A reprint of a post of mine from November 2006. Seems some folks need reminding. Posting a comment here is a privilege, not a right. And refusing to be respectful to others is one sure way to get banned. dem·o·crat (dĕm'ə-krăt') n. An advocate of democracy. One who believes in social equality or discounts distinctions … Continue reading Democrat v. Democratic redux
Category: Politics
Upsides and downsides
When I started this blog more than four years ago, it was because I had something to say and felt like my opinion was not one of those being voiced elsewhere. Whether anyone read it or not wasn't an issue; it was just me putting it out there. As time has passed, I've learned an … Continue reading Upsides and downsides
Poor Portsmouth
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
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
Caring for all of Norfolk means advocating for all neighborhoods
Guest post by Councilman Tommy Smigiel, whose edited letter appeared in the Virginian-Pilot today. Here is the unedited version. I’d like to set the record straight and step out on a positive note after reading Kevin Murphy’s letter to the editor “Downtown is No. 1 in growth” (Virginian-Pilot, July 9). In his remarks Kevin Murphy … Continue reading Caring for all of Norfolk means advocating for all neighborhoods
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
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
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 