Overheard: clucks and yucks

People shouldn't talk so loudly at restaurants, especially if they intend it to be a private conversation. But, in their enthusiasm, a couple of Staunton area Republicans, err... libertarians, err... wingnuts did just that, disturbing the conversation at our table, in more ways than one.

The initial focus of their conversation was finding candidates to run for the Staunton School Board. Candidates who would promote choice, if not school choice, then teacher choice (every mom could tell the school which classroom to assign her child to). There was considerable teacher-bashing claiming most teachers just "see it as a job" and "discourage parents from being involved." While under Virginia law parties cannot nominate for school board, they can support candidates and often encourage and nurture them as part of building a farm team to run for other local and state offices. With Staunton's electoral trends running against them, the city GOP desperately needs to rebuild that farm team.

Their conversation drifted to Delegate Chris Saxman and Delegate Steve Landes (sorry Emmett, guess they don't consider you to be one of them) and wondering if either was on an education committee in the General Assembly. Now, if these two were really GOP activists (one implied he was on the Staunton committee), you'd think they'd be better informed... Landes has long been a member and currently chairs the House Education Committee. At any rate, they didn't have much confidence that the General Assembly would do the kind of things these two wanted, one saying, "all they do is throw money at it." Hum, over the next few weeks local school boards will likely find some of that thrown money was written on bad checks.

Shifting from the topic of education they found common ground in bashing Democrats saying all the nation's new majority party wanted was to make everyone equal and to do that would take away liberty. This led to one declaring that government had no place in any kind of "charity" work.

Other interesting and disturbing? points they made:

• Joe McCarthy didn't find all the reds in Hollywood - the place has long been infested with them. Find out all about it in the neocon book, Red Star Over Hollywood. Not sure what prompted this topic except maybe Sunday's Oscars had their bile churning.
• They ought to get new "Win the War!" yard signs that say "Win the War, DAMMIT!" Yes, he spelled it for everyone in the restaurant.
• Churchville area residents Alex Avery and Dennis Avery are great role models. Google 'em and judge for yourself.

As lunch wrapped up they promised each other to stay in touch and the older gentleman said he'd let the other know when the Staunton Republican Committee would be meeting. The conversation lingered a moment more - gotta get the right candidates to get "education under control." As they pulled out of the lot, I noticed one of their SUVs was still plastered with multiple McCain/Palin stickers. Living in the past?

The Godmother

Thanks to The News Leader's cartoonist McCloskey for this great cartoon.

Peckin' around Queen City

Staunton has elections for city council coming up in a couple weeks. Folks in the Queen City pride themselves on the elections being nonpartisan and, because they are held in May, somewhat immune to contamination by state and/or national issues. Of course, voter turnout is probably lower than it would be in November and there is a cost factor. Delegate Chris Saxman, acting contrary to the expressed wishes of city council and many residents, introduced legislation to change from May to November. He cited the cost, but most observers recognized his attempt as pure partisan politics to bring GOP coattails to the nonpartisan election. Maybe it was a bit of payback to Bruce Elder who challenged Saxman and after losing that race was elected to council. While Elder doesn't parade around town on a donkey, he is known to frequent some Democratic events. And, he's pushed Saxman's hot buttons on payday loans and other issues.

But, are Staunton elections really "nonpartisan?" Although party labels aren't on the ballot and everyone talks about being nonpartisan, the Republican chair has been encouraging people to elect four Republicans: Rusty Ashby, Dickie Bell, Bob Campbell, and Andrea Oakes. 

Not to be left out, the Staunton Democratic Committee is hosting a candidate forum on April 28 at 7 PM in the council chambers. Wonder if those four will show? The other two candidates, Opie Kier and Dave Metz appear to have some unofficial support among city Democrats.

For now, at least, neither party appears to have endorsed any candidates for school board. Or have they and I just haven't found it in my scratching around?

The Times They Are a Changin'

"I belong to no organized political party. I am a Democrat," said Will Rogers. But, according to articles in the News Leader and the News Virginian, central valley Democrats are are happy and unified group and able to pull off a well-attended event and support a year-round headquarters. They even attracted a couple of big time speakers.

Leslie Byrne, is seeking the Democratic nod to return to Congress from Virginia's District 11. Among many topics, Byrne noted that Bush's exploding federal debt is compromising the U.S. position in trade talks with China, which holds big chunks of that debt. Playing off the "are you better off today" theme of earlier presidential campaigns, she also recalled that when Bush took office there was a budget surplus, milk was $1.89 a gallon and gas $1.49.

Brian Moran, who is expected to announce for Governor later this year, also attended with his wife and young children. Perhaps that is why he focused on education -  pre-K, K-12, and higher ed on his remarks. Moran drew laughter when he said scientific research had shown the value of pre-K, and "we are the party that believes in science."

According to reports, there was a undercurrent of buzz about the upcoming local caucuses and the contest between Sam Rasoul and Drew Richardson. Rasoul was out of the state attending a wedding, but had several staffers present chatting with the crowd. Richardson attended and talked with a number of folks. But, it was all smiles with none of the barbs found on the blogs. Very importantly, people talked more about their pride in being a Democrat and about the great food than about anything that divides them.

Just a couple weeks ago Augusta Democrats attracted Senator Creigh Deeds to a breakfast fundraiser. Deeds has already announced his run for Governor.

Pecking around the valley, it seems the Democrats are gathering coarse cracked corn while the squabbling Republicans are fighting over a shrinking bag of laying mash. The times they are a changin'.

What's with this guy?

According to the News Leader article on the Staunton GOP meeting yesterday Alex Davis, who chaired the nominating committee, somehow left several chair nominees names off the list. Then the nominating committee went back to work, but the election took place before the new list wast approved. Sounds like he is related to Katherine Harris. Anyhow, it is all in character with his previous hyjinks.

Congrats to Anne Taetzsch on her election as the chair. Guess we'll have to wait and see if she's able to unify this group that seems pretty dysfunctional at times. Does she have enough coattails to save Kurt in the Augusta GOP committee? We'll see.

What is coarse cracked corn?

Coarse cracked corn is chicken feed - 8% protein, 2.50% fat, and 2.75% fiber. Good stuff made at mills right here in the Shenandoah Valley around 1900. Coarse Cracked Corn, the blog, will be a little like that - pecking around at history, news, and current events in the region. A little grain in, lots of manure out, eggs for breakfast, and a chicken in every pot.

I have no idea where this blog will go or how fast it will get there. Time will tell.

Peck, peck, peck . . .