This video is pretty powerful, and a must watch about how the environmental agenda is destroying our economy.
Author Archives: Krystle
Let the Games Begin…
So, when the news broke yesterday that everyone’s favorite party crasher, Tareq Salahi, is running for Governor in 2013, I couldn’t help but to laugh out loud.
After all, he is being sued by the Commonwealth of Virginia for alleged violations of the Virginia Consumer Protections Act with his business venture, VirginiaWineTour.com. I guess the Commonwealth of Virginia could use a party crasher-in-chief as their next Governor. However, I doubt he will get the money or the traction necessary to beat the two declared candidates: Ken Cuccinelli or Bill Bolling for the nomination.
It looks like the Republican primary will certainly be interesting come 2013. Also, TMZ has the candidate’s filing form on their site.
Could there be a fight for Presidential Elector in the 8th District?
With the 8th District Convention coming up on May 12, it is time to look at some of the votes that will be taking place. As you know, I am a Ron Paul supporter and will be supporting their slate of delegates at the convention. Additionally, I will be supporting George Croft for Presidential Elector.
George has been a hard worker within the Republican party. He has been a strong supporter of Liberty (not to mention that he supported Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli), and I could not imagine a better elector to join the delegates who stand for liberty.
While the other elector (Barbara Bowie-Whitman) is part of the Conservative Coalition slate and offers an impressive resume as well, I am just not impressed by her candidacy and was recently taken aback by a recent email she sent to convention attendees. Additionally, it was a robo call I received that added to my lack of enthusiasm for this slate.
We need strong candidates who stand for liberty, in addition to the principles that Ron Paul fights for every day.
Happy Tax Day
It’s tax day, and it’s time you fork over your earnings to the government. I know, I know…it’s hard work, considering that the Federal government is going to find some way to waste your money. After all, the GSA needs more of your money to fund their lavish partying.
Well, don’t you think there should be some sort of reform within agencies before they receive any of our money?
Bob Marshall Qualifies for U.S. Senate Primary
Yesterday, Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) delivered petitions to the Virginia State Board of Elections with more than 17,100 signatures to qualify him for the U.S. Senate Primary on June 12. Below is his statement:
“Thanks to much prayer and hard work, we achieved our goal,” Marshall (R., Manassas) said. “Now that I am on the ballot, my road to victory, as in the past, will depend on People Power to overcome Money Power. It will be the same in this primary election.
“The credit in reaching this goal goes to hundreds of grass-root volunteers who spent countless hours gathering petition signatures while I was busy on the people’s business in the Virginia General Assembly session.
“Since I announced my candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Jan. 12, these selfless, energetic and dedicated volunteers spent many hours collecting signatures by talking with friends, walking door to door, standing outside libraries and grocery stores, and attending political and civic meetings.
“We are setting dates for fund-raisers, state-wide mailings, media, signs and staff. Given the present state of the economy, I will demonstrate, as I have in all my past elections, that I am a candidate well-tested in running frugal campaigns and making every dollar count.”
Marshall has never voted for a tax increase since he was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991.
In 2007, Marshall sued then-Gov. Tim Kaine and GOP leaders over a law establishing unelected taxing authorities. He prevailed when the Virginia Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the statute violated the Commonwealth’s constitution, blocking 14 new taxes in Northern Virginia and Tidewater.
“I had to buck the entire political establishment,” Marshall said, “but I knew my first allegiance was to the people. This is how I will serve in Washington, should the people elect me to represent them in the U.S. Senate.”
In 2010, Marshall authored Virginia’s “Health Care Freedom Act” being used by Virginia as the basis to sue the federal government over Obamacare.
“Free men and women cannot be ordered by government to purchase a product,” Marshall said.
Marshall also authored the “One-Man, One-Woman Marriage Amendment” to the Virginia constitution approved by voters in 2006.
“It is not hate speech to uphold standards for family affirmed by thousands of years of Judeo-Christian values,” Marshall said.
Marshall’s record shows he believes government must treat all human beings equally.“Our Declaration of Independence states that all men are created, not born, equal,” Marshall said. “Our rights come from the hand of God, not man, and therefore no government is justified in removing the right to life, liberty or property from any person. This current president is so radically pro-abortion that he even voted against a law to provide medical help to children born alive after abortion. Tim Kaine would toe the Democrat party line in Washington, and I will do everything I can to prevent that.”
Kaine is the Democrats’ presumptive Senate nominee.
“Serious economic problems plague our country, robbing our children’s future and indebting our nation to foreign dictators,” Marshall said. “Do I think America can change direction? Absolutely! I would not be running for the Senate if I thought otherwise. Our Founders called for a moral people to animate government and preserve our freedom. If we want our freedom preserved, we must be eternally vigilant.”
Sad State of the Playground
When I was growing up, one of my favorite pastimes was going to the playground. It was a time to forge new friendships, get a break from school work, and to exert some excess energy. Granted, there was always some sort of bullying, whether it would be this tall boy trying to take a basketball and hold it out of my reach (I was short and this was the common treatment). Overall, it was a great experience.
According to a recent CNN article, the playground has changed into a judgment zone. It is not harmless picking, like the treatment I experienced growing up; rather it has morphed into a place where kids are judging on the size of another. Talk about being exposed to body image issues at a young age.
Fat is the new ugly on the school playground. Children as young as 3 worry about being fat. Four- and 5-year-olds know “skinny” is good and “fat” is bad. Children in elementary school are calling each other fat as a put-down.’’
As our country becomes more obsessed with increasingly skinny ideals of beauty at the same time that we’re getting more obese, “Fat hatred has become so pervasive that it is part of the fabric of our language and interactions,” says Dr. Robyn Silverman, author of “Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It.” “Fat and thin are no longer simply assessments of size or weight, but rather of character. So you can imagine why adoption of these attitudes, diet talk and disordered behavior is happening earlier as well.”
Granted, it is natural for children to notice that they are different than others, and this is to be celebrated. However, with entertainment and media focusing on the images of extremely skinny celebrities, they forget to remember that children see these images. This is leading to children judging other children on the stigma that our society focuses on far too often.
However, there is another factor that the article addresses: how the parent addresses his/her own body image before the child. Is the parent focused consistently on dieting or over-exercising? A child sees how the parent conducts themselves and seeks to emulate them. It is natural, but it can be unhealthy for a child emotionally. How about appreciating your looks and seeking to live a healthy lifestyle? This is the greatest role model for children to see.
Perhaps, a child judging another child’s body is becoming the new form of playground bullying. I hope this is a wake-up call for parents to address that each person is unique, beautiful, and destined for great things. It is time for the playground to return to its fun roots.
**Note: As a former social worker, I worked with children in a clinical setting.**
Good News: Chocolate is good for you and…
the world turns. Seriously, I was not surprised by the results of a study found in the Archives of Internal Medicine that pointed to the correlation between consuming chocolate and a lower body mass index. Chocolate has proven antioxidants that have been known to reduce heart disease, as well as lowering blood pressure.
The study points out:
Body mass index (BMI) is part of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) picture, and other MetS elements relate favorably to moderate chocolate consumption. Therefore, we hypothesized that the benefits of modest frequent chocolate intake might extend to reduced fat deposition, potentially offsetting the added calories. To evaluate this, we examined the cross-sectional relationship of chocolate consumption frequency to BMI.
This study also focused on those from 20-85 years old, who participated in some form of aerobic activity at least three times a week.
Of course, this study does not point out is the need for moderation and making healthy choices. When one thinks about chocolate, it is usually the first instinct to grab a Hershey’s bar, a Twix bar, or some other milk chocolate delicacy. However, these are loaded with plenty of empty calories and ingredients that do not offer the benefits of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is the best option, as it is loaded with plenty antioxidants and when consumed in smaller quantities offers more health benefits. Along with exercise, chocolate can be healthy.
Recap of the W&OD 5K
This afternoon, I ran the W&OD 5K, as part of my half marathon training (still deciding which one will be my first half: Frederick or Cleveland). Upon arriving, I waited in the American Legion parking lot with my boyfriend until the start of the race.
My initial thought of this race was that it was going to be relatively fast and would allow me to shatter my previous 5K record from last June.
Once the race begun, I realized that it was going to be a little challenging, as it was a little crowded with other runners on the trail. After we crossed the bridge over Route 7, the pace picked up as we approached the first mile marker. The first mile I averaged around an 8:45 pace, but things started changing after crossing the bridge once more heading towards the second turnaround at Little Falls Street.
My legs felt refreshed, but I hit a wall of sorts around the second mile marker. I felt a little fatigued, which is odd considering I’m generally full of energy during a short race. I came into the second mile at 18:32 (breaking at a 9:15 pace).
After a walk break around the Great Falls Street intersection, I took whatever energy that remained and hauled ass to the finish line. As I crossed the line, I noticed my time was 30:45 (9:45/mile pace).
I broke my 5K record, and I was met by my boyfriend, who bought me an iced chai and a hug.
Overall, I would recommend this race to my fellow runners, and a special thank you to the race organizers and sponsors for everything.
My trusty Asics 2170s and my hot pink CEP compression socks helped save the day
Ken Vaughn for Congress
I wished I could still vote in the 11th District. After all, I now live in the 8th District, where we have a Congressman more interested in getting himself arrested or screaming at constituents (including a 27-year Army Veteran).
In the 11th District, there are two Republicans running for the nomination: Ken Vaughn and Chris Perkins. I have had the opportunity to look over the materials for both candidates, and I believe that Ken Vaughn is the better candidate for the nomination.
Vaughn is a strong defender of the Constitution, and will defend/protect our liberties. After all, Vaughn understands the fiscal issues facing our country and has a plan to get our budget back in order. Additionally, Vaughn is solid on the issue of protecting life (where his opponent has been largely silent). The real issue that completely persuades me to support Vaughn is his positions on liberty. Vaughn realizes that both the PATRIOT Act and TSA have been an infringement on our liberties. With the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, we need someone who will fight to make sure we are within Constitutional means of declaring war (Congress formally declaring, not just following the leader).
After listening to Perkins speak at a YR meeting, I gathered he is not a big fan of Ron Paul (and his supporters). He admitted that to a few of us, who inquired about his positions on SOPA and some economic issues. Rob at The Liberty Zone even added that he is not very interested in Second Amendment related issues and that he will not end entitlements.
As a strong Ron Paul supporter, I am not too keen on Perkins after talking with him about the issues that should concern many in the 11th District. Vaughn offers a refreshing change and could provide Connolly with a strong challenge, if he gets the nomination.
While it is a shame that I am no longer in the 11th, there is no doubt that this primary will be one to watch.
Recap from the Fairfax County Republican Convention
After awaking at an ungodly hour this morning, I ventured out to the Fairfax County Republican Convention to vote for a new party chairman. I made it pretty clear that I was supporting Matt Ames for Chairman, and I was optimistic that he was going to emerge victorious. After arriving, I noticed there was a heavy presence for his opponent, Jay McConville, so it became clear that this race was going to become more interesting.
While I did not have an opportunity to listen to the speeches, I heard that Matt gave a great speech to the delegates at the convention. Delegates also heard from Jay, as well as many of the U.S. Senate and Congressional candidates. There is no doubt that many of the delegates were energized to move the party forward. Anthony Bedell, who was the outgoing chair gave some great remarks as well. Thanks to Anthony for his leadership over the past two years.
Congratulations to Jay McConville, who was elected unanimously as Chairman of the committee. It will be interesting to see if Jay will succeed in moving the party forward and be open to new ideas that will motivate the grassroots in the next two years.
