I have to make a clarification, marriage rates projected from the rate of marriage licenses were lower.  Marriage licenses weren't required nationally until after the civil war.  Upon closer inspection it is unfair to infer a lower marriage rate based on that.

Mr Kimball, I think you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  I agree with you almost entirely, however I am compelled to offer a wrinkle as I am interested in your take on it.

Hasn't marriage been about property transfer and legitimizing heirs and inheritors in Western Civ since the Pax Britannica?  Additionally  any thoughts as to why marriage was less common in the US until the late 1800's/early 1900's?

Again, excellent post.

Diane, My parents had the same argument before I was born.  There is a simple solution: buy a safe.  You are legally obliged in California to keep your firearms secure at all times anyway, so a safe is a logical choice.  That negates his (stated) concerns, all other arguments in favor still stand at that point.

What rot.  As though we needed any more evidence that this man is a snake in the grass charlatan.

[Edit] To clarify, I don't buy that he is anything other than a huckster who changes his story whenever it will gain him advantage.  I don't buy into birtherism personally.

To be fair, you are both using anecdotes rather than data.  I have no doubt that you are both correct, and therein lies the problem.  One system, variable outcomes.

One thing I have always read to be true is that socialized systems are quite good at treating outsiders because of the fiscal benefits to the system.  To offer and anecdote of my own, a friend hit her head while in France; in spite of being fine she was made to go to hospital.  Once there, the doctor told her what she already knew, "You'll be fine."  She was then handed a 500 euro bill.  So she received prompt fleecing, even if unnecessary service.

Here here!

I share your pain Troy.  I filled out my absentee ballot for San Diego County & City on Wednesday.  I found scotch a viable substitute for vicodin ;-)

Actually, I feel the other side may have just given us a tremendous gift.  The President may now indorse gay marriage, but he has, in his own words, defined marriage as a non-civil right.

As for squaring the circle, leave it to the left to have to justify their own savior, we don't need to help them ;-)

This is so becoming my Facebook status for the next week!

Well, there's 29 states that the President's campaign can kiss goodbye.

Here here!  How many 'old guard' does that make now?

Senator Lugar, thank you for your service, enjoy your retirement ;-p

I do have to wonder if they would have 'let John off' if Richard Epstein had been the opposition.  I jest, Congratulations Mr Yoo.  Thank you for fighting the good fight and proving that it can still be won.

Misthiocracy,

Thank you for remembering these!  This is one of my favorite shows!

Nice one, I had forgotten it.

"The trouble with her is that she lacks the power of conversation but not the power of speech." - George Bernard Shaw

"He left his body to science - and science is contesting the will."  - David Frost

Yeah, if we'd known he was able to see the future we wouldn't have opposed him.  All hail the boy-god Obama, for clearly he sees all and knows all.

Mollie, I don't know if it's creepy, but it certainly is telling.  Many of us didn't need another, but this is a great look at how the President views the 'perfect' America.

This is a personal favorite, and older than the others, but still good.

"No longer from head to food than from hip to hip: she is spherical, like a glove; I could find out countries in her." -Shakespeares Antipholus -Comedy of Errors

RATS! I knew I forgot something!!

I have to agree with you Richard.  Where has this passion been all these months?  Perhaps he really was 'holding something in reserve'.