Right wingers (including the Republican niece of MLK Alveda King, two time abortion recipient, pro-lifer and anti-gay crusader; and Republican politician/election fraudmaster Ken Blackwell, another anti-gay crusader), led by Breitbart (duh), are
screaming because following a debate last night, the white democrat Lt Gov candidate Ralph Northam didn't shake the hand of black Lt Gov candidate E. W. Jackson.
I was saddened to learn today that Lt. Gov. candidate Ralph Northam refused to shake the hands of his opponent E.W. Jackson at the end of a television debate. I am deeply burdened by the loss of civility in politics today.
As one who has been elected to office as a Democratic Georgia State Representative, served as a Republican presidential appointee and who has often voted as an Independent, I have often said that we would all be better off without the political squabbles that tend to divide us. Refusing to shake hands with your opponent in front of a television audience takes the loss of civility to a new low. I would hope that his refusal to shake hands had nothing to do with the color of his opponent’s skin.
In a troubled economy, people are looking for leaders who can bring everyone together to solve the problems that confront us all. It is my hope that in these last hours of the race, Ralph Northam will recognize his inappropriate behavior and offer an apology to E.W. Jackson and to all those he hopes to represent.
The Founders of the American republic understood that democracy only works when both sides can at least be civil to their opponents. Virginia voters need to decide if that disqualifies Ralph Northam from being lieutenant governor of the Old Dominion.
People sometimes accuse politicians of being two-faced or insincere when they refer to bitter opponents as “my good friend” and pose for smiling photos with them. It’s not deception; it’s basic courtesy and respect, without which democracy cannot function.
In many countries, disagreements over policy end in brutal government oppression or even bloodshed. Politics can be so passionate with people clashing over views that an essential element of building goodwill and finding common ground is by working overtime to be courteous and complimentary. Unfortunately, Mr. Northam’s actions fall short of that important standard.
Both anti-gay crusaders go on to say Northam was one of them nasty homo lovers, a statement I'm sure Jackson would love. Breitbart even shared this quote affirming that he
"believes people who do not embrace gay marriage have no place in Virginia".
READ THAT AGAIN.“I applaud the Supreme Court for ruling in favor of marriage equality and for seeing the Defense of Marriage Act for what it is: a divisive policy that unjustly discriminates against millions of Americans. I am running to put a stop to the divisive agenda that has been a roadblock to progress here in Virginia, and as Lieutenant Governor I will work to further the cause of equality because discrimination has no place in our Commonwealth.”
Um, yeah. Didja ever think the reason Northam didn't shake Jackson's hand is because he's a certifiably crazy nutcase homophobic misogynistic fool?
