The tone and civility of this thread compared to the current politics thread couldn't be more different. People here actually are nice to each other! Different cast of characters, I guess, but it's hard to believe it's the same board.

And glad to hear you are well, Juan. Here's hoping for an uneventful, calm, stress-free summer for Mexico City.

The California Supreme Court decision wasn't a surprise. They didn't say the gay marriage ban was right - just that it is legal, under the state's Constitution.

The court said: "In a sense, petitioners' and the attorney general's complaint is that it is just too easy to amend the California constitution through the initiative process. But it is not a proper function of this court to curtail that process; we are constitutionally bound to uphold it."

However, I don't think this battle is over by a long shot. At some point, the U.S. Supreme Court is gonna have to weigh in on these state-by-state decisions, I think.

Would Tom and Geoff be open to that?

Can't speak for Tom, but I am always willing to make peace.

I was expecting the decision to go this way, but I'm still angry.

While not unexpected, a very disappointing result nonetheless.  Now is the time mobilize and to repeal it.  Although not a California resident if anyone can tell me a good group to donate to to repeal the hideous law I'd be happy to chip in some support.

Bruce I agree it is like there are 2 different boards when you read this thread and the Cheney thread, I must say I thought there were a couple people that were fake posters i.e. trolls. It was like someone said "Hey watch me get the liberals on the board all cranked up". But the more I read, I think some of those guys are real people. I miss talking politics with people I respect.

By the way, where has Geoff been?

On the California thing, that really saddens me, that Ballot thing is so strange. I think at one point that will change and they stop the ballot thing as it is now. I think it's great to have a say by ballot but there seems to be some things that isn't, majority rules issues. I keep thinking what some southern states during the civil rights movement would have allowed because they would have a majority supporting it.

Edited to add: Dang Geoff posted while I was busy and had not updated the thread, glad to see you are OK Geoff.