By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The Louisiana justice of the peace with the racist views that prevented him from marrying an interracial couple has resigned. It took too long, but Keith Bardwell made the right decision.

Bardwell embarrassed himself and his state a few weeks ago when he drew national scorn for his actions.

On Tuesday, he showed up at the Louisiana secretary of state's office and resigned his elected post.

Fortunately, Bardwell's racist views didn't prevent the marriage of Beth Humphrey to Terence McKay. It was performed by another justice of the peace.

Some of Bardwell's recent fighting words showed how messed up his views on this issue were: "I would probably do the same thing again. I found out I can't be a justice of the peace and have a conscience."

In other words, his "conscience" told him it was all right to disobey the law of the land, which allows interracial marriage -- and has for 40 years.

He won't be missed.