Disturbing the Universe

Mixed Blessing

2007-05-23T01:50:00.000-04:00

Governor Kaine has one of the highest approval ratings in the nation (67%). I really, really wish this wasn't a result of his reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre, but in part it is. I told voters in 2005 that Kaine was the kind of public servant that was an agent of change. That he brought people together to solve problems. And he has been a leader, taking unpopular positions to solve our most pressing problems. Now, when a single crazed gunman makes us re-evaluate positions we hadn't thought about in a long time, Governor Kaine takes action, and in a single fell swoop makes our Commonwealth much safer.

Much has been made of Mayor Giuliani commenting that he thanked God on 9/11 that George Bush was our President. Well, let me say that in a time when we need sensible and proactive leadership, thank God Tim Kaine is our Governor.

Coolness

2007-05-23T01:48:00.000-04:00

I knew a site like this must exist, and today I found it...

RateBeer.Com... where beer enthusiasts describe their effervescent adventures in utilitarian detail. Most excellent.

They Chose Corruption

2007-05-23T00:27:00.000-04:00

The Democrats will gain the Presidency in 2008, as well as gain seats in both the House and Senate. I'm calling it tonight.

Why?

Well, it helps that every Republican Presidential candidate, pretty much, is an idiot. Either corrupt beyond belief or so polished your average used care salesman looks like an altar boy by comparison. Hell, give Ron Paul $100 million and the nomination and the Republicans might have a chance. Beyond that, given their lack of decent choices (Fred Thompson? Newt Gingrich? Please...), and political trends going Democratic pretty much everywhere save Georgia and Louisiana (maybe), the chances for the Republicans are grim from the start.

But it's quite a stretch from that to total Democratic success down the latter (err... coattails) when the polls close on November 4, 2008. What amazing event precipitated my joyous prediction for the Democrats? In 2005, we Kaine staffers heard ad nauseam about how our race was a bellweather for the 2006 midterm elections. Only five states are cool enough to have off-year statewide elections. Virginia and New Jersey share a cycle, and Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana share the other. Little do most people know, but the Kentucky governor's race (yes, the general election) was decided today. It's a Democratic pick-up. Technically, today was just a primary day. But the results speak volumes.

On the Democratic side, a very well funded DINO/Republican ally was soundly rejected in favor of a real Democrat, Steve Beshear. But the real fascinating decision comes on the Republican side. Generally, is it not an unusual event when an incumbent is renominated. This is exactly what happened today, when Kentucky Republicans renominated Gov. Ernie Fletcher by an overwhelming margin. But, you see, Ernie Fletcher is extremely unpopular in Kentucky, garnering a 58% disapproval rating, including only 53% approval amongst Republicans. Fletcher can contribute his low ratings to a massive scandal involving rewarding state employees based on political affiliation. Turns out that's a illegal, and Fletcher has been indicted and has admitted he acted inappropriately. And, it turns out, he still may still face federal criminal charges.

As a political operative, I feel for Kentucky Republicans. I really do. They had a choice between Fletcher, a corrupt official with virtually no chance to be re-elected, and former Rep. Anne Northup, who would have had a much better chance at acutally winning the election, and they chose corruption. Today, they basically handed the Governorship to the Democrats. It will be a very sad November for them.

But, I have to say.... IDIOTS!!!! Did they learn nothing from 2006? Did they not even learn that they have to at least pretend they are not corrupt? I feel for them because I know how it would have felt had we lost in 2005, but damn, do they deserve it. They had the opportunity to choose a real leader, someone who could have given them a decent chance at a respectable party leader, but they shot her down and instead chose one of the most transparently corrupted politicans in the entire country.

The turnout numbers are also very telling. 348, 759 Democrats voted versus 202, 131 Republicans. Clearly, the Dems are more energized, despite having a lower profile election. And as a political operative, I know full well what that means. The only hope for the GOP now is a GOTV program unlike any the world has ever seen, and in a state where Dems and independents are overwhelmingly against the incumbent, even this seems like an unreachable goal.

What does this mean nationally? It means that Republicans haven't learned a damn thing from 2006. But in 2008, thanks to the Democrats suddenly having subpoena power, the Republicans will be faced with a situation in which many details of their corruption are publicly known, but have not been repudiated by candidates and party leaders. They will be even more so tied to Iraq and corruption than they were in 2006. With Republicans overwhelmingly endorsing their corrupt business as usual, they are leaving themselves no options but complete failure in 2008. 2006 will seem like just the sneak preview.

So, let them keep their most corrupt as their party leaders. That way, we keep them out in the open, where we can see what they're up to, and then extinguish them like the vermin they are.

Bon Voyage

2007-05-20T00:17:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the Providence College Class of 2007, who will graduate later today. What a bunch of immensely talented people.

New Oven!

2007-05-16T09:25:00.000-04:00

Lowe's just delivered our new stove today. We had an old one, a REALLY old one. But, after a small fire and an exploding burner happened in rapid succession, we decided it was too unsafe to use. That was a year ago. We could have gotten it replaced by the landlord or with a cheap model immediately, but we were waiting for an inheritance that was held up in the California courts for quite some time. Now we have a really nice one.

While we have done an incredible amount with an outdoor grill, electric skillet and toaster oven, I can't wait to start really cooking again!

Congratulations

2007-05-16T09:21:00.000-04:00

Deeds, Toscano, Mallek, Joseph, Dorrier, Lunsford, Claytor and Shipp. That's a fine group of candidates.

People I vote for have had this funny habit of winning lately. Hopefully this trend will continue in November.

Man of the Corporations

2007-05-11T00:47:00.000-04:00

I lived in the 59th House district for more than four years. When I moved to my current locale during the summer of 2004, it was just in time to enjoy being represented by Delegate Van Yahres for the last few months before his retirement. That was made especially sweet after being subjected to years of Delegate Abbitt, who never seemed to do anything but act like a buffoon.

I am particularly excited to see that Del. Abbitt is being challenged this year by someone whom I have met on several occasions and for whom I hold a lot of respect. And also, fortunately, someone who will provide Watt with one hell of a fight (a fight that I expect he'll lose).

I was cruising around VPAP earlier and noticed Del. Abbitt's donor profile... and DAMN! It reads more like a stock porfolio than a donor list. You have to get to his 43rd most generous donor before you find an individual and only two of his top 75 are individuals (and one of those is a lobbyist). The rest are a primarily a bunch of corporations and lobbying groups.

By contrast, Connie Brennan's donor profile is made of entirely of individual contributions, with the exception of two donations from political groups. Nothing corporate. No lobbyists.

A candidate almost entirely funded by corporations or a candidate almost entirely funded by people. Which one do you trust to work for you?

Connie Brennan for Delegate
WEBSITE / DONATE / VOLUNTEER

Excitement

2007-05-11T00:46:00.000-04:00

Election season is coming again! Some people look forward to December 25th. I look forward to the first week of November.

Partly Cloudy With a Chance of People

2007-05-11T00:44:00.000-04:00

So, I tag-clouded my blog...

created at TagCrowd.com

You Rock

2007-04-30T16:41:00.000-04:00

I was at the city market Saturday, and left noon-ish, right after my first (and definitely not my last) visit to the Flat.

There was a long line to leave the parking lot, and I saw it was extremely difficult for another driver to back out of their parking spot. After they backed out and left the lot immediately before me, the parking lot attendant informed me that they had paid for our parking. Completely unnecessary, but very appreciated (especially after paying $15 to park to see Jon Stewart that evening). Thanks!

...

2007-04-19T02:02:00.001-04:00

Bullshit

2007-04-19T01:56:00.000-04:00

This is getting to be too much. Endless media whoremongering. Intricate dissection of students' reactions (as if 26,000 students are supposed to just stop acting like students). Badgering of victims and their families. Endless vitriol.

Good Luck

2007-04-16T13:02:00.000-04:00

My campus still bore the signs of tragedy after nine students died thirty years before. After the terror of today, there will be a long road (a lifetime for some) of shock and sorrow for Virginia Tech. I extend my best wishes on their being able to come together as a community in the days ahead.

Wish List

2007-04-11T00:23:00.000-04:00

I want a new bicycle. And world peace. And a pony. And a really cool car. And a million bazillion dollars.

Oh, and Bill Bolling will never be governor.

I'll Take Anarchy

2007-04-06T00:04:00.000-04:00

We interrupt this blog-ation to bring you to following... I have to commend Bill O'Reilly for making me agree with Geraldo Rivera... something I thought would never happen.

Geraldo is right. What about the other 346 drunk driving fatalities in Virginia? If Bill O'Reilly really cares about more than just a cheap political point, I can put him in touch with people who would gladly put his services to use. (Besides, who needs prison when we could subject DUI offenders to an hour with THAT?)

Blog-acation

2007-03-21T01:04:00.000-04:00

As you can clearly see... I've decided to take an impromptu break from blogging.

I'll be back... but now with DeLay, Schwarzenegger, and the US Attorney mess, I'm just enjoying watching the Republican Party fall apart at the seams. Fun stuff.

He's Nuts!

2007-02-15T23:23:00.000-05:00

It's obvious why Virgil Goode is reticent to speak, or do much at all, on the House floor. When he does speak... this happens...

Did Virgil Goode really just say he hopes for "a tolerance of divergent views and religions?" Sheesh.

I do hope that these additional forces will stabilize Baghdad and will lead to democracy and a tolerance of divergent views and religions in Iraq. Unfortunately, the history... of that region does not bode well for such conclusions. In my view, the United States, by removing Saddam Hussein, has provided a great opportunity for Iraq to be a showcase for tolerance and understanding. Perhaps one day Iraq may want to adopt something like the first amendment of our country. That may only be an optimistic hope.

If only Mr. Goode were to apply those same standards to his own office.

Gotta Love It

2007-02-14T01:36:00.000-05:00

It's not often you see... torrential sleet.

12 hours to go!

So Where's Our Transportation Plan?

2007-02-05T19:48:00.000-05:00

Delegate Marshall has gotten this abomination out of committee... somehow.

Delegate Marshall (and eleven of his committee-mates) seriously need to retake some science classes.

If the guy is so damned concerned about elimination abortion, why doesn't he focus all of his energies on things that will ACTUALLY reduce abortions? His endlessly chipping away at choice can point at only two things... either he's cynically playing politics or he's delusional.

You and Your Third Dimension... It's Cute

2007-02-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

If you have a problem with that maybe you should take it up with Mr. Laser.

Either Way

2007-02-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

The Roanoke Times is reporting that the city of Martinsville is on the hook for $145,000, the result of "an unusual performance agreement" tied to a half-million in economic grants that went to failed defense contractor MZM. I've written far too much on this topic to rehash it now, but the bottom line is that either Virgil Goode, who was the master architect of this business plan, acted illegally in regards to MZM, or he is a stupid, stupid man.

So, despite Virgil Goode's efforts to portray itself as a champion of job opportunities in the 5th, what does Martinsville have to show for it? A few out of state jobs that disappeared and then a 145,000 debt for one of the areas in the district that most needs help? Even in the one area he has supposedly done the best for his constituents it would have been far better if he had done nothing at all.

Clearly, the best case scenario is that our Congressional representative is an ineffective, incompetent religious bigot. Clearly, he no longer deserves our votes.

No Wonder They're Freaking

2007-01-28T00:40:00.000-05:00

According to a Newsweek poll, only 28 percent of Americans want to see a Republican elected President in 2008.

Look how many states were close in 2004... any of those could easily, very easily go Dem in 2008. States, like, say, Ohio.

If I were a Republican, I'd be depressed too.

58% of Americans want to see the Bush Presidency over... immediately. Honestly, has any President ever polled this badly?

Office Space, the Thriller?

2007-01-27T00:29:00.000-05:00

Brilliant...

At Least SOMEONE Read the Job Description

2007-01-25T00:05:00.000-05:00

Asking questions, making tough decisions, working for Americans and actually thinking a little before sending thousands of soldiers to their deaths. I'm glad a Republican is finally standing up for good government over partisan games, but, I have to wonder... why didn't anybody speak up in 2003?

Response

2007-01-24T17:11:00.000-05:00

In the early days of our Republic, President Andrew Jackson established an important principle of American-style democracy. That we should measure the health of our society not at its apex, but at its base. Not with the numbers that come out of Wall Street, but with the living conditions that exist on Main Street. We must recapture that spirit today.
-Sen. Jim Webb

It sure is fun having this guy as my Senator.

One of the Worst

2007-01-21T23:26:00.000-05:00

We had one of the worst days in Iraq this past Saturday, losing 25 of our soldiers.

We'd better start getting used to this, if Bush's escalation becomes a reality.

Routine Maintenance

2007-01-21T23:16:00.000-05:00

I've updated my links to reflect my current blog reading interests.

Gone... The Providence College Democrats blog. The organization is alive and well as ever, thanks to my string of hand-picked successors ;) But, the current leadership hasn't utilized the blog, so it is now off of this one.

Updated... My link to STLWorkingMom worked one day, and then it didn't. Now, that is fixed.
Added...
-Raising Kaine. Honestly, why did I wait so long?
-The Daily Whackjob. It's always been an interesting read, and their daily blog wrapups and Congress Watch are great for the politician on the go.
-Interesting Thing of the Day is in the same vein as Damn Interesting. Where damn interesting is about things that are usually pretty strange, ITotD has a lot of information about stuff around you that you never thought to think of, but probably should.

Aw Shucks, Another Racist

2007-01-16T18:19:00.000-05:00

Virginia Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. We live in an incredible state, but if George Allen, Virgil Goode and Delegate Frank Hargrove (R-55) don't stop telling the nation we're a bunch of racist, homophobic, xenophobic religious bigots, they don't deserve to be Virginians.

Commenting on a bill to apologize for Virginia's role in slavery, Del. Hargrove didn't stop at telling us there was no need for an apology or that such apologies are a detraction from other issues. On the issue of slavery, Hargrove said "I personally think that our black citizens should get over it." Apparently unsatisfied after offending one entire group of people, he went on to wonder if Jews should apologize for killing Jesus.

Del. Hargrove must think there is a statute of limitations for crimes against humanity, as he went on to say, "By golly, we're living in 2007"

He's at least partially right. It is 2007 and there are no African slaves in Virginia. He is also right to say that there is nobody alive today that was a slave in Virginia. But that is a slap in the face to anyone whose parents or grandparents were slaves, and also to the many who who are still very much alive that suffered through massive resistance and the decades of oppressive racism that preceded it. None of those people can just get over it. For them, its very much personal.

But that doesn't scratch the surface. People generally tolerate each other nowadays. Colored only signs are gone (or at least not in active use) and lynchings are rare. We even have a black man who is a legitimate contender for President of the United States. Sure, advances have been made, but racism today may be even more insidious. Racism is institutionalized. It's our economic and criminal justice system that make it blatantly obvious to anyone willing to look that black people in this country have to deal with more obstacles and generally have less of a chance to succeed than white people. This institutionalization is also obvious when you look at who the prominent racists are lately... all members of government. Is it any surprise that racism exists in our system of government when Goode and Hargrove are there making the laws? And what is racism other than the direct descendant of Jim Crow and slavery?

Hargrove is the defintion of entrenched. He had two independent opponents in 1999, and managed to take 80% of the vote. Since 1995, as far back as the SBE website goes, he has never had a credible opponent. The 55th House district is extremely Republican. Almost as Republican as Charlottesville is Democratic. Hanover County is situated in Bill Bolling's old Senate district and Hargrove represents a little over 80% of the County. It looks unlikely a Democrat could win here. Hargrove is 79, and it is controversies like these that could make one consider retirement, and we could hope whomever receives the GOP nomination is reasonable.

Looking Distinguished

2007-01-12T19:09:00.000-05:00

This shot was extraordinarily difficult to take. Literally, he held this position for about a quarter of a second. Add that to the fact that my clunky old camera takes a long time to take a shot, and you have a heck of a lot of trial and error.

Coolest Thing Ever

2007-01-09T17:18:00.000-05:00

Waldo Jaquith has just created the coolest government-oriented website I think I've ever seen...

Richmond Sunlight delves into the General Assembly, looking at numerous details of every bill. It's a lot of fun. Check it out.

Learning from Experience

2007-01-03T23:50:00.000-05:00

Rep-elect Keith Ellison made the coolest symbolic gesture I think I've ever seen today.

Members of Congress have quite a few Americans that they can use as role models. Washington, Franklin, Lincoln, etc. Certainly, our own Mr. Jefferson would make a fine example for any member of government. One would think that fact would be especially true for the man who has the privilege of representing Jefferson's hometown in Congress. Sadly, that is not the case.

While it is unfortunate that the Congressman who serves Jefferson's 5th District has no appreciation of his work, the Congressman who will serve the 5th District of Minnesota does. While Mr. Goode brags that he does not have a copy of the Quran in his office, ironically, Mr. Jefferson had one in his. And that will be the holy book Rep. Elect Ellison will use in his ceremonial swearing-in tomorrow... Thomas Jefferson's personal copy of the Quran.

In one move, Ellison is reminding Virgil Goode of the rich history of religious tolerance that exists right in front of his nose, showing once again that he's not a Muslim extremist, but that he's an proud American who chooses to follow Islam. He has reminded Virgil and those who think like him that religious freedom and tolerance are some of this countries most basic ideals, made so by our founding fathers. And, he has sent a message to us, that despite certain media coverage portraying all residents of the 5th District in Goode's light, he knows that people of his ilk are a minority.

Thank you, Mr. Ellison, and I look forward to your providing an education to all those in Congress who need it.

Management 101

2007-01-03T23:44:00.000-05:00

I see why we're considered the best managed state in the country. Apparently, we get this whole transparency thing.

It's the State of the Commonwealth, 24/7, courtesy of Governor Kaine.

Virginia Performs does a great job of showing the health of Virginia, covering such topics as the economy, crime, education, public safety and more. It shows independent data on our performance in numerous categories, and gives an explanation a detailed but clear analysis. If you want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of state government (that is, the stuff that actually affects you), then start here.

Oh Yeah?

2007-01-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Well, God told me that in 2007, Pat Robertson will completely fade from relevance.

The Problem With Being Right

2007-01-02T23:27:00.000-05:00

(Warning... this is a rant.)

God, how long ago was it? Back when war with Iraq seemed inevitable, but before the first bombs dropped, and there was still that remote chance that the most egotistical, maniacal President in our history would have a change of heart, if he had a heart. Back when we radicals were a minority... when most Americans unfortunately believed the rhetoric of the day. And those of us that opposed the war, what were we called? Un-american, friends of the enemy, terrorists, traitors and cowards? Yes, I was a yellow-bellied coward who was a friend to bin-Laden, all because I had the guts to stand up against the majority and against a bullish administration, all because I believe that if Americans are going to die in a foreign country, there better be a good reason? Or even a reason at all?

My position on the war has never changed. But, suddenly, I'm in the majority. As a student of politics, I have long realized that the American people are savvy enough to study and understand the issues, but we are so busy and distracted by work and soccer practice and church and school and all those shiny new toys our President tells us we're supposed to buy, for the good of America, that we barely have time to live, much less study the issues. So, we fall prey to our sound-bite nation. We fall victim to a well-oiled propaganda machine. We are victimized.

But the American people eventually come around. Just when those of us who do know the issues start to wonder, they always come around. And they have. So, now, this cowardly traitor is in the majority. I guess most of us Americans are cowardly traitors now, because we have realized that King George just might be fallible after all. We have realized that this war is not about spreading democracy, or 9/11, or ridding the world of an evil dictator or weapons of mass destruction. We don't know the real reasons, either. But we know, whether its to enrich Halliburton, to exploit oil reserves or just daddy issues, that its self-serving and egomaniacal. And we're sick of it. We're sick of all the money we've wasted. Money that could go to roads, schools, ending world hunger, or maybe even the real war on terror. We're sick and tired of hearing about insurgent violence and car bombs. We're sick and tired of hearing about dead Iraqis, who were guilty of nothing more than being born and raised in a neighborhood in Baghdad, or Tikrit, or wherever. We're sick and tired of hearing about our own men and women in uniform who will never come back. And also, those who will come back suffering from lifelong wounds, whether psychological or physical, but who will, inevitably as long as this man is President, not get the help they need and deserve.

This country deserves more. Going to war requires a massive investment on our part. Not only on those who are going into harm's way themselves, not only on their families, who, in the best case scenario have to wonder every single day for months or years if their loved ones will come home, and if so, in what condition. The burden is on all of us. I know one person who has gone to Iraq. I know a few more who might. I care about these people, and it pains me that they could die for no good reason. Two people from my community have already died. I didn't know either of them myself, but I know people who knew them. That is a drain on my community. And this is true across the country. I imagine there is nary a community left that doesn't have at least one soldier who will feel the sting of this bullshit war the rest of their lives. We're tired. We've done enough, and at the very least, we deserve a real reason for all this madness. We deserve the truth. We will never get it.

What we will get is more bullshit from the President. It's bad enough that he is calling for more troops to go. More troops to go into a bad situation, made so bad by the adminstration's own actions. More troops that will become target practice. But what is particularly infuriating is that next week, the President will finally get around to talking about sacrifice.

How dare you, Mr. President, to talk about sacrifice now. How dare you. You wanted this war, and even though every legitimate reason you gave us turned out to be either flat out wrong or a complete fabrication, you got it. Did it take you this long to start thinking about sacrifice? This long? We knew. We knew almost four years ago. When we found out that six American soldiers would never come home, we knew about sacrifice. That was March 21, 2003. Then, we were worried about protecting our own. You were worried about re-election.

I'm glad, Mr. President, that it has finally become convenient for you to think about sacrifice. 3003 dead soldiers later, you finally are considering what the rest of us have known all along. Don't you dare get on that microphone next week and tell us we need to start sacrificing. We've been doing it the whole time. You are alien to us, Bush. Alien. You are American by pedigree, but you don't care about anything the rest of us do. We reached a big number of casualties, so you decided it was politically expedient to suddenly start caring? It would have been expedient, for us, if you had cared in 2003. It would have been even more expedient for 3,003 families, if you had acted like a President, and not the petulant little boy you are, and taken your responsibilities seriously. But you didn't, and here we are, nearly four years later, and you finally decide we should start sacrificing?

Fuck you.

I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong the sufferings for ends which I belive to be evil and unjust. I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed. On behalf of thise who are suffering now I make this protest against the deception which is being practised on them...
-Siegfried Sassoon, 1917

MMM

2007-01-01T01:22:00.000-05:00

The media is reporting the death of our 3000'th service member in Iraq.

Which means we've crossed one pretty looking even number milestone, but also that we've crossed a much more important one... the number of victims of September 11th.

Unlucky #3000 was Sgt. Edward Shaffer, from Mont Alto, PA. Ironically, this young man made it home, at least home to his country. He died at a military hospital outside San Antonio, TX, after suffering wounds from a roadside bomb in Iraq on November 13th.

These wounds were hopeless... burns over 80% of his body. He had five surgeries, including unsuccessful skin graft surgery and amputations of one foot and both hands. He was given a ten percent chance of surviving. And, had he survived, could he have hoped for any more than a life of pain and horrible disfigurement? I hope he was so far gone that he had no awareness after the explosion, but somehow I doubt that was the case.

I'm writing about Sgt. Shaffer just because he happened to be #3000. His story is horrible, but it's no different from many, many others, and his story only comes now because of so many who came before him, and suffered the same way he did.

I didn't think we'd reach 2,996, much less 3,000 before the new year. But here we are... 3000 before 2007. My hope for this new year is that we can somehow put an end to this madness. Saddam's death will do nothing to help. If we're lucky, it won't make things worse. That we would even be considering escalation, now, in this unwinnable occupation is just stupid. Hopefully our new Congress, or someone, will get us out of this.

Why Dodd?

2006-12-29T23:54:00.000-05:00

In January, we will see a boatload of announcements of Presidential caliber. As this will be the first Presidential cycle in a long time with no incumbent President or Vice President from either party eligible to run, the field should look fascinating on both sides.

Soon, one of the potential Democratic candidates will be making an announcement. He may decided not to run for President, which will force me to reconsider and will render anything else I write in this post obsolete. But, then again he may enter.

Other than the typical American tendency to root for the underdog, why am I supporting Chris Dodd?

First and foremost, he'd make a damned fine President. He's no heir apparent. He's no rock star. But he is a lifelong public servant who has been a champion of the middle class his entire career. While he is a very savvy politician, his energy has been focused on improving life for working class Americans. He has been doing what all politicians should be doing, working for the people, and helping to increase the middle class. After 8 years of corporate government, someone who will be a champion of the people is sorely needed.

Dodd's legislative experience is varied. He knows American foreign policy intimately, and he can and has eloquently put forth sensible plans on Iraq and other foreign policy dilemmas. He is on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and has spent much of his career on health care and education issues. And as the incoming Chairman of the banking and finance committee, he knows his way around a balanced budget.

Let's take a look at some of Senator Dodd's career highlights. He is one of the chief architects of the Family and Medical Leave Act. He was named "Senator of the Decade" by the American Head Start Association because of his tireless support for early childhood education. He has fought for and obtained health care for many of our country's uninsured children. He has fought for funding for local health care centers and emergency workers in local communities, making them better able to respond to terrorist attacks and public health emergencies. He was also the author of the Help America Vote Act, which, despite the GOP's best efforts, has made it easier for many Americans to cast their vote.

Senator Dodd graduated from College in 1966. Since then, he hasn't wated a moment in serving his state, country or planet. He served in the Peace Corps from 1966-1968, in the US Army Reserves from 1968-1975, in the US House of Representatives from 1975-1981, when he assumed the Senate seat he holds today. Senator Dodd got that 1966 degree from Providence College. That College's mission statement concludes, "Providence College prepares its students to be responsible and productive citizens to serve in their own society and the greater world community." In reality, the average Providence College student is bombarded not only with the importance of service to one's community, but with opportunities to do so. That is probably what PC does best.

Dodd's connection to PC is particularly important to me because, 39 years after Mr. Dodd, I too graduated from that college. Not only are we fellow Friars, but we are also fellow English graduates. In fact, I think there may actually be one or two faculty members we may have shared. While I was at PC, I was instrumental in reviving the PC Democrats, who were defunct when I arrived. As the group's President, it was up to me to chart our direction, make us into a stronger organization and lay the groundwork for our future. With the help of many very talented fellow students, I accomplished all of this successfully. But it wasn't just the Adam Roach's and Mike Raia's of the world that helped me do this, it was also the role models that came before me. People like Patrick Kennedy, Charlie Fogarty, Teresa Paiva-Weed, and a host of others, and of course, Senator Dodd.

I have every confidence that Senator Dodd will make a fine candidate. I know he will make a sensible and down to earth candidate. I also know he probably doesn't have a chance. But, people like underdogs, and once they get to know Senator Dodd, many will be impressed. And if a miracle happens and Chris Dodd becomes our President, it will usher in a new era of government working the way it ought to.

For more information about Senator Chris Dodd, visit his website at www.chrisdodd.com.

If you want to donate to his Presidential campaign, you can do so below...

R.I.P. Ford

2006-12-28T18:29:00.000-05:00

Comedy has become reality, as Gerald Ford has died at the "senseless age" of 93.

Which means there are no respectable Republican Presidents, current or former, left alive, and that every one of those Republicans is a Bush. President Ford seems to have had some sense, and it would do 41 and 43 some good to listen to him...

"The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms; guard and cherish it, keep honor and order in your own house, and the Republic will endure."

"The American People want a dialogue between them and their President. And if we can't have that opportunity of talking with one another, seeing one another, shaking hands with one another, something has gone wrong in our society."

I'm Back!

2006-12-28T18:07:00.000-05:00

Internet access restored. Too bad I don't have much time to post.

I'm looking forward to January. Calmer times at work, and the political world will be riveting. The new Congress will take over, the Christmas-delayed Virgil Goode fallout will commence in the media (I can't wait until Stewart, Colbert and Olbermann jump on Virgil), and a flurry (no pun intended... I don't do puns) of Presidential decisions will be made.

Plenty of material for blog fodder.

Priorities

2006-12-28T17:46:00.000-05:00

Despite their flirt with sanity a while back, I witnessed day before yesterday why Kroger is so pathetic.

Their newly remodeled store at Barracks Road is beautiful. It doesn't look like the same store, and it still has that new store smell. The shelves are fully stocked, they have many more items than before and everything looks clean. I don't expect any of that to last.

One thing hasn't changed... their customer service. It was fairly busy when I was in. The customer in front of me in line was under the impression that the grapes she purchased were 1.99/lb. Naturally, when they rang up at 2.49/lb, she objected. I wasn't going to wait all day to see how another customer's situation was resolved, but after waiting for several minutes, checking out in another line and then leaving the store, she was still standing at the register.

What I did see was a cashier attempt to fix the problem for quite some time, which failed. Also unsuccessful was this cashier's attempt to enlist the aid of another cashier. After about a full minute, an eternity in grocery-store-line time, they FINALLY got a supervisor. The supervisor took a while to arrived, had to be informed of the situation, and then proceeded to go ALL the way to the produce department to check the price. Mind you, this is the farthest register (non-self check) in the store from the produce. As we were leaving the store, the supervisor had returned, and was still haggling with the customer.

This might come as a bit of a surprise, but Kroger and another local grocery store where I happen to work have approximately the same profit margin. We make no more money than they do, even though anyone can see we provide better customer service. This customer at my store would have received her grapes at whatever price she thought they were. The cashiers actually have that ability. Failing that, she may have even gotten them for free. I guess we're more farsighted. We know that a customer returning next week is far more valuable than the 2 bucks you might lose for the grapes.

This attitude is clear at any local Kroger. It has always annoyed me that the Hydraulic Road location turns off some of their lights late at night. I would applaud them if this was some effort to save then environment, but I doubt that's the case. I suspect it's more because they can save a few pennies per hour. It's the same reason they have broken fixtures and employees who are grotesquely underpaid. They want to make a buck now.

I don't care what anybody says, they're far worse than Food Lion.

Virgil

2006-12-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

I wish I had more time to post... and fully flesh out the Virgil Goode situation.

Apparently Waldo Jaquith does have time, and has done just that over the past couple of days.

I can't help but be reminded of all this of a situation from earlier this year. Minnesotans are, rightfully, upset with Rep. Goode. Here we have a case in which an elected official from one state insulted the citizens of another. Specifically, Virgil Goode insulting Representative-elect Keith Ellison and the 136000+ Minnesota voters who elected him. It reminds me of a group of Virginia firefighters who were subjected to a bizarre tirade from Montana Senator Conrad Burns earlier this year when they were in that state helping to battle forestfires.

Fortunately, Montana voters saw that we don't need that kind of personality in the US Senate, and they did the right thing on November 7th.

Virginia voters did the right thing as well, getting rid of the racist Senator George Allen. Unfortunately, Goode didn't show his true colors until after the election, and this story will blow over long before Goode has to face re-election again.

I hope we find a candidate in 2008 who is able to revive the story. Just like George Allen didn't deserve to represent Virginia, the xenophobic bigot Congressman Goode doesn't deserve to represent the 5th District.

Break...

2006-12-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

After Comcast disconnected out cable service (though, oddly, not internet) with no warning after they "lost" our payment, we immediately called DirecTV. Unfortunately, during the satellite installation, our internet access was stripped out along with the cable... hence the light posting lately.

About 1 more week until everything is up and running and I have full access back. Yay!

This has been the longest I've gone without internet access since 1992, and yes, I am an addict.

Props

2006-12-04T00:14:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that I am not a fan of Kroger. I would, however, like to thank my cashier from a while back.

This cashier did not react with a sense of alarm or disgust when they were informed that I did not want a bag for my two small items. Nor did they then proceed to stick those infernal orange stickers to my items. I appreciate not being made to feel weird for not wanting a bag and for being trusted enough to walk the few feet from the register to the door without a sticker broadcasting that I paid for my items. Thank you.

(Kroger location, dates, times, names, genders, items purchased and other details withheld in case the aforementioned cashier violated some innane company policy.)

Sweet

2006-11-29T15:36:00.000-05:00

Former Governor Jim Gilmore recently told ABC news he is considering a run for US Senate in the event John Warner retires, Governor in 2009, and, get this, President of the United States.

No one, and I mean NO ONE, has considered Gilmore as a potential Presidential candidate. He was a failed governor and an embarrasment to the RNC. Why does he think anyone in his party, much less the general electorate, would support him now?

Truly a man whose ego is clouding his sense of judgment.

But, that's three opportunities for a big Democratic win, so bring it, Gilmore!

UPDATE: Apparently there is someone who is considering Gilmore as a Presidential candidate, proving that anybody can get a "Draft So and So" site. Check out the "Why Gilmore" section. It's quite amusing. The author(s) from the site is from Seattle, oddly enough.

Fantasy Congress

2006-11-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

Hey, political junkies, have you ever enjoyed those Yahoo-style fantasy sports leagues? Now, you can have both!

I just discovered Fantasy Congress, a site that lets you draft members of Congress and compete against others in a league. The team whose members of Congress got the most legislation through wins.

I just created a league. If any CVille bloggers care to take me on, click here to join.

Identity Crisis

2006-11-23T02:56:00.000-05:00

Over the past two election cycles, we've seen two Democrats win upset victories in statewide campaigns. But, I think few will disagree that George Allen lost more than Jim Webb won, or that if Mark Warner had been an unpopular Governor, Jerry Kilgore would be our Governor today.

Campaigns are marked, and most voters are disgusted by, efforts to portray one's opponent as something or another. 2005 saw a a race between a liberal gun hating illegal alien loving lawyer who spent all his days trying to get people off death row and a cowardly man who hated fiscal responsibility, wants our kids to be idiots and was afraid to show his face in public. Or so the candidates would have liked you to believe.

But there was an interesting similarity between the two candidates. As a staffer for the Democrats, I contacted about 50,000 voters in Albemarle and across the state. I can probably count on one hand the number of them who didn't hear Mark Warner's name. The campaign plan was quite simple... Tim Kaine = Mark Warner.

But early in the campaign came an astounding claim from Jerry Kilgore:
"I'm more like Mark Warner than Tim Kaine will ever be."

Given Kilgore was a vocal opponent of the crowning achievement of Warner's administration, the voters quickly saw through this line of bullshit, and it was quickly abandoned. Face with no appealing Virgnia Republican to portray himself as a successor to, Kilgore was forced to look to the national stage for a role model. Thus, the stage was set. Kaine/Warner vs. Kilgore/Bush (to think, this was back in a time when Republican candidates weren't literally running away from the President).

So, two candidates were essentially running with and running against a candidate who wasn't even in the race. In the end, Mark Warner's incredible popularity was one of the biggest forces in catapulting Tim Kaine into the governor's office.

Same thing happened in 2006. If George Allen hadn't acted like a total idiot, or if George Bush has been slightly less toxic on November 7th, Allen would have been re-elected.

Similarly, the biggest themes in the midterm elections were not staying the course, not robbing the poor to pay the rich and not being corrupt. In other words, not being like Congressional Republicans. Republcians and pundits loved to point out that Democrats didn't have real plans for these issues, hadn't accomplished much in the minority, etc., while ignoring the fact that they had no power to attack these problems while in the minority, and even less so with such a toxic leadership. But, by and large, the voters said anything but the current Congress, and now we have a Democratic congress by virtue of the Republicans being so horrible.

We can look to the last couple of Presidential elections for more example. As the challenger, John Kerry had to run against Bush. He could have run a better campaign, and there was a lot of resentment against Bush at the time, but the national attitude wasn't completely opposed to the President. Had the election been held six months later, or at any point since then, Kerry would have won. If he had campaigned differently, he may have won. But, the election was a referendum on the President, as any Presidential re-election campaign is, and Kerry failed to fully convince the public (or at least enough Ohioans) that he was different enough from Bush.

2000 provides another example. Al Gore found himself in a similar situation as Tim Kaine. While Bill Clinton had been through a very negative ordeal that was quite toxic for the country and for his office, he was still very popular amongst the American public, and most people blamed the Republican Congress for politicizing Clinton's sex life. Despite Clinton's popularity, Gore seemed to distance himself from him. Unlike 2005 and 2006, when Mark Warner stumped hard for Kaine and Webb, we barely saw a peep from Clinton in 2000. Gore was the natural heir to Clinton's legacy, but he failed to grab that and run with it. He still nearly won, but what would the result have been if Clinton had spent an extra week or two in Florida?

So, what's a politician to do? Some are successful at forging their public identity before they get elected. It's once they become elected that they have a chance to forge their own identity. Warner had never been an elected official when he took office, and came out wildly popular. Kaine hasn't been in a year yet, and hasn't achieved the level of success of Warner, even though Virginians do generally approve of the job he's doing. If Kaine is able to run a successful administration, look for the next Democratic nominee to run a campaign to follow in his footsteps. Maybe even to "keep Virginia moving forward." If Kaine is unpopular in 2009, look for the Democratic nominee to want to forge a new direction, and the Republican nominee to highlight their opposition to the Kaine administration. Then come 2010, Kaine's legacy will be fairly complete, and the new Governor will have a chance to make their own, only to be judged in 2013.

Of course there's always the chance that someone who already has a solid identity may run, like Warner, Allen, Gilmore, etc., which would change the texture of the race considerably, making it more about one or both of the candidates, and not the incumbent. (On a side note, a gubernatorial race between Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner would thrill me to no end).

And all this is not to downplay the importance of the candidates themselves. Voters were engaging in a referendum on Warner in 2005, but if Tim Kaine and his staffers hadn't worked their asses off to make it clear that Tim was the real successor to Warner, it would have made it a lot more difficult to win the race. But while Kaine worked to clearly define himself, it was in large part an attempt to paint himself as the candidate most like Mark Warner.

What's Up, Linc?

2006-11-14T01:06:00.000-05:00

Lame duck Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) has never been considered to be all that bright. Everyone knows he came to power on the coattails of his father, who was well loved in his state. (Hmm, that sounds familiar).

Unfortunately for Linc, he found it wasn't as easy to be a Republican in New England as it was when his father was around. In a state where even the most conservative anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-progress politicians are Democrats, being a member of the Congressional majority was a lot harder than it was for most of his caucus-mates. As of January, when Senator-elect Sheldon Whitehouse takes office, there will be only one state-wide elected Republican, and HE only won re-election last Tuesday by a very small margin.

Linc often found himself walking a fine line. He wanted to remain a Republican, despite ample opportunity to cross the aisle or become an independent. Probably just as much out of homage to his father than an attempt to remain in the majority. But, he had to appear as un-Republican as possible in his home state.

He did this in grand fashion in 2004, when he announced he was writing in George H.W. Bush as his choice for President. He was quick to remind Rhode Island voters that he was a maverick, and often voted against his Party.

Of course, this was bullshit. The GOP knew how important this seat was to their majority, so they allowed Linc to play the maverick. But, when a vote was close, and Chafee's vote could make the difference, he always toed the party line.

Rhode Islanders got wise to this, and faced with a choice between a Republican in maverick's clothing and a real-live Democrat, they put their faith in the Democrat. But, other than slink into obscurity as a lame-duck Democrat, after the election, Mr. Chafee suddenly got talkative.

First, he began to trash-talk the GOP.

"I haven't made any decisions. I just haven't even thought about where my place is," Chafee said at a news conference Thursday when asked whether he would stick with the Republican Party or switch to be an independent or Democrat.

When asked if his comments meant he thought he might not belong in the Republican Party, he replied: "That's fair."

[...]

When asked whether he felt that his loss may have helped the country by switching control of power in Congress, he replied: "To be honest, yes."

It's not often you hear a politician who says that their losing is good for the country. Then, Chafee put words into action, and reaffirmed his opposition to the renomination of John Bolton for UN Secretary, effetively guaranteeing that the nomination will fail.

Why would Chafee do this? He was only firm about opposing Bolton when his re-election race tightened. Now that it's over, why drag it out? Certainly, he's not looking for a future in Rhode Island politics. The only real option I see is to run for Governor when Carcieri is term-limited out, but that's not for another four years. He could challenge Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) when he is up for re-election in 2008, but Reed is so popular, he'll break 60% no matter who runs against him. And it's FAR too late to switch parties. It seems, at least for now, Chafee has nowhere to go but down.

It seems that the real reason Chafee is bashing the GOP is personal. Chafee has been helping to build the Rhode Island Republican Party his entire life. But, the Rhode Island Republicans, and indeed most New England Republicans, are a far cry from the national party. A close friend of mine who works in Rhode Island politics described the scene in the recent Senate race...

Senator Chafee is a nice guy. Nobody doubts that. But, his campaign against Senator-elect Whitehouse turned ugly. And it was clear that it was the national party, and not Chafee, who was pulling the strings. They knew Rhode Island was crucial to their plans to keep the Senate, as evidence by their relocating their entire staff east of the Mississippi to Rhode Island the two weeks before their primary to make sure Chafee didn't lose his primary to arch-conservative Steven Laffey, whose nomination would have guaranteed a Democratic win back in mid-September. (I can think of at least two other lame duck GOP Senators who certainly didn't benefit from losing their staffers for two weeks during prime campaign season). $5 million and an ugly campaign later, Chafee still lost his seat.

It's understandable that Chafee would be bitter at losing. But my friend tells me that its something else. Chafee changed during the course of the campaign, as his overlords forced him to engage in tactics he was not comfortable with. He's a man truly concerned about Rhode Islanders, and they made him jeopardize that. They took Chafee's seat from a tool to help Rhode Island and denigrated it into a part of preserving their power.

Like I said, Chafee is a good guy, truly concerned about his state. It makes sense that after suffering through such an ordeal, he would rebel against the people that made it so.

I wonder sometimes why I've chosen to go down the political path. Why I've chosen to operate within the system that destroyed Lincoln Chafee and causes the most qualified people for a position decide not to run for it. But it's in my blood... what can I do?

On a different note, who's going to be the first pundit to mention the possibility of a "President Whitehouse?" You know it's coming...

Democracy About to Unfold at Albemarle High School

2006-11-08T17:04:00.000-05:00

VICTORY!!!

2006-11-08T11:55:00.000-05:00

The overwhelming odds are that come January, the Democrats will control both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Here's wishing the best of luck to Mr. Reid, Ms. Pelosi, and the rest of the caucus at getting back to the business of working for the people. Here's hoping that with their vitriolic leadership gone, some Republicans will feel free to support Democratic initiatives that just make sense as the right things to do for their constituents. Here's hoping that all members of Congress see that voters have decisively rejected the divisive and fear mongering style with which Congress has been run during this administration. While in the minority, Democrats constantly tried to reach out to Republicans in the spirit of bi-partisanship, and they were constantly rebuffed. I know that the Democrats will retain this spirit in the majority, and if any Republicans in the minority feel the impetus to collaborate on important issues, their effors will be well received by the Democratic caucus.

I am so glad we finally have what we most desperately need. This President has done everything he wants with no resistance. This is bad for the country and it needs to stop. Now that the American people finally have a check on the powers of the Executive, it will stop.

Finally, I am glad that the finest of our fifty states finally has two Senators who will make her proud.

Voter Intimidation in Virginia

2006-11-06T18:39:00.000-05:00

We already have reports of voter intimidation and suppression tactics from Republicans.

-Fliers have appeared in African American communities in Buckingham with the headline "SKIP THIS ELECTION," leading many to wonder if the election is still going on.

-At least one voter has received a phone call purporting to be from the Virginia Board of Elections saying that he was still registered to vote in New York (he's been registered here since 1998) and he would face criminal charges if he attempted to vote.

-Multiple reports of out-of-state phone calls erroneously notifying people that their polling place has changed.

It is a sad thing that we have to go through this every single year.

The ONLY polling place that has changed in Albemarle County is the Northside Precinct. If you live in the Northside Precinct, you now vote at the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Station, 283 Reas Ford Road.

There are no phone calls being placed regarding this change. If ANYONE notifies you that your polling place has changed, they are intentionally misleading you in an attempt to disenfranchise you of your vote. If you have ANY doubt as to the location of your polling place, contact the local registrar at 951-6798.

As long as you properly registered to vote on or before October 10, 2006, you can vote in tomorrow's election at your local polling place. DO NOT let anyone tell you you cannot cast your vote. A complete listing of your rights as a Virginia Voter is posted here.

The polls will be open tomorrow, from 6 AM to 7 PM. There is no chance that the election will be postponed or cancelled. If you are in line by 7PM, you can vote.

If you have ANY problems voting, contact an election official at your polling place, or call the registrar at 951-6798.

Voting is your right as a citizen. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. And most important of all, exercise that right!

The Enemy of My Enemy....

2006-11-03T21:56:00.000-05:00

I've posted earlier on why I think you should vote no on question 1 next Tuesday. You must remember the post... it was stultifying bad.

I'm glad there are still some reasonable minds in the Republican Party... I had been beginning to doubt.

Rick Sincere reports on a conference call today involving prominent Republicans who oppose the Marshall-Newman amendment.

They realize that this amendment is so badly written and legally misguided it has no place in our Constitution. They recognize that it does not fit the ideals upon which our Commonwealth was founded (I guess those are the "Virginia values" George Allen is always talking about). They recognize, rightly, that if people like Bob Marshall continue to lead their party, their party won't be in power much longer.

Be sure to check out Rick's post for details.

Haggard

2006-11-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

My only comment on today's news is that I am totally thrilled to see yet another blow to American right-wing theocrats' hold on our government. Perhaps soon we will finally be able to get back to the business of governing.

Unhinged

2006-10-31T19:19:00.000-05:00

There is definitely a pattern emerging regarding Virginia's junior Senator. It starts with being a racist, but it goes much further. Having to cancel campaign events because of a couple of protestors, unwarranted attacks against a fellow partisan and former neighbor, hints of a criminal past and an abusive relationship with family members. This man isn't just a racist... he's completely losing it. His behavior seems to range from combative to paranoid, with the only middle ground being carefully crafted campaign ads and speeches.

Mike Stark is a local law student, citizen journalist and political activist. He has made a sort of side career out of asking politicians tough questions. He made news in August after grilling Allen on his use of the "n-word." Now, he's approached Allen to ask another tough question, and the results are pretty amazing.

Let's get this straight. By the Allen campaign's own admission, Mr. Stark is someone they knew, they knew his M.O., and they knew he was coming to George Allen's campaign stop today with Elizabeth Dole. Despite Allen's attempt to smear Stark as a crazed protestor, Stark actually waited until the event was over (just as he did in August) and then proceeded to ask Allen his question. He did not interrupt the event, and he was not abusive in any way. For a political opponent, Stark was being pretty damned nice.

So what do Allen's staffers do? Attack him... (video off of that link)

A citizen asks a tough question of his elected Senator and is attacked for it. Is this the kind of representation we deserve? This is merely the terrified outburst of a cowardly man. He has felt the heat of a tough race, he has seen his sordid past catch up with him, and he folded. He has escalated from a mere verbal attack on S.R. Sidarth earlier this year, to having his staffers carry out an attack that he could have stopped at any time. This is not a man who deserves to hold any elected office, much less a seat in the U.S. Senate.

The only things Jim Webb will attack are the tough problems facing our Commonwealth and our Country. Please send him to Washington on November 7th.

Happy Halloween

2006-10-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

For your enjoyment, the scariest thing I've seen on the internet... ever.

Vote NO

2006-10-25T02:09:00.000-04:00

You should vote NO on ballot question one. You would be in good company. Not only me. But also our Senator, Creigh Deeds.

Now, Creigh and I hold quite different opinions when it comes to marriage equality. In my opinion, whatever consenting adults want to do is their business. Not only, in an age when Madonna and Britney Spears are the types of mothers getting all the headlines and divorce rates are very high do I think we should celebrate ANY committed relationship, but this amendment is obviously motivated by hate, and I do not want hate codified in our Constitution.

But, beyond that, it's a horrificly written amendment (as Bob Marshalls bills usually are).

That's where Creigh, who has a more "traditional" view of marriage, and I, agree.

You see, this amendment would not only define marriage as between a man and a woman, but would also ban any relationship that approximated marriage. While the implications of this are far reaching, it seems that one of the most serious ramifications would be that the amendment would make it more difficult for domestic violence victims to receive help. We all know that domestic violence happens in all kinds of relationships, not just heterosexual matrimony. And this amendment would deprive law enforcement of valuable tools that keep victims of domestic violence safe.

Says Creigh,

While our courts would not be bound by the Ohio ruling, the fact that victims of domestic violence in Ohio have been subjected to an extended period of legal uncertainty causes me great concern. The experience there causes me to fear that the proposed amendment to Virginia’s constitution will invite the very judicial activism its proponents argue it will prevent.

A NO vote on November 7th will not change in any way Virginia’s 30 year old law banning gay marriage, and I would not vote NO if it did.

A NO vote on November 7th, will, however, ensure that we are not taking the unnecessary risk of exposing even one victim of domestic violence further harm because of legal confusion about the application of our 10 year old mandatory arrest law or the availability of protective orders needed to make home and work safe.

That is why I will be voting NO on election day confident that neither traditional marriage nor a single domestic violence victim will be harmed by the outcome.

If you're like me, and think that the definition of marriage should be left to churches and individual couples to decide, then you need to vote NO on this question. If you're not like me, and you support a legal definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, you still need to vote NO, because we cannot afford not to help any victim of domestic violence, and this amendment will leave many people in a state of legal limbo when they desperately need help.

And, in any case, if this amendment passes, your side of the debate will look pretty damned foolish when it's repealed in a decade.

Courage. Experience. New Ideas.

2006-10-25T00:34:00.000-04:00

Warner Speaks

Is There Any Question?

2006-10-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

Is there any question which party supports our troops? Is it the party that loves speechifying, fear mongering, and cheap ribbon shaped magnets? Or is it the party that votes for things like veterans benefits and body armor?

Clearly the latter.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a non partisan group, has analyzed over 300 Congressional votes in the last five years and have ranked members according to their level of support for our troops.

If you're a Republican, it ain't pretty. Bob Geiger has prepared this handy chart...

Certainly, some Democrats have some explaining to do... Ben Nelson has only supported our troops 81% of the time. But it certainly is telling that the party that loves to accuse their opponents of being unpatriotic and not supporting the truth is clearly just projecting their own guilt.

How did Virginia's delegation fare? You can see above that both of our Senators received a D+ rating.

Thelma Drake, in a tight race against Phil Kellam, did even worse, getting a D- score, meaning she only supports the troops a pathetic 57% of the time, at best.

Receiving a C+ are NoVa reps Frank Wolf and Tom Davis.

Bobby Scott, Jim Moran and Rick Boucher ALL scored an A-. The BEST Republican was Jo Ann Davis, who managed a B-. Clearly, Virginia Democrats know to support the troops, and clearly, Virginia Republicans do not.

Our own Virgil Goode scored a C. Certainly, Al Weed, a veteran himself with over four decades of service knows how to support our troops. Virgil clearly has no idea.

Thank God I Work At Whole Foods

2006-10-19T17:37:00.000-04:00

I just spent a little over an hour at Sam's Club, because I figure cheap tires is better than bald tires.

So, whilst rubber was being exchanged for rubber, I had an hour to wait around. So I walked around.

Some observations....
1) Sam's Club employees and managers seem to have a problem with someone walking around their store for an hour, without a cart, not buying anything. No one accosted me, but I got looks, as if no one had ever seen such a sight before.

2) Virginia was recently named one of the most overweight states in the Country. Now I see why. I swear, I saw numerous carts FULL of nothing but soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors.
3) Having twelve TVs pointed out you, with high tech sound systems included, all with the soothing voice of a woman in perfect synchronization, is downright Orwellian.

4) Being able to sell a thick, footlong hotdog AND a 32 oz. drink for $1.50 and still making a profit is downright frightening. Eating said products probably took about two weeks off of my life.

5) Conveniently located spill cleanup stations are a good thing, but does one have to be located DIRECTLY over a table in the cafe area, complete with used brush and clearly dirty dust pan? These kits are supposed to be used for everything from broken 40lb. bags of popcorn, to broken glass to hazardous materials. All two feet from my food. There goes another week.

6) The only other person I knew there that I saw looked clearly out of place, probably just as much as I did. Maybe I should get to know more people.

7) The people giving a way samples could show some enthusiasm, but, to be fair, they must have a soul-crushing job.

8) The ground beef looked less like cow and more like road kill.

9) I witnessed some new employees going through orientation, with a HUGE emphasis on eye wash stations. What exactly do they do there?

10) Despite my general disdain for the place, I'll be back on payday for a case of Sam Adams. Cranberry Lambic.... Mmmmmm!

I was looking for a citation for Virginia being among the most overweight. I think it actually IS the most overweight.

But in looking, I saw a definite correlation. Poverty and obesity. Mississippi, West Virginia and Michigan are all among the highest. These states are characterized by low standards of living and wholesale unemployment. Bottom line is, a lot of people in these states have no money.

So, there's the appeal of Sam's Club. Yes, it's cheap. You can feed your family of four, or six, or ten, for MUCH cheaper than you could at Whole Foods, Harris Teeter or even Food Lion. But there's the rub. The food is cheap. It's industrial food, made on an industrial scale with low quality ingredients and lots of chemicals. At best, its devoid of nutritional value, and has to be pumped full of supplemental nutrients, all synthetic of course. At worst, it's unhealthy. And not just in the trans fat, high calorie, heart disease and diabetes inducing way of being unhealthy. The food itself is literally unhealthy. Just look at most of our beef supply, which is pumped full of antibiotics because the cows are being forced to eat food their bodies aren't supposed to ingest. (In the human world, we usually refer to that as poison).

The scientists and institutions who study this kind of thing have found an unsurprising phenomenon. People with higher incomes, who don't HAVE to buy cheap, tend to be overweight less frequently.

We like to think we live freely. That's what our country is all about, right? But look at where we shop, especially if we're poor. Our choices tend be be beef vs. chicken for dinner, apples or oranges, Crispix or Corn Flakes. But those aren't really choices. All those foods are from the same chemically laced system. And because people are poor, they have no choice in the way they eat.

Up until recently, we thought we lived in a free country. The suspension of habeus corpus and warrantless wiretapping shattered that delusion, but it was a delusion. Even before then, we've only had as much choice as was made available to us. And for decades now, it has been a few companies, a few industries, who have been providing nothing but bad choices, all with complicity of the USDA.

God Bless America.

Three Weeks

2006-10-17T00:02:00.000-04:00

In three weeks, six hours and three minutes, your local polling place will be open.

Have you done your part yet?

Memories

2006-10-12T22:56:00.000-04:00

Thanks to a link in Facebook about the demise of a local bar in Providence, I just now learned that "my" bar in Providence has a website.

Who knew?

This was a dingy, hole in the wall kind of place. But, it was also probably the closest bar to lower campus, where I lived (now with the more PC name (heh) 'east campus.') Just a short jog (though it was never a jog) down Eaton St., a left at Douglas, and you were practically there.

Very sketchy place, but very chill. Kinda grimy, but in a good way. In the kinda way that makes it no surprise that a $3 million a month gambling ring was busted there. In any case, a great place to hang out.

And they have pictures!

Why is this place called Old's? We had, locally, Club Eagle's and the Eagle Park Independent Club. So, they became, Clubbies and Olds. Naturally.

I don't know that I ever saw the place in the daytime.

The bar. Whatever I ordered, it was probably Sam Adams.

The inside. There's probably 5 feet behind whomever took this picture. When at capacity, it took 30 minutes to walk that length. Literally.

Ah, this picture perfectly captures Providence College's reputation. White and inebriated.

This is why it took 30 minutes. Typical crowd shot. I'm pretty sure that's my roommate, AJ, on the far left with a camera. The Corona is surely not his, because he's definitely not 21 in this picture.

Sadness

2006-10-12T18:37:00.000-04:00

Working for Tim Kaine's campaign for governor made it nearly impossible not to become a devotee of Mark Warner.

So, I am sad to see that he has decided not to run for President.

I have to admire a man who knows full well that he has a good chance of achieving so much, and yet turns down that chance for his family's sake, knowing that chance may never come again.

I also have to admire a potential candidate who doesn't cancel his events in Iowa just because he's no longer running for President. Just a quick glance at his schedule reveals stops in Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, not exactly states that have a great deal of pull in the nomination process. He's focused on 2006, and he's making one heck of a contribution.

There's the obvious bright side to all of this. He hasn't ruled out elected office in the future. The nomination for the Senate in 2008 or Governor in 2009 is his if he wants it. I imagine Brian Moran and a few Republicans are not pleased with this development.

Nailed

2006-10-09T21:35:00.000-04:00

If, let's say, a visitor from Jupiter landed on earth, with absolutely no knowledge of the American political system, national or Virginia issues, etc., watched tonight's Senate debate... which candidate would they think is currently part of a major legislative body?

Certainly not George Allen.

Jim Webb is the political neophyte, but he clearly knows his issues inside and out. He was able to give detailed and nuanced answers to tonight's questions in a clear manner. Not only that, Webb's answers came across as honest and genuine. What he really thought is best for Virginia.

George Allen, on the other hand, was pathetic. On only one question was he in his element, on an issue that he has made his pet project of late. Other than that, his only refuge was tired GOP talking points, which left him unable to answer questions accurately and led to a totally disingenuous performance. He was stammering, looked uncomfortable and was totally disrespectful of the debate moderator and host.

Without any question, Jim Webb won this debate. It was a slaughter.

My favorite moment came at the end... George Allen's uncomfortable silence following a questions about some islands near Taiwan. (I'll admit I know nothing about them, but, then again, I'm not an incumbent U.S. Senator). That silence was golden. As Steven Colbert would say, the "dumb as a post" Allen was NAILED by Jim Webb.

Note to Allen: If you're going to associate Jim Webb with Hillary Clinton because she hosted one fundraiser for him, let's not forget YOUR close association with one Mark Foley of Florida.

Muted

2006-10-08T22:50:00.000-04:00

I guess it's been quite a while since I've posted. I've been spending my days being sick (better now but not well), enjoying our sweet, sweet rain and enjoying not feeling any impetus to use this blog to try and add one more voice to the chorus engaged in the Foley Fallout because Hastert, Reynolds, Boehner et al are doing a fine job keeping their power-frenzied hubris in the news themselves...

In other news, Senator Allen seems to be doing a bit better. He's found a way to be corrupt and wholly unworthy of representing our Commonwealth that DOESN'T involve bigotry! Just good old-fashioned greed.

Canvass X - Or, It All Comes Together

2006-10-01T00:59:00.000-04:00

Highest number of volunteers this cycle.
Highest number of voter contact attempts this cycle.
Highest number of live contacts this cycle.
And ALL the independents are still breaking our way.

Our remaining canvasses are going to seriously rock.

Tied

2006-09-29T22:06:00.000-04:00

The first poll that has any credibility showing Jim Webb not behind George Allen is out.

Mason-Dixon has found that 43 percent are supporting Allen, 43 percent are suppoting Webb, with 12 percent undecided (I have a hard time believing many of those will break towards Allen) and 2 percent supporting Gail Parker (presumably).

A few more days of this and I'll be officially ready to call the Senate for the Democrats.

Wow

2006-09-29T21:44:00.000-04:00

The things you miss when you're too busy to check the news....

First, some IM quotes....

52-year old pervert: Do I make you a little horny?
Teenage ~~girl~~ boy: A little.
52-year old pervert: Cool.

[...]

52-year old pervert: What ya wearing?
Teenage ~~girl~~ boy: tshirt and shorts
52-year old pervert: Love to slip them off of you.

The teenage ~~girl~~ boy is a 16 year old Congressional page. The 52 year old pervert is Congressman Mark Foley, Republican from Florida, who quickly resigned from Congress (duh) once these messages were made public.

Oddly, this Congressman was the chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's caucus and sponsored legislation this year to protect children from online exploitation by adults.

I've long held a theory about Republican projection. Their cries to protect the family and clean up government (remember the days when they could still say that) were because they were horrible to middle class families, and maybe even their own as well, and because they were hopelessly corrupt. It's the reason I think that Rick Santorum is a closet homosexual, that George Allen used to be a closet racist and Conrad Burns is, um, a closet firefighter?

It is absolutely no surprise to me that the top anti-child exploitation advocate in Congress is, in fact, exploiting children.

Anyway, Foley's name will be on the ballot in November, and while any votes he gets will go to his successor, I highly doubt the local Republicans will be successful in getting voters to vote for a pedophile.

Thank you Mr. Foley for getting us one step closer to regaining the House.

Sabato Confirms

2006-09-26T00:25:00.000-04:00

Nearly everyone has heard recent allegations that Sen. Allen DID use the "n-word," as he has previously denied.

Now, yet another former acquaintance of Allen has chimed in, confirming Allen's insensitive language.

And yet another person has also confirmed the story. Problem for the Allen campaign is that this person happens to be a highly regarded political analyst. The video is a little weak, but Larry Sabato makes it clear as day...

In His Element

2006-09-25T21:45:00.000-04:00

Yes, that is who you think it is on the right.

Canvass VIII/VIIIb/VIIIc/IX

2006-09-24T23:49:00.000-04:00

The UDems completely and totally kick ass.

We've covered (or coverage is impending) 100 percent of the Jack Jouett district, and beginning our second round, talking to people who weren't home the first time around, who were undecided or whose support was weak.

Still absolutely no evidence of any voter contact in our district from the GOP. Still the case that Republicans are very uncomfortable supporting their own candidates, and independents are almost completely breaking Democratic.

Win or lose, Virgil Goode and George Allen are both going to have a very tense evening on November 7th.

If you want to canvass, show up at Barracks Road Shopping Center at 9:30 AM any Saturday between now and the end of October. We meet between Kroger and the Bank of America. If you're a political veteran, we'd love to have you. If you've never spoken to a voter in your life, we'd still love to have you. If you CAN'T vote because you're too young or you're not a citizen, volunteering is a great way to make a difference.

He Took the Money

2006-09-20T22:56:00.000-04:00

I've had, for a month or so now, a quote from Virgil Goode, admitting that he accepted illegal campaign donations.

Now, Al Weed has a new ad hitting Virgil hard on the same thing.

Virgil Goode screwed Martinsville, one of the areas of the 5th that most needed his help. And he screwed them, just to line his campaign warchest. He took the money.

At best, if Virgil were a business student, and I were his professor, I would give him an F for being a complete and total idiot. That's the best case scenario. The worst, and I think the mostly likely, is that he enriched himself at Martinsville's expense.

For that, he should be run out of the 5th on a rail. Failing that, we can do the next best thing.

Support Al Weed for Congress.
DONATE / VOLUNTEER

Lessons in Politics

2006-09-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

A couple of primaries have been watched closely this cycle. First and foremost, of course, was the Connecticut Democratic senate primary between Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont. Another was the primary last week between Lincoln Chafee and Steve Laffey in Rhode Island.

But there was a little noticed primary in another New England state that, to me, exemplifies at least a third of what I believe is an effective winning electoral strategy.

While any successful campaign has a multitude of different facets, these three are what I believe are the biggies for any successful candidate. And of course, enumerating these three is massively oversimplifying them, as they all are deeply complicated.

The first is the candidate himself. I have become convinced that many voters will vote for someone they completely disagree with on the issues if they trust that person. While a component of this trust is incumbent on the candidate having experience, i.e. knowing what the hell they're doing, I don't think this is crucial. Just the perception of being trustworthy and competent makes a huge difference in a race.

There has been an incredible amount of talk over the past few years on framing. Framing, messaging, whatever. It's simple, if you control the issues, it benefits you in an incredible way. If Jerry Kilgore has been successful in making last year's race about the death penalty or immigration, he would be our Governor right now. But fortunately, Tim Kaine (and his incredibly talented group of staffers, I might add) was able to steer the debate in a different direction. I can't tell you how gratifying it was, after months of talking to people who weren't paying attention to the race, to have an average voter tell me my own talking points. We stayed on message. Kilgore tried to distract us, and the public. But we stayed on message, ferociously. And it worked.

But, the aspect of a campaign that was exemplified yesterday in Massachusetts was field. Field, field and more field. I've no doubt that the winner of yesterdays' primary is an incredibly genuine and disciplined candidate. But the story of campaign is his field program.

I've never quite trusted the importance of media. Sure, it's important, but if it were everything, I'd be campaigning for Harris Miller right now. Chris Gabrieli spent $8 million on television ads in his bid for Massachusetts governor. While this was enough to get him ahead of the former front-runner, Thomas Reilly, he was still slaughtered by Deval Patrick, who won an incredible 50% in a three way race.

While Patrick was probably ahead far enough he could have taken the last week off and still won, he didn't. For months, I've been hearing about his incredible grassroots effort. But the grassroots is just a glorified term for volunteer recruitment. And volunteers are the backbone of a good field program. You have staffers who are providing the direction of a campaign, and serving as role models and inspiration for the volunteers (I kid you not), but it is volunteers who talk to voters at their houses and on the phones. It is volunteers who go to supporters' homes on election day, and make sure they vote, no matter what, even if it means nagging them ceaselessly until it means they vote just to shut you up.

Being the former President of the Providence College Democrats, I'm still in the loop. So, I heard the call Monday night from the Patrick campaign, to make phone calls from a location in Providence for his race. Not only was he the only candidate to think to outreach to Democratic organization at a school whose student body is nearly half from Mass., but this was a candidate massively ahead in the polls still pulling out all the stops for his GOTV program.

This means two things for me. First, Deval Patrick knows how important a field program is. He knows he's in for a tough race between now and November 7th. He knows his opponent, just by being a Republican, will receive the benefit of a top-notch GOTV program. He knows that in a close race, as this one is likely to be, a top-notch GOTV program can, and probably will, make the difference.

But, even better, he saw his primarly for what is really was: a dry-run for Election Day. I would bet that Patrick and his staff are spending this very moment scouring precinct results and turnout numbers, looking for their strengths and weaknesses. And I would bet they will spend the next two months fixing the weak points and enhancing the strengths. And I would bet that's why Deval Patrick will be the next Governor of Massachusetts.

I need not remind you how important this would be, as it would be a Democratic pick-up. Not only would it be a black mark against Mitt Romney's Presidential aspirations, but, while I'm not sure of the exact powers of the Massachusetts governor, it can be crucially important when electoral vacancies or redistricting come up.

Now, I provide the following links with the understanding that if you live in Virginia, you will not use them unless you are prohibited by FEC regulations from donating to Jim Webb or Al Weed. Here goes...

Deval Patrick for Governor!
DONATE / VOLUNTEER

On 9/11

2006-09-14T01:41:00.000-04:00

Fortunately, I do not have any friends, relatives or even acquaintences killed or injured in the attacks. I merely spent the day, like everyone else, completely terrified. I guess I was lucky that way.

We've all seen the remembrances of the 9/11 victims over the past few days. Five years and three days ago were the attacks. Five years ago was my nineteenth birthday, also the national day of mourning. Suffice to say, it wasn't the best birthday.

Now, five years later, my 24th proves to be a little more pleasant. However, the victims have still not yet been completely honored. Their sacrifice has so far gone in vain.

Why, in a country where we prosecute petty criminals to the fullest extent of the law, is catching the worst perpetrator of mass murder in U.S. history "not a priority?"

Why are we fighting a war for unknown reasons against a country that had no role in the attacks?

Why do we refuse to fully support the men and women fighting in that war, either when they are overseas or when they return?

Why is border and airport security still radically insufficient?

Why are our ports still completely vulnerable?

Why are our intelligence services bogged down by politics and bureaucracy?

Why do we continue to act belligerent towards the entire world, including our allies?

Why are the attacks being used as justification for the largest breach of personal liberty in U.S. history?

Why are the attacks and the victims constantly used for political gain?

Five years later, the victims are still being disgraced. Until we stop using them for poltical benefit and make real reforms to protect our country, then they will continue to be disgraced. What good is their sacrifice when we don't take a single real step towards making our country and the world safer?

Anniversary

2006-09-14T01:35:00.000-04:00

In approximately eight hours and forty minutes, I will have been out in the world for twenty-four consecutive years. Go me.

Richards Gone

2006-09-14T01:05:00.000-04:00

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards has died after a bout with esophageal cancer.
Ann Richards was a phenomenal woman who serves as a role model for all Democrats, and a hero for all working people. She was one of the very first of the millions upon millions of victims of George W. Bush. We can all honor her on November 7th, the way I imagine she would most like to be honored.

No wonder we feel isolated and confused. We want answers and their answer is that 'something is wrong with you.' Well, nothing's wrong with you. Nothing's wrong with you that you can't fix in November!

We Democrats believe that America can overcome any problem... We believe that America is still a country where there is more to life that just a constant struggle for money. And we believe that America must have leaders who show us that our struggles amount to something and contribute to something larger-- leaders who want us to be all that we can be.

-Ann Richards, Democratic National Convention, 1988

One of the Best Ads I've Ever Seen

2006-09-14T00:23:00.000-04:00

Check this out...

George Allen voted against proper body armor for our troops in Iraq. This is unforgiveable. I can't imagine the heartbreak of families who have lost loved ones who would have lived had the people who sent them to Iraq actually done their jobs.

Visit Vote Vets, and if you can, help them get their message across the country.

Jimmy Speaks

2006-09-14T00:10:00.000-04:00

One of my personal heroes, President Jimmy Carter, has this to say about a sore loser in Connecticut...

He's been strongly in favor of the Iraqi war from the very beginning. He was one of the originators of the public statements that misled the American people into believing that the Iraqi war was justified. He's been an undeviating supporter of the war from the very beginning and still is. He's joined in with the Republican spokespersons by saying that Democrats who disagree are really supporting terrorism. So for all these reasons I've lost my confidence in Joe Lieberman and don't want to see him re-elected.

Indeed.

Work Work Work

2006-09-12T23:49:00.000-04:00

Monday... ten hours, thirty two minutes.
Tuesday... ten hours, eleven minutes.
Wednesday... twelve hours.

32 hours and 43 minutes of work in three days. Damn tiring. At least the last twelve will be fun.

New Poll

2006-09-10T22:41:00.000-04:00

We've already seen one poll that puts Jim Webb ahead of George Allen. Granted, that was one of the most questionable polls out there.

Now comes a poll from one of the best in the business, Mason-Dixon.

9/5-9/7 Likely Voters MoE 4% (7/25-7/27)
Allen 46 (48)
Webb 42 (32)

Look at those trend lines. Aren't they beautiful? In just over a month, the gap has dropped from 16 to 4. That's phenomenal. And this is the latest in a series of polls showing the race within the margin of error.

I don't care how much of an ideologue you are, or how stupid, there is no debating it. The Virginia Senate race is competitive. As with any well-funded and morally corrupt incumbent, Allen has and will likely continue to have the advantage until EDay, but for Jim Webb, this thing is definitely within reach.

Having Senators Like This Will Be Fun

2006-09-09T23:48:00.000-04:00

It's so nice to see people who aren't afraid to say what needs to be said... unequivocally.

George Bush let people die on rooftops in New Orleans because they were poor and because they were black.
-Claire McCaskill

THAT'S gotta sting...

Opines Frist:
It is totally unconscionable to suggest that the Coast Guard helicopter crews who worked hours long past regulation were intentionally leaving poor, black Americans to die on their rooftops … or that our National Guardsmen were discriminating against poor, black Americans as they struggled to deliver life-saving supplies and coordinate evacuation efforts ….or that President Bush didn’t do everything within his power to help the citizens of New Orleans regardless of class or color.

Did she say that the National Guard or Coast Guard units discriminated in their rescue efforts? Of course not. We all know many people did their best to save as many people as they could.

And we all know (even if we're not willing to admit it) who didn't. George Bush and his enablers, the Republicans in Congress. They were the ones that were slow to provide federal services. They were the ones that cut military budgets, leading to an inadequate levee system that could have very easily been fixed far before the storm, had the Army Corps of Engineers had the clearance to fix them.

And we all know that if this storm had threatened and ravaged a rich, white town, the outcome would have been far different. Yes, lives would be lost. That was inevitable. But certainly, the preparedness and the response would have been far different.

Claire is right. For almost six years we've had a President who is serving only a few of us. For six years we've been embroiled in a new gilded age. It's shameful, but this November is our first chance to do something about it.

Claire is challenging right-wing hack Jim Talent in Missouri's Senate race. If you want a real Senate, it's very important that Claire wins her race. It's close, but Jim Talent is powerful. She needs all the help she can get to go over the top.

CONTRIBUTE / VOLUNTEER

Canvass VI/VII/VIIb

2006-09-09T23:43:00.000-04:00

All I have to say is that Jack Jouett District democrats completely and totally kick ass.

Moral of the story lately... Democrats and Independents are behind Webb and Weed. Republicans are still undecided.

I can't wait until November 7th!

A Kindler, Gentler Klan, and Their Boy on Capitol Hill

2006-09-06T22:55:00.000-04:00

By now we've all seen this:

That's our Senator, George Felix Allen Jr., hanging out with some of the most despicable men our country has to offer.

This isn't some random photograph. Back in 1996, when the photo was taken, Allen knew exactly who the Council of Conservatice Citizens were and what their mission was.

From the Nation:
In 1996, when Governor Allen entered the Washington Hilton Hotel to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of conservative movement organizations, he strode to a booth at the entrance of the exhibition hall festooned with two large Confederate flags--a booth operated by the CCC, at the time a co-sponsor of CPAC. After speaking with CCC founder and former White Citizens Council organizer Gordon Lee Baum and two of his cohorts, Allen suggested that they pose for a photograph with then-National Rifle Association spokesman and actor Charlton Heston. The photo appeared in the Summer 1996 issue of the CCC's newsletter, the Citizens Informer.

According to Baum, Allen had not naively stumbled into a chance meeting with unfamiliar people. He knew exactly who and what the CCC was about and, from Baum's point of view, was engaged in a straightforward political transaction. "It helped us as much as it helped him," Baum told me. "We got our bona fides." And so did Allen.

And who are the Council of Conservative Citizens? What exactly do they believe? (I feel ashamed to have this website in my browser history, but here goes...)

From their "Statement of Principles..."

We believe that the United States derives from and is an integral part of European civilization and the European people and that the American people and government should remain European in their composition and character.

We therefore oppose the massive immigration on non-European and non-Western peoples into the United States that threatens to transform our nation into a non-European majority...

We also oppose all efforts to mix the races of mankind, to promote non-white races over the European-American people through so-called 'affirmative action' and similar measures, to destroy or denigrate the European-American heritage, including the Heritage of the Southern people, and to force the integration of the races.

[...]

We believe the United States is a constitutional republic... We support the abolition of those government agencies at the federal, state and local levels that have no constitutional foundation, including the U.S. Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Health and Human Services, and similar agencies.

[...]

We oppose the presence of homosexuals and women in the military services and especially of women in combat roles.

The CCC is, very simply, a hate group. They are a group who pretends to fight for the will of the founding fathers, but instead supports their own agenda of hate. This is a group that should be rejected from Virginia, but yet has enjoyed the support of Senator Allen.

Both the Southern Policy Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League classify the CC as a hate group. From the ADL...

The roots of the CCC rest in white opposition to integration during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The group is a successor to the Citizens' Councils of America (originally configured as the White Citizens' Councils), an overtly racist organization formed in the 1950s in reaction to the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision outlawing school segregation. Trumpeting the "Southern way of life," the CCA used a traditionalist rhetoric that appealed to better-mannered, more discreet racists; while the Klan burned crosses, the CCA relied on political and economic pressure.

[...]

The beliefs of the CCC fall within the racially charged tradition of its predecessor but reflect the contemporary fears of its constituency. Instead of segregation, CCC members focus on issues like interracial marriage, which the group calls "mongrelization of the races"; black-on-white violence; and the demise of white Southern pride and culture, best exemplified in the debate about the Confederate flag. Additionally, in its heightened rhetoric about the expropriation of states' rights by the federal government and by an impending "New World Order," the CCC shares some of the conspiratorial fears of modern militia groups and other right-wing conspiracy theorists.

The CCC is part of the very worst Virginia has to offer. And George Allen has publicly embraced it. Virginia is better than George Allen. George Allen doesn't deserve to live in Virginia, much less represent it in the US Senate. Every day that he serves as our Senator is a day we embrace racism and hatred, and I, for one, am not willing to accept that. If Jim Webb is not our Senator-elect on November 7th, it will be a sad, sad day, and an even sadder six years for all Virginians.

Vote Jim Webb on November 7th.
Until then, donate or volunteer. Link on the right.

I Think He Has the Wrong Playbook

2006-09-06T15:53:00.000-04:00

Damn, poor George Allen... he keeps finding new news of being an asshole. Almost like he's trying.

So, what do we have so far?

Bully? Check.
Racist? Check.
Xenophobe? Check.

And now he's found a new one. Plagiarist? You bet.

On the Senate floor, Allen asked to speak immediately before Sen. Dick Durbin was set to introduce an amendment. When he was granted permission, he introduced a bill IDENTICAL to the one that Durbin had already prepared and was about to introduce. The two amendments are identical, except that Allen changed one single word (that work must have been exhausting).

Honestly, this action is amazing. In the real world, this behavior is met with things such as expulsion, lawsuits and the like. Apparently in Allen's world, there are no ramifications for plagiarism, calling people "sissies" in public, personally insulting Virginians on the basis of their ethnicity or hanging out with the modern day Klan.

I have to admire Allen's tenacity. He shows us every single day that he doesn't deserve to be our Senator.

Sitter

2006-08-30T23:45:00.000-04:00

I tend to be particulary verbose here, but why the recent lack of posts? I spent the past two nights house/pet sitting for a friend without internet access. Or at least without accessible internet access.

Oye, what an experience.

During my junior year at PC, my room happened to be at the closest possible point to the new residence hall being constructed on campus. At 7 AM each morning I was treated to the sound of jackhammers, large trucks, cranes and other assorted very loud construction noises. Not cool. Especially when a beautifully cool Rhode Island evening would prompt me to go to sleep with my window open. Defininitely not cool.

While visiting this friend in the past, I noticed an office building being constructed. I didn't pay much attention until 7 AM sharp two nights ago when, yep, I heard those noises again. Damn. Is there some law that all construction must begin at 7 AM? Even on a college campus on Friday morning (our weekends tended to start, oh, Monday)? Is this universal?

And if that wasn't bad enough. Yesterday I worked until 10PM. I had to work at 8:30 today. Yes, 8:30 AM. We call that clopening. Not much time for sleeping, seeing as how I require a while to get settled before I sleep. So, at 5:30 this morning, the people I'm sitting for decide to come home! Two days ahead of schedule. Turns out they had a creepy experience whilst camping. But, up at 5:30 after four hours of sleep. And not much sleep the night before.

So, if you came to Whole Foods today and I was your cashier, and I seemed to be a bit... distant. It's because I was practically sleeping. Sorry.

Damn I'm tired.

Bullshit Apology

2006-08-26T01:17:00.000-04:00

I posted just yesterday on how politically beneficial the timing of George Allen's apology to S.R. Sidarth was.

Via Kos, it appears that indeed, that apology was totally insincere.

At an appearance in Springfield, Allen says "I want to be careful about the words I use," winks and smiles at the all-white Republican audience, and then proceeds to apologize.

Some apology.

On a side note, I swear Colonel Sanders was in that audience (check out the video via WaPo)

Unlikely Ally

2006-08-26T00:41:00.000-04:00

Way back when in 1993, during George Allen's gubernatorial campaign, there was a scandal involving Allen's affinity for a certain flag. No problem, he said, his confederate flag was just part of a "collection."

No, so, says his former neighbor. According to Bob Gibson in the Daily Progress:
Today, two former officials who visited Allen's log cabin home at different times recall only up to two flags displayed there, a Confederate flag and on an opposite wall, an American flag.

What surprises me is the identity of one of these officials... for School Board member and candidate for Supervisor, Gary Grant.

It turns out at a local campaign event, George Allen singled out Grant as a "sissy" for using a bicycle helmet. Grant, who bikes a great deal out of concern for the environment, didn't take kindly to being insulted for keeping himself safe.

During his remarks, Allen spotted me in the crowd and mentioned me as his former Earlysville neighbor... Then he made a public wisecrack about me with what he called, and I quote here, my 'sissy helmet.'

The interesting thing, not only is Allen willing to publicly insult someone he knows personally, but someone who he must know ran on the Republican ticket on last year's Board of Supervisor's election against Dave Slutzky.

But Mr. Grant picks up on the most important thing of all... Is it possible there's a trend here?

Of course there's a trend Mr. Grant. Mr. Allen has proven himself to be a racist bully.

Still a Racist Bastard

2006-08-25T00:37:00.000-04:00

So, it turns of George Felix "Macaca" Allen Jr. (damn, it just keeps getting longer) finally got around to apologizing to S.R. Sidarth for his racist remark last week. You know, a real apology. To Sidarth himself.

But was it really a real apology? Apparently not.

Not only does an apology ten days later not change the fact that Allen uttered a racist remark. A remark that confirmed what we all already knew, that Allen is and has always been a racist. A confederate-flag waving, noose loving racist, who is not fit to lead a state with a 26% minority population. (Perhaps Mr. Allen would be more comfortable here.)

But it turns out this apology was probably politically timed, coming right as George W. Bush appeared to raise money for his campaign, as Not Harry F. Byrd Sr.'s analysis at NLS points out.

Whether or not the timing of the call was intentional, it was definitely politically beneficial. And given the track record of Allen and campaign manager Dick Wadhams, I'd guess they were waiting for the right moment all along. I'd wager Allen's recent apology holds as much water as his first.

But on a different note, when a GOP Senator in a supposedly deep red state has to hide from the President, November 7th is going to be a wonderful night.

And Then There Were Eight

2006-08-25T00:19:00.000-04:00

It's official. The celestial body that acted very un-planet like isn't a planet.

Somehow it seems like third grade has just been invalidated.

Canvass V

2006-08-22T16:15:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, we completed our fifth (if I'm counting correctly) and the best canvass to date in the Jack Jouett District. While we did find more Republicans than usual, we did spend most of our time in the wealthiest part of the precinct and the support for Jim Webb and Al Weed was phenomenal.

This canvass was well planned, well organized and was executed flawlessly. I can't wait to see us get even better in our future canvasses.

Two Can Play That Game

2006-08-22T15:21:00.000-04:00

Any links between Iraq, Saddam Hussein and the September 11th attacks were disproven years ago. Yet, George Bush and various members of his administration refuse to stop linking 9/11 with the war on terror.

So, fine. War in Iraq and September 11th are inextricably linked. Maybe not then, but they are now, through the miracle of propaganda. I'll go along with that.

The press tends to focus on American military deaths when there's a particularly costly day, when a local citizen is killed or when the number of deaths reaches a nice, round number.

Right now, we stand at 2,611 American men and women who have died as a result of the war and subsequent occupation in Iraq.

And yet, despite strong disapproval of the war from the public as well as increasing calls for withdrawal from Congress, the President is pledging to "stay the course."

So, what's the next big, round number? 3000. But there's a much more important number, just before that. 2,996.

When U.S. military casualties reach the number of deaths on 9/11, will he continue to insist on using 9/11 as a justification for the Iraq war. Will he finally be held accountable for repeatedly employing this lie, when the ends cost more than the justification?

After all, who were the victims on September 11th? Average Americans of all stripes going about their jobs. And who are the soldiers in Iraq? Maybe a little more demographically predictable, but still average Americans from all backgrounds doing their jobs.

When their deaths number 2,996, as they certainly will if Bush refuses to withdraw during his administration, will there be any accountability? Will they even change the talking points, or will it just be business as usual?

Imagine...

2006-08-18T01:51:00.000-04:00

Remember January 2001, when George Bush was inaugurated President of the United States.

Remember your worst fears for this administration. The very worst ones. Did they even come close to what we're living in today?

January 20th, 2009 can't come soon enough.

Lieberman (R-CT)

2006-08-18T01:37:00.000-04:00

Basically, Joe Lieberman (R-CT) is now the official Republican Senate nominee in Connecticut.

The NRSC has confirmed that they will not support the actual Republican nominee, Alan Schlesinger.

They figure that since Schlesinger really does have no chance, having Lieberman is better than having Lamont. I have yet to hear a condemnation of these tactics from Lieberman, so, bascially, he is assenting. He is tacitly agreeing to be the Republican nominee for Senate in Connecticut. So sad to see a man so dedicated to power that he will forsake everything he supposedly believes in.

At least the DSCC is actually loyal to their own party. Since the August 8th primary, the DSCC and a vast majority of Democratic officials have publicly endorsed their own candidate, Ned Lamont. Even those with close personal connections to Lieberman, such as Al Gore and Chris Dodd, have endorsed Lamont.

But the NRSC, actually declining to support their own candidate? Absolutely shameless.

Canvass Report

2006-08-18T01:09:00.000-04:00

I didn't report on a few canvasses, but they all went well.

Our canvass last Saturday featured six volunteers. Myself, Adam Justus of the UDems, and our esteemed representative in the House of Delegates, David Toscano, were all there. We three paired up with three canvassers who were a little less experienced.

I dare say it was a perfect canvass.

The weather was pretty much perfect, but we were able to knock out the largest apartment complex in the Georgetown precinct.

And not one Goode or Allen supporter. We had a few people undecided, much much fewer that we should in mid-August. Everyone else was supporting our guys. And this in what should be one of the more conservative parts of the precinct.

That's been the pattern. A Republican here or there, but EVERYONE else either undecided or leaning Dem. And there have been MUCH fewer undecided voters than this time last year. Which means there isn't much of a choice. The voters recognize that they could have two representatives that will fight for good jobs, affordable healthcare, national security that actually protects us, and who will fight for all Virginians and not just Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.

November 7th at Albemarle High School is going to be a happening place! Can we break 80% this time? I think so. Damn, those are city numbers!

Striking Distance

2006-08-18T00:28:00.000-04:00

Kos is reporting that Rasmussen will soon report Jim Webb being only five points behind George Felix Allen.

This is big. Last year, around this time, Tim Kaine was several points behind Jerry Kilgore in the polls. What did we do? We worked our asses off. The fact is, Jim Webb has a positive message, and George Allen, well, nothing but macaca. This same poll had Webb down ten points last month. That's huge momentum, and if we try hard enough, we can keep it going. And it's crucial that we do.

Jim Webb is our single best shot to take control of the Senate this year.

Remember these names....
Senator Casey
Senator Whitehouse
Senator Brown
Senator McCaskill
Senator Tester

These are the Dems five best pickup opportunities, but if all five win, and I think they will, that means the Senate results in a 50-50 tie. And Cheney gets the tie-breaker. If we take the Senate, it happens in Tennessee, Arizona or Virginia.

In Tennessee we have a candidate with decent fundraising ability and an open seat, but he is several points behind the Republican and this is Frist's seat. A longshot.

Jim Pederson looked like a great candidate to take on Jim Kyl, but for whatever reason, his campaign is having trouble getting off the ground.

And we have Virginia.

I'll say it plainly. If we want to take control of the Senate and start damage control until we can get a Democrat in the White House, we have to make Jim Webb our next Senator. No, I didn't say support. I didn't say elect. I said make him. Of the three races that will give us a majority, Jim Webb's is the only one that is close. But we need to get out there like we were twenty points behind and our lives depended on it. Because with a potential for three simultaneous wars and national security a joke, it just might.

We need to make sure Jim Webb is our next Senator. We're going to face an incredible fundraising disadvantage, a top-notch GOTV program and dirty, dirty campaigning. In fact, we've already seen it.

But if we get that message out there, if everyone hears the positive message of Jim Webb and the Democratic Party, there is no way that George Allen and his party of greed and negativity can win. No way.

That's why we need to help. You and I. Every voter in this Commonwealth is bombarded with mailings, advertisements, press coverage, and all sorts of confusing and misleading rhetoric. But when they go to the polls, the one real piece of information in their mind might be that one conversation with you, over the phone or at their door, over why you think it's important to get Jim Webb and Al Weed elected.

Volunteer or donate to a campaign this year. Preferably both. It's easy. Just do what you're comfortable with and talk about what you know. Both Jim Webb and Al Weed need your help, and your helping them will go a long way to fixing this country.

If you are a brand new volunteer or an experienced veteran, join us this Saturday, the 19th, in the Barrack's Road parking lot between the Kroger and the Bank of America. 9:30 AM. We'll be talking to voters in the Georgetown precinct.

There might be a reason I've skipped all the blogger gatherings so far. It's because I want you to meet me whilst canvassing.

Classic

2006-08-16T02:34:00.000-04:00

Right now, I have, in my refrigerator, simultaneously, the oldest American beer (1829) and the oldest beer in the world (1040).

It doesn't get much better than that.

On Felix

2006-08-16T01:09:00.000-04:00

By now, everybody and their grandmother has commented on the George Allen "macaca" flap.

But, being a shameless politician, I have to say my piece to give this story as much traction as possible.

First of all, thank you George Allen. The young man you insulted is a Democrat at UVA. Now, being college students, the UDems are understandably sometimes difficult to organize, especially in the Albemarle Dems' canvassess, that traditionally take place on Saturday mornings. But now you've viciously attacked one of their own. Thank you for giving the UDems one of the best possible motivations for personally kicking your ass from now until November 7th. As a precinct captain who will be working closely with these guys, I appreciate it. I really do.

Thank you also, Felix, for confirming what we suspected, that you are indeed a racist.

The two possible meanings for "macaca"
1) A genus of monkeys.
2) A french racial-slir for North Africans. (which Allen would likely know given his Tunisian background)

Either way... one a racist symbol and the other an overt slur, it looks like George Allen is indeed, a racist.

The scary thing is that he welcomes the Indian guy in the audience to Virginia, as if it's somehow unbelievable that someone of Indian descent isn't just off the boat. Fact is, Mr. Sidarth, the man targeted by Allen, was born right here in the Commonwealth. Who can't claim that distinction? That's right... George Allen.

Then, today, in his so-called "apology," Allen claims that he was somehow referring to the fact that his opponent, Jim Webb, had never seen the "real" part of Virginia.

Funny. Not only does Jim Webb have a deep family connection to Southwest Virginia, but I've seen him campaign all across the state, from big cities to little hamlets... anywhere there are Virginians. In fact, I've even seen him a few times in our little burg. If there's anyone who isn't in touch with "real" Virginians, it's George Allen, who apparently has no problem robbing the poor to pay the rich and sending our citizens to die in Iraq.

I Don't Understand...

2006-08-11T23:56:00.000-04:00

People are still alive that suffered through the Holocaust. How could our society have such a short memory?

A new Gallup poll finds that many Americans... harbor negative feelings or prejudices against people of the Muslim faith...

Almost four in ten, 39%, advocate that Muslims here should carry special I.D.

This sounds somewhat familiar. Oh, yeah, that's right...

People are still alive that suffered through the Holocaust. How could our society have such a short memory?

But, there is one glimmer of sense in the article...

In every case, Americans who actually know any Muslims are more sympathetic.

Bush administration scare-mongering at work, ladies and gentlemen. Any hint of truth shows it to be pure bullshit.

Plastic, Apparently

2006-08-09T18:24:00.000-04:00

Recently, the Customer Service team at Whole Foods Market took some time on the hottest day of the year to clean up a portion of Schenk's Branch from McIntire Park to Charlottesville High School's softball field. Here we are in all our post-cleaning glory!

Plastic bags, bottles and cans were by far the most common commodity. More unusual items included various intimate types of clothing, the longest hose I've ever seen, a golf club, several plastic balls from a kids play pen (the kind you find at various fast food restaurants), a large piece of chain link fence and the type of large wooden reels used to hold coaxial cable.

I used to be a death penalty opponent, but I now believe throwing packing peanuts into a creek should be a capital offense.

Joe Lieberman: Dead to Me

2006-08-09T01:16:00.000-04:00

People paying WAY too much attention to this blog may have noticed the "On Notice" and "Dead to Me" lists on the right. Besides being an homage to Stephen Colbert, this is a way to share who has pissed me off lately (though I won't add people lightly).

Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was simply on notice because while he has a better voting record than some loyal Democratic Senators, has been publically enabling the President, been disastrously wrong on foreign policy and during his primary versus Democratic nominee Ned Lamont, hinted that he might be a sore loser following the primary.

Indeed, it came to pass:

"I called Ned Lamont and congratulated him on his success today... We've just finished the first half and the Lamont team is ahead. In the second half, our team... is going to surge forward in November." -Joe Lieberman

Wanker. Not only does this make our former VP nominee seem about as mature as a petulant kindergartner, but it could have negative ramifications...

In a two way race, Ned Lamont becomes Senator Lamont easily. But, a three way race could create traction for a Republican candidate. In a year when we have a chance to take back the Senate, or at least get close, it would be disastrous to have to spend money in what should be a safe seat.

Furthermore, as we witnessed in the recent Harris Miller / Jim Webb race, the loser of a primary is supposed to SUPPORT HIS PARTY. Lieberman claims to still be a Democrat, but if he gave a damn about the Democrats, he would be lending his own resources to the party's nominee.

But no, Lieberman decides to invalidate the primary, hurt his party and give the GOP a chance just to protect his fragile little ego. Here's hoping Chris Dodd can talk him out of this insanity. Until that time, Joe Lieberman is dead to me.

He's a Wuss!

2006-08-08T00:47:00.000-04:00

I commented previously on Senator Conrad Burns' savage attack on a group of Virginia firefighters.

Since then, the story has had some traction, and people in Virginia, Montana and everywhere in between have shown their support for the Augusta Hotshots and for others like them who are willing to go where needed and help to defend people's homes and lives.

Everyone, it seems, except for George Allen.

The Hotshots were engaged in a grueling task. They were thousands of miles away from home battling massive fires in the middle of a dangerous heat wave. The job is extremely difficult and, from what I've read, is most akin to a major military operation. This is a group of guys who travel across the country, wherever they're needed. California, Montana, Ground Zero in NYC, wherever. And they're paid $10-$12 an hour for the priviledge. Obviously they do it because they care. I'm sure they could all find much more comfortable jobs making at least that much.

Does George Allen care? Apparently not.

Did he issue a statement condemning Conrad Burns' remarks? No. Did he issue a statement supporting the Augusta Hotshots and other firefighters? Nope. Did he say a damned thing? Not a word.

The Daily Press reports on an exchange (damn they're on a roll lately) between their editorial board and Senator Burns' office...

The young man (very young, we surmise) who answered the phone responded with language that would make a sailor, maybe even Burns himself, blush. Imagine a 'South Park' tirade in full force, laced with assorted colorful obscenities, and you get the idea.

'And you can tell Sen. George Allen of Virginia to [vulgarity deleted],' said Burns' spokesman.

This Allen guy is quite a character. We already know he's a greedy hypocrite and is probably a racist. Now it turns out he's also spineless (as if the 97% agreement with George Bush wasn't enough of a hint).

How can a Senator have one of his colleagues publically and unfairly berate his constituents and keep his mouth shut? How can that same Senator have his colleague's representative shout insults at him and just sit back?

This guy is supposed to be one of our leaders. When someone attacks his constituents, he's supposed to defend them. He's supposed to congratulate these firefighters, say to the world that they did a damned fine job and that anyone who says otherwise is full of it. And if having vulgarities publically directed at him isn't enough motivation to say something, then all hope is lost.

Pro-Life Inc.

2006-08-08T00:22:00.000-04:00

The News Virginian has this little nugget about our esteemed Senator, Mr. George Felix Allen Jr.

We are troubled, however, that Allen is profiting off a drug that many of his evangelical supporters consider a form of abortion. Allen is staunchly pro-life yet owns stock in Barr Laboratories, makers of Plan B, or the morning-after contraceptive pill, according to his financial disclosure report.

So, Felix? You make no pretention of representing me. No, your office has made that abundantly clear. Your lot is with the evangelicals, and whatever poor moderate souls you can find whose are too busy to see through your smarmy act. You're one of the types that can't stand destroying a fetus, but has no problem blowing up babies on another continent.

But you have a mistress! Oh my! All the while you are professing your undying devotion to clumps of cells, you were profiting from the other side! Oh, I know you will try to justify it by saying you were profiting off of the drug industry, which you know will do just fine after you and your colleagues voted to enrich them even though they weren't in jeopardy...

Maybe even you supported abstinence only sex education, fully knowing that teen sex rates would skyrocket, and sales of Plan B would increase exponentially.

But I forget. That's not it. That can't be it. You're not that smart. You're just a hypocrite!