UPDATE:
opening of the Manassas Office of the 2012 Obama/Biden campaign
Time: Saturday, August 11, 2012 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Trusler Hall, 9411 Main Street, Suite 101, Manassas, VA 20110 (next to Philadelphia Tavern)
The Romney event begins at 3:45. I heard a rumor that there will be an Obama Shadow bus coming to town also. Everyone ought to be good and stirred up.
The LOVE sign will stay.
The Olympics have been thrilling for the United States. We are ahead in number of medals in all and number of gold medals.
Last week was exciting. We had a full week of Olympics, hot weather, and news that the BOCS plans to raise its middle finger at all of us and do what they damn well please. We have every indication that the Candland Conflict of Interest Resolution will be shot down like a wounded quail by the County Attorney. Somehow it is against the law to tell supervisors they can’t vote on things that ….oh never mind. Ms. Horan says it best:
“To the extent that the proposed amendment would bar a member of the Board of County Supervisors from casting a vote on an issue when that member is otherwise fully empowered by the Code of Virginia to vote, the amendment exceeds the Board’s legal authority and should not be adopted.”
Let us not forget, Ms. Horan is an employee. Employees are supposed to do what they are told. Hmmmm…I wonder who told her to make that outrageous statement? Did she just make conflict of interest invisible?
Mitt Romney is coming to town on the bus to Harris Pavillion.
Tickets:
http://www.mittromney.com/states/virginia/events/join-mitt-manassas-victory-rally
That seems like a small space.
The Obama campaign and Democratic National committee have sued the state of Ohio to overturn the state law that gives military members three extra days to vote. Can anyone say disenfranchisement?
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/08/02/obama-campaign-sues-to-restrict-military-voting
Why should they have more time? I really don’t like your source, Kelly. Brietbart is obviously a very bisased source and has never made any attempt to strut or deny it is biased.
I also don’t believe, as stated in the article, that members of the military have more of a right to vote than anyone else. I don’t believe that there is a hierarchy of voting rights.
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/312326
Both major parties make it difficult for the rest of us to run for office.
@Steve, they make it difficult for the rest of us to stand elections also. “The party line” sure has taken on a new meaning. I want a candidate who can think for his or her self.
Manassas Mitt!
Always enjoy good folks coming to our lovely city.
Hope the weather is good and the trains aren’t too loud.
No trains at that time Steve, according to Mr. B, who will help teach rail safety for MCPS bus drivers later this month.
@Moon-howler
The military needs more time because official military residents are usually assigned to a base in a different state or different country. So it takes more time for them to meet all the requirements to obtain ballots and get them submitted.
I do not agree either that the military has MORE of a right to vote. But the point is that states try to accommodate military voters who are geographically separated from their polling places. I believe the article is correct in that the DNC and Obama campaign sued Ohio.
I can provide you with news articles that show attempts by the Democrats to exclude military voters in past elections. In many cases, the military vote does not go for Democrats so the DNC tries to suppress military turn out.
@Kelly, both sides have their own slick moves with voting restrictions/requirements.
I thought that the case was about in person voting, not absentee ballot.
Plenty of people have hardship voting. I don’t think the military should be entitled to any more time than anyone else. If the time is too short, lengthen it for everyone. That solves everyone’s problem.
Then there are the states that have people jumping through hoops over ID. I have change dmy mind from where it was originally. Some of the rules I have read out of some states are burdensome. I don’t see why there isn’t one standard to vote in a federal election anyway.
Heard on BBC News:
Shooting at a Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At least one person killed.
Kelly – what the law provides is that military personnel and families can vote in person until the Monday before election day. The regular voter can only vote until the Friday before election day. Why do they need the extra time? Isn’t this disenfranchising all votes except military? Why not other groups like doctors, police officers, etc – or for that matter – anyone eligible to vote.
It has nothing to do with the current absentee ballot provisions.
@Pat Herve
Military personnel can be prevented from leaving their posts for an extended period of time. I am not aware of other professions that pull >3-day shifts like some in the military. Perhaps they do.
If someone was on a missile crew for example, the helicopter would come out to pick them up only every three or four days … even less in bad weather. So a military member could be stuck at a site with no way to leave to vote in person. There are other examples of jobs like this in the military.
If other professions have similar limitations, then they should probably be included in the law as well.
@Kelly,
Why not just make it tha tmoney for everyone and be done with it? Lots of other professions have situations that might keep them from being where they want to be. I would suggest that perhaps the length of time start earlier for everyone. Why take it right up to the last minute.
Any thoughts on some of the state restrictions on ID for voters?
Moon,
You mentioned mosquitos in a few posts lately. I live in Sudley, and a neighbor told me that mosquitos in the area had tested positive for West Nile virus. I sent an email to those ‘innovative’ folks in the Gypsy Moth and Mosquito Control Branch, and here is the reply I got.
“yes mosquitoes from one of our traps near Ben Lomond Park tested positive for West Nile. This was back on June 28th, we did adult mosquito spraying in the area and have been treating areas of standing water all summer long. There has not been a positive test out of that trap since. We know that West Nile is established in the area and has been since 2001 but this is why we trap, to see if West Nile keeps re-occurring in a certain area. Also the type of mosquitoes that tested positive are called Culex species and they predominately feed on birds thus keeping the West Nile cycle alive in nature, we do not get too concerned when these mosquitoes come back positive. We do get concerned when we start getting positive Asian tiger mosquitoes, these are the black and white ones that lay their eggs in artificial containers around people’s homes. These mosquitoes bite humans regularly and if the virus gets established into these mosquito populations then the risk of human cases increases. We are encouraging residents to check around their homes for containers that contain water such as buckets, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc. and to dump them in order to reduce the Asian tiger populations. If you have further questions feel free to call or email.
Branch Chief
Gypsy Moth and Mosquito Control
Prince William County Public Works
703-792-5730
Thanks Forrest. I have to suit up to get from my house to my car. It is horrible here every summer. They need to spray daily here. Thanks for sharing.
I am also allergic. A bite often leaves a mark the size of a quarter or larger so I live on benedryl when I get chomped. My husband doesn’t even get bitten. The kids and grandkids get eaten alive like I do .
Lafayette will bear out the problems around here.
Isn’t it about time for Cargo to wind his way home from the great vacation of 2012?
Just got back from Nottingham Forest. I think “anonymous” must stand for DUMB ASS.
btw, On this blog, pick whatever moniker you want, as long as it isn’t taken by someone else, but don’t use “Anonymous.” No one can tell one anonymous from the next anonymous.
Also, please use a real email address so we can get hold of you if we need to. Don’t use an obvious fake one. (unless I have told you to…and if I have, you know why I said to do this)
I am generally for positive identification of voters as long as the states do not make it too hard. The Virginia DMV can be a nightmare, but state residents can obtain an ID card there.
Proving legal presences is very much a pita for married women at DMV. When they put me thru the hoops, I would say the biggest problem wasn’t what I had to bring in, but being told what to bring in. Lack of instruction was the biggest problem.
Married women who take their husband’s name end up not matching the birth certificate, thus a marriage license is needed.
Got back this afternoon. Wonderful time. Niece got married in New Orleans. Went from Roanoke to there in one trip….9am to 3 am. whew.
Traipsed around the French Quarter, showing my family some great places. Panama City Beach was wonderful. Now I’m sunburned and sexy. My daughter got to fly a plane in Pensacola. Not a simulator… an actual plane. And now…we’re back.
I think I’m warming up to Voter ID laws as long as the state has a clearly stated program and that options are available at zero cost for citizens. I’d also like a system where for those where documentation may be a challenge (e.g. court record lost) that a process exists where an otherwise qualified voter can get that fixed with little to no expense and that they may provide a provisional ballot under penalty of perjury.
I am all for voter id laws – as long as people can get the id, and there is no charge for it. I am actually surprised at how many people supposedly do not have a photo id – how do they open bank accounts, cash checks, etc?
The other voter fraud that needs to be investigated is where people are registered in two or more jurisdictions, and choose to vote in more than one jurisdiction – across county and/or state lines. I actually think this is the bigger fraud.
@Cargosquid
Figured I’d give you some daily gun porn today…
http://www.ktxs.com/news/UPDATED-Names-of-victims-released-Three-dead-in-Early-shooting-Good-Samaritan-praised/-/14769632/15822008/-/rqu99pz/-/index.html
Authorities are praising an unidentified “Good Samaritan” who reportedly shot a 58-year-old Early man in the thigh — before the man was killed — after the man allegedly gunned down House and Calaci neighbors and their two dogs.
This link has a little bit more.
http://deadlinelive.info/2012/08/07/armed-citizen-in-tx-stops-shooting-spree-and-saves-cop-by-making-150-yard-shot-with-a-pistol/
Means and Conner weren’t the only two people with their attention riveted on the gun fight. Vic Stacy, another resident of the RV park, saw the gun fight break out as he was watching TV in his mobile home and thought to himself, “I’m going to see what’s going to happen here and if I need to I’ll, you know, get in on it.”
Stacy, who had a seen Conner around his trailer park and described him as “off the wall”, watched the gun fight for a few moments and concluded, “I think (Conner) is gonna take (the officer) out if I don’t help him out.”
So, that’s when Stacy decided to act. Conner may have had excellent cover against the Officer Means, but Stacy was in a flanking position that gave him the perfect vantage point. Stacy recalled, “I had a side view of that man the whole time standing there, and I thought, I’m fixin’ to put one in him, if I can.”
Stacy raised his gun, fired, and landed one hell of a shot – by his estimate “a good 165 yards” – with a pistol (we do not know the make or caliber at this time). Stacy wasn’t even sure if he could make the shot at that distance: “I hope this magnum bullet’ll hold up, you know, this distance. And sure enough it did and I hit him in the thigh.”
At that point, Conner returned fire against Stacy with his AR-15. He missed his shot, luckily, but that gave dead-eye Stacy another opportunity to pull the trigger. Stacy “hit him again and put three more in him … The patrolman got two shots in him with that AR-15. And it seems like he’s all over with, then.”
Conner died on the scene, but if it wasn’t for the aid of Vic Stacy, the body count might have been a lot higher.
“this magnum bullet’ll hold up”
.357 or .44 mag…gotta be. Nothing else would be good for that range in a pistol.
Anyway….Thanks.
I agree. If citizens need ID for public good, valid ID should be issued freely. It should be the responsibility of the citizen to make the effort to get it. Funny how you need ID to get into Obama’s fund raisers but not to vote.
@Cargosquid
Funny how some don’t want to facilitate the military vote in key states, but want to let anyone without an ID vote everywhere else.
I thought the DMV used to issue a picture ID for people who did not drive. Don’t they still do that? How do people get through airport security without a valid picture id?
If there is such an objection to picture IDs for voting, then shouldn’t all picture id requirements for security, alcohol sales (you name it) be banned for the same reason? (that of course is not a serious proposal by the way)
Does anyone address the free picture id issuance when they are passing ID laws?
Is it free? @clinton
@Moon-howler
I don’t know, but if it isn’t, I am wondering if it is a cost that could be absorbed by DMV as part of legislation.
If identification is the issue, and the others can’t afford it, then finding a solution is what used to be called “compromise”, ie both sides get what they want.
To me, divided government where all sides are equal usually results in either inaction (when people don’t want to get anything done — like now) or better results (because all points of view are considered).
I have sort of lost interest in voter ID although Jon Stewart had an interesting skit on it last night. Maybe I will post later.
I don’t think that ID should place a burden on people or act as a poll tax. By the same token, I think people do have a responsibility to prove who they are when registering and showing a picture ID isn’t that big of a problem at the polls, is it?
I resent how many people have information to your private information at the polls. You have to give all your names aloud plus your address. Any pervert in the world could overhear this …there you go. I plan on writing it down from now on and if they don’t let me vote, I will sue.
I think I’ve mentioned this before but the DMV has the ability (and maybe the responsibility) of badging state employees. When I was told to get my militia ID I reported to the DMV in uniform with my form and they (after reading thier operations manual) gave me my Virginia Defense Force (picture) ID card.
I used it to fly all over our wonderful country. At one point a TSA agent told me “You are not “real” Army but I guess you can get on the plane.”
My coworkers hated travelling with me because I’d do stuff like that. I tried to use my VA concealed handgun permit to get into the HQMC Navy Annex. The contracted guard said no but said a non-picture credit card would be sufficient…..
BTW, the militia ID was no-cost (to me).
What kind of uniform is that?
BDU – Battle Dress Uniform. Not the current style of digital cammies.
Who is the Virginia Defense Force? How does it differ from the National Guard?
Is anyone else watching the Olympics?
I have been watching the dressage competition. I had never paid much attention to it before this. I knew what it was but that wa sit and I once won a contest involving it in the book section of the washington Post, many years ago.
Facinating. Great Britain just won another gold. its too rich for my blood but interesting to watch. All the communication is in the hands and legs.
Are the Brits equestrian folks all royalty or what? Ordinary people here in this country don’t do dressage.
@Moon-howler
The Virginia Defense Force is the STATE militia.
http://www.vdf.virginia.gov/
@Cargo, so it is state national guard ….sort of? Who gets to call out the National Guard? I thought the Gov. was the only one who could do that?
@Moon-howler
I have to admit I have never seen dressage and avoid it the same way I avoid cycling and the marathon for the first 25+ miles. My grass growing has more excitement to me.
Clinton, now I didn’t say I wanted to do it. I had never watched. It was pretty neat to see those dancing horses. To think that a rider can train an animal that large to do those steps.
@Moon-howler
You now know as much as I do. That’s their link.
Moon, the Army National Guard and the VA Defense Force are two seperate elements. The Army National Guard is part of the greater Army of the Unites States which is comprised of the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard.
The Army National Guard is funded both by the Federal Government and the State. The Governor can, when there exists an emergency, activate National Guard Units within the State. The President can also active (aka federalize) the Guard when the Units are needed to support the Regular Army. Most times that happens is when there are either specialized units not contained in the Army Reserve, or additional Combat Troop Units (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Aviation) are needed.
The Virginia Defense Force (aka State Militia) operates only within the State. They are called up by the Governor when needed to either directly replace a Guard Unit the President has federalized, or in instances where the Guard Units are not enough for whatever the situation may be (most often this is a major natural disaster). They also have the mission to support the Virginia Army National Guard Units under contract for various things, most often for items related to in-state operation issues.
Should be an exciting Saturday….Romney coming to town with the Governor and others; and the Obama Headquarters also opening up that day.
I do ponder though…I hope the organizers are going to give the City a reimbursement check for the Police overtime, and for the Fire & Rescue folks who will be on standby. This campaign stop definitely was not part of the overtime budgets.
@Moon-howler
You’ve got mail!!!
👿
Shall I light up someone’s name in lights before the next election? [evil grin] 😈
Maybe Jeannemarie Devolites Davis will be giving El Jefe a run for his money for LT Gov.
Prince William county School Board members only make $10k a year. It isn’t even worth learning all that crap for that little bit of money.
Surely that figure isn’t right. I must have misread it in WABE.
In an earlier thread, there was talk about politicians and opinions about the Palestinians. I forget where.
So, this is an interesting article from a less political POV.
http://strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20120810.aspx
@Moon-howler
Moon, SB members make $12,000 a year, been that way since before I started in 2001. I believe the Chairman makes a bit more, maybe $13,000.
There he is!!! Hi Don. Welcome back. So good to see you! That number seemed suspicious. Also, they list that the SB pays something like $11,000 on health care per person. Having paid my own out of pocket for years, without any assistance (not grousing), it isn’t $11,000. Its more like $6400. Of course they also say that FICA is a benefit. (WABE that is. )
$12000 doesn’t seem like its worth the guff people have to put up with plus the aggrevation of having to learn all thats required to sit on that board.
$12,000 is definitely not enough compensation. The job is also far from part time, this is a very large school system with a 1.2 billion dollar budget. The School Board Members do deserve credit for their service and our gratitude. It’s a tough job.
Does the school board really spend that much less time than the board of supervisors spend? It would be interesting to compare compensation. How much do the supervisors make? I can’t remember. Its easier to ask than it is to research it.
I would rather pay them more and require more of them.
regarding the supervisors, its pretty difficult to demand professionalism and due diligence to what is close to a million dollar budget when we are paying 8 people a pittance.
Loudoun County =
The new salaries make up a good deal of lost ground. Supervisors’ annual pay will rise from $22,400 to $41,200; the chairman’s salary will rise from $40,000 to $50,000; and the vice chairman’s pay will increase from $22,400 to $45,320.
I couldn’t find PWC supervisor salary but I think it is about $45k for the districts and $50 for the chair.
That amount is nearly 4 times the amount a school board member gets. I think the school board is being cheated.
On the other hand, it would probably behoove us to make the supervisor position full time so that it wasn’t a part time job.
Romney to pick VP tomorrow. I predict it will be Congressman Ryan.
I wonder who the Democrat VP will be…..
@Moon-howler
Guess ordinary people don’t do dressage. The Romneys got a $77,000+
tax deduction for horse expenses. Imagine how much one would have had to spend in order to get that kind of a deduction.
Talk about being in the stratosphere!
Hi Punchak, have you been on vacation?
Yea, can you imagine $77,000 deductions for horse expenses. How come I can’t deduct my dogs?
Republican VP announcement at 9 am tomorrow.
it will be aboard the USS Wisconsin. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is expected to be that running mate.
From NOrfolk to Manassas. Some streets close at 4 am.
I don;’t think that the campaigns paid for the 3 hits on PWC last year. We got hit 3 times. Obama for announcement at Nissan, then McCain at McCoart, then the wrap up the night before the election at the Fairgrounds.
It costs hundreds of thousands in overtime when all is said and done. I hope they all paid us back.
Fox News poll: Obama’s lead grows as Romney’s support slips
By Dana Blanton
Published August 10, 2012
FoxNews.com
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/09/fox-news-poll-obama-lead-grows-as-romney-support-slips/#ixzz23DM6Nivw
Obama is widening his lead, according to Fox News, of all sources! 9 points! Yeah baby!
Screw Mitt Romney. He was disrespectful to OUR governor. He comes to OUR state to announce his choice for Vice President who is NOT our governor.
I might be miffed at our Governor but…he is OUR governor. Why doesn’t Romney wait until the Olympics are over and then go to Wisconsin to announce he is choosing Paul Ryan. Does he think getting on the USS Wisconsin is like taking him to Wisconsin?
Some of you ultra-sounders should really be apologizing to the governor. I blame you. You compromised him with pretty much everyone just so you all could be big and bad and let us she-males know who the boss was.
Gov. McDonnell then looked like he couldn’t control his own R’s and that he was an extremist.
Let the chips fall where they may….but I think its a shame.
According to Ben Tribbett of Not Larry Sabato Blog, today is the 6th macacaversery….
You know, when George Allen made his fateful gaffe…of Macaca.
@Moon-howler
He didn’t have to sign it. And McDonnell was not really a favored candidate. He wouldn’t draw a needed constituency…. Conservatives and Tea Party, like Ryan would.
He didn’t have to sign it and I am sorry he did. I think he was put in the position of signing it, for whatever reason party people have pack mentality. I can tell you this much, the right to life forces do make people pay. (so do pro choicers) Had he not signed it, he would have had to face his base.
@Starryflights
Here ya go, Starry:
5-7 Aug 12 All registered voters 49% 40 2 Q1 – Extremely Interested Voters 48% 48%
So, among LIKELY voters….tied.
What’s missing is the party affiliation of those polled. And since they polled additional “hispanics” that slants the group to the Democrats. Kind of like the recent Pew poll that shows Obama ahead by a similar margin.
Total sample = 2,508.
Republicans = 459.
Democrats = 813.
Independent = 599.
Just sayin’…
Who is going to the rally at the Harris Pavillion for Romney? Who is pleased with his selection for VP?
Go Ryan!
Too bad its so far away or I’d go.
@Cargosquid
3 Polls give Obama a lead. That is this week. It could all change by next week. I never trust poll results to have any staying power.
What’s wrong with polling hispanics? Where does that come from?
Most people don’t have a real party affiliation, just a leaning.