Category: Virginia Page 33 of 34

Last Frontier of Hatred

By MB

On November 8, 2006

Once again, Vivian Page finds the editorials that capture it very well. The Staunton News Leader puts it thusly:

But there is one remaining Last Frontier of Hatred: It involves homosexual men and lesbian women.

Virginians affirmed that Last Frontier of Hatred on Tuesday when they voted Ballot Issue No. 1 into law. Virginia proved it is ready for another round of hatred such as that it unleashed on black citizens when it affirmed â€œMassive Resistanceâ€ to keep little black boys and girls out of Virginiaâ€™s lily-white perfect public schools.

So be it. We will deal with this as we have dealt with all the rest of our sins: Breaking away from the Union, race hatred, Massive Resistance.

But we will be a smaller and more narrow-minded place because of it.

If youâ€™re OK with that, weâ€™re not. The majority of you voted for it. Now go to bed and say your prayers. And pray you are right and Christian and not just hateful and wrong.

I’m pretty confident praying won’t fix that.

(There is, of course, much to be happy about. Democratic control of the House and Senate is a fact (VA may take some time to officially declare, but it will happen – and I’m heading offline now to make sure of that), and as I type this, I see that Rumsfeld is gone. That, of course, is a direct result of Dem control of the legislative branch – he simply can’t bear the idea of being accountable to someone. That is a victory for our troops, our nation, and the world.)

Voting NO: It CAN make a difference

By MB

On November 5, 2006

In Personal, Policy, Politics, Society, Virginia

Let’s start with this:

[A] tossup: approval of a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to a man and a woman.

Support is down to 49 percent from 52 percent last month. With 45 percent now opposed, up from 42 percent last month, the measure – already adopted by 20 states – could go either way because the voter split is within the pollâ€™s variable for error. Six percent are undecided.

Read that again. Shocking as it is, there is still a hope that Virginia can defeat the hateful bit of political deception that is Question #1 on the Virginia ballot. Its supporters claim that it amends Virginia’s constitution to reflect current law (gay marriage has been in illegal in Virginia to 30 years – when it comes to bigotry, most states got nothing on Virginia . . .), but it goes far beyond that. Here’s the text of the full amendment:

That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.

If this amendment passes, it doesn’t merely throw another (significant) roadblock into eventually (as WILL happen) undoing the statutory ignorance that currently prohibits same-sex marriage, it goes much *much* further. How far? Take a look at what the Virginia Legal Review Committee has to say about it:

the [proposed Virginia] Amendment could be interpreted by Virginia courts to have the following effects:
â€¢ Invalidate rights and protections currently provided to unmarried couples under Virginia’s domestic violence laws;
â€¢ Undermine private employers’ efforts to attract top employees to Virginia by providing employee benefits to domestic partners, as the courts and public medical facilities may not be permitted to recognize those benefits; and
â€¢ Prevent the court’s from enforcing —
— private agreements between unmarried couples,
— child custody and visitation rights, and
— end-of-life arrangements, such as wills, trusts and advance medical directives, executed by unmarried couples.

Need some proof? Read the 70 page legal memorandum. Who’s the Virginia Legal Review Committee? Here’s a list of the over 200 Virginia lawyers, legal scholars, and constitutional officers that are members. Yes, that’s me on the list. And a number of excellent lawyers that I personally vouch for. Not enough? Then realize these names are on the list:

Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, First Lady Anne Holton, and former Republican Governor Linwood Holton;

Former Attorneys General Stephen D. Rosenthal and Anthony F. Troy and former Republican candidate for Attorney General Wyatt B. Durette.

Also included are former Virginia Secretary of Education during the Wilder Administration, The Honorable James W. Dyke and former Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, The Honorable Michael J. Schewel.

They might know something about Virginia law.

It’s hard for me to write well about this. I don’t believe that this is a matter on which reasonable people can disagree, and I’m not interesting in pretending than anything other than naked bigotry and partisan manipulation lays behind this amendment. So it’s extraordinarily hard to stay civil on this. And, in fact, I don’t really think one ought to stay civil. One of the bigger problems facing the America today is its unwillingness to laugh at and ridicule the racism, bigotry, and ignorance that seems to be driving so much of the political efforts. You might say that that someone voting yes on Question #1 is simply following his religious beliefs, and ought to be respected. I say he’s an ignorant bigot, who ought to be ridiculed in the public square.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I’ve really needed to stay quiet on this issue in the past month. Please help me not regret that – please *respect my basic dignity as a human being* – by voting NO on ballot question #1. Thank you. Sincerely.

Virginia’s Biggest Embarassment

By MB

On November 4, 2006

In Politics, Virginia

Del. Bob Marshall is a hateful little man whose continued presence in public life in Virginia ought to embarrass any decent and thinking Virginian. The Washington Post profiles him:

The debate was over, and the stately atrium at the University of Virginia School of Law was nearly empty. But Del. Robert G. Marshall, a Prince William County Republican who wryly refers to himself as Virginia’s “chief homophobe,” was just warming up to his next showdown over same-sex marriage.

“There is a natural order of things, a natural order where gay marriage is an impossibility,” he said, books tucked under his arm and waving a hand for emphasis, like the disheveled college professor he often resembles. “For example, a woman’s arm is constructed at a certain angle so that she can adequately cradle a baby. This is the way we’re created. There are just certain things that nature intended.”

I generally don’t focus on state legislators, especially in Virginia, where it all seems so pointless. But this man? This foul little man? More and more people have had enough, and I suspect he’ll see the end of elected office next time ’round.

Not Really a Voting Guide

By MB

On November 4, 2006

In Cycling, Politics, Virginia

The 2006 version of the WashCycle voting guide, here! Hey, it’s interesting if you’re a cyclist.

I think I’m pretty much done with political posts, through Tuesday. There’s nothing that’s going to change anyone’s mind about the candidates between now and then, and giving the oxygen of attention to the various ridiculous last minute ploys of desperate candidates only encourages future candidates to do the same. So I’m done, with the politics. Between now and Tuesday, I’ll be spending my time offline trying to get people out to vote, instead of persuading them how to vote. If you don’t know which Senate candidate you’re going to vote for now, well . . . I’ve not the slightest idea of what to say to you.

Of course, having knocked people for not having made up their minds, I’ve got to admit that I’m finding myself in the very same position on two other issues. First, our local school board has two excellent candidates in Sally Baird and Cecelia Espenoza, either of which will do a fine job. Baird has the Democratic endorsement, and Espenoza is (as I understand it) a Democrat running as an “Independent” because she works at the Department of Justice, whose rules essentially prohibit partisan runs for office. I’d sort of hoped that the race would evolve in a way that show the policy contrasts between the candidates, but that simply hasn’t happened. There are no easy party or demographic defaults to tip the balance, either. Not an easy choice.

The other issue is the third VA constitutional ballot question, which deals with giving VA localities the ability to offer tax incentives to developers working in “blighted” areas. Vivian Page has a good summary of the issue, and I’m leaning toward a no on the question, too. The short version of why: developers already get pretty everything they want from localities in VA, and in my view, there’s been no shortage of development in all the time I’ve lived here. There’s no need to put additional public goods on the table to encourage private developers to do something they’ve been doing already.

Gen. Clark, Michael J. Fox, and Jim Webb

By MB

On November 3, 2006

In Personal, Politics, Virginia

There are better accounts of it out there,, but I wanted to share a short account of my own experience with Thursday night’s Wesley Clark/Michael J. Fox/Jim Webb rally in Arlington. To start – this is a long way from March 7th, when I first met Jim Webb at the announcement of his candidacy for the United States Senate. Considered a longshot, there was much hope in the room, but that was about it. Confidence wasn’t exactly permeating the air. Closer to the primary, at an event with Gen. Clark, Jim was gaining steam, but still a little awkward. It would be a hard fought battle, uncertain of victory.

Fast forward through a well-earned primary victory, endless criss-crossing of the commonwealth, and attacks on his fundamental character to this night. Now, on stage, I saw a Senator. Not the Hollywood caricature of a Man in Full (of himself), but of someone who absolutely wants to work for his state and country, and is committed to delivering on his promises. Here was a man I could vote for, and not just as an act against someone else.

Michael J. Fox’s endorsement was ringing – Jim Webb is someone who recognizes the importance of sound science. Someone who realizes that, in order to help our country achieve its hopes and dreams, we need to ensure that science can retake its rightful place among the endeavors we engage in to make that happen. It was an entirely positive and non-partisan endorsement. Before an enormous room of people and stage of television cameras, Fox again brought our attention to how important a role in our future, as individuals and as a society, that science plays. The cheers that followed came from a room full of people who were honestly moving forward, and not just fighting back.

I was proud, really. Proud of Jim Webb, proud of the folks at the rally, and proud of the netroots, for providing the support when no one else would. I look forward to joining everyone next Tuesday night in celebrating the fruits of his, their, and our commitment, support, and labor.

Worth 4:16

By MB

On November 2, 2006

In Politics, Virginia

A good video showing why a lot of people aren’t just voting against Allen, but for Jim Webb.

(Another great endorsement – by Daniel Dae Kim (Jin!) of Lost, here.)

Great job, guys

By MB

On October 31, 2006

In Politics, Virginia

Three Allen staffers tackle (really) a constituent asking Allen, “Why did you spit on your first wife?”

(And just for your own head-shaking amusement, check out this press report after you’ve watched the video. Your media in action . . .)

Update: Mike Stark (the constituent that was attacked) has a letter up at the web site of the local television station that captured the incident on tape.)

Further: The Washington Post redefines “heckling” as someone asking questions. And from the WP report, I’m getting the idea that the Charlottesville police aren’t going to be a lot of help:

“Charlottesville Police Lt. Gary Pleasants said Stark reported the incident today and indicated he wanted to press assault charges against the men. Pleasants said police are investigating and trying to determine the names of the Allen staffers involved.

“We will find out who the people are, give him the information and he can go to the magistrate and try to obtain a warrant for them,” Pleasants said.”

Vote No: Undoing Virginia’s Bill of Rights

By MB

On October 29, 2006

In Politics, Society, Virginia

Virginia’s Constitution is really a work to behold. Its priorities are evident from the moment you start reading it – the first article is entitled Bill of Rights, and the very first section reads:

“That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

That was written 230 years ago, before the colonies had even declared independence, nevermind adopted the U.S. Constitution. Its ideas – of liberty, independence, and equality – served as a model for many. And now those ideas are under direct attack in Virginia.

Vivian Page brings us the highlights the Virginian Pilots’ editorial against the proposed amendment that Virginia voters will be facing on November 7th:

Parse them anyway you like, but those 87 words [of the amendment] seek no less than to undo what Mason wrought in Virginiaâ€™s first days, sentiments that have stood the test of 230 years.

[â€¦]

The mere possibility that such gracelessness might find its way into Virginiaâ€™s high-minded Bill of Rights – among protections for religious liberties, assembly and free elections – is insult enough to the commonwealthâ€™s founding sentiments.

But the marriage amendmentâ€™s intent – to deprive unmarried people of basic legal rights otherwise guaranteed by Virginiaâ€™s constitution and by common law – makes a mockery of Masonâ€™s hope of protecting the inherent rights of all men to be equally free and independent.

The whole editorial is here. This amendment is an abomination. Vote No, Virginia.

An endorsement worth reading

By MB

On October 27, 2006

In Politics, Virginia

The Virginian-Pilot, the largest newspaper in the Hampton Roads area of coastal southern Virginia, endorsed Jim Webb for Senate today. Now, I don’t think that endorsements really matter much at this point, but I’m highlighting it because it does an excellent job of why many of us will be happy to vote *for* Jim Webb, and not simply against George Allen:

Over the past few months, Virginians have started to get to know James Webb.

There are still gaps in that knowledge, but on two of the most essential ingredients for a U.S. senator – character and intellect – the record is clear.

Webb has an abundance of both.

Witness the fact that you have seen no pictures of Webb with his son, Jimmy, as the 24-year-old Marine lance corporal deployed for Iraq last month. That’s because Webb would not allow any. Or the fact that nowhere on his campaign Web site will you find the citation (reprinted below) for extraordinary bravery that accompanied the Navy Cross awarded him for “courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty” in Vietnam.

[ . . . ]

As for intellect, very little that is canned or formulaic makes its way into Webb’s speeches or conversation. For better and occasionally worse, his answers appear to have been concocted in his own head, not during some poll-driven strategy session in Washington, D.C.

Personal understanding of cultural forces in the Middle East and an innate skepticism governed Webb’s courageous decision to speak out against the war in Iraq before it ever began. He took that once-lonely view long before events proved him right.

Read the whole thing. And I knew that he’d been awarded the Navy Cross, but I’d never heard the story around it. The Virginian-Pilot published the citation itself, explaining:

The Navy Cross is the nation’s second-highest award for bravery in facing an enemy. James Webb has refused to use it in his campaign. We are publishing it with our endorsement of him because we believe it testifies to his character.

Hampton Roads is also the world’s largest naval base. I think this just might grab the attention of a few people who otherwise wouldn’t have given Jim Webb a thought.

Added: A very fair profile of Jim Webb, via the Washington Post.

Speaking of Social Obscenities

By MB

On October 22, 2006

In Personal, Politics, Society, Virginia

You’re a liar and a bigot, Victoria Cobb.