"Did Amos or anyone else say they thought this bizarre marriage amendment of Bush was intended as a serious proposal, rather than a bit of cynical electioneering flummery?"

Assuming that question was directed to me, some have but not many. Amos and others sure act like it's real and going to happen tomorrow. It seems like something some people want to wallow in the misery of. Why not move past the "Oh, woe is me" phase and use the opening it provides to do something most of the country agrees on rather fight for something that will only further the bitterness?

This was one of the things I was thinking about, McGrath when you asked your question in the slavery thread. In the end, one side or the other will "win" however much blood is shed and however long the repercussions last. Wouldn't it be easier to reach a compromise we all feel good about and get the damn thing over with?