Saturday morning on the porch

Wow, what a gorgeous morning in the Shenandoah Valley ... a sweater morning! The sky is blue, the sun is out, temps are in the 60s, low humidity, and there's a stiff breeze with a cool edge to it that requires a sweater to ward off the shady chill. I can't help but think how nice it must be up on the mountain for those camping this weekend in Shenandoah National Park.

We've had lots of rain this spring and into summer so the grass is green and lush, unlike some years when it's dried up and crispy by the July 4th holiday. The shade trees in our little oasis are blowing in the breeze, their leaves rustling and making dancing shadows on the yard.

I just heard a sound in the gutter overhead so watched to see who was intruding on my quiet, and then a bright red cardinal flew from the roof to a nearby tree. He must have found a bug for his breakfast. Rabbits are munching on the smorgasbord that is our front yard ... nibble, hop, nibble, hop hop.  The birds are loud as they are every morning with their various chirps and calls to one another. The mournful sound of a dove can be heard in the distance.

The bright orange daylilies are blooming as are the cheerful yellow coreopsis moonlight, and bright red roses. My potted annuals got a late start this year since I was about three weeks behind in planting them but they are catching up -- petunias, zinnias, impatiens, geraniums, heather, and other colorful additions on the porches and in the back yard around the outdoor tables. Flowers can be time-intensive but the reward of those overflowing blossoms that add splashes of color as well as fragrance in the air is well worth the effort.

The wind, the leaves, the birds ... those are the only sounds this morning. It's going to be a great day....

Sabato: GOP can't touch Mark Warner's U.S. Senate seat

So Larry Sabato says Mark Warner is safe in his U.S. Senate seat. The reasons he gives are that Virginia's GOP has gone so far right that

Sabato: GOP can't touch Mark Warner's U.S. Senate seat

Republican Party of Virginia's central committee voted in May to hold a convention for the U.S. Senate candidate in 2014, deep-sixing chances for a viable GOP candidate to run against very popular Democratic Senator Mark Warner.

Larry Sabato at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics wrote:

Republicans were always going to have an uphill climb against wealthy Sen. Mark Warner (D) next year, but their chances got even slimmer when they opted to select their nominee via convention next year. Having a convention rather than a primary increases the possibility of the GOP picking an unelectable far-right candidate...

Sabato moved that seat on his chart from "Likely Democratic" to "Safe Democratic." Read his entire Crystal Ball predictions here.

Bipartisan support for offshore energy ... McDonnell, Warner, Kaine, Cantor, Rigell, Goodlatte, Griffith, Hurt, Wittman, Wolf

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement in support of HR 2231, passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for once again standing, on a bipartisan basis, for American energy independence and for the American worker.   I especially want to thank House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings for his continued focus and leadership on this critical issue.  In March of 2010, President Obama approved moving forward with Virginia lease sale 220 which would have allowed for the safe development of oil and gas resources 50 miles offshore of Virginia.   Subsequently the Interior Department postponed, then indefinitely cancelled, Virginia’s sale and refused to include a sale off Virginia in the current 5 year plan.   That action is unacceptable.  HR 2231 will reinstate this sale and require Interior to reinitiate a new 5-year planning process.  In addition, HR 2231 will provide all coastal states revenue sharing at 37.5%, the same as Gulf Coast States.

“In the strongest possible terms, I encourage the U.S. Senate to join the House in passing HR 2231 as quickly as possible.

“I also applaud Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine for their leadership in sponsoring The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act (S 1024) in the U.S. Senate which achieves many of these same goals as HR 2231, as also does Congressman Scott Rigell’s HR 1782, “The Virginia Jobs and Energy Act,” currently co-sponsored by Virginia Representatives Morgan Griffith[R-VA9], Robert Hurt [R-VA5], and Rob Wittman [R-VA1].

“These bills include appropriate environmental protections, support military operations, and provide an equitable formula for sharing revenues between the state and federal governments.  By ending unnecessary restrictions on the responsible exploration of Virginia's offshore natural resources, the federal government will allow Virginia to assume its potential role as a national leader in offshore energy exploration. A comprehensive 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy - including oil, gas, coal, wind, solar, tidal and other resources - will provide for energy security, create good new jobs and generate revenues that Virginia can use to address our major priorities such as transportation, education and public safety.

“The development of Virginia’s offshore energy resources, and the provision of revenue sharing, is widely supported on a bipartisan basis by Virginia’s General Assembly and our Congressional delegation. It is time for the Senate to join the House in making this common-sense policy a reality. Good jobs, economic growth and greater energy security depend upon it.”

U.S. House schedule for Friday, June 28, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....

FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First and last votes expected: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

One Minute Speeches

Complete Consideration of H.R. 2231 - Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, Rules Committee Print
(Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)

The Rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order the following remaining amendments:

Rep. Peter DeFazio Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Paul Broun Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Alan Grayson Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Capps / Brownley / Lowenthal Amendment (10 minutes of debate)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Oversight & Government Reform Committee mark up of "Resolution Determining that Lois Lerner Waived Her Fifth Amendment Privilege” (Friday, June 28th, at 9:00 a.m.)

Printable PDF

Canon to invest $27 million in Newport News expansion

From Governor Bob McDonnell's office....

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Canon Virginia Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., will invest $27 million to expand its operation in the City of Newport News.  Canon Virginia, Inc. will add the manufacturing of toner for Canon copiers in 30,000 square feet of upgraded space at its Newport News campus.

Governor McDonnell met with Canon Inc. in Tokyo about this project during his recent Asia Marketing Mission.

           

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “The Commonwealth and Canon Virginia have maintained a strong partnership for nearly 30 years, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work directly with the company and its parent to continue to strengthen that bond. This investment and expansion project is significant for the Newport News campus, as it represents not only a new opportunity stemming from our recent visit to Japan, but also maintains the focus of Canon’s overall global production strategy and the role that the Virginia operations play. The addition of toner manufacturing at the Newport News campus further solidifies the future viability of the plant and brings Canon Virginia’s total capital investment to more than $371 million in just the last four years.”  

“Continued investment in Canon Virginia’s Newport News operation is tremendous news, as the company employs nearly 2,000 citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “We are thrilled that toner production will now be at the Virginia operation, and are confident that it will provide a strategic advantage to house the process onshore and build on the success that Canon Virginia has experienced in the Commonwealth since 1985.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Newport News to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $3 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies.

Headquartered in Newport News, Canon Virginia Inc. serves as the manufacturing support center for Canon U.S.A. Canon Virginia uses world-renowned production systems and extensive technical and manufacturing expertise to offer manufacturing solutions, including injection mold tools, metal and plastic parts, product manufacturing and reverse manufacturing.

“This investment and expansion is a symbol of our commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Toru Nishizawa, president and CEO of Canon Virginia, Inc.  “We thank Governor McDonnell and the City of Newport News for presenting us this generous grant, which will help us complete the expansion successfully.”   

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $40 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2012 and is one of Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies in 2013. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers' Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes.

Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price, D.D.S. stated, “The continued growth and success of Newport News businesses remains a priority for our City and we are pleased to have been successful in working with the Commonwealth and Canon Virginia to both attract and secure this project.”

           

Florence G. Kingston, Newport News Director of Development, commented, “Canon Virginia’s expansion is a true testament to the company’s commitment to excellence in manufacturing and also demonstrates that the City of Newport News and Commonwealth are attractive places for global manufacturers to do business.”

Virginia sees $1.8 million in legislative branch savings

From Speaker William Howell's office....

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) announced over $1.8 million in legislative branch savings Thursday that will be returned to the general fund by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. This includes $1.6 million in savings by various legislative branch agencies and over $200,000 in unused House of Delegates salaries and expenses.

"I am incredibly proud to announce these legislative savings. These savings are part of a continued commitment to lower the cost of state government to Virginia taxpayers," said Speaker Howell. "Virginia taxpayers, families and businesses have to set priorities, make tough decisions and live within their means. I firmly believe that state government should do the same."  

Over $1.6 million in savings from 11 legislative branch agencies will be returned to the general fund by June 30 of this year. That includes $900,000 from the Auditor of Public Accounts, over $100,000 from the Division of Legislative Services and over $250,000 from the Capitol Police. The savings also include over $200,000 from the House of Delegates, as a result of reduced salaries and session expenses.

"Since 2003, the House of Delegates has sent over $5 million in savings back to the general fund, including over $1.3 million by consistently operating at a reduced per-diem rate during the legislative session," said Speaker Howell. "During my time as Speaker, I have sought to run the House of Delegates how Virginians expect all of state government to operate - responsibly, efficiently and effectively."  

Sabato: GOP can't touch Mark Warner's U.S. Senate seat

Republican Party of Virginia's central committee voted in May to hold a convention for the U.S. Senate candidate in 2014, deep-sixing chances for a viable GOP candidate to run against very popular Democratic Senator Mark Warner.

Larry Sabato at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics wrote:

Republicans were always going to have an uphill climb against wealthy Sen. Mark Warner (D) next year, but their chances got even slimmer when they opted to select their nominee via convention next year. Having a convention rather than a primary increases the possibility of the GOP picking an unelectable far-right candidate...

Sabato moved that seat on his chart from "Likely Democratic" to "Safe Democratic." Read his entire Crystal Ball predictions here.

,

Karl Rove: 'More white voters alone won't save the GOP'

Political guru Karl Rove had a very interesting article in Thursday's Wall Street Journal that basically laid out the reason why the Republican Party must reach out to minority voters:

As immigration reform grinds its way through the U.S. Senate, the main focus has rightly been on the legislation's policy consequences. But there are important political implications, especially for the GOP, that are worth examining.

He backs up his statement with facts and figures, and notes:

The reality is that the nonwhite share of the vote will keep growing. As the American Enterprise Institute's Henry Olsen pointed out in a recent speech, the nonwhite vote as a share of total voters has increased in every presidential election since 1996 by 2% (much of it Hispanic) while the share of the white vote has dropped by 2% each election.

If the GOP leaves nonwhite voters to the Democrats, then its margins in safe congressional districts and red states will dwindle—not overnight, but over years and decades.
...
Immigration reform is a top issue for Latinos as it is being debated in Washington, according to a March Latino Decisions poll. But their other major concerns—the economy and jobs, and education reform—are the same as the rest of America.

Nor will support for immigration reform solve all of the GOP's challenges in appealing to Hispanic voters. Republicans also need compelling messages on jobs, economic growth, social mobility and education. They also must show up. GOP pollster Jan van Lohuizen's focus groups found a major Latino complaint is that they never see Republicans in their communities to make the GOP's case.

Will the GOP listen? Time will tell.

Chris Christie: 'Republican Governors are doers'

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie talked with Joe Scarborough on Tuesday's "Morning Joe." His explanation of how Republican Governors are doers: "We’ve got 30 of 50 Republican governors in this country. Why? I think that’s because at the state level, they see the Republican Party as being doers – that we actually get things done for people."

The latest Rutger's Poll has Christie's approval rating at 70% despite puritan Republicans who have dismissed him as a "RINO" because of his willingness to work with President Barack Obama during the disaster known as Hurricane Sandy.

H/T Republican Governors Association

Warrior Hike on Appalachian Trail

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.

The Warrior Hikers are our military veterans:

In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.

I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my SWAC Girl blog who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- Rockfish to Reeds. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."

So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro.

Bolling's Va Mainstream Project PAC taps 6 candidates for HoD support

In the second wave of flexing his political muscle, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's "Virginia Mainstream Project" (VMP) has made six more political endorsements backed with financial support and radio campaign ads leading into contested primaries on June 11.

With the goal of electing mainstream, conservative Republicans to public office, VMP announced it had endorsed the following candidates for their Virginia House of Delegates races, some who are being challenged by tea party or Ron Paul candidates and are in particularly contentious contests:

- House District 15 – Delegate Todd Gilbert
- House District 28 – Speaker Bill Howell
- House District 29 – Delegate Beverly Sherwood
- House District 33 – Delegate Joe May
- House District 54 – Delegate Bobby Orrock
- House District 85 – Mr. Scott Taylor

In addition to financial support, 60-second radio ads have been purchased and are airing for Orrock and Sherwood.

This is on the heels of VMP's endorsement and financial support to Delegate John Cosgrove who was successful in his May 9 firehouse primary seeking the Republican nomination for the 14th Senate District.

Bolling has stepped to the plate with his PAC, his experience, his reputation, and his willingness to endorse candidates interested in effective, common sense governing. That includes a pro-business attitude, fiscal responsibility, and a willingness to work toward searching for bi-partisan, pragmatic solutions. Reinforcing that commitment, Bolling noted:

"If we are going to win elections in Virginia, we must nominate candidates who will appeal to Republicans and Independents and attract new people to our party.  I believe these candidates will help us accomplish that goal, but they need your help to win."

The two-term lieutenant governor, who had been very involved and inviting with the grassroots of the party and conservative bloggers during his years in Richmond, unexpectedly found himself in his new leadership role as senior statesman after stepping away from the 2013 gubernatorial race. A series of maneuverings within RPV led to the takeover of the state central committee by the tea party and Libertarian activists who then reversed an earlier vote for a 2013 primary to a much more controlled convention, the one that recently took place in Richmond.

Because of that change, Bolling briefly flirted with the idea of running as an independent but decided against it in March, prompting the Lynchburg News and Advance to editorialize:

Bill Bolling is no tax-and-spend liberal, no R(epublican) I(n) N(ame) O(nly) as uber-conservative activists have tried to portray him. He’s a traditional Virginia conservative, a public servant who labored for his constituents as a Hanover County supervisor, then state senator and finally lieutenant governor for almost eight years.

But the type of public servant Bolling is just isn’t what’s in fashion with the Republicans right today. An elected official who actually believes government has a role in society but who wants it to operate efficiently, leanly and unobtrusively is not the politician the tea party loves who sees government as a beast to be starved.

In May, Bolling reflected on his new role in Virginia Republican politics with reporter Errin Whack at the Washington Post:

“I found myself in a position of being the voice of a lot of mainstream Republicans across the state who were trying to call our party back to a more mainstream approach to politics and policy,” Bolling said in an interview. “It’s not a role I envisioned playing, but it’s a role I was thrust into because of the way things have evolved, and it’s a role I’m comfortable playing.”

It all led to the Virginia Mainstream Project. As the News and Advance wrote in the conclusion of their editorial:

In announcing his decision earlier this week, Bolling lamented what he — and we — see as the “Washingtonization” of Virginia politics. Political battles, achieving the label of most ideologically pure, hyper-partisanship and just plain meanspiritedness seem to be oozing their way into the halls of the state Capitol.

That’s not Bill Bolling’s way of leading. That’s not “The Virginia Way” of governing, or at least it hasn’t been.

Eric Cantor encourages citizen legislators with Cosponsor.gov

 Eric Cantor addresses the crowd at his annual Republican Roundup.

In an effort to make it easier for Americans to be more involved in the legislative process, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-7th) launched a new website on Tuesday called cosponsor.gov.

This latest addition to the Citizen Cosponsor Project provides the opportunity to be citizen legislators by cosponsoring bills they support and track them in a user-friendly way, lessening the bureaucratic maze of Washington, D.C. By using social media, Citizen Cosponsors are updated on the status of their bills through a Facebook app as they move through the various stages of the legislative process.

Anne Sorock at Legal Insurrection praised the Majority Leader's presence in social media:

Noticed the trend of legislators going beyond issuing press releases and fully embracing social media to distribute and market their point-of-view?

Rep. Darrell Issa has been especially active in marketing himself and his committee’s activities, including design-heavy graphics and an active twitter account.

Today Rep. Eric Cantor’s office launched a new website, Cosponsor.gov, which allows anyone to show their support for bills by clicking a link to “cosponsor” a given bill.

Dana Perino commented on Tuesday's Fox News Channel's "The Five" about the new user-friendly tool, noting it was a good way to connect citizens with government. Perino was White House press secretary during George W. Bush's administration.

Marking the launch of the new site, Congressman Cantor noted:

“We live in a digital world. As House Majority Leader, I am committed to exploring new and innovative ways to foster a national conversation and improve communication between the American people and their elected officials.

“The launch of Cosponsor.Gov is a sweeping expansion of our Citizen Cosponsor Project. The new website will now feature every bill and resolution introduced in the House, from Republicans and Democrats. I’m excited that any engaged citizen can voice their support, and track the status of legislation in the House.

“The best part of this new website is it’s accessibility and simplicity. You can search by title, sponsor or bill number or browse issue areas and the tracker shows you exactly where the bill stands.

“Whether you want to support new legislation like the Kids First Research Act or show support for legislation that has already passed the House, like the Working Families Flexibility Act, you can do so here.

“Transparency, open government and engagement should be a key goal of all elected leaders in Washington, and Cosponsor.Gov is one step in that direction. Please visit Cosponsor.Gov and tell us what you care about. We are listening.”

The Citizen Cosponsor Project was developed by the Office of the House Majority Leader and is built on Facebook's Open Graph platform. It uses House #OpenData sets released through the House Majority's #OpenGov initiative.

Editorial: 'Virginia Mainstream Project Seeks a Wider GOP Current, Which Would Benefit Us All'

If Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling hadn’t announced formation of the Virginia Mainstream Project prior to the GOP’s convention, he certainly would have done so afterwards.

So begins Thursday's Farmville Herald editorial by Ken Woodley as he noted the lack of transparency and lack of inclusiveness currently in the Republican Party of Virginia.

Mr. Woodley continued:

There is nothing mainstream about the trio of Republican candidates emerging from the convention, which was held for the specific purpose of deep-sixing the gubernatorial aspirations of Bolling and handing the party nomination to Ken Cuccinelli.

The attorney general is joined by E. W. Jackson as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor and Mark D. Obenshain, who’ll run for attorney general. Jackson made the most headlines following his nomination, with reports he has called the Democratic Party “anti-God” and labeled gays and lesbians as “sick” and “perverted.” Writing an opinion piece last fall for The Washington Times, Jackson, a minister, wondered how Democrats have “managed to hold on to black Christians in spite of an agenda worthy of the Anti-christ.

As the dust settles from the Republican convention held two weeks ago in Richmond, more are beginning to understand what Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling said after the convention:

Bolling issued a post-convention statement rightly saying that “some of the things he (Jackson) has said are simply indefensible. These kinds of comments are simply not appropriate, especially not from someone who wants to be a standard-bearer for our party and hold the second-highest elected office in our state. They feed the image of extremism, and that’s not where the Republican Party needs to be.”

The entire editorial can be read here.

RTD: 'Follow him' ... in times like these, pragmatic leadership of Eric Cantor is needed

Eric Cantor at his 2012 Republican Roundup.

While the tea partiers and Libertarians are planning an "Impeach Obama" march to D.C. on Flag Day, June 14, U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th CD) and other pragmatic conservative Republican leaders doing the work of governing, listening and talking with their colleagues -- Republicans and  Democrats.

Wednesday's Richmond Times-Dispatch offered a little advice in their editorial for those tea party-Libertarian activists who keep pushing to the extreme right:

Eric Cantor (R-7th) understands that negativism is not enough. The House majority leader is promoting issues of consequence to families. The House has passed his legislation to make it easier for workers to take time off to attend to family matters. He proposes to direct certain provisions of Obamacare to more productive endeavors. Cantor does not give the administration a pass on questions with ethical implications; he has criticized what needs to be criticized. He also remembers that the citizenry expects real-world results from Congress.

Conservatives inside Congress and outside the marble halls ought to follow his example. And for heaven’s sake, may they stop drooling as they anticipate impeachment?

Read the entire editorial here.

Tea party tears into Bob Dole

Former Senator Bob Dole has never been one to sugar-coat how he feels. At one point during the 1990s, he growled for George H.W. Bush to "crawl back into his cave." Perhaps it comes from being a World War II survivor whose right arm was damaged to the point where he barely has use of it. Perhaps it comes from his no-nonsense look at the Republican Party.

was a guest on "Fox News Sunday," and had some words of advice for the Republican Party, according to the Daily Caller:

Former Senate majority leader and 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole had harsh words for today’s GOP on this weekend’s “Fox News Sunday.”

Dole told host Chris Wallace that his party needs to focus on “positive agendas.”

“I think they ought to put a sign on the national committee doors that says closed for repairs until New Year’s Day next year and spend that time going over ideas and positive agendas,” Dole said.

That brought harsh words from the tea party faction of the Republican Party with suggestions that Dole should go away.

Bill Bolling stands his ground

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling addressed the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, sharing the jobs record of Governor Bob McDonnell and, in the process, standing his ground about current Republican politics in the Old Dominion.

For some, political tolerance comes with experience, and the LG has plenty of both. Standing by his belief that extremes on both ends of the political spectrum are not good for Virginians, he commented to those attending the meeting, as reported by Virginia Watchdog:

“I learned a long time ago in government that governing has to be about more than breaking the dishes,” said the two-term lieutenant governor who has served under both a Democrat and a Republican governor. “It has to be about solving problems and getting things done. And to do that, sometimes you have to compromise.”
...
“I think our party is a party in search of an identity,” Bolling told Watchdog.org. “It all starts with the kind of candidates we nominate and the kind of campaigns we run.

“Clearly the (Virginia GOP) is prettily solidly controlled by tea party groups and the Ron Paul folks. The result of that has been the party has been pulled further to the right and that makes it more difficult to connect with moderate and independent voters you need to win elections in Virginia and it makes it more difficult to govern once you get elected.”

Perhaps with a nod toward his recently organized Virginia Mainstream Project PAC, Bolling added:

“The solutions to the challenges facing our state will not be found in the extremes,” Bolling said. They won’t be found on the right extreme, and they won’t be found on the left extreme. The answers to the challenges facing Virginia will be found in the mainstream.”

Russell Kirk's Ten Principles of Conservatism

 Ideas Matter... Here is Some Food for Thought

"The conservative is concerned, first of all, with the regeneration of the spirit and character—with the perennial problem of the inner order of the soul, the restoration of the ethical understanding, and the religious sanction upon which any life worth living is founded. This is conservatism at its highest." - Russell Kirk

Ten Principles of Conservatism [click to read] offers a good summary of principles. In a world of sound bytes and simple slogans, Kirk's concise statement of principles is refreshing.


Sunlight breaks through at Raven's Roost. Photo by Bob Kirchman

John Cosgrove wins landslide victory in 14th Senate District firehouse primary - UPDATED

Delegate John Cosgrove has won the Republican Firehouse Primary for the 14th Senate District in the Hampton Roads area by defeating two opponents.

Unofficial Final Total: Cosgrove-1,361; Stearns-552; Haley-116. Roughly 72%-28% win for Delegate Cosgrove. Congratulations!

Jim Hoeft has final results at his blog.

See also 14th Senate District is loss for Rand Paul and Ron Paul 

See also Cosgrove romps over Rand Paul/NAGR-backed candidate by Brian Kirwin


UPDATE: Congratulations poured in from throughout the Commonwealth as word spread of John Cosgrove's win.

From Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling:
"Congratulations to my friend John Cosgrove who won the GOP nomination for the State Senate tonight in the 14th district. John is a good man who deserves our support. Well done John!"

From Randy Marcus, the LG's Chief of Staff:
"Congrats to John A. Cosgrove and his team for a great victory tonight! The Senate and his new district won big tonight. While Sen. Cosgrove has some big shoes to fill, the less numerous body is fortunate to have his leadership coming down the hall."

From Matt Wells:
"Proud to be a small part of a big win tonight. Congrats to John Cosgrove!!"

From Kate Maxwell:
"Congratulations to the next Senator from the 14th District, John Cosgrove!"

From Christie New Craig, Legislative Aide for John Cosgrove:
"My awesome boss John A Cosgrove at his VICTORY celebration."

Photo from Christie New Craig

Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin wins 19th House District Firehouse Primary

Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin won Tuesday's Republican Firehouse Primary for the seat being vacated by Delegate Lacey Putney who is retiring.

The Roanoke Times reported on the count:

Austin won 787 votes in all. Bedford County businessman Jim McKelvey won 576 votes. Zach Martin, a Bedford County businessman who was running for office for the first time, won 356 votes, and Eagle Rock pastor Zachary Hatcher won 51.

With a campaign that hit the ground running and had the support of most Botetourt Constitutional elected officials and others, Austin -- who has been on the board of supervisors for 16 years -- ran a positive, results-driven campaign even in the face of negative tea party opposition and multiple opponents. While the tea party slammed him as a tax hiker, voters saw him as a local leader who had consistently looked out for what was best for the citizens he was representing.

Strong thunderstorms crossed the area throughout the 6-9:00 pm voting period but turnout was extremely heavy:

About 65 people were lined up waiting to vote when the polls opened at the Thaxton Community Center, one of the three polling places for tonight’s vote. By 7:30 p.m., 291 people had voted. A total of 281 people had voted at the center by the time polls closed.

Austin had someone else in mind for the delegate position when Putney announced his retirement but, when that candidate decided not to run and no one else could be found on such short notice, he stepped in to run and offer another choice for voters who have grown weary of polarizing, negative politics.  Austin is a businessman whose company installs airport landing lights.

When talking with the Roanoke Times, Austin was happy with his win:

"This is wonderful," Austin said, as he was congratulated outside Lord Botetourt High School among a small crowd of supporters. "I never expected this kind of turnout under these weather conditions and everything. It's just magnificent."

Austin attributed his win to more than a decade and a half on the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and the "good friends" who supported his campaign.

"I've been on the board 16 years and, you know, tried to represent this county well," he said. "I think it's a reflection of that. I've got the trust and confidence of the people of Botetourt and I'm proud to say that."

Austin will run against the Democratic opponent in November.

Life in Renaissance Waynesboro

Reinvigorating Augusta's Gateway to the Blue Ridge


Fairfax Hall, originally the Brandon Hotel, once lured visitors to Basic City. Now Basic City is part of Waynesboro. Illustration by Bob Kirchman.



Waynesboro grew to its greatest extent in the mid-Twentieth Century propelled by industry such as the DuPont plant that employed thousands...

Waynesboro rode the industrial boom of the mid-Twentieth Century to become a very prosperous community. The city's beautiful homes and churches give evidence of this golden age. In This Two Part Series [click to read] NBC 29 looks at how the big factories helped build Waynesboro and their decline has led to new challenges for the community.

Fairfax Hall is one example of how the community is seeking to reinvent itself by revitalizing some of its great historic institutions. Bill Hausrath used historic preservation credits and incentives for creating affordable housing to restore Fairfax Hall to its original glory [with modern appliances]. The Wayne Theatre is being restored as a performance venue.

Wayesboro is located at the entrance to a major National Park and is convenient to two major interstates. There are a number of properties such as the old Virginia Metalcrafters building just waiting for creative 'reinvention.' The Valley has a willing workforce waiting to be tapped. The Governor is actively pursuing pro-market policies on the state level.

Silicon Valley firms facing higher taxation in California should be takng note.


...and provided the resources for them to build many fine homes in the city.

The Greatness of the Grid

The Perfect Example of Basic City is Basic City


Basic City, laid out in 1890, eventually became the Eastern portion of modern Waynesboro.
"If the intelligence of a city can arise from the circuitry of its streets, then the street grid made a genius out of New York. In 1811, three state commissioners laid down Manhattan’s rectangular blocks. From First Street to 155th Street south to north and First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue east to west, their new grid obliterated the old lanes and farmhouses dotting the Manhattan countryside north of Houston Street, with few exceptions. Yet in trading away its past, the city built its future. The grid became the urban version of a super computer, a chipset to super-charge the city’s growth." -- James Panero

James Panero explores The Greatness of the Grid [click to read] in City Journal, discssing the 1811 plan that defines Manhattan today, a city who's first commissioners could hardly have envisioned. The grid they laid down has become a tool for the design of this great metropolis along with some important intrusions such as Broadway and Central Park.

The American city that developed in the Nineteenth Century almost exclusively is built around the grid and interesting variation overlaying it. Washington DC is basically the grid overlaid with the Hunting Gardens of Versailles. Philadelphia has its squares. Small cities have their courthouse squares and pre-planned parks, such as those in Basic City, Virginia, now the Eastern portion of Waynesboro. Harrisonburg, Virginia's Romanesque Courthouse dominates a central square and becomes iconic.

San Francisco's topography intrudes nicely into the grid and here is where true urban genius can be seen. It is the variations that make it magnificent. Intrusion is what is missing in some of the more mundane grid cities of the plains.

Hopefully there is a lesson here that might enliven our future economic development efforts. The grid was a great engine of planning and in the end created better design than a lot of our modern 'Town Centers,' which are nothing more than Brobdingnagian cul-de-sac neighborhoods with ample parking.

Early Incubator of Innovation and Industry

The founders of Basic City looked at the converging railroads and saw an opportunity to develop a steel industry. The Basic City Mining, Manufacturing and Land Company laid out an ambitious city grid. A Natural Gas Company, founded in 1891, even drilled a test oil well which failed to produce. The great blast furnace envisioned by founder Jacob Reese never was finished. The Panic of 1893 ended the first era of optimism.

Other industries did rise and flourish however. The Dawson Manufacturing Company built the first automobile to be built in Virginia, a steam powered automobile! In the Twentieth Cenutry the great Dupont plant employed thousands. Today the region still stands at the crossroads of major transportation arteries and has the opportunity to design itself as a center of economomic activity for the Twenty-first Century.


Steam powered car built by Dawson Manufacturing Company in Basic City.


Fairfax Hall, originally the Brandon Hotel, once lured visitors to Basic City. Drawing by Bob Kirchman.

Rep. Goodlatte: 'House Judiciary Committee Creates Bipartisan Task Force on Over-Criminalization'

Washington needs more bipartisan leadership as both sides of the aisle work together for the good of America. Press release from Congressman Bob Goodlatte's office....

The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the creation of a bipartisan task force on over-criminalization to assess our current federal criminal statutes and make recommendations for improvements. 

The task force is authorized for six months and will be led by Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.).  Members of the task force include Reps. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), George Holding (R-N.C.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).  Ex officio members of the task force include House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.).

Congressman Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the creation of this task force:

“Over-criminalization is an issue of liberty.  As federal criminal laws and regulations have increased, so has the number of Americans who have found themselves breaking the law with no intent of doing so.  Americans who make innocent mistakes should not be charged with criminal offenses.   We need to take a closer look at our laws and regulations to make sure that they protect freedom, work as efficiently and fairly as possible, and do not duplicate state efforts.  I am hopeful that the bipartisan task force established today will be able to reach consensus and make recommendations to the House Judiciary Committee on how to improve our federal criminal statutes and protect our freedom.”

At present, there are an estimated 4,500 federal crimes in the U.S. Code, many of which address conduct also regulated by the states. According to a study by the Federalist Society, the number of federal criminal offenses increased by 30 percent between 1980 and 2004. There were 452 new federal criminal offenses enacted between 2000 and 2007, averaging 56.5 new crimes per year.  Over the past three decades, Congress has been averaging 500 new crimes per decade.  One problem with the expansion of the federal criminal code is that along with it has come an ever-increasing labyrinth of federal regulations, often which impose criminal penalties without requiring that criminal intent be shown to establish guilt. 

WaPost poll: McDonnell approval at 64% ... high popularity continues

Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell remains one of the most popular governors in the country with a 64% approval rating.

A new Washington Post poll notes that Independents, Republicans, and Democrats approve of the Governor's leadership:

Overall, 64 percent of all registered voters in the commonwealth say they approve of the job McDonnell (R) is doing, up six percentage points from two Post surveys last year. His approval rating is as high as it has been in periodic Post polls over his tenure. The positive ratings cut across the political spectrum, with the biggest improvement coming among Democratic voters. Fifty-two percent of them say McDonnell is doing a good job, compared with 38 percent last September. [emphasis added]

McDonnell, who endured scathing criticism from the far-right wing of his party after his landmark transportation bill was passed with bipartisan support in March, has seen his popularity remain high through his pragmatic leadership by looking out for the needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Read the entire poll results at the Washington Post. 

Cross-posted at LynnRMitchell.com

John Cosgrove will provide pragmatic leadership for 14th Senate District

Phil Tran at Chesapeake Liasion recognized pragmatic leadership in his endorsement of John Cosgrove who is running for the state senate seat being vacated by a retiring Harry Blevins:

Throughout Cosgrove’s career, Cosgrove has been a champion for traditional values and for pragmatic solutions to make Chesapeake a great place for business and recreation. Unlike other politicians from both parties who think their ideology is what is best for the people, Cosgrove puts the needs of his constituents first.

Cosgrove knows where his people are and how to reach them because politics is not his day job when the part-time Virginia General Assembly is not in session. Therefore, he does not live in an echo chamber and more readily listens and understands the people. An engineer and musician by trade, Cosgrove is involved locally with his church, Rotary, the Ruritans, and has also served as a youth football and baseball coach.

Still, if conservative Republicanism is your thing, Cosgrove’s thoughtful, pragmatic approach to governance has led to 90%-100% ratings from the American Conservative Union, the Family Foundation, the Virginia Society for Human Life, the National Rifle Association, and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Libertarians and liberty-minded Republicans should look past the rhetoric and look at the results. John Cosgrove might not be a Ron Paul acolyte, but he does share the same values and has worked to produce such results for the benefit of his community. He is also rock star. [photo of Cosgrove singing with a rock band]

"Pragmatic solutions ... pragmatic approach to governance." John Cosgrove has proven to have the kind of leadership recognized and appreciated by the Political Pineapple.

The fire house primary will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013, from 5-8 pm at Victory Baptist Church, 4125 Indian River Road, Va Beach, VA 23456.

From LynnRMitchell.com: 14th Senate District: Cosgrove piles up endorsements.

Chris Christie: 'Compromise is not a dirty word'

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican in a Democratic state, has proven to be a popular leader who has learned to work with those on both sides of the political aisle.

His first re-election campaign ad began airing today. This stood out:

"He made the tough decisions to get New Jersey back on track. Taxes cut. Spending cut. Government made smaller and smarter. A real property tax cap. Working with Democrats and Republicans, believing that as long as you stick to your principles, compromise isn’t a dirty word."

Yet another example of pragmatic leadership, Christie led New Jersey through the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, received negative comments from his party for thanking President Barack Obama for his help, and is leading in the polls.

Politico provided the transcript of the ad:

“Four years ago, New Jersey was broken: runaway spending, the nation’s highest taxes, and unemployment on the rise. Then we elected – Chris Christie. He made the tough decisions to get New Jersey back on track. Taxes cut. Spending cut. Government made smaller and smarter. A real property tax cap. Working with Democrats and Republicans, believing that as long as you stick to your principles, compromise isn’t a dirty word.

“The result: Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey’s best teachers. And the most education funding, ever. But the most important thing he did has little to do with numbers, statistics or even politics: He made us proud to say we’re from New Jersey. Chris Christie. The Governor.”

Read more at Politico.

Revolt within Virginia Tea Party Federation

Oops. There is open revolt within the tea party ranks in the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Tea Party Federation that includes the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party, along with a tea party PAC, got together last week and decided to vet the nine Republican candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Their final choices were Prince William County Supervisor Chairman Corey Stewart and State Senator Mark Obenshain.

That didn't set well with some members of the tea party. Today there was open revolt in the blogosphere from Greg Letiecq, Chris Beer, Tito Munoz, Joshua Huffman, and Willie Deutsch. Apparently there are candidates they consider not "tea-party" enough.

A state of confusion now seems to have settled over the Commonwealth. Chris Beer at Mason Conservative wrote:

I don't know who's what anymore.  Who's a RINO, who's establishment, who loves liberty, who's a real conservative?  It's getting so confusing!

The Tea Party Federation of Virginia endorsed Corey Stewart today, and apparently it's to the bewilderment of the Tea Party.  First off, allow me to say that the fact there is a large "federation" of Tea Party seems counter to what the Tea Party of 2009-10 stood for.  Anyways, apparently the Federation's choice is not the choice of the local (ie real) tea parties. [emphasis added]

It didn't take long after the Virginia Tea Party Federation's endorsements for this open revolt to hit. Now the federation side is pushing back: "The sore losers are on the emotional politics rampage. There was nothing 'rigged' about the process."

The Republican Convention is just a few weeks away. Stay tuned ... this could get interesting.

'The GOP and the Conspiratorial Mindset'

The post, "The GOP and the Conspiratorial Mindset," pulls some current political issues out of the shadows as is typical of writer and DC attorney Doug Mataconis who has never been afraid to face difficult subjects head on. His latest post at Outside the Beltway addresses the split going on within the Republican Party.

He began his post by noting the conspiracy theories that have floated in groups that have moved into the GOP:

Ever since Barack Obama became President, indeed while he was still running for office, there has been a cottage industry of conspiracy theories on the right making seemingly outrageous allegations about the President. They’ve ranged from the now familiar birther conspiracy that, even with the release of the President’s long-form birth certificate, still refuses to die, to claims that the Administration was conspiring to confiscate weapons from legal gun owners. For the most part, though, these conspiracy theories were mostly the province of the Internet and a segment of conservatism that most mainstream Republicans tried as best they could to distance themselves from.

His comment, "Mainstream Republicans tried as best they could to distance themselves from" the constant conspiracy theories, resonates. He then documented that some Republican elected officials have bought into those conspiracies, something that may appease a small but vocal portion of the population.

It reminded of an event in Augusta County in 2009.

In April of 2009, one of the first tea party rallies was held in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton with a group of about 50 gathering to declare their disapproval of ObamaCare. Immediately following that small gathering, another rally was held at Expoland in Fishersville. The building filled with citizens against one-size-fits-all health care who cheered as speakers talked about fighting against its passage in Congress.

Then the truthers began speaking about 9/11 and accused the U.S. Government of being behind the attacks on the Twin Towers. It was a stunning turning point for those attending. Almost in unison, at least three-fourths of the crowd rose from their seats and began filing toward the doors, many shaking their heads and wondering who had organized the event. The organizers were the Constitution Party, another of the groups that are part of the overall tea party federation. Their conspiracy theories drove a previously enthusiastic crowd, concerned about fiscal responsibility, out the doors.

Mataconis ended his post with this sobering comment:

This isn’t to say that every Republican and every conservative is a conspiracy theorist or a birther, of course. There are plenty of them who aren’t and who have a perfectly rational opposition to the President and his policies that doesn’t include the need to allege that he’s involved in some vast conspiracy to destroy the country. The problem is, as it always has been for the past four years, is that these voices tend to get drowned out by the shrill voices of the Obama Derangement Syndrome crowd, and it’s that crowd that becomes associated in the public mind with the party and the movement. That is the price the GOP is paying for giving these people space to grow rather than denouncing him in the manner that they should have been.

I saw Bush Derangement Syndrome from liberals during the administration of President George W. Bush, and did not like it. Now I see my side of the aisle doing the same to President Barack Obama. Sadly, those loud, angry voices tend to drown out the voices of others who understand that this country can better move forward with rational, pragmatic, bipartisan leadership.

See Pineapple contributor Kurt Michael's latest humorous political cartoon: "Pineapples and Coconuts: Angry Coconuts."

Beauty, Truth and Thoughtful Dialogue

Shared Observation Leads to Deeper Dialogue

One of my favorite stories is E. B. White's The Cricket in Times Square. My favorite part of the story has to be where Chester (the cricket) plays a concert in the manner most crickets simply chirp. The beautiful music makes the great hub of the great city go still as everyone stops to hear the music. Rich and poor, Liberal and Conservative, they all stop. For one brief moment the city is united in the appreciation of a gift. May I humbly suggest that we as a people need more moments like this.

I do not choose my hiking companions for political compatibility and the result has been some lively and thoughtful conversation in a magnificent setting. Away from the often set template of our default locations, we are free to observe... indeed challenged to observe. That is the whole point of an adventure.

One such shared adventure led to a discussion of Byrd's transportation improvements and the taxation enacted to accomplish it. Here in a verdant forum, ideas could be safely shared and pondered. This was not a Board of Supervisors meeting where points must be made and won, rather it was the seminar class that graduate students participate in. The application would come later.

My friend in that adventure succumbed years ago to a very painful death from cancer. He remains one of my favorite hiking buddies as I remember our times together. The last conversation I remember was our discussing the various ways to ascend Elliott's Knob, complete with trail map drawings on napkins. Such is the way friends should share information and ideas.
 







In the days of black and white film, photographers such as A. Aubrey Bodine would rely on line, composition and contrast to capture the subtleties of the season. This exercise is my attempt to emulate their methodology.

Va Political Pineapple ... there's a new blog in town

There's a new blog in town. You might call it pragmatic. You could call it mainstream. You may even call it compassionate conservative. Whatever you call it, there is a need for civil discussion in the political world and that is sadly lacking these days.

When Governor Bob McDonnell's transportation bill passed the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year with a bipartisan vote, the protests from the far-right side of the Republican Party were discouraging as they turned to personal attacks and vitriolic rantings.

As Political Pineapples, what we believe is in our welcome:

Throughout Virginia's history the pineapple has served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome.

Over the last several years we have seen a shift in the political environment with a polarization between far-right conservatives and moderate Republicans. In the likeness of Virginia's Governors Bob McDonnell, George Allen, and Jim Gilmore, and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, along with Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, Political Pineapples do not compromise their values and core beliefs. However, they are pragmatic and apply Ronald Reagan's 80 percent rule: "The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally -- not a 20 percent traitor."

Being politically pragmatic, we will strive to move Virginia forward. We invite you to join us as we engage in polite and courteous political discourse while promoting tolerance, open dialogue, and bipartisanship for the good of the Commonwealth.

With regular contributors including Kurt Michael, Bob Kirchman, and Lynn Mitchell, as well as guest posts from pragmatic conservatives such as former Delegate Chris Saxman, the Pineapple will offer a place for citizen journalists to offer civil yet thoughtful conversation about topical issues at hand from a pragmatic and sometimes humorous perspective. Check the in-your-face attitude and personal attacks at the door and come armed with facts for a logical discussion in the vein of Reagan's 80-20 Rule, W's compassionate conservative, George H.W.'s pragmatic look at taxes, and McDonnell, Bolling, Allen, and Gilmore's bipartisan leadership.

Stop by the Pineapple. Look around. We hope you'll make us one of your regular stops.

Cross-posted at LynnRMitchell.com

Today: Dedication of George W. Bush Presidential Center

President George W. Bush was a pragmatic conservative leader....

George W. Bush Presidential Center Dedication - Live Webcast

Watch the webcast on this page live April 25, 2013 at 8 a.m. Central time. The Dedication Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. Central time.


On April 25, 2013, President and Mrs. Bush will commemorate the completion of the George W. Bush Presidential Center — home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Institute.  As part of the Dedication Ceremonies, President and Mrs. Bush will present the Bush Presidential Library and Museum to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, and is the 13th Presidential Library.

President and Mrs. Bush look forward to sharing this historic day with all living Presidents, dignitaries and supporters of the Bush Center. President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama, President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush, President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosaylnn Carter will participate in this special ceremony.

The Dedication will be broadcast live on a number of television outlets, please check your local listings for details.

Connect with Us

Watching the ceremony on television?  Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter.

Follow the Bush Center on social media to receive the latest news, behind-the-scenes photos, and more.

Led Zeppelin: Immigrant Song

"We Come From the Land of the Ice and Snow"


"We come from the land of the ice and snow, From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!"

Immigrant Song

In 1970, the government of Iceland invited Led Zeppelin to give a concert in its capital of Reykjavik. Shortly after the band arrived, Iceland’s civil service workers went on strike threatening the concert.

During the wait, Zeppelin’s lead singer, Robert Plant, wrote “Immigrant Song”.

If you are like me (and I sincerely hope the good Lord has spared you that), you don’t know the title of many songs – especially the ones whose words do not appear in the actual lyrics. This is to say nothing of the nausea inducing lyric free music of today.

The “Immigrant Song” begins with Plant famously singing (screeching?) Ahhhhhhhhhh…… Ahhhhhhhhh….

Right. That song. My second favorite song to request from lounge singers and wedding bands. Right after, naturally, Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Love doing that – “Okay…do we have any requests?”

“FREE BIRD!”….”Not funny, sir”….”yes it is.”

So. Zeppelin gets invited to Iceland on a cultural mission to perform a concert and a strike almost kills the deal. Plant writes song. Immigrant Song.

This is not unlike the immigration laws of the United States. Invite people here to work, people protest, and things bog down. The creative ones adapt based on the reasons for their presence.

Many will say, “But we didn’t invite these immigrants!”

Yes. Yes, we did. We allowed millions of people to enter the country for a whole host of reasons and very few people, in the beginning anyway, seemed to mind.

The problems began when some of the uninvited guests (guests nonetheless), started doing bad things. Very bad things.

Remember back in school when someone said, “Hey, let’s go over to so and so’s house. He’s having people over. His parents are out of town.” And what happens? The whole school shows up looking for free booze.

If that kid realizes, before the cops show up, that his behind is going to be in a sling, he will end up kicking everyone out. Right? You remember this?

Of course you do.

Our immigration problem is a bit more problematic because we cannot simply kick people out of the house. In fact, they live here now and many of them are not breaking the laws other than the one to actually be here – but we turned a blind eye to that and evvvvvvveryone knows it.

It’s time to be honest – on both sides of the aisle – about immigration.

Set up a process for an orderly, fair, and humane transition to becoming a US citizen. That means not lowering the bar, it means raising it. If people have been here and have been contributing to the development of our society, culture, and civilization they should be welcomed as such.

For those who have broken the laws, your stay here is no longer welcome and you will be returned to your country of origin. If you have done something so terrible that your home country will not accept you back or if you still owe our civil society some more time, you will be put to work.

Don’t want to work? We can be creative with folks like you. We’ll come up with something, but you won’t like it. And you’re going to miss the show.

The show must go on. The band was booked. The concert hall was scheduled.

The tickets have all been sold.

The people are here.

And they’ve been chanting for a long time, patiently, “We. Want. The Show.”

Let the band play.

The Immigrant Song has always been America’s song.

The last lines of Immigrant Song?

So now you’d better stop and rebuild all your ruins/ For peace and trust can with the day despite all your losing.

Led ahhhhhhhh…….ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Cross-posted at ChrisSaxman.com

Immigrant Song

In 1970, the government of Iceland invited Led Zeppelin to give a concert in its capital of Reykjavik. Shortly after the band arrived, Iceland’s civil service workers went on strike threatening the concert.
During the wait, Zeppelin’s lead singer, Robert Plant, wrote “Immigrant Song”.

If you are like me (and I sincerely hope the good Lord has spared you that), you don’t know the title of many songs – especially the ones whose words do not appear in the actual lyrics. This is to say nothing of the nausea inducing lyric free music of today.

The “Immigrant Song” begins with Plant famously singing (screeching?) Ahhhhhhhhhh…… Ahhhhhhhhh….

Right. That song. My second favorite song to request from lounge singers and wedding bands. Right after, naturally, Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Love doing that – “Okay…do we have any requests?”

“FREE BIRD!”….”Not funny, sir”….”yes it is.”

So. Zeppelin gets invited to Iceland on a cultural mission to perform a concert and a strike almost kills the deal. Plant writes song. Immigrant Song.

This is not unlike the immigration laws of the United States. Invite people here to work, people protest, and things bog down. The creative ones adapt based on the reasons for their presence.
Many will say, “But we didn’t invite these immigrants!”

Yes. Yes, we did. We allowed millions of people to enter the country for a whole host of reasons and very few people, in the beginning anyway, seemed to mind.

The problems began when some of the uninvited guests (guests nonetheless), started doing bad things. Very bad things.

Remember back in school when someone said, “Hey, let’s go over to so and so’s house. He’s having people over. His parents are out of town.” And what happens? The whole school shows up looking for free booze.

If that kid realizes, before the cops show up, that his behind is going to be in a sling, he will end up kicking everyone out. Right? You remember this?

Of course you do.

Our immigration problem is a bit more problematic because we cannot simply kick people out of the house. In fact, they live here now and many of them are not breaking the laws other than the one to actually be here – but we turned a blind eye to that and evvvvvvveryone knows it.

It’s time to be honest – on both sides of the aisle – about immigration.

Set up a process for an orderly, fair, and humane transition to becoming a US citizen. That means not lowering the bar, it means raising it. If people have been here and have been contributing to the development of our society, culture, and civilization they should be welcomed as such.

For those who have broken the laws, your stay here is no longer welcome and you will be returned to your country of origin. If you have done something so terrible that your home country will not accept you back or if you still owe our civil society some more time, you will be put to work.

Don’t want to work? We can be creative with folks like you. We’ll come up with something, but you won’t like it. And you’re going to miss the show.

The show must go on. The band was booked. The concert hall was scheduled.

The tickets have all been sold.

The people are here.

And they’ve been chanting for a long time, patiently, “We. Want. The Show.”

Let the band play.

The Immigrant Song has always been America’s song.

The last lines of Immigrant Song?

So now you’d better stop and rebuild all your ruins/
For peace and trust can with the day despite all your losing.

ahhhhhhhh…….ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Chris Saxman: 'Making friends across the aisle'

 Dr. Kurt Michael (left), former Del. Chris Saxman (center), McDonnell Chief of Staff Martin Kent (right) at reception in 2010 hosted by Gov. and Mrs. Bob McDonnell at the Governor's Mansion.

Former Delegate Chris Saxman (R-20th House) was my delegate for close to a decade, making the annual trek to Richmond and the General Assembly session to stand up for issues and work with his colleagues for the good of all Virginians. I had volunteered on his campaign in 2001 when he won the newly-created House seat for Staunton, part of Augusta, part of  Rockingham, and Highland Counties and, through the years, we worked together and remained friends.

I was the Republican activist volunteer. Chris was the elected official who represented not only the Republicans who worked to get him into office but also the Democrats, Independents, Greens, and everyone else who lived within his District. His door was open to everyone.

During the years, Chris' demeanor, candor, and friendliness were contagious and he was extremely popular as he took part in local parades and town halls and fund raisers. Along the way, I learned from this gentleman whose example taught me to cut back on the partisan rhetoric and look at the political world from a different viewpoint. One lesson impressed upon me was that those who carry something other than the Republican "R" behind their names were not automatically the enemy.

I remember a barbecue at the Saxman home one summer day years ago. When I arrived and wandered around back to the patio where Chris was grilling, I was surprised to see Steve Sisson already there. Steve, who at that time was writing as the "Blue Dog" -- Blue Dog Democrat -- became someone who could be a friend even as we disagreed on policy and we remain friends to this day. His down-home writing style and tag line, "Amen, and pass the cornbread," were read by all sides of the political spectrum.

Recently Chris posted a column at his website that emphasizes his governing style that proved very successful in politics and, now, in business. "Making friends across the aisle" is vintage Chris Saxman as he writes:

One of the things in politics that always made me just shake my head (while hearing in my head the Robot from the TV show Lost In Space – “This. Does. Not. Compute”) was when people within my political party would ask me what was I doing hanging out with Democrats.

What many people didn't know was that Chris' dad was Republican and his mom was Democrat, and so he noted:

In my family, if you didn’t agree to sit and eat with people from the other party, you went hungry during the holidays.

Witty, humorous, charismatic, personable, knowledgeable ... Chris' column shares words of wisdom and experience that hit home in today's extremely partisan political atmosphere. My gratitude to him for his part in my political journey, growth, and -- yes -- friendship. Thanks, Chris.

Chris Saxman represented the 20th District in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-09. A businessman, active member of the community, and a contributor to the Bearing Drift blog, he lives in Staunton, Virginia, with his wife Michele and four children. Catch more of his columns at his website, ChrisSaxman.com.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Cross-posted at LynnRMitchell.com

Are pragmatic pineapples going green?

So my gas-powered lawnmower finally died. Regardless of how many times I pulled the cord, it wouldn't start. After 12 seasons of heavy use, I wasn't surprised. It had been a good lawnmower and its time was up.

As I began looking for a new one, the pragmatic side of me took hold. I decided to buy a  40-volt battery-operated Greenworks mower. But before passing judgment on me, thinking that I've gone green, think again.

I truly believe that the days of the internal combustion engine are becoming obsolete. The internal combustion engine requires a tremendous amount of maintenance: oil changes, spark plug and air filter replacement, just to name a few. And all those moving parts from pounding pistons and pinging valves.

The battery lawnmower on the other hand requires little maintenance except charging the battery and sharpening the blade. There's only one moving part, the rotor, which turns the shaft. In other words, no oil, no gas ... just pure battery. Now when I need to mow, I just push a button.

There are a few drawbacks to the battery mower and, admittedly, the technology is still in its infancy. For example, one downside is its 40-minute battery life. However, that's a simple fix. I just take out the battery and plug it into the charger. Meanwhile, I take a break and sip on a cold glass of lemonade, watch some TV, and talk with the wife. Voila! In about an hour, I put the battery back in the mower and continue on my journey.

Another drawback is lack of sturdiness. The battery lawnmower, while being lightweight, is kind of flimsy as opposed to its more mainstream counterpart. Even though it has a metal deck, everything else is kind of plastic. It's like switching from a 1966 Pontiac GTO classic muscle car to an electric Toyota Prius. Another drawback is the price. The technology is still new and expensive, but as time passes, I believe the price will go down.

So what do I think about this new lawn care contraption? The battery lawnmower had no problem plowing through six inches of grass, and I enjoy its light weight maneuverability. For now, this pragmatic pineapple is moving away from the soon-to-be-obsolete internal combustion engine. So while my neighbors may be laughing at me, I'm just saying I'm not going green. I'm going for purely simple and maintenance free electric machinery.

Twenty-first Century Transportation

Complex Problems Deserve Thoughtful Answers


Interstate 66 and Metro in Vienna.

"There are no simple solutions...Only intelligent choices"
-- Caterpillar Advertisement from the 1960's 

Recently the state of Virginia hammered out an agreement to deal with the transportation issues of the Twenty-first Century. While there are things to love about the agreement and things to dislike, two points should be considered. First, from the time of George Washington to the present, good infrastructure has always been seen as essential to the functioning of a robust and prosperous nation. You can see that in the attention men like Washington paid to canals, and later that which men like Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll of Carrollton paid to Railroads. Governor McDonnell's work on transportation builds on good precedent.

Second, and perhaps less discussed, is the idea that mobility is an essential component of liberty. Holding taxation low at all costs might decrease the ability of citizens to access employment choices and other resources necessary for their well being. People from all over the region, for example, travel to the University of Virginia Medical Center or Johns Hopkins for essential healthcare services.

One publication I especially enjoy is American Conservative. One issue they regularly address is the importance of a diverse transportation system. While some may rail about the cost of public transportation, it is important to look at the amount of money that goes into roads as well. With the mission being to provide maximum mobility at the most reasonable cost, transportation design might just get a whole lot more interesting. Good analysis must consider the total cost of a highway-only approach versus a well designed mixture.

When my Mother moved to Baltimore, she did not drive. She pursued graduate work at Johns Hopkins and a career at the Martin Company. Streetcars empowered her. A decade after she moved to Baltimore, traffic engineers removed the streetcars. Mom learned to drive. Now engineers are reconsidering the streetcar, or light rail equivalents. The end result could be greatly increased mobility (and opportunity) for urbanites. The American Conservative Center for Public Transportation [click to read] offers more insight into transportation planning for the future.