What an Idiot

Other than my introduction, the first thing I wrote about on this blog was some Virginia legislator moron who shot his pistol off in the Virginia General Assembly Building. Why for the love of God would you need a gun inside a government office? Those offices are, like, the safest places on Earth.

The title of that post was "Never forget that Virginia borders Kentucky." I was taking a cheap shot at Virginia rednecks. Well now we all know what happened yesterday to Senator Jim Webb (D-VA). Webb's electoral triumph last year was due in large part to sweeping victories throughout Northern Virginia. In other words, the part of the commonwealth that's supposed to have its shit together. Apparently the guy that they (and, admittedly I) supported is not much better than the Republican yahoos who carry in the Richmond buildings for "protection."

Let me be perfectly clear. There is no reason to hold a loaded weapon in the United States Capitol. Getting a gun into that building, or any of the adjacent office buildings, is about impossible. Yeah, there was that 1998 shooting, but the psycho who started shooting didn't even get past the door. Terrorism remains a larger threat, but if Jim Webb thinks he can take down a hijacked 737 with a handgun, he is sorely mistaken. That gun is useless. All it can do is cause problems. At best it will make his interns and guests uncomfortable. At worst there's an oopsie that puts lives at risk.

Of course with Virginia being Virginia, this is probably good publicity for Senator Webb. I, on the other hand, see this snafu for what it is: an embarrassment to the Senate and the Democratic Party. Putting Washington's interns at risk may seem like a good idea, but total chaos and legislative ruin is just a shot away.

*Credit goes to Wonkette for breaking this story first.