Virginia
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8:45 p.m.
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Today House Democratic Leader David Toscano gave a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates today talking about American job growth and asking why the state House Republicans in the majority have been sidetracked by a social agenda during this session. View it below and check out an interactive version of [...]...
Albemarle County Democratic Party - 3:42 p.m. - 8 clicks 
The Virginia legislature has raced to try to reach the top of the bigotry/repression/hate list among the states. No longer do the few less than 50% of Virginia's citizens count for anything. We simply do not exist! Here's some News from The ACLU: While there was some success defending reproductive freedom this week, the Senate did pass a bill (21-Y, 18-N) requiring women to h...
DailyKos (Virginia) - 3:24 p.m. - 11 clicks
In the same vein of bigotry demonstrated by the Virginia House of Delegates and supported by the religious extremists at The Family Foundation, Rick "Froth Mix" Santorum told a gay man at a campaign appearance in Missouri that the man was not entitled to civil equality because "gay relationships don't benefit society." Apparently, under Santorum's reading of the U. S. Constitution, the Eq...
Michael in Norfolk - 3:04 p.m. - 9 clicks
In yet another move that underscores that the GOP controlled Virginia General Assembly has nothing but contempt for LGBT Virginians - and the U. S. Constitution - the House of Delegates has passed a bill that permits adoption and foster care agencies being funded by the Commonwelth to discriminate against gays in adoption and foster care placements. The bigotry is yet the latest demonst...
Michael in Norfolk - 3:04 p.m. - 7 clicks
Per CBS News : In an effort to cut the unemployment rate among veterans, President Barack Obama is calling for a new conservation program that would put veterans to work rebuilding trails, roads and levees on public lands . The president also will seek more grant money for programs that allow local communities to hire more police officers and firefighters . "Let's get more cops...
Blue Virginia - 1:04 p.m. - 9 clicks
An update from KeepTheBan.org : Thanks to you and your hard work, the uranium industry did not have the votes in the General Assembly to introduce a bill to lift the ban. On January 19th, Gov. McDonnell was forced to concede that a report from the National Academy of Sciences identified “important questions related to the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment.” As a ...
The Green Miles - 1:04 p.m. - 10 clicks
Senator Creigh Deeds sends his latest weekly newsletter from the General Assembly Session in Richmond. Dear friend: January has come and gone. Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, and it appears that six more weeks of winter weather are ahead. We saw temperatures in the 70s in Richmond this week. Hopefully Phil is predicting six [...]...
Albemarle County Democratic Party - 10:05 a.m. - 10 clicks
by Paul Goldman As a general rule, an improving jobs picture nationally means that states like Virginia are going to be doing even better. The GOP 2012 strategy is anchored in blaming Democrats for the state of things economic. I read last night the transcript from the first Kennedy-Nixon debate, a fascinating read. The two future Presidents - the only time this has ever happened - debated dom...
Blue Virginia - 9:09 a.m. - 8 clicks
David Axelrod, President Obama's political strategist, was interviewed by NPR's Steve Inskeep this morning: INSKEEP : What do you think has happened im the states that the president, somewhat unexpectedly in some cases, won in 2008 where he seems to be in deep trouble now, Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia, all states that he won in 2008 and it would be hard to find an analyst who is cert...
Blue Virginia - 7:05 a.m. - 9 clicks
Peter G. Decker, Jr., Norfolk lawyer, judge and philanthropist, has died. My condolences to the family. I think everyone has a favorite Uncle Pete story. Mine is the recording provided to me by pianist Pat Curtis, who worked with Decker on it. Decker sang “My Funny Valentine,” and it was amazing. Filed under: Local, Norfolk ...
Vivian J. Paige - 6:27 a.m. - 10 clicks
On the same day the Obama administration announced streamlined permitting process for offshore wind energy, possible turbines off the Virginia coast took a big step forward : Dominion Virginia Power is interested in building up to 400 wind turbines in Atlantic waters in what could be a powerful message for a slowly emerging domestic source of clean energy. "If everything aligns and it mak...
The Green Miles - 6:06 a.m. - 19 clicks
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, February 3. Tim Kaine warns against 'swiftboat'operative Chris LaCivita to raise money for Senate campaign Va. expected to lift handgun limit House votes to ban subsidies for poor women who abort fetuses with birth defects House passes bills to allow primary write-ins, change primary date Feds allo...
Blue Virginia - 4:03 a.m. - 7 clicks
Living in Virginia we have many embarrassing politicians. Indeed, the entire GOP delegation to the Virginia General Assembly largely qualifies as knuckle dragging Neanderthals with a penchant for mindlessly following the dictates handed down by the Christofascists at The Family Foundation. But when one factors in sleaze, the Congressman Eric Cantor has few rivals when it comes to being an ...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 7:44 p.m. - 10 clicks
On a warm Groundhog Day & with mild temperatures forecast to continue across Virginia through the 10-day outlook, E&E News (sub. req.) takes a closer look at at how global warming is impacting Punxsutawney Phil & friends: Groundhogs are one of the few animals that achieve true, or "profound," hibernation, burrowing down below the frost line for the coldest months of the year. During this peri...
Blue Virginia - Thu 10:42 a.m. - 9 clicks
Update by Miles : "Dominion Virginia Power is interested in building up to 400 wind turbines in Atlantic waters in what could be a powerful message for an emerging domestic source of clean energy," reports the AP . Good news, courtesy of Environment Virginia (see statement on the "flip") and the Obama Administration. Of course, Bob McDonnell - and even, in fairness, several leading Democra...
Blue Virginia - Thu 8:49 a.m. - 11 clicks
by Paul Goldman In the history of American politics, no Southern Republican on the Eastern side of the Big Muddy has ever been nominated for national office. The VP power lists are already being circulated on the GOP side with the assumption that Mitt Romney will be the party's presidential pick. The latest one lists Virginian McDonnell as #2 on Dick Clark's hit parade, behind Florida Senator ...
Blue Virginia - Thu 8:49 a.m. - 12 clicks
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. In it, I urge the voters in Norfolk to sign the petition to place on the ballot the question of whether Norfolk should have an elected school board. I don’t believe it can be said too many times: the issue right now is to get … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Thu 6:01 a.m. - 13 clicks
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, February 2. Also, check out the video about how Willard doesn't give a rat's hindquarters about the poor OR about the middle class. Nope, he's 100% about the top 1%. And last but not least, see the video in the comments section of President Obama announcing "African Americans for Obama" in African-American his...
Blue Virginia - Thu 4:21 a.m. - 14 clicks
Hermanze Edwin Fauntleroy Jr. So I was on twitter last night and happen to see this. I thought it was an interesting idea and I decided to try it out. All day I've been kind of torn on who I wanted to really focus on first. Then I thought "maybe I should go local" and well, it probably doesn't get any closer than this. You see for the firs...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Wed 9:00 p.m. - 13 clicks
Virginia Governor Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell and his fellow Christofascists in the Republican Party of Virginia are striving to make abortion unavailable - even if not technically illegal - in Virginia. The excuse for implementing new clinic regulations to force the closure of clinics is always couched in terms of "safety" and "protecting women." The latest GOP effort in the General Assem...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 7:22 p.m. - 13 clicks
If you haven’t seen the video of the floor amendment offered by Sen. Janet Howell to the ultrasound bill, check it out below. If it weren’t so sad, this would be funny. Filed under: Local, Politics, Virginia ...
Vivian J. Paige - Wed 9:29 a.m. - 14 clicks
The Norfolk Public Schools will hold a meeting this evening to “discuss the community’s educational priorities in the development of NPS’ Fiscal Year 2013 budget,” according to the website. The meeting will begin at 6:30pm at Norview High School, located at 6501 Chesapeake Blvd. I understand the format of tonight’s meeting was changed last night … Continue read...
Vivian J. Paige - Wed 5:48 a.m. - 13 clicks
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus held a "Protect Our Vote" Rally on the morning of January 31, 2012 at the Bell Tower in the lower southwestern corner of Capitol Square in downtown Richmond, Virginia (near the corner of 9th and Franklin Streets). The "Protect Our Vote" Rally featured Special Guest Civil Rights leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis. The General Assembly voted on voter suppression bi...
The Richmonder - Tue 5:04 p.m. - 16 clicks
The BRAD BLOG has received confirmation that the Virginia Attorney General's office is investigating the Newt Gingrich campaign for fraud after some 1,500 signatures needed to get Gingrich on the GOP primary ballot were found to be bogus. Gingrich failed to get the necessary signatures needed to get on the primary ballot in Virginia; the only ones who did were Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. More af...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Tue 2:03 p.m. - 14 clicks
Virginia GOP U.S. Senate candidate George Allen has been named the first member of the 2012 League of Conservation Voters Dirty Dozen : ...
The Green Miles - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 28 clicks
Delegate David Toscano sends his third update from the General Assembly Session in Richmond, “Voter Suppression and Attacks on the Poor.” This week of the 2012 General Assembly will be the busiest yet as Republicans in the House try to pass a number of bills targeted primarily at low income and minority [...]...
Albemarle County Democratic Party - Tue 9:02 a.m. - 3 clicks
Funeral arrangements for Matt Geary (1969 - 2012) have been released. Matt will return one more time to our alma mater, Benedictine High School, before he is laid to rest. Visitation Wednesday, February 1, 2012 5:00PM-8:00PM Bliley's Funeral Home Central 3801 Augusta Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23230 Funeral Mass Thursday, February 2, 2012 12:00 Noon Saint Benedict Catholic Church (at Be...
The Richmonder - Tue 9:01 a.m. - 19 clicks
Devilishly brilliant. Too bad it got shot down. To protest a bill that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion, Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) on Monday attached an amendment that would require men to have a rectal exam and a cardiac stress test before obtaining a prescription for erectile dysfunction medication. "Erectile dysfuction medication"...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Tue 6:45 a.m. - 11 clicks
That would be the Norfolk City Council, save councilman Tommy Smiegel. I may have to go back to referring to them as the seven bumps on a log. In an article today, Smigiel, in his first term on council and a contributor to this blog, stands alone in wanting his colleagues to pursue some kind … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Tue 6:25 a.m. - 22 clicks
My first diary be gentle From Blue Virginia a Dem ( woman with balls ) http://www.bluevirginia.us/... Wow. I've decided I really like Janet Howell (D-Fairfax)! As the Virginia State Senate was ready to pass a bill requiring women who seek an abortion to undergo an ultrasound and then be asked whether they wished to view the results and hear the fetal heartbeat, Howell decided the time ...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Tue 6:06 a.m. - 16 clicks
Marty Jewell (center) with Occupy Richmond on December 18, 2011 Some embarrassing financial questions have cropped up to dog Richmond City Councilman Marty Jewell on the eve of his run for re-election: Richmond City Councilman E. Martin Jewell hasn't accounted for all of the money he spent in his re-election campaign four years ago or reported almost $4,000 he raised at a fundraiser last spri...
The Richmonder - Tue 3:10 a.m. - 16 clicks
This Place Augusta Series January 31, 2012 7:00PM Augusta County Government Center “Town and Country Augusta” gives the farmer’s perspective on the rural lifestyle. Farms and forest drive the economy and add to quality of life. What are the changes and the challenges for those who work the land? (Speaker Steve Saufley, Virginia Farm Bureau Board Member) FREE. Refreshments provi...
Blue Ridge Data - Mon 8:07 p.m. - 15 clicks
Crossposted at ProgressVA . In direct conflict with his months of criticizing the stimulus, George Allen spent the last two weeks touring and touting the economic successes of two Virginia firms that received millions in stimulus grants. One of them, Ennis Electric Company, Allen visited last week and left out of his praise for the company was the fact the firm has benefitted from nearly $1...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Mon 12:04 p.m. - 15 clicks
On Super Tuesday (March 6) Virginians will be given very limited choices. There won't be any Democratic primary and the Republican primary will feature only two options Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. Virginia does not have party registration, though, so any registered voter can vote in this primary, and I am encouraging all Obama supporters to do so and vote for Paul to give Romney an emb...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Mon 6:28 a.m. - 15 clicks
Matthew Geary, former candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Henrico, dead of apparent suicide: Geary’s campaign ran into trouble after a highly orchestrated attack on his character by Republican leaders, including U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th. The leaders revealed that Geary had engaged in an affair with a married woman in recent years. I watched this … Continue reading ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 5:28 a.m. - 16 clicks
If you haven’t seen this map from Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, then you might be missing why the tide seems to be turning towards Mitt Romney. Sabato calls it a “Newt-mare,” a spin on the word nightmare. If Gingrich is the nominee, it’s not just the presidency that Republicans lose, but a lot of those … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 5:00 a.m. - 17 clicks
Peyton Williams, a retired Army special forces Lt. Colonel, announced he was going to run for the 5th District seat in the House of Representatives. The Daily Progress has more: Originally from Norfolk, Williams has lived in Charlottesville since 1996. He and his wife, Bobbie, have been married for 33 years. Williams received [...]...
Albemarle County Democratic Party - Sun 4:49 p.m. - 18 clicks
Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor issued the following statement in connection with the passing of Matt Geary earlier today: Shannon Taylor Expresses Profound Sympathy on Matt Geary’s Passing Henrico – Today, Shannon Taylor, Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, released the following statement on hearing of the passing of Matt Geary. Ms. Taylor said, “I want to offer m...
The Richmonder - Sun 2:40 p.m. - 20 clicks
Matt Geary, the former Republican candidate for Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney, has been found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. Geary was found around 1:00pm today in a home on 2200 block of Lauderdale Drive. More details as they become available. Here is Matt's bio from his website; he had recently updated it to reflect his return to private practice: Currently, Matt G...
The Richmonder - Sun 2:01 p.m. - 28 clicks
A message from Brian Moran, Chairman of the Democratic Part of Virginia: DPVA Asks You To Take Action To Protect Every Virginians Right To Vote Dear Friends – There’s something happening in Richmond that I think you should know about. Right now,Republican legislators are going out of their way to make it harder for Virginians across this Commonwealth to vote. Republicans are pushing legis...
The Richmonder - Sun 11:09 a.m. - 13 clicks
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has issued a call to action and requests your presence at their "PROTECT OUR VOTE" RALLY on the morning of January 31, 2012 at 10:00am at the Bell Tower in the lower southwestern corner of Capitol Square in downtown Richmond, Virginia (near the corner of 9th and Franklin Streets). The "PROTECT OUR VOTE RALLY" will feature Special Guest Civil Rights leader...
The Richmonder - Sun 9:46 a.m. - 11 clicks
Please join Former First Lady of Virginia Anne Holton for a reception honoring Governor Tim Kaine to benefit his campaign for U.S. Senate Host Committee (In formation): Annie Kasper ~ Frances Lewis Alexa Quinn ~ Susan Swecker Sponsors (In Formation): Heidi Abbot ~ Amy Bridge ~ Rosann Bocciarelli ~ Gina Boyle Kimberly Bowers ~ Sherrie [...]...
The Farm Team - Sun 8:06 a.m. - 18 clicks
I stopped by the opening of the new Obama Richmond campaign office opening this afternoon, but I didn't get very far. The turnout was huge and completely overwhelmed the building. I peeked through the window and saw Congressman Bobby Scott and Mayor Dwight Jones addressing a packed room. With the crowd inside jammed elbow to elbow and a line stretching out the door I realized that I'd never ...
The Richmonder - Sat 11:25 a.m. - 19 clicks
Having grown up in Richmond, Virginia, I understand some things about a certain strain of conservatism. I know that to some conservatives any idea that challenges the establishment will be called “liberal.” In the 1960s people who opposed the war in Vietnam were called “pinkos,” which was a pale shade of red -- meaning Bolshevik. Citizens who worked to end Jim Crow laws and segregation in public...
SLANTblog - Sat 11:04 a.m. - 15 clicks
This is just sad sad sad. From the Washington Post The Virginia House of Delegates has passed legislation repealing a requirement that girls receive a vaccine to prevent a virus that can cause cervical cancer...The House voted 62-34 Friday to pass the bill, sponsored by Republican Del. Kathy Byron of Campbell County. The bill now goes to the Senate, where similar legislation died last yea...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Sat 11:04 a.m. - 12 clicks
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is holding a rally Tuesday morning, January 31, to demonstrate the opposition to some of the bills that have been introduced that would reduce the right to vote. Civil Rights leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis will be there, along with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott and Richmond mayor Dwight Jones. Participants are … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 14 clicks
The Richmond City Democratic Committee met on Thursday night and elected its officers and executive committee for 2012 and 2013. Chairman Emeritus Jim Nachman presided over the election in a packed meeting room in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The results of the election were as follows: Officers Chair: JJ Minor 1st Vice-Chair: Nick Kessler 2nd Vice-Chair: Jeff Bourne 3rd Vice-Chair: Oph...
The Richmonder - Fri 10:42 p.m. - 17 clicks
Today at noon, the Obama Campaign opens its Richmond campaign headquarters. You are invited to attend the grand opening. Congressman Bobby Scott--along with other special guests and local Obama supporters--will celebrate the office's official opening. Click here if you would like to RSVP Saturday, January 28, 2012 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM 408 E. Main St. Richmond, VA 23219 ...
The Richmonder - Fri 9:48 p.m. - 15 clicks
Senator Creigh Deeds sends his latest weekly newsletter from the General Assembly Session in Richmond. Dear friend: The 2012 session of the General Assembly is moving by rapidly. Deadlines for the submission of bills and budget amendments have long passed, and both houses of the Assembly are in full swing. There were both good and [...]...
Albemarle County Democratic Party - Jan 27 - 17 clicks
Cross posted from Blue Virginia This morning in the Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates, a nasty piece of voter disenfranchisement legislation , HB 9, passed out of committee on a 15-6 vote. Sponsored by Del. Mark Cole (R-Spotsylvania), this bill would effectively "suppress the vote of the elderly, the young, the poor and minorities," whil addressing the non-existen...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Jan 27 - 18 clicks
At Richmond Magazine Harry Kollatz focuses his blog, The Hat, on the Biograph Theatre's 40th anniversary celebration and perhaps a new artsy cinema in the works: The Biograph Theatre closed in December 1987, just shy of its 16th anniversary and amid its “Last Gasp Film Festival,” when the landlord padlocked its doors, ending a consistent run of art-house repertory cinema in Richmond. ...
SLANTblog - Jan 27 - 14 clicks
The Norfolk Citizens for An Elected School Board is holding its second meeting tomorrow morning. The time has changed from the original announcement: it will be held at 10:30am at the Pretlow Library in Ocean View. The meeting is expected to last an hour, with an advisory committee meeting following. Both meetings are open to … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jan 27 - 26 clicks
My latest op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. In it, I take a brief look at some of the implications of a merger between Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School, a study of which has been proposed by Del. Johnny Joannou in HJ173. As an ODU alum, I would love to have a … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jan 26 - 5 clicks
In its informal session yesterday, Norfolk City Council received a presentation on the proposals for Waterside. The document that was presented is here (pdf) and the video is here. Of equal interest to me in the session yesterday was an update on the Community Services Board. City Manager Marcus Jones’ information on how to handle … Continue reading » ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jan 25 - 9 clicks
State Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia Are all these GOP state legislators and governors meeting up on the same Facebook page? One would think so given the speed with which these usually slow-moving politicians on issues like clean energy and environmental protection have embraced bills to drug test people collecting welfare and unemployment checks. The latest entry is Virginia. Before...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Jan 25
Chicago recently announced that they’d be sharing the GPS-tracked positions of snowplows online, for people wondering when their neighborhood would be plowed, and what roads are cleared. Now VDOT is doing the same in Virginia, although only upstate. →...
Waldo Jaquith - Jan 25 - 6 clicks
Just in case you wondered what it would look like if someone attended their own funeral, take a look at Eric Cantor's reaction to President Obama's plan to incentivize companies to bring jobs back to the United States. Eric Cantor bet against the United States, and he's none too happy that he's about to lose his bet. ...
The Richmonder - Jan 24 - 2 clicks
Right wing terrorists Schaeffer Cox, Coleman Barney, and Lonnie Vernon face additional charges related to their plan to wage war against the United States: Schaeffer Cox and two of his followers in the Alaska Peacemaker Militia appeared in court on Monday expecting to file more motions to dismiss the charges against them. Instead they were greeted with additional indictments by a federal grand jur...
The Richmonder - Jan 24 - 3 clicks
Crossposted at ProgressVA . Conservative lawmakers in Virginia's House and Senate are so eager to attack working Virginians, they're throwing smart business protections for taxpayer dollars out the window--and they're doing it with the help of the national, pro-corporate greed group ALEC . Legislation that has been approved by House and Senate committees seeks to prohibit Project Labor Agr...
DailyKos (Virginia) - Jan 24 - 3 clicks
