Waldo's Virginia Political Blogroll » Eileen Levandoski http://vapoliticalblogs.com A totally biased and unreasonable list of blogs that I think you might enjoy reading. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:48:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 ODEC Delays Plans for Surry-Hampton Roads Coal Plant http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/1636/odec-delays-plans-for-surryhampton-roads-coal-plant http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/1636/odec-delays-plans-for-surryhampton-roads-coal-plant#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:56:01 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/1636/odec-delays-plans-for-surryhampton-roads-coal-plant Cross-posted at ArticleXI.com.

Great news from the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition:

The Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition lauded Old Dominion Electric Cooperative's announcement today to delay plans for what would be the largest coal-fired power plant in Virginia. The temporary halt will allow the company, its customers, government officials and the conservation community to explore alternatives that will cost less and cause less harm to the environment.

The coalition has long opposed the $6 billion coal plant and has mobilized tens of thousands of citizens across the state who are concerned about air pollution, mercury poisoning of waters, mountaintop removal coal mining and the consequences of a warming planet. Since 2002, plans for 133 coal-fired plants in the U.S. have been dropped for economic, environmental and other reasons, according to the Sierra Club.

ODEC, according to its press statement, is delaying the project for a coal plant in Surry County by one-and-a-half to two years.  The coalition today called on the utility to pull the plug on the coal plant altogether and instead commit to deploying more energy efficiency resources and to pursuing cleaner sources of energy, including offshore wind and solar. These sources of energy would more than offset the 1,500 megawatts from the delayed plant.

On the flip are statements from Appalachian Voices, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Southern Environmental Law Center.

 
Appalachian Voices:
"The degree of citizen opposition to the plant is clearly more than ODEC bargained for. Opponents in Dendron and Surry County really made their voices heard. When the Surry County Planning Commission took this up, at least 200 people showed up and the great majority of speakers opposed the plant. This gives ODEC a sense of what to expect if it pursues state and federal permits and they can already see the opposition building in the greater Hampton Roads area and among their retail co-ops' ratepayers," said Tom Cormons, Virginia Director.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network:
"We are encouraged that ODEC recognizes that inevitable carbon pollution regulation will continue to make fossil fuels an incredibly poor investment. As ODEC continues to voice their commitment to this plant, we will continue to make every effort to obstruct this project while pursuing alternatives like energy efficiency and renewable energy sources," said Mike Tidwell, CCAN director.

Sierra Club:
"This is a prudent pause by ODEC. With the advances in efficiency and renewable energy this delay allows ODEC to keep their options open," said Glen Besa, Virginia Director of the Sierra Club.

Southern Environmental Law Center:
"All Virginians-watermen on the Chesapeake Bay, downwind families affected by smog and soot pollution, ODEC customers who would be facing higher electric bills to pay for the new plant-can breathe a sigh of relief, but this is not over.  The coalition remains engaged in the permitting processes before the Army Corps of Engineers and elsewhere, and we hope to work with ODEC on the clean energy alternatives that produce jobs, keep electricity rates down, and reduce harmful air and water pollution," said SELC senior attorney Cale Jaffe.]]> http://vapoliticalblogs.com/2010/09/08/odec-delays-plans-for-surry-hampton-roads-coal-plant-2/feed/ 0 Webb should campaign for Nye http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/HUPEZzq7UZI/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/HUPEZzq7UZI/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:11:24 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1552

Birds of a feather should flock together. And why not come here to rub salt in our environmental wounds. Drill baby drill too!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/09/webb-should-campaign-for-nye/feed/ 0 Glenn Nye Gets What He Asked For? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/VF9v_kVpaYA/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/VF9v_kVpaYA/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:05:33 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1544 A couple of Virginia’s liberal blogs are in a tizzy in reaction to “Democrats Plan Political Triage to Retain House” in yesterday’s New York Times.

“In the next two weeks, Democratic leaders will review new polls and other data that show whether vulnerable incumbents have a path to victory. If not, the party is poised to redirect money to concentrate on trying to protect up to two dozen lawmakers who appear to be in the strongest position to fend off their challengers.”

As Nye’s name has appeared on many lists of the “Top 10 Most Vulnerable”, he’s surely on this DCCC list as well. But as Roll Call points out, Nye has distanced himself from the House Democratic leadership, “going against the party line almost a third of the time”, and opposing health care legislation. In consideration of the 2nd’s heavily conservative leaning, making the Dems’ cut list may be what he wanted all along.

So, it’s looks like it’s finally official. Nancy Pelosi has signed the divorce papers that Glenn Nye served on her awhile ago. No love loss there! So be it, if that’s what it’ll take for him to beat his nutcase opponent.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/09/glenn-nye-gets-what-he-asked-for/feed/ 0 Glenn Nye’s New Ad http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ZnOUQKtCDpY/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ZnOUQKtCDpY/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:04:21 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1537

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/09/glenn-nyes-new-ad/feed/ 0 Laughing through the Pain and Embarrassment http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/T9XrN8_NMh4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/T9XrN8_NMh4/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:24:15 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1534 This editorial in today’s Virginian-Pilot (“A modest to-do list for the AG” by Daryl Lease) made me spit out my sip of coffee.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/09/laughing-through-the-pain-and-embarrassment/feed/ 0 Scott “Suck Up” Seery’s True Colors http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/IXqXF63VaWs/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/IXqXF63VaWs/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:20:48 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1526 Meet the true Scott “Suck Up” Seery, candidate for the at-large School Board seat this Nov. 2nd. At our VBDC breakfast last Saturday, Paul Baker asked which of the 2nd district congressional candidates he was supporting. Suck Up Seery declined to answer, saying that it was inappropriate to weigh in as he has is own race to run. Well, if his $100 contribution to the Repug Party of Virginia Beach doesn’t give you some indication of his leaning, check out his Facebook posts! Holy cow! Can you say “winger”?!?

Suck Up Seery was appointed to his current school board seat. This will be the first time he faces the voters of Virginia Beach. In typical GOPper style, Suck Up Seery is the new chosen son, who will use his School Board appointment as a stepping stone to higher office. How else would one explain all the sucking up?!?

Let’s squash that idea right away. The last thing our kids need right now is another vapid right-wing kiss-up like Carolyn Weems (go Dr. Carray Banks!) Let’s work hard to get Dottie Holtz elected. She’s the real deal!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/09/scott-suck-up-seerys-true-colors/feed/ 0 Mark Warner Rallies for Glenn Nye http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/dLA2ffSrAA0/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/dLA2ffSrAA0/#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:59:44 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1518

Video source: Virginia Beach Democratic Committee. Video of Rep. Glenn Nye on the flip…

(...)
Read the rest of Mark Warner Rallies for Glenn Nye (0 words)

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/mark-warner-rallies-for-glenn-nye/feed/ 0 Who’s on the HR Tea Party’s Secret “Political Operative” List? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/wHM4_akY0T4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/wHM4_akY0T4/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:28:42 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1512 Bwaaaaa! I stumbled across this page looking for a website for School Board candidate Carray Banks. They had nothing on Carray, but I wonder who’s on this secret “Political Operative” list???

Political Operatives (12 Articles) – Political operator in either party or organizations outside of party structure. Registration Required!

I laugh, but perhaps I should instead be a little sad. The days of fearmongering aren’t over yet. Why are these people so anxious to return to the days of yore, some even reminiscent of the McCarthy era.

But then with articles such as this, can they ever be taken seriously? Back to laughing! Bwaaaaa!!!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/whos-on-the-hr-tea-partys-secret-political-operative-list/feed/ 0 Please think of the alternative! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/FWdVHXHiRZc/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/FWdVHXHiRZc/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:36:49 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1505 As David Campbell points out… “Liberals who want to punish Nye by staying home on election day should consider the alternative.”

Sorry to make you vomit in your mouth so early in the morning!

Yes, a lot of us are incredibly disappointed with Glenn Nye. How easy it has become to bash Nye by those that don’t live in the 2nd district. Righty Rigell could otherwise be my representative in Congress. It’s bad enough having total GOPpers representing the Beach in the GA, but Rigell coupled with McDonnell and a likely GOPper majority amongst Virginia’s delegation to Congress is going to be miserable, especially for us in the Beach.

I have a Glenn Nye bumper sticker on my car and his yard sign in my front yard. Over the weekend, I’ll put up some Nye support stuff on this blog. So, go ahead progressives. Start bashing us at VB Dems for supporting Nye.

For God’s sake, Righty Rigell, as announced in today’s Virginian-Pilot, has signed the Tea Party pledge. Great, our potential new congressman has pledged himself to a group founded on hate and racism. More vomit in my mouth!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/heres-the-alternative/feed/ 0 Re-Districting in Virginia Beach http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/Keet9Tk83Rc/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/Keet9Tk83Rc/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:30:52 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1495 UPDATE: Vivian has the schedule of redistricting public hearings posted, which includes one Sept. 22, 7pm, at Roper Performing Arts Center, Tidewater Community College in Norfolk.

When voters go to the polls in November 2011 will they be showing up at new, redrawn districts? What will those districts look like?

I’ll be curious to see if or how the 90th, 21st, 84th, and 81st might get re-drawn. According to NLS, overflow from Beach house districts would be pushed into Algie Howell’s district, thus “de-Democrating” the 21st, Bobby Mathieson’s old district. They could also push certain blue-trending precincts in Sal Iaquinto’s district into the 90th district.

The Beach gets redder. Oh joy…

The 2nd congressional district is too small while Forbes’ 4th district is too big. Look for red Chesapeake to be added to the 2nd is my prediction.

The 2nd congressional district gets redder. Oh joy…

We’re moving back to the 1950’s. Is there anything Democrats can do to stop this or at least to minimize the punishment?

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/re-districting-in-virginia-beach/feed/ 0 Bob Dean is Shaking his Head http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/0-BN2rD-X_g/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/0-BN2rD-X_g/#comments Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:04:45 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1491 Awhile ago I tried to help Libertarian Bob Dean by doing up an online petition that folks could sign in protest to the City of Portsmouth enforcing eminent domain on this poor guy’s crab shack livelihood simply because a developer and the once and future residents considered that crab shack an eyesore and wanted it instead developed as a park. For whatever reason he didn’t use the petition but I enjoyed our phone conversation about the matter.

Bob got 100 protesters out there on the site and the City did back off. Power to the little guy!

Cue the screech of the needle skidding over the record album…

From the Virginian-Pilot…

MISS No hero

Sometimes, people let you down. In 2008, John T. Johnson, who owns a crab shack on Scott’s Creek, rallied more than 100 protesters to oppose Portsmouth’s attempts to take his property through eminent domain. Neighbors complained about the property and wanted it turned into a park. This week, Johnson pleaded guilty to 18 of 21 charges related to the sale of heroin and cocaine at the shack. And the city plans to seize the property.

Ouch! Although an interesting legal question though… do convicted felon’s still have property rights?

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/bob-dean-is-shaking-his-head/feed/ 0 Nye Needs To Take A Cue from Cantor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/odhv9bZW_cA/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/odhv9bZW_cA/#comments Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:47:18 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1488 Rep. Glenn Nye needs to take a cue from Rep. Eric Cantor and, like Cantor, at least mention how “last year I think the state received somewhere around $3 billion of stimulus monies.” (Source)

That stimulus money really saved Virginia’s hide! Glenn needs to list out examples of the jobs saved, programs salvaged and contributions made to the surplus Virginia enjoys today.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/nye-needs-to-take-a-cue-from-cantor/feed/ 0 Notes from Last Night’s Debate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/qa9_JzAQJUE/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/qa9_JzAQJUE/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:17:22 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1482 I’m sure VBDC Chairwoman Susan Mariner and others wouldn’t mind if I posted here some of the Facebook comments on last night’s debate.

Susan writes: “My opinion of the debate: Debate goes to Nye on substance and poise. Golden gets second on style. Rigell gets third for a Sarah Palinesque understanding of issues and freaky animatronic mannerisms. Hope that’s the way it goes in November too.”

“I was proud of Congressman Nye. He was respectful, knowledgeable, and stayed on the message.”

“Rigell was inauthentic and vapid. Main thing I took away from his performance was images of his intermittent and bizarre yelling for emphasis (if you don’t have anything particularly intelligent to say, at least say it really loudly???) and the disconcerting plastic smiles he delivered on cue.”

“I am totally a fan of Kenny Golden’s flamboyant and entertaining style even though I disagree with most of his platform.”

“He [Rigell] said that he opposed the bailout. Of course he also opposed the stimulus plan, and yet he took $400K in Cash for Clunkers money. So I guess his opposition is more about OTHER people getting stimulus money rather than him.”

The best comment however goes to Susan’s FB friend, Cole:

Rigell on the Economy: Fire Pelosi. Tax Cuts. I run a business. Fire Pelosi.
Rigell on Immigration: Leave Arizona Alone!
Rigell on Healthcare: Don’t fund Obamacare. Hehe. I’m clever. Obamacare.
Rigell on Afghanistan: This is Sparta!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/notes-from-last-nights-debate/feed/ 0 Clean Coal Ignorance http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/XKRkf9eGKyI/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/XKRkf9eGKyI/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:08:16 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1479 Both Kenny Golden and Scott Rigell at last night’s debate revealed their total ignorance when it came to the reality of coal.

Number 1, there is no such thing as “clean coal”. “Clean coal” is the product of carbon capture sequestration (otherwise known as CCS). CCS is a process by which the carbon emissions produced by burning coal such as in a power plant are injected into the ground. The technology to do so is at least a decade away for being realized. No where on God’s green earth is anyone enabling CCS.

Number 2, coal is a fossil fuel. Duh! Burning coal not only contributes to climate change with its dirty carbon emissions, it also produces NOx emissions that contribute to ozone pollution. The Surry coal plant for instance will contribute over 3,000 tons of NOx emissions into the Hampton Roads’ air, which has been designated for non-attainment by the EPA. This non-attainment status will have very costly impacts on our area’s ability to collect Federal highway dollars as well as attracting new businesses to the area as there will be additional air quality regulations imposed on their activities, to say nothing about the health effects of increased numbers of “bad air” days as children and seniors suffering from asthma.

The coal delivered to power plants for burning in large part comes from the practice of mountain top removal. The tops of mountains are literally blown off to get to the coal seams. What’s left is barren moonscapes smattering the Appalachian mountains. So many mountains have been obliterated that the devastation is viewable via satellite imaging. The material blown off mountains is dumped into the valleys below. Thousands of miles of clean beautiful mountain streams have been completely buried. The contours of the landscape has been so dramatically altered that runoff from natural rain events turns into roaring flood waters.

The coal removed must be washed which requires construction of huge impoundment ponds which are precariously constructed and in one instance perched a short distance above an elementary school. The ponds contain a toxic slurry of dangerous and carcinogenic metals to include arsenic, mercury, chromium, cadmium, boron, selenium, and nickel.

Every year, coal burning produces over 130 million tons of waste. Most of it is fly ash, which also contains these dangerous metals. A huge containment pond of fly ash gave way on Dec. 22, 2008 releasing over 1.7 million cubic yards of cludge into the Clinch River (Tennessee) valley. It inundated homes and contaminated drinking water supplies.

Fly ash was applied as a “beneficial use” to a golf course in Chesapeake (VA). There are no Federal regulations governing fly ash. Thanks to Dominion Virginia Power bullying there are extremely lax state rules governing fly ash as the golf course was unlined and not water sampling tests were conducted. No shock that area residents would now be suing Dominion for the toxins showing up in their ground water.

From beginning to end, coal is bad news and nothing to be celebrated as Rigell and Golden did last night. They are obviously swallowing hook, line and sinker all the garbage feed to them by the wealthy coal industry lobbyists.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/clean-coal-ignorance/feed/ 0 Prediction with Tonight’s Debate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/NxQUleLzVO8/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/NxQUleLzVO8/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:22:02 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1476 I’ve never heard Scott Rigell speak before. But from this video, he sounds like a frickin’ preacher. Egads! All that Pat Robertson guck looks like it’s rubbed off on him.

So my prediction is Glenn Nye wins the debate with a close second to Kenny Golden. Glenn has a brain that he can engage when speaking. Golden, I suspect, will have some wild card things to throw out, which will knock Rigell out of his preacher-like comfort zone.

http://www.youutbe.com/user/scottrigell2010#p/a/u/0/-JBHe4wx4Bg

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/prediction-with-tonights-debate/feed/ 0 Is this supposed to be a joke? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/GdDWEgMu6MY/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/GdDWEgMu6MY/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:41:16 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1471

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/is-this-supposed-to-be-a-joke/feed/ 0 Tell the EPA: Coal Ash Must Be Regulated as Hazardous Waste http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/yv-F3dee_Ls/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/yv-F3dee_Ls/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:35:22 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1466 This segment of “60 Minutes” aired Sunday evening and features the “beneficial use” by Dominion in building the Battlefield golf course in Chesapeake. I’m sure the invitation still stands for any Dominion official to eat dinner at area residents’ homes with meals prepared using their tap water.

You gotta love the lobbyist at the end who tells Leslie Stahl to trust state regulations and utility management to do the right thing. “Environmental protection is expensive” he says, as if that’s an excuse not to do it.

Help protect our water by speaking out at this EPA Hearing on the Proposed Coal Ash Rule, Monday, August 30th from 10am-9pm, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Sign up today at: http://action.sierraclub.org/coalash_arlington. Car pooling from various areas of Virginia may be available. For more info contact Kate Pollard at kate.pollard@sierraclub.org.

Cross-posted at ArticleXI.com and Blue Virginia

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/coal-ash-must-be-regulated/feed/ 0 Nye, Rigell and Golden to Debate Thursday http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/JbcDD7zRDLQ/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/JbcDD7zRDLQ/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:19:13 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1461 This might be the one and only time to see all three 2nd congressional candidates on stage together. Check it out Thursday, August 19, 7:00 at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/nye-rigell-and-golden-to-debate-thursday/feed/ 0 Righty Rigell http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ftwI7Mb8TI4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ftwI7Mb8TI4/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:25:43 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1456 It’s all Glenn Nye’s fault, didn’t you know. Had he been paying attentions, says GOPper Scott Rigell, the Joint Forces Command would not be shuttering its operations and costing Hampton Roads thousands of jobs.

In typical hypocritical style, Righty Rigell limits the alleged inattentiveness to a Democrat. So knowing Repulsicans stay so fixed and attuned, what’s Reps. Randy Forbes and Rob Wittman’s excuse then?

What an egotistical doorknob!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/righty-rigell/feed/ 0 VB’s GOP GA Delegation No Shows at McDonnell Town Hall http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/vGYWRRKvEzs/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/vGYWRRKvEzs/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:38:11 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1452 I attended Gov. McDonnell’s Town Hall meeting at ODU on Monday night. This meeting was all about McDonnell pushing his agenda which I assume is supported by all his minions in the General Assembly. Yet few of his foot soldiers could bother showing up.

Democrats outnumbered Republicans at this meeting 3-2. Showing up were Sen. Ralph Northam, Del. Lynwood Lewis, and Del. Paula Miller for the Dems, and Del. Chris Stolle and Del. Glen Oder for the Repugs. Where was Iaquinto, Purkey, Tata, Knight, Villanueva?

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/vbs-gop-ga-delegation-no-shows-at-mcdonnell-town-hall/feed/ 0 Editorial Rules http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/5ntwJrdsoLw/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/5ntwJrdsoLw/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:04:50 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1447 A letter to the editor in today’s Virginian-Pilot violated what many newspapers consider to be its editorial rules. The letter both bashed one candidate and praised another. I like the rule where the writer has to pick one or the other. It can’t do both. I don’t even want to see “vote for _______” at the end of a hit piece.

The other editorial rule that should be employed is not to print pro- or con- candidate LTEs at least one week prior to the election. The paper needs to allow time for publication of responses to that hit piece.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/editorial-rules/feed/ 0 McDonnell’s “Reform” Agenda: Town Hall Meeting Tonight! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/OA4olo1yMsQ/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/OA4olo1yMsQ/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:52:22 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1436 Judging by the emails filling my In Box, conservatives want to dominate the Governor’s town hall meetings so they can claim broad popular support for, and no opposition to, McDonnell’s conservative agenda. “Reform state government” and “build a strong jobs-friendly environment” mean eliminating regulations and programs to protect the environment, granting businesses the right to rip off and even threaten the health and safety of consumers while denying them recourse in the courts, and slashing funding for public education and programs that serve Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.

We can’t let this happen. The Governor needs to hear that his right wing chums are not the voice of the people of Virginia.

Be there TONIGHT (Monday Aug. 9), 7:00-8:30 at Old Dominion University’s Webb Center, Webb University Center, 4201 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/mcdonnells-reform-agenda-town-hall-meeting-tonight/feed/ 0 Gosh, Who’s Rep. Waxman Talking About?!? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/NzZ0RxPcKAM/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/NzZ0RxPcKAM/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:10:01 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1426

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/08/gosh-whos-rep-waxman-talking-about/feed/ 0 King Sessoms and his Money http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ktfpATGoLMk/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ktfpATGoLMk/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:52:03 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1378 Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms is building what the Pilot calls a “massive war chest” which he is considering throwing into City Council races this year. It’ll be interesting to see what he thinks his money can buy. The man definitely likes to be surrounded by only those who support his agenda, which might prove lucrative for Barbara Henley. The Princess Anne district councilwoman faces a tough Republican opponent. Left dangling could be At-Large Councilman Bill DeSteph, the darling of the VB Tea Party.

With a few exceptions which otherwise can be fixed, Sessoms’ agenda is a good one. I do wish he’d get rid of the ignoramus that is Bob Mathias though. The boob makes no attempt to educate himself. Instead he comes down hard with a position and lets nothing, to include facts over fiction, dissuade him.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/king-sessoms-and-his-money/feed/ 0 The Sucking Soul-Crushing Senate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ZZyGV7lTsQo/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/ZZyGV7lTsQo/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:59:31 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1372 filibusterchart.jpg

“It sucks,” said Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) (House Democrats Rip Senate Colleagues: Their Lethargy Is Going To Cost Us Seats In 2010), “and I mean it literally. It sucks the energy out of the room and it sucks the urgency out of what we do… The lack of urgency from the Senate on these jobs bill is soul-crushing.”

This reality lends more to my current attitude that elections are a crap shoot. “What’s in it for me?”, is always the prevailing motivator for all too many electeds to demands the public is making to see some legislative inertia. And “while a fair chunk of the Senate was immune from direct, electoral blowback, every member of the House would have to deal with the taint”.

“They say the senate has a luxury of time, six-year cycles for elections,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus. “But these last 18 months have, in memory, have not only been the most frustrating but the inertia created in the Senate is what is jeopardizing Democrats and progressives’ opportunities in the midterms. It is not our lack of action. It has been their lack of action.”

Ironic, but if an anti-incumbent wave tosses a great number of Democrats to the curb this November, it won’t discriminate between those Dems that at least tried to accomplish things like Perriello and those that didn’t.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/the-sucking-soul-crushing-senate/feed/ 0 Get Used to More of This, Hampton Roads http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/edS0Y-YGtUU/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/edS0Y-YGtUU/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:27:29 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1342

Updated flood maps will affect 7,000 Hampton properties.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/get-used-to-more-of-this-hampton-roads/feed/ 0 Andrew Jackson Kicks Off Virginia Beach City Council Campaign http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/YTHdOPQYiEI/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/YTHdOPQYiEI/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:31:08 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1337 Andrew Jackson announces his candidacy for Virginia Beach City Council (at large) on Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Grand Affairs, 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Andrew writes on his website: “This is no ordinary time, and this is no ordinary election. This is a movement to bring city government back to the people. It is a movement to bring the voices of the people to the City Council Chamber. It is what my campaign theme… ‘Our Voices as One, THE PEOPLE’S CANDIDATE’ is all about.”

Go Andrew!

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/andrew-jackson-kicks-off-virginia-beach-city-council-campaign/feed/ 0 A Campaign to Get Excited About! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/-9p99Tyoeg4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/-9p99Tyoeg4/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:21:03 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1331

Never mind Glenn Nye’s campaign. Elections around here are a crap shoot anyway. Time and energy is limited so why not get behind a candidate with courage and conviction who needs and appreciates our support.

Here’s two articles of interest supporting Rep. Tom Perriello:

Tom Perriello And Marco Rubio Have Massive Fundraising Quarters (Huffington Post)
Nye, Perriello take different approaches to re-election (RTD)

Here’s also his report on “How the Clean Energy Economy is taking off in the 5th District: A News Round-Up“.

WE MUST RETURN TOM TO WASHINGTON!!! He’s exactly the legislator we need. He represents everything we hold dear. http://www.perrielloforcongress.com/

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/a-campaign-to-get-excited-about/feed/ 0 Crazy Busy! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/jmtIL8jbR0w/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/jmtIL8jbR0w/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:25:34 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1307 In case anyone hasn’t noticed, I haven’t posted here in awhile.

First of all, happy 14th birthday Sasha! I can’t believe it was 10 years ago she and I were volunteering 3 days a week with the Loudoun County Democratic Committee working to get Al Gore and Chuck Robb elected/re-elected. Even as a 4-year-old she was so helpful and cheerful – has always been such a good buddy!

Blame my lack of posting on work and kids. Workwise, we had an extremely successful Hands Across the Sand in Hampton Roads. On 5 beaches we had a total of 1700 people join hands in protest to drilling, including over 1,000 lined up along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Last week Sasha, Leo, Celia (Leo’s girlfriend) and I were in D.C. for a few days. We helped plant over 10,000 American flags to form the letters “Freedom From Oil” on the lawn under the Washington Monument. Yesterday I presented an update on offshore drilling to the Virginia Commission on Energy and the Environment. To complicate my life even more, two weeks ago my laptop crashed. But yesterday Sierra Club got me a new one!

Celia is staying with us this summer so now there are 4 teenagers (18, 17, 16, and 14) in my itty-bitty mucky house. None of them drive yet but all of them eat and stay up till 2am running every electrical appliance possible. Leo finally got a job washing dishes at the Lucky Oyster. Sophie’s social life is only getting started. I’ve got to get her soccer video put together ASAP. I’m trying to fit in working as many Amphitheater events as possible to help widdle down her Rush soccer fees this fall. Both girls have summer reading lists that they’ve yet to get from their schools. Sasha has an art project that she has to present to the class on the third day of Governor’s School. She hasn’t even started. She is however getting in some art exhibits. We hit some galleries in DC last week and we’re heading to NYC next week for some more gallery hopping.

I guess this is a roundabout way to make a plea to anyone interested in joining David Campbell and myself on VB Dems. Things will really start to heat up soon both with the 2nd congressional race and the local VB City Council and School Board races. Shoot me an email if you’d like to join us… eileen@vbdems.org. Thanks.

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]]> http://vbdems.org/2010/07/crazy-busy/feed/ 0 Video: Hands Across The Sand June 26 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/UlJqUuNvZDM/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VbDems/~3/UlJqUuNvZDM/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:29:06 +0000 Eileen Levandoski http://vbdems.org/?p=1282

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