Archive for December 2009
A Redskins win
The Washington Redskins managed to grab a lead and hold onto it yesterday in 34-13 win over the Oakland Raiders. It’s been a long time between wins for this 4-9 team. It would have been nice to see: I missed most of the game because I had visitors. I caught a play here and there. … Continue reading
Congratulations Annise – and Houston
Annise Parker was the first openly gay person elected mayor of a large US city Saturday. Houston is the fourth largest city in the country. Congratulations to Ms. Parker – and to the voters of Houston.
Most loved, hated in Congress
Congress, it’s been said, is like high school for old people. Seems about right The December issue of Newsmax Magazine includes a list of the Congress members most loved or or most hated by their colleagues. A couple of Virginians made the list. Among the most loved: Senator Mark Warner. Democrats consider Warner a folk … Continue reading
Friday fun: what book are you?
There’s a new book quiz out. But before I tell you what book I am, there’s an interesting disclaimer on the website: Just for the record, I really hope no one gets offended by any of this. At times, I try to add some humor into the world of books, and if I’m not amusing … Continue reading
Smigiel: A new choice. A new voice.
The first candidate to announce for the upcoming Norfolk council elections in May was Tommy Smigiel, who is taking on incumbent Randy Wright in Ward 5. Smigiel, a former Virginia Teacher of the Year, has hit the ground running. He’s got his website up and has been knocking doors and attending meetings throughout the ward. … Continue reading
Support expansion of state health care benefits
The articles last week on the proposal by outgoing Governor Tim Kaine to expand health care benefits of state employees didn’t tell the whole story. Now that we have the proposed language for the changes, hopefully some of the commentors will rethink their positions. Let’s start at the beginning.
Virginia Beach, Chesapeake shenanigans
No longer can South Hampton Roads residents point to Norfolk for the follies of its elected representatives. Add Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to the mix. In Virginia Beach, Dan Lowe, the school board member representing the Bayside district, resigned. The remaining members get to appoint a replacement. Current at-large member Carolyn Weems was one of … Continue reading
Warner & other freshmen on health care reform
According to a press release, senator Mark Warner is leading a freshman group of 11 Senators on health care reform issues. The eleven freshmen are Sens. Mark Begich (AL), Michael Bennet (CO), Roland Burris (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Ted Kaufman (DE), Paul Kirk (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Mark Udall (NM), Tom Udall (CO) and Mark Warner(VA). Since Labor Day, these freshman Democrats have … Continue reading
Without a mention of “macaca”
Who doesn’t remember S. R. Sidarth, the young man whose recording of then-Senator George Allen brought the word “macaca” into the consciousness of every Virginian in 2006 and brought down the Senator’s re-election campaign? Apparently, Alex Trebek Last night, the older, clean shaven Sidarth appeared on Jeopardy, the long-running trivia game show. I caught the … Continue reading
Portsmouth sheriff threatens removal of courthouse security
For the second time this year, Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson has threatened action in the city in a dispute over compensation. Earlier this year, Watson threatened to suspend services provided by inmate work crews unless his deputies received raises. This time, Watson says he will keep his deputies from providing courthouse security. “Jan. 4, they … Continue reading
Update: sentence reduced in Craigslist robber case
In an earlier post, I asked your opinions on the sentence of a robber who used Craigslist to lure victims. The man was sentenced to five life terms. Due to his cooperation in the investigation, his sentence has been reduced to 33 years. Interesting is that his co-defendant, against whom the robber testified, got only … Continue reading
Exhibit #9,9999,999 on VA campaign finance reform
Brian over at Bearing Drift brought up an issue that I had been thinking about in conjunction with last Saturday’s Republican canvass. Although I don’t live in the 8th Senate district, I was as inundated with TV and radio ads as anyone who did. The only thing missing was the mail, which I understand was … Continue reading
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