I’m sorry, but if I wanted to name my kid Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli Lord Of The Dawn, I don’t see what business it is of some Tennessee judge:
(WBIR-Newport) A Newport mother is appealing a court’s decision after a judge ordered her son’s name be changed from “Messiah.”
Jaleesa Martin and the father of Messiah could not agree on a last name, which is how they ended up at a child support hearing in Cocke County Chancery Court on Thursday.
That is when the first name came into question.
Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew serves the 4th Judicial District of Tenn. including the following counties: Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier.
The name change was part of Judge Ballew’s case; however, the parents did not think the first name would be changed.
Judge Ballew ordered the 7-month-old’s name be “Martin DeShawn McCullough.” It includes both parent’s last names but leaves out Messiah.
“The word Messiah is a title and it’s a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ,” Judge Ballew said.
Martin responded saying, “I was shocked. I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn’t think a judge could make me change my baby’s name because of her religious beliefs.”
If there’s one lesson to be learned from this story, it’s this: try to settle these things yourselves, people. Once you choose to let the court decide you’ve put yourself at the mercy of all sorts of wackadoodle.
How, Judge Ballew, can you justify this judicial overreach? She says:
According to Judge Ballew, it is the first time she has ordered a first name change. She said the decision is best for the child, especially while growing up in a county with a large Christian population.
“It could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is,” Judge Ballew said.
Seriously, what the hell country does Judge Ballew think this is, Sweden?
Yo Judge Ballew: Blanket and Prince Jackson, North West, Pilot Inspektor Lee and Moxie Crimefighter Jillette all called. They want you to stick to the stuff you were asked to rule on and keep your big nose out of the rest.
[UPDATE]:
Meanwhile in Nashville, a 31.4-pound cat named Buddha is about to start a diet and exercise regime. Wonder if they’ll change his name after he loses his Buddha belly?
