Supporters of discrimination and intolerance are pleased

they've gotta be just tingling all over at seeing social engineering through extremist biblical fundamentalism take center stage...

Supporters say the amendment will win as many as seven new votes from freshmen elected after the amendment received its last vote in 2004. Their support is expected to produce a majority for the amendment in the 100-member chamber.

But 60 votes would be required for the measure to survive a test vote Wednesday and a two-thirds majority is required in both houses of Congress to send an amendment to the states. It then would have to be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures.

Still, supporters were pleased.

"We're building votes," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., another new supporter. "That's often what's required over several years to get there, particularly to a two-thirds vote."

it may be producing tingles in the extremist base but it still ain't goin' anywhere...

"Whether it passes or not this time, I do not believe the sponsors are going to fall back and cry about it," said Sen. Orrin Hatch (news, bio, voting record), R-Utah. "I think they are going to keep bringing it up."

The House plans a vote on the amendment next month, said Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"This is an issue that is of significant importance to many Americans," Boehner told reporters. "We have significant numbers of our members who want a vote on this, so we are going to have a vote."

Like the Senate, the House in 2004 fell short of the two-thirds vote needed.

Bush, his popularity sagging and his conservative base dissatisfied with Republicans' efforts on social issues, issued a fresh appeal for passage Tuesday, the third time in as many days.

"The administration believes that the future of marriage in America should be decided through the democratic constitutional amendment process, rather than by the court orders of a few," a White House statement said.

let's get a few things straight...

1) it AIN'T an issue of significant importance to many americans

2) the "sponsors" and "significant numbers of our members" who want a vote on this are not only NOT representative of the majority of americans but can, should, and WILL NOT be around long enough to see their dream of an extremist biblical stranglehold on america realized

3) bush can issue as many appeals for passage as he wants, they're only succeeding in making him look like the pathetic, pandering, panicked, political opportunist he really is

4) the purpose of the constitution is to define the structure of governance, to provide the proper checks and balances against abuses of power, and to guarantee that the freedoms and liberties the country was founded on are preserved, NOT to dictate the private lives of american citizens

a blogger (i believe it was john aravosis at americablog) compared this sorry debacle to the terry schiavo pandering outbreak, a very apt comparison... the mere fact that decent, tolerant, compassionate, inclusive americans, committed to loving their neighbors as themselves and doing unto others as they would be done unto, are having to shift their focus from truly important issues to spend energy and time fending off this disgusting political ploy is outrageous... but, as we all know, outrage has been the frequent and appropriate response to literally every action of this administration since december 12, 2000, when the supreme court ordered george's reign as dictator...

[UPDATE]

yes, it was john aravosis... i just checked...

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