Hartford Courant (Conn.), Sept. 4:

Public officials, like all citizens, are expected to follow the law. In fact, they have a special obligation to do so. If they choose not to, they must expect consequences. Kim Davis can think about this as she sits in the pokey.

Ms. Davis is the Kentucky county clerk who was refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples; indeed, to all couples, gay and straight, since the U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this summer that same-sex couples have the right to marry. She is a conservative Christian and said it would violate her faith to put her name on a marriage license for two people of the same sex.

Several gay couples sued her. She was ordered by U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning to begin issuing licenses this week. She defied his order. He had her jailed for contempt of court. He was right to do so.

Supporters praised her for standing up for her religious principles. That misses the point. She is a public official, being paid by the taxpayers to run her office in accordance with the law. If she could not in good conscience do that, her proper option was to resign and, if she wants, to advocate for a change in the law. To borrow an insight from Pope Francis, who is she to judge?