What a Secretary of State!

The video below of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dancing just brings a smile to my face. She looks like she's having a great time.

Dueling ads in the 2nd CD

Campaign ads in the 2nd Congressional District have started to appear. Challenger Paul Hirschbiel was up first. Monday, his ad "Teacher" began running Today, incumbent Scott Rigell released his first ad, "Performance Review." The redrawn district retains most of its previous area and adds a portion of Newport News.

ICYMI: Try the Trayvon case in court, not in public

My first op-ed for the USA Today appeared in last Friday's edition. The release of information seems to me to imperil the right to a fair trial. The right to a fair trial is enshrined in the sixth amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It requires, among other things, an impartial jury. The courts have decided … Continue reading ICYMI: Try the Trayvon case in court, not in public →

Friday fun: what musical instrument should you play?

Haven't done one of these in a while. Sticking with the musical theme another day, here's a fun quiz 🙂 You Should Play the Piano You are a true music aficionado who loves many musical style and eras. You find music to be an escape. And you'd like to be relaxed and comfortable when you're … Continue reading Friday fun: what musical instrument should you play? →

ICYMI: For love of a piano

This is the image that greeted me when I finally found a few minutes to read the New York Times article about pianos being sent to the dump. The piano looked so much like my own - and I could never imagine that being its fate. My latest column, title above, appeared in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot. … Continue reading ICYMI: For love of a piano →

Romney and taxes

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has tax problems. First, Romney won't release any more of his own taxes, other than the 2010 ones he already released (which were not complete) and the 2011 ones when they are done, sometime between now and October 15. I happen to agree with this article: the reason Romney won't … Continue reading Romney and taxes →

Douglass holds town hall meeting (VA-5)

John Douglass, candidate for the 5th Congressional District seat, had a town hall meeting Charlottesville Monday night, in which he used straight talk in comparing what he would do in office and that which Robert Hurt is doing now and for the last almost two years. One of the main points Mr. Douglass made was … Continue reading Douglass holds town hall meeting (VA-5) →

Is Virginia the “mother” of another president?

As a kid, I was taught that Virginia was the "Mother of Presidents," given that eight U.S. presidents were born here. Stretching that a bit, could Virginia claim a ninth? This story says that Ancestry.com has researched President Barack Obama's lineage and concludes he has "likely" descended from a Virginia slave. The kicker is that … Continue reading Is Virginia the “mother” of another president? →

ICYMI: Property rights on the ballot

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot. While there was little doubt that the governor would sign the legislation necessary to put the question on the ballot, he didn't actually do so until July 16. I'll most likely be writing another column or two on the subject as Election Day approaches. It seems … Continue reading ICYMI: Property rights on the ballot →