BlogNetNews.com » Virginia

Too Conservative: Rumors are swirling about the FCRC…

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:45:59 -0500

Number of comments: 2

My sources tell me that there’s a high likelihood Fairfax County Republican Committee chair Anthony Bedell will follow Glen Caroline’s lead and not run for reelection. Given the behind the scenes criticism and constant second guessing from naysayers over the last years, I can’t say that I blame him. I [...]

Citizen Tom: MATH INVESTIGATIONS: HOW IS IT DOING?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:39:26 -0500

Some time back I took an interest in Math Investigations, another new way to teach math to children. As near as I could tell, this newfangled technique did not have much to recommend it. Unfortunately, Prince William County Schools had adopted this technique. So when a group of parents objected with much more [...]

Fishersville Mike: A question I'd like to see

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:39:00 -0500

NRO's Campaign Spot wants to see the ultimate angry voter question in a polling story.
I kept waiting for the last question to reveal something like, "54 percent said that if the bill passes, they will form an angry mob, collect torches and pitchforks, and storm the castle."
[...]

SWAC Girl: SWACers out and about at historic Depot Grille in Staunton

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:24:00 -0500

SWAC "StrictlyVa" bloggers paused in the middle of animated conversation during dinner Thursday night at the Depot Grille as our waiter, Bill, snapped this photo.

Christmas tree welcomes guests inside the door.

Wine cellear [...]

Where's Eric Cantor?: Hiding Behind the Flag

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:42:46 -0500

Col. Van Barfoot, a Henrico resident and Medal of Honor winner who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, got into a clash with his homeowners’ association, which forbade him from flying a flag outside of his property. Senators Warner and Webb both intervened on his behalf, White House [...]

Virginia Virtucon: Noxious Chemical Spill at Virtucon!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:40:14 -0500

There Goes the Neighborhood Thanks to the good people here for their kind welcome. I am excited to bring my own “solvent” approach to the Virtucon team, even if my posting opportunities are limited. Briefly, about me: I’ve been living in Fairfax County for about eight years, but grew up in Maryland. I’m [...]

Red NoVA: Worst campaign of 2009?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:36:10 -0500

Creigh Deeds is winning by a landslide. Click here. [...]

Citizen Tom: THE LOGIC OF WORDS

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:28:36 -0500

Lawyers are wordsmiths. Lawyers may know little about science, art, or theology, but the legal profession requires that lawyers understand the logic of words. That perhaps explains the latest piece of chicanery now working its way through Congress. Earlier this week came news of the decision by the power-hungry Environmental Protection Agency that carbon dioxide, [...]

Isophorone: Major Chemical Spill Reported on Virginia Political Blog

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:03:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
There Goes the Neighborhood

The good people at Virginia Virtucon have invited me to be a contributor. Watch out for the occasional words of wisdom to be shared over there.

Thanks for the invitation and for the kind welcome! [...]

Sun Versus Wind: Astroturf mob with torches

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:02:34 -0500

All that’s missing are the white sheets and pitch forks. I can’t think of anything more un-American than storming the court house steps with fire. Had they been even the slightest bit enthusiastic about this gathering I would be afraid that violence would break out. I guess they were [...]

Blue Commonwealth: Go Figure: Goldman Sachs Gets "High Marks" Regardless of Profligacy

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:40:04 -0500

According to an article here, Goldman Sachs is the most admired securities firm in the world according to Forbes . And it's listed 5th overall.

Here are the rankings on some of the lists. Goldman "is"

? 40th on Fortune 500
? 136th on the Global 500
? 1 in Securities on [...]

The Richmonder: Christmas at Maymont Park

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:35:00 -0500

Here are some photos from last Saturday at Richmond's Maymont Park. Daylight tours of the Maymont House decorated for a Victorian Christmas are still available. Tickets for Maymont by Moonlight have apparently sold out, though a waiting list is available.

[...]

Barticles: Big Medical Problems

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:52:16 -0500

It’s always been amusing to hear professional bodybuilders who look like former Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman here say they are all-natural weightlifters who don’t use steroids or growth hormones.

(The drug-free guys look more like this.)

Now, it turns [...]

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems: TrafficLand’s Real Time Traffic Cameras Come to Bing Maps

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:35:00 -0500

One of our favorite resources, both personal (to avoid traffic) and professional (to demo a truly real-time service) is TrafficLand.com. The service aggregates (usually by city or region) thousands of live traffic cameras from around the globe. It’s one thing to hear a traffic report that is likely a few [...]

Now At The Podium: Controversial? Kelly is new Notre Dame Football Coach

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:34:00 -0500

Apparently, it's official now. Brian Kelly, currently head coach at the University of Cincinnati, is going to be the next head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

I mention this because there had been controversy within the higher-ups at Notre Dame over the fact that Kelly is [...]

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems: USDOT leadership approves the 2010-2014 ITS Strategic Research Plan

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:29:00 -0500

Today, Shelley Row, Director ITS Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), made an announcement via the ITS JPO Website declaring that the ITS Management Council has approved the Department’s next five-year ITS Strategic Research Plan.
.
More at YPT
[yptblog.wordpress.com] [...]

Barticles: Was It, Or Wasn’t It?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:28:29 -0500

Reports continue to say 1998 was the warmest year on record:

If 2009 ends as the fifth-warmest year, it would replace 2003. According to NASA, the other warmest years since 1850 have been 2005, 1998, 2007 and 2006.

So what happened to this [...]

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems: New site lists open data apps, agencies

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:22:00 -0500

The folks behind WalkScore have launched a new service, City-Go-Round, which lists mobile and Web applications using open data sources to help people get around cities.
.
More at Greater Greater Washington
[greatergreaterwashington.org] [...]

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems: Metro to upgrade terror-detection system

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:19:00 -0500

Metro will upgrade and expand its security and surveillance and early detection systems under a new contract with Smiths Detection.
.
More at Washington Business Journal
[washington.bizjournals.com] [...]

Blue Virginia: Hurt Says "Ouch" To A Convention

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:16:00 -0500

This is hilarious.
Six candidates for the Republican Party’s nomination to oppose Rep. Tom Perriello said Wednesday they want 5th District Republicans to use the convention method of selecting the party’s candidate rather than a primary election.

The seventh Republican candidate, state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, prefers [...]

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems: D.C. junks car safety inspections: Will others, too?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:16:00 -0500

While budget-strapped governments are hunting down any expendable "fat" in their budgets, some car-safety experts worry that one local government's cutback could trigger a trend that leaves cars with faulty brakes and worn-out wipers on the road.
.
More at Drive-On
[www.usatoday.com] [...]

Blacknell.net: Arlington Street Naming

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:10:18 -0500

Another interesting post over at GreaterGreaterWashington – an explanation of Arlington’s street naming methodology.

[...]

Now At The Podium: Count Me In...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:07:00 -0500

To think, I was never a big fan of ol' Dubya, but I'd be one of the 44% that would prefer him to Obama right now. [...]

Barticles: Are Liberals Useless?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:05:59 -0500

I certainly don’t think so. But dyed-in-the-wool radicals apparently do. Read, then fight among yourselves.

[...]

Blue Commonwealth: @Organizing 2.0

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:04:07 -0500

originally posted by Will Urquhart at Sum of Change

Last weekend, I attended the Organizing 2.0 conference in New York, put together by Charles Lenchner of the Working Families Party. This conference brought people together to hear from some of the greatest minds in the online organizing world. I [...]

Now At The Podium: Reid: Take the Weekend Off so I Can do Fundraising

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:00:00 -0500

Senate Majority Leader Harry "Weasel" Reid wants the Senate to "take the weekend off" because he sees no point in working through the weekend while debating the new health care bill.

The real reason...he has a $1000/plate fundraising dinner to attend on Saturday, the funds go towards his [...]

X Curmudgeon: HELP!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:41:00 -0500

We loved this photo, which a friend sent us. Her sister's friend hung a dummy from the roof. She had to take it down after two days for fear of causing a traffic accident and because a few people tried to effect "rescues" (and weren't' [...]

We will RockDem: Alternative Energy will Fuel the New Economy

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:39:00 -0500

Click image for larger view
[...]

Now At The Podium: Oh, Here We Go...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:35:00 -0500

I was waiting for something like this to come out...that Tiger's "shunning" of being black is why he doesn't have the black community lining up to defend him like they did with O.J., Barry Bonds, etc..., and that he wouldn't be in this position if he just said "I'm'" [...]

United Conservatives: I WON!!!!!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:54:00 -0500

AGAIN!!!

Endangered? I got your "endangered" RIGHT HERE!

Cowboy Blob has very discerning taste..... [...]

United Conservatives: Quote of the Day

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:50:00 -0500

Legislation doesn’t create jobs, mein Fuehrer. Well, other than the kind of useless make-work you’ve been doing your whole life, I mean.
From Cold Fury

h/t Tam [...]

Avenging Archangel: RAC December 10, 2009

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:49:00 -0500

Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this afternoon. The meeting lasted about an hour.

The RAC elected new Officers for 2010. Preston Midgett will become Chairman, with Ken Taylor now term limited out. Preston has served as Chairman of the RAC's Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) for [...]

Barticles: Through the Fog

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:40:57 -0500

This excellent piece cuts through the backroom-deliberation fog to explain why the debate over a public option and abortion coverage are sideshows: The real killers in health-care reform are guaranteed issue, the individual mandate, and the government-overseen exchange—all of which will make insurance more expensive while [...]

I'm Surrounded By Idiots: My agnosticism towards the tea party movement validated once again.

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:21:59 -0500

Does anyone consider this rhetoric attractive? (The Free Lance–Star):

Members of the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party and questions about health care greeted Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-Montross) at a gathering Tuesday night in his hometown.

“Where in the Constitution is government charged with protecting people’s health?” asked Catherine [...]

Blue Virginia: Rob Wittman Agrees: Health Care Reform Like "Gang Rape"

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:21:00 -0500

This is truly astounding.
"The federal government is gang-raping the people," said Mark Carpenter of Acorn, a Westmoreland County community--not the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

"We're headed where the people will have no recourse but to take things into their own hands," said' [...]

snapped shot: The Elder Rules

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:20:41 -0500

The Elder of Ziyon and his team of blogging ninjas have put together a list of 349 Palestinian terrorists which were "accidentally" included on a list of civilians killed by Israel.

How I missed it the first time, I don't really know--t'was a rough time of year for Ye [...]

On The Right: Dave Marsden wants a tax vote do-over

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:18:48 -0500

FAIRFAX – Democratic candidate for the Virginia Senate, Dave Marsden, who sometimes rents a room in the 37th District, has assaulted voters with a direct mailing that disingenuously pegs him as a low-tax stalwart, while conveniently ignoring his own recent history of supporting massive tax increases as a member of [...]

Pilot on Politics: McDonnell to visit Hampton Roads Chamber

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:17:31 -0500

Next week, Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell will deliver a keynote address at the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting, the group announced in a statement Thursday. ' [...]

Virginia Virtucon: Hiding the decline: Alaskan edition

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:58:33 -0500

Number of comments: 1
Just in case you think the data manipulation was relegated to the Australian Outback, Dr Richard Keen of the University of Colorada has some illuminating analysis on temperature data in Alaska (Air Vent via Andrew Bolt, emphasis added by Bolt): My averages show that the past three decades have shown no warming [...]

snapped shot: Life Imitates Art

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:58:17 -0500

A micro-apartment in New York City that closely resembles an episode of Futurama?

All for the low-low price of $150,000? And they call us Southerners ignorant...

But seriously, folks: The only surprise I can see here is that nobody named "Moonbeam" is involved. (h/t Insty)

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[...]

Right-wing liberal: Hiding the decline: Alaskan edition

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:57:30 -0500

Barticles: WMDs and Climate

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:49:34 -0500

In response to Tuesday’s column, a reader offers some good backstory and additonal thoughts:

As a former CIA analyst/manager, I have given in the past a course on “Intelligence Failures: From Pearl Harbor to Iraq
WMD,“ and will give it again at the Shepherd’s Center this winter. [...]

BLACK VELVET BRUCE LI: Huh?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:23:50 -0500

This has got to be the front-running nominee for the most obtuse and incomprehensible sentence ever published in a newspaper:

The amendment would do away with a requirement that adding trailers on existing school property to bypass a “public facility review” by the Planning Commission.

Some of us might actually want [...]

Barticles: This Is Getting Ridiculous

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:14:51 -0500

Tiger Woods’ personal life ought to be his own business, IMHO. The appetite people have for staring at car wrecks, literal or metaphorical, is a little disturbing in its own right. Now we have the Daily Mail putting this online:

DO YOU KNOW ANY WOMEN LINKED TO TIGER [...]

Tidewater Liberty: Climategate in Plain Language

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:10:18 -0500

It has been nearly a month since we learned of a number of Emails between important contributors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which reveal a conspiracy to defraud governments and the people on the nature, certainty and importance of Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW,) that is human influence [...]

Virginia's 5th District: Cantor Hold’s Fundraiser For Hurt

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:09:12 -0500

State Senator Robert Hurt was in Washington DC yesterday for two reasons. I was told one of those reasons was to meet with party officials to see how to do damage control concerning the perception that he is a tax and spend Republican. The other reason was to attend a [...]

VA Social Conservative: What is our priority for next year?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:49:00 -0500

In a recent interview Erick Erickson made news by saying that his number one goal for 2010 is beating the Republican establishment.

Those are sentiments I definitely concur with. Some argue our end goal must be electing Republicans, and after the nomination contests are over that [...]

snapped shot: Dump Tabs

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:45:12 -0500

I'm never going to get caught up if I don't get these outta my browser:

* Yoni Tidi notices that Hamas has been given plenty of time to prepare for its next act of organized insurrection against Israel. "Offensive" tunnels doesn't sound like a really good idea, but imagine my' [...]

Fishersville Mike: Big pain in the butt

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:40:00 -0500

Andrew Breitbart talked about his plans for new websites, joining Big Government and Big Hollywood.
By the time he's through, he'll be a Big Pain in the Butt for the mainstream media.
h/t Instapundit' [...]

Anti-BVBL: “A Just and Lasting Peace” : Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:31:14 -0500

This morning, just before 6 am our time, President Barack Obama received and accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. Many people, probably including the president himself, were caught off-guard over when this award was announced last summer. President Obama had not been in office all that long.

How can this award be anything but [...]

United Conservatives: Chain of Command.......not so much.

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:28:00 -0500

"Confusion to the enemy!" used to be a military toast. Apparently, the Taliban have picked up the habit of drinking......

“Is that really what you think your mission is?”

Our country is in the VERY BEST of hands......

I weep [...]

snapped shot: Caption Does Not Compute

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:11:45 -0500

Says the Associated Press:

Cuba's government's supporters shout slogans in favor of Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a march organized by dissidents to commemorate the Human Rights Day in Havana, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

At first, I was befuddled by this caption, as "dissidents" is traditionally defined as [...]

Blue Virginia: GOP "Insiders" Most Impressed With Bob McDonnell; Dem's Say Mark Warner Has "Brightest Future"

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:05:00 -0500

Hotline has a preview of tomorrow's National Journal "Insiders' Poll." There are a couple of Virginia-related findings worth noting.

First, when asked "Which member has the brightest future?", Democratic "Congressional Insiders" rank Mark Warner second (with 13% of the vote) while Democratic "Political Insiders" rank Warner' [...]

Pilot on Politics: McDonnell taps Lt. Gov. Bolling, two others

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:46:15 -0500

Fulfilling a pledge he made on the campaign trail, Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell Thursday announced that Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will serve in his cabinet as Virginia's job czar -- Bolling's official title will be Chief Job Creation Officer. ' [...]

snapped shot: Obama's Nobel Speech?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:44:52 -0500

Just to satisfy my curiosity, I cranked it through the ever-useful Wordle, and came up with the graph you see above. (Unfortunately, it crashed before I could save it to the gallery, so I can't link it as nicely as I usually do.)

If I were a' [...]

Roanoke Valley Republicans: Roanoke County Recount - Altizer Wins

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:29:00 -0500

A lot of you were aware that there was a recount going on in Roanoke and some have asked me why we haven't commented on this blog. The answer - I was representing one of the parties so I didn't think it was appropriate for me to comment.

Mike [...]

Virginia's 5th District: Rutherford Institute Petitions Perriello to Move Office

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:17:52 -0500

Number of comments: 1
Press Release from the Rutherford Institute 12/10/2009 Rutherford Institute Urges Congressman Perriello to Relocate Offices to Accommodate Constituents’ First Amendment Rights CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– In a letter to Congressman Tom Perriello, John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, has voiced the concern that the location of Perriello’s Charlottesville office is interfering with his [...]

snapped shot: The Christmas Saturn of Virginia

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:05:11 -0500

Filed under Things Brian Is Thinking About Doing With His '07 Saturn Aura.

Thanks for the chuckle, Mike!

-->

' [...]

snapped shot: The Now-Defunct Editor & Publisher

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:58:28 -0500

Word has it that Nielsen has ceased publication of the industry insider rag "Editor & Publisher."

Where in the devil am I going to go for my hardcore leftist preening now?

Update: An old-time traditionalist (whom I respect greatly) mourns the loss. While I can certainly respect the [...]

Tertium Quids: First 5th District Republican Debate

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:42:00 -0500

Number of comments: 3
It looks like the first debate between candidates in the crowded field for the Republican nomination in Virginia's 5th District is set for Jan. 22nd, 2010.The event is scheduled to take place in Charlottesville at Albemarle County's Lane Auditorium from 7 to 9 PM. Its format will be determined in [...]

Now At The Podium: Rand Paul Promises to Introduce Downsize DC Agenda

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:41:00 -0500

This the stuff I want to hear! Time to break out the old endorsement panel for the son of liberty's best friend.

The agenda includes...

The Read The Bills Act (make Congress read the bills before they debate and vote)
The One Subject At [...]

Virginia Right!: Heres Eric Cantor – Never Ask Again With WhipCast

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:35:37 -0500

Eric Cantor has released a cool new BlackBerry application that keeps Republicans up to date on the latest areas of concern in Washington, and gives the Cantor impaired whiners among us no further reason to inquire as to his whereabouts. (Somehow, one must believe they will [...]

Blue Virginia: David Englin: Virginia GOP To "Demonstrate Right-Wing Chops" For "Tea Party Crowd?"

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:26:00 -0500

Good for Del. David Englin (D-45) for making the following point:
...while attempts to thwart the federal government are a perennial effort in Richmond, the General Assembly will be weighted with more anti-Washington Republicans next session than in previous years.

Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell ran on a [...]

The Contemporary Conservative: Seriously? Congress doesn't have more important things on their plate right now.

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:23:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
I love football but seriously, Congressional bill for a NCAA Division I Football payoff, Come On. From the AP: House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine its national champion, over the objections of some lawmakers who said Congress has [...]

Armchair Generalist: Continuing Bad Policy Decisions

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:21:00 -0500

Once again, there appear to be parts of the Obama administration who don't seem to understand that they can, in fact, reverse stupid decisions made in the previous administration. From Defense News (subscription required):

The United States and Poland have drawn up an [...]

The Contemporary Conservative: Reid Asks Republicans for Weekend Off, Has Big Easy Fundraiser to Get To - The Note

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:18:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
From ABCNews: Lawmakers worked all last weekend on Democrats' health reform bill and they worked the Saturday before Thanksgiving and all signs indicated they would work this coming weekend too....But Reid, who wants to get a healthcare bill finished by Christmas, urged Republicans on the Senate floor to forego a' [...]

Bacon's Rebellion: "Fair and Balanced" Deficit Blame

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:11:00 -0500

Number of comments: 4

Since bashing deficit spending is now de rigueur for some on this blog, especially the Baconator himself, I thought it might be interesting to note what the Huffington Post and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities have to offer on the topic.
True, they [...]

Now At The Podium: C'mon Dems, When Does Enough Become Enough?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:08:00 -0500

Congressional Democrats to raise debt ceiling by as much as $1.8 trillion in 2010.

You know, all the progressive taxation in the world wouldn't corral the debt load that your crew of power-tripping leftists are leading us into. Even if we were to cease military operations in Iraq' [...]

Virginia Virtucon: McDonnell Makes More Appointments

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:46:23 -0500

Bill Bolling – Chief Jobs Creation Officer Bob Sledd – Secretary of Commerce and Trade Janet Polarek – Secretary of the Commonwealth Full Press Release For Immediate Release: December 10, 2009 McDonnell Announces Additional Appointments to Administration Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling to Serve in Cabinet as Chief Jobs Creation Officer RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced additional [...]

Avenging Archangel: Transit Station Planning Workshop

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:34:00 -0500

Last night there was a station planning workshop for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. I'm told "about 50" people were at last week's session at the Westin. Last night there were about half that number at the opening, with more drifting in later.
[...]

The Shad Plank: McDonnell taps Bolling Sledd and Polarek

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:32:41 -0500

Here's the release click below for their bio's. Gov.elect Bob McDonnell announced that Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling will serve in his Cabinet as Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer. He appointed noted Richmond-area businessman Robert Sledd as Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Finally, he named longtime senior staff member, Janet Polarek,' [...]

snapped shot: Symbolic Failure

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:04:53 -0500

Observation #1: It's truly fitting to note that a light in the sky that was taken as some (idiots) to be a sign of Obama's greatness turns out to be a Russian missile failure.

Observation #2: Being internet-friendsy with an honest-to-goodness missile insider is fricking cool. Over where [...]

snapped shot: It's a Double Honor!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:51:50 -0500

Finally, an FMJRA award for little old us, since we're in shameless obedience to Rule #2!

Step one, be shameless. Step two, blog. Step three, ???. Step four, PROFIT!

RSM has also penned a hilarious outtake on the University of Alberta nutjo..... "researcher" from yesterday which you' [...]

Tertium Quids: Dave Englin's "concerned"

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:46:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
Democratic Del. Dave Englin is worried about Del. Bob Marshall's health care bill:"I'm concerned about it because we have a number of newly elected Republicans who came in on the shoulders of the tea party crowd," said Del. Dave Englin, D-Alexandria, referring to the conservative anti-tax movement. "I'm concerned that" [...]

BLACK VELVET BRUCE LI: Open Thread

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:43:51 -0500

Number of comments: 3

There are lots of things I haven’t had the chance to write about this week that are obvious targets of intense discussion, and this is your chance to start the ball rolling. From the nutcase who failed to shoot his teacher at NVCC with a Marlin 30.06 and had it [...]

snapped shot: Chief Justice Gabriel Malor

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:41:22 -0500

A discourse on why Sonia Sotomayor abuses the English language with her incoherent P.C. ramblings.

And by "the English language," I of course mean the "American legal system."

Ladies and gentlemen, this illustrates quite succinctly why we should never elect an idiot to the White House.

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[...]

Tertium Quids: Is a congressional health insurance mandate constitutional?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:37:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
This discussion is just over an hour long, but gives great play to both sides on whether the health insurance bills under debate in Congress are constitutional.Randy Barnett says "no" and makes a very convincing case. Eugene Volokh says "yes" and also makes an excellent case, using arguments I've alluded' [...]

Blacknell.net: He Said “Caulk”

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:34:30 -0500

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c The Most Immature Montage Ever – Cash for Caulkers www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show
Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis [...]

Virginia's 5th District: When Is An Endorsement Not An Endorsement?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:32:04 -0500

Number of comments: 1
From the December 10th article “GOP 5th Hopefuls Seek Convention” in the Daily Progress: “ Andy Seré, a regional press secretary with the national committee, said it is untrue that his organization has endorsed any candidate in the race. The committee has promoted Hurt’s candidacy but has not formally endorsed [...]

Virginia Right!: Obama Again Bows to a King

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:23:01 -0500

This is beyond ridiculous. A president so subservient to foreign nations that he feels he must bow to any and all foreign dignitaries.

When will this stop?

[...]

From On High: Obama Accepts Nobel Prize

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:19:00 -0500

Though neither he nor anyone else on this planet can explain why. [...]

Fishersville Mike: Batty Judges

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:15:00 -0500

Don Surber posts the tale of loss of coal jobs in Clay County, WV along with prevention of a wind project due to an endangered bat. [...]

Blue Commonwealth: Heres' What You Get from Blue Dogs (on the House Banking Committee)

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:10:57 -0500

Here's what you get from Blue Dogs on the Banking Committee in the House. Bank friendly Blue Dogs didn't want the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. And they want to allow major financial institutions to avoid state laws tougher than federal ones. So, yesterday, they shut down the debate.

Headlines read, "Bank-friendly" [...]

The Shad Plank: McDonnell to fillout more top economic advisor posts...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:03:58 -0500

Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell will take the stage in Richmond in about an hour to continue filling out the vacant seats in his administration. Last week, McDonnell named a handful of longtime state employees to top advisory roles, garnering a significant amount of praise for keeping Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's Secretary [...]

RightsideVA: Santa, Marines, Rhonda, and Chris comes to Craigsville as part of the Toys~4~Tots program...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:02:00 -0500

Santa caught a ride with a couple Marines in dress blues and friends on a train coming into Craigsville to help promote and support the Toys~4~Tots program...

Once again Chris from Spank that Donkey has done a great job in coordinating the local Toys~4~Tots program and this year there is [...]

Armchair Generalist: Failure to Communicate

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:00 -0500

TalkingPointsMemo has been late in discovering this strategy model that attempts to depict the complex interactions that take place in a counterinsurgency campaign. Others in the blogosphere have commented on the spaghetti graphic that it appears to be (all hail to His mysterious [...]

snapped shot: Bilal Hussein is a Biased Hack

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:54:24 -0500

Let's see if you can figure out the subtle difference in language here. From an anti-Syrian protest today in Beirut:

Activists opposed to the Syrian government stage a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, to protest against what they allege is Syria's use of torture on prisoners. The [...]

Sisyphus: Has your cell phone funded the war in the DR Congo?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:45:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
Congo has a history of over a century of misery. From King Leopold and the Belgian rubber plantations to the current chaos in central Africa, the Congolese people have been victims of those with power who simply take what they want and do as they [...]

The Roanoke Slant: ClimateGate - It’s NOT the Man-made CO2

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:36:00 -0500

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Mendenhall Glacier Graphic, Juneau Alaska (click-on to enlarge)
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The alarmist “scientists” refuse to show the massive deglaciation of land-based glaciers starting in 1750, the end of the little ice age! Clearly that’s because the 200 years of massive deglaciation occurred before there [...]

Virginia Right!: Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize With Great Humility

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:23:40 -0500

Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize With Great Humility.

Humility is one word for it. This president is directly responsible for more war deaths than any other Nobel Peace Prize winner in the history of the prize, surpassing even Yasser Arafat in less than a year.

Fidel [...]

Vivian J. Paige: Smigiel: A new choice. A new voice.

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:10:52 -0500

Number of comments: 1
The first candidate to announce for the upcoming Norfolk council elections in May was Tommy Smigiel, who is taking on incumbent Randy Wright in Ward 5. Smigiel, a former Virginia Teacher of the Year, has hit the ground running. He’s got his website up and has been knocking doors and attending [...]

Tertium Quids: The ethics push in capitol square

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:01:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
It looks like Sen. Ralph Smith just might be leading a charge on ethics reform in the next session:Virginia lawmakers would have to disclose income that they and their immediate families receive from state and local government agencies under legislation designed to strengthen the General Assembly's Conflicts of Interests Act.The [...]

The Contemporary Conservative: XMAS is Christmas - The Origin of using XMAS

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
From the Christmas Forum:Xmas is not of modern coinage. The Oxford English Dictionary documents the use of this abbreviation back to 1551. Undoubtedly it was employed before that. Now 1551 is fifty years before the first English colonists came to America and sixty years earlier than the completion of the [...]

snapped shot: Smug

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:55:19 -0500

Facial expressions like this, this, and this do not speak well of our President's humility.

In fact, I'd go so far to say that if I were basing my judgement of his character on the wire photos alone, I'd have to come to the conclusion that he definitely' [...]

Virginia's 5th District: Hurt Campaign Goes On Defense

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:47:46 -0500

Number of comments: 4
After attending the Fluvanna Republican Committee meeting this week in which six of the seven candidates were represented it was obvious that there was a united front for a convention with Robert Hurt being the lone holdout.* Two days later a statement by the six candidates vying for the GOP [...]

snapped shot: Obama Passes Up Chance To Bow To Swedish King

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:46:51 -0500

Apparently, I'm getting all my news from Ace today. Which is fine, considering how funny he tends to be. (A good laugh in the morning almost beats having my third cup of coffee. Almost.)

Like I've discussed previously, this Administration has shown an amazing level of stupidity when it [...]

snapped shot: Science Means You Agree, Or Else

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:15:58 -0500

Like Ace says: "Sure, why not?"

Apparently, the British Met Office, the nation's chief meteorology institute, has "strongly encouraged" the scientists it has on staff to sign a petition "defending" Global Warming.

And by "strongly encouraged," I mean "threatened to fire."

After all, nothing says "Science!" more than being given the choice [...]

Fishersville Mike: Blame the Vikings

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:13:00 -0500

Looking at the climate data from the past, it appears to have been much warmer in 1009 than today. Warmer in the age of Vikings. Blame this guy. [...]

Blue Virginia: Barack Obama Receives the Nobel Peace Prize

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:04:00 -0500

The live stream is here, I'll post a link to his speech transcript as soon as I get it. Please feel free to use this as a thread to discuss Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize award.

UPDATE: Here is a link to President Obama's' [...]

Virginia Conservative's Weblog: The Courage to Speak Out

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:45 -0500

On Monday, while leafing through the Daily News Record, I came across an advertisement that caught my eye. It was a public notice about the RMH Regional Cancer Center. What drew my attention was not the ad itself, but rather the person pictured. Shortly thereafter, I contacted the hospital and [...]