Yearly Archives: 2014

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, December 28.

*Search underway for AirAsia flight with 162 aboard ("The Malaysia-based airline's Airbus A320-200 left the Surabaya airport in Indonesia bound for Singapore and lost contact with air traffic controllers 42 minutes later while over the Java Sea." Ugh. Horrible.)
*De Blasio Gives Officer's Eulogy Before Unfriendly Faces ("As Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke at the funeral of Rafael Ramos, scores of mourning police officers turned their backs to him, a sign of the discontent he faces." Real classy, guys.)
*2014 Was the Year We Finally Started to Do Something About Climate Change ("A year of extreme weather, climate denial, and some hope." We need to do a lot more, and fast!)
*Tax credits merit look from Virginia lawmakers ("...some lawmakers are indignant that McAuliffe would dare touch the coal tax credits, given that the coal industry has thoroughly slumped and coal jobs are being lost in Southwest Virginia." Yep, it's Republicans for taxpayer-funded corporate welfare!)
*McDonnell daughter says former governor's downfall is mom's fault (Wait, these were the daughters who took $15,000 and $10,000 checks from Jonnie Williams? Their mother forced them to do that? What. Ever.)
*Letters from two of Robert F. McDonnell's daughters (If they really feel this way about their mother, why didn't they testify as such in court?)
*Shine the spotlight on district boundaries (Agree on redistricting reform, disagree strongly that money isn't a "real problem" in politics.)
*Virginia's Top Stories in 2014 (Peter Galuszka is always worth reading; this is an excellent list.)
*Anne Holton on SOL reform, other educational issues
*Truett: Virginia's war on the impoverished: A plea for a ceasefire (Sure, but it's not "Virginia" that's blocking Medicaid expansion, it's "Virginia Republicans," period.)
*Along Hampton Roads Transit bus routes, riders say patience is key
*Thousands plan march to support police in Va. Beach (It's not black and white, the issue is that we should support GOOD policing - and police officers - and demand changes in BAD police practices. Why is it so hard for some people to understand that these are not mutually exclusive in any way?)
*Still on the mild side, but clouds moving in, showers likely by midday

I grew up in a rough section of Knoxville, TN.  Fights were not uncommon at my schools, especially after about the 7th grade when all us boys were trying to establish where we fit into the pecking order.

However, the REAL spectacle was when two girls started duking it out -- talk about the fur flying -- shrieking, screaming, very "unladylike" language, hair-pulling, face-scratching -- we guys just punched at each other with our fists -- the girls went for blood.

I was reminded of those days when I saw this WashPost article today -- seems as though the McDonnell daughters have launched on their beloved Mother.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

Two children of former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell say his stunning downfall and conviction on public corruption charges can largely be attributed to the corrosive effects of just one person: Their mother.

Jeanine McDonnell Zubowsky and Cailin Young wrote in blunt - and at times scathing - letters to a federal judge that it was former first lady Maureen McDonnell's materialism and mental-health issues that derailed the rising political career of her husband. The letters of support for Robert McDonnell were part of a trove of 440 submitted by his attorneys, who are seeking leniency at his Jan. 6 sentencing in Richmond.

You guess they'll come off the Christmas card list?

Instead of making predictions for 2015 (still not pushing my luck from the mostly accurate predictions I made for 2012, I'm simply going to list a dozen things to keep an eye on next year in Virginia politics. Please feel free to add your own items in the comments section. Thanks.

1. Arlington County Board elections: Following the two victories in 2014 (in a special election last spring and in the November general election) by Republican/faux-"Independent" John Vihstadt over Democrat Alan Howze for Arlington County Board, who knows what 2015 will bring, with two sitting board members - Democrats Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes - up for reelection. That is, assuming Tejada and/or Hynes decide to run for reelection, which is the first thing to keep an eye on early in 2015. Then, we'll see if any Democrats Andrew Schneider? Cord Thomas? Peter Fallon? Christian Dorsey? others?) decide to primary one or both incumbents. Finally, we'll see how the general election goes: whether the Vihstadt/Garvey/Rousselot alliance can come up with another plausible/electable "independent" candidate; whether the issues that people were so passionate about in 2014 (particularly the streetcar, which Hynes and Jay Fisette decided to "deep six" after the Howze loss in November) will continue to drive Arlington voters. Through all this, how will the Arlington County Democratic Committee hold together (or not) in 2015? Stay tuned, things could be VERY interesting in Arlington County politics in 2015 (whatever happened to the many years when Arlington County Board races were a snoozefest?).

2. Fairfax County Board elections: I'm hearing from numerous politicos that Democrats are a bit concerned about the potential for losing seats on (or in a worst-case scenario, control of) the Fairfax County Board. Currently, there are three Republicans (John Cook - Braddock district, Pat Herrity - Springfield district , Michael Frey - Sully district) and seven Democrats (Chair Sharon Bulova - at large, John Foust - Dranesville, Catherine Hudgins - Hunter Mill, Jeff McKay - Lee, Penelope Gross - Mason, Gerald Hyland - Mt. Vernon, Linda Smyth - Providence) on the Board. Which means Republicans would have to pick up three seats to take control. Which might those be? I'm hearing the most vulnerable districts for Dems are Dranesville and Mt. Vernon if Gerry Hyland retires (which he supposedly is leaning towards doing; personally I think that should be a safe Dem district, but after what happened in Arlington in 2014...who knows?!?). On the other hand, perhaps John Cook might be vulnerable to a strong challenger, given that Democrat Janet Oleszek almost beat him four years ago?

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, December 27. Also, check out the NewsHour story on Medicaid expansion, and "how a state's choice on Medicaid expansion affects hospitals." In short, there are HUGE advantages for states that have expanded Medicaid, while states like Virginia, where Republicans have relentlessly fought Medicaid expansion, hospitals and Virginians are suffering. Why? No good reason whatsoever, just right-wing Teapublican ideology and politics. Lovely, huh?

*North Korea berates Obama over The Interview release (North Korea's leaders all need to be in jail for crimes against humanity.)
*New Roadster Can Travel 400 Miles On A Single Charge, Tesla Announces (This is exactly the type of cleantech innovation our country - and planet - need.)
*The 6 Most Ridiculous Attacks on Clean Energy In 2014
*Kallio: Virginia workers need a way to save for retirement
*Nemeth: Sustainable energy economy: Denial lives ("So, The Roanoke Times is still giving major space to global change deniers like Tom Pyle...OK, it is a free press; I just don't agree that the American Energy Alliance should be given any serious scientific or economic credence." Bingo.)
*Swanson: There goes Virginia's climate (We should be going all-out for non-polluting energy sources -- solar, wind, efficiency -- and getting off of fossil fuels ASAP!)
*After a year of budget fireworks, Virginia sees smooth sailing ahead ("Despite a budget gap and a brush with a shutdown, the state's finances are largely safe from partisan battles.")
*Virginia inspectors take a measure of how goods are measured
*With retirements, Wolf, Moran leave big shoes to fill
*UVa alum effort to provide attorney to sex assault victims is making progress ("Over half of the money has been raised, and planning for 2015 has begun in earnest.")
*Virginia agriculture grants sowing job growth, development
*Del. Joseph Yost proposes rejoining split precincts in Montgomery County
*Teacher lawsuit against Fairfax principal moves forward ("But a judge dismissed several parts of a case alleging discrimination by the principal of Bailey's Elementary.")
*Balmy weather today, then Sunday's rain and chill snap us back to winter

Courtesy of Google Analytics, here are the top 25 most-read Blue Virginia stories of 2014. The only thing I'm a bit skeptical about on these statistics is that "live blogging" of election results always results in very high traffic, yet those posts didn't make it into the top 25, according to Google Analytics. So, I'm not sure what to make of that, but c'est la vie I guess. By the way, all stories are by yours truly, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks to everyone who contributed diaries and/or comments (ok, no thanks to the trolls - lol) to Blue Virginia in 2014, and also thanks to all our readers. By the way, just a reminder that this blog takes time and money to keep up. If you'd like to support it (hint hint) you can do so by donating at this link. :) Thanks.

1. Our Corrupt Supreme Court - Andy Schmookler (4/14/14)
2. VA Republican Senator Who Called Women a Child's "Host" Now Pushing Denial of Evolution(3/5/14)
3. Meet the (Gay) Priest that Homophobic Hypocrite Bob McDonnell is Now Living With (8/24/14)
4. Governor-Elect McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (1/6/14)
5. Video: Progressive Democrats of America Debate for Virginia 8th CD Gets Fiery! (5/22/14)
6. Virginia Republicans Ram through Unconstitutional Redistricting Bill on Party-Line Vote (1/20/14)
7. Chatman for Congress Campaign Issues Statement on "Fraudulent Conveyance" Appeal She Lost in 2003 (3/18/14)
8. How Democrats Almost Blew a Crucial State Senate Race (1/10/14)
9. Exclusive BV Poll of the 8th CD Democratic Primary. Part 4: Patrick Hope's HoD District (5/2/14)
10. Virginia Senate Votes to Repeal Mandatory Ultrasounds (2/11/14)
11. Special Election Date for Virginia 48th, 90th HoD Vacancies Set for 8/19; Caucuses This Weekend (6/30/14)
12. "Huge loss for Eric Cantor...his top lieutenant Linwood Cobb is toppled" (5/10/14)
13. Video: This Interview of UVA Associate Dean of Students Nicole Eramo is Deeply Disturbing (11/24/14)
14. BREAKING: Virginia Gov. McAuliffe to Expand Health Care Coverage in Face of GOP Demagoguery (6/20/14)
15. Arlington County Board Candidate Cord Thomas on His Voting Record, Ron Paul, Views on the Streetcar (1/2/14)
16. Video: Creigh Deeds on "60 Minutes" (1/26/14)
17. Benedict Puckett - Kindler (6/8/14)
18. 9 Ways the Fisette/Hynes Decision to Ditch the Streetcar Seriously Harmed Arlington (11/28/14)
19. Appalling Even by Ken Cuccinelli "Standards" (9/11/14)
20. Del. Bob Brink Resigning, Will Join McAuliffe Administration (6/27/14)
21. Straw Poll at 7th CD GOP Convention Shows Cantor Losing Badly to Dave Brat (5/12/14)
22. Could Cantor's Tea Party Challenger be Good News for Democrats? - Eric Steigleider (1/8/14)
23. Grading the 48th House of Delegates Candidates' Blue Virginia Questionnaires (6/4/14)
24. Applying My 8 Criteria to the 8th CD Candidates: Don Beyer (2/5/14)
25. Bruce Shuttleworth's Final Poll Results of the 8th CD Democratic Primary Race (5/1-5/5) (5/28/14)

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, December 26. Also, check out the new political cartoon of Dominion CEO and Top Virginia Hypocrite Tom Farrell, a master at gaming/milking the "crony capitalist" system for every taxpayer dollar he can get. Can we say "legalized corruption on a huge scale?"

*The Islamic State is failing at being a state (Shocker, huh?)
*Tsunami-hit nations mark anniversary ("Memorial services are being held in Indonesia and other nations for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami on the 10th anniversary of the disaster.")
*President Obama Made One Of History's Greatest Stock Market Calls In March 2009
*Krugman: Tidings of Comfort ("You'll never hear this on Fox News, but 2014 was a year in which the federal government, in particular, showed that it can do some important things very well if it wants to.")
*Jeb Bush eases out of some businesses, such as firm helped by Obamacare (Getting ready for the crazy debates, primaries, etc.)
*Murphy, Parisot face evenly divided electorate in Virginia House race (Key line: "Parisot, 41, declined to be interviewed by The Washington Post." Also note that Parisot refused to respond to the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce's questionnaire. What, he doesn't want the voters to know how right wing he is?)
*Virginians flock to see 'The Interview' on Christmas Day
*Today's Top Opinion: Virginia Democrats are election hypocrites (I mean, this is the "Republican Times-Disgrace" editorial board, but still...it was predictable -- and predicted, by yours truly among others -- that Republicans would use this line of attack following the 74th district Democratic nomination process being so strictly limited.)
*Day care providers need closer scrutiny
*Hampton Roads municipalities plan for what's next with SPSA ("The year 2018 might seem far away. But in the world of regional trash disposal, it's coming up mighty fast. That's when the contract that governs where our trash goes expires.")
*Groups offer to help Nelson County with pipeline research
*Weather sure to make you smile: Sunny, dry and highs in the 50s

I just read this article by Virginia Sierra Club Pipeline Committee Chair Kirk Bowers, and thought it deserved as much attention as possible. Here are a few highlights, but definitely read the whole thing (and send it to Gov. Terry McAuliffe while you're at it, telling him what you think of this crazy course of action).

*"Three large-diameter, 42-inch Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) lines are proposed in Central and Southwest Virginia. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), 550 miles long, would originate in Harrison County, WV and run to southeastern North Carolina. The 330-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) would extend from Wetzel County, WV and travel south to compressor station 165 in  Pittsylvania County, VA. The Western Marcellus Pipeline (WMP) extends from the Rockies Express pipeline near Clarington, OH and Williams Oak Grove processing plant in Marshall County, WV to compressor Station 165 in Pittsylvania County, VA."
*"There is no precedent in Virginia for 42-inch pipeline construction across steep forested terrain like the Alleghenies, Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains...These are highly sensitive environmental areas at the headwaters of many of our rivers in Virginia. The pipelines will permanently fragment the truly special forests around Signal Corps Knob, Shenandoah Mountain and Laurel Fork, among others. This region contains some of the most intact, late-successional forest habitat and is an important reservoir of biodiversity for rare species."
*"The Shenandoah and Roanoke Valley are riddled by porous, unstable karst formations, which would be subject to contamination of groundwater by pipeline leakage and rupture of pipelines due to unstable soil structure."
*"Since 1986, there have been 7,940 incidents, 512 fatalities, 2,359 injuries and more than $6.8 billion in property damages due to pipeline explosions in the United States. The blast radius is 1,100 feet for a 42-inch diameter pipeline. "
*"Landowners will see a significant decrease in property values due to the restricted use of land on the easements as well as the visual impacts of a 125-foot wide clear-cut"
*"The proposal to build the pipelines through some of the most beautiful and preserved wilderness in the East is appalling. It poses a serious threat to the environment and to the broader communities along the route. The negative impacts of the Pipelines far outweigh any positive outcomes. Natural gas pipelines accelerate the impacts of climate change. The pipelines will impede the development and use of renewable energy, as well as energy conservation. It will encourage fracking and increase methane emissions more harmful than CO2."
*"If the pipeline is built, our forests and local communities will bear the full brunt of environmental costs, the harm to hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and their economies, and the disruption of the rural character of western Virginia while not sharing in any of the purported benefits. "

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 25. Happy Christmas, Chanukah, or whatever you're celebrating this year!

*Pope condemns religious violence in Christmas address
*Swift Fall of Oil Prices Raises Fortunes of U.S. Abroad ("A plunge in oil prices has sent tremors through the global political and economic order, helping the United States but pushing several big oil-exporting nations to the brink of financial crisis.")
*Everything Is Awesome! ("Well, not everything. But America's looking much better than you think.")
*Gun Used In NYPD Murders Was Sold At Pawn Shop Where Guns Regularly End Up In Criminals' Hands (Shocker.)
*How to win Christmas arguments: Salon's guide to defeating your crazy right-wing uncle
*Bill O'Reilly's spoiling my Christmas: Why his nonsense undermines the holiday I love ("With every predictable rant by the human outrage machines, the holiday loses a little magic for me. Here's why.")
*Dominion's Pipeline: The Battle Is Joined! (Terrible idea, we should be putting that money into energy efficiency, solar and wind, not more fossil fuels.)
*One year in, 'we're just getting started,' McAuliffe says ("Part of moving ahead will involve playing hardball to win back the state Senate for Democrats in the 2015 legislative elections. Democrats have targeted five districts held by Republicans, who now have a 21-19 edge in the chamber.")
*Kevin Sullivan defends firehouse primary for Morrissey's seat (I'm still not sure why it couldn't have been opened up to more people, like a normal "firehouse primary," preferably with Instant Runoff Voting.)
*Houses of worship in Hampton Roads provide place for homeless during holidays
*Two week outlook: Trending colder and stormy into the New Year, but lots of uncertainty

Cross posted from Scaling Green

The following are ten top cleantech stories we followed closely in 2014. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list, as there's so much happening in the vast world of cleantech. Still, we think the following are fascinating, important stories well worth noting as 2014 comes to a close.

First, courtesy of Greentech Media's "The Energy Gang" podcast (with "energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey"):

1. According to Katherine Hamilton, the EPA's Clean Power Plan - "the draft 111(d) greenhouse gas rule that came out last summer...is absolutely the biggest story of the year...I think it's going to have enormous ramifications for years and years to come." We agree, as the Clean Power Plan will stimulate innovation at the state level in energy efficiency, wind and solar power, energy policy, and more. It also will make it even less likely that new coal-fired power capacity will come online, although that was already the case due to competition from renewables, natural gas, and energy efficiency.

2. According to Jigar Shah, "dirt cheap solar" is the top story of 2014, complentary to the EPA Clean Power Plan story. In Shah's view, Austin Energy switching to solar power, because it cost less than 5 cents per kilowatthour, "sent shockwaves throughout the industry," with "a lot of utility executives, as well as Lazard and others" concluded that "solar is here, it is finally deserving of your respect and you must pay attention to it," and the Austin Energy story was a "bellwether." Shah further argues that the drop in solar prices - along with other good, cleantech news - will make 111(d) much easier to achieve and a "lot less costly than people think it's going to be to implement." Synergy, anyone?

My wife is a retired VA public school teacher, receiving a pension from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Yesterday we received the annual VRS Retiree News with a report of VRS financial performance for the past year.  Here's a quote:

The VRS achieved a 15.7 percent net return on its investment portfolio for fiscal year 2014 . . .

The portfolio included $28.8 billion in public equity, $11.9 billion in credit strategies, $12.2 billion in fixed income, $7.0 billion in real assets and $5.1 billion in private equity, as of June 30, 2014.

I have some questions.

1.  I assume the 15.7 NET return means the VRS earned 15.7 % AFTER deducting fees, expenses, and other costs of doing business -- right?

2.  What is/are "credit strategies?"  I understand public equity and fixed income but have not a clue about "credit strategies."  Are these derivatives or some other shaky investment?

3.  What is "private equity?"

Thanks and Merry Christmas.