Archive for November 2011
Cooch for guv?
It seems AG Ken Cuccinelli plans to run for governor in 2013, setting up a battle with LG Bill Bolling. Maybe he sees what I saw last year: an Obama win in 2012, which almost certainly sets up a Republican to win the governor’s mansion in 2013. I just wasn’t expecting it to be this … Continue reading
Governor’s government reforms
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced yesterday a series of reforms to the way Virginia does business, with an eye towards saving some money. The proposal are a part of the work of the Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, whose most recent report to the governor (pdf) was issued November 21. A couple of the … Continue reading
Social Security especially important in rural areas
The Daily Yonder, a great place for facts and information, had an article recently about the increased dependence on Social Security payments by those in rural areas of the country. The article argues that a higher percentage of residents receive benefits, and that the average payment is also higher than the national averages or the … Continue reading
No elected school board?
Gotta love it when the argument against an elected school board boils down to “we can’t pick a decent council” so let them pick the school board for us. Seriously – there are many arguments against an elected school board, chief among them the lack of taxing authority. But I’m insulted by this: In Norfolk, … Continue reading
Way to go ODU!
The first game in NCAA history to pit two teams from the same city against each other occurred in Norfolk Saturday. Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University met at Foreman Field on the campus of ODU. The game was sold out, with 19,818 fans of both teams there to cheer them on. The rest … Continue reading
Friday fun: at least for me :)
So the big game pitting ODU versus NSU is coming up Saturday and it is, of course, sold out. The game will be broadcast on espn3, which means internet streaming to watch. I’m not a fan of sitting in front of my computer. So I started thinking about how to get the game to my … Continue reading
On Norfolk’s superintendent mess
My latest op-ed appeared in Wednesday’s Virginian-Pilot. Like so many things these days, no one seems to be taking the long-term view of what needs to be done to solve the problems in the school system. I was flabbergasted to read that the chair of the board is seeking short-term fixes when anyone who has … Continue reading
A Thanksgiving Thought : Thankful for Museums
One of the things I love the most about this area are the various museums and foundations that have special events and speakers. Often they sponsor well know authors in for lectures and book signings. There are numerous variations in our area giving us the opportunity to learn about military, science, history , animals and … Continue reading
“Uppity-ism”
It should come as no surprise that the overwhelming majority of black folk support the president. After all, it takes a pretty strong constitution to ignore the underlying racism that is attached to some of the attacks. Al Sharpton says we should ignore the latest from Rush Limbaugh. I rarely agree with anything Sharpton has … Continue reading
LWV-VA: Don’t play partisan politics with our right to vote
In a press release today, the League of Women Voters of Virginia takes exception to reports that Congressional redistricting may be delayed and that General Assembly redistricting may be reconsidered. From LWV-VA president Lynn Gordon: It would be nice if politicians would put voters first for a change, by giving them the chance to choose … Continue reading
Another required reading
David Frum: “Some of my Republican friends ask if I’ve gone crazy. I say: Look in the mirror.”
Redistricting do-over? Senate Dems to sue
Virginia Senate Republicans are considering revisiting redistricting come January. In a story by Steve Vaughan* in The Virginia Gazette, Senator Tommy Norment expresses the desire to change the lines drawn by the legislature and approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. In particular, Norment wants Williamsburg back in his district. As if there’s not enough … Continue reading
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