Ohio Voters Reject Controversial Anti-Union Law

MoonHowler

From Huffingtonpost.com:

WASHINGTON — Ohioans overturned a divisive anti-union law on Tuesday, delivering a significant defeat to Republican Gov. John Kasich and a victory to labor unions.

Ohio voters rejected Issue 2, a ballot referendum on Senate Bill 5, a measure that restricts collective bargaining rights for more than 360,000 public employees, among other provisions. Opposition to the legislation inspired large protests from residents around the state this year.

Ohio governor John Kasich had to following to say:

“The people have spoken clearly. You don’t ignore the public. Look, I also have an obligation to lead. I’ve been leading since the day I took this office, and I’ll continue to do that. But part of leading is listening and hearing what people have to say to you.”

Apparently the average Ohio voter didn’t like the idea of dissolving labor unions.  What started off as an attempt to balance responsibility for benefits a little better ended up being an attempt by Kasich and his political cronies to union bust.  The good people of Ohio were having none of that yesterday.

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Ann Wheeler gains more Republican support and a dirty little secret is revealed

Elena

David and Goliath?  Sometimes you just have to pick up a stone and throw it right.   Go Ann!

I love irony and hypocrisy!  So, here is a story I haven’t shared in awhile.  Signage can be a nasty business during election time.   I had the “privilege” of over-hearing John Stirrup, in his best holier than thou tone, retell the story of someone putting up Ann Wheeler signs over Peter Candland on his property.  Well, you want to talk about hypocrisy!

Back in 2003, John Stirrup’s first election, I supported Gary Friedman.  I have frontage on Antioch Road in Haymarket, a great place for signs.  I had several Gary Friedman signs placed conspicuously.    It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the entire clan was over enjoying the day.  Lo and behold, some stranger comes down my driveway.  I say “can I help you?” ,  to which he replies “I was on my way to visit your neighbor and saw some people in your property” and I reply “Oh, what were they doing?”.  He then tells me that he saw them putting up John Stirrup signs and noticed them throwing something into my woods.    My husband investigates, and, guess what he finds?  Torn up Gary Friedman signs.  Now, you may be wondering, were these just rascally young campaign workers? 

No, you see, John Stirrup has, or had, a very large white F250 pick up truck with the license plate “Stirrup Cup” (or something very similar).   My husband picked up the torn up signs and removed John’s signs.  John knew me as I had helped to get his name on the republican primary ballot, he had even been to my home.  He knew this was my property. 

Later that day, my husband called, he wanted to allow John an opportunity to explain his behavior and apologize for trespassing.  John refused to come to the phone and had his friend deal with my husband.  Needless to say, we did not speak to John until the Dominion Power line issue arose two years later. 

Life sure can be amusing.

 

Out of touch Dick Black thinks spousal rape not possible

MoonHowler

Loser Dick Black apparently doesn’t just hand out plastic fetuses to his fellow delegates.  He also has informed them that spousal rape  isn’t possible.  You just can’t rape a spouse since “she’s in a nightie”.  Unbelievable.  Black is clueless.  No wonder he has to move all over Virginia to find open slots in which to run for election. 

Black is running in the newly formed Virginia 13th Senate District that takes in Loudoun County and Western Prince William County.  His opponent, Shawn Mitchell, is a moderate Democrat.  According to the Washington Post:

Dick Black once questioned whether a husband commits rape if he forces his wife to have sex. The former member of the House of Delegates introduced a bill to ban gays from adopting children. He voted to limit access to birth control.

But the Republican who opposes abortion rights is probably best known on Capitol Square for sending plastic pink models of fetuses to lawmakers as they prepared to vote on an abortion bill.

We seem to be surrounded by right wing fringe lunacy.  Unfortunately, the redistricting was such a hatchet job it is difficult to even know who you are dealing with.  Elena had to call voter registration to find out who was even running in her senate district.  Many other folks who live in Gainesville/Haymarket are in the 13th.  I hope they will vote for Shawn Mitchell and not let party politics lure them into voting for an extremist.  Someone who doesn’t think spousal rape is possible and who votes to limit access to birth control really doesn’t belong in office.   You might want to ask Delegate Bob Marshall if he thinks spousal rape is possible also since he seems to share many of Dick Black’s ideas regarding women. 

Over here in Prince William County, we have a cure for spousal rape. 

Meanwhile, vote Shawn Mitchell.

Read more about the REAL Dick Black.  He is currently downplaying his social extremism.

 

Chris Royse accused of misleading voters

MoonHowler

Frank Principi has accused opponent Chris Royse of misleading Woodbridge Magisterial District voters.  Royse claimed that he would bring in AFRICOM  to the Woodbridge area.  To date, he has not spoken with anyone in that organization.  According to insidenova.com:

Insidenova.com and the News & Messenger received results of a Freedom of Information Act request from Principi’s office which confirms that Royse – a Republican — has never had any official contact with members of the military installation currently located in Stuttgart, Germany.

In at least one speech to potential voters, Royse says that AFRICOM is “real and it’s going to happen.”

In the same speech, posted on www.chrisroyse.com, he states that he had conversations with former U.S. Congressman Tom Davis and current Congressman Rob Wittman about AFRICOM and said it could happen in four years.

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Gainesville candidates for supervisor spar over Candland’s attendance record

MoonHowler

Things are heating up in the Gainesville Magisterial District over the attendance record of Peter Candland’s main claim to fame which is his service on Supervior John Stirrup’s budget committee.  Candidate Ann Wheeler has called in to question Candland’s attendance record.  Candland’s main  opponent in the Republican primary, Martha Hendley, was first to mention questionable attendance despite the  fact Candland claimed to have served on this committee for three years.  Several county folks have said his   attendance was sketchy as best.

Wheeler admonished  Candland for missing the last Wednesday night’s Haymarket Meet and Greet the Candidates.   Candland told the News and Messenger that he had notified the Haymarket town manager  that he would be unable to attend because of a business commitment.  News and Messenger reported:

 Wheeler sent out a press release after the forum, saying it’s “a disservice to the voters and the community to not show up to forums such as these.”

In the same breadth, Wheeler’s campaign staff released a Freedom of Information Act request of Candland’s three-year attendance record for the budget committee.

 

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Where IS Peter Candland?

Elena

Given the recent debacles of rezonings within the 1 mile radius of the Town of Haymarket, it is crucial that the incoming Supervisor have a positive working relationship with the Mayor and Council Members of Haymarket.

I don’t know why Peter Candland did not show, but certainly, given his past record of being absent from the budget committee, his “no show” only reinforces the concerns that citizens have expressed regarding his dedication to the residents of Gainesville.

I see paper signs for Peter Candland, but where, where, is the actual person running and why has he missed such an important opportunity to meet his constituents?

Press Release from Ann Wheeler’s Campaign

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Candidate Chris Royse blurs wall of separation between church and state

MoonHowler

Candidate Chris Royse is running for supervisor of the Woodbridge Magisterial District and has challenged Supervisor Frank Principi, again.  Royse did something a few years ago that I haven’t quite gotten over–something I think was unconscionable for a public office seeker to do.  He called on the leaders of the Arlington Diocese to withhold communion from both Supervisor Principi and Congressman Gerry Connolly.  What a nerve!

Royse identified both men as Catholics and accused them in a public letter in the News and Messenger of “supporting pro-choice agendas in direct violation of church teachings.”  In the first place, since when did Royse become the ” mind police or the arbiter of  who is and who is not right with the Church?”  What pro-choice agenda has Frank Principi supported as a supervisor in Prince William County?  What does Prince William County have to do with abortion services?  Do we have a hidden clinic no one has heard of? 

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Campaign signs on public park property

MoonHowler

Apparently Corey Stewart and Tom Gordy get a perk the rest of the candidates don’t get–the use of Ben Lomond Park to advertise their candidacy. 

 

Corey Stewart and Tom Gordy both have signs on Ben Lomond Park property.  Corey knows this is not kosher.  He knows this is against county ordinance.  He should be setting a better example for newcomer Tom Gordy. 

Quick Corey, make that phone call and have someone go pull those bad boys. 

(Notice the Don’s John at the top of the hill.  Is that the welcoming office of Westgate?   Some one needs to take that thing down!)

Thanks to Lafayette for the pictures and the heads up.

[Lafayette has just reported that all the signs are now off Ben Lomond Park property and the Don’s John has been moved back to the wooded area.  Thanks for your efforts, Lafayette.]

Does Peter Candland Support Freedom of Religion for Everyone?

Angelina_Apr

[Ed. note:  as of 10/17  the offensive article bashing BRUU and its congregation remains.  We can assume Mr. Candland has not demanded it be removed.]

Candidate Peter Candland needs to hold his supporters accountable for their behavior on his behalf.  Last week, the Reverend Robert Jeffress spouted off about Mormons being a cult and not being Christian.  Many bloggers and commentators, including Moonhowlings, took a strong stand against Mr. Jeffress’ specific brand of religious prejudice and denounced bashing an entire religion based on one person’s opinion. 

Apparently not everyone feels that bashing someone’s religion is nasty business.  BVBL   has published a tirade against Candland’s opponent, Ann Wheeler, for having a fund-raiser in the home of Brian Pace who is a leader in  the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church  in Manassas.   Brian Pace was used as a springboard to launch into another diatribe vilifying BRUU and its perceived support of progressive issues, specifically opposition to the Marriage Amendment Act, various church events, Gay Prom Night for teens sponsored by BRUU and a variety of other ‘sins’ enumerated by the blogmeister.  The piece was prejudicial, gay-bashing, anti-BRUU and illogical. 

If elected, Gainesville Supervisor, Mr. Candland will represent people of many faiths, including some with whom he staunchly disagrees on matters of values and beliefs.  If he is troubled by this fact, he should not be running for public office.  Moreover, reaching out to potential constituents does not signify that Ann Wheeler or any other candidate agrees with the totality of the views held by any group of  people.  Must someone who supports Mr. Candland accept all of the beliefs of the Mormon Church?  Many Protestants, Catholics, Jews and others support Mr. Candland on the basis of his stated conservative views.  Why should we think that Ann Wheeler shares all of the beliefs of the BRUU any more than Mr. Candland’s supporters share all of the tenants of his Mormon faith?

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A Dirty Little Lie is Floating Around……..

Elena

So, once again, Jaimie Zielger, Peter Candland’s wanna be pit bull, is going after me.

When I sent out the pledge for all candidates to sign in late July, what I received back from Peter Candland was a letter questioning  the validity of Advocates for the Rural Crescent. I sent a hard copy letter in response immediately. In fact, I was forced to send a hard copy to his campaign address as Mr. Candland did not have the common courtesy to include a direct e-mail or a phone number.  Let me add, that a current campaign worker for him has known me for several years.

Here is what was what was said on the not so truthful blog:

The ONLY basis for Ann Wheeler’s claim Peter Candland does not support protecting the Rural Crescent is Candland’s decision not to sign the Rural Crescent Pledge authored by liberal activist Elena Schlossberg-Kunkel. Candland asked for more information from Schlossberg-Kunkel about the organization and the political agenda being advocated by her, but got no response.

But Candland then got smeared with the false claim that he did not support protecting the Rural Crescent.

First of all, I have never smeared Peter Candland, I have simply acknowledged those who signed the pledge and their commitment to the Rural Crescent.

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Peter Candland: Proud to be an Ideologue?

Elena

I actually feel sorry for Peter Candland and I will tell you why.  Apparently, his M.O. now is to attack Ann Wheeler for  her statement “I am not an ideologue”.  From the blog he is promoting on his official facebook page:

This is a candidate that does not want to be associated with any political ideology, particularly the Democratic platform.

Let me share why I feel sorry for Mr. Candland.  I have had the privilege of working with people from many different perspectives in Prince William County on various issues, from land use, to power lines, to parks, to Silver Lake, to public school issues, et al.  I have built friendships with people that do not share the exact same political belief system as I do.  You know what, I am proud to call them friends.

Ann Wheeler is telling Gainesville citizens that she is interested in solving problems based on best solutions not based on whether you have an R or a D by your name.  Isn’t that what we all want, people interested in coming together to solve problems!

Does Peter Candland believe that Prince William County residents want our local government to emulate the  dysfunction we see happening the National level?  I for one do not.   Is Peter Candland’s message to the Gainesville District one of divisiveness?

Does Mr. Candland understand that in order for a Democracy to be healthy, we must have differing opinions, and vigorous debate?  Mr. Candland being a Republican is no more unacceptable than Ann Wheeler being a Democrat.

Peter Candland clearly prefers to have a very small and myopic circle of friends and associates, ones that only share his point of view on all issues.

As an elected leader, it is critical that one have the ability and interest to reach out to those  with whom you may have differing opinions in order to find the best solutions.

Why is Corey’s hand out again?

MoonHowler

Corey  Stewart has an urgent emailer out once again asking for money.  I chose the word ‘ask’ because the Corey supporters took offense the last time I said ”beg.’   We have 48 hours to reply.   Here’s what he says:

Dear Friend,
 
As we approach the end of August, my campaign faces a critical deadline that we must meet. For the end of this quarter, we have set fundraising goal of receiving 50 contributions before midnight on August 31st. Will you be one of those 50 by donating $10, $20 or $50 to my campaign?

We must keep my opponent’s Liberal agenda at bay and stand strong for conservative fiscal policies of balanced budgets and low taxes. Under my leadership as Chairman, the Board has trimmed spending by more than $140 million, resulting in Prince William County’s AAA bond rating status.

In less than 48 hours our campaign faces a critical fundraising deadline and I am asking you to stand with me by making a contribution today in an effort to move Prince William County forward.

All the best,

Corey Stewart

 

Ahem…let’s get a few things straight.  Stewart implies a cause/effect relationship between his trimming of the budget and the county’s AAA bond rating status.  That AAA bond rating status was there before the budget was trimmed by more than $140 million. 

Secondly, you would think the wolf was at the proverbial door.  Checking www.vpap.org, it shows the following for Corey Stewart:

Total Receipts                                                                    $477,460

Total Disbursements                                                       $332,615

Cash on Hand

Stewart for PWC Board Chair-Corey Stewart          $209,986

Va Rule of Law PAC                                                                  $946

That’s a lot of money to blow.  He hardly is facing political destitution with $209,986.  I would have to know where he had squandered the other money before I wrote a check to his campaign.  His democratic opponent, is also sitting on a lot of cash.  Why should it cost so much to run for office in Prince William County? 

Should a campaign be all about money or should we demand those who want our vote stop the out of state inflow of money and the developer checks being infused into campaigns?  Why do I always feel like the voters of PWC have always just been ‘had?’

“Melanin is thicker than water?”

MoonHowler

I guess Rush Limbaugh has just announced that he will vote for whatever white candidate is on the ticket. According to News One:

Right wing talk show host, Rush Limbaugh reiterated what he said during the 2008 Election when he said that Powell supported the candidate Barack Obama “because he’s Black” on his radio show.

After Colin Powell told CBS News “Face The Nation” that he wasn’t sure who he was going to vote for in the 2012 Election, Limbaugh said on his radio show that Powell will vote for President Obama in 2012 because “melanin is thicker than water.”

Colin Powell is one of the most respected military and political leaders of our time.  He has served his nation in time of war as a general and again as Secretary of State under George W. Bush.  He is hardly  ‘wink wink nudge nudge’ material. 

Using Limbaugh logic (is that an oxymoron?), the United States must have a great many more blacks than are showing up on the census in order for Obama to ever have been elected in the first place if “melanin is thicker than water.”   Perhaps Limbaugh is math challenged. 

This kind of thinking is popping up in all sorts of places.  Rush was actually a little kinder than a couple of the local blogs here in Prince William County who have busied themselves with making fun of those individuals and organizations supporting local “minority” candidates for office.   I suppose they forget that PWC is now a majority-minority  county.  As of 2008, about 10% of the counties in the United States were designated at majority-minority which simply means that non-Hispanic whites are less than 49% of the population.  More areas are joining those majority-minority ranks, according to today’s Washington Post. 

I would hate to see our  elections break down along racial lines, especially our local elections.  Locally, some groups seem to have little compunction against name-calling and finger pointing if the candidates aren’t “their brand.”  Perhaps some of the blogs need to stick to topic  and issues rather than   trying to hang labels on certain candidates.

Republican Primary Day 8/23/11

MoonHowler

The primary election is very late this year.  Usually all primaries  are over  in the late spring and the emerging candidates have had an opportunity to campaign all summer.  This year the candidates for the general election sat back, if they were not challenged in their own party, and let the primary candidates duke it out.   The delay was caused mainly by the redistricting that occurs every ten years as a result of  new census numbers.

The primaries have brought about the usually cases of devouring one’s own young, with some campaigns being more vicious than others.  The Internet is a powerful tool.  It allows  some  a louder voice than one would  normally  have and it gives those who oppose a candidate  an even louder voice, if they so choose,  because they can spew venom at will without detection.   The Internet political enemy  can change identities or they can clone themselves into multiple villains all with the same target.  In a democracy, disagreement is normal and even healthy. The anonymity of the Internet creates a situation where attackers do not have to assume responsibility for their words and deeds. 

Normally nice people can cause hurt.  However, bullies love the Internet because they can become bigger than life and can inflict pain and political damage on people with very little effort.   The bullies don’t just emerge at election time.  They are always lurking in the shadows, ready to hurl some nasty invective  at someone who has displeased them or at some perceived enemy.  However,  an election can become a feeding frenzy for the bully.  Bullies can keep decent folks from even wanting to run for office.   

People of good will and decent character need to shun these bullies and  refuse to associate with them.  We know who most of them are.  It is critical to a democracy to keep good people who bring a wealth of talent to public service wanting to serve.  They will not if we allow meanness and character assassination to drive them away.

Editors note:

Results:

Covington wins Brentsville

Candland wins Gainesville

Nohe wins Coles

Stirrup loses 13th to Black

Ramadan wins 87th

Camp Candland attempts damage control

Elena

Politics has become a game of “take no survivors”, a game I find very discouraging when critical issues must be resolved between differing parties.  The Rural Crescent, since its inception, has been a unique tool, not just for land use, but an opportunity to bring Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together, united together, even if only on one issue.  For me, the RC is a tenuous bridge builder between people from different ideological perspectives.

What Peter Candland has demonstrated is a complete and utter lack of understanding of why land use can be the one issue that brings people together.  Does Peter Candland prefer to make enemies?  Does Peter Candland prefer to just dismiss people who he believes are Democrats?  Honestly, I am shocked.  Isn’t democracy based on differing views?  If everyone believed the same or were bullied into silence, would that be a representation of the Democracy our founding fathers created?

 The purpose of the pledge is to allow the community to clearly understand where the candidate stands regarding his or her commitment to the Rural Crescent.  Space is provided for clarification, should the candidate care to elaborate.  All communication with candidates  is posted on the ARC website.  The pledge sheet only contains two components:

  • Vote to support the Rural Crescent’s current 10 acre minimum residential zoning.
  • Oppose the expansion of sewer within the borders of the Rural Crescent as outlined in the current Prince William County Comprehensive Plan.

As anyone can see, those are the only 2 items to support.  There is no hidden agenda and there is absolutely nothing about abortion or immigration, legal or illegal, in anything having to do with Rural Crescent affairs. 

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