Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Documentary and Discussion
You are invited to a free screening and discussion of Maxed Out, a compelling documentary about personal credit, and the cost of falling into debt.
Please join your friends and neighbors to learn more about a very important issue!
Please join your friends and neighbors to learn more about a very important issue!
WHEN: Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m.
COST: Free
This event is sponsored by 7G PAC and Joe and Deb S. Fitzgerald.
Arrangements made by Brent Finnegan.
Donations to help cover the costs of the screening and theater rental will be accepted and greatly appreciated.
This will be the first of many documentary films screened and discussed in downtown Harrisonburg.
"When Hurricane Katrina ravaged America's Gulf Coast, it laid bare an uncomfortable reality-America is not only far from the world's wealthiest nation; it is crumbling beneath a staggering burden of individual and government debt. Maxed Out takes us on a journey deep inside the American debt-style, where everything seems okay as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time. Sure, most of us may have that sinking feeling that something isn't quite right, but we're told not to worry. After all, there's always more credit! Maxed Out shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. By turns hilarious and profoundly disturbing, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
WSVA Radio News on Friday Afternoon, 12-29-07
FULK DISMISSED FROM POST IN CLERK'S OFFICE
Harrisonburg 12/28/07 Newly elected Clerk of the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Court Chaz Evans-Haywood was sworn into his post today. Meanwhile, his Democratic challenger in this years election cleaned out her desk.
Dianne Fulk has been let go from her position as deputy clerk in the office. The dismissal is effective on December 31st.
Fulk told W-S-V-A that when she announced her candidacy in April she was told by then Clerk of the Court L. Wayne Harper that if she did not win the election, she would be out of a job.
Fellow Clerk hopeful Brenda Huffman is still employed in the office.
Harrisonburg 12/28/07 Newly elected Clerk of the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Court Chaz Evans-Haywood was sworn into his post today. Meanwhile, his Democratic challenger in this years election cleaned out her desk.
Dianne Fulk has been let go from her position as deputy clerk in the office. The dismissal is effective on December 31st.
Fulk told W-S-V-A that when she announced her candidacy in April she was told by then Clerk of the Court L. Wayne Harper that if she did not win the election, she would be out of a job.
Fellow Clerk hopeful Brenda Huffman is still employed in the office.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Once Again the VA GOP Shows the World it's Lunacy
In an act of extremist desperation reminiscent of the tactics of nazi Germany, communist Russia and of secret cults, the VA GOP decided on Monday to REQUIRE people who vote in the primary to sign an oath of allegiance to their chosen candidate.
As the Huffington Post reports: "The Virginia GOP has found an interesting way to discourage non-Republicans from voting in their presidential primary. Voters will be required to sign an oath pledging to support the party's nominee for president.
Sen. Harry Byrd Jr. (D-VA) famously bolted from the Democrats and became an independent in the 1970s due to such a loyalty oath being imposed on candidates, but this goes an extra step by putting the the oath to voters. Oddly enough, the state Board of Elections has approved the request, even though it would be impossible to enforce the contract not only practically, but probably in legal terms, too — as contracts requiring a party to vote a certain way in an election are illegal."
Attorneys agree that this oath is non-binding and unenforcable, but do the voters know that?
Between the radical candidates and extremist policies the VA GOP is losing touch with mainstream republicans and perhaps with reality in general. But must they embarass the rest of the state too?
As the Huffington Post reports: "The Virginia GOP has found an interesting way to discourage non-Republicans from voting in their presidential primary. Voters will be required to sign an oath pledging to support the party's nominee for president.
Sen. Harry Byrd Jr. (D-VA) famously bolted from the Democrats and became an independent in the 1970s due to such a loyalty oath being imposed on candidates, but this goes an extra step by putting the the oath to voters. Oddly enough, the state Board of Elections has approved the request, even though it would be impossible to enforce the contract not only practically, but probably in legal terms, too — as contracts requiring a party to vote a certain way in an election are illegal."
Attorneys agree that this oath is non-binding and unenforcable, but do the voters know that?
Between the radical candidates and extremist policies the VA GOP is losing touch with mainstream republicans and perhaps with reality in general. But must they embarass the rest of the state too?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Operation: Show We Care
INVITES YOU TO JOIN US
AS WE SHOW REAL SUPPORT
FOR OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN
SERVING THE UNITED STATES
IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
PLEASE HELP US SEND THEM A BIT OF HOME
WHILE THEY ARE SO FAR AWAY…
We are in the process of collecting food, magazines, DVDs, CDs, snacks, personal items, toiletries, and many other such items to enrich their lives and to remind them that we remember and love them and hold them always in our thoughts and prayers.
Your help with this effort will make a great difference!
Email me for list of the types of items our young people in combat zones would greatly appreciate.
Please, as you shop, keep in mind that individually packaged servings work best for things like cup-a-soup, mac-n-cheese etc…
Also,
Small personal sized toiletry items can be more readily packed and stored as they carry on their misson.
Stores like Sharp Shopper, Costco, the Dollar Stores etc… are good places to find things mentioned on the list.
How do you know what to buy?
Think about the little things that you enjoy, and perhaps take for granted, and let’s be a blessing as best we can to these wonderful young people!
Write back to me at this email address and I will provide you with either a drop off location or arrange for our local young people from 7Gpac to pick up your contribution at your home!
Keep in mind that we also need to raise money for postage and shipping to get our care packages delivered.
If you can help with a small contribution to help cover the shipping costs,
Please make your check to:
Seven Generations PAC
And mail to:
7Gpac
11830 Fort Turley Trail
Linville, VA 22834
Put Operation Show We Care in the memo/for line of your check.
Your help with this effort can make an enormous difference!
Remember, many hands make light work.
One more very important part of this operation…
Please include a card or message with your donated items letting our young soldiers know that you care and that you appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. They need to know that no matter what,
We love and support them…
Thank you ever so much for your help!
Lowell and Dianne Fulk and Family
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Charting Our Energy Future, Part 1
Wind Power---The Future is Now
Not In My Back Yard, NIMBYism is taking a stand! Against what we thirty years ago thought was a good and clean direction to take towards renewable energy, just as soon as the technology was developed to make generation of electricity by wind mills economically possible.
That time is here...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Obenshain/Marshall double thrust...
Delegate Bob Marshall is putting forward a resolution of "No Confidence" in the House Republican Caucus [today], Sunday November 18, where Republican delegates will select the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Whip, and Caucus Chair.
In the House Republican CaucusRichmond, VirginiaSunday, November 18, 2007Mr. Marshall, (Bob), for himself,
RESOLUTION
Expressing a sense of no confidence in the policies of the current House of Delegates Republican Leadership as pursued from 2002 to the present, and urging a change in policy.
Whereas even though the House Republican Caucus was in charge of the 2001 Delegate Redistricting, Republican Caucus strength has decreased from 67 (65 R, 2-Ind.) to 55 members (53-R, 2-Ind.) in the four and one-half years of the present House leadership since the Summer of 2002; and
Whereas The Republican leadership has failed to pursue efficient government spending by:
1. Including in the 2008 budget nearly $50 million for a Fine Arts Museum in Richmond while at the same time proposing Abusive Driver Fees as a necessary component of the state road funding;
2. Refusal to demand fiscal accountability from Governor Warner by ignoring the will of the House in failing to follow up on properly passed resolutions seeking an accounting by Governor Warner and his Cabinet on implementing the recommendations of the 2002 Wilder Commission report on Efficiency and Effectiveness in Government Spending. (See HR 12 approved 61-35, March 1, 2004, requesting Gov. Warner’s Cabinet to disclose the efficiency and cost savings measures adopted pursuant to the Wilder Report and other efficiency measures; and HR 13 approved 62-33, March 1, 2004 requesting the Governor to provide the House with detailed facts relating to implementing the Wilder Report.)
3. Allowing government spending to increase at new record levels of spending without making road and transit improvements a priority, and instead providing for tax increases by appointed governmental agencies as provided in HB 3202 (2007);
Whereas The Republican Leadership makes policy decisions in a small closed group and in a secretive manner without benefit of wide Caucus input or knowledge and in late 2006 prepared a transportation bill which Caucus members were expected to accept without discussion or critical input, i.e. HB 3202, which bill placed the responsibility for increasing taxes on appointed officials selected by statute, and included a first time ever tax on services, a tax on home sales during a declining housing market, and enacted severe Abusive Driver Fee penalties;
and which violated the principles of George Mason’s Declaration of Rights and Magna Charta (1215) that citizens "cannot be taxed or deprived of their property for public uses without their own consent, or that of their representatives so elected." (Contrast this with the unprecedented claim supported by the Governor, the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House that, "The General Assembly's ability and power to delegate taxation is not constrained."); and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has failed to act in a Parliamentary manner by:
1. Accepting the Budget proposed by Governor Warner in 2003 which included bothrevenue spending measures and revenue raising measures in violation of the Single Object Provision of the Virginia Constitution rather than return the budget to Governor Warner and inform him that tax and spending measures may not be combined in a single bill.
2. Directing House staff to not record for the public the Privileges and Elections Committee vote on HB 2797 taken on 2-2-07, while making NO objection to all other measures reported from this same committee on the same day until strenuous objection was made insisting on the normal practice of the House, the requirements of Rule 18, and the problems this would produce for the expeditious discharge of business then pending before the House of Delegates; and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has compromised and sought to coerce the independent judgment of Caucus members and their commitment to constituents by using the authority of office to advocate, urge and insist that certain Republican members of the House Finance Committee relent in their opposition to what became the 2004 sales tax increase. Such actions are inconsistent with principled opposition to tax increases; and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has adopted the practices which it criticized Democrats for using, namely failing to appoint sponsors and publicly recognized advocates of legislation as members of House-Senate Conference Committees in at least the instances of the Constitutional Marriage Amendment in 2005 and theTransportation Trust Fund Constitutional Amendment in 2007;
Now, therefore be it Resolved,
that because of the above concerns and the distinct likelihood that the new majority Democratic Senate leadership will propose an unjustified growth in the size of government, increased government spending, and the imposition of new taxes and other policies at variance with Republican principles,
that the House Republican Caucus has lost confidence in the policies of the present Republican Leadership, and request that a new policy direction be undertaken consistent with traditional Republican principles."
In the House Republican CaucusRichmond, VirginiaSunday, November 18, 2007Mr. Marshall, (Bob), for himself,
RESOLUTION
Expressing a sense of no confidence in the policies of the current House of Delegates Republican Leadership as pursued from 2002 to the present, and urging a change in policy.
Whereas even though the House Republican Caucus was in charge of the 2001 Delegate Redistricting, Republican Caucus strength has decreased from 67 (65 R, 2-Ind.) to 55 members (53-R, 2-Ind.) in the four and one-half years of the present House leadership since the Summer of 2002; and
Whereas The Republican leadership has failed to pursue efficient government spending by:
1. Including in the 2008 budget nearly $50 million for a Fine Arts Museum in Richmond while at the same time proposing Abusive Driver Fees as a necessary component of the state road funding;
2. Refusal to demand fiscal accountability from Governor Warner by ignoring the will of the House in failing to follow up on properly passed resolutions seeking an accounting by Governor Warner and his Cabinet on implementing the recommendations of the 2002 Wilder Commission report on Efficiency and Effectiveness in Government Spending. (See HR 12 approved 61-35, March 1, 2004, requesting Gov. Warner’s Cabinet to disclose the efficiency and cost savings measures adopted pursuant to the Wilder Report and other efficiency measures; and HR 13 approved 62-33, March 1, 2004 requesting the Governor to provide the House with detailed facts relating to implementing the Wilder Report.)
3. Allowing government spending to increase at new record levels of spending without making road and transit improvements a priority, and instead providing for tax increases by appointed governmental agencies as provided in HB 3202 (2007);
Whereas The Republican Leadership makes policy decisions in a small closed group and in a secretive manner without benefit of wide Caucus input or knowledge and in late 2006 prepared a transportation bill which Caucus members were expected to accept without discussion or critical input, i.e. HB 3202, which bill placed the responsibility for increasing taxes on appointed officials selected by statute, and included a first time ever tax on services, a tax on home sales during a declining housing market, and enacted severe Abusive Driver Fee penalties;
and which violated the principles of George Mason’s Declaration of Rights and Magna Charta (1215) that citizens "cannot be taxed or deprived of their property for public uses without their own consent, or that of their representatives so elected." (Contrast this with the unprecedented claim supported by the Governor, the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House that, "The General Assembly's ability and power to delegate taxation is not constrained."); and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has failed to act in a Parliamentary manner by:
1. Accepting the Budget proposed by Governor Warner in 2003 which included bothrevenue spending measures and revenue raising measures in violation of the Single Object Provision of the Virginia Constitution rather than return the budget to Governor Warner and inform him that tax and spending measures may not be combined in a single bill.
2. Directing House staff to not record for the public the Privileges and Elections Committee vote on HB 2797 taken on 2-2-07, while making NO objection to all other measures reported from this same committee on the same day until strenuous objection was made insisting on the normal practice of the House, the requirements of Rule 18, and the problems this would produce for the expeditious discharge of business then pending before the House of Delegates; and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has compromised and sought to coerce the independent judgment of Caucus members and their commitment to constituents by using the authority of office to advocate, urge and insist that certain Republican members of the House Finance Committee relent in their opposition to what became the 2004 sales tax increase. Such actions are inconsistent with principled opposition to tax increases; and
Whereas The Republican Leadership has adopted the practices which it criticized Democrats for using, namely failing to appoint sponsors and publicly recognized advocates of legislation as members of House-Senate Conference Committees in at least the instances of the Constitutional Marriage Amendment in 2005 and theTransportation Trust Fund Constitutional Amendment in 2007;
Now, therefore be it Resolved,
that because of the above concerns and the distinct likelihood that the new majority Democratic Senate leadership will propose an unjustified growth in the size of government, increased government spending, and the imposition of new taxes and other policies at variance with Republican principles,
that the House Republican Caucus has lost confidence in the policies of the present Republican Leadership, and request that a new policy direction be undertaken consistent with traditional Republican principles."
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