"BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!?!" cries Louisiana Racist

In the news...
An interracial couple in Louisiana was denied their marriage license because, as the local Justice of the Peace, Keith Bardwell, said, in the most blatant display of lame "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN" logic: "There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage...I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it." That's right, he won't put those future children through a potentially loving and rewarding childhood with excellent parents because everyone knows that children in interracial households suffer so much. Come on, really? Just admit it, you're a racist Keith Bardwell.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way...I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

For the love of God, tell me this is trolling. Please, please tell me that there are not people in that much denial in real life. Also, please tell me that I did not just read the phrase "piles and piles of black friends" given as evidence to support a mind free from racism. Come on, Keith, throw me a bone here, just to let everyone know this is just one big trollfest.

"I try to treat everyone equally."

Keith, you are either the best troll on the planet, or the biggest racist to be totally oblivious to their own prejudices. Of course, Keith really is just doing this for everyone's best interests. He's not a racist, just a concerned citizen who justifies his denial of marriage rights because "most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society."

This is a healthy way to fix all our lingering social problems--the let's just give the hell up attitude is always a solid tactic for creating a better world. I'm pretty sure that's how Nelson Mandela solved the problem of apartheid. Ghandi totally liberated India by just throwing in the towel. And the allies during World War Two? Yeah, they were just all: "Fuck that Normandy Invasion, it's a lost cause."

But in all seriousness...and this will probably be one of those rare moments where I'm actually serious in an entry: Keith, let me tell you something, the second we give up on dealing with racism, that's when racism will become both socially and institutionally acceptable. I don't buy his bullshit claim that he is doing this for the best interest of the children, don't get me wrong. In fact, I'm pretty sure defending your lack of racism with racism firmly places you in the racist column. Or at least the hopelessly confused column.

This is completely unacceptable. This is 2009. There is no excuse for this man's actions and there needs to be a serious, stern response. The ACLU has gotten involved, and there is hope for an appeal to the Justice Department. So, yeah, basically, this asshole has everyone after him, as he should. I mean, I feel like I shouldn't have to even pose this rhetorical question, but...why can't society allow for two people of different racial backgrounds get married? And why can't they have children? It isn't only celebrities who can do this successfully (like Seal and Heidi Klum) I'm pretty sure "regular" biracial couples can do it too without causing the earth to explode and have us all tossed into Gomorrah. Why do we even have to ask this question? The answer is pretty simple: racism is alive and well, no matter how many people try to deny it, and we, as a society, need to decry it for what it is.