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!

Democracy dies when people turn on their TV sets

Raising Kaine has an interesting post: Only one of the 1,000 adults polled in the telephone survey could name all five freedoms guaranteed under the First Amendment. Yet more than one in five (22 percent) could identify all five major characters in Matt Groening’s cartoon family. Similarly, only 8 people in 100 could name at … Continue reading Democracy dies when people turn on their TV sets →

Norfolk could be like Alaska

The Brad Blog is reporting on the attempt to get the 2004 Alaskan voting data from the Diebold machines in use there. After agreeing to release the data, the state's top security officer is refusing to allow it to happen, citing security concerns. Do tell - what security risk would this pose?

DYK: Norfolk has 105,000+ registered voters

For the November 2005 elections, Norfolk had 105,022 registered voters. Unfortunately, only 42,634 of them bothered to vote. When you look at the number of people who vote in council elections, the numbers get even worse. The last council election in May 2004 (the two superwards) resulted in turnout of only 5,980 voters, an abysmal … Continue reading DYK: Norfolk has 105,000+ registered voters →

Kaine St. Paddy’s parade Grand Marshall

Governor Tim Kaine will be the Grand Marshall for Norfolk's 39th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade kicks off at 10am on Saturday, March 18. Details of the route can be found here. Too bad I won't be able to be there. Saturdays during tax season are just another work day for me. Go … Continue reading Kaine St. Paddy’s parade Grand Marshall →

Phil Kellam website

Phil Kellam, the Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional district, has gotten his website up. Head over and take a look. Kellam is seeking to replace Republican Thelma Drake. The 2nd Congressional district covers the city of Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, a part of Norfolk (including where I live) and a part of Hampton.

VA Blog Carnival

Head on over to NoVA Democrat to have a look at the VA Blog Carnival. There you will find a link to the top stories blogged across Virginia. Enjoy!

Gay marriage amendment

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, … Continue reading Gay marriage amendment →

Bob McDonnell and Diebold

By now, everyone knows that AG Bob McDonnell's legal opinion declaring Governor Tim Kaine's Executive Order No. 1, which expanded Virginia's nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation, to be unconstitutional. You can find discussions of this opinion on just about any of the blogs listed in my blogroll so I'm not going to beat that … Continue reading Bob McDonnell and Diebold →

Why wasn’t this in VP?

I ran across this Associated Press article on Yahoo news a couple of days ago and have been waiting for it to appear in our local newspaper. NORFOLK, Va. - Fellow conservative religious leaders have expressed concern and even open criticism over Pat Robertson's habit of shooting from the hip on his daily religious news-and-talk … Continue reading Why wasn’t this in VP? →

Bay Oaks Park: Judge rules petition not valid

No doubt you'll see this in The Virginian-Pilot tomorrow but in a story posted today on PilotOnline, the Alexandria judge brought in to hear the case of the citizen's petition to save Bay Oaks Park has ruled against the petitioners. Alfred D. Swersky, a retired Alexandria judge assigned to handle the case, said he "reluctantly … Continue reading Bay Oaks Park: Judge rules petition not valid →