A step too far

Violence. We live in a civilized society, one that used to be the example for the world. Ours was a society that disagreed without being disagreeable. Ours was a society where freedom of speech was tampered by simple common decency. It seems no more. It seems that, rather than lead the way, we have decided … Continue reading A step too far →

Opinion, please: scrap party primaries

In an op-ed for The New York Times, former Oregon secretary of state Phil Keisling says we should scrap the party primary system and replace it with a "fully open/top two" primary. The goal: reducing partisanship. All candidates would run in a first round, “qualifying” election, with the top two finalists earning the chance to … Continue reading Opinion, please: scrap party primaries →

Perriello rocks

At the annual Jefferson Jackson dinner last Saturday night, I heard Congressman Tom Perriello speak for the first time. Agree or disagree, Perriello demonstrated the courage to vote his conscience.  That his family - in particular his brother - is paying a price for that vote seems unreal. The idea of disagreeing with someone without … Continue reading Perriello rocks →

Illegal polling in Norfolk

From the Code of Virginia: § 24.2-959. Requirements for campaign telephone calls sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee. It shall be unlawful for any candidate or candidate campaign committee to make campaign telephone calls without disclosing, before the conclusion of each telephone call, information to identify the candidate or candidate campaign committee who … Continue reading Illegal polling in Norfolk →

KHS takes on pants on the ground

OK, I'll admit it: when I saw the performance of "Pants on the Ground" on American Idol, the first person that came to mind was Norfolk Del. Algie Howell. (If you've not seen the video, check it out here.) Howell put forth a bill - known as the "Droopy Drawers" bill - back in 2005  … Continue reading KHS takes on pants on the ground →

American Idol results 03/24/10: The top 10

Tuesday night's show featured the music of the Billboard #1 hits. Some song choices were - well - strange. I mean, there are literally tons of #1 hits and this is the best they could do? And the "mentor" for this week was 17-year old Miley Cyrus. Um, aren't mentors supposed to have talent? After … Continue reading American Idol results 03/24/10: The top 10 →

A medal for Nye

I'm guessing that the press release I received from The Virginia Organizing Project had this video in mind. Virginia Beach, Va –The Virginia Organizing Project along with Health Care for America Now and local community members will be visiting Congressman Glenn Nye’s Virginia Beach office on Friday, March 26 at noon to remind the Congressman … Continue reading A medal for Nye →

Englin: “Call Ken”

Dear Friend, This week, President Obama will sign historic health reform legislation that extends coverage to millions of uninsured Americans while making health care more affordable and accessible for all. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said he will file a lawsuit to block it "as soon as the ink is dry" on President Obama's signature. This … Continue reading Englin: “Call Ken” →

Opinion, please: economics and personal finance course

The Virginia Department of Education has released a draft (pdf) of the framework of the Economics and Personal Finance course to be taught in Virginia's schools beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. The resulting Curriculum Framework addresses concepts and principles that are important to economics at the macro level, but also direct attention to understanding … Continue reading Opinion, please: economics and personal finance course →

Whistleblower’s job cut

Interesting: Since 2008, Charles Roberts has kept an eagle-eye on the pre-K-8 school construction in Hampton to make sure it ran smoothly and taxpayer money wasn't wasted. Throughout the process, he alerted his boss about mismanagement on the $100 million projects that led to the schools opening a year late and costing $2 million in … Continue reading Whistleblower’s job cut →