I received the following email this morning from
disAbility Votes PAC. I think it's particularly appropriate in light of
Bob McDonnell's claim earlier today that Sheila Johnson "meant no harm by her comments" mocking Creigh Deeds' stutter. And Bob McDonnell knows that...how exactly?!?
We're still waiting for an apology!
Last week, we asked Mr. McDonnell to apologize for Ms. Johnson's insensitive and unacceptable remarks that made fun of people who stutter. Thousands of Virginians were hurt and appalled by her lack of common decency towards people who speak differently from her. Instead of apologizing Mr. McDonnell has decided to hold a rally with Ms. Johnson.
This rally is being sold as a women's rally. Which women does Mr. Mc Donnell expect to attract?
Clearly not the thousands of women who are caretakers for children with special needs, disabilities and medical challenges. With an approximate 80% divorce rate among families with disabilities, most women who have children with disabilities are working to keep food on the table, keep their employer-based health insurance and pay for housing. Virginia ranks 47th in services for most disabilities, a public policy that harms every family suffering with disabilities. Women bear the brunt of this misguided public policy.
Mr. McDonnell is happy to be seen at a rally with Ms. Johnson. He also says he is pro-family and on TV ads he parades the women who have worked for him over the years. It isn't pro-family to be seen with a person who has hurt so many moms, moms who are struggling to make ends meet.
Mr. McDonnell used his power as Virginia's Attorney general to file amicus briefs that would undermine the enforcement of the ADA. This is not pro-family. Ask anyone who has been refused entrance to a restaurant or even a school because they use a wheelchair. Mr. McDonnell has used his personal religious views to justify introduction of several bills that would undermine the privacy rights of women.
Women who want someone who understands them need to vote for Creigh Deeds. We should not elect someone who thinks being a bully in a playground is appropriate behavior. Make no mistake about it. Mr. McDonnell was right there, being introduced by Ms. Johnson, and he laughed.
Once again we ask Mr. McDonnell to stop trivializing the pain people felt when he laughed with Ms. Johnson as she mocked people who stutter. Mr. McDonnell can contact disAbility Votes PAC at 540-364-6342 anytime during business hours to deliver his apology."
