Monthly Archives: January 2010

Washington News Observer interviews Steve Hunt

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Washington News Observer has a great video interview featuring Steve Hunt, who is running for State Senate in the 37th District. Hunt is a great candidate for this district, who will fight for fiscal responsibility, as well as upholding the Virginia Constitution. Hunt has been active in the community through various civic activities, and I can think of no one better to represent the 37th District.

Tomorrow, January 12th is the special election to fill the seat, and this interview should give you insight into Steve’s strong leadership and commitment to serve.

H/T to

Sign-gate!

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Today was a beautiful day to knock doors for Steve Hunt. In fact, my friend went door to door and braved the freezing cold, while I made phone calls for Steve. My friend called me around 12:30 p.m. and indicated that he had heard something interesting from a voter in the Fairview precinct in Braddock District.

When he went to knock on this one door, he was greeted by a woman, who had indicated that she was a lifelong Democrat, but angered at Dave Marsden’s campaign…so much that she would not vote for him. When my friend asked her what happened to make her change the decision, she said that Marsden’s campaign had placed a sign in her yard, when she did not request one. This voter also mentioned that several of her neighbors had the same thing happen to them. Ordinarily, this voter said it’s one thing to request a sign and place it in your yard to show support, but it’s another when you are not asked by the campaign to have a sign in her yard.

Wow…it goes to show that someone is desperate for votes when they put a yard sign in your front lawn without your permission.

Steve Hunt Endorsed by Fairfax Deputy Sheriff Coalition

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Today, Steve Hunt received the endorsement of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff Coalition in the 37th State Senate race.

“We feel confident that Mr. Hunt will carry on Attorney General-Elect Cuccinelli’s long standing and strong record of working with law enforcement,” said Kevin Pittman, President of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition Local 5016. “In doing this, law enforcement in Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth will be better capable of keeping the public safe.”

“I am honored to have the support of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition,” said Hunt. “In the State Senate, I will work to ensure Deputy Sheriffs and all law enforcement officers have the necessary training and resources to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

Aside from this endorsement, there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding Hunt’s opponent, Dave Marsden and his housing arrangements. Riley at Virginia Virtucon has a great article about Housing-gate and how Marsden’s rented room could have some potentially negative connotations. There is no doubt that Marsden’s carpetbagging was going to come back and haunt him.

Isophorone also has a great post up on Marsden and rent recycling. You know, pay $600 a month, and get a $300 contribution to your campaign.

The Supposed Audacity of Hope (Del.-elect Patrick Hope…that is)

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The Virginia General Assembly starts session next Wednesday, and we are already beginning to see fireworks from a Delegate-elect.  Recently, a friend of mine, Steve Bierfeldt (you may remember him from a TSA scuffle in Missouri), wrote an email to his newly elected House of Delegates member, Patrick Hope, to ask whether or not he would be supporting Delegate Bob Marshall’s bill to empower Virginians to not be forced into buying mandated health insurance. Hope had the audacity to respond sharply to Bierfeldt. Just read the exchange and be shocked by the response. I thought those we elected to serve us are actually supposed to do just that. I guess this does not apply to the 47th House District.

From: Steve Bierfeldt
Subject: HB 10
To: Patrick Hope
Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:58 PM

Mr. Hope

Will you be co-sponsoring or getting on board with Delegate Bob Marshall’s bill to empower Virginia residents to not be forced to buy mandated health insurance.

- Steve

On Jan 6, 2010, at 3:11 PM, Patrick Hope wrote:

Steve – no, health insurance should be affordable and mandatory. Mandates will bring down the cost for people like you and me and you should be supportive. This will also make it affordable. Everyone, individuals and businesses, could use a little more savings in this economic environment.

Patrick

From: Steve Bierfeldt
Subject: Re: HB 10
To: “Patrick Hope”
Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 8:20 PM

Mr. Hope,

Thank you for responding to my email.

As someone who currently does not have health insurance by choice, the bill being discussed in the U.S. House and Senate includes penalties for people who do not comply, including prison time.

Are you going to help the government to put me in prison? Please be frank, is that what I can expect from my elected Representative for the next two years of your term?

- Steve

Now…for the response….

From: Patrick Hope
Date: January 6, 2010 3:30:13 PM EST
To: Steve Bierfeldt
Subject: Re: HB 10

it acts like a tax and so if you don’t pay your taxes, over time, you could be facing jail time. Steve, please pay your taxes.

Wow…it takes audacity to be nasty to your constituents. I am pretty certain 2011 might not be so hopeful for Hope, as he runs for re-election.

The So-Called Transparency of Obama and Democrats in Congress

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In 2008, I am certain that you recall the promises of hope and change by then Candidate Barack Obama, as he was seeking the Presidency and by the Democrats in Congress. Both Obama and the Democrat leadership in Congress also promised transparency within the legislative process. Now, that Obama is President of the United States and the Democrats are in power, this has all but dissipated. With the health care debates looming in Congress, there are more indications that the American people will not be able to see the legislators discuss in their conference proceedings about what will be included in the final plan. Instead, we will be left in the dark wondering what will become of our current health care system.

A couple days ago, C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb sent a letter to the Democratic leadership and Obama citing his concerns about the lack of openness, as well as petitioning to allow the American people to witness these proceedings. Did the Democratic leadership consider Lamb’s requests? No. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the leadership held a press conference yesterday to say that they were not certain whether cameras would be allowed in to the meetings or if there would be an open conference meeting. Meanwhile, Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have been meeting behind closed doors to iron out the details, thus bypassing the mandatory conference meetings required for a final version of the bill.

The Democrats in Congress, as well as President Obama, should remember one key thing. When you make promises to the American people to hold open meetings, then expect to receive some harsh feedback when you fail to meet those promises. It is all about accountability.

What About That Dead Hooker?

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Last time, we left disgraced former governor, Eliot Spitzer, in a huge panic.  After a crazy night’s party (also known as the last decade), he was stuck with the consequences of women’s empowerment, a dead hooker.  Coming to terms with the numerical reality that the decade was not yet over, the disgraced former governor struggles to deal with one last lingering problem.  How is he ever going to get rid of this dead hooker?  Where’s Lou Reed when you need him.  Oh, with a quick search, here he is.  Jump to a conversation over resolving this troubling little street hassle:

  • LOU: Hey, that *&^’s not breathing.  I think she’s had too much of something or other, hey, man, you know what I mean?
  • ELIOT: You know, like we know that already.
  • LOU: I don’t mean to scare you, but you’re the one who came here, and you’re the one who’s gotta take her when you leave
  • ELIOT: You know, you of all people to be giving a lecture on personal responsibility!
  • LOU: I’m not being smart, or trying to be cold on my part, and I’m not gonna wear my heart on my sleeve.  But you know people get all emotional, and sometimes, man, they just don’t act rational you know, they think they’re just on TV.
  • ELIOT: You’re not helping!
  • LOU: Sha-la-la-la, man.  Why don’t you just slip her away.
  • ELIOT: You know, there’s still the body and all.
  • LOU: You know, I’m glad that we met man.  It really was nice talking, and I really wish that there was a little more time to speak, but you know it could be a hassle trying to explain this all to a police officer about how it was that your old lady got herself stiffed.
  • ELIOT: Yeah, that’s the problem.  What the hell do I do??!!
  • LOU: And it’s not like we could help, but there wasn’t nothing no one could do and if there was, man, you know I would have been the first. But when someone turns that blue, well, it’s a universal truth and then you just know that bitch will never &^% again.
  • ELIOT: Yeah, you got a heart of gold.  If you weren’t Jewish, you’d be a saint!
  • LOU: By the way, that’s really some bad shit that you came to our place with, but you ought to be more careful around the little girls.  It’s either the best or it’s the worst and since I don’t have to choose, I guess I won’t, and I know this ain’t no way to treat a guest…
  • ELIOT: Enough already!!  What do I do!  What do I do!!!!
  • LOU:…but why don’t you grab your old lady by the feet, and just lay her out in the darkest street, and by morning, she’s just another hit and run.
  • ELIOT: Yeah, that’s it.  That’ll put that decade behind us all.  Not even Bernanke nor Paulson would come up with something like that.
  • LOU: You know, some people got no choice, and they can never find a voice, to talk with that they can even call their own.  So the first thing that they see, that allows them the right to be, why they follow it, you know, it’s called bad luck.
  • ELIOT: You know, that’s right.  It was all bad luck.  It was not my fault.  It was just a business transaction, I just contracted for one thing and all this other stuff with God knows what the hell she was on was not bargained for.  It’s not my fault.  I just wanted to have a good time, that‘s all.  It’s not like I’m going around like Sanford or something.  I mean, I still love my wife, and all…it’s just that,…well,…you know,…she just won’t,…..and I still want to,…you know…,and,…and I know people look up to me and I’m mindful of that because I’m special.  What’s the point of being privileged if you can’t exercise a little privilege?  I’m just like everyone else wanting and chasing the American dream,…you know,   like buying a house and all.  As one of their leaders, all we did was make it possible,…we never said that they could keep it…but, they’re free to chase it.  Take this hooker,…it’s really sad and all, but she had a choice, and went into all this willingly.  Just like that couple selling houses, a pimp brokered the deal…I mean,…this is America, after all and people have the right to make a living.  It’s the American dream and we all have a right to participate in it, to make a living, or at least to try to and that’s just too big to fail.  Just like me.  I’m too big to fail.  For someone like me, it’s not just personal.  For goddsakes, I am an important public figure.  So much is riding on me.  Those that are too small to save need to see me on top of the mountain so they can keep striving for the American dream.  Me being up here shows them that it’s all possible so they can keep striving, keep paying taxes, and keep me up here.  All this stuff with the dead hooker, it wasn’t my fault so it shouldn’t be allowed to take me down.  Whether or not she was actually hit by a car or the American dream is just a matter of perspective.  Yeah that’s it.  Give me privilege.  Flash.  Give me confidence.  Flash.  Give me my life back.

[Hat tip to those who called out the Chuck Palahniuk Invisible Monsters gag and were amused]

A Look into the 11th Congressional District Race

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Lately, there have been rumors about Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) considering a run for Congress and challenging Keith Fimian in a possible primary or convention. This may be old news, but it is worthy of bringing this back into the fold again.

Some of the rumors have been that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) wanted Herrity to run, as he would be the stronger candidate to go against freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly for the 11th District seat.

While Herrity would provide a good challenge to Connolly, Fimian has been active with various community and grassroots-related events. During the summer, when Connolly refused to meet with constituents at open townhall-style meetings, Fimian was alongside of the grassroots (tea party) activists calling on Connolly to meet with them and discuss why he would be in support of the health care reform package.

Fimian has been working tirelessly for a rematch against Connolly. When Fimian first ran in 2008, the climate was bad and the voters used the Presidential elections (along with the Congressional) as a referendum against George W. Bush. The tide has changed significantly in the 11th, as Bob McDonnell (and the Republicans) won decisively in the recent elections. There is no doubt that Fimian can win this election against Connolly.

A national GOP official said that they have not actively recruited GOP challengers in the 11th District, as they are confident with Fimian’s ability to fundraise and to get his message across to voters. The official mentioned that Fimian recently raised $500,000, and that he is one of the top 10 challengers to watch this election cycle. This is good news for Fimian, as he was recently named one of the Top Guns by the NRCC.

Right now, this race is going to be competitive and one to watch.

Phantom Zip Codes: Just Another Stimulus Flaw

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Recovery.gov provided lots of entertainment in the beginning with its phantom Congressional Districts. After all, Virginia had more districts and I was even running for the 51st Congressional District seat.

Thanks to a report from Jim Scarantino of the New Mexico Watchdog, there appears to be more errors in the same report…this time with non-existent zip codes.

More errors in the same report. I am really beginning to question if accuracy will ever be conveyed through these reports.