My latest column, with the above title, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot today. (The online version is here - not under my name category on the main opinion page.) Some of the references mentioned in the article: Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index 2010 Freedom of the Press Map of Press Freedom 2010 John Milton's Areopagitica … Continue reading Grateful for America’s freedoms
Climate change forum next week
After you've recovered from eating all that turkey, consider attending the Blue Planet forum next week on Climate Change and the Navy. The event is free and open to the public and features Rear Admiral David W. Titley, Ph.D., Oceanographer of the Navy, and Director of the Task Force Climate Change. This is his first … Continue reading Climate change forum next week
November local elections: not so fast
Portsmouth is the latest locality to opt for a change in its local elections from May to November and will be requesting General Assembly approval of the charter change. While I used to fully agree with my friends Brian Kirwin and J.R. Hoeft, I am no longer so sure that a move to November is … Continue reading November local elections: not so fast
Norfolk Clerk assumes jury duty service
The Norfolk Clerk of Court, George E. Schaefer, III, has announced that his office has taken over all of the responsibilities of Jury Administration from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. By using existing staff, rather than the three positions budgeted for the operation of the jury office, the City of Norfolk should realize savings of $90,000 … Continue reading Norfolk Clerk assumes jury duty service
Quickie roundup
Haven't done one of these in a while. Nearly everyone is up in arms about the new TSA procedures for either full-body scans or pat-downs. I don't fly very often so it's unlikely I'll be subjected to either in the near future. And by the time I fly again, the rules will have probably changed. … Continue reading Quickie roundup
Norfolk and Tema Twinning next week
The twinning of Norfolk and Tema, Ghana will take place during a series of events scheduled for next week, Monday, November 30 through Saturday, December 4. An earlier event, scheduled for last month, was delayed due to a travel embargo and visa problems. From the original invitation: Norfolk Sister City Association, a member of Sister … Continue reading Norfolk and Tema Twinning next week
Imagine Hampton Roads
Imagine if everyone knew where Hampton Roads was! "Imagine Hampton Roads!", a project to identify and implement 10 great and cheap ideas that will put Hampton Roads on the map, is generating a lot of excitement and attention. Our first session at WHRO was a great success. Check it out! If you are creative … Continue reading Imagine Hampton Roads
Scarborough, Olbermann: not journalists
Joe Scarborough is the latest MSNBC host to be suspended for political gifts, having been given the same punishment as Keith Olbermann: two days off the air without pay. The paltry suspensions give you an idea of just how seriously the network takes this violation of "journalistic ethics." But is it a violation? I submit … Continue reading Scarborough, Olbermann: not journalists
Remembering JFK
It has been 47 years since John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our 35th president, was assassinated in Dallas. Two years ago, I wrote about what I remembered from that time, and how my family's move to Virginia is inextricably linked. Today, Kennedy has been dead longer than he lived - he was but 46 when he died, … Continue reading Remembering JFK
Spotlight: The Woman’s Club of Smithfield
A column of mine prompted The Woman's Club of Smithfield to invite me to speak last week. Although I didn't ask, I figured a lunch meeting would draw 15 maybe 20 participants. After all, the website shows one of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead. Boy was I wrong! After a pleasant drive, I found … Continue reading Spotlight: The Woman’s Club of Smithfield
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 