Saturday News: Calls for More Dem Debates; GOP Pours $$ Into 2015 VA Gen. Assembly Races

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, August 29. Also see President Obama's weekly address, this time on "his upcoming trip to Alaska, during which he will view the effects of climate change firsthand. Alaskans are already living with the impact of climate change, with glaciers melting faster, and temperatures projected to rise between six and twelve degrees by the end of the century." Given this and other environmental threats, I urge President Obama to announce his absolute opposition to oil and/or gas drilling in the Arctic. And no, I don't buy President Obama's argument that "high standards" are sufficient; the fact is, an oil spill in the Arctic would be a catastrophe, not in any way/shape/form worth the risk. *Paul Krugman: Crash-Test Dummies as Republican Candidates for President ("The point is that one side of the political aisle has been utterly determined to learn nothing from the economic experiences of recent years. If one of these candidates ends up in the hot seat the next time crisis strikes, we should be very, very afraid.") *Underdogs blast Democratic leaders, Hillary Clinton (I definitely agree that there should be more debates, probably twice as many...) *As GOP outsiders surge, insiders favor Jeb Bush (Not surprising.) *Don Lemon slams CNN for homophobic coverage of shootings of Virginia journalists *Donald Trump plays a dangerous game: The dark side of making America great again ("Fascists always masquerade as patriots -- but their sinister motives are never far beneath the surface") *Sarah Palin Lobs Softballs at Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush (What a pathetic oke.) *Senator powerfully indicts colleagues for gun control cowardice: "We are essentially sending a message of quiet endorsement of these murders" *Jeb Bush's foot-in-mouth problem ("When Jeb Bush opens his mouth, danger occurs.") *GOP group to pump $100K into Va. races in bid to draw women, minorities (This is what Republicans have been doing for a long time at the state and local level, while Democrats have mostly allowed them to run roughshod and demolish our "farm team." When are Democrats going to wake up and fight this battle to win?) *Jim Webb Snubs DNC Summer Meeting Over Clinton Favoritism *Jim Webb Campaign: Reaching Out to DNC 'About As Useful as Sticking One's Hand Into a Wood Chipper' *Gilmore challenges Trump to 'mano a mano' debate on birthright citizenship *Alison Parker's parents call for reform; McAuliffe offers support to WDBJ family *Court moves toward special master to redraw 3rd Congressional District *Va. Supreme Court secretary responds to FOIA lawsuit *Jailed over $5 theft, inmate found dead in cell at regional jail (Absolutely inexcusable on almost every level.) *Public's business should be public *Officials say WDBJ attack was 'well-planned,' 'premeditated' *WDBJ reporter's father criticizes senators for not calling family *Northern Virginia teen sentenced to 11 years for aiding Islamic State *Virginia Shooter's Ex-Boss Tells of His 'Abrasive' Behavior (Sounds like a nightmare employee.) *Marlins handle Scherzer and hold off the Nationals, 4-3 (This season is very close to being over.) *D.C. area forecast: Summertime heat and humidity build back in Rep. Don Beyer and his former primary opponent Bruce Shuttleworth hike the Appalachian Trail (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] Very cool; Rep. Beyer is working on hiking the Appalachian Trail one section at a time, and recently, he's been joined by his 2014 Democratic primary opponent Bruce Shuttleworth.  Pretty cool, huh? What next, Eric Cantor and Dave Brat tour the national parks together? LOL Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter.