While manning the home front this evening and attending to the hundreds of trick or treaters, I could not help but recall a cartoon over at The Contemporary Conservative posted about Halloween earlier this week.
As my own childeren returned from trick or treating throughout the subdivision, I informed them that we would put all the candy collected on the floor in the living room and divide up the candy in equal shares. With astonishment, my oldest noted that that did not sound very fair.
My oldest had obviously accumulated more candy this evening than the younger siblings.
No matter. It all goes on the floor and will be divided up equally I demanded.
Suddenly, my two youngest lost it!
They walked the streets, knocked on doors, recited the trick or treat and frankly earned their respective candy. They did not care how much it was nor what kind of candy it was, it was theirs. In effect, they earned it.
Who was I to take it from them and divide it up and distribute it out?Afterall, I stayed at home and passed out candy which was a much easier task. My wife had the hard part.
Does this scenario ring any bells?
My youngest who stopped at some point during the evening going to doors and got tired would have gotten an equal share of the candy had it all been divided up equally regardless of how much effort or work was undertaken. This hardly seemed fair to the other siblings and beside they each wanted to keep what was theirs but were willing to trade out certain candy in order to get rid of what they didn't like in exchange for something they did like.
You know, our children are often times a heckauva lot smarter than we are from time to time.
And no redistribution of candy or wealth for that matter is not something that was highlighted in:
"Everything I Ever Needed to Know About Life I Learned in Kindergarten"
Maybe we all should look at our taxes in the same manner our children see candy?
And what do I do with the extra candy i was passing out from home?Umm.
KEEP THE CHANGE.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Virginia Lottery: A Future for the Private Sector?Delegate David Poisson (D)
I must say that I have to give Delegate David Poisson (D) representing the 32nd District up in Loudoun County for finally doing some thinking out of the box regarding State policy. Poisson has recommended taking a hard look at the Virginia Lottery system and determining whether it would be in the Commonwealth's best interest to allow for a transition to the private sector away from government controlled operations.
We have to remember that to a large extent there are many in Virginia who are opposed to the Lottery about as much as they are predatory lending like the debate over all those Payday lending enterprises. I do not think I would be going too far out on a limb by saying most of those lean Democrat in the Commonwealth. In my view they completely dismiss the nature of a free people to make their own determinations and reject personal responsibility for undertaken actions.
Thats what makes Delegate Poisson's proposition that much more interesting. This is a bold step Poisson is taking into the brackish waters that has always politically surrounded the Virginia Lottery. Poisson knows and is willing to admit what we all know and that is that the lottery has not been managed or run to its full potential. Much of that may certainly rest on the shoulders of the General Assembly however, given the restrictions on things like marketing that are placed on the lottery.
In the short, the Virginia Lottery has been a large part of funding for K-12 education throughout the Commonwealth. The issue is just how ashamed some politicians may actually be by such a funding source. Shame is not something we often equate to politics, but no other explaination can be presented for a government that wants to get "some " funding but no "too much" from the endeavor as to be too alarming to constituents. Fact is many see the lottery as nothing more than a voluntary tax paid for by the purchaser and tax revenue generated in such a manner does not sit to well with many in Richmond. Whether they will admit it or not.
The question lies in whether the Virginia Lottery could be run more effectively and efficiently by Government or the Private Sector?
The backdrop to this question is one facing many states. California for example, has sought to "bond" the lottery to pay for programs. States like Florida, West Virginia and oregon have sought to use financial revenue projections from the lottery as collateral for bond offerings. It seems that there quite a few options on the table for the direction to take the lottery, but if the primary goal is to raise revenues and thus raise funding for education certainly a study as proposed by Delegate Poisson is required.
There appear to be two options:
1. to permit the Virginia lottery to be leased by a private entity for the purposes of running and return a annual rate of return based on contractual obligation to the Commonwealth
2. to permit the management of the Lottery be run by the private sector but regulated by the government
#2 strikes me more of the model that failed via Fannie and Freddie and given the current economic climate I doubt that anyone will be convinced that this is the way to go for the Virginia Lottery. #1 probably would make the most sense unless the General Assembly was willing to unleash the Lottery to be able to perform at a higher level.
The issue is not so much demographic, but location. The State could allow for increased outlets throughout the Commonwealth like big box retail. The question is the number of locations which of course would need to be loosened should the Lottery be able to grow substantially. Again, the growth would then benefit education.
How many of us care about education? How many of us want to see more funding for education? Why not use these as the backbone for marketing the Lottery to those Virginians who support its core purpose? Again, Democrats have sterotypically associated themselves as being the pro-education Party so it begs the question why it is they may oppose such expansions of the Lottery. This is why the proposal by Delegate Poisson is so commendable.
We need leaders who are willing to challenge the prevailing winds of politics in order to reach solutions. Those prevailing winds can easily be demonstrated in Delegate Poisson's quote:
"We allow people to play the lottery, but we don't want it to look like anyone is having any fun doing it, so it won't smack of sin"
Well said Sir.
We have to remember that to a large extent there are many in Virginia who are opposed to the Lottery about as much as they are predatory lending like the debate over all those Payday lending enterprises. I do not think I would be going too far out on a limb by saying most of those lean Democrat in the Commonwealth. In my view they completely dismiss the nature of a free people to make their own determinations and reject personal responsibility for undertaken actions.
Thats what makes Delegate Poisson's proposition that much more interesting. This is a bold step Poisson is taking into the brackish waters that has always politically surrounded the Virginia Lottery. Poisson knows and is willing to admit what we all know and that is that the lottery has not been managed or run to its full potential. Much of that may certainly rest on the shoulders of the General Assembly however, given the restrictions on things like marketing that are placed on the lottery.
In the short, the Virginia Lottery has been a large part of funding for K-12 education throughout the Commonwealth. The issue is just how ashamed some politicians may actually be by such a funding source. Shame is not something we often equate to politics, but no other explaination can be presented for a government that wants to get "some " funding but no "too much" from the endeavor as to be too alarming to constituents. Fact is many see the lottery as nothing more than a voluntary tax paid for by the purchaser and tax revenue generated in such a manner does not sit to well with many in Richmond. Whether they will admit it or not.
The question lies in whether the Virginia Lottery could be run more effectively and efficiently by Government or the Private Sector?
The backdrop to this question is one facing many states. California for example, has sought to "bond" the lottery to pay for programs. States like Florida, West Virginia and oregon have sought to use financial revenue projections from the lottery as collateral for bond offerings. It seems that there quite a few options on the table for the direction to take the lottery, but if the primary goal is to raise revenues and thus raise funding for education certainly a study as proposed by Delegate Poisson is required.
There appear to be two options:
1. to permit the Virginia lottery to be leased by a private entity for the purposes of running and return a annual rate of return based on contractual obligation to the Commonwealth
2. to permit the management of the Lottery be run by the private sector but regulated by the government
#2 strikes me more of the model that failed via Fannie and Freddie and given the current economic climate I doubt that anyone will be convinced that this is the way to go for the Virginia Lottery. #1 probably would make the most sense unless the General Assembly was willing to unleash the Lottery to be able to perform at a higher level.
The issue is not so much demographic, but location. The State could allow for increased outlets throughout the Commonwealth like big box retail. The question is the number of locations which of course would need to be loosened should the Lottery be able to grow substantially. Again, the growth would then benefit education.
How many of us care about education? How many of us want to see more funding for education? Why not use these as the backbone for marketing the Lottery to those Virginians who support its core purpose? Again, Democrats have sterotypically associated themselves as being the pro-education Party so it begs the question why it is they may oppose such expansions of the Lottery. This is why the proposal by Delegate Poisson is so commendable.
We need leaders who are willing to challenge the prevailing winds of politics in order to reach solutions. Those prevailing winds can easily be demonstrated in Delegate Poisson's quote:
"We allow people to play the lottery, but we don't want it to look like anyone is having any fun doing it, so it won't smack of sin"
Well said Sir.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Chesterfield County: A "Sign" of the Future
Many of you have emailed me about the yesterdays piece in the Times-Dispatch regarding the issue of electronic signs and bulletin boards being approved by the County. The Board of Supervisors will hear two cases regarding signs in Midlothian District:
1. 08SN0224- Heritage Signs for a sign at 1231 Gateway Center Parkway
2. 08SN0235- Holiday Signs- a sign at the corner of Hull Street and Turner Road
Though niether of these cases impact the Robious Road corridor, the Robious Road Community Coalition (RRCC) is well aware that any precedent set by such cases will surely impact the business areas in and around the Robious community. Just as the Village of Midothian Volunteer Coalition is concerned about maintaining the charm of the Village of Midlothian, the RRCC wants to ensure that no measure is taken that could result in further expansion of the County sign policy with regard to electronic signs.
Currently, "Villages" are prohibited but as witnessed in the Mataoca High sign case the Board has been inclined to provide exception. In this case, the sign was approved 3-2 for placement, though signs in the County policy are to be excluded from residential areas and rural areas. The sign in this case was not even positioned in the front of the school.
Case number 08SN0235 will demonstrate how serious the Board is at adhearing to the current policy given Hull Street road has been considered a "no-sign" zone for quite some time. Should the Board make an exception in this case it could open the door to more attempts for placements along the entire Hull Street corridor. And if Hull Street is opened up, why not Midlothian, Rt. 10, Courthouse or Huguenot and Robious?
The Board should endeavor to create a new policy if it so wishes and present such policy before the People in public session to be heard. The idea of making exceptions to the current policy has very little transparency and many never learn of such exception until the sign is erected.
The question the Board faces is that with the increase of mixed-use developments incorporating residential, commercial and retail, a policy needs to be inacted that can set the standards for just how and where an electronic sign can be implemented by the business community. Obviously, size and shape of the sign is of major concern as well.
Frankly, and this is unrelated to the electronic sign debate, I find all these signs for leasing firms to be nothing more that ornaments of blight. If you drive down Rt. 60 or Rt360 from the East it is wall to wall leasing signs out on the road system. Nothing smacks more of "commercial sprawl" that large yellow and blue now leasing signs throughout the district. It is my view that these signs should only be in the window and not on the roadway. We should be looking at things aesthetically as well, especially if we seek to attract homeowners to our older areas that flank these commercial corridors. If you are coming from out of state and you see all these signs, what do you think the takeaway is; how about an area in "decline".
I realize that signs and cell towers appear to be minor issues on th surface, but they all go to what the future will be here within our community and what our community will look like.
1. 08SN0224- Heritage Signs for a sign at 1231 Gateway Center Parkway
2. 08SN0235- Holiday Signs- a sign at the corner of Hull Street and Turner Road
Though niether of these cases impact the Robious Road corridor, the Robious Road Community Coalition (RRCC) is well aware that any precedent set by such cases will surely impact the business areas in and around the Robious community. Just as the Village of Midothian Volunteer Coalition is concerned about maintaining the charm of the Village of Midlothian, the RRCC wants to ensure that no measure is taken that could result in further expansion of the County sign policy with regard to electronic signs.
Currently, "Villages" are prohibited but as witnessed in the Mataoca High sign case the Board has been inclined to provide exception. In this case, the sign was approved 3-2 for placement, though signs in the County policy are to be excluded from residential areas and rural areas. The sign in this case was not even positioned in the front of the school.
Case number 08SN0235 will demonstrate how serious the Board is at adhearing to the current policy given Hull Street road has been considered a "no-sign" zone for quite some time. Should the Board make an exception in this case it could open the door to more attempts for placements along the entire Hull Street corridor. And if Hull Street is opened up, why not Midlothian, Rt. 10, Courthouse or Huguenot and Robious?
The Board should endeavor to create a new policy if it so wishes and present such policy before the People in public session to be heard. The idea of making exceptions to the current policy has very little transparency and many never learn of such exception until the sign is erected.
The question the Board faces is that with the increase of mixed-use developments incorporating residential, commercial and retail, a policy needs to be inacted that can set the standards for just how and where an electronic sign can be implemented by the business community. Obviously, size and shape of the sign is of major concern as well.
Frankly, and this is unrelated to the electronic sign debate, I find all these signs for leasing firms to be nothing more that ornaments of blight. If you drive down Rt. 60 or Rt360 from the East it is wall to wall leasing signs out on the road system. Nothing smacks more of "commercial sprawl" that large yellow and blue now leasing signs throughout the district. It is my view that these signs should only be in the window and not on the roadway. We should be looking at things aesthetically as well, especially if we seek to attract homeowners to our older areas that flank these commercial corridors. If you are coming from out of state and you see all these signs, what do you think the takeaway is; how about an area in "decline".
I realize that signs and cell towers appear to be minor issues on th surface, but they all go to what the future will be here within our community and what our community will look like.
Maryland Volunteers Calling Virginians for Obama
Okay I get it. Barack Obama is leading John Mccain by eight points in the Commonwealth. But if Obama's ground game is so solide here in my beloved Virginia, why on earth are people from Maryland calling Virginians on behave of the Obama campaign.
I got one of these calls and found it rather funny that the folks were from Maryland. Apparently, Maryland is locked up for Obama that they have now begun targeting strong Republican districts in Virginia. Now not in Northern Virginia, quickly becoming their brethern if you read blogs like Raising Kaine who seek to turn Virginia into the next Maryland politically, but in the burbs of Richmond.
While I guess the experts would see this as great strategy, I for one simply find it rather histarical and offensive at the same time. maybe the Obama campaign thinks its safer to have Maryland folks call on us "downstaters" than say our own fellow citizens from Northern Virginia.
That sounds like a pretty dam good admission to me that NOVA just cannot relate whatsoever to its brethern throughout the State. Otherwise, the Obama campaign would be having those supporters call on Virginians.
I know that the left has taken offense with whats called "robocalls", but please the last thing I need is for someone from Maryland telling me how great Obama will be for Virginia as President.
I got one of these calls and found it rather funny that the folks were from Maryland. Apparently, Maryland is locked up for Obama that they have now begun targeting strong Republican districts in Virginia. Now not in Northern Virginia, quickly becoming their brethern if you read blogs like Raising Kaine who seek to turn Virginia into the next Maryland politically, but in the burbs of Richmond.
While I guess the experts would see this as great strategy, I for one simply find it rather histarical and offensive at the same time. maybe the Obama campaign thinks its safer to have Maryland folks call on us "downstaters" than say our own fellow citizens from Northern Virginia.
That sounds like a pretty dam good admission to me that NOVA just cannot relate whatsoever to its brethern throughout the State. Otherwise, the Obama campaign would be having those supporters call on Virginians.
I know that the left has taken offense with whats called "robocalls", but please the last thing I need is for someone from Maryland telling me how great Obama will be for Virginia as President.
Barack Obama: An Educator's Nightmare?
It was nice this weekend to get out in the Fall air and speak with many folks in the neighborhood and it is fair to say that this election certainly is one of the greatest endeavors undertaken by the country in a long, long time. The challenge the country faces right now is one rooted in direction. We must all ask ourselves exactly what direction we would like our nation to take and how we would like that direction fullfilled.
Those of you who were kind enough to speak with me on Saturday I cannot thank you enough. The dialogue of ideas is what I have always sought out and tried to harness. Many of us who consider ourselves fiscal conservatives are not the narrow minded lot that many in the media portray us to be. Afterall, we all care alot about the same basic things; family, faith, community and the future.
This post is not about politics and nor is it politically motivated. It is merely a question.
What I learned on Saturday has flat out floored me. Growing up in Chesterfield, I was fortunate to being exposed to some of best teachers and educators in the entire Commonwealth. It was is really the basic reason I have chosen to live here for the future of my young children with two almost ready to enter the school system. We forget about alot of what we learned growing up. We are told that these are changing times and things are not the same. I wonder if it is we are just different and everything else is pretty much the same in terms of the reality. Balancing work and family is no different than what our parents had to undertake. Certainly there are more diversions, especially for our children than for us growing up. Children today do not spend hours on end in the street playing touch football with twenty other kids, but instead spend more time on the computer, video games, or god forbid text messaging. In the end, the reality is the same. You want your children to have just enough exposure to the world and the community to develop the essential skills required for later on in life, but at the heart of it all you want them to have a firm undertanding of what it means to be an American, a Virginian, and a person of faith (whatever that faith may be).
By the word "direction" this is what I mean by having a basis for the future. All to often, before Saturday I associated "direction" from all the campaign rhetoric as being relative to economics or tax plans. What I learned on Saturday and from such a unlikely source is I have had this all wrong.
So what happened?
In meeting with people and speaking with folks, knocking on doors, developing relationships you never really know just where your feet will take you and just who you may encounter. I say this because in recent months I have seen quite alot of Obama signs crop up in what has been historically a very red district for decades. I like to stop and talk to anyone who will enage in conversation if for no other reason to learn the different rationales for supporting an candidate.
As I made my way over to an adjacent subdivision, I turned the corner and noticed a very strange sight. A home with the following; Warner, Obama, and McCain/Palin sign in the front yard and two cars in the drive parked side by side with stickers; one with Obama/Biden and one with McCain/Palin. No way was I gonna pass this one up.
As I approached the home, a man called out from the side of the house "Son, I am around here". The voice rang true to me. There was something familiar but I could not place it. As I walked through the parked cars in the driveway, it did not take wme long to realize I was walking back in time. There before me was not only one of the best teachers in my life but also a former coach who taught us alot more about life than the sport. He recognized me right out. After catching up, I finally managed enough guts to bring up the election. I say guts because the man infront of me was the very teacher who instilled everything inside of me concerning what we used to call "civics". This was the class in which we learned about government, the Founding Fathers, the Declaration, the Constitution and above all States Rights.
I had to ask about the signs. "Well, it is what it is-what can I tell you". I could tell there was some frustration in the tone and quickly asked about the McCain/Palin sign. With sharp eyes I could tell I was getting the once over. "Not as many around as I would have thought", I had wondered if he meant "hoped" but I let him continue. He went on to tell me that the McCain/Palin sign is his but that he was also supporting Mark Warner. "Warner does'nt scare me, you know what your gona get" and before he could finish I asked "And Obama?".
What I learned was a lesson that took me back some twenty years to sitting in the classroom and listening and having my soul being shaped by this man in terms of what it means to be an American. You have to remember, this was back in the 80's. Ripe with Ronald Reagan optimism, duty to the country and service. Some of my families core values were watered by this man in the classroom. Those out there that say educators have no rel impact on young people are completely out of touch. The impact is even greater today.
My old teacher gave me a refresher course in civics and politics. He was the first to teach me that they are not one in the same. Above all else, we spoke of the Constitution. He told me that Barack Obama threatens everything that he has spent a life long passion of building in young people. He articulated that the Obama you see and hear is one Obama, but in reality when you read his penned thoughts in his book and his teachings on law he stands for everything opposite we have taught in public schools for decades. He never used words like "radical" or "extreme" and based on what I knew of him I did not expect him to, but what he did talk about was the falicies of ideology Obama had in terms of the Founding Fathers and the documents the nation is based on.
Obama, as I learned, does not see the U.S. Consititution as a binding document. Obama interprets the Constitution as merely a "symbolic guide" where the meaning and tenets can be altered or changed on the whim of the times. I followed up with questions about how we have changed our Constitution and I learned that my teacher firmly believed as he taught us that "legislative" changes are indeed the route to take and are a requirement, thus we have Amendments that curbed wrongs like slavery, suffrage, and equal rights. But these matters were ratified by the States and the People. Obama's aim is to change and alter the intent of the Constitution not by the "legislative" actions but by "judicial" measures.
He stated that "Obama sees the Constitution as the rock in which he and other like lawyers must break themselves against". Obama seeks to remove the constraints of government which was set forth by our Fathers to keep control in the hands of the People. Obama see the will of the People through the ballot box and not through the protection of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. I learned that the interpretation that the Constitution is "living and breathing" is rhetoric for the Courts needs to be more empathetic to the People and that is not the role of the Judiciary.
It felt like I was back at school. It was refreshing. None of this was political. It was scholarly in fact. It was based on facts and statements and even Obama's books. I could not help but think he was in the minority in terms of educators. We are all prone to believe that teachers and unions support Democrats, but here was one who knew something about a small yet powerful aspect to this election that had influenced him so profoundly that he was going in another direction.
The views expressed struck me so hard, I found myself Sunday morning at Barnes and Noble picking up a few books on the matter. My teacher was right. Alot of what he said is right there in Obama's own words. Obama completely discounts the Tenth Amendment in that it is up to the States to pass such laws that are not defined or identified in the Constitution, which illustrates the basis of our Federal Government covenants. Its not up to the courts, any court, to do anything remotely close to what Obama is advocating.
Alot of this says nothing about Obama's leadership nor questions his ability to do so. Its not a negative attack on Obama nor was it presented to me as such, but a mere view based on Obama's own intent and intrepretation. Based on what Obama has said and done as a constitutional lawyer and set forth in Court, he will take our nation in an entirely different direction in term of our Founding Fathers. Maybe the majority wishes he do so, but if he does wish to do so I would expect that we all deserve to hear about it and be afforded the opportunity to examine his teachings and his court cases before we decide it is in the best interests of our nation to turn over the Constitution to him and his appointees at the Federal and potentially the Supreme Court level.
None of this is related to specific issues either; ie abortion. It is a fundamental examination of what Obama truly feels about our Constitution and how it shall be imployed regardless of what the underlying case is. Does Obama believe in a stronger Central Government? Does he intend to limit the power of the States?
Folks I do not want to be the alarmist, but the the foundations for such diversions from the true core and standing of our Constitution is what in fact resulted in this nation going down the path of the great Civil War. The Federal Government returning to the proposition of telling States what they can and cannot do is a very dangerous endeavor and as a Virginian I take real objection to such views.
It was nice to learn that one of my favorite teachers lived so close to where I now raise my family along with my wife. It was also nice to get a different perspective in that my old teacher reaffirmedin his view that "Obama is an educator's nightmare!" Well, maybe only the civic and government educators that is. The other educators apparently seem to like him just fine.
Those of you who were kind enough to speak with me on Saturday I cannot thank you enough. The dialogue of ideas is what I have always sought out and tried to harness. Many of us who consider ourselves fiscal conservatives are not the narrow minded lot that many in the media portray us to be. Afterall, we all care alot about the same basic things; family, faith, community and the future.
This post is not about politics and nor is it politically motivated. It is merely a question.
What I learned on Saturday has flat out floored me. Growing up in Chesterfield, I was fortunate to being exposed to some of best teachers and educators in the entire Commonwealth. It was is really the basic reason I have chosen to live here for the future of my young children with two almost ready to enter the school system. We forget about alot of what we learned growing up. We are told that these are changing times and things are not the same. I wonder if it is we are just different and everything else is pretty much the same in terms of the reality. Balancing work and family is no different than what our parents had to undertake. Certainly there are more diversions, especially for our children than for us growing up. Children today do not spend hours on end in the street playing touch football with twenty other kids, but instead spend more time on the computer, video games, or god forbid text messaging. In the end, the reality is the same. You want your children to have just enough exposure to the world and the community to develop the essential skills required for later on in life, but at the heart of it all you want them to have a firm undertanding of what it means to be an American, a Virginian, and a person of faith (whatever that faith may be).
By the word "direction" this is what I mean by having a basis for the future. All to often, before Saturday I associated "direction" from all the campaign rhetoric as being relative to economics or tax plans. What I learned on Saturday and from such a unlikely source is I have had this all wrong.
So what happened?
In meeting with people and speaking with folks, knocking on doors, developing relationships you never really know just where your feet will take you and just who you may encounter. I say this because in recent months I have seen quite alot of Obama signs crop up in what has been historically a very red district for decades. I like to stop and talk to anyone who will enage in conversation if for no other reason to learn the different rationales for supporting an candidate.
As I made my way over to an adjacent subdivision, I turned the corner and noticed a very strange sight. A home with the following; Warner, Obama, and McCain/Palin sign in the front yard and two cars in the drive parked side by side with stickers; one with Obama/Biden and one with McCain/Palin. No way was I gonna pass this one up.
As I approached the home, a man called out from the side of the house "Son, I am around here". The voice rang true to me. There was something familiar but I could not place it. As I walked through the parked cars in the driveway, it did not take wme long to realize I was walking back in time. There before me was not only one of the best teachers in my life but also a former coach who taught us alot more about life than the sport. He recognized me right out. After catching up, I finally managed enough guts to bring up the election. I say guts because the man infront of me was the very teacher who instilled everything inside of me concerning what we used to call "civics". This was the class in which we learned about government, the Founding Fathers, the Declaration, the Constitution and above all States Rights.
I had to ask about the signs. "Well, it is what it is-what can I tell you". I could tell there was some frustration in the tone and quickly asked about the McCain/Palin sign. With sharp eyes I could tell I was getting the once over. "Not as many around as I would have thought", I had wondered if he meant "hoped" but I let him continue. He went on to tell me that the McCain/Palin sign is his but that he was also supporting Mark Warner. "Warner does'nt scare me, you know what your gona get" and before he could finish I asked "And Obama?".
What I learned was a lesson that took me back some twenty years to sitting in the classroom and listening and having my soul being shaped by this man in terms of what it means to be an American. You have to remember, this was back in the 80's. Ripe with Ronald Reagan optimism, duty to the country and service. Some of my families core values were watered by this man in the classroom. Those out there that say educators have no rel impact on young people are completely out of touch. The impact is even greater today.
My old teacher gave me a refresher course in civics and politics. He was the first to teach me that they are not one in the same. Above all else, we spoke of the Constitution. He told me that Barack Obama threatens everything that he has spent a life long passion of building in young people. He articulated that the Obama you see and hear is one Obama, but in reality when you read his penned thoughts in his book and his teachings on law he stands for everything opposite we have taught in public schools for decades. He never used words like "radical" or "extreme" and based on what I knew of him I did not expect him to, but what he did talk about was the falicies of ideology Obama had in terms of the Founding Fathers and the documents the nation is based on.
Obama, as I learned, does not see the U.S. Consititution as a binding document. Obama interprets the Constitution as merely a "symbolic guide" where the meaning and tenets can be altered or changed on the whim of the times. I followed up with questions about how we have changed our Constitution and I learned that my teacher firmly believed as he taught us that "legislative" changes are indeed the route to take and are a requirement, thus we have Amendments that curbed wrongs like slavery, suffrage, and equal rights. But these matters were ratified by the States and the People. Obama's aim is to change and alter the intent of the Constitution not by the "legislative" actions but by "judicial" measures.
He stated that "Obama sees the Constitution as the rock in which he and other like lawyers must break themselves against". Obama seeks to remove the constraints of government which was set forth by our Fathers to keep control in the hands of the People. Obama see the will of the People through the ballot box and not through the protection of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. I learned that the interpretation that the Constitution is "living and breathing" is rhetoric for the Courts needs to be more empathetic to the People and that is not the role of the Judiciary.
It felt like I was back at school. It was refreshing. None of this was political. It was scholarly in fact. It was based on facts and statements and even Obama's books. I could not help but think he was in the minority in terms of educators. We are all prone to believe that teachers and unions support Democrats, but here was one who knew something about a small yet powerful aspect to this election that had influenced him so profoundly that he was going in another direction.
The views expressed struck me so hard, I found myself Sunday morning at Barnes and Noble picking up a few books on the matter. My teacher was right. Alot of what he said is right there in Obama's own words. Obama completely discounts the Tenth Amendment in that it is up to the States to pass such laws that are not defined or identified in the Constitution, which illustrates the basis of our Federal Government covenants. Its not up to the courts, any court, to do anything remotely close to what Obama is advocating.
Alot of this says nothing about Obama's leadership nor questions his ability to do so. Its not a negative attack on Obama nor was it presented to me as such, but a mere view based on Obama's own intent and intrepretation. Based on what Obama has said and done as a constitutional lawyer and set forth in Court, he will take our nation in an entirely different direction in term of our Founding Fathers. Maybe the majority wishes he do so, but if he does wish to do so I would expect that we all deserve to hear about it and be afforded the opportunity to examine his teachings and his court cases before we decide it is in the best interests of our nation to turn over the Constitution to him and his appointees at the Federal and potentially the Supreme Court level.
None of this is related to specific issues either; ie abortion. It is a fundamental examination of what Obama truly feels about our Constitution and how it shall be imployed regardless of what the underlying case is. Does Obama believe in a stronger Central Government? Does he intend to limit the power of the States?
Folks I do not want to be the alarmist, but the the foundations for such diversions from the true core and standing of our Constitution is what in fact resulted in this nation going down the path of the great Civil War. The Federal Government returning to the proposition of telling States what they can and cannot do is a very dangerous endeavor and as a Virginian I take real objection to such views.
It was nice to learn that one of my favorite teachers lived so close to where I now raise my family along with my wife. It was also nice to get a different perspective in that my old teacher reaffirmedin his view that "Obama is an educator's nightmare!" Well, maybe only the civic and government educators that is. The other educators apparently seem to like him just fine.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
McCain Small Business "Joe the Plumber" Rally: Chesterfield County (Midlothian)
Calling on all "Joe The Plumbers":
Support
Senator John S. McCain
Small Business Rally in Midothian, Virginia
Saturday, October 25, 2008
10:15 AM
Old Dominion Insulation
12764 Oak lake Court
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
Come See:
Rudy Giuliani
Steve Forbes
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
Jerry Kilgore
There will be a Small Business Rally held this weekend here in Chesterfield County to show support for Senator John S. McCain and his economic plan that will bring America back to better economic days. While Chesterfield County has shown an uncanny ability to weather economic downturns in the past as result of the hard work and backbone of drive and ambition by our small business community, the County must committ to ensuring continued progress through the reform policies of Senator John S. McCain.
Barrack H. Obama is a respectable and an exciting candidate and has made a formidable pitch to the American people, but in the end there is nothing to demonstrate that Obama can or even will deliver all the things his campaign is promising.
Frankly, we have been down this road before with inspiring candidates with lofty plans. Then Governor Bill Clinton was embraced by the same media elite that is now propping up Barack Obama's campaign. The negative aspect has escalated to all time high levels against the Mccain campaign just as it did against Republicans in 1992. The result, Americans elected President Bill Clinton on the hopes of a promised tax cut for the middle class and small business and folks if you remember HE NEVER DELIVERED!!
The same media elite refuses to compare Gov. Sarah Palin's record of "experience" to the then Governor Clinton in 1992 before they annoited him their nominee. Apparently, the media keeps moving the bar further and further with every test.
The result? In 1994 we sent a message to Washington and Republicans gained control of Congress. Its time we get back to comon sense fiscal conservatism like the Contract of America.
We can ill afford to have to wait another four years to vote out the growing liberal majority in Congress, nor can we as small business owners afford four years of an Obama Presidency. The hill we have to climb is very steep, but folks we also need to begin to lay the groundwork for the future as well.
Keep Chesterfield County RED in November!
Support
Senator John S. McCain
Small Business Rally in Midothian, Virginia
Saturday, October 25, 2008
10:15 AM
Old Dominion Insulation
12764 Oak lake Court
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
Come See:
Rudy Giuliani
Steve Forbes
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling
Jerry Kilgore
There will be a Small Business Rally held this weekend here in Chesterfield County to show support for Senator John S. McCain and his economic plan that will bring America back to better economic days. While Chesterfield County has shown an uncanny ability to weather economic downturns in the past as result of the hard work and backbone of drive and ambition by our small business community, the County must committ to ensuring continued progress through the reform policies of Senator John S. McCain.
Barrack H. Obama is a respectable and an exciting candidate and has made a formidable pitch to the American people, but in the end there is nothing to demonstrate that Obama can or even will deliver all the things his campaign is promising.
Frankly, we have been down this road before with inspiring candidates with lofty plans. Then Governor Bill Clinton was embraced by the same media elite that is now propping up Barack Obama's campaign. The negative aspect has escalated to all time high levels against the Mccain campaign just as it did against Republicans in 1992. The result, Americans elected President Bill Clinton on the hopes of a promised tax cut for the middle class and small business and folks if you remember HE NEVER DELIVERED!!
The same media elite refuses to compare Gov. Sarah Palin's record of "experience" to the then Governor Clinton in 1992 before they annoited him their nominee. Apparently, the media keeps moving the bar further and further with every test.
The result? In 1994 we sent a message to Washington and Republicans gained control of Congress. Its time we get back to comon sense fiscal conservatism like the Contract of America.
We can ill afford to have to wait another four years to vote out the growing liberal majority in Congress, nor can we as small business owners afford four years of an Obama Presidency. The hill we have to climb is very steep, but folks we also need to begin to lay the groundwork for the future as well.
Keep Chesterfield County RED in November!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Future of Chesterfield County: Our Transportation Paradigm
I know many of you are engaged in the current Presidential race and paying serious attention to national matters, whether the economy or our current financial crisis brought about by mismanagement and oversight on the part of officials in the Federal Government, but I want to draw your attention back to our responsibility as good citizens to maintain our own oversight of our local officials.
As many of you know, recently the Board of Supervisors voted to shelve "impact fees" for immediate future. Mind you, projected revenues from such impact fees were used in financial projections for funding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
One reason provided for not taking action on the establishment of "impact fees" on properties not subject to the cash proffer policy was to allow for time for the Regional Transportation Authority to be examined.
Examined?
I find it striking that many of the same members on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors who voted to delay the vote on "impact fees" are the same folks behind the push for the Regional Transportation Authority. This authority appear to be fronted by the likes of the Richmond Area Metro Planning Organization (MPO), whose mebership includes our Board members from Chesterfield and other localities as well as the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC)
Many will remember that the RRPDC announced partnering with the Greater Richmond Chamber as well as working in alignment with the Capital Region Collaborative, which is chaired by City of Richmond mayoral candidate Robert J. Grey Jr.
I cannot help but feel that these agendas are the seeds of Regionalism, which many in Chesterfield oppose. Much of what these organizations major premise of regionalism was born out of last years controversial Crupi Report.
Chesterield County has seen like measures before, especially in the debate over the Commercial Development Authority (CDA) for the Charter Woods Powhite Parkway extension involving such roadways as Otterdale Road and Woolridge Road all the way from Charter Woods to swift Creek Reservoir (4 miles). The cost was deemed to be about 8 million for improvements to this four mile stretch. The County maintains Woolridge over the Swift Creek because it does not conform to VDOT standards and will aslo incur an estimated 4 million in mitigating and permitting fees in addition to the actual work required. The extension of Powhite Parkway is slated at an estimated 300 million for the extension of Powhite Parkway from Charter Colony all the way west to Grange Hall Elementary on Route 360. The CDA was recommended to place a tax on all residential/commercial properties in lower Magnolia Green plat for up to thirty years. I believe if you review the current County tax rates, this tax rate is 1.12 on said properties. Originally, a desired 25 cent tax was recommended on top of the current tax rate for all properties in the plat, but since it would only generate roughly 44 million over time as homes came on line the CDA was preferred.
Now the current Board wants us to accept a Regional Transportation Authority that will:
1. raise vehicle inspections $10 from curent levels and set aside the increase for the Authority
2. raise the gas tax 2% with the increase set aside for the Authority
3. raise vehicle registration/decal in some areas fees with increase set aside for Authority
4. increase sales tax on auto service/repairs by 5% with increase set aside for Authority
5. add a 2% tax on all auto rental contracts with tax going to Authority
6. add a 1% value of new vehicle registrations ( $100 per 10,000 in value of auto)
7. create a .04% tax on all real estate sales for regional congestion fee to Authority
This is a pure tax and fee structure. How does this fit in with your yearly budget and expenses. Does Jiffy Lube count as "auto servicing"?Ummm.
If you are interested in looking at just want roadways were identified as requiring attention, see here:
www.co.chesterfield.va.us/CommunityDevelopment/Planning/CPCStaffReports/07-09-18/CPC-Impact-Fee-2.pdf
Given that many of our Board are working in collaboration with those formulating this plan for a Regional Transportation Authority, is there any real question as to whether these leaders will be supporting this mechanism and ultimately raising the costs of living upon the region under its umbrella.
I fully understand the rationale given the very limited and now reduced funding from the State, but why is it the first assertion to tax and fee for these measures over looking at a pragmatic cost-cutting and spending freeze within County government.
Given the current potential for a deep recession, does it make much sense to be telling County citizens you are going to raise every aspect related to owning an automobile in the current economic climate? Or is this yet another stealth measure to wean folks off autos in the first place? Look at the tenets of the new community developments and how they are requiring the design. It seems there is a mission underway to limit uses of autos and in effect would that not also reduce over time the revenues such an Authority would generate?
The RRPDC will be taking another look at the proposal of the Regional Transportation Authority next month at the November meeting and it will be interesting to see what transpires.
I for one will do all in my power; phone banking and canvassing, to bring to attention as many Chesterfield residents as possible the plan to introduce such an Authority and also the apparent goal of moving Chesterfield into a "regionalistic" plan for the future. This smacks of big government with even less transparency.
In fact, by the proposals on accounts the Regional Transportation Authority estimates that 60% of revenues garnered from citizens would be used for transportation issues and 40% would be for administrative expenses. 40%!
Is this really the direction that Chesterfield wants to go? Does Chesterfield know that it could soon be put under the boot of such an Authority?
I can tell you right now, should this Authority be implemented by the current Board it will be the biggest campaign issue of the 2011 cycle. The vote on this is crucial by the Board and so is the citizens responsibility when the public hearing arises.
As many of you know, recently the Board of Supervisors voted to shelve "impact fees" for immediate future. Mind you, projected revenues from such impact fees were used in financial projections for funding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
One reason provided for not taking action on the establishment of "impact fees" on properties not subject to the cash proffer policy was to allow for time for the Regional Transportation Authority to be examined.
Examined?
I find it striking that many of the same members on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors who voted to delay the vote on "impact fees" are the same folks behind the push for the Regional Transportation Authority. This authority appear to be fronted by the likes of the Richmond Area Metro Planning Organization (MPO), whose mebership includes our Board members from Chesterfield and other localities as well as the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC)
Many will remember that the RRPDC announced partnering with the Greater Richmond Chamber as well as working in alignment with the Capital Region Collaborative, which is chaired by City of Richmond mayoral candidate Robert J. Grey Jr.
I cannot help but feel that these agendas are the seeds of Regionalism, which many in Chesterfield oppose. Much of what these organizations major premise of regionalism was born out of last years controversial Crupi Report.
Chesterield County has seen like measures before, especially in the debate over the Commercial Development Authority (CDA) for the Charter Woods Powhite Parkway extension involving such roadways as Otterdale Road and Woolridge Road all the way from Charter Woods to swift Creek Reservoir (4 miles). The cost was deemed to be about 8 million for improvements to this four mile stretch. The County maintains Woolridge over the Swift Creek because it does not conform to VDOT standards and will aslo incur an estimated 4 million in mitigating and permitting fees in addition to the actual work required. The extension of Powhite Parkway is slated at an estimated 300 million for the extension of Powhite Parkway from Charter Colony all the way west to Grange Hall Elementary on Route 360. The CDA was recommended to place a tax on all residential/commercial properties in lower Magnolia Green plat for up to thirty years. I believe if you review the current County tax rates, this tax rate is 1.12 on said properties. Originally, a desired 25 cent tax was recommended on top of the current tax rate for all properties in the plat, but since it would only generate roughly 44 million over time as homes came on line the CDA was preferred.
Now the current Board wants us to accept a Regional Transportation Authority that will:
1. raise vehicle inspections $10 from curent levels and set aside the increase for the Authority
2. raise the gas tax 2% with the increase set aside for the Authority
3. raise vehicle registration/decal in some areas fees with increase set aside for Authority
4. increase sales tax on auto service/repairs by 5% with increase set aside for Authority
5. add a 2% tax on all auto rental contracts with tax going to Authority
6. add a 1% value of new vehicle registrations ( $100 per 10,000 in value of auto)
7. create a .04% tax on all real estate sales for regional congestion fee to Authority
This is a pure tax and fee structure. How does this fit in with your yearly budget and expenses. Does Jiffy Lube count as "auto servicing"?Ummm.
If you are interested in looking at just want roadways were identified as requiring attention, see here:
www.co.chesterfield.va.us/CommunityDevelopment/Planning/CPCStaffReports/07-09-18/CPC-Impact-Fee-2.pdf
Given that many of our Board are working in collaboration with those formulating this plan for a Regional Transportation Authority, is there any real question as to whether these leaders will be supporting this mechanism and ultimately raising the costs of living upon the region under its umbrella.
I fully understand the rationale given the very limited and now reduced funding from the State, but why is it the first assertion to tax and fee for these measures over looking at a pragmatic cost-cutting and spending freeze within County government.
Given the current potential for a deep recession, does it make much sense to be telling County citizens you are going to raise every aspect related to owning an automobile in the current economic climate? Or is this yet another stealth measure to wean folks off autos in the first place? Look at the tenets of the new community developments and how they are requiring the design. It seems there is a mission underway to limit uses of autos and in effect would that not also reduce over time the revenues such an Authority would generate?
The RRPDC will be taking another look at the proposal of the Regional Transportation Authority next month at the November meeting and it will be interesting to see what transpires.
I for one will do all in my power; phone banking and canvassing, to bring to attention as many Chesterfield residents as possible the plan to introduce such an Authority and also the apparent goal of moving Chesterfield into a "regionalistic" plan for the future. This smacks of big government with even less transparency.
In fact, by the proposals on accounts the Regional Transportation Authority estimates that 60% of revenues garnered from citizens would be used for transportation issues and 40% would be for administrative expenses. 40%!
Is this really the direction that Chesterfield wants to go? Does Chesterfield know that it could soon be put under the boot of such an Authority?
I can tell you right now, should this Authority be implemented by the current Board it will be the biggest campaign issue of the 2011 cycle. The vote on this is crucial by the Board and so is the citizens responsibility when the public hearing arises.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Liberal Silence on the Virginia Economy
When you sit back and think about it, where is all the outrage regarding Virginia's economic perdicament? If a potential shortfall of 2.5 to 3 billion isn't enough, we now have potentially a deep national recession to consider which will certainly increase the Commonwealth's unemployment rate.
I am curious though how silent the liberal majority of Northern Virginia is on the issue. Well, other than blaming someone else. Liberalism in Northern Virginia is like two kids in the schoolyard caught by a teacher and both point at other kids and scream to high heaven others were to blame.
Displacing responsibility appears an acquired skill in Northern Virginia, especially amongst its political base.
I can't help but wonder just how many times you can dip into the Jim Gilmore and George Bush well before people begin to start realizing just what baseless rhetoric it truly is. Not to say these men did not play a part, but to catagorically displace any accountability for the lack of economic stewardship in Richmond under Mark Warner and Tim Kaine seems rather foolhardy.
You gotta admit its gotta be rather hard for Gov. Kaine to be out talking up Mark Warner given there is a good chance if all this keeps heading south he could credit his political demise to Warner regarding State finances. Good thing Warner does'nt need him much now that he is up 30 pts on Gilmore, but if that were a close race I wonder just what the heck Kaine would say out on the trail? Oh, I forgot, "Its Jim Gilmores fault".
I recall a time when the liberal wing of the Democrat Party of Virginia went full bore after then Governor Jim Gilmore for an unemployment rate of 4.2% by 2002. Where's the outrage now? Is a number just a number when it happens to come under your Party's watch? I recall the whole dot.com bubble and the impacts of 9/11 on the Virginia economy being completely dismissed. In short; from the lefts perspective it was the State GOP's fault.
Now of course, the Commonwealth has been led by two successive Democrat Governors and yet any accountability whatsoever for lost jobs or poor fiscal management is not placed at their feet, but on that of Washington or better yet the State GOP in the House of Delegates.
No outrage whatsoever in Northern Virginia, unless of course you count the fact they have been informed they can potentially forget to see the windfall of State transportation dollars in the coming years.
There has also been this latest debate in the blogosphere prompted by the assertion that NOVA is not indicative of "real Virginia". Evidently a snipe at ones ego means more to these folks than a real examination of our State economy and budget that is an utter disaster and a public disgrace.
Its no wonder Governor Tim Kaine got a pass on the VP slot. I wonder what the Obama campaign knew and when they knew it? Now that is some awesome vetting. Gotta give the Obama team credit on that one.
But in terms of the "real Virginia" debate, it amazes me how these same bloggers could get so upset by such an assertion when it was their liberal champion at Raising Kaine who promoted the idea that Virginia is becoming the next Maryland. Exactly just what part of "Virginia" where they referring to? Thats right. Northern Virginia. They emphatically implied that NOVA was more like Maryland than "Downstate" Virginia.
Funny how whenever these liberals in NOVA refer to Virginia they really only mean their part of Virginia isn't it?
So instead of recognizing the state of our economy and the part they have played, we get another round of how it has been the Republicans fault. Actually, heck why not it worked in 2006 with Congress. And yet, what has changed in Washington exactly? Oh, yeah thats the Republicans fault to because of the filabuster. Gee this wholesale displacement of accoutability is rather addictive.
So when is it exactly when liberal Democrats are not the victims of Republicanism?
Oh yeah, when Obama wins the Presidency,Reid controls the Senate, and Pelosi the House of Representatives.
No wait what am I thinking, Republicans will still get the blame for everything afterall its really hard to stop playing the victim and we should not expect liberals to start anytime soon.
Instead they will be concentrating all their attention on Governor Sarah Palin, whom if I am not mistaken actually balanced Alaska's budget and returned a rebate check to her constituents. Given these economic conditions and the state of our own budget, its no wonder that kind of experience is threatening.
I am curious though how silent the liberal majority of Northern Virginia is on the issue. Well, other than blaming someone else. Liberalism in Northern Virginia is like two kids in the schoolyard caught by a teacher and both point at other kids and scream to high heaven others were to blame.
Displacing responsibility appears an acquired skill in Northern Virginia, especially amongst its political base.
I can't help but wonder just how many times you can dip into the Jim Gilmore and George Bush well before people begin to start realizing just what baseless rhetoric it truly is. Not to say these men did not play a part, but to catagorically displace any accountability for the lack of economic stewardship in Richmond under Mark Warner and Tim Kaine seems rather foolhardy.
You gotta admit its gotta be rather hard for Gov. Kaine to be out talking up Mark Warner given there is a good chance if all this keeps heading south he could credit his political demise to Warner regarding State finances. Good thing Warner does'nt need him much now that he is up 30 pts on Gilmore, but if that were a close race I wonder just what the heck Kaine would say out on the trail? Oh, I forgot, "Its Jim Gilmores fault".
I recall a time when the liberal wing of the Democrat Party of Virginia went full bore after then Governor Jim Gilmore for an unemployment rate of 4.2% by 2002. Where's the outrage now? Is a number just a number when it happens to come under your Party's watch? I recall the whole dot.com bubble and the impacts of 9/11 on the Virginia economy being completely dismissed. In short; from the lefts perspective it was the State GOP's fault.
Now of course, the Commonwealth has been led by two successive Democrat Governors and yet any accountability whatsoever for lost jobs or poor fiscal management is not placed at their feet, but on that of Washington or better yet the State GOP in the House of Delegates.
No outrage whatsoever in Northern Virginia, unless of course you count the fact they have been informed they can potentially forget to see the windfall of State transportation dollars in the coming years.
There has also been this latest debate in the blogosphere prompted by the assertion that NOVA is not indicative of "real Virginia". Evidently a snipe at ones ego means more to these folks than a real examination of our State economy and budget that is an utter disaster and a public disgrace.
Its no wonder Governor Tim Kaine got a pass on the VP slot. I wonder what the Obama campaign knew and when they knew it? Now that is some awesome vetting. Gotta give the Obama team credit on that one.
But in terms of the "real Virginia" debate, it amazes me how these same bloggers could get so upset by such an assertion when it was their liberal champion at Raising Kaine who promoted the idea that Virginia is becoming the next Maryland. Exactly just what part of "Virginia" where they referring to? Thats right. Northern Virginia. They emphatically implied that NOVA was more like Maryland than "Downstate" Virginia.
Funny how whenever these liberals in NOVA refer to Virginia they really only mean their part of Virginia isn't it?
So instead of recognizing the state of our economy and the part they have played, we get another round of how it has been the Republicans fault. Actually, heck why not it worked in 2006 with Congress. And yet, what has changed in Washington exactly? Oh, yeah thats the Republicans fault to because of the filabuster. Gee this wholesale displacement of accoutability is rather addictive.
So when is it exactly when liberal Democrats are not the victims of Republicanism?
Oh yeah, when Obama wins the Presidency,Reid controls the Senate, and Pelosi the House of Representatives.
No wait what am I thinking, Republicans will still get the blame for everything afterall its really hard to stop playing the victim and we should not expect liberals to start anytime soon.
Instead they will be concentrating all their attention on Governor Sarah Palin, whom if I am not mistaken actually balanced Alaska's budget and returned a rebate check to her constituents. Given these economic conditions and the state of our own budget, its no wonder that kind of experience is threatening.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Voter Fraud Could Translate into Identity Fraud
The news that is coming in regarding community activist groups such as ACORN is not good. Canvassers are task with registering potential voters, but what we are learning is throughout 12 states these organizers are allowing persons to register countless times.
Is this voting fraud? No. Is this action a felony in States like Virginia? Yes.
Regardless of whether a vote is cast, it is illegal to intentionally register the same person more than once or create registrations for the purpose of filling out the forms required to secure a card.
Is Virginia immune? Nope.
Chesterfield has already identified hundreds of false registrations. The Board of Elections is tasked with verification of these forms and given the issues we experienced in the Primary is something that we really need to be having our Board being focused on.
I find it ironic that a Party that felt so maligned by the Florida episode in 2000, finds this whole matter unworthy of even stepping up to the plate and addressing that these actions are wrong and illegal. Instead, we have a nominee in Barack Obama who quickly removed all associations listed on his campaign site relating to ACORN and then goes out and has surrogates state that ACORN is not enagaging in anything wrong. Well, if they are so impressed with ACORN's integrity than why remove the references and then say you have no association with the organization. The Democrat Party has some real issues in my view. First the whole DNC matter with the Clinton/Obama delegates and counting them and now these voter registration fraud issues coming up all over the country on behalf of the Democrats. Why can organizations like ACORN be so readily linked to the Democrats? Because in their own advocacy they state that it is their intent to help Barack Obama win the election and ACORN has officially endorsed Obama.
What to do:
Well it may be too late now that the registration deadline has passed, but if you provided any information to any activist group to get you registered make sure that that information has been sent to the Board of Elections but also routinely check your personal credit information in the coming months. Why? To make sure that these groups are not also engaging in Identity Theft as well.
In the future, influence potential voters to register at DMV or the public library or some other "respected" location and not through these activist groups that apparently go unchecked. Whose to say they have not copied your information for some other fraudulent purpose?
Is this voting fraud? No. Is this action a felony in States like Virginia? Yes.
Regardless of whether a vote is cast, it is illegal to intentionally register the same person more than once or create registrations for the purpose of filling out the forms required to secure a card.
Is Virginia immune? Nope.
Chesterfield has already identified hundreds of false registrations. The Board of Elections is tasked with verification of these forms and given the issues we experienced in the Primary is something that we really need to be having our Board being focused on.
I find it ironic that a Party that felt so maligned by the Florida episode in 2000, finds this whole matter unworthy of even stepping up to the plate and addressing that these actions are wrong and illegal. Instead, we have a nominee in Barack Obama who quickly removed all associations listed on his campaign site relating to ACORN and then goes out and has surrogates state that ACORN is not enagaging in anything wrong. Well, if they are so impressed with ACORN's integrity than why remove the references and then say you have no association with the organization. The Democrat Party has some real issues in my view. First the whole DNC matter with the Clinton/Obama delegates and counting them and now these voter registration fraud issues coming up all over the country on behalf of the Democrats. Why can organizations like ACORN be so readily linked to the Democrats? Because in their own advocacy they state that it is their intent to help Barack Obama win the election and ACORN has officially endorsed Obama.
What to do:
Well it may be too late now that the registration deadline has passed, but if you provided any information to any activist group to get you registered make sure that that information has been sent to the Board of Elections but also routinely check your personal credit information in the coming months. Why? To make sure that these groups are not also engaging in Identity Theft as well.
In the future, influence potential voters to register at DMV or the public library or some other "respected" location and not through these activist groups that apparently go unchecked. Whose to say they have not copied your information for some other fraudulent purpose?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Chesterfield County: The Future of Chesterfield?
While many of us remain fixed on the upcoming Presidential Election and endeavor to ask ourselves just whom we think will be better suited to handle the economy and the fallout from the current financial crisis, we need to also consider just what impact such developments will have on our local community.
Most of us have seen our 401k's and investments take a hit as a result of the crisis, but while we may be tempted to only look at this situation from a personal perspective we must also consider the impacts that will face our community.
While our media concentrates on the issues in Washington and to a lessor extent the shortfalls in the State budget in Richmond, most outlets have neglected the impacts that are around the corner for local governments.
Many of us fought the good fight last year here in Chesterfield when the Board sought to lower property taxes as a result of rising real estate assessments. Many of us sought to have a small percentage of the taxes set aside for transportation and roads, instead of lowering the tax rate to accomodate the politics of the issue. We were told that the State funding as well as the Capital Improvement Plan could recognize and address many of the neccessary requirements facing the County.
In my view, they were wrong. The State funding will be decreased substantially due to the shortfall in Richmond.
Much of any budget is based on forward looking assumptions. The State is dealing with the ramifications of a misguided assumption of 3.6% growth and have to deal with the current shortfalls. The County of Chesterfield may have been misguided in its assumption that real estate would continue to rise in value which would offset the tax rate reduction in terms of the real tax revenue that would be generated. In short, the reduction of the rate and given the rising assessments, in some instances 16%, would allow the County to generate required tax revenues but also provide political cover by providing some tax relief.
One year later, we are faced with the most severe housing crisis in the history of the nation. Fortunately, Chesterfield County has faired better than many other areas in the region and the country with regard to foreclosures and the fallout from sub-prime loans. However, home sales are declining as well as new home starts and the market price of homes on the market is falling. These falling home values in the market will in the end result in falling tax assessments. Residents will not stand for having a tax assessment /market value inbalance where the taxes are being paid on an assessed value greater than market value in the area.
The result of such a decline in home values and a reset of tax assessments will result in less revenue generated through property taxes. These taxes are a significant engine to the plans the County has in terms of Chesterfield's future. They of course are not the only means to address the future of services in the County.
The County has continued for decades to attempt to attract new business. There has been in inability for the ratio to climb between business to individual (20/80%) in terms of the lions share from which revenue is generated over the last decade. The issue now is we may be in store for some really slow economic times. Many of the projects going on right now are facing some real hurdles in terms of financing and lease occupany contracts. They will certainly move forward, but the planned and predicted level of business starts will be slower than anticipated. Revenues generated from the business community could be impacted should the economy retreat further into a deep recession and the revenues associated with the business community could decline as well.
A look at the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) demonstrates a forward looking plan where some basic assumptions certainly must be re-thought. The plan calls for 855 million in spending spanning County requirements, School Board needs and Utility infrastructure. The six-year CIP spans FY 2009 through FY2014. It takes 173 million to focus on transportation and road requirements which the County surely needs with 18 million of that number being allocated for the Meadowville Technology Park, but the means in which the funding is acquired now may be in jeopardy. 40 million of the funding will come from the 2004 Bond Referendum approved by County residents, but the remaining funds were to come from the sale of new bonds (113 million). How will this sale of general obligation bonds or other bonds issued be impacted by the current environment on Wall Street and the turmoil going on with the rating services whom rate these bonds.
The November 2, 2004 Bond Referendum approved 342 million bonds for schools, public safety, library, parks and recreation, and road improvements projects.
The current Capital Improvement Plan also makes the ssumption that the County will generate 3 million dollars from imposing "impact fees" on those properties not falling under the cash proffer policy. However, the County has yet to implement the impact fee through Board vote and in fact appears to be shelved as a Transportation Authority proposal is considered. There are two issues here. One, the CIP takes into account some three million that cannot be generated currently or in the specified FY2010 as referenced in the Plan and two, the impact fees have been placed on hold as an Authority is considered which will impose some very defined increases in fees on residents like auto repair taxes, registration fees and others.
I doubt residents of Chesterfield will support an authority or proposal that will raise fees on auto services and the like if they are made aware of such a proposal. Any measure resulting an Authority that will generate funds through fees charged to residents for services must require scheduled Town Hall meetings and Public Hearing sessions before such measure is implemented. There may also be a question of constitutionality if an Authority has taxing powers by an a Board not elected directly by the people.
There are many things we must face in terms of maintaining and increasing the quality of life and living standards in Chesterfield, but the current financial crisis and a potentially deepening recession may prevent such actions by the local government from being undertaken. The generators of taxes, cash porffers and impact fees all seem to be facing a challenged environment and though such developments may have been zoned and approved there is no way in knowing just how long it will be before the housing units are begun and thus financial revenues taken in by the County.
Looking back, and of course that is always dangerous, but it may not have been the best measure to reduce the property tax rate on those other than the elderly and only increase the cash proffer policy marginally. The Board may have been overly optimistic regarding the economy and if housing starts continue to decline, business starts slow, sales tax revenues are reduced in a poor economic environment, the future of our quality of life here in Chesterfield will come under fire.
The current economic environment demands that the Board begin cost-cutting and spending reductions, beginning with the size and scope of the government itself. There will be some hard choices, but the times require such action.
Most of us have seen our 401k's and investments take a hit as a result of the crisis, but while we may be tempted to only look at this situation from a personal perspective we must also consider the impacts that will face our community.
While our media concentrates on the issues in Washington and to a lessor extent the shortfalls in the State budget in Richmond, most outlets have neglected the impacts that are around the corner for local governments.
Many of us fought the good fight last year here in Chesterfield when the Board sought to lower property taxes as a result of rising real estate assessments. Many of us sought to have a small percentage of the taxes set aside for transportation and roads, instead of lowering the tax rate to accomodate the politics of the issue. We were told that the State funding as well as the Capital Improvement Plan could recognize and address many of the neccessary requirements facing the County.
In my view, they were wrong. The State funding will be decreased substantially due to the shortfall in Richmond.
Much of any budget is based on forward looking assumptions. The State is dealing with the ramifications of a misguided assumption of 3.6% growth and have to deal with the current shortfalls. The County of Chesterfield may have been misguided in its assumption that real estate would continue to rise in value which would offset the tax rate reduction in terms of the real tax revenue that would be generated. In short, the reduction of the rate and given the rising assessments, in some instances 16%, would allow the County to generate required tax revenues but also provide political cover by providing some tax relief.
One year later, we are faced with the most severe housing crisis in the history of the nation. Fortunately, Chesterfield County has faired better than many other areas in the region and the country with regard to foreclosures and the fallout from sub-prime loans. However, home sales are declining as well as new home starts and the market price of homes on the market is falling. These falling home values in the market will in the end result in falling tax assessments. Residents will not stand for having a tax assessment /market value inbalance where the taxes are being paid on an assessed value greater than market value in the area.
The result of such a decline in home values and a reset of tax assessments will result in less revenue generated through property taxes. These taxes are a significant engine to the plans the County has in terms of Chesterfield's future. They of course are not the only means to address the future of services in the County.
The County has continued for decades to attempt to attract new business. There has been in inability for the ratio to climb between business to individual (20/80%) in terms of the lions share from which revenue is generated over the last decade. The issue now is we may be in store for some really slow economic times. Many of the projects going on right now are facing some real hurdles in terms of financing and lease occupany contracts. They will certainly move forward, but the planned and predicted level of business starts will be slower than anticipated. Revenues generated from the business community could be impacted should the economy retreat further into a deep recession and the revenues associated with the business community could decline as well.
A look at the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) demonstrates a forward looking plan where some basic assumptions certainly must be re-thought. The plan calls for 855 million in spending spanning County requirements, School Board needs and Utility infrastructure. The six-year CIP spans FY 2009 through FY2014. It takes 173 million to focus on transportation and road requirements which the County surely needs with 18 million of that number being allocated for the Meadowville Technology Park, but the means in which the funding is acquired now may be in jeopardy. 40 million of the funding will come from the 2004 Bond Referendum approved by County residents, but the remaining funds were to come from the sale of new bonds (113 million). How will this sale of general obligation bonds or other bonds issued be impacted by the current environment on Wall Street and the turmoil going on with the rating services whom rate these bonds.
The November 2, 2004 Bond Referendum approved 342 million bonds for schools, public safety, library, parks and recreation, and road improvements projects.
The current Capital Improvement Plan also makes the ssumption that the County will generate 3 million dollars from imposing "impact fees" on those properties not falling under the cash proffer policy. However, the County has yet to implement the impact fee through Board vote and in fact appears to be shelved as a Transportation Authority proposal is considered. There are two issues here. One, the CIP takes into account some three million that cannot be generated currently or in the specified FY2010 as referenced in the Plan and two, the impact fees have been placed on hold as an Authority is considered which will impose some very defined increases in fees on residents like auto repair taxes, registration fees and others.
I doubt residents of Chesterfield will support an authority or proposal that will raise fees on auto services and the like if they are made aware of such a proposal. Any measure resulting an Authority that will generate funds through fees charged to residents for services must require scheduled Town Hall meetings and Public Hearing sessions before such measure is implemented. There may also be a question of constitutionality if an Authority has taxing powers by an a Board not elected directly by the people.
There are many things we must face in terms of maintaining and increasing the quality of life and living standards in Chesterfield, but the current financial crisis and a potentially deepening recession may prevent such actions by the local government from being undertaken. The generators of taxes, cash porffers and impact fees all seem to be facing a challenged environment and though such developments may have been zoned and approved there is no way in knowing just how long it will be before the housing units are begun and thus financial revenues taken in by the County.
Looking back, and of course that is always dangerous, but it may not have been the best measure to reduce the property tax rate on those other than the elderly and only increase the cash proffer policy marginally. The Board may have been overly optimistic regarding the economy and if housing starts continue to decline, business starts slow, sales tax revenues are reduced in a poor economic environment, the future of our quality of life here in Chesterfield will come under fire.
The current economic environment demands that the Board begin cost-cutting and spending reductions, beginning with the size and scope of the government itself. There will be some hard choices, but the times require such action.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Park & Ride: A Future in Bon Air?
Many of you may be unaware of an amended zoning case that may result in a Park & Ride being established in the Bon Air Village area of the Midlothian District, Chesterfield County.
The case is 08SN0278 GRTC Transit Systems
We have seen a continued bombardment of the Village feel throughout much of Chesterfield, whether it be the excessive planned communities surrounding the Village of Midothian or the new residential developments near Chester Village that jeapordize the long-term integrity and charm of these historic areas.
Bon Air is facing the establishment of a Park & Ride, approved with conditions, to be constructed along Forest Hill Avenue, Buford Road and Choctaw Road near the Village. The Comprehensive Plan may approve such amendment or Conditional Use of the area in question in a R-15 area, but that certainly does not mean that the citizenry supports such a lot.
I dare say that but a few residents are even aware of the potential for a Park & Ride being established in Bon Air.
If you live in the Midlothian District, please express your concerns for such a Park & Ride to:
Supervisor, Daniel Gecker
Vice- Chair Board of Supervisors
The case is 08SN0278 GRTC Transit Systems
We have seen a continued bombardment of the Village feel throughout much of Chesterfield, whether it be the excessive planned communities surrounding the Village of Midothian or the new residential developments near Chester Village that jeapordize the long-term integrity and charm of these historic areas.
Bon Air is facing the establishment of a Park & Ride, approved with conditions, to be constructed along Forest Hill Avenue, Buford Road and Choctaw Road near the Village. The Comprehensive Plan may approve such amendment or Conditional Use of the area in question in a R-15 area, but that certainly does not mean that the citizenry supports such a lot.
I dare say that but a few residents are even aware of the potential for a Park & Ride being established in Bon Air.
If you live in the Midlothian District, please express your concerns for such a Park & Ride to:
Supervisor, Daniel Gecker
Vice- Chair Board of Supervisors
Friday, October 10, 2008
Palin Richmond Rally Moved: Estimated 28,000
Just days after announcing that Gov. Sarah Palin would be swinging into Richmond after a joint rally with Sen. McCain in Virginia Beach, organizers have moved the Monday afternoon rally from the Arthur Ashe Center to the RIR (Richmond International Raceway).
The Ashe Center was deemed to small a venue after virtual every Victory HQs were flooded with calls for tickets as well as the online ticket generator on the McCain website. The Ashe center would hold a max level of around 8,000. The campaign offices had reservations as much as the Cneter capacity by the end of the first day tickets became available.
In fact, there were actually lines for tickets at some Victory HQ locations in Central Virginia, but unlike the Barack Obama campaign which requires phone banking and canvassing demands for those seeking Obama yard signs, the McCain offices were happily giving out rally signs and yard signs to all those who wanted to express their support.
The Chesterfield office also apparently also delivered a few signs to some retired, elderly residents who could not get to the office to pick up their yard signs.
So as of right now, the RIR will be the site of the Monday 1PM Palin Rally.
Many liberal bloggers ran a directed campaign in NOVA to distract and dispute the numbers in attendance at the McCain-Palin Fairfax County Rally last month where that rally topped out at around 22,000. Current predictions are that the Richmond Rally will supercede that level and could reach 28,000.
Regardless, McCain-Palin could be met by almost 50,000 Virginians on Monday given the morning rally in Virginia Beach and then the afternoon Palin Rally here in Richmond.
The Ashe Center was deemed to small a venue after virtual every Victory HQs were flooded with calls for tickets as well as the online ticket generator on the McCain website. The Ashe center would hold a max level of around 8,000. The campaign offices had reservations as much as the Cneter capacity by the end of the first day tickets became available.
In fact, there were actually lines for tickets at some Victory HQ locations in Central Virginia, but unlike the Barack Obama campaign which requires phone banking and canvassing demands for those seeking Obama yard signs, the McCain offices were happily giving out rally signs and yard signs to all those who wanted to express their support.
The Chesterfield office also apparently also delivered a few signs to some retired, elderly residents who could not get to the office to pick up their yard signs.
So as of right now, the RIR will be the site of the Monday 1PM Palin Rally.
Many liberal bloggers ran a directed campaign in NOVA to distract and dispute the numbers in attendance at the McCain-Palin Fairfax County Rally last month where that rally topped out at around 22,000. Current predictions are that the Richmond Rally will supercede that level and could reach 28,000.
Regardless, McCain-Palin could be met by almost 50,000 Virginians on Monday given the morning rally in Virginia Beach and then the afternoon Palin Rally here in Richmond.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Community Voters Project: Questions Raised
Many people are asking if the Community Voters Project, which endeavors to register "minority" voters has come across the path of many Richmonders downtown and many folks are asking if this organization is affiliated in any way with ACORN, which is getting alot of press lately for some less than above board practices in Ohio and Nevada as well as 10 other States.
There has not been, and probably will never be, any link between ACORN and this Project, which is respected and affiliated with Center of Public Interest and the Progressive Education Fund, however, regardless I would hope that this project would certainly register ANY legal citizen with the right to vote and not just target minorities.
We have to remember that though this election cycle is certainly very heated, there are still wonderful people doing great work within our communities out there. That said, if anyone has any instances regarding any group failing to register someone or engages in any suspicious actions it is important to report those instances to the authorities.
There are Community Action groups and then there are Community Political Action groups that are NOT non-partisan in nature and we have to be aware that there is a distinction. The water is getting muddy though and we have to ask ourselves just who it is exactly who is muddying our voter rolls.
There has not been, and probably will never be, any link between ACORN and this Project, which is respected and affiliated with Center of Public Interest and the Progressive Education Fund, however, regardless I would hope that this project would certainly register ANY legal citizen with the right to vote and not just target minorities.
We have to remember that though this election cycle is certainly very heated, there are still wonderful people doing great work within our communities out there. That said, if anyone has any instances regarding any group failing to register someone or engages in any suspicious actions it is important to report those instances to the authorities.
There are Community Action groups and then there are Community Political Action groups that are NOT non-partisan in nature and we have to be aware that there is a distinction. The water is getting muddy though and we have to ask ourselves just who it is exactly who is muddying our voter rolls.
Chesterfield Republicans BBQ Tonight
Tonight from 5PM to 8PM the Chesterfield County Republicans will host a BBQ event at the Meadowbrook Country Club for any all interested in enjoying and evening of great bbq and entertainment.
Attorney-General, and likely the next Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, veteran Bob McDonnell will be on hand to meet with goers about the happenings of the State GOP and the McCain/Palin campaign. I believe he is a Co-Chair.
The event cost is $25.
Please use the link here in the Rants Section for the CCRC for more information.
Enjoy yourselves everyone.
Attorney-General, and likely the next Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, veteran Bob McDonnell will be on hand to meet with goers about the happenings of the State GOP and the McCain/Palin campaign. I believe he is a Co-Chair.
The event cost is $25.
Please use the link here in the Rants Section for the CCRC for more information.
Enjoy yourselves everyone.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What Don't You Know?: McCain's Lost Debate Opportunity
I was a bit disappointed last night in the Presidential debate. The debate was the worst town hall format style I think ever. I was expecting the style like the one held here in Richmond some years back during if I recall correctly Bush/Clinton. Maybe it was the questions chosen, but it felt like it was simply talking point central with a few new twists, but mostly a rendition of the same old lines.
The opportunity that was lost came at the end of the debate.
A question was posed via the internet about pointing to one thing "You Don't Know" and given Sen. McCain would have the closing remarks of the night he failed to capitalize on the platitudes and rhetoric of Barack Obama by simply stating:
And these would be my words for McCain:
"What I do know is the American people will elect one of us to the Presidency, but what I do not know is exactly which Senator Barack Obama would go to Washington if he were elected.
What I do not know today is exactly who is Senator Barack Obama. There are still many many questions. My fellow Americans, you know me and I have been a servant of this nation my entire adult life and in me our nation knows exactly who and what they will be getting in a leader.
We have heard alot in the last few weeks about the plans Barack Obama would implement as President, but none of these plans coincide with the record of Obama. Baracks has time and time again gone back on his word my fellow Amercians, whether campaign finance or toen hall meetings. He has attempted to wipe away his entire Primary campaign from the record as if his pledges during the Primary no longer matter. His own fellow Democrats have questioned his ability to lead and his grasp of national security issues and now once again before the American people he projects himself as something he truly is not.
My fellow Americans, here stands a man who as continually put politics before country and only rejects those individuals within his past that can be associated with ideology not aligned with mainstream America or Main Street only when politically forced to do so. Now, tonight here at Belmont University Senator Obama would like you to believe he is for offshore drilling and for nuclear energy when he spent nineteen months aligning himself with the liberal environmental wing of his Party to earn huis Parties nomination stressing he did not support these principles nor did he support clean coal technology. Look at the records folks. There is nothing in the record of Barack Obama that provides any level of confidence that he will deliver on what he promises. He promises a middle class tax cut and yet in the end has never supported a tax cut in the U.S. Senate.
What I do know is Washington is broken. What I do know is we need reform and we need change. What Americans must endeavor to know is who they can feel confident in leading our great nation back on course and who will keep his word. Americans are looking for someone to reignite the bond of trust in Washington and we just do not know which Barack Obama will be going to Washington. Thank you and God Bless America."
And folks thats all I would have said.
Response to just a move would have been left solely to the pundits as Barack Obama would not have been afforded the opportunity to respond in the debate. This would have been the last thing for voters to take away and in my opinion would have been a gamechanger.
Instead we were left with little to take away from either candidate, except the same talking points.
I still think McCain, as in the first debate, lost on style and fluidity but won on substance backed by a record to point to. Obama chose not to respond to challenges, either out of tactic or frankly because he has no response to the facts that he has not reached across the aisle and has never worked with Republicans on any matter of controversy.
I think McCain lost an opportunity to plant the seed in voters that would get undecideds to truly ask themselves:
"Just who is this Barack Obama?"
Such a conclusion to the debate that I illustrate above would have allowed the McCain campaign to open the door to tie Obama to his associations, his Primary pledges and statements, the Clinton and Biden Primary opinions of Obama, and ultimately character and judgement.
You cannot simply cram Bill Ayers and Wright done the throat of America without setting the stage for such matters and McCain lost the opportunity not to bring those issues up in the debate but provide a door in which undecideds will walk themselves through in the journey of learning just who Senator Obama truly is.
Frankly, I would have liked the media to behave a bit more objectively and do not understand why it is all that Primary debate footage has somehow managed to either get lost or forgotten in terms of a point of reference. But then it appears as though they do not want us asking ourselves just who Obama really is.
There is hours of fottage of Barack Obama taking positions in the Primary that are simply just completely different than where he stands today. Is this not a matter for the media? Is this not something that should be addressed? If not the media then by who? What was the point of the drawn out Primary season if the eventual nominee is allowed to openly change virtually half of his positions on issues?
There is some serious objectivity issues when the media allows Obama to say he did not state that he would meet with Iran without preconditions. Why when this comes up do they not "go to the tape" as they say.
In my view the media has gotten exactly what thye wanted. They got (handed) Barack Obama the nomination and then worked to undermine Mitt Romney, who would have been better suited to address this financial crisis/economic downturn than either McCain or Obama, by constantly playing the Morman crad against whereever he went. Fact is, the media help deliver these two men to the nominations and we bought it hook, line and sinker. They (the media)talk of freedoms in this country, but at every turn have sought to bring in religion and social values as a divisive tactic, they brought the race card in in the Clinton/Obama fight and allowed a previous President to be smeared without rebuke.
Folks, it looks as if the media will play up Barack Obama as they have for two years now and will not hold him accountable with his own Primary statements or his record and it certainly may be left to others to do so before election day.
I know that something within our nation has been lost in all of this over the last year or so. Whether it be trust or respect I leave to each person to decide.
But unlike my liberal friends, regardless of the vote on November 4, 2008 we will have a new President and regardless of whom that President WILL BE MY President. I am an American first and believe that the Office of the Presidency deserves each and every Americans respect regardless of Party. We should be holding the office up not tearing it down. What are we teaching our children by not doing so if not simply to reject authority or reject the majority or reject our system.This is certainly something the left has forgotten in the last eight years.
You Salute the Rank not the Man.
Semper Fi.
The opportunity that was lost came at the end of the debate.
A question was posed via the internet about pointing to one thing "You Don't Know" and given Sen. McCain would have the closing remarks of the night he failed to capitalize on the platitudes and rhetoric of Barack Obama by simply stating:
And these would be my words for McCain:
"What I do know is the American people will elect one of us to the Presidency, but what I do not know is exactly which Senator Barack Obama would go to Washington if he were elected.
What I do not know today is exactly who is Senator Barack Obama. There are still many many questions. My fellow Americans, you know me and I have been a servant of this nation my entire adult life and in me our nation knows exactly who and what they will be getting in a leader.
We have heard alot in the last few weeks about the plans Barack Obama would implement as President, but none of these plans coincide with the record of Obama. Baracks has time and time again gone back on his word my fellow Amercians, whether campaign finance or toen hall meetings. He has attempted to wipe away his entire Primary campaign from the record as if his pledges during the Primary no longer matter. His own fellow Democrats have questioned his ability to lead and his grasp of national security issues and now once again before the American people he projects himself as something he truly is not.
My fellow Americans, here stands a man who as continually put politics before country and only rejects those individuals within his past that can be associated with ideology not aligned with mainstream America or Main Street only when politically forced to do so. Now, tonight here at Belmont University Senator Obama would like you to believe he is for offshore drilling and for nuclear energy when he spent nineteen months aligning himself with the liberal environmental wing of his Party to earn huis Parties nomination stressing he did not support these principles nor did he support clean coal technology. Look at the records folks. There is nothing in the record of Barack Obama that provides any level of confidence that he will deliver on what he promises. He promises a middle class tax cut and yet in the end has never supported a tax cut in the U.S. Senate.
What I do know is Washington is broken. What I do know is we need reform and we need change. What Americans must endeavor to know is who they can feel confident in leading our great nation back on course and who will keep his word. Americans are looking for someone to reignite the bond of trust in Washington and we just do not know which Barack Obama will be going to Washington. Thank you and God Bless America."
And folks thats all I would have said.
Response to just a move would have been left solely to the pundits as Barack Obama would not have been afforded the opportunity to respond in the debate. This would have been the last thing for voters to take away and in my opinion would have been a gamechanger.
Instead we were left with little to take away from either candidate, except the same talking points.
I still think McCain, as in the first debate, lost on style and fluidity but won on substance backed by a record to point to. Obama chose not to respond to challenges, either out of tactic or frankly because he has no response to the facts that he has not reached across the aisle and has never worked with Republicans on any matter of controversy.
I think McCain lost an opportunity to plant the seed in voters that would get undecideds to truly ask themselves:
"Just who is this Barack Obama?"
Such a conclusion to the debate that I illustrate above would have allowed the McCain campaign to open the door to tie Obama to his associations, his Primary pledges and statements, the Clinton and Biden Primary opinions of Obama, and ultimately character and judgement.
You cannot simply cram Bill Ayers and Wright done the throat of America without setting the stage for such matters and McCain lost the opportunity not to bring those issues up in the debate but provide a door in which undecideds will walk themselves through in the journey of learning just who Senator Obama truly is.
Frankly, I would have liked the media to behave a bit more objectively and do not understand why it is all that Primary debate footage has somehow managed to either get lost or forgotten in terms of a point of reference. But then it appears as though they do not want us asking ourselves just who Obama really is.
There is hours of fottage of Barack Obama taking positions in the Primary that are simply just completely different than where he stands today. Is this not a matter for the media? Is this not something that should be addressed? If not the media then by who? What was the point of the drawn out Primary season if the eventual nominee is allowed to openly change virtually half of his positions on issues?
There is some serious objectivity issues when the media allows Obama to say he did not state that he would meet with Iran without preconditions. Why when this comes up do they not "go to the tape" as they say.
In my view the media has gotten exactly what thye wanted. They got (handed) Barack Obama the nomination and then worked to undermine Mitt Romney, who would have been better suited to address this financial crisis/economic downturn than either McCain or Obama, by constantly playing the Morman crad against whereever he went. Fact is, the media help deliver these two men to the nominations and we bought it hook, line and sinker. They (the media)talk of freedoms in this country, but at every turn have sought to bring in religion and social values as a divisive tactic, they brought the race card in in the Clinton/Obama fight and allowed a previous President to be smeared without rebuke.
Folks, it looks as if the media will play up Barack Obama as they have for two years now and will not hold him accountable with his own Primary statements or his record and it certainly may be left to others to do so before election day.
I know that something within our nation has been lost in all of this over the last year or so. Whether it be trust or respect I leave to each person to decide.
But unlike my liberal friends, regardless of the vote on November 4, 2008 we will have a new President and regardless of whom that President WILL BE MY President. I am an American first and believe that the Office of the Presidency deserves each and every Americans respect regardless of Party. We should be holding the office up not tearing it down. What are we teaching our children by not doing so if not simply to reject authority or reject the majority or reject our system.This is certainly something the left has forgotten in the last eight years.
You Salute the Rank not the Man.
Semper Fi.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sarah Palin: Coming to Richmond Oct. 13, 2008
It has just been announced that Governor Sarah Palin will be coming to Richmond next Monday, October 13, 2008 at 1PM for a McCain/Palin Rally to be held at the Arthur Ashe Center in the City of Richmond.
Her last formal rally drew 24,000 in Fairfax, Virginia.
The McCain campaign has added quite a few new Victory offices, including one in Chesterfield County located at 9507 Hull Street Road 23236. Anyone can reserve tickets for event online at the McCain site or simply by stopping by any of the offices in the area.
The doors will open at 11AM Monday morning. No word on who may be there, but I would expect Jim Gilmore and possibly Eric Cantor to be there as well.
Her last formal rally drew 24,000 in Fairfax, Virginia.
The McCain campaign has added quite a few new Victory offices, including one in Chesterfield County located at 9507 Hull Street Road 23236. Anyone can reserve tickets for event online at the McCain site or simply by stopping by any of the offices in the area.
The doors will open at 11AM Monday morning. No word on who may be there, but I would expect Jim Gilmore and possibly Eric Cantor to be there as well.
Survey USA: Obama Wins Virginia
Just in. Survey/USA has released a new poll giving Barack Obama a 10 point lead over John McCain. Call it a rap folks, I mean 900 Virginians sampled can't be wrong?Come on, 900 out of a potential 5 million voters is simply an acceptable barometer of Virginia?
These 900 came predominately from the Washington DC suburbs and the urban areas of Virginia according the the poll breakdown. Of course, these areas are truly indicative of the overall Virginia sentiment in terms of voting.
Heck, based on these areas polled, John Kerry should be President right now. Out of potentially 5 million voters after todays registration ends, a poll of 900 is ridiculous regardless of whom it has leading.
These 900 came predominately from the Washington DC suburbs and the urban areas of Virginia according the the poll breakdown. Of course, these areas are truly indicative of the overall Virginia sentiment in terms of voting.
Heck, based on these areas polled, John Kerry should be President right now. Out of potentially 5 million voters after todays registration ends, a poll of 900 is ridiculous regardless of whom it has leading.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Battleground Reality of Virginia: Newly Registered Voters
The polls, depending on which you believe, seem to be all over the place regarding Virginia and the upcoming election. Whichever you tend to believe, there can be no doubt that Virginia is certainly one of the more interesting of the so-called "battleground" states from a media-hype perspective, but the reality on the ground may be quite different.
I say that after examining some pollster.com data regarding Virginia and newly registered voters. As of last month, Virginia saw an increase of 285,000 newly registered voters enter the ranks of Virginia's voting class. Usually of course far few voters actually vote than are registered and in most States that number is around 30% who never show up at the polls, however, I think its safe to bet that these new voters will certainly vote.
Virginia had 4.8 million registered voters last election cycle, so the number of new voters does not appear as though it in reality will make that much of difference on balance given the numbers. That said, it must also be acknowledged that George Bush won Virginia in 2004 by 262,217 votes and many supporters of Barack Obama have pointed to that in hopes that these new voters in Virginia could help secure the electoral votes.
These voters will help, but I do not think they will be as significant as the current percentage of Bush supporters in 2004 that could be moving towards Obama. Many of these polling questions point to about 12% of people declaring themselves Republicans as leaning Obama. This I think is more significant.
But if you are of the persuasion that these newly registered voters are the key, you may be surprised that even with the new voters NOVA has only risen from 32.4% of the Virginia registered electorate to a present 32.8%.
The areas with siginificant new voter registration are predominately in NOVA where Kerry performed his best relative to other areas in 2004.
Area: New Registrations Kerry % 04
Loudon 31,798 44
Fairfax 25,002 54
Prince William 16,682 47
Chesterfield 14,923 37
Arlington 9,864 68
VA Beach 9,800 41
Chesapeake 9,408 43
Henrico 8,476 46
Spotsylvania 7,108 37
James City 6,358 39
Four of the top five localities of new registrations are in NOVA where Obama is strongly favored in the election, but the key areas will be Loudon and Prince William County. These localities will be "battleground" counties. Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria will deliver Obama roughly 60% of the vote rather easily, more if they reach the 80% solution that activists are hoping for in terms of turnout. Loudon and Prince William have pockets of GOP strength and lately on the local level in Prince William the immigration issue that has been carried by the local Board there could come into play with bringing out even more Republicans than people are estimating.
There certainly appears to be a culture war underway in Prince William that may impact this election. Since we do not declare a Party like some other states, its hard to know where these new voters will come down but looking at the map there is some significant numbers coming from areas where John Kerry pulled in less than 40% of the vote in 2004.
This could mean that the Democrats in those areas are finally be tapped or that Obama is bringing out more Republicans in these areas. Remember, we just do not know, but what we do know is these areas are fairly RED traditionally with about 65% turnout.
I will go out on a limb now.
I expect to get highly criticzed for this but I think the true "battleground" County in Virginia will be:
Henrico County
John Kerry won 46% of the vote in 2004 and there is a strong moderate contingent of voters in Henrico that lean Independent. Allen did not pull in the traditional GOP numbers either in Henrico in 2006. The County will have a only 8,500 new registrations but the moderate/independent vote is the key this time around.
It could get interesting, but how much up ballot support Eric Cantor(R)can give McCain/Palin is crucial here and the fact that he just voted in support of the bailout bill may not help with those on the fence. He will bring the social conservatives, but may not bring the fiscal conservatives from parts of Henrico that traditionally vote GOP.
Whichever candidate wins Henrico County, I venture to say wins Virginia.
Of the top ten localities listed above, it will most likely split 50/50 with Obama securing the upstate areas and McCain taking Chesterfield, VA beach, Spotsylvania, James City(close), Chesapeake. Prince William and Henrico County will be nailbiters for the campaigns but I think they both may just be leaning Obama today.
I say that after examining some pollster.com data regarding Virginia and newly registered voters. As of last month, Virginia saw an increase of 285,000 newly registered voters enter the ranks of Virginia's voting class. Usually of course far few voters actually vote than are registered and in most States that number is around 30% who never show up at the polls, however, I think its safe to bet that these new voters will certainly vote.
Virginia had 4.8 million registered voters last election cycle, so the number of new voters does not appear as though it in reality will make that much of difference on balance given the numbers. That said, it must also be acknowledged that George Bush won Virginia in 2004 by 262,217 votes and many supporters of Barack Obama have pointed to that in hopes that these new voters in Virginia could help secure the electoral votes.
These voters will help, but I do not think they will be as significant as the current percentage of Bush supporters in 2004 that could be moving towards Obama. Many of these polling questions point to about 12% of people declaring themselves Republicans as leaning Obama. This I think is more significant.
But if you are of the persuasion that these newly registered voters are the key, you may be surprised that even with the new voters NOVA has only risen from 32.4% of the Virginia registered electorate to a present 32.8%.
The areas with siginificant new voter registration are predominately in NOVA where Kerry performed his best relative to other areas in 2004.
Area: New Registrations Kerry % 04
Loudon 31,798 44
Fairfax 25,002 54
Prince William 16,682 47
Chesterfield 14,923 37
Arlington 9,864 68
VA Beach 9,800 41
Chesapeake 9,408 43
Henrico 8,476 46
Spotsylvania 7,108 37
James City 6,358 39
Four of the top five localities of new registrations are in NOVA where Obama is strongly favored in the election, but the key areas will be Loudon and Prince William County. These localities will be "battleground" counties. Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria will deliver Obama roughly 60% of the vote rather easily, more if they reach the 80% solution that activists are hoping for in terms of turnout. Loudon and Prince William have pockets of GOP strength and lately on the local level in Prince William the immigration issue that has been carried by the local Board there could come into play with bringing out even more Republicans than people are estimating.
There certainly appears to be a culture war underway in Prince William that may impact this election. Since we do not declare a Party like some other states, its hard to know where these new voters will come down but looking at the map there is some significant numbers coming from areas where John Kerry pulled in less than 40% of the vote in 2004.
This could mean that the Democrats in those areas are finally be tapped or that Obama is bringing out more Republicans in these areas. Remember, we just do not know, but what we do know is these areas are fairly RED traditionally with about 65% turnout.
I will go out on a limb now.
I expect to get highly criticzed for this but I think the true "battleground" County in Virginia will be:
Henrico County
John Kerry won 46% of the vote in 2004 and there is a strong moderate contingent of voters in Henrico that lean Independent. Allen did not pull in the traditional GOP numbers either in Henrico in 2006. The County will have a only 8,500 new registrations but the moderate/independent vote is the key this time around.
It could get interesting, but how much up ballot support Eric Cantor(R)can give McCain/Palin is crucial here and the fact that he just voted in support of the bailout bill may not help with those on the fence. He will bring the social conservatives, but may not bring the fiscal conservatives from parts of Henrico that traditionally vote GOP.
Whichever candidate wins Henrico County, I venture to say wins Virginia.
Of the top ten localities listed above, it will most likely split 50/50 with Obama securing the upstate areas and McCain taking Chesterfield, VA beach, Spotsylvania, James City(close), Chesapeake. Prince William and Henrico County will be nailbiters for the campaigns but I think they both may just be leaning Obama today.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Virginia Education Association: Breach of Trust
Recently, the Virginia Education Association representing for than 60,000 teachers throughout the Commonwealth drove itself over the political cliff by instructing its membership to participate in "Obama Blue Day" by wearing a solid blue t-shirt of some sort in solidarity for support for Barack Obama.
If that were the end of it it certainly would be fine I guess, but it wasn't.
The association which is Virginia's teacher union instructed its membership to seek out those McCain supporters they may know either in their own ranks or parents of the children they teach and attempt to "sway them to become Obama supporters".
This directive was placed in an email dissimilated throughout the teacher union for the purposes of influencing not only a captive audience in our children but also a blatant attempt to use their authority of influence over our children for political gain.
By any stretch, the VEA engaged in partisan political activism.
Our schools are no place for such activism. Encouraging our young people to register to vote is one thing when they become of age, but introducing them or encouraging them to join a particular Party is astonishing and is a breach of trust between us as parents and the teachers union.
I have no doubt that the Union feels compelled to support the Democrats. That is completely fine, but not within our schools or during school hours.
Those that feel that this event was simply harmless or did not encourage children or influence them in any way forget that upon seeing all the teachers wearing "Blue"; would not the logical question be:
"So Mr/Mrs. Teacher why are all of you wearing BLUE shirts today? Whats up?"---the hook
The answer being "In support of Democrat Barack Obama for President" and so the conversation begins which is exactly what the VEA sought in its email sent out to its membership.
The goal here by the VEA was not one of "informing" but of "influencing" and there is a difference.
Would the Union permit or authorize a RED day for those teachers in its ranks that support the GOP have a day of their own? I seriously doubt it and that again speaks volumes.
There are things that I do not want the school system to be engaged in regarding my children and politics is one of them.
My children will certainly undertake social studies and civics, but that is a far cry from politics. It is exactly the folks at the VEA who have skewed the line of these studies to include such partisanship endeavors that I would prefer my children not be exposed to in such an atmosphere.
Here is a novel concept. If your going to enagage in such activities, how about endorsing a Red, White, and Blue Day to encourage a more patriotic position regarding voting rights and not the partisan measures undertaken with "Obama Blue Day".
Its funny, the VEA apparantly had no comment when the GOP rally for McCain/Palin had to be removed from Fairfax County school grounds on the very foundation by Fairfax Democrats and teachers that our children should not be exposed to a partisan rally and yet they authorize this "Obama Blue Day" on every school campus in the Commonwealth.
This is absolutely a breach in trust.
If that were the end of it it certainly would be fine I guess, but it wasn't.
The association which is Virginia's teacher union instructed its membership to seek out those McCain supporters they may know either in their own ranks or parents of the children they teach and attempt to "sway them to become Obama supporters".
This directive was placed in an email dissimilated throughout the teacher union for the purposes of influencing not only a captive audience in our children but also a blatant attempt to use their authority of influence over our children for political gain.
By any stretch, the VEA engaged in partisan political activism.
Our schools are no place for such activism. Encouraging our young people to register to vote is one thing when they become of age, but introducing them or encouraging them to join a particular Party is astonishing and is a breach of trust between us as parents and the teachers union.
I have no doubt that the Union feels compelled to support the Democrats. That is completely fine, but not within our schools or during school hours.
Those that feel that this event was simply harmless or did not encourage children or influence them in any way forget that upon seeing all the teachers wearing "Blue"; would not the logical question be:
"So Mr/Mrs. Teacher why are all of you wearing BLUE shirts today? Whats up?"---the hook
The answer being "In support of Democrat Barack Obama for President" and so the conversation begins which is exactly what the VEA sought in its email sent out to its membership.
The goal here by the VEA was not one of "informing" but of "influencing" and there is a difference.
Would the Union permit or authorize a RED day for those teachers in its ranks that support the GOP have a day of their own? I seriously doubt it and that again speaks volumes.
There are things that I do not want the school system to be engaged in regarding my children and politics is one of them.
My children will certainly undertake social studies and civics, but that is a far cry from politics. It is exactly the folks at the VEA who have skewed the line of these studies to include such partisanship endeavors that I would prefer my children not be exposed to in such an atmosphere.
Here is a novel concept. If your going to enagage in such activities, how about endorsing a Red, White, and Blue Day to encourage a more patriotic position regarding voting rights and not the partisan measures undertaken with "Obama Blue Day".
Its funny, the VEA apparantly had no comment when the GOP rally for McCain/Palin had to be removed from Fairfax County school grounds on the very foundation by Fairfax Democrats and teachers that our children should not be exposed to a partisan rally and yet they authorize this "Obama Blue Day" on every school campus in the Commonwealth.
This is absolutely a breach in trust.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Palin & Biden Debate: Proof in the Pudding
My parents raised me to be very respectful of all people, but its hard given the fact that all these idiots we have sent to Washington from across this great nation act as if they "deserve" our respect without first "earning" it.
Well, I learned in the military that you salute the rank and not the man/woman. I think respect must work in the same manner in terms of Washington.
But its not just Washington that has been corrupted. We have stood by and accepted our media being taken over by corporate and special interest at the same time we sat by with little oversight of Wall Street and the mortgage crisis.
What does this have to do with Palin and Biden?
Everything.
No one seems to want to give Gov. Palin the respect she deserves. You don't just get an approval rating of 80% for being inept. It begs the question, she is not the kind of Governor leaving her State with a three billion dollar shortfall like Gov. Kaine here in Virginia and many liberals thought he should have been picked by Obama to be his running mate.
I have always respected Joe Biden? His respect has been earned. I am supposed to "respect" Barack Obama because as the pundits tell us he has run a successful campaign for 19 months and defeated the Clintons in the Primary. Excuse me, did I miss something? If anything Joe Biden should be at the top of the ticket based on experience alone.
The pundits make no mention that Bill Clinton and Sarah Palin's foriegn policy experience prior to being a candidate for higher office and being a Governor is very similar, if not slim to none. Oh, but Bill went to the right kindof schools and was well traveled with many stamps on his passports; the epedimy of elitism.
What about the 90% of the folks in this country that have never left its borders nor may have ever applied for a passport? Who speaks to those folks? Sarah Palin thats who. The more the mainstream piles on with the "looking presidential" crap the more people understand that elitism exists not only in Washington but in our media as well.
Forget whether you support Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin for a moment but its pretty telling that:
MSNBC: Biden winner
CNN: Biden winner
FOX: Palin winner
CNBC: split
Objectivity completely out the window. Why are these networks so partisan? Are they merely simply mirror images of Washington? People want bipartisanship in Washington, well I would take a bit of journalistic integrity for a change in the media.
How has this happened? Simple. We have allowed our media to be taken over by special interest entities with agendas that have enough financial capital thanks to Wall Street to control our airwaves and cable. Public companies like General Electric (NBC/MSNBC) or even Murdochs Fox network represent the highest proportions of viewership and simply appear to be as partisan as the actual politicians in Washington. They use journalism simply as a cover for an agenda.
Maybe Tom Dodge was right;they should where patches like Nascar so we know just who it is they represent becauses it certainly is not the interest of journalism nor the interests of Americans. Just as politicians concern themselves with the spoils, the media concerns itself with ratings.
The proof is in the pudding as my grandmother would say.
Look at these media-types and it is obvious that true journalism is dead.
But hey if you are interested in some real objective or in the case of Raising Kids objectionable reads visit the threads they have going on now but be careful its not for the faint at heart; unless of course you were raised to think that things like sexism are acceptable.
How about this: (Raising Kaine thread)
On Sarah Palin:
"I hate her guts, and I would be lying or exagerrating if I said otherwise, I honestly and truly despise her"
You gotta love the kids over there. What depth over there.
Of course none of them have ever met Gov. Palin, nor have anything that the media has not transposed for them to even make such a determination of "hate" or even to "despise" her or anyone for that matter. Why is it these people have to resort to such levels. I guess they are simply seeking a replacement for Bush as the target of blame for everyhting that ills them instead of from time to time looking in the mirror.
Folks these people are the liberal Democrats in Virginia that Barack Obama has aligned himself with and are taking control of the Virginia Democrat Party. The Party of our parents is long gone. The days of the kind of leadership like Chuck Robb are over. These are not true traditional Virginia Democrats and will drive moderates out of the ranks before long as their behavior once exposed is something most Virginians will not tolerate.
These are the same people that give Biden a pass for his gaffes as well as his publically stating he does not accept gay marriage but pounce on every word or mispronounciation by Gov. Palin and hammer her position (same as Biden's) as being "extreme".
The media like MSNBC ridicule Palin on energy and yet sister network CNBC has two hours of interviews with that network done on energy with its anchors that they never manage to want to reference, instead want to focus on polar bears and wolves. Go figure.
So is Biden for clean coal or not? Or Obama for that matter? Come on, 85 million in coal pork in the Energy Bill by Obama for Illinois would mean Obama is against the liberal Raising Kaine position would it not? Oh, that was in 2005; Obama's position has "evolved".
Well, I learned in the military that you salute the rank and not the man/woman. I think respect must work in the same manner in terms of Washington.
But its not just Washington that has been corrupted. We have stood by and accepted our media being taken over by corporate and special interest at the same time we sat by with little oversight of Wall Street and the mortgage crisis.
What does this have to do with Palin and Biden?
Everything.
No one seems to want to give Gov. Palin the respect she deserves. You don't just get an approval rating of 80% for being inept. It begs the question, she is not the kind of Governor leaving her State with a three billion dollar shortfall like Gov. Kaine here in Virginia and many liberals thought he should have been picked by Obama to be his running mate.
I have always respected Joe Biden? His respect has been earned. I am supposed to "respect" Barack Obama because as the pundits tell us he has run a successful campaign for 19 months and defeated the Clintons in the Primary. Excuse me, did I miss something? If anything Joe Biden should be at the top of the ticket based on experience alone.
The pundits make no mention that Bill Clinton and Sarah Palin's foriegn policy experience prior to being a candidate for higher office and being a Governor is very similar, if not slim to none. Oh, but Bill went to the right kindof schools and was well traveled with many stamps on his passports; the epedimy of elitism.
What about the 90% of the folks in this country that have never left its borders nor may have ever applied for a passport? Who speaks to those folks? Sarah Palin thats who. The more the mainstream piles on with the "looking presidential" crap the more people understand that elitism exists not only in Washington but in our media as well.
Forget whether you support Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin for a moment but its pretty telling that:
MSNBC: Biden winner
CNN: Biden winner
FOX: Palin winner
CNBC: split
Objectivity completely out the window. Why are these networks so partisan? Are they merely simply mirror images of Washington? People want bipartisanship in Washington, well I would take a bit of journalistic integrity for a change in the media.
How has this happened? Simple. We have allowed our media to be taken over by special interest entities with agendas that have enough financial capital thanks to Wall Street to control our airwaves and cable. Public companies like General Electric (NBC/MSNBC) or even Murdochs Fox network represent the highest proportions of viewership and simply appear to be as partisan as the actual politicians in Washington. They use journalism simply as a cover for an agenda.
Maybe Tom Dodge was right;they should where patches like Nascar so we know just who it is they represent becauses it certainly is not the interest of journalism nor the interests of Americans. Just as politicians concern themselves with the spoils, the media concerns itself with ratings.
The proof is in the pudding as my grandmother would say.
Look at these media-types and it is obvious that true journalism is dead.
But hey if you are interested in some real objective or in the case of Raising Kids objectionable reads visit the threads they have going on now but be careful its not for the faint at heart; unless of course you were raised to think that things like sexism are acceptable.
How about this: (Raising Kaine thread)
On Sarah Palin:
"I hate her guts, and I would be lying or exagerrating if I said otherwise, I honestly and truly despise her"
You gotta love the kids over there. What depth over there.
Of course none of them have ever met Gov. Palin, nor have anything that the media has not transposed for them to even make such a determination of "hate" or even to "despise" her or anyone for that matter. Why is it these people have to resort to such levels. I guess they are simply seeking a replacement for Bush as the target of blame for everyhting that ills them instead of from time to time looking in the mirror.
Folks these people are the liberal Democrats in Virginia that Barack Obama has aligned himself with and are taking control of the Virginia Democrat Party. The Party of our parents is long gone. The days of the kind of leadership like Chuck Robb are over. These are not true traditional Virginia Democrats and will drive moderates out of the ranks before long as their behavior once exposed is something most Virginians will not tolerate.
These are the same people that give Biden a pass for his gaffes as well as his publically stating he does not accept gay marriage but pounce on every word or mispronounciation by Gov. Palin and hammer her position (same as Biden's) as being "extreme".
The media like MSNBC ridicule Palin on energy and yet sister network CNBC has two hours of interviews with that network done on energy with its anchors that they never manage to want to reference, instead want to focus on polar bears and wolves. Go figure.
So is Biden for clean coal or not? Or Obama for that matter? Come on, 85 million in coal pork in the Energy Bill by Obama for Illinois would mean Obama is against the liberal Raising Kaine position would it not? Oh, that was in 2005; Obama's position has "evolved".
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Raising Kaine Calls for Removal of Tom Brokaw from Presidential Debate
You just have to wonder if the guys over at Raising Kids-oops Kaine actually have a single non-partisan bone in their bodies. They have proven to be a Virginia community of peddlers of the most divisive kind of political threads from within the Commonwealth, whether it was against Hillary Clinton, Gerry Connolly or any other politician from outside their liberal dogma or inside they feel compelled to ridicule out of some sense of rightousness.
I am not sure exactly where they get that sense of power from; oh yeah the Democratic Party given RK reputation for being behind the bringdown of George Allen in 2006 in the infamous "maccaca moment that went viral thanks mostly to RK and her brethern. There would be nothing wrong with that if of course they managed not to invent things and takes like they did against Democrat Gerry Connolly in an attempt to nominate their beloved and like three-time loser Leslie Byrne. Many people feel all is fair in love and war, but at Raising Kaine all is fair in the rhelm of Virginia politics.
Truth be dammed I guess.
When Thomas J. Jackson stated in reference to John Brown "depart ye wicked into everlasting fire" I certainly understand his contempt for such "unworthy instruments" like that of Raising Kaine in the rhelm of our politics here in Virginia.
Now Raising Kaine seek to remove NBC news anchorman and new host of Meet the Press from moderating the Presdiential debate.
Apparently, Raising Kids has no real understanding of the word "moderator" as defined in the dictionary. They prefer to have outwardly biased individuals that belong to their rag tag group of Northern Virginia/Washingtonian elistest crowd who seek nothing more than political ends; objectivity not required nor accepted.
Lowell Feld states that Gwen Ifill is "a consumate professional" and "fair" and should be tapped to replace Brokaw because he has been acting on behalf of NBC as liason to the McCain campaign for the purposes of political coverage. They claim bias.
Bias?
Feld would rather have Gwen Ifill, who will do the VP debate Thursday, moderate over Brokaw for one very important reason; Ifill is a declared Barack Obama supporter.
Thats right. The unbiased moderator for the VP debate and now the one RK wants to moderate one of the Presidential debates not only has endorsed Obama but has finished a political based book on Obama and the movement behind him and the status of the Black political arena. The publisher of Ifill book is hoping that an Obama victory will boast the sales of the the Ifill book as it is planned on being released right after the inaugural in January.
There you have it folks. Lowell Feld feels compelled to bring down a verteran in Brokaw for nothing more than political purposes in an effort to control the debate before the American people.
Mr. Feld. I have met Mr. Brokaw. I had even met Mr. Russert before his passing this year and Mr. Feld, Gwenn Ifill is not even remotely in these gentleman's league.
Ifill wears her political persuasion on her sleeve and did so at the Republican convention in her coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin and her speech as she frankly was so outwardly hostile to the convention it was laughable. And her own team took it on the chin with complaints about the tone and demeanor she displayed at the convention.
Yeah, she's a professional all right RK. In the same light as every other shiller in the media who outwardly covers politics not from journalistic integrity but Party loyalty.
Just remeber folks. It is people like this (Ifill) who will get the access to Barack Obama should he win the Presidency. I can help but wonder how much constrictive criticism there will be given that set up in Washington.
No worries, we will get the fairness doctrine right?
They act as if Sarah Palin does not belong on the national stage and yet think some one like Gwenn Ifill is an unbiased medialite and a fair journalist while she is about to release a book painting Barack Obama as the second coming. Please.
Well, that about covers the judgement of those at Raising Kids.
I am not sure exactly where they get that sense of power from; oh yeah the Democratic Party given RK reputation for being behind the bringdown of George Allen in 2006 in the infamous "maccaca moment that went viral thanks mostly to RK and her brethern. There would be nothing wrong with that if of course they managed not to invent things and takes like they did against Democrat Gerry Connolly in an attempt to nominate their beloved and like three-time loser Leslie Byrne. Many people feel all is fair in love and war, but at Raising Kaine all is fair in the rhelm of Virginia politics.
Truth be dammed I guess.
When Thomas J. Jackson stated in reference to John Brown "depart ye wicked into everlasting fire" I certainly understand his contempt for such "unworthy instruments" like that of Raising Kaine in the rhelm of our politics here in Virginia.
Now Raising Kaine seek to remove NBC news anchorman and new host of Meet the Press from moderating the Presdiential debate.
Apparently, Raising Kids has no real understanding of the word "moderator" as defined in the dictionary. They prefer to have outwardly biased individuals that belong to their rag tag group of Northern Virginia/Washingtonian elistest crowd who seek nothing more than political ends; objectivity not required nor accepted.
Lowell Feld states that Gwen Ifill is "a consumate professional" and "fair" and should be tapped to replace Brokaw because he has been acting on behalf of NBC as liason to the McCain campaign for the purposes of political coverage. They claim bias.
Bias?
Feld would rather have Gwen Ifill, who will do the VP debate Thursday, moderate over Brokaw for one very important reason; Ifill is a declared Barack Obama supporter.
Thats right. The unbiased moderator for the VP debate and now the one RK wants to moderate one of the Presidential debates not only has endorsed Obama but has finished a political based book on Obama and the movement behind him and the status of the Black political arena. The publisher of Ifill book is hoping that an Obama victory will boast the sales of the the Ifill book as it is planned on being released right after the inaugural in January.
There you have it folks. Lowell Feld feels compelled to bring down a verteran in Brokaw for nothing more than political purposes in an effort to control the debate before the American people.
Mr. Feld. I have met Mr. Brokaw. I had even met Mr. Russert before his passing this year and Mr. Feld, Gwenn Ifill is not even remotely in these gentleman's league.
Ifill wears her political persuasion on her sleeve and did so at the Republican convention in her coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin and her speech as she frankly was so outwardly hostile to the convention it was laughable. And her own team took it on the chin with complaints about the tone and demeanor she displayed at the convention.
Yeah, she's a professional all right RK. In the same light as every other shiller in the media who outwardly covers politics not from journalistic integrity but Party loyalty.
Just remeber folks. It is people like this (Ifill) who will get the access to Barack Obama should he win the Presidency. I can help but wonder how much constrictive criticism there will be given that set up in Washington.
No worries, we will get the fairness doctrine right?
They act as if Sarah Palin does not belong on the national stage and yet think some one like Gwenn Ifill is an unbiased medialite and a fair journalist while she is about to release a book painting Barack Obama as the second coming. Please.
Well, that about covers the judgement of those at Raising Kids.
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