My question is this... of all the grand, moral traditions of American society that we could "protect" and maintain for future generations... why marriage? What has the institution of marriage really done for this civilization that we should affect the fate of our nation in order to deny it to certain people? I don't understand.

I suppose the other question to ask (given the disdainful scoffing I can already hear from the direction of people much older and more experienced than myself regarding my complete lack of appreciation for tradtion or understanding of this country's moral foundation) is how would the recognition of same sex marriages detrimentally affect the institution in the first place?

For the record, these questions are rhetorical. I have no expectations that anyone will actually respond, since as far as my standard audience goes, I am preaching to the converted. Really, I'm just venting my frustration and disappointment, pay me no mind.