[tpaine]

I think you're interpreting it wrong. -- In 'good faith' a State can refuse to recognize such a civil contract as a traditional 'marriage'.
-- They must recognize it as a valid contract, of course, -- but they wouldn't be obliged to give it state tax/insurance benefits etc, -- that I can see.

--- it seems to me that is the very line of reasoning that the people who insist that marriage is a civil right being denied to gays will use as the pretext for litigation, citing the "full faith and credit" clause.

Let them try.. We've needed many of these socalled civil rights issues settled for quite some time. -- States powers will win the day, because the 10th amendment is quite clear.
-- The feds lack power to dictate to the states as long as States themselves abide by the principles of our constitution.

That's the real kicker of course.. The States don't really want to abide by the constitution any more that the feds do..

[betty boop]

That's the real kicker of course.. The States don't really want to abide by the constitution any more than the feds do..

tpaine, my strong suspicion is: You are absolutely right about that.

Thanks for writing my friend.