Virginia
updated
7:58 a.m.
Happy 232 Birthday, USA! Note: While you and yours are celebrating the birth of our Nation ... please take time to remember all those who helped build this extraordinary country ... ...
VirginiaDem - 7:39 a.m.
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the sep...
Michael in Norfolk - 7:01 a.m.
The Green Miles is spending Independence Day weekend in Rhode Island visiting family and remembering what life is like outside the Beltway. Thanks to my (not so much successful) campaign for House of Delegates, this is my first trip outside the DC area since December. Right now, I'm sitting on a curb in Cumberland, RI as The Green Girlfriend and a couple of my cousins run the Arnold Mills Fou...
Blue Virginia - 7:01 a.m.
Find out where to watch it, and get some great previews, at Steephill.tv. If you live in the US and have access to Versus, it’s available in HD this year. Come on by and talk about it during and after each stage at PodiumCafe.com Welcome to the rest of my July. ...
Blacknell.net - 7:00 a.m.
1. HMMM. SO YOU SAY THAT HOW? 2. GOP VISITS BATH 3. VIRGINIA’S GAY DEMOCRATS WARMING TO SEN. DEEDS 4. SUROVELL OFFICIALLY NOMINATED 5. PERRIELLO RESPONDS TO GOP ATTACK ON GREEN BILL VOTE 6. GOODE WILL DECIDE SOON ON 2010 RACE 7. ANALYST SAYS PALIN COULD BE DONE WITH POLITICS 8. EFFECTS OF THE STORM STILL BEING FELT; BOTH LANES OF HRBT TO OPEN 9 A.M. SATURDAY 9. MORE WORK NEEDED AT...
Blue Virginia - 5:57 a.m.
The President recounts Americas great history of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, and pledges to lead America in continuing that tradition. Focusing on creating a clean energy economy, comprehensive health reform, and revitalizing an education system in need of change, the President pledges not to leave these decades-old problems to yet another generation to solve. July ...
Blue Virginia - 5:57 a.m.
What an amazing song. Also, I can't embed this, but click here for Springsteen singing "Independence Day" back in 1978. Well say goodbye it's Independence Day All boys must run away come Independence Day So say goodbye it's Independence Day All men must make their way come Independence Day ...
Blue Virginia - 3:09 a.m.
So Sarah Palin can't finish the job she ran, and was elected to. The New York Times says her press conference was "rambling". Does that surprise anyone? “As I thought about this announcement that I would not seek re-election, I thought about how much fun other governors have as lame ducks: They maybe travel around their state, travel to other states, maybe take their overseas inter...
What IS Right for Virginia - Fri 8:59 p.m. - 2 clicks 
Is Sarah Palin the next talking head on TV? Is she running for cover, or running for president? Slid in under the door, with a long weekend and the frenzy over Jacko's death serving as distractions -- with no warning or explanation -- what a bizarre story ! ...
SLANTblog - Fri 8:59 p.m.
2012 is a long way away and everyday Sarah Palin will become more and more irrelevant. In the meantime, I expect her to be stumping for Bob McDonnell in Virginia with the ol' "Drill Baby Drill" meme. ...
VB Dems - Fri 6:43 p.m. - 3 clicks
Here's an interesting map for you demographics buffs. Patchwork Nation was first developed to cover the 2008 election. But it is being reincarnated to "cover more communities and more topics, with a focus on the economy and how it affects different sorts of communities". Maine is in big trouble being almost in the Service Industry. The Campus and Career areas seem ideal but there are so few ...
VB Dems - Fri 6:29 p.m.
Here is what the Washington Post's Stephen Stromberg thinks. "All together, the picture is of a politician with obvious abilities to connect to ordinary folks -- but one who is also arrogant, unstable and unwise . Her latest move makes the image even clearer." No argument here. UPDATE : Click here for more commentary, including Republican strategist John Weaver who s...
Blue Virginia - Fri 4:09 p.m.
Go Scott! July 3, 2009 For immediate release Today, Scott A. Surovell became the Democratic nominee for state delegate in the 44th District in the Mount Vernon and U. S. 1 area of Fairfax County. Surovell, age 37, is seeking the seat held by Delegate Kristen Amundson, who recently announced that she is retiring. No other candidate filed today to replace Amundson, allowing Surovell to...
Blue Virginia - Fri 4:09 p.m.
What is it with these Republican Governors? Today, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin decided that, we won’t have Palin to kick around anymore. In a bizarre news conference, she announced that she would not be running for re-election as Governor and she will resign in three weeks on July 26 at the Governor’s picnic. (A picnic? How quaint!) GOP [...] ...
Fake Virginia - Fri 3:25 p.m.
Annual July 4 Picnic & Celebration Jody Wagner will be there. Will you? Fireworks, BBQ and Democrats: three essential ingredients for a fantastic party. Jody Wagner, Virginia's Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, will be attending. You won't want to miss our annual 4th of July celebration, hosted by Bob Zwick at his Dondoric Farm. ......
VirginiaDem - Fri 3:07 p.m.
With Gov. Sarah Palin stepping down, it would be tempting to draw some conclusions. After all, no officeholder at the level of governor quits mid-term without a scandal or a nomination for a higher seat. But that’s thinking like a rational, experienced political operative. Palin, on the other hand, operates in her own little universe. [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 3:07 p.m. - 3 clicks
A couple of weeks ago I donated $100 to a presumably puzzled Republican Party of Virginia. Why? Last November I offered to make a $100 bet that Jeff Frederick would seek reelection to the House of Delegates after Frederick promised that he wouldn’t do so if he became the chair of the RPV. Shaun Kenney took me [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 3:07 p.m. - 3 clicks
Politico reports that the scandal-plagued and controversy-proned Alaska governor, who made her national debut at last year’s Republican National Convention, is resigning her governorship later this month: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she was resigning her office later this month, a stunning decision that could free her to run for president more easily but [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Fri 1:54 p.m.
The BBC reports that scientists believe that they have discovered a single mega-colony of ants: Researchers in Japan and Spain led by Eiriki Sunamura of the University of Tokyo found that Argentine ants living in Europe, Japan and California shared a strikingly similar chemical profile of hydrocarbons on their cuticles. But further experiments revealed the true extent [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Fri 1:10 p.m.
Or at least, that’s what he reveals in a series of recently released interviews conducted prior to his execution in 2006: Saddam Hussein told an FBI interviewer before he was hanged that he allowed the world to believe he had weapons of mass destruction because he was worried about appearing weak to Iran, according to declassified [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Fri 1:10 p.m.
Needless to say, this is not good (nor something we see very frequently in Arlington): An unidentified man fired at least one shot at the Apple Store Clarendon in Arlington, Virginia shortly after the store opened Friday morning, wounding at least one... For more, see DCist and the Washington Post . An Arlington police dispatcher said the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Hel...
Blue Virginia - Fri 11:43 a.m. - 3 clicks
This is utterly pathetic, but sadly so typical of the "Don't-Tread-on-Me" waving (note the photo from this "UNABASHEDLY PRO-LIBERTY" blog ) "teabagger" crazies. ...Yesterday a bunch of Tea-Party-folks gathered outside Perriello's office to voice their displeasure. They'd been enflamed by a couple of local Rush-Limbaugh wanna-be radio hosts and they came out with their signs and their mega...
Blue Virginia - Fri 11:43 a.m.
Columnists routinely remind their readers of when they were right. Sometimes they come right out and say, "I told you so." Other times they disguise their reminders by draping them with clever phrases, turned just so. When a columnist says "I was wrong," it is unusual, but that's exactly what Michael Paul Williams did in Thursday's Richmond Times-Dispatch. In hindsight, my frustration at inacti...
SLANTblog - Fri 10:10 a.m. - 4 clicks
Thus screamed the 2 1/2 inch high front page headline in Friday’s Virginian-Pilot. The accompanying article laid out how a simple malfunction created chaos for Hampton Roads drivers. A severe electrical and rain storm rolled across the bridge-tunnel Wednesday night, causing power outages and power surges. Apparently the power issues damaged a water main pump and [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Fri 9:48 a.m. - 5 clicks
It's not a secret to those who read my blog that I am a great fan of Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman . But the surest sign that Krugman has entered pop culture is not that prestigious Swedish prize, his bestselling books, like "Conscience of a Liberal" or his frequent appearances on television as a talking head. No, it's that he has a song about him. It's...
Anonymous Is A Woman - Fri 9:36 a.m.
A bunch of angry, unhinged teabaggers protested at Rep. Tom Perriello’s office yesterday, calling him a “traitor,” “coward,” “prostitute,” and accusing him of “treason.” They believe that global climate change doesn’t exist. (Not that it’s not man-made, but that it doesn’t exist.) Politically, this is an awfully foolish approa...
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 9:17 a.m. - 2 clicks
Mickey Powell writes for the Martinsville Bulletin: Former congressman Virgil Goode Jr. said Thursday he plans to decide soon whether to run again for the 5th District U.S. House of Representatives seat. The veteran lawmaker, a Republican from Rocky Mount, said his decision is “not too far off,” but “I haven’t set an iron clad deadline” for [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 9:00 a.m.
Monday’s Ricci ruling has been hailed and scorned throughout the press this week. Many of the articles have focused on the fact that a 3-member appellate panel which included Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor had been overturned. One of the best articles I’ve read on the topic, though, comes from Linda Greenhouse of The New York [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Fri 9:00 a.m.
The Green Miles is in Providence for the Fourth of July. I just heard Dick Armey's FreedomWorks organization is holding another round of teabagging this weekend. The closest event? Nantucket . Nothing in Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts at all. To see the protest, I'd have to take a ferry to some of the most exclusive vacation property in the United States. If there's a teabag...
The Green Miles - Fri 7:54 a.m.
Yesterday this area experienced a major clusterf ck traffic wise because a simple pump failure in the west bound tube of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel - one of the two main connectors between south side Hampton Roads and the Peninsula and Richmond to the west. Virginia increasingly needs major injections of transportation spending to improve its overburdened interstate highways ...
Michael in Norfolk - Fri 7:26 a.m. - 2 clicks
Even worse than the usual adjectives - "socialist," "liberal," "tax and spend liberal," "commie," "Democrat" (without the "ic" at the end), "terrorist," etc. - Republicans use to "insult" Democrats, there's one that is particularly even by their own standards. Here it is , in reference to Tom Perriello's courageous, principled vote for clean energy, getting off of Saudi oil, and protecting the ...
Blue Virginia - Fri 7:26 a.m. - 2 clicks
It appears doubtful that opponents of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, have ever studied just what "cap and trade" is, or are aware of what it can and will accomplish. No, they listen to oil companies and take their fuzzy math as gospel. The less intelligent among them call supporters " traitors and cowards ", without a real clue. “We will take our country back and set it back on its...
What IS Right for Virginia - Fri 7:26 a.m.
From the Environmental Defense Fund: And as Blue Virginia reports , a Roanoke television station has refused to air a false National Republican Campaign Committee attack ad on Perriello. ...
The Green Miles - Fri 7:26 a.m.
Friday's "Whipple Clips," brought to you this morning by Del. Bob Brink. 1. GOP RAMPS UP 2. DEEDS BACKS RIGHT-TO-WORK; NO STAND ON CARD-CHECK 3. CAPS OWNER LEONSIS SHOOTS FOR DEEDS 4. VIRGINIA TAKES CENTER STAGE IN HEALTH-CARE DEBATE 5. OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE ARMY MARCHES 6. MOTORISTS STEW, OFFICIALS ANGERED BY GRIDLOCK DEBACLE 7. BOTH LANES OF WESTBOUND BRIDGE-TUNNEL REOPEN 8. PROTES...
Blue Virginia - Fri 5:38 a.m.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s op-ed in the Washington Post this morning, entitled "A President Breaks Hearts in Appalachia," is a must read. Calling it - correctly - an "Appalachian apocalypse," RFK, Jr. rails against a practice that has "demolished 500 mountains -- encompassing about a million acres -- buried hundreds of valley streams under tons of rubble, poisoned and uprooted countless communit...
Blue Virginia - Fri 5:00 a.m.
Doug Stanton's "Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan" is pretty extraordinary, and not just because of the length of its subtitle. I guess he didn't want people to confuse......
Armchair Generalist - Fri 3:20 a.m.
Another day, another pointless e-mail from the RPV about Creigh Deeds, once again alleging that Creigh is refusing to take a position on several national issues. The e-mail also makes some juvenile allegations about Creigh and Gov. Kaine that are laughably idiotic and internally inconsistent, for example, both accusing Deeds of “keeping mum” about Kaine’s travels for the DNC and “throwing his m...
The Virginia Democrat - Thu 8:52 p.m. - 2 clicks
Many of us continue to be angry at the Obama administration and many Congressional Democrats who seek out our money and our votes at election time yet seem to utterly forget about us - or suddenly develop amnesia - once they are elected. True, Obama had a soiree for A-List gays on Monday and made a pretty speech, but other than serving as a damage control stunt for the LGBT community, t...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 8:52 p.m.
Interesting to see the NRCC continue its negative false advertisements. Slow down guys! There’s a long time until January 2010, you don’t want to use all your lies all at once this year. ...
Heartland of Virginia - Thu 8:52 p.m.
I continue to hope that with time the Islamic fundamentalist dictatorship in Iran will be overthrow. Not only is the current regime the enemy of democracy, but it is also the enemy of LGBT individuals worldwide and is responsible for the execution of countless gays in Iran. Meanwhile, the stories of brutality and inhumanity on the part of the ruling dictatorship and its thugs continue to...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 7:09 p.m.
Another day, another pointless e-mail from the RPV about Creigh Deeds, once again alleging that Creigh is refusing to take a position on several national issues. The e-mail also makes some juvenile allegations about Creigh and Gov. Kaine that are laughably idiotic and internally inconsistent, for example, both accusing Deeds of “keeping mum” about Kaine’s travels for the DNC and “throwing his m...
Blue Virginia - Thu 7:09 p.m.
I have never been to India but have a number of clients of Indian descent a few of who are gay. While the ruling of the Delhi High Court will not alone end homophobia in India or among the Indian diaspora , the fact that same sex relations no longer carry a potential prison term cannot help but subconsciously begin to undermine some of the historic and societal bigotry against gays and lesb...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 6:31 p.m.
The Deeds campaign is letting no moss grow under their feet in these lazy days of summer... At a mid-day media event, earlier today in NoVa, US Senator Mark Warner pulled out some big guns from the Virginia business community, in a powerful show of support for Creigh Deeds, from a sector that has traditionally been seen as a solidly Republican base. Not so much anymore. After successive pro-b...
Blue Ridge Data - Thu 6:30 p.m. - 10 clicks
Just when you think the NRCC can't stoop any lower, they out do themselves. This one has already begun to backfire. WDBJ-TV in Roanoke has already refused to air the blatantly false ad. The NRCC ad credits a Washington Times editorial for its claim that the Waxman-Markey bill would make electricity prices “ skyrocket ,” costing families $1,870 a year. But the NRCC is wrong. The W...
What IS Right for Virginia - Thu 5:47 p.m. - 4 clicks
It's so refreshing to have a president who actually "gets it" on where we need to go regarding our energy and environmental challenges. Here, Obama "discusses the importance of energy to our new economic foundation, and praises new advancements that will help us successfully lead the world in the future." ...
Blue Virginia - Thu 4:40 p.m.
Also, see FactCheck , which basically debunks all the Republican false attacks on Tom Perriello regarding his vote for the Waxman-Markey clean energy, green jobs, and climate protection bill. According to FactCheck, it's very simple: "the NRCC is wrong." UPDATE from the DCCC: Roanoke TV Station Refuses to Air False NRCC Attack on Perriello WDBJ-TV, a Roanoke television stati...
Blue Virginia - Thu 1:44 p.m. - 2 clicks
Yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to interview Delegate Paul Nichols (D-51st; Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Woodbridge) . Del. Nichols was first elected in 2007, defeating Republican Faisal Gill 52%-48% in a "purple" district politically. This year, Nichols is being challenged by Republican Richard L. Anderson . As of on May 27, Nichols had a cash-on-hand balance of $56,289, while Anderson ha...
Blue Virginia - Thu 1:44 p.m. - 11 clicks
Kevin Drum – an Ancient One, in political blog time at least – isn’t too thrilled about the new blogging status quo: I write as much as I ever have, but in my posts I link more to news sources and less to other bloggers than I used to. I’m not sure why. Part of it [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Thu 1:43 p.m.
According to Gallup, Iranians don’t exactly trust our intentions when it comes to “democracy promotion.”: I am shocked – shocked – that decades of U.S. intervention in Iranian affairs – including a successful coup attempt – as well as the American willingness to prop up corrupt, repressive regimes has left Iranians with a sense that they [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Thu 1:43 p.m.
Let's review. When former oil industry lobbyists in George W. Bush's White House rewrote scientific reports to downplay concerns about global warming and manufacture false doubts and controversy, Republicans stayed absolutely silent. Now that the EPA is "ignoring a scientific study by a non-scientist that it never commissioned and which hasn't been published in any scientific journal," Re...
The Green Miles - Thu 1:43 p.m.
Congressman Glenn Nye (D-Va 2nd) is at this moment hosting his First Annual Hampton Roads Veterans Job Fair in Norfolk bringing together local employers, job counselors, and veterans who are looking for work. The response has greatly exceeded expectations in a region that is faring better than most during this economic downturn. One of Nye's focuses in Washington has been bills to help cr...
VB Dems - Thu 12:25 p.m. - 2 clicks
Mr. Baseball on the Boulevard, himself, Charlie Diradour, now wants reconciliation. Today Charlie Diradour extended his hand in peace to those in the opposite dugout at a press conference he called. Connecticut, the giant Indian sculpture, looked down over the scene, a thick layer of pollen dusted over its head and shoulders. Click here to read the story by Al Harris at Richmond BizSense. ...
SLANTblog - Thu 12:25 p.m. - 2 clicks
Congressman Glenn Nye (D-Va 2nd) is at this moment hosting his First Annual Hampton Roads Veterans Job Fair in Norfolk bringing together local employers, job counselors, and veterans who are looking for work. The response has greatly exceeded expectations in a region that is faring better than most during this economic downturn. One of Nye's focuses in Washington has been bills to help create ...
Blue Virginia - Thu 11:59 a.m.
I can’t really disagree with Ezra Klein here: Washington, DC: So do you think a constitutional amendment that gives more senators to larger states (from a range of 2 to, say, 8) would be feasible? I believe that is how it works in Germany’s upper house, the Bundesrat. It would leave the system pretty much intact [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Thu 11:43 a.m.
I just got back from the Kettler Capitals Iceplex above the Ballston Common Mall, where Sen. Creigh Deeds and U.S. Senator Mark Warner joined Washington Capitals and Mystics majority owner Ted Leonsis to announce the formation of "Business Leaders for deeds," described by the Deeds campaign as a "broad-based group of bipartisan, staewide business leaders who have agreed to advise and pr...
Blue Virginia - Thu 11:20 a.m.
Thanks as always to Tom Whipple for these... 1. MCDONNELL CHALLENGES DEEDS TO 10 DEBATES-UPDATED 2. OBAMA IN ANNANDALE, DEEDS IN HAMPTON ROADS 3. ANOTHER GOVERNOR'S TRAVELS ADD TO PRESSURE ON KAINE 4. DEEDS, MCDONNELL PLEDGE TO RELEASE SCHEDULE 5. VA. HOUSE OF DELEGATES: HAMILTON HOSTS TELE-TOWNHALL.... 6. 85TH HOUSE RACE PITS VETERAN AGAINST NEWCOMER 7. APCO HIKES OPPOSED BY LEGISLA...
Blue Virginia - Thu 11:20 a.m.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Osama bin Laden Needs to Attack America www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Jason Jones in Iran ...
Blacknell.net - Thu 11:20 a.m.
Senator Mark Warner joined Creigh Deeds today to announce the formation of “Business Leaders for Deeds,” a bipartisan group which will be lead by Ted Leonsis of McLean. Leonsis is the owner of the Washington Capitals. The press release (below the fold) includes the names of members – so far – of this steering committee. The [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Thu 10:03 a.m. - 8 clicks
The Environmental Defense Fund debunks 10 outrageous claims by House Republicans about the ACES bill to begin to address climate change: "As the House debate heated up, so did the hyperbole. We already knew that climate action opponents were, shall we say, special. They've spent years denying the reality of global warming and doing everything possible to delay action. But, last week's floor ...
VB Dems - Thu 9:24 a.m. - 3 clicks
I’m trying to take a few days off from work – at least regular work. Still have plenty of other things to do around the house. like cleaning, cutting the grass, some weeding in my flower beds. But I’m going to try to make it to HarborFest this weekend. Town Point Park has undergone a renovation [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Thu 8:42 a.m.
This is utterly pathetic , even by dying "old media" standards. For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, nonconfrontational access to "those powerful few" — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors. The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to ...
Blue Virginia - Thu 7:45 a.m.
Nice: For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, nonconfrontational access to “those powerful few” — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors. The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter...
Blacknell.net - Thu 7:44 a.m.
Karl Malden, an amazingly talented actor, has passed away at the age of 97. Karl Malden, a versatile Oscar-winning actor who built a six-decade Hollywood career playing heroes and heavies -- and, often, relatable ordinary men -- yet who was......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 7:43 a.m.
To pay the bills between blog posts, The Green Miles works at the National Wildlife Federation. NWF's Reston office sits next to Lake Fairfax Park, so we get everything from deer to groundhogs to snakes in our backyard. During these hot summer months, every once in a while an all-staff email will go out saying, "There are turtles keeping cool in the shade under cars in the parking lot, check unde...
The Green Miles - Thu 6:37 a.m. - 3 clicks
The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that a 29 year old U.S. Navy man (pictured at left) has been found apparently murdered at Camp Pendleton . Some gay activist believe the death was a hate crime that occurred after an argument over the victim's sexual orientation. A "person of interest" is being held for questioning. Sadly, because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, LGBT servicemembers have ...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 6:21 a.m.
For years the wingnuts have been selectively parsing the Bible to justify their general hatred and contempt for those who are not just like themselves. Thus, I guess it should be no surprise that an enterprising Christianist , Richard G. Lee, a Southern Baptist pastor from Georgia who served as the Bible's general editor, has decided to take it one step further and come up with a nativis...
Michael in Norfolk - Thu 6:21 a.m.
Virginia has received $285 million in funding for 45 Virginia highway projects, the first installment of nearly $700 million in transportation stimulus funds the state is scheduled to receive over the next year. There is about $25 million for three projects in Rep. Randy Forbes' district in Chesapeake, including the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. Rep. Randy Forbes voted against it. ...
VB Dems - Thu 6:21 a.m. - 2 clicks
The Graham-Talent bioscare show is still touring the United States. This week, they went to Jim Talent's current employer, The Heritage Foundation, which always enjoys a good escape from reality. There isn't anything new to report - well, the study......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 6:19 a.m.
I've been meaning to comment on the US government's tracking the North Korean ship that was trudging its way toward Burma (not Myanmar - that's an illegitimate name that the military leaders gave it). The suspicion is that there might......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 4:46 a.m.
SHORTER John Bolton: "Now that the Iranian elections are over, we should bomb them. It's only prudent." Honestly. What a jackass thing to suggest as the protests in Iran are still continuing. But the bigger jackass is Fred Hiatt for......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 4:46 a.m.
Tom Perriello is featured in an article by E.J. Dionne in today's Washington Post on "the new energy politics." Here's an excerpt: Hours before the House passed its cap-and-trade bill last week, freshman Democrats Tom Perriello and Frank Kratovil were pondering the political fallout of the votes they were about to cast in favor of a plan Republicans were denouncing as "cap-and-tax." " Maybe ...
Blue Virginia - Thu 3:11 a.m.
SurveyUSA is out with its latest approval ratings for governors and Senators. Here are the results for Virginia. Tim Kaine : 53%-40% (+13 points net approval), up 2 points from 50%-39% (+11) in the last SurveyUSA poll. Regionally, Kaine is wildly popular in NOVA (62%-26%), but not so much in Shenandoah (48%-46%) or Central Virginia (49%-48%). Overall, I'd say that these numbers qualify as "no...
Blue Virginia - Thu 3:11 a.m. - 15 clicks
The Ares defense blog has a great guest blogger who questions why DoD needs ten more years - after the six already spent - to develop its Navy acquisition project that is supposed to be so important. In case people......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 3:09 a.m.
Yesterday, Bob Holsworth at Virginia Tomorrow detailed the GOP playbook against Creigh Deeds for 2009, namely, tie him to Tim Kaine: Republicans assume that Kaine has little flexibility on issues- his role essentially requires him to defend whatever policies emerge from the White House and the Democratic-controlled Congress over the next four months. Health care reform. Overdue. Cap and trad...
The Virginia Democrat - Wed 8:38 p.m.
Recently, Christian researcher George Barna did a survey of of LGBT adults as a basis for his report entitled "Spiritual Profile of Homosexual Adults"which found that many gays did NOT fit the Christianist stereotype disseminated by the professional Christian set. Among the Barna Group findings that professional homophobes found heretical are the following: “People who port...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 8:19 p.m. - 2 clicks
UPDATED: A blogger friend/reader has advised me that DiSCust is a satire site much like the Onion, hence the story about Jenny Sanford blaming the gays for her husband's adultery is a spoof. I - and apparently many others - fell for it since it is EXACTLY the type of BS that the likes of Tony Perkins, James Dobson , Maggie Gallagher and other "professional Christians" whine about daily. ...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 8:19 p.m. - 2 clicks
Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing unrest in Iran, I sincerely hope that the news and blog coverage of events will have opened the eyes of thinking Americans - yes, that excludes Sarah Palin and most of the GOP base - to the fact that the image of Iran disseminated by the Bush/Cheney regime was NOT the full story. Young Iranians have risked their lives and died (like 18 year old As...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 8:19 p.m.
Quoth Republican lobbyist John Feehery: The metric system is the kind of thing that you can expect from the 60-vote filibuster-proof majority Democrats now have in the United States Senate. Nooooo!!! You bastards! Is there nothing too depraved for Congressional Democrats, no low that’s too low? At last, the nightmare scenario of a filibuster-proof Democratic majority has [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Wed 6:18 p.m.
Fight Brews Between Civil Liberties Groups and Obama | The Washington Independent Martha Nussbaum – A Right to Marry? Same-sex Marriage and Constitutional Law – Dissent Magazine ...
The United States of Jamerica - Wed 6:18 p.m.
Courtesy of Ox Road South , Chap Petersen has some thoughts on the Washington Post story about Fairfax County possibly becoming a city. Here's an excerpt from Chap's article, but definitely read the entire thing, including the interesting Virginia history lesson. If Fairfax is serious about becoming a City, it must recognize at least two things immediately: (1) it needs a new name and (2) all...
Blue Virginia - Wed 3:04 p.m. - 11 clicks
(Image courtesy of TPM) With the seating of Al Franken, Democrats now control a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Or do we? Everything I’ve read leads me to believe this majority is a myth – that is, getting all 60 of them to agree on much simply isn’t going to happen. And my own, albeit limited, [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Wed 3:03 p.m.
Can we say "delicate balancing act" ? With all this talk about Gov. Tim Kaine's refusal to release his political schedule, we wondered what the men wanting to replace him think about the ongoing debate. Both Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell told us that they would disclose complete schedules, including political activities, if elected. Deeds was careful not to criticize the...
Blue Virginia - Wed 1:50 p.m. - 5 clicks
Ezra Klein on the Democratic Party’s new 60-vote majority in the Senate: But just as the Republican dominance in the early-Oughts was illusory, and the 61 Democrats who controlled the Senate in 1978 were about to be run over by the Reagan Revolution, it’s a pretty safe bet that Democrats won’t hold these margins for long. [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Wed 1:49 p.m.
Via TPM: Despite lots of recent evidence to the contrary (see, e.g., Michelle Bachmann and Norm Coleman), I cling to the idea of Minnesota as a place that produces good politicians in a climate of genuine decency. I’ve got high hopes for Franken. Very. ...
Blacknell.net - Wed 1:49 p.m.
The LA Times asks if “scandals will inspire evangelicals to stray from the Republican Party?“: A series of sex-related scandals over the last few years has undercut the party’s assertions of moral authority and, worse, may serve to reinforce the doubts that many evangelical voters have traditionally harbored about the unholiness of the political realm. [...] A [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Wed 11:50 a.m.
The following email was received from a participant in one of the boot camps last weeked. We share it with her permission. Thanks again for the great workshop and information. Although I am not a candidate, I want to do all I can to help Terri get elected to the school board in Rockbridge County. The [...] ...
The Farm Team - Wed 8:14 a.m. - 3 clicks
Watch this video of Glenn Beck nodding in agreement with a guest that the only thing that can save the country now from illegal immigration is if Osama bin Laden detonates a weapon here, because it will wake up a grassroots effort. I don't usually comment on issues like this, preferring to stick closer to home, and I usually don't care too much about the rants of Beck, Savage, et al.,...
The Virginia Democrat - Wed 8:14 a.m. - 3 clicks
I wrote about the Dallas Principles a while back and in light of the continued double speak and little action coming from the Obama administration and Congressional Democrats, not to mention the quote set out below from the Washington Post , it is important to restate these principles (set out above) and send a clear message that nothing less will be acceptable: Maintaining a sense of ...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 8:14 a.m.
Del. Morgan Griffith on Northrop Grumman’s lousy IT work for the state: Frankly, there needs to be a stick. I don’t want to pull away the carrot yet. But there definitely needs to be a stick in the process… Right now, it’s a pig in a poke. Everybody working for the state who has to deal with [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Wed 5:25 a.m. - 3 clicks
Oklahoma's increasingly insane and demented Rep. Sally Kern needs to be, in my opinion, subjected to an involuntary stay in a mental health institution since she clearly is losing what little grasp of reality that once had. Now the homophobe extraordinaire is saying that the crash of the U. S. economy is because of homosexuality. Never mind the eight years of the Chimperator's disastrous ...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 5:02 a.m.
Mark Morford of the San Francisco Chronicle does some great columns that mock the idiocy of mindless bigots and political reactionaries. He now has a column that looks at the prevalence of same sex behavior across the animal kingdom and in the process takes homophobes to task. And, as is his usual approach, Morford demonstrates why Christianists ' claims against homosexuality fall apar...
Michael in Norfolk - Wed 4:43 a.m.
It's bad enough when the Heritage Foundation decides to lie with statistics about the defense budget. It's the usual conservative argument saying that we need to spend 4% or more on defense, because otherwise we're spending less than since 9/11......
Armchair Generalist - Wed 3:49 a.m. - 15 clicks
We may find out this week what President Obama wants to do with the Gitmo detainees. Hopefully it will be something other than the former administration's idea of using the military to be the judge and jury. After all, the......
Armchair Generalist - Wed 2:44 a.m. - 13 clicks
Fellow blogger Bob Felton at Civil Commotion likes to look at the intersection of religious and public policies/laws. Bob is a libertarian and possibly an atheist - whereas I am more a Jeffersonian deist - and he often does an amazing job at exposing the malignancy and growing influence of religious fundamentalism on American public life. He also likes to poke holes in the fragile belief of s...
Michael in Norfolk - Tue 9:26 p.m. - 2 clicks
The fall out from the brutal police raid on the Rainbow Lounge on the 40 th anniversary of similarly brutish behavior at the Stonewall Inn in 1969. The Dallas Morning News is not buying the bullshit being spun by the Forth Worth Police Department and now the Fort Worth City Council seems to be voicing reservations as well. By all accounts - other than those offered by the police involved -...
Michael in Norfolk - Tue 9:26 p.m.
City Dems Celebrate Independence Day "Hand in Hand, United We Stand" is the slogan for this year's Independence Day parade in the City of Fairfax. We are doing our part to stand United by featuring outstanding Democrats from the past and the future. Joining us for this year's parade with be Creigh Deeds - Governor Candidate, Jody Wagner - Lt. Governor C...
FairfaxBlue - Tue 8:26 p.m. - 17 clicks
Peter Schmidt wants to move Virginia forward in a reasonable way, and I think that's something everyone can agree with. Peter Schmidt may well be the kind of bipartisan progressive who can win in the business minded, typically conservative, 82nd district. Related posts: Peter Schmidt announces candidacy for 82nd House district Peter Schmidt launches campaign in Virginia Beach Del. Purkey...
Virginia Beach Progressives - Tue 8:26 p.m.
I was pleased to see that Al Franken has finally been declared the winner of the US Senate election he won last November ... but it took a unanimous decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court to finally get Norm Coleman and the RSCC to admit defeat ... I look forward to ......
VirginiaDem - Tue 8:26 p.m. - 2 clicks
"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one it is right." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That was today's quote in my Living Green Page-a-Day...
The Green Miles - Tue 8:25 p.m.
The city of Martinsville continues to claim Virginia’s top jobless rate — 21.9 percent. Twenty-four jurisdictions reported double-digit unemployment in May. Thus sayeth the Danville Register & Bee. I'd throw a BBQ like you wouldn't believe if our unemployment rate was 8 percent! ...
What IS Right for Virginia - Tue 6:04 p.m. - 4 clicks
For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under Minn. Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota. And with those words, the Minnesota Supreme Court ended the Coleman/Franken saga that has raged on for 6 months...
What IS Right for Virginia - Tue 3:09 p.m.
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FairfaxBlue - Tue 2:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
"President Bush put in a ten-year tax-cut on everything from the death tax to capital gains tax...that's the kind of governor that I'm going to be." I hope McDonnell makes his support of Bush economic policies the centerpiece of his campaign. ...
VB Dems - Tue 2:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
Could your campaign use some help identifying and prioritizing community engagement goals? Does your candidate need coaching to find her most expressive, effective leadership voice? Then this workshop is for you! THE FARM TEAM and Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus announce LYNCHBURG, VA BOOT CAMP: A HALF-DAY TRAINING FOR WOMEN INTERESTED IN POLITICAL ACTIVISM Dawn McCoy Flourish Leadership Group ...
The Farm Team - Tue 12:10 p.m. - 5 clicks
Virginia Democrats have made amazing progress in recent years. Last year's election showed once again that Virginians want strong leaders who focus on results - not ideology - and who are willing to make tough choices based on what's best for the Commonwealth. With your support we've kept Virginia moving ......
VirginiaDem - Tue 8:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
That’s the only thing I can figure out. Either that, or he’s about to come over from the dark side Seriously – we agree again? I came to the conclusion a few years back that an elected official who can never run for re-election is about as close to an appointed leader as there [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Tue 8:05 a.m. - 2 clicks
In Richmond there's a problem most people don't even know exists. Understanding it isn't so easy because it's about what isn't happening. How many cool night clubs didn’t open? How many big trade shows chose a city other than Richmond? How many touring rock ‘n’ roll acts skipped Richmond? How many companies didn’t move here? How many jobs never materialized? While no one can answer those thorny ...
SLANTblog - Tue 8:04 a.m.
ActBlue, the online contribution site used by many Democratic candidates and organizations, announced that you can now make contributions to your preferred candidate via Twitter. After setting up an ActBlue Express account, making contributions are easy. From its Twitter page: To give using your Twitter account, tweet: “donate $amount @candidate via @actblue“ Only one problem – and it [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Tue 6:35 a.m.
As expected, Scott Surovell announces his candidacy for the seat being vacated by Kris Amundson An excerpt: To truly solve the state's problems, we still need to bring change to the Virginia House of Delegates. Todays House turns down and obstructs virtually every reasonable measure to move Virginia forward. Each year, it sends scores bills focused on divisive social issues or scoring politi...
The Virginia Democrat - Tue 6:19 a.m.
No matter how many times (I think I'm up to about 7 or 8 times) I have heard VCERC's presentation on Virginia offshore wind, I learn something new. Last night's meeting of VB Mayor Sessoms' "Alternative Energy Task Force" was no exception. Actually, the interesting info came during the Q&A after the presentation. Mayor Sessoms is serious and wants an action plan now! And rightly so! For MMS is...
VB Dems - Tue 6:19 a.m. - 2 clicks
The Washington Post asked some people for their opinion on the governor’s race. Interesting mix of folks as well as a wide range of opinions. Give it a look. ...
Vivian J. Paige - Tue 6:19 a.m.
The recent news is that the US government is sending 40 tons of small arms and ammunition, about $10 million worth, to Somalia. And you just have to gawk and ask, why? Do they need MORE ammo and guns in......
Armchair Generalist - Tue 6:18 a.m.
I think it's great how the Wall Street Journal is always willing to entertain the passionate mutterings of neocons and conservatives when they feel like telling us what we ought to be doing in defense. It's really too easy to......
Armchair Generalist - Tue 6:18 a.m.
Huh - this is funny. Just as the US government is deciding to stop its crop eradication policy and to focus on the drug lords in Afghanistan, the British government's policy - and for that matter, the Afghan government -......
Armchair Generalist - Tue 6:18 a.m.
The professional homo haters at Family Research Council have pulled out all the stops in their frenzied hysteria over the appointment of Kevin Jennings, the former Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (" GLSEN ") president who was appointed by Obama to head the Office of Safe & Drug-Free Schools. One would think that Jennings was proposing the sacrificial slaying of young virgin...
Michael in Norfolk - Mon 8:43 p.m.
Perusing the coverage of what some have called President Obama's "Gay Uncle Tom" event at the White House today (in alleged commemoration of the 40 th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots) leaves me thinking that Obama and the Congressional Democrats truly believe that the LGBT Americans are idiots and that our votes can be bought very cheaply or mere for the asking. Ironically, I received ...
Michael in Norfolk - Mon 7:10 p.m.
The answer, in short, is maybe. The other night in Lynchburg, Deeds and Bob McDonnell took the stage separately, but at this point in time, as the candidates size each other up, it was as close to a debate as we will get -- at least for the next four weeks. Here was the lede in the RTD coverage of the event : Gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell, in their first back-to-back...
The Virginia Democrat - Mon 6:49 p.m. - 4 clicks
I think I’ve written before that Thing 1 has been taking speech therapy. He’s been getting it through the public school system and should be about to start up his summer session right now. However, because of what I can only describe as a colossal misjudgment on behalf of the school system, I am instead scouring local speech pathology practices in hopes of finding a speech therapist for him. Al...
The Liberal Life of a Navy Wife - Mon 6:49 p.m.
After watching the Democratic Party's lackluster performance in addressing the needs of ordinary people during this financial crisis, I have elected to leave the Democratic Party. Many of you know how passionately I have volunteered on behalf of Democratic politicians. I have decided to stop volunteering on behalf of the Democratic Party or identifying myself as a Democrat. Message to Democrati...
The Richmond Democrat - Mon 3:58 p.m. - 9 clicks
How quickly he forgot. This video is from an AFL-CIO event in NOVA on July 4, 2008. So far in 2009, he has leant his ear only to business. I wouldn't give a plug-nickle's chance of him receiving labor's support in the future. ...
What IS Right for Virginia - Mon 2:55 p.m. - 2 clicks
Sen. Creigh Deeds, Democratic nominee for Governor, toured Norfolk businesses today to discuss the challenges that business owners face in the current economic climate. He was joined by Norfolk Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot, City Treasurer Tom Moss, and Delegate Lionel Spruill (D-Chesapeake) on his first visit to South Hampton Roads since the June 9 primary. "It's a great day to be in Hampton Roa...
VB Dems - Mon 2:44 p.m. - 3 clicks
In Monday's Richmond Times-Dispatch Jeff Sharpiro writes about an investigation that is now underway in the General Assembly. Today, at opposite ends of the Capitol, Senate and House committees are opening inquiries of the VITA-Northrop Grumman partnership, which has been criticized by legislators and state employees as pricey, and, in some cases, unnecessary. Legislative scrutiny of the contr...
SLANTblog - Mon 11:44 a.m. - 3 clicks
The third issue of the VB Dems e-newsletter hit In Boxes early this morning. It's a special issue all about energy! Didn't get one? Well, sign up via the button on the right sidebar here. ...
VB Dems - Mon 8:08 a.m. - 2 clicks
Come Wednesday, it will be a secondary offense to: 1. Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of communicating with another person; or 2. Read any email or text message transmitted to the device or stored within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any name or number stored [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 6:32 a.m. - 3 clicks
From the dusty drawers of history comes this story about chemical warfare research during World War II. There were no holds barred in the hunt for offensive measures to keep the Germans off of British soil. So here's one attempt:......
Armchair Generalist - Mon 5:06 a.m.
Yesterday evening, the House of Representatives passed an historic climate change bill which will reduce the level of greenhouse gases emitted in the U.S. over time by requiring polluting businesses to purchase credits to continue to pollute at current levels. Businesses who pollute less will be able to profit from selling the credits to businesses who [...] ...
Fake Virginia - Mon 3:09 a.m. - 2 clicks
When President Clinton admitted his affair with Monica Lewinsky, a backbencher Congressman remarked to CNN in 1999, ““If you undermine trust in our system, you undermine everything.” That Congressman represented Charleston, S.C. at the time. He went on to become the Governor of the Palmetto State. His name: Mark Sanford. Upon hearing of his admitted affair with [...] ...
Fake Virginia - Mon 3:09 a.m. - 3 clicks
It’s not a very well kept secret in journalism circles that the editorial board of the Richmond Times Dispatch is not entirely independent in their thinking. The RTD is free to endorse whomever they want in local and statewide campaigns but the owners at Media General demand that the RTD toe the GOP line when [...] ...
Fake Virginia - Mon 3:09 a.m. - 3 clicks
RED, WHITE & BLUE PICNIC! Saturday June 27 4–7pm 17064 Ferry Dock Road, Dahlgren, King George (Home of Helene & Dick Kelly) Take route 206 (Dahlgren Road) into Dahlgren. Turn right at the light onto Potomac Drive. Go to the end of the road. Turn right on Ferry Dock Road and left ......
VirginiaDem - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 2 clicks
Courtesy of Off K Street, Shannon Valentine kicks off her re-election campaign . An excerpt: Whenever you say Lynchburg and Democrat, most people think you're joking. The Democratic House of Delegate member from District 23 is no joke. In a part of the state where Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church are the 800 Lb gorilla in the room and the surrounding areas are all represented...
The Virginia Democrat - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 4 clicks
First, you gotta understand the environment that I grew up in. I was the oldest of 4 kids in five years. We were extremely competitive amongst each other. And if ever caught in a weak or embarrassing situation you never heard the end of it. Even to this day! In 1972 I was 12 and one of my brothers for his 11th birthday wanted to go see the movie "Ben" For some bizarre reason I...
VB Dems - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 3 clicks
The Virginian-Pilot was up with its editorial yesterday ( "Stealth Internet ads deserve scrutiny" ) about blogging and proposed FTC regulations. Two Hampton Roads political bloggers ( J.R. Hoeft and Vivian Paige ) had op-eds in today's Pilot on the subject. Our motto here at VB Dems is "Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach". We promote Democratic candidates here. If a Democrat...
VB Dems - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 2 clicks
Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli. The (chuckle) Virginia GOP powerhouse team for 2010. McDonnell is touting that he will be a "jobs Governor", while Bollings says he has "new ideas for a better Virginia". Cooch, well Cooch is Cooch, and he will go along with what ever he is told to go along with. Only a business person or a moron would believe McDonnell will ever be a "jobs" govern...
What IS Right for Virginia - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 4 clicks
Bob McDonnell has dumped one "friend" for a new one; that new friend is Gov. Haley Barbour, the Mississippi governor that turned down government stimulist funding in lieu of proposing tax hikes for working families! South Carolina governor and Argentinian tourist Mark Sanford is now on McDonnell's "used to know" list. Can Virginia survive another Jim Gilmore/George Allen style Republican gov...
What IS Right for Virginia - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 4 clicks
Hello, I just spent the week in D.C. at the CWA International Convention and Legislative Conference. It was great to see old friends and allies and to make some new acquaintances. We heard from some of Congresses more influential people, Rep. James Clyburn (SC), Sen. Tom Harkin (IA), Vice President Joe Biden as well as Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. Of course the Employee Free Choice Act was a ...
What IS Right for Virginia - Mon 3:08 a.m.
The fact that you’re reading this tells me that you’re likely to really enjoy the Virginia Coalition for Open Government’s Twitter feed. It’s fast becoming my sole source of open government news, and I recommend it highly for anybody interested in having governance take place in the light of day. (Disclosure: I’m on VCOG’s board.)...
Waldo Jaquith - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 3 clicks
The field has been set. As the result, I have finally gotten around to publishing a page that shows the 2009 statewide and House of Delegates Democratic candidates. Where available, I have included a link to their websites. With the June 30 filing deadline quickly approaching, I hope you will consider contributing to the candidate(s) of [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 6 clicks
One of the blogs I thoroughly enjoyed when I first started reading the Virginia blogosphere was that of The Jaded JD. It is now back, albeit in a slightly different form. A really good piece was posted on the recent AG debate. Take a few minutes to read and digest. It hits some pretty significant points. [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 4 clicks
Sunday’s Virginian Pilot brought two opposing views on the FTC’s proposed regulation of blogs, which I mentioned briefly in this post. The views were provided by J.R. Hoeft of Bearing Drift and yours truly. Hoeft posted his (unedited) op-ed on his blog last week, while mine (as printed in the paper) is below the fold. Reading [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 5 clicks
I have always been fascinated by aerostats, particularly rigid airships such as those manufactured by Zeppelin. Robotics has also been an interest too; and that makes these videos of Festo AG’s floating art particularly riveting. Air Penguins Air Ray Air Jellyfish Hat tip to Will for pointing these mesmerizing videos out. ...
Life is a State of Mind - Mon 3:08 a.m. - 2 clicks
Sometimes I think gardening is the only thing that keeps me going. It is great therapy to go out and work in the outdoors, breathing deeply. We get a lot of joy from our garden, and since it is a family project, it helps with family togetherness. We might even learn a few things along [...] ...
Heartland of Virginia - Mon 3:08 a.m.
Finally some useful data to review... for our statistical consideration, dear readers: From Kaiser Family Foundation Achieving comprehensive health reform has emerged as a leading priority of the President and Congress. President Obama has outlined eight principles for health reform, seeking to address not only the 45 million people who lack health insurance, but also rising health care cos...
Blue Ridge Data - Mon 3:07 a.m.
Tom Jensen (PPP) audio interview on WVTF Va Public Radio: Lessons Learned: <> Deeds got 80-90% of undecided votes. <> Deeds competed everywhere. <> Deeds focused on 4th quarter game plan. Didn't get sucked into an ad spending battle with McAuliffe, early in campaign. Ran race as a long-distance runner, not a sprinter. <> Virginia roots matter. "Man of the people" label is a given wi...
Blue Ridge Data - Mon 3:07 a.m. - 3 clicks
Richard Holbrooke is telling Congress that the Obama administration is all set to fix the mistakes made by the Bush administration regarding the poppy trade in Afghanistan. I'd prefer burning out the crops, but this way might be better. Testifying......
Armchair Generalist - Mon 3:07 a.m.
This isn't news, but you have to wonder why it took a FOIA request to get it out of the federal government. The FBI interrogations of the toppled tyrant - codename "Desert Spider" - were declassified after a Freedom of......
Armchair Generalist - Mon 3:07 a.m. - 2 clicks
Unbelievable. To say that I'm disappointed with Rep. Glenn Nye standing with GOPpers John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Michelle Bachman would be an understatement. "Too fast", he says about landmark climate legislation that we have been working on for over 3 fucking years! President Obama and Governor Kaine both urged his support. But screw that! And what does he think he gains by voting "No"? Repugs...
VB Dems - Jun 26 - 9 clicks
I last wrote about my efforts on the Commonwealth Quest a year and a half ago, at which time I’d visited all but six (or possibly seven) cities and twenty seven counties. By driving to Virginia Beach this week via the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula, and driving back by way of Smithfield, I [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Jun 26 - 8 clicks
Bradley Rees wants voters to know that he’s qualified to replace Rep. Tom Perriello in Congress. How qualified? I’m over 25 years old, and I’ve been a resident of Virginia my entire life. That’s the only qualification our founding fathers set up. Of age? Check. Misinformed about residency requirements? Check. This man’s got it all over Perriello!...
Waldo Jaquith - Jun 26 - 8 clicks
In William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition, there’s an online community formed around mysteriously found video (the Footage), which was being released in bits and pieces online. I always wondered if there were real world examples of that – and it turns out, yes: If there is no known footage of [early 20th century dancer Vaslav Nijinsky], where [...]...
Blacknell.net - Jun 26
I'm feeling optimistic about a cleaner, greener future! Two important energy meetings coming up: Sen. Mark Warner is hosting an energy summit that will focus on how Virginians can maximize opportunities available through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for low-income families, state and local governments, and industry. Speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy, state agencie...
VB Dems - Jun 26 - 4 clicks
Rep. Randy Forbes is proposing big cash prizes for energy innovations. While any climate change legislation should include increased federal funding for renewable energy research, his game show approach is ludicrous. Forbes is a global warming denier. The only intent of his bill is to derail any meaningful climate change legislation. ...
VB Dems - Jun 26 - 5 clicks
Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd) along with Mike Castle (R-Del.) introduced legislation in February that aims to curtail crime by focusing on prevention. According to The Hill’s Lauren Victoria Burke, the legislation is picking up steam: The bill … has 204 co-sponsors, including 16 Republicans. Ninety lawmakers have backed the bill since June 1. The bill seeks [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
The following email is making the rounds. Figured I’d share. Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, why do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jun 26
One of the links in our blogroll to the right is Women’s Voices for Change. With so much of Iran in the news, today that site features the life and poetry of Forugh Farrokhzad. Poet, filmmaker and a national iconoclast until her death in 1967, Forugh Farrokhzād (Persian: فروغ فرخزاد)(also spelled as Forough) was arguably Iran’s [...] ...
The Farm Team - Jun 26 - 3 clicks
Charlie Stevenson has written a great book titled "Warriors and Politicians: US Civil-Military Relations under Stress." I reviewed his second book, "SecDef" earlier in the month. While the second book focused on management styles of a number of secretaries of......
Armchair Generalist - Jun 26 - 2 clicks
Ray in the UK is sharing the finding of an old artifact formerly belonging to the Ministry of Defence. He monitors natural reserves of ancient woodlands, part of England's attempts to keep its beautiful countryside whole. He found this fifty-year......
Armchair Generalist - Jun 26
I just returned from a two-day minication to find that Del. Kris Amundson is retiring after a decade in office. I’m always of mixed emotion when a legislator who I admire retires. On the one hand, it’s a loss for me as somebody who feels like I’m being represented. On the other hand, it’s often [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Jun 25 - 3 clicks
