So in a bang-bang set of legal developments, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore–yes, that Roy Moore–ordered probate judges in his state to ignore a federal judge’s order to begin licensing same-sex marriages today. But then by a 7-2 vote (with Thomas and Scalia dissenting) the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant a “stay” backing Moore up, so he’s lost again, unless against the growing expectation the Supremes decide to reinstate multiple state bans later this term.
Aficionados of Moore’s act know this won’t end the dispute; he thinks of his position as not only a faithful interpretation of the U.S. and Alabama Constitutions, but as demanded by Almighty God. Maybe he’ll force the federal courts once again to deprive him of his robes and gavel. And perhaps he’ll reenact the past by then running for office. The odds are good he’ll find ways to stay in the headlines until the only thing left to write is his obituary.
