Claudio Simpkins of Hip Hop Republican, which is one of the better blogs out there, lays down his endorsement.
UPDATE
Props to Yankee Philip, who saw this before I did.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
ShenCo CPP Narrowing Down the Forward Focus
The Community Planning Project of Shenandoah County is halfway through it's series of public forums to get an idea of what ShenCo citizens want as they create a vision for the future of the county.
The apparent factor the group is looking at is the definition of "rural" vs. "non-rural" and which direction the county should take, at least for the next decade or so. According to the Shenandoah Valley-Herald article cited above, it seems most people want to keep a rural focus for the next 5-20 years, depending on who you spoke with.
Shenandoah County is a very rural area that is experiencing a burst of residential and commercial growth along the I-81 corridor, as new subdivisions are either in the proposed or newly-built stage from Strasburg, through Toms Brook and even Maurertown, down through Woodstock and Edinburg. The southern end of the county, anchored by the towns of Mount Jackson and New Market, are experiencing the least amount of real growth, mainly due to their close proximity to Woodstock, Harrisonburg, and Luray...they don't have the need for the growth.
However, there are no towns of real distinction outside of the I-81 corridor through the county. Some may consider Basye, but that is only significant because of Bryce Resort. The rest of the county is very, very rural and is populated by a lot of farmland. Hence, the focus should be on preserving the rural farmland while keeping the growth along the I-81 corridor moving forward, in my opinion. There is still plenty of undeveloped land along the corridor as not to threaten to overtake the farmland that makes up the bulk of Shenandoah County's value, in an industrial sense, to the state.
I don't think the concerns about property rights or higher taxes are necessary right now, as they are not an issue that Shenandoah County residents have to worry about for the time being.
The apparent factor the group is looking at is the definition of "rural" vs. "non-rural" and which direction the county should take, at least for the next decade or so. According to the Shenandoah Valley-Herald article cited above, it seems most people want to keep a rural focus for the next 5-20 years, depending on who you spoke with.
Shenandoah County is a very rural area that is experiencing a burst of residential and commercial growth along the I-81 corridor, as new subdivisions are either in the proposed or newly-built stage from Strasburg, through Toms Brook and even Maurertown, down through Woodstock and Edinburg. The southern end of the county, anchored by the towns of Mount Jackson and New Market, are experiencing the least amount of real growth, mainly due to their close proximity to Woodstock, Harrisonburg, and Luray...they don't have the need for the growth.
However, there are no towns of real distinction outside of the I-81 corridor through the county. Some may consider Basye, but that is only significant because of Bryce Resort. The rest of the county is very, very rural and is populated by a lot of farmland. Hence, the focus should be on preserving the rural farmland while keeping the growth along the I-81 corridor moving forward, in my opinion. There is still plenty of undeveloped land along the corridor as not to threaten to overtake the farmland that makes up the bulk of Shenandoah County's value, in an industrial sense, to the state.
I don't think the concerns about property rights or higher taxes are necessary right now, as they are not an issue that Shenandoah County residents have to worry about for the time being.
Stupid Idea...No Matter How You Slice It
You know, if Barack Obama wins this election, it will be in spite of himself and his campaign.
All partisanship aside, it's pretty easy to see that Obama and/or his campaign leaders have committed some gaffes, mishandled questions and attacks, and have bungled other affairs.
There's already questions about his patriotism, they haven't exactly handled the Ayers/Rezko/Wright associations well, he's now being touted a socialist, he made the "57 states" comment, Biden can't keep his mouth shut, the whole overly-Hollywood presentation at his acceptance speech, and he was blasted earlier for not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.
The latest gaffe...at a rally in New Hampshire, the Obama campaign scrapped the idea of having the National Anthem sung before the event. The reason? According to the article...
Morons...don't these people, who are supposed to know how to create an image that the American people find appealing, know that you just don't do that! It sends a bad message, especially when the press picks these things up. It feeds upon the image that Obama is anti-American.
While I have dozens of reservations about Obama as a President, I've never questioned whether or not he loves his country. However, I do think that Obama and his campaign have shown a serious lack of judgment here, and those who do have reservations regarding Obama's patriotism have just been fed more doubts.
Now, this does feed my perception that Obama lacks good judgment, though...
All partisanship aside, it's pretty easy to see that Obama and/or his campaign leaders have committed some gaffes, mishandled questions and attacks, and have bungled other affairs.
There's already questions about his patriotism, they haven't exactly handled the Ayers/Rezko/Wright associations well, he's now being touted a socialist, he made the "57 states" comment, Biden can't keep his mouth shut, the whole overly-Hollywood presentation at his acceptance speech, and he was blasted earlier for not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.
The latest gaffe...at a rally in New Hampshire, the Obama campaign scrapped the idea of having the National Anthem sung before the event. The reason? According to the article...
Not present, or at least not singing the National Anthem at the rally was Londonderry senior Zach Bencal.
Bencal, who sings the anthem for a number of school events and is actively involved in local community theatre, had been contacted by the Obama campaign to sing the anthem. He agreed to do so, then was told later in the evening the anthem had been scratched from the program. Bencal said he was told by the campaign the decision was a simple programming change to make room for another speaker."I guess it just wasn't meant to be," Bencal said.
Morons...don't these people, who are supposed to know how to create an image that the American people find appealing, know that you just don't do that! It sends a bad message, especially when the press picks these things up. It feeds upon the image that Obama is anti-American.
While I have dozens of reservations about Obama as a President, I've never questioned whether or not he loves his country. However, I do think that Obama and his campaign have shown a serious lack of judgment here, and those who do have reservations regarding Obama's patriotism have just been fed more doubts.
Now, this does feed my perception that Obama lacks good judgment, though...
Speaking Real Words
McCain just outright called Obama's economic policies "socialist".
Well, so much for implications...now least the message is getting out there straight with no mixer or chaser.
Well, so much for implications...now least the message is getting out there straight with no mixer or chaser.
Buffett Promotes Pro-Capitalist Thinking...
Some simple tenets and proof to back them up.
"Buy American stocks"
"Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when others are fearful".
While Buffett backs Democrats, he is a definite capitalist and if he takes over the Federal Reserve, we may not have to worry too much on that end...should he continue promoting this kind of sensible advice.
"Buy American stocks"
"Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when others are fearful".
While Buffett backs Democrats, he is a definite capitalist and if he takes over the Federal Reserve, we may not have to worry too much on that end...should he continue promoting this kind of sensible advice.
Friday, October 17, 2008
"John Stossel's Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics" on 20/20
John Stossel just gets it.
I love this...we get an hour of primetime dedicated to libertarian principles and the idea of spontaneous order. If you want a great opposition to the whole interventionalist nature of the current government in Washington, you should be watching this. No punches pulled, and everything is explained in an easy way for the masses to digest.
The metaphors fit, the experts providing proof, it's an good explaination of how things aren't right the way they are, and what they SHOULD be instead.
Turn it on now...or find it on YouTube.
UPDATE
It's about time that we hear about the real reasons for the subprime mortgage crisis, the housing bubble pop, and the real impetus for our current economic troubles...in primetime.
I love this...we get an hour of primetime dedicated to libertarian principles and the idea of spontaneous order. If you want a great opposition to the whole interventionalist nature of the current government in Washington, you should be watching this. No punches pulled, and everything is explained in an easy way for the masses to digest.
The metaphors fit, the experts providing proof, it's an good explaination of how things aren't right the way they are, and what they SHOULD be instead.
Turn it on now...or find it on YouTube.
UPDATE
It's about time that we hear about the real reasons for the subprime mortgage crisis, the housing bubble pop, and the real impetus for our current economic troubles...in primetime.
Another "Joe The Plumber" Doesn't Like Obama...
Literally.
Projected Dem spin...the makers of Drano and Liquid Plumbr have lobbyists that keep McCain in their back pocket.
Projected Dem spin...the makers of Drano and Liquid Plumbr have lobbyists that keep McCain in their back pocket.
Looking at the 2nd Congressional District...
I'm reading the voter information guide between current Rep. Thelma Drake and her challenge, Glenn Nye (h/t Vivian J. Paige). One question sticks out in my mind...
What's the freaking difference? Both Drake and Nye have the same views, so on almost every issue, I have the same agreements and disagreements.
So, I have to go to the one place where they diverge...Abortion. Nye's answer was pretty nondescript, but but I gather that he supports Roe v. Wade. Drake, on the other hand, believes that this is a state's rights issue, not a federal issue, which I personally agree with.
So, based on that and the fact that I can't justify putting another Dem in the House (I would if I thought he would be an improvement over Drake), I'm going to endorse Rep. Thelma Drake for reelection in the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia.
However, I will say this...I kinda like Glenn Nye. He's a sensible candidate.
What's the freaking difference? Both Drake and Nye have the same views, so on almost every issue, I have the same agreements and disagreements.
So, I have to go to the one place where they diverge...Abortion. Nye's answer was pretty nondescript, but but I gather that he supports Roe v. Wade. Drake, on the other hand, believes that this is a state's rights issue, not a federal issue, which I personally agree with.
So, based on that and the fact that I can't justify putting another Dem in the House (I would if I thought he would be an improvement over Drake), I'm going to endorse Rep. Thelma Drake for reelection in the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia.
However, I will say this...I kinda like Glenn Nye. He's a sensible candidate.
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