# Virginia gov. yearbook page has Klan and blackface pictures **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 1, 2019, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809 "2019-02-01T22:05:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/301 "2019-02-04T18:08:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Fairfax is saying that the Post’s investigation is to be trusted. So the accuser must be mistaken, or lying, or confused. So apparently not all women can be believed when they make these kinds of accusations. Go figure. The only puzzling thing here is that you apparently thought anyone would disagree with the statement. This may be an occasion of your misunderstanding the arguments you disagree with. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/302 "2019-02-04T18:15:06Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Having spending a couple of milliseconds figuring, I have figured out that there’s at least some possibility that his enemies are using the reprehensible strategy of appropriating and subverting the valid message of the #MeToo movement. Nah, couldn’t _possibly_. 😃 I know that all the right-leaning folks who are ready to give credence to this accusation against Justin Fairfax are absolutely _outraged_ that **Mr. Grab-Em-By-The-Pussy** hasn’t been forced to resign. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/303 "2019-02-04T18:19:38Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I dunno. Considering they pitched, greenlit, and distributed a mainstream hollywood movie who’s entire premise was about a guy doing blackface to get into college, two years after this yearbook photo came out,… I snipped the rest and do not want to hijack this discussion but what movie was this? My brain vaguely recalls the plot as you described it but I’ll be darned if I can place the movie’s name. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/304 "2019-02-04T18:21:52Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > He’s just can’t be rehabilitated _as governor_. Because that job is not all about him, it’s about what the people of Virginia need from the person who represents their interests in a position of great power. People voted for him based on who he is and what he said in speeches, debates, interviews, and ads. Why is he any less qualified now than he was at election time? All of us did dumbass cringeworthy stuff in our youth, maybe not blackface bad, but still. That was 35 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/305 "2019-02-04T18:23:08Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > If we forgive former drug addicts and convicted felons, why not an elected official? Because no one has the right to serve as an elected official. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/306 "2019-02-04T18:26:18Z")
FWIW, [here’s what the WaPo has to say](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-sex-assault-allegation-from-2004/2019/02/04/05fb0f6c-272b-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.cc4ef1c46f74) about the story: > [@](#): > > The woman and Fairfax first met in Boston at the 2004 Democratic national convention. > > During a conversation, the two realized they had a mutual friend. It was that commonality, she recalled, that put her at ease enough that on the afternoon Fairfax asked her to walk with him to his hotel room to pick up some papers, she thought nothing of joining him. > > Fairfax and the woman told different versions of what happened in the hotel room with no one else present. The Washington Post could not find anyone who could corroborate either version. The Post did not find “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,” as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said. > > Fairfax (D), who was not married at the time, has denied her account through his attorneys and described the encounter as consensual. > > The woman described a sexual encounter that began with consensual kissing and ended with a forced act that left her crying and shaken. She said Fairfax guided her to the bed, where they continued kissing, and then at one point she realized she could not move her neck. She said Fairfax used his strength to force her to perform oral sex. > > The Washington Post, in phone calls to people who knew Fairfax from college, law school and through political circles, found no similar complaints of sexual misconduct against him. Without that, or the ability to corroborate the woman’s account — in part because she had not told anyone what happened — The Washington Post did not run a story. I would be uncomfortable with giving someone the boot on the basis of an anonymous, unsupported accusation. But I’ll make this prediction: if the woman does come forward, she may get some flak. But it’ll be just a tiny fraction of what Christine Blasey Ford has endured. Because while there are assholes on both sides of the political spectrum, the left, by and large, doesn’t believe in ruining the lives of people just for being inconveniently on the wrong side. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/307 "2019-02-04T18:27:31Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > People voted for him based on who he is and what he said in speeches, debates, interviews, and ads. Why is he any less qualified now than he was at election time? All of us did dumbass cringeworthy stuff in our youth, maybe not blackface bad, but still. That was 35 years ago. There are some lines that decent people don’t cross. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/308 "2019-02-04T18:28:55Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > I snipped the rest and do not want to hijack this discussion but what movie was this? My brain vaguely recalls the plot as you described it but I’ll be darned if I can place the movie’s name. [Soul Man.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091991/) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/309 "2019-02-04T18:29:26Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > People voted for him based on who he is and what he said in speeches, debates, interviews, and ads. **Why is he any less qualified now than he was at election time?** All of us did dumbass cringeworthy stuff in our youth, maybe not blackface bad, but still. That was 35 years ago. [my bold] At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, they didn’t know about this when they voted for him. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/310 "2019-02-04T18:29:50Z")
I never saw it, but I think the movie being referred to was _Soul Man_. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/311 "2019-02-04T18:58:02Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > There isn’t much condoning going on right now, is there? There wasn’t in Denver about Hancock at the start. It was a lot of “OMG the City Council needs to remove him”. When the Council said that removing the Mayor required a recall vote it turned into “nevermind then” and now it’s not even heard of as he’s starting his re-election campaign. Give it time and if Northam doesn’t resign see if Virginians demand a recall election statute. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/312 "2019-02-04T19:45:12Z")
Passing a recall statute that doesn’t grandfather in the current officeholder sets a really bad precedent. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/313 "2019-02-04T19:50:09Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Give it time and if Northam doesn’t resign see if Virginians demand a recall election statute. There is a statute, I posted details here: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21466294&postcount=132](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21466294&postcount=132) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/314 "2019-02-04T19:57:06Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > FWIW, [here’s what the WaPo has to say](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-sex-assault-allegation-from-2004/2019/02/04/05fb0f6c-272b-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.cc4ef1c46f74) about the story: > I would be uncomfortable with giving someone the boot on the basis of an anonymous, unsupported accusation. Give the name to Dianne Feinstein and it won’t be anonymous for long. > [@](#): > > The Post did not find “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,” as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said. So Fairfax lied? Hmm. > [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > > [@Shodan](#): > > > > Fairfax is saying that the Post’s investigation is to be trusted. So the accuser must be mistaken, or lying, or confused. So apparently not all women can be believed when they make these kinds of accusations. Go figure. > > The only puzzling thing here is that you apparently thought anyone would disagree with the statement. So we shouldn’t believe unsubstantiated accusations? Fair enough. Is that before, or after, the FBI investigations? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/315 "2019-02-04T20:02:27Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So we shouldn’t believe unsubstantiated accusations? Fair enough. Is that before, or after, the FBI investigations? What is your opinion on sexual assault allegations against powerful men? I think they should be fully investigated, regardless of political (or other) consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/316 "2019-02-04T20:02:31Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So we shouldn’t believe unsubstantiated accusations? Fair enough. It’s super cool how, even when someone points out that you can’t paraphrase an opponent’s argument, you respond by misparaphrasing what they said. Edit: wait, I just realized it’s even cooler than that. When someone AGREES with something you say, you misparaphrase YOURSELF in an effort to make them look dumb for agreeing with you. That’s downright impressive. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/317 "2019-02-04T20:04:23Z")
Don’t you get it? We have to have ironclad evidence \*before \*there’s an investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/318 "2019-02-04T20:26:43Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Don’t you get it? We have to have ironclad evidence \*before \*there’s an investigation. You need to think of this as a job interview - the people of Virginia are deciding if the lieutenant governor should become the governor. Unsubstantiated allegations where nobody else was present can be dismissed. Unsubstantiated allegations, where the accuser says there are multiple witnesses but none of the witnesses back her up - then you got something, and the FBI needs to investigate and the Dems should find somebody else who hasn’t been accused and so forth. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/319 "2019-02-04T20:39:01Z")
Fairfax will get his chance 2021 when he can run for Governor of Virginia, after the current governor’s term ends. Northham isn’t stepping down. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809/320 "2019-02-04T20:51:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > You need to think of this as a job interview Is that what you thought of the Kavanaugh hearings? :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gov-yearbook-page-has-klan-and-blackface-pictures/828809.md?page=17)