Keith Fimian Shows True, Extremist Colors on WTOP

I just listened to about 40 minutes of the WTOP debate between 11th CD candidates Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) and Keith Fimian (R). My overall impression was that these guys don't like each other - at all.  But besides that, I was struck at how extreme Fimian is for this district, and how shocking it will be if he wins next Tuesday.  A few examples:*While Fimian says his "heart goes out" to victims of rape or incest, he opposes abortion even in those horrible cases. That's right, he supports making a woman carry the child or their rapist to term.  That puts Fimian on the opposite side of about 80% of Americans, according to apoll by Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2010. Wow. *Fimian tried to wriggle out of his comment that "at Virginia Tech if one of those kids in one of those classrooms was packing heat I think that that would not have happened." According to Fimian, what he really meant to say was that - get this - he was actually talking about security guards. Wait, didn't that quote say "one of those kids?" Security guards, kids...eh, same thing in Keith Fimian's world. *Fimian said he's not only against embryonic stem cell research, but that this line of research "shows no promise!" In fact, that's almost exactly backwards; it's the pluripotent nature of embryonic stem cells that make it, by FAR, the most promising avenue for medical research into curing diseases ranging from Parkinsons to Alzheimers to cancer to heart disease to diabetes to paralysis to...well, you get the idea. Apparently, Keith Fimian cares more about days-old embryos that would be discarded anyway than children and adults with diseases that could be cured, but won't be, because of his extremism. Now, Keith Fimian can try to avoid these issues all he wants, resort to his stale talking points about "Obama and Pelosi" all he wants, but he can't escape the reality that he's an extremist who's far, FAR outside the mainstream in America, let alone in Virginia's 11th district. Think about that when you go to the polls next Tuesday.

Obama Rally With Tom Perriello - "Our spirit can't fade"

by Aznew What an amazing rally tonight for Tom Perriello in Charlottesville. I can’t even begin to describe the level of excitement that President Barack Obama’s visit generated. The President hearkened back to the feeling we all had in 2008, which seems so long ago now -- that feeling of all things being possible. “That spirit can’t fade,” the President said, “and it’s still in each of you.” The crowd was huge for Charlottesville. The line to get into the Pavilion, where the rally was held, stretched the entire length of Charlottesville’s downtown mall, perhaps 10 city blocks, and then doubled back at least an additional four blocks. The Pavilion was packed with people – 7-8 thousand, I believe, was the estimate. And I hear many more were unable to get in. (more on the flip, including pictures) What an amazing rally tonight for Tom Perriello in Charlottesville. I can’t even begin to describe the level of excitement that President Barack Obama’s visit generated. The President hearkened back to the feeling we all had in 2008, which seems so long ago now -- that feeling of all things being possible. “That spirit can’t fade,” the President said, “and it’s still in each of you.” The crowd was huge for Charlottesville. The line to get into the Pavilion, where the rally was held, stretched the entire length of Charlottesville’s downtown mall, perhaps 10 city blocks, and then doubled back at least an additional four blocks. The Pavilion was packed with people – 7-8 thousand, I believe, was the estimate. And I hear many more were unable to get in. I spoke to several people in the Pavilion who had places up front, and so were among the first people in. They had been waiting on line since early this morning. They we still excited to see the President. The place was electric, and the crown enthusiastic. Plenty of cheering every time UVA was mentioned, suggesting that we may yet see a large student turnout. Robert Hurt and a few Conservative blogs have suggested that Obama coming to Charlottesville will backfire on Tom, because it will reinforce the connection between Tom and the President in the minds of Republicans and opponents. Statements like this make me want to actually become a Conservative and join the Republican Party, because those guys are smoking some great weed over there. Look, anyone who is outraged by Obama and wants to vote against Perriello because he thinks Tom is close to the President has already decided how they will vote. And throughout this cycle, all we have been hearing about is the enthusiasm gap – that these folks who oppose the president and the Democrats are intense and almost certain voters. So, explain to me who the current undecided voters are for whom this visit will make them irate enough to vote against Tom? I’m sure they don’t have television sets, because if they did they probably would have seen five dozen commercials linking Tom and the President, so seeing them together on stage would not be new information. On the other hand, Obama’s visit clearly got C’ville Democrats pumped to vote. As today’s SUSA poll showed, the enthusiasm gap is narrowing in the district, and the race is clearly trending Tom’s way. The question is whether enough Democrats will show up at the polls to put Tom over the top. In fact, this is something over which Hurt has no control. He already has all the votes of all the people who are inclined to vote against Tom. Hurt knows that any new voter convinced to vote from this point out is coming to vote for Perriello. This, more than anything else, accounts for Hurt’s state of panic and acts of desperation in seeking to counter the President’s visit. Did I mention desperation? Hilariously, Hurt issued a press release this afternoon inviting Tom and the President “to join him in a small business roundtable discussion in Martinsville, Virginia tomorrow.” Uh, yeah, right…. I am sure Hurt thinks he is making some sort of clever point with this sort of disrespectful treatment of the President of the United States, but he is not. What this immature response really shows is that Hurt is acting like he is running for junior-high class president, not the U.S. Congress. (One almost expects Hurt to say, “nanny-nanny-boo-boo” to the President). As he has done throughout this race, Hurt has insulted both voters and the U.S. Congress itself with a timeworn political stunt like this. But then, why should a man who thinks he doesn’t even have to read health care reform legislation, but can still oppose it, behave any differently. It is yet another sign that Hurt takes neither the office of U.S. Congressman nor the problems of the people in the Fifth District too seriously. Meanwhile, back at the Pavilion, President Obama is asking the crowd not to give up on change and on a better future, not to be discouraged from voting by an obstructionist and small-minded Republican Party that tries to convince us that Change is not possible. President Obama is talking about shared sacrifice, about an America that competes and beats other countries in areas of education and scientific discoveries but about what America is really about. He also talks about an America in which we all look out for one another, and help our neighbors when they hit a rough patch. “I am my brother’s keeper,” the President said. “I am my sister’s keeper.” The President’s has the unusual effect of both firing people up to vote and help Tom get elected, and at the same time causing people to become more introspective about how each of them has faced the adversity of the past several years. As Obama leaves the stage for a round of shaking hands, I look around me and see beaming faces in every direction. Beaming faces that come Tuesday will be voting for Tom Perriello. Pics follow: Obama Tom Obama and crowd Crowd shot inside the Pavilion

Video: Jim Webb, Jim Moran Speak at Torpedo Factory in Alexandria

Last night at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Jim Webb and Jim Moran spoke to around 200 Democrats - including many from the amazing, grassroots, pro-Webb, "ragtag army" of 2006 - at a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Virginia. There were many members of the "ragtag army" (now "Webb Brigades") in attendance, including (largely) unsung heroes like Mary Detweiler, Wasim Entabi, Sue Langley, Chris Ambrose, Laura Sonnenmark, Karen and Dan Duncan, Florence Upson, Kenton Ngo, Frank Anderson, Tania Hossain, Todd Smyth, Rose Chu, Antonia Scatton, Ken Kukovich, and several others. Also in attendance were Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. Sen. Chap Petersen, Sen. Dave Marsden, Del. Mark Keam, Del. Bob Brink, Del. Charniele Herring, former Del. Brian Moran, Cathy "Smitty" Connolly, DPVA chair/master of ceremonies Dave Mills, super-Democrat Pixie Bell, former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sue Kellom, current Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Clark Mercer, etc. For his part, Jim Webb thanked the "Brigades" for their great work in 2006 and beyond, then spoke about "daily courage," this "very serious time for our country," the terrible situation we inherited from the Bush Administration (economy, debt, Iraq war), the Republican Party decision "to play stalling tactics" and not let anything get done, the need for us to get out the vote next Tuesday, and the deluge of negative ads from people who don't even have to identify themselves (Webb: "that's not the country I want to live in"). I also got a shout-out from Webb, including a side-remark that I'm "mad" at him for not supporting "cap and trade." Well, hmmmm...let's just say I'm not thrilled at Webb's stands on energy and the environment. Overall, though, I've been pleased with Webb's record, including his great work on the GI Bill of Rights and the Crime Commission. I'm also proud to have co-founded the "Draft James Webb" movement (with Josh Chernila and Lee Diamond, in Colorado and Israel, respectively) and to have served as Webb's netroots coordinator - helping organize the 14,000-strong "ragtag army" and helping raise $4 million online - in 2006. Now, as we approach the start of the 2011-2012 cycle, it appears that Webb will be a candidate once again - although he did NOT officially announce last night - possibly against George Allen once again (or maybe against Ken Cuccinelli? "Sideshow Bob" Marshall? Corey Stewart? Other?). In this election, however, Webb won't be at the top of the ballot - Barack Obama will - and the situation in the country will not be the same at all as in 2006, so it will be a significantly different dynamic. The question is, can we recreate that grassroots, "ragtag army" energy in 2012? We'll see. Stay tuned. For his part, Rep. Moran praised Jim Webb as an "American hero," devoted to "making this country as strong as it can be" and "represent[ing] the very highest standards of this nation." Moran talked about how Jim Webb understands that American greatness comes from "new Americans who come to this country to live out the American dream and by doing so they keep regenerating the American dream." Moran also said that Jim Webb "understands that America has to be about the middle class and those struggling to get into the middle class." Moran recommended that we read Jim Webb's books, in which we'll learn (among many other things) that having 90% of the wealth go to 10% of the population is not a good thing. Moran praised Webb for the GI Bill and for his efforts at reforming our criminal justice system. Moran concluded that Jim Webb represents the "defining characteristics of the Democratic Party" and "every day makes us proud that he's our United States Senator."

Video: Mike Signer, Brian Moran, Terry McAuliffe Speak at Arlington Young Dem's

Last night at the Arlington Young Democrats meeting in Ballston, three former statewide candidates for the Democrats - Mike Signer, Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe - gave GOTV ("get out the vote") pep talks less than 2 weeks before mid-term elections (and prior to the dozens of AYD's taking to the phone banks). The appearance together by Signer, Moran and McAuliffe also was noteworthy in that all three had been mentioned as contenders to succeed Dick Cranwell as chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. With the quasi-"unity rally" last night, it now appears that Mark Warner's pick for DPVA chair, Brian Moran, will not be seriously opposed for the position. We'll see. Anyway, here's some video from last night, in order of appearance. Introducing the speakers is AYDs president Gordon Simonett. Enjoy. P.S. I'd also say that it's looking more likely Brian Moran will not be a statewide candidate in 2013.

Republican Blogger Reaction to Racist Emails: Silence, Misdirection, Slander

The reaction - or lack thereof - of Virginia Republican bloggers to the racist emails pouring out of the Virginia Beach Republican Committee has been highly revealing.  In short, it's been a combination of silence, misdirection/red herrings, and attacks on the messenger that border on libel/slander/defamation. Let's take these in order.1. First off, Republican bloggers have been silent. The question, as NLS correctly asks, is why?  Is it because, as NLS wonders, they are "completely out of the loop and really shocked when this stuff surfaces?" Or, do they know deep down that their party is filled with racism, and simply don't know how to respond when it comes out into the light of day? Or maybe when they don't get clear direction from above? It's pathetic, but it's also highly revealing. 2. Second, we have misdirection, mostly about the "backstory" of how the emails came to be forwarded around, and also how they ended up on a Democratic blog (this one). I can answer that latter question, although I'm not going to reveal my source(s) for reasons that should be obvious to any journalist, blogger, etc. On Monday afternoon, I was going about my business when I received (at 2:38 pm) a forwarded email with the racist "joke" by (now ex-) Virginia Beach Republican Party chair David Bartholomew. I was disgusted, so I posted it (at 2:54 pm, a whole 16 minutes after receiving the email). I also posted a screen shot of the email, which clearly shows that it had been forwarded from Mr. Bartholomew on March 15, 2010. Why I only received the email on October 18, 2010, I have no idea. If anyone would like to look into this and let us all know, that would be great. Personally, I'd be curious. As for the second email, I received that one yesterday (at 1:25 pm) and was even more horrified, as the racism was far worse (in my opinion) than in the first email. I posted that email as well (at 2:17 pm, a whopping 52 minutes after receiving it), along with a link to the far-right-wing website that posted the video and a screen shot of Scott Rigell's website showing that the forwarder of the email was listed as one of his endorsers.  That email originally was forwarded by former VB Republican Committee chair Karen Beauchamp on July 31, 2010. Again, if anyone wants to look into the status of Ms. Beauchamp's email between July 31, 2010 and October 19, 2010, that would be great; I'd be curious to know what they find out! In the meantime, I find it fascinating that Republican bloggers are more interested in the "backstory" - if there is one - than the FRONT story - the blatant racism exhibited by leading members oftheir party. 3. Finally, we get into libel/slander/defamation territory, specifically over at Republican blog Bearing Drift. There, extreme right wingnut Brian Schoeneman strongly implies that yours truly "sat on these emails for months or he is willingly serving as a patsy for someone trying to launch an October surprise on Scott Rigell." Shoeneman proceeds to claim that "Lowell doesn't care about stamping out racism, or calling out those who engage in it," and also that "Lowell basically condoned the racism - it wasn't important enough to him to out these people until it became politically helpful for his chosen candidate in VA-2."  Fellow right-wingnut blogger J.R. Hoeft then weighs in with his own deep thoughts, asking, "If recent emails by members of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach are truly so offensive, then why has Lowell chosen to release them in parts and only in October?" Again, note the implication by these Republican bloggers - I supposedly had these emails for months and waited until the last moment to help Glenn Nye, who everyone reading Blue Virginia knows is just my favorite Democrat ever!!!  Yeah, that latter part is laughable in and of itself, given how much I've ripped into Nye and how much I can't stand the guy (he's practically a Republican in his voting record). But as for the first part, accusing me of fundamental dishonesty and sliminess - the type that Republican bloggers so often engage in - that's 100%, absolutely false, and I'd be happy to swear that in court. I'd also be happy, if libel and slander law would allow, to take Messieurs Shoeneman and Hoeft to court on this one. They are so wrong, it's beyond belief, and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this crap. The only problem is, in the United States under the 1st Amendment, they have the right to say just about anything they want, and I'm not sure I could win that case. Still, it's extremely tempting and I will be looking into it today...

Virginia Beach GOP Chair Quits, Still Makes Excuses

by The Green Miles

(UDPATE: TPM has "independently confirmed" the Bartholomew story.  Of course, "Bartholomew did not respond to repeated requests for comment."  Pathetic. - promoted by lowkell) In the wake of a racist email scandal first reported here at Blue Virginia, the Virginia Beach Republican Party Chairman is quitting. But he's not racist! He just doesn't know how to use the series of tubes! The city's Republican chairman agreed to resign late Monday night, just hours after a racist joke sent from his e-mail address surfaced.David Bartholomew is not a racist and agreed to resign because the e-mail had become a distraction to the Nov. 2 election, said Gary Byler, the 2nd Congressional District GOP chairman, after meeting with Bartholomew. The e-mail was dated March 15 and sent from the address that Bartholomew uses as party chairman.Bartholomew forwarded it without reading the contents when "he was first getting familiar with the Internet," Byler said. "Oh, how I fondly remember those days back in the mid-1990s when I was first getting familiar with the Internet but kept accidentally forwarding racist emails," writes David Kurtz at TPM. "It was nip and tuck there for a while whether the Internet would realize its full potential or just be a clunky system that tripped you up into coming off as a bigot."

What the RPV doesn't understand about racism

by The Richmonder

I'll keep this very brief, because it's really a very simple issue, though for some reason the Republican Party of Virginia and its supporters don't seem to get it.This is a response to Brian Schoeneman's post "What's worse? Racism or using racism as a political weapon?" at Bearing Drift.  The title of this post really says it all--and Mr. Schoeneman really ends up accusing himself and the RPV of what he'd like to defend them against: racism. Mr. Schoeneman is upset that Democrats have made a habit of calling out Republicans when those Republicans act or speak in a way that is blatantly racist.  To Mr. Schoeneman that is "using racism as a political weapon." No, Mr. Schoeneman, it is not using racism as a political weapon.  Calling out and criticizing incidents of racism is opposing racism.  Does opposing racism have political consequences?  Quite possibly.  But it is in the power of Virginia Republicans to avoid these consequences altogether by simply ceasing to act and speak in ways that are racist.  Just stop being racists and the issue becomes moot. Where Mr. Shoeneman ends up accusing himself, and by extension the entire RPV, is by using the phrase "using racism as a political weapon."  In the current scenario the only organization using racism, deliberately employing racism on its own behalf to promote itself and gain political power, is the Virginia Beach Republican Committee. It is members of the Virginia Beach Republican Committee's leadership who have been e-mailing around racist jokes, songs, and other material to boost the sense of community and esprit de corps among Virginia Beach Republicans.  Racism seems to be a core organizing principle for Virginia Beach Republicans, something that motivates their participation in GOP activities. Criticizing the use of racism by Republicans to promote the GOP is not racism: it is anti-racism.  Are Virginia Republicans really unable to understand that?

Republican Loudoun-sanity Continues: Dick Black Rails Against Gays in the Military

This interview with former Virginia Delegate Dick Black (R-Loudoun), now running for State Senate, is truly shocking, even by this crazy election season's standards. Perhaps we shouldn't be shocked, though, given Black's history and also given the name of the group conducting Black's interview - "Americans for Truth About Homosexuality" ("dedicated to exposing the homosexual activist agenda"). Can we say "obsessed?" Can someone call the men in the white coats, stat? Anyway, listen to the interview yourself and see what you think. Highlights include Dick Black (yes, that's really his name) riffing on the supposed evils of gays in the military - increased HIV and AIDS, ogling and fondling in the showers and the foxholes, and worse! Listen to this, starting at minute 21:00.

I recall one particularly terrible situation, where, this was in basic training, there was a young fellow who went to the showers at night, and there were two homosexuals lurking -- they were also basic trainees - and they strangled him with a towel and forced him to submit to, you know, things that we won't talk about on the air. But it was extremely brutal, it was extremely humiliating, and they taunted him when they were finished. And at the time of the court martial of these guys, the victim was in psychiatric confinement at a hospital. Now, this is what we're asking the mothers and fathers of America to send their children into, is that sort of environment, where sexual bullies will prey on the smallest and least assertive soldiers.

So, there you have it. Let gays serve openly in the military, and before we know it, predatory homosexuals will be lurking everywhere, ready to commit their dastardly deeds! At another point in the interview (15:25), Black claims that allowing gays in the military will cause "deaths on the battlefield," apparently by their mere existence. Even worse will be (22:30) "these homosexual predators that will be unleashed by the administration's policy on gays in the military." On and on the insanity and bigotry go. Where it stops, who knows, maybe the State Senate for Dick Black? Meanwhile, just as Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) has strongly supported another Loudoun County Republican extremist, Eugene Delgaudio, Wolf also strongly supported Dick Black with both money and a ringing endorsement (Wolf praised Black as "a vital member of my team" and urged his reelection). Also see here for the Loudoun County Republican Committee's photos and account of a lovely little pancake breakfast they held a couple weeks ago, at which Frank Wolf hung out with his pals Dick Black, (homosexual obsessed) Eugene Delgaudio, State Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel, Del. Tom Rust, Del. "Sideshow" Bob Marshall, LCRC Chairman Mark Sell (so extreme that even the right-wing blog "Too Conservative" said if he was elected, it would mean "a return to the Dark Ages" in Loudoun County), 10th CD Chairman Howie Lind (a member of the "Purity At All Costs crowd"), and other assorted wingnuts. Basically, it's a cornucopia o' crazy in the Loudoun County Republican Party, and Frank Wolf's an important part of it - enabler, funder, endorser, etc. The question is, how does Wolf get away with masquerading as a "moderate" while supporting a bunch of bigots and extremists? And how is it, exactly, that Wolf bears no responsibility for homophobic bigots and extremists like Delgaudio and Black, both of whom Wolf has supported in the past, and continues to support to this very day? P.S. Part II of the interview, including lost more anti-gay ranting by Dick Black, is available here. Everything you always wanted to know about "the homosexual agenda" and the evils of gays in the military, Dick Black's your man!

Virginia Beach Republican Committee Chair Forwards Racist Email

(Updates, including Glenn Nye's, Scott Rigell's, and DPVA's statements, are after the "fold." - promoted by lowkell) David Bartholomew, Chair of the Virginia Beach Republican Committee, has been forwarding around a "joke" via email. The only problem, other than the fact that it's not particularly funny, is that it's blatantly racist. Check it out. MY DOG I went down this morning to sign up my Dog for welfare.At first the lady said, "Dogs are not eligible to draw welfare". So I explained to her that my Dog is black, unemployed, lazy, can't speak English and has no frigging clue who his Daddy is. So she looked in her policy book to see what it takes to qualify... My Dog gets his first check Friday. Is this is a great country or what? How do I know that it's Dave Bartholomew forwarding this racist "joke" around? On the RPVB website, his email's publicly listed as dbarh2o@aol.com.  And the email is from? Drumroll please... Busted!  By the way, check out the photo above, of 2nd CD Republican Congressional candidate Scott Rigell and David Bartholomew. I can't wait to hear what Rigell has to say about this one. UPDATE: Rep. Glenn Nye has issued a statement. This type of racist behavior has no place in politics. I call on Dave Bartholomew to resign immediately. I also call on Scott Rigell to join me in condemning this divisive, narrow-minded behavior by demanding Bartholomew's resignation. UPDATE #2: Virginia Beach Democratic Commitee Chair Susan Mariner issued a statement: I am baffled by Mr. Bartholomew's unabashed propagation of prejudice and hate. I'd like to believe that Scott Rigell doesn't share these sentiments but sadly, we are the company we keep. I hope that Scott denounces this intolerance and embraces the 21st century. UPDATE #3: DPVA issues a statement. The Democratic Party of Virginia today reacted to the disgusting and racist remarks made by top Rigell advisor and Virginia Beach Republican Chairman, David Bartholomew. Blue Virginia first reported the racist and inflammatory email circulated by David Bartholomew.Upon learning of Bartholomew's blatant racism, Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Dick Cranwell said "As a key advisor for the Rigell campaign, Bartholomew's racism is out of touch, insensitive, and has no place in American politics. Scott Rigell needs to demand Bartholomew's resignation immediately.  To do any less would mean that Mr. Rigell shares this world view." Gaylene Kanoyton, First Vice Chair of the Virginia Democratic Committee said, "In 2010, it's abhorrent that Scott Rigell would keep this sort of company.  This is the kind of attitude that I, and many in my community, have fought so hard to do away with. I hope that Scott Rigell will do the right thing and call on Mr. Bartholomew to resign, and join the rest of us in reason, tolerance, and mutual respect." Susan Mariner, Chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee said, "I am baffled by Mr. Bartholomew's unabashed propagation of prejudice and hate. I'd like to believe that Scott Rigell doesn't share these sentiments but sadly, we are the company we keep. I hope that Scott denounces this intolerance and embraces the 21st century." UPDATE #4: Scott Rigell issues a statement. The email sent by Republican Party of Virginia Beach Chairman David Bartholomew is reprehensible. It stands in stark contrast to the core values of the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, and my personal belief in a colorblind society. I call upon Mr. Bartholomew to immediately resign his position as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach. UPDATE #5: Sen. Donald McEachin issues a statement. Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today called on the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General to repudiate the disgusting racism stated by one of their Party leaders. "I will not even demean myself or the honorable citizens of Virginia to repeat the egregious words in the email apparently distributed by the Republican Party chair of Virginia Beach. I would ask the governor, the lieutenant governor and the attorney general, the three statewide leaders of their Party, to not only renounce and reject this vile language but to ask that this individual relinquish his post. For this individual to be a Party leader in an official position of the Republican Party of Virginia says it all. In the absence of strong statements by Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, it is only fair to assume that these three elected officials condone such despicable and contemptible behavior. Their absence does and will speak volumes."These are perilous economic times and many Americans and Virginians, of all colors, ethnicities and backgrounds find themselves without employment. As they desperately search for a new job and a way to take care of their family, some of them have to turn to the safety net that we have in place for that very reason. To compare these hardworking Virginians to an individual's dog is insulting not just to any one race, but to all Virginians. These citizens are deserving of our compassion and assistance. They are asking only for a hand up so that they, too, can find a well-paying job to support themselves and their loved ones. I can only hope that our governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general have compassion for those who find themselves unemployed and going through struggle and that they recognize that to mock and demean these people in such a horrific way is totally unacceptable. "I await the words and actions of Governor McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bolling and Attorney General Cuccinelli. Every minute they don't respond and repudiate this contemptible email and every minute they do not ask this individual to resign his position sends Virginians a message about their values and their leadership."

Webb Turns Back on Appalachia, Cozies Up to Big Coal

by the Green Miles

To understand Jim Webb's shocking flip on the coal industry, you have to understand where he began. Here's what he wrote in his book, Born Fighting, just six years ago: The ever hungry industrialists had discovered that West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia sat atop one huge vein of coal. And so the rape began. The people from the outside showed up with complicated contracts that the small-scale cattle raisers and tobacco farmers could not fully understand, asking for "rights" to mineral deposits they could not see, and soon they were treated to a sundering of their own earth as the mining companies ripped apart their way of life, so that after a time the only option was to go down into the hole and bring the Man his coal, or starve.The Man got his coal, and the profits it brought when he shipped it out. They got their wages, black lung, and the desecration of their land. Now Jim Webb is standing before those very same industrialists & pledging to do their bidding. This video from a recent Virginia Chamber of Commerce event shows Webb promising to fight any effort to rein in coal's destructive, polluting, poverty-sustaining excesses. Webb's pandering to corporate polluters stands in contrast to Sen. Mark Warner's appearance at the same event making the case for energy reform.Who else is Webb fighting for these days? The ultra-rich, pledging to protect them from having to do their fair share to reduce America's deficit. Speculation so far has centered on whether Jim Webb wants a 2nd term in the Senate. But I'm hearing more & more Virginia Democrats question whether we should want six more years of Jim Webb.