Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Bob Goodlatte has Gas
Bob Goodlatte blames the Democrats, and specifically Nancy Pelosi, for the prices you pay at the pump. BobbieBoy ought to learn more economics. He ought to be more honest.
There are several good posts on Cobalt6 and Coarse Cracked Corn exposing Goodlatte's hypocrisy and addressing the current oil/gas situation:
Even the Roanoke Times is cacklin' about BadBob.
We have an alternative. There is leadership, for a change, in the 6th District.
Obama Research & Planning for the Long Game
Obama campaign used party rules to foil Clinton
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Unlike Hillary Rodham Clinton, rival Barack Obama planned for the long haul. Clinton hinged her whole campaign on an early knockout blow on Super Tuesday, while Obama's staff researched congressional districts in states with primaries that were months away. What they found were opportunities to win delegates, even in states they would eventually lose.
Read the story
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Unlike Hillary Rodham Clinton, rival Barack Obama planned for the long haul. Clinton hinged her whole campaign on an early knockout blow on Super Tuesday, while Obama's staff researched congressional districts in states with primaries that were months away. What they found were opportunities to win delegates, even in states they would eventually lose.
Read the story
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Few Reasons Why I Like Mark Warner
No trickery here, I like him. I have gotten to know him reasonably well during the past six years and consider him a good man after much sometimes cynical but, always critical evaluation on my part. He does what he says he will do, and he will not promise something today to gain an advantage, to then just forget it tomorrow. Rather, he will tell you up front. I admire honesty.
This isn't something I've been told, nor something I've read, but rather personal experience that I have been blessed to live and see for myself.
He enjoys a marriage with an admirable, beautiful and intelligent woman who has given him three lovely and graceful daughters, and who is also his valued partner and counsel. I have watched his interaction with his family, and he is real.
He has learned through experience and trial and error that which works in private business and what doesn't. This is experience he applies to his work in making government, well, work…
I have watched closely how he deals with people, and he is sincere.
Not a feigned and superior portrayal for the camera of "compassion" but a genuine good heart.
And he's smart, damn but he's smart. Mark Warner understands what I understand. That we cannot be so hung up on the minutiae that we fail to succeed in the work. We need to move the ball down field, or down court to win. To win we must score. To score we must work as a team. Sometimes, or rather always, to work as a team we must deal with people we might sometimes disagree with on some things, in order to accomplish the win.
We need to be able to take some nonsensical crap from people we don’t like once in a while without getting hung up on reprisal.
Mark Warner hasn't simply talked the talk, he has walked the talk, and the walk. He is the classic example of getting results, and taking care of business.
He has proven over and again that he values this, my part of Virginia. And he values these, my people, of the Shenandoah Valley. The folks I care for.
He gave his word to us, to me personally, that he would be back, and he has lived up to his word; did not forget for convenience sake. He has chosen to announce many initiatives, right here, as Governor of Virginia. He has kept his word, and spoke at the graduation ceremony for Massanutten Technical Center, and then again for Broadway High School, as he promised he would.
This is something no governor, or senator, or really any elected official had ever felt the need to do before. See, this part of the state had never really been important to someone of such high office, except during an election campaign... And Warner kept coming here, time and again, because he values the people here and wants to see us do well.
When I ran for office, be it School Board or House of Delegates, it wasn’t because I wanted to be important or have preferred parking or to be famous, it was to do the job.
I would have liked simply to be an ancestor, someone who was remembered for having made a positive difference in people’s lives. Like my ancestors did and were remembered for doing.
I see the same sort of nature in Mark Warner. He wants to do the job that needs to be done, because it needs doing. And he can do the job, very well….
These are just a few reasons, but bottom line, I consider him a valued friend, and believe in him.
Mark Warner is real.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Maddow Movement
Dear MSNBC,
We the undersigned hereby petition you to waste no time in giving your up and coming political commentator, Rachel Maddow, her own show on your network.
If you like Rachel's smarts, wit, insights, and perspectives on politics and society as much as I do, please sign the petition.
We the undersigned hereby petition you to waste no time in giving your up and coming political commentator, Rachel Maddow, her own show on your network.
If you like Rachel's smarts, wit, insights, and perspectives on politics and society as much as I do, please sign the petition.
If you want a progressive voice to counterbalance the right wing Republican talking heads, sign the petition.
If you believe more females should be represented in the main stream media, sign the petition.
Thanks,
Belle Rose @ Coarse Cracked Corn
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Senator Ted Kennedy Needs Our Prayers
Sen. Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor
From Congressional Quarterly:
President Bush said in a statement, “Laura and I are concerned to learn of our friend Senator Kennedy’s diagnosis. Ted Kennedy is a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength, and powerful spirit. Our thoughts are with Senator Kennedy and his family during this difficult period. We join our fellow Americans in praying for his full recovery.”
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., whom Kennedy has endorsed for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the news “heart-breaking.” In an interview on MSNBC he said, “I might not be in the Senate had it not been for him, because of the battles that he fought for voting rights and civil rights early in his career and then later on in his career.” He had talked with Kennedy over the weekend.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Obama’s rival for the nomination, said Kennedy’s “courage and resolve are unmatched, and they have made him one of the greatest legislators in Senate history.”
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, declared, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Kennedy and his family. We hope and pray his doctors will be able to effectively treat his condition and that he will experience a full recovery. I have described Ted Kennedy as the last lion in the Senate, and I have held that view because he remains the single most effective member of the Senate.”
From Congressional Quarterly:
President Bush said in a statement, “Laura and I are concerned to learn of our friend Senator Kennedy’s diagnosis. Ted Kennedy is a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength, and powerful spirit. Our thoughts are with Senator Kennedy and his family during this difficult period. We join our fellow Americans in praying for his full recovery.”
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., whom Kennedy has endorsed for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the news “heart-breaking.” In an interview on MSNBC he said, “I might not be in the Senate had it not been for him, because of the battles that he fought for voting rights and civil rights early in his career and then later on in his career.” He had talked with Kennedy over the weekend.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Obama’s rival for the nomination, said Kennedy’s “courage and resolve are unmatched, and they have made him one of the greatest legislators in Senate history.”
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, declared, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Kennedy and his family. We hope and pray his doctors will be able to effectively treat his condition and that he will experience a full recovery. I have described Ted Kennedy as the last lion in the Senate, and I have held that view because he remains the single most effective member of the Senate.”
New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century
Sign the petition and support our veterans - stand up for the New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century. Our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve the same opportunities to earn a college degree that soldiers who fought in World War II received when they returned home. Senator Jim Webb introduced this bill on his first day in office. It passed the House, but our misrepresentative Goodlatte voted NO! Republican leaders in the Senate are threatening to block it. Bush may veto it.
Barack Obama on Foreign Policy
The president crossed the line of mixing partisan domestic politics with foreign policy when, in front of the Israeli Knesset, he attacked Democrats by making untrue and disparaging comments about Democrats and Barack Obama. John McCain's "Double Talk Express" wasted no time in echoing Bush. They know what they say is false, but like many Republicans, they believe the way to victory is through fear, division, distortion, hate, and lies. All this coming from an administration whose foreign policy failures are legion.
Barack Obama sets the record straight:
Monday, May 19, 2008
What does appeasement mean?
"Appeasement is a policy of accepting the imposed conditions of an aggressor in lieu of armed resistance, usually at the sacrifice of principles. Usually it means giving into demands of an aggressor in order to avoid war. " Wikipedia definition.
Appeasement during WWII meant Great Britain handing over Czechoslovachia to Hitler in 1938 via the Munich Pact. Today it means saying you will talk to Iran without demanding they build a McDonalds on every city block or sell Grand Theft Auto IV at the street market. President Bush talked to Gaddafi, Musharraf, and Kim Jung Il, but not Ahamadinejad. Iran is the only one still pissing us off and yet we continue to refuse to talk with them in any meaningful way. We could easily bomb Iran back to the stoneage so if we are not going to talk to them what are we waiting for?
Appeasement during WWII meant Great Britain handing over Czechoslovachia to Hitler in 1938 via the Munich Pact. Today it means saying you will talk to Iran without demanding they build a McDonalds on every city block or sell Grand Theft Auto IV at the street market. President Bush talked to Gaddafi, Musharraf, and Kim Jung Il, but not Ahamadinejad. Iran is the only one still pissing us off and yet we continue to refuse to talk with them in any meaningful way. We could easily bomb Iran back to the stoneage so if we are not going to talk to them what are we waiting for?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Shift Continues to Grow Momentum...
Americans desire a positive change.
Record Obama Crowd, the Size of a City
75,000 gather for Sen. Obama rally
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. (We want change.)
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ………..
We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA;
We will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation;
and together,
We will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea:
Yes We Can.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Change is What People Are Seeking, With Good Reason!
Democrats Trusted More on All Ten Electoral Issues Tracked by Rasmussen Reports
People are recognizing reality! Those who hate government, and who don't believe good government is possible, cannot be expected to be able to make government work. Let's give them Early Retirement!
People are recognizing reality! Those who hate government, and who don't believe good government is possible, cannot be expected to be able to make government work. Let's give them Early Retirement!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Race about Race? For Some, It Sure Is...
Let me begin this post by allowing no misunderstanding about who I support for President.
I will campaign and vote for Barack Obama. He got my vote in the primary. I think the Pubs are scared to death of him.
Thusly, the campaign this year is going to show just how far we have progressed in our attitude and beliefs regarding race, and also allow us to see that in some ways we really haven't done all that well and have some distance yet to go. I am saddened by people's attitude, people I speak with in the grocery store etc... Yet at the same time I am heartened by others and the views they hold and their willingness to speak up.
These two links provide us with a pretty broad hint of things to come:
Please weigh in with your thoughts?
For a somewhat different perspective visit Sun Vs Wind
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Is Ignorance Bliss? When it's about food, George and Bob think so.
What a Team!
The Bush Administration and Bob Goodlatte have been working hard to protect us from safe food!
They don’t want us to be worried about our vulnerable food supply.
Thanks Guys!
Bush Administration Asks Court to Block Wider Testing for MAD COW DISEASE
Bush Administration Urges Court to Prevent 100 Percent Testing for Mad Cow---FOX NEWS
Bush Administration has Denied Mad Cow Disease a Threat and Opposed Testing to Protect American Consumers for Years.
Bob Goodlatte has been working hard to protect us from knowing where our food comes from.
Bob Goodlatte travel paid for by lobby groups, many of whom oppose Country of Origin Labeling.
Full country-of-origin labeling funding denied by House Ag Appropriations Committee
Country of Origin Labeling, opposed by Bob Goodlatte for years, finally passes with Dems in control.
The Bush Administration and Bob Goodlatte have been working hard to protect us from safe food!
They don’t want us to be worried about our vulnerable food supply.
Thanks Guys!
Bush Administration Asks Court to Block Wider Testing for MAD COW DISEASE
Bush Administration Urges Court to Prevent 100 Percent Testing for Mad Cow---FOX NEWS
Bush Administration has Denied Mad Cow Disease a Threat and Opposed Testing to Protect American Consumers for Years.
Bob Goodlatte has been working hard to protect us from knowing where our food comes from.
Bob Goodlatte travel paid for by lobby groups, many of whom oppose Country of Origin Labeling.
Full country-of-origin labeling funding denied by House Ag Appropriations Committee
Country of Origin Labeling, opposed by Bob Goodlatte for years, finally passes with Dems in control.
Please vote in our Survey---You can choose several answers.
“The worst problem of the 21st century is that many people want positions of leadership, but they don't want to make difficult decisions”
Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Renault/Nissan
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Warner for Senate in Harrisonburg!
Photos by Bubby
Visit Evan Dyson’s site for some really excellent photographs and commentary of the evening. A picture really does speak 1,000 words… Thank you Evan Dyson!
I would first like to extend special thanks to Scott Murray for his involvement and contributions to the evening. Thank you Scott, you’re the Man!
I would first like to extend special thanks to Scott Murray for his involvement and contributions to the evening. Thank you Scott, you’re the Man!
Many thanks also to the many volunteers who arrived early to help the campaign team prepare for the event. There is no doubt that when folks in the Valley are called to action, you show up ready to participate!
I began the evening after music by Mr. Murray, by thanking the 300 plus folks in attendance for coming to show their support of Mark Warner, and I posed them a question:
I began the evening after music by Mr. Murray, by thanking the 300 plus folks in attendance for coming to show their support of Mark Warner, and I posed them a question:
“United States Senator from Virginia, Mark R. Warner,…… How does that sound?” We can simply say that the applause was thunderous...
Candidate Warner was accompanied by his graceful and lovely wife and partner Lisa, who provides vital foundational support and grounding to his life and service.
Mayor Eagle welcomed everyone to Harrisonburg and did a very nice job of representing the benefit Warner has been to the city, and to the state as our Governor. Mayor Eagle spoke of Mark Warner’s willingness to face tough situations and work to bring about positive results. Taking the bull by the horns was the reference.
Our Candidate for Commissioner of Revenue for Rockingham County in 2007, Esther Nizer, probably spoke the most eloquently as to what Mark Warner has done to benefit the citizens of Virginia. Ms. Nizer spoke to the fact that Governor Warner inherited a six billion dollar budget shortfall from Jim Gilmore, which Warner turned around into a surplus by of all things cutting spending, and then crafted a bipartisan revenue enhancement that both lowered taxes on working people in Virginia while at the same time adding much needed funds to improve our overstressed infrastructure. Ms. Nizer pointed out that by the time Mark Warner left office as Governor of the Commonwealth, our state of Virginia had become recognized as the best state in the nation in the categories of “Best Managed” and “Best for Business” and “Best for Education”
Sheriff Don Farley introduced Candidate Warner with his full endorsement as an Independent, and as a law enforcement officer and elected Constitutional office holder. Sheriff Farley went on to say (my paraphrase here) that during his lifetime of watching with awareness of politics and government, Mark Warner has been the best Governor this state has seen. The crowd agreed enthusiastically.
Our Sheriff also lamented for just a moment that Mr. Warner had not chosen to seek a second term as Governor of Virginia, but went on to say he also understood that we can’t be selfish as Virginians because the nation needs Mark Warner now.
Candidate Warner was accompanied by his graceful and lovely wife and partner Lisa, who provides vital foundational support and grounding to his life and service.
Mayor Eagle welcomed everyone to Harrisonburg and did a very nice job of representing the benefit Warner has been to the city, and to the state as our Governor. Mayor Eagle spoke of Mark Warner’s willingness to face tough situations and work to bring about positive results. Taking the bull by the horns was the reference.
Our Candidate for Commissioner of Revenue for Rockingham County in 2007, Esther Nizer, probably spoke the most eloquently as to what Mark Warner has done to benefit the citizens of Virginia. Ms. Nizer spoke to the fact that Governor Warner inherited a six billion dollar budget shortfall from Jim Gilmore, which Warner turned around into a surplus by of all things cutting spending, and then crafted a bipartisan revenue enhancement that both lowered taxes on working people in Virginia while at the same time adding much needed funds to improve our overstressed infrastructure. Ms. Nizer pointed out that by the time Mark Warner left office as Governor of the Commonwealth, our state of Virginia had become recognized as the best state in the nation in the categories of “Best Managed” and “Best for Business” and “Best for Education”
Sheriff Don Farley introduced Candidate Warner with his full endorsement as an Independent, and as a law enforcement officer and elected Constitutional office holder. Sheriff Farley went on to say (my paraphrase here) that during his lifetime of watching with awareness of politics and government, Mark Warner has been the best Governor this state has seen. The crowd agreed enthusiastically.
Our Sheriff also lamented for just a moment that Mr. Warner had not chosen to seek a second term as Governor of Virginia, but went on to say he also understood that we can’t be selfish as Virginians because the nation needs Mark Warner now.
.
Then Mark Warner stepped up to the lectern to overwhelming applause.
The evening had threatened rain until Candidate Warner took the podium. But as he spoke, the sun came out and shined like it hadn’t all day… I don’t quite know what to make of this, but it happened just that way.
To be continued…
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sam Rasoul's Conversation with the Voters
With an increased amount of housing in our area, and an upsurge of subdivisions developing in every empty field, the beauty of this part of Virginia is becoming damaged. People from all over the Valley are disappointed in the amount of land not being preserved. Is it possible at the Congressional level to provide any guidelines or programs to prevent this kind of damage since the local board of supervisors is reluctant to do so?
I believe we should find a balance between responsible growth and maintaining the beauty of the land. In Botetourt County, where I live, the development of suburbia is everywhere and it is sad to see our landscape altered so much. From a Congressional level, funds can be provided for the purchase of development rights and allowing for conservation easements. You should also push for lower taxes on a LOCAL level when it comes to special use/land use property tax breaks so that farmers do not feel pressured to sell off land to cover expenses.
What is your plan to do to satisfy your constituents while maintaining positive growth?
One way to promote growth and also advocate for responsible new development is by encouraging redevelopment of dilapidated areas. Through responsible grants, we can try to restore areas that were once vibrant which would encourage new economic growth and help to limit development that sprawls throughout the country side.
Katie S. Rockingham County
After the tragedy at Virginia Tech last year involving the deaths of 32 students at the hands of a person who suffered from mental illness, what is the stance of each candidate concerning gun control in the realm of mental illness? Would you support HR 709 in the Virginia General Assembly that would amend the Code of Virginia relating to the purchase of firearms that would require the applicant to disclose information regarding their previous mental health history?
I believe that the tragedy at VT was a failure of our mental health system. At that time, Virginia was ranked 48th in the nation in mental health. This is unacceptable for our state. While I would support legislation that would require someone to be flagged if they have serious mental health issues when purchasing a firearm, we as Virginians must fix our mental health system.
Thank you for your consideration of these questions.Alli R. and Stephanie D., Harrisonburg
I believe we should find a balance between responsible growth and maintaining the beauty of the land. In Botetourt County, where I live, the development of suburbia is everywhere and it is sad to see our landscape altered so much. From a Congressional level, funds can be provided for the purchase of development rights and allowing for conservation easements. You should also push for lower taxes on a LOCAL level when it comes to special use/land use property tax breaks so that farmers do not feel pressured to sell off land to cover expenses.
What is your plan to do to satisfy your constituents while maintaining positive growth?
One way to promote growth and also advocate for responsible new development is by encouraging redevelopment of dilapidated areas. Through responsible grants, we can try to restore areas that were once vibrant which would encourage new economic growth and help to limit development that sprawls throughout the country side.
Katie S. Rockingham County
After the tragedy at Virginia Tech last year involving the deaths of 32 students at the hands of a person who suffered from mental illness, what is the stance of each candidate concerning gun control in the realm of mental illness? Would you support HR 709 in the Virginia General Assembly that would amend the Code of Virginia relating to the purchase of firearms that would require the applicant to disclose information regarding their previous mental health history?
I believe that the tragedy at VT was a failure of our mental health system. At that time, Virginia was ranked 48th in the nation in mental health. This is unacceptable for our state. While I would support legislation that would require someone to be flagged if they have serious mental health issues when purchasing a firearm, we as Virginians must fix our mental health system.
Thank you for your consideration of these questions.Alli R. and Stephanie D., Harrisonburg
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