Today marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights icon, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As I was perusing my blog for earlier posts, I ran across this one I wrote five years ago. Truth be told, not much has happened in the interim, except the country has elected a black … Continue reading MLK Jr: 45 years later
Two op-eds, reprinted in The Virginian-Pilot, crossed into the territory of the ridiculous. NY Times columnist Ross Douthat put the blame for the deterioration of traditional marriage on the increase in support for marriage equality. If you didn't get that impression by reading the piece, then Douthat himself made it abundantly clear in this followup … Continue reading Ridiculous
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. The cartoon that accompanied the column couldn't have been more perfect: marriage equality is coming, whether the Supremes like it or not. Maureen Dowd's column, printed in today's paper in the same middle space of the page, calls out the court for its reluctance to … Continue reading A rapid and welcome shift in perceptions
A vigil was held last night in Norfolk for marriage equality. According to this report, hundreds from across Hampton Roads came together at the federal court house. I was there in spirit, although not in body due to my work schedule. Yesterday, of course, was the day that the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in … Continue reading Hundreds gather in Norfolk for marriage equality
Just a few articles you may have missed: Port Authority decision tomorrow. The Virginia Port Authority will decide Tuesday on who will run the port. This is big - and has huge implications for Hampton Roads as well as the entire commonwealth. Cuccinelli opines on transportation and Medicaid. Attorney General/gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli offered his … Continue reading Quick hits 03/25/13
Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call Don't stand in the doorway Don't block up the hall For he that gets hurt Will be he who has stalled There's a battle outside And it is ragin' It'll soon shake your windows And rattle your walls For the times they are a-changin'. It's been nearly a … Continue reading The times, they are a-changin’
Last night, I participated in a live political talk show as the season finale of the Virginia Beach Forum. Our part of the program followed a presentation by Larry Sabato, who joined conservative author Kate Obenshain, Richmond Times Dispatch columnist Jeff Schapiro, Virginian-PIlot columnist Kerry Dougherty, radio show host Tony Macrini and myself the panel … Continue reading Quick report: Virginia Beach Forum
Last week ended up being busier for me than usual. I don't believe I've ever gone a week between publishing posts in the history of this blog. Nevertheless, sometimes stuff happens - and last week was one of those times. The big news on the federal side is, of course, the sequester. It has been … Continue reading Catching up
Sequestration, that is. Despite recent efforts to sound the alarm on its effects in Hampton Roads and Virginia, including a letter from Gov. Bob McDonnell, I doubt Congress will do its job. Forget the blame game - both sides agreed to this mess because it wasn't supposed to happen. And now I hear folks saying … Continue reading It’s coming
... Mississippi ratifies the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After Congress voted for the 13th Amendment in January 1864, the measure went to the states for ratification. On Dec. 6, 1864, the amendment received the two-thirds’ vote it needed when Georgia became the 27th state to ratify it. States that rejected the measure included … Continue reading Nearly 150 years later ….
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 