I kept waiting for someone on the news to bring up this point. I can't believe it took 60 posts on FR before someone figured it out.
Gay marriage will be a reality in Mass. in May. That means in 15 other states (those that don't have laws defining marriage) it also becomes a reality in may. Gay couples will immediatly start challenging the federal defense of marriage act, and state laws that define marriage.
By late summer, there will be a number of high profile court cases across the country concerining gay marriage.
Gay marriage (of all things) will be the big issue in the 2004 elections. Not the war or economy.
This ruling in Mass. will be remembered as being as big as Roe vs. Wade.
If that ends up being the case, the Mass. S. Ct. has just handed the Republican Party the 2004 elections on a silver platter.