As if the recall of its mayor wasn't enough, Portsmouth citizens are having to deal with the ongoing situation of Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson, which continues to deteriorate. The city attorney has told council to consider suing him to get him to do his duties, the U.S. Marshals Service has pulled prisoners from the city's … Continue reading Poor Portsmouth
Author: Vivian J. Paige
A former candidate, I've learned a lot about politics, both good and bad. I'd prefer more of the former and a lot less of the latter and I'm trying to do my part!
Friday fun: shampoo or conditioner?
Um, guilty 😉 You Are Shampoo When a problem comes your way, you jump at the opportunity to solve it. You're especially good at "cleaning house" and making sure a tight ship is being run. You find it easy to let go of the past and move on with your life. You're a big believer … Continue reading Friday fun: shampoo or conditioner?
Beyond partisan rhetoric: the bell curve
In case you missed it, my latest op-ed appeared in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot. A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words, and the graphic to the left gets to the core of what I was trying to say. I realized, as I was working on the piece and talking to people, that many are not … Continue reading Beyond partisan rhetoric: the bell curve
Budget surplus
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday a budget surplus of $220 million. Part of that surplus comes from the accelerated collection of sales tax, a shell game of sorts that shifts funds normally collected in July to June. This isn't a new trick - we've seen it before - but it does cloud a bit the … Continue reading Budget surplus
Our brains a threat to democracy?
So says the Boston Globe: In a series of studies in 2005 and 2006, researchers at the University of Michigan found that when misinformed people, particularly political partisans, were exposed to corrected facts in news stories, they rarely changed their minds. In fact, they often became even more strongly set in their beliefs. Facts, they … Continue reading Our brains a threat to democracy?
Holley recall open thread
7:54 Final numbers: 10,821 voted in favor of recall, 5,154 against. I can guess what the headlines will look like tomorrow. ~ 7:47 pm All but the provisional ballots and one precinct are in. 10,331 voted in favor of recall, 4,987 voted against. The total votes cast - 15,318 - exceeded the total number of … Continue reading Holley recall open thread
Open thread: Dillon Rule
One of the first posts I wrote on this blog was about the Dillon Rule. And if you search this blog, you'll find that I often rail against it. I promised last week to open a thread where we could discuss it. From an editorial in today's Virginian-Pilot: The state's rigid adherence to the Dillon … Continue reading Open thread: Dillon Rule
RIP Walter Hawkins
Back in the day, I directed a gospel choir at a local church. The biggest name in gospel music in those days was Walter Hawkins. In fact, Sunday morning in church, the guest minister invoked part of the lyrics from one of his hits, "Changed," which you can hear here. (Had I been sitting at … Continue reading RIP Walter Hawkins
Sometimes, it’s not about race
In an editorial Sunday, The Virginian-Pilot called for the recall of Portsmouth Mayor James Holley, who faces such an election for the second time Tuesday. In an op-ed a few pages later, writer Nathan McCall says the mayor should be allowed to finish the remaining two years of his term and then go quietly into … Continue reading Sometimes, it’s not about race
Friday fun: what chess piece are you?
Sorry for the delay on this. Been a busy day around here. You Are a Knight You are very unusual and even a bit eccentric. No one can really figure you out easily. Because you're not predictable, people behave irrationally around you. They may feel threatened by your presence, or they may underestimate you completely. … Continue reading Friday fun: what chess piece are you?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 