Loudoun Republican leaders have twice in the past week advanced their ideological crusade to degrade and diminish LGBT Virginians. Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, who earns his living as the president of a nationally-recognized hate group, issued an outrageous statement blasting President Obama for his support of same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, in Richmond, Delegates David Ramadan (R-87) and Tag Greason (R-32) followed the lead of noted homophobe and former Loudoun Delegate (and current Republican U.S. Senate candidate) Bob Marshall in rejecting the nomination of an eminently well-qualified prosecutor and decorated Navy veteran for a General District Court Judgeship, based solely on the fact that he is gay.
Supervisor Delgaudio has become infamous for his homophobic rantings and anti-gay activism [Lowell's note: see photo at left for an example]. He earns his living, and raises large sums of money, by promoting a radical agenda of bigotry and intolerance, all while representing the citizens of the Sterling District. Earlier this year, his organization ("the Public Advocate of the United States") was labeled a Hate Group for its anti-gay activities by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nationally recognized civil rights organization. Now Delgaudio, in a recent interview with the Loudoun Times-Mirror and on his organization's website, has assailed President Obama for his recent endorsement of same-sex marriage. Delgaudio claims President Obama's stance "disrespects women, God's values and his own spouse and embraces the all powerful and well funded Homosexual lobby in their insatiable demand for the destruction of marriage."
First, check out the robocall many Arlingtonians - myself included - have been receiving this week from Democratic congressional candidate Bruce Shuttleworth. Just a couple problems with this: 1) the poll he cites is utterly absurd, as I explained here; 2) there's no "paid for by" statement at the end of the call, as required by the FEC. Double #FAIL on that one.
Second, see the "flip" for images of Shuttleworth's campaign sign. Notice something? That's right, there's no "union bug," which means the sign was made in a non-union shop, and there's also no recycled logo, which means the sign is not environmentally friendly. Another double #FAIL for the Shuttleworth campaign.
Meanwhile, this guy has not been seen at any Democratic gatherings, but did manage to find time to address the Falls Church Republicans and ask for their votes. Fascinating strategy to try to win a Democratic primary...turn out Republicans to vote in it?!?
Bottom line: On June 12, I urge every 8th CD Democrat to get out and vote for Rep. Jim Moran. He's doing an excellent job in Congress and speaking out forcefully and articulately on issues we all care about. Let's make sure we keep Jim Moran there to keep fighting for us, and certainly not replace him with a Republican-friendly, union-and-environment-unfriendly "Democrat!"
Once again, Virginia's in the news for a gay rights issue, this time related to the this:
...in recent years, The Falls Church has become a symbol of a division in the Episcopal Church, a Christian denomination that has given the United States more presidents than any other, and a good share of the country's Anglo-Saxon Protestant elite.
The rupture came after an openly gay man was consecrated as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire in 2004. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and The Falls Church was one of many congregations that broke from the U.S. church by aligning with conservative Anglican provinces in Africa and South America.
So, of course, Virginia's own Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson felt the need to weigh in over a judge's ruling "in favor of the Episcopal Church over a breakaway conservative group that has been holding services in the disputed sanctuary since 2006." Never a dull moment in Virginia these days, I'll tell you. Ugh.
I've mentioned on numerous occasions how the Washington Kaplan Post frequently plagiarizes material from bloggers (and other media outlets), steals their ideas, fails to give proper credit for stories, promotes false equivalencies at every turn, publishes climate science deniers and other assorted liars and shills (e.g., Jennifer Rubin) on their pages, etc. Apparently, as their own business model swirls around the toilet bowl, the Kaplan Post thinks that somehow by violating all concepts of journalistic ethics, they will somehow save themselves. Of course, they won't, but apparently that's how they've decided they want to go down with the Titanic. Whatever.
Anyway, the latest example is more humorous than anything else, although it clearly demonstrates three things: 1) the Post's sloppy reporting and lax (to put it mildly) journalistic standards; and 2) their utter disdain for/fear of "the blogs."
So what did they do now, you ask? Well, in an otherwise strong editorial calling out Virginia Republicans for "an ugly campaign of homophobic bigotry" in their rejection of the Tracy Thorne-Begland nomination the other day, they casually toss in this line:
Mr. Marshall - known in Richmond as "Sideshow Bob" - said that...
Oh really, is that so? Bob Marshall is "known in Richmond" by the nickname that this blog (and this blogger) gave him, that this blog (and this blogger) know him by? That's fascinating, certainly news to me. Anyway, I checked with several of my Richmond sources (e.g., elected officials, politicos), as to whether General Assembly members ever refer to Bob Marshall as "Sideshow Bob." Their responses:
*"Not really. It's mainly you."
*"I can't say that I have [heard that in Richmond]."
*"I really dont know. I have heard it but could not pinpoint it."
*"I've never heard anyone say that."
*"Never heard anyone calling him Sideshow Bob. More like Invisible Man since most members (R&D) ignore him outright."
Combine those comments with the fact that I have never, ever seen anyone in Richmond quoted as referring to Del. Marshall as "Sideshow Bob," and basically, the Post is full of horse manure. Why does this matter? Two reasons. First, although this is a relatively small matter, it calls into question, once again, the veracity of the Post's reporting on other subjects (pretty much any subject). Second, it illustrates the lengths to which the Post will go to avoid giving credit to bloggers, aka, "the competition," for their ideas, stories, scoops, etc. The bottom line when it comes to the Post on this one? As we say in the world of social media, one which the Post clearly doesn't respect or even understand: #FAIL!!!
Over the course of the 2012 session, legislators dealt with such integral issues such as what kind of instrument should be used to undertake a transvaginal ultrasound and how Virginia should combat voter fraud before anyone in the General Assembly was aware investigations were being conducted on cases of voter fraud. In other words, the 2012 General Assembly session in Virginia has been a boon for comedians and commentators looking for signs of backwardness in the U.S.
The last day of the 2012 session proved to be no less impressive in its hatefulness. In order to justify their decision, Republican legislators argued that Thorne-Begland's public positions on gay rights disallowed his impartiality as a judge. But for anyone who has listened to the Republican Party, whether it be statewide or nationally, knows better than to fall for this argument.
Americans believe passionately in liberty. Personal freedom is fundamental to the entire American Experiment. After all, what freedoms do we have if not the inalienable right to decide personal choices personally? When a personal decision impacts no one but the individual citizen, no government, foreign or domestic, should ever interfere. If they try, they will have a fight on their hands. "Give me liberty or give me death" is our de facto national motto.
Liberty in America was/is/will always be at risk. It is in the nature of humankind to exert power over others. Today's tactical battlegrounds of liberty are reproduction and marriage, but the strategic stakes are much higher. Personal liberty is at risk. When Americans are forced by their government to cede personal decisions to sheriffs and judges, we cede personal liberty.
Religious zealots are hell-bent on undermining personal freedom in America. They want government to interfere in the personal decisions of Americans when it comes to reproduction and gay marriage. Without a shred of evidence that compelling societal impacts exist, zealots want government to impose their religious beliefs upon on all Americans.
Whether a woman chooses to abort a fetus is a decision between herself and her God. Her neighbors have no right to intrude on this personal decision. In fact, if an abortion results in one fewer unwanted child in the community, or in one fewer back-alley medical emergency, her neighbors should applaud her decision, not indict it.
When two people marry, they deepen their love. They give themselves an added bridge to survive tough times. Why would any American want to interfere in this most personal decision? What is the compelling social need to constrict a person's freedom to commit themselves to another person in marriage?
Anti-American zealots justify interference in personal liberty as defending marriage or defending life. As though marriage, which has endured for millennia, needs defense. As though uncontrolled hemorrhaging and unwanted and unloved children are not the inevitable consequences of their religious agenda.
Abortion and gay rights are not just social issues. They are fundamental tests of personal freedom in America.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, May 16. Also, check out President Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, on "April Fundraising & Paths to 270 Update."
Readily available information is insufficient to determine if future Virginia retirees should consider themselves fortunate, but they seemed to have dodged the bullet during a flight to risk taken by their pension trust. Standard accounting and reporting procedures have changed since the meltdown of 2008, but what is clear is that at the end of the last available reporting period (June 30, 2011) the fund had unwound itself from a derivatives position of nearly $7 billion reported in 2009 to a much more reasonable (but not necessarily justifiable) $1.3 billion.
What Delegate Purkey (R-Virginia Beach) has claimed is the result of his committee's hand on the steering wheel, The Virginia Retirement System reported a one year return on investment of 19.1% last year. But what the fund holds in assets is an amount less than that reported three years earlier: $51.3 vs $51.7 billion. So a three year decline of half a billion dollars. Not bad at all, considering the turmoil during that time.
But here are some questions:
What was the net return on the derivatives?
Was the risk inherent in the derivatives justified?
If the return has justified the risk, why unwind?
Would a flight to quality have provided a similar return without the risk?
One other question: Will Bob McDonnell repay VRS with the 33% two year gain the funds would have earned had they been paid when obligated?
Del. Mark Keam nails it -- "If you are upset about what happened in Richmond this year, I urge you to channel your frustrations and energy into something positive and productive: Go join a campaign and volunteer. Go out and talk to your neighbors and friends and urge them to participate in our democracy." Amen. (note: bolding added by me for emphasis)
Very early this morning, the VA House debated then voted on the nomination of Tracy Thorne-Begland to serve as a state district court judge. Unfortunately, he was not approved as only 33 Delegates supported him when he needed 51 votes.
As one of the yea votes, I am deeply disappointed that a good and qualified man was denied a chance to serve. There is already a lot of discussion about what happened, and fingerpointing for blame. Certainly, more discussions should be had, especially since this vote came at the end of a contentious legislative session where the Republicans' divisive social issues like gays, abortion, religion, etc., dominated the agenda.
For now, however, the only thing I will say is "elections have consequences." In a democracy, the majority rules.
If you are upset about what happened in Richmond this year, I urge you to channel your frustrations and energy into something positive and productive: Go join a campaign and volunteer. Go out and talk to your neighbors and friends and urge them to participate in our democracy.
It's not enough for ordinary Virginians to sit in front of your computers and complain about the direction of our Commonwealth or our nation. Whether you're for my Democratic Party and my candidates Barack Obama and Tim Kaine or for the other side, the key to our collective futures is in your hands. You can make a difference so please get up and get out and participate.
This is your government. You can decide who makes the policies that impact your lives.
The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication just released their latest national survey results on "Americans' Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes," and a couple of the results jumped out at us.
First, the study found that "only 13 percent [of Americans] trust oil, gas and coal companies (e.g., ExxonMobil and Peabody Energy) as sources of information about global warming." In stark contrast, 74% of Americans trust climate scientists, 47% trust President Obama, and 43% trust the mainstream news media. Overall, the fossil fuel companies came in dead last, behind car companies and consumer goods companies, in terms of who Americans trust regarding information on global warming.
Second, the level of distrust for the fossil fuel companies, at least on this subject, is intense. In fact, despite an aggressive, well-funded campaign by companies like ExxonMobil to sow doubt about climate science, the new Yale survey finds that an astounding 87 percent of Americans distrust the fossil fuel companies for information on global warming, and that a near-majority (48%) of Americans strongly distrust the fossil fuel companies.
The bottom line: despite many millions of dollars spent by the fossil fuel companies to spread disinformation, including funding of science denial groups like the Heartland Institute, on climate science, the American people simply do not trust them for information on this subject. Perhaps the fossil fuel companies might have better spent their money on promoting wind, solar, and other clean energy sources instead?
Today, Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) and Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexadria) spoke out against GOP lawmakers in Richmond, who voted against appointing Tracy Thorne-Begland to the Richmond District Court simply because he was gay.
"Tracy Thorne-Begland is a highly qualified and exceptionally competent prosecutor, who also served our country with honor as a Navy pilot. The blatant prejudice that Republicans displayed last night should have no place in our government. The GOP took Virginia back to the bigotry and mean-spirited prejudice of the 1960s. I thought we had made more progress toward a just society than this," said Senator McEachin.
"The debate in the House of Delegates was homophobic and embarrassing, and showed a disrespect to a chief deputy Commonwealth's Attorney and decorated veteran who was honorably discharged," said Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Virginia's first openly gay senator. "It's also offensive that the Senate Republican leadership wouldn't even grant Lt. Thorne-Begland the courtesy of a Senate vote."
"The only criteria legislators should apply when selecting judges are that person's ability to fairly and impartially weigh the law. Mr. Thorne-Begland's qualifications for appointment to the bench were unimpeachable, but Republicans cynically voted against his appointment just because he was gay," said Senator McEachin.
"Why don't House Republicans trust a Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney to uphold the Constitution? Are they afraid of a tough on crime prosecutor? They question a distinguished former Naval Lieutenant who told the truth? They say that a Navy Achievement Medal awarded by the Secretary of the Navy isn't meaningful?
Their opposition to Tracy Thorne-Begland's nomination was for one reason and one reason alone. Because he is openly gay," added Senator Ebbin.
Now the GOP's ideological war is having real consequences and costing Virginia jobs at a critical time for the fragile economic recovery. Wind energy giant Gamesa has announced that if the U.S. and Virginia can't commit to wind energy, it can't commit to the U.S., building key new wind prototypes off Spain & Africa instead:
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 15. The photo is of Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney (for Richmond) Tracy Thorne-Begland -- see below and in the comments section for a lot more on his nomination's rejection late last night by Virginia's homophobic and/or cowardly Republicans.
Look, Jamie Radtke's just as crazy and not-too-bright as George Allen, but she does have a point here. Namely, that it is beyond absurd - not to mention wildly offensive! - for George Allen to blame the 9/11 attacks on our country for the trillions of dollars in deficits run up while George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and a Republican Congress (including Senator Allen) were in charge.
So, what caused our country's deficits? The CBO has the numbers, and they couldn't be clearer. First and foremost, the Bush era tax cuts -- which had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11, but which had everything to do with Allen's disastrous "deficits don't matter"/"trickle down" economic philosophy -- slashed government revenues to the lowest share of GDP since 1950, and continue to cost our country $400 billion a year. Brilliant. In other words, both Jamie Radkte and George Allen are dead wrong that the deficits are all, or even mostly, caused by spending. Again, the #1 cause is the Bush tax cuts, which Allen voted for.
Second, there are the two wars, Afghanistan and Iraq, neither of which was ever paid for by raising the revenues to pay for them. And no, Felix, whether or not the invasion of Iraq was warranted for a number of reason, it had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. So don't hide behind that national tragedy (possibly even more disgusting is Allen's attempt to hide behind the troops for his own failures) to absolve yourself of responsibility for what you and your party did. Pathetic.
Third, the deficits are caused in large part by the sharp economic downturn - Wall Street collapsing, the housing bubble bursting, and all the other wonders of the Bush/Cheney/Republican era - which Barack Obama and the Democrats inherited and have had to spend huge amounts of time and energy cleaning up. Heckuva job by George Allen and his fellow Republicans, huh? You've also gotta love how Allen et al. refuse to take responsibility for any of this, claim it's "Obama's economy," blah blah blah. Typical Republicans, though, not taking responsibility for their own actions and their owned failed, right-wingnut economic ideology.
Finally, as even not-the-brightest-bulb Jamie Radtke can figure out, 9/11 didn't force George Allen to vote for Medicare Part D, also unfunded by the Republicans. Of course, yet again, Allen refuses to take responsibility for his own actions. Sensing a pattern here?
Andy Schmookler is running for Congress in the 6th Congressional District of Virginia, challenging the incumbent Congressman, Bob Goodlatte. An award-winning author, political commentator, radio talk-show host, and teacher, Andy moved with his family to Shenandoah County in 1992. He is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.
There is one major truth --one of historical importance, as I see it-- that is the impetus behind my campaign. In the course of this campaign, I have articulated it in various ways. The following is a new, concise statement. It was written for presentation as a speech delivered --without text or notes in hand-- to the Roanoke Valley Democratic Women's annual fundraiser on April 26.
It seems the press can hardly write an article about our campaign without using words like "underdog" and "uphill" and "solidly Republican." The conventional wisdom is that a Democrat can't win here in Virginia's 6th District.
This conventional wisdom might be valid if the political drama in America today were about politics as usual. But it's not.
The battle in American politics right now isn't about liberal versus conservative. It's about something much deeper. It's about constructive versus destructive. About honest vs. dishonest. About a willingness to put the greater good ahead of "More for me!"
What we're up against here is a sickness of the spirit that is erupting in through our politics.
Even though the inequalities of wealth in America have reached levels not seen in living memory, the force that's taken over the Republican Party - with its Ryan Budget, supported by Bob Goodlatte - is working to widen the gap still further.
The purpose of Blue Virginia is to cover Virginia politics from a progressive and Democratic perspective. This is a group blog and a community blog. We invite everyone to comment here, but please be aware that profanity, personal attacks, bigotry, insults, rudeness, frequent unsupported or off-point statements, and "trolling" (NOTE: that includes outright lies, whether about climate science, or what other people said, or whatever) are not permitted and, if continued, will lead to banning. For more on trolling, see the Daily Kos FAQs. Also note that diaries may be deleted if they do not contain at least 2 solid paragraphs of original text; if not, please use the comments section of a relevant diary. For more on writing diaries, click here. Thanks, and enjoy!
Loudoun Republican leaders have twice in the past week advanced their ideological crusade to degrade and diminish LGBT Virginians. Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, who earns his living as the president of a nationally-recognized hate group, issued an outrageous statement blasting President Obama for his support of same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, in Richmond, Delegates David Ramadan (R-87) and Tag Greason (R-32) followed the lead of noted homophobe and former Loudoun Delegate (and current Republican U.S. Senate candidate) Bob Marshall in rejecting the nomination of an eminently well-qualified prosecutor and decorated Navy veteran for a General District Court Judgeship, based solely on the fact that he is gay.
I've mentioned on numerous occasions how the 
Americans believe passionately in liberty. Personal freedom is fundamental to the entire American Experiment. After all, what freedoms do we have if not the inalienable right to decide personal choices personally? When a personal decision impacts no one but the individual citizen, no government, foreign or domestic, should ever interfere. If they try, they will have a fight on their hands. "Give me liberty or give me death" is our de facto national motto.
An AFL-CIO tweet yesterday jogged the memory. During the conclusion of 
Del. Mark Keam 
"Tracy Thorne-Begland is a highly qualified and exceptionally competent prosecutor, who also served our country with honor as a Navy pilot. The blatant prejudice that Republicans displayed last night should have no place in our government. The GOP took Virginia back to the bigotry and mean-spirited prejudice of the 1960s. I thought we had made more progress toward a just society than this," said Senator McEachin.
Here are a few Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 15. The photo is of Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney (for Richmond) Tracy Thorne-Begland -- see below and in the comments section for a lot more on his nomination's rejection late last night by Virginia's homophobic and/or cowardly Republicans.
