SWAC area notables turn out to celebrate milestone for city

Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes, Councilman Bruce Elder, and former Augusta GOP Chairman Kurt Michael at Saturday's 40th anniversary Sentimental Journey dance in Gypsy Hill Park. 

The benefit for the Staunton Senior Center was sold out and packed with familiar faces including Mayor Lacey King, Councilman Ophie Kier, Augusta Supervisor David Karaffa, Supervisor Larry Wills, former Supervisor Nancy Sorrells, and many others.

WHSV TV-3 news anchor Bob Corso, who acted as MC, wrapped an arm around former Staunton Councilwoman Rita Wilson's shoulder as they talked at the edge of the dance floor.

City Mayor Lacey King read a proclamation thanking Rita Wilson for her years of tireless work on behalf of Staunton, and the overflow, sold-out crowd gave her a standing ovation of gratitude. The News Leader's Laura Peters wrote "One last goodbye" in Sunday's paper.

Table decor

I spotted Staunton News Leader reporter Calvin Trice in the crowd snapping photos.

What a great evening with music from Sentimental Journey from Charlottesville, and fellowship with friends. Happy birthday, Staunton Senior Center, and best wishes to Rita as she begins a new chapter of her life in Richmond.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 22, 2012

Saturday: SWAC Breakfast in Waynesboro

Please join us
September 22, 2012
8:30 a.m.
Golden Corral
51 Apple Tree Lane
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(I-64, Exit 94)

Buffet breakfast:

$10.25 includes coffee & juice

Guest speakers - Augusta Board of Supervisors members:

- Chairman Tracy Pyles (Pastures): Husband, father of three sons, grandfather, retired from ASR, five-term supervisor, Navy veteran, plain-speaking representative of rural western area of Augusta County. Former Democrat turned Independent.

- Marshall Pattie (North River): Thirty-something husband, father of two, JMU professor, first term on Board of Supervisors who lives in and represents the rural northwestern area of Augusta County. Former Democratic chairman turned Independent.

- David Karaffa (Beverley Manor): At 29, he is the youngest member of the board. Husband, father of two daughters, a registered nurse at Augusta Health, he lives in and represents the area surrounding three sides -- north, east, and south -- of Staunton. Former Republican magisterial district chair turned Independent who is conservative to the core.

In 2011 a block of four Independents ran for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. Three won -- Pyles, Pattie, and Karaffa -- so what has happened since then with the campaign issues they ran on? Increase fire and emergency personnel, term limits, real estate reassessments, jobs, economic development ... join us to see where we are on these issues and where the county is going in the future.

Info: SWAC.Girl@gmail.com / www.SWACBreakfast.com

Tim Kaine reveals during debate that he's open to taxing everyone

 Screen shot from the Drudge Report of Democrat Tim Kaine with his arm around President Barack Obama and the caption, "VA Dem: Minimum tax for everyone."

Norm Leahy at Bearing Drift caught an incredible gaffe by Democrat Tim Kaine during today's U.S. Senate debate and immediately asked, "Did Tim Kaine just lose the election?"

During the debate, Kaine said he wants "minimum tax level for everyone."

Translation: Tim Kaine wants to raise your taxes.

David Weigel at Slate, who has the exchange between moderator David Gregory and Kaine, was incredulous, writing, "In 2012, Democrats have a pretty cheap and simple tax message. Let the Bush tax cuts on top rates expire. Tax reform? Sure, eventually. But trust us, we only want to tax the rich -- as, according to polls, all of you voters do."

ChiKAINEry blog dryly noted, "Timmy’s no-pocket-goes-unpicked initiative conjures a vision of Uncle Sam in every wallet. If Kaine’s vision wins, your pay check loses."

Eyebrows (not Kaine's famous one) were raised when he tried as Governor to increase taxes on Virginians making as little as $17,000 a year. He lost. Now he seems open to taxing everyone no matter what income level.

Was today's comment some new position he was awkwardly rolling out?

The blunder (or new position on taxes) was picked up by the Drudge Report who headlined it with a photo of Kaine and President Barack Obama with arms around each other and titled, "VA Dem: Minimum tax for everyone."

Slate ended by writing, "One of the most obvious unforced errors I've ever seen."

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

'Turning the pages of time scavenger hunt through Richmond'

I love scavenger hunts! I love Virginia history! Now there's a scavenger hunt that combines the fun of racing around searching for game items with the rich history of Richmond. From Virginia's Executive Mansion comes this invitation:

First Lady Maureen McDonnell and the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth invite members of the public to participate in the “Turning the Pages of Time Scavenger Hunt through Richmond,” to be held Saturday, October 6.

The scavenger hunt will start and end at Virginia’s Executive Mansion. The event will take participants through the history of Virginia and its Executive Mansion, in advance of the release of the bicentennial book, “First House: Two Centuries with Virginia First Families.”

Teams may include up to 5 people.

Registration is online at: www.turningthepagesoftime.eventbrite.com. You can also download the registration forms online: www.executivemansion.virginia.gov or on www.facebook.com/VAGovsMansion. Pre-register before October 3 and be entered to win an early bird prize.

Prizes have been generously donated by Wal-mart, the Redskins, Smithfield Hams, and more will be announced. Prizes include: 32 inch LCD TV, a laptop, 4 Redskins tickets and an autographed football, a Kodak Easeyshare camera, Nintendo DSi, Phillips Blu-Ray player and more prizes are being added daily and announced on Facebook.

This event is open to the public and free to attend.

The hunt is from 11-2:00 p.m. Afterward, participants can head west to Glen Allen and Congressman Eric Cantor's Republican Roundup at 3:00 at the Snagajob Pavilion. It's a free family event so be sure to RSVP to help with planning.

October in Virginia ... isn't it grand!

Debate framed George Allen as proven leader for positive solutions

McLean, VA – George Allen today participated in a U.S. Senate debate hosted by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and NBC4 Washington in McLean, Virginia. In his third debate with Tim Kaine this election, George Allen highlighted his positive vision for America’s future supported by his proven record of results.

Following the debate, Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-McLean) and Delegate Jim LeMunyon (R-Fairfax) released the following statements:

“Virginians saw firsthand the difference between George Allen, a proven leader with extensive bipartisan accomplishments, and Tim Kaine, a partisan who failed to pass any significant legislation as Governor, including, fortunately, any of his tax hikes on Northern Virginia or his recommended cuts to Northern Virginia schools, ” said Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-McLean).

She continued, “George Allen’s record demonstrates he knows what it means to work together on a bipartisan basis to achieve historic results for Virginia on education reform, defending our military and protecting our tech industry, small businesses and taxpayers. George Allen also understands the importance of our Fairfax County public schools that his children have attended while Tim Kaine proposed irresponsible budget cuts that would have axed $120 million from Northern Virginia schools and raised our taxes at the same time. With George Allen, we will have a partner in Washington who is committed to putting jobs first and protecting our strong pro-jobs, right-to-work tradition that Tim Kaine worked to undermine as Democratic National Committee Chairman.” Delegate Jim LeMunyon (R-Fairfax) added, “This debate reminds Virginians that Tim Kaine’s solution to so many problems is to raise taxes and make government bigger. As Governor, Tim Kaine tried to raise income taxes by $2 billion on people making as little as $17,000 a year – a plan so divisive that Democratic and Republican state legislators voted it down unanimously. Tim Kaine says he balanced the budget by cutting $5 Billion, but the truth is my colleagues and I in the General Assembly actually did the budget cutting because of his failed plan to raise taxes. Now as Virginia faces the loss of over 200,000 jobs under the Washington deal with defense cuts, Tim Kaine’s solution once again is to raise taxes on hardworking men and women. George Allen knows that leadership is hard work, tough choices and working with others to set priorities. He knows how to build consensus to tackle big challenges because he’s already done it with welfare reform, abolition of parole, college affordability and job creation. Virginians can’t afford six more years of Tim Kaine’s tax increase agenda.”

Sign wars: Kaine staffers play dirty with George Allen signs

Dirty sign wars: Would you believe there are George Allen signs behind the Kaine signs? Can you spot them? The blue Allen signs are barely visible behind some of the Democrat's signs.

Here is video of Democrats at work. When one whispers to the other (presumably that they have been caught on video at their dirty little game), they turn and begin walking way....

Check out Justin Higgins' post pointing out the hidden Allen signs.

George Allen signs go up first, then Kaine staffers come behind and sandwich Allen signs between their own. It's a tale as old as politics ... sign wars. This is from today's Allen-Kaine Chamber of Commerce debate in NoVa.

Stay classy, Kaine campaign.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte's fundraiser is next week

You are cordially invited to a reception honoring 

Congressman Bob Goodlatte 

Sixth District - Virginia 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 

6:00 pm 

$50 per person / sponsorships available 

The home of Tom & Peggy Sheets 

1087 Hermitage Road 

Staunton, Virginia

RSVP by September 21, 2012 

540.389.1170 or laurakbell@comcast.net

A 22-year-old voter reacts to Romney's "47%" comments

A 22-year-old, the youthful future of America, shared her thoughts about the controversy surrounding Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's "47 percent" comments at a closed event that was secretly recorded and released to the left-leaning Mother Jones magazine. 

Romney's comments, being heralded by liberals as proof that Romney is out of touch with everyday Americans, actually do the exact opposite. They show how in touch Romney is with his understanding and truthful assessment of what is going on with America.

The 22-year-old started working at a grocery store when she was 16 and her experience from that job was part of what helped define her conservative values. With permission, here are her thoughts on the issue:

Romney saying 47% of voters are dependent on the government in some way or another doesn't seem like a stretch to me, and neither does saying they feel like "victims" who are "entitled" to those benefits.

I used to work in a grocery store on a not-so-desirable end of town, and something like 60-70% of our business came from patrons on some sort of government aid, such as food stamps or WIC. I worked there for just under a year, but I only remember a handful of people who actually seemed like they truly needed the government's help.

Many people on food stamps would have almost $100 worth of beer and cigarettes in their transaction (which they paid for with cash or a debit card). I distinctly remember one customer come through with a conveyor belt full of steaks, chips, sodas, hamburger buns, and of course beer. I told him it looked like he was having a party - and he was. He said he hosted his neighborhood block party every year, and he always bought the food because it was "free."

Some of you may know that WIC tells you specifically what you can buy (i.e. sliced cheese vs. block cheese). One lady and her husband were so mad that they could only buy 1% milk (they wanted 2%) that they threw the gallon of 1% at me (and missed), then stormed out of the store and did donuts in the parking lot. Another time at a different grocery store where I was purchasing food, some guy asked me to buy him cigarettes. In exchange, he'd spend whatever the cigarettes cost on my groceries, using his food stamp card (I declined the offer).

All of this is to say, based on my experience, 47% of voters on some type of government aide does not seem far fetched to me, and a portion of those people that I've seen definitely seem to feel "entitled" to their "free" money.

Yes, Romney's words may not have been eloquent, but so what? Truth hurts. In fact, I found an article that says 49.1% of households were on some sort of government aid in 2011. The Left can get as bent out of shape as it wants, but facts are facts.

A purported Benjamin Franklin quote: "When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."

47%.

This opinion is from one youthful segment of the population that understands the consequences of an unbalanced economic base. Many others agree. Consider the bloggers listed by Erick Erickson at RedState who commented:

Consider Michael Warren’s headline: “Conservatives Agree: Romney’s Wrong.”

Like hell.

• Hot Air – Allahpundit: Romney: Obama’s 47% Of The Electorate Is Dependent On Government
• Townhall – Carol Platt Liebau: Is Mitt Romney Wrong?
• Blaze – Becket Adams: Romney Revealed: Leaked Footage Shows Gop Candidate Claiming 47 Percent Of Americans Will Vote Obama Because They Want Gov’t To Take Care Of Them
• The Corner – John O’sullivan: How Romney Should Respond
• Gateway Pundit – Jim Hoft: Mitt Romney Responds To Leaked Fundraiser Video – Slams Obama (Video)
• Human Events – John Hayward: Mitt Romney And The 47 Percent
• Fox Nation: Romney Calls For Release Of Full ’47 Percent’ Video, Says Comments Weren’t ‘Elegantly Stated’
• Campaign Spot – Jim Geraghty: Here’s What Inspires The Gop’s ‘Entitlement’ Perception
• Campaign Spot – Jim Geraghty: What Inspires The Gop’s ‘Entitlement’ Perception, Part Two
• Power Line – Scott Johnson: The 47-Percent Solution
• PJ Media – Bryan Preston: Julia Nods Her Head
• Marathon Pundit – John Ruberry: From Doug Ross: Campaign That Wrote Off The White Working Class Decries Romney’s concerns With The Culture Of Dependency
• Daily Caller – Jim Treacher: The Democrats Think Romney Just Self-Destructed By Pointing Out, Um, Their Entire Strategy
• Right Sphere – Thomas: Romney And The 47%
• Townhall – Guy Benson: Video: Romney Holds Presser To Respond To 47 Percent “Controversy”
• Washington Examiner – Paul Bedard: It’s Worse Than Romney Said: 49% On Federal Aid, 49% Pay No Tax
• Twitchy – Brett Taylor: Conservatives Not So Shocked By Secret Romney Tape Revelations
• Marathon Pundit – John Ruberry: Romney Is Right: Obama Is Turning Us Into An Entitlement Society
• Mediaite – Noah Rothman: Laura Ingraham Fired Up Over Romney’s 47% Tape: ‘It’s Ridiculous’ This Is Getting Airtime
• Hot Air – Ed Morrissey: No, Romney Didn’t Just Lose The Election

Add RedState and me to the list.

It's time for honest dialogue about America's finances. Mitt Romney -- and a 22-year-old in Virginia -- are doing that.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Back in the homeschool classroom: The wedding ... letting go

 Rehearsal for last weekend's wedding with the Appalachian Mountains in the background.

Rehearsal dinner as the sun set behind the mountains.

Homeschool parents spend their lives helping their children develop and grow their wings to stand as strong, independent adults. Saturday I had to let go as SWAC Daughter was married during a beautiful ceremony overlooking the mountains of western Virginia.

It was a bittersweet experience -- joy that she had found a soul mate tinged with sadness that this part of my life's journey was over, and then more joy at the young man who has now become a part of our family.

The event was celebrated with the closest family and friends from both families. The religious ceremony reminded of the solemness of marriage, the commitment of man and wife for a future built together, and the love that holds it together.

Afterward, we all celebrated with dinner and dancing on the deck until long after the sun sank behind the Appalachians. The homeschool community was well represented as was the groom's private high school with childhood and college friends coming together to join in the joyous occasion.

We are thankful for the wonderful weather, the beautiful setting in God's sanctuary, the closeness of family and friends, and the addition of such a nice young man into our family.

And with this, our nest is empty. The cycle of life continues. We have done our work as parents, teaching and mentoring our children to grow into responsible adults and take their places in the world. We were successful in helping them build solid foundations while growing their wings and so now, with love for SWAC Daughter and our new son-in-law, it is time to let them go to build their own nest....

They sealed their vows with a kiss as seen from this "Mom Cam" ... photo taken by Mother-of-the-Bride from the front row during the ceremony. What? You thought I was going to leave my camera behind? LOL.

 First dance as husband and wife while friends watch.

 Daughter dances with dad ...

 ... and then friends cut loose on the dance floor.

 Brother and sister.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 15, 2012

God's sanctuary

The mountains of western Virginia are magnificent and scenic reminders of the Master Designer's majestic work. The beauty of my native state never fails to takes my breath away and always offers a reminder of just how blessed we truly are.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 14, 2012

GoDaddy.com apologizes to customers for huge outage

On Friday, GoDaddy.com CEO Scott Walker issued an apology to its users after the huge September 10, 2012, outages that shut down millions of websites and email accounts:

We owe you a big apology for the intermittent service outages we experienced on September 10 that may have impacted your website, your email and other Go Daddy services.

We let you down and we know it. We take our responsibilities — and the trust you place in us — very seriously. I cannot express how sorry I am to those of you who were inconvenienced.

The service outage was due to a series of internal network events that corrupted router data tables. Once the issues were identified, we took corrective actions to restore services for our customers and GoDaddy.com. We have implemented a series of immediate measures to fix the problem.

At no time was any sensitive customer information, including credit card data, passwords or names and addresses, compromised.

Throughout our history, we have provided 99.999% uptime in our DNS infrastructure. This is the level of performance we expect from ourselves. Monday, we fell short of these expectations. We have learned from this event and will use it to drive improvement in our services.

It's an honor to serve you. As always, please call us 24/7 at 480-505-8877 — anytime, for any reason.

Sincerely,
Scott Wagner
CEO
GoDaddy.com

Kaine makes more false claims against George Allen's voting record

Tim Kaine is working overtime making all kinds of false claims about George Allen's record. It is difficult to believe that Kaine is really that incompetent so that leaves one to wonder if it is purposeful misinformation that is eagerly picked up by a willing mainstream media.

On Thursday, Allen campaign manager Mike Thomas rebutted the latest false accusations by Kaine:

Second request in two days – this time PolitiFact Virginia is asking for our response to Tim Kaine’s claim that George Allen “voted to end Pell grants for 84,000 students.” The claim couldn’t be further from the truth. [emphasis added]

George Allen has a strong record of supporting higher education. He froze skyrocketing tuition, established Virginia’s Prepaid Tuition program, increased tuition grants, and made it a priority to improve math and science education.

Kaine has repeatedly tried to re-write record of what he called “significant” cuts to education. The truth is, George Allen voted to give more students access to Pell Grants, making it clear that Kaine is running out of excuses to hide from his record of cutting higher education funding, causing tuition to skyrocket.

As to the Pell grants? Kaine’s “evidence” just doesn’t add up.  Below is the back-up information for you to decide for yourself.

Check out all the evidence provided by the Allen campaign to smack back just another of many smoke-and-mirror tactics used by Democrats in their desperate scramble to put former Obama hand-picked DNC Chairman Kaine in the Capitol to continue rubber-stamping Barack Obama's over-reaching government programs.

Middle East: The futility of apology

From David Horowitz's Front Page magazine....

The Futility of Apology by Bruce Thornton: "No amount of contrition from the West will ever stop Muslim slaughter over 'offenses.' "

Christopher Stevens Feeds the Crocodile by Daniel Greenfield: "What the U.S. ambassador to Libya really died for."

Front Page Magazine Editorial: Obama's Foreign Policy is a National Disaster: "We now know what the Obama Doctrine is."

Middle East Spirals Out Of Control by Arnold Ahlert: "Almost four years of foreign policy repudiated."

Arab Spring's Bitter Fruits by Daniel Flynn: "This is what Libyan democracy looks like."

Dayton Farmers Market: The Pretzel Shop

 Shopping in Harrisonburg on a Thursday? That means the shops are open at Dayton Farmers Market (open Thursday through Saturday) ... and that means a stop for a  pretzel.

The Vermont tourist got that right!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 13, 2012