Corn-fed and Ready to Wed!...

That placard was so good I had to use it for the title of post...

In a surprising (well, to me) and gladdening turn of events, Iowa's Supreme Court unanimously ruled the denial of marriage between people of the same sex unconstitutional.

The 69 page ruling means same-sex couples in Iowa can now get married under state law. The ruling said that the Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution.

"The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification," wrote the justices.

Click here for a synopsis of the ruling..

Wow. And while certain heads explode, in a complete other world than California, the State legislative Senate and House leadership put out a statement not only honoring the decision, but heralding it. The Polk County Attorney (that's where the case originated) even said they will not dispute the ruling. Of course the wingnuts are ready for the "constitutional amendment" tack, however even if the vote went through, I'm not sure how that could pass the denial of equal rights clause the Iowan Supremes set forth. And at least some in Iowa are already telling the right (at least the not-snakehandling right) to chill and enjoy the exposure.

Just stop with the weeping, all you right-wingers. Make money. For a while, anyway.

Resist the temptation to follow the advice of your mentor, U.S. Rep. Steve King, who is demanding the Iowa Legislature immediately start changing laws. He wants a constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage - and that's fine. It takes years. Go for it.

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We really should let this thing go for a while. Our economy needs the boost. Then we can decide if we like what the Supreme Court has done for us. Or to us. We might like this new Iowa. Or not.

The truth is, a lot of Iowans are only now starting to think seriously about the fact that marriage - not civil unions, marriage - is becoming legal for homosexual couples in Iowa. Until now, a lot of people - even some conservatives - haven't paid much attention to the issue.

How's that for a stimulus plan?

Now that Iowans can marry in 21 days, the only worry is of politics. And not even Republicans. It's unknown whether Democratic Gov. Chet Culver or House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will be total pussies or let the rule of justice stand.

The big newpaper of the state, the Des Moines Register, has two great editorials on the subject.

Meanwhile, in Vermont, the day before that (Thursday) saw their House of Representatives pass a bill to legalize gay marriage 95-52 (it already passed the Senate 26-4). However that isn't enough to override a threatened Governor's veto, but only 5 votes short. Cross your fingers.