State Senators found themselves in the middle of major backlash as every paper in the state attended the capital, demanded comments. Representatives from major news networks, papers and others came to the capital to ask the question: Will Kansas again be the state that sets off the battle for the next Brown Vs. Board of Education?

What made today exciting is that for the first time in months, Kansans were forced to ask: Is this REALLY the kind of government we thought we were getting? Conservative groups - and especially businesses called in, sent letters, emails telling Kansas Senators that this would tarnish their business and the brand.

As House and Senate Republicans hid behind their doors, students at Kansas State, University of Kansas and elsewhere rallied and asked their peers this question: Do you want the first question in your post college interview to be: 'Oh, you come from that state that voted for discrimination, right?'

Voter registration at universities was in full swing, and no matter how conservative many voters were, a LOT of them agreed: This is a bridge too far. We have to start over.

Does it mean that Kansas turns progressive? No. But for one day - for a few hours in a capital building today - I watched as angry citizens drove up with 'McCain/Palin' stickers on their trucks got out, made their way to representatives and told them off.

There is nothing as rewarding as the man on the sidewalk outside of the capital yelling 'STOP MAKING US LOOK LIKE ASSHOLES'

This bill isn't dead. It may never get a Vote. Brownback has already said he can't sign it now, thanks to public pressure.

But now it's not dead for another reason. It will serve as a reminder from now until the election: Unless you want this to happen again, you have to change the people in the State House. There were a lot of Kansans who learned the name of their state representatives today. Young kids, high schoolers who came to the capital after school and told us that this is the year they register to vote, and this matters to them.

The State of Kansas Republicans thought they would trot out this issue, get it passed and be 'on the right side of history'.

Well, they poked the bear.

And the bear had an opening snack today, but it isn't far from done.