dmcg, of course I know the law is the law. that is the point of the disagreement, ie that we differ strongly as to the validity of that law. I would presume that it is even now possible for that law to be found unlawful. and just because something is lawful , it don't make it moral. ww2 Germany had even worse laws....would you defend them because the law is the law ?
as to the marriage clerks risking dismissal for not doing what they are paid to do, I would argue that they took the job expecting to marry one man to one woman, which I expect has been the understanding of the american constitution from the beginning.
yes, I would be opposed even if the vote was unanimous, but on the thread on the Ireland vote, I acknowledged that it was at least not imposed against the will of the majority.