Posted on 01/28/2008 4:21:49 PM PST by neverdem
Shame on Virginia Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw.
A man who has spent the better part of three decades in the legislature in Richmond ought to have more sense than to insult any state resident – let alone an entire group of them.
Saslaw, a Northern Virginia businessman and the leader of the newly minted Democratic majority, is in hot water for an ill-considered remark on an elevator at the capitol last week. His comments were either an insult to gun-rights supporters or rural voters or both.
NO MATTER who was the target, the remarks were certainly not statesmanlike. Saslaw should apologize.
The senator’s snide aside was overheard by Bristol Virginia resident John Pierce, a computer software developer who traveled to Richmond as part of a delegation from the Virginia Citizens Defense League. About 400 league members were in Richmond to lobby their lawmakers and to protest a potential change to the state’s gun laws.
In an e-mail, which is rocketing around the Internet, Pierce described the incident:
"Senator Saslaw … and a companion entered the elevator. … He loudly continued his discussion with his companion. The next words out of his mouth were the most disrespectful words I have ever heard spoken openly by a Virginia legislator about his constituency."
According to Pierce, Saslaw said, "I see we’re debating a gun bill today. Half of the cast of ‘Deliverance’ is in town."
"DELIVERANCE" is a 1970s era film based on a novel by James Dickey. In it, a group of Atlanta businessmen encounters a backwoods Appalachian culture during a canoe trip in the North Georgia Mountains. The movie’s plot involves rape and murder.
A "Deliverance" crack delivered by a Northern Virginia businessman and directed at rural Virginians should incense all state residents. The remark simply drips with prejudice.
Pierce, who grew up in rural Grayson County but attended college and graduate school in Northern Virginia, agrees.
"I really think most of the people in Southwest Virginia, even working people who didn’t have the opportunity to go to school that I did, do not match the stereotype of ‘Deliverance.’ That’s not just rural. That’s about rape and murder," Pierce told me Friday. "[Saslaw] didn’t say, ‘It looks like there’s a Jeff Foxworthy concert in town.’ He compared us to murderers and rapists who are almost sub-human."
FOR PIERCE, an ardent Second Amendment supporter, the conflict with Saslaw is very much about guns. Pierce describes Saslaw as a gun-control advocate with a low opinion of those who don’t share his views.
"I believe he truly feels that gun owners are bad people," Pierce said.
Pierce’s assessment might be correct. But this isn’t just about guns – a subject on which reasonable people hold a variety of opinions. It’s about respect. Even if they don’t agree with their constituents, lawmakers are obliged to treat them with a certain amount of courtesy and decorum. Saslaw broke the rules.
Pierce’s reaction to the senator’s comments is understandable.
"I WAS sickened," he wrote. "Sen. Saslaw has made it abundantly clear over the years that he has nothing but disdain for gun rights. But apparently this disdain extends to anyone who does not live in his elitist world."
Since the controversy began, Saslaw has hunkered down and refused to talk to reporters. He didn’t return this newspaper’s phone calls. Perhaps he assumes the matter will blow over in time. Or perhaps his disdain extends to newspapers in the Southwest corner of the state.
He’s making a mistake. Southwest Virginia residents – and rural state residents, in general – deserve the same consideration as those who live in the rarefied atmosphere that surrounds the nation’s capital.
Saslaw ought to respond and apologize. If he doesn’t, his fellow Democrats should hold him to account or, at a minimum, aver that they don’t hold the same low opinion of rural residents.
STATE RESIDENTS go to Richmond all the time to lobby lawmakers. On the same day that Pierce and the Virginia Citizens Defense League were there, hundreds of supporters of gun restrictions staged a "lie in" on the grounds. Both groups – the gun-rights demonstrators and the opposition – were engaging in the constitutionally protected practice of political protest. They were seeking a powerful way to make point, whether by lying on the ground or wearing "Guns Save Lives" stickers.
On the same day, other state residents gathered to rally support for a clean energy bill, although their demonstration was largely overshadowed by the gun-related protests. They, too, were exercising their rights.
This is democracy at work.
Lawmakers don’t have to agree with protesters’ positions. But they owe them the courtesy of listening and the respect they would accord their colleagues.
Insulting rural voters or residents of Appalachia is appalling behavior for a senator. Saslaw needs to be man enough to admit his mistake.
Andrea Hopkins is opinion editor of the Bristol Herald Courier. She may be reached at ahopkins@bristolnews.com or (276) 645-2534.
I suppose Mr. Saslaw should know about the cast of Deliverance. If I’m not mistaken wasn’t he the kid playing the banjo.
Naw, naw ~ this Saslaw is an urban hillbilly himself. He was down there stealing lugnuts from their cars.
Saslaw, one of the “bright shining “bulbs of Virginia Democrats, has always had a big mouth and small brain.
With the rise in crime by illegals, esp. gangs, who will you call to protect you? Your police, Saslaw, or your 9MM?
If Saslaw wants to see “the cast of Deliverance”, let him look at the Clinton/Rodham families. (Hint: Never bend over in their presence).
God - Saslaw, Webb, Kaine, and Tejada. The four posterboys for Mental Illness Week.
Written by a Virginian who has to suffer the stupidity of all 4 of them.
No comparison.
The kid playing the banjo had a unique musical gift....and he knew how to keep his mouth shut.
He should bend over and squeal like a pig.
I would not expect the words "Democrat" and "Statesman" to be used in the same sentence. Democrats are far from Statesmen, as are other tax and spend socialists. Saslaw should resign in disgrace for such a remark!
I think he looks more like the guy sodomizing the canoeist. He’s trying to sodomize Virginia gun owners in this case.
See what I mean? Keep the 2nd as is. An individual right. It’s VERY effective at smoking out sh-theads and traitors. Worked perfectly this time, didn’t it?
It rarely fails. You get a black swan every now and then, but they are pretty rare.
The previous poster that labelled Saslaw, Webb, Kaine, and Tejada as the poster boys for mental illness had it 100% correct.
Drive by his house with Dueling Banjos blaring out of your stereo.
Actually, things have gotten better since the Republican party was formed here (within living memory).
I can remember the time when every politician in Northern Virginia was a Democrat.
Here's one of the things this Saslaw puke is known for. He was part of a gang of Demo thugs who portrayed themselves as "Democrats for Good Government".
They popped up in response to the creation of the Republican party (locally).
Their first major action was to count and recount the ballots where a Japanese-American fellow had won election to the state legislature. Once they'd counted them enough, and he'd lost, they quit counting them.
That's what local Democrats, of whom Saslaw is typical, call "good government".
Virginia ping
An open remark this this used to at least warrant tar+feathers, accompanied by the proverbial rail ride or short rope. I often long for the good ole days...
Saslaw, a Northern Virginia businessman ...
That explains it all. Northern Virginia might as well be Massachusetts or New York City.
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