The Alliance for Marriage and the Federal Marriage Amendment

http://www.allianceformarriage.org/reports/030304/030304.htm

[Skywalk]

Hey and maybe we can have Amendments repealing the 2nd Amendment and portions of the 9th(or all of it) and 4th, because, hey, we have to stand up to the Feds!

[templar]

RNC's server won't respond. An omen maybe?

[Paleo Conservative]

This would require some other binding governmental forum. How would you ever get 38 States, acting independantly of each other, the pass exactly the same legislation?

I could imagine the state's attorneys general could coordinate such a thing. Hell, we have the internet. I think the idea that coordination has to occur from the top down is obsolete. Just look at state "right to carry laws." Quite a number of states have recipricol agreements between each other to recognize permits to carry concealed firearms issued by other pariticpating states. This coordination was acheived in spite of a hostile administration in Washington that was trying to make firearm laws more restrictive at the federal level.

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with you on nasty 100%! Makes me shudder to think what the next 16 months are going to be like. There is nothing honorable about the Clinton DemocRAT Party -- absolutely nothing!

[AntiGuv]

Well, if the poll numbers don't change (a pretty big "if", I know), I suspect the vote whores in Congress will have serious trouble voting against this.

The highest number of senators I can come up with that I expect may oppose this amendment is 26, well short of the necessary 34 to defeat. I haven't done a break-down on the House (nor do I intend to) but I would be quite shocked if they can come up with anywhere near 145 congress critters to oppose this.

IMHO, the Amendment appears quite likely to secure ratification from both the Congress & the States. It'll be one hell of a battle, though, as templar noted..

[PhiKapMom]

That is why you start with optimism and throw in hard work to achieve your goal -- don't quit when there are roadblocks thrown in your way but keep on pushing ahead!

[longtermmemmory]

36 states have DOMA's either by legislature or referendum. Politicians would be unwise to vote against this. It would be like drinking french wine.

[Antoninus]

Pinging to the residents of the religion forum ghetto: Come ye forth! (Apologies if this is a duplicate ping).

Here's a way to have a real positive impact on the culture. What say you?

[AntiGuv]

Hey and maybe we can have Amendments repealing the 2nd Amendment and portions of the 9th(or all of it) and 4th, because, hey, we have to stand up to the Feds!

In the long run, this Federal Marriage Amendment would near certainly end up in that same little corner of infamy where the Prohibition Amendment lurks these days. The only real question is how long it would stick around.

[templar]

I could imagine the state's attorneys general could coordinate such a thing. Hell, we have the internet.

You might want to see what's been waiting in the wings for an opportunity like this to come along. Major changes to our government need to be approached very. very cautiously, the enemy is hihtly organized and has plans for every contingency. One mistake and we have a new government.

[Antoninus]

I prefer to think in terms of a half full gas tank. If you need 3/4 of a tank full to get where you're going you'd better make some plans for the other 1/4 if you start out with only half a tank. Optimism by itself won't fill the tank, money and filling stations are going to be required.

Agreed. But how many pessimists raise money and build filling stations?

[Antoninus]

Hey and maybe we can have Amendments repealing the 2nd Amendment and portions of the 9th(or all of it) and 4th, because, hey, we have to stand up to the Feds!

You have learned the art of the non sequitur very well.

[Antoninus]

In the long run, this Federal Marriage Amendment would near certainly end up in that same little corner of infamy where the Prohibition Amendment lurks these days.

If so, it will only be because it will be seen as an indication of how low society--and the judiciary in particular--had sunk that such an Amendment was even needed. In other words, the Amendment itself won't be considered infamous, just the state of the judiciary that made it a necessity.

[Mo1]

Good Grief .. what is that?

[longtermmemmory]

this is not a constitutional convention is is how a single ammendment is added to the constitution.

Right now we have momentum and protecting children from homosexual is a real strong cause.

[templar]

But how many pessimists raise money and build filling stations?

It's the pessimists job to point out the need. Once he's done that his work is done; his professional responsibility discharged. The optimists gotta raise the money and build the stations.

[kms61]

We're still at war, and the economy is iffy, to name just two two things, among many others, that demand our attention. Yet a substantial number of people on this site and elsewhere have identified THIS as the single most pressing issue facing our country, on which our representatives should spend their time, effort, and political capitol.

Amazing.

[Antoninus]

I see your point. I am totally against anything like a new constitutional convention. I'm happy with what we have now--if only it were strictly interpreted instead of made "living" to the point of irrelevancy.

The judiciary needs to be reigned in. We have a tool, within the framework of the Constitution to do that. Checks and balances work. Let's have at it!

[Dolphy]

I neither support nor oppose the Amendment. Whether or not the Congress passes and the States ratify this Amendment is fine by me. I'm just intrigued to find out the dimensions & outcome of this historic cultural battle.

I'm with you, but I will be really sorry to see this issue pressed to the top of the political agenda. The threat to the institution of marriage, given the current divorce rates, will not be eliminated by excluding gays.

[Antoninus]

It's the pessimists job to point out the need. Once he's done that his work is done; his professional responsibility discharged. The optimists gotta raise the money and build the stations.

Oh I see. The pessimists don't get anywhere near the actual work. Nice. No wonder there are so many.... :-)