Archive for November 2010
Anonymity on the internet
An interesting article in The New York Times urges an end to anonymous commenting. Instead of waiting around for human nature to change, let’s start to rein in bad behavior by promoting accountability. Content providers, stop allowing anonymous comments. Moderate your comments and forums. Look into using comment services to improve the quality of engagement … Continue reading
HRC Norfolk rally for DADT repeal
The Human Rights Campaign is holding a rally to support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in Norfolk this Wednesday, December 1, at 10:00am at the Five Points Community Farm Market, 2500 Church Street. The full information, including the information if you cannot attend, is below the fold.
OK in 1993, but not in 2010
The health insurance mandate, that is. And a few other things in the health care bill passed this year. The 1993 bill proposed by Republicans contained many of the same provisions, so what has changed? “The main thing that’s changed is the definition of a Republican,” according to then-Sen. Dave Durenberger, R-Minn, a co-sponsor of … Continue reading
Rep. Scott’s mother passes, funeral Monday
Mae Hamlin Scott, the mother of 3rd Congressional District Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, and the mother-in-law of Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, died yesterday. It was at her home that Rep. Scott hosted his annual Labor Day event. Visitation will be from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday at O.H. Smith Funeral Home. Services will be … Continue reading
Friday fun: VA Politics edition
Think you know Virginia politics? Take this quiz and report your results. I got 60 of 71 right, but it took a whole lot of head-scratching to come up with the answers. (And no, I didn’t cheat.) Blame Trent Armitage for today’s quiz: he tweeted it last night
Grateful for America’s freedoms
My latest column, with the above title, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot today. (The online version is here – not under my name category on the main opinion page.) Some of the references mentioned in the article: Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index 2010 Freedom of the Press Map of Press Freedom 2010 John Milton’s Areopagitica … Continue reading
Climate change forum next week
After you’ve recovered from eating all that turkey, consider attending the Blue Planet forum next week on Climate Change and the Navy. The event is free and open to the public and features Rear Admiral David W. Titley, Ph.D., Oceanographer of the Navy, and Director of the Task Force Climate Change. This is his first … Continue reading
November local elections: not so fast
Portsmouth is the latest locality to opt for a change in its local elections from May to November and will be requesting General Assembly approval of the charter change. While I used to fully agree with my friends Brian Kirwin and J.R. Hoeft, I am no longer so sure that a move to November is … Continue reading
Norfolk Clerk assumes jury duty service
The Norfolk Clerk of Court, George E. Schaefer, III, has announced that his office has taken over all of the responsibilities of Jury Administration from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. By using existing staff, rather than the three positions budgeted for the operation of the jury office, the City of Norfolk should realize savings of $90,000 … Continue reading
Quickie roundup
Haven’t done one of these in a while. Nearly everyone is up in arms about the new TSA procedures for either full-body scans or pat-downs. I don’t fly very often so it’s unlikely I’ll be subjected to either in the near future. And by the time I fly again, the rules will have probably changed. … Continue reading
Norfolk and Tema Twinning next week
The twinning of Norfolk and Tema, Ghana will take place during a series of events scheduled for next week, Monday, November 30 through Saturday, December 4. An earlier event, scheduled for last month, was delayed due to a travel embargo and visa problems. From the original invitation: Norfolk Sister City Association, a member of Sister … Continue reading
Imagine Hampton Roads
Imagine if everyone knew where Hampton Roads was! “Imagine Hampton Roads!”, a project to identify and implement 10 great and cheap ideas that will put Hampton Roads on the map, is generating a lot of excitement and attention. Our first session at WHRO was a great success. Check it out! If you are creative … Continue reading
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