Category: National

We’re not Mississippi – yet

Mississippi has elections in the fall, like Virginia. Mississippi has a split legislature, like Virginia. There, Republicans control the State Senate while the Democrats control the House. Unlike Virginia, Mississippi's legislature released its maps last month.  The House approved its maps on March 5 and the Senate its maps on March 10. But that's where … Continue reading We’re not Mississippi – yet →

Quick links 03/25/11

From around the 'net: Rep. Bobby Scott considering Senate bid. This ought to be interesting. I'm convinced, though, that Dems need to wait until after November to announce a candidate. Let's not lose focus on the General Assembly races this fall. Besides, it's be fun watching the Republicans beat each other up for a while … Continue reading Quick links 03/25/11 →

An effort in futility

Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald wrote an interesting article on futility, opening with this: This will be a futile column. Experience dictates that it will change no minds, inspire no reconsideration among those who disagree. It will sit on the computer screen or the newspaper page taking up space, affecting nothing, until another column … Continue reading An effort in futility →

Quick links 3/22/11

By the time I got home from work today, wordpress.com, where this blog is hosted, was having some kind of meltdown, which made the backend inaccessible. In any event, here are a few posts that caught my eye as I waited for it to get back up: VLBC calls for second Congressional district with high … Continue reading Quick links 3/22/11 →

Redistricting: what if VA looked like this?

This map (click to enlarge) surfaced yesterday as a potential way the Congressional districts in Virginia could be drawn. The alignment shows that there could be a second black majority district in Virginia. I'm hearing that such a map is doable - except a certain Democratic Congressman is blocking the attempt, even though said Congressman … Continue reading Redistricting: what if VA looked like this? →

Women’s History Month: A long, ongoing journey

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot today. Two of the women mentioned are Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Norfolk acting (hopefully soon-to-be permanent) police chief Sharon Chamberlin. I managed to get through an entire column without once mentioning Gloria Steinem, one of the leaders in the women's movement from the 1970s, … Continue reading Women’s History Month: A long, ongoing journey →

Rigell Town Hall meeting Monday

2nd District Rep. Scott Rigell is hosting his second town hall meeting this coming Monday, March 21st, at 7pm at Norfolk's Azalea Garden Middle School. The Congressman held his first town hall meeting in Virginia Beach about six weeks ago. That event drew an overflow crowd. At the same time, the Governor's Independent Bipartisan Advisory … Continue reading Rigell Town Hall meeting Monday →

Quick links 3/15/11

Stealing the idea straight from my friend, Waldo, here are a few links that caught my eye today: Documents reveal efforts to control Goochland's ex-treasurer. "As a constitutionally elected county officer, Grubbs answered to voters, not auditors, and was virtually untouchable — barring criminal conduct." And the General Assembly, so far, refuses to correct this. … Continue reading Quick links 3/15/11 →

Welcome to Sunshine Week

By Mark Brooks This is the 7th Annual Sunshine Week and is being celebrated by lovers of open government all over the country.  Started by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and supported through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, it has become a popular event each year for those … Continue reading Welcome to Sunshine Week →