The above is the title of an eight-part series that The Virginian-Pilot is running in the newspaper. Part 3 appeared today and you can read a part of it here. I grew up in Phoebus, just outside of Fort Monroe. Heck, I even worked there two summers, when I was 16 and 17. Nevertheless, I … Continue reading Free to fight
The demise of BlogNetNews
By now, many of you have no doubt noticed that BlogNetNews is no longer accessible. Driving the decision is, of course, money. Dave Mastio, who operated BNN, told me via email last week that the site has been losing enough money of late that it is for sale. In the meantime, it has shut down. … Continue reading The demise of BlogNetNews
Democrat v. Democratic redux
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
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
Friday fun: shampoo or conditioner?
Um, guilty 😉 You Are Shampoo When a problem comes your way, you jump at the opportunity to solve it. You're especially good at "cleaning house" and making sure a tight ship is being run. You find it easy to let go of the past and move on with your life. You're a big believer … Continue reading Friday fun: shampoo or conditioner?
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
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 