Could we please stop hyperventilating over the marriage amendment?

[cali]

Not going to happen, and the cynical rethugs know it. It's just a ploy to keep their fundie base placated. It takes a 2/3 majority in both houses. After which, 3/4 of the states must pass the amendment in their legislatures. Think that's gonna happen? It won't. The majority of people are not behind amending the constitution for this purpose- or practically any other.

[bowens43]

1. the only place there is hope is the senate.

2/3 in the house won't be overly difficult and if it passes in congress the states will pass it. The amendments that appeared on state ballots passed with 70% of the vote.

To say that it won't happen is naive.

[cali]

5. Aaarrrgh, It's not naive

You think VT, NH, ME, RI, NY, NJ, CA, WA, IL, CT, DE, MD, MA are going to pass it? No. The Senate? No way. And even several red states have dem legislatures. This is not a legitimate concern. Constitutional amendments are difficult to pass for a reason. I remember the ERA and how it didn't pass.

[Dark]

2. If it does happen, fuck this country.

I will have had it. I can't take much more of this nation's idiocy or bigotry. I hope to god it doesn't, but if so, I think Canada would be happy for me, and many other liberals, to put our money and minds into their economy.

[sangh0]

3. There's your answer

"No"

[aquart]

4. Yes. They propose amendments because they can't get it into law.

If they haven't got the votes for a law, how the flaming bloody hell could they get the votes for an amendment?

It's so they look like they're working when they are busy NOT doing anything about healthcare or the war.

[Ms. Toad]

11. They already got the law

Clinton signed it in a ploy to distract attention from his personal troubles - I find it very hard to forgive him for that.

(But I agree that the votes aren't there to amend the federal constitution).

[JPJones]

6. Oh, it will happen

Do you think that our Dems are going to block it? Not when anti-gay marriage amendments pass in 11 states including Oregon.

The blue state Dems will vote against, but red state Dems will vote for it.

[cali]

7. Let me repeat myself

IT ONLY TAKES 13 STATES TO BLOCK IT. IT ONLY TAKES 34 SENATORS TO BLOCK IT.

Things may be bleak, but what's the point of painting things as worse than they actually are?

[Ardee]

8. when you are right you are right

Bush proposed this only as a sop to the religious right before a close election in order to cement their votes for him. He knows full wel that an amendment to the Constitution is really really difficult to achieve.

Besides, all the discussion time wasted on this is taken away from stuff that really may happen!

[GRLMGC]

9. You're probably right

If it passes, they get rid of a powerful wedge issue. Not smart.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Considering the power of the right wing and their love of theft

I think ANYTHING is possible! I am sure Jews didn't think a law would ever be passed denying them the right to own land, but it did! When we drop our guard, is when they will strike. The one good thing about all this is it is really showing gays and lesbians who our REAL allies are!