Corn on the cob

Sweet corn is showing up at farmer's markets and farm stands. Nice time of the year.

The "porn trial" started in Staunton today - jury selection was the main thing on the court's docket today. By lunch break three jurors - one man and two women - had been selected. Since this is a misdemeanor trial, seven jurors are needed. Guess they'll get into opening statements and calling witnesses tomorrow, if jury selection concludes today.

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A group called Virginia Veterans for Obama has a online petition - Congressman Bob Goodlatte Does Not Support Our Veterans. Recently the congressman sent a mailing falsely claiming he had supported Senator Jim Webb's G.I. Bill:

“Recently, the Congress passed, with my support, important legislation that expands the education benefits for our returning service members.”

Mr. Goodlatte actually opposed the bill and only voted for it to save face after the provisions were included in war funding legislation. If you believe that Mr. Goodlatte should fess up to false statements made during his reelection campaign, sign the petition.

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Flowers bloom in the spring, campaign signs in the fall. This year they've been popping up earlier than in some elections as more and more are appearing well before the traditional Labor Day campaign kick-off. Signs don't vote or win elections, but they can give a sense party activism and, if you know whose yard it is, a notion of where support of coming from.

Because he spent a year running for the Democratic nomination, Sam Rasoul's signs have been spotted around the district for months. They even caused a bit of a stir in Botetourt County back in April. In July, Goodlatte signs started appearing, first in the southern end of the district and later in the more northern areas. A big Goodlatte sign on church property caused a controversy and was removed. Bet there are more instances of this around the district. Although I've passed through her hometown of Bridgewater several times recently, I've only spotted one Janice Lee Allen sign, which was actually on Rt. 11 near Verona. Her campaign may have gone mort. 

Other than on properties of a few well known fanatical GOPites, I have yet to see a Gilmore sign legally in a yard - but many have been planted in VDOT right-of-ways. On the other hand, I've counted a fair number of Mark Warner signs, some at homes where Democratic signs are not the norm.

Barack Obama signs are scarce as hen's teeth at the area headquarters. Rumor is that the campaign is waiting on a VP name before printing new signs and bumper stickers. Still, you can spot them throughout Rockingham and Augusta counties. There have been a few letters to the editor in the DNR complaining of stolen Obama signs. A few McCain signs are beginning to appear - most clustered with other Republican signs.

Goodlatte lays rotten eggs

Bob Goodlatte sent a mailer that is just arriving in mailboxes in the 6th Congressional District in which he says:

"Recently the Congress passed, with my support, important legislation that expands the education benefits for our returning service members."

That legislation, initiated by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) enjoyed wide bipartisan support and the overwhelming support of a grateful American people.

Trouble is, Bob Goodlatte's taxpayer funded mailer is a disgusting lie. Goodlatte, following the lead of George Bush who threatened to veto the G.I. Bill, voted no. Only after the bill passed with such huge support that the president withdrew his opposition, did Bob Goodlatte support the G.I. Bill which had been included in an appropriations bill.

In another rotten decision, Bob Goodlatte voted no on the House Judiciary Committee motion to hold Karl Rove in contempt for his refusal to testify before Congress. During the impeachment of President Clinton, Goodlatte talked glowingly of the rule of law and the constitutional responsibilities of Congress. Now, when a Machiavellian political operative, Karl Rove, refuses to appear before our national legislature to answer questions about the prosecution of former Governor Donald Siegelman of Alabama and the politically motived firings of U.S. District Attorneys, Goodlatte forgets all about the rule of law and subverts legitimate congressional oversight powers to blatant partisanship.

Bob Goodlatte has laid so many rotten eggs, the voters should kick his sorry tail feathers out of the henhouse. He has failed to represent them or our great nation.

Democrats Nominate Rasoul

Lots of laying mash in the political trough this weekend - Sixth District Democrats did what everyone expected when they formalized the nomination of Sam Rasoul to challenge Bob Goodlatte for House of Representatives. No real surprise there . . . kind of like a good hen laying an egg every day.

Sam accepted the nomination and immediately took on the issues the Republican swiftboaters will likely raise - his age and ethnicity. Make no mistake, he knows he'll be hammered by bigots and Republicans obsessed with holding on to power. But from Sam's remarks, make no mistake that he'll answer every attack. Sam was inspirational while talking about the American Dream - OMG, hope that doesn't mean a "chicken in every pot . . !"

While Sam gave a fine speech, the highlight of the convention was the nominating speech by Bill Bestpitch, First Vice-Chair of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee and former member of the Roanoke City Council. Somehow, Cliff over at Cobalt6 got a digital copy and posted it by 6:00 PM! Line by line and issue by issue, Bill laid out Goodlatte's failings and hammered home the theme that when Sam Rasoul gets to Washington, he'll be working for us. 

Gotta admit, Bob Goodlatte has been feasting on the chicken feed of special interests. Will voters in the Sixth District return a guy who often sides with big agribusiness over the family farm? Will they return a guy who voted against the 21st Century G.I. Bill and valley veterans? Will they return a guy who gets a "F" on education policy and supports the failed "No Child Left Behind?" Every rooster knows incumbents are tough to beat, but Mr. Goodlatte is on the wrong side of so many issues near and dear to valley voters that his rotten eggs are starting to stink. Sam promises to listen, to hear, and to represent the values of the valley in D.C.

The convention also chose  four delegates (and one alternate) to the Democratic National Convention in Denver and a presidential elector. During the downtimes when votes were being tabulated, the convention honored "Most Valuable Democrats" and "Most Valuable Young Democrats" in each locality. Seems there is quite a rise in activism - some of these Dems must get up before the chickens!

David Layman, former chair of the Sixth District Committee, who suffered a heart attack while leading a committee meeting, was also honored. A slideshow of his family and political life accompanied the reading of a resolution commemorating his dedication to his community and the Democratic Party. David's widow and a number of family members were present.

Spotted at the convention was Chris Graham, the new chair of the Waynesboro Democratic Committee. 

That's all from the chicken coop for now. Remember Coarse Cracked Corn is 8% protein, 2.5% fat, and 2.75% fiber. But, that's a hell of a lot healthier than 100% BS at the local wingnut blogs. Peck. Peck.

Shame on Bob Goodlatte

Last week the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill as an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would provide educational benefits similar to those of WWII veterans. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) was one of the House patrons. This is the same bill Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced (on his first day in office) in the Senate and pushed on the Sunday talk shows and at every opportunity. Among the Senate supporters is Senator John Warner (R-VA).

The vote in the House was 256 to 156 with 32 Republicans voting with the majority. How did Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-06) vote on the 21st Cenury G.I. Bill and help for our veterans? On the wrong side.

Seems Mr. Goodlatte is all to willing to send young men and women into harm's way. He's all too willing to spend billion of dollars a week on a war, occupation, whatever you want to call it. He's all to willing to ask our soldiers and their families to sacrifice for their country. But, Mr. Goodlatte is unwilling to provide veterans with the same educational benefits that WWII vets received. Mr. Goodlatte is short-changing the young men and women of the Sixth District, Virginia, and the nation. Does he think a handshake and a hollow "thank you" is reward enough for their service?

CCC recently praised Mr. Goodlatte for his vote on the Farm Bill because he seemed to be listening to constituents. Today, he's even taking a tour of Valley farms, no doubt to claim credit.

On the 21st Century G.I. Bill, Goodlatte is flat wrong. Are his ears plugged with BushWax? Does he not care about our vets? Is it about the money? If so, Mr. Goodlatte you are a hypocrite for supporting billions for Iraq while shortchanging these young men and women. Contact our not-so-representative Mr. Goodlatte and tell him you stand with our veterans - and expect him to do so, too.