Schuette continues to fail to come up with argument defending gay marriage ban in guest 'Free Press' column

The Detroit Free Press gave Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette a guest column on Saturday to defend his decision to uphold Michigan's same-sex marriage ban — and as has been typical of the ongoing saga Schuette once again fails to come up with anything resembling a solid defense.

In fact, Schuette spent his 600 or so words avoiding the topic completely, never once analyzing the constitutionality of Michigan's same-sex marriage ban. In essence his response can be boiled down to "well, that's procedure" — a procedure that has cost his office at least $40,000 so far.

Toward the end the column he briefly mentions that it's "important to always remember that there are good people on both sides of this debate. Democracy is never advanced by demonizing either side." Which is funny, because in last year's same-sex marriage trial — another prime example of Schuette grasping at straws — he enlisted Canadian economist Douglas Allen to deliver closing remarks in support of the ban. When asked if the "consequence of engaging in homosexual acts" would result in "eternal damnation," Allen didn't miss a beat, replying “Without repentance, yes.” (If that's not "demonizing" a side, we're not sure what is.)

The thing is, Schuette seems to be acutely aware of the changing tides. A federal judge recently ruled that the 300 same-sex marriages briefly performed in Michigan must be recognized, and the U.S. Supreme Court has recently decided to hear a Michigan same-sex marriage case — which could help rule the issue of marriage equality nationwide once and for all. In closing, Schuette admits, "... laws can change. Court rulings can be overturned. Both of those events happen every day in America."

But when that day finally comes, we don't foresee Schuette as being best remembered as the Attorney General who upheld justice.