Virginia
updated
8:25 a.m.
In case you were focused on shoveling and missed the big news, here's what Governor McDonnell announced yesterday : ... he will support updating the Local Composite Index (LCI), the formula which determines state and local education funding responsibility, in the upcoming budget. His predecessor, former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, had proposed freezing the index to save money in the strapped state b...
Blue Virginia - 8:01 a.m.
The Washington Post reports on the newest round of bipartisan kabuki: Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they may decline to participate in President Obama’s proposed health-care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - 7:29 a.m.
Unfortunately, I can't blame Bob McDonnell for this entirely, however : A little-known provision in former Gov. Tim Kaine's final budget bill currently working its way through the General Assembly proposes something unheard of in higher education: taking a portion of mandatory student fees paid to universities and depositing that money in the state's bank account. Higher education officials a...
The Virginia Democrat - 7:03 a.m.
Here’s a quick look at a few bills from legislators in Hampton Roads: HB570 related to real estate assessments, HB207 related to rules for lineups and SB185 related to menhaden fishing. More below the fold. HB 570 – Del. Sal Iaquinto (R-84th) – This bill changes the burden of proof for real estate assessments from the [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - 6:43 a.m.
The Virginia Senate voted 23-17 to pass Sen. Donald McEachin’s SB66 Monday afternoon. The bill prohibits discrimination in public employment and includes sexual orientation. Senator Fred Quayle of Suffolk broke ranks with his Republican colleagues and joined the Democratic majority to pass this bill. According to The Virginian-Pilot, Quayle voted yea for a rather simple reason: I [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - 5:06 a.m.
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) passed away yesterday due to complications following gall bladder surgery. He was a controversial figure and a very powerful one, being the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's defense panel as well as a Marine veteran.......
Armchair Generalist - 5:05 a.m.
In respect to other gay friendly legislation introduced in the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate David Englin , D-Alexandria (a straight ally pictured at left), has again introduced a bill that would begin the process for the repeal of Virginia's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the bill will ever see the House floor and the bill will most li...
Michael in Norfolk - 4:21 a.m.
Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Snowverkill Tuesday "Clips." 1. MCDONNELL DIRECTING MORE EDUCATION MONEY TO N.VA. 2. NORTHERN VIRGINIA OFFICIALS, MCDONNELL MEET ON SCHOOL FUNDING 4. CHANGE IN SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA MAY COST RICHMOND AREA MILLIONS 7. GOP PLAN EMERGES TO FIX VA. SHORTFALL 10. VA. SENATE PASSES ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL FOR STATE WORKERS 15. VA. OFFSHORE DRILLING BILLS ADVAN...
Blue Virginia - 4:08 a.m.
Click here for more from the Washington Post's "Capital Weather Gang," including the phrase, "very gusty winds bring the potential for blizzard conditions, and unfortunately, power outages." Ugh. If you want to read even more about the coming storm, click here for the National Weather Service forecast. Finally, click here for a much better idea. :) P.S. Here's a list of closings, incl...
Blue Virginia - 2:44 a.m.
On the television series "Chuck" last night, the team stole a Greek mask that was on display at the museum, because the bad guys (the Ring) wanted it for some reason. So they take the statue, which is mounted on......
Armchair Generalist - 2:44 a.m.
Playing in the Siegel Center on Saturday, VCU defeated ODU, 70-58. It was as lively inside the arena as it was cold and snowy outside. Still, the game was a sell-out, when some other area games were canceled, due to the weather. Click here to view some clips I shot of the action before and during the game. ...
SLANTblog - 12:05 a.m.
Time and time again I have maintained - based on my years of monitoring anti-gay "family values" Christianist organizations - that in addition to being violently anti-gay, the pro-family Christian organizations are also very racist and anti-black and anti-Hispanic. Adding to the proof of this animus towards others who are not white, evangelical Protestants are the statements made at the tea...
Michael in Norfolk - Mon 8:07 p.m.
In a somewhat stunning surprise, the Virginia Senate today passed legislation that would add sexual orientation to the protected classes of workers protected under state employment non-discrimination. The vote was along party lines with only local senator GOP senator Fred Qualye supporting passage of the bill. Now the fat of the bill goes to the GOP controlled House of Delegates where t...
Michael in Norfolk - Mon 7:27 p.m. - 3 clicks 
Click here to watch Meghan McCain on ABC's "The View" earlier today. Here are some highlights: What Tom Tancredo said at the Tea Party convention about Obama voters supposedly being illiterate buffoons is "innate racism, and I think it's why young people are turned off by this movement." "[R]evolutions start with young people, not 65 year old people talking about literacy tests and people wh...
Blue Virginia - Mon 4:20 p.m.
Potential Exists for New Round of Accumulating Snow and Ice in Regions Still Recovering from Historic Winter Storm Virginians Can Check Road Conditions by Calling 511 or by Visiting 511Virginia.org ; More Information About Winter Weather Preparedness Available at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/winter/index.cfm ; Call 211 for Local Shelter Information RICHMOND – As an extra precaution in adv...
What IS Right for Virginia - Mon 3:41 p.m.
MADE IN CHINA Buyer beware . A familiar concern returns. Products made in China can be hazardous to your health. This systemic pattern of data, does not bode well for China. Melamine: Product adulteration... again in China - Reuters With a renewed regulatory vigor, expect the FDA to ramp up surveillance of medical products and pharmaceuticals. The Bush Administration , took a l...
Blue Ridge Data - Mon 3:02 p.m.
The other day, it was Sen. Donald McEachin (D-9) delivering an excellent speech on the budget and Bob McDonnell's lack of leadership. Today, it was Sen. Janet Howell (D-32). The last minute of Sen. Howell's speech is particularly good, here's the transcript. I implore Governor McDonnell to give us guidance on how he wants us to balance the budget. HE has put us in a box. He has sai...
Blue Virginia - Mon 2:53 p.m.
After reading this forecast - 10 to 20 more inches of snow! - how many of you want to move to Florida, Arizona, or Hawaii? MeMeMeMeMeMeMe! UPDATE : The Capital Weather Gang writes that "With the impending storm for tomorrow and Wednesday, we have a legitimate chance for an all-time (since records have been kept in the late 1800s) seasonal snow record." Right now, we're at 45" for the seaso...
Blue Virginia - Mon 2:10 p.m.
Damon Linker speaks truth to progressives wavering about their commitment to the Democratic Party (and I include myself in that number): “Anything But The Other Guys” isn’t a particularly inspiring slogan, especially in comparison to the (let’s face it) exaggerated expectations for change many progressives entertained during the 2008 campaign. But the phrase captures the most [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Mon 1:34 p.m.
This pretty much sums it up regarding the Can'tor/Boner-(mis)led Republican Party. Eric Cantor’s office responds to Obama’s announcement of a bipartisan summit on health care with the most explicit and direct assertion I’ve seen yet that the only way Dems can win bipartisan cooperation is to fully embrace the GOP health care plan and nothing more... After going it alone on health care reform ...
Blue Virginia - Mon 11:28 a.m. - 4 clicks
A few minutes ago, the Virginia State Senate passed Donald McEachin's nondiscrimination in state employment bill by a 23-17 vote. Unfortunately, it now goes to die in the flat-earth-Republican't-controlled, homophobe-dominated House of Delegates. Hey, perhaps Pat Robertson's Manchurian Governor might intervene on the bill's behalf, especially since he said this was the job of the legislature not...
Blue Virginia - Mon 10:47 a.m. - 4 clicks
Nick Beaudrot: At the time of the last effort to curtail the filibuster, the Senate’s rules had remained static for 16 years. Since then, we’ve had 34 years of rule stagnation. Rule 22 wasn’t handed down by Moses on a stone tablet; the Senate is populated by adults who can, by consent, change it. If you’re keeping [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Mon 10:47 a.m.
Via Kevin Drum is a nifty graph showing how much money Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and the American Beverage Association had been spent lobbying against a proposed tax on sugared soft drinks: What consistently shocks me is how little money industries spend on opposing or altering legislation. $37.5 million is a drop in the bucket when in [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Mon 10:47 a.m.
This annoys me to no end (via the New York Times): Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said in a statement that he welcomed the bipartisan meeting on health care and called on the president to begin the dialogue “by shelving the current health spending bill.” “The fact is Senate Republicans held hundreds of town [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Mon 10:47 a.m.
From our friends (?) at the National Weather Service . Fun times! LOL P.S. Check out thousands of snow photos here . ...
Blue Virginia - Mon 9:08 a.m.
Each Monday morning during the men's college basketball regular season, SLANTblog will publish its new Virginia Top Five. For the third consecutive season this feature will attempt to rank what seems at the moment to be the best five teams from among the 14 Division I programs in the Commonwealth. Only games against Division I opponents are counted in won/loss records. SLANTblog's ...
SLANTblog - Mon 7:29 a.m. - 3 clicks
The Swedish government is announcing that it intends to inquire into the possible dumping of toxic chemicals and nuclear waste by the Russian navy into the Baltic sea about fifteen years ago. The notice talks to the possibility that chemical......
Armchair Generalist - Mon 7:29 a.m.
I am getting a lot of spam from the free Yahoo email accounts of friends who are Windows users. I think there is some sort of virus/trojan-horse going around on Windows that hijacks Yahoo accounts and sends out unsolicited commercial email, fraudulently masquerading as my friends (which means it gets through spam filters). If you [...]...
Life is a State of Mind - Mon 6:44 a.m.
The headline was right, but there was a little problem with the score. Colts 31, Saints 17 I wish! The story was from the AP so I don’t know whether it was wrong in the story or whether somebody at the Virginian-Pilot messed up. In any case, it’s not Dewey defeats Truman but close h/t [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 6:07 a.m. - 4 clicks
Virginia’s campaign financing rules are pretty loose – pretty much anyone can donate to whomever they choose without limitation. Disclosure of the contributions and expenditures is supposed to be enough. The problem is the form that the disclosure takes. The State Board of Elections provides, for free, software that allows candidates to file electronically. Such filing [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Mon 5:44 a.m. - 3 clicks
My problem with “troubles in the administration!” stories, like Edward Luce’s recent piece in the Financial Times, is that their currency is wholly dependent on the immediate political environment. Right now, the Obama administration is in a bad place; its chief legislative priority is on the verge of failure, its allies are disillusioned, and [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Mon 5:44 a.m.
Over the weekend the Washington Post reported that PFOX - the inappropriately named Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays - has been allowed to distribute bogus information about the "ex-gay myth" and reparative therapy to students in the Montgomery County Schools. This is the result of an obviously wrongly decided settlement of federal district court case from 2005 which predates the APA's ...
Michael in Norfolk - Mon 4:29 a.m. - 6 clicks
Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Dig-Out-From-Snowmageddon Monday "Clips." 1. NORTHERN VIRGINIA STATE OFFICES TO CLOSE MONDAY 2. WEEKLY ROUNDUP FOR VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS CROSSOVER APPROACHES 4. MEDICAID FUNDING FOR DISABLED ON CHOPPING BLOCK 8. GOP TAKES ON SNOW 11. U-VA. STUDENTS PROTEST LACK OF CREDITS FOR IB COURSES 12. COAL MINING PRACTICES THAT DESTROY, NOT JUST THE LAND, BUT ...
Blue Virginia - Mon 3:46 a.m. - 5 clicks
So true! The Onside Kick cemented that message [that "they weren't afraid of going big and failing" ] and even if they blew that too, they could still come away with a lot of respect for even calling that play. We'll never know what would have happened if they played it safe but my guess is that they wouldn't be celebrating Mardi Gras early. What's missing in Washington is that same bold p...
Blue Virginia - Mon 3:28 a.m.
There's nothing so discouraging than clearing a 30 foot driveway and realizing that you're still not going anywhere with two feet of snow in the unplowed street....
Armchair Generalist - Mon 3:28 a.m.
Two of the original four members of "The Who" are dead, and the remaining two don't have the voice or the moves that they used to. Guys, loved you in the 1970s and 1980s, but really... Enough pandering for the......
Armchair Generalist - Sun 5:47 p.m.
The noise machine of the far right always needs to have an excuse that explains away a possible justified loss in their campaign to turn the USA into a theocracy. In this case, it's allegations that Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay, and therefore incapable of making an unbiased ruling in the pending Prop 8 trial in San Francisco. The source of the allegation? A San Franc...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 4:07 p.m.
Yes, I realize that fundamentalist evangelical Christians and serious thought are usually an oxymoron. To be a far right fundamentalist, the first requirement typically is to surrender independent thought and embrace the mental equivalent of a lobotomy. Only the allegedly "inerrant" Bible needs be to consulted and then among this crowd one can shut down their brain and drift into a mental ...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 4:07 p.m.
As the sexual abuse scandal has enveloped the Catholic Church since 2002, the Church hierarchy has at times tried to suggest that the abuse by priest is an English speaking country anomaly. With the scandal currently exploding in Germany, it is obvious that this excuse/damage control effort is going down in flames as more damaging information continues to come out. The truth is, in my view an...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 3:02 p.m.
Strangely enough, earlier today the boyfriend and I were talking about Sarah Palin and her birther minions and their overall lack of intelligence accurate facts and general stupidity and how democracy is dangerous when the general populace is ignorant and uninformed - something that concerned the Founding Fathers and resulted in a representative republic complete with the Electoral Colle...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 3:02 p.m.
Make that 14 in a row , this win coming in overtime over the Pittsburgh Penguins (the final score was 5-4). Nice job! P.S. Just in case you were wondering, I think hockey is about a million times better sport than football. Always have, pretty much. How about you, football or hockey (or other)? UPATE : From the Caps' Twitter feed , "Ovi after the game 'the crowd was just pushing us in the ...
Blue Virginia - Sun 12:04 p.m.
Posted by The Green Miles If you're not rooting for the Saints tonight, it means you're a bad person. I mean, how can you not root for New Orleans? After all the city's been through? With a great guy like Drew Brees as their QB? And after the franchise suffered through the dark days of the Ditka era ? Plus, Michael "Heckuva Job, Brownie" Brown is rooting for the Colts . OK, fine. If you'...
Blue Virginia - Sun 11:46 a.m.
An unqualified doctor with a foreign medical degree performs a failed skin graft in the emergency department of a small hospital in rural Texas, without surgical privileges. He improperly sutures a rubber tip to a patient’s crushed finger “for protection.” He e-mails patients about herbal supplements that he peddles on the side. [...] ...
Great Blue Heron - Sun 9:22 a.m. - 2 clicks
The New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts face off today in Super Bowl XLIV. It’s been two weeks since the teams won their respective conferences and I have to say, the least hyped Super Bowl I can remember. Or maybe it’s because my attention has been focused elsewhere. In any event, I’m looking forward to [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Sun 9:22 a.m.
I always thought that the teleprompter thing was a little silly – politics is often performance, and prompts are always part of performance. But, like so much else from the right, I ignored it. Now? Seriously, I don’t ever want to hear another joke about Obama needing a teleprompter. ...
Blacknell.net - Sun 9:22 a.m.
Nepal seems poised to go after the gay wedding market big time and in the process boost tourism and tourist income to the mountain nation. So says an article in the Telegraph that reports of upcoming events once Nepal's new constitution is adopted later this year. Leading the charge is Nepal's first openly gay member of parliament, Sunil Babu Pant (pictured at right). Indeed, Nepal seems t...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 8:40 a.m.
I wish I could write with the flare of Frank Rich who has another great op-ed column in the New York Times that takes to task the opponents of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. While he may be premature in declaring anti-gay bigotry a political negative - certainly in states like Virginia and states in the Deep South - he is on point on the fact that among independent voters in many parts of...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 8:40 a.m. - 7 clicks
I came across two different pieces on line that go to the heart of documenting the idiocy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The first is an op-ed in the Washington Post written by a former service member who was expelled under DADT and then goes on to work as a civilian contractor doing the same job. The other is an opinion piece in the Tucson Weekly by a former crew member of a submarine wh...
Michael in Norfolk - Sun 6:42 a.m.
Our old friend Chris "Swift Boat Boy" LaCivita is at it again . Among the most tested will be the winner of the Republican primary in Virginia's 5th District, a conservative-leaning region where six candidates are running for the chance to face freshman Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello, who narrowly won in 2008. State Sen. Robert Hurt, the onetime favorite, has failed to lock up support from the ...
Blue Virginia - Sun 4:45 a.m. - 13 clicks
Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Snowmageddon Sunday "Clips." 1. ASSEMBLY SEEKS BUDGET GUIDANCE FROM MCDONNELL 2. VIRGINIA GOVERNOR EXTENDS MODERATE APPROACH TO CABINET PICKS 3. MCDONNELL: DANGEROUS STORM HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS 5. GOV. BOB MCDONNELL DISCUSSES HIGHER EDUCATION AT WILLIAM AND MARY'S CHARTER DAY CELEBRATION 9. KAINE GRANTED FLOOD OF PARDONS, COMMUTATIONS IN 2009 10. WEBB,...
Blue Virginia - Sun 3:40 a.m. - 5 clicks
President George W. Bush uses a TelePrompTer when he erroneously claimed that the mission was accomplished. Why no jokes and derisive comments about people like Bush and others that use that device? Because Republicans who make those comments are hypocrites. ...
Heartland of Virginia - Sat 10:44 p.m.
No more questions about whether to vote Democratic or Republican't? Not after these graphs! Case closed. ...
Blue Virginia - Sat 7:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
Ezra Klein calls the GOP a party without grown-ups, and I basically agree: The Republican Party is operating without a clear model for successful Republican governance. George W. Bush was a failure and his father was a heretic. Ronald Reagan’s staffers are now too old. John Boehner is no Newt Gingrich and Mitch McConnell is no [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Sat 3:20 p.m. - 2 clicks
I obviously chose to leave the Roman Catholic Church because I am gay and I do not believe in remaining involved in an institution that does nothing but denigrate you and others like you even as it demonstrates complete moral bankruptcy (e.g., the sex abuse scandal). None of my children continue to attend Catholic Church and from the comments they have made, the Church's anti-gay stance is one...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 2:42 p.m.
I have found myself thinking a lot about the past today - maybe it's the weather and thoughts of growing up in Central New York. Winters were long and snowy, but summers in the Adirondacks were wonderful, though short. The photo above/right was taken at the summer house and was taken about 40 years ago - pictured are two of my sisters and one of their girlfriends friend (my sister that I lost ...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 2:04 p.m.
Today's Virginian-Pilot has an editorial , "Tinfoil hats are not enough." The subject is legislation by Del. Mark Cole (R-Spotsylvania) that would "put an end to a disturbing threat to public safety... Virginians are in danger of having top-secret microchips implanted against their will ." Yes, this is nuts. And no, this is (apparently) not a joke. That's right, believe it or not, as our ...
Blue Virginia - Sat 11:49 a.m. - 14 clicks
An opinion piece by a gay conservative on AOLNews suggests that those in the LGBT blogosphere and the "don't Ask, Don't Give" campaign endorsed by an number of big time blogs - as well as this blog - may well be doing more to get things moving on LGBT issues than all of the "make-nice: efforts of our self-anointed leaders at HRC . The sad reality is that most politicians will not do som...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 11:42 a.m.
Having lived in Houston, I know that it's hardly the most liberal of cities, but with a gay mayor and a large dynamic LGBT population, it increasingly does not reflect the anti-gay attitude that predominates in much of the state of Texas outside of the large cities. Thus, it is encouraging to see the Houston Chronicle come out strongly and support the demise of Don't Ask Don't Tell. In its m...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 11:06 a.m.
It ought to be increasingly embarrassing for the USA and states like Virginia that eastern European nations like Albania are moving ahead of most of the USA in terms of protections afforded to LGBT citizens. In much of the USA gays have no legal protections against discrimination - such is certainly the case in Virginia - yet Albania has just enacted legislation that, while not allowing sa...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 10:47 a.m. - 7 clicks
We measured 22″ at 8 am this morning, and 27.5″ at 1 pm. It took us three straight hours of shoveling and snow-blowing to clear a path to the hot tub, a fire escape path, and enough driveway for one car to get to the road… which was last plowed about 16″ ago… so we [...]...
Life is a State of Mind - Sat 10:22 a.m.
Living in an area with a huge military presence, one gets to see first hand the lunacy and religious based discrimination behind Don't Ask, Don't Tell (" DADT ") on literally a daily basis. Gay and lesbian members of the military are everywhere and it's hard to go to a gay club without running into members of the military. Just last night we attended "steak night" at The Wave and a friend of...
Michael in Norfolk - Sat 9:05 a.m.
Gerard Alexander — who was a decent professor when I had him at UVA — isn’t happy about the fact that liberals are confident in their beliefs: Every political community includes some members who insist that their side has all the answers and that their adversaries are idiots. But American liberals, to a degree far surpassing [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Sat 8:47 a.m.
This is a pretty silly poll: While influential 20th Century economist John Maynard Keynes would say it’s best to increase deficit spending in tough economic times, only 11% of American adults agree and think the nation needs to increase its deficit spending at this time. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% disagree [...] ...
The United States of Jamerica - Sat 8:47 a.m.
Note: This advice comes by way of a press release … “Let’s be careful out there” RICHMOND, VA – The approaching winter storm will bring hazardous conditions to Virginia, ranging from freezing rain and high winds to sleet, snow and ice. Residents should take the time now to look at their specific needs and talk with [...] ...
VirginiaDem - Sat 7:21 a.m. - 6 clicks
Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Saturday Snowpocalypse "Clips." 1. MCDONNELL: SNOW STORMS EATING INTO STATE BUDGET 2. MCDONNELL HAS NOW CLOSED STATE OFFICES 3. ASSEMBLY DISPOSES OF HUNDREDS OF BILLS 4. TAX CUT PLAN WOULD COST LOCALITIES 5. SASLAW'S UNWELCOME BIRTHDAY PRESENT: SENATE DEMOCRATS DIVIDED ON BUDGET 6. VA. SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO VOICE CONCERNS ON CHARTER SCHOOLS 8. ALEXANDRIA D...
Blue Virginia - Sat 6:25 a.m. - 6 clicks
I can't embed the video, so click here to watch (at about 1:20 into it) as Bob McDonnell "jokes" with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce about global warming. It's sooooo funny, can't stop laughing, hahahahahahahahahaha. On second though, perhaps not. It's great to be back in Loudoun, I think I was last here when you hosted a forum with my opponent and I (sic), we really appreciated tha...
Blue Virginia - Sat 6:25 a.m. - 8 clicks
As of 5:14 am Saturday, snowfall totals in the DC Metro area were around 15-19 inches, with another 5-8 inches expected today. If you've got a sled or cross-country skis, now's the time to use them! ...
Blue Virginia - Sat 4:23 a.m.
Sen. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the Senate: The sour face of Democratic impotence Art by F.T. Rea ...
SLANTblog - Fri 10:37 p.m.
Unholy Rouleur Jim’s feeling darkly – go check it out, and try not to feel guilty about enjoying the fruits. And in case you need some prompting, here’s some of what he’s digging up: ...
Blacknell.net - Fri 8:11 p.m.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele in a debate with Harold Ford Jr., on the topic of taxation of the wealthiest Americans: Trust me, after taxes, a million dollars is not a lot of money. That should be the Republican Party’s slogan....
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 7:33 p.m.
From the so-stupid-it’s-funny files: So come August, when it’s really hot, does that mean that the RPV is wrong? Remember, kids: the plural of “anecdote” is not “fact.”...
Waldo Jaquith - Fri 5:56 p.m.
The recent article detailing the BOS meeting in Cumberland County was interesting in that almost no one was quoted as saying anything in the article except the former chair, Bill Osl. Tim Kennell, the current Chair of the BOS was not mentioned at all, nor was District 5 Supervisor Bob Oertel. Farmville Herald Fishwrap only prints what [...] ...
Heartland of Virginia - Fri 5:01 p.m.
Newsmaker Sam Moore was dealt a setback yesterday, as Virginia’s ABC Board voted to snatch away Moore’s license to sell alcohol at his Club Velvet in Shockoe Bottom. Still, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s coverage Moore’s high profile strip club will apparently be allowed to operate as usual, selling alcohol to its lap-dance-loving customers, until its legal appeals have been exhausted....
SLANTblog - Fri 11:01 a.m. - 7 clicks
Note: Looks like Virginia has another snow storm with results much like what’s pictured here …. from December … hitting us hard … cancellations include the DPVA quarterly meetings … and … General Assembly not meeting on Friday, February 5th Due to inclement weather, the General Assembly will not meet on Friday, February 5th. All House [...] ...
VirginiaDem - Fri 8:05 a.m. - 5 clicks
Rahsaan Bahati, who parted ways with Rock Racing last year, has started his own development team with a mission. Check it out: ...
Blacknell.net - Fri 8:05 a.m.
TNC goes from the systemic challenges an individual trying to drop weight faces to the society-wide choices of institutional racism: I don’t write this out so that I can establish blame/guilt. To the contrary, the point is that the system was so far-reaching, that it took a conscious, deliberate and often personally dangerous effort [...]...
Blacknell.net - Fri 7:45 a.m.
Josh Marshall calls out Sen. Richard Shelby for what he is: Worse than a squeegee man and not much better than a bank robber, Shelby is shutting down the president’s ability to appoint anyone to anything until he gets his way. Will this be the impetus for the Senate finally admitting it’s been rendered almost [...]...
Blacknell.net - Fri 6:32 a.m. - 10 clicks
Virginia is alone is banning radar detectors in vehicles. House Bill 674 would change that. The bill reported out of committee Friday morning, by an 11-10 vote, and now heads to the House floor. Simple question: do you support this bill? Vote in the poll and leave your comments below. [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Fri 6:00 a.m. - 4 clicks
It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. – Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen I had the opportunity Wednesday to spend some time with a retired military officer, one whose background and experience I consider unique to the question of the repeal of [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Fri 6:00 a.m.
Finished this book by Fred Schreier, a retired Swiss colonel who also served in the Swiss Ministry of Defense as a senior civil servant. He's now a consultant with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces. I......
Armchair Generalist - Fri 5:25 a.m.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c A Few Gay Men & Women www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis It's hard to overstate how fucking stupid some Republicans are. UPDATE: Along......
Armchair Generalist - Fri 2:47 a.m.
ABC News: Sarah Palin Uses PAC to Buy Her Own Book Palin's PAC spent $63,000 buying copies of her own book shortly after it was released. So her PAC collects money from supporters, uses that money to buy an enormous number of books, which she earns royalties off of, thus allowing her to pocket those contributions. [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Thu 3:13 p.m. - 2 clicks
Barbara Saunders, the two-time candidate in Ward 1, has announced that she will try for the third time to garner this seat. Saunders, a native of Ocean View, owns a painting company, Saunders Painting, Inc. She serves on the Crime Line Board and is a member and past president of Ocean View Kiwanis. She is a [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Thu 12:41 p.m. - 4 clicks
The Director of National Intelligence, Admiral (ret) Dennis Blair, recently spoke to the House and Senate intelligence committees about the current threat. Of course, his testimony included the menace of WMDs... Traditionally WMD use by most nation states has been......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 7:25 a.m.
At Aisa Times, Peter Brown discusses DOD's desire for "conventional prompt global strike or C-PGS. This topic got a few paragraphs in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. He gets some observations from two good sources: Dr. Jeffrey Lewis and, ah,......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 5:42 a.m. - 2 clicks
Our intelligence community speaks: The Obama administration's top intelligence officials on Tuesday described it as "certain" that al-Qaeda or its allies will try to attack the United States in the next six months, and they called for new flexibility in......
Armchair Generalist - Thu 5:42 a.m. - 2 clicks
After the Supreme Court basically declared that corporations should be given the rights of individual people in the ruling it issued in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a Maryland based corporation has now launched a campaign for Congress. Murray Hill Inc. issued a statement today claiming that "it plans on filing to run in the Republican primary in Maryland’s 8th Congressional Di...
Left of the Hill - Thu 5:01 a.m. - 3 clicks
This is the third edition of this feature (click here for No. 1 and here for No. 2). This time I'm going to rely more on the short films themselves, rather than mostly on the music. So this will be like a little film fest on absurdity, satire and whatnot. Hey, make some popcorn if you like. By all means, forget about that wintry mix weather forecast. " The Big Shave " by Martin Scors...
SLANTblog - Wed 8:41 p.m. - 3 clicks
New York Times: Corporation Says It Will Run for Congress A small Maryland public relations firm is challenging a Republican for congress. Which I assume is cool now that corporations are people, too. (tags: politics) Edward R. Harrison on Physics “Hydrogen is a light, odorless gas, which, given enough time, turns into people.” Brilliant! (tags: evolution physics science) New York Times: [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Wed 3:02 p.m. - 2 clicks
In case you needed another reminder of the work that Gerry Connolly has done for the community in his time in public office, the Childhelp Children's Center of Virginia has awarded him the "Hero of the Children Award" for his efforts to help at-risk youth in Northern Virginia. Congrats go out to Rep. Connolly who I'm confident will view this award as a reminder of one of the reasons he got involve...
Left of the Hill - Wed 2:43 p.m. - 6 clicks
-- Fiction by F.T. Rea June 3, 1959: Roscoe Swift, a lean boy of eleven with sandy hair and blue-gray eyes, lived with his mother and her parents in Dogtown, just south of Richmond proper. For as long as he could remember Roscoe had been in training to be a hero. Although it wasn’t something he talked about, it was at the heart of much of his striving. He was a strong ...
SLANTblog - Wed 12:43 p.m. - 6 clicks
The Republicans have tried hard to make it look like they are the party that supports our troops and that anyone they disagree with is putting our country and armed forces at risk. In the course of doing so, they are willing to flip flop on various issues and do whatever it takes to make it look like they are standing up against the forces of evil. One of the topics that they do this on is Don't A...
Left of the Hill - Wed 11:41 a.m. - 2 clicks
Due to the pending Snowpocalypse, our Lobby Day will be postponed. We are looking forward to seeing folks in Richmond on our new date, the 22nd of February! Another Mid-Atlantic Winter Storm ...
Virginia Young Democrats Blog - Wed 11:08 a.m. - 8 clicks
Courtesy of the Federation of American Scientists, here's a CRS report on the DHHS Project BioShield and related issues for Congress to consider. It's only a few weeks old, so it has some updated information that is of interest. For......
Armchair Generalist - Wed 6:47 a.m. - 3 clicks
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c Faulty Powers www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis Ray from the UK has been feeding me BBC reports about Tony Blair's testimony to an......
Armchair Generalist - Wed 6:47 a.m. - 3 clicks
We may not have gotten a day off out of it, but the snow is at least nice to look at. Here's my view from Ballston: ...
The Green Miles - Wed 6:10 a.m. - 3 clicks
Guest post by Ray Taylor, President, Future of Hampton Roads The formal, federal Public Comment period ends next week on the 11th of February. There are still two ways remaining for individuals, companies or organizations to participate in the decision-making process, and they are: Best method: Mail in your individual or organizational letter (a public comment input). [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Wed 5:24 a.m. - 5 clicks
SHORTER Fred Hiatt: "I agree with Faux News that the Graham-Talent commission's report card on WMD proliferation and terrorism reflects Obama's lack of attention on bioterrorism." Bad enough that Hiatt joins those who would continue overstating the actual threat of......
Armchair Generalist - Wed 5:07 a.m. - 2 clicks
Full Poll Data Set here cross-posted at We Will RockDem This is the reality of the mindset of most of the voters in Augusta County. If you want to improve a system or sub-process, you first have to characterize it's operating parameters. Local Progressives must deal with the electorate that is, not what we wish it to be. ...
Blue Ridge Data - Tue 6:44 p.m. - 6 clicks
Prop 8 Lawyers Have No Idea How Same-Sex Marriage Could Harm Anything The attorneys in Perry v. Schwarzenegger—California's Prop 8 gay marriage case that is virtually guaranteed to wind up in the Supreme Court—cannot provide a single reason how gay marriage harms anybody in any way. When pressed many times during oral arguments, the attorney for [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Tue 3:28 p.m. - 3 clicks
A Daily Kos/Research 2000 Poll that sampled the opinions of 2,003 people who said they were Republicans revealed that 63 percent of them believe President Barack Obama is a socialist. Opinion polls can be useful, or they can be distractions. Whether they are accurate snapshots of the moment's truth depends. It can depend on the methodology and the motives of the pollsters. Or, it can depend on ...
SLANTblog - Tue 11:48 a.m. - 3 clicks
When the Democrats expanded their majority to 22 seats in the 40-member Senate in early January, progressives breathed a sigh of relief. After eight years of moderate Democratic governors, a left-of-center state Senate would be the only bulwark against our new conservative executive and a broad GOP majority in the House of Delegates, right? [...] ...
The 28th Amendment - Tue 11:08 a.m. - 7 clicks
In a statement released today from the Governor’s office, Bob McDonnell praised the General Assembly for passing legislation that would “increase the speed limit in Virginia to 70mph in rural and less populated areas.” “I thank Delegate Bill Carrico and Senator Steve Newman for their successful advocacy of this important proposal to speed up traffic in rural and less populated sections of Virgini...
Left of the Hill - Tue 11:08 a.m. - 3 clicks
As Vivian Paige pointed out earlier today, Glenn Nye has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). I join Vivian in being a little surprised that he has signed onto the legislation considering how he’s been on the wrong side of a lot of issues this year, but this is indeed very good news for anyone who believes in basic civil rights. With our country facing sev...
Left of the Hill - Tue 10:08 a.m. - 3 clicks
Robert Charles Paige 2/2/1963 – 4/15/1995. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you, but especially today – your birthday. RIP, little brother. ...
Vivian J. Paige - Tue 9:03 a.m. - 6 clicks
I don’t watch Colbert regularly. But I caught Harold Ford, Jr.’s appearance last night. In case you missed it, here it is. I’m not sure he did himself any favors by showing up. WordPress.com Political Blogger Alliance ...
Vivian J. Paige - Feb 2 - 4 clicks
I’ll admit it: I’m floored. Congressman Glenn Nye has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He joins Virginia Reps. Bobby Scott (3rd), Jim Moran (8th), and Gerry Connolly (11th) as one of now 197 Congressmen who are co-sponsoring this bill. I mentioned this bill to Nye last summer. I never expected [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Feb 2 - 9 clicks
The interesting thing about a few senate Democrats crossing party lines to vote for SB714 (“Individual health insurance coverage; resident of State shall not be required to obtain a policy”) is that it gave me a chance to test out the accuracy of the partisanship matrix that I use on Richmond Sunlight. The theory behind [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee is experiencing what might be called the “reverse Obama effect”—city residents dislike her personally but approve of her policies. The number of parents who label violence in schools, a lack of quality teachers, and the unavailability of instructional materials as a major problem has decreased since Rhee was appointed [...] ...
The 28th Amendment - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
With Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli now moonlighting as a private attorney, can it be long until we see the TV ads? All he needs now is a catchy jingle. Maybe Who’s your lawyer? Cuccinelli! It’s Virginia! Nothing smelly! Call on Ken to handle your case, and rub the power of the state in their face! Don’t just call [...] ...
Great Blue Heron - Feb 1 - 2 clicks
One of my sisters lives in Lynchburg and she alerted me to this story about the Liberty University takeover of the city. ...
Vivian J. Paige - Feb 1 - 7 clicks
As an occasional adjunct instructor, teaching management science and stats to business undergrads at JMU, I would typically ask my new class, " how many of you or your family members have worked in a manufacturing plant?" Surprisingly at first, but consistent over the last 10 years - the answer was very few and far between . Is this more evidence that Virginians have now fully passed into the In...
Blue Ridge Data - Feb 1 - 3 clicks
I am tired of Flash content crashing my web browsers, so I installed ClickToFlash in my Safari (has to be done in each user account) and FlashBlock plugin in my Firefox (has to be done in Firefox for each user account). Now I can play Flash when I want to, not whenever a website [...]...
Life is a State of Mind - Feb 1
Each Monday morning during the men's college basketball regular season, SLANTblog will publish its new Virginia Top Five. For the third consecutive season this feature will attempt to rank what seems at the moment to be the best five teams from among the 14 Division I programs in the Commonwealth. Only games against Division I opponents are counted in won/loss records. SLANTblog's VA To...
SLANTblog - Feb 1 - 8 clicks
Here's an event coming up on Thursday night: Please join us for a presentation on the natural treasures in our backyards! ARLINGTON COUNTY'S NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY Thursday, February 4, 7:00 pm Introduction by County Board Chairman Jay Fisette Arlington County Central Library Auditorium 1015 N. Quincy Street, 2 blocks from Virginia Square Metro Come early and explore...
The Green Miles - Feb 1 - 7 clicks
Wikipedia: Mottainai Mottainai is a Japanese word that refers to “a sense of regret concerning waste when the intrinsic value of an object or resource is not properly utilized.” 2004 Nobel Peace Peace winner Wangari Maathai thinks this is the best term and concept to explain the importance of protecting natural resources. Which is a good [...]...
Waldo Jaquith - Jan 31 - 3 clicks
I’m in the process of moving hosts for my domain, which includes the mapping of the blog as well as my email. Hopefully this will be completed in a timely manner but these things do take time. Will update this post once everything is working. UPDATE 1: (Monday, 11am): I’ve managed to get everything working EXCEPT [...] ...
Vivian J. Paige - Jan 31 - 2 clicks
Two Big Issues in this video. First Obama LIES everytime he says he's open to new ideas. Obama has consistently REFUSED to listen to the MAJORITY of the American People who want Medicare for All. But the corporate cronies don't want this. Obama has actually BLOCKED anhyone with a health care idea to the left of the center from having any seat at the healthcare table. Meanwhile, Big Pharma and...
Mosquito Blog - Jan 31 - 2 clicks
Yes, it has happened again. Someone let the stupid out. At a blog called “Virginia’s Fifth District” (find your own link) the writer has tried to say that out-of-state contributions, which every politician receives, is no different than the foreign corporate donations sought to be shut off by a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Perriello. The writer [...] ...
Heartland of Virginia - Jan 30 - 2 clicks
McDonnell’s appearance runs from the 1:20 mark through 3:10. It’s pretty funny, and encapsulates my response to his Potemkin SOTU....
Waldo Jaquith - Jan 30 - 3 clicks
