VA

Moran for Virginia

davidswanson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:18:20 -0400

By David Swanson

I ran into Creigh Deeds, candidate for Virginia Governor, at the farmer's market in Charlottesville on Saturday. He'd been trailing in the polls for a long time while the two men ahead of him, Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe beat up on each other. Now Deeds is leading, but only just barely. Essentially it's a three-way tie for the Democratic nomination in the Tuesday, June 9th, primary, with virtually nobody planning to vote and the outcome entirely dependent on who gets their handful of supporters to actually go to the polls.

When I spoke to him on Saturday, Deeds clearly liked the prospect of now being ahead but also the idea of being the underdog, and he accurately said that nothing had been decided. He did not strike me as particularly progressive. He is the local boy for rural Virginia, of course, and people here want to like him. Meanwhile, Moran did not at first appeal to me because he shares a last name with his brother Jim Moran whose performance in the U.S. Congress leaves much to be desired. On the other hand, in Moran's favor, Deeds has been endorsed by the Washington Post and extensively bragged about it as if that were a good thing.

But all of these superficial prejudices ought to give way to consideration of the candidates' positions on issues, with some concern for their past actions and proven ability to get things done. McAuliffe is, of course, such a disgusting sold-out corporate stooge that few progressives will support him. The few who do, seem to base their support on the idea that he'll fight hardest against Republicans. But what policies will he fight for? I haven't seen any good answer to that question. The key question right now is how to beat McAuliffe on Tuesday. If, between Moran and Deeds, one of them were clearly better than the other, we could all get organized behind that one and work to defeat McAuliffe. Otherwise, we could end up seeing our third choice candidate win.

This dilemma could also be solved, in a way, with Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). Back when Deeds was trailing, Rob Richie was arguing that both McAuliffe and Moran supporters would choose Deeds as their second choice and thus give him the victory if IRV were used. But so might supporters of Deeds favor Moran as their second choice. In primaries conducted on paper and counted locally (as in a recent Charlottesville City Council Democratic primary at a single polling place that used IRV) the integrity of an election can be protected while considering second choices and ensuring majority support for a winner. But in a state-wide race, votes could only be counted at a central location if IRV were used. If you can't ensure the results by having them counted publicly where they are cast, what good is improving the method of calculation?

There is a better way that takes into consideration the weaknesses of winner-take-all. We should figure out who the best winner would be and back that candidate. Claims about viability do not in this case even enter into it. The race is a three-way tie.

Looking at Deeds' and Moran's positions on various policies, one finds above all else overlap. I'm surprised neither one has sued the other for plagiarization. But there are differences, and they favor Moran. His positions may be full of hypocrisy and exaggeration. He's opposing things he's supported in the past. But that's true of all three of these candidates. Only Moran is saying he will oppose off-shore drilling and new coal plants and nuclear plants. Only Moran is supporting repeal of a hateful anti-gay rights amendment. Only Moran, as far as I know, is talking about the rights of the accused and the need to lock fewer people away for many years in prison. If those positions win in the primary, they will be made stronger. Deeds' positions on these issues are closer to those of the Republican he would compete against in the general election. Guns in bars may sound like fun to certain people, but should we elect someone who thinks it's a smart idea?

Moran has accepted more legal bribes (campaign contributions) and significantly more from military contractors. But Deeds has accepted military money, he just hasn't been able to accept as much of it -- no doubt because he doesn't have a brother in Congress on the Appropriations Committee.

One other consideration, beyond who's best to win the primary, is who's most likely to win the general election if nominated. But I've heard passionate declarations that only Deeds and only Moran and only McAuliffe can win the general election. It comes down to whether you buy the conventional wisdom that the best way for Democrats to win is to steal Republican votes, or you accept the alternative view that Democrats have a better chance if they inspire more people to vote and allow the Republicans to keep their voters. Given that huge numbers of Virginians registered to vote last year precisely in order to vote for Obama for president, the inspiring-more-people approach has greater potential than usual. Can first-time voters in 2008 be persuaded to vote in a general election in 2009? What about in a primary?

My recommendation is to find anyone who would vote for either Moran or Deeds (but especially Moran) and make sure they vote on Tuesday. I'd save most of the energy that could go into debating the merits of these two imperfect candidates and invest it in turning out their supporters. Volunteer here now:
http://www.brianmoran.com/volunteer

War and Injustice News from Virginia

davidswanson — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:31:32 -0400

A 900-acre mercenary training compound has been proposed for Shenandoah County, and a citizen group has formed in opposition: RockDem.

Is Michelle Bachman the new Virgil Goode?

Or is Tom Perriello the new Virgil Goode? He once told me he'd cosponsor EFCA, had his staff correct that to say he'd "support" it, and he now says he's opposed. He opposed the recent budget regretfully because he so dearly wanted to vote for all the war money. (What was it that did strike him as worth opposing?) He won't lift a finger for single-payer healthcare. He's cosponsored a resolution commending the ICC for indicting a war criminal president in Sudan, but not one word about worse crimes by the United States.

The Virginia House of Delegates decided nobody they actually knew was out of work, so they would turn down funds for the unemployed.

The U of Virginia still employees late-blooming torture whistleblower Phillip Zelikow, and has chosen to become a true subsidiary of the United States Military and Northrop Grumman, which has Charlottesville bigwhigs all smiles about their town (and the northern outskirts) becoming a factory of death.

Democratic Virginian Congressman Rick Boucher is leading the charge to INCREASE global warming.

Here's a bit of good news in the works:

Walk for Disarmament thru Hampton Roads, VA, June 22-26:
Join us from June 22-26 On the Road to No War: A Walk for Disarmament from Camp Peary to Naval Station Norfolk. The walk will cover over 50 miles and stop at 13 military installations in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area, the most militarized place in the western hemisphere.
We walk believing that active nonviolence can transform our war-filled world into one of justice and peace, were every human need is met. We believe that “beating swords into plowshares” is the key to personal, national, and global security.
Thus our walk is a call for a new vision:
· for an end to the preparation, legitimization, and execution of all war
· for our nation to be an example of disarmament for the world
· for nonviolent solutions to conflicts
· for the conversion of our war-based economy to one based on meeting human needs and environmental protection
We walk to share a vision of a disarmed United States with the community, passersby, and military personnel, believing that the journey will take us a step closer to disarming our hearts and our nation. For more information call Kim Williams & Steve Baggarly at the Catholic Worker at 757-423-5420 or email roadtonowar@gmail.com.

McAuliffe. One Lucky Guy. Heh. (Global Crossing)

davidswanson — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:28:08 -0400

HT Mike Stark.

More on Terry McCarpetbagger Trying to Buy the Governorship of Virginia

davidswanson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:04:12 -0400

Read For the Love of Money.

Here's an alternative.

Virginia Gubernatorial Primary: Money vs. People

davidswanson — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:08:58 -0400

A candidate drowning in out-of-state funding, or a candidate people around the state know and like: Tough choice?

VA, Charlottesville: Health Care in Crisis - Open Public Forum

Chip — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:18:56 -0500

Start: 02/23/2009 - 6:30pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Healthcare in Crisis: A Public Forum on February 23rd in Charlottesville

davidswanson — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:03:31 -0500

An open public forum in Charlottesville, Va., on Monday, February 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Lane Auditorium of the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Rd.

How can we guarantee healthcare for all?
What can you do to help?

Admission: free
Parking: free
Healthcare in case of injury: you're on your own, for now

SPEAKERS:
Donna Smith, California Nurses Association, seen in Michael Moore's "Sicko"
Steve Cobble, Progressive Democrats of America
Dr. Susan Miller, Physicians for a National Health Program
Larry Rousseau, Public Service Alliance of Canada
Lynn Hassman, American Medical Students Association, UVA
Dr. Wm. Ferguson Reid, Virginia Coalition for Guaranteed Health Care

SPONSORS:
Virginia Coalition for Guaranteed Health Care
Healthcare-NOW!
California Nurses Association
Progressive Democrats of America
Physicians for a National Health Program
American Medical Students Association, UVA
Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice

FOR MORE INFO. OR TO VOLUNTEER:
Email: donnagoings@gmail.com

We need volunteers to distribute flyers and to help on the night of the event. We need a videographer to tape the event.

FORWARD THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FAR AND WIDE.

Flyer PDF.
Flyer in Word.
Flyer in older Word.
Flyer/advertisement in high res. JPG.
Flyer in small JPG.
Media advisory.

A Virginia People's Assembly

davidswanson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:54:40 -0500

A Virginia People's Assembly

JAN. 10 Come to the VIRGINIA PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY
Delegates from across Virginia will put together a PEOPLE’S AGENDA
to present to the General Assembly
Among other things, we will demand a MORATORIUM ON LAYOFFS, CUTBACKS, EVICTIONS & FORECLOSURES
9 am - 4 pm
Asbury United
Methodist Church
324 N. 29th St.
Richmond, VA 23223
$5 donation requested to help cover cost of lunch & space, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

JAN. 14 Come to a RALLY to demand ‘Bail Out the People, not
the Bankers!’
Gather at 4:30 pm at Kanawha Plaza opposite the FEDERAL RESERVE BLDG
8th & Canal streets downtown Richmond
Then we’ll MARCH to the GENERAL ASSEMBLY to say: ‘Don’t balance the budget on the backs of Virginia’s working people!’ money, votes or numbers to make much of a difference.

Learn more and get involved:
http://www.defendersfje.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/rd-vpa.p...

Attorney Accountability

Jowey Styxx — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:31:40 -0500

Attorney Oversight

My girlfriend was an abused housewife, years prior to her separation she had sought marriage and mental health counseling. I have been assaulted by the police twice, one time they were trespassing on a dark night, we thought that they were the abusive husband seeking to assault my girlfriend again. The second time we were in a CVS pharmacy that had camera's throughout the store, we were returning from the Emergency Room because my girlfriend had a reaction to medication that was being used to treat severe anxiety and depression.

We were also persecuted by an attorney because the stress caused by the stalking, assaults, threats and courts caused my girlfriend to hemmorage and have an abortion. We became murderers.

With all the material available counselors, cameras, documents, police reports the attorneys retained did not use this material, in several cases they actively avoided it and we also have a case of attorney desertion.

The Virginia State Bar claims that they do not address "strategy" complaints, this we discovered when our attorney deserted in 2000. The Bar had changed its policies so that they could avoid accountability for its members. We became the "evil" people with "sour grapes", the demand for proof of our crimes falls on deaf ears.

This avoidance to address, the damaged position that we the client was put in made it untenable to attempt a civil suit/writ that the Bar claims would regulate its members. It also claims a diligent membership, this is without foundation.

Imagine if a client had actual leverage over the "professional" they retained, that their compliants would be documented and merit of the complaint rated so that others could make informed decisions. I am sure that a woman that is abused would want an attorney that would provide Social Services, marriage, mental health counselors and supporting documents to the courts. I am sure a victim of a police assault would want an attorney that would at least review the video evidence and question why the police did not obtain this material to support their position.

Ann Wright, David Swanson, and Body of War in Lynchburg, Va.

davidswanson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:39:11 -0500

WHAT: Ann Wright and David Swanson speaking prior to screening of "Body of War," Phil Donahue's documentary about a veteran of the occupation of Iraq

WHERE: Starlight Cafe
511 5th ST.
Lynchburg, VA 24504

WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Copies of Wright's book, "DISSENT: Voices of Conscience: Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq," will be available for purchase.
http://www.voicesofconscience.com

During the run-up to war in Iraq, Army Colonel (Ret.) and diplomat Ann Wright resigned her State Department post. She was one among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military personnel who leaked documents, spoke out, resigned, or refused to deploy in protest of government actions they felt were illegal. In "Dissent: Voices of Conscience," Ann Wright and Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Video about Wright's book:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Ei6SmAEwEU

David Swanson holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and as a communications director, with jobs including press secretary for Dennis Kucinich's 2004 presidential campaign, media coordinator for the International Labor Communications Association, and three years as communications coordinator for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Swanson is Co-Founder of AfterDowningStreet.org and Washington Director of Democrats.com, a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, the Backbone Campaign, and Voters for Peace, and a member of the legislative working group of United for Peace and Justice.
http://davidswanson.org

Body of War is an intimate and transformational feature documentary about the true face of war today. Meet Tomas Young, 25 years old, paralyzed from a bullet to his spine - wounded after serving in Iraq for less than a week. Body of War is Tomas' coming home story as he evolves into a new person, coming to terms with his disability and finding his own unique and passionate voice against the war. The film is produced and directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, and features two original songs by Eddie Vedder. Body of War is a naked and honest portrayal of what it's like inside the body, heart and soul of this extraordinary and heroic young man.
http://www.bodyofwar.com