The get-well wishes from when I was sick and the e-mails asking me to "please get back to blogging" have been much appreciated. However, I've been busy.
Very busy.
As in, possibly moving to Pensacola, Florida busy.
Partially because of career advancement opportunities, partially because the outrageous prices of housing in NoVa has crept out towards the northern Valley (I blame the NoVa Dems...because I can :)). Partially because the climate will be better for my wife's respiratory problems.
I'm still here in Virginia, sitting, watching, and observing. However, with all that is going on, blogging/article-writing has been put to the side for the moment. If I end up staying, I'll jump-start this puppy back to life. If I move to Florida, I'll be down there singing the praises of Charlie Crist while lounging on the white, sandy beaches of the Emerald Coast...and I'll probably start blogging about area politics and so forth down there.
However, nothing is final, and just the company I work for...everything is subject to change.
My fellow sensible red-staters, keep your heads up. I know it seems like you're fighting an uphill battle trying to convince people of the good aspects of conservatism when people throw "Larry Craig" and "George W. Bush" in your faces all day long, and some right-wingers give you a bad name by being too extreme in their opinions and POV's.
To DWJ...keep the sanity by being insane. Lord knows Virginia needs it.
I will return to either say a final farewell to Virginia, break a huge story, or resume blogging sometime in the near future. Till then...
Peace, Phil.....and GO, FRED, GO!!!!!!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Griffin Gets The Hook
Eddie Griffin, a comedian known for playing in not-so-big hits but is a mildly funny guy nonetheless, had his act cut short at an event hosted by Black Enterprise magazine due to apparently excessive use of "the n-word". When Black Enterprise publisher Earl Graves announced Griffin being pulled, the crowd apparently gave a standing ovation.
Al Sharpton has praised Graves and Black Enterprise for trying to eliminate the use of the word.
After seeing Don Imus and Michael Richards get lambasted by Al Sharpton over their use of the word, it's nice to see that (finally) the anger and ahborration of this word is being pointed at anyone who uses it, not just those of a different race.
Al Sharpton has praised Graves and Black Enterprise for trying to eliminate the use of the word.
After seeing Don Imus and Michael Richards get lambasted by Al Sharpton over their use of the word, it's nice to see that (finally) the anger and ahborration of this word is being pointed at anyone who uses it, not just those of a different race.
Friday, August 31, 2007
I'll Bet You're Wondering Where I've Been...
Well, to be honest, I've been sick for the past week. I've simply become too lethargic in my illness to write anything...and other than Larry Craig's bathroom odyssey, there isn't much going on that I am paying attention to at the moment.
Except that Fred Thompson will announce on September 6th...there's some GOOD news for once.
Hopefully these antibiotics will finally get the job done and I'll be back by the beginning of next week.
Peace, Phil.
Except that Fred Thompson will announce on September 6th...there's some GOOD news for once.
Hopefully these antibiotics will finally get the job done and I'll be back by the beginning of next week.
Peace, Phil.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
John Warner: "Bring them home by Christmas"
This is what I heard on WJLA News at 6.
Apparently Warner came to the conclusion, as he toured Iraq, that the situation was too bleak to "continue the bloodshed". Apparently, Warner wants President Bush to start bringing the troops home next month, and put an end to the occupation of Iraq by Christmas.
While I'm still waiting to see exactly what this "surge report" says...if President Bush follows through on Warner's advice, it means two things. 1) Iraq is "off the table" in terms of an issue for the 2008 presidential candidates and the 2008 election...which means that the GOP could be free of it's biggest anchor. Also, 2) we can begin focusing on diverting funds from an overseas occupation to actually defending the homeland.
I will say this, the unwillingness and/or simply inability of the Iraqi government to come to terms on how to govern their own country has probably been the biggest roadblock to getting ourselves out of Iraq in a positive situation.
As much as I think a positive end to this occupation would do wonders bringing stability to the Middle East, who knows how this report by Petraeus next month will look. That's going to be the make-or-break moment for me in terms of this whole military operation.
Apparently Warner came to the conclusion, as he toured Iraq, that the situation was too bleak to "continue the bloodshed". Apparently, Warner wants President Bush to start bringing the troops home next month, and put an end to the occupation of Iraq by Christmas.
While I'm still waiting to see exactly what this "surge report" says...if President Bush follows through on Warner's advice, it means two things. 1) Iraq is "off the table" in terms of an issue for the 2008 presidential candidates and the 2008 election...which means that the GOP could be free of it's biggest anchor. Also, 2) we can begin focusing on diverting funds from an overseas occupation to actually defending the homeland.
I will say this, the unwillingness and/or simply inability of the Iraqi government to come to terms on how to govern their own country has probably been the biggest roadblock to getting ourselves out of Iraq in a positive situation.
As much as I think a positive end to this occupation would do wonders bringing stability to the Middle East, who knows how this report by Petraeus next month will look. That's going to be the make-or-break moment for me in terms of this whole military operation.
Oh SNAP!
So Greg B. at Daily Whackjob has uncovered who was behind the plot to link the Old Dominion Blog Alliance to NAMBLA via a redirected website link.
It's none other than Joe Stanley of Yellow Dog Strategy, and the media strategist behind the campaigns of such Democrats as Jim Webb and Roscoe Reynolds. Not-so-ironically, he is also good friends with one Ben Tribbett, who you know as Not Larry Sabato. If not Joe Stanley, it is one of his employees.
Now, if you remember, Joe Stanley was behind the Webb campaign flyer that many viewed as anti-Semitic towards Harris Miller, Webb's primary opponent in 2006. Roscoe Reynolds recently hired Yellow Dog Strategy in his struggle for reelection to the State Senate in the 20th District against Jeff Evans. Stanley's company is also working for Eric Ferguson, who has previously been featured on advertisements at NLS.
Interesting...I wonder what Ben's reaction to this is going to be?
It's none other than Joe Stanley of Yellow Dog Strategy, and the media strategist behind the campaigns of such Democrats as Jim Webb and Roscoe Reynolds. Not-so-ironically, he is also good friends with one Ben Tribbett, who you know as Not Larry Sabato. If not Joe Stanley, it is one of his employees.
Now, if you remember, Joe Stanley was behind the Webb campaign flyer that many viewed as anti-Semitic towards Harris Miller, Webb's primary opponent in 2006. Roscoe Reynolds recently hired Yellow Dog Strategy in his struggle for reelection to the State Senate in the 20th District against Jeff Evans. Stanley's company is also working for Eric Ferguson, who has previously been featured on advertisements at NLS.
Interesting...I wonder what Ben's reaction to this is going to be?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Arin Sime - Creative Fundraiser
24th State Senate District (and Podium-endorsed) candidate Arin Sime is having a fundraiser on Friday, August 24th. It's not just any fundraiser, but a "beer tasting reception" at Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet. This is probably the first time I've ever come across a fundraiser of this nature, and a pretty creative move on Sime's part.
$50 a person...and according to Sime's website, you get "Unlimited 2oz tastings of Starr Hill beers, 2 free pints of beer, a Starr Hill pint glass to take home, light appetizers, a private tour of the brewery with Brewmaster Mark Thompson, and a warm fuzzy feeling for helping Arin Sime’s Libertarian campaign for State Senate!"
As Whackette pointed out over at Daily Whackjob, the disclaimer at the bottom of the page is a nice touch.
"Note: The Sime campaign does not encourage irresponsible consumption of alcohol, and only adults 21 years or older will be allowed at this event. Carpooling and designated drivers are strongly encouraged. If you need a ride to or from the event, or even a place to stay Friday night, we can arrange it. Be safe!"
Go out and support Arin Sime with a couple pints of local brew!
$50 a person...and according to Sime's website, you get "Unlimited 2oz tastings of Starr Hill beers, 2 free pints of beer, a Starr Hill pint glass to take home, light appetizers, a private tour of the brewery with Brewmaster Mark Thompson, and a warm fuzzy feeling for helping Arin Sime’s Libertarian campaign for State Senate!"
As Whackette pointed out over at Daily Whackjob, the disclaimer at the bottom of the page is a nice touch.
"Note: The Sime campaign does not encourage irresponsible consumption of alcohol, and only adults 21 years or older will be allowed at this event. Carpooling and designated drivers are strongly encouraged. If you need a ride to or from the event, or even a place to stay Friday night, we can arrange it. Be safe!"
Go out and support Arin Sime with a couple pints of local brew!
Something Out Of Nothing
That's what Lane Hudson, the liberal blogger who shed light on the Mark Foley scandal, is trying to do. He's filing suit against Fred Thompson's not-quite-yet-campaign because they are following the law under the "testing the waters" committee rules. Hudson believes that they're not by having fundraisers, accepting donations, etc..., but it's all legal, and Thompson is expected to declare long before the FEC suit will be filed, which means that Hudson's claim will have practically no legal leg to stand on.
Actually, after a quick review of the rules of a "testing the waters" committee and the actions of Thompson's committee, Hudson has no legal leg to stand on in the first place.
Hudson, who is probably fearful of Thompson's possible candidacy, is trying to make something out of nothing. Same could be said of VB Dems, who makes another tired, snide anti-GOP remark at the end of her post.
Actually, after a quick review of the rules of a "testing the waters" committee and the actions of Thompson's committee, Hudson has no legal leg to stand on in the first place.
Hudson, who is probably fearful of Thompson's possible candidacy, is trying to make something out of nothing. Same could be said of VB Dems, who makes another tired, snide anti-GOP remark at the end of her post.
Smart Move
In light of the revenue shortfall, and subsequent budget deficit projection, Tim Kaine announced yesterday that he would look to trim 5 percent from the spending budget of state agencies. Also, there could be a possible dip into Virginia's "rainy day" fund to make up for the less-than-projected tax revenue.
The smart move by Tim Kaine is to look to "trim the fat" from the budget, which was based on a projected revenue increase of 6.5%...revenues are now expected to increase by only 4.9%. Kaine, a Democrat as we all know, could have looked to go the Mark Warner route and increase taxes...but he's decided to take a more fiscally-conservative approach (at least as a first option) and not attempt to raid our wallets and pocketbooks to cover the revenue shortfall.
Also, Kaine has stated that he will not target the salaries, benefits, or employment status of state employees, either...so nobody will be losing a job over this. However, there will be tighter management over renewed contracts with 3rd party contractors/consultants and agencies must seek approval from their Cabinet secretaries to hire new positions in most cases. Most people consider this a simple "tightening of the belt", so to speak.
For that, I applaud Governor Kaine.
The smart move by Tim Kaine is to look to "trim the fat" from the budget, which was based on a projected revenue increase of 6.5%...revenues are now expected to increase by only 4.9%. Kaine, a Democrat as we all know, could have looked to go the Mark Warner route and increase taxes...but he's decided to take a more fiscally-conservative approach (at least as a first option) and not attempt to raid our wallets and pocketbooks to cover the revenue shortfall.
Also, Kaine has stated that he will not target the salaries, benefits, or employment status of state employees, either...so nobody will be losing a job over this. However, there will be tighter management over renewed contracts with 3rd party contractors/consultants and agencies must seek approval from their Cabinet secretaries to hire new positions in most cases. Most people consider this a simple "tightening of the belt", so to speak.
For that, I applaud Governor Kaine.
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