How can this lunacy happen in the United States of America in 2015? I agree 100% with Del. Marcus Simon: “This makes me incredibly sad and angry at the same time,” and we “need to get serious about fixing our broken mental health system in Virginia before more people die!” I’d add that nobody – let alone someone with severe mental illness – should be in jail for stealing a Snickers bar and a 2-liter Mountain Dew – let alone for months “while awaiting trial on the charges.” Add this one to the outrageous case of Natasha McKenna, and yes Virginia, we’ve got a major problem here that needs to be addressed ASAP!

P.S. Virginia ACLU Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastanaga writes: “This is outrageous. Deinstitutionalization has resulted in reinstitutionalization in jails because community programs non-existent. And, no bail?”

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, August 29. Also see President Obama’s weekly address, this time on “his upcoming trip to Alaska, during which he will view the effects of climate change firsthand. Alaskans are already living with the impact of climate change, with glaciers melting faster, and temperatures projected to rise between six and twelve degrees by the end of the century.” Given this and other environmental threats, I urge President Obama to announce his absolute opposition to oil and/or gas drilling in the Arctic. And no, I don’t buy President Obama’s argument that “high standards” are sufficient; the fact is, an oil spill in the Arctic would be a catastrophe, not in any way/shape/form worth the risk.

*Paul Krugman: Crash-Test Dummies as Republican Candidates for President (“The point is that one side of the political aisle has been utterly determined to learn nothing from the economic experiences of recent years. If one of these candidates ends up in the hot seat the next time crisis strikes, we should be very, very afraid.”)

*Underdogs blast Democratic leaders, Hillary Clinton (I definitely agree that there should be more debates, probably twice as many…)

*As GOP outsiders surge, insiders favor Jeb Bush (Not surprising.)

*Don Lemon slams CNN for homophobic coverage of shootings of Virginia journalists

*Donald Trump plays a dangerous game: The dark side of making America great again (“Fascists always masquerade as patriots — but their sinister motives are never far beneath the surface”)

*Sarah Palin Lobs Softballs at Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush (What a pathetic oke.)

*Senator powerfully indicts colleagues for gun control cowardice: “We are essentially sending a message of quiet endorsement of these murders”

*Jeb Bush’s foot-in-mouth problem (“When Jeb Bush opens his mouth, danger occurs.”)

*GOP group to pump $100K into Va. races in bid to draw women, minorities (This is what Republicans have been doing for a long time at the state and local level, while Democrats have mostly allowed them to run roughshod and demolish our “farm team.” When are Democrats going to wake up and fight this battle to win?)

*Jim Webb Snubs DNC Summer Meeting Over Clinton Favoritism

*Jim Webb Campaign: Reaching Out to DNC ‘About As Useful as Sticking One’s Hand Into a Wood Chipper’

*Gilmore challenges Trump to ‘mano a mano’ debate on birthright citizenship

*Alison Parker’s parents call for reform; McAuliffe offers support to WDBJ family

*Court moves toward special master to redraw 3rd Congressional District

*Va. Supreme Court secretary responds to FOIA lawsuit

*Jailed over $5 theft, inmate found dead in cell at regional jail (Absolutely inexcusable on almost every level.)

*Public’s business should be public

*Officials say WDBJ attack was ‘well-planned,’ ‘premeditated’

*WDBJ reporter’s father criticizes senators for not calling family

*Northern Virginia teen sentenced to 11 years for aiding Islamic State

*Virginia Shooter’s Ex-Boss Tells of His ‘Abrasive’ Behavior (Sounds like a nightmare employee.)

*Marlins handle Scherzer and hold off the Nationals, 4-3 (This season is very close to being over.)

*D.C. area forecast: Summertime heat and humidity build back in

According to the Roanoke Times, Democratic State Senate candidate Mike Hamlar cancelled a fundraiser last night so he could attend the “Stop the Violence vigil” outside WDBJ’s station. Attorney General Mark Herring (D) also attended the vigil last night, as did State Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke). In contrast, Edwards’ Republican challenger, Nancy Dye, along with State Senator Mark Obenshain, were busy doing what they do best: fundraising. Which would normally be fine, except that Republicans have been incessantly lecturing Democrats about how it’s wrong to talk politics during a period of mourning. Hypocrisy much? Meanwhile, what we need is action to strengthen laws in a way that protects all of us against rampant gun violence. Which means, in turn, that we need to start by booting Republicans – and really anyone of either party in the pocket of the NRA – out of office (or at least pressuring them to change their ways).

P.S. I can just hear the pushback now: “but Lowell, you’re politicizing the politicizing of the politicians attending a political event.” LOL

P.P.S. By the way, former Rep. Eric Can’tor and “JEB” Bush were busy fundraising last night as well…

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, August 28. Also check out President Obama’s speech in New Orleans marking the 10-year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

*Boat sinks off the coast of Libya, killing as many as 200; death toll up from abandoned truck in Austria (What a nightmare.)

*Key ruling gives workers more power to unionize (Nice!)

*Tech nerds are smart. But they can’t seem to get their heads around politics.

*Dow Jones Industrial Average Rallies After US Economic Growth Surges In Second Quarter (Demonstrating that this was possibly the stupidest stock market “correction” ever.)

*Trump and the Dangers of Passionate Politics (Excellent analysis by Mike Signer.)

*The GOP’s denial won’t defeat Trump

*The Hillary Clinton e-mail ‘scandal’ that isn’t (Wildly overblown by an irresponsible corporate media that despises the Clintons.)

*New poll showing Clinton beating everyone is reported as bad news for Hillary (Perfect example of how biased the corporate media is.)

*Breitbart Defends Homophobic, Race Bait-y Virginia Shooting Coverage (Breitbart is truly the dregs of the dregs…)

*Virginia Shooting Spotlights Riddle of Workplace Safety

*Eric Cantor endorsing Jeb Bush (Hahahaha.)

*Digging into big coal’s climate connections (“Now, the bankruptcy filings of Alpha Natural Resources, a large Virginia-based coal company, provide a rare window into the list of political and advocacy organizations the company has funded. E&E Legal (formerly known as the American Tradition Institute) is one of them. Other recipients include the Heartland Institute, which compared climate scientists to the Unabomber, the American Legislative Exchange Council and numerous others.”)

*Jindal Writes Letter To Obama Telling Him Not To Talk About Climate During Katrina Anniversary Visit (Jindal’s at 1% or less in polls, and rightly so…the guy epitomizes what he called the “stupid party.”)

*Jeb Bush is losing, and the GOP establishment has no one to blame but itself (“Elites are indicting Jeb Bush for Donald Trump’s success. But if they want culprits, they should look in a mirror”)

*McDonnell’s lawyers tell Supreme Court he was victim of ‘high-profile political prosecution’ (Actually, he was the “victim” of his own actions.)

*Virginia Democrats Push Gun Reforms After News Crew Is Killed (Del. Patrick Hope: “Yes, I’m taking advantage of a situation where it’s really raw for people right now, but people are frustrated and we’ve got to quit hiding behind this do-nothing attitude.”)

*As partisan fight simmers, optimist-in-chief McAuliffe brushes concerns away

*McAuliffe on guns, and the pro-gun outrage loop (The vast majority of Virginians are on Terry McAuliffe’s side on this one.)

*McAuliffe’s call for tighter gun controls upsets Republicans (Whatever.)

*McAuliffe promises more money for education in spending plan

*Swecker: Leaving us behind – The Republican problem with women in Virginia (“Everywhere you look in Virginia, Republicans are torpedoing their relationship with women. Let me assure you – it’s going to be an issue in November. From the backward policies discussed in the GOP debate to political temper tantrums here in Virginia, the GOP is burning any bridge it might have to women voters.”)

*Hamlar camp nixes fundraiser with attorney general in light of WDBJ tragedy

*WDBJ staffers pull together after attack on ‘our family’

*Politicians speak at vigil for WDBJ shooting victims

*Nationals hold off Padres, but win comes with more injuries (“Michael A. Taylor and Yunel Escobar leave the game with injuries and Denard Span returns to the disabled list to overshadow a sterling start from Joe Ross as Washington wins at home.”)

*D.C. area forecast: Warm but tolerable today, with bigger heat on the way