Critical vote today in Iowa--on judge retention (gay marriage in jeopardy)

Please send positive vibes to Iowa today. I am very melancholy about this happening in my state.

Gay marriage became legal in Iowa, in 2009, because our Iowa Supreme Court determined that denying marriage to gay couples violates the Iowa Constitution.

These incredibly wise, astute judges followed the law and determined that Iowa's Equal Protection clause, in our state Constitution--cannot uphold laws that give rights, while denying those same rights to other groups. The law, these judges determine, must apply equally to everyone in Iowa.

It was unanimous--all six Iowa Supreme Court judges voted to legalize gay marriage in Iowa.

In the 2010 election, three of these six justices were up for re-election. Extremist right wing groups poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in our state, and ALL THREE of these justices were voted out; Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit. All three were Republicans, appointed by former Republican governors in Iowa.

Outside extremists groups, including the National Organization for Marriage, did this. A concerted, extremist effort infiltrated our state and galvanized this unjust travesty. Rick Santorum campaigned here in Iowa to oust those three judges.

So today, a forth judge, Justice David Wiggins, is up for re-election (Iowa State Supreme Court judges are up for re-election every eight years). Justice David Wiggins could be gone as well--if Iowans don't turn their ballot over and vote to retain him.

This is so important. I don't want to see another Iowa judge--who followed the letter of the law--be voted out--because extremist, bigoted groups feel that they have the right to infiltrate our state's judicial system and oust judges who were truly following our State Constitution.

Keep this important Iowa vote in mind today, please!

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iowa-votes-on-justice-from-09-gay-marriage-ruling-4011111.php#ixzz2BSI6G6VC