lowkell

As Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart revs up his anti-immigrant frothing at the mouth, it is important to remember what this is all about. Here's "Moonhowlings", who knows a thing or two about these matters:

Pay close attention to the very end.  How much more of an admission is needed before people will see that the Immigration Resolution in PWC was all about an election.  Hethmon admits it.  He brags about it.  FAIR is also involved in AZ.  Leopards do not change their spots! Note the arrow coming from FAIR to AZ. It had started then.

Prince William County was a field experiment.  The end of the video is critical. Around 2:30 Michael Hethmon says it is a political issue. They were scared that Republicans were going to lose in elections because of the Iraq War.

Just keep this in mind - that Prince William County was a "field experiment" in 2007 - as Corey Stewart gears up for a) his reelection campaign in 2011; and b) whatever he plans to run for, statewide, in 2013.  And do not be surprised when immigrant bashing goes Virginia-wide.

P.S. As always, see 9500 Liberty for more on this.

According to Tim Kaine, the only thing the "party of Abraham Lincoln" stands for these days is "how do we make President Obama fail." In Kaine's words, President Lincoln would be turning over in his grave if he saw what his party had become. My guess is that Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and a long list of internationalist, pro-environment, reasonable, sane, moderate Republicans in U.S. history would be doing the same thing.  

Can you imagine if a Democrat - let's just say Michael Steele's counterpart across the aisle, Tim Kaine - had said the things Steele said about Afghanistan being a "war of choice." What do you think Eric Cantor would have said to Don Imus in that case?  Yeah, duh.

Anyway, here's Don Imus' response to Cantor's refusal to say "yes" or "no" to a simple question:

You know, that's the problem with these interviews, well, with me, because I get obsessed with, like I'll ask somebody a question,...and then you won't answer it...so then I'm sitting here, so then you keep talking, Charles can be a witness to this, you keep talking and I stop listening because all I'm thinking is the bastard won't answer my question. I didn't mean to call you a bastard, because you're not...Yeah, in a generic, metaphorical sense. I didn't mean you, specifically...or some rotten, lyin'...

Gotta love it when Don Imus speaks "metaphorically." Heh.

Remember that crazy, "mark of the beast" microchip bill in Virginia this past General Assembly session? Well, they apparently have the same lunacy in Georgia, and it's become an issue in the gubernatorial campaign there. The classic quote comes from Democrat Roy Barnes, who says, "If somebody holds me down and drives a microchip into my head, it had better be more than just a damn misdemeanor." Exactly!

From the most excellent Congressman Tom Perriello (D-5th, VA). yet another example of why he should be (easily) reelected in November. Go Tom!

July 6, 2010-Ferrum, VA-Today at Ferrum College, Congressman Tom Perriello unveiled a progress report on the one-year anniversary of his "energy independence" blueprint, showing achievements in nearly every category. A year ago, also in Franklin County, he introduced a plan, "New Energy for the Fifth District: A Blueprint for Putting Southside and Central Virginia at the Forefront of the Clean Energy Economy," which laid out the reasons, and steps necessary, to make Southside and Central Virginia the leader of the new energy economy.

One year later, significant progress has been made on nearly every stated objective. Today, Perriello released the progress report, an accompanying online map, and a news round-up that reflects these accomplishments and actions that will help rebuild the economy of Southside and Central Virginia.

"We've taken huge steps towards establishing Central and Southern Virginia as a leader in the clean energy economy," said Perriello. "When we created this energy blueprint a year ago, I couldn't have imagined the strides we would make in just one year. The progress we've achieved signifies that the 5th district of Virginia is ready to lead in this economic sector and I look forward to continuing our work to create new jobs in this promising industry."

Click on the links below for resources:
· Progress Report on "New Energy" Blueprint
· Searchable online map with clean energy achievements throughout 5th district
· News round-up of stories showing the progress of the clean energy industry in the 5th district

Among the accomplishments listed in the report are:

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the "Code Orange" Tuesday "Clips."

1. RIVERKEEPER WORRIED OFFICIALS WILL FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST EPA
2. VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS WRANGLE OVER CUTTING EDUCATION FUNDING PIE
5. WEBB: SAFEGUARD OFFSHORE RIGS FROM TERROR
7. ON THE EASTERN SHORE, SHE RULES THE POLITICAL ROOST
8. 5,000 OF VA. NON-PROFITS COULD LOSE TAX-EXEMPT STATUS
9. UNINSURED VIRGINIANS MAY LOSE FREE DENTAL CARE
10. COLLEGE TUITION HIKES HITTING REGION THIS FALL
15. NEW HISTORICAL MARKERS TO APPEAR IN VIRGINIA
26. 97 DEGREES JUST A WARM-UP; TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPERATURES POSSIBLE
28. SOARING TEMPS MIGHT PRESS UTILITIES IN EASTERN US
29. CHESAPEAKE OYSTERS GAIN DISEASE RESISTANCE
30. SHIPYARD PLANS TO HIRE 1,000, INVEST $200M TO DOUBLE SUB PRODUCTION

I received the following email from a Virginia politico who prefers to remain anonymous, but asked me to post this. I have done so, with a few minor edits for grammar, punctuation, and to protect his or her identity. Needless to say, I strongly agree with what's written here about the group known as Virginia FREE ("FREE" stands for "Foundation for Research and Economic Education").  For an idea how influential and powerful this group is, click here to read about how "more than a third (35.9%) of all campaign dollars raised by incumbent state legislators in the 2007 cycle came from VAFREE members."  In contrast, "This compares to 3% from the trial lawyers and 1% from organized labor." That's right, the bogeymen of "trial lawyers" and "unions" accounted for a combined 4% of Virginia campaign dollars in 2007, compared to 36% - 9 times that amount - from Virginia FREE. Just keep that in mind as you read the following, most excellent, rant. Also keep it in mind as you peruse Virginia FREE's annual rankings of legislators. Actually, given the following information, it might make a lot more sense to flip those rankings upside down.

Virginia FREE purports to advocate for business, for having a strong business climate for Virginia. Every year, after the General Assembly session, they issue a scorecard. This year, I was appalled to note that they included bills such as mandatory autism insurance coverage (which they opposed and it failed), prohibiting insurers from canceling those with Chinese drywall (which they opposed and it failed) and several environmental bills including a renewable energy portfolio standard and quantifiable measures of greenhouse gases to be included in any transportation plan (which they opposed and the bills failed).

Virginia FREE also, of course, opposed a bill that would have allowed non-violent criminals to have their records expunged after a certain number of years and under certain conditions. Here is the link to their scorecard (the bills they used to compile it are in Appendix B.)

I think this is outrageous and they ought to be called on it. It is ridiculous to think that having dirty air and water, insufficient (or non-existent) coverage for disabled children create a good and strong business climate. I would hope that we believe that Virginians are fairer and smarter than that and recognize the value of a good environment.

It is really sad that Virginia FREE sees disparaging the environment as the best business climate. To the contrary, of course, a cleaner, more energy efficient Virginia is actually better for business and job creation. Moreover, creating an environmentally improved Virginia will also lead to green jobs. Certainly, allowing autistic children to receive therapy so they can grow up to be productive constructive citizens (who can be part of a skilled workforce and pay their fair share instead of being a cost to the state) ought to be seen as a worthwhile investment (not to mention basic human decency). Part of having a successful business climate, it would seem to me, is having good quality of life so that employees want to be here and so you can attract a skilled workforce. All the things they have opposed ignore that and, frankly, are contrary to that.

I am furious that Virginia FREE can get away with this. I am also furious that the "mainstream media" just publishes the scores and describe Virginia FREE as a "pro-business" group. So, feel free (bad pun) to ignore this, but I thought you and your readers might feel some of the same righteous indignation that I do.

Late last week, the Washington Post reported that "State Sen. Don McEachin has launched a new political action committee, Believe in Virginia PAC, as he aims to help Democratic candidates running in legislative races next year."  I contacted Sen. McEachin's office for more details, and received the following statement:

The Believe in Virginia PAC is a PAC formed by Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico)  to support candidates and activities. Senator McEachin believes that Virginians are fair and open-minded and want a Virginia that reflects those values. This PAC will contribute to candidates, organizations and activities who want to improve the environment, support and improve public education, devise and implement a real transportation plan, create jobs and provide ALL Virginians equal opportunity, justice and fairness.

Senator McEachin said, "It's about time that folks put their actions and resources where their mouths are. Since I have been strongly speaking about the administration and its actions and for progressive values, it's time to support those values with my efforts and my resources. I intend to work to recruit and assist candidates, support activities and activists, and promote legislation that reflects a Virginia of which we can be proud."

I'm very happy to see this from Sen. McEachin. The fact is, since November 2009 -- when Virginia Democrats suffered through one of their worst elections in many years -- Sen. McEachin has stepped up and been one of the most vocal leaders of what Howard Dean used to call "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."  As such, Sen. McEachin has been a forceful, articulate critic of Bob McDonnell's "Confederate History Month," of Ken Cuccinelli's "ludicrous" lawsuit against clean cars, and of course against Cooch's "ludicrous and frivolous" assault against climate scientist Michael Mann. In addition, Sen. McEachin has pressed Ken Cuccinelli to return $50,000 in tainted contributions from the shady U.S. Navy Veterans Association. And McEachin has called out Fred Malek for his "recent illegal behavior."

In addition to (justifiably and necessarily) criticizing McDonnell and Cooch, Sen. McEachin also has been an active, articulate advocate for progressive values. For instance, see here for McEachin's opposition to Del. Bob Marshall's assault against the new health care law.  Also, see here for Sen. McEachin's passionate defense of "the poor...those how are vulnerable...those who live in the margins." That's exactly why many of us are Democrats, not Republicans, as Sen. McEachin clearly understands.  We'll see where this new PAC leads, whether to effective assistance for progressive candidates, to Sen. McEachin's own run for statewide office, or to a Virginia we can all believe in.  Perhaps it will lead to all of the above?  We can only hope. Stay tuned...

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Monday "Clips."

1. GEORGE W. JONES, LONGTIME HOUSE MEMBER FROM CHESTERFIELD, DIES AT 83
2. TEA PARTY GATHERINGS ON THE FOURTH MIX THE EDUCATIONAL AND THE PATRIOTIC
3. WASHINGTON PAPERS TO BE HOUSED AT MOUNT VERNON
5. I-66, 95 CONSIDERED FOR HIGHER SPEED LIMITS
6. VA VEHICLE DESIGN IN RUNNING FOR MPG PRIZE
7. IS VIRGINIA MISSING THE MARK? EDUCATION EXPERTS SAY YES.
14. AS ROADS CLOG, GOV. MCDONNELL REFUSES TO SHIFT GEARS (By Christina Nuckols, The Virginian-Pilot -- not linkable)
15. METRO'S REMOVAL OF 100 RAIL CARS FOR DOOR ISSUE COULD AFFECT SERVICE
16. PCS PROJECT OFFERS ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL
18. DRMC A JOBS ENGINE FOR REGION
20. BUDGET WOES LIMIT JAIL TIME FOR MISDEMEANORS IN SCOTT COUNTY