Virginia is for Haters – UPDATED

Ardent homophobe, Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall (Neanderthal-Manassas) is so pissed off about the repeal of DADT that he is planning to introduce his a ban on any “active homosexuals” from serving in the Virginia National Guard.

Delegate Robert G. Marshall said the Constitution reserves states with the authority to do so and that he’ll introduce a bill in the state General Assembly next year that ensures the “the effect of the 1994 federal law banning active homosexuals from America’s military forces will apply to the Virginia National Guard.”

“With the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ President Obama seeks to pay back his homosexual political supporters,” the Prince William County Republican said, echoing a sentiment shared by many of the repeal’s most ardent opponents. “This policy will weaken military recruitment and retention, and will increase pressure for a military draft.”

“The Constitution never would have been ratified if states were not [guaranteed] unqualified control of the militia, now called the National Guard,” he said.

What Bobby-boy is forgetting here is that the State of Virginia does not set admissions standards for the National Guard. Those are set forth by the Department of Defense.

But Claire Gastanaga, legislative counsel for Equality Virginia, a gay-rights group, said the National Guard is a federal military unit subject to the same rules as other federal military units and that “any state statute seeking to set different standards for the Virginia National Guard would be a nullity with no effect.”

So, this looks like it’s going to go down that rabbit hole of “states rights.” I’m sure his buddy Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will help with any lawsuit that he wants to file.

Marshall is well known for his hatred of gays and lesbians. He authored the 2006 amendment to the Virginia constitution that banned same-sex marriage. He has introduced anti-gay legislation virtually every year since he was first elected in 1991. My guess is that he’s another one of the closet cases. You know, the ones that always protest the loudest are the ones who have something to hide.

But taking a page from the teabagger handbook, I suggest you contact Mr. Marshall and let him know how wrong he is. He can be reached on his cell phone (this is a publicly published number) at 703-853-4213. If you cannot get through to him on that number, you can call him at either 703-361-5416 or 703-368-6306. Tie up his phone lines. Spread the number to your friends.

Oh, before I forget, our good friend Bill “Curly” Colley from WGMD suggested during his show today that the repeal of DADT will lead to mutiny and a possible coup by those service members who object to the repeal. Good going there, bucko. First you called for “blood in the streets” if the elections didn’t go your way, now you’re advocating a military coup. Curly, you’re a terrorist. Why do you hate America so much?

UPDATE – It appears the Governor McDonnell will not support Marshall’s bill.

But Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who as the authority to deploy the state National Guard in a state emergency, says no way.

“Whatever the final guidelines are from the Department of the Defense, I expect the Virginia National Guard Bureau to adhere to them,” McDonnell said during a WTOP radio show today.

“While I disagree with the action the Congress took based on my own experience in the military,” he said, “we can’t have two different systems in the military and our National Guard.”

But Marshall is insistent.

“It’s a distraction when I’m on the battlefield and have to concentrate on the enemy 600 yards away and I’m worried about this guy whose got eyes on me,” the lawmaker, Delegate Bob Marshall (R), told WUSA9.

Umm, Bob, hate to tell you this, but Larry Craig wouldn’t even give you a hummer in the Dulles Airport men’s room.

Remember you can call this asshat at 703-853-4213, 703-361-5416 or 703-368-6306 and let him know how much of an asshat he is.