Vince Demonstrates His Double-Standard

Vince Thoms runs a pretty incredible site, for a teenager. To be sure, he has his moments of irrationality, such as when he kicked off all of his co-contributors (not that the pseudonymous ones were much of a loss), but by and large, he runs an excellent, and obviously widely-read, blog.

He even aspires to higher standards, complaining today that he "feel[s] like a baby sitter here," and demands that the "bickering in the threads needs to stop," because "This is not the place for it anymore," and he has "other things to deal with than being involved in endless squabbling." He says that "Every comment will be deleted quickly," and he "will begin banning the ips that have made the comments." He says he is "going to clean house, and delete a whole bunch of comments in threads that are inappropriate [to] the topic at hand."

Of course, when one reads the comments, it is clear (to me at least) that the only comments that he has deleted are mine.

Here's a selection from the comments that good ole Vince hasn't deleted, from the time, as far as I can tell, when the personal attacks started:

April 27th, 2006 at 2:08 pm

36. “And tell me, AWCheney, when, oh when, have you or the BOCS EVER justified its profligate spending? Not in generalities, but specifically? What is that? Never? Hello! Anybody there, McFly?”

Like I have said before Mitch…just check your brains at the door. They just want to tell us how, and what, to think.

I can always depend upon JY to make my point.

—AWCheney

42. April 27th, 2006 at 2:21 pm

“So no, we won’t “tak[e] a page out of PWC civics and create a budget review committee,” particularly since: (a) those who have served in that capacity have made it perfectly clear that the budget is inscrutable…”

Well, gee…is this the consequence of modern homeschooling (not that I’m philosophically opposed to it)? Are our “new conservatives so mathematically challenged, with computers at every elbow, that they lack the wherewithal to dissect a budget? My father was the chairman of that old PWC Federation of Civic Associations Budget Committee (as it was then called), and he described it as, “putting a sharp pencil to it.” No computer, you see. Now I admit, I’m mathematically challenged, but there’s got to be some people out there who aren’t…expecially among those who complain the loudest.

—AWCheney

43. April 27th, 2006 at 2:28 pm

Hey, I just noticed…Jimmy boy called me a crone again. Thanks for the compliment JY! For the uninitiated, in researching the term I discovered that it meant “woman of age and great wisdom.” Now young man…why won’t you heed my words?!

—AWCheney

49. April 27th, 2006 at 2:37 pm

Well Jimmy boy, if you are so curious about this spending, why don’t you request a copy of the budget (which is your right) and you, and some of your cronies, go over it with that “sharp pencil,” then present your findings in a public BOS meeting. I imagine your cause might achieve a great deal more credence…and perhaps some POSITIVE publicity.

—AWCheney

52. April 27th, 2006 at 2:47 pm

Sorry…scratch that last comment. I misread what you said. But the research I did (Microsoft research), it was also defined that way in past lore, as well (apparently) in current. The point is, Jimmy boy, I’m simply not taking it as an insult any longer…but as a compliment.

—AWCheney

53. April 27th, 2006 at 3:06 pm

Seriously right now JY…doesn’t it bother you that you can never allow yourself to do the right thing in the right way? What is so wrong in presenting facts to people who might well be receptive to them? Then, if you feel the need to rant and rave, you at least have logical basis for your position. I hope you realize that at least some of these “anonymous and pseudynomous” posters view you as, at least slightly, deranged and capable of just about anything, which is why they do not post under their own names. You must be so proud of your part in creating such fear in the blogosphere. For myself, there’s been very few things in my life of which I was ever afraid, and I’ve certainly never feared people like you. You’re just a bully (perhaps because you were, yourself, bullied in life) and bullies are generally cowards. No one has anything to fear from a coward.

—AWCheney

61. April 27th, 2006 at 6:45 pm

Charles, perhaps you should review Comment #45 which lays out a very rational approach to conducting a citizen’s budgetary review. As Kathryn points out, it’s not an overnight process, but then the budget process itself is not an overnight thing, and it is highly complex. Are we to assume that there are no citizens out there capable of addressing the budget in a systematic, rational manner? That would be a rather sad indictment of the PWC brain pool, now wouldn’t it.

—AWCheney

71. April 27th, 2006 at 11:52 pm

Well Kathryn, you may have noticed that the only board member of the Taxpayer Alliance that has [apparently] chimed in here is Jimmy…even I don’t believe that he is representative! I actually believe that someone like Rick Hendrix, for instance, might be receptive to the idea of a budget review committee. We’ll see…maybe someone with a modicum of sense in the organization might actually act on the idea.

—AWCheney

72. April 27th, 2006 at 11:56 pm

“My guess would be a lack of resources…”

Since, essentially, the only resources being referenced are cerebral in nature, that’s rather an indictment of your group.

—AWCheney

75. April 28th, 2006 at 7:32 am

I guess they do have to put the county’s budget in crayons and pictures.

Here is the link (for the lazy Jim Young): http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040024000110003526

Every dollar, every person, every program in detail is described.

How can they make it more transparent?

—Anonymous

82. April 28th, 2006 at 9:26 am

# 1 - I’m younger than you, fatass.

# 2 - I agree that too much money is spent.

# 3 - You and the taxpayer alliance would rather grandstand than get off your lazy collective asses and DO something about the budget.

# 4 - If your whole lazy, freaking organization put in an hour or two a week dissecting the budget and laying out a plan, then something could be done. Maybe you could spend all the time you now waste cruising blogs and invest that in something for the betterment of PWC.

—Kathryn

And here are the posts that he left, as far as I can tell, after he started deleting my comments, most in defense against the ad hominem attacks of the tax-and-spend Repubmocrat crowd:

98. April 28th, 2006 at 5:11 pm

“However, to make it abundantly clear, since you apparently need pictures and crayons, the definition of the term as I was using it is “old hag.”

Oh Jimmy boy, I’m so hurt. I hear that someone is calling you a troll over at BVBL…any relation to an “old hag?” Now, THAT would be an insult (having a relationship, that is).

BTW…thanks again for recognizing my wisdom.

—AWCheney

I suppose I could go one, but AWCheney's post get more lengthy, with more belittling appellations elaborate concoctions and accusations completely without basis in fact and/or reality. Yet they're still there.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, the only posts Vince has clearly deleted are mine, in defense. I guess there are some people who are allowed to post inappropriate comments are those who attack me. Now, I wish I could say that ole Vince is just leaving AWCheney's comments up to demonstrate what a bitter old fool she is.... but somehow, I doubt it.

UPDATE: Vince explains his actions in a comment.

New York Stereotype

And you thought the sleaze of the Virginia blogosphere was bad!

Hat-tip to Drudge.

United 93

Joel Rosenberg was right: make yourself see this movie.

Saw it this afternoon (Brenda took the boys to see Ice Age). It was kind of like watching Schindler's List; it's a move you don't want to see, about things you don't want to think about.

And yet, you have to. Part of the brilliance of the film is in the fact that there are only a few familiar faces, with actors whose names just escape you, so there's really no star power. But it's compelling. It's power is in its realistic feel, and in getting more detail on events with which we are all familiar, and which --- in a few decades --- people of a certain age will be able to say right where they were when they first heard of the attacks. These were the first Americans to engage the battle against Islamo-fascism, and they did it with little more than their bare hands, knowing that, if they were going to die, they would surrender those last moments in defense of their country.

It's a film that all those who remember the events of that day has to see. It's a film that every Democrat trying to divide the country with they Bush-Hating rhetoric should be required to see. It's a movie that everyone who talks about Islam as a "religion of peace" should be required to see.

[With apologies to Republitarian] Bastards.

Threats and Attacks from a Pseudo-Con

The ever glib and sleazy AWCheney, know to many as Anke Cheney, Harry Parrish's primary campaign manager in his last campaign, warns over at TC that I'm "going to turn [my]self into a real pariah."

Aside from wondering whether she understands the word ("outcast"), I have to wonder with whom I am going to suffer such ignominy. Those who make anonymous/pseudonymous accusations against political opponents? Those in the GOP "tax-me-'til-I-bleed" contingent (with apologies to VC)? Those who engage in sleazy campaign tactics, and then try to deny responsibilty?

Gee, if that happens, I guess I'll just have to consider it a mark of honor.

After the Stick, the Carrot

Well, I gave him an unjust spankin', so now it's only fair that I acknowledge one reason why, whatever his political shortcomings, Waldo Jaquith is an indispensible part of the Virginia blogosphere.

The "Coin of the Realm"

More evidence that character assassination is the stock in trade of the blogosphere.

I wonder what the statute of limitations is on youthful racist behavior. I guess it's somewhere between thirty years (George Allen, assuming arguendo the truth of the allegations) and sixty years (Robert Byrd, former KKK recruiter and the only Senator to vote against the nominations of both Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court).

Funny, but I used to think Waldo was above this.

UPDATE: Waldo makes the valid point in comments that I seem to be attributing accusations of racism to him. That's not fair, and to the extent that the reader may draw that conclusion, it is not fair. Such accusations were made in comments, and Waldo has little control over that content.

Why Is Chairman Sean Attacking the NRA?

Interesting article today in the Potomac News on the controversy over the Prince William Board of County Supervisors' decision on 18 April to ban buckshot for deer hunting, and its decision this week to reconsider.

Chairman Sean was quoted in response to the efforts of the NRA:

The National Rifle Association had a link on its Web site giving all Prince William County board members' e-mail addresses.
The Web site said that outlawing buckshot might have been a signal that the county was ready to ban all hunting in Prince William County.
Chairman Sean T. Connaughton, R-at large, said Prince William County is not about to ban hunting.
"That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard," Connaughton said.
"The NRA has not done itself any great service in this issue, because they knew about the potential of going from buckshot to slugs, yet waited until after the meeting began to ask people to contact us," he said.
The county supervisors have no intention of doing anything to restrict hunting. There are too many deer in the county and the herds need thinning to keep deer from becoming a nuisance, Connaughton said.
"We're just seeing a rapid growth in the number of deer and we're not going to do anything to inhibit hunting and culling of the deer population in Prince William County," Connaughton said.
Connaughton said the NRA didn't do its homework about Prince William County.
"To put out that information like this is clearly erroneous," Connaughton said.

I guess that some people, when they've made a huge mistake, attack those who dare to point out that mistake.

I don't necessarily endorse the particulars fo the NRA's actions, but the fact is that the organization drew attention to the BOCS's arguably ill-considered and certainly precipitous decision to ban buckshot for deer hunting. As I've stated in another post and in comments, it seems to me that the issue is one of safety, and in a rapidly developing and suburbanized area, buckshot is safer for the public. I realize that others have views that differ, and express concerns about getting a "clean kill," but --- so long as we're not talking about banning hunting --- the public safety issue is more important.

What is disturbing is Chairman Sean's response. Apparently the Weapons Control Board --- made up of appointees of the BOCS --- made an ill-considered recommendation, based upon a falsely asserted recommendation of State Game Commission. Moreover, according to the published agenda, the only item which was supposed to be on the agenda on 18 April was a motion to schedule a public hearing, not an effort to amend County hunting regulations.

The NRA called attention to this ill-considered action, controversy ensued (with the fullest discussion occurring in the blogosphere, by, inter alia, Greg Letiecq), and the majority of Board members, to their credit, decided to reconsider their decision.

So why is Chairman Sean mad at the NRA? Because it suggested that the action was a precursor to banning hunting altogether? Over the top, to be sure (Chairman Sean is absolutely right about the need to cull the County's deer population), but is that a reason to attack? Sadly, it looks as though, as usual, Chairman Sean attacks when the more appropriate course would have been to thank the NRA for informing interested persons of ill-considered actions by the BOCS. Why? After all, when he ran for the GOP nomination for Lieutenant Governor, he pandered to the Virginia Education Association and obtained its endorsement. Is this simply another effort by Chairman Sean to pander to elements outside of the Conservative coalition?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Great Post on Gay "Marriage"

Not John Behan has a wonderful discussion of natural law and the issue of gay "marriage."

This kind of thing is the best of the blogosphere, and too often lost in the flame wars.

Another Effort to Mainstream Perversion

Per Drudge, a report on a lawsuit filed attempting to deny state funding to a Baptist college which expelled a homosexual who made his perversions public.

If Kentucky law does not proscribe discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (which most states, and Federal law, do not), expect this lawsuit to die a prompt death.

We've come a long way (and not to the better, I might add) since the days when my mother had to sign in and out of her dorm at her Lutheran university (only five miles from her home).

Unanimous Reconsideration of Buckshot Vote

Just got this e-mail from the NRA-ILA:

Prince William County Unanimously Votes To Reconsider Limiting Hunting!

Thanks to all your calls and e-mails, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously decided to reconsider a ban on the use of buckshot within the county. This prohibition would have allowed only shotguns loaded with slugs to be used for hunting in Prince William County and could have been the start of a ban on hunting in Prince William County.

Please contact the Board members below and thank them for their reconsideration of this anti-hunting resolution.

Of course, this relates to an e-mail received last week, and a post that I had here. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the comments, including a few cheap shots at a slander site. One doubts that they'll add "and right" to their list of particulars.

It's kind of funny, really. As it seems now, the Board scheduled a public hearing, without making it apparent that it was going to have a vote. They got rolled by the staff (who said it was acting on a request from a State agency), and unexpectedly voted for something that seems less inclined toward public safety (I'm perfectly willing to concede that there are good arguments on both sides on the ammunition issue as to humane hunting).

And rather than question the manner in which this happened, there are some people out there who thought it would be more fun to attack me.

Professional Question

Driving into the office today, I once again heard a news report (though it was hardly "news") that the Moussaoui jury will continue its deliberations again today. The issue is whether the jury that found him eligible for the death penalty will impose it.

The reporter/news reader also discussed his defense. It seems, after all, that Moussaoui wants to be put to death, but his attorney are arguing that he should not be, because that would make him a martyr, and that's what he wants.

Perhaps someone can explain to me the ethics of this one. After all, Canon 7 of the Model Code of Professional Responsibility holds that "A Lawyer Should Represent A Client Zealously Within the Bounds of the Law." To that end, Disciplinary Rule 7-101(A) holds that "A lawyer shall not intentionally fail to seek the lawful objectives of the client through reasonably available means permitted by law and the Disciplinary Rules, except as provided by DR 7-101(B)."

Now, death is a penalty permitted by law, and it appears to be Moussaoui's objective. I have all the respect in the world for attorneys who represent criminals, because they are an important part of the legal process. And certainly, I hope that Moussaoui promptly roasts in Hell for his crimes. But even so, if he embraces some Islamicist perversion of martyrdom, how can his attorneys ethically try to deny him that martyrdom at the hands of American justice?

There are plenty of people who have moral and/or practical objections to the death penalty. The former are probably insoluble, but the death penalty is clearly constitutional, the moral pretensions of activist judges to the contrary notwithstanding. The latter are doubtless subject to debate, though there can be no doubt that a Moussaoui will not be able to participate in terrorist plots once he has assumed room temperature.

Nevertheless, I have professional questions, if not objections, to attorneys who utilize as their argument that the jury should not give their client what he so desparately seeks. I don't know Moussaoui's attorneys, or their politics. But it seems to me that they are dangerously close to pursuing their own political/ideological ends than in pursuing their client's goal.

Another Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation

Courtesy of Virginia Centrist, another call for the resignation of SecDef Donald Rumsfeld. A rather unique take on the issue by a Democrat.

Another demonstration that, while my sense of humor is sometimes wanting, I can still appreciate those who are truly funny.

New Website

Michelle Malkin, the Energizer Bunny of the Conservative blogosphere, has launched a new project. If it's done with her usual wit, charm, and intelligence, we're in for a great ride.

More on the Buckshot Dispute

Just received this from Marty Nohe. I'm publishing it because it doesn't appear to be a private communication, but rather, a form letter to those speaking out on the issue. Lest anyone think that I'm unfair, it merits a favorable mention. Maybe there's hope for this guy yet.

Dear Neighbors-

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts regarding the Board of County Supervisors recent action regarding the use of buckshot. It is clear that there are additional issues that must be considered in this decision that were not previously brought to our attention and I anticipate that the Board will move to recall last week’s vote and send the issue back to the originating agency for further review.

I will certainly keep you posted as new information becomes available about this important issue.

Yours-

Marty Nohe

Martin E. Nohe

Coles District Supervisor

The Whithered Old Wench Does All-Male Schools

Having just returned from the alma mater, I received an e-mail that The New York Times did an article yesterday on all-male institutions. Of course, the oldest of the four, Hampden-Sydney College, was prominently mentioned.

Sadly, it takes the usual, New York Times/politically-correct line on the Hill. Here's my favorite:

Once upon a time, not that long ago really, there was such a thing as a Yale man or a Dartmouth man or, closer to here, a University of Virginia or Washington and Lee man, each believed to be an identifiable subset of the male species. By the mid-1960's, there were still almost 250 all-male colleges, heirs to a long tradition of male entitlement going back to the beginnings of higher education in America.

And God forbid that the New York Times would write about all-male colleges without mentioning the Love that Dare Not Speak ... er, Will Not Shut Its Mouth:

So when Tim Samsa, a Hampden-Sydney senior, casually remarks, "This place is very homophobic," he's passing on information, not making a criticism, or when another student walks by in a T-shirt reading "Welcome to America — Now Speak English," he doesn't seem worried about offending anyone. (Of the 1,000 or so students enrolled at Hampden-Sydney, 8 percent are members of minority groups, 67 percent are Virginian and almost 89 percent are from the South.)

On the other hand, gay Hampden-Sydney graduates participated in a recent seminar on gay issues. And a theater teacher, Shirley Kagan, a Williams College graduate from New York who considers herself a feminist and a liberal, says she finds her students at Hampden-Sydney to be curious, open-minded and responsive.

More telling is the note that "gay Hampden-Sydney graduates participated in a recent seminar on gay issues." Apparently, none wanted their name associated with it.

Hal Parrish is In

According to Ben Tribbett, Hal Parrish will enter the race to succeed his father as Delegate for the 50th District. As I noted over there, from things that I have heard over the years, but NOT published (and won't) this could be a very nasty race. Of course, much depends upon whether the slanderous types apply the same standard to Hal --- or more accurately, character assassinations against Hal --- as they have to a certain former GOP primary candidate.

I also agree with Ben, from the GOP perspective, that Jackson Miller is still favored to win, though I suspect that I feel more strongly about it than Ben does. As I understand it, Miller is the more Conservative of the two, and the strongly showing by Steve Chapman in the 2005 primary demonstrates that GOP voters in the 50th do not want a representative who can be rolled by a Democrat Governor to raise unnecessarily their taxes. As much as everyone revered Hal's father, Hal is no Harry Parrish. I certainly don't believe that he rises (or descends) to the level of Winston Churchill's son (about whom one English commentator noted, upon learning that his cancer surgery removed only a benign growth, "'Tis a pity. They removed the only part of him that isn't malignant."). However, Hal is widely reputed to have some baggage.

Stopped Clocks, etc.

Saw and heard Brian Moran speaking at a cigar event yesterday. I don't think there were many of his voters in the room (even those from his district), but at least he's on the right side of the issue.

Michelle Malkin Successfully Terrorized

Great post by Charles over at Two Conservatives about the successful efforts of the far Left to terrorize columnist Michelle Malkin.

It's despicable. I've exchanged a few e-mails with Michelle over the years, and she's a very impressive and enlightened young lady. Huge supporter of Right to Work principles while a columnist in Seattle.

Prince William County GOP Committee Meeting

There will be an important Prince William County Republican Committee meeting on Monday, 24 April, at 7:30 p.m., at the McCoart Building.

New inferior officers will be elected, along with magisterial district chairmen.

A brief Executive Committee meeting is scheduled to occur immediately after the meeting.

Gas Prices

I'd really love to fill up and spend less than $50.

But someone, somewhere, is celebrating high oil prices.

Light Blogging

Off to the alma mater --- the good one, Hampden-Sydney --- for the Spring Alumni Council meeting this weekend, so I figured I should let both of my readers --- according to the official Smear Steve Chapman website --- know.

Now you can plan accordingly, with much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Not Exactly A Place I Associate With Musical Theatre

While this probably is more appropriate on Rick Sincere's site, via Drudge, we learn of a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Not Broadway or London.

UPDATE: Drudge now reports that the performance has been cancelled.

Why Is Restating the Obvious Necessary?

Ann Coulter restates the obvious.

Sadly, for too many people, the principles she restates will be news.

Jackson Miller LiveChat

The Official Trash Steve Chapman site is bragging about conducting a live chat with Jackson Miller, a candidate to finish the term of Harry Parrish in the House of Delegates.

Everything I've heard about Miller indicates he's a superior candidate. Met him once, and could easily support him (for what my support as a resident of Jeff Frederick's district is worth).

However, Miller's association with that site should give people pause. Its vile, gratuitous, and unattributed attacks on Chapman --- whether true or not; whether justified or not --- should cause a serious man like Miller to avoid association with it. That he chooses to ... well, I was under the impression that he's better than that.

UPDATE: Well, it's been cancelled/postponed. One can only hope that Jackson Miller came to his sense about those with whom he was about to associate.

Profundity

I despise anonymous/pseudonymous posts. But sometimes, they contain profound wisdom: "...blogs are for kicks, and only partially informed geeks read/post them. [TC] and BVBL are inconsequential."

Left v. Far Left

Don't know if I agree with the Communist associations (there's an old saw about the difference between a Democrat and a Communist; the latter KNOWS what he is doing), but young Vince has a good post up about a debate between the Democrat candidates to run against Tom Davis in the Eleventh Congressional District.

I'm torn between considering it as Left and Far Left, or simply Dumb and Dumberer.

UPDATE: It seems that the far Lefties over at Raising Kaine were there, too, and rather than relate facts, Josh offers a gratuitous slander in the comments.

Why We Fight

Jerry Fuhrman has a not-so-gentle reminder of the reality of the world, and why we fight.

Even the San Francisco Chronicle managed to get it right, in their headline the next day:

BASTARDS!

It's too bad that so many have forgotten that day, in lieu of indulging their visceral hatred of George W. Bush.

But then again, hate campaigns are very popular, even in the "Conservative" blogosphere, or what pretends to be.

Will PWC Board Adopt A Stupid Idea?

I received this from the NRA-ILA just a few minutes ago.

Prince William County Board of Supervisors to
Consider Proposal to Ban Hunting with Buckshot, Today!
Your help is needed immediately, Tuesday April 18!

Virginia Prince William County of Board of Supervisors is meeting at 2:45 p.m. today to consider banning the use of buckshot, commonly used in hunting.

Please immediately contact members of the Board of Supervisors below and
strongly encourage them to oppose this anti-hunting measure.

Virginia's Hunting Heritage is at Stake!

Prince William County Board of Supervisors

Chairman At-Large

Sean T. Connaughton

Phone: (703) 792-4640

E-mail: sconnaughton@pwcgov.org

Brentsville District

Wally Covington

Phone: (703) 792-6190

E-mail: wcovington@pwcgov.org

Coles District

Martin E. Nohe

Phone: (703) 792-4620

E-mail: mnohe@pwcgov.org

Dumfries District

Maureen S. Caddigan, Vice Chairman

Phone: (703) 792-4645

E-mail: mcaddigan@pwcgov.org

Gainesville District

John T. Stirrup, Jr.

Phone: (703) 792-6195

E-mail: gainesville@pwcgov.org

Neabsco District

John D. Jenkins

Phone: (703) 792-4668

E-mail: jjenkins@pwcgov.org

Occoquan District

Corey A. Stewart

Phone: (703) 792-4643

E-mail: cstewart@pwcgov.org

Woodbridge District

Hilda M. Barg

Phone: (703) 792-4646

E-mail: hbarg@pwcgov.org

UPDATE: Well, the follower(s) who lack respect for their betters and have little to offer but hate campaigns have decided to attack again. I guess he/she/they don't understand the difference between "professional due diligence" owed by professionals and the need to take action when politicians are about to vote on something. Alas, the difference between the theory and practice of public policy, leavened with a little attack upon the guardians of the Second Amendment.

UPDATE 2: The measure passed, with Supervisors Stewart and Stirrup voting against. The Washington Examiner has a story on it, as does the Potomac News. It seems that, contrary to the bloviations (and gratuitous attacks) of some, it wasn't just an issue upon which a public hearing was scheduled, but rather, a substantive vote.

Our Opinion - Freeing speech - Editorials

Our Opinion - Freeing speech - Editorials

Challenging the Speech Police

After a wonderful few days in the Atlanta area visiting the in-laws over the Easter holiday, I returned home to find a few headlines in my in-box. Given that I spent three years in law school in Atlanta, one's mind naturally remembers one's experiences. It seems that our favorite bar in town, Aunt Charlie's in Buckhead, has closed. A number of us would regularly watch L.A. Law on Thursday nights, and then run over to Buckhead to play darts, drink beer, and close the place. Very sad.

And there was an interesting story in today's Emory Wheel, the campus newsletter of my law school alma mater.

It seems that the Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech are being sued over enforcement of a speech code which discriminates against observant Christians and Jews. You know: the ones who are against sin and therefore oppose the radical homosexual agenda.

The suit alleges that Georgia Tech restricts students' First Amendment rights by punishing "acts of intolerance," by not funding political or religious student groups and through the "religious indoctrination" of the school's Safe Space diversity program.

"Because of the conclusive nature of the Institute's statements on religion and homosexuality, Plaintiffs are made to feel like outsiders to the Institute's orthodoxy," the suit states.

The suit seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against Tech's policies.

"We want those unconstitutional policies off the books," French said.

Georgia Tech's Community Guide says acts of intolerance include "any attempt to injure, harm, malign or harass a person because of ... sexual/affectional orientation" and "denigrating written/verbal communications ... directed toward an individual because of their characteristics or beliefs."

The suit says Tech has targeted the Georgia Tech College Republicans - of which Malhotra is the chair and Sklar is a member - because of three of the club's activities: a letter dismissing the campus gay rights group Pride Alliance as a "sex club," a display condemning feminism and The Vagina Monologues, and an "affirmative action bake sale" in which students were charged differently based on race or gender.

Administrators reprimanded Malhotra [one of the Plaintiffs] for the letter, which she wrote in conjunction with other College Republicans, ordered the students to paint over part of their anti-feminist display and forced them to close the bake sale, French said.

"There's no indication that statements supportive of affirmative action are being shut down," he said. "These issues are not so settled by society that they're not subject to free speech and debate."

The really interesting comments come from the advocates of the radical homosexual agenda. You know them: they're the ones who assert that sexual perversion is an immutable characteristic, but call their organizations "_____ Pride." Question: how can one legitimately take "pride" in something over which one has no control? Oh, never mind.

Tech junior Scott McKee, the Pride Alliance president and a student coordinator of Safe Space, said the program merely provides factual information about the beliefs and actions of different religions regarding homosexuality, without advocating one belief system over another. [Translation: We get our space to trash religious convictions and the standards of 5000 years of civilized society, but those nasty bigots who dare to judge people according to their behavior better shut up.]

McKee said he thinks the speech codes are necessary and allow constructive debate.

"I think there's a very fine line between free speech and hate speech," he said. [Translation: Free speech for me, but not for thee (hat tip to Nat Hentoff)].

French said 70 percent of the nation's 400 "leading universities" have speech codes. There are several other legal challenges pending across the country at schools including Penn State University and the California State University system, he said, but a court has never upheld a speech code. Many lawsuits are settled out of court. [Translation: Georgia Tech is going to lose, and is going to lose big, but its far-Left administrators are fighting the good fight!].

Emory Pride Co-president Walt Whinnery, a College sophomore said Emory Pride has been in contact with Pride Alliance, and members have offered their support if needed.

"When a situation like this happens in the same city, you're concerned about the mind-set of someone filing a lawsuit like this, and you wonder, 'Is this something a lot of people believe?'" he said.

Saralyn Chestnut, the director of Emory's Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life, said she advocates free speech but that students "have an obligation to treat members of the community with dignity and respect." [Full quotation: "students 'have an obligation to treat members of the community with dignity and respect,' unless they're radical homosexual activists, and then they're free to trash the faithful."].

McKee said he hopes the suit is resolved quickly and fairly.

"Most people that I've talked to about it disapprove of this sort of action and are very disappointed that students are willing to waste so much of the Institute's time and money in a manner like this," he said. [Translation: Lawsuits perverting the Constitution to attack laws we don't like are good; lawsuits relying upon the plain language of the Constitution to attack our assaults on free speech are bad].

The article also celebrates the fact that notoriously politically-correct Emory, "As a private university, ... is immune to a similar lawsuit." The story is accompanied by an editorial (the link is posted above) denouncing the plaintiffs as "both right and wrong," and makes a ringing endorsement of those wishing to mainstream perversion: "The student body needs to support the Pride Alliance and denounce the students' comments."

Well, maybe alma mater ("fostering mother") is too strong a term.

Finally Home

After spending only two nights of the last twelve in my own bed, trips to New York, LA, Atlanta, and Philadelphia (twice), and catching "Constantine" on HBO more times than I can remember, I'm finally home.

Now, if the wife and kids would only get back from Atlanta....

Isn't That Special?

OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY! I have a stalker!

It seems that the children (or child) who contribute[s] to and read(s) the official Trash Steve Chapman website have found me worthy of a parody.

It's very flattering. And I give these bozos credit for coming up with the correct name. To the extent that I observe and comment upon their activities and behavior, I am --- most assuredly --- a "Septic Tank Observer." I leave it to you, Gentle Reader, to discern the nature of that which I am observing.

'Course, it's a little funny that those who attempt to dismiss and belittle me spent soooo much time in setting up and posting to a site attacking me. It belies their assertion of my irrelevance.

UPDATE: Vince and his readers find it funny, even though the thread has been hijacked by those seeking to trash Marty Nohe (when have we sparred recently, Marty?). Figures. I guess a juvenile should be expected to demonstrate a juvenile sense of humor.

UPDATE 2: The genius behind the slander-site has a really great thread here. Not a single person with the guts to attach his name to his slanders.

It's an interesting strategy: set yourself up as an opponent to someone whose accomplishments and record make yours pale in comparison (hence, his pseudonymity), belittle and misrepresent the nature and content of virtually anything your opponent says, and then dismiss him as mentally ill.

Childish, but interesting.

Finally, Someone Else Noticed

It's nice to see in today's Potomac News letters that someone else noticed that among the local pro-illegal immigration protesters and/or observers noted in Keith Walker's 29 March story was someone who:

was happy to see all of the students who showed up at Freedom with flags from Uruguay, Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia, and others who carried placards that read "We love the U.S.A. That's why we want to stay" and "Immigrants Are Not Criminals."

Gil Sanchez wrote today that Puerto Rico is, of course, an American Commonwealth, and that its citizens are American citizens, too.

'Course, it makes you wonder about the quality of education in our County schools.

Pot. News Story on "Cyberbullying"

Interesting story this morning's Potomac News on the phenomenon of "cyberbullying."

It seems that some are "spreading rumors and threats through chatrooms, Websites, blogs and text messages."

The only difference between the perpetrators of this phenomenon and the Chapman-haters out there is the number of gray hairs on the heads of the perpetrators, or the relative lack of hair.

Harris Miller: Closet Republican?

Ben Tribbett (who is Not Larry Sabato) reports that Democrat Harris Miller's PAC, which is apparently mostly or partially controlled by Miller, has contributed most of its funds to GOP candidates over the years. Miller is running against former Reagan SecNav Jim Webb for the Democrat nomination to face George Allen in the fall. Ben has endorsed Webb in the Democrat primary.

I understand and appreciate Ben's dismay. I would share it were the partisan concerns reversed as it offends --- as it apparently does Ben's --- sense of partisan hygiene. Those who seek a partisan nomination bear a higher burden to support (and have supported) the party's candidates, whether Democrat, or Republican.

I think Harris Miller would be a much easier opponent for George Allen to dispatch. But, were I a partisan Democrat, I would find the facts related by Ben to be very difficult to justify.

On the other hand, saying that Harris Miller supported Republicans may be the nicest thing Ben's ever said about Miller.

I Represent the Finest People in the World

The post below notes my intention to blog only lightly. But I just had an experience that, within the confines of the attorney-client privilege, makes the existence of this blog particularly useful.

I am in the LA region on business. Given that I have some clients in cases other than the one for which I traveled here, I thought it a good opportunity to meet with them, and asked them to set up a meeting. They did, at a hotel. When I arrived (15 minutes late; I've traveled from the second-worst traffic in the nation to the worst), we went into a conference room.

After a very good meeting, as I was leaving, I asked if they had paid for the room. They hadn't yet, so I offered to do so, as part of the Foundation-provided free legal representation. They absolutely refused, and forbade me from doing so.

I don't charge my clients a fee, and these were rather low-wage workers. But they wouldn't let me pay for the room. They wanted to make a contribution. You know: other than standing up against a labor union, putting their jobs at risk with a potentially hostile employer, and a frequently indifferent and/or hostile adjudicative body.

Like I said: I am privileged to represent the finest people in the world.

Light Blogging

Professional responsibilities have had/will have me in New York, LA, andPhiladelphia in six days. While I am certainly able to lob a grenade or two in comments, I don't anticipate posting anything substantive.

How To Disqualify Yourself from Presidential Consideration in One Easy Lesson

It seems that rumors about Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's interest in the GOP nomination for President were overstated.

Today's WaPo contains an article discussing his support for socialized medicine.

Apparently, Romney supports a bill to require state residents to purchase medical insurance, comparing the notion to automobile insurance.

Now, never mind the fact that, if one declines to purchase medical insurance, the only one harmed by that failure in the event of an unfortunate incident is the individual (not so with automobiles, where the life and property of others can be adversely affected), but the notion that individuals should be required to buy medical insurance completely ignores the right of individuals to self-insure.

I am a little sick of the health care debate. Partisans for socialized medicine constantly cite the figure of "45 million uninsured." I heard someone ask the interesting question the other day: "How many of that 45 million are illegal aliens?" Another relevant question might be: How many are wealthy, and choose to pay fees for services? Maybe there are scholarly studies answering these questions, but my guess is that they don't come from any far-Left thinktanks.

THERE IS NO RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE! Put more simply, no one should have the right to make a claim upon my earnings in order to subsidize the bad decisionmaking/pathologies of others. My governing principle is very simply: there is absolutely nothing my children should be denied to pay for the treatment of someone who smoked three packs a day for 40 years after the Surgeon General's report on cancer sti... er, cigarettes. Or, for that matter, even to pay for vaccinations for the children of people too poor to pay for their own children's health care.

Vast majorities in the GOP have made their opposition to socialized medicine. Mitt Romney has now virtually guaranteed that he will never win the GOP nomination for President.

Game Report

Florida leads UCLA 27-17 for the NCAA Basketball National Championship.

After Saturday, who cares?

Sad News from Hollywood

It seems that the director of some of my favorite movies, John McTiernan, has been charged in a federal wiretapping case.

McTiernan directed Die Hard, Predator, and The Hunt for Red October. Even managed to make Alec Baldwin credible as Jack Ryan.

Sad. I hope he is innocent.

Comment Changes

Since I now have comments by Haloscan (a few have commented there, and it's a little more difficult to get to), I have disabled comments for new posts. Don't know if it will affect your ability to comment on old posts, and I hope it works correctly.

Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't know his, but assuming that there are some out there as computer illiterate as I, to comment, you now have click on the time of the post, which will lead you to a page showing only the post, and a link to comment. Let me know how you like it.

We shall see.

UPDATE: I've had fewer comments, so a little reminder: while Blogger comments have been disabled, you can still comment. Just click on the time-stamp, which will give you access to Haloscan comments.

Special Election in the 50th?

Ben Tribbett is reporting that the special election to fill the seat left vacant by Harry Parrish's passing will be held on 11 or 18 July.

This makes no sense. By that time, any special sessions should be concluded, and --- while I could be wrong and would be happy to be corrected --- there seems to be no reason to not wait until the general election in November. It would be an unnecessary expense for the County and City of Manassas.

The Scales Have Fallen From Mine Eyes

I've had a "Road to Damascus" experience. Well, actually, a road to Manassas experience.

It happened while I was driving on Route 234 this morning, on my way to the GOP Convention.

And I realized that, for all these years, I've been wrong.

Republicans really DO win more elections when they promise to govern like Democrats.

Chairman Sean really HAS lowered my taxes.

Bill Clinton really IS an honest man.

Governor Tim Kaine really DOESN'T want to raise my taxes.

Senator John Chichester IS a statesman of historic proportions.

Congressman Tom Davis really IS a tool of the far Right.

Government schools really ARE better.

As a result, I've decided to atone for the error of my ways, and turn this blog over to Anke Cheney, NoVA Scout, and Mitch Cum-stain. And indeed, all anonymous/pseudonymous bloggers will be welcome. They really are the most courageous, honorable people I know, with admirable convictions that all should emulate.

War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

APRIL FOOL'S!

Kopko Wins

Like the last contested race for Prince William County Republican Chairman, this year's race was decided by a thin margin, with Tom Kopko squeaking to victory with a single vote.

Contrary to the efforts of some to characterize it as such, this was not a particularly ideological race. On one side, there was Brian Murphy, supported by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, Bob FitzSimmonds, and others. On the other, the victorious Kopko, endorsed by Delegate Jeff Frederick, and Supervisors Corey Stewart and John Stirrup.

Apparently, BOCS Chairman Sean Connaughton largely stayed out of the race. Indeed, he didn't even show up at the County Convention. One cannot help but wonder if he shows up only when he wants something (as in 2004, when he was running for the GOP nomination for Lieutenant Governor).

It was good to see an event where some of the old warhorses --- former Supervisor Tony Guiffre; Ruby & Riley Kroh; Dave Mabie --- who helped bring the GOP to preeminence in Prince William were there.

What this race was about seemed mainly to be the question of the competence of the leadership of the County GOP. And Kopko, whatever his faults (he has been savaged in some places), at least has come up with a plan to help build the GOP. Indeed, while I supported Kopko, I was very concerned that the passion necessary to defeat an incumbent was not there.

Brian Murphy, on the other hand, seemed all too willing to listen to that contingent of opportunistic Republicans who, if the Democrats were dominant, would probably be on the other side of the aisle. Perhaps that has changed --- I respect many of his most prominent supporters --- but you know the old phrase about "Fool me once...." As someone more glib than I said after the votes were counted, "Brian's main theme seemed to be 'Vote for Me; It Hasn't Been So Bad.'"

For what it is worth, thanks to the wisdom of the author of the County's Party Plan, Brian's ability to contribute in a leadership role continues; he remains a voting member of the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chairman.

UPDATE: Well, OK, not really an "update." Charles Reichley, who must've been busily pecking away at his keyboard during the Convention or within minutes of adjournment, has a much more detailed discussion here, and it was up before my post. Charles includes a discussion of a dispute which modesty (ha, ha) forbade me from discussing. I corrected one small factual error, which Charles graciously acknowledges.

Great Man Bites Dog Story

Kilo has a great post over at his website on the hypocrisy of union officials. Apparently, they had to cross a Carpenters' union picket line at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego to hold one of their meetings.

Even more entertaining is that the meeting was scheduled here at all. In a case in which I attempted to intervene on behalf of a worker in 2004/05, hotel management was found guilty of unfair labor practices (be forewarned; this is a .pdf file).

Now, I'm not sure, but shouldn't "union solidarity" preclude union officials from meeting at hotel where management has been found to have violated union rights?

Or does union boss comfort trump everything?

Radicals Target Non-Churchgoers

Brother Charles over at "Two Conservatives" (cute moniker, BTW) has an interesting post on efforts of partisans of the radical homosexual agenda to target non-churchgoers in the Tidewater area, in an effort to defeat the marriage amendment slated to appear on the November ballot. They're going to be knocking on doors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Two thoughts: first, I wonder if they're going to be using people like the courier I ran into in the office of the Clerk of Court for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, in San Francisco? He was in full bondage gear, including a dog collar.

Second, I guess they figure that they've already got the votes of those you'd find in bathhouses and homosexual bars.

Another Tell-All Book That's NOT On My List

It seems that former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey is writing a tell-all book.

I've got a pile of purchased-yet-unread books in my house. I WON'T be adding this one to it.

Afghani Christian Safe

Good news from Italy.

Abdur Rahman, the Afghani man who was facing a death sentence because of his Christian faith, has arrived in Italy, where he has been granted asylum. It is gratifying that this man, facing martyrdom for his faith, is now safe.

It seems that some in the Muslim religion would apply the same rules that I see some unions trying to apply.

Pot. News Tribute to Harry Parrish

There's a nice piece in today's Potomac News on the late Harry Parrish.

While I certainly had my disagreements with Harry over his surrender to Governor Marky Mark's unnecessary tax increase, I will always fondly remember what was probably our most intimate interaction, one aside from the typical gladhanding at GOP meetings and conventions.

I had been persuaded to run for the School Board seat for Dumfries in 1995, so naturally, I was making the rounds with elected Republicans, seeking advice and financial support. I went over to MIFCO's (Manassas Ice and Fuel Company) office in Manassas, where I met with Harry, who owned the company.

It was like a flashback to my youth. Harry was there, of course, but so was Mattie, Harry's wife, helping out. And with that, and the smell of fuel oil (it is said that smell is perhaps the strongest memory trigger), I couldn't help but remember my paternal grandfather, Thomas Young, who was also an oil distributor in Logansport, Indiana. My grandmother, Irene, also used to help out in the office.

I can't remember all that we discussed, though I know that Harry was kind enough to write me a check for my campaign. But I will always have fond memories of the man that go beyond that conversation and his generosity.

UPDATE: Sadly, some of those who claim to have been Harry's friends and supporters demonstrate their class in many ways.

UPDATE 2: Vince at TC has the details on Harry's funeral arrangements.

UPDATE 3: I'm tempted to disable the links in the first UPDATE. The name-calling anonymous/pseudonymous cowards are in full attack mode against anyone who might run for Harry's seat, and I'm loathe to give them exposure here. It's truly pathetic that they are already picking over his bones. They even feel the need to attack me, even though I've discussed the issue of a successor not at all, and have endorsed no one (haven't even been asked to). However, cockroaches scurry when light is shone upon them. One can only hope for a like result.

Harry Parrish Has Died

Just received this sad news via e-mail:

BREAKING NEWS

RICHMOND (AP) - Harry J. Parrish, who headed the state's most powerful tax-writing panel in the General Assembly, died today. He was 84.

Parrish had been in intensive care at Prince William Hospital for about three weeks, suffering from pneumonia. His death was announced by Sen. John Chichester during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Square.

Parrish, the House of Delegates' oldest member, was in his 13th term from Manassas.

Visit www.PotomacNews.com and www.ManassasJM.com for more information.


RIP, Harry. Condolences to Mattie, Hal, and the rest of his family.

Unbelievable

Another example of why Ronald Reagan will be the first and last Hollywood-type ever to ascend to the Presidency.

Sharon Stone really needs to stick to flashing for the camera.

Bad News For Someone

Well, the godfather of the Virginia Conservative blogosphere, Chad Dotson, has had his site hacked. Found out when I tried to link from here, but Ben/NLS had a post up, as did Norm at OMT.

As the first commenter at NLS noted, one wonders if this hackers knows what Chad's day job is, and whether this isn't the worst decision he's made in a long, long time.

Virginia Blog Carnival On-Line

Well, it seems that Brother Shaun is hosting the latest iteration of the Virginia Blog Carnival over at his eponymous website. And even though I didn't submit anything, he found something worthy of inclusion.

The least I can do is link back and respond in kind.

Besides, aside from extirpation, I was looking for a way to move the post below down sufficiently that it was not the first thing people logging on would see.

This is So Wrong

Oop, she did it again!

Or more accurately, had it done to her.

This is just vile.

Courtesy of the Drudge Report.

Governor Timmy Creates Jobs ... in Illinois

Well, it's nice to see that Governor Timmy has helped to create some jobs. And he didn't do so in the normal way that politicians claim to, i.e., by claiming credit for the powerful engine of the free market. No, Governor Timmy's campaign has actually created jobs by hiring people to do his dirty work.

The problem? He's created them in Illinois, and they're trying to raise our taxes.

On the other hand, it's easy to understand why some Illini would want to raise the taxes of Virginians. It's certainly one way to diminish the competitive advantage that Virginia currently enjoys over high-tax, pro-forced-unionism Illinois.

George Mason Going to the Final Four

86-84 over perennial powerhouse UConn.

'Nuff said.

Agenda-Driven "Journalism"

Thanks to Jim Riley over at Virginia VirtuCon, I learned of this story about Justice Scalia's remarks, reported by Reuters.

Reuters, which won't even call terrorists "terrorists," is now attempting to influence the American judicial system. This strikes me as a despicable attempt to force Justice Scalia's recusal from the detainee case. Hopefully, Justice Scalia will resist the inevitable efforts of the chattering classes to force his recusal.

UPDATE: More on the Scalia speech in the WaPo article here. And driving in today, the drumbeat for recusal has begun on C-SPAN.

This is News?

A wet T-shirt contest. In a Florida bar. During Spring break.

Who woulda thunk it?!?!?!

George Mason Reaches Elite Eight

I'm supposed to judge the moot court competition at George Mason University Law School tomorrow.

Wonder if there's a way to account for celebratory hangovers?

The Test

Well, I took the test again, and got slightly different results. Here they are:

You are a Social Moderate (43% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (90% permissive) You are best described as a: Capitalist Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

With that having been said, the test isefle exhibits a pretty clear far-Left bias in the way the questions are asked. The fact that two-thirds of those taking it admit to having voted for the Poodle demonstrates that this site caters to Lefty types.

Speed Trap on Dale Boulevard This Morning

Was driving the boys to school this morning, and passed by (unmolested) a speed trap set up on Dale Boulevard near Darbydale.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of Chad, and without rendering legal advise (I am not licensed to practice in Virginia), it seems that the Prince William County Police may be playing the same game that I witnessed in Fairfax a few years ago.

I had been driving to work on the HOV lanes on I-95, and after topping the hill into Fairfax County (with three in the car), I was pulled over by one of Fairfax's finest. I remain convinced to this day that I was pulled over because the officer couldn't see my young son in the back seat. Nevertheless, I had been pulled over, so they had to justify it somehow, and issued what I believed to be a completely illegitimate speeding ticket.

Now never mind the question of County police running such an operation on I-95 --- just past the County line, where almost none of those cited would be County residents --- in the middle of rush hour. Never mind the sneaking suspicion that it was a fundraiser designed to ensnare individuals who were unlikely to travel to the County Courthouse in Fairfax to challenge the tickets issued.

In any case, about a month later, I appeared, and watched a fascinating spectacle (when your name is "Young" you're near the end of the docket, and get to watch a lot). I learned that a similar operation had been run on U.S. Route 1. And one gentleman got up, and defended himself. He was not a lawyer, but did a quite creditable job cross-examining the officer testifying, demonstrating that he was not the one running the radar, even though he had signed the ticket. After demonstrating beyond any doubt that the Commonwealth could not make its case with admissible testimony --- the officer's testimony was hearsay, because he was merely relating a radar reading taken by another officer --- the judge asked the individual if he had anything else to say. Of course, I was sitting there think "Shut up! Don't say another word! You've won!" Nevertheless, this heretofore very competent amateur stated "Well, your Honor, I was perfectly willing to come in here and admit that, yes, I was probably going about 10 miles an hour over the limit, with the flow of traffic, but not the 20 miles an hour over the limit for which I was cited. However, the officer's testimony was hearsay, and inadmissible."

Of course, any lawyer reading this can guess what happened next. The judge very kindly said "Well, sir, the Court appreciates your honesty. I find you guilty of going 10 miles an hour over the speed limit and fine you ...."

Later defendants caught on fast. After the officer (who was the same officer who cited me on I-95) went through a few similarly bruising cross-examinations, my turn finally arose. I stood up, wearing my lawyer suit and carrying my briefcase and legal pad, and approached the docket. At that point, the officer decided that he wasn't going to throw good time after bad, and said "Uh, your Honor? We've decided that we're not going to proceed against Mr. Young at this time." The Court: "Mr. Young, you're free to go."

One reason that I'll never be a judge is that because, at this point, I would have sua sponte (on the Court's own motion) vacated every conviction (even for those who had not defended) entered on tickets issued by this officer on that day. And I might even have tried to find some way to sanction the officer or the County police for wasting the Court's time in pursuing these cases, and abusing those defendants who had to appear, or didn't appear because of the time involved, by wasting their time on convictions that could not be sustained.

Which brings me to the Dale Boulevard speed trap. At least four officers were there, but apparently only one was running a radar.

I'd love to know what happens to the people cited there when these cases reach General District Court in Manassas. Hopefully some will have the knowledge and/or wit to insure that the Commonwealth can make its case.

Recognition

Just to dispel the notion that no good deed goes unnoticed, I figured that I should mention this.

It seems that someone besides my assistant and Willis is paying attention. It seems that Republitarian thinks me one of the twenty-five most influential Virginia bloggers. Plenty of room for improvement, though.

And Ben still thinks this blog only rates as Silver, &$%* it!

Anyway, this also gives me a good excuse to update the blogroll. Didja ever notice how most leftie bloggers (with some exceptions) never put Conservative bloggers on their blogrolls?

I guess that's what you have to do when you can't win the debate.

BLOG WARS!

And you thought the flame wars were bad.

It seems that our friend Vince over at Sean Connaughton's Cult of Personality ... er, "Too Conservative," has decided to take his blog in a different direction, has thrown off all of his other contributors, and may have claimed their prior posts as his own.

Welllllll, it seems that his fellows, or at least Jim Riley, Not O'Reilly, are somewhat miffed. Sooooo, they've reclaimed the original blogger website, on which the changes are coming fast and furious.

This is all very confusing. I finally got around to linking to Vince's new website on the blogroll today. It appears under the Liberal and/or Democrat blogs as Sean Connaughton's Cult of Personality ... er, "Too Conservative." However, the Old Dominion Blog Alliance name links to the original blogger website.

I only have one question: Who gets custody of Chairman Sean and Marty?

UPDATE: This is gonna be fun! [gleeful chuckle]

UPDATE 2: Maybe there should be a rule against blogging after 11 p.m. It seems that most of the flames have been deleted, threats of full disclosure removed, and an accord reached. Here's what's now up at the original TC Blogger site:

Vincent Thoms (Too Conservative)

"Too Conservative"

Jim Riley (Riley, Not O'Reilly)

Jay Hughes (Not Not Jay Hughes)

Scott Hirons (Hirons)

et al.

"Virginia Virtucon"

I note that the post is time-stamped at slightly before 9:00 a.m. Wonder how much sleep these guys got last night? In any case, this frustrates my intent to do a parody starting with "A long time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away... [cue stirring John Williams' theme]... " Probably beyond my technical abilities, anyway.

UPDATE 3: Sophrosyne of NoVA Townhall has a few salient points here. I don't know if he's correct; I didn't want to speculate (take that! Vince; who is it who traffics in gossip?), but his points and probably more elaborate understanding of the cryptic references seem logical.

UPDATE 4: As entertaining as this all is, I want to be fair. It seems that Vince's explanation for the fact that all prior posts were attributed to him was that, in Word Press, when a contributor is cashiered (or leaves; whatever) you must either change all of the bylines to one of those remaining, or delete the posts. Vince chose the former course. So he didn't "claim[] their prior posts as his own," so long as you understand the context.

A Possible First

You know, with Willis' behavior here and elsewhere, I'm fairly certain that he'll go down in history as an historic figure:

The first stupid SOB ever thrown off of the Internet.

Interesting Observations

The Toronto Star, via the Drudge Report, has a story today on how whiny, insecure kids grow up to be Conservatives, while confident, resilient, self-reliant kids mostly grew up to be liberals.

Put another way, Conservatives experienced childhood when they were children; Liberals, while initially precocious, never grow up.

Put yet another way, whiny, insecure kids will eventually grow up and become Conservatives, while people who don't whine as children will do nothing but whine as adults.

Of course, the study was done on children in Berserkely, where their idea of patriotism is not allowing the flag to touch the ground while you burn it, and that's pretty much all you need to know about the biases of the so-called researchers.

Governor Timmy Launches His Campaign for Tax Increases

With little or no fanfare (it's certainly nothing to brag about), our own Governor Timmy (hat tip to Jim Riley at TC ... er, Virginia Virtucon, ... er, whatever, for the image) is launching his crusade for higher taxes. Got this late yesterday from Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, and it is reprinted with permission.

Dear Friends,

Some of my colleagues in the House of Delegates have received a report concerning automated phone calls from Moving Virginia Forward, a liberal high-tax group. Reportedly, the calls encourage the recipient to support the Governor's effort to fund transportation (though not mentioning taxes), and criticizes the House approach, which they claim will take money away from priorities like "early childhood education." This is absolutely false in every regard. The calls conclude by asking the recipient to contact their legislator, giving them the Delegate's number.

If you learn of anyone receiving one of these calls - or any similar call, please e-mail me--or your delegate if I do not represent you--with the details at your earliest convenience.

Scott

L. Scott Lingamfelter

Colonel, US Army (Retired)

Delegate 31st District (Prince William - Fauquier)

Virginia House of Delegates

Too bad Governor Timmy wasn't honest with the voters last year. Had he announced his plan for another massive tax increase, it is doubtful that we would be talking about Governor Timmy.

Pull Her Credentials

If you didn't catch Special Report with Brit Hume on Fox News Channel today, you missed perhaps the most despicable performance by a White House correspondent. Helen Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, prefaced her question with the usual far-Left distortions, and then continuously attempted to interrupt the President as he attempted to respond.

Behavior like this takes her from the realm of even the fig leaf of being a reporter, into the realm of commentator, and the White House should respond accordingly by pulling her credentials. She certainly has the right to her opinions and views, however ill-informed, but she doesn't possess the right to berate the President of the United States.

At least David Gregory had the excuse that he was dealing with a press flak.

Pot. News Bias on Full Display

As I suspected when my services as a columnist were terminated, the efforts of the Potomac News to become a more balanced journal, more representative of the community it purports to serve, died when "former Goldwater Girl" (as she is wont to remind Conservative critics) Susan Svhilik became Managing Editor.

From a personal perspective, among my first interactions with her was her criticism that my columns should be more focused on local issues. So far as I could tell from my colleagues, no one else was given this mandate, to it may well be that she was setting me up for an excuse for discontinuing my columns. Sadly (for her), I was able to stave off her efforts against me when I was able to focus locally. It wasn't until four years later that she persuaded management to discontinue my column, upon the excuse that I was "boring and repetitive," notwithstanding the fact that no local columnist generated more letters to the editor.

Any notion that "balance" is desired by Pot. News management should have been thoroughly dispelled in today's edition, in which a story appears discussing anti-war protesters interfering with traffic on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's one telling excerpt:

Many people honked their horns and gave thumbs up in support for the group's message during their two hours holding signs in the blistering cold at the intersection of Sudley Road and Rixlew Lane.

The cost in lives wasn't Harms' only concern, though. She contacted National Priorities Project, a nonpartisan organization, to find out what the cost was for Fredericksburg, roughly $17 million; Manassas, $52.4 million; and Woodbridge, $40.4 million.

"The taxpayers should know how their money is being spent," she said. "Money that could be better spent elsewhere."

Not everybody was copacetic with the group's message, though. Several people shouted opposing remarks -- remarks that included that the group was damaging troop morale.

"The negative response is just as good as the positive," Reynolds said. "That means people are thinking about this."

Thus, while lip-service is paid to the negative response, the positive response is described as "many people," while the negative response is merely described as "not everybody" and "several people." Moreover, the far-Left National Priorities Project -- a group whose Board is made up, of among others, ACORN refugees, advocates for the so-called "living wage," and union activists -- is described as "non-partisan." Yeah. Just like MoveOn.org.

Good News; Bad News

Well, the good news is that one of those blog counters below (they were added at various times) says I've gone over 20,000 hits. Not bad for my little, one-man operation.

The bad news? I'm pretty sure that most of them are from Willis.

Let's Play the "Chicken Hawk" Game!

Well, I suppose that it was inevitable: one of the commenters here (cowering safely in anonymity) has decided to play the "chickenhawk" card. Here's what that commenter said the other day:

I would respect Peace Activist more if they ever wore a uniform and at one time went to war. My dad became a peace activist after winning the Silver Star. He saw war first hand and then dedicated his life towards peace. Many peace activist have rarely left the comfort of a college campus. This is the same reason why I could not vote for Bush. Bush, Rumsfield, Cheney...all chicken hawks..Go McCain! Go Kerry!!! Go Gore!!! Mr. Young...where did you serve your country?

And you know what? I thought it'd be fun, too. After all, why bother actually to address another's arguments? Let's just dismiss his arguments because he or she has never met some arbitrary and capricious --- or better yet, convenient --- standard for authority?

I would respect abortion advocates more if they ever had an unwanted pregnancy.

I would respect Mothers Against Drunk Driving more if they'd ever had to go somewhere with a load on.

I would respect Teddy Kennedy on employee "rights" more if he'd ever had a real job.

I would respect [Lawmaker A] more if he'd ever practiced law.

I would respect pro-lifers more if they'd ever killed someone.

I'd respect tax advocates more if they'd ever actually paid more in taxes than they consumed.

I'd respect anti-globalization advocates more if they'd ever run a business.

I'd respect public welfare advocates more if they'd ever personally aided someone.

You can play, too!

Ginsburg Blames Peaceful Critics for Violent Threats

It seems that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is upset about criticism of her decisionmaking from Conservatives, and blames it for fueling a fringe which despicably has suggested that offending Supreme Court Justices should be targets for assassination. According to today's Washington Post:

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg assailed the court's congressional critics in a recent speech overseas, saying their efforts "fuel" an "irrational fringe" that threatened her life and that of a colleague, former justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Addressing an audience at the Constitutional Court of South Africa on Feb. 7, the 73-year-old justice, known as one of the court's more liberal members, criticized various Republican-proposed House and Senate measures that either decry or would bar the citation of foreign law in the Supreme Court's constitutional rulings. Conservatives often see the citing of foreign laws in court rulings as an affront to American sovereignty, adding to a list of grievances they have against judges that include rulings supporting abortion rights or gay rights.

....

She then quoted from what she said was a "personal example" of this: a Feb. 28, 2005, posting in an Internet chat room that called on unnamed "commandoes" to ensure that she and O'Connor "will not live another week."

It seems that Justice Ginsburg has forgotten the absurdity with which the Great Prevaricator's effort to blame Conservative talk radio for the Oklahoma City bombing was appropriately greeted.

One could ask what it is about Liberals and criticizing America from overseas, but it's hardly surprising that Ginsburg would do so in light of her affinity for foreign laws as the basis for American constitutional decisionmaking. But I think the most appropos response is of hoary vintage, from one of Justice Ginsburg's predecessors, noting that, if her decisions provoke some to call for violence, it is not the peaceful, if passionate critics of those decisions who should be blamed:

It is said that this manifesto was more than a theory, that it was an incitement. Every idea is an incitement. It offers itself for belief and if believed it is acted on unless some other belief outweighs it or some failure of energy stifles the movement at its birth. The only difference between the expression of an opinion and an incitement in the narrower sense is the speaker's enthusiasm for the result. Eloquence may set fire to reason. But whatever may be thought of the redundant discourse before us it had no chance of starting a present conflagration. If in the long run the beliefs expressed in proletarian dictatorship are destined to be accepted by the dominant forces of the community, the only meaning of free speech is that they should be given their chance and have their way.

Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652, 673, 45 S.Ct. 625, 69 L.Ed. 1138 (1925) (Holmes, J., dissenting). In short, as the Bard of Avon once wrote, "The fault lies not within the stars, but within ourselves."

Of course, then there's the other, more flippant comment by the Great Dissenter: "We're not finally because we're right; we're right because we're final."

Offensive Subject Matter

Like most people with an IQ higher than a turnip's, I hate spam. But here's a subject line in one sent today that manages to offend both me and my father:

"FW: You inherited a small dick from you father and think there is no way to help it."

Cal Thomas on Dead Appeasement Activist

Cal Thomas had a great column today on dead appeasement activist Tom Fox, a native Virginian.

Thomas gets it exactly right about these folks, while conceding (which I won't) their own appellation as "peace activists":

Strange thing about these peace movements: they rarely mobilize to oppose the killing, torture and imprisonment practiced by dictators. It is only when their own country attempts to end the oppression that the activists become active against America, not the initiators of evil. Peace, like happiness, is a byproduct, not a goal that can be unilaterally attained. Peace happens when evil is vanquished.

I couldn't help being reminded of a George F. Will column from the Eighties, when some wag --- probably the WaPo's Coleman McCarthy --- gave a speech at a military academy (I think it was the Air Force Academy) advocating federal creation and funding of a "peace academy." Will rightly noted that the United States already had three "peace academies." One was on the banks of the Hudson, another on the shores of the Chesapeake, and the third was where McCarthy spoke.

Thomas got it exactly right:

Peace "activism" may make its practitioners feel good, or validate their belief they are doing the will of God. But evil cannot be accommodated. Evil must be defeated if peace on Earth is to exist. That Fox and his colleagues could not, or would not see this, is most tragic of all.

UPDATE: Correction made. Thanks to Not Ben.

Hyper-PC at WaPo

Interesting story today in the Washington Post about the denial of a trademark for a line by Damon Wayans. Apparently, Wayans wants to launch a hip-hop clothing line.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark office won't allow him to trademark which, as the WaPo describes, "rapper Jay-Z famously rhymed with 'Jigga.'"

This is political correctness run amok. Is the word vile and offensive? Certainly. Is the Patent and Trademark office acting within its mandate to refuse trademark protection to words that are scandalous or that disparage a particular group? Again, certainly.

But leave it to Pravda-on-the-Potomac to sacrifice accurate reporting on the alter of political correctness.