Young Vince is reporting over at Too Conservative that Steve Chapman is out of the race for the 50th District. Some of his commenters suggest that he missed a filing deadline.
If true, this will give aid and comfort to the hatemongers who suggest that Chapman lacks the competence to justify his candidacy. The requirements for filing for office in Virginia are, to the best of my recollection, not onerous.
On the bright side, it will remove the raison d'etre for at least one website that comes to mind.
UPDATE: Well, you read it here first. I said that "it will remove the raison d'etre for at least one website that comes to mind," and --- sure enough --- all of the hatemongering on the aforementioned website has been taken down, and its original owner has disappeared. For as much as he (or she; that site had all the class of the original smear campaign orchestrated by Parrish primary campaign manager Anke W. Cheney and consultant Kenney Klinge) portrayed Chapman as "pathetic," it turns out to have been Black Velvet Bruce Lee who is even more pathetic.
No wonder he (or she) has hidden his (or her) identity.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Chapman Launches Strike
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called plans for a campaign against Italy an attack upon "the soft underbelly of Europe." In what can perhaps best be called an attack upon the descending colon of the Virginia blogosphere, Ben Tribbett reports that Steve Chapman's lawyers have launched a shot across the bow of the hatemongers who have made innuendo and belittlement of Chapman their mission in life, almost as though he has stalkers.
Were I to engage in the dime-store psychology that motivates some commenters, I might conclude that they are indulging their own frustration over Chapman's showing against the Revered Harry Parrish, He Whom They Worship. After all, if someone as contemptible as Steve Chapman gets 45% of the GOP primary vote, doesn't that say as much about Parrish and his performance in office as it does about Chapman?
UPDATE: Another question arises. Bravado to the contrary notwithstanding, the hatemongers are offering considerable detail about all their work and effort in getting dirt on Chapman: multiple FOIA requests; trips to the Court Clerk's office (we can surmise); etc. In short, all the earmarks of a opposition research operation. The question which arises is, On whose behalf? All of this effort demonstrates a either a serious mental disorder (if I went to all that effort to trash Chairman Sean's character, I would be accused of having an "unhealthy fixation"; oh, wait, that accusation has been leveled), or an operation on someone's behalf.
I'd have a lot more respect for Jackson Miller and Carroll Weimer if they'd denounce this behavior.
Were I to engage in the dime-store psychology that motivates some commenters, I might conclude that they are indulging their own frustration over Chapman's showing against the Revered Harry Parrish, He Whom They Worship. After all, if someone as contemptible as Steve Chapman gets 45% of the GOP primary vote, doesn't that say as much about Parrish and his performance in office as it does about Chapman?
UPDATE: Another question arises. Bravado to the contrary notwithstanding, the hatemongers are offering considerable detail about all their work and effort in getting dirt on Chapman: multiple FOIA requests; trips to the Court Clerk's office (we can surmise); etc. In short, all the earmarks of a opposition research operation. The question which arises is, On whose behalf? All of this effort demonstrates a either a serious mental disorder (if I went to all that effort to trash Chairman Sean's character, I would be accused of having an "unhealthy fixation"; oh, wait, that accusation has been leveled), or an operation on someone's behalf.
I'd have a lot more respect for Jackson Miller and Carroll Weimer if they'd denounce this behavior.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Does McCain Pay Attention?
While I didn't see or here it myself, my understanding is that John McCain opposes the Federal marriage amendment because it isn't necessary, and it infringes on the rights of the States.
Tell me again why this guy is qualified to be President? To be sure, McCain's got the sophistry down necessary to be a successor to Bill Clinton. Then again, we knew that when he supported "campaign finance reform" allegedly justified by the corrupting influence of money in politics, but refused to identify a single colleague allegedly corrupted by money in politics.
As for the marriage amendment not being necessary, I know he was out of the country for awhile, but surely Roe v. Wade must ring a bell. You know: the decision where the Supremes struck down the laws of fifty states regulating abortion? So either McCain is oblivious to the judicial threat to marriage, or he's simply ignoring it. Either way, his notion is disingenuous.
As for "the rights of the States," they're entitled to their own laws, not their own language. In English, marriage is the union of one man and one woman. That certain state and/or federal judges don't understand that fact is one reason why it's both necessary and appropriate.
Tell me again why this guy is qualified to be President? To be sure, McCain's got the sophistry down necessary to be a successor to Bill Clinton. Then again, we knew that when he supported "campaign finance reform" allegedly justified by the corrupting influence of money in politics, but refused to identify a single colleague allegedly corrupted by money in politics.
As for the marriage amendment not being necessary, I know he was out of the country for awhile, but surely Roe v. Wade must ring a bell. You know: the decision where the Supremes struck down the laws of fifty states regulating abortion? So either McCain is oblivious to the judicial threat to marriage, or he's simply ignoring it. Either way, his notion is disingenuous.
As for "the rights of the States," they're entitled to their own laws, not their own language. In English, marriage is the union of one man and one woman. That certain state and/or federal judges don't understand that fact is one reason why it's both necessary and appropriate.
Let's Play the WaPo Game
Some of my conservative friends lament the fact that I am a daily reader of Pravda on the Pot... er, the Washington Post. But aside from the "Know thine enemy" theory, and I.F. Stone's famous comment that "What makes The Washington Post a great paper is the fact that you never know on what page you'll find the Page One story," the Post is an endlessly entertaining journal.
Take today's tertiary editorial, for instance. Entitled "Running Against Gays," it bemoans the fact that protecting the institution of marriage from the radical homosexual agenda and the linguistically-challenged is "picking on gays and lesbians." Never mind that the fight was "picked" by partisans for the radical homosexual agenda, or the other factually dubious assertions. I was fascinated by the penultimate sentence, which asks "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" The editorial then asserts that "The question answer itself."
What a stupid "argument."
But you can play "The WaPo Game," too!
All you need to do is recall a ruling of the imperial Federal (or State) judiciary, and then ask the question.
Let's play together!
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), finds a heretofore unknown right to abortion on demand in the Constitution. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" Or for that matter, many more centuries of the Common law?
Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965), strikes down what Justice Potter Stewart (dissenting) calls "an uncommonly silly" law against selling contraceptives to married couples. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?"
Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003), strikes down laws criminalizing homosexual (and heterosexual) sodomy. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" To say nothing of the norms of 5000 years of civilized society.
Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), strikes down segregation laws. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting [58] years of constitutional norms (Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896) ("separate but equal" is constitutionally permissible))?" And arguably, nearly 200 years of the constitutional norm of institutionalized racism. (Well, OK, I'll grant you that one).
Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), strikes down the "legislative veto," by which one House of the Congress could reverse the actions of an administrative agency. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" OK, actually, about fifty years of congressional/administrative practice.
McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, 540 U.S. 93 (2003), upholds limits on free speech in the political process. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?"
Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963), striking down organized prayers in the government schools. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting [184] years of constitutional norms?"
C'mon! You can play, too!
Take today's tertiary editorial, for instance. Entitled "Running Against Gays," it bemoans the fact that protecting the institution of marriage from the radical homosexual agenda and the linguistically-challenged is "picking on gays and lesbians." Never mind that the fight was "picked" by partisans for the radical homosexual agenda, or the other factually dubious assertions. I was fascinated by the penultimate sentence, which asks "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" The editorial then asserts that "The question answer itself."
What a stupid "argument."
But you can play "The WaPo Game," too!
All you need to do is recall a ruling of the imperial Federal (or State) judiciary, and then ask the question.
Let's play together!
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), finds a heretofore unknown right to abortion on demand in the Constitution. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" Or for that matter, many more centuries of the Common law?
Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965), strikes down what Justice Potter Stewart (dissenting) calls "an uncommonly silly" law against selling contraceptives to married couples. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?"
Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003), strikes down laws criminalizing homosexual (and heterosexual) sodomy. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" To say nothing of the norms of 5000 years of civilized society.
Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), strikes down segregation laws. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting [58] years of constitutional norms (Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896) ("separate but equal" is constitutionally permissible))?" And arguably, nearly 200 years of the constitutional norm of institutionalized racism. (Well, OK, I'll grant you that one).
Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), strikes down the "legislative veto," by which one House of the Congress could reverse the actions of an administrative agency. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?" OK, actually, about fifty years of congressional/administrative practice.
McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, 540 U.S. 93 (2003), upholds limits on free speech in the political process. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting 200 years of constitutional norms?"
Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963), striking down organized prayers in the government schools. "What exactly is the problem that requires upsetting [184] years of constitutional norms?"
C'mon! You can play, too!
Monday, May 22, 2006
A "Day of Silence" for a Worthy Cause
Will Vehrs will complete his ten-day suspension without pay for a series of lame jokes at the expense of Martinsville-Henry County tomorrow. I intend to note my dismay at this unjust punishment by eschewing comment and attention to the blogosphere tomorrow, addiction to the contrary notwithstanding.
Keep up the good work, Will.
Keep up the good work, Will.
Literally Decimated
I heard this figure on the radio this morning, but haven't yet found a link:
10% of the population of Mexico resides in the United States. 15% of of Mexico's workforce is in the United States.
These are astounding figures. If accurate, Mexico's population has literally been decimated by illegal immigration.
One has to wonder whether, but for the corruption of Mexico's government, this figure alone would spur greater enforcement efforts by the Mexican government. After all, the Soviets built walls over the bleeding of their workforce to the West.
10% of the population of Mexico resides in the United States. 15% of of Mexico's workforce is in the United States.
These are astounding figures. If accurate, Mexico's population has literally been decimated by illegal immigration.
One has to wonder whether, but for the corruption of Mexico's government, this figure alone would spur greater enforcement efforts by the Mexican government. After all, the Soviets built walls over the bleeding of their workforce to the West.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Outing the Hate Campaigners
Shaun Kenney has a wonderful post about the continuing hate campaign being run against Steve Chapman.
I honestly don't know who I'd support were I voting in that District. I've met Jackson Miller on more than one occasion, and he's an impressive fellow. The fact that he backed out of a blogchat on the main site of the hate campaigners (suggested here) is to his great credit. I've heard good things about Carroll Weimer, though I've never met him.
But these despicable people --- mainly cowards cowering in anonymity --- have given people good cause to vote for Chapman. Sure, he's a Conservative, and he took on Harry Parrish after he surrendered to the Boyish Governor's unnecessary 2004 tax increase. It is doubtful that these people will have much influence on him if he is elected (though they will want to, which may be one reason why most refuse to identify themselves). But the single best reason to support Chapman might just be to pee in the Wheaties of the conservatoids (per R. Emmett Tyrell's description of far-Left "intellectuals," denoting those who falsely resemble real intellectuals).
As I recall thinking at the time, and perhaps even saying, it was rather sad that Harry Parrish was soiled by his association with those who would do anything to keep him in power. I preferred to believe that they did so without his knowledge. But their attack upon Chapman are notable for their vigor and emotion, and have an air of quibbling and spin-control about them.
Perhaps that is one reason why so many of their attacks are, at their core, the roars of cowardly lions, full of sound and fury, launched --- in the main --- by those unwilling to reveal their identities.
I honestly don't know who I'd support were I voting in that District. I've met Jackson Miller on more than one occasion, and he's an impressive fellow. The fact that he backed out of a blogchat on the main site of the hate campaigners (suggested here) is to his great credit. I've heard good things about Carroll Weimer, though I've never met him.
But these despicable people --- mainly cowards cowering in anonymity --- have given people good cause to vote for Chapman. Sure, he's a Conservative, and he took on Harry Parrish after he surrendered to the Boyish Governor's unnecessary 2004 tax increase. It is doubtful that these people will have much influence on him if he is elected (though they will want to, which may be one reason why most refuse to identify themselves). But the single best reason to support Chapman might just be to pee in the Wheaties of the conservatoids (per R. Emmett Tyrell's description of far-Left "intellectuals," denoting those who falsely resemble real intellectuals).
As I recall thinking at the time, and perhaps even saying, it was rather sad that Harry Parrish was soiled by his association with those who would do anything to keep him in power. I preferred to believe that they did so without his knowledge. But their attack upon Chapman are notable for their vigor and emotion, and have an air of quibbling and spin-control about them.
Perhaps that is one reason why so many of their attacks are, at their core, the roars of cowardly lions, full of sound and fury, launched --- in the main --- by those unwilling to reveal their identities.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The Consummate Politician/You Arrogant Boob
Is Chairman Sean on drugs?
On has to wonder, in light of the comment that Vince has posted, another one of Chairman Sean's answers from his live blogchat of a few days ago.
Look at the highlighted portion, and what does it imply? "My critics are either stupid, or liars." Bold talk from a man who --- when he lost a straw poll at his home County GOP Convention --- made wild and false accusations of ballot-stuffing.
Given the arrogance of the highlighted section, though, one has to wonder whether Chairman Sean hasn't been nipping at the Kool-Aid just a little too much.
I'm not sure what's more pathetic: the arrogance of this comment, or the fact that Chairman Sean asserts, and might actually believe, that he has been "lowering tax burdens" on PWC citizens.
Mrs. Connaughton must be the one who pays the tax bill; no one who's actually seen it for the last five years could make that statement with a straight face.
On has to wonder, in light of the comment that Vince has posted, another one of Chairman Sean's answers from his live blogchat of a few days ago.
Just as one wonders whether Goebbels believed some of his own BS, one has to wonder the same thing about Chairman Sean, who gives evidence that the pseudonymous NoVA Scout is simply Chairman Sean's way of trashing his critics without accepting responsbility for doing so.Do you agree or disagree with Bob FitzSimmonds, Steve Chapman, Tom Kopko, Denny Daugherty, Rick Hendrix, and all them that you are a “tax-raiser”?
why or why not?—anonymousI give most of the people you mention enough credit for intelligence to suggest that they do not consider me a “tax-raiser” but find it useful to say so on occasion. If they sincerely believe that, then they have not paid very close attention to my record and my fiscal policies in this County.I am a fiscal conservative both on the tax and on the budget side. We live in a very fast-changing, fast growing community, one which had not kept up with essential government service obligations in the late 1990’s. I have used conservative fiscal policies to attack these problems. I have aggressively lowered tax rates, hoping that minimizing tax burdens will vitalize the local and regional economy, and I have tried to confine public spending to the core services that local government owes the citizens. I have had strong support for this from other Board members, the countyExecutive and his staff, and the voters. I have no indication that the recipe of tax cuts and fiscal discipline have failed in making Prince William a better place.Conservatives are wary of debt and are strong on responsible government. I have an obligation to the citizens of this County to manage the county government in a way that provides roads, schools, police and fire protection. These things are horrifically expensive and are not getting cheaper. But just as lowering tax burdens is essential to continued prosperity, good schools, roads and public safety are essential to attracting new business and building a healthy tax base. I am always glad to engage with anyone who wants to talk about how we can make our budgets more efficient, but I am confident that the County’s tax and budget policies reflect the best kind of conservative fiscal policy.
Look at the highlighted portion, and what does it imply? "My critics are either stupid, or liars." Bold talk from a man who --- when he lost a straw poll at his home County GOP Convention --- made wild and false accusations of ballot-stuffing.
Given the arrogance of the highlighted section, though, one has to wonder whether Chairman Sean hasn't been nipping at the Kool-Aid just a little too much.
I'm not sure what's more pathetic: the arrogance of this comment, or the fact that Chairman Sean asserts, and might actually believe, that he has been "lowering tax burdens" on PWC citizens.
Mrs. Connaughton must be the one who pays the tax bill; no one who's actually seen it for the last five years could make that statement with a straight face.
On Anonymity/Pseudonymity
Will Vehrs, who was recently bitten (unfairly, in my estimation) for his blogging activity, has an interesting apologia on anonymity/pseudonymity here.
I wanted to comment, but for some reason, my comment wouldn't register, so I am putting it up here:
I wanted to comment, but for some reason, my comment wouldn't register, so I am putting it up here:
Sounds like a massive rationalization to me. But then again, as "The Big Chill" taught us, rationalizations are more important than sex ("... ever go a week without a rationalization?").
Of course, "NoVA Scout" speaks not at all to the issues that I have raised, and that Shaun Kenney has raised about the kind of idiocy that anonymity/pseudonymity permits, such as NoVA Scout's dime-store psychology to dismiss any argument or commentator with whom he disagrees, but whose arguments he can't effectively rebut.
Will, for the same reason that I respect people who post under their own name (they expect to, can, and frequently do take the heat for their opinions, and leave open for the whole world to see the biases and experiences that inform their world view), I can never respect those who do so anonymously/pseudonymously, and therefore hide what may be the more questionable bases for their comments, particularly when their sycophancy for certain politicians (NoVA Scout's for Chairman Sean comes to mind) indicates that they have much to hide.
BTW, Will, how about "Alcibiades"? It was a great name for a cat.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Is He Finally Listening?
Well, it seems that Chairman Sean might finally be listening to his Republican base (though, of course, with enough cover that it doesn't look like he's caving in to political pressure from those whose nomination he carries). I just received this e-mail from Karen Ulrich, PWC GOP Committee Vice Chairman:
Listening to Chairman Sean talk about his record on taxes is a lot like Whack-a-Mole. And nearly as annoying as Chuck E. Cheese's.
The spin from Chairman Sean's Cult of Personality will be furious, but this is a huge, if interim, victory for Corey Stewart and John Stirrup.
Don't get too excited, though. It seems that on Vince Thoms' live blogchat last evening, Chairman Sean still couldn't 'fess up to his irresponsible tax and spending habits. Haru askedDear Prince William County Republicans,Chairman Connaughton announced at the Board of County Supervisors meeting approximately a half hour ago, the Public Hearing on the Proposed Brentswood Development is canceled for this evening.Apparently, the applicant wants to make substantial changes to their plan, and therefore the application is required to go back before the Planning Commissioners. We will keep you updated.Thanks,Karen S. UlrichVice Chairman
During your tenure as Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, real estate taxes (rate x assessment = Tax) have soared, the B of S seems to spend spend spend, it reminds me of the "conservative" congress and the "conservative" president. Why can’t you control your voracious spending habits?Chairman Sean's answer was this:
Another typical Chairman Sean evasion! Still trying to advance the lie that he's cut taxes.Question #10
Prince William County has lowered its property tax rate by approximately 60 cents per $100 valuation since 2000. It is the largest drop of any jurisdiction in Virginia and possibly in the United States. This reduction occurred even as the county increased its expenditures for transportation, education, and public safety. In fact, these functions now comprise almost 80% of the County’s spending with the amount devoted to transportation increasing dramatically over the next 5 years. These functions are also facing the most dramatic price escalations due higher land and construction costs, with the county estimating the costs of some projects increasing 25% a year!
Virginia is an interesting state; it penalizes successful jurisdictions. The more a community gets wealthy, the less it provides in support for functions such as education. For example, this year Prince William County lost $6 million in state education aid because of the new composite index. Even so, Prince William County now has the lowest average tax burden in Northern Virginia becuase we have kept our spending in check and focused on core functions.
A final thought relates in general to tax policy. All governments tax by percentages. That is, you pay a percentage of the value of property in taxes; the same is true for income or purchases you make. The market determines the value of a property, a good, or a persons income, and the tax you pay is based completely on that value. Governments can change the rate but the market will ultimately determine the tax one pays. The bottom line is whether this manner of taxing is fair or appropriate; I think that is a better question open for dialogue and debate on the local, state and national levels.
—Sean
Listening to Chairman Sean talk about his record on taxes is a lot like Whack-a-Mole. And nearly as annoying as Chuck E. Cheese's.
The spin from Chairman Sean's Cult of Personality will be furious, but this is a huge, if interim, victory for Corey Stewart and John Stirrup.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
An Interesting Alaska Blog
Just cruising through the blogosphere, and found this interesting site from one of my favorite places on Earth (OK, the U.S.; I've only traveled outside the U.S. to Canada). While I'm still contemplating a post on being in Anchorage during the Iditarod (per Kilo's request), this site shows some reasons why I love Alaska and her people.
A Loss to the Blogosphere
Ben Tribbett (Not Larry Sabato) reports, via Bearing Drift, that Will Vehrs has announced the cessation of his blogging activity upon the end of his suspension from his state employment.
Virginia's blogosphere has not suffered as great a loss since Barnie Day ended his activities last year. Will is a fair-minded guy with a sharp sense of humor that got him into trouble with the terminally humorless and incredibly earnest. It's just too damn bad.
While difficult, I would propose a day of silence/no postings in honor of Will, to occur on the day of his self-imposed exile. He will be missed.
Virginia's blogosphere has not suffered as great a loss since Barnie Day ended his activities last year. Will is a fair-minded guy with a sharp sense of humor that got him into trouble with the terminally humorless and incredibly earnest. It's just too damn bad.
While difficult, I would propose a day of silence/no postings in honor of Will, to occur on the day of his self-imposed exile. He will be missed.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
"Too Conservative," or "Too In Bed With Chairman Sean"?
Well, I just got a call from Corey Stewart, who wanted to set the record straight on a story which appeared in today's Potomac News. It is also the subject of a comment posted over at "Too Conservative."
It seems that Vince is upset over what he calls "an incredible display of hypocrisy" by newly-elected Prince William County GOP Chairman Tom Kopko. Why is Vince so upset?
Well, he says that Kopko should be criticized because he:
I don't feel particularly strongly about this project, and haven't worked particularly hard to learn about it. Development issues are a strong fault line among conservatives, since the right to develop one's property as one sees fit is certainly a conservative principle, while the conservatives are rightly skeptical of developers who believe that the taxpayers should bear the burden of developing public facilities to support their developments.
However, I am certainly skeptical of Vince's attack on Tom Kopko. Vince made clear early on that he was a fan of ousted GOP Chairman Brian Murphy, and certainly supported his candidacy on his site. Moreover, it is not mere coincidence that I have a link to the right to "Sean Connaughton's Cult of Personality": Vince started his site while a paid staffer of Connaughton's abortive candidacy for the GOP nomination for Lt. Governor, and posed as though he were some kind of disinterested/objective observor.
Now, I'm not sure what is "hypocritical" about Tom's behavior, but I certainly have no problem with his actions publicizing a position taken by the County GOP Convention, the ultimate authority of the County GOP. Doing so with prominent Democrats might have been a mistake, though Corey notes that it wasn't with Bras and Porta. And it's difficult to believe that Corey Stewart would be rising to Tom's defense if he were concerned about, as Vince reports, Porta's stated intention to run for Occoquan District Supervisor next year.
So one wonders, is the criticism over at Too Conservative application of an objective criteria to criticize errant behavior, or convenient situational ethics in the service of an ideology/commitment to a politico?
Funny, but I can't remember a single word of criticism by Vince over Chairman Sean's actions in voting with Democrats on the Board to raise PWC property taxes.
It seems that Vince is upset over what he calls "an incredible display of hypocrisy" by newly-elected Prince William County GOP Chairman Tom Kopko. Why is Vince so upset?
Well, he says that Kopko should be criticized because he:
held a joint press conference with the Prince William Democratic chair and two Democratic candidates for the Prince William Board of Supervisors, Gary Friedman who is running for chairman and Ernie Porta, who was recently elected mayor of Occoquan and has told people he is running for supervisor next year for a long held Republican seat.Vince goes on to claim that:
The press conference turned into a bashing session against the Republicans in Prince William, Richmond, and Washington. Kopko stood there and reportedly nodded in agreement. An article in today’s Potomac News describes the debacle.
Due to Kopko’s actions, he has now given credibility to these Democratic candidates and energized the Democratic party which has lost most contests in the county until now. This move legitimizes the Democrats.
According to Stewart (who, unlike Vince's source about Kopko "reportedly nod[ding] in agreement," wants to be cited as the source), Kopko's press conference was held separately from that by Bras and Porta. Moreover, contrary to a comment that I made on Vince's site, I have since been reminded that the County Republican Convention adopted --- by a wide margin, though not unanimously --- a resolution calling for rejection of the Brentwood project.
I don't feel particularly strongly about this project, and haven't worked particularly hard to learn about it. Development issues are a strong fault line among conservatives, since the right to develop one's property as one sees fit is certainly a conservative principle, while the conservatives are rightly skeptical of developers who believe that the taxpayers should bear the burden of developing public facilities to support their developments.
However, I am certainly skeptical of Vince's attack on Tom Kopko. Vince made clear early on that he was a fan of ousted GOP Chairman Brian Murphy, and certainly supported his candidacy on his site. Moreover, it is not mere coincidence that I have a link to the right to "Sean Connaughton's Cult of Personality": Vince started his site while a paid staffer of Connaughton's abortive candidacy for the GOP nomination for Lt. Governor, and posed as though he were some kind of disinterested/objective observor.
Now, I'm not sure what is "hypocritical" about Tom's behavior, but I certainly have no problem with his actions publicizing a position taken by the County GOP Convention, the ultimate authority of the County GOP. Doing so with prominent Democrats might have been a mistake, though Corey notes that it wasn't with Bras and Porta. And it's difficult to believe that Corey Stewart would be rising to Tom's defense if he were concerned about, as Vince reports, Porta's stated intention to run for Occoquan District Supervisor next year.
So one wonders, is the criticism over at Too Conservative application of an objective criteria to criticize errant behavior, or convenient situational ethics in the service of an ideology/commitment to a politico?
Funny, but I can't remember a single word of criticism by Vince over Chairman Sean's actions in voting with Democrats on the Board to raise PWC property taxes.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Getting Back to Their Roots
It seems that one candidate for Attorney General is getting back to the roots of the Democrat Party.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Naked Ambition on Display?
Courtesy of Jim Riley over at Virginia Virtucon, it appears that the ambitions of certain Delegate wannabes is revealed:
Go to http://weimer4delegate.com/ and you'll currently see:
I wonder how many of those guardians of the memory of The Revered Harry Parrish will launch similar attacks upon Miller and Weimer?
UPDATE: One of the minor bloggers who specializes in smears (either that, or lapdoggery, for preferred candidates) has decided to smear me again, too, ignoring the content of this post (which addresses the odd copyright date), and accuses me of engaging in "some bizarre conspiracy theory." Of course, I am doing and have done no such thing. I don't think it's a particularly big deal if, as Jim Riley noted, the two candidates are using the same web designer, any more than it would be a big deal if they were getting their signs from the same vendor.
What is odd is that the intellectual property which is their website has a 2004 copyright date. It might be nothing. Then again....
UPDATE 2: Andy Harrover clears it up, in a comment that is elevated to text:
Go to http://weimer4delegate.com/ and you'll currently see:
weimer4delegate.comGo to http://www.miller4delegate.com/ and you'll currently see:
Please visit this site later. It is currently under construction.
copyright @2004
miller4delegate.comI'm kinda interested in the copyright dates. 2004!?!?! Looks like Carroll Weimer and Jackson Miller may be possessed of the same reverence-deficiency towards the late Harry Parrish of which so many of Steve Chapman's critics accuse him, and for which so many viciously and childishly attack him. If they were considering a race as far back as 2004 --- which the copyright date would indicate --- it would suggest that they were doing so for the same reason that motivated Chapman's near-successful run in 2005 (45% of the GOP primary vote), i.e., dissatisfaction over Harry's surrender to Governor Marky Mark's unnecessary tax increase.
Please visit this site later. It is currently under construction.
copyright @2004
I wonder how many of those guardians of the memory of The Revered Harry Parrish will launch similar attacks upon Miller and Weimer?
UPDATE: One of the minor bloggers who specializes in smears (either that, or lapdoggery, for preferred candidates) has decided to smear me again, too, ignoring the content of this post (which addresses the odd copyright date), and accuses me of engaging in "some bizarre conspiracy theory." Of course, I am doing and have done no such thing. I don't think it's a particularly big deal if, as Jim Riley noted, the two candidates are using the same web designer, any more than it would be a big deal if they were getting their signs from the same vendor.
What is odd is that the intellectual property which is their website has a 2004 copyright date. It might be nothing. Then again....
UPDATE 2: Andy Harrover clears it up, in a comment that is elevated to text:
I have volunteered, at no cost, to host the websites for both candidates. The copyright date is on the default page assigned by the server. It is meaningless.Thanks for clearing that up, Andy.
If you're interested in the date a domain was registered, you'd be better served by going to netsol.com and looking up the whois record. I expect that you'll find that both sites were registered within the last month.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Excelsior!
Well, today is my oldest son's birthday. My namesake is ten!
I have seen studies indicating that this is the age when children start to understand sarcasm.
I suspect my sons are somewhat ... precocious in this sense.
I have seen studies indicating that this is the age when children start to understand sarcasm.
I suspect my sons are somewhat ... precocious in this sense.
A Whole New Meaning to the Term "Throne"
Apropos of nothing, except the fact that I haven't posted for a few days, I had to laugh out loud when I saw this. It gives a whole new meaning to the term "the throne."
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Supporters of Progressive Taxation Are Communist Totalitarians
"What?!?!" you say? "Young is off on another of his rants," you think?
Well, I'm just applying what passes for "logic" on the far Left. After all, since Howling Latina says that, since the racist Ku Klux Klan opposes immigration, everyone (or at least, every Republican) who supports immigration reform to stop illegal immigration is a racist, too.
And, of course, she takes the de rigeur cheap shot at George Allen, claiming that his prior embrace of the history of Confederate flag must also be racist.
By the same logic, Democrats who jealously guard "progressive" taxation --- the notion that a higher rate should be paid on income earned over certain levels --- which Marx described in The Communist Manifesto as one of the hallmarks of a Communist state must also be closet Communists.
Well, I'm just applying what passes for "logic" on the far Left. After all, since Howling Latina says that, since the racist Ku Klux Klan opposes immigration, everyone (or at least, every Republican) who supports immigration reform to stop illegal immigration is a racist, too.
And, of course, she takes the de rigeur cheap shot at George Allen, claiming that his prior embrace of the history of Confederate flag must also be racist.
By the same logic, Democrats who jealously guard "progressive" taxation --- the notion that a higher rate should be paid on income earned over certain levels --- which Marx described in The Communist Manifesto as one of the hallmarks of a Communist state must also be closet Communists.
FLASH: Christians Remain in San Francisco!
Contrary to popular belief, it appears that there are some Christians left in San Francisco, even among San Francisco's Episcopalians.
Sadly, it seems that newly-elected Bishop Mark Handley Andrus suffers from the same embrace ... no, celebration of sin that has infected other parts of his church:
Sadly, it seems that newly-elected Bishop Mark Handley Andrus suffers from the same embrace ... no, celebration of sin that has infected other parts of his church:
Your vote today remains a vote for inclusion and communion -- of gay and lesbian people in their full lives as single or partnered people, of women, of all ethnic minorities, and all people.It is the kind of attitude which caused some to observe --- upon the election of an openly homosexual bishop in New Hampshire three years ago --- that Episcopalians can no longer play chess. It seems that they can't tell the bishops from the queen.
Jean-Francois Revel Dies
One of the greatest thinkers of the latter stages of the Cold War has died. Jean-Francois Revel was 82. His Washington Post obituary is here, though it perhaps predictably fails to mention his perhaps most influential book, How Democracies Perish. It was required reading for any Cold Warrior in the 80s.
Revel gave lie to the assertion that there were no Frenchmen left to defend the West. On the other hand, given his demise, one would be hard-pressed to name another.
Revel gave lie to the assertion that there were no Frenchmen left to defend the West. On the other hand, given his demise, one would be hard-pressed to name another.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Second Annual Blog Summit
Thanks to Shaun Kenney, I read about the impending (and second annual) blog summit at UVa's Sorenson Institute.
However, as I am currently scheduled to be conducting a trial in Oxnard, California, and returning to Northern Virginia on Saturday, it appears that I will miss it.
However, as I am currently scheduled to be conducting a trial in Oxnard, California, and returning to Northern Virginia on Saturday, it appears that I will miss it.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Priceless
This is obviously making it's way around the Internet, but someone only sent it to me a few minutes ago. The text was sent:This picture is not doctored. Most Syrians struggle to even read Arabic, much less have a clue about English.
So, how do a group of Syrian protest leaders create the most impact with their signs by having the standard "Death To Americans"(etc.) slogans printed in English?
Answer: They simply hire an English-speaking civilian to translate and write their statements into English. Unfortunately, in this case, they were unaware that the "civilian" insurance company employee hired for the job was a retired US Army sergeant!
Bus fare to anti-U.S. Rally - $0.50
Paint and canvas protest signs - $32.00
Asking a retired U.S. Sergeant to translate your anti American Slogans - PRICELESS
Obviously, pictures of this protest rally never made their way through the Arab TV networks, but the results were "Priceless"!
UPDATE: Riley, Not O'Reilly, tells me in comments that Snopes.com has debunked this, and I guess I should have known that it was too good to be true.
The Nature of "Centrism"
There's an interesting discussion and exchange over at "Virginia Centrist" on the nature of centrists/moderates.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Well, At Least No One Died This Time
It seems as though another Kennedy is in trouble for what may have been drinking and driving.
This time, it's the son of Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Chappaquiddick), Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
Hat-tip to Drudge.
This time, it's the son of Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Chappaquiddick), Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
Hat-tip to Drudge.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Earl Woods --- RIP
Earl Woods, best known as the father of golf phenomenon Tiger Woods, died this morning.
This is news not because of our celebrity culture, but because Earl Woods died having raised a son who is not only, by all accounts, a fine human being, but among the very best in the world at what he does.
Not a bad epitaph. Not a bad legacy, by any measure.
RIP.
This is news not because of our celebrity culture, but because Earl Woods died having raised a son who is not only, by all accounts, a fine human being, but among the very best in the world at what he does.
Not a bad epitaph. Not a bad legacy, by any measure.
RIP.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Monday, May 01, 2006
Live-Blogging the Boycott
Well, not exactly.
But I did notice that traffic on I-95 northbound from Dale City between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. was much better today than usual.
If this is the result of the much-talked about boycott, then maybe rounding illegals up and sending them back to their countries of origin is the answer to some of our NoVA traffic woes.
But I did notice that traffic on I-95 northbound from Dale City between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. was much better today than usual.
If this is the result of the much-talked about boycott, then maybe rounding illegals up and sending them back to their countries of origin is the answer to some of our NoVA traffic woes.
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