Story of the day: Up to 4!

After Friday's welcome news of the Iowan Supreme Court ruling banning marriage discrimination for gays and lesbians, all eyes were on Vermont, who had passed a bill legalizing gay marriage under threat of veto by their Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Big Pussy). In order to override the veto, the Vermont Senate and House would be required a 2/3 yea vote, which was an easy ride in the Senate (it already passed 26-4 there) but daunting in the House (the passage came at 95-52, where 100 would be needed to override the veto).

Well, the ideas of justice and equality prevailed, and with the Senate revoting 23-5 (not everyone voted the two times, and one Republican switched), the House came through with the exactly 100 votes needed (87 Democrats, 6 Republicans, 5 Progressives, and 2 Independents). At this point, Rick Warren's brain imploded upon itself, causing the rest of his body to eat itself.

Among the celebrants in the lobby were former Rep. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury, and his longtime partner, Chuck Kletecka. Dostis recalled efforts to expand gay rights dating to an anti-discrimination law passed in 1992.

"It's been a very long battle. It's been almost 20 years to get to this point," Dostis said. "I think finally, most people in Vermont understand that we're a couple like any other couple. We're as good and as bad as any other group of people. And now I think we have a chance to prove ourselves here on forward that we're good members of our community."

Dostis said he and Kletecka will celebrate their 25th year together in September.

"Is that a proposal?" Kletecka asked.

"Yeah," Dostis replied. "Twenty-five years together, I think it's time we finally got married."

Aww...

It's enlightening to know that the Governor's chief argument over the bill was that it was "distracting from the economy". Well, douchebag, maybe you can't walk and chew gum at the same time, but apparently others can. Though we really know it was just to placate your ignorant inbred socially-backward constituents, which apparently rank more on your justice meter than the rest of us. You're a fucking tool.

The law comes into effect September 1, so Vermonters can have a great fall wedding under the foliage. How many needed dollars will be spent in the state? Stimulus!

Here's the clause the says it all..

§ 8. MARRIAGE DEFINITION
Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people. When used in this chapter or in any other statute, the word "marriage" shall mean a civil marriage.

Welcome to separation of church and state, bitches.

Meanwhile, in Iowa, Democratic douchebag Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader, had already started to try to overturn the ruling legislatively. Thankfully, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal blocked his efforts, refusing to co-sponsor his bill and shutting down (at least for now) the effort for a constitutional gay marriage ban amendment. His words at the Iowa Capitol doing so show a very heartfelt and real reaction to this. And hopefully a sign of hope.

Amen. Face it, those who only want to meddle in others' lives. You lost. Again. Clean up your own fucking backyard.