Thursday News: "Birtherism Goes Mainstream" in GOP; "JEB" Bush's No-Good, Horrible Tax Plan

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, August 10. *Birtherism goes mainstream: Donald Trump, Barack Obama and the radicalization of the GOP("Once confined to the fringe, the birther movement has swept the Republican Party. Where is the media coverage?" The media? Do its job? Puh-leeze.) *Ted Cruz flounders in Trump's shadow *Bush's tax plan would add trillions to deficit (While cutting taxes for the wealty. Great plan, huh?) *Why Is Politico Reporting On Climate Change Like There's Still A Debate? ("Will Politico ever inform their readers there's a big difference between those leaders who say climate change is caused by humans and those who deny it? Memo to Politico: The latter group are as scientifically wrong as those who used to say cigarette smoking isn't harmful.") *GOP's populist revolt lands at Capitol, snarls Iran debate (The fascist wing comes to D.C. and spews its anger, ignorance and lunacy.) *Ben Carson's theocratic lie: The pernicious myth of America the "Christian nation" (And now for the theocracy/American Taliban wing of the Republican Party...) *House GOP to postpone vote on Iran after member revolt (The usual craziness from the usual crazies.) *Clinton breaks from Obama with tougher foreign policy view *Power utilities are built for the 20th century. That's why they're flailing in the 21st. (And that's why Dominion Power needs to be completely restructured, broken up, etc. More on this later...) *Andy Kohut, a rare Washington figure (Rest in peace.) *New Species in Human Lineage Is Found in a South African Cave (Yet again, science makes a mockery of the Biblical literalists, Creationists, etc.) *America's Jewish establishment is out of touch with U.S. Jews (Especially younger ones.) *Trump mocks Fiorina's physical appearance: 'Look at that face!' (Appalling misogyny...in other words, perfect for the angry white male base of the Republican Party.) *Editorial: Better policy ahead for redistricting? ("When the legal skirmishes end, let's hope the result is that we've seen the last of the politicians selecting the voters rather the voters selecting the politicians.") *Attorneys: Dominion owes customers a refund *Clinton should not have used private email account, McAuliffe says ("Supporter agrees with former secretary of state that it was a mistake") *Scott Walker names 3 delegates as Virginia co-chairs (Some real winners here...not.) *Dominion to offer community solar, minus the community and the solar (Hahahaha.) *Tim Kaine tries again on gun control *Prosecutors: Maureen McDonnell was a 'full player' in corruption case *Va. Republicans urge McAuliffe to release report on bloody UVA arrest *Editorial: Cleaning up City Hall *Gun rights group argues Valley Metro can't restrict guns *Colleges, universities in Va., Hampton Roads see strong rankings *Mets make it a sweep, adding one more chapter of pain for Nats *D.C. area forecast: Showers douse the landscape today with another shot at rain Saturday ("Today's opportunity for showers is as good as any in quite some time and badly needed as many trees and lawns need a soaking.") Supervisor Delgaudio Approves Taxpayer Funds for Overtly Political Mail Piece (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] From the Koran for Sterling District Supervisor: Unanimous vote by Board in favor of political mailerOn Wednesday, September 2nd, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to authorize $60,000 of taxpayer money to send a countywide mail piece days before the November 3rd election. While there was discussion of the overtly political nature of the timing, the motion passed without dissent. The issue of the political timing of the mail was addressed by the Board in an indifferent manner. While the timing of the mailer was questioned by a few, the only response was, "Why not now?" The answer to why not now, is that the Board knows how effective such mailers (informative or political) can be. If any time is as good as another, it raises serious questions as to why the Board would approve a county paid mailer in the final days of an election in which most of them, including Sterling Supervisor Delgaudio, are standing for reelection. Delgaudio joined the rest of the board to unanimously approve spending tax dollars to send the mailer in the final days of the election, comparing it to his other perceptibly political mailers, "The Delgaudio Report". "Rather than spending $60,000 on a campaign mailer, that money would be better used supporting our underfunded schools," said Koran Saines. "With overcrowding in the classroom, you could pay for a new teacher with that money. You have to wonder where the Boards priorities lie." Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter. by: lowkell @ Thu Sep 10, 2015 at 10:45:28 AM EDT [ Reply ] Christian Dorsey Would Seek to Terminate TitleMax Lease in Potential Land Swap (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] Excellent, now if only the Virginia General Assembly would just outlaw these predatory lenders... Christian Dorsey, a Democratic nominee for the Arlington County Board, attended a public forum on Wednesday at the Virginia Hospital Center discussing the process for a potential deal between Arlington County and the hospital for County-owned land adjacent to the hospital's property. One potential deal includes a land swap, where Arlington County would acquire property currently owned by the hospital on the corner of Lee Highway and North George Mason Drive. That property is currently being leased by TitleMax, Inc., a predatory vehicle title lender.Should Arlington acquire the property, Dorsey committed to opposing any lease renewal for TitleMax. He went further by promising to explore all possible ways to terminate the lease early in the case that Arlington becomes the owner of the property. "Predatory lenders charge desperate families up to 264% interest on loans," said Dorsey. "Arlington County should not be in the business of profiting off of those that prey on our most vulnerable populations. That's why I will oppose any extension of the lease to TitleMax should Arlington acquire the property. Further, I will pursue all avenues that would allow us to terminate that lease upon acquisition of the land." "Predatory lending runs counter to our values here in Arlington," continued Dorsey. "Richmond should be ashamed that they allow these businesses to operate with so little regulation. Charging over 260% interest on a car title loan should not be permissible under any circumstances, and I'll do everything in my power to stop these businesses from preying on Arlington's vulnerable working families." Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter. by: lowkell @ Thu Sep 10, 2015 at 11:40:06 AM EDT [ Reply ] Video: Impressive ad for Gary McCollum for Virginia State Senate (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter. by: lowkell @ Thu Sep 10, 2015 at 11:48:20 AM EDT [ Reply ] Virginia Sen. Rosalyn Dance on Joe Morrissey withdrawal: "I wish him well." (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] SEN. DANCE RESPONDS TO MORRISSEY WITHDRAWALPETERSBURG -- Sen. Rosalyn Dance made the following statement today: ​"As I read in the Richmond Free Press this morning, Mr. Morrissey has ended his campaign and withdrawn from the race. I wish him well. I will continue to reach out to voters in my Senate district to earn their votes and support."​ Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter. by: lowkell @ Thu Sep 10, 2015 at 13:47:00 PM EDT [ Reply ] R**skins give $50,000 to "Virginia Republican Victory Fund" (0.00 / 0) [delete comment] As if we needed any more reason to despise this dumpster-fire-with-the-racist-name franchise. Of course, we alread knew that Dan Snyder was a huge Mitt Romney supporter, one of the worst owners in sports (and that's saying a lot, given how awful many of these people are!), who infamously cut "down over 130 old-growth trees near his mansion above the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park" and "was fined by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission." Gack. Follow me on Twitter. Follow Blue Virginia on Facebook and Twitter.