Virginia State Delegate Bob Marshall, a conservative Republican, is in deep trouble for good reason. At a press conference opposing funding for Planned Parenthood he stated the following:
"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. 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."
In stating the above Marshall was preaching to a friendly audience composed of conservative Christians and other religious leaders. I listened and watched Marshall's statement. His words are not being taken out of context nor were they poorly constructed. He said what he said and meant it. Children with a disability are God's "vengeance", punishment for previous abortions. This claim is not only false but offensive. Disability representing God's wrath is a belief I would like to think has past into what my son calls the "olden days". Thirty years ago when I began using a wheelchair I was occasionally accosted by religious fundamentalists. Most thought my presence was offensive. More than once I was told that I was the "anti-Christ" or that if I really wanted to walk all I needed to do was pray harder. These comments hurt and drove me from having any connection with organized religion. It also reinforced why I believe strongly in the separation of Church and State.
I am stunned that an elected official no matter how conservative would have the audacity to state what Marshall did. His thinking is so antiquated it is hard to believe people believe such nonsense. Marshall issued an apology, not a very good one, and it is clear he has utterly failed to realize just how hateful his words were. Marshall has a penchant for controversy and has been nicknamed "Sideshow Bob". But Marshall's words transcend bad taste and conservative politics. They are tied to a deeply rooted fear of disability that is pervasive in American society. Disability is inherently bad, something to be feared. Disability is a tragedy and either God or someone else must be held responsible. This line of reasoning is dehumanizing in the extreme. I wonder where the great defender of "special needs families and children", Sarah Palin, is today. I am hardly alone for Penny Richards noted the same thing yesterday. Palin has not spoken out against Marshall or uttered one word of protest. Palin appears to only objects to bigoted remarks when it suits her political ambitions, something some have called Palin's satire clause. No wonder people in the disability rights community have no respect for her or conservatives like Marshall. Our existence, after all, is God's vengeance.