Aw, the poor babies have the marriage equality sadz:

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle of Tallahassee declared the state ban unconstitutional in August, but stayed his decision through Monday to give some time for legal appeals. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Republican, sought extensions of the stay from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, but both turned her down.

[…]

In a statement issued Monday, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops said it was “deeply disappointed” by Hinkle’s decision and by the appeals courts’ refusal to grant Bondi an extension.

“Marriage based on the complementarity of the sexes is the lifeblood of family, and family is the foundation of our society,” the bishops said. “The crisis that sadly the family is experiencing today will only be aggravated by imposing this redefinition of marriage. Society must rediscover the irreplaceable roles of both mother and father who bring unique gifts to the education and rearing of children.”

With their record of obstruction of justice and sheltering of pedophiles, the Catholic bishops are in no position to lecture anyone on morality and the lifeblood of the family.  The “crisis” isn’t because same-sex couples are being granted their equal rights; it’s because absolute strangers are imposing their personal morality and peccadilloes on everyone else.

Here is why Jeb Bush will not be the 2016 GOP nominee:

As gay couples began to wed in Florida after a court ruling, Jeb Bush, the state’s former governor and long an opponent of same-sex marriages, struck a conciliatory note on Monday, telling The New York Times that “regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law.”

[…]

“We live in a democracy, and regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law,” Mr. Bush said in a statement. “I hope that we can show respect for the good people on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue – including couples making lifetime commitments to each other who are seeking greater legal protections and those of us who believe marriage is a sacrament and want to safeguard religious liberty.”

This “conciliatory” shrug from Mr. Bush isn’t going to cut it with the True Believers in the Republican base.  He’ll be seen as caving in to the Sodomites on South Beach to pander for their votes, and no self-respecting homophobe would vote for anyone who says we have to respect the rule of law.

Also, marriage is not a sacrament when it’s done in a civil ceremony; it’s a legal contract.  Sacraments are reserved to those who think their god is somehow involved in determining and upholding their marriage.  That’s fine if that’s what makes it mean something to them, but the government isn’t in the ritual business, and religious liberty is not at stake when two men go down to the courthouse and fill out a form.