Especially with all of these random coins popping up, is it possible to merge mine in a similar way that Namecoin and Devcoin can?

If not, why?

The World Must Know! 

I'm really just wondering why it is that everyone is so excited about Feathercoin. It seems like a legitimate Litecoin clone with a few variables changed, that really exists for no reason other than to exist  Any opinions on why you all are adopting it so willingly?