tender who refuses to serve drinks because the drinking of alcohol is against his beliefs. You're not let go because of your personal beliefs. You're let go because you can't perform the requirements of your position.  That's not discriminatory. Sort of like being against stripping, then applying and accepting a job that requires you to get naked and dance for money. If you refuse to do the job you were hired to do but still expect a paycheck for showing up, what other options does management have? At some point, personal responsibility has to come into play. If I have a fear of flying, I should not apply or train to become a pilot.

In this case the requirements of the position changed after they were hired.  While the clerk handled this very poorly, firing someone because of their religious beliefs is illegal and a reasonable accommodation would have to be made for those who held those religious beliefs.

[ChriswUfGator]

It would be like sort of firing a bar tender who refuses to serve drinks because the drinking of alcohol is against his beliefs. You're not let go because of your personal beliefs. You're let go because you can't perform the requirements of your position.  That's not discriminatory. Sort of like being against stripping, then applying and accepting a job that requires you to get naked and dance for money. If you refuse to do the job you were hired to do but still expect a paycheck for showing up, what other options does management have? At some point, personal responsibility has to come into play. If I have a fear of flying, I should not apply or train to become a pilot.

In this case the requirements of the position changed after they were hired.  While the clerk handled this very poorly, firing someone because of their religious beliefs is illegal and a reasonable accommodation would have to be made for those who held those religious beliefs.

If their job description changes (sort of like when those waitresses at lunch counters had to start serving black customers) then they can either adjust to it or quit. Simply refusing to do their jobs is not an acceptable outcome, especially for a public servant, which Fussell is.

[Buforddawg]

If Fussell cannot serve all of Duval County citizen's he should resign.  How much money is Duval county going to lose because weddings are no longer going to be performed at the courthouse?

If his staff felt uncomfortable DOING THEIR JOB, then they should have been fired.  I am sure there are plenty of unemployed citizens in Jacksonville that can do the job and not feel uncomfortable.

I know for a fact if I told the company I work for that I do not feel comfortable doing my job I would be fired.

No, it's called firing someone who refuses to do their job.

So firing someone because they refuse to violate their religious beliefs is not discriminatory? Hmmm. Interesting.

[Buforddawg]

It would be like sort of firing a bar tender who refuses to serve drinks because the drinking of alcohol is against his beliefs. You're not let go because of your personal beliefs. You're let go because you can't perform the requirements of your position.  That's not discriminatory. Sort of like being against stripping, then applying and accepting a job that requires you to get naked and dance for money. If you refuse to do the job you were hired to do but still expect a paycheck for showing up, what other options does management have? At some point, personal responsibility has to come into play. If I have a fear of flying, I should not apply or train to become a pilot.

Excellent response Lake!

[Buforddawg]

It would be like sort of firing a bar tender who refuses to serve drinks because the drinking of alcohol is against his beliefs. You're not let go because of your personal beliefs. You're let go because you can't perform the requirements of your position.  That's not discriminatory. Sort of like being against stripping, then applying and accepting a job that requires you to get naked and dance for money. If you refuse to do the job you were hired to do but still expect a paycheck for showing up, what other options does management have? At some point, personal responsibility has to come into play. If I have a fear of flying, I should not apply or train to become a pilot.

In this case the requirements of the position changed after they were hired.  While the clerk handled this very poorly, firing someone because of their religious beliefs is illegal and a reasonable accommodation would have to be made for those who held those religious beliefs.

How did the requirements for the task of marrying couples change?  The only requirement that changed was the process of issuing marriage certificates by including same sex couples.

[tufsu1]

^ While it is clear the Clerk of Court's responsibilities include issuing marriage licenses, I am still not aware that the responsibilities include officiating weddings.  This is a very important issue in determining whether Fussell is not fulfilling his duties. 

[Tacachale]

^What really matters is the effect this has. Until December the clerk was perfectly happy performing weddings for people. Now that a discriminatory and unconstitutional prohibition has been overturned, Fussell has found a way to deny them (and effectively denying everyone) a previously offered service.

I know Fussell is a good guy, and I'm sure he doesn't think his actions are discriminatory. But they are, no two ways about it. And on top of the discrimination, he's managed to paint the whole city in a terrible light.

[Jtetlak]

In case anyone missed it, this story got Jacksonville back on the Daily Show:
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/dic6af/florida-haters

[David]

^ Saw that last night. We haven't been watching the Daily Show as religiously lately and just happened to tune in right as they were making fun of Duval, Clay & Baker county.  I knew we'd end up on the daily show after the decision to ban all marriage ceremonies was announced.

Duval Cassanova, heh.

[Gunnar]

Well, on the plus side Jax may be able to get Hobby Lobby to relocate their HQ. Then again, they probably don't watch the Daily Show 

[IrvAdams]

Well, I have to admit it was funny 

And I have to admit it seems true that FLA has some odd news items and wild rule-breakers.

Love the Daily Show and Jon Stewart.

[Coolyfett]

It is refreshing to see Mayor Gillum model true leadership by having a progressive, democratic opinion and not being afraid to defend it. He obviously believes that his role as mayor requires him to represent all citizens, not just the ones he goes to church with.

Mayor Brown could take some leadership lessons from Gillum. So could all Democrats for that matter.

I doubt Alvin Brown would characterize himself as a progressive Democrat.  Andrew Gillum is also Mayor of a city far more progressive than the entirety of Duval County, so some could argue that Brown is representing the larger community.

I guess I'm just tired of Brown not taking stances on anything. To me that is a sign of weak leadership. His own fears of something being used against him during reelection keep him from recognizing that a segment of Jacksonville's population gained rights this week. The least he could have done is come out and said that he is happy more citizens of Jacksonville will have a better quality of life as a result of the marriage ruling. He could have reaffirmed that our taxpayer built courthouse should be open to all. He could have stated that Fussell's decision does more to harm the hundreds of straight couples in our city that use the courthouse to get married and that once again, the decision seemed hastily made and mean-spirited. He does claim to be a Democrat after all.

I've been saying for years I should just leave Jacksonville and maybe it is time. I clearly don't fit in here.

Yea you should move away. Go where you feel excepted.

[peestandingup]

^ Brown being a bigot would entail some kind of consciousness though & taking a stand on something, anything. I personally just think he does what he's told & doesn't try to ruffle any feathers, which is his main problem. He clearly lacks vision.

[I-10east]

I guess that's what all minorities should do right?  just leave? Its nice to see ignorance and bigotry go hand in hand no matter whose ox is getting gored.  I remember this same argument being used for people who married into a different race.

Meh, I didn't have any problems to what Cooly said, no need to be so overly emotional. I could see if he said "If anyone don't like the way Jax is, hit the road!!!" It didn't come off like that at all, nor did a 'Jax is fine the way it is' vibe. Why live somewhere that you don't want to? A 'I should leave and maybe it's the time' stance doesn't sound like finance would be a problem.