Consequences of Hobby Lobby ruling

[billvon 3,132]

It was inevitable. Next up:
Catholic bishop refuses to testify in pedophilia case because testimony against priests would be "against his religion."
Muslim extremist refuses to testify in rape case because protecting defiled women is "against his religion."

Welcome to Sharia Law, brought to you by "conservative values."
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Judge Cites Hobby Lobby To Excuse Fundamentalist Mormon From Child Labor Testimony
Posted: 09/18/2014

Less than three months after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg warned about the widespread repercussions of the Supreme Court’s majority decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, a federal judge in Utah has cited the controversial ruling in his decision to excuse a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from testifying in a child labor investigation.

Since 2012, the Department of Labor has been investigating the Mormon sect over allegations that church leaders ordered children to be removed from school to harvest pecans on a private ranch, without pay, for up to eight hours a day.

Church member Vergel Steed refused to answer basic questions about the investigation in a January deposition, on the grounds that divulging information related to the church violated his religious vows. Last Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Sam ruled that Steed could not be forced to answer the investigators' questions about the Mormon sect or its leaders.

Citing the Supreme Court’s June ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which allows closely held corporations to opt out of providing contraception coverage for their employees based on religious objections, Sam argued that forcing Steed to answer the Labor Department's questions would place a “substantial burden” on his religious beliefs.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/18/hobby-lobby-testimony-mormon-child-labor_n_5844696.html

[Andy9o8 3]

Very drastic and, IMO, totally improper. Problem is, the general rule is that it's procedurally difficult to get an appeals court to hear an appeal on an issue while the case in the lower court is still going on (it's called an "interlocutory appeal", for those who care). If it is immediately appealed and the Court of Appeals agrees to hear it, I'd predict it would probably be reversed.

As the saying goes, there's no zealot like the converted. My Google-fu reflects that Judge Sam converted to the LDS church at age 18. Anyhow, whether converted or born-into, he's clearly biased, and should have recused himself, IMO.

Augh. Horrendous precedent.

[airdvr 210]

Absolutely! 100 lashes and then stone them to death I always say.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[turtlespeed 226]

Andy9o8

Very drastic and, IMO, totally improper. Problem is, the general rule is that it's procedurally difficult to get an appeals court to hear an appeal on an issue while the case in the lower court is still going on (it's called an "interlocutory appeal", for those who care). If it is immediately appealed and the Court of Appeals agrees to hear it, I'd predict it would probably be reversed.

As the saying goes, there's no zealot like the converted. My Google-fu reflects that Judge Sam converted to the LDS church at age 18. Anyhow, whether converted or born-into, he's clearly biased, and should have recused himself, IMO.

Augh. Horrendous precedent.

Just - ugh - stupid. Where do we get these fuggin nut jobs in the judicial system?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[SkyDekker 1,465]

turtlespeed

***Very drastic and, IMO, totally improper. Problem is, the general rule is that it's procedurally difficult to get an appeals court to hear an appeal on an issue while the case in the lower court is still going on (it's called an "interlocutory appeal", for those who care). If it is immediately appealed and the Court of Appeals agrees to hear it, I'd predict it would probably be reversed.

As the saying goes, there's no zealot like the converted. My Google-fu reflects that Judge Sam converted to the LDS church at age 18. Anyhow, whether converted or born-into, he's clearly biased, and should have recused himself, IMO.

Augh. Horrendous precedent.

Just - ugh - stupid. Where do we get these fuggin nut jobs in the judicial system?

In this case he was appointed by Conservative Super Hero Ronald Reagan.

[kawisixer01 0]

Meh I'd say the precedent was set when a public official working in their official capacity can't be compelled to testify at a congressional inquiry.

[Andy9o8 3]

kawisixer01

a public official working in their official capacity can't be compelled to testify at a congressional inquiry.

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that that only applies to instances when the witness invokes his right to remain silent under the 5th Amendment. Please correct me if I'm wrong (I don't have time to look it up right now).

[turtlespeed 226]

SkyDekker

******Very drastic and, IMO, totally improper. Problem is, the general rule is that it's procedurally difficult to get an appeals court to hear an appeal on an issue while the case in the lower court is still going on (it's called an "interlocutory appeal", for those who care). If it is immediately appealed and the Court of Appeals agrees to hear it, I'd predict it would probably be reversed.

As the saying goes, there's no zealot like the converted. My Google-fu reflects that Judge Sam converted to the LDS church at age 18. Anyhow, whether converted or born-into, he's clearly biased, and should have recused himself, IMO.

Augh. Horrendous precedent.

Just - ugh - stupid. Where do we get these fuggin nut jobs in the judicial system?

In this case he was appointed by Conservative Super Hero Ronald Reagan.

Perhaps he was different then, or maybe he just hasn't matured.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[kallend 2,175]

In an interview yesterday, Hobby Lobby president Steve Green admitted that his company still invests in the manufacturers of contraceptives including Ella, Plan B and two types of IUDs.

It appears that his concern is only over contraception that costs his company money. If it makes money for him, then it's OK.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[turtlespeed 226]

kallend

In an interview yesterday, Hobby Lobby president Steve Green admitted that his company still invests in the manufacturers of contraceptives including Ella, Plan B and two types of IUDs.

It appears that his concern is only over contraception that costs his company money. If it makes money for him, then it's OK.

His business, his rules.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[SkyDekker 1,465]

turtlespeed

***
In an interview yesterday, Hobby Lobby president Steve Green admitted that his company still invests in the manufacturers of contraceptives including Ella, Plan B and two types of IUDs.

It appears that his concern is only over contraception that costs his company money. If it makes money for him, then it's OK.

His business, his rules.

Lol, thank you captain obvious.

Nobody is saying that what he is doing is illegal. Hypocritical, yes, but not illegal. Doesn't mean it can't be discussed.

[rehmwa 2]

SkyDekker

Nobody is saying that what he is doing is illegal. Hypocritical, yes, but not illegal. Doesn't mean it can't be discussed.

well, we have sufficient posters here that clearly believe that their personal and subjective opinions and outrage is sufficient justification for legislative action, as well as torture of anyone thinking incorrectly

so it helps to clarify

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants