GOP PLEDGES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PUSH – AT 11:53 A.M. ET:  An intelligent, thoughtful approach might well produce good results.  From The Hill:

Senate Republicans are pledging to protect religious freedom after a Supreme Court ruling Friday legalized same-sex marriage across the country.

In a 5-4 decision, the court said there is a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states, handing a historic win for gay rights.

Sen. John McCain said in the wake of the ruling that he is "committed to upholding the religious freedom protections afforded to all of us under our Constitution."

The Arizona Republican, who is up for reelection next year and could face a primary challenge, added that "while I have deep respect for Americans on all sides of the issue, I disagree with today's decision."

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) criticized the Supreme Court for "imposing the views of five elected judges on a country that is still in the midst of making up its mind about marriage."

Lee, who is also up for reelection, said he would work on getting his legislation passed, the First Amendment Defense Act, which he says would "prevent the federal government from discriminating against anyone who believes that marriage is a union between one man and one woman."

Meanwhile, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said that he will "continue to work to protect the First Amendment rights of those who, based on their religious convictions, oppose same-sex marriage."

COMMENT:  These are important measures.  If carefully drawn, they might pass Constitutional muster, even with this Supreme Court.   The Court has ruled gay marriage a right in all 50 states.  But that does not mean that vendors, such as photographers, should be forced to participate in a religious ritual of which they disapprove.  They should not. 

June 27, 2015