Talk about putting your foot in your mouth

[plantsman]

I honestly don't see how anyone can see any humor in this unless they are of the same mindset of such socialism/collectivism thought (such as this idiot, hillary, et al., ad nauseum). Stand by and watch as our rights are slowly but surely taken away, one small step at a time...

[MikeJones]

It would be funny if he had got raped in the elavator.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I honestly don't see how anyone can see any humor in this unless they are of the same mindset of such socialism/collectivism thought (such as this idiot, hillary, et al., ad nauseum). Stand by and watch as our rights are slowly but surely taken away, one small step at a time... </div></div>
"He turns to his companion and says, "?You can tell we're debating a gun bill today.
"Half the cast of "Deliverance" is in town,' said John Pierce" .
He made the statement. Your boy told the joke. If he thinks you are funny, you might as well learn to laugh. I don't see a need for carry permit. Wear a bigger coat. Been hauled off for trying to assemble and that is a right also, so get used to it. It got much worse under Reagan, and has been going downhill fast since.

[Unchained]

Saslaw maligned gun-rights supporters, all rural Virginians

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 - 12:35 AM

BY Andrea Hopkins
Opinion Editor
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Shame on Virginia Senate Majority Leader [richard] 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 [email protected] or (276) 645-2534.


Reader Reaction:
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Posted January 30, 2008 @ 09:44 AM by MidnightRider
This geographical stereotyping can go both ways Mr. Saslaw...As far as I'm concerned "MOST" people (not all) from northern Virginia look down on us for a number of reasons. Yes there are a lot of uneducated folks here in southwestern Virginia. Mostly because of the economic state of things in the area. Most had to quit school and work to support their families. I would LOVE to see Mr. Saslaw walk a mile in our shoes...he wouldn't make it 10 feet before crying for his butler.

Posted January 30, 2008 @ 09:09 AM by bracman
I think all Virginians Dem. or Rep. should pay Senator Saslaw back at his next election. Put on your camo boots and kick his --- out of office.

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 08:33 PM by j
after reading this and being a former VA resident, i now live in east TN. I am absolutely disgusted at this guy. i did however find HIS EMAIL address. I encourage all VA residents to send him an email, be nice and respectful when stating your opion and that he will NEVER get another vote with this attitude! i have my second ammendment and its to PROTECT the 1st amendment :-). Write the email respectfully we dont want them thinking we are animals!! [email protected].

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 08:33 PM by j
after reading this and being a former VA resident, i now live in east TN. I am absolutely disgusted at this guy. i did however find HIS EMAIL address. I encourage all VA residents to send him an email, be nice and respectful when stating your opion and that he will NEVER get another vote with this attitude! i have my second ammendment and its to PROTECT the 1st amendment :-). Write the email respectfully we dont want them thinking we are animals!! [email protected].

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 08:02 PM by Old Redneck
Let's see if I got this straight: Some guy claims that he overheard a comment in an elevator and now the Herald-Courier is on it like ticks on a hound. Do you folks ever stop to consider your sources? I saw Elvis clerking at a quick-stop out near Blountville -- is that news?? Besides, I suspect that most of the folks in the hearing room DID look like the cast of "Deliverance."

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 07:43 PM by Uncle Fester
An open comment to JimD and "Anonymous"...I was born in southwest Virginia though I no longer live there...There are some of the finest, most educated people in the United States living there..It is people like you and "Cole" Slawsky that think the stereotype that you portray is for only the Appalachian people. There are some real "peckheads" living in Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria and most any other eastern Va city...I'm proud of my heritage and my life and will match it up against any elitest.

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 07:43 PM by Uncle Fester
An open comment to JimD and "Anonymous"...I was born in southwest Virginia though I no longer live there...There are some of the finest, most educated people in the United States living there..It is people like you and "Cole" Slawsky that think the stereotype that you portray is for only the Appalachian people. There are some real "peckheads" living in Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria and most any other eastern Va city...I'm proud of my heritage and my life and will match it up against any elitest.

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 05:29 PM by Thomas Powell
Anyone who reads those words by the State Senate Democratic leader, should remember his words in the fall when it comes to putting the same type of people in the Whitehouse and Congress. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have a similiar disgust for gunowners and have stated as much many times in the recent past.

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 01:00 PM by Ron
Senator Saslow is a Democrat so what do you expect?

Posted January 29, 2008 @ 07:14 AM by JBrenchick
I not surprised in the least as those who preach tolerance tend to be the least tolerant of all. To most elitists, if your not one of them, your a lower life form.

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Looks like somebody might be trying to reach him...