[xzins]

Those who say a constitutional amendment in all states and at the national level is unnecessary are either naive, in a a dream-world, or devious.

The amendment route appears to be the ONLY route for protecting marriage.

[COEXERJ145]

The amendment route appears to be the ONLY route for protecting marriage.

Actually Congress could simply remove the ability for federal courts to hear such cases. Congress sets the jurisdiction for the courts and with a few exceptions that are in the Constitution, can prohibit certain types of cases from going before the courts. This would leave it as a state issue and not force the will of one state on all other states.

[rintense]

You are correct. If one state recognizes gay marriage, and another doesn't, this issue will cascade into a bunch of squabbling between states, and their governments. Stop the inevitable and put this to a vote for ALL Americans to decide.

[SauronOfMordor]

The amendment route appears to be the ONLY route for protecting marriage.

You assume that even an Amendment will stop activist judges

The only thing that will stop activist judges will be a yearly referendum on their fitness from the voters. 51% unhappy, and out you go, to be replaced by somebody appointed by the executive and approved by the senate. More than 67% disapproval, and you forfeit your pension and are disbarred.