Why do states get to pick, choose?

Regarding the Sept. 3 editorial, “No option to reject one’s duty”: I agree with your conclusion that the Kentucky clerk’s refusal to issue marriage licenses is a violation of her sworn duties. I quote your editorial: “They (government officials) have taken oaths to uphold state and federal laws. They cannot pick and choose which laws they will recognize and which they will ignore.” However, in the past the editorial board has chosen to ignore the violation of federal law by the governor and attorney general of Washington. They are in violation of their oaths of office regarding the passage of the legalization of marijuana — they chose to pick and choose. Of course, our current administration has chosen to overlook and permit this travesty as their record of selective law enforcement testifies. When the rule of law decays, our freedoms are compromised incrementally until restoration becomes very difficult.

Doug Staab

Everett

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