By Bob Gibson
Daily Progress political blogger

For the first time in the history of the world, some ads run on a pair of Arab TV networks may have an impact on a Charlottesville to Danville congressional race.

Tom Perriello, the Democrat challenging 5th District Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, helped raise money in 2004 to pay for ads on al-Jazaara and al-Arabiya that featured the comments of American religious leaders who apologized for the torture of some Iraqi citizens held in prisons by Americans.

America was showing moral leadership in the ads, according to Perriello. The ad text read: “As Americans of faith, we express our deep sorrow at abuses committed in Iraqi prisons. We stand in solidarity with all those in Iraq and everywhere who demand justice and human dignity. We condemn the sinful and systematic abuses committed in our name and pledge to work to right these wrongs.“

The Danville Register & Bee quoted a Baptist preacher in that community as saying the use of torture techniques on prisoners could be useful to save lives.

The Danville story by reporter Bernard Baker also quoted a retired Episcopal minister who supported Perriello’s effort and said he is the kind of person needed to undo the damage the Bush administration has done to the nation and America’s international reputation.

The story quoted Goode as saying he would not spend money on Arab television networks. This is far from the last that voters in the 5th will hear about these ads.