Virginia governor Bob McDonnell fueled a huge controversy when he resurrected “Confederate History Month” after an 8-year hiatus. Just to make things extra controversial he included absolutely no statement about slavery and when asked said slavery wasn’t significant enough to be included in the declaration. After much criticism, including from many Republicans, McDonnell is changing his tune:
“The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed,” McDonnell wrote in a statement. “The abomination of slavery divided our nation, deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights, and led to the Civil War. Slavery was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which degraded human beings to property, and it has left a stain on the soul of this state and nation.”
He also added a clause to the proclamation that declares slavery “led to this war.”
WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this war and was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders, and the study of this time period should reflect upon and learn from this painful part of our history.
Bob McDonnell successfully fooled enough people in Virginia into thinking he was moderate and focused on the economy. So far his top priorities have been to take away rights from LGBT people and to honor slaveowners. I find it pretty hilarious that Republicans call themselves the party of Lincoln. I doubt Lincoln would find much in common with them today.