Vacation Sidelined

Technorati Tags: Southwest Virginia, Picture

A few days off

I am heading to the airport to pick up a friend. I will be touring the coalfields and making a lot of pictures over the next few days....Trains, mountains, and rivers.

Tomorrow will be spent in Abingdon at the Highlands Festival and the Barter Theatre.

Technorati Tags: Southwest Virginia

Mans Best Friend Anoints Obama

Have you ever heard that a dog "knows" when an earthquake is about to hit?

Have you ever heard that a dog can "sense" when a tornado is stirring up, even 20 miles away?

Do you remember hearing that before the December tsunami struck Southeast Asia, dogs started running frantically away from the seashore, at breakneck speed?

Do you know that dogs can detect cancer and other serious illnesses and danger of fire?

Somehow they always know when they can 'go for a ride' before you even ask and how do those dogs get home from hundreds of miles away?

I'm a firm believer that animals - and especially dogs - have keen insights into the Truth.

And you can't tell me that dogs can't sense a potentially terrible disaster well in advance.

Simply said, a dog just KNOWS when something isn't right ... when impending doom is upon us ... they'll always try to warn us.... !!

Technorati Tags: Dogs,Politics,Obama

Virginia Coal Miner Killed Friday

Elden Todd Meadows, 44, of Lebanon, Va., died Friday afternoon as a result of injuries he received in a roof fall accident at Consol Energy’s Buchanan No. 1 Mine.......“The preliminary information that we have is that Mr. Meadows was working at the drilling machine when a piece of rock fell from the roof, striking him,” Abbott said. “He was bolting up at the face of the mine.” Abbott said that the rock that struck Meadows was 50 inches wide, 55 inches long and approximately 4 to 6 inches thick.
“Our preliminary report is that he died as a result of a serious head injury,” Abbott said. He said that Meadows was married with two dependent children, but did not know the total of years he has been working as a coal miner.(LINK)

Pray for the family.

Technorati Tags: Virginia, Coal, Coal Mining

With any luck, J Todd Foster will be next

The Bristol Herald Courier is in trouble. Kathy Still left a few months ago, now Andrea Hopkin's is leaving also-Bidding Farewell To One Career To Pursue Another. Good luck in her new career pursuit.

The writing is on the wall for the BHC. Circulation is falling. The BHC paper boxes that lined the roads for years are now disappearing and being replaced by Kingsport Times boxes. The BHC will continue to lose local readership. The reason is J Todd Foster. With any luck, the powers that be will get rid of him. When they do, circulation will again grow.

Technorati Tags: J Todd Foster, Dumb Ass

Your Wife or Daughter is Raped and Impregnated - Ken Cuccinelli Believes They MUST Carry That Child.

I think my facts are straight. Add pregnancy resulting from incest and those that threaten the mother's life to the list. His opponent John Brownlee believes

"life begins at conception and that abortion should be illegal unless it is to protect the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest.”

A few bloggers made fools of themselves this week indeed.

Technorati Tags: Ken Cuccinelli, Abortion, Virginia Politics, John Brownlee

Time for another Boston tea party- bring tea lights

This bugs me:

Technorati Tags: Congress,Light bulbs,fluorescent bulbs

This bugs me...

Last year Gov Kaine was spouting off...

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Pinnacle Wood Products of Virginia, Inc. will invest $1.4 million to open a wood products manufacturing operation in Wise County. The company will create 200 new jobs.

“Southwest Virginia boasts an impressive wood products industry cluster, and Pinnacle Wood Products will add great value to this growing sector,” said Governor Kaine. “Wise County’s local entrepreneurial workforce will meet the company’s needs.”

Sounds good right? Not hardly.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Wise County and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $200,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds to support the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The VCEDA Board of Directors approved a $1.2 million loan to the Wise County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to purchase equipment and machinery for this start-up operation. The Wise County IDA will lease the equipment to Pinnacle Wood Products of Virginia.

“After hearing the presentation for Pinnacle Wood Products, the Wise County IDA was convinced that Ray Whitt and his wife, Dorothy, have made conscious decisions to pursue this business opportunity in Wise County, and that they will strive to succeed, create ample employment opportunities for people of this region and will be excellent corporate citizens,” said Bill Hunsaker, Chairman of the Wise County Industrial Development Authority.

The only investment I see made was my tax dollars. Why would the IDA fund this? A plant that made the SAME THINGS, ran by the same Ray Whitt, went out of business in St Paul earlier....That is another story. Lets look at "our investment" one year later. From the Coalfield Progress.

WISE — Pinnacle Wood Products, which moved into the former Buster Brown factory in the Esserville industrial park last October, may soon get a roommate.
Pinnacle, which manufactures cabinetry and doors, had big goals to expand within two years to employ about 200 people, but then the housing market hit a downturn. When that happened, owner and founder Ray Whitt explained in a Monday telephone interview, contracts with companies that sell the kinds of products Pinnacle makes started drying up.
“Several of the firms that made commitments to us have taken such a severe hit they’ve gone bankrupt,” said Whitt, who says he’s in the process of drawing up a totally new business plan.
For the time being, Pinnacle employs only 15 people....

That's right, 15 people...millions of taxpayers dollars, in a building with this history.

"The $1.265 million loan the county obtained 10 years ago from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to build the old Buster Brown facility matured at the end of June, Snodgrass told IDA members, but the county still has $842,277.90 left to pay.
Since the IDA doesn’t have the revenue stream to pay the full amount down right now, Snodgrass proposed asking VCEDA for a 10-year extension.
The IDA unanimously authorized Snodgrass to ask VCEDA for an extension on the zero-interest loan at VCEDA’s next meeting, which is set for Aug. 21."

I'm feeling sick....We should have built a hiking trail or call center.

Technorati Tags: Taxes, Wise Virginia, Wise County Virginia

"Before government hijacked charity"

“Before government hijacked charity in the form of the New Deal and Great Society, compassion and charity began at home. People were to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit prisoners, care for widows and orphans and love their enemies. Those were biblical commands to individuals, not government. Democrat politicians see things differently. Apparently believing there aren’t enough caring people, they want compassion to originate in Washington, depriving it of its true meaning. They define compassion as big and ever-growing government and a guaranteed check forever with no expectation—or requirement—the recipient will ever better his or her circumstances.” —Cal Thomas

Indeed. Just read how far we have strayed....

Not Yours to Give

Col. Davy Crockett
1884

From The Life of Colonel David Crockett
Member of the U.S. Congress 1827-31 & 1832-35

Compiled from The Life of Colonel David Crockett
by Edward S. Ellis (Philadelphia: Porter & Coates, 1884)

One day in the House of Representatives, a bill was taken up appropriating money for the benefit of a widow of a distinguished naval officer. Several beautiful speeches had been made in its support. The Speaker was just about to put the question when Crockett arose:

"Mr. Speaker --- I have as much respect for the memory of the deceased, and as much sympathy for the suffering of the living, if suffering there be, as any man in this house, but we must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for a part of the living to lead us into an act of injustice to the balance of the living. I will not go into an argument to prove that Congress has no power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. We have the right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right to appropriate a dollar of the public money. Some eloquent appeals have been made to us upon the ground that it is a debt due the deceased. Mr. Speaker, the deceased lived long after the close of the war; he was in office to the day of his death, and I have never heard that the government was in arrears to him."

APPROPRIATE: To set apart for, or assign for a particular use, in exclusion of all other uses; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a garden. [Webster?s 1828]

MONEY: 1) Coin; stamped metal; any piece of metal, usually gold, silver or copper, stamped by public authority, and used as the medium of commerce. 2) Bank notes or bills of credit issued by authority, and exchangeable for coin or redeemable, are also called money; as such notes in modern times represent coin, and are used as a substitute for it.If a man pays in hand for goods in bank notes which are current, he is said to pay in ready money. [Webster?s 1828]

CHARITY: Liberality to the poor, consisting in almsgiving or benefactions (Alms - Any thing given gratuitously to relive the poor, as money, food, or clothing, otherwise called charity), or gratuitous services to relieve them in distress. [Webster?s 1828]

"Every man in this House knows it is not a debt. We cannot, without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as a charity. Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much money of our own as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week's pay to the object, and, if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks."

AUTHORITY: Legal power or a right to command or act; as the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children.? Power; rule; sway. [Webster?s 1828]

He took his seat. Nobody replied. The bill was put upon its passage, and, instead of passing unanimously, as was generally supposed, and as, no doubt it would but for that speech, it received but few votes and of course, was lost.

Later when asked by a friend why he had opposed the appropriation, Crockett gave this explanation:

"Several years ago I was one evening standing on the steps of the Capitol with some other members of Congress when our attention was attracted by a great light over in Georgetown. It was evidently a large fire. We jumped into a hack and drove over as fast we could. In spite of all that could be done, many houses were burned and many families made houseless, and besides, some of them had lost all but the clothes they had on. The weather was very cold, and when I saw so many women and children suffering, I felt that something ought to be done for them. The next morning a bill was introduced appropriating $20,000 for their relief. We put aside all other business and rushed it through as soon as it could be done.

The next summer, when it began to be time to think about the election, I concluded I would take a scout around among the boys of my district. I had no opposition there, but, as the election was some time off, I did not know what might turn up. When riding one day in part of my district in which I was more of a stranger than any other, I saw a man in a field plowing and coming toward the road. I gauged my gait so that I should meet as he came to the fence. As he came up, I spoke to the man. He replied politely, but as I thought, rather coldly.

I began, 'Well, friend, I am one of those unfortunate beings called candidates, and-'

'Yes, I know you; you are Colonel Crockett, I have seen you once before and voted for you the last time you were elected. I suppose you are out electioneering right now, but you had better not waste your time or mine. I shall not vote for you again.'

If you don't know the rest of the story click here to read it all.

Technorati Tags: Charity, Politics

Sunday Read - Left Vs Right

Why the Left can’t get it Right

By Mark Alexander

Ask a liberal about some manifestation of his worldview—for example, why he supports charlatans like Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Albert Arnold Gore, Jean-Francois Kerry, et al., and he invariably predicates his response with, “Because I feel...”

Ask a conservative about what he believes, or why he does or doesn’t support John McCain, and he invariably predicates his response with, “Because I think...”

It has always been easier to “feel” rather than “think,” and that is why our national culture, and by extension, national politics (see Democrat Party Platforms) reflect only the most rudimentary remnants of the guiding principles established by our Founders. Of course, though Republican Party Platforms are more consistent with our Founding principles, Ronald Reagan was the last Republican president to stand firmly in support of those principles.

Liberalism tends to appeal to the worst of human instincts—greed, envy, laziness, victimization and every line of division. Its practitioners appeal to constituent “feelings,” and they thus convert emotions into political capital.

Read the whole article here. Alexander nails it again.

Technorati Tags: Liberals, Conservatives, Democrats, Republicans

Jim Lindgren on Obama's "civilian national security force."

He breaks down the funding for some of Obama's "programs"

The part of Obama’s comment that may be a genuine cause for concern is his statement that this civilian force has to be “just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as our military.

1. First, Obama is suggesting a fundamental restructuring of our national government with civilian service organizations becoming roughly as important and as expensive as our military. He is proposing to carve another large slice out of the private sector and assign it to the government.

As his website makes clear, Obama is proposing to "Require 100 Hours of Service in College" and grant a $4,000 tax credit to college students for 100 hours of community service work, an effective wage of $40 an hour.

You should really go over and read the entire post.

Technorati Tags: Barack Hussein Obama

Barack Hussein Obama's Religion?

Answer - Liberal

But regardless of Obama's specific religious affiliation, he is first and foremost a liberal. I know liberals, folks, and I can tell you with complete confidence that Barack Obama will not under any circumstances allow his religion to influence his behaviour. Trust me: if an amateur ideologue like John Kerry can reconcile abortion with Catholicism, a locution artist like Obama would have no trouble proving that the prophet Mohammed believed in gay marriage.~Ferdinand T. Cat

I agree.

Technorati Tags: Barack Hussein Obama

Gilmore/Warner Debate-Warner Red Faced!

Spanky was there - Gilmore - Warner Debate: Now I know What Bill Bolling....

"Warner's face was red and he knew he'd been hit, and hit hard."

SWAC Girl was there - Busy blogging day ... Homestead debate & Churchville parade

"That may be, but for Mark Warner to have the rock star status he has, he did not turn in all that great a performance. In fact, his face got red and little white splotches came out on his jaw when he didn't answer the questions and Gov. Gilmore held him to it."

Heh. If the MSM is calling it a draw, that translates to a Win for Gilmore.

Technorati Tags: Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner, Virginia Politics

Mark Warner Supports McCain's Energy Plan

On several occasions, Warner reiterated that his energy plan is similar to that of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, R-Ariz. “(Gilmore) doesn’t even agree with his own party’s presidential candidate,” Warner told reporters after the debate LINK

Go ahead and smile....

Technorati Tags: Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner, Virginia Politics

Gilmore and Warner Debate This Morning!

I cant wait for the reports to start coming in! SWAC Girl is there and will report in later.

Spank that Donkey has When is Mark Warner Going to Check His Facts? Today some of those facts will be challenged by Jim Gilmore at the debate. For your viewing pleasure - Why I Support Mark Warner (And You Should, Too)

Technorati Tags: Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner, Virginia Politics

Al Gore - Sacrifice for thee, but not for me!

Jerry From on High has the video of Algore's fleet of Lincolns and SUVs'....Idling with the AC on while Algore speaks. You gotta see this!

In related news, Yankee Phil (The Philbilly) reports OVER 1,000,000 Square kilometers more ice in the arctic this year.

Arctic sea ice extent on July 16 stood at 8.91 million square kilometers (3.44 square miles). While extent was below the 1979 to 2000 average of 9.91 square kilometers (3.83 million square miles), it was 1.05 million square kilometers (0.41 million square miles) above the value for July 16, 2007

I am sure the Cult of Algore are not reporting that.

Technorati Tags: Al Gore, Global Warming, Dumb Ass

Obama's civilian national security force?

Just what is a civilian national security force? Even more concerning is why his talk about it is not in the transcript, yet clearly on video. Check out "Obama's 'Big Brother' vanishes from speech Civilian security force' missing from 'call to service' transcript"

Lashawn Barber is all over this - Barack Obama Says America Needs A Civilian National Security Force. She writes

"Here’s where it gets interesting: In subsequent media reports and the official transcript, the “civilian national security force” statement does not appear. (See WorldNetDaily) Why? Did the Obama campaign realize how strange it sounded?

The week after the “security force” statements, Obama likened Immigration and Customs Enforcement to terrorists, simply for doing the job of enforcing immigration laws! He made this statement before members and supporters of the hispanic racialist group La Raza. Two seemingly opposing statements uttered before two different audiences."

You see for Obama, it's all about the politics.

Technorati Tags: Barack Hussein Obama

T. Boone Pickens - Blowing in the Wind

There is much talk about Picken's plan for the Pampa Windfarm. The thing that jumps out at me is this project turns 400,000 acres across five counties into a void for any other use. What a sight to behold I'm sure. You know everything is bigger in Texas.

In West Virginia, after some MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL, the Mount Storm wind farm is a joke.

82 turbines are needed to generate 164 megawatts. The new Wise County Power Plant will generate 585 megawatts. It would take close to 300 turbines to produce that power. That is a lot of turbines and land. The Mount Storm wind farm with its 82 turbines is over 14 miles long "14 miles of turbines, 82 turbines, two rows deep." If Wise county used the same design it would take over 5o miles of turbines. What a view.

After some thought, I have concluded that with the present technology - Wind Farms Blow.

I believed that then and now. What is absent from the Wind Farm talk is the environmental activist. How many streams and watersheds will be affected on those thousands and thousands of acres? How does it affect wildlife? All good questions

Damn right Pickens wants your support, his big pockets need to stay full.

Technorati Tags: Wind Farms, Coal, Energy

Obama Iraq Documentary

Putting this indecisive doofus in charge of our military and security is insane.

Technorati Tags: Barack Hussein Obama, Video, Politics

Mark Warner Looked Us in the Face and Lied

In less than 15 seconds Warner tells two lies. The first is he will finish the repeal of the car tax. Lie. Next he says he will not raise taxes. Lie. In less than 15 seconds....Geeesh. Why do people like this guy? I would not walk across the street to see him.

Warner has not changed his ways on being truthful reports Spank that Donkey - Mark Warner's Fact Check - Get's It Wrong!

Technorati Tags: Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner, Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics

Brownlee Out Raises Cuccinelli!!!

Wow. Check out these two blogs for the story - Roanoke Red Zone and Roanoke Valley Republicans.

It looks like Brownlee is off to a great start. This is only the beginning...Watch close my friends, Brownlee is a rising star for conservatives.

Justice For All.

Technorati Tags: John Brownlee, Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics, Virginia

A New Coal Giant....Protest This.

In 2002 Mike Quillen started Alpha Natural Resources. Yesterday Alpha was acquired by Cleveland Cliffs for $10 Billion. A pretty good return indeed.

ABINGDON, Va. – After it merges with an Ohio-based company, Alpha Natural Resources’ coal operations will remain headquartered here and the company will continue to grow, Chief Executive Officer Michael Quillen told the Herald Courier on Wednesday.

“We’re proud to be in Southwest Virginia. . ..We didn’t necessarily want to be in New York or Pittsburgh or some big city,” said Quillen, who grew up in Gate City, Va. “We like being here, and the main reason we like being here is we want to be close to the employees and the people.”

Alpha will be acquired by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., based in Cleveland, Ohio, for about $10 billion if the deal is approved by shareholders, the companies announced on Wednesday. The merger was approved by both boards of directors, and the combined company will be renamed Cliffs Natural Resources.

“We’ve been looking for some time at Alpha making a transformative move,” Quillen said. “One of the biggest goals that I’ve had all along is to do something that really solidifies Alpha for the long-term future so that our employees have opportunities 15 years down the road.”

He and Cleveland-Cliffs Chief Executive Officer Joseph A. Carrabba have known each other since 1974, when they worked together as surface mine superintendents in Southwest Virginia.

Alpha has come a long way since it was formed in 2002. In just more than five years, it has gone from an idea to a $10 billion company. Click to read it all.

Let it roll! We are ready to move some coal.

Technorati Tags: coal, coal mining, Virginia, Wise County Virginia

On the subject of Paid Bloggers...I'm a Free Blogger

From on High has the breakdown on paid bloggers. I refer to them as paid mouthpieces.

Everyone in the Virginia blog world knows that Lowell Feld and Josh Chernilla of Raising Kaine are paid (or have been paid) by Democratic operatives to write what they write. Same with Jon Henke (QandO) and certain Republicans. To me, knowing that fact gives their views a certain perspective.
"Knowing that" being the key.

You have those paid bloggers, you have party bloggers..If cash or a party is involved, it does sway the way I look at a blogger's work. If I want campaign news letters, I will sign up for them.

This blog is not for sale. I have had advertising offers and I will always refuse. I would take free Beams and CAO if they saw fit, but even they will not control me.

I am a Free Blogger.

Technorati Tags: Blogging. Life, Life, Paid Bloggers

McCain & Obama tied in poll - real change or merely statistical noise?

John McCain each attract 43% of the vote. When "leaners" are included, Obama holds a statistically insignificant 47% to 46% advantage. Today is the first time that McCain’s support has moved above 45% since Obama clinched the nomination on June 3......

....McCain is now viewed favorably by 56% of voters, Obama by 54%. Obama receives unfavorable reviews from 44% of voters while McCain is viewed unfavorably by 41%. McCain earns favorable ratings from 32% of Democrats while Obama is viewed favorably by 22% of Republicans. Among unaffiliated voters, McCain is viewed favorably by 58%, Obama by 54%.(LINK)

About as exciting as a broken coffee pot on Monday morning.

Technorati Tags: John McCain, Barack Hussein Obama

Tony Snow was 53...

"All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith - and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator."-- President George W. Bush on Tony Snow's death, July 12, 2008

Fox News Sunday was a great show and Tony was a tough host. He will be missed.

SWAC Girl has White House in mourning for former press secretary Tony Snow

Technorati Tags: Tony Snow

Storytime Saturday

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. I thought, "what a beauty of a bird feeder it is", as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table ... everywhere!

Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.

Soon, the back yard was like it used to be.... quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see...

Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to "press one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.

Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

If you agree, pass it on; if not, continue cleaning up the poop!

Technorati Tags: illegals,illegal aliens

More on Tim Kaine's Transportation Failure

Good stuff about the failure that is Tim Kaine.

After traveling throughout the Commonwealth for weeks promoting his transportation tax plan ... after being rebuffed over and over by citizens who did not want more taxes as a time when soaring gas prices were taking a bite out of everyone's wallets ... Kaine still called the General Assembly to Richmond even though he did not have Democrat backing for his transportation plan.(Go Read It All @ SWAC Girl)

Indeed.

Virginia now waits to see if the governor wants to make it a trifecta by offering up the same proposal a third time Kaine retire and move on to other endeavors, now that he's proven himself to be incapable of showing any leadership on this crucial issue.(Go Read It All @ From on High)

No one to blame but Timmy himself.

Technorati Tags: Tim Kaine, Virginia, Virginia Politics

July 12

1960~Pianist Floyd Cramer records his biggest hit, "Last Date". The piano instrumental will reach #2 in the US by next November.

Classy and Smooth. My parents had his albums and he had some good stuff, but Last Date makes you want to .....

Technorati Tags: Floyd Cramer, Video, Music

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING ON CONCLUSION OF TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL SESSION

RICHMOND – Early this morning, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die, ending the Special Session on transportation that had convened on June 23^rd. In response to this action, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:

“I am very disappointed that the General Assembly was unable to make any meaningful progress toward addressing Virginia’s transportation challenges during this Special Session. The failure to do so does not reflect well on anyone involved in this process, and it leaves one of the major challenges facing Virginia unresolved.

“Unfortunately, much of the responsibility for this failure rests on the shoulders of Governor Kaine, who decided to call legislators back to Richmond without building any consensus around a possible transportation solution. In my judgment, the Governor’s decision to call the Special Session without first developing a framework for success was a mistake.

“In addition, Governor Kaine complicated the effort to find a transportation solution by introducing a transportation proposal that had very little, if any, support in the General Assembly. The Governor’s bill, which relied on massive statewide and regional tax increases, was not even supported by the members of his own party, and it was clearly not the right solution given the economic challenges that Virginia is currently facing.

“I am also disappointed that Democrats in the General Assembly systematically defeated common sense Republican proposals that would have helped us address Virginia’s long term transportation needs, at least in part. I was particularly disappointed that Democrats rejected legislation that would have:

• Directed potential revenues associated with offshore drilling in Virginia to transportation.

• Enabled Hampton Roads localities to keep the tax revenues derived from the Port of Virginia and use those revenues to fund transportation projects in their region of the state.

• Enabled Northern Virginia localities to keep the tax revenue derived from the Dulles International Airport and the Ronald Reagan International Airport and use those revenues to fund transportation projects in their region of the state.

• Amended the Constitution of Virginia to prohibit the use of transportation dollars to pay for other government programs without super majority approval of the members of the General Assembly

• Ordered an external management review of the Virginia Department of Transportation to make certain that our transportation dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently and directed to our state’s highest transportation priority – congestion relief.

“These were commonsense proposals that should have received widespread bipartisan support. By rejecting these proposals without serious consideration or debate, Democrats showed that they are unwilling to seriously consider any solution to our transportation challenges that do not involve higher taxes.

“Fortunately, the General Assembly meets every year, and we will have another chance to address this issue in January. It remains my hope that the members of the General Assembly will work to craft a transportation solution that relies on existing revenue sources and innovative transportation alternatives, not higher taxes.”

Yes, I like Bill Bolling.

Technorati Tags: Tim Kaine, Transportation, Virginia, Virginia Politics, Bill Bolling

Tim Kaine - Transportation Failure

Another session ends with no fix for transportation. Gov Tim Kaine's transportation dreams could not even muster ONE vote. Not one.....SWAC Girl writes

Tim Kaine traveled the Commonwealth from one end to the other to sell his transportation plan ... and today in a vote of 0-98, not one single Democrat voted for it.
Ouch.

Indeed. Approaching eight years of Warner and Kaine with nothing getting done. Leadership for Virginia? He could not get one vote? Failure.

I stay quiet about transportation because my view from the Coalfields is different than most. We know our region will probably not benefit from any of the plans and honestly, people here just don't care about NOVA traffic problems. The coalfield people spend a lot of time in cars also.

Technorati Tags: Tim Kaine, Transportation, Virginia, Virginia Politics

Statement of Attorney General Bob McDonnell on Execution of Kent Jermaine Jackson

“Tonight, Kent Jermaine Jackson was executed by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the 2000 murder of 79-year old Beulah Mae Kaiser in Newport News. Ms. Kaiser was a beloved member of her community and a dedicated volunteer at the Peninsula Rescue Mission, a local homeless shelter. She was a good and caring woman who was brutally and senselessly murdered during the commission of a robbery. The death penalty is the only appropriate punishment for this horrific crime.”

“The jury verdict of guilt and sentence of death in this case have been fully and exhaustively reviewed and repeatedly upheld by the trial court, U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Virginia Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court and, this evening, Governor Kaine declined to intervene. Justice has now been served. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Ms. Kaiser’s friends and family.”

Justice Indeed.

Technorati Tags: Bob McDonnell, Capitol Punishment, Virginia

Another Drug Bust

Local and state authorities arrested 32 people targeted in an ongoing drug investigation in Wise County on Thursday, according to the county’s commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

The investigation, code-named “Operation Street Sweeper,” has nabbed more than 400 people in nine mass arrests since April 2006. It targets such illegally used and sold prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone, as well as marijuana and cocaine.

A total of 63 people were indicted by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury for Thursday’s sweep, according to a news release from Wise County prosecutor Ronald K. Elkins.

“It takes a massive amount of work and investigation to arrest 63 drug offenders, and these police officers should be commended for their hard work and sacrifices,” Elkins said in the release.(LINK)

I recognized a couple names on the list as old school mates. Yes, this is what Wise county has become...The Land O Pills.

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Dope, Pills

UVa-Wise will gain a major event center

Good news for Wise, Va!

WISE — After nearly a decade working toward the goal, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise has announced it will begin construction of a $30 million convocation center that will be able to host both college and community events.
Virginia Del. Terry Kilgore joined Chancellor David Prior and other dignitaries to announce the plans yesterday morning.
The center, which is being constructed to seat 3,000 for sporting events and another 1,000 for concerts or other activities, is the largest single capital project in the college’s history.
Plans call for the center to be located adjacent to the Humphreys-Thomas Field House at Carl Smith Stadium facing Stadium Avenue.
Officials hope to open the doors of the new facility in September 2010.
Funding for the project is the result of legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly this year. The legislation authorizes nearly $1.5 billion in higher education construction funding over the next two years for institutions around the state.
Addressing the group assembled for the announcement, Kilgore noted the money for the center was taken out of the funding package three times on the day before the measure passed.
“Finally, due to strong support from Southwest Virginia’s legislators, it worked and now it’s the law,” he said.
Kilgore noted that the facility is “essential” to the college’s future growth, and said it will also provide a much-needed venue for the community to host regional events.
Prior agreed.
“This represents a unique opportunity for the region,” he said. “If one looks around the area, there isn’t another site that serves this purpose.”Coalfield Progress

Long awaited and much needed.

Technorati Tags: UVA-Wise, Wise Virginia, Wise County Virginia

The Battles at Wise - July 11, 12, and 13th

It does not get any better. Come on down!

Visit the website.

Friday - July 11, 2008

8:00 p.m - Gladeville Soldier's Ball - bleachers provided for spectators with live music by Mean Mary and Frank

Saturday - July 12, 2008

10:00 a.m. Dennis Boggs as President Abraham Lincoln at Lonesome Pine Regional Library

11:30 a.m. Brunch with the Generals, Mosby's Restaurant

1:00 p.m. Photos with the Generals, Command Tent, L. F. Addington Middle School

2:00 p.m. Dennis Boggs as President Abraham Lincoln at Lonesome Pine Regional Library

3:00 p.m. Ladies Tea and Social at the Masonic Lodge on Main Street

4:00 p.m. Photos with the Generals, Command Tent, L. F. Addington Middle School

5:00 p.m. Welcome Parade, Main Street, Wise

6:00 p.m. The Capture of Gladeville, Main Street, Wise

7:00 p.m. Re-Enactors Dinner, Re-Enactors Only

7:30 p.m. Memorial Service Wise Cemetery

Sunday - July 13, 2008

Re-Enactors Breakfast, Re-Enactors Only

1:00 p.m. 1860 Church Service on Lake Street, Wise, VA

2:00 p.m. Battle at Cranesnest, Lake Street, Wise, VA

Technorati Tags: Civil War, Wise Virginia, Wise County Virginia

Jim Gilmore Visits Bristol - “We’ve got to drill in ANWR, and we’ve got to do it now.”

“Oil prices will drop immediately if they know we’re going to bring in more oil,” Gilmore said. “We’ve got to drill in ANWR, and we’ve got to do it now.” Link

Indeed. Mark Warner opposes drilling in ANWR. Lets put it into perspective.

Technorati Tags: ANWR, Oil, Drilling, Jim Gilmore, Mark Warner

Cigars and Mason Jars - The Gurkha Centurian

This bad boy could run ya about $20 a stick.

Looking for the best? The Gurkha Centurian is about as nice as they come. Originally commissioned by one of the richest men in the world for his daily cigar, the Centurian is reserved for the most discerning aficionados.

Gurkha is the top manufacturer when it comes to the best tobacco and the most prestigious reputation. Simply put, they are the best of the best and are considered the Rolls Royce of the cigar industry.

While Gurkha is one of the most prestigious cigar makers in the world, the Centurian is their most prestigious cigar blend. Made in sparing numbers, the cigar was originally commissioned by the Sultan of Brunei, one of the world’s richest and most powerful men, for his personal everyday cigar. Because no corners could be cut in constructing such a perfect cigar, it is made in a perfecto shape (tapers on both ends) making it a size that only the most qualified rollers at the factory can produce. This requirement means that you can expect flawless construction, appearance, and taste from this cigar. The 8 year old Dominican fillers are finished with a Connecticut wrapper giving this medium bodied cigar its unique and enticing aroma.(Cigar.com)

Wise Girl gave me the goods a few weeks back and they have been in the humie resting. I enjoyed this one with water while enjoying my back porch. A good cigar, creamy then spicy. No complexity here, just good spicy flavor. The draw was a problem at times being tight. The burn was even. I have five more in the humie and I cant wait. This one is a nine for me. I like the constant simple flavor and the appearance is flawless.

Technorati Tags: Cigars, Gurkha Cigars

John Brownlee Podcast - And Justice for All

"I am not running against anyone, I am running for a position."

Bearing Drift's JR interviews Attorney General candidate John Brownlee. Click here to tune in.

Brownlee covers why his experience as a prosecutor is important in this race. Why his pro life beliefs and his views on school safety, gangs, dope, and immigration is a winning combination for conservatives.

Support John Brownlee.

Technorati Tags: John Brownlee, Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics

Jim Webb - No Honor

Caught in a Webb of deceit, Webb proves he is nothing more than a political hack. Jon Henke writes

[L]et's examine whether Jim Webb really believes that McCain needs to "get the politics out of the military [and] have our political arguments in other areas." Here's a review of Webb's own record.
• In his own 2006 Senate campaign, Jim Webb touted the importance of military experience...
"[W]hat you’re seeing here is, is a split between the theorists, who have controlled so much of the policy in this administration, theorists who have never been on a battlefield, who have never put a uniform on, and who are looking at this thing in a totally different way from people who have had to, to worry about their troops and themselves possibly coming under enemy hands."

This military service thing was a huge talking point for Kerry and Webb, yet as I predicted Wednesday, August 22, 2007, it is now a non issue...according to Webb.

H/T to Jerry.

Technorati Tags: Jim Webb, Barack Hussein Obama, John McCain, Military

Postmaster Busted for Dope

Janet Davenport, a Glade Spring resident and the postmaster of St. Paul, Va., was charged last week with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, according to federal court documents. She is free on an unsecured $10,000 bond.

The documents describe an investigation aided by a confidential source who is “an admitted member of the drug culture,” and who made several drug buys over two months that were supervised by law enforcement.

The operation – which involved, local, state and federal authorities – focused on Davenport and a longtime female friend of hers (LINK)

This is what has become of SWVA. Sad.

Technorati Tags: Dope, Oxycodone, Pills.Virginia, Virginia, Wise County Virginia

Thank You Wayne Jones

From the KTN , Mr Jones Responds to a moonbat.

Bobbi Leonard like most people tends to forget what Independence Day truly stands for. Most Americans are just glad to not have to go to work that day so they can go to the movies or visit the beach and get a tan. We should always be respectful and honor the true American heroes who died defending democracy and the freedom that America has always stood for. Leonard was correct that our military is an all-volunteer force. I volunteered, went to Iraq and don’t regret it for a minute. If she volunteered to serve one minute for “her” country I think some of her views would change. I also bet her father who served would be very disappointed in her for turning over and giving up so easily. I bet he did not give up and paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us during the Battle of the Bulge.

I fly my flag to honor those like her father every day, not just on the 4th. I am not 100 percent satisfied with the way things are going in Iraq or Afghanistan either, but I am not about to take my flag down. If you think moms and dads who sent their sons off in 1944 were completely satisfied she is surely mistaken. Because of these great American heroes that fought to their deaths, we were able to take down Hitler and eradicate the worst dictator this world has ever seen. We could possibly be in the middle of doing the same in Iraq and Afghanistan by helping create a democracy, a place where women actually get to vote. General Douglas Macarthur said it best, when asked what he thought would happen after the U.S. military prevailed in overcoming the odds against Hitler: “Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always.” Happy Independence Day and thank you to all who serve served. God Bless America.

Wayne Jones - Gray, Tn

Indeed.

Technorati Tags: Indepenence Day

The Buck Starts Here

I hated him as a football announcer but I have to admit he might have something here. Honey, I want a big big fuel guzzler so I can help out the earth too. I think that is a better way then hanging from a bridge. Ha Ha Ha

Technorati Tags: Global Warming,Dennis Miller,Mother Earth,environmentalist

Dominion Power Plant Protest Puts Lives in Danger

Yesterday the anti coal moonbats protested and put lives in danger.

Around a dozen members of a group opposed to the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, including one man from Appalachia, were arrested in Richmond yesterday after they blocked access to Dominion Virginia Power’s headquarters.
Appalachia resident Vincente Rosa, 21, was one of those arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and interfering with an emergency vehicle.(Coalfield Progress)

That is right. These so called saviors put peoples lives in danger by blocking the road. Thank God no one needed emergency care.

These idiots are now crying for donations to get their sorry asses out of jail after they endangered lives and denied people access to their jobs to earn and support their families.

Police said in a release that four protesters each had one hand in a 55-gallon drum of cement. They blocked the street and another dangled from a nearby footbridge.(LINK)

What a bunch of idiots. They will be wise to keep their road blocking in Richmond and out of the Coalfields. Denying workers access to their jobs will not go over well here and history shows jail will be a blessing to them if they try. Coal miners and citizens are united in the building of this plant and the benefits it will provide. Impeding our right to work will not be tolerated by local police or miners. Angry coal miners wearing camouflage is something these youngins have never seen. I have. Taking money out of our pockets and food from our tables will not be tolerated. This road will get ugly and miners have been there before.

Related post - The Fools are still mad at Wise County Coal Miners

Technorati Tags: Coal, Coal Mining, Power Plants, Wise County Virginia

Submit your Questions for the Barr Live Blog

Submit your questions for Derek Barr, spokesman for the Bob Barr campaign, and son of the candidate over at Good Sense.

I posted a few questions and I am interested in the responses. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, committed or undecided, this live blog is a good thing!

Technorati Tags: Bob Barr, Politics, Live Blogging

The Fools are still mad at Wise County Coal Miners

SWAC Girl steals my heart with this post - Dominion Power ... THANK YOU! Raising Kaine and Green Miles ... butt out!

I don't care what Raising Kaine or Green Miles say ... I am appreciative to the companies that provide electricity to my house whether it's Virginia Dominion Power or Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op or any number of other providers. They have invested in the companies, built the power plants, installed power lines ... and made life a lot easier for the world.

That is right. These fools question the benefits of this plant that will burn only Virginia coal...Two million tons a year of it to be exact. Over 5000 tons a day. That coal will be mined and trucked to the plant, spreading wealth to truck drivers, fuel sales, tires and parts, insurance sales, and every store a truck driver will stop at during the day. That coal will keep many miners working securely with jobs that pay 50k a year at minimum and 125k for the top positions. The coal taxes alone will provide a projected 50 to 60 percent of Wise county's tax base. I am not the smartest of men, but I can count. This plant was never about the 75 permanent jobs at the plant, it is about all the others listed above.

All you crying activists that do nothing to better the environment be assured...We here will make the county cleaner by cleaning up gob piles of coal. That is the problem with these people. They bitch and moan but do nothing. They lack the backbone and balls to work to better the environment and the economy. While they type and hold signs of protest, we power nations with our blood sweat and tears. They are not fit to clean our boots. So keep typing and protesting using the power we provide your sorry asses. We will keep mining and working to support our families and have a better life, a better and cleaner county, a future for our children. Because until you are ready to fill our shoes and feed our families you have no right to say we cant use the resources GOD gave SWVA.

Technorati Tags: Coal, Coal Mining, Wise County Virginia