What's Next, the Return of Slavery?

Virginia's Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who took office in January, removed protections based on sexual orientation from his anti-discrimination order, saying Democratic Governor Tim Kaine exceeded his constitutional authority by extending protections to gays by signing executive orders barring state agencies from discriminating in hiring, promotions or firing based on sexual orientation.

Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli sent a letter to state college presidents and other officials Thursday saying they don't have the authority to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying only the General Assembly has that power, advising college governing boards to "take appropriate actions to bring their policies in conformance with the law."

State Democrats and other fair-minded individuals disagree, but the ever influential Religious Right as represented by a spokesman for the Family Foundation of Virginia, which opposes anything sensible, said the criticism of Cuccinelli's action is unwarranted.

If Conservative Republicans aren't moving backwards, they aren't moving at all.