A whole new look

I hope that you all enjoy the new look of The Liberal Progressive! I may make a few minor tweaks over the next few days, but for the most part, I'm finished. Please let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions!!

Right wing blogger gets publicly OWNED by local media!

Looks like the narrow mind, and all around stupidity of a group of Virginia GOP "bloggers" has gotten them in trouble again. Via The Richmond Democrat, seems members of the media agree with the rest of the sane bloggers (on both sides of the aisle, mind you) in thinking that the "Swaction" (as it's been dubbed), is nothing more than a bunch of NUTS pretending to be bloggers! Dennis Neal, the CONSERVATIVE Opinions Editor of The News Leader, wrote an article publicly calling out the "Swaction" for being a cancer to the Virginia blogosphere:

One of the things that has really disturbed me about the local right-wing bloggers (the habituals, anyway), (and this SHOULD NOT be seen as applying to some of the posters at this blog), is their unabashed embrace of templates. THESE BLOGS ALL LOOK THE SAME. Every last one of them has the same graphic: "IT'S THE JIHAD STUPID (blood drop) DEMOCRATS JUST DON'T GET IT" and many of them are just repeating the same message.

I have no problem with the message, just the delivery system: But when you get right down to it, we're not dealing with blogging but propaganda -- and it makes the right-wing blogs look as if they're being driven by some outside source that's directing them to stay ON THE SCRIPT rather than having their own say -- which I must admit, they SEEMED to be, before recently.

That's not free speech, it's just chanting.

If that's the best our local right-wing blogs can offer -- no original thought, just approved thought filtered through "channels" -- and I see NO dissenting opinions, just "Comments: 0" for the most part -- unless it's something along the lines of "You go, SWAC Girl" or "Right on, 'Dog'" -- they're no better than anything coming out of China or any of the other "non-free" countries they rail about.

The great thing about blogging has always been its individuality and non-adherence to outside direction -- even though I publish under the aegis of The News Leader, I don't clear my blog posts through the executive editor, publisher or anybody else. What I am seeing locally from the SWAC-GOP-ers is not individuality; it's hive-think. And that's pretty sad. Boring, too.

My, my, that's sure to cause the PRETEND bloggers of "Swacland" to create 15 ADDITIONAL aliases in an effort to back themselves up.

The best comment yet came in the comments section of The Richmond Democrat's entry, when Jaime posted:

"So, we aren't crazy for thinking that the "contributors" to the "Swaction" are a. one person, pretending to be 5, and/or b. a bunch if insanely hateful people who call each other on the phone and meet to discuss being the definition of an uneducated echo chamber."

As many of you know, I've had no problem calling out my favorite pretend bloggers of THE "Swaction" either. "SwacGirl" in particular when she actually accused a kid's movie of being political propaganda! For more on the ignorance of the Swac, also see: her feverish moderation of comments posted to her blog to avoid having to respond to anyone she disagrees with via her comments section.

Now, c'mon, a group of bloggers asshats that are SO obnoxious, that not only are they kicked off of one of the most trafficked aggregators used by Virginia bloggers, but SO ridiculous, and such an utter embarrassment to the Virginia blogosphere, that they end up getting publicly "owned" by local media.

Oh, and for the record, by my count, SwacGirl has posted a total of FIVE SEPARATE ENTRIES "responding" to the article (which JUST got published YESTERDAY), all referring to The News Leader as "The MisLeader." Hm, how clever of her, let's just hope with all that "blogging," she's finally figured out how to spell correctly and/or got her hands on a dictionary.

Attacked again by Republican bloggers!

Oh look, yet another attack on my blog from the "Rightosphere," but this time, instead of simply leaving comments attacking me using juvenile insults, one Republican blogger actually dedicated an entire post to the sole purpose of attacking myself, and Lowell Feld of Raising Kaine. Taking offense to a headline I used in Thursday night's Daily RunDown post, Virginia Virtucon wrote the following:

Courtesy of the Liberal Progressive –

Convicted child molester Creepyguy Jerry Kilgore has returned! Kilgore will reportedly be serving as Virginia chairman for a cross dressing (how appropriate) Rudolph Giuliani’s 2008 Presidential campaign here.

Courtesy of Lowell at Raising Kaine –

Maybe it’s time for another SpongeBob SquarePants alert on ol’ Jerry Boy. Hey, it worked out pretty well the last time, ya know what I mean? Ha.

And they wonder why others like Jon Henke, Shaun Kenney and Conaway Haskins get hired for substantive posts and they don’t. Go figure!!!

Well, that's odd because I am not using this blog to get "hired," therefore (obviously) I've never wondered why Jon Henke, Shaun Kenney and Conaway Haskins get "hired" and I don't. In addition, if (Virginia) Republicans are so easily offended, why did they defend, and then ultimately vote for, George 'Macaca Felix' Allen after his usage of a racial slur to a Webb campaign member?

Anyway, to address his "concern" about the headline I used, (and this is the fourth time I've addressed basically the same issue in the past three days, mind you), while I appreciate all of my readers (no matter which side of the political aisle), and especially appreciate the comments and feedback, I point Virginia Virtucon (and any other reader who may not have noticed), to the very top of the right hand column of the blog, where you'll find a welcome message/blog description that contains my contact info and the following:

National political discussion, debate, satire, and news! "Capitol Intensive Blogging" from the left - with a focus on Virginia!

FURTHERMORE, I'm particularly "guilty" of using sarcasm/satire for the headlines seen in my "Daily RunDown" posts each evening (which is what Virginia Virtucon took issue with). I've also had NO PROBLEM calling out Democrats when I feel that they are acting ridiculous (also see: Charlie Rangel's draft proposal, and batshit crazy Cynthia McKinney).

Update: Upcoming peace march in Washington, DC!!

I posted an entry Wednesday about an Anti 'surge' rally that was hosted in Richmond last night by MoveOn.org, to protest George Bush's dangerous plan to send about 22,000 additional American soldiers to Iraq, and it looks like the event went reasonably well. The local ABC affiliate reported over 100 activists turned out while passers by honked horns to show support:

Activists angered by President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq rushed earlier Thursday to organize protests in Richmond and several hundred other communities around the nation.

More than 100 protesters stood outside City Hall earlier Thursday evening, waving flags and holding signs and candles.

People driving by on Broad Street honked their horns in support.

The local CBS affiliate, WTVR Channel 6 posted an article about it on their website as well:

Anti-war activists have taken to the streets in several major cities to vent their anger at President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. In San Francisco, hundreds gathered for a rush-hour protest at a shopping area. One demonstrator says the president "doesn't seem to get it." In New York, Tony Palladino protested in Lower Manhattan's Foley Square with a pair of anti-war signs. The former Air National Guardsman said the new troops would just give insurgents "20,000 extra targets."

Also, more than 100 protesters stood outside City Hall in Richmond, waving flags and holding signs and candles. People driving by on Broad Street during the evening commute honked their horns in support.

For the record, all three of the major local television stations, ABC 8, CBS 6, and NBC 12 had television reports about the rally as well.

I planned on having a few pictures to post up, by unfortunately, by the time I got there (almost an hour and 20 minutes late), everything was pretty much wrapped up. There was however, a rather large police presence.

While the MoveOn.org rallies were a good start, more needs to be done to show the Bush administration and politicians in Washington, DC that AMERICA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS WAR! In fact, in recent polls more than 70% of Americans said they DO NOT support the "surge" of U.S. troops to the CIVIL WAR in Iraq. On Saturday, January 27, 2007, United for Peace and Justice plans a "March on Washington" to tell George Bush and his cronies to bring our troops home NOW! The rally will kick off at 11am on the Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets, and the march will begin at 1pm.

The United For Peace and Justice web site has much more information, including fliers, transportation information, housing accommodations, and more! I'll be in DC that entire weekend and would love to meet some fellow bloggers, so please let me know if you plan to attend too! :)

Cross posted at both Raising Kaine, and Daily Kos!

The Ditzy Democrats are back!

One of my favorite blogs, 'Monstrosity' aka 'The Ditzy Democrats' has returned to the blogosphere after about a two month hiatus! The new blog will be known as Ditzy Dems, Part Deux!

Hat tip to Daily Whackjob!

Anti "surge" rally tomorrow in Richmond!!!

MoveOn.org is sponsoring an "EMERGENCY ANTI SURGE RALLY" TOMORROW AT 6PM IN RICHMOND ON 9TH AND BROAD! For readers NOT in the Richmond, Virginia area, click here to locate one of hundreds of other rallies going on around the country tomorrow.

From MoveOn.org:

MoveOn members have already organized hundreds of Emergency Rallies to Stop Escalation in Iraq for tomorrow night. We really need to have a strong turnout at these rallies so the message is heard loud and clear: Escalation is the wrong answer. Can you attend a rally near you in Richmond tomorrow?

Momentum is on our side—263,200 of us have signed the petition and we've made 8,100 calls to Congress opposing escalation and this is just the beginning. The next step is to take our message to the public square with these rallies. All you have to do is show up to the event closest to you—the host will have signs and leaflets to pass out.

Stopping escalation is an important part of a strategy to getting out of Iraq. "Stay the Course" was rejected by the voters. If escalation is repudiated that leaves only one option: a responsible exit.

If any of you fellow bloggers plan to attend, please let me know!

Delegate Adam Ebbin's new blog; Liberal Progressive new "feature"

I received an email (as did some of you, probably) from Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) yesterday, notifying me of his (relatively) new blog, "In the Belly of the Beast" (kudos to anyone who can tell me why he named it that) if anyone is interested in checking it out (I've also added it to my blog roll over to the right). Delegate Ebbin, along with Delegate David Englin (D-Arlington) is introducing some VERY IMPORTANT legislation in the Virginia General Assembly session (which begins TODAY) combating the "Marshall-Newman amendment" hate amendment, which I reported on the other day.

Hopefully we can get behind BOTH of these men and support their efforts to bring equality to the Commonwealth.

You'll also notice I've finally created the "Featured Blog" element in the right hand column, right above the rest of the blog roll. Sorry it took a little longer than expected, I've been in DC the past two days and just hadn't gotten around to it, but, it is there now. :)

Later on this morning, I'll have a follow up to my global warming entry from Saturday, including some VERY disturbing news regarding climate trends in the United States.

Update: Local teacher fired for his art

Jaime over at West of Shockoe first reported on it (and I'm pretty sure she was the ONLY one to blog it): A Chesterfield county teacher was put on "administrative leave" pending investigation by the school system for expressing himself using ART. Well tonight, here's an update on the situation:

Stephen Murmer, a teacher at Monacan high school was OFFICIALY TERMINATED BY CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS today, because he expressed HIMSELF using art.

Not only did students describe Murmer as "a fun, popular art teacher who is always quick to crack a joke," but Murmer is also a Marine Corps. Vet, AND former Teacher of the Year. Yet, he's been fired for a painting he did in 2003 which recently showed up on YouTube.

Wow, the lengths some anti-American hate mongers will go to, to censor other people.

Personally, I have no desire (nor as a broke college student, can I afford) to purchase his art, but for those who may be interested, or just want to show support by signing Murmer's guest book, here is a link to his web site.

The Liberal Progressive on BlogNetNews!!

Actually, I've been blog rolled on BlogNetNews since I first started the The Liberal Progressive but I haven't been showing up on their BNN bulletin due to an error between BNN and Blogger when Blogger switched over to it's new version. However, BNN was kind enough to get to work on the problem as soon as I alerted them of it, and as I understand, I'm not the only one on Blogger who was having the difficulties (they mentioned Mosquito Blog was having the same problem). Anyway, today I received an email from BNN:

This is Tyler Abbott, programmer for BlogNetNews.com. I've written a patch that should set Blogger Beta posts to the correct time from now on. After posting your next blog entry, please check to see whether the time of your post is correct on http://www.blognetnews.com/Virginia/. Thanks!

And thankfully, it did work, so, I'd like to welcome any new readers that are being referred via BNN, and to BNN itself for working so swiftly on a fix for the problem.

I'll be posting a look at the upcoming bills for Virginia's 2007 General Assembly around 9 in the morning, then I'm off to DC for the afternoon (on minimal sleep, as it's already 2am), so check back tomorrow for a briefing on the goings on in the GA which opens session on Wednesday.

Updating the blog roll (again)!

Like Jaime over at West of Shockoe I'm taking some time this evening to update my blog roll (again). I've added a few already, but am looking for more. If anyone has any suggestions, or would like their blog added please just drop me a comment. I'll also be adding a "featured blog" to the left hand column this evening or sometime tomorrow.

Tim Kaine's transportation plan; VA Republicans propose a tax increase

Kaine to House: OK new road funds or tell voters why not

RICHMOND, Va. - Bolstered by growing Democratic electoral might, new Republican Party leadership and powerful resentments over worsening traffic gridlock, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is seeking new taxes and fees for new roads and rails for the second year in a row.

With all 100 House seats and 40 Senate seats up for grabs, the Democratic governor confronts conservative tax hawks, particularly in the House of Delegates, with a dilemma: approve a new stream of money to ease traffic congestion or answer to restive voters this fall.

On Thursday, Governor Kaine asked for nearly $1 billion a year in new taxes and fees to be earmarked for the transportation backlog which is currently estimated at about $100 billion. Kaine also DEMANDED a source of permanent revenue increase.

At the center of Kaine's proposal is a two percent increase on the sales tax on new cars in Virginia. The increase would put the car sales tax at five percent, the SAME amount Virginians pay on other merchandise, and would generate about $360 million in its first year. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association says the new tax would increase the price of a new car by about $500 (depending on the price of the car, of course). That number can be trusted too, coming from a group which would have an obvious bias against the new revenue. WRONG. That $500 mark is based on a buyer PAYING MORE THAN THE NATIONAL RETAIL AVERAGE FOR A NEW CAR.

As many of us remember, the GA spent nine months arguing back and forth (almost shutting down the Virginia government), before rejecting Kaine's long term plan. Things may be a bit different this time around, though:

Kaine calculates it's still an issue so potent in the state's fastest-growing areas that, facing November's elections, it will either force Republicans to go along or force those who don't out of office.

The Democrats only need to pickup four seats in the state Senate to have their first majority since 1995. The Dems have already gotten challengers in place for three GOP state Senate seats in Northern Virginia. The AP article which appeared on the Richmond Times Dispatch website also points out that control of the state Senate is extremely important to both Democrats and Republicans because whichever party wins a majority will be able to protect and/or expand it's dominance when state congressional and legislative districts are redrawn in 2011.

Republican state Senator Jay O'Brien of Fairfax (who won't have a job come 2008) said the following (and even though no one cares what a doomed state Senator thinks, I'll post it anyway):

"I was a little surprised he's going back to what failed before. It makes you wonder if he's looking for a success this year or looking for something to blame Republicans for at the end of the day."

Nope, Mr. O'Brien, actually Governor Kaine just wanted to watch you cry, and he succeeded.

Apparently, state GOP leaders including new state party chairman Ed Gillespie, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis are urging senior Republicans in the state House, and Senate to reconcile their differences in private discussions WITH those state leaders. Of course, because as we're all well aware, the Republican party has proven time and time again that a difference of opinion within the party is unacceptable.

Last month you may remember I wrote about the ineffective and worthless proposals made by Republicans, but I failed to mention the fact that they're already proposing what amounts to a tax increase. One of their proposals to increase revenue is to replace the per-gallon state tax on fuel (a dwindling source of revenue), with a SALES TAX ON GASOLINE THAT WOULD KEEP PACE WITH PRICES. Fine by me, but to all you Republicans still buying into the scum bags' LIES, please remember this next time they start harping on how they never raise taxes.

Sorry Republicans, global warming is real

It's 1:20am right now, and guess how warm it is outside? 70 degrees, currently thunder storming, and tornadoes occurring in Southern Virginia AS I WRITE THIS.

The average high for this time of year in Richmond is in the mid 40's, the record high for today is 73 degrees (and remember, it's the middle of the night and it's ALREADY AT 70), with a forecast high for later on this afternoon of around 80 degrees.

When will Republicans finally wake up and stop playing POLITICS with the environment. Why have they made GLOBAL WARMING of all things into a partisan issue. Oh, wait, yes! It's because they are the beneficiaries of 80 percent of the campaign contributions that come from big oil, and big oil doesn't want people to believe that global warming is real. To the point where they actually PAID $16 million to 43 ideological groups between 1998 and 2005 in an effort to mislead the public by discrediting the science behind global warming.

HOW PATHETIC, AND SAD!!!!! I seriously weep for our planet tonight as I look out my window in Richmond, Virginia and feel like I'm in some tropical climate zone.

UPDATE: Richmond Democrat urges everyone to see "An Inconvenient Truth." I've yet to see the movie, but plan on picking up a copy before the weekend is out.

Barack Obama heads to Virginia

Barack Obama will be the featured guest at a major fundraiser for the Virginia Democratic Party next month, his spokesman said Friday.

Obama, widely rumored to be a potential Democratic Presidential nominee in 2008, will speak to 2,000 donors and activists at the annual Democratic "Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner" at the Richmond Convention Center.

Obama's Communications director, Robert Gibbs, indicated that the Illinois Senator is excited to help Governor Tim Kaine and the Democratic Party of Virginia:

"Sen. Obama is an admirer of Gov. Kaine's and believes that Gov. Kaine is somebody who demonstrates that working together to get something done is not just a slogan."

The WaPo article recognizes that Virginia will be recognized as a much more competitive state in 2008, than it was in 2004, and since our Primary has been held relatively early in recent years (long before any candidate had the nomination locked up), his speech may create a huge discussion about Virginia's role in 2008. According to the article, party leaders in Virginia are hopeful about the prospect's of a "blue" Virginia come 2008:

Democratic leaders are also hopeful that the party's nominee in 2008 will break the GOP's grip on the state's 13 electoral votes. A Democratic presidential nominee hasn't won the state since 1964.

State Delegate Brian Moran (D-Arlington) seemed almost to endorse Obama:

"Barack is an exciting, substantive, inspiring speaker and leader. He has to be at the very top of potential candidates."

Regardless, it will be interesting to hear what Obama says at the dinner next month, especially if he announces his Presidential bid BEFORE he comes to Richmond to speak.

Cross posted at: Raising Kaine and Daily Kos

Virginia GOP makes itself look ridiculous, again

From today's RTD: Kaine revives tax plan for roads. Not the bold faced lie from Delegate M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) on Tim Kaine:

"[The Governor] has become irrelevant to the transportation debate. He's been AWOL since last January."

AWOL? Or maybe Del. Cox just hasn't been paying attention. When will the Republicans finally realize that they're no longer going to get away with LYING to constituents?

Updating the blog roll!

I've been trying to keep my blog roll as up to date as possible, removing blogs that no longer exist, or where the author no longer post, and adding new blogs when I find them. Tonight I'm adding Jeff Dion's blog, and Twin County Combustion to the list.

I have been trying to decide if I want to break the list down via Virginia/non Virginia or Progressive/Conservative, but haven't decided how/if to do it yet, though. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on additions (subtractions?), I'd love to hear them.

Look what Republicans in Congress are trying to do

This is complete BULLSHIT (click the link to the left if image is unreadable in your navigator):

The date at the top was NOT from June 24, 2006 either, it should read June 24, 2004.

How convenient though that Eric Cantor, Patrick McHenry, and Tom Price are only NOW concerning themselves with the rights of the minority party in Congress, A FULL TWO YEARS AFTER THE SAME PROPOSAL WAS MADE BY NANCY PELOSI IN THE U.S. HOUSE, AND OF COURSE IGNORED BY REPUBLICANS.

I'm assuming that they forgot their own party using ruthless tactics over the past 12 years to muzzle Democrats in Congress and therefore the people THEY then represented. No no, they wouldn't want to mention that. Eric Cantor is a hypocritical BLOWHARD who I'm ashamed to admit is the representative for my district. He's well KNOWN in Congress for using the same tactics he seeks to stop with this piece of legislation (and for knowing nothing about foreign policy, but he likes to pretend he does).

From TPM Muckraker comes these quotes from congressional expert, and American Enterprise Institute scholar Norman Ornstein regarding the "strongarm" tactics used by Republicans during their 12 years in the majority:

"[R]eveling in the power they have, [Republicans] are using techniques to jam bills through even when they don't have to . . . simply because they can."

Republicans "have taken every one of the techniques that Democrats employed when they were in the majority, and ratcheted them up to another level."

The article on TPM Muckraker went on to say of the strong arm tactics used by Republicans:

An ironic case in point: When Pelosi made her proposal to protect Democrats in 2004, GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL) refused to entertain the idea, let alone reply to her correspondence.

I'll be sure to send off a letter to Eric Cantor letting him know what I think, and I would encourage the rest of you to write your representative doing the same. Although, again, NOTHING the Republicans can do at this point will surprise me.

Happy New Year!: Top stories of 2006

The top stories of 2006 - Richmond Times Dispatch. Stories of note include the death of 100 Virginians in Iraq, Macaca, and transportation.

2006: A Look Back - Top Stories - Danville Register and Bee. This one covers top stories from the Danville area including the Goodyear strike, Henry County Sheriff H. Frank Cassell being indicted on charges of stealing drugs from evidence rooms, and Danville's unemployment rate being highest in Virginia.

Top stories of 2006 - Charlottesville Daily Progress. The top stories from the Charlottesville area including Jim Webb defeating George Allen, the opening of John Paul Jones Arena, and several other stories involving UVA.

Tiger Woods selected male athlete of the year by the Associated Press.

Potshots, pork chops and photo ops make 2006 an especially juicy crop. Annual awards for the silliest, stuffiest and goofiest actions of the year also known as the Raspberry Awards.

And finally, a look ahead shows Americans see gloom, doom in 2007.

VB Dems brings us the 2006 song of the year.

State appealing primary ruling

The Richmond Times Dispatch has an article today saying that Virginia will appeal a judge's ruling allowing Republicans to close their primaries.

Conservative Republicans want to bar Democrats and Independents from voting in GOP primaries in an effort to oust John Warner more moderate incumbents.

On behalf of the SBE, Virginia's attorney general office filed a motion to stay the order pending appeal, and said ultimately the case may be decided by the United States Supreme Court.

Update on Virgil Goode, and Waldo Jaquith

A commentary article which appeared on The Daily Progress' website today gets gets it completely right:

Goode’s unapologetic comments about cutting off immigration from the Middle East and warning against more Muslims in the Congress capture a spirit of anti-immigrant fervor generally popular among rank-and-file Republicans.

More moderate Republicans from U.S. Sen. John W. Warner, R-Alexandria, to Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, R-Fairfax County, don’t speak for that large segment of the GOP faithful.

Goode is carrying the ball for a lot of people in the economically distressed southern half of his sprawling rural district.

Larger than the state of New Jersey, the 5th District stretches from its Jeffersonian minority in the north with a strong belief in religious freedom and tolerance to its antebellum antithesis in the fallow fields of Henry County along the North Carolina line.

There, some may have tweaked the words of Patrick Henry a bit to read: “Give us liberty and give them death.” This tweaking refers to Muslims, viewed generally as a monolithic body of extremists ready, willing and able to invade this country, take our jobs, subjugate our women and get elected to Congress, roughly in that order. Viewing all Muslims as such tends to ignore the 4 million to 6 million American Muslims who live peacefully and well among us.

The author of this commentary clearly gets what is going on, while the right wing clearly DOESN'T get it. They've made it increasingly clearer that they don't care if they have to burn the Constitution in an effort to defeat what they perceive to be a "threat" (see: freedom of religion/speech/press).

The author of the article also mentions the situation with Waldo Jaquith's blog aggregator:

Waldo Jaquith, a prolific Charlottesville blogger on the left side of the political spectrum, drew the line at a few graphic images one of the pro-Goode, anti-Muslim bloggers posted depicting the beheading of an American in Iraq by Islamic terrorists. He removed the offending images and the blogger from his well-read political blog aggregator.

Jaquith runs one of the few aggregators that shows every blog entry on about 170 Virginia political blogs - left, right, center or out there - offering a political commons for discussion and well-rounded reading.

Formerly known as the Virginia Political Blogs, Jaquith’s commons now appears as Waldo’s Virginia Political Blogroll, born last week after a 132-part discussion about his decision to delist the blogger who thought photos of a beheaded American added heft to his point of view.

A few right-wing blogs named after donkeys and dogs have taken themselves out of the commons, or have been tossed out, presumably to go where grass is greener and debate is leaner, or more one-sided.

For the rest of Virginia’s thriving collection of political blogs of all stripes, the commons remains a place for all to read and remark in peace and general good will.

The author nails it right on the head, again. However, as many of you may have noticed, when I've mentioned the so called "donkeys and dogs" (and SwacGirl), as of late, I've refrained from referring to them as bloggers, since their sub par publications which are constantly littered with factual, grammatical, and spelling errors, reflect poorly on the REAL bloggers of the blogosphere.

Virginia politicians to finally address state's massive sprawl problem?

You may remember I wrote earlier this month about the ridiculous amount of sprawl rapidly eating up any open land remaining in Virginia. Well, much to my surprise, those in power might actually be taking notice. However, the proposals to cure the problem are a little ridiculous. According to a PilotOnline article, Virginia's Republican leaders have proposed a plan that would discourage large subdivisions in rural areas away from adequate roads and utilities.

Virginia House Speaker William Howell (R-Stafford) said his party will introduce several bills to address sprawl during the 2007 session. Another plan to be proposed would allow impact fees on new construction to be imposed on areas outside of "high density zones." A third plan would force cities, and counties to maintain all new subdivision streets.

Governor Tim Kaine remarked that he thought the issue of over development is one which Republicans, and Democrats can work together on, and even said he liked the plans:

"I think it's an area where there's a lot of common ground. I think that they're looking at it in a smart way."

Kaine went on to say that he plans to unveil his own proposals to fight sprawl during the upcoming session. Republican Delegate Clay Athey Jr. of Warren said Democrats and Republicans need to "join forces" to override objections from builders who have of course, opposed impact fees.

"They are a major change in direction for the commonwealth of Virginia," Athey said of the growth-control proposals, which he helped to develop.

According to the Pilot article, most of the financial incentives for targeting high-density growth into designated areas are aimed at counties such as Loudoun and Prince William in Northern Virginia.

While I'm thrilled that the problem is being addressed, MUCH MORE needs to be done than simply imposing fees on builders building outside of a certain area. Sure builders may put up a fight, but in the end, if passed, all this is going to do is force builders to pass along the cost of the fee to the buyer. These proposals do NOTHING to stop out of control development. Not only that, but per the growth problem in Virginia, while transportation is a concern I share with almost everyone in the Commonwealth, I'm personally much more concerned with the environmental impact than I am with traffic.

I'll be keeping an eye out for Governor Kaine's proposals, hoping they are a little more well thought out than the Republican plans seem to be.

Cross posted at Raising Kaine, and Daily Kos.