In that spirit, Del. Glenn M. Weatherholtz (R-Rockingham) sponsored legislation to forbid what he helpfully abbreviated as "sex clubs." The bill easily passed the House, which may have been impressed by an apparent public demand for sterner attitudes toward moral standards. Or not.
The Augusta Free Press reports that other Shenandoah Valley House Republicans have been using a political action committee to sponsor a little survey. Some 22,000 people were called at home on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 -- including former Harrisonburg mayor Joe Fitzgerald, a Democrat -- and asked whether they support "sex clubs in our schools."
"I tried to respond that that was a bogus question," Fitzgerald told the Free Press, "and the computer said it would cut me off if I did not give a yes or no answer."
Push polls can be so pushy.
Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R-Staunton) told the Free Press that "people are moving into the valley from Northern Virginia and elsewhere and trying to demand all these changes to the way of life, and you're seeing a response from people who say, 'No way.' "
Fitzgerald thinks the delegates should know better. "You wonder what their real motives are," he said.
Within the ranks of House Republicans are some outstanding and accomplished public servants -- retiring James H. Dillard II (Fairfax) and Harvey B. Morgan (Gloucester) to name two -- but they make for the smallest circle of all in the House majority.
gcmorse@cox.net
