November has become the harvest month. Our climate is changing and we still bring in an abundant harvest well in to November.
We have had a freeze but the frost only took out the most sensitive of the plants. My herbs are still going strong. The next couple of weeks should finish things off.
Good bye to Daylight Saving Time. It ends early this year. Let my depression begin.
No posts on Jeanine Lawson’s press conference against Porta? Did anyone think that was a little over the top?
I thought it was totally unacceptable for her to be involved. I would hope that our BOCS would work together to better the county. I don’t see how that will be possible when Porta wins the election and takes his seat on the BOCS along side Ms. Lawson.
The information about his court case is over a decade old. I am curious why it just came to light a week before the election. Cheap politics.
If women felt compelled to unleash that information a week before the election, Ms. Lawson should have stayed out of it. She isn’t running against Mr. Porta.
Hello everyone! It’s November 1st and I just wanted to take a moment to stop by and remind you that every vote counts, especially this year! We are only 2 days from Election Day and are in a pitched battle to retake the 13th House District for those of us who live here.
I was born and raised in Appalachia. My dad was a railroad diesel mechanic and when I was very young, he literally broke his back on the railroad. For two years, he was in a body cast (medicine in the early 1970s wasn’t what it is today and back surgery took a real toll) and laid up in a hospital bed in the front room of our house. If it hadn’t been for the kindness of others, we would have never made it. It was that episode very early in my life that led me to choose to dedicate my adult life to service to others.
Upon graduation from high school, I joined the military, where I spent a career in the Army and Air Force before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. I also served 8 years as a Department of Defense civilian, where I was a GS-15 senior manager. I hold two masters degrees: a Master of Science in Information Management from Syracuse University and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University. I’m married with three children; all of whom attended Prince William County Public Schools.
I’m running in part because our current delegate has missed 723 votes over the past 4 years. That’s right – almost 200 votes EACH YEAR for the past 4 years. In addition, he SKIPPED 52% of his committee meetings in the 2015 session. He is the 6th most senior delegate in the House, yet chairs NO committees and due to his divisive nature, has trouble getting bills passed. I believe we deserve to have the same quality of representation that folks who live in Arlington, Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News, Roanoke, and everywhere else in the Commonwealth have. We deserve to have a delegate who cares enough to show up to work and who represents our interests.
I have put together an ambitious agenda which includes a 6-point ethics reform plan that calls for campaign finance reform and a truly independent redistricting commission. I will work across the aisle to find common-sense transportation solutions that include extending VRE to Gainesville/Haymarket, investigating the use of bus rapid transit and dedicated bus lanes, and conducting a study on the extension of metro. I am opposed to tolls on I-66 and have been since they were first proposed (I am a founding member of 66 Alliance, which stands in opposition to tolls on 66). I will work with local, state, and federal elected officials to finally bring high-tech, high-paying jobs to Prince William and Manassas Park while protecting the Rural Crescent. I am convinced that one of the fastest ways to get cars off the road is to bring jobs to where people live.
For the past 16 months, we’ve been on the doors speaking with voters about their hopes and concerns and sharing our vision for the future of the district. We’re encouraged by what we hear and are looking forward to Tuesday. If you’d like to get involved and help with this crucial election, there’s still time. I ask everyone I meet to take Tuesday off and donate a couple of hours to the campaign by staffing a polling place, knocking doors, making phone calls, or helping with Election Day logistics.
Thank you for your time. You can learn more about our campaign and how to get involved either on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ShawforDelegate or our campaign web page: http://www.shawfordelegate.com. Above all, please remember to exercise your right to vote!
Welcome, Don. May the force be with you. As you know, my “better half” is already working with your campaign. I voted absentee. You already have my vote. It’s time for Mr. Marshall to join my world: RETIRED.
“High Paying Jobs”: Just once I would like to hear from an Elected or Candidate EXACTLY what the range of pay is. You never hear it. I once had the opportunity to see if that could be quantified, and back in 2010, had the chance.
Back in 2010 as the PWC Economic Development Task Force gave their report to the BOCS, it stated: “Since 2000, the cumulative number of high-wage jobs brought into the County is 10,422, with an average annual payroll of approximately $600,000,000.”
Doing the math, if you divide the payroll by number of jobs, the average salary is $54,570. The Median Income for PWC at that time was $88,724 and that is closer to what a “high-paying job” salary might be. But when you consider at that time, the average annual salary in PWC was $41,028, that Economic Development average is only a 24% increase.
Currently for PWC, average annual salary is $48,984. So what is a “high paying job”?
Excellent point, Ray. How do you get everyone on the same sheet of music? I am tired of fuzzy words.
How odd and interesting that the politicians this year are zeroing in on how many votes their opponent missed, considering that Barack Obama missed almost 25% of his votes as senator. Yet somehow he managed to get elected twice anyway. So why is this a “thing” this year, Mr. Shaw?
Because Marshall missed so many votes…something like 600+.
I remember when Marshall first ran on term limits.
Emma – last I checked, Mr. Shaw isn’t running against Barack Obama.
@Emma
“the politicians”? Other than Mr. Shaw, who is “zeroing in”? I think it’s a valid issue, after all, aren’t our politicians paid to represent us? How are they doing that if they’re not voting?
@Confused Thank you for enlightening all of us.
Agreed Moon – thought it was very inproper and from a County seal podium. What if Porta wins, how is that working relationship going to be? Lost lots of respect for Lawson
I didn’t pick up on the county seal part. That amplifies how inappropriate Lawson’s behavior was.
I did not cover it because I simply didn’t want to give them the attention, negative or otherwise.
I make no judgements about Porta…guilty or innocent. I don’t know and this just isn’t the time to be sorting all that out. This was a cheap political maneuver…very cheap. It’s playing a real ugly version of the woman card.
Those women he supposedly insulted had plenty of time to come forward.
I hope they aren’t all patting themselves on the back that they are feminists…don’t make me laugh!!!
Moon, that is why I like Ruth Anderson’s position of “career-enhancing, living wage jobs”. Career-ehancing includes jobs that allow for progression up the ladder. Living wage is just under $13 an hour for this area. At least she gives clear starting points in the discussion about jobs.
I haven’t followed her campaign.
Another example of kids being kids these days…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3300204/The-frightening-moment-despondent-teacher-bullied-students-classroom-tell-sit-threaten-chair.html
That footage was from 2011. She was a weak, ineffective teacher. I also think she might be a sub. That is a horrifyingly dangerous situation.
Do we still not want cops to come into the classroom?
News flash. Not all kids are sweet little children.
@Sean
For a good read on this subject:
Final Thoughts / Occoquan BOCS District Campaign Mud>
Bill Golden is generally fair and unbiased. He points out the real 15 year old case that goes beyond the sensational.
http://www.pwcpolitics.com/
Most of the people I know are looking at the good Earnie has done for the town Occaquan.
If this fabulous weather is a result of global warming, can we just keep it for a while?
What a great week.
I have a favorite road over in Delaplane. It is gorgeous. It is like being in an autumnal magic land with the yellows, russets, pinks and merlots. My trip was like opening a wonderful brand new box of crayons–the 128 color box. Fall is so grand.
Just wanted to say…. I’m glad this blog is here.
I just spent time on Disqus…… and there are some SERIOUSLY deluded, stupid, and willfully obtuse people on there.
I’m “discussing things” with sumdood that believes that people have NO rights other than the right to life. A sample:
“All human life is equally valuable. What you call “defense” is just aggression cloaked with a bit of rhetoric. What you call “freedom” is just your version of oppressing others.”
I was sarcastic and told him:
“But lets go with your idea that you have no other rights other than “to live.” Great.”
“Please report to somewhere willing to use you as a slave. And don’t worry about your property. You don’t have a right to own it. And don’t bother complaining. You don’t have a right to speech or any other right.”
“Your new owner will allow you to live peacefully while working for him.”
His reply: “You have just defined what it is to be a Christian. Thank you.”
Wow……..
Of course, he STILL advocates for the government to use force to protect him from abuse.
Have a nice life.
I wish this place had an edit button.
“have a nice life” was part of my sarcastic response to him.
* ExxonMobile donates millions of $ to the Clinton Global Initiative
* ExxonMobile sponsors the annual Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in 2014
* ExxonMobile declines renew their multi million dollar donation to the Clinton Global Initiative
* A month after declining to give the Clinton Global Initiative millions of dollars Hillary Clinton publicly demands a federal investigation of ExxonMobile.
Anyone else find this fishy?
@Cargosquid
I would put in an edit button if I knew how. The next best thing is emailing me to edit it for you. I will do that. or erase so you can start over.
@Cargosquid
David and I are working on your wish. @Cargo
What “Wizard of Gainesville” has been ordering various Republicans to not talk to certain people who have left the county?
I guess free speech is only a figment of our imagination in the beautiful Gainesville magisterial district.
How can one little woman be such a threat? Well Tuck my Friar!
@Moon-howler
I made it so there’s a 5 minute comment editing window of opportunity.
Edit: Now you have an hour and a half to edit your comments after they’re posted. This is somewhat hackified but it should work well for now.
Thanks, Dogbreath. Cargo, did you copy that?
Anyone else, email me if you need help. I will either fix it if I can or involve Dogbreath for the more serious issues.
He will breathe life into your problem.
Testing the editing capacity….xyz abcdef
What channel are the debates on tonight?
answer: fox business. on fios 117/617
I just realized that the blog Virginia Virtucon has closed its doors.
I am sorry to hear that. We need to hear and discuss all sides of issues.
Hopefully someone will step up to the plate and take the reins.
Death walks the streets of Paris.
Lots of death. Over 140 so far.
what would you do with France’s immigrant population if you were in charge?
@Wolve
Pfft. It’s just the religion of peace celebrating diversity.
I am on the major warpath here. I am watching ACC football. After scoring, players butt their heads together. What kind of message is that sending to the public, to kids?
Hasn’t there been enough public service hype over concussions and head injuries yet?
I am totally convinced my own father was a victim of CTE, although never diagnosed. He died before that much was known about it.
That head butting needs to be eliminated immediately by the entire NCAA.
Moonhowlings is about ready to launch a new look. Stay tuned!!!!!
Dogbreath has all sorts of changes in store for us.
hint: like, dislike, share, and edit.
You call your IT person “Dogbreath”?!!
No, my IT person selected that moniker for himself. I call him by his given name.
New Kasich ad: If Trump becomes president, ‘you better hope there’s someone left to help you’
By Sarah Parnass November 24
The gloves are off in the fight between John Kasich and Donald Trump.
Well, technically they’ve been off since last Friday. But the Kasich campaign released a Web ad Tuesday directly attacked Trump with a darker tone than any other candidate has used so far to go after the business mogul.
The spot features retired Air Force Col. Tom Moe speaking at an event in Ohio, the same day Trump held a rally in Columbus. Moe, who the Kasich campaign identifies as a former Vietnam POW, paraphrases a quote from Protestant pastor Martin Niemöller, taken from his lectures after World War II.
“You might not care if Donald Trump says Muslims should register with their government, because you’re not one,” says Moe, to an ominous soundtrack. “And you might not care if Donald Trump says he’s going to round up all the Hispanic immigrants, because you’re not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump says it’s okay to rough up black protesters, because you’re not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump wants to suppress journalists, because you’re not one. But think about this: If he keeps going, and he actually becomes president, he might just get around to you. And you better hope there’s someone left to help you.”
“https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/24/the-ad-in-which-john-kasichs-campaign-seems-to-compare-donald-trump-to-hitler/”
Very well done.
Silly ad.
I don’t think so. Mocking people with disabilities, as Trump has done, is silly and juvenile.
and disrespectful. Our mothers would have all worn us out for doing that. Trump simply has no class. That is my biggest problem with him.
Trump rally in Sarasota, Florida, today. People lined up for five blocks to get into the overflowing arena. After the inside rally, Trump held an impromptu second rally for the 1000+ supporters who couldn’t get in. One of Trump’s biggest attractions seems to be that he is not part of the Washington establishment, Dem or Repub. And so said one of his enthusiastic supporters waiting to get into the Sarasota arena. Fellow’s name was Lopez.
You know that he will be in Manassas on Wednesday?
I just hope that when Trump is elected President that people remember that he is/was the Republican candidate.
Trump couldn’t do any worse than the dude we have in the Oval Office right now.