As often is the case, Family Research Council's take on our neighbor Iowa's Supreme Court development is hard to beat:
After watching from a distance as the marriage debate ignited on both coasts, Iowans were horrified today to see the battle marched directly into their backyards. This morning, seven unelected judges unanimously struck down the state's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), forcing same-sex "marriage" on the people of Iowa in a stunning act of judicial tyranny. "We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law," the justices wrote in their opinion. "Faithfulness to that duty requires us to hold Iowa's marriage statute... violates the Iowa Constitution. To decide otherwise would be an abdication of our constitutional duty."
As a result of Varnum v. Brien, Iowa now has the dubious distinction of being the first Midwest state to legalize counterfeit marriage. In three weeks, when the decision officially takes effect, the Hawkeyes will join Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only states that allow same-sex partners to apply for marriage licenses.
Although liberals are celebrating the victory, same-sex "marriage" continues to be a movement driven by the liberal and judicial elite--not the American people. Four courts have managed to legalize same-sex "marriage," but none has done so democratically. In fact, the marriage amendment movement continues to be many times more successful than the same-sex "marriage" movement. The majority of U.S. states have not only defined marriage as the union of a man and woman but have overwhelmingly voted to include that definition in their state constitutions. Meanwhile, the radical courts seem intent upon destroying--not only the institution of marriage--but representative government. The fact that every member of this court casually dismissed the state's law, facts of human biology, and thousands of years of human history to pander to a small band of social radicals is indefensible.
For the six homosexual couples who brought the suit, the victory is sweeping--but potentially temporary. As Americans know from the last presidential race, a decision on marriage has the ability to awaken voters in every corner of the country. Although the court's gavel in this case takes a jackhammer to the foundation of family life, this is not the end of the story. As the justices wrote in their opinion, "While the constitution is the supreme law... [its] power flows from the people, and the people of Iowa retain the ultimate power to shape it over time." We call on Iowans to rise up and demand government of the people, for the people, and by the people!
Speaking before today's decision, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D) said that "procedural rules" would keep legislators from considering any resolutions on marriage so late in the session. With only two weeks left to go before leaders adjourn, it would require a suspension of the rules--a decision now squarely in Gronstal's hands. To start the amendment process, the General Assembly would have to work quickly to pass a bill calling for the amendment. We encourage our friends in Iowa to contact their legislators--Senators Michael Gronstal (gronstal@legis.state.ia.us; phone: 515-281-4610) and Paul McKinley (paul.mckinley@legis.state.ia.us) in particular--urging them to quickly join the other 29 states that have already protected marriage in their state constitutions. That's the only way to ensure that the institution of marriage is shielded from social engineering by state judges. In the meantime, we will pray that this decision sparks indignation in voters all across America that would rally them by the millions in defense of the family's foundation.
