Is it just me or does it seem that there is a major problem in Virginia? Maybe it is the water, or maybe it is all that coal dust or who knows what, but something has sure gone wrong.
The news is full of not one, not two, but three top officials in Virginia’s government facing growing calls to step down. Impeachment also looms high on the radar if they decide to try to ride out the pitchfork- and torch-carrying crowd at their doors.
Governor Northam
First, there is the governor. Governor Ralph Northam (D) said he was in the now infamous picture from his medical school yearbook. That picture showed two people, one in blackface and the other in a KKK robe and pointed hat. At least he admitted it was him before he denied it. Are we supposed to believe that he made a mistake about being in the picture? That his apology was in error? What he now says is that he did wear blackface, but it was a different occasion. Really?
His troubles started before the picture came out when he explained how the abortion bill he was supporting would allow an infant to be born alive and then have its life terminated if that is what the mother and doctors decided to do. On its face, the proposed Virginia law had a provision allowing a patient to terminate a pregnancy in the third trimester, as long as three doctors certify continuing the pregnancy risked the patient’s death or “substantially and irremediably impair” her mental or physical health.
Virginia House Bill 2491 would only require one doctor to certify the case. The bill’s language also removes the “substantially and irremediably” qualifier. Abortions would be allowed in cases where a mother’s mental or physical health is threatened. So, he was saying that if the mother decided that she would rather not deal with the child because she couldn’t mentally handle it, the child could be exterminated? He supported that bill. From where I was raised that is infanticide. It is murder. Thankfully the bill did not pass.
Lt. Governor Fairfax
Next, should the governor go by way of impeachment or resignation, the next in line has an even bigger problem. Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has been accused by Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, both claiming he sexually assaulted them. Dr. Tyson released an extremely detailed account of the incident where she says Lt. Governor Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex on him. Meredith Watson’s account is out-and-out rape. Fairfax says both sexual encounters were consensual. Unlike the accusations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, these accusers have detailed accounts, talked to others shortly after the assaults, and say they have corroborating evidence. That is a pretty convenient way to look at it, in my opinion.
Fairfax is now calling for an FBI investigation into the allegations, but in matters such as sexual assault, the FBI does not have jurisdiction. Fairfax is calling for him to be afforded with due process. I believe he will get his due alright, but not in the way he would like.
Attorney General Herring
If both the Virginia governor and the lt. governor go down in flames, the next in line is the state’s attorney general. The only problem here is he has admitted to also appearing in blackface. What is up with that? He is also facing the calls for resignation or possibly impeachment.
Virginia Attorney General (D) Mark Herring said in a statement: “It sounds ridiculous even now writing it. But because of our ignorance and glib attitudes — and because we did not have an appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others — we dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup. I accept full responsibility for my conduct.” He added, “the shame of that moment has haunted me for decades.”
Ironically, Herring called for Governor Northam to step down after the picture of him in the yearbook was made public. It seems to me the phrase “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” applies.
