Any thought that the Virginia General Assembly may operate in something resembling détente is out the window, courtesy a culturally clueless guy named Rick Morris.
Del. Morris, R-Carrollton, offered up a rambling statement on the House floor Thursday comparing slavery to abortion.
He also coined a new word: abolootionist?
“With the 13th Amendment to our constitution, slavery in America ended, our national sin ended,” Morris said. “But every era has its evil, every era has its national sin, and the evil of our time is abortion. Our national sin is the murder of our unborn children. And evil is alive.”
“Just as the abolootionists rejected the evil of slavery, I rise to recognize the abolootionists who reject the evil of abortion.”
And … we’re off!
“Statements on the House floor today started this legislative session on a note of negativity, divisiveness, and outright disregard for civility,’ said Charniele Herring, Democratic Caucus Chair. “After a rousing State of the Commonwealth where the focus was on the economy, veterans, and education, this baseless and inaccurate attack on women is a distraction from the important work we have left to do for Virginia.”
“Del. Morris’ remarks today were divisive, inaccurate, and totally unhelpful,” said Jennifer McClellan, Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair. “Our caucus will continue to work to find common ground on the big issues facing our Commonwealth. It’s just unfortunate that we’ll be forced to do that work while pushing back against this type of inflammatory and irresponsible rhetoric.”
“I am appalled at the comments made by Delegate Morris this afternoon,” said Del. Jeion Ward, D- Hampton). “My Democratic colleagues and I are looking forward to making positive changes for the Commonwealth, like building the New Virginia Economy and making sure every Virginian is equal in the eyes of the law. Instead, the precedent that has been set here is petty politics and sheer disregard for equality and privacy.”
“I am appalled that Del. Morris would equate his personal feelings about abortion to slavery and the black lives matter movement,” said State Sen. Mamie Locke, chairwoman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. “As an African American and as a woman, I am insulted that he made these ugly and factually inaccurate remarks.”
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