T_B_C, the fact that you say it, and happen to be a political science undergrad, does not mean there are a legion of authorities out there echoing you. In fact, as usual when you claim one of your beliefs is commonly held in academia, there aren’t any outside the lunatic fringes. :rolleyes:
Well!! Praise for my view from James Madison. And last month, offline, I was asked by a friend, a Mr. McCulloch, for my perspective on a legal question he had. To add to that, our neigbor Scott and his inlaws the Sanfords had me do some research regarding North Carolina inheritance laws.
I claim a Constitutional hat trick!! 
Thanks to all. I went to Reeder’s link, and apologize for dredging up yesterday’s news. After all the legal hair-splitting, it looks like this is a frivolous sop to the religious right (especially when considering that the sponsors are corn-fed fire-and brimstone Republicans). What’s scary is that it’s gone from the house to the senate, and is now in committee. Here’s hoping there’s an outbreak of common sense on capitol hill.
Saw this article on the legislation today. Who wrote and/or sponsored this bill?