We all knew Virginia is for lovers, but did you know its love is so manifest that it is overflowing state lines and spilling into neighboring jurisdictions?
That’s because the ruling last week in VA that marriage bans are unconstitutional isn’t limited to just one state. Three of Virginia’s neighbors had marriage litigation that was just sort of sitting there, waiting for a ruling from the fourth circuit. And now we have one, and it’s awesome!
That means that we can probably expect to see big big wins in North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia pretty soon. Maybe even this week. Maybe it’s already happened by the time you’re reading this! Or maybe we’ll get a surprising loss instead — but considering that we’ve had a winning streak of thirty-something federal rulings in the last year, a loss seems pretty unlikely.
Obviously, none of this will be settled until the Supreme Court rules. The defendants in VA have 90 days to petition the court for a hearing, and then it’s anyone’s guess if the case will be heard. Get ready for several more months of suspense, culminating in 90 days — in other words, oddly enough, right around Halloween. Timely costume suggestions: Ruth Bader Ginsburg; John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, blind Justice with exposed breast; Antonin Scalia with exposed breast.
litper
I want Matt’s babies!
DarkZephyr
@litper: That’s creepy. Who are you, Rumpelstiltskin?
Quincy
As long as we do not adhere to the separation of church and state, there will always be a battle.
Ridpathos
I have a confession to make. I love going to conservative news sites every time there is a marriage equality win to hear their bawling in the comments.
I noticed that this latest win and many previous ones have simply not been covered anymore on these sites. The losing is getting so painful they’re just going to ignore their losses and stick to the Obama lawsuit.
Kind of interesting how far we’ve come and have far they’ve regressed.
oldbrit
Please don’t forget that Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Scalia, Souter and Kennedy were all appointed by Republicans. Don’t be surprised if they rule against us.
And, if anyone tells you elections don’t matter, punch them in the nose for me.
Polaro
@oldbrit: You said it!
1EqualityUSA
oldbrit, Even if the Tedious Right gives indication that they (now) agree with equality, never forget the Catholic-5 on the Supreme Court. (Activist Judges to the max!) They are trying to manipulate politics, so that it’s easier for the Republicans to stay in power. It’s shakes the foundation of this branch. Citizens United, gutting the Voting Rights Act, Union busting, Hobby Lobby…Never forget that Republicans appoint nightmares to lifetime positions on the most powerful branch of government….oh, and then punch them in the nose for oldbrit.
Ridpathos
@oldbrit: Here’s hoping one of them drops dead while Obama is still in office.
Harley
With 8 years of Hillary there is surely going to be a death on the bench from the conservative judges. After all, the conservatives never retire, they die on the bench. No way will they give up the chance to screw over the country till their dying breath and prying their cold, dead fingers from their guns,er…..chairs.
Spike
@Harley: One minor problem, as long as the repub baggerz control the House or the Senate they are never going to confirm another Obama nominee and they sure as hell aren’t going to confirm one of Hillary’s. If Ruth Bader has a medical issue and no longer able to participate, they will have no problem with the court exactly as is and will just refuse to confirm any of Obama’s nominees. That’s how bad it’s gotten and will continue to be.
1EqualityUSA
And with the dirty tricks the Republicans pull with gerrymandering, voter suppression, big business backed candidates with unlimited resources, and all the rest of the crap they put onto this Country in order to hang onto power, it may be considered a broken system.