Monthly Archives: January 2011

Sometimes, "teh stupid" is so hot, it burns. Badly.  This endorsement of Republican House of Delegates candidate Greg Habeeb, by the normally super-liberal Roanoke Times editorial board, is one of those cases.

If Salem attorney Greg Habeeb succeeds in his effort to replace Morgan Griffith in the House of Delegates, we don't expect to cheer many of his votes.

Habeeb is a deeply conservative individual who believes that, even after years of punishing budget cuts, state government remains too large.

He believes, as he put it when he announced his intent to run for the seat left vacant when Griffith beat Rep. Rick Boucher, that, "Government isn't always the problem, but it is rarely the solution."

We disagree with him vehemently on both of those fundamental notions and, we suspect, on many other issues he would face as a delegate.

Despite that, we believe he is the better candidate in the Jan. 11 election, and we are recommending that voters of the 8th District send him to Richmond.

Huh? This liberal editorial board is endorsing a total right wingnut - see his website's issues section for his commitment to the usual "conservative" ideals, including "sanctity of life and marriage," "the Constitution means what it says and says what it means" (constitutional originalism and inerrancy), "reducing the size of government and keeping taxes low" (natch), "working to increase access to private schooling or home schooling," blah blah blah - over a mainstream Democrat who's been endorsed by Mark Warner, the Farm Team, Roanoke County Clerk of Court Steve McGraw, etc? And why is the Roanoke Times doing this? Because, they claim, the Democrat supposedly is "ill-prepared to serve?" Based on...???

OK, look, I've never met or spoken with Ginger Mumpower. I basically know nothing about this person. But, just for argument's sake, let's say she really is "ill-prepared to serve," as the Roanoke Times claims. Then, the choices for this liberal (pro-environment, pro-choice, pro-gay-rights, etc.) editorial board would be: a) endorse her anyway; b) don't endorse anyone; c) do something that makes absolutely no sense and endorse the conservative, right-wing Republican in the race. So, obviously, they pick option...that's right, "c". Brilliant!

Actually, far more brilliant would have been simply not to endorse anyone at all. Note to Roanoke Times and other legacy media editorial boards out there: you don't HAVE to endorse someone, you know. Just thought I'd point that out to you guys. You're welcome. :)

Actually, an even better word for it is "verklempt," maybe my fellow "M.O.T." Eric Can'tor can explain that one to John BONEr. That is, when Can'tor isn't being an irresponsible putz (another Yiddish word I believe we all know) as well as a meshuggener yutz. Now that takes talent, not to mention chutzpah! :)

The other day, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in agreement with Shaun Kenney - the former RPV communications director, about whom Josh Chernila wrote on December 29, 2006, "He can be counted upon to be on the wrong side of nearly every issue, and the more wrong he is the more violently cruel he becomes." -  on immigration. Now, will wonders never cease? That's right, I'm agreeing with Kenney again, this time on the GOP chair election debate the other day. On that subject, Shaun writes, "If you have any love for books, and even a faint bit of respect for the Republican Party... prepare to lose your respect." As Shaun points out, it should go without saying that "The Reagan Diaries" and Bush's "Decision Points" are not great books that should shape anyone's thinking in any way, shape or form. In fact, Bush's book has been almost universally panned as utter drivel, with no self-reflection or insight or ideas or...but other than that! :)

Also, as Shaun correctly adds, "[William F.] Buckley would not have been amused." In fact, Buckley's view was that "the conservative movement he had created had in effect committed intellectual suicide by failing to maintain critical distance from the Bush administration." No argument from me on that point, except that I'd argue the conservative movement didn't have much intellectual heft prior to the Bush Administration, unless of course you consider "supply-side economics" and the "Laffer Curve" to represent intellectual heft.

P.S. In all seriousness, although I disagree with Shaun about 90% of the time, I'd place him in the top tier intellectually in the Virginia rightosphere (no, that's not a backhanded compliment), along with folks like Norm Leahy (despite his sad, inexplicable climate change denial which calls into question everything else he has to say), James Bacon (that one goes without saying), "Bwana" at Renaissance Ruminations (just wish he'd write more than once every month or so and get off his Frank Wolf kick), "Loudoun Insider" of Too Conservative (at times a bit gossipy, but major kudos for having the intellectual integrity to calls 'em as he sees 'em), and of course Doug Mataconis (smarter-than-hell libertarian).  

Back in 2009, Bob McDonnell attacked Creigh Deeds - and rightfully so, perhaps - for not having a transportation plan, while bragging about the "extent and specificity" of his own (supposed) plan for transportation funding. "Like selling state liquor stores to invest a half billion dollars to widen I-66, improve I-95, and expand Metro to Dulles."  So, how's that all working out for you now, Governor McDonnell?  Let's see: liquor store revenues - zero. Improving I-95? Not happening. Expanding Metro to Dulles? Yeah, sure, the plan is sharply higher tolls on the Dulles Toll Road, so high that your fellow Republican, Jim LeMunyon, is attempting to slow or stop them. Heckuva job, Bob.

P.S. Oh yeah, and what ever happened to the other cornerstone of McDonnell's "plan" for transportation, that being offshore oil revenues?  They were mythical then, they are mythical now, they will be mythical tomorrow and next year and...

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Wednesday "Clips."

1. SCHAPIRO: SECOND TIME THE CHARM FOR LIQUOR PLAN?
3. GOVERNOR'S PENSION PROPOSAL FACES QUESTIONS
5. MCDONNELL FLIES TO NEW YORK TO MAKE PITCH TO BOND AGENCIES
11. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, ABORTION TOPICS OF TOWN HALL MEETING
14. KEY DEMOCRAT TO MISS SESSION START DUE TO SURGERY
17. MCDONNELL CALLS SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTION FOR MARCH 8
21. IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES PRESS FOR REPEAL OF HERNDON DAY LABOR LAW
22. STATE BAR BACKS 10 FOR VA. SUPREME COURT VACANCY
24. CANTOR TAKES AIM AT HEALTH-CARE OVERHAUL
26. POLL: VIRGINIA TEA PARTY SUPPORTERS VERY CONSERVATIVE, VERY WHITE
30. VA. COLLEGES RANKED ON KIPLINGER'S TOP 100 LIST
41. FAIRFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STARTS FOUNDATION TO BOLSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

UPDATE: Also, click here for an interview with Sen. Donald McEachin on legislation (e.g., on non-discrimination, foreclosures, and the Poverty Law Center) he's introducing for the upcoming General Assembly session.

UPDATE #2: Eric Cantor once again proves that he is the most arrogant, and possibly also the most utterly clueless, member of Congress. And we know he has a lot of competition in that regard!

UPDATE #3: Last but not least, farewell to Gerry Rafferty, the Scottish singer/songwriter who died yesterday at 63 years old. Here's his greatest song.

Hahahahahaha, love it!  Go Ovie! :)

Eric Byler asked me to post this. It looks like a good event on a very important subject, so check it out!

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Eric Byler, Laurie Dunivant-Larsen
SummitPR@CoffeePartyUSA.com • (301) 259-1842 • www.MovementForThePeople.org

Anniversary of "Citizens United v. FEC" sparks Summit, satirical rally in D.C., national meet-ups
FOR THE PEOPLE Summit convenes in Washington D.C. Jan. 20 to 22

WASHINGTON D.C. Jan. 4, 2011 - To mark the first anniversary of the controversial "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling, a coalition of advocacy groups and concerned citizens will host the For the People Summit, including a strategic conference at the Washington Plaza Hotel and a "We the Corporations vs. We the People" rally at the U.S. Capitol.

Speakers will include Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies, Marge Baker of People for the American Way, John Bonifaz of Free Speech for People, David Cobb of Move to Amend, Eric Hensal of Murray Hill, Inc., Jim Hightower, author of Swim Against the Current, Ellen Hodgeson Brown, author of Web of Debt, Steve Meacham of City Life Vida Urbana, Sanho Tree of the Institute for Policy Studies, and Kevin Zeese of Voters for Peace.

Bill Moyer of the Backbone Campaign and Annabel Park of the Coffee Party are two of the principal organizers. "It's very hard to make progress on any issue without addressing the problem of money in politics," Park said, "because right now it takes a nearly impossible amount of effort for ordinary people to compete with the daily influence that entrenched lobbyists enjoy. To succeed, we need to step outside the traditional left-right-center framework and find common cause across the political divide."

Today, a growing coalition that also includes Center for Media and Democracy, Alliance for Democracy, and Move to Amend launched a new website - MovementForThePeople.org - inviting people around the country to create local events and/or participate on-line.

"The greatest political reform of our time will be to abolish the legal concept of 'corporate personhood' and the inherently anti-democratic equation of money with political speech," Moyer said. "I believe this monumental task will be achieved in the coming years built on a foundation of community-based battles to return power to the People."

In Washington, Summit events will include:
Lobby Day on Capitol Hill (Jan. 20) supplemented by Lobby Days around the country
"We the Corporations" Satirical Rally (Jan. 21 at 11 AM at the U.S. Capitol Area 9)
Two-day strategic Summit (Jan. 21 and 22 at the Washington Plaza Hotel at Thomas Circle)
Nancy Price, Co-chair of the Alliance for Democracy, said she is impressed with the emerging coalition, for which she has served as an adviser.  "The Summit will be an open discussion putting aside political, cultural, and ideological differences because the problem of money in politics is uniting America like few issues can," she said. "80% of us disapprove of the Citizens United decision. 87% disapprove of the job Congress is doing. The American public will not accept a future in which we are no longer a self-determining people."

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CONTACT: Eric Byler, Laurie Dunivant-Larsen • SummitPR @ CoffeePartyUSA.com • (301) 259-1842 • www.MovementForThePeople.org

From the Virginia Democratic Senate Caucus comes worrisome news:

Senator Yvonne Miller to Have Surgery
Will Not Attend the Beginning of General Assembly Session

(Richmond, VA) - Senator Yvonne B. Miller (D-Norfolk) is scheduled to have surgery January 12th and will be absent for a portion of the 2011 session of the Virginia General Assembly.  She will join the session as soon as her recovery permits.

"I regret my necessary absence at the beginning of session.  I have asked Senator Phillip Puckett to chair the transportation committee and appreciate his willingness to take on this task," said Sen. Miller.

Chair of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington) noted that "all of Sen. Miller's colleagues wish her well and look forward to her re-joining them in Richmond."

Yvonne Miller has served in the Virginia General Assembly since 1988. I wish her the best of luck in her surgery and a speedy, successful, and smooth recovery!

Here are a couple of the best YouTube covers of Nelly's "Just a Dream Cover."  Which do you like best? Also, you can check out the rest of my "best of YouTube covers" at this link. Enjoy!

I thought it worth commenting on Jim LeMunyon's bill to shift the responsibility for toll increases on the Dulles toll road to the Loudoun and Fairfax County Boards.

The article is here: http://bit.ly/hPlkwb.

I think everyone in Loudoun would agree that we need lower tolls on the Dulles Toll Road.  But, we also all want the Silver Line in Loudoun. So how do we balance the two priorities to make sure everyone can make it home for dinner on time for the foreseeable future?  

In his haste to shift the political blame in an election year for the currently untenable schedule of toll increases to the local boards, LeMunyon fails to articulate any strategic vision for how the state continues to fund its portion of the Silver Line. Ultimately both the toll road and the Silver Line are key parts to building a better transportation future in the county.

This is the typical Richmond GOP...use the specter of 'tax increases' to scare voters and score political points while conveniently avoiding any responsibility for filling the void with any creative solutions that can provide long term relief.