Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted April 7, 2010 Civil rights leaders decry ‘offensive’ move; governor predicts tourism boost RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, reviving a controversy that had been dormant for eight years, has declared that April will be Confederate History Month in Virginia, a move that angered civil rights leaders Tuesday but that political observers said would strengthen his position with his conservative base. nononono, not the conservative base, the raciest base. Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted April 8, 2010 McDonnell apologizes for omission Just minutes after DNC Chairman -- and former Virginia Gov. -- Tim Kaine criticized his successor, Gov. Bob McDonnell ®, for not acknowledging slavery's role in a proclamation he signed declaring April "Confederate History Month," McDonnell has now apologized. "The proclamation issued by this office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission," he said in a statement. "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. 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. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly approved a formal statement of 'profound regret' for the Commonwealth’s history of slavery, which was the right thing to do." McDonnell also announced that a revised proclamation will include this paragraph: 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… pft Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
