A Virginia Republican delegate who led the effort to defeat the nomination of a gay Richmond prosecutor to a post on the general district court defended his opposition to the nomination, questioning how he would rule in the case of a “bar room fight between a homosexual and heterosexual” and added that “sodomy is not a civil right.”
Speaking Thursday on CNN, Bob Marshall said, “You could preside as a district judge for a marriage of two guys if he wanted to, in violation of the law.” He continued, “Moreover, if you have a bar room fight between a homosexual and heterosexual, I’m concerned about possible bias.”
Marshall makes no attempt to hide his bias. He pronounced to CNN: “Sodomy is not a Civil Right.” Marshall immediately proved that he does want government in people’s bedrooms. Does he worry that in that same fight he described, a heterosexual judge might be biased? I believe what we seek in a judge, regardless of level, is for that judge to be impartial.
The Lady Justice is often pictured holding the Scales of Justice while blindfolded. Wikipedia states:
Since the 15th century, Lady Justice has often been depicted wearing a blindfold. The blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness; blind justice and impartiality.
Sideshow Bob Marshall’s attempt to justify his outright prejudice doesn’t fly in Virginia. He might have sealed his own political fate this time. I don’t believe the people of the 13th district are all prejudiced people who ignore a man’s job performance as a prosecutor because of their own bias against gays. Marshall has called attention to himself nationally. The 13th might just have its own Stonewall uprising next election and I don’t mean Stonewall Jackson, if you get my drift.
Marshall’s minions continued to make their political calls and one poor woman was unfortunate enough to get Mr. Howler on the phone yesterday. Mr. Howler launched into his usual diatribe against the senatorial wannabe claiming that Marshall is a single issue voter . The lady tried to tell him that Mr. Marshall wasn’t a single issue voter and that reproductive rights were just part of the Republican platform. Mr. Howler begged to differ. Finally the woman hung up on him before he could even get to the fact that Marshall had embarrassed the state of Virginia by being openly prejudiced against gay citizens. Most of us forget that he is running for Senate. What a joke.
What will Sideshow Bob do for his next act? I am meanwhile thinking of all the money that is going to pour into the 13th next election to defeat Marshall. Whoever runs against him will have money to burn. If I were a king-maker, I would run an Independent actually. That person won’t need party money. Elena, will you be busy in about a year? Carl? Ann?
Further Reading: Michael Paul Williams: A Turning Point in the Gay Rights Movement, Richmond Times Dispatch
