Virginia is for lovers...of the Confederacy

Governor McDonnell may be a lot of things, but historically minded, classy, smart, or sensitive ain't among them.

Choosing to officially recognize Confederate History Month, he also choose to adopt the silliest and most offensive interpretation of the meaning of the month.



"The two previous Democratic governors had refused to issue the mostly symbolic proclamation honoring the soldiers who fought for the South in the Civil War. McDonnell (R) revived a practice started by Republican governor George Allen in 1997. McDonnell left out anti-slavery language that Allen's successor, James S. Gilmore III (R), had included in his proclamation.

McDonnell said Tuesday that the move was designed to promote tourism in the state, which next year will mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the war. McDonnell said he did not include a reference to slavery because "there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia."
...The seven-paragraph declaration calls for Virginians to "understand the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War." "


I wish the governor had detailed which "aspects" of the Civil War that were "most significant" for Virginia other than slavery, its primary cause?

It is fitting that McDonnell is making retrograde efforts at the same time that the Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli is waging a holy war against health care reform built on reviving state nullification.

I am sure George Allen is pleased to read this...as he putters around his house as an early retiree in dirty slippers. McDonnell and Cuccinelli will be joining him soon.

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