my friend jeff had this posted on facebook today; i saw it upon my return from a lovely 4+ hour ride, during which we had HEADWIND the ENTIRE time. unbelievable, but sunny, nice and not too chilly. style council has always been a fave, but i had no idea the video had a cycling theme. back when the song came out, i had a, sony walkman? a cassette player. stuck it in the back pocket of my wool jerseys, and listened to this song--and the entire tape--over and over as i rode around mason city and the whole of north central iowa in the mid- and late-80s. thanks for reminding me, jeff!

enjoy this classic...

note: music begins at 0:30

widespread panic and mayhem seize iowa!!

these photos have just been received here at today's sermonette by area cell phone photographers, and were taken near downtown des moines, where the apocalypse appears--i repeat, appears--to be taking shape.

the above photo shows god, a regular on the local scene, with some sort of serpent, a variety not known to be native to central iowa.

this photo is said to be of the new iowa judicial building, where the iowa supreme court not two hours earlier announced in a unanimous ruling their belief that it is unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriages.

who, boy. it's not going to be a slow news day at kcci!

we at today's sermonette will keep you posted with the latest news and photos, and we appreciate those readers who supply us with the latest developments!

this just in from GOD!!

god, one of my 174+ friends on facebook, just wrote on my wall:

"mostly rev: i've been on a roll here lately, what with ted stevens, bloggo, sarah palin and mccain, rush, michael steele and, ahem, the "credit crunch," i thought i'd toss in another big one: "iowa comes out of the closet."

let's see how long it takes for the wingnuts to start coughing serious blood.

you still good for the standard wager?

--as ever, g."

.....

i tell you, despite all the things folks say, both pro and con, this god dude really IS okay. but you can never EVER take him seriously. jesus, what a sense of humor. guy cracks me up EVERY time. but that's cool, cuz i can get a good belly laugh from him, too, when i feel like it.

hooRAY for the iowa supreme court!!

from msnbc.com:
Iowa gay marriage ban ruled unconstitutional
State supreme court says law violates rights of gays and lesbians
.....
Dawn, left, and Jen BarbouRoske, pictured with their two daughters, are plaintiffs in a challenge to Iowa's ban on same-sex marriage.
.....
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Supreme Court says the state's same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making it the third state where gay marriage is legal.
In a unanimous ruling issued Friday, the court upheld a 2007 Polk County District Court judge's ruling that the law was unconstitutional.
In 2005, Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization, sued on behalf of six gay and lesbian Iowa couples in Polk County who were denied marriage licenses. Some of their children are also listed as plaintiffs.
The case was appealed to the state Supreme Court in 2007, after Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson agreed with the plaintiffs and ruled that the ban was unconstitutional.
Hanson's ruling prompted nearly two dozen people to apply for marriage licenses in the county, Iowa's most populous and home to Des Moines. Only one couple, Sean and Tim McQuillan of Ames, managed to get married before Hanson stayed his decision the next day. Their marriage stands, but its validity could depend on whether the state's high court sides with the Polk County judge.
During oral arguments before the Supreme Court in December, Des Moines lawyer Dennis Johnson argued the ban violated his clients' due process and equal protection rights.
"We are suggesting that everybody be able to participate equally in an institution that has existed since the beginning of this state," Johnson said during arguments.
Separation of powers issue? Roger J. Kuhle, an assistant Polk County attorney, argued that the lower court's ruling for the plaintiffs violates the separation of powers and that the issue should be left to the Legislature.
"We are not here opposing the individual plaintiffs' sincerity. We are here because, in our view, the issue is one for the Legislature to decide as a matter of social policy," he told the seven-member Supreme Court.
During oral arguments, Chief Justice Marsha Ternus explained that the high court would determine whether the district court erred by finding that the same-sex marriage ban violated the state constitution, and whether it erred by not allowing the county's expert witness testimony.
The timing could be awkward for state lawmakers who are on track to end the legislative session in coming weeks.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, told reporters that it's "exceedingly unlikely" the Legislature would deal with the gay marriage issue this year, regardless of the court's ruling.
"This is the final step in a lengthy legal proceedings," said Gronstal. "We're going to wait and see that decision and review it before we take any action."
.....
this is VERY good news for all sentient beings. i am not surprised, given the proud history of the iowa court, as its legacy includes being in the forefront of defining, upholding and defending the civil rights of ALL citizens, which now includes race, sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
BRAVO!!!
.....
now if they would just do the same for bicyclists!
.....
BUSINESS FLASH!!
the orphanage, and the mostly reverend, is pleased to announce a special offer to all same-sex couples wishing to use the services of the mostly reverend: 50% OFF!!

book soon, don't delay. we'll travel to your special location.

for all the volunteers at the kollective

as it approaches its first birthday, i want to acknowledge and publicly thank all of you who have stepped up and helped make the des moines bicycle kollective the rousing success that it already has become.

still in its infancy, the many hundreds of you friends of iowa bicycling have joined in the vision of butts on bikes, of cyclists creating cyclists.

the kollective spirit that is developing and growing here is doing so because of the giving, caring, loving efforts of wonderful men and women of all ages and skill levels who recognize, believe, and UNDERSTAND that things won't really get better unless and until we MAKE it better.

to those who see that, thanks, and to those who don't, get off your asses and get involved:

VOLUNTEER.

this song's for all of us.

tomorrow

BREAKING NEWS!!

Tomorrow may be another landmark in Iowa’s long history of advancing civil and human rights. At 8:30 a.m., Friday, April 3, the Iowa Supreme Court will issue its ruling on whether gay or lesbian couples have the right to marry. In the interest of fairness, justice and equality, we hope for a positive ruling.

Supporters of equality are invited to attend one of four rallies planned for tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Iowa City and Davenport. The location for the Des Moines rally is Gateway Park at Grand Avenue and 13th Street in downtown.

Locations for the other rallies are still pending. Check One Iowa’s website (www.oneiowa.org) for details later this evening.

All along, this four-year legal struggle has been about making sure no loving, committed couple is denied the protections of civil marriage. This isn’t about being gay or straight. It is about being fair. As Iowans, we pride ourselves on our strong sense of community and fairness, and it’s only fair that any two loving individuals are able to take full responsibility for one another through the commitment of marriage. Full marriage equality is the only way to address the inequity identified by the lower court. Other options for recognizing committed gay or lesbian couples fall short and treat people as second-class citizens. Marriage strengthens families, and Iowa law should support committed couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage. It’s important to note that a favorable ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court would provide same-gender couples the opportunity to have a CIVIL marriage ceremony. The ruling has no impact on religious ceremonies. Churches, synagogues or mosques that don’t want to marry gay or lesbian couples won’t be required to do so.

Again, this is about CIVIL marriage, not RELIGIOUS marriage. In a society built on the separation of church and state, it’s very important that we understand that distinction.

see you there!!

april who's day?

damn! my training secrets have been revealed.