"The idea that those who issue marriage licenses must agree with the romantic choices of those getting married is patently absurd."

This is one of the primary issues that has confounded me about this whole circus. As someone on DU pointed out the other day, when the County Clerk's office issues a marriage license it isn't also issuing a statement about any moral, religious, or philosophical issues that might be in play. It is only stipulating that the application for marriage license has met the legal requirements of the state.