Blog Archives
Caption Contest: What are these State Senators thinking?
This is the first time I had one of these in a long time. How about a caption contest for the picture below? We have some state senators at work here, and perhaps, your caption can kick off this General Assembly session right. This is all for fun here.
The winner of this contest gets bragging rights, which we all know can be a good thing. Just list your captions in the comment section.
On the Sixth Day of Defeating Dick Saslaw…
On the sixth day of defeating Dick Saslaw, it is apparent that he will do anything to stay in elected office. Although, I have been behind on this series, I have covered on some of the essential reasons why Saslaw should be defeated on November 8, as he stands against gun rights, wants to raise your taxes, against school choice, and has a track record of failed leadership.
Today, I will be highlighting another reason why Saslaw should be defeated…the Kings Dominion law. Of course, we all know how valuable Kings Dominion, Water Country U.S.A., and Busch Gardens are to Virginia’s tourism industry. During summer, it is a ritual to attend these amusement parks. However, there is a law that Saslaw valiantly defends and that is to delay the start of school until after Labor Day.
Saslaw receives large donations from Sea World Parks & Entertainment and the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association. Saslaw has been against repealing this law and has even called the arguments by teachers and parents “hogwash.”
Even more interesting is that many of Saslaw’s fellow Northern Virginia state senate colleagues are against the Kings Dominion Law. Dave Marsden (37th State Senate District), Kaye Kory (38th State Senate District), and Janet Howell (32nd State Senate District) are in favor of repealing this law. Marsden even said, “What kind of message are we sending if selling cotton candy at Kings Dominion is more important than schools?”
If Saslaw is such a strong advocate of public education, why is he opposed to opening schools before Labor Day to ensure students receive more classroom time?
On the second day of defeating Dick Saslaw…
On the Second Day of Defeating Dick Saslaw…YouTube gave to me…another great clip of Saslaw hating on gun rights.
Note: Saslaw interrupts VCDL President Philip Van Cleave’s testimony in support of HB 1573.
Now, we all know Saslaw hates guns. In fact, he goes as far as to block a bill during the last General Assembly that is based on the Castle Doctrine (HB 1573), which would allow a homeowner to use physical force against someone who commits the crime of breaking and entering into their house.
Evidently, this is not the only time Saslaw has shown his disdain for gun rights supporters. In 2008, a supporter, who was lobbying against a potential change to Virginia’s gun laws, overheard the Senator’s insults towards gun rights advocates. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, Saslaw said: “I see we’re debating a gun bill today. Half of the cast of ‘Deliverance’ is in town.”
It is one thing to be against gun rights advocates, but to insult or interrupt someone for sharing their views, goes to show that you do not have the decorum to serve in the State Senate.
Talk about a Conflict of Interest…
What do you think of this scenario: A political candidate wants to meet with public school teachers to discuss funding and to request support for their re-election campaign? Sounds a little unethical or desperate, doesn’t it?
Well, this is occurring in a Northern Virginia State Senate race, as Toddy Puller’s campaign sent an email out to public school teachers in Prince William County about setting up private meetings in their schools. Below is the email that was sent out by Megan Fitzgerald, who serves as Puller’s Field Director:
Hello,
Toddy Puller, the State Senator for most of Prince William County isreaching out to school in hopes of meeting with teachers to talk abouteducation and the importance of funding our future. My name is Megan and I’mthe regional field director for Prince William County. I would love thechance to meet with you one-on-one to talk about Toddy Puller. I am veryinterested in talking to students about local government and emphasizingits importance. I know that you all are very busy and have a strict curriculumbut I do think it could be beneficial. Please let me know if there is atime I could come into the school to talk to you more about the State Senator(preferably before school starts).–Megan Fitzgerald
Toddy Puller for Senate
“Why does a campaign operative need to discuss public school funding with teachers two months before an election. Why is Senator Puller sending her political campaign into our public schools to begin with? And most importantly, if everything is above board, why do these meetings need to be in private?”“If the Senator Puller would like to engage teachers and students in the democratic process, then we should debate the issues at every high school in the district. However, clandestine political campaigning has no place in our public schools, and funding for our public schools should never be used as leverage with teachers. Senator Puller owes the taxpayers an explanation as to what exactly her campaign operatives are doing in the public schools.”
Frederick is right about these meetings. You would think that Puller would want her constituents to hear about her views on public school funding, instead it seems like she wants to keep these closed.
Cuccinelli helps law enforcement across Virginia target and prosecute human trafficking
Human trafficking is a growing problem in the United States. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there have been approximately 2,515 suspected incidents of human trafficking between January 2008 and June 2010. If this does not raise the bar for concern, it is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world and is a form of modern day slavery. Human trafficking is not just sex trafficking, where victims are normally forced into prostitution, but labor trafficking is another form where victims are often forced into domestic servitude or sweatshops.
With the rise of human trafficking cases, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and the Department of Criminal Justice Services hosted an all-day training seminar to bring awareness to this crime and help local law enforcement agencies target and prosecute traffickers. Additionally, those in attendance heard from The Polaris Project, an anti-human trafficking organization, who gave advice on how to assist the victims of this deplorable crime.
“The types of crimes that these traffickers are committing are terrifying and deplorable-we certainly have our work cut out for us,” said Cuccinelli. “However, I’m confident that we can make tremendous strides as long as we continue to work together with local and federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims’ advocates as a comprehensive team.”
Virginia has improved its human trafficking laws over time. The Polaris Project named Virginia one of the most improved states in prosecuting and handling human trafficking cases.
“Human trafficking is one of the most pressing moral issues of our time, and we our grateful for the leadership Attorney General Cuccinelli has shown in the fight against this form of modern-day slavery,” said Dold. “The attorney general’s office has done an amazing job taking this issue head on and we are looking forward to continuing our work together to further strengthen the laws in Virginia and save lives.”
Hopefully, with this seminar, more traffickers will be prosecuted and victims will be able to receive assistance in recovering from the trauma endured from these heinous crimes.
Cross posted at <a href="Bearing Drift
Here's Your Friday Laugh
It looks Del. Tim Hugo (R-Clifton) will have an interesting opponent in the general election.
Virginia is better than Maryland…just in case, you didn't know
For the full disclosure, I was born and raised in Maryland. In fact, there are times I miss the place due to family and friends. However, in terms of the taxes and excessive regulations brought on by years of Democratic leadership, I am glad to be a Virginian.
Recently, The Washington Times had an editorial, which cited a recent American Legislative Exchange Council study that shows Virginia ranking as one of top ten states in terms of economic outlook. Maryland ranked 21st in terms of economic outlook.
Maryland is a very expensive state to live in, as property and income tax rates are higher than some of the surrounding areas. However, Virginia has been placing more focus on bringing business into the state, thus boosting the economy. Recently, CNBC ranked Virginia as the top state for business, and the state government has been placing focus on providing more tax incentives for companies looking to relocate to the Commonwealth. Maryland was ranked 29th, as the cost of living and cost of business were higher in the rankings.
Will this news serve as a wake-up call for Maryland? Probably not. It will not change until new leadership takes over the state government.
Today's Shocker: Terry McAuliffe Caught in a Lie
Granted, there are times when you can’t take people at their words. In the bloodsport of politics, there seems to be a lot of fallacies spread around, and there are times when both parties are guilty. There are times when the truth can be stretched too far.
Case in point, during a recent campaign kickoff for Del. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), former Democratic National Committeeman Terry McAuliffe was caught “stretching the truth,” when he made this statement:
“The $1.8 billion in [transportation] bonding, we don’t have a repayment mechanism.”
Well, this seems odd…no repayment plan for the transportation debt? Something doesn’t seem quite right here, so PolitiFact Virginia did some research and pointed out that McAuliffe hit the Pants on Fire on the Truth-o-Meter.
The General Assembly, during the 2007 session, had a plan that involved setting aside some proceeds from a tax on insurance proceeds, along with taxes on wholesale gasoline to pay for the transportation debt. Revenues are also used to repay the transportation loan.
It seems that desperation has been hitting the Democrats lately, as they try to do and say anything to get a vote.
