RGA vice chairman McDonnell to deliver weekly Republican address on Saturday

 Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republican Governors Association announced today that Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will deliver the Weekly Republican Address this Saturday, March 26, just days after the one-year anniversary of Obamacare.

“The health spending law has burdened states with billions of dollars in unfunded mandates, so we thought it would be instructive this week to hear from Gov. Bob McDonnell, who can give us a first-hand look at the impact the law is having on the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Throughout the debate and implementation stages of Obamacare, the impact of the law on state governments has too often been ignored or cast aside by the current Administration,” said RGA Vice Chairman Bob McDonnell. “It’s time to end the habit of Washington passing the law and then expecting the states to balance the books. We must make healthcare more affordable and accessible. Republican Governors are leading this effort, with common-sense policies and proposals that don’t weaken our economy or overburden employers and state governments.”

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

16 February 2011

Trump: 'Our country is going to hell in a hand basket'

“I hate what’s happening to this country. It’s never been at a point like this, ever. We’re not respected. We’re scoffed at. We’re laughed at by other places. People from China and other places cannot believe they’re getting away with what they’re getting away with. We’re rebuilding China. We’re rebuilding other countries, and our country is going to hell in a hand basket."

--Donald Trump (NewsMax, 3/24/11)

Gov. McDonnell vetoes physical education bill

In his first veto of the  year, Gov. Bob McDonnell vetoed the physical education bill, an unfunded mandate that was passed during the 2011 General Assembly. Read about it in my latest post at the Washington Examiner....

Another blogger throws his hat in the political ring

First they were volunteer activists. Then they were bloggers. Now they are becoming political candidates.

Fluvanna County Supervisor Shaun Kenney was a blogger long before many had heard of the venue. In 2009 he successfully ran for and won a seat on the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors where he serves as vice chairman. He continues his political blogging at Bearing Drift.

Now another Bearing Drift blogger has filed to run for the House of Delegates. Brian Schoeneman will take on Democratic Del. Mark Keam of Fairfax in November. A former official in the Labor Department under President George W. Bush, he is currently working for a maritime labor union but has spent years in the conservative trenches. He gives a reminder that we need to get through the 2011 elections -- including his -- before we move on to 2012.

Look around to see who the candidates are in your area and offer to help. It will help Republicans regain the Virginia State Senate, and gain a wider margin in the House of Delegates. It's Election 2011 ... we've got work to do!

Body found along Blue Ridge Parkway

The Waynesboro News Virginian has reported that a body was found along the Blue Ridge Parkway last Saturday:

District Park Ranger Kurt Spears on Thursday said a Richmond medical examiner declared that a man found Saturday on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rockfish Valley overlook died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

It is a trend that not uncommon to the National Parks, as I have written about previously. There have been a number of suicides over the years along the Blue Ridge Parkway, most notably around the Afton Mountain area.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Cantor, Goodlatte in Harrisonburg ... more photos

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-7th) and Congressional Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-7th). They were at a luncheon Friday, May 18, 2011, in Harrisonburg.

Local reporter Bob Stuart with the Waynesboro News Virginian writes a response from Rep. Cantor.

Rep. Cantor responds to local press including WHSV TV-3, Staunton News Leader,

and Waynesboro News Virginian.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
18 March 2011

Virginia home school day at New Market Battlefield

When we first moved back to Virginia and joined the local home school group, our very first field trip was to the New Market Battlefield on HEAV's Home School Day.

That day we met local home schoolers who became lifelong friends, and my children met friends who remain friends to this day although they have all grown up over the past 15 years. It was a wonderful introduction to Virginia home schooling and provided friends for my children and me.

HOMESCHOOL DAY AT NEW MARKET BATTLEFIELD
An HEAV-Sponsored Event!

Location: New Market in the Shenandoah Valley
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Special Homeschool Day Rate: $3/person (ages 6 and older)
Registration: Registration is available at www.vmi.edu/newmarket or by calling 866-515-1864. Space is limited, so register early.
Description: This 2011 Homeschool Day will offer hands-on learning experiences for all ages!

• Join the Confederate Army and learn to drill.
• Dance the Virginia Reel.
• Try 19^th-century games and crafts.
• Watch the Emmy-award winning film Field of Lost Shoes.
• Peruse displays on wildlife and protecting our waterways.
  

Enjoy the spectacular views of the Shenandoah River from the overlooks--you may even spot the park’s resident bald eagles, wild turkeys, deer, and other wildlife! 

Educational offerings will also include information on enrollment and life in the Corps of Cadets provided by the Virginia Military Institute.

Co-sponsored by HEAV; Chick-Fil-A Restaurant of Harrisonburg, Virginia (www.cfarestaurant.com/Harrisonburg); and Green Valley Book Fair (www.gobookfair.com).

For more information, visit the website (www.vmi.edu/newmarket), or contact Ms. Stacey Nadeau, historical interpreter, at 866-515-1864 (toll free), 540-740-8124 (local), or nadeausr@vmi.edu.

April 6th ... Americans for Prosperity goes to Washington

Americans for Prosperity-VA hits the road again on April 6th as they go to D.C. with other state AFP groups to tell Congress to cut spending now!

Please join Americans for Prosperity and Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-6) at a rally on April 6th in Washington, D.C. to help take a step towards fiscal sanity.

American families have had to tighten their belts and family budgets, so why should not the federal government have to do the same?

What: AFP Cut Spending Now Rally
Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Where: Independence Ave. & 1st Street SE, Washington, D.C.

A bus will leave Roanoke and stop in Staunton and upper Shenandoah Valley before heading to D.C. Watch for more info or email AFP-VA State Director Trixie Averill.

For more information and to register, please visit:
http://www.CutSpendingNow.eventbrite.com

Visit Americans for Prosperity for more.

The Journey ... Pam & Bob's first date 32 years ago

Pleasant people are a joy to be around. One of those couples is SWAC blogger Bob over at The Journey and his lovely wife Pam. They are both extremely friendly, always smiling and helpful and just ... well, pleasant!

Bob posted that yesterday was the anniversary of their first date. He wrote about a trip to Georgia:

I wanted to show Pam Stone Mountain. My college friends and I had visited this granite mountain a number of times. We rode the tram to the top and walked down.

We got caught in the rain... a sudden storm drenched us. We were laughing and walking down the trail when I said to her: "I want you to be my wife!" She replied: "I want you to be my husband!" Then she asked: "Does this mean we're engaged?" I assured her that it did... I didn't have a ring yet; this was totally a Divinely inspired moment.

We were married on May 24, 1980.

Isn't love grand? Two kids and 32 years later, they're still dating. Congratulations, you two love birds!

Eric Cantor advisory council meeting ... Mom led the Pledge

Majority Leader Eric Cantor and my mom at his Advisory Council meeting.
March 23, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia

My mom, who lives in Virginia's 7th Congressional District, was honored last night to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at Congressman Eric Cantor's Advisory Council meeting Wednesday night that was attended by about 500 people. She was thrilled to do it. Active with the Chesterfield County Republican Committee, my folks are regular attendees of Rep. Cantor's quarterly advisory meetings, looking forward each time to hearing from their congressman and seeing fellow Republicans.

Eric Cantor's Advisory Council was formed during the 2000 campaign because he has always believed that the best ideas come from the people of the 7th District -- not from big government in Washington. Holding meetings in Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico counties, the meetings offer an opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns, ideas, and support.

Mom has served as Rep. Cantor's representative in the National Silver Haired Congress and campaigns during his elections in addition to her other Republican volunteer work. Leading the Pledge was something she was honored to be asked to do. Way to go, Mom!

Update: Tom White has more about Cantor's Advisory Council meeting.

Photo by Marian
23 March 2011

Obamacare turns one ... statement from George Allen

I'm a day late posting Gov. George Allen's comment on Obamacare's one year anniversary but wanted to be sure and share so here it is....

Mount Vernon, VA– George Allen issued the following statement on today’s one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

A year ago today President Obama ignored the objections of the American people and signed into law a $2.5 trillion health care monstrosity – one year later We the People are still being ignored. This unconstitutional, anti-jobs government mandate has resulted in a massive expansion of government, higher premiums, and rapidly growing debt. Twenty-eight states, including Virginia, are challenging the law for violating the constitutional rights and prerogatives of their citizens. It is clear to everyone but those in Washington that this is the wrong prescription to fix our health system. Before any more damage is done, we need to repeal and replace this monstrosity with reforms that will make health care more affordable and accessible for Virginia families and small businesses.

Thank you

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night
to visit violence on those who would harm us."
~ George Orwell

Modea ... up-and-coming ad agency will expand in SW Virginia

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

When Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced the expansion of Modea, one of the country's top up-and-coming advertising and marketing companies, and their investment of $10 million into a corporate headquarters in Blacksburg, it spotlighted the young enterprise.

Modea was highlighted in Inc. Magazine in 2010 who ranked it 221st among the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the country with revenues growing 1,335% ($3.3 million) the past three years. Within the advertising and marketing industry, Modea ranks 27th in the country.

This dynamic five-year-old company was co-founded by Virginia Tech graduates David Catalano and Aaron Herrington in 2006, and markets itself as a full-service digital agency that offers strategic, marketing, creative, and technology services. When they decided to expand, the decision was made to stay in Virginia even though they were wooed by Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas who wanted the high tech company and its jobs.

Responding to the governor's announcement, Herrington commented, "We are thrilled to be able to locate our headquarters in downtown Blacksburg, one of the most well balanced places to live in the country. This long-term commitment will allow Modea to take our agency to the next level."

Catalano added, "A lot of the recruits are coming from pretty major metropolitan areas so we want to give them as much of the urban vibe as Blacksburg has to offer."

Made up of the brightest and best from a field of energetic and positive professionals, Modea offers fun casual working conditions in contemporary surroundings with good pay and benefits. They look for the best and are able to recruit them from large cities such as Atlanta and New York.

After starting with three employees and then expanding to the current seventy, the plan is to add 200 more jobs to the Virginia work force over the next two years as Modea moves to six acres that will incorporate re-purposing of an existing site at the former Blacksburg Middle School.

Their clients are among some of the most recognized brand names ... Verizon Wireless, T Mobile, Levolor, Lenox, Graco, and Advance Auto Parts, to name a few. It's a blending of Smalltown USA and national clients in a win-win situation for Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and southwest Virginia.

Indeed, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the county to convince Modea to stay in Virginia. Jim Politis, chairman of the Montgomery Board of Supervisors, was happy at the result.

"We are extremely pleased that Modea is expanding and bringing additional high-paying jobs to this area," Politis said. "The sale of this property will benefit our schools at a critical time when the County is seeking to return non-productive assets to the tax rolls. We are also pleased to be working with the Town of Blacksburg on the Master Plan for development and rezoning of this property."

Think of it as another seed for Silicone Valley East.

Staunton Bronze Star recipient returns from Afghanistan

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us." ~ George Orwell

When the phone call came from 1LT Phillip Lacey alerting that he had arrived back on U.S. soil, his mother, Staunton real estate agent Vonda Lacey, breathed a sigh of relief. She, along with the members of Memorial Baptist Church in Staunton, friends, fellow realtors, and family had prayed for a year for the Virginia Military Institute graduate's safe return from Operation Enduring Freedom.

Before leaving base camp in Afghanistan, Lacey was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor for exceptionally meritorious service during the deployment. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge presented in special recognition of soldiers who personally engage the enemy or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations.

Lacey was one of approximately eighty soldiers who were deployed a year ago with the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and sent to the remote forward operating base at Shindand Air Base, Regional Command-West in Afghanistan. Their mission was to pioneer logistical support operations as the first U.S. combat support battalion to locate in the area and conduct operations.

Working with Italian, Spanish, Slovenian, and Afghan forces, the unit’s mission was to support U.S. and coalition forces by providing supplies, maintenance, and transportation throughout the unstable, dangerous, rugged western Afghanistan provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis, and Ghor.

The 529th, enduring harsh weather conditions as well as the mountainous terrain, was responsible for building an expeditionary life support complex and infrastructure for the entire airbase while providing seamless sustainment operations for supported units as well a helping improve quality of life and promoting economic development in local Afghan communities.

The unit returned without loss or injury to any of the Virginia soldiers.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Libya: confusion from Americans, silence from White House

Michael Barone, Senior Political Analyst at the Washington Examiner, has an article this morning called The damning contradictions of Obama's attack on Libya in which he writes, "Some three weeks ago President Obama said Gadhafi 'must go.' But the U.N. Security Council resolution under which we are acting stops well short of this goal."

If Obama felt that way three weeks ago, why did it take him until four days ago to launch attacks? What was the wait? Some have written that it was too little, too late. And why the complete silence with the American people or, at the very least, Congress?

What is the vision for this engagement? Hayley Peterson writes, "The Obama administration has yet to endorse any particular group to take control of Libya, despite its clear rejection of the current regime of President Moammar Gadhafi."

Donald Douglas at American Power is noticing the lack of Americans rallying around this president as we go into yet another war situation halfway around the world. He writes:

This is strange. One of the most common phenomena of public opinion and war is for the public to rally dramatically behind the president upon the commitment of U.S. troops to action. But according to polls on President Obama's use of force against the Gaddafi regime in Libya, this administration's action is seeing the lowest "rally 'round the the flag" effect compared to at least nine military operations since President Reagan's bombing raid against Gaddafi in 1986. See Gallup, "Americans Approve of Military Action Against Libya, 47% to 37%." Today 47 percent back Obama's authorization of force against Libya, whereas in 1986 a whopping 71 percent supported President Reagan's decision to strike Gaddafi's compound during Operation El Dorado Canyon.

Obama went into his presidency promising the liberals he would get out of the war game. Not only did he not do as they wanted and get out of Afghanistan, he didn't close Gitmo as they wanted, and now he has actually engaged in another military action. Check out Mark Tapscott's article on the Top 10 names Obama didn't give this military engagement.

Americans are confused. Why go into Libya as opposed to, say, Egypt or any of the other hot spots around the world? They are waiting for answers as this president continues his silence and American war planes go where they're directed by this commander-in-chief.

236 years later ... "Give me liberty or give me death"

It was 235 years ago today that Virginia patriot Patrick Henry stood in St. John's Church in Richmond and issued the words that still ring out today:

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

The entire speech can be found here.

As a young student in Chesterfield, I memorized Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech in 4th grade while studying Virginia history. Those powerful words have stayed with me throughout my life.

On March 11, 2007, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling visited the SWAC area and I was the recipient of his "Patrick Henry Award," an award that was very special to me. Even today I am thankful to him for that moment in time.

Today the words still ring out, "Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?"

Those who walked before us light the pathway even now at this time in history....

George Allen supported pro-life even back in 1997

A member of the original A-Team remembers this day in history when George Allen was Governor of Virginia and passed the parental notification bill:

I remember the day. I remember the significance. I remember the victory. And I remember that Governor Allen was committed to getting the bill right, leading to the 1994 veto of the much weaker version.

Read it all at Bearing Drift.

SWAC area redistricting

Congressional lines, State Senate lines, House of Delegates lines, county magisterial district lines. It's a waiting game as all watch to see what the final results will be after redistricting is finalized. Reporter Bob Stuart has an update in today's Waynesboro News-Virginian.

Fishersville Mike says thank a teacher but I add ...

Mike says to thank a teacher if you can read this. I agree but add that, in the case of home schoolers, remember to thank a mom or dad .

Guiding a child to learn to read is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. It takes patience, time, and understanding. As a child begins to recognize letters, then string two or three of them together to form a word, and then begin to form out words, a parent is gratified by the ability to be able to teach that child at home and by the fact the child is learning.

Does it take a degree? A special building or classroom? Specialized books or tools? No. It takes patience and the willingness to go over and over a letter, a word, or a phrase until the child gets it ... and then move on to the next. And it takes hours of time but it is rewarding to me that, all these years later, my two twenty-something home schooled children excelled at higher education and have excellent work ethics.

I agree with Mike ... thank a teacher. But I also thank those home school parents who patiently spend 24/7 with their children, teaching them to read, write, draw, understand math and science, and all that is involved in school. Job well done.

Making the case of the liberal hypocrisy of Bush versus Obama going to war

John Hawkins lays out seven very fundamental points at Townhall about the hypocrisy between President George W. Bush going to war versus President Barack Obama ... and the lack of liberal condemnation at Obama's apparent lack of notice and preparation.