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Six years
Thanks to this comment, I was reminded that today is the anniversary of this blog. (To be sure, I checked ) Six years. How appropriate that my first post was also written on a Saturday. Thanks to all who help make this little corner of the internet a fun place.
Featured Posts
For years, citizens of Prince Edward County have had to watch as the Board Of Supervisors and the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) have unwisely spent their money (in the form of taxes and fees and obligations) on one scheme after another. Enter the failed project that the county has spent millions, and some amount in … Continue reading
No, that’s not a typo. My latest op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. With February being Black History Month, I wanted to write something for it. I had run across Senate Joint Resolution 13 when looking at bills earlier, reading just the synopsis of the bill. Thinking that there might be a local connection, I … Continue reading
Tax time is here. And with it comes the horror stories, like this one that I’ve been following for the past few days. The IRS implemented a tax preparer registration system last year, which will ultimately require certain preparers to take a competency test. In the meantime, it is caveat emptor – beware of who … Continue reading
At a meeting this weekend a person I respect quite a bit asked why did people get so involved in the Komen/Planned Parenthood clash this week. There were many petitions both ways. So why now? This is my answer to her on my personal reason why I am no longer supporting the Komen foundation. I … Continue reading
A quick look at some of the stories and other stuff from the past week. Scott Rigell disavows tax pledge 2nd Congressional district representative Scott Rigell has stepped away from his no-taxes pledge. Needless to say, there are some folks who are unhappy about that, including two letters printed in today’s paper (1, 2). There’s … Continue reading
Some of the younger folks may not get this quiz but back in the day, there were often discussions about people being either mostly left-brained or mostly right-brained. You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.Left brained people are good at … Continue reading
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. In it, I urge the voters in Norfolk to sign the petition to place on the ballot the question of whether Norfolk should have an elected school board. I don’t believe it can be said too many times: the issue right now is to get … Continue reading
That would be the Norfolk City Council, save councilman Tommy Smiegel. I may have to go back to referring to them as the seven bumps on a log. In an article today, Smigiel, in his first term on council and a contributor to this blog, stands alone in wanting his colleagues to pursue some kind … Continue reading
If you haven’t seen this map from Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, then you might be missing why the tide seems to be turning towards Mitt Romney. Sabato calls it a “Newt-mare,” a spin on the word nightmare. If Gingrich is the nominee, it’s not just the presidency that Republicans lose, but a lot of those … Continue reading
Quick hits
- I still recall the first time I heard a Whitney Houston recording. It was her rendition of a song that had become an anthem of mine. The song had been a minor hit, a theme from a Muhammad Ali movie, and the theme of my senior prom. I'd been singing the song ever since - it spoke to me - and the original was so well done, that I didn't think it possible for it to be improved upon. (more...)
- My Senator, Ralph Northam, spoke about the pre-abortion ultrasound bill, SB484, on the floor of the Senate. (more...)
- If you haven't seen the video of the floor amendment offered by Sen. Janet Howell to the ultrasound bill, check it out below. (more...)
- Matthew Geary, former candidate for Commonwealth's Attorney in Henrico, dead of apparent suicide: Geary's campaign ran into trouble after a highly orchestrated attack on his character by Republican leaders, including U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th. The leaders revealed that Geary had engaged in an affair with a married woman in recent years. I watched this happen from afar, knowing none of the players personally. It was not a pretty sight. Continue reading >>
- There have been so many things I have looked at and read lately, I haven't been able to write about all of them. So today, I will be leaving a few items here for you to look at when you get the time. This first story has the unlikely title, "Another CVS Claims Uterus Is Required for Purchase of Plan B". It seems two different CVS pharmacies in Texas refused to sell the contraceptive to the person who asked for it, because men were the ones asking. (more...)
- Campaigns & Elections magazine compiled a list of the most influential players in Virginia politics, with no elected officials allowed. Hampton Roads was well represented. Continue reading > >
WELCOME
I started this blog in 2006 to talk about local politics, specifically Norfolk politics. It is impossible to talk about Norfolk in a vacuum, so you'll also find some regional, state, and national politics. And sometimes, no politics at all. The inspiration for this blog comes from one of Virginia's most respected forefathers:
"I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power."
I hope you enjoy your visit! If you are new here, please review my comment policy.
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