Glad you don’t live in Manassas?

Hey, Richmonders, aren’t you glad you don’t live in Manassas?

Those who do call Manassas home are represented in the House of Delegates by news-maker Bob Marshall, a Republican of the Pat Robertson/Virgil Goode persuasion -- the crackpot feathers of the flapping right wing.

Like others in the news business today, MSNBC political commentator Rachel Maddow zeroed in on Del. Marshall’s recent and much discussed remarks about abortion -- which amounted to saying birth defects and disabilities are punishment from God.

It was all part of a piece about Virginia’s recent political turn to the “hard right,” as Maddow put it.

Here’s a little of what Marshall said to create this most recent flap:

"The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children," said Marshall, a Republican. "In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There's a special punishment Christians would suggest."

A "special punishment"!?

Click here to read more from that piece. And, here for a second article on the same matter.

In truth, Marshall has gladly issued other bizarre remarks over the years, he's known for it. Yes, in this part of the country we’re used to him and his ilk -- throwbacks who want to force-feed their chosen religion into public policy ... in the 21st century, no less.

But it’s still embarrassing when the Bob Marshalls of our commonwealth make national news with their supposedly Christian, yet rather mean-spirited, interpretations of a vengeful God’s will.

Well, for people who don’t think it matters who wins elections, so they don't take an interest in the process, the next four years of Republican leadership in the Governor’s Mansion in Virginia are likely to provide some painful schooling.

Meanwhile, it’s easy to avoid Manassas and its voters.