How could Virgil Goode hold a lobbyist fundraiser on 9/11? Is nothing sacred?

At the time, I was the editor-in-chief of a financial news company covering the banking sector. Two of the biggest clients of my company, and many sources for my newsroom, were located on the upper floors of the WTC. Both firms were devastated by the attacks, losing dozens of analysts and others.

Like thousands of Americans, people I knew died in those attacks. My losses were nothing compared to people who lost mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. My losses were professional associations, but they still hurt to this day. I'm under no illusion. My loss was minimal compared to that suffered by many.

Even if you knew no one who died that day in New York, Arlington or Shanksville, you hurt from that day.

And that is what makes the plans of Virgil Goode for that day, discussed after the flip,  so offensive.

On 9/11, a fundraiser in Washington, DC will be held for Cong. Goode, sponsored by Tom Lankford and Jan Schoonmaker, who are Washington lobbyists behind something called VSAPAC.

Attending this fundraiser, which crassly advertised Goode as a member of the Appropriations Committee, will cost $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a PAC and $2,500 for a "PAC Sponsor."
On 9/11, Goode's opponent, Tom Perriello, and his entire staff will be devoting their energies to volunteering to prepare care packages for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. That strikes the right chord with me -- 9/11 should be a day of volunteerism and some kind of public service. Tom's example has inspired me to follow in kind.

But whatever you think about how Tom has chosen to observe this day, Virgil Goode deserves the condemnation of every Virginian and every media outlet in the state. There are 364 other days per year (well, lets say 362, since even Virgil, I assume, would consider Christmas and Easter off limits) to raise money from greedy lobbyists looking to curry favor with a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Is there no decency left in out politics? Some newspapers, most notably Sarah Arkin at the Danville Register & Bee, and Amanda Buck at the Martinsville Bulletin, has covered this.

See: http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/...

And:

http://www.martinsvillebulleti...

But why has every media outlet in the state not LOUDLY called out Goode on this fundraiser. Where, as Bob Dole once asked, is the outrage?

Is nothing sacred?

Goode told Arkin, in her words, "he believed the date was scheduled due to the availability of the space and had nothing to do with the events of 2001." What the Hell does that mean? Did he not realize the significance of that day?

I urge any reporters reading this to call Congressman's Goode's and ask about this. Decide for yourself if it is worth a story.

I ask everyone else, whether in VA-05 or not, to call Congressman Goode's office tomorrow and ask, finally, "Sir, have you no shame?"

If you cannot reach Congressman Goode himself, here is the staff and contact information for his D.C. office. Call them. Express your outrage:

Tel: (202) 225-4711

Jerr Rosenbaum- Chief of Staff
Ward Anderson - Executive Assistant
Ms. Kelly Shields- Sr. Legislative Assistant
Mr. Kelly Simpson- Legislative Assistant
Joan Adams - Legislative Correspondent
Braden Eckert- Legislative Correspondent
Bryan Wood - Staff Assistant

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