[HenryLeeII]

At the risk of sounding like a fence-sitter, I think they're both right. States should have the final say in something like this (an issue not delegated to the federal government in the Constitution by the states), but with the militancy of the homosexual lobby (and the left in general), this will eventually end up in the Supreme Court when some state refuses to acknowledge a Massachusetts or California same-sex "marriage" certificate.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I have been willing to compromise to your position, but what I really think is that this is an issue in which we need uniformity. Utah could not join the Union unless they banned polygamy, so the precident exists for uniformity.

Still, I can live with each state legislature having final say. This requires, however, that we use different wording for the sake of fluidity. That means that marriage is marriage as it has been for 5,000, and state legislatures can create civil unions that equal marriage if they want to. Make no mistake, civil unions are marriage. But you can't really offer states a choice if you are going to call them by the exact same name. It would be total confusion.

[ishmac]

States should have the final say in something like this...

In a former and better time I would have agreed. Unfortunately, the classic "states' rights" position has been overtaken by events. Here in Michigan, where I live, we'll probably pass a defense of marriage law this fall. But what good is it if we're eventually strong-armed into accepting a law made in Boston, Massachussetts? It's not just that 4 unelected judges in Massechussetts can make the law for its own citizens; they can make the law for the citizens of, say, southwestern Michigan.

For those who think amending the constitution is extreme, it is--but I would argue that the crisis forced on us by the gay gestapo is the kind of situation that merits extreme action. Of course, the easiest expedient is to restrict federal courts with a Senate vote. That, however, is only a stopgap measure. The gay marriage train needs to be derailed now.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Precident - precedent

LOL!

[Rastus]

Suggested bumper sticker:

Overturn Marbury v. Madison NOW