Virginia's Right Stuff

Israel in Gaza

2006-07-09T00:50:00.000-04:00

I am not the least bit surprised that Israel is back in Gaza and in full force. The Israeli's should have never let the Palestinian militants have taken control of Gaza in their "land for peace" deal. This is what happens when you concede to terrorists; they break their deals and continue using violence.
Rather than this long and drawn out campaign of Israel's, they should go in quickly, take complete control, and kill the terrorists. They defeated the entire Arab world in 6 days; this should be no problem.

4th of July

2006-07-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July! Don't waste your time today online reading blogs. Go out and grill hot dogs, party with your friends, and celebrate with fireworks at the end!

Avoided Another

2006-07-02T17:50:00.000-04:00

Thankfully we have avoided another major and unneccessary tax hike. It's hard to believe that there were people who were strongly pushing for another tax increase. Just 2 years ago people warned of all sorts of apocolyptic events should we not raise taxes, so we had the largest tax increase in Virginia's history. This resulted in a nice surplus. And just 2 years later, we are told of another breakdown, this time in transportation. That left me wondering "What happened to the surplus?" The answer to that question can be summed up in 3 words: "Oink, oink, oink."

Thankful

2006-07-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

Let's just be thankful that our legislature isn't like New Jersey's which is facing a government shut-down. For all the talk about the divide between the conservatives and liberals, here in Virginia we're pretty lucky. Compared to up north and Massachusettes, the liberals here are relatively conservative. And the conservatives here aren't anywhere near as conservative as compared to those down south in the middle of the bible belt.
Each side still trashes the other just like in all the other states, of course.

All Wound Up

2006-06-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

The Democrats have been hooting in glee about Republicans being unethical. They have focused their attention on an un-elected lobbyist. While they point their fingers at this 1 person, they have ignored their own:
1. William Jefferson being found with $90,000 in his freezer (now that's what I call "cold cash!")
2. Senate Minority leader Henry Reid accepting free front-row boxing tickets.
3. Rep. Kennedy's little driving under the influence episode.

When Democratic leadership is acting like this, do you really trust them to fix the ethics problems? You have the chief Democrat in the Senate, a Kennedy, and a Representative from the 'Ways and Means' committee acting like this, it almost makes you wonder what else the Democrats have under the carpet.

Sure, the Republicans aren't perfect (Cunningham... cough... cough...) they sure beat the alternative.

Random Musing

2006-06-30T13:02:00.000-04:00

Anyone past the age of 30 who insists on going by name such as "Mudcat" definitely has problems.

The Last Word on Jew-Baiting

2006-06-30T12:26:00.000-04:00

I have no doubt in my mind that the cartoon of Harris Miller was anti-semitic. It's not just the image of the cartoon, but it's some facts about the person who had made it. The cartoon's designer is Joe Stanley, the Chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Committee. My sources tell me that he it is quietly known fact within the party that he is anti-semitic and racist.
This man is on the payroll of the Webb campaign. Webb should publicly fire Mr. Stanley. This cartoon brought us back to the 60's; I thought that we were better than this in Virginia.

I reallize that the primary is over, but to restore any integrity which might be left to his campaign, Webb has some cleaning up to do.

Lousy Liberal Court

2006-06-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

I am truly disgusted by the Supreme Court's decision regarding the detainees at Camp Gitmo. Once again, the American court is using non-American resources to make their decision. We are at war, and should be able to hold onto the enemy combatants as long as they pose a danger to us. Furthermore, they are not just regular army combatants in uniform, but are thugs and criminals who ought to be prosecuted as such. Their crimes were not committed on U.S. soil, but abroad. Therefore, our laws to protect our criminals here do not apply. It is the military who is fighting these monsters, so it should be the military who gets to punish them.

Democrats Whine of "Swift-Boating"

2006-06-29T17:07:00.000-04:00

In the political world today, the term "Swift Boating" implies an attack that the medals a person received in combat were duly earned. It's a hot button to call out, and there have been grumblings from the Democrats that the Republicans are trying to pull that on Jim Webb.
The GOP has done NOTHING of the sort. It is disgusting that the Democrats would imply the Republicans would do such a thing to a genuine war hero. They ought to knock it off, and focus on real and actual issues.

And just a reminder, the original Swift Boat Veterans for truth were not coordinated by the Republican Party. It would have been illegal for the GOP to have anything to do with them being funded and coordinating adds.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

2006-06-28T18:25:00.000-04:00

Where's the Proof?

2006-06-28T13:04:00.000-04:00

Jim Webb claims to be for the values of the Democratic party. He says that he's against tax cuts and for affirmative action. He has said that he supports socialized medicine and liberal social programs.
To all of these claims, I say to Jim Webb: PROVE IT. The man who supported George Allen 6 years ago and George Allen less than 2 years ago is making all sorts of claims that he will support the values and principles of the Democratic Party, but we have no proof, just his word.

A legislator has a voting record; a former Executive has a record of appointments, decisions, and vetos. Jim Webb has NOTHING.

I just want to ask the Democrats something to think about: "Are you willing to trust without any proof a man who less than 2 years ago worked to defeat the Democratic candidate for President?"

Smokers Have Rights

2006-06-28T10:02:00.000-04:00

The news about 2nd hand smoke is generating some discussion, with some people talking about banning smoking in public, restaurants, or even completely.
I DO NOT smoke, and do not understand why anyone does, however I am against such bans.
I believe that a restaurant owner has the right to decide on the smoking policy of his store. It's his property, so it's his (or her) decison. NOT the government's. The Government has NO RIGHT to dictate the smoking policy on private property.
And as a customer, it is MY RIGHT to decide to NOT go to certain restuarants where the smoke bothers me.

I can understand banning smoking in public places such as government buildings because people often do not have a choice whether or not to visit (such as Court Houses); a person with asmtha could find such a trip to be dangerous.

I don't like smoking, but I don't like a government which can dictate breathing practices on private property even more.

War Heros and Hypocracy

2006-06-27T23:55:00.000-04:00

For all the talk about Webb being a war hero, I think this simple fact must be pointed out.

Bill Clinton ran against a World War II hero each time and the Democratic party did not seem to think that Bush senior or Dole's war experience was any asset; and that Clinton's draft dodging was unimportant.
Fast-forward to the future: You have a war hero named Webb running for Senate against a guy who didn't serve, and much of the hype around the candidate is his war experience.

So when the Republicans put up a veteran war experience is insignificant; but when the Democrats do it it's enough to base an entire campaign off of?

If I recall correctly, Bob McDonnell didn't run for Attorney General based on his Vietnam experience.

Last time someone did run a campaign based solely on military experience, he lost. Kerry is spending much time with Webb, yet Webb still hasn't learned.

Completely Shameful

2006-06-27T10:29:00.000-04:00

(Note: This is my first entry commenting on other blogs. I thought I'd save it for something that generated a lot of excitement, and here it is.)

Raising Kaine was completely despicable yesterday with their post about a Virginia College Republican. They owe the girl in question a major apology.
All of the talk about her putting her life online and in public for all to see is a load of crap. The site was intended to be viewed and appreciated by her friends, NOT plastered on a blog for others to make fun.
Second, just ask yourself: Would I want this to happen to me? The obvious answer is "No." Raising Kaine surely knew that the girl would be upset, yet went out of his way to hurt her feelings. That's just evil.
Finnally, "So what that she was drinking?" She's a college student, and drinking in college is like driving 5 mph over the speed limit on I-95. Just get over it, and respect her personal choice.

For all the talk the Democrats have about respecting privacy and not invading personal lives, they sure blew it.

Proof of Pitifulness

2006-06-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

I think that the poor attendence in Charlottesville is proof that the Democrats have a lame campaign going on. They were expected 300 people to attend, and only 150 actually did. You can try blaming it on the weather, but face it, people do not care about your candidate.

Webb's Non-attendance

2006-06-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

Webb obviously hates campaigning. He disguises himself with a baseball cap and sunglasses, walks around and doesn't shake hands, and often is arms are crossed. Not too mention that he looks kinda grumpy.
Yet still his presence is a slight asset because of the enthusiasm of his volunteers.
However, he is barely campaigning. He has so few events on his calendar, and the reports of him on the campaign trail are sparse. To be fair, I did hear about his hand surgery, and about the funeral (his campaign's funeral isn't for another few months). But even including that, he is barely campaigning.

FYI

2006-06-18T19:32:00.000-04:00

I honestly think that George Allen would have a tougher race on his hands had Harris Miller won the primary. Harris Miller acted like a professional. Allen vs. Miller would be like Major League Baseball versus the Minor Leaguers. It would be just a regular election with an incumbent against an unknown challanger.

An Allen vs. Webb race will resemble some game with the 2 teams playing a different sport.

post-primary review of Miller and Webb

2006-06-18T19:22:00.000-04:00

I realize that this issue is already past, but I still have some thoughts about that race. Harris Miller ran a very professional campaign. His staff were professional as well; they all wore long pants and ties almost everywhere. Harris Miller understood grassroots politics, but did not know how to use it; which is why he lost. Although he was very clear on where he stood on the issues, was much more eloquent than his opponent, and had much more money, he could not generate the enthusiasm (or hype) which winning campaigns have.

Webb’s campaign was run by amateurs who often did not seem to know what they were doing. People jumped on his bandwagon because they thought he was a national figure he would tap into the Republican base. His campaign was poorly run, and highly unprofessional. My opinion is that he won not because he connected with anyone, but because of the hype surrounding his campaign. (you can take your digs at me here) People did not think that Miller could win (“Harris Miller, who’s he?”) so they went with the other guy.

2006-06-18T19:18:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Virginia’s Right Stuff. My blog will be about Virginia and national politics, as well as election coverage. I will remain anonymous for now, but will give you a hint; I’m a Republican! So now you can rule out half the population.
But seriously, we face a changing nation and planet. Technological advances of the past 50 years have resulted in a brave new world; we have split and fused atomic nuclei, men have walked on the moon, vaccines and antibiotics cure and prevent diseases which used to kill millions, and the computer and internet has resulted in globalization, instant news, and allows idiots like me to post thoughts online for all to read.
As a reader, I hope that you will find this blog to be entertaining, informative, and insightful. I do not expect to convert liberals, nor fire-up conservatives (not that it would be a problem). I just hope that I enjoy my time as a blogger, and that my own thoughts will grow, develop, and crystallize as I take the time to type them up.

Without further ado, I give you Virginia's Right Stuff!