I was scanning through the bills that have been introduced recently for consideration by the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, and one in particular caught my eye. Not because it's particularly heinous, like just about anything proposed by "Turkey Baster" Bob Marshall. Not because it's patently stupid and regressive, like Robert Tata's HB-40 to repeal the Estate Tax (or, as Republicans like to call it in their Orwellian way, the "Death Tax"). Not because it's utterly bizarre, like Charles Carrico's "unlawful assembly at solemn ceremonies" bill (huh?!?). Not because it's simply outrageous, like Jeannemarie D. Davis' absurd "Larry Byrne Law." And not that it's been labeled by "Not Larry Sabato" as the "Worst bill of the year."No, one bill caught my eye simply because I think it's hilarious but believe it's completely harmless. What could it bee, you ask? Hint: that was not a typo in the last sentence. That's right, it's SB-101, introduced by Sen. Harry Blevins (R-14), on the all-important topic of "Beekeeping; persons with 50 or fewer hives not required to process honey in certified establishment." The full text of the bill?
Persons keeping 50 or fewer hives and selling the honey produced by their own bees shall not be required to process the honey in a certified honey house or food processing establishment, nor shall the person be required to obtain a permit from the Department, provided the honey is of edible quality and of the quality as represented. The person shall be required to comply with the other provisions of this chapter.
So what's this "honey" of a bill all about, anyway? Is there some "buzz" about it that I hadn't heard of until today? Is there some hidden "sting" operation underway on the honey industry or something? Or is this just a silly bill by a BUMBL-ing delegate trying to look like a busy bee? OK, OK, enough bad puns for now. Does anyone know what this bill is about? If you know, please let it bee. Ouch.
Does no one remember that it was the Longshoremen's UNION under Harry Bridges that refused to load cargo bound for the Communist Soviet Union (the supposed workers' paradise) and that this stymied the mega corporations and infuriated the them because the companies had sold that cargo to the Soviets... such sales improved the bottom line of the corporations to the detriment of American security, because it was basically trading with the enemy. Unions are not all bad, guys.
With all of Jerry's dumb shit... for example, his recent completely unfounded and addle-brained attacks on Governor Warner we may need to make this a top 35 list.
Oohh, I just rememberd the thing where he forgot to fill in that questionaire for the gun rights group VCDL... maybe top 50?
BUT KILGORE! Whoa! Way to shoot yourself in the foot and bite the hand that feeds you. The arrogance of their campaign is amazing. I mean, Tim doesn't agree with the VCDL as far as I know, but he was at least courteous enough to respond to their questions.
Message to Republicans: If you own guns, vote for Tim Kaine. There might be things you disagree with him on, but at least he doesn't want any new gun laws and you KNOW WHERE HE STANDS. If you vote fot Idiot Kilgore, well, let's just say that it has come to our attention that Kilgore's Sportsman Coordinator has never been hunting, AND DOESNT EVEN OWN A GUN!! HAHAHAHA! Jerry Kilgore obviously "cares" about your issue. j/k
Yes, Saxby did run ads showing both Osama and Saddam. However, the ad questioned the ability of a new Dept. of Homeland Security to be as efficient and responsive as needed if its employees shared the civil service protections - and union protected jobs - that Democrats insisted it create. In showcasing the enemies the DHS would have to fight, it put up pictures of Saddam and Osama.
Overall, it was a fairly minor ad in a battle that the national media tried to make close (even after Cleland lost they called the result close) but which Chambliss swept pretty handidly.
I have no idea how much impact the ad actually had on the election, but I would suggest that any Senator who votes pro Union isn't going to win in Georgia. Cleland ended up voting not only pro Union, but Anti Defense and Anti almost everything Bush put forward - and stood almost a snowball's chance in hell of winning.
For what its worth - having spent time with both Chambliss and Cleland, I have to say I like Cleland better as a person (the, who would you rather drink a beer with factor) but generally I abhor his politics (as does much of Georgia).
"That campaign, against incumbent Democrat Max Cleland, was particularly rough. Mr. Cleland, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, was coupled in ads with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden."
Cleland would have lost regardless as being in touch with NY voters simply doesn't work in Georgia.
In Virginia, the biggest advocates against Sunday hunting are not gun banners or PETA types though I suppose they would come out in droves were reform to be seriously considered) but the religious right whose National HQ are located in the Virginia Beach area (ie: Pat Robertson). They are a significant portion of Kilgore's base - but in my opinion are as toxic for Republicans as the gun banners and Cindy Sheehan/ANSWR contingents are for Democrats.
The NRA has made lifting the remaining Sunday hunting bans a major focus of its efforts going forward (one of the inaugural issues of Free Hunters was dedicated to it last year) .
Frankly, I don't think Kilgore has taken a stand on the issue one way or another for fear of alienating either group of supporters - making it a free issue for Kaine to pick up and a great way to split the Kilgore voters (and actually show he means what he says re guns - which I doubt cause he still keeps repeating and not veering from the same sham talking points AGS put out that all the gun banning Ds trumpet.
If he is serious about guns, he would look at Russ Feingold's position - that seems more reasonable than almost anything I've heard from a Dem on the issue recently.
Mary, if you can find a link to Kaine supporting it, I've love for you to post it. That would very interesting.
First, Support an INDIVIDUAL right under the second amendment - not simply the second amendment,
Second, apologize for his involvement with the commie mommy march.
Third, and this is the kicker, support changing Virginia law to allow Sunday hunting. Right now, Virginia remains one of the few states that does not allow hunting on a Sunday. The main reason is the religious right in Newport News believes all Virginians should be at church. Well, some of us work during the week and on Saturdays and some of us like to spend time with our kids at baseball and soccer and football games on Saturdays and really only have Sundays to go hunting.
If Tim Kaine supported Sunday hunting, he would split the gun owners from the crazy religious right and stand up for the rights of Virginia's hard working citizenry and family values at the same time.
You guys should push this idea hard.
I am really not sure why Sunday hunting is prohibited.
As I told you before, I think your idea makes sense.
Yes, the NRA is extreme at times; OK I am with you Shawn B, most times in my opinion.
However, their premise to promote the protection of the Second Amendment is good. I see eye to eye with Planned Parenthood on most things, yet I would want to know if MY 12 year old was in their office for anything. I am a Democrat, I can think outside of the box.
Creigh Deeds’ endorsement is a shining example of what many of us have known for a long time - the entire Democratic Virginia Statewide ticket has substance. The Democrats have put something on the table this year, and they are backing it up!
Deeds not Words!
You don't actually believe all that crap, do you? 0.0
I should mention that my wife never worked for Mr. Kilgore, having left the AGs office some years ago.
I didn't say that being Attorney General is insubstantial. Being the AG is a very substantial job. The AGs office has hundreds of employees. I merely stated that the AG does not prosecute crimes.
--"Our current AG, Ms. Jagdman (who serves because Kilgore quit, for what it’s worth) provides legal advice to the General Assembly, defends constitutionality– both areas potentially could involve gun concerns, making the endorsement relevant."--
I stated correctly that the AGs office does not prosecute crimes. I never said that the AG does not rule on the constitutionality of legislation, including gun legislation.
--She “Defend(s) criminal convictions on appeal†(a form of crimial prosecution),--
No, it is not. But even if it were, the appeal concerns constitutional questions, whether there should have been a mistrial, etc.
If a new determination of the guilt or innocence of the criminal defendent is needed then the case is returned to the lower court, and the AG does not prosecute the defendant in it.
-- “assist(s) victims of crime who are following criminal cases at the appellate level,†(yet again, criminal prosecution)"--
No, it is not.
__"and “conduct(s) or assist(s) criminal investigations and prosecutions in certain limited cases†(still even more criminal prosecution!)"--
The AG can assign investigators to develop evidence in a civil proceeding to which the state is a party. If that investigation is relevant to a criminal prosecution then the AG may very well make that evidence available to criminal prosecutors.
The AG does not prosecute crimes.
AGs who run for higher office often try to make it seem as if they were tough on crime. Candidates for AG often claim that they will be tough on crime.
AGs deal with civil and procedural matters, and they do not prosecute crimes. If a civil matter is related to a criminal matter then there may be some overlap.
For instance the Commonwealth has a registry of child abusers. The question of whether someone is on or off the list is a civil matter. But it is often related to criminal prosecutions for child abuse.
--"(http://www.oag.state.va.us/About%20Us/aboutoag.htm). I hate to say it, but the voice of the actual AG is a good indication that the AG should be involved in criminal prosecution–and will have a role on gun issues."--
Yes, the AG will have a role regarding the constitutionality of gun issues, the proper language new legislation should contain, etc. But the AG does not prosecute crimes, does not get tough or lax on crimes.
This has been going on for decades. Candidates for AG and former AGs talk about fighting crime and prosecuting criminals because if the candidate talks about what the Office of the AG really does few will understand it or care.
--"it really makes me wonder whether Mr. Kilgore properly executed his role as AG. Surely he had a responsibility to ensure that his staff fully performed all functions of the AG role?"--
Well, I emphasize that my wife has never met or worked for Mr. Kilgore and would have no knowledge of whether he was a good or bad AG. She had left the AGs office prior to Mr. Kilgore becoming AG.
I'd like to add two points - most modern day domestic gun control schemes originally arose out of efforts to disarm free blacks in the south following the civil war. Another nice legacy of the Democratic party.
As Mary said, "yes, there are actually lots of progressives who own guns here in VA" And why shouldn't there be? Anyone who cares about the constitution and protecting their rights under it should also be concerned with their right to protect their life, limb, and property. Remember, the 2nd Amendment follows the first for a reason - without the 2nd to protect you, you have no first Amendment right to criticize the government as our founding fathers found out.
However, according to the website of the current AG, you are wrong. Our current AG, Ms. Jagdman (who serves because Kilgore quit, for what it's worth) provides legal advice to the General Assembly, defends constitutionality-- both areas potentially could involve gun concerns, making the endorsement relevant. More importantly, Ms. Jagdman takes exception to your statements. She "Defend(s) criminal convictions on appeal" (a form of crimial prosecution), "assist(s) victims of crime who are following criminal cases at the appellate level," (yet again, criminal prosecution) and "conduct(s) or assist(s) criminal investigations and prosecutions in certain limited cases" (still even more criminal prosecution!) (http://www.oag.state.va.us/About%20Us/aboutoag.htm). I hate to say it, but the voice of the actual AG is a good indication that the AG should be involved in criminal prosecution--and will have a role on gun issues.
Since your wife apparently never became involved or apparently even aware of these critical functions of the attorney general's office while working there, it really makes me wonder whether Mr. Kilgore properly executed his role as AG. Surely he had a responsibility to ensure that his staff fully performed all functions of the AG role?
Anyhow, good for Creigh for getting the endorsement. I can't say I'm surprised--I have written him about concerns I have had (yes, there are actually lots of progressives who own guns here in VA) and he emailed me back within a day to show me how the gun issue I had has been reflected in policy.
So, why is it bad? Don't just make pronouncements without explaining why.
Was the NRA non-endorsement four years ago what put Mark Warner over the top? I doubt that it was te sole factor, he did by a margin of five points. But I wouldn't be surprised if one of those points was because of the NRA refusing to endorse either candidate. Mark Warner's appeal to the hunting and fishing groups across the state paid off.
With the NRA's endorsement, Creigh Deeds will have bragging rights throughout a lot of Virginia. And that can influence quite a few people who would for economic reasons like to support the Democrats, but have often feared them because of the whole gun issue. Now I think Deeds stands at an advantage. He has even raised more money than his opponent. Plus, he's the only elected Democrat from the Shenandoah Valley, proving his cross-over appeal.
With a Democratic Attorney General in the state of Virginia again for the first time in twelve years, we'll finally see some of our law-enforcement priorities met. And you can bet that corruption in the Legislature will not be ignored.
Plus, it cannot do anything but help te rest of the tick! Latest Rasmussen poll puts Kaine and Kilgore at 45% each, Kaine is up five points from their last one two weeks ago (Kilgore is up two).
I'm cautiously optimistic about the course of this campaign. And remember everyone, contribute, volunteer, and work your hearts out for Virginia!
Two perfect examples of typical gun banning biggoted Democrat activists without a clue.
until your party shuts these misguided bozo's up, your simply not gonna compete nationwide.
The NRA is not an extremist organization, rather its the nation's oldest civil rights organization, founded by Union Generals following the Civil War to re-establish America as a nation of riflemen. They only became involved in national politics in the late 1970s when John Dingell (about as powerful of a Democrat as you will find) formed the NRA-ILA to combat the frightening advances that the gun banners (Handgun Control, Inc - now known as the Brady Campaign) made while operating for 20 years unopposed.
Why you continue to believe the NRA is hostile to Democrats is beyond me. They are hostile to enemies of the constitution (mostly the 2nd Amendment, but I would also remind you they took the lead role in defending the 1st Amendment before the Supreme Court last year). They routinely endorse many many many Democrats over Republicans. Just because they failed to endorse perhaps the two most 2nd amendment hostile presidential candidates in history has no bearing on their desire to work with Democrats.
Folks, there are 90+ million gun owners in the country. I would suggest the only extremists around here are the stereotypical big city gun banning bigots. Banish them from your base, - heck, for the good of the country excommunicate them and the Stalinists in ANSWER - and the Democrats will have no problem retaking the White House and competing Nationwide.
As to Tim Kaine himself, he has been given every opportunity to take the high ground on the issue but he can't seem to get off the Brady and Commie Mommie approved talking points. Until he does, and based on his history, he is gonna have a tough time convincing people he ain't another gun banning bigot.
I'm still open to the idea (and applaud him for responding to VCDL's survey - Kilgore certainly didn't) but he really ought to follow Russ Feingold or John Dingell's lead on the issue.
The Office of the Attorney General in Virginia does not prosecute crimes. It represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in civil court cases and administrative hearings, including unemployment insurance and workers comp cases.
There were a variety of cases my wife got involved in.
For 2 reasons.
First the one cited by Lowell, this is Virginia.
Second, the NRA promotes the protection of the Constitutional rights.
Constitutional Rights Protection = Good
I think that this response and this response are worth considering. And this one, as well.
I'm an independent in Virginia, and the issues raised in these responses to Obama are a part of the reason I choose not to identify with the Democratic party.
The thing that's so mystifying is how our own Democratic leaders always blame us for everything. You'll notice that Republicans don't do that. Something happens to too many when they are elected. They seem to forget they work for us, not the other way around. Democracy Upside Down, one more time.
Currently, more Americans agree with Democrats on a long list of core values and issues. Polls show that Bush's popularity and approval ratings on a wide variety of issues is at historic lows. So why on earth turn on the very people who helped bring us to this point. The public generally now sees what we see.
Gadflies can provide discomfort. (And note: it's not all that much fun being one sometimes.) But without gadflies nothing will ever change. And by most Americans ratings, change needs to happen. So, too bad that instead of turning on activists, Obama didn't celebrate them. Oh, well. Still like the guy, but am pretty disappointed.
Creigh is one of the good reasons to be involved in politics. I have donated to his campaign and if you have the means it could be the difference in the election.
This is absolutely mind-numbing. Black is desperate folks. I really think he may actually be going down this time.
http://getblackout.blogspot.com/2005/11/hes-like-so-third-grade.html#comments
I cannot imagine anyone meeting Deeds and then going out to vote for McDonnell. The problem is, how can we get every Virginia voter to come out and meet Deeds?
I agree with Teddy, send Creigh some money - now.
Another website that just popped up!
As for Central VA, if black Chesterfield and Henrico turnout, it will soften the blows in these two counties. The Free Press endorsement and Voice activities will help.
-- Conaway
-- Conaway
http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/medr/9lh.gif
Only extreme southwestern VA has a tiny chance of precip related to a front on the midwest.
Good weather makes for good turnout!
Get Doug Wilder out. He should be flooding the airwaves with support for Kaine.
Volunteer and GOTV. Don't procrastinate. Do it now.
I'm so pedantic. Just to explain more, having a maring of error of 3% at the 95% level means that we can with 95% confidence say that the true value for Kaine's support is in fact somewhere between 46% and 52%. With a lower level of confidence (say, 80%) we can say that Kaine's true score is within, say, 50% and 48%. I'm not actually doing the math so I don't know that that's true, but that's an example of how these numbers work. The bottom line is that it is very likely that Kaine is going into the final election weekend slightly ahead. Let's take that as a jumping off point: the Republican turnout machine is VERY powerful. If you are doing ANYTHING other than joining in with the Kaine GOTV machine every free moment you have from right now until 7:30pm on election day, ask yourself why that is. I know that you can take off work. It might be a hassle, but you can do it. I know you can spare this one weekend. You really can. You'll have hundreds of other free weekends to come. But this is the LAST one you'll ever have to ensure that Virginia goes in the right direction.
Is it ok if i leave in 30 minutes? :-)
I'm going to hit 600 calls today. woo!
In the campaign season, blogs definitely were the X factor, with you guys being the huge X on the Dem side. However, the real battle will be in January through March when the General Assembly is in session. If the Democratic/Progressive bloggers can start to work on policy issues and advance a real message, then the group will have been successful. Otherwise, political blogging will be just another tool in the electioneering arsenal and not a tool for the bottom line of what we put the guys and gals in office for - to enact policies that help our lives.
I'm waiting to see if bloggers can turn from the "snitchin'& bitchin'" model into a real beacon of policy analysis and advocacy - in other words, agents of change.
-- Conaway
Adam: I agree, we're "democratic" (small "d") but that doesn't mean we have to air all our disputes in public, as with Joe Lieberman recently...
Kevin: Whoops, I forgot to mention this link, which does indeed indicate that there's life in the Maryland political blogosphere after all! :)
My own experience suggests that we do get read. Back during the Kaine campaign I posted a comment to one of the articles and related the fact that I thought Kilgore was a poor choice for governor because he was a lobbyist. I even pointed out that he had an active link on his Williams Mullen law firm bio to that firm's lobbying company Williams Mullen Strategies. In effect, Kilgore was selling influence even as he was running to gain more influence. Within a day, the link on Kilgore's law firm site disappeared. Clearly, the opposition was reading Tim's blog.
Kilgore would have done well to have listened to our blogs when he began running his death penalty ads. I think most, if not all of us, predicted the ads would be a disaster for his campaign. I'm glad they didn't listen though.
As a final note, I think we will become even more effective as we get networked, meet more Democratic candidates and officeholders, become trusted by the party and, in the end, by the reading public.
For the record, I date the start of my blogging career from when I began posting on the www.tk4g.org blog during the summer of 2005. After the election was over I no longer had a place to go. I missed posting a message everyday, so I started my own site.
I think our Democratic network here in Virginia is pretty strong. I hope we'll have a decent senatorial candidate to put up against Allen. If we do have someone to support next year, I think we'll show the Republicans what a blog network can do.
We do need 49 other blogs like this so that each state's dems can have a place to see what goes on with the Dems in each state.
Honestly, I do not read DailyKos that often and I wish they linked more to state resources. That simple task could make coordination a lot easier.
What we do need is professional courtesy among Democrats, who should do their dirty laundry and eke out agreements in private, not in press conferences. And, so far as I'm concerned, I became a Democrat in order to help the only organized political opposition available to kick the Republicans out... how else are we going to accomplish that except through a political party in this day and age? While Democratic blogs should be nurtured and helped along by the official Democratic organization, beware of being turned into controlled junk pap, forced to toe the mark of the sometimes clueless professionals running the machine. Isn't discontent with that very thing (clueless Dems who insist on Republican Lite) one of the reasons Raising Kaine bloomed?
http://2008politicalperspective.blogspot.com/
Justin, the guy who runs it, is right leaning...
This is worse than Henry putting Beckett in as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 76
To what purpose then require the co-operation of the Senate? I answer, that the necessity of their concurrence would have a powerful, though, in general, a silent operation. It would be an excellent check upon a spirit of favoritism in the President, and would tend greatly to prevent the appointment of unfit characters from State prejudice, from family connection, from personal attachment, or from a view to popularity. . . . He would be both ashamed and afraid to bring forward, for the most distinguished or lucrative stations, candidates who had no other merit than that of coming from the same State to which he particularly belonged, or of being in some way or other personally allied to him, or of possessing the necessary insignificance and pliancy to render them the obsequious instruments of his pleasure.
Woah... Alexander Hamilton doesn't like what's going on with this nominee. I don't either.
meanwhile, the conservatives are all in a panic, and the usual suspects on the left like moveon.org are being cautious and mainly coming out with a 'wait and see' attitude.
So if those who hire illegals are aware and actually really fear the consequences associated with hiring the illegals then those who commit the crimes will be less likely to take the risk.
Really this is all talk to Jerry. He does not want to give illegals a place to wait, but he sure as hell does not want to pay a tax paying American citizen a living wage to build their home, or business, and yes, schools.
Really, there is a lot that goes on in the underground world of subcontracting. This is way bigger than waiting on a corner for a few hours in the morning.
Basically, there is are laws that say if illegals perform work a company faces consequences. That is Black & White. Enforcing these laws, and telling companies that if you break these laws, not only do you face the federal fines and jail time, but you face not being able to bid on State funded projects is the way to go! Tim Kaine put the solution on the Table.
Jerry is small minded, and thinks it is all about one building in one town.
Tim Kaine has the ability to see the problem for what it is and address the entire issue. Tim Kaine is a leader that can see that there is more to an issue than what is on the surface.
We cannot say that all Latin Americans should be denied resources.
Jerry Kilgore's stand on Day Laborers is eerily similar to Bennett’s stand on Crime Prevention/Elimination.
Just eliminate a sector of the population or starve them, and all will be well with the world! Just not how it is done!
-- Terry Rea
You and Waldo need a new spin machine. Your old one is completely worn out.
Hey, I think there's an implied contract between you and me that you need to give me a Billion dollars, IP.
You didn't sign it, but you'd better fork it over.
You might check with your pal James Young about contract law for a minute... He might be able to stop chasing non-existent socialists and communists for long enough to explain the American legal system of contracts.
IP is spot-on. Kaine had very bad day. Deal with it.
I've noticed a possible trend. Over at Commonwealth Conservative (www.vaconservative.com) they all teamed up to blog spin. Dozens of bloggers, one conservative voice. Same tired talking points. You know they can't be proud of what we saw last night. but they are sure putting on a good face. Where's our optimism here? We who really did win the debate, have colleagues who pour their hearts and souls (and worries) all over this board. Yes, I've been guilty too. And when it comes to specific disappointments outside this campaign, what the heck. We have to have somewhere to vent. And this is a great place.
BUT yesterday Tim Kaine got a touchdown dance for his debate. And the Democratic-leaning bloggers weren't up to the task. Why is it that someitmes we Dems can't see the forest for the trees? There's plenty of time for self-reflection and analysis later. But the point that shouldn't be lost is this:
Unfair questions don't mean Tim lost. It's undeniable: He was head and shoulders above Kilgore, who could barely spit out a sentence and resorted to highly scripted responses not even appropriate for the question. Jerry doesn't have the cognitive complexity to be guv. But because he didnt' slobber all over himself, some act like we lost? Are you kidding me?
Now repeat after me: The panel and moderator sold Virginians short. But still Kaine won. The format sucked, but Kaine still won. Kilgore was a jerk, displaying bigotry, distemper, and knee-jerk use of hot-button issues to inflame. But Kaine won. By a large margin. Nothing detracts from that. And anyone who says otherwise wasn't watching or was too wrapped up in his or her own angst. Why can't we accept a victory when we have one? The conservatives are over at their sites pretending they actually won. And we, who won, well --what the heck are we doing?
Thanks to RaisingKaine for the excellent coverage here. But I sure hope we get our optimism back. I think that's our misison, "should we accept it."
Kaine simply supports existing Virginia law.
Maybe some Kaine supporter can explain this (from the Virginian-Pilot):
Kaine said he supports state laws allowing a single gay person – but not couples – to adopt children. “A single person, including a gay or lesbian, can adopt in Virginia if it’s in the best interest of the child,†he said, “and there are many gay and lesbians who are wonderful parents.â€
If he supports it for a single gay person, why not a couple?
Kilgore looked weak and ineffective. Who let him go on stage wearing a suit 5 sizes too big? It made him look small and weak. He *still* can’t seem to get the sissy tone out of his voice. Kilgore repeated the same lines ad nauseum, usually with little consideration for the content of the question being asked. His ability to memorize entire paragraphs of stock rhetoric is commendable, but his delivery was awkward. Constantly pausing at unnatural points to recollect the rest of a stock response. It reinforced the impression of a weak man, unsure of himself and lacking confidence in his own words.By contrast, Tim Kaine came across as strong and aggressive, calling out Kilgore’s lies specifically and categorically. Most notably, he managed to parry Kilgore’s limp attack againt his stance on abortion into a textbook-perfect demonstration of both his religious faith and love of country. Kaine is a very good debator, not a great one. But Kilgore’s train wreck would make just about any high school debate team look like geniuses.
As an NRA member, I noted that Kaine made it quite clear that he was in favor of the status quo in terms of Virginia’s gun laws, while Kilgore tried to have it both ways in a classic ‘we should study this further’ flip-flop. I’m comfortable with Kaine on the second amendment. Kilgore has apparantly been unable to form an opinion on a major law enforcement/second amendment issue despite having been the Attorney General of VA for 4 years and director of public safety prior to that. Is he just lying to us or does he honestly lack any sort of moral conviction? Again, a weak man.
Nothing that Kilgore said was very far to the right and nothing that Kaine said was very far to the left. Because of this, undecided swing voters watching the debate are unlikely to form an opinion of the candidates based on their policies or political postures. Rather, the undecided voters saw a weak man and a strong man. They’ll be making their decision based on that. Advantage Kaine.
CONSIDER IT CORRECTED!!! AND ON THE RIGHT-LEANING BLOGS, TOO.....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101501299.html
I read this article and I was thrilled. A chorus of hallejuahs in the high fives were heard throughout my rowdy house this morning both before and after church. And, no -- we are not Catholics. Just good Southern Baptists who don't happen to agree with our lying, truth-twisting former Attorney General, Jerry Kilgore.
What kind of a guy exploits and plays on people's emotions on the death penalty thing and THEN TURNS AROUND and thinks nothing of trying to get the insurance company for the Republican Party to pay up on a claim that came about because of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the Republican Party? That is some serious twisted thinking if you ask me!
Kaine may not have the backing of George Bush and Karl Rove, but he has something better --
Kaine knows the difference between right and wrong. Which is more than can be said for Jerry Kilgore!
Tim Kaine is the best candidate! It is a no brainer this year! Tim Kaine is the only candidate who offers Virginians anything! Tim Kaine has the best plans! Tim Kaine worked to and accomplished the feat of getting Virginia's fiscal house in order! Tim Kaine will keep Virginia on this positive track as we move forward!
A dear friend said something to me yesterday, "Jerry Kilgore is a politician. Tim Kaine is a public servant!"
Easy choice!
I wanted to reach back here and let you know that after reading the article you were referencing and NOT the endorsement news, I realize that you are raising a serious issue and short of everyone becoming responsible for getting everyone on their block to vote (which could be very effective), and getting everyone you know to write at least one letter to the editor laying it all on the line, I don't what more to suggest. If we could accomplish just that, I think everything will be fine and November 9th (the day after the election) will be a great day for Virginia.
PS If you like this, please e-mail it to everyone you know. Hey, let's do some serious viral marketing here!!!
I agree with Ashley. Kaine doesn't need to risk peeling off the little support he may get even from the right-wing base. He doesn't have that luxury.
I suppose Bolling's trying to distance himself from queeny Kilgore by proving he has no aesthetic taste whatsoever. :)
I'm still not a fan of either candidate in this race though.
Being a biologist, I generally read up on it quite a lot. I can assure you, for instance, that the idea that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" is basically wrongheaded. There is a kernel of truth to the idea, but as generally understood, this is one of those things creationists actually complain about evolution being "wrong" about (even though most biologists long ago rejected the idea).
I understand that your reference to stem cells was poetic, but in context you were accusing Bolling of not understanding evolution even while accepting stem cells... and I was just pointing out that they really aren't the same process at all (though stem cells and the way they change was a process developed BY evolution, it isn't itself an example of evolution at work except in a poetic sense).
Who will feel compassion for someone who did something ?bad?, as they got what they deserved?
It's called Agape. Those who suffer must be given compassion, that' is the heart of the matter. The fact is that while our nature brings us into suffering, and we therefore ARE responsible and do get what we deserve, every wisdom tradition in the world including Christianity and Judiasm demand that we hold compassion especially for them.
We suffer for our sins, god forgives. As we accept forgiveness and sin less our suffering abates, but even for those mired in sin the compassion of the divine remains open and endless.
Who will feel compassion for someone who did something ?bad?, as they got what they deserved?
Quite simply, God feels that compassion; and as we serve him better, so do we.
Why does Bill Bolling hate America?
First of all, Creigh Deeds has the same position on the 2nd amendment as Gov Warner.
Second, McDonnell is against abortion even in cases of rape and incest, against stem cell research, and against families making right to die decisions without the government intervening.
Additionally, McDonnell graduated from Christian Broadcasting Network University which is not called Regent and he does not even list it on his web site. McDonnell? the guy who wants to be the top lawyer in Va ? does not want you to know where he got his law degree. By the way, CBN is the broadcasting network that powers the 700 club where Pat Roberson stated that we should just assassinate people rather than attempting diplomacy. Great company to keep, and I am not surprised McDonnell wants to keep it hush hush.
So I reiterate:
Tim Kaine for Governor
Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor
Creed Deeds for Attorney General
This, my friends, is typical of Jerry Kilgore Republicans: if they don't get their way, they stomp their feet on the floor and cry. Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Creigh introduced Megan's Law and Amber Alert to the Senate, and both were passed. Deeds not words, man!
Living in a rural part of VA I know how important second amendment rights are to the voters. When we talk about Creigh and guns I think we have to consider his constituents too! He is from Bath County in Warm Springs. Not a whole lotta gun trafficking going on there. Not a whole lotta traffic period! Just people who want to hunt. People actually go to Bath County from all over the country and perhaps the world just to hunt in Bath County (the Homestead is there). They do have rights and we should keep them in mind, even as we're making sure Virginia is safe.
So, Jen says:
Kaine for Governor
Byrne for Lieutenant Governor
Deeds for Attorney General
The last AG that ran on gun control got totally creamed... by Jerry Kilgore. I'm happy to have Deeds on the ticket: a Democrat with solid credentials that I'm not going to spit on just because he believes in a slightly stricter sense of gun rights than I do.
These "entire Bible" folks also support universal public education for all the reasons Jefferson did. And they still blame the Supreme Court for taking God out of the classroom.
I will concede that such folks may be a dying breed, but there are plenty of them.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster rules! (I especially love its Feast of Ramendan."
Now, imagine a world where bad things only happen to bad people (assuming a universal standard for "bad" of course). Who will feel compassion for someone who did something "bad", as they got what they deserved? It is my own belief that compassion would not exist (or at least it would be very rare). Bad things have to happen to everyone for it to exist at the level that it does.
God wants mankind to act more like him, but did not create robots (what would be the point of that?). For us to understand that, we need to have such emotions available.
Like I said, I am no theologian, and I'm sure you all will pick this to pieces, but at the very least, maybe you can see some of the thought process of Judeo-Christian faiths.
-- Conaway
A Democratic party that sells out its rank-and-file on gun control (under the guise of growing the party) will sell out on abortion next.
Indeed, an anti-gun-control Democratic party will sell out on everything. It has no reason to exist. Just as Creigh Deeds has no reason to run and I have no reason to vote for him.
I say:
Kaine for governor
Byrne for lieutenant governor
Write-In for attorney general.
According to Wikipedia, "In biology, ontogeny is the embryonal development process of a certain species, and phylogeny a species' evolutionary history. Observers have noted various connections between phylogeny and ontogeny, explained them with evolutionary theory and taken them as supporting evidence for that theory."
There's also the issue of "microevolution" (mutation, gene flow, genetic drift BELOW the species level) and Macroevolution, "the concept that evolution of species and higher taxa is the result of large-scale changes in gene-frequencies over time."
The thing is, micro- and macro-evolution are inseparable, which relates to the concept of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny. Although the strict reading of this concept has been rejected, "modern biology does recognize numerous connections between ontogeny and phylogeny, explains them using evolutionary theory...and considers them as supporting evidence for that theory."
And yeah, I do love science!
Plunge: I never said they did. Still, embryonic stem cells are fascinating for their ability to differentiate - and I use the term "evolution" a bit loosely in this context - into various specialized cells as a result of various internal and external signals/stimuli. Certainly not the same as evolution, but I go back to the "ontogeny/phylogeny" concept again.
Here's a bit more on stem cells, a fascinating subject that requires knowledge of biology -- the kind you learn in school in SCIENCE CLASS! - to understand:
Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells. When unspecialized stem cells give rise to specialized cells, the process is called differentiation. Scientists are just beginning to understand the signals inside and outside cells that trigger stem cell differentiation. The internal signals are controlled by a cell's genes, which are interspersed across long strands of DNA, and carry coded instructions for all the structures and functions of a cell. The external signals for cell differentiation include chemicals secreted by other cells, physical contact with neighboring cells, and certain molecules in the microenvironment.
Stem cells don't evolve in any sense of the word relevant to evolution.
For those who believe that God guided evolution, however, I would love to know how they explain why a benevolent God would allow Black Plague to evolve, or Polio, or whatever. I realize we're now getting into deep theological questions that I am completely unqualified to discuss (except for all my reading about phlilosphy, religion, etc.). Is there a theologian in the house? :)
I'm sure Tim Kaine appreciates your concern for his religious beliefs, but don't worry, the Catholic faith is completely reconciled with evolution.
According to Pope Pius XII, "the teaching authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions . . . take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter?[but] the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God" (Pius XII, Humani Generis 36).
This is still Catholic doctrine--and not even a controversial point within the faith.
WOW, Mary, I did not know that! You taught me something new, now I feel no guilt for never having buying in to the seven days.
I know I'm just nitpicking, but it really is worhwhile to point out that stem cells do not evolve in the same sense that species evolve. Stem cells start and end their lives with exactly the same genetic sequences (though they may degrade and get damaged over time). This isn't the same thing as new species evolving. Evolution is something that happens to populations over time, not single cells.
Republicans always have and always will be bitter about that. To them, it was no big deal to break in, steal, bribe, lie ...all in the name of the Repugnant National Committee.
The names of the players have changed over the years, but the game remains the same.
Tim Kaine, Leslie Byrne, and Creigh Deeds are the best candidates. They have the best vision for Virginia. It is clear.
Few things frighten me more than Jerry Kilgore being governor, as we just spent four long years cleaning up the mess of the bad decisions of the Gilmore administration.
I wonder who the Times will endorse...
Second, I do NOT believe the Post is "liberal," just a mainstream, corporate paper that tends to endorse incumbents (Tom David, Connie Morella), free trade (NAFTA, CAFTA, fast track), and moderates of both political parties.
Third, whether or not you consider the post to be "liberal" is irrelevant. The issue is whether the Post endorsement, and continuing editorials (yet another one today) in favor of Tim Kaine, carries weight in Northern Virginia. My guess is that it does. Are you arguing that it doesn't? Or are you just waiting for Rev. Moon's paper to weigh in?
The thing is, we can't have development that hurts growth--either through unbearable traffic or other side effects. Ultimately, the
Governor's plan is in the best interest of developers. Once developers start thinking longer term, they will start to understand that there is more to be gained from working from a strategy of coordinated growth--rather than out of advocacy for autonomous projects. This will create greater regional economic interest, improve real property values--and oh, yeah, improve traffic. What more could a developer want?
Ultimately, the Kaine plan truly reflects a win-win strategy.
Leslie Byrne is just amazing - she gets it! Really gets it! Leslie understands what it is to go to work in the morning, and come home tired in the evening and then put dinner on the table and help with homework. She gets that while we are working hard that we should be able to protect our kids with insurance we can afford. She understands it is hard to make ends meet, and when anything happens in the economy causing an increase in prices those at the bottom of the income scale are the ones who feel the largest impact, and it is more than a mere ouch. Leslie knows women are tired of the government's intrusion into our doctor?s office.
Leslie is inspiring, and my "when I grow up". Leslie is a champion for all Virginians. She is a strong leader, and possess the back bone too many lack these days.
Leslie gets it, and Bolling is just a guy running for office.
Bolling is a crooked politician. Leslie Byrne is a public servant!
Did you know that Leslie introduced, and the bill passed, making it law that all those dump trucks cover their loads?? So she is also a champion for windshields too!!!
We love the thought of Byrne as your gubernatorial candidate in '09 the same way we hope Hillary gets the nomination in '08.
Oh please oh please oh please let Leslie win.
Yeah, something about that Bolling just struck me as a little...odd...
sounds like a line out of a terrible Creed or Nickleback song hahahaha
hahahaha.
Respond to your email.
But from what I heard, Craddock didn't send anyone to a candidate forum yesterday at Chantilly but Chuck Caputo and Chuck Eby were both there.
As far as your question, it is an extremely inappropriate one to ask. Really let's focus on what is most important in selecting our leaders. Not the smoke screens the wrong-wing sets.
And, if you really want an answer, myself, my husband, and my daughter were in attendance. So I think that solves that!
Time to go GOTV!
STARE DECISIS - Lat. "to stand by that which is decided." The principal that the precedent decisions are to be followed by the courts.To abide or adhere to decided cases. It is a general maxim that when a point has been settled by decision, it forms a precedent which is not afterwards to be departed from. The doctrine of stare decisis is not always to be relied upon, for the courts find it necessary to overrule cases which have been hastily decided, or contrary to principle. Many hundreds of such overruled cases may be found in the American and English books of reports.
Roe has been questioned dozens of times. This isn't just a precedent, it's a super-precedent.
Put your coathangers back under the reactionary rock that hatched you.
Running against an anti-choice Democrat, you forgot to add. Right?
What part of the following do you not understand?: Tim Kaine will not criminialize the decisions women make with their doctors.
Your world of ignorant labels has criminalized the liberal philosophy of "help thy neighbor" which brought us everything from indoor plumbing and electricity in the heartland to the GI Bill and Guaranteed Student loans. Meanwhile, your world of ignorant labels has lionized the criminal conservatism that brought corrupt cronyism to Washington, mortgaged the future of America to China and the Saudis, made the greatest strategic blunder in American history in Iraq, and left New Orleans to drown and die.
Your favorite liar, Jerry W. Kilgore's too gutless to admit that he'd criminalize women's reproductive rights.
Women need to know it.
Virginians need to know it.
Even if you're too weak yourself to admit or too wrapped in ignorance to understand.
Roanoke College is in Salem, and it would definitely be news to the people there to find out that they are located in the Shenandoah Valley.
I work in polling and from what I can tell there are some problems with the poll.
Depending on the definition of each region, no one in their right mind would believe that Kaine is leading in the Shenandoah Valley, or even in SW. Those numbers alone lead me to distrust this survey.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margin_of_error
A more useful way to think about things like leads is in terms of percentages. For instance, in this poll, we can say that it is some percentage likely that Kaine leads Kilgore by 8%, some smaller percentage that he leads by more than 8%, and so on.
That's not really what the margin of error means. Margins of error are determined by statistical confidence levels, but the level is a bell curve of probability for the true number, not a blank space where it could just as easily be 13 as 3 as 4.
Don't get sleepy!
We have to fight harder because of this, becaues the bad guys certainly will!
If you were going to make 100 calls make 200. If you were going to work 1 hour at a metro stop, work 2.
Whatever you were going to do before, do twice as much now.
This is great! The wind is at our back, so grab the rudder and steer towards Tim Kaine on November 8.
By the way, "Hanover," I'm just curious: do you enjoy spreading disinformation and wasting peoples' time? Do you ever have any substantive comments to make? C'mon, give it a try..it's not that bad!! :)
OnBackground: Why is this poll any more or less "bogus" than other polls? You think the sample size was too small? And what's the point on the long-distance calls, exactly? Isn't Roanoke College located in the Shenandoah Valley? So why would Kaine do so well there? I'm confused...
It's amazing.
Great blogging peeps - - -
We have not conceded this fight!
Additionally, I would like to thank all my friends who could not post on this blog (Campaign Staff), and who I love as my family, you know who you are!! I love you!!!! The Virginia Coordinated campaign, and the Kaine Campaign were the most professional people I have ever met! You all ROCK!
Also, a very special thanks to my buddy Cliff! You are the man!
I am so glad we won, but so sad the race is over. What a long strange trip it's been!
Last night at the party, one of the most moving moments was when the crowd chanted "08 08 08 08" to Mark Warner.
It was a good, yet somewhat disappointing night. (Yet I am glad the Kilgore crew pretty much had left before anyone left the Kaine party... that may have been bad news!!!)
As far as my policy for Iraq, I am with Wes Clark and Mark Warner on this one. Here's Wes Clark:
The growing chorus of voices demanding a pull-out should seriously alarm the Bush Administration. For President Bush and his team are repeating the failure of Vietnam ? failing to craft a realistic and effective policy, and in its place, simply demanding that the American people show resolve. Resolve alone isn't enough to mend a flawed approach. If the Administration won't adopt a winning strategy, then the American people will be justified in demanding that the Administration bring our troops home.
And Mark Warner has said that we need to figure out how to finish the job there. So, no, I'm not for an immediate troop withdrawal, considering the potential for chaos in the region. However, I'm also not for continuing on the current path (100 more dead in Iraq yesterday; no end in sight to the violence).
If you have any better ideas, please let us know. If not, I'll just have to assume you're a Republican "hack" who approves of calling people "cowards," etc. I sure hope that's not the case.
The Republican leadership and hangers-on actually seem to consider themselves an entitled elite, everything else is subordinate, and Bush and his cabal can do as they please with the resources, just like a medieval 'King by divine right." America, you and me, are basically their playpen, and it's all for our own good. They do not need to explain themselves, excuse themselves, or even "lead." All that counts is personal loyalty (and if you question ANYTHING you are disloyal and, therefore, a traitor to the divine right of the king--- eligible to being drawn and quartered). Think I'm exaggerating? Well, this theory explains more of what's going on than any other theory I've heard. And, horrifyingly, to many of their most rabid followers, it makes no difference anyway because the Apocolypse is nigh, and all will soon be burned clean in the End Times, followed by a Second Coming. No kidding. I think the whole kit and caboodle of 'em are beyond neurotic. This group seems bent on making Revelations come true, one way or another.
When you try, as a rational adult, to figure out how to untangle the messes these utterly spoiled fools have made both at home and abroad, the mind quails. There is no "party hack" about it. It is, well, a royal mess. Don't accept the Bush-Republican frame, called "war on terror," and you should also ignore the smart-ass phrase "cut and run." It is is in the long run no more than white noise.
As for Iraq, it is increasingly obvious that American troops are the catalyst for the violence; we stay, there's always more violence; we leave, there's more violence, only now we would not be providing so many of the casualties. Can't leave because we need the oil? Well, we haven't got it anyway, after three years. The real problem is Bush and his cabal, and it will be extraordinarily difficult even to begin to "solve" these messes until they are gone from any position of power. Step one is to throw the rascals out, beginning with taking the Senate from Republican control. Do the same, if possible, with the House. Somehow Bush has to be reined in for the remainder of his term. It's called Damage Control.
In other words. Don't immediately pull troops back to the USA. Move the main base farther away from Baghdad and away from the action. Then tell the leaders, we're pulling out slowly. You're in control of all roadblocks etc., but if anything major occurs, call us on this red 'batphone' and we'll be right over the horizon to help you out.
Move the US base out of the action, but close enough that some helicopters could jump marines into the action when necessary. Move it far enough away that it would be a pain in the ass for a terrorist to come bomb Americans. Far enough in the middle of no where that with radar and basic watch towers they'd be able to stop 99% of any bombing.
My guess is that this would dramatically reduce the bombings. Maybe not 100%, but quite a bit.
It's 2 months before his governorship begins and he's already doing town meetings asking for suggestions on improving transportation. I had the opportunity to see him speak last night and listen to his suggestions and audience suggestions on improving transportation in Hampton Roads. I like a politician that takes his job seriously.
