Raleigh County Republican Delegate Brandon Steele is neither a potential murderer or a racist.
Sensationalized claims by political opponents are unfair and lack the compassionate understanding liberals claim to have. That does not slow down those who seek to create fear and misdirection.
Steele is being criticized basically because he contracted the Covid virus for a second time. And, on a second front, because he championed common sense regarding historic monuments.
Let’s examine the first criticism of Steele. As Chair of the House Government Organization Committee, he’s been a busy man this session. Dozens of bills have been considered.
In the name of Covid-19 protocol, never once has Steele criticized or joked about masks and social distancing. Some may have; he has not.
Nor has Steele downplayed the seriousness of Covid. He had it earlier, he knows how brutal it can be.
You read that correctly. Steele had Covid before contracting it again a week before last.
Many “experts” would tell you that you can’t get Covid twice. Steele was told that yet he exercised caution throughout the current session. He wore his mask and social distanced when possible.
For Democrat leadership to imply that Steele knowingly risked lives is preposterous. Actually, it’s a lie and they know it.
At an early last week press conference, Democrat leaders sowed seeds of panic and despair. To hear them tell it, Steele had likely infected all 133 other members. Fear raises anxiety and that’s what Democrats are serving these days.
Interestingly, by the time Steele returns to the capitol this week, not a single additional legislator or employee has tested positive. So much for the Jack the Ripper comparisons.
Steele, like most public officials, will keep public safety foremost in mind during his interaction with others. He will dutifully wear his mask, social distance, and follow all other safety regulations. He doesn’t want to contract the virus for a THIRD time.
As far as racial bigotry is concerned, Steele has a record of tolerance and understanding. He and his fellow Republicans moved to establish a fair and reasonable process by which offensive statues and monuments can be removed.
Their bill seeks a level playing field for statue removal consideration. Yet those on the left who would allow the statue of U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, the Ku Klux Klan organizer, to stand while tearing down Confederate General Stonewall Jackson have the gall to call Steele a racist.
Byrd used the “n” word on national TV years after allegedly “seeing the light” on racial equality. Jackson and his wife taught Sunday School class for African-American children in Lexington, Virginia.
Steele did nothing on this subject except fight for justice and equality.
To characterize him as a bigot trying to spread a deadly disease is despicable and shows the clear lack of compassion they have for an ill colleague — if he’s a conservative Republican.