You just had to know there was going to be more to this story.

On Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a proclamation declaring April to be Confederate History Month (not to be confused with the Emancipation Proclamation).

I'll just let that sink in for a minute. Because it gets better.

Apparently, in his original proclamation, the Republican governor left out what is obviously an insignificant (his own word) detail in this whole Civil War thing: slavery.

Bob McDonnell left slavery out of his proclamation, saying he had included the "most significant" issue. Wait for it, 3...2...1 and BAM, apology.

"The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission. The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed," McDonnell said in a statement.

So it went from being insignificant to "major omission". Here's what he said before his apology, in response to missing slavery:

"There were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia."

Alright, you are the governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, correct? This is the same state that housed the capitol of said Confederacy. Also, without question, its most famous son was none other than a slave-owning, "All Men Are Created Equal" writing, founding father - who just happened to have a few kids with one of his slaves. So obviously this isn't significant for Virginia. (Full disclosure: I live in Virginia - sort of. I live in Arlington, which might as well be DC.)

I should also add that I did like another part of McDonnell's apology:

"Slavery was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which degraded human beings to property, and it has left a stain on the soul of this state and nation."

I'll say one thing: this guy has great writers. That's how he got elected to that seat in the first place. But here's the thing, and take this really serious because my readers here know that I very rarely speak serious ill of elected officials: I don't think he really believes that.

No, I am not saying McDonnell is wishing the days of slavery would return. I'm just not sure he thinks Virginia has much of a "stain" from slavery. I'm not sure I do either, but I'm not from here. When you think about slavery though, you think Thomas Jefferson sure, but then attention moves to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc. That said, McDonnell had absolutely no business leaving it out.

If you're sitting there thinking, "how in the world did this guy get elected," just stop. Here are the answers: an awful Democratic candidate named Creigh Deeds, who couldn't seem to get off of McDonnell's extremely conservative leanings, which did include a thesis that says working women are hurting America. Second, a toxic health care debate. And third, Virginia's ridiculous need to be "different" from everyone else. You know, like leaving the Union to do whatever it was that was more significant than slavery.

All of this is why I went down to the mall to visit my guy Abe on the way home last night. Engraved into the north wall of the memorial is his second inaugural address, which, despite McDonnell's statements about the insignificance of slavery, says this in its opening lines:

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.

And, with all that is given to the Gettysburg address, about whether a nation so charged could survive, it was the end of that inaugural speech that provided the road map.

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

We would all do well to remember that more often than not. Not, "with malice in our hearts," but, "with malice toward none."

--

I really just have a couple of links, because I wanted to leave you with all of that above.

- Mine safety concerns were raised at the same mine in question on the day of the explosion that has so far killed 25, with four missing and likely dead as well. Contrary to the lead in the article, rescue workers have been forced to stay out of the mine due to high levels of toxic gases, namely methane (CH4).

- And presidents of what were once the world's most dominant superpowers signed onto an historic new START treaty this morning in Prague. Despite all that has happened domestically with President Obama, this is yet another sure symbol of his influence abroad.

- This has to be the dumbest person in the world. Seriously.

- Finally, here is the newest Tiger Woods ad from Nike. Almost sickeningly brilliant:

World War II started today. Seriously. Germany, Poland, invasion, the whole nine.

Just think about that as you go through the day, realizing the great sacrifice that saw freedom prevail.

And what better transition from that than to talk about a gubernatorial race in Virginia. Haven't talked about this too much, but it is a big one and it seems to be heating up.

Not long ago it looked like the Democratic candidate, Creigh Deeds, was dead in the water. Back in June this race was close. In the middle of August, Bob McDonnell, the Republican, was up 12 points. Then in just the last week or so, some interesting stuff came out. This is like West Wing stuff.

Turns out McDonnell was a forward, or some may say backward, thinking graduate student back in 1989. While studying for his masters in public policy at Regent University (which I've never heard of), McDonnell wrote a thesis that described working women as "detrimental" to the traditional family. This included criticism for federal tax credits for childcare, which of course is the cause of women entering the workforce (his words, not mine). He criticized the legalization of contraception for unmarried couples and showed his dislike of the "purging" of religion in schools. He wanted these schools to teach "Judeo-Christian values."

Of course his explanation is that he has grown considerably since then, though it is hard to believe that someone has grown less conservative in their religious values. If he wants religion taught in schools, that's his view. There are private schools for that, but that is less important, I think, than the contraception issue. Seems that even in 1989 an unplanned pregnancy between unmarried people is worse than one with a married couple. Again, I don't vote in Virginia - yet. But this is interesting stuff.

The winner will follow Tim Kaine, a popular governor who was well liked by the conservative community even as a Democrat. That is common in some places - not in Virginia. Just ask Rep. Tom Perriello.


And, while there are most surely many stories present on this Tuesday before labor day, the other one that is catching my eye is in California. Wildfires are again ravaging the southern part of the state, very near populated areas. Over 120,00 acres have burned. This is a yearly occurrence in California and Washington, as well as other places and yes, partially caused by climate change.

The LA Times is keeping a blog solely devoted to the fires right now.

One of the more interesting questions, past the issues of people's safety (two firefighters have died) and the destruction of homes, is what some of the many planned sporting events do. While it may not seem serious, thousands of people flock to Los Angeles to watch sports each weekend and with it being Labor Day, surely many were planning some activities.

UCLA is still planning to play San Diego State in their football opener on Saturday, despite the fire being just 10 miles from the Rose Bowl.

I remember in San Diego, when some athletes lost homes, the UW men's soccer team was scheduled to play down there during the fire. The game was cancelled.

This isn't at the level of San Diego yet. But pay close attention.

Just a few links:

Remember when I said this was happening a lot? Well...

Yes Southern California and Arizona, there is a hurricane, Cat. 5, coming too.

Lastly, remember that sports blog idea I floated a couple of days ago? Well, look for that, soon.

Things are getting pretty busy around here. Took me about four hours on and off just to get this post done. In and out of the room. Have a meeting about new media later. Setting up a tele-Town Hall (don't ask) and a rally as well. I have become an LTE (Letter to the Editor) machine. At least four a day. Seriously, feels like there should only be so many ways you can say the same thing...My head might explode if I keep trying to remember the rest of my to-do list. Thank goodness for a steno pad.

Comments are always good. I like letters too. Who doesn't like getting mail?

Stay classy.