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Religious Right Groups Get McDonnell to Rescind Prayer Policy for State Police Chaplains

Submitted by Kyle on April 28, 2010 - 3:09pm

Back in 2008, Gordon Klingenschmitt found a new crusade, demanding a reversal of the policy implemented by Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty telling policy chaplains to offer nondenominational prayers at department-sanctioned public events.

Chaps organized rallys protesting the policy, but to no avail ... at least until Bob McDonnell became Governor, who has now ordered the policy changed thanks to lobbying by state-based Religious Right groups:

After months of lobbying by conservative activists, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has quietly reversed a policy banning Virginia State Police troopers from referring to Jesus Christ in public prayers.

McDonnell this afternoon sent Col. W. Steven Flaherty, the State Police superintendent, to tell the nine troopers who serve as chaplains about the change in policy.

"The Governor does not believe the state should tell chaplains of any faith how to pray,'' McDonnell spokesman Tucker Marin said. "Religious officials of all faiths should be allowed to pray according to the dictates of their own conscience, and in accordance with their faith traditions, while being respectful of the faith traditions of others.

...

Donald Blake, president of Virginia Christian Alliance, said last week that he spoke to McDonnell about the change at a recent fundraiser at the governor's mansion and at a private meeting with McDonnell's chief of staff Martin Kent.

Other groups, including the Family Foundation of Virginia, also support a change and have been lobbying for one. The governor's office has received a handful of letters, faxes and emails in support of a reversal.

...

"We are obviously thrilled that Governor McDonnell has fulfilled his campaign promise to restore the religious liberty rights of state police chaplains,'' said Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia. "His action reverses the discriminatory policy of the previous administration and ensures that chaplains can remain true to their faith at public events."

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McDonnell Goes Home, Complains That His Critics Are "Uncivil and Partisan"

Submitted by Kyle on April 14, 2010 - 9:38am

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell went running home to Pat Robertson and his Regent University to complain that his critics are "unnecessarily uncivil and partisan":

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday that harsh critics of his plan to overhaul how Virginia reinstates voting rights for felons are being "unnecessarily uncivil and partisan."

McDonnell swung through Hampton Roads Tuesday for a leadership luncheon at Regent University, the mid-Atlantic DUI conference in Virginia Beach and an engineering gathering at Old Dominion University.

The daylong tour was a welcome respite for McDonnell, who has endured national scrutiny and criticism for recent Richmond controversies. Last week, McDonnell was forced to apologize for issuing a Confederate History Month proclamation that did not mention slavery.

"It's been a busy few weeks," McDonnell told a crowd of 500 at Regent.

And of course Robertson was there to personally welcome McDonnell back:

Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-Va., made a trip this week to the place that helped start his political career. He was the featured speaker for Regent University's Executive Leadership Series in Virginia Beach, Va.

"It's the most votes for any candidate for governor in the history of Virginia," said Regent University and CBN founder Dr. Pat Robertson. "I am very proud that this gentleman is also a distinguished alumnus of Regent University."

...

The governor also said successful leaders have certain traits, including a good attitude and a focus on results, not rhetoric. He added that leaders also need to put people first and engage in what he called "servant leadership." He cited the Bible as his point of reference.

"It reflects those words of Jesus, who said that the greatest among you is the servant of all, and the fact that He came not to be served, but to serve," McDonnell said. "I think that is the model for servant leadership."

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Heads McDonnell Wins, Tails Gays Lose

Submitted by Kyle on March 25, 2010 - 1:22pm

Last month, VA Gov. Bob McDonnell made news when he rolled back anti-discrimination protections for gay state workers, doing so on the grounds that such protections for "sexual orientation" had never been passed by the state legislature.

Now McDonnell is saying that he probably wouldn't even sign such a bill if one were passed by the state legislature because he doesn't think it is needed: 

Based on numbers he’s seen, Gov. Bob McDonnell said today he’s not sure the state needs a law protecting people against bias based on sexual orientation.

Asked on his monthly radio appearance on WRVA if he would sign such a bill, the governor said, “I don’t know that we need it based on the numbers that I’ve seen.“

“There really isn’t any rampant discrimination on any basis in Virginia,“ he said. “If you’re going to have a law, it needs to actually address a real problem.“

Of course, the very point is that "the numbers" could now potentially skyrocket, thanks specifically to McDonnell, who has made it easier to engage in "rampant discrimination" against gays in Virginia.

And so even if the state legislature then passes a bill to remedy it, McDonnell says he probably won't sign it because he doesn't think it is necessary.

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VA Gov and AG Invited to Freedom Federation Summit

Submitted by Kyle on March 8, 2010 - 12:11pm

Back in January, we noted that the recently-formed right-wing supergroup known as the Freedom Federation hadn't really done much since it appeared on the scene but it was nonetheless going to host a two-day conference at Liberty University in April.

Now, via Good As You, we see that the organization is rolling out its list of invited speakers, which looks a lot like the annual Values Voter Summit, which is hosted by many of the same groups. 

Note that Virgina Governor Bob McDonnell, VA Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Govs. Tim Pawlenty and Rick Perry have been invited to join the likes of Andrea Lafferty, Lou Engle, Richard Land, Tony Perkins, Mat Staver, Rick Scarborough, Harry Jackson and dozens of others at the conference (and note the Ben Franklin quote at the bottom):

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VIDEO: Does Bob Marshall Agree w/ Rev. Ellison that Haitian Earthquake Was God's Punishment for Voodoo?

Submitted by Josh on February 25, 2010 - 12:45pm

Rev. Joe Ellison introduced Del. Bob Marshall last week as a "warrior who will fight for our cause." Ellison – with Marshall at his back – agreed with Pat Robertson and said that the Haitian earthquake was God's punishment for practicing voodoo. Two minutes later, Marshall said that disabled children are God's punishment for abortion.

Here's the video of Ellison's comments on Haiti and introduction of Marshall:

"From a spiritual standpoint, we think the Dr. Robertson was on target about Haiti, in the past, with voodoo. And we believe in the Bible that the practice of voodoo is a sin, and what caused the nation to suffer. Those who read the Bible and study the history know that what Dr. Robertson said was the truth."

Does Marshall stand behind Ellison and his remarks on Haiti? Or will Marshall blame the Washington Post for first reporting Ellison's comments, just as he has blamed the Capital News Service for first reporting his own?

It is not an accident that Marshall and Ellison echoed one another and Pat Robertson. They all believe that God exacts vengeance on those who do not follow their peculiar and ultraconservative interpretation of the Bible.

Ellison may like to believe that Robertson's comments merely "angered a lot of the so-called, in my opinion, liberals." But the truth is that Americans overwhelmingly reject such views, just as they reject Marshall's views on disabled children and abortion – including a not-so-liberal Governor named Bob McConnell.

And for those of you who missed it, here’s the video of Bob Marshall claiming that disabled children are God’s punishment for abortion:

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Video of Bob Marshall Proves He Said What He Meant, Meant What He Said

Submitted by Josh on February 23, 2010 - 5:20pm

Watch Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall claim at an anti-Planned Parenthood press conference that disabled children are God's punishment for abortion:

After his remarks set off a national controversy, Marshall tried to claim that he had somehow been misunderstood:

A story by Capital News Service regarding my remarks at a recent press conference opposing taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood conveyed the impression that I believe disabled children are a punishment for prior abortions. No one who knows me or my record would imagine that I believe or intended to communicate such an offensive notion[.] I regret any misimpression my poorly chosen words may have created[.]

But the video speaks for itself. Marshall explicitly stated that he believes God punishes women who have abortions by giving them disabled children. And then he backed up his claim with what he evidently considered to be evidence (and the gentleman to his left nodded in agreement).

Marshall is entitled to his offensive views, but he should not run from them.

It's worth noting that Marshall has a history of saying offensive things – or being “misinterpreted.”

He said this about abortion in the case of rape: "[T]he woman becomes a sin-bearer of the crime, because the right of a child predominates over the embarrassment of the woman."

And he said this about contraception: "[W]e have no business passing this garbage out and making these co-eds chemical Love Canals for these frat house playboys in Virginia."

Marshall was not the only one at last week’s press conference to say something completely ridiculous and offensive, or as Marshall calls it – creating a “misimpression.”

Rev. Joe Ellison said he agrees with Pat Robertson’s comments that Haitians brought the recent devastating earthquake on themselves by striking a deal with the Devil and practicing voodoo:

From a spiritual standpoint, we think the Dr. Robertson was on target about Haiti, in the past, with voodoo. And we believe in the Bible that the practice of voodoo is a sin, and what caused the nation to suffer. Those who read the Bible and study the history know that what Dr. Robertson said was the truth.

And let’s remember. These guys aren’t just some sideshow attraction in Virginia’s state capital. They hold sway with top Virginia Republicans, including Gov. Bob McDonnell, and are making gains in their war on the reproductive rights of Virginia women.

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VA: Robertson, Falwell Court McDonnell In De-Funding Planned Parenthood

Submitted by Kyle on February 19, 2010 - 11:01am

Changes certainly are afoot in the state of Virginia with the election of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who recently moved to strip away anti-discrimination protections for gays.

Now, in addition to efforts by state legislators to ensure that money raised from the sale of proposed "Respect Choice" license plates do not go to Planned Parenthood, Gov. McDonnell's long time ally Pat Robertson and other right-wing pastors are seeking his promise to defund the organization:

Some of Virginia's most influential Christian leaders asked Gov. Bob McDonnell and other top officials Thursday to block state funding for Planned Parenthood because the nonprofit organization provides abortions.

The Virginia Christian Alliance presented a petition signed by the Rev. Pat Robertson, the Rev. Jonathan Falwell and dozens of others asking Republicans McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to help defund the organization.

The pastors cited what they called the "unethical, immoral and racist practices" of Planned Parenthood, the nation's No. 1 abortion provider.

And according to the Virginia Pilot, McDonnell is going to support the effort:

Virginia's top three elected officials -- all Republicans -- expressed support Thursday for an effort by religious leaders to eliminate any state money that goes to Planned Parenthood, a health care organization that provides abortions.

Here are some responses from their offices:

"Lieutenant Governor Bolling does not believe that public funds should be used to pay for abortions, nor does he believe that public funds should be used to support organizations that provide abortions, such as Planned Parenthood. In fact, in 2007 the Lieutenant Governor cast the deciding vote in the Senate to withhold public funds from Planned Parenthood. His position has not changed."

Ibbie Hedrick, spokeswoman for Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling

"Attorney General Cuccinelli supports withholding state funds for Planned Parenthood. It is Constitutional for state money to go to third party contractors, but just because it is Constitutional does not mean that it is a good policy and state funding of Planned Parenthood is a bad policy. Attorney General Cuccinelli supports the overall goal of this group, but does not plan to sign a petition." Dan Dodds, spokesman for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

The petition referred to in the response from Cuccinelli's office is a document the religious consortium is circulating.

Among its prominent signatories are Virginia Beach-based religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and Jonathan Falwell, son of Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell.

Another noteworthy public figure who plans to sign the petition is Gov. Bob McDonnell, a spokeswoman for the governor said Thursday evening.

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Turns Out Everyone Who Opposed Bob McDonnell Was Right

Submitted by Jordan on February 18, 2010 - 5:18pm

As we mentioned yesterday, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell recently signed a decree taking away protections for gay and lesbian state workers in Virginia. The executive order, signed by McDonnell on February 5, nullifies a similar order of former governor Tim Kaine, who had specifically included sexual orientation as a part of his non-discrimination policy. 

It would be nice to say that this comes as a surprise, but a measure like this isn’t really a shock when one looks back to McDonnell’s long record of involvement with the far right (to say nothing of his collegiate thesis at Liberty University.) Back in September, Kyle described the thesis as “a blueprint to change what [McDonnell] saw as a liberal model into one that actively promoted conservative, faith-based principles through tax policy, the public schools, welfare reform and other avenues”. Although McDonnell said during his campaign that he regretted much of the language in his work, it seems like it was pretty accurate after all.

Via TPM, Hari Sevugan, Former Governor Kaine’s spokesperson, said.

It says a lot about the Republican party that they would anoint as their 'rising star' someone who in 2010 is actually stripping away from Americans legal protections against discrimination. Bob McDonnell is proving his critics right.

Indeed.

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Robertson Still Expected To Attend McDonnell's Inauguration

Submitted by Kyle on January 15, 2010 - 8:21am

Virginia's Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that even though he disagrees with with Pat Robertson's statement that Haiti is "cursed" for having "swore a pact to the Devil," he still expects his long-time ally and supporter to attend his inauguration, which will be held on Saturday:

Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell said in a brief interview yesterday that he had not seen religious broadcaster Pat Robertson's comments on Haiti directly, "but from what I know of them, I disagree with those comments."

...

McDonnell was asked to comment on Robertson after the governor-elect toured Henrico County's Regional Jail East.

"My heart goes out to the people of Haiti," McDonnell said. "The scope of the devastation and the hardship on the people and the scope of the death toll is just heartbreaking."

...

The governor-elect received his law degree from the Robertson School of Government at Regent University, which was founded by Robertson.

McDonnell has said he expects Robertson, a longtime political ally and donor, to attend his inauguration tomorrow.

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McDonnell Invites Robertson to Inauguration

Submitted by Kyle on January 5, 2010 - 1:01pm

When Bob McDonnell was running for Governor of Virginia last year, he tried to down play his ties to Pat Robertson, especially after the master's thesis he wrote was attending Robertson's Regent University back in the last 1980s surfaced and when Robertson recently declared that Islam is "a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination" whose adherents should be treated as "members of some fascist group."

But now that McDonnell is preparing to be sworn in in his new job, he's invited Robertson to the inauguration:

McDonnell said his inauguration Jan. 16 will emphasize community service. Activities, to be announced today, include inaugural balls in Abingdon, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads this week, plus Richmond-centered activities next week.

There also will be visits to food banks, homeless shelters and prison re-entry facilities to emphasize community service in a time of need, he said.

“It’s a chance to highlight people in need that are struggling in this economy and asking the people of Virginia to pay attention to people in need,“ he said.

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, a longtime McDonnell ally, has been invited to the inauguration, and McDonnell said he thinks he will attend.

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