Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Dennis Donovan

(18,770 posts)
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:41 AM Feb 2020

Virginia will eliminate a state holiday honoring Lee and Jackson, replaced by Election Day holiday

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/07/politics/virginia-ends-confederate-holiday-replace-election-day-trnd/index.html

By Scottie Andrew, CNN

Updated 9:30 AM ET, Fri February 7, 2020

(CNN)Virginia is one step closer to ending its tradition of honoring Confederate generals.

This week, the Virginia House voted to strike Lee-Jackson Day from the list of state holidays. The holiday, observed on the Friday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January, honors Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson as "defenders of causes."

Both men owned slaves and fought to preserve slavery in the US.

In its place, the House bill proposed that the state replace it with Election Day, the first Tuesday after the First Monday in November, instead.

<snip>

"We need to make Election Day a holiday," he said in his State of the Commonwealth speech last month. "We can do it by ending the Lee-Jackson holiday that Virginia holds ... It commemorates a lost cause. It's time to move on."

</snip>


82 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Virginia will eliminate a state holiday honoring Lee and Jackson, replaced by Election Day holiday (Original Post) Dennis Donovan Feb 2020 OP
K&R wryter2000 Feb 2020 #1
Fantastic! BeckyDem Feb 2020 #2
May every other state follow suit. GoCubsGo Feb 2020 #3
How about adding safeinOhio Feb 2020 #4
In Virginia? RVN VET71 Feb 2020 #38
The north also had Thomas and Sheridan. Both were as important as Grant and Sherman. nt Blue_true Feb 2020 #72
In the South? We've had wars after the Civil War IronLionZion Feb 2020 #48
I'm all for a "Donald J. Trump Memorial Urinal" in all federal government building restrooms. Brother Mythos Feb 2020 #67
Ya know what's crazy? happybird Feb 2020 #54
Who took the King out, republicans? Blue_true Feb 2020 #73
It's a short but weird story: happybird Feb 2020 #77
Actually Grant, Thomas, Sheridan and Sherman. Blue_true Feb 2020 #71
Yay, blue Virginia! nt spooky3 Feb 2020 #5
In 2017 and 2019, we came (to the pollls), we saw (GOP evil), we conquered (the VA gov't) lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #17
Did I hear DENVERPOPS Feb 2020 #31
Every election year DENVERPOPS Feb 2020 #33
It sure as hell did NOT work in VA in 2017 and 2019. lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #34
Lago DENVERPOPS Feb 2020 #40
It works with their base. But their base is a shrinking % spooky3 Feb 2020 #45
As an aside, I think you hit on the culture war we're in. Qutzupalotl Feb 2020 #63
"In its place, the House bill proposed that the state replace it with Election Day, the first Tuesda spooky3 Feb 2020 #6
Thanks for the heads up! Dennis Donovan Feb 2020 #7
Thanks for posting. It is great news! nt spooky3 Feb 2020 #10
So many good things Ohiogal Feb 2020 #8
You can! I believe OH is on the cusp of greatness too! lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #18
I am enjoying living in Blue Virginia. phylny Feb 2020 #9
I hear you Va Lefty Feb 2020 #11
I'm close to you - VA05 phylny Feb 2020 #28
Mine did and we are so thrilled! lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #19
Throw their statues in the trash, or recycle them dalton99a Feb 2020 #12
Convert them into public urinals. lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #20
Up cycling. nt littlemissmartypants Feb 2020 #37
Boom! lagomorph777 Feb 2020 #42
Both men also violated the oath they took as officers in the US Army... Wounded Bear Feb 2020 #13
Does this mean a day off work to go vote? PWPippinesq Feb 2020 #14
Yep! Dennis Donovan Feb 2020 #15
I agree. PWPippinesq Feb 2020 #25
Agreed! nt crickets Feb 2020 #41
if you work for the state Skittles Feb 2020 #74
For state employees, yes. Some business will follow suit, some won't. nt Blue_true Feb 2020 #75
Great idea! This needs to happen in all states. nt Chalco Feb 2020 #16
No, we need early voting and vote by mail Retrograde Feb 2020 #61
If Virginia doesn't have early voting, it will get it now that democrats control things. Blue_true Feb 2020 #76
Yep. And a only a mere 155 years since the end of the war... B Stieg Feb 2020 #21
Better late than never. We now have a Democratic governor and a Democratic Nitram Feb 2020 #23
Good points, all! B Stieg Feb 2020 #27
Yep. Better Late than Never. I hope this goes nationwide. calimary Feb 2020 #49
As a Virginian, it makes me proud that the Democratic majority is righting numerous wrongs Nitram Feb 2020 #22
It's so encouraging Ohiogal Feb 2020 #24
+1 Blue_Tires Feb 2020 #57
So shines a good deed in a weary world. (nt) Paladin Feb 2020 #26
Va Senate passed a bill allowing for damage insurance instead of security deposit underpants Feb 2020 #29
Wonderful! It'll pass: VA's house, senate and gov are ALL for it. Hortensis Feb 2020 #30
Good! Rider3 Feb 2020 #32
This is why I voted straight Democratic tickets for over two decades. rogue emissary Feb 2020 #35
And why I have voted straight Democratic tickets for decades, too. calimary Feb 2020 #50
Cue republican lawsuits. AtheistCrusader Feb 2020 #36
Go, Virginia! ConstanceCee Feb 2020 #39
That is great news! pandr32 Feb 2020 #43
They're on a roll!! Go VA. 58Sunliner Feb 2020 #44
Virginia needs to be the blueprint for OH, GA, FL, AZ, NC, PA scheming daemons Feb 2020 #46
! struggle4progress Feb 2020 #47
About Time marieo1 Feb 2020 #51
Bravo Virginia! n/t NY06DemSoc Feb 2020 #52
Election Day is the important occasion! Mopar151 Feb 2020 #53
How patriotic! No more celebrating traitor generals who killed US soldiers to protect slavery! SunSeeker Feb 2020 #55
Long overdue Blue_Tires Feb 2020 #56
Election Day Holiday! Brilliant! cp Feb 2020 #58
WOW! pazzyanne Feb 2020 #59
Election Day Holiday !!! Yes !!! TryLogic Feb 2020 #60
Good, honoring traitors to the USA for Progressive dog Feb 2020 #62
To quell the outrage they should rename it "Extra Day Off During Hunting Season Day." dameatball Feb 2020 #64
Don't hate on good hunters Mopar151 Feb 2020 #80
I understand. The post was not about "good hunters" just a jab at those who would be dameatball Feb 2020 #81
If you use the term: Mopar151 Feb 2020 #82
VA getting bluer and bluer every day! paleotn Feb 2020 #65
This message was self-deleted by its author softydog88 Feb 2020 #66
We've had many steps backward under traitortrump. This is a nice step forward amuse bouche Feb 2020 #68
Wow! Great news! We needed that at the end of a tough week. nt cry baby Feb 2020 #69
Those who say there is no difference between democrats and republicans in the modern era, Blue_true Feb 2020 #70
Republican business owners can still give their employees a paid holiday for Lee/Jackson. keithbvadu2 Feb 2020 #78
Two-fer - brilliant! hatrack Feb 2020 #79

RVN VET71

(2,698 posts)
38. In Virginia?
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 12:27 PM
Feb 2020

That just might be a step too far!

I like the idea, though. Like it enough to think it would make a great national holiday, both because it would serve to remind folks that victory over evil (slavery, in this case) requires enormous courage and stubbornness from leaders who are willing to stomach -- but not take delight in -- what it costs in human life.

Without Grant and Sherman -- and, of course, Lincoln -- the secession of the rebel states may well have been successful.

The South, it seems, had more than its share of brilliant Generals. The North had the 2 that mattered.

IronLionZion

(45,541 posts)
48. In the South? We've had wars after the Civil War
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:27 PM
Feb 2020

and we have had a lot of other non-war heroes in our country who may be deserving of some honor. We could have a President Trump fire hydrant in every dog park, for example.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
73. Who took the King out, republicans?
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:38 PM
Feb 2020

I am sure that they used the excuse that King had a federal holiday. But they could have added someone like Rosa Parks to replace King. They just wanted a confederate holiday.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
71. Actually Grant, Thomas, Sheridan and Sherman.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:33 PM
Feb 2020

Thomas was a Virginian and is believed to have been the most effective Union General. Phillip Sheridan was a key advisor to Grant, they divised the concept of total war that broke the southern army and navy. Sheridan also led the forces that defeated the confederacy in central and western Virginia and into Georgia.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
17. In 2017 and 2019, we came (to the pollls), we saw (GOP evil), we conquered (the VA gov't)
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:23 AM
Feb 2020

Show up for every single election. Virginia's off-year elections were designed to suppress turnout and entrench GOP power. Guess what? The cure is simple. Show up. Every single time.

DENVERPOPS

(8,847 posts)
31. Did I hear
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:45 AM
Feb 2020

That several of the Republican Va counties, bordering W VA are trying to withdraw from VA and become part of W VA.......

DENVERPOPS

(8,847 posts)
33. Every election year
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:50 AM
Feb 2020

for as long as I can remember, the Republicans hit their voters with a ton of crap to anger them into coming out to vote.
It is always the same: ANTI-GAY, PRO GUNS, PRO GOD propaganda and it works every time. And of course their newest rants on HILLARY and all of her DEMOCRAT SOCIALISTS.........

It works every election........

WASF

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
34. It sure as hell did NOT work in VA in 2017 and 2019.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:51 AM
Feb 2020

That strategy totally backfired.

Relatively conservative Manassas had a virulently anti-trans representative. So Danica Roem ran - she's a trans woman. She won!

She's just one of the more dramatic examples.

DENVERPOPS

(8,847 posts)
40. Lago
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 12:40 PM
Feb 2020

I'll get back to you on November 4th.

I admire your conviction and positive attitude...............

spooky3

(34,483 posts)
45. It works with their base. But their base is a shrinking %
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:09 PM
Feb 2020

of the VA electorate. VA is like other states; the cities vote differently from the rural areas. But the urban areas’ populations are very well educated and growing at a much faster pace.

And, as others mentioned, the state has been badly gerrymandered by Repubs., but that will change with Dems in control in 2020.

Qutzupalotl

(14,334 posts)
63. As an aside, I think you hit on the culture war we're in.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 04:35 PM
Feb 2020

It’s more of an urban/rural divide than anything else.

In cities, you can see your tax dollars at work; there’s public transport, street repair, libraries, etc. In rural areas, you don’t; so they see government as taking their taxes and not giving them anything in return. We could argue that national defense helps them, and law enforcement helps them, but these are not as visible as public works projects. In most rural areas, law enforcement will not arrive fast enough in an emergency, so they rely on gun ownership for self-defense.

In this light, the D and R labels seem more like a symptom than the cause. I post this mostly to get us thinking of other ways to talk to any remaining rural voters who are not yet subsumed by the cult of Trump.

spooky3

(34,483 posts)
6. "In its place, the House bill proposed that the state replace it with Election Day, the first Tuesda
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:51 AM
Feb 2020

y after the First Monday in November, instead." They must have edited it.

Ohiogal

(32,091 posts)
8. So many good things
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:54 AM
Feb 2020

happening in Virginia under Dem leadership!



I wish we could turn Ohio around like that.

Va Lefty

(6,252 posts)
11. I hear you
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:58 AM
Feb 2020

We had Bob "Badlatte" for many years. Now, just a better looking version in Ben Cline. Hoping for some help when redistricting is done!

phylny

(8,389 posts)
28. I'm close to you - VA05
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:34 AM
Feb 2020

We had Congressman Garrett, who left in disgrace, and now we have Riggleman, who kisses Trump's ass for breakfast.

When we first moved here, we had Tom Perriello, then we were redistricted. It's still a long-shot because of where I live, but it would be great if redistricting gave us a chance at a Democratic Congressperson!


Wounded Bear

(58,721 posts)
13. Both men also violated the oath they took as officers in the US Army...
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:09 AM
Feb 2020

and fought against the country whose Constitution they had sworn to defend.

Retrograde

(10,162 posts)
61. No, we need early voting and vote by mail
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 03:17 PM
Feb 2020

to happen in all states.

Having election day be a holiday sounds nice - until you think about the ramifications. A holiday for who? Those in crucial jobs who have to be there no matter what? Those in service jobs who need the money? Those who normally send their kids off to school while they work? IMHO, we need to get over the notion that voting has to occur at one time for everyone in a jurisdiction. Let's follow the California model and spread it over nearly a month.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
76. If Virginia doesn't have early voting, it will get it now that democrats control things.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:50 PM
Feb 2020

I am a little leary of vote by mail, especially in states where republicans have a shot at regaining control. Early voting will be hard for republican legislatures to eliminate, republican voters like early voting also, once it is in it stays.

B Stieg

(2,410 posts)
21. Yep. And a only a mere 155 years since the end of the war...
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:25 AM
Feb 2020

we fought to stop folks like Lee, Jackson and Jefferson Davis.
Slow and steady this ain't...

Nitram

(22,892 posts)
23. Better late than never. We now have a Democratic governor and a Democratic
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:29 AM
Feb 2020

majority in both houses. Look for more advances in the months to come.

Nitram

(22,892 posts)
22. As a Virginian, it makes me proud that the Democratic majority is righting numerous wrongs
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:26 AM
Feb 2020

inflicted on us for decades by the GOP.

Ohiogal

(32,091 posts)
24. It's so encouraging
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:29 AM
Feb 2020

That the VA Dems are getting things back on track! Wish more red states would follow!

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
30. Wonderful! It'll pass: VA's house, senate and gov are ALL for it.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 11:39 AM
Feb 2020

This is what happens when VOTERS give Democrats the power.



calimary

(81,512 posts)
50. And why I have voted straight Democratic tickets for decades, too.
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:32 PM
Feb 2020

There just isn’t anyone else to vote for, as far as I’m concerned. Voting republi-CON is simply not a plausible option. Voting republi-CON is so far off the table for me that it isn’t even in the same room. Or building.

ConstanceCee

(314 posts)
39. Go, Virginia!
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 12:27 PM
Feb 2020

I live in Virgiinia and worked hard for these elections. I am trying to focus on all the great things that are happening here, to offset the horrors at the national level. It works (some).

 

scheming daemons

(25,487 posts)
46. Virginia needs to be the blueprint for OH, GA, FL, AZ, NC, PA
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:11 PM
Feb 2020

Get Dems in office across the board and great things can start to happen.

Mopar151

(10,000 posts)
53. Election Day is the important occasion!
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:42 PM
Feb 2020

Moving "obsolete" local, political holidays "slot" to ELECTION DAY is not a stunt or theater. It's showing proper respect for the history of Democracy!

SunSeeker

(51,726 posts)
55. How patriotic! No more celebrating traitor generals who killed US soldiers to protect slavery!
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 01:59 PM
Feb 2020

And what better way to stomp on the legacy of slavery-protecting generals than to celebrate freedom to vote!

Progressive dog

(6,920 posts)
62. Good, honoring traitors to the USA for
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 04:01 PM
Feb 2020

well over 100 years. Fighting to keep people in slavery is not something to be celebrated.

Mopar151

(10,000 posts)
80. Don't hate on good hunters
Sat Feb 8, 2020, 03:16 AM
Feb 2020

Hate the camo -clad drunks, morons, and ment`l defectives who buy a license so`s they can spend late fall half in the bag, in a pickup full of guns and junk . Junk food, junk beer, human scrap.

dameatball

(7,400 posts)
81. I understand. The post was not about "good hunters" just a jab at those who would be
Sat Feb 8, 2020, 08:11 PM
Feb 2020

upset about eliminating a holiday for a racist traitor.

Mopar151

(10,000 posts)
82. If you use the term:
Mon Feb 10, 2020, 12:29 AM
Feb 2020

SLOB HUNTER, everyone "in the trade" knows what they are, who they are, and when "slob season" is on. Good hunters avoid slob infested areas.

Response to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
70. Those who say there is no difference between democrats and republicans in the modern era,
Fri Feb 7, 2020, 10:29 PM
Feb 2020

you are dead WRONG. This would not have been possible had republicans controlled even one branch of government in Virginia.

Another note. Democrats in Virginia are being fucking ruthless in erasing the unamerican laws that republicans put in place, this is what our side NEEDS to learn how to do whenever we gain control of all beaches of government, be relentless in passing laws that wipe away societal inequity.

keithbvadu2

(36,937 posts)
78. Republican business owners can still give their employees a paid holiday for Lee/Jackson.
Sat Feb 8, 2020, 12:05 AM
Feb 2020

Republican business owners can still give their employees a paid holiday for Lee/Jackson.

Call it a company holiday or whatever.

Don't blame the democrats.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Virginia will eliminate a...