Stand UP for VA

Republicans in the General Assembly made a mistake - Virginians know it, but some in the GOP just can't seem to admit it. Marching in lockstep with their gubernatorial candidate, "heartless" Bob McDonnell, House Republicans rejected $125 million in federal stimulus funds targeted to help unemployed Virginians.

The number of people without jobs is rising, affecting thousands of Virginia families. Nearly 300,000 Virginians are unemployed (and this doesn't count the underemployed) and the statewide unemployment rate is 6.6%. In the central Valley, it tops 7% in many localities, and the unemployment rate is over 10% in Waynesboro (Hello, calling Delegate Steve Landes... is anybody home?). The federal unemployment funds would have helped 8,000 Virginians in job training programs and seeking part-time work. In addition to helping families, money would have flowed into local businesses boosting those communities most hammered by the economic downturn.

So, what to do? The vote is done, the mistake made, right? Well, it is never to late for the let-'em-eat cake Republicans to admit a mistake and correct it. Governor Kaine wants to call a special session to focus on unemployment, but there is no point if no Republicans will man-up and agree to revisit the issue. We don't need all of them to change - just four or five reasonable Republicans would get the job done. Delegate Landes might answer that call - you can contact him at Del_Landes@house.state.va.us. It is less likely that right wing ideologues will even listen. You can Stand Up for VA and send a clear message to all House Republicans by signing the petition:

We, the undersigned, are outraged by the House of Delegates’ decision to follow the lead of gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and vote to send $125 million of our federal tax dollars back to Washington.

With nearly 300,000 Virginians out of work - and more people joining their ranks every day through no fault of their own - it’s clear that Virginia families are hurting.

We demand that the General Assembly go back to Richmond, fix this mistake, and do what's right for Virginians. It's time for our elected leaders to stand up for Virginia and vote to accept the economic relief we deserve.

Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till its over." He was, of course, referring to baseball. The same is true in politics - this battle to do the right thing isn't over unless we sit silently on the sidelines. Sign the petition. Do it now!

Blue Tide Risin' II

CCC has been reporting on the number of Democrats eager to take on incumbent Republicans in the Shenandoah Valley. A challenger in the 15th District has been rumored for a month or so and a story in today's DNR confirms that retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Lesinsky, a Democrat from Little Washington, will challenge Todd Gilbert. Gilbert is a reliable vote in the House of Delegate's right wing band of brothers. The 15th includes a small corner of Rockingham County and all of Page, Shenandoah and Rappahannock counties.

Across the mountain in traditionally friendlier Democratic turf, NBC29 reports that Republican Rob Bell will be challenged by Cynthia Neff, a 57 year old former IBM executive, for the 58th District House of Delegates seat. Neff is active in several charitable causes and promises an aggressive campaign pointing out where the incumbent has let the people down. The 58th District includes Fluvanna County and parts of Albemarle, Greene, and Orange counties.

Happy Birthday TJ

Happy 266th Birthday, Mr. Jefferson!

On this date in 1643 our 3rd president, author of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, was born in Albemarle County, Virginia. A birthday celebration is planned at Monticello this afternoon.

I've sometimes wondered what Mr. Jefferson would think if we could bring him back to observe and comment on the United States of America in 2009.

• He'd likely be very surprised and very proud of Barack Obama in the White House.
• He'd be appalled about the undue role of religion in the public sqaure.
• He'd marvel at the progress of science but be shocked at those who use ideology to question its findings.
• He'd be proud of his university, but (after learning the games) probably wish UVA would achieve more success on the football field and basketball court.
• He'd be dismayed at the Bush administration's dismantling of our constitutional rights.
• He'd offer suggestions (based on his own experience) for dealing with piracy on the high seas.

On this his birthday, it is instructive to read what he deemed the important accomplishments of his life. Jefferson died at Monticello on the 5oth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. His epitaph:

HERE WAS BURIED

THOMAS JEFFERSON

AUTHOR OF THE

DECLARATION

OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

OF THE

STATUTE OF VIRGINIA

FOR

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

AND FATHER OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

BORN APRIL 2, 1743 O.S.

DIED JULY 4, 1826

More on Thomas Jefferson in his Official White House Biography and on Wikipedia.

What do you think would shock, amuse, or pleasantly surprise Mr. Jefferson if he walked among us today?

Saving Goshen Pass?

A few months ago, the Boy Scouts of America announced Goshen was its first choice of location for their national jamboree. The event occurs every four years and would bring about 240,000 scouts and leaders to small mountain town with about 400 residents, a couple gas stations, a Dollar Store, a branch library, and a restaurant or two. Located in the northwestern corner of Rockbridge County, many would think Goshen is in the middle of nowhere, but their website claims its central location between Staunton, Lexington, Hot Springs, and Clifton Forge puts it "in the middle of everywhere." Is Clifton Forge anywhere, somewhere, or nowhere?

The headwaters of the Maury River are nearby and Goshen Pass is a popular canoeing, kayaking, and swimming destination. Hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping are popular recreational activities in the George Washington National Forest. So, why wouldn't folks in Goshen and surrounding areas welcome the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree? After all Scouts enjoy the outdoors, should be good stewards of the land and water, and the jamboree is only every four years which seems like a minimal hassle for the economic infusion it would bring to the area.

Nevertheless, in the spirit of "not in my backyard," groups have formed in opposition to the Boy Scouts' plans. Save Goshen Pass claims to be saving a special place and highlights the following objections:

We are concerned about the narrow and winding country roads, lack of adequate sewage treatment, volume of people overwhelming the fragile area, effects on wildlife, and the infrastructure that will change the natural resources of Goshen Pass forever.

One of the organizers of the opposition, Linda Larsen of nearby Rockbridge Baths, claims over 600 residents have signed petitions opposing the Boy Scouts' plans and that some 1,400 people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to their cause. Checking posts reveals other concerns - lack of clarity about the Boy Scouts' plans, how extensive would development at the site be, would the site be rented to other groups or used for other large scouting events between jamborees, additional local services required but the nonprofit Scouts don't pay taxes. Save Goshen Pass is closely affiliated with Friends of the Maury, a group long dedicated to preserving the stunningly beautiful river.

In announcing the search for a new site for their National Jamboree, the Boy Scouts cited the following desirable characteristics guiding their selection:

• Have spectacular natural beauty
• Have water for recreational activities
• Be at least 5,000 acres and available for donation, long-term lease (100+ years), or sale
• Be located within 25 miles of an interstate or a four-lane divided highway
• Be located within 150 miles of a commercial service airport with medium or large hub status
• Be located in an area with adequate medical services
• Be accessible year-round via standard modes of transportation

It seems to me that the Boy Scouts have met most of their requirements. Yeah, it is pushing the 25 miles from a major road and it will be quite a hike for medical services in Lexington or Augusta Medical Center; but don't Scouts learn first-aid, plus I'm sure they'd bring in medical professionals for the jamboree. Now perhaps they can proffer some assurances about the extent of the development and sewage treatment. It would also go a long way if the Boy Scouts could make assurances about community service - river and roadside cleanups, trail maintenance, and other good deeds - they'd bring to the area.

So, I think there is room for compromise, consensus, and an outcome that benefits all concerned. In the meantime my advice to both sides: Be Prepared.

Time to turn off the wireless?

Perhaps we should turn off the wireless in the State Capitol during floor sessions of the Virginia General Assembly? Or at least install a good firewall like used in schools.

According to student journalists at the Capitol News Service @ VCU, a number of delegates were surfing the web rather than paying attention to the debates and votes that affect all Virginians. Yes, our esteemed "leaders" were found visiting friends on Facebook, shopping for guns and furniture, checking out Civil War relics, and instant messaging. Staunton Delegate Chris Saxman was engrossed in the The Drudge Report.

Come on guys and gals, this ain't middle school. We send you to Richmond to do the people's business, not shop till you drop, social network, or read online tabloids. Besides, even lowly state employees can be disciplined for using state computers for playing games, surfing the net, or visiting irrelevant sites during business hours - shouldn't the same rules apply to the big birds? Cluck!

Deadline passes

The deadline for filing to run in the June 9 Democratic primary was 5:00 PM yesterday and it passed with no last minute surprises in the central Shenandoah Valley.

In the 20th House of Delegates District, Erik Curren was the only person to file and will be declared the nominee. Curren has announced a formal launch of his campaign with two events on Tuesday, April 14: at 11:45 AM at the Staunton Train Station and at 2:00 PM at Bridgewater Town Hall. Curren will take on the incumbent Chris Saxman.

In the 25th House of Delegates District, Dr. Greg Marrow and Jim Noel filed and will square off in the primary. The winner will take on incumbent Steve Landes.

With both Landes and Saxman voting to turn down $125 million in federal stimulus funds to assist the unemployed, it appears the Democrats have a ready-made issue with which to kick off their campaigns. True, employment in the area isn't as high as in other areas of the state, but it is rising and has topped 10% in Waynesboro. The GOP opposition seemed to be based on a fear that when the federal funds ran out, there would be unfunded mandates passed on to businesses in the form of higher taxes. Hey, how about a sunset provision?

Kind of a GOP Déjà vu - remember when Virginia turned down $15 million in Goals 2000 education funding because they didn't like the strings attached only to later accept the funds? Hum.

Creigh Deeds scares the bejesus out of opponents

Gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds has gone far beyond anyone's expectations for fundraising. Remember, Deeds kept his seat in the Senate of Virginia to do the people's business. In doing so, he passed up 46 days of fundraising and campaigning while his opponents were stumping and hitting up everyone and their uncle for a donation.

But Deeds surprised everyone, perhaps even the candidate himself, by raising more money in 44 days than he'd raised in the previous six months! He now has $1.2 million cash-on-hand... an astonishing 97% from Virginians. Sure, Terry McAuliffe has raised more... but how much is from out-of-state from people who don't know Virginia or care about our issues?

Creigh has the issues, the Virginia experience, the policy expertise, and the heart to carry on in the Warner/Kaine tradition that has moved Virginia forward. He is the only candidate who can whip RightWingBob in November. But, first he needs to win the June 9 primary. Want to help? Let me tell you where to go! If that isn't your cup of tea, go here to volunteer.