Stephen Colbert Demonstrates Eric Massa's Non-Sexual "Groping"

Also, check out Tom Toles' cartoon on this topic. As usual, Toles nails it!

Moran to McDonnell: "Offshore drilling revenue are a mirage"

Yet another reality-based person - Rep. Jim Moran, in this case - weighs in regarding Bob McDonnell's delusional belief that offshore oil revenues are just sitting out there, waiting for us to "drill baby drill" 'em out of the ground. To the contrary, as Chap Petersen pointed out, this is "a fraud wrapped in a chimera concealed within a pyramid scheme." And now, Jim Moran uses a different metaphor - a "mirage" - to describe the same thing. Either way, the point is clear and Bob McDonnell is revealed as having absolutely no clue or plan other than cut, cut, and cut some more.

I appreciate the Governor’s desire to bring in new transportation dollars, but any projections for offshore drilling revenue are a mirage.

As I stated in my March 5th letter to Governor McDonnell: even under the most optimistic scenario, drilling would not occur for at least another eight years. Because drilling would occur in federal waters, by law all royalties must go to the federal government.

Due to a solid coalition of non-coastal states who believe that offshore drilling royalties belong to all the States, there’s little to no chance the Commonwealth would receive special consideration.

Putting aside the obvious environmental concerns, drilling off Virginia’s coast could also hamper our efforts to ‘Save the Carrier’ at Norfolk. The Navy and Department of Defense are strongly opposed to any activities in the proposed region that would affect training operations. Erecting oil rigs in this zone could add fuel to Florida’s efforts to take our carrier and jeopardize other naval and NASA assets along our coastline.

McCartney: "Maybe McDonnell should look again at his Web site"

From this morning's Washington Post, check out Robert McCartney's latest column, "Va.'s McDonnell slow to fulfill campaign pledges." The gist is that Bob McDonnell made broad, sweeping promises in his 2009 gubernatorial campaign, but now he's running up against that hard wall known as "reality." For instance:

Even before the legislature arrived here, McDonnell (R) decided to put off the vital question of how to find the billions of dollars needed to repair and improve the state's roads. You'll remember he was quite vocal about the topic during the campaign, boasting about his multi-point plan that everybody could find on his Web site. It turned out it wasn't as easy as he suggested.

There's also no sign of how he's going to pay for another whopper of a promise, to expand colleges and universities by 100,000 degrees over 15 years. He's won approval for proposals to promote job growth and charter schools, but they're modest and mostly amount to window dressing.

[...]

For example, one of McDonnell's best-known campaign proposals was to sell the state's ABC liquor stores and spend the proceeds on roads. Some top legislators expected he'd propose that in January.

But when one of his transition teams looked at the issue in December, it decided quickly that the matter required a lot more study. What sort of companies are going to buy the stores, and under what regulation? How does the state make up for losing more than $100 million a year that the stores generate? How does it prevent unsightly private stores from popping up in places where they aren't wanted?

"It turned out to be a whole lot more complicated than just selling the stores," said Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who was part of the study group. "We started working on it, and we said there's just no way that with the three or four weeks that we had before the bills were due that we were ever going to figure this out."

Wow, governing a state is "more complicated" that just making breezy, pie-in-the-sky campaign promises? Who woulda thunk it? :)

Of course, none of this is the least bit surprising to anyone who examined McDonnell's campaign promises carefully and didn't just fall for his sweet-talking, all-gain-no-pain rhetoric. A key moment for me was listening to former Governor Linwood Holton in September 2009. Among other things, Holton predicted: 1) "There will be no sale of the ABC system in Virginia as long as the General Assembly of Virginia exists, they will not permit the sale of a source of revenue that produces $100 million a year for them to use for schools and other public needs"; and 2) "[Revenues from oil drilling] couldn't possibly bring us a dime within the next 10 years...oil profits is a false promise."

Both of those assertions by Holton are 100% accurate, yet Bob McDonnell's "Big Lie" (or is it "self-delusion?") continues, with a statement issued just yesterday that McDonnell "will allocate 80% of future offshore royalties and revenues to transportation and the remaining 20% to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, which researches and develops renewable energy solutions." Only one problem with that: WHAT "future offshore royalties and revenues."

As Chap Petersen pointed out a few weeks ago, this is "a fraud wrapped in a chimera concealed within a pyramid scheme" and "a train going nowhere." The fact is, there may not even be any oil off Virginia's coast, and even if there is, it may not make economic sense to recover, and even if it does, the revenues might not even go to Virginia, and even if they do, it might be many years into the future, and even... Anyway, you get the point. The question is, does Bob McDonnell get the point, is he willfully ignorant, or is he simply finding that when campaign rhetoric meets reality, one of them has to give, and it's never, ever reality. Perhaps it's time, as Robert McCartney suggests, that Bob McDonnell "look again at his [own] Web site."

Whipple Clip Dozen: Thursday Morning

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Thursday "Clips."

1. VA. GOV. MCDONNELL PROHIBITS BIAS AGAINST GAY STATE WORKERS
4. VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN CUCCINELLI'S LETTER DRAWS FIRE NATIONALLY
11. VA. GOV MCDONNELL SIGNS OFFSHORE ENERGY BILLS
12. VA.'S MCDONNELL SLOW TO FULFILL CAMPAIGN PLEDGES
13. MARCH TO CAPITOL FOLLOWS ANTI-CUCCINELLI PROTEST AT VCU
15. PROGRESS SEEN IN VIRGINIA BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS
21. VA OKS 1ST BILL BANNING MANDATED HEALTH COVERAGE
22. VA. SENATE OKS ETHICS OVERHAUL; MCDONNELL TO SIGN
25. BOYCOTT URGED FOR MUSLIM IMAM'S PRAYER IN VIRGINIA HOUSE
26. VA. LAWMAKERS APPROVE DEATH PENALTY EXPANSION
30. SENATE PANEL VOTES TO ADD NONDISCRIMINATION TO NORTHROP GRUMMAN BILL
35. MIMS APPOINTED TO VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT

Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Health Care Reform WILL Pass

At a "Get Women Elected Now" event in Arlington a bit earlier this evening, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-20th) talks about the prospects for health care reform legislation passing in the near future. The event was held at the home of Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes, and the person asking the question was Arlington County Board member Barbara Favola. Thanks to Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey for inviting me.

UPDATE: Here's Debby Wasserman Schultz on Republicans' "women problem."


UPDATE #2: Here's Wasserman Schultz on the importance of "carrying a crayon."

DPVA: McDonnell "Instituting Half-Measures Necessitated By Political Crisis"

From the Democratic Party of Virginia, obviously not overjoyed about Bob McDonnell's "half-measures necessitated by political crisis" on protecting GLBT people from discrimination. I couldn't agree more that "Governor McDonnell should just send down a bill that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation." Why won't he?

Democratic Party of Virginia Executive Director David Mills released the following statement Wednesday regarding Gov. Bob McDonnell's attempt to distance himself from the brewing controversy over Virginia's discrimination policy:

While we applaud the administrative gesture made by Governor McDonnell today, his non-binding statement of policy does little to protect Virginians from discrimination. The Governor is instituting half-measures necessitated by political crisis, and the time for these games is over. We call on Governor McDonnell to definitively and permanently eliminate the threat that discrimination poses to the lives, jobs, and welfare of all Virginians.

Rather than play legal games, Governor McDonnell should just send down a bill that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Under Governors Warner and Kaine, Virginia became the best state for business by enacting the tolerant policies that attract world-class employers to our Commonwealth. No matter how many administrative gestures he makes, the fact remains that Bob McDonnell and his [Attorney General] Ken Cuccinelli have rolled back protections against discrimination.

UPDATE: Sen. Donald McEachin's statement.

I welcome and commend the governor on his directive. However, we will not quit the struggle until no Virginian has to live in anticipation of a gubernatorial directive or in fear of an Attorney General letter. The fight will go on until we can codify into Virginia law that each and every Virginian deserves equal rights, equal opportunity, fairness and justice. As in the civil right struggle of the last century, we appreciate every step forward, but our goal is to ensure that all barriers are toppled and all hurdles are dismantled.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Virginians from across the Commonwealth and especially those who are part of our college and university families. Their willingness to stand up and be counted, their intolerance for hatred and bigotry has made all the difference. They have demonstrated to the governor by their generosity of spirit that they want to live in a Virginia where all are welcome and all can expect to be judged on their merit and their character, not on other insignificant criteria.

I promise to continue this effort. We may have succeeded for now, but we have more to do and, together, we will accomplish it.

Coffee Party Overtakes Tea Party!

Great news; the "Coffee Party" Facebook group (107,899 members) has overtaken the largest Tea Party Facebook group (107,892 members) after just a few weeks of the Coffee Party's founding. Congratulations to the Coffee Party and its leaders, Annabel Park and Eric Byler! And don't forget, this Saturday is "National Coffee Party Day".

Virginia General Assembly Bans Mandated Health Insurance

This is both unconstitutional and embarrassing, not to mention dumber than a door knob.

Virginia's General Assembly is the first in the nation to approve legislation that bucks any attempt by President Barack Obama and Congress to implement the national health care overhaul in states like Virginia.

Without debate, the House of Delegates voted 80-17 Wednesday to accept Senate amendments to a bill that supporters say preserves Virginia's prerogatives as a state.

Heckuva job, guys!

UPDATE: I'm informed that this vote was only on the Governor's amendment, not on the underlying bill (got that?). Apparently, the main bill has already been passed by both houses and will be enacted, so supporting the Governor's amendment was the only chance for Democrats to make a problematic bill a little better.

McDonnell: "Employment discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated"

I certainly didn't expect this, but at first glance it looks strong. I'm particularly impressed (and amazed) that McDonnell's order specifies "one’s sexual orientation" as a "class of persons" that can not be discriminated against in state employment. Wow, is Ken Cuccinelli's head now exploding? What about "Sideshow" Bob Marshall's? Ha.

STANDARD OF CONDUCT FOR CABINET MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCY HEADS, MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS AND EMPLOYEES CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

As the chief executive officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia, I hereby establish a standard of conduct to ensure that all cabinet members, Executive Branch agency heads, managers, supervisors and employees understand and enforce state and federal law prohibiting employment discrimination.

Employment discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated by this Administration. The Virginia Human Rights Act recognizes the unlawfulness of conduct that violates any Virginia or federal statute or regulation governing discrimination against certain enumerated classes of persons. The Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution prohibits discrimination without a rational basis against any class of persons.

Discrimination based on factors such as one’s sexual orientation or parental status violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. Therefore, discrimination against enumerated classes of persons set forth in the Virginia Human Rights Act or discrimination against any class of persons without a rational basis is prohibited.

Consistent with state and federal law, and the Virginia and United States Constitutions, I hereby direct that the hiring, promotion, compensation, treatment, discipline, and termination of state employees shall be based on an individual’s job qualifications, merit and performance. No employee of the Executive Branch shall engage in any discriminatory conduct against another employee.

Executive Directive 1 (2010)

Executive Directive 1 (2010)

Allegations of any violation of the law or this standard of conduct shall be brought promptly to the attention of the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management for review and corrective action. Any cabinet member, agency head, manager, supervisor or employee who discriminates against a state employee or prospective employee in violation of the law or this standard of conduct shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, ranging from reprimand to termination.

I further direct agency heads to ensure that every manager and supervisor in their respective agency is aware of and enforces this standard of conduct. Civility, fair treatment, and mutual respect shall be the standard of conduct expected in state employment.
/s/ Robert F. McDonnell, Governor

Note: Decision Virginia broke this story. Nice work!

P.S. By the way, didn't Attorney General McDonnell tell Tim Kaine that this was the realm of the legislature and not the executive branch? Apparently, politics trumps principle for Bob McDonnell, which in this case is a good thing!

UPDATE: Equality Virginia has issued a statement.

Equality Virginia Chief Executive Officer, Jon Blair, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's issuance of Executive Directive #1 today:

Equality Virginia is gratified that the Governor has responded positively to our call for action. The Governor took a major positive step forward today toward assuring that gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender workers will not be subject to discrimination in state employment. Equality Virginia applauds his implementation of a "standard of conduct" that recognizes that discrimination based on sexual orientation is unconstitutional and establishes a strict prohibition against such discrimination in the state workforce. At the same time, however, the directive is silent regarding discrimination based on gender identity, and does not afford any protection to students at our state colleges and universities, so it is clear that there is much work still to be done.

Accordingly, Equality Virginia will continue to urge the Governor and the legislature to work together with us to codify workplace protections for all gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender state employees and to support future legislation that protects Virginians from all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Equality Virginia sincerely hopes that the Attorney General agrees that the Governor's action today is within his authority and that he will defend the Governor's enforcement of Executive Directive #1.

Catherine "Bullet Box" Crabill To Take On Rob Wittman?

This is great news. If you're a Democrat who wants to unseat Rob Wittman, that is! :)



More insanity from Catherine "Bullet Box" Crabill's Facebook page:

*"I stand with Dr. Dobson."
*"Go Bob Marshall! You're my hero!"
""Thank God for Delegate Bob Marshall! A hero for life and liberty!"
*"Still standing in support of Delegate Bob Marshall who has been misquoted and eviscerted by the wicked media and his own pathetic party. Where's the loyalty to a hero of liberty and life? Shame on McDonnell, et al."
*"Not so shocking considering Obama is a Marxist/Communist/Whatever..."
*"More "global warming" troubles as insidious lies give way to the liberating truth...."
*"Can we 'Wish Away' Al Gore? He can't afford to give this lie up because it will cost him millions...or more!"
*"I was made aware of a newly forming “resistence” movement to the Tea Party called the Coffee Party. You can search facebook to find it. SOme of the “stickers” I saw posted there were promoting anarchy. I don’t doubt that many mislead young Americans will be drawn to this organization and that they may be encouraged and enflamed by those on the left that see them as useful idiots. This is a spiritual battle for the minds and hearts of our country and our countrymen. Prayer is the weapon of choice, coupled with activism. My prayer is that God would reveal the plans of the wicked who are bent on destroying this great and glorious land and give us the wisdom and courage to know how to respond within the rule of Law as per our inspired Constitution."
*"Beware the nationalization of Student Loan! Contact your senators!"

I'll tell you, the next few months could really be entertaining in Virginia's 1st CD.

P.S. Go Krystal!