You Know You Have Too Much Money When...

...you've lost count of how many homes you own. That doesn't seem to be a problem for most people I know. Then again, most of them are low-income (you know, the people who make less than $5 million/year).

Keith Olbermann's Righteous Indignation About Bush & Iraq

Have you got 12 minutes to spare? Keith Olbermann at his finest.

Webb for VP and Other Random Thoughts

* Are the stars aligning for an Obama-Webb ticket? Jack Landers makes a very compelling case for Webb as VP and I note with interest this blurb by Marc Ambinder from TheAtlantic.com. Webb also passes the crucial "Don Norris litmus test" -- i.e. he's a Democrat that even my Republican father seems to like and respect, which bodes well for cross-over appeal.

* Speaking of my father, I see that a 19-year-old college freshman has just been elected Mayor of my father's hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma. And people tell me I'm too young to be Mayor of Charlottesville -- I'm almost twice that kid's age!

* I've been very lame about posting images from my Cville postcard collection the last few months. Here's a quickie (below, circa 1955) in honor of UVa's graduation ceremonies this weekend. Congratulations to all grads -- especially my excellent Intern, Catherine Tobin (a future Governor of Virginia, you heard it here first).

* Sending positive energies out into the universe for Emily H.

Images from Warner Rally

Yesterday I got to help introduce our next United States Senator from Virginia, former Gov. Mark Warner, at a campaign kick-off rally in front of Charlottesville City Hall. (Not that he really needed any introduction, of course....) Warner gave a good speech that focused on his plans for bringing people together across party lines to get our country back on track. Thanks to Steve D. for the photos.

Boo Who?

In the news today was a round of stories about Hillary Clinton being booed for her anti-Obama remarks at an event in Pittsburgh this morning. It struck me that this was hardly the first time that I'd read of Hillary facing boos from a crowd during this campaign. Curious, I did a quick round of Google searches just now and came up with the following results:

"Hillary booed" -- 6,980 hits
"Hillary Clinton booed" -- 4,060 hits
"Hillary was booed" -- 1,600 hits
"Hillary Clinton was booed" -- 2,290 hits

"Barack booed" -- 4 hits
"Barack Obama booed" -- 8 hits
"Barack was booed" -- 3 hits
"Barack Obama was booed" -- 1 hit

What does this tell us? Either (a) Barack's supporters are exponentially more rude than Hillary's, or (b) people just don't like Hillary Clinton, and don't mind saying so. And remember, these have been DEMOCRATIC audiences for the most part.

You are welcome to arrive at your own conclusion.

Here's an Idea: Let's Abolish the Tax Code and Start Over from Scratch

In honor of tax day tomorrow, I refer you to legislation submitted last year by U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va. 06) called the "The Tax Code Termination Act." The idea is gimmicky, yes, but still worth pursuing: set a date certain (he recommends Dec. 31, 2010) at which point the federal Tax Code will cease to exist, and in the meantime force Congress and the White House to come up with a simpler alternative to the current monstrosity. (I still think Jerry Brown had it right back in 1992 when he said we should all be able to compute our taxes by filling out the back of a postcard.)

Rep. Goodlatte's proposal is so simple, it may just work -- though it will never, unfortunately, be enacted. There are powerful interests in this country whose livelihood and profits depend on keeping our tax system as complex and loophole-rich as possible, so the natural course of things is for the Tax Code to get larger and more abstruse each year. As far as I'm concerned, both parties are at fault and it's we the people who suffer the consequences.

From the "It's a Small World" Department

Got a voice mail message yesterday from a woman who said she's a Charlottesville resident who's doing long-distance phonebanking as a volunteer for the Barack Obama campaign. She's been making phone calls to people in Texas about the presidential caucuses happening there this weekend. She had a good chat with one man about the caucus process (she said he seemed very nice) and was about to hang up when he asked her where she was calling from.

"I'm in Virginia," she said.

"Where in Virginia?," he asked.

"Central Virginia," she replied.

"Where in Central Virginia?," he asked.

"Charlottesville," she said.

"Oh really!," he replied. "Well, my son is the Mayor of Charlottesville."

"No kidding!" said she.

"Yeah, and tell him to call me, I haven't heard from him in awhile."

So she did. And I did.

Just one more example of how Barack Obama brings people together. :-)

Why Not Hillary?

In a Letter to the Editor in today's Daily Progress, Margaret Keating effectively articulates why it is that so many Democrats cannot bring themselves to support Hillary Clinton for President.

Hillary has been warning us that Barack Obama cannot be trusted to make the right judgment in response to a 3:00am crisis phone call. But on the most important test of judgment that a member of Congress can ever make -- whether or not to go to war -- Hillary failed. And she had plenty of time to make her decision.

"The Speech"

Such a powerful address, an oration that will be (and should be) long remembered. One of my favorite passages:

"In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination — and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past — are real and must be addressed, not just with words, but with deeds, by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations. It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.

In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more and nothing less than what all the world's great religions demand — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well."

-- U.S. Senator Barack Obama, 3/18/08

For the full transcript (thanks for the link, C. H.-N.), click here.

Voting Day

Tomorrow is the Presidential Primary in Virginia. Whoever your preferred candidate and whatever your political affiliation, please go vote. As I told a group of local boy scouts a couple of weeks ago, too many people died for our right to vote for us not to exercise it.

As for me, I'll be stationed at the Clark Elementary School polling place tomorrow from 10am-2pm, handing out fliers for a certain United States Senator (and former community organizer) from the great state of Illinois. Come say hi.

Mitch Van Yahres, RIP

Mitch Van Yahres, former Charlottesville Mayor and longtime state delegate, passed away unexpectedly yesterday -- a sad loss for his family and for our whole community. As Bob Gibson writes in today's Progress, Mitch was a well-loved figure whose decency, cheerfulness, and tireless commitment to progressive causes made him just the kind of leader we in Charlottesville were proud to call ours. One of the many things I admired about Mitch is that he was never afraid to 'tell it like it is' and stand up for what was right, even when it wasn't always popular to do so. Mitch was a gentle soul, a wise statesman, and a wonderful mentor and example to many (including myself). He will be missed.

Creigh Deeds Leads the Way on Redistricting Reform

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- bipartisan/nonpartisan redistricting is one of the most important reforms we need in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Election districts should not be drawn to create "safe seats" for either party -- otherwise you end up with a substantial number of elections that are routinely non-contested or realistically non-contestable, and you tend to see increased polarization in the body politic. Competition is good for the health of our democracy.

Thankfully our State Senator, Creigh Deeds, is leading a charge to change the way that the democratic process works in Virginia, so that the democratic process might actually WORK in Virginia. Below is a message that Sen. Deeds sent out today with some positive news on this subject. My commendations to the good Senator.

January 29, 2008

Dear Friends,

For the last six years I have introduced a proposal to create a bi-partisan redistricting process that will make our state legislative and congressional elections more competitive and help to end the partisan rancor and
bitterness that hold our government back. Last week, as chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, Reapportionment and Referenda I consolidated the work of both my Republican and Democratic colleagues and today that legislation, Senate Bill 38, was reported to the Senate floor.

This is a reform that enjoys wide bi-partisan support: Earlier today, I stood with Governor Tim Kaine and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling at a press conference to announce the endorsement of this proposal by former Governors Mark Warner and George Allen, as well as the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Both political parties have used redistricting as a partisan tool in the past to protect incumbents and expand their majorities, but the time for reform is now. With control of the legislature split between both parties and the next round of redistricting on the horizon, we must pass this legislation so that voters are the ones choosing their elected officials--not the other way around.

Over the years I have made some changes to my proposal to create a bi-partisan redistricting process to build support and respond to the concerns of my fellow legislators. But this year's bill retains the key components and is even stronger due to the contributions of my colleagues Republican and Democratic alike, Senators Stolle, Cuccinelli, and Howell. The differences this year include:

* Instead of a constitutional amendment which must be voted on in two different sessions of the General Assembly and then passed by the voters, this year's proposal is a change to the Code of Virginia and only requires passage in both houses and the signature of the Governor

* Senate Bill 38 requires a six-member commission evenly split between the two political parties with a seventh independent member; in the past I've proposed the commission have 13 members

* Because this is no longer an amendment to the state constitution, the proposal now has an important section on legislative process to ensure that the bill complies with the Virginia Constitution and the rules of both the House of Delegates and the State Senate

Just as in years past, though, the proposal calls for a strict set of criteria to be used in the process of drawing legislative districts. The Commission may not use the addresses of incumbent legislators; nor may they use political party or voter history data except to ensure that the new redistricting proposal complies with the Civil Rights Act and that the districts are as compact and competitive as practicable.

I believe that this is an important reform that will go a long way towards restoring civility and a spirit of cooperation at the General Assembly. It will also ensure that voters have choices at the ballot box and that their voice will be heard.

I hope you will join me in supporting bi-partisan redistricting by contacting my office by email at senatordeeds@embarqmail.com or by telephone at 804-698-7525. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about other legislation before the General Assembly, my legislative assistant, Davis Walsh, and I are here to help. As always, it is my sincere pleasure to serve you in the Senate of Virginia.

Very Truly Yours,
Senator Deeds

Bob Gibson has the story here.

55%-27%. Wow.

This is a man at the top of his game. It's a little long (17 minutes), but worth it.

All in Favor of Putting Jack Landers in Charge of the Economic Stimulus Initiative, Indicate By Saying "Aye"

Aye. Click here to see why.

Change We Can Believe In

Last Wednesday at the "Cville for Obama" Rally I officially endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. (The Daily Progress ran a photo of me at the rally that made me look even goofier than usual.) After watching Barack work his way through the recent primaries and try to stay on the high road in keeping with his new brand of politics (combining a positive & progressive vision for change with a focus on bringing people together instead of 'wedging' them apart), I am more convinced than ever that he is the right choice to lead this nation. Plus he's funny as heck, and you gotta like a presidential candidate who even takes a moment on the campaign trail to make some unscripted remarks against animal cruelty. Most importantly, I happen to think he's right on the major issues confronting our nation -- and unlike some other candidates, he would not have looked the other way (or cheered from the sidelines) as we marched right into the biggest foreign policy debacle of my lifetime.

At Wednesday's rally I read aloud one of my favorite Obama quotes, from Nov. 2007, and thought I'd share it here as well:

“I'm in this race for the same reason that I fought for jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I fought for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason that I fought for Illinois families for over a decade… That's why I'm running...to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.”

We need this man in the White House.

Cville for Obama Rally

Join other Barack Obama supporters for a Public Organizational Rally on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7:00pm in the McIntire Room (3rd Floor) of the Downtown Library.

Come hear what YOU can do to help elect Barack Obama President of the United States! (Virginia's primary is on Feb. 12.)

For more info., contact:

Kristin Szakos - 984-4022 - k.szakos@embarqmail.com
Nancy Chappell - 979-8675 - n7154@yahoo.com

Me and Dennis Kucinich, We're Cousins

Dennis Kucinich came to Charlottesville yesterday and I was one of 500+ people who got to hear him speak at the Albemarle County Office Building. I decided some time ago that I would be supporting Barack Obama in this race, but I wanted to hear what Kucinich had to say and wanted to cheer him on for saying it. Dennis Kucinich is not just running for President of the United States. He is, more importantly, running to perfect the human condition by transforming the very basis of interpersonal and international relations to a new paradigm of peace, cooperation and non-violence. We need more politicians who speak unashamedly of such things.

Unlike Obama's fired-up pep rally at the Pavilion last month, Kucinich's talk was much more subdued...philosophical...real. Plus, Kucinich (unlike Obama) was remarkably approachable. After his speech, which he concluded with my favorite RFK quote*, he hung out in the lobby and made time to chat with whoever wished to make his acquaintance. I went up and introduced myself to him as "a fellow vegan elected official" (I don't know how many of us there are in this country, my guess is we could hold that convention in the checkout aisle of the health food store), and he asked me my name, what position I hold, etc. When I told him my name, he was pleasantly surprised; turns out his mother is a Norris too, Ms. Virginia Norris ("from County Mayo") to be exact. We jokingly decided we must be cousins somewhere along the line. When I told him I serve on the Charlottesville City Council, he said that's where he got his start too, as a City Councilor; he then asked if I would consider introducing a Council resolution supporting the creation of a federal Department of Peace and Non-Violence, as many cities across the country (including, most recently, Los Angeles) have done. I told him I would be happy to look into that. It was a very brief conversation but I was very impressed with his sincerity and good nature.

I may just have to add a Dennis Kucinich bumper sticker to my car next to the one for Barack Obama. You know, now that we're family and all.

****************

* "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." -- Robert F. Kennedy, Day of Affirmation Address, Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966

Curious Omission

There's been a good amount of commentary recently about the Republican Party of Virginia's controversial decision to institute a "loyalty oath" for voters in the 2008 Republican Presidential Primary, which the RPV subsequently overturned (to near-universal praise, as in this editorial in yesterday's Daily Progress). It's curious to me that there's been no mention (best I can tell) of the fact that the Charlottesville Democratic Party has for years required the very same kind of oath by participants in its nominating caucus. I've never liked it, frankly, for many of the same reasons that have been mentioned in opposition to the Republican Party's short-lived loyalty oath. Is it time for our oath to go too?

Great Bumper Sticker

Saw this on a car in my dentist's parking lot yesterday:

"If you don't like gay marriage, blame straight people. They're the ones who keep having gay babies."

Classic.

Holly Edwards Releases "Healthy Cville" Platform

Holly Edwards, longtime community leader and current candidate for Charlottesville City Council, today unveiled her platform for helping Charlottesville to realize its ambitious goal of becoming "America's Healthiest City."

"I applaud City Council for setting the goal of being 'America’s Healthiest City,' but we have a long way to go if we’re going to get there," said Edwards, a Registered Nurse who worked at the UVa Medical Center for 13 years. Edwards is co-founder of both the Black Nurses Association of Charlottesville and the Virginia Health Ministries Association.

Edwards made several proposals today to ensure improved health for all of the city’s residents:

* As a City Councilor, she will encourage more of her fellow health professionals to volunteer their time and skills through community health facilities like the Free Clinic, the Westhaven Nursing Clinic, or the Salvation Army Medical Assistance Program, in order to reduce health disparities in our community.

* If elected, she will push Council to give more of its attention to health-related matters. "If we’re to make health a priority," she said, "we need to devote the time to discuss the issues and find new solutions."

* Noting the health and environmental benefits of walking and bicycling, she proposes that the City designate one day a month as a voluntary "car-free" day, when those who can walk or bike to work or school are encouraged to do so.

* Touching on a subject near and dear to parents of City schoolchildren, "We should challenge our schools to provide the healthiest meal choices possible," Edwards said. "I challenge the City schools to 'eat local' by utilizing products from local organic farmers and developing vegetable gardens that would create sustainable educational enrichment opportunities for our children."

* In the wake of IMPACT's recent decision to press for expanded access to quality dental care for lower-income residents, Edwards pledged to advocate for increased City funds and higher state Medicaid reimbursement rates so that more children and adults will be able to utilize these critical dental services.

* Finally, Edwards committed to ensure that all City children have access to quality recreational/exercise opportunities. Addressing one specific proposal that's currently being considered by Council, she said: "I believe that the proposal for a new YMCA in McIntire Park can be a wonderful asset to our community. To ensure that it serves all of our families, there should be free bus service to the new Y, and the Y should establish an after school program targeting Charlottesville High School youth and encouraging youth participation and input in the planning of programs."

Holly Edwards would bring a thoughtful, insightful and experienced voice to City Council and as I've said before, I look forward to the opportunity of serving with her on Council. Please vote on Nov. 6!