About Prop 8....
 

I may not remember correctly, but wasn't there a similar proposition in CA that was similar to this - perhaps it was an amendment to the state constitution disallowing gay marriage - that had been decided in favor of by the voters but was later overturned in the courts?

If I do remember this correctly, will it really matter if Prop. 8 passes?

Yes. Prop 21, I believe. It was sometime around 2002. It was later overturned by courts, as are many things. It was NOT an amendment to the constitution, though.

And you are correct....if Prop 8 passes, this will just eventually go up to the Supreme Court, where it will finally get overturned, since there is no legal basis for allowing the discrimination. The public doesnt get to vote on Supreme Court cases, so they will out of luck at that point.

So why waste time and money - on both sides - putting it to a vote?

Makes people feel important and involved. Isn't that why we do most things?

Perhaps so.

I just see it as a waste of time in that precedence has been set in that a court has overturned the vote/will of the people.

I read a post on the Bloggernacle comparing the Church's Prop 8 support with Zion's Camp. In many ways, Zion's Camp was a disaster -- several men died from disease and they failed to accomplish their stated goal. It was successful, however, in enabling JS to find dedicated followers who were willing to march from Ohio to Missouri following a guy with zero military experience. JS really knew who was devoted to him.

Prop 8 may be the same. The church's support is totally inexcusable, a PR disaster, and will ultimately result in the failure of its stated goal (DDD is right. If Prop 8 passes, it will get challenged, and it will get struck down). But it allows the church to find out who has drank the most kool aid. Just watch, many of those who are leading the Prop 8 charge will get the most prestigious callings in the future.

I assume when you say the Church, you are referring to the Prophet? After all he crafted the letter sent to members. Correct?

It was done at least in part, if not primarily, to increase voter turnout among conservatives.

Steve Young, you sly bastard. Opposing 8 just to get out of being called as a G.A. Brilliant!

Interesting thoughts and you may very well be right about future leaders.

However, I was just wondering why those who put Prop 8 out there to begin with did so. The LDS church certainly supports it, but didn't get it on the ballot.