Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Virginia Vs. Vermont re: Lesbian Custody Battle


A Virginia woman who gave birth to a young girl is now in a court battle with her former lesbian "spouse". Questions arise out of conflicting state laws. Do the laws of Virginia trump those of Vermont? Does little Isabella actually have 2 mommies? See more over at YankeePhil

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Just the Facts, M'am, Part II

PolitFact's Truth-O-Meter is Biased Too...

Mark Warner, in his form response to those who write him opposing the healthcare bill, also references the 'unbiased' site: Politfact, a project of the St. Petersburg Times.

Here is Evidence [click to read] that PolitFact is not exactly 'neutral.' In fact, PolitFact is here documented to have covered for ACORN and attempting to discredit Michele Bachmann.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Just the Facts, M'am...

Mark Warner Uses Left Leaning 'Fact Check' Site

Recently Mark Warner sent me a form letter about Obamacare referencing the website FactCheck.org to discredit Conservative concerns. He said voters should look to such 'unbiased' sources because their are so many 'false statements' about the legislation. But follow the trail below to find out just how fair and balanced FactCheck.org really is.

The ANNENBERG Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvaniais the organization behind the FactCheck.org website that is being referenced by voters and media personalities alike to help them form opinions on the “truthfulness” of the claims being made by political ads as well as statements made on the Campaign Trail.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Ph.D. is the Director of the ANNENBERG Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania which is the organization BEHIND the FactCheck.org “truthfulness” website.Dr. Jamieson's newest book entitled “Echo Chamber: Rush Limbaugh and the Conservative Media Establishment” is a MAJOR HIT PIECE against the Conservative voices in the media on television, radio, and in print. View the book’s Table of Contents [click to read]. Then decide for yourself.

What’s the bottom line? FactCheck.org is a LEFT-BIASED organization that has sold itself as “Politically NEUTRAL” to America’s voters and media personnel. The fact is, the ANNENBERG Public Policy Center (APPC), the sponsoring agency behind FactCheck.org, is itself supported by the same foundation, the ANNENBERG FOUNDATION, that Bill Ayers secured the 49.2million dollars from to create the Chicago ANNENBERG Challenge“philanthropic” organization in which Barack Obama was the founding Chairman of the Board for and Ayers served as the grant writer of and co-Chair of for its two operating arms. Hardly an 'unbiased' source. Source: Free Republic

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia ... 2009 winter snow storm

The picket fence and gate are almost covered with snow. Photo by SWAC Daughter.

SWAC Husband clears 2 feet of snow off deck.



The snow is knee deep.

Pathway shoveled by SWAC Daughter to driveway.



As this photo was taken, heavy snow continued to fall. Photo by SWAC Daughter.

Photo by SWAC Daughter.

Snow drifting against fence.



Snow piled against door to deck.

Yard is a winter wonderland.

Heavy snow continues to fall as 25-30 mph wind gusts cause snow drifts.

Bob at The Journey has been out taking photos this morning ... and so has Fishersville Mike, whose bench is now completely buried in snow. No morning reports in yet from Yankee Phil or Jason or David.

Mike reminds us of those working throughout the storm, people we are thankful for ... and that includes SWAC bloggers Jason who is a deputy, and David who is a cardiac RN at the local hospital.

It's 23 degrees and the snow continues to fall....

Update:
- Phil has photos of the "big blast of global warming"
- David has photos and says they are "completely snowed in"
- Mike has updated at 11:15 Saturday morning

Photos by SWAC Girl & SWAC Daughter
Lynn Mitchell
19 December 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Campbell County Mother Kills Baby in VA

The baby was under bedding and had been suffocated by her mother. Investigators say because the mother and baby were still connected by the umbilical cord and placenta, state law does not consider the baby to be a separate life. It is a legal abortion, apparently. Therefore, the mother cannot be charged.
Republican State Senator Steve Newman announced today that the Division of Legislative Services has begun drafting legislation to ensure that a life cannot be legally taken after a child is born not withstanding its connection to the umbilical cord.

The bill will amend Section 18.2 of the Code of Virginia which is the criminal code. Newman stated, “It is difficult to believe that the current Code could have such a flaw that would allow anyone to take the life of a born child. While I will not comment at this time on the case in Campbell County, it is abundantly clear that Virginians will demand a legislative cure to this loophole. I have consulted with the Attorney General Elect, Ken Cuccinelli; Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney, Neil Vener; Campbell County Sheriff Terry Gaddy and the investigator in the case, Tracy Emerson. All have indicated their full support for this legislation.

See the video at Yankee Phil

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Some of Us Had 'Joe Wilson' Moments

Getting the Attention of Public Servants...



...Can Be Extremely Frustrating!

But dissing a grandmother is really bad form!

Friday, December 11, 2009

83.333333333% of StrictlyVa meets at the Grille


SWAC Area Bloggers, aka StrictlyVA bloggers met last night at the Depot Grille.
From Left to right are Fishersville Mike, Augusta Watercooler, The Journey, Swacgirl, and Yankee Phil. Augusta Conservative missed the shindig.
See more at Swacgirl.
Go see Bill with his Rabbit

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Return of the Rest Areas

Governor McDonnell is Bringing Them Back!

Rest Area
An open rest area near Crozet.

My one question... how much money was actually "saved" as skilled crews removed signs, boarded up the buildings, striped a solid line across the deceleration lane, posted "no parking" signs, installed gates, winterized plumbing and removed fixtures?

Rest Areas to Re-Open

Gov.-Elect McDonnell Pledges To Reopen Rest Areas Within 90 Days

Virginia highway rest stops shuttered to save money in the economic recession will reopen within 90 days after the January start of Gov.-elect Robert F. McDonnell’s term in office

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Jon Stewart: Mark Warner Really Sucks

They have brand new models
but they still just suck.

I meant Liberal Democrats, not Vacuums
Electrolux has always been a great brand

A funny video of Jon Stewart can be seen over at Yankee Phil.
It shows Mark Warner doing his impersonation of an Electrolux

Monday, December 7, 2009

Time to Contact Senators Warner and Webb

Don't Let Them Vote 'Absent' Again...

IMG_5669
Our two Senators were conspicuously absent during the healtcare debate earlier this year.

Once again our Senators need to hear from you! You need to remind them that we in Virginia do NOT want this life-denying tax increasing job killing monstrosity. Please vote NO!

Senator Warner:
(202) 224-2023

Senator Webb:
(202) 224-4024

Detailed Contact Information [click to read]. As Rush says: "to the phones we go..."

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Fall of the Church of Gore

Global Warming's High Priest Disgraced by 'Climategate'

Ice on the Trees
Skyline Drive, December 16, 2007. Photo by Bob Kirchman

Global Warming Debunked by my Virginia Photo Collection

Refusing to be swayed by "facts," Sticking to your beliefs even when all evidence points to their unreasonableness, it's a matter of faith after all... am I describing the "dangerous" [1.] Religious Right here? No, these are the characteristics of the modern Global Warming movement, of which Algore is head priest and prophet.

As the hacked emails make it ever clearer, he is a false prophet... the kind the Biblical Jeremiah condemned outright.

Monica Crowley in Political Mavens [click to read] discusses the Jim Baker-like fall of climate televangelist Algore.

I'm doing my little bit too with my Virginia Photo Album.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

In Honor of 'ClimateGate'

January 17th and 18th Last Winter...

Window at Buckhorn Inn
It was minus two outside this window.

Parkway Icicles
A family inspects icicles on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Sherando Lake
Sherando Lake was ready for ice hockey.

Parkway Icicles
As bitter cold gripped the commonwealth, Obama's transition team wondered what to do with the planned 'global warming' speeches.

All Images by Bob Kirchman. None Photoshopped.

In Honor of 'ClimateGate'

A Virginia Snow Scene...

Massanutten Lodge
An October 19th snow scene at George Freedman Pollack's Skyland in Shenandoah National Park. It probably messed up some ranger's 'global warming' talk that week. Photo by Bob Kirchman.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Kissing Bandit in Loudoun

There is a Kisser on the loose. Over in Loudon County a man, maybe a foreigner, is kissing random joggers. See the video here
Loudoun County Sheriff's officers have identified and talked to the man believed to have kissed at least four female joggers last week in Sterling.

None of the four joggers wanted to press charges against the 71-year-old man. He has an ailment and showed no criminal intent, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kraig Troxell said.

The incidents happened on Whitewater Drive in the Lowes Island area. Several female joggers reported that an older man had approached them at different times, extended his hand as if to shake hands, then kissed them on the cheek or hand, Troxell said.

The man is not being named since he was not charged.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to the SWAC Bloggers....

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Tea Party director, Richard Armstrong running for Staunton City Council.

The director of the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots is the first official candidate to fill the Staunton City Council seat of outgoing state District 20 Del.-elect Dickie Bell.

Former Detroit policeman and Navy veteran Richard Armstrong, 63, on Monday submitted his application and Staunton vision statement.


See the story at News Virginian, or at Augusta Conservative

Cantor-sponsored job fair in Culpeper turns out 700

Congressional Whip Eric Cantor (R-7th CD) sponsored a job fair Monday in Culpeper ... and more than 700 unemployed Virginians turned out to take advantage of the opportunity to talk with 50 employers looking for new employees. WVIR NBC-29 was there to cover the event and has details as well as video.

This is the Congressman's second job fair. The first, held earlier this year in Chesterfield, also attracted thousands.

A little Change of Scenery

We decided to make a slight change of scenery.
This is a pic of Grand Caverns, near Grottoes Virginia

Here are a few from inside the caves




Monday, November 23, 2009

Swoope has a carriage company

Blue Ridge Carriage Company has 2 big Percherons

They are neighbors and co-workers.
I have no financial stake in their business, but I wish them good fortune.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Voting 'Absent'

Warner and Webb Didn't Show Up to Represent Us...

I'll be getting another round of 'form letters.' You'll tell me how you 'have concerns' about the bill as it is written and other such nonsense. If you really cared about the legitimate concerns so many of us have about it then why did both of you vote to allow this destructive monstrosity to go to debate in the first place?

Friday, November 20, 2009

Will Mark Warner vote anti-business and create new federal agency?

Call Sen. Mark Warner (804.775-2314 or 202.224-2023) and tell him NO new federal agencies.

While most eyes are on the massive federalized government health care bill now making its way through the Senate, Congress is secretly working on other legislation to broaden and expand government even more. We cannot afford this continued spending ... America's back is breaking under the burden of debt.

Maximus at The Contemporary Conservative summed it up very well: Will Senator Mark Warner vote to create a new Frankenstein Federal Agency designed to strangle business recovery?

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced a wide-ranging piece of legislation last week that combines some of the worse anti-business provisions of securities "reform" legislation that was floating around.

Known as “Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2009," the bill would create the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and promote what is referred to as "scheme liability."

There are business impacts that are direct to certain kinds of businesses, those that are indirect (such as to realtors, small banks, and auto dealers who will be harmed further if people can't get home loans or car loans) and those that hit all of us as end consumers either through reduced or eliminated access to certain kinds of loans or through higher prices for products and services (as the increased cost of doing business is passed along).

This thing is massive ... and creates another bureaucratic agency with more layers in government resulting in more taxpayer costs at a time when the federal debt has TRIPLED in the past six months.

One sentence in this massive Senate financial regulatory legislation would leave small businesses, banks, and accountants as well as virtually any other business subject to a flood of new securities class action lawsuits. Class action lawyers, who support the bill, would be allowed to sue virtually anyone who did business with a public company alleged to have engaged in fraud even if they didn't know anything about the alleged fraud.

This guilt-by-association provision would hurt innocent companies by forcing them into extortionate settlements. Because securities class action lawsuits tend to seek massive damage awards, many bystander businesses -- even those bearing no culpability whatsoever -- would feel compelled to settle the lawsuits rather than go to trial and risk losing a "bet-the-company" case.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice are already in place and authorized to prosecute those who aid and abet violations of securities laws so why is another newly-created agency necessary?

There have been news reports in many states of securities class action lawyers engaging in pay-to-play with public pension fund officials, contributing large amounts to their campaigns in return for contracts to represent the pension fund in lawsuits in which the lawyers are likely to make tens of millions of dollars in legal fees.

Aside from specific concerns that certain businesses have because of the direct impact coming from this legislation, it is a given that consumers will be adversely impacted by anything that drives up the cost of doing business.

So whether it is because of increased legal costs in defending against lawsuits, increased costs of complying with regulations or artificial determinations about the cost of products, these new increased costs of doing will will be passed on to the consumer. And that is everyone.

The Heritage Foundation agrees there is absolutely no rationale for creating such an agency:
During last year's presidential campaign, Barack Obama noted that "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."

This phrase neatly sums up the ongoing ... Financial Services Committee markup of .... the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) Act of 2009. Despite honest attempts to improve the bill, the overall concept is still badly flawed, and any result that comes close to the original concept will be a major mistake. There is simply no rationale for creating such an agency that a coordinating council of state and federal financial regulators cannot accomplish easier and at a lower cost.
Sen. Mark Warner is a member of the committee and, as a businessman, should be pulling back in horror at the thought of this overreaching government bureaucracy. Calls and letters are urgently needed to ask Sen. Warner to vote NO on creating another bureaucratic agency. He can be contacted by letter, FAX, or phone call:
The Honorable Sen. Mark Warner
919 East Main Street, Suite 630
Richmond, VA 23219

FAX: (804) 775-2319
PHONE - Richmond Office: (804) 775-2314
PHONE - Washington Office: (202) 224-2023
Congress should rely on legislation already in place, such as the SEC and Department of Justice, to enforce the laws on the books rather than create new bureaucracy, more debt, and more opportunity for ACORN to have access in this Obama administration.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Can Someone Show Me the 12th District?

This is Enlightening...

The Stimulus Money is Saving and Creating Jobs in Nonexistant Congressional Districts [click to read]. I'm wondering how ACORN might be involved in this.

SWAC Girl says: "Virginia has eleven congressional districts. Yet DJ at Right-Wing Liberal alerts us that somehow the Obama administration provided over $2.26 million to the 12th Congressional District. There is no such animal ... will there be an investigation by the media?"

12th District
Virginia's eleven Congressional Districts.

No, Virginia, there will NOT be an investigation by the media. Just the obligitory "we knew about it but it's not real news" piece.

This is Frightening...

Cook County politics come to Virginia? We're wondering if some ACORN volunteer turned member of the administration rode the Metro across the river and discovered the large cemetary there. In Chicago that is an underrepresented voter block, as you well know, and the staffer simply jumped the gun. After the Census comes redistricting.

Recently [I am NOT making this up]!!! there was a cemetary in Cook County that was digging up graves and reselling the plots! That it happened in Chicago makes you wonder... if these people were actively voting they didn't need a cemetary plot anyway, did they?

So I have a macabre theory as to where this "12th district" is. Watch out for purple shirts and ACORN 'Voter Registration Drives" in 2010 folks.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

H.R. 3962 Made Simple...

This Diagram Will Help You Understand Obamacare

thymehealthcare
THYME Special Healthcare Edition

Our staff worked through the night to reduce the two thousand page document into a diagram that is easy to understand. Those of you who are sharp historians will recognize the infamous 1938 'Man of the Year' cover from the 'other' weekly newsmagazine.

Friday, November 6, 2009

3 of 69 Blue Dogs are Virginians. Call Them.

TELL THEM TO VOTE NO
ON PELOSI/OBAMACARE


14.Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA): “I’m Not Persuaded Any Sort Of Tax Increase Is Needed.” “‘I’m not persuaded any sort of tax increase is needed,’ said Rep. Gerald Connolly, a first-term Democrat from Virginia. He suggests Democrats should focus more on finding budget savings. ‘The jury is still out on what, if anything, we have to do for revenue enhancement.’” (Greg Hitt And Martin Vaughan, “Health Bill In House Relies On Wealth Tax,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/11/09) CONTACT HERE

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Ft. Hood Shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was a Hokie

The Virginia-born soldier,Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was single with no children. He was 39 years old.
He is a graduate of Virginia Tech University, where he was a member of the ROTC and earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry in 1997.

Read more here

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Look What Happened in the Albemarle BOS...

They Just Voted in a Republican Majority!

I was over in Charlottesville for meetings today. I had the radio on as I was driving and couldn't quite believe my ears. Both Duane Snow and Rodney Thomas won their respective elections and that puts three Republicans on the five member board. Snow is a local businessman and his family ran a successful nursery for years.

Both Thomas and Snow ran on a on a zero-based budget during the campaign. That means the budget starts at zero and each department has to justify all of their funding. Sounds good to me!

Beverage beats Dixon in treasurer's race


The race for the Waynesboro treasurer's seat, which turned into a four-way scamper with two late write-in candidates, finished with Republican challenger Stephanie Beverage taking the win from incumbent Sandra "Sandee" Dixon.
With Beverage's victory, the Republicans finished a sweep of the area. As of press time, Beverage had 1,867 votes, 42 percent, to Dixon's 1,180, 27 percent. There were 1,383 write-in votes cast between the two candidates not on the ballot, reports the Newsleader .
What is amazing to this blogger is 1383 write-ins. Good Job Stephanie for beating the odds.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Sweep is Official!

Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli Win Big

What a historic night! Lynn is live-blogging from Richmond and Big-government [that's YOU, Mr. Obama] took a serious hit! It's pretty clear that McDonnell won with his clear message. Yes, Virginia, there ARE great communicators.

Congratulations to our next Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General!

State Capital Building

Election Day 2009 ... vote GOP McDonnell~Bolling~Cuccinelli


Virginia's winning Republican team ...
Bill Bolling ~ Bob McDonnell ~ Ken Cuccinelli


Election Day 2009
Please exercise your freedom to vote
and go to the polls today.

Nothing is so sweet as the taste of freedom....

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
GOP Flyaround at Weyers Cave Airport - 1 November 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

Survey USA - McDonnell up 18

Survey USA releases its final poll before the election, putting Bob McDonnell ahead 58-40. In its final 2005 poll, Survey USA had Tim Kaine leading by five points when he eventually won by six.
Looking at the numbers are:
Below the Beltway
Tertium Quids
Nova Town Hall

Real Health Care Reform Secrets: Part1


In order for there to be real Health Care Reform and not just a massive Government take over, some facts must be exposed. Learn more about it at The Augusta Conservative.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor

THYME 01 08
Volume I, Issue VIIIA, Special Election Issue.

A Clear conservative message has Bob McDonnell leading steadily in the polls.

THYME Magazine

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor

THYME 01 08
Volume I, Issue VIII, Special Election Issue.
Photo by Jen Fariello

The Moderate Democrat's Dilemma

Pity Creigh Deeds. His job is not an easy one. First he must convince Virginians that he is 'one of them.' Even though the Washington Post and Senator Mark Warner are big fans, he's got to project that "down home folksy voice" that says he remembers his Bath County Roots.

Then there's the question of how tightly to embrace that donkey on the National level? It's probably a good idea to "not support" the Cap and Trade Tax being pushed forward by Mark Warner and the National Organization.

Then there's the base. You've got to put in a dig about George Bush's "tax cuts for the rich" but move on before someone points out that those lower rates spur corporate growth. You've got to convince college girls that Bob McDonnell wants to reinstate the Middle Ages so they'll "rock the vote!" Still you have to deal with the fact that most Virginians find Bob McDonnell's moral values mirror their own.

Since you are effectively running against your national party AND the Republicans, who's on your team? Your guaranteed tax cut for "any business that hires a new employee" sounds good but how do you create a climate where the business actually needs more employees due to increased productivity? You see Creigh, I have to justify the ENTIRE cost of the employee before I will hire him or her.

And bringing broadband to every cowpasture in Virginia will probably go to the lowest bidder -- someone from out of state.

Also, how clear should you be on tax policy? A lot of us believe that government needs to restrain itself, just as we have had to in this current economy, and those 'evil' tax cuts will eventually lead to more business activity and increased revenues. It is not a fluke that the states in the most fiscal trouble right now have the highest tax rates. But who should YOU listen to?

Finally, how much should you bash your opponent when it starts to sound like that's all you have to offer? It's starting to sound something like this:

Folksy Voice: "We already know that Bob McDonnell Beats His Dawg!, But did you Know: BOB McDONNELL BEATS HIS DAWG!!!, and by the way, he supports Bush's tax cuts for the rich, and Bob McDonnell Beats His Dawg..."

It's time to present your positve ideas. If you bash a good man's reputation long enough, it becomes obvious that you're bashing a good man's reputation. All good men have their naysayers and it is all too easy to become known for your naysaying.

Just the Facts M'am

Recently Creigh Deeds' advertising referenced the website FactCheck.org to discredit his opponent. But follow the trail below to find out just how fair and balanced FactCheck.org really is.

The ANNENBERG Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania is the organization behind the FactCheck.org website that is being referenced by voters and media personalities alike to help them form opinions on the “truthfulness” of the claims being made by political ads as well as statements made on the Campaign Trail.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Ph.D. is the Director of the ANNENBERG Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania which is the organization BEHIND the FactCheck.org “truthfulness” website.

Dr. Jamieson's newest book entitled “Echo Chamber: Rush Limbaugh and the Conservative Media Establishment” is a MAJOR HIT PIECE against the Conservative voices in the media on television, radio, and in print. View the book’s Table of Contents [click to read]. Then decide for yourself.

What’s the bottom line? FactCheck.org is a LEFT-BIASED organization that has sold itself as “Politically NEUTRAL” to America’s voters and media personnel. The fact is, the ANNENBERG Public Policy Center (APPC), the sponsoring agency behind FactCheck.org, is itself supported by the same foundation, the ANNENBERG FOUNDATION, that Bill Ayers secured the 49.2million dollars from to create the Chicago ANNENBERG Challenge“philanthropic” organization in which Barack Obama was the founding Chairman of the Board for and Ayers served as the grant writer of and co-Chair of for its two operating arms. Hardly an 'unbiased' source. Source: Free Republic

PPP - McDonnell up 14

Public Policy Polling finds little change in its last poll of the gubernatorial season - it's Bob McDonnell up 56-42. The poll shows an even split in the electorate, 35 percent Republican and 35 percent Democratic.
Also looking at the poll are:
Blue Virginia
Virginia Virtucon
SWAC girl
Nova Town Hall
Renaissance Ruminations
Tertium Quids

Below the Beltway

Inspiration at the Airport

Two Trips to SHD Prove to be Stirring

B-17 Flying Fortress
A young American takes in a B-17 Flying Fortress as the Collings Foundation WW II aircraft visit the Valley.

I've been to Shenandoah Valley Airport twice this week. Both times were greatly moving. Last week gave many Valley residents the chance to see some of the planes that helped win the great war. You could walk through the bombers and see the battle stations of young men in their twenties and imagine what it was like to defend freedom [and your airplane] from the enemy.

The second trip was to greet Virginia's Conservative ticket for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. They spoke of facing the challenges before us with clarity and purpose. The Conservative message rang through the terminal as over 200 citizens cheered. Small business, a proven jobs generator, needed to be set free to do just that. We need to reopen the rest areas for all the truckers serving this revitalized marketplace. Government needed to get lean and responsive again. Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli were saying all the things "they" said nobody could say anymore. "They" were calling Virginia a "blue state." I think Virginia just needed more oxygen.

Rocking the Vote...

...Getting Grandma to the Polls Just Got Easier

Last year my lovely wife did a little research and discovered that our local polling place in Jollivue was more than willing to help voters with mobility issues. If we drove her 95 year old Father and 85 year old Mother to the polling place election officials would actually bring the touchpad voting machine out to the car for them and register their votes.

I can't vouch for every polling place but I would assume this policy exists statewide.

One more excuse bites the dust!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Mason-Dixon poll - McDonnell up 12

Two days until the election and another double-digit lead for Bob McDonnell - 53-41 in the Mason-Dixon poll.
Blue Virginia looks at the polling numbers, as does Below the Beltway

StrictlyVA welcomes Bob from "The Journey"

StrictlyVa is a group of SWAC bloggers who write about anything and everything to do with Virginia.

The group of five ... Yankee Phil, Fishersville Mike, Augusta Water Cooler, Augusta Conservative, and SWAC Girl ... has increased to six with the addition of Bob from The Journey.

A photo blogger aka citizen journalist, Bob offers commentary and his unique window on the world around him through his photography and art. His first post for StrictlyVA talks about how the media will spin a Republican win if Tuesday sees a sweep of the top three of McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli. We look forward to more from Bob including his always-informative THYME Magazine editions.

The merry band of bloggers at StrictlyVA welcome Bob!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

How the Media Will 'Spin' a Win...

If Republicans Capture Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General They'll Be Ready with an 'Explaination'

Remember the 'angry white male' from the 1994 elections when Congress was taken from one-party domination? That was the 'explaination' given for the upset. No doubt, he'll be back as an explaination of any new surge for Conservatives in election results.

Public Servants who lose touch with their constituents probably won't get a mention. There is a REASON the voters are upset with elected representatives.

I grew up with Davy Crockett as a hero. I still remember the part where he rode through the night to defeat the Indian Bill, a bad piece of legislation that cost him his congressional career for opposing it. Davy Crockett was one of us! There was no question. Saying: "you can go to hell, I'll go to Texas!," Crockett was probably the first angry white male! he, unlike many politicians today, refused to leave his roots and join the 'elite.'

Fast forward to 2008 and you have two 'public servants' who let their hair down with their elite buddies and say things like: "You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them. … And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Or consider this quote: "One of the things you are going to see is a coalition that is just about completely taken over the Republican Party in this state and if they have their way it’s going to take overstate government. It is made up of the Christian Coalition, but not just them. It is made up of the right-to-lifers, but not just them. It’s made up of the NRA, but not just them. It is made up of the Home-schoolers but not just them. It’s made up of a whole coalition of people that have all sorts of differing views that I think most of us in this room would find threatening to what it means to be an American." [1.]

Scary stuff! The man responsible for the second quote is a Senator from the State of Virginia. If you are a person of faith, believe in G-d, understand the Second Amendment, hold unborn human life sacred or educate your children at home you are 'threatening to what it means to be an American' to the ruling 'elite.'

But they disrespect the American people and their long-held values at their own peril. The first remark above cost Barack Obama the Pennsylvania primary. The second cost Mark Warner his credibility as a representative of Virginia's people. Even a fawning press can only protect you so much when you lose touch with the people you are elected to serve.

The 2009 Governor's race has seen a steady stream of negative advertising aimed at making you think Bob McDonnell is 'threatening to what it means to be an American.' He's been excoriated for his pro-life stance [which many of us share with him]. He's been painted as 'anti-woman' [though I know a lot of intelligent women who support him]. He's been painted as the 'tax and spend' candidate in advertisements delivered in a 'folksy voice' so we'll believe he's one of us. The ad goes on to tell us McDonnel supported the Bush tax cuts 'for the rich' and that his plan for transportation is to raid money from education. Wow, all that in one ad! Problem is the ad assumes we the voters aren't all that smart. If he's going to raise all those taxes and power company rates he's creating whole new revenue streams. Why would he have to "steal" money from education? -- except it sounds vlllainous in a sound byte. Even as the press debunked the ad's points pretty thouroughly it continued to play on the Christian Radio station I listen to. The ad had actually very little to say about political matters and a lot to say about how intelligent the Deeds Campaign thought the voters were. They just didn't seem to think we were all that smart.

The polls would tell you otherwise though. Just like in 1994 there is a message of limited government and respect for the people's instincts in a free market. That is key. That is coupled with a respect for the values that have long been the bedrock of our way of life. That will be the real reason for a strong showing on Tuesday. Success is NOT guaranteed, by the way. It is time for all of us to step up to the plate. Tuesday's election must be the 'shot heard around the world' for Conservative principles in government.

But don't expect the media pundits to get it right the first time. We'll need to remind them again in 2010.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Waynesboro Republican Rally


Some pics of the Republican Rally are available here, here, here, here, here, and here

Hundreds turn out for Shenandoah Co. assessment meeting

"What do you do with all this money that y'all are taking from us?"
--Fred Parker, Shenandoah County resident, addressing Board of Supervisors (10/29/09)
Hundreds of Shenandoah County residents angry at huge increases in their real estate assessments turned out Thursday night for a meeting with supervisors in the high school gymnasium. From the Northern Virginia Daily:
At the largest supervisors meeting in years -- perhaps in history -- several hundred people filled Central High School's gymnasium seeking answers on the increased reassessments and likelihood of a tax increase as a result.
This takes place six months after Augusta County supervisors saw the largest crowd in history -- 1,000 strong -- turn out to protest their high real estate assessments. The paper continued:
With hundreds of people angry about the recent real estate reassessments present, the chairman of the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors conceded Thursday night that a meeting with the appraisal group to get justification of its findings was needed.
County Administrator Vince Poling offered a presentation to explain the reassessments:
In the presentation, [Poling] noted that the new reassessment does not necessarily mean a person's taxes will go up, which elicited laughter from the crowd and one person yelling, "Tell us another one."
Thursday's meeting was in place of the scheduled Tuesday meeting that was cancelled after residents showed up at the Government Center.

What is occurring in Shenandoah County happened earlier this year in Augusta County as landowners fear that higher taxes and out-of-control spending by electeds will cause them to lose their homes.

We have been involved with the Augusta assessment issue since the beginning in February 2009 when an overflow crowd of 600 people turned out on a snowy February night for a planning meeting of Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments to hear from attorney Francis Chester and Supervisor Tracy Pyles.

Petitions were circulated throughout the county ... 30+ businesses allowed them in their stores including Tractor Supply, that farm equipment store that has a finger on the pulse of the rural community.

Signatures were collected from more than 10,500 residents and taken to Augusta supervisors ... over 1,000 residents turned out for the supervisor meeting in March, the largest crowd ever in the county's history ... over 50 speakers addressed supervisors at the meeting. In March 2009 this blog reported:

There is a groundswell of discontent among those who pay taxes and feel those taxes are increasingly being squandered by the government. Tough times have hit Americans, something that is evident in the SWAC area of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County after local companies laid off hundreds of employees ... Invista, Mohawk Carpet, American Safety Razor, Gem Ply, Unifi, Hershey ... as home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008, as housing starts dropped to their lowest level since 1959. Baby boomers have seen half their retirement savings disappear as the Stock Market dropped ... others lost their investments. Unemployment in Augusta County has been reported at over 9%.

Nothing has improved since that time ... in fact, the financial and job situation has become worse. Mohawk Carpet announced they will close down in December. Layoffs have been announced for McQuay in Verona as well as Western State in Staunton.

Yet there is a disconnect between the supervisors and the general population.

Instead of dealing with the assessment issue, Augusta County sued Churchville attorney Francis Chester asking for financial sanctions against him for having the audacity to represent pro bono 10,500 county residents in a lawsuit against the county.

Taking a cue from Augusta, Shenandoah County filed a lawsuit earlier this month against a county resident who is currently a supervisor candidate for having the audacity to ask questions of the board.

The electeds are there to serve the community ... they are paid by citizens ... they are not there to intimidate and humiliate those same taxpaying residents who ask questions and want answers and a transparent government. At what point do they realize Americans cannot shoulder much more of the government's debt?

Suffolk poll - McDonnell up 14

Suffolk University has a poll, and has Bob McDonnell leading 54-40.

Roanoke College poll - McDonnell up 17

Roanoke College's poll gives Bob McDonnell a 53-36 lead, matching the margin of this week's Survey USA poll.

Research 2000 - McDonnell up 10

The good news for Creigh Deeds - Thursday's poll has him closest to Bob McDonnell of all polls this week.
The bad news - he still trails by 10 points (54-44) in the Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll.
Those looking at the numbers include:
Blue Virginia
Virginia Virtucon

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

VCU poll - McDonnell up 18

The Wilder School of Government at Virginia Commonwealth University adds to the final week polling, showing Bob McDonnell ahead by 18 points - 54-36. It's the largest lead of the final polls released this week.
Looking at this poll are:
Decision Virginia
Below the Beltway
Posts noting both of today's polls
Tertium Quids
Times Dispatch
NRO's Campaign Spot
Augusta Free Press

Rasmussen - McDonnell up 13

Rasmussen Reports joins the list of polls this week giving Bob McDonnell double-digit leads. They have him up 54-41, a 13-point margin.
Those looking at the numbers include:
Below the Beltway
Fishersville Mike
Tertium Quids
Times Dispatch
NRO's Campaign Spot
Augusta Free Press

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

PPP - McDonnell up 15

On President Obama's birthday in August, Public Policy Polling released a poll showing Bob McDonnell up by 14 points.
Tuesday, McDonnell tops the high water mark from that group, leading Creigh Deeds 55-40.
The August poll had party ID of Republicans plus 3, and Tuesday's poll was Republican plus 2.
With Survey USA's poll also out this morning, many links are the same as that post earlier. They include:
Black Velvet Bruce Li
Blue Virginia
Virginia Virtucon
SWAC girl
Bearing Drift
NRO's Campaign Spot
Tertium Quids
Sun versus Wind
Mason Conservative
Too Conservative
Below the Beltway (PPP only)

Survey USA - McDonnell up 17

Survey USA's latest poll gives Bob McDonnell a 17-point lead, down from 19 points three weeks ago. Party ID is Republican 37 percent, Democratic 32 percent.
Those looking at the poll include:
Black Velvet Bruce Li
Blue Virginia
Virginia Virtucon
SWAC girl
Bearing Drift
NRO's Campaign Spot
Tertium Quids
Sun versus Wind
Mason Conservative
Too Conservative
Below the Beltway

Local Repubs KA---CHING ! ! !


Republicans in the 20th, 24th and 25th District races all raised more than $12,000 during the period between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21. None of the Democratic candidates in those races raised more than $5,000 for the same period. See more in today's Newsleader

Shenandoah County Considering Residential Wind Turbines

Members of the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors are reviewing information on residential wind turbines used to produce electricity.

The hope is to gain enough knowledge so the board can make educated decisions on a draft ordinance, according to Joyce Wegryniak, Shenandoah County zoning and subdivision administrator.

A preliminary ordinance has been drafted using language from other community ordinances that allow residential wind turbines.
See more here

Monday, October 26, 2009

WaPo poll - McDonnell up 11

Now we know why President Obama will be in Norfolk instead of Northern Virginia for a Creigh Deeds rally.
It would be embarrassing for the crowd to be reading the hometown newspaper's poll story - Deeds down 11 points - while waiting for the President to speak. Maybe the story will be below the fold or off A1 in the Hampton Roads.
Others looking at the latest poll include:
Virginia Virtucon
Tertium Quids
Write Side of My Brain
Below the Beltway
Blue Virginia
NRO's Campaign Spot
Real Clear Politics
The Atlantic

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

PPP - McDonnell up 12

Public Policy Polling brings out its latest poll - Bob McDonnell leads Creigh Deeds 52-40.
Their thoughts are on their blog.
Other thoughts come from
NRO's Campaign Spot
Blue Virginia
Fishersville Mike
Tertium Quids
Below the Beltway
Shad Plank

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Survey USA - McDonnell up 19

Survey USA gives Bob McDonnell his biggest lead of the election season, 19 points. What's the party ID? Republican 33 percent, Democrat 32 percent, Independent 33 percent.
Looking at the poll are:
Virginia Virtucon
Bearing Drift
Blue Virginia
NRO's Campaign Spot
Crystal Clear Conservative
SWACgirl
Instapundit

Clarus poll - McDonnell up 8

Clarus Research Group returns to the polling field, showing Bob McDonnell leading 49-41 with 10 percent undecided. Five weeks ago, Clarus had McDonnell leading by five points with 20 percent undecided.
Those looking at the numbers include:
Blue Virginia
Tertium Quids
Write Side of My Brain
Bearing Drift
Augusta Free Press

CNU-Virginian Pilot poll - McDonnell up 14

A trio from Hampton Roads - WVEC, the Virginian Pilot and Christopher Newport University - teamed up for a poll released Monday evening. Bob McDonnell holds a 45-31 lead, with 21 percent undecided just over two weeks from Election Day.
Those looking at the numbers include:
PW Conservative
Too Conservative
Virginia Right
Bearing Drift
Time to close this post since Clarus released a poll Tuesday morning.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Augusta County votes more spending over taxpayers' objection

Augusta resident Ed Long presents facts to try and persuade BOS not to spend $60,000 a year on new cell phones.

~We will REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER 2011.~

Ignoring county citizens who spoke before the board of supervisors Wednesday night to ask that the county postpone unnecessary spending until the financial atmosphere improves, Augusta County supervisors unanimously voted 6-0 (Supervisor Tracy Pyles was on a business trip) to provide new cell phones and Blackberries for employees at a minimum cost of nearly $60,000 a year.

County resident Ed Long had charts showing the depressed economy with research that showed a huge never-before-seen drop in consumer confidence, Virginia unemployment that has continued to rise, home foreclosures that have continued to rise, median home prices that are down 20%, home sales that are down 11% the past year, and a state budget that projects a $3.3 billion deficit for 2010.

David Karaffa echoed Mr. Long's concerns and ask that supervisors consider making do with current cell phones until the economy improves.

It fell on deaf ears.

My own cell phone is a used model that was provided to me when my phone failed ... it is old and battered ... and I would like a new one but have held off because my husband had taken a 15% pay cut this year to help his company and we have cut back expenses.

But our tax money is paying for new equipment for county employees. Meanwhile, supervisors wonder why county residents are upset with their lack of representation when citizens are dealing with lost jobs, repossessed houses, decreased salaries, and furloughs.

SWAC bloggers respond....

- Bob at The Journey writes Why it's time to retire the Augusta County BOS:
"Get real! My cell phone is several years old. I'll replace it when it breaks. Then I'll buy the nicest one I can afford."
- David Karaffa at the Augusta Conservative notes an Augusta County Board of Supervisors wasteful spending alert!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Rasmussen - McDonnell up 7

Rasmussen Reports polled during Monday's gubernatorial debate and found Bob McDonnell leading 50-43. Rasmussen releases numbers for those set on their candidate along with one including leaners, and both numbers give McDonnell a seven-point lead.
Two weeks ago, Rasmussen had McDonnell up by nine points.
Those looking at the poll include:
Tertium Quids
Right Wing Liberal
Augusta Free Press
Below the Beltway

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Mason-Dixon poll - McDonnell up 8

A poll on a holiday weekend? How about that?
Mason-Dixon joins the group giving Bob McDonnell an eight-point lead with just over three weeks to go in the campaign.
Those looking at the poll include:
Below the Beltway
SWAC girl
Too Conservative
Contemporary Conservative
Blue Virginia

Thursday, October 8, 2009