Archive for December 2010
Vote Big Blue
The Old Dominion University mascot, Big Blue, has advanced to the Championship Round of the Capital One Mascot of the Year Challenge, and is now facing UTEP for the 2010 Capital One Mascot of the Year. Voting for the final round closes at 8:59 a.m., Monday, Dec. 13 and the winner will be announced on … Continue reading
Marshal some courage on Dillon Rule
My latest column, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday (and made it to the Whipple Clips this morning – a first ). I found it interesting that the Governor’s Commission on Government Reform & Restructuring was limited in its ability to review the Dillon Rule. Seems to me that if you are serious about … Continue reading
On the deficit commission report
A reader asked me to post about the deficit commission report. So here it is Seriously – in case you haven’t had the chance, you can read the full report (pdf) of the 18-member commission or visit the website for more information, but I don’t know that we will see much of it other than … Continue reading
Profiles in courage
Cowardly Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes … Continue reading
Moran elected DPVA chair
As you all know by now, this past Saturday, the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia elected Brian Moran as chairman. I did manage to broadcast live the events of the day. If you missed it, you can watch here. The speeches prior to the vote start at about the 19:00 mark. Congratulations … Continue reading
Tax cuts, unemployment to be extended
It appears that a deal has been struck to extend the Bush tax cuts for two years for all taxpayers. In addition, unemployment benefits are to be extended 13 months, a two percent point reduction in the Social Security taxes employees (but not employers) pay, and the first $5 million of estates will be exempt … Continue reading
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
I don’t think it’s going to happen – for a long list of reasons – but Clarence Jones makes a compelling case: You don’t have to be a rocket scientist nor have a PhD in political science and sociology to see clearly that Obama has abandoned much of the base that elected him. He has … Continue reading
Opinion, please: publicly funded journalism
I ran across a very interesting article on this possibility a few days ago. The author, John-Henry Doucette, formerly worked at The Virginian-Pilot and provides an argument that it is time for publicly funded newspapers journalism. He concludes: If we don’t consider various ways to protect public-interest news gathering in the U.S., including public subsidies, … Continue reading
Friday fun: a two-fer
Two fun quizzes today. First for the political junkies – can you name these political terms? I named them all with about two minutes to spare And getting into the Christmas spirit: You Are an Angel A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas. Aww What Christmas ornament are you?
Reminder: Redistricting hearing tonight
Just a quick reminder that the redistricting subcommittee of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee will be holding a public hearing tonight. The meeting is at 7pm at the The Forum, Building A, Tidewater Community College (120 Campus Drive, Portsmouth, VA). If you cannot attend the hearing, your comments are still welcome. Send written comments … Continue reading
A long but productive day
I spent the day in Richmond for the pre-legislative session of the Women’s Roundtable. It was good to see so many from around the state who came together to listen to an impressive list of speakers and their planned legislative agendas for the upcoming session, including a couple of members of the Governor’s cabinet. We … Continue reading
SM
LOOK WHO’S TALKING