Free Republic

Despite announcing her resignation as Alaskan governor with 18 months to spare, Sarah Palin is still a sought-after asset in the Republican Party. The Des Moines Register is reporting that Iowan Republicans have extended a hand to Palin to headline the annual Reagan Day Dinner, set for this fall. Iowa GOP Executive Director Jeff Boeyink told the Register that the party had been pursuing Palin since January and that her resignation has increased the effort to secure her at the fundraising event. Boeyink's confirmation came after Senator Chuck Grassley told the The Des Moines Register Wednesday that he believes Palin...

As America's largest city without rail transit, some people want San Antonio to “keep up” by building light rail. You need to know only one thing: Light rail is really expensive. I mean, really, really expensive. The average mile of light-rail line costs two to five times as much as an urban freeway lane-mile. Yet in 2007 the average light-rail line carried less than one-seventh as many people as the average freeway lane-mile in cities with light rail. Do the math: Light rail costs 14 to 35 times as much to move people as highways. The Government Accountability Office found...

Timothy M. Kaine said he has been spending a day and a half of each workweek handling fundraising and policy matters for the Democratic National Committee, a departure from his pledge to conduct most of his national party work by phone and fax and restrict it largely to evenings and weekends while he is governor of Virginia. In an interview in his office on Capitol Square, Kaine said he typically spends one day a week traveling as his party's national chairman and half a day working at the party's headquarters in Washington. But Kaine said he remains in constant contact...

Victoria Cobb, President Thursday, July 9, 2009 Information Alert: VEA-NEA says ‘I Do’ to Same Sex Unions Read Our Latest Blog Posts @ www.familyfoundationblog.com Sign Up for Our Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA Join Fans of The Family Foundation On Facebook @ www.facebook.com Visit Our YouTube Channel @ www.youtube.com/user/TheFamilyFoundation According to its website, the Virginia Education Association (VEA) delegation to the National Education Association’s national convention earlier this month tackled issues like “reducing the dropout rates, properly managing charter schools, controlling infectious diseases in schools, providing resources for boosting teacher quality, protecting substitute teachers, and expanding opportunities for preschool education.” What...

A new poll shows President Barack Obama’s popularity in Virginia has slipped below 50 percent. The Public Policy poll of 617 likely general election voters showed Obama with a 48 percent approval rating, which is within the poll’s margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. The survey showed 46 percent disapproval and 6 percent not sure. The opinion is highly polarized, the poll shows, with 95 percent of Democrats but only 9 percent of Republicans viewing him favorably. Fifty-two percent of independents disapprove of his performance with only 38 percent approving. The poll was taken June 30 through...

Less than two weeks after voting in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA-9th District) defended his vote Tuesday. The commonly called “Cap and Trade Bill” narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives last month. Senate debate is expected in the fall. Boucher is one of 219 representatives who voted in favor of the legislation. Proponents claim the act will reduce emissions of green house gases, increase the country’s use of green power, and decrease dependence on foreign oil. Opponents say it will dramatically drive up the price of everything from gasoline to electricity...

Thank you Tom Perriello By John Barnhart Thank you Tom Perriello — for stabbing the working people of the 5th District in the back. On June 29, 41 House Democrats had the courage to stand up to Supreme Leader Nancy Pelosi. They voted against her cap-and-trade energy bill. Congressman Perriello was not one of them. He voted for this nightmare, which narrowly passed the House of Representatives by seven votes.

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – The United States continues to face severe security and governance challenges in Afghanistan this year, but U.S. efforts remain fixed on defeating extremism and boosting the Afghan government. That’s the conclusion drawn in the latest Pentagon assessment of U.S. achievements and setbacks in Afghanistan. Congress requires the so-called “1230 Report” every 180 days. The report released today covers the first half of 2009, a period during which President Barack Obama’s administration assessed the multinational effort in Afghanistan, unveiling a new strategy in late March. The strategy has yielded the appointment of a new top U.S....

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – Bright blue skies above the National Mall today belied the solemnity of the ceremony commemorating the first two American combat casualties of the Vietnam War. U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand and Maj. Dale Buis were the first two U.S. servicemembers killed in the Vietnam War. Their sacrifice was honored in Washington, D.C., Jyly 8, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of their deaths. DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “On this date 50 years ago, two men lost their lives...

The orange and white stray cat was brought to Vinton Veterinary Hospital on June 26th and tested positive for rabies four days later. A notice went up on neighbors doors in the Garden City area of Roanoke City. The cat had been seen in the 1500 block of Hillview Avenue. Heather Reed is a Veterinary Technician at Vinton Veterinary Hospital and now has to undergo rabies shots after being bitten by the rabid cat. She says, “I was at home when the health department called me and um got a little frantic because i am five months pregnant and i...

Republican candidates hold leads in all three of Virginia’s 2009 statewide races, according to a new poll released Tuesday. Former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell leads State Sen. Creigh Deeds 49 percent to 43 percent in the state’s gubernatorial race, according to an automated poll released by Public Policy Polling. Eight percent were undecided. In the contests for lieutenant governor and attorney general, GOP nominees also led their Democratic opponents by margins outside the poll’s 4-percentage-point margin of error. The poll, conducted June 30 to July 2, surveyed 617 likely general election voters. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling leads challenger Jody...

NEW YORK (AP) — Sarah Palin's decision to step down as Alaska governor was driven in part by her wish to help Republican candidates across the country, associates say. But in New Jersey and Virginia, both of which have competitive governors' races this year, the prospect of a visit from the party's 2008 vice presidential nominee has so far drawn a muted response from the GOP contenders in both states. In Virginia, a historically conservative state where Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate since 1964 to win, Republican Bob McDonnell said Tuesday his campaign had had conversations with the...

The Republican candidate for governor of Virginia indicated that he remains open to having Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, campaign for him -- but said no plans for such an event are in the works. Bob McDonnell, R-Va., said on ABCNews.com's "Top Line" today that he doesn't know yet whether Palin will campaign on his behalf in Virginia -- reiterating his official campaign stance. "I don't know how this recent announcement -- which I still don't fully understand, I only know what I've read in the media -- how that fully plays out, and whether she's going to just prefer a...

GOP Ticket Leads in New Poll - Public Policy Polling Shows Clears Leads for McDonnell, Bolling, Cuccinelli - RICHMOND – Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins today noted the results of a new poll released by the firm Public Policy Polling, which shows each of the three Republican statewide candidates with a clear lead following the Democratic primary election. Candidate for governor Bob McDonnell leads Creigh Deeds by a 49-to-43 margin; Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling leads Jody Wagner by 46-to-40; and Sen. Ken Cuccinelli bests Steve Shannon 45-to-38 in the race for attorney general. “Several polls conducted immediately after...

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said that Republicans would work with President Obama on a second stimulus bill, as long as it's like the tax cut-heavy package the GOP proposed earlier. Cantor told reporters Monday that Obama made a mistake by pushing through a $787 billion stimulus bill in February that had too much government spending. With the economy still scuffling and unemployment approaching 10 percent, Cantor said that Republicans could back new stimulus legislation that focuses on help for small businesses. "We stand ready and willing to work with the president to produce a bill that will actually...

Just about every American, from the time they're 6 or so, learns that Mount Vernon is Founding Father George Washington's home. They draw pictures of the grand farmhouse in art class. Study it in history. File onto buses and reverently visit the hallowed ground along the Potomac River. And right now, that's Mount Vernon's problem. There's just too much George, according to some international culture experts, who are considering whether the historic estate belongs on the United Nations' list of World Heritage sites. A group advising the U.S. government on getting American sites onto the prestigious list initially rejected Mount...

Utilities: Smart Billing By Staff Reports Published: July 6, 2009 A little more than a year ago, the Wilder administration and the City Council backed off a proposed stormwater fee to underwrite infrastructure projects, many of which the council killed off for financial reasons. This year the council decided it could put matters off no longer, and adopted a budget that included a stormwater fee. City residents have received brochures. In a few weeks, they'll receive the bills, which typically will run in the neigbhorhood of $50 for the year. Businesses will have to shell out, too. Although we're not...

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!   For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.   Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!     ~ Hall of Heroes ~Patrick Henry...a slightly different take on our heroes, in honor of Independence Day...             Born: May 29, 1736 Birthplace: Hanover County, Virginia Education: (Lawyer, Politician) Work: Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses, 1765; Admitted to the Bar of the General Court in Virginia, 1769; Elected to the Continental Congress, 1774;...

The victim, 26, remains hospitalized today in serious but stable condition and has spoken with investigators, but was under sedation and will likely be interviewed several more times, Nosal said. Its unclear whether the suspect demanded cash or merchandise but Nosal said police don't believe the shooter knew the victim. Nosal called the incident "very unusual" for the area. "Other than larcenies, shoplifting, Clarendon doesn't have large violent crimes like this," Nosal said. Police described the suspect as an African American male in his 20s or 30s, between 5'7" and 6' tall, with a medium build and possible facial hair....

The Jefferson Area Tea Party is rallying against Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello. Thursday afternoon, the group held a protest at Perriello's office on Second Street in Charlottesville. They are upset with Perriello's support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The group says the bill, which still being debated by the Senate, is an energy tax. Those people who support the initiative say it reduces the amount of carbon that electric utilities, oil refiners, and certain industries can emit. Perriello voted for the so-called "cap and trade bill", which passed the House 219 to 212.

I've never done an AAR so forgive me if it isn't quite up to snuff. I attended the Washington DC Tea Party with about 2000 of my closest friends. Things got rolling around 9:30am with some music by some band I never heard of - "Pokerface". Sorry I'm not so much up on pop culture. The location was the Upper Senate park. We were right in the shadow of the capitol building. Awesome location. Anyway, there were lots of speakers. One of the first was one of the organizers, Lisa. Single mom, small business owner. Great perspective on how government...

http://www.wdbj7.com/global/Category.asp?c=168438&clipId=3927967&topVideoCatNo=57488&autoStart=true The media continues to miss the point.....

HAPPY 233rd BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!! Week 182 roll call of our 9 Patriots included Legionnaires Dave (Army WWII) and friend Janet, retired Marine and VFW member Halsey, Lurker Bill, and FReepers Fraxinus, {Mrs} Trooprally, aka [Mrs] T, [Mr]Trooprally aka [Mr] T, Eager, and myself, GunsAreOk.A great Freep with cool weather considering the time of the year. We arrived at 10:00AM as did the moonbats. Three of their five who slunk away at 11:10; so, to honor the holiday and to contrast ourselves with their poor performance, we remained until 12 noon, thirty minutes past our normal time. Even the local transit...

A participant of a summer camp on Tech's campus has been confirmed by Schiffert Health Center to have a case of H1N1 influenza, according to an e-mail to on-campus students from Housing and Dining Services. The H1N1 influenza virus, also known as swine flu, recently hit pandemic status in early June, indicating widespread global activity, as defined by the World Health Organization. According to the Center for Disease Control website, the pandemic status only reflects the spread of the virus to over 70 countries and not its severity. Housing's e-mail, sent by Associate Director for Occupancy Management Kenneth Belcher, clarified...

July 03, 2009 R.I.P.: Budget Woes Spell Doom for Roadside Rest Stops Drivers Looking for a Break Keep on Trucking; Virginia Leaves Door Open for July 4 Holiday By MIKE ESTERL As millions of Americans take to the road for the holiday weekend, a humble highway fixture is under attack. Later this month, cash-strapped Virginia plans to barricade entrances and switch off the plumbing and electricity at nearly half its highway rest areas. Other states also are lowering budgetary axes on the public pit stops that have lined the interstate highway system since its creation in 1956. But rest stops...

ALTON, Va. — Rep. Thomas Perriello relishes an energy fight with Republicans — even here in the rural Southside. The freshman lawmaker understands the potential consequences that he and other vulnerable Democrats face for backing a sweeping climate-change bill, and rather than ducking the issue, he’s embracing what may have been the toughest vote of his young political career. “There’s got to be something more important than getting reelected,” Perriello said in an interview with POLITICO. “If I lose my seat, and that’s the worst that happens, I could live with that.” But the 34-year-old believes Democrats will win this...

INDEPENDENCE DAY should be the proper name for this most wonderful holiday. The name 4th of July is just another 3 day weekend for sales. This AAR covers two weeks as you can see. Better Late than never. Plus one on my few projects has a deadline that keep me busy the last two weeks. It is under control so I have some time to write the AAR. Week 180 roll call of our 9 Patriots included Sophia, Legionnaires Dave (Army WWII) and friend Janet, and Halsey, (USMC - Korea), Lurker Bill, and FReepers Cindy_True_Supporter, Eager, Fraxinus, NewEnglandPatriot, [Mrs] Trooprally,...

20 AND 27 JUNE 2009 Elder Street and Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC This AAR will be like Section 788 of Henry Waxman’s late-night, 300-page manager’s amendment to H.R. 2454June 20 Pics courtesy of Mrs. Trooprally. Mrs. T writes, “Here are the pictures from Friday. The bus did not come we left at 11:05PM, We were asked to leave. The new Garrison Commander and his wife came out to thank us for being there. He said he may have the moonbats remove their signs off Gov property . They make him angery (sic). But he said he will try and be...

The most dramatic moment came from Debby Smith, 53, of Appalachia, Va., who was near tears as she described for Obama her fragile health, including a recently discovered tumor for which she cannot get treatment. Obama waved her over and hugged her, saying, "I don't want you to feel like you're all alone." He promised to "find out what we can do within existing law" and called Smith the "perfect example" of the kind of person his health plan is intended to help. (Please Note this paragraph from the article) Afterward, Smith seemed less than satisfied with Obama's reassurances, telling...

President Barack Obama outlined his plans for reforming health care during a town hall meeting at Northern Virginia Community College on Wednesday. Fielding questions from the audience and responding to queries submitted via YouTube and Twitter, Obama spoke of the urgency of reducing the rapidly swelling cost of health care, an issue he said spoke to “who we are as a country.”

VA State Senator and candidate Ken Cuccinelli speaks on the importance of state rights! The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution's principle of Federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID1_vO3cbTc&feature=channel

<p>When Debby Smith was diagnosed with a second tumor in her kidney, causing her renal failure, she had no way to pay for health care. So she turned to President Obama.</p> <p>The president comforted the tearful questioner at the health care town hall meeting he held Wednesday at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Va.</p>

ANNANDALE, Va. (AP) - President Barack Obama hugged a woman who told him at a town hall meeting she has cancer but no way to pay her expenses. Obama said the woman, identified as "Debbie," is a "perfect example" of someone who has gotten caught up and is lost in a broken health care system. He said "she's not getting the best care" and called her "Exhibit A" in the case he's trying to make for a new system.

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), founder of the Out of Iraq caucus, criticized Dick Cheney and the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq. Rep. Moran wouldn't declare the US the winner in Iraq, but said that Iran won the war.

Election Update: Districts to Watch… There are many critical races in the Virginia elections this year and EV PAC has been watching all 100 House of Delegates races, to keep our finger on the pulse of this year’s elections. This is already a huge year for GLBT politics, as the national news has shown, and you can help lend your support to our crucial electoral work here in Virginia by donating a special gift of $25 or more. As it gets closer to Election Day, we’ll be sending you information on a few select districts we think are worthy of...

1. Alaska 2. Maine 3. New Mexico 4. Arkansas 5. Texas 6. Missouri 7. Oregon 8. Idaho 9. Virginia 10. Wyoming

Fauquier County is working to get funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The latest information says that they're seeking a grant of $2 million with which to purchase foreclosed homes. They also acknowledge that they're more likely to get only $1 million. There are certainly still a fair number of foreclosed homes around. Out of the 75 homes sold in Fauquier last month, 28 of them were foreclosures. Out of those 28, 15 would fall into the price range (130K to 250K) that the county is looking at. But the number of foreclosures in the lower price ranges is shrinking...

<p>Rooms can be reserved for our negotiated convention rate of $116/night for single or double occupancy. The discounted group rate is available for convention attendees anytime during the period of September 7 through September 14.</p> <p>Phone: (703) 521-1900 or 1.888.627.8210 by Friday, August 21, 2009 – to receive our convention rate please tell the reservation agent that you are from the National Tea Party.</p>

The Virginia Citizens Defense League is used to fighting for the right to carry guns. But now it's having to defend the right to wear stickers about carrying guns. The group says officials at the Richmond Coliseum recently attempted to stop members from handing out blaze-orange "Guns Save Lives" stickers before an appearance by radio and television talk-show host Glenn Beck. "It's bad enough they're trying to trample the Second Amendment. Then you come and attack the First," President Philip Van Cleave said, referring to the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of the right to bear arms and to free speech. Dolly...

Mary Lou Forbes was a traditional Virginia gentlewoman. Her hint of a Southern accent and her friendly, hospitable and gracious manner were suggestive of the Northern Virginia in which she was born and came of age. That was a smaller, less bustling, but more neighborly place than the sprawling suburbia of today.

A burglar took a picture of himself on his victim's cell phone, then left the phone behind, Suffolk police said. They are asking the public for help in identifying him. The burglary was reported to police the first week of June in the 200 block of Holbrook Arch. The burglar tried to make a call with a cell phone in the residence, and took a picture of himself flashing two fingers, police said. He left the phone behind. City spokeswoman Debbie George, a former police lieutenant, said it's common for suspects in crimes to make photos and video of themselves...

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN RICK BOUCHER Consideration of the American Clean Energy and Security Act June 26, 2009 I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the bill and urge its approval by the House. It achieves broad reductions in greenhouse gases, enhances America's energy security, and by placing a price on carbon dioxide emissions will unleash investments in clean energy technologies that will create millions of new jobs. These energy technologies will evolve from America's laboratories. They will be deployed at home. They will be exported around the world. They will be the foundation for our next...

Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III Richmond, Va., Jun 26, 2009 / 03:23 am (CNA).- The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 6-5 decision on Wednesday upheld Virginia’s partial-birth abortion ban. In his concurring opinion, one judge wrote that the law protects the “weakest” and “most helpless” and condemned the use of the Constitution to justify “dismembering” a partly born child and “crushing” its skull.In its ruling “Richmond Medical Center v. Herring,” the court said the 2003 Virginia law does not unduly burden a woman’s legal right to terminate a pregnancy by more conventional means. It also ruled...

The bad news is that the Washington Post doesn't know where Virginia governor Tim Kaine is. The good news is they're pretty sure he's not in Appalachia or Argentina: But repeated attempts to review Kaine's schedule — in Richmond, around the state or across the country — before and after he became DNC chairman in late January have been unsuccessful. The Washington Post has requested Kaine's calendar through the governor's office, the DNC and his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. The requests have been denied or gone unanswered.

The bad news is that the Washington Post doesn't know where Virginia governor Tim Kaine is. The good news is they're pretty sure he's not in Appalachia or Argentina: But repeated attempts to review Kaine's schedule — in Richmond, around the state or across the country — before and after he became DNC chairman in late January have been unsuccessful. The Washington Post has requested Kaine's calendar through the governor's office, the DNC and his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. The requests have been denied or gone unanswered. Kaine's office cites security and privacy concerns, as well as state...

June 25, 2009 Dear xxxxxx, As we decide which gubernatorial candidate to support, the fact that Deeds and McDonnell have voting records is significant. Kaine, having come to the Mansion by the way of local government, had no state level voting record to back his words. Deeds and McDonnell have shown their true stripes as they have voted over many years and many session in the Virginia General Assembly. The VEA Fund (formerly known as VEA-PAC) has not recommended a candidate, so I find myself in the delightful position of being able to discuss the positions the candidates are taking...

> On July 1, Virginia stops funding the Hatton Ferry. Unless private donors, nonprofits or local governments find the cash to keep it open, its last crossing is Sunday afternoon, weather permitting. "The future is your kids, our kids, our grandkids, and when this is gone, it's gone forever," said Ashley Pillar, 30, who grew up around Hatton's ferrymen on the flat-bottomed steel barge. He became its operator in 2002. >

Partial-birth law validated - A sharply divided federal appeals court upheld Virginia's ban on partial-birth abortion Wednesday, ruling that the statute does not unduly burden a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy by more conventional means. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 6-5 decision that the 2003 law also makes clear the type of conduct that is banned, making it unlikely that a doctor would be prosecuted for accidentally performing the procedure, which has the medical term "intact dilation and extraction." The decision reversed a 2-1 panel ruling striking down the law, which is similar to...

A key circuit on the train track near Monday's derailment in Washington, D.C., was apparently not operating as it should have been, raising the possibility that the Metro train that crashed into another one may not have known to slow down, accident investigators said today. Investigators tested six circuits between the two stations where the crash occurred. Five of those performed as expected, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigator Deborah Hersman. Such circuits let trains know how fast to go and provide them with information about whether there's another train up ahead. But one circuit showed what Hersman described...

Jason L. Diedrich is a sworn Newport News police officer. He carries a gun, wears a badge and police uniform, and holds a police card saying he's vested under state law with the responsibility to enforce the law. But when he spotted someone driving recklessly on Jefferson Avenue last August and pulled him over — leading to that driver's conviction — Diedrich was reprimanded and warned never to do such a thing again. The problem stems from Diedrich's arrest 14 years ago on grand larceny and perjury charges. Though juries found Diedrich not guilty on both counts in 1996, former...