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Memory Lane: NVTC Condemned Cuccinelli’s Anti-Equality Letter to VA Universities

By
lowkell
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0

From the Democratic Party of Virginia: 

Today Ken Cuccinelli will appear at Northern Virginia Technology Council Forum alongside Terry McAuliffe.

While he's there he should explain why one of his first acts as Attorney General was to order Virginia colleges and universities to remove sexual orientation from their employment nondiscrimination policies.

Cuccinelli’s actions were so extreme that they were labeled “harmful to the outstanding academic reputation of those institutions and to the basic tenets of academic freedom and equal educational opportunity.” By the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

In a press release the NVTC went on to say:

“Furthermore, Attorney General Cuccinelli's action could damage Virginia's stature as the best state in the nation to do business, as the excellent quality of the public colleges and universities in our Commonwealth is an important criteria in that selection. The technology industry in Virginia and businesses in every sector rely on those exceptional institutions to produce a highly competent workforce and to attract additional businesses and employees to locate and expand in Virginia.

“Attorney General Cuccinelli's opinion and advice to Virginia's public colleges and universities to remove sexual orientation from their respective non-discrimination policies is an unwarranted and unnecessary intrusion into the governance of those institutions. The presidents, rectors, and boards of visitors of Virginia's public colleges and universities have promulgated non-discrimination policies that are consistent with the Governor's Executive Directive and these policies should be honored by the Attorney General.”

Today Ken Cuccinelli will say he is no longer focused on his dangerous and extreme agenda, but his actions speak louder than his empty rhetoric. Virginia can’t afford a Governor who values attacking gay and lesbian Virginians ahead of what’s best for our economy. 

Below is the full Northern Virginia Technology Council release on Ken Cuccinelli’s anti-business university discrimination policy:

Northern Virginia Technology Council Statement on Governor Bob McDonnell's Executive Directive Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

HERNDON, Va. – March 10, 2010 – The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) applauds Governor Bob McDonnell for issuing Executive Directive #1, which prohibits discrimination against any class of persons, including discrimination “based on factors such as one's sexual orientation,” in the Commonwealth's employment practices.

In the Executive Directive, the Governor states “that the hiring, promotion, compensation, treatment, discipline, and termination of state employees shall be based on an individual's job qualifications, merit and performance. No employee of the Executive Branch shall engage in any discriminatory conduct against another employee.” In an email to state employees which accompanied the Executive Directive, the Governor's Chief of Staff Martin Kent expressed the Governor's expectation that independent agencies and state supported colleges and universities should adopt similar standards of conduct.

The Governor's announcement today follows Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's action declaring invalid the inclusion of sexual orientation in the non-discrimination policies of Virginia's public colleges and universities.

NVTC believes that the Attorney General's action is harmful to the outstanding academic reputation of those institutions and to the basic tenets of academic freedom and equal educational opportunity. Furthermore, Attorney General Cuccinelli's action could damage Virginia's stature as the best state in the nation to do business, as the excellent quality of the public colleges and universities in our Commonwealth is an important criteria in that selection. The technology industry in Virginia and businesses in every sector rely on those exceptional institutions to produce a highly competent workforce and to attract additional businesses and employees to locate and expand in Virginia.

Attorney General Cuccinelli's opinion and advice to Virginia's public colleges and universities to remove sexual orientation from their respective non-discrimination policies is an unwarranted and unnecessary intrusion into the governance of those institutions. The presidents, rectors, and boards of visitors of Virginia's public colleges and universities have promulgated non-discrimination policies that are consistent with the Governor's Executive Directive and these policies should be honored by the Attorney General.

Dave Leichtman for DPVA Tech Vice-chair

By
Dave
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4

( – promoted by lowkell)

I’ve been a frequent participant in the BV community, and a former editor of the Blue Commonwealth project. My commitment to working with the Netroots runs deep, and that’s why I’d like to engage BV’s readers in a discussion about the election for Vice-chair for Tech. Now more than ever, we can’t afford to dismiss or marginalize this important position any longer. That’s why I have an aggressive agenda, and that’s why I’d like to ask for your support.

Why Support Dave?

I’m running for Vice-chair for Technology and Communications as a way to bring my extensive political communications and tech experience to bear in service to the Democratic Party of Virginia. I’ve worked closely with DPVA leadership and staff over the last year to enhance communications and technology practice within the Party. I have also formed, and taken leadership of, a statewide technology volunteer group that shares best practices and helps candidates. I want to continue to challenge the Party’s status quo and help move DPVA toward the modern, streamlined Party I know we can be. It is critical that we ensure the success of the McAuliffe and Coordinated Campaigns this year, but also that we look beyond 2013 and engage in real, long-term strategic planning.

My plan for Virginia Democrats:

• Make smarter use of readily-available technologies and social media among candidates and committees.

• Expand our volunteer outreach and extend critical specialty skills like tech statewide to help all Democrats and Democratic committees.

• Lower the “barrier to entry” for Democrats wishing to seek office.

• Provide cheaper and smarter ways for candidates and potential candidates to ramp up

their campaigns.

• Develop policies that protect the Party’s data and treat it as a valued asset;

• Promote the use of technologies and well-known best practices through increased

regular trainings.

• Work with candidates and committees to demonstrate simple, successful models they

can follow.

• Broaden DPVA’s outreach to local candidates in order to “deepen the bench” for state

candidate recruitment.

• Expand the “social reach” of DPVA, market the message, and coordinate better with the

Netroots community.

• Work on a new, unified branding and communications structure for DPVA to use beyond

2013;

• Increase involvement of young professionals like myself to reduce the “participation

gap” among active Democrats ages 35-50.

Why I’m right for the job:

Improving DPVA Tech strategy is critical, and I am a proven technology leader in Democratic Politics. I am:

• A member of the VA 8th Congressional District Committee since 2012;

• An active Arlington Dems member, volunteer, and leader for 7 years, including 3+ as

Tech Director;

• A founder of The Brigades, a volunteer organizing group started from the Webb Campaign helping Democratic candidates statewide;

• Leader of a statewide effort to coordinate tech volunteers (VA Dem Tech) to share ideas and best practices;

• Leader of past statewide efforts to coordinate messaging between DPVA and the Netroots community;

• A nationally recognized expert in campaign technology, having spoken at numerous conferences, panels, and events;

• A national technology principal during the 2008 Obama Campaign as liaison between Obama for America and Blue State Digital;

• A member of Senior Management at a nationally-renowned non-profit and political technology company, Salsa Labs;

• A local volunteer coordinator and tech and communications aide for campaigns around VA;

• Member of the 8th District Credentials Committee and a member of the DPVA Convention Best Practices working group.

As an under-35 young professional, I can provide a much-needed youthful voice to the DPVA Steering Committee. I represent Virginia’s core values and budding demographic – as a young, professional homeowner and family man. I grew up in Hampton Roads, went to college in Williamsburg, and live in Arlington – Virginia is my home. I want to help keep Virginia blue! With your help, we can succeed.

Teacher Who Integrated PWC Public Schools in ’60s Joins Rep. Connolly at Douglass Statue Unveiling

By
lowkell
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0

From Rep. Connolly’s office…very cool.

Retired Teacher Who Integrated Prince William, Virginia Public Schools in ’60s Joins Reps. Connolly & Lewis at Unveiling of Frederick Douglass Statue in Capitol

82-year-old Fannie Fitzgerald to Visit Capitol on Wednesday for 11am Ceremony

WASHINGTON – One of the handful of black teachers who fought in Virginia to integrate the all-white Prince William County public schools in 1964 joined Congressman Gerry Connolly Wednesday morning for the unveiling of the Frederick Douglass statue in the U.S. Capitol.  She also had the opportunity to spend a few moments with civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.

A decade after the Supreme Court’s Brown V. Board of Education ruling ordering school desegregation in 1954, Fannie Fitzgerald and several other young African-American teachers were transferred to teach at an all-white school.  As Mrs. Fitzgerald, now 82, recounted in a 2008 interview with The Washington Post, “At that time, when white people asked blacks to do something, they did it.  Otherwise, we would have been punished severely.”

Mrs. Fitzgerald’s experiences in 1964 and those first years of school integration were not easy for her, but “I knew it was something I had to do,” she said.  Those early efforts by Mrs. Fitzgerald and her colleagues paved the way in the county.  The Prince William County public schools of 2013 are a majority minority school system with a commitment to a diverse and multi-cultural learning environment.

“Mrs. Fitzgerald enriched the lives of Prince William County students by providing an unqualified opportunity for education,” Connolly said.  “Her success will forever be enshrined in the diversity that now exists in the Prince William County Public School system.”

Today, an elementary school in the county bears Mrs. Fitzgerald name and the adjacent street is named after her daughter Benita Fitzgerald Moseley, a high school track star who won a Gold Medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics.  Her other daughter, Kim Lennon, is now a teacher in that school.

Mrs. Fitzgerald will join Congressman Connolly at the 11 am ceremony in Emancipation Hall in the United States Capitol Visitor Center and she hopes to have the opportunity to meet Congressman John Lewis, who was a young civil rights leader at the time Mrs. Fitzgerald began her civil rights work in Prince William.

Study Shows Bipartisan Senate Immigration Bill Will Decrease Deficit, Help Va.’s Economy

By
VirginiaOrganizing
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0

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2013

Petersburg, Va.-The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on Tuesday, June 18 showing the bipartisan Senate immigration bill will decrease the federal deficit by $197 billion over the next 10 years. In addition, it is estimated that comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship would further decrease the federal deficit by another $700 billion by 2033.

Virginia will benefit significantly from Congress fixing the broken immigration system through this bipartisan bill. Over the next 10 years, Virginia will receive a cumulative $16.3 billion increase in gross state product (GSP), an additional $670 million increase in taxes paid by undocumented immigrants, and a $9.6 billion increase in all state resident earnings.

The bill will also create approximately 2,400 jobs annually in Virginia.

“Not only does this bill makes sense from a humanitarian perspective, it is also a smart move to improve Virginia’s economy,” said Virginia Organizing Chairperson Sandra A. Cook.

“Virginia Organizing has been meeting with our Members of Congress to show them that comprehensive immigration reform is what Virginians want. Now, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office and the Center for American Progress have the data that show this bill will be good for the economy. We certainly hope Congress is paying attention!” said Cook.

Last week, Virginia Organizing released a poll in Virginia commissioned by the Alliance for Citizenship, Partnership for a New American Economy, and Republicans for Immigration Reform showing broad support across demographics, including political party affiliation, for the bipartisan Senate bill.

Mark Obenshain voted against HPV vaccine” which “reduces cancer virus in girls by 56%”

By
lowkell
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0

That’s right, Virginia GOP Attorney General candidate Mark Obenshain voted to kill a vaccination requirement that has proven amazingly successful in reducing the HPV cancer virus among girls. Why would he do such a seemingly crazy thing? The answer is obvious: because he’s a right-wing extremist who cares more about ideology than about  pragmatism and getting positive, real-world results.

Of course, the type of politician who would put his ideology ahead of the health and lives of children is the LAST person we’d ever want as Virginia Attorney General. Kind of like the current occupant, Ken Cuccinelli, who Mark Obenshain has said is his model for that office. Shuddderrrrr….

Video: At the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, President Obama Calls for Slashing Nuclear Weapons

By
lowkell
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0



At the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, almost exactly 50 years after President John F. Kennedy delivered his “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech (June 26, 1963), President Obama calls for a one-third reduction of the world’s nuclear stockpiles. According to President Obama, “We may no longer live in fear of global annihilation, but so long as nuclear weapons exist, we are not truly safe…And I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures.”

Rep. Franks Abortion Ban Passed by House Yesterday Basically the Same as Mark Obenshain’s 2012 Bill

By
lowkell
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0

You know that crazy anti-abortion bill passed by the US House of Representatives yesterday? The one that almost every single Republican voted for, even though it’s blatantly unconstitutional, extreme, and also has no chance of being enacted into law? Well, guess what: it is essentially the same bill Virginia State Senator (and nominee for Attorney General) Mark Obenshain introduced in 2012. The name of Obenshain’s bill: Virginia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act:

…prohibits an abortion after 20 weeks gestation unless, in reasonable medical judgment, the mother has a condition that so complicates her medical condition as to necessitate the abortion to avert her death or to avert serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The prohibition is predicated on the assertion that a fetus is capable of feeling pain at 20 weeks. When an abortion is not prohibited post-20 weeks gestation, the physician is required to terminate the pregnancy in a manner that would provide the unborn child the best opportunity to survive. The bill punishes an abortion in violation of the article as a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides for civil remedies against a physician who performs an abortion in violation of the article.

Heck, I’m surprised Mark Obenshain didn’t bring up the “masturbating fetus” argument while he was at it. Also note that there’s no exception for rape or incest in Obenshain’s bill. Charming.

Meanwhile, over in the Teapublican-controlled House of Representatives, the name of the bill that passed yesterday, sponsored by Rep. Trent “The incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low” Franks, is the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act :

(a) Unlawful Conduct- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for any person to perform an abortion or attempt to do so, unless in conformity with the requirements set forth in subsection (b).

[…]

(c) Criminal Penalty- Whoever violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

Sound familiar? Of course it does, and for good reason: the Franks and Obenshain bills are essentially the same thing – one federal, one state level; both frightening.

If you’re interested in more on the “thinking” behind this legislation (and the people sponsoring it), see

Video: Susan B. Anthony List’s Marilyn Musgrave on Trent Franks, Banning Abortion. And remember, if Republicans win this November, you can look forward to a LOT more of this type of stuff from Mark Obenshain and Company – relentless efforts aimed at criminalizing miscarriages, outlawing abortion, turning doctors and women into criminals, shutting down women’s health clinics, etc. Is this the type of Virginia you want to live in? If not, then get involved and help us elect Democrats across the board this November. Thanks.

Virginia News Headlines: Wednesday Morning

By
lowkell
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1

Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, June 19.

*Maddow Blasts GOP Fringe Views, Fetal Masturbation Theory: They Keep Finding New Ways To Shock Us (Not sure why we’d be shocked; as I’ve said for a while now, the GOP has morphed into a bunch of loony-tunes, tinfoil-hat, extremist John Birchers.)

*House GOP approves sweeping anti-abortion bill (Republicans continue their relentless war on women’s reproductive freedom.)

*CBO: Senate immigration bill will cut deficit $197B over 10 years (So much for THAT argument by “conservatives” against immigration reform.)

*Nate Silver: Politico Co-Founders Lack ‘Curiosity For The World Outside Of The Bubble’ (Go Nate!)

*In coded e-mails, clues that helped foil terror plots

*Analyst: Scratch Bob McDonnell off presidential candidate list (And every other future candidate list. He’s toast.)

*Kaine, Warner: keep immigration debate in the Senate

*A Va. judge’s transportation roadblock (“Cales decided that a plan to have a private developer toll users for $2.1 billion in tunnel upgrades in crowded Hampton Roads is unconstitutional. Only the state has the power to tax and that’s what tolls really are, Cales ruled.”)

*McAuliffe, at Silver Line station, touts support of project, says Cuccinelli fought it

*Schapiro: Debate over debates spotlights candidates’ flaws (“Cuccinelli wants to debate as often as possible because he is a flawed messenger. He needs to change the subject from a lengthening string of ethical snags. Star Scientific and Consol Energy are becoming shorthand for a seemingly politicized attorney general’s office”)

*An unacceptable barrier to voting (“Last fall’s election exposed serious flaws in our electoral system, with voters in some precincts in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach forced to wait in line for more than four hours. Similar waits were reported in Northern Virginia and in other states”)

*A bad deal grows terribly expensive

*McAuliffe, Northam to visit Hampton Roads Wednesday

*Is Drake interested in a Va. Senate run?

*Va. attorney general files appeal over tunnel tolls

*Va. Beach council gets breakdown of Cavalier renovation costs

*Dems choose Navy vet to challenge Cosgrove for Va. Senate

*Beyond Prince William’s two squares (“The county logo controversy continues as FOIA requests reveal 9 other logos prepared for $12,500.”)

*D.C. area forecast: Emerging sunshine to stick around into weekend

*Offense proves elusive for Nationals (“Washington produces just six hits against the Phillies as the Nats slump to their third loss in a row.”)

The Hollow Legacy of Governor McDogvitamin

By
kindler
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6

Bob McDonnell’s governorship has been like one of those feel-good movies that you forget immediately upon leaving the theater. The handsome chief executive and his former cheerleader wife ride off into the sunset and…um, what was that all about again?

He’s been a master of triangulation, always seeking the poll-favored center even when one doesn’t exist. Don’t like the idea of forced transvaginal probes for women seeking abortions?Hey, no worries, we’ll lighten it up a bit for you! At a time when the Tea Party scares most people to death, Gov. Bob has presented a calming presence. But in the meantime, he’s left a record thinner than Keira Knightley.

His cheerful lightweightedness might be okay if we weren’t finding out revelations every week about what’s really going on behind closed doors in the governor’s mansion. The Star-gate scandal has revealed, once again, that the hollowness of Republicans like our Bob is built around a core of undying loyalty to corporate America. The ridiculously improper relationship between the McDonnells and tobacco supplement baron Jonnie Williams shows quite plainly how Republicans really think about government — solely as a means to maintain the power and status of rich, entitled elites.

And the latest news about how the McDonnells have been billing the taxpayers for everything from deodorant to dog vitamins — even as they’ve enjoyed such perks as driving Williams’ Ferrari and staying at his vacation home — says a whole lot about the real attitude of this empty suit. Hold onto power long enough to grab the benefits you can for yourself and your CEO buddies. Then, when the gig is up, you know you’ll have that corporate suite with the six figure salary waiting for you.

It’s a sweet deal, but ultimately, Gov. McDogvitamin’s hollow legacy leaves the voters with but two choices: elect the Tea Party extremists who’ve taken over his party while his warm smile has lulled the voters to sleep; or throw them out in favor of Democrats who actually want to use our government to govern.

I look forward to sending Gov. Bob home — with a very healthy dog.  

Videos: Meet 14 of Your 2013 Northern Virginia Democratic House of Delegates Candidates

By
lowkell
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3

Earlier today, I attended an event at the Clarendon Metro station in Arlington, in which Del. Mark Sickles (D) introduced many of the Democratic Virginia House of Delegates candidates from Northern Virginia for 2013. In order of introduction, the candidates were: Kathleen Murphy (running against Del. Barbara Comstock in the 34th), Jeremy McPike (running against Del. Scott Lingamfelter in the 31st), John Bell (running against Del. David Ramadan in the 87th), Mike Futrell (running against Del. Mark Dudenhefer in the 2nd), Monte Johnson (running against Del. Randy Minchew in the 10th), Jennifer Boysko (running against Del. Tom Rust in the 86th), Reed Heddleston (running against Del. Rich Anderson in the 51st), Jerry Foltz (running against Del. Tim Hugo in the 40th), Richard Cabellos (running against Del. Jackson Miller in the 50th), Ed Deitsch (running against Del. Dave Albo in the 42nd), Traci Dippert (running against Del. Ed Scott in the 30th), Hung Nguyen (running against Del. Jim LeMunyon in the 67th), Kathleen O’Halloran (running against Del. Mark Cole in the 88th), and Marcus Simon (running against Republican Brad Tidwell in the 53rd).

In the Q&A session after the candidate introductions (see videos of that, as well as of Del. Sickles’ introduction to the event, on the “flip”). Sickles said that there are a number of districts where Democrats can win this November, that “absolutely we’re doing to win seats.”

Also, here’s a statement from the Democratic Party of Virginia on this morning’s event.

ARLINGTON — Today, the Virgina Democratic House Caucus held a press conference rolling out the Northern Virginia slate of Democratic House candidates.

“Our ticket is mainstream and earning support across the aisle while the Tea Party ticket is driving Republicans away with their extreme ideological agenda,” said Virginia Democratic House Caucus Chair Mark Sickles.

“Virginians have had enough with divisive politics and now the Democratic House Caucus is  poised to  pick up seats this November and lead the state forward by focusing on job creation, strengthening our transportation system and infrastructure, and ensuring Virginians have access to affordable education.”

“This recruitment class of candidates is one of the largest we’ve had in years,” said Delegate Alfonso Lopez. “We look forward to running with mainstream Virginians while Virginia Republicans run in lockstep with one of the most extreme tickets in Virginia history.”

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