Virginia Foxx Sends Apology To Matthew Shephard's Mother

Winston-Salem Journal:

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx has written a letter of apology to the mother of Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming man whose name is on a bill adding sexual orientation to federal hate-crimes legislation.

During recent debate on the bill, Foxx, R-5th, called attempts to label Shepard's 1998 murder a hate crime "a hoax." She said that he was killed during a robbery and not because he was gay.

Read the whole story: Winston-Salem Journal

Comments

[RRIDLEY100]

Her apology was half hearted and not sincere at all. Look how she started it, IF I caused you. IF??????. Lady you were on the house floor, in front of the governing body, Mrs. Sheppard and the world. That apology sounds like something Endora would make to Darrin on Bewitched when she was caught. "I regret my slight transgression even though you deserved it" sorta tone. This is exactly why the Republican party is on its way to extinction, like the dinosaur and do do bird. They are not able to change, dont want to change, will not change and can not accept change. They need to understand this, A newbie, a first term senator, a BLACK guy beat a senior senator, war hero, elder statesman WHITE republican for the highest office in the land with the platform of what??? CHANGE, Like the great Bette Davis said about Joan Crawford, The republican party is like 7 Up, NEVER HAD IT, NEVER WILL

[The Ghost]

"if you were offended, it's your fault."

[sherbug]

Can you say CYA

[dax49]

from the DOJ hearings to this, every time she speaks, she drips venom and tends to flat out lie when it is in her interest- her state either allows this kind of behavior and supports it or needs to get her out of office

[jadeba]

The gop is now not only the party of torture but also the party that support hate crimes. How, in the world, could anyone oppose hate crime legislation? Do they think they can pray them away? She, and they, continually defend the indefensible. Unbelievable.

[neesy08]

She needs to also make a public apology, but I doubt she will

[darleneslee]

This pathetic sub-human makes my skin crawl. How did we in America sink to such a level that we allow people of this mentality to become a part of the government. We have lowered our standards to the point that we are subject to becoming the laughing stock of the world. The christian right only appears to see life being valuable if it's unborn. Ms Foxx, If I offend you, does not qualify as an apology, It only means, whatever. Try walking in Mrs Shepherds shoes and then come back and make a statement.

[The Ghost]

You may have an unrealistic view of how civilized the rest of the world is.

[MadamRoma]

Go to church Virginia, ....on second thought don't go to church Virginia, that's probably where you learned that amazing revelation you spewed all over the nations capitol. Just go home Virginia, bake some biscuits, pick some berries, read some books, tie your tongue to a bedpost.

[take10]

Cosigned!

[Liberalforsure]

The GOP = party for the criminally insane.

[Driver125]

They are! From Palin to Bachmann to this Foxx woman--where can you find a bigger collection of Loony Toons masquerading as human beings? It would be roll-on-the-floor laughable if not for the fact that, to a certain extent, they are running our lives.

[NPA]

Politicians exercise routine - Open mouth, place foot in mouth, count to ten, take foot out of mouth, offer disingenuous apology, repeat.

[Fri Prevett]

Not sufficient or sincere enough, Ginny. Try again. "If I offended you ... " BS. Should have read "I apologize for offending you" because that's what her comments were: Offensive and inappropriate.

Glad I don't live in this woman's district ... of course in OK I have to put up with even worse (state legislator Sally Kern, for one).

[1dogs2]

Bingo. The "if I offended you" locution immediately removes the message from "apology" category.

[USA2Sense]

What a crude attempt at justification for stupidity and crassness - this woman should be forced to resign - she has no right to represent any district - if she is this ignorant in her presentati­on........­.

[IcedTee63]

That is totally amazing that she simply thinks that her lame attempt to justify the selection of the "words" she used in some way takes away the venom she spewed. English is not her first language and what about her completely ignoring the words of the Murderers themselves? They picked Shepard out because he was Gay, and they killed him. I can only hope the people of North Carolina that voted for this horrible person, see her for the Sub-Human that she appears to be.

[alice09]

Sorry Virginia, it won't work. You've told us loud and clear who you really are. It's too late.
This wasn't the first time you've peddled malicious lies for political gain and sadly, it won't be the last. But no one is fooled and everyone knows you are only doing this because you were caught at it and publicly shamed around the world.

[CJCalgirl]

What I don't understand is, why are these far-right conservatives SO concerned about other peoples 'sexuality? What is it that makes them feel so threatened? What is it that gay people do that scares them so much? I am an older, white, straight woman and nothing any gay person does scares, insults, or affects me at all. What is their problem? It's just like the abortion issue for them, and even though I think abortion is an inadequate birth control method when prevention is surely preferable, I think we can leave judgement to the creator. If you believe in one. These are rabid people whose existence ought to scare everyone.

[Naithom]

Well said, CJ, well said.

[1dogs2]

Hear, hear!

[soupson52]

xlint statement. thanks.

[take10]

Cosigned!

[ThankGodhesgone]

"if I said anything that offended her, I certainly apologize for it and know that she's hurting, and I would never do anything to add to that."

Typical non-apology. You still voted against the bill, so your apology means nothing.