Author: James A. Bacon
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“The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret”
by Erik Curren Comedian John Oliver recently joined the chorus denouncing America’s founding fathers as unworthy of admiration because of their connection to slavery. This time, the target was George Washington. Commenting on an episode of ABC’s morning talk show The View, in which Joy Behar said that statues of Washington deserved to stay up not…
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Dems Suppress Black Presidential Candidate
Democrats’ commitment to fight voter suppression apparently does not extend to candidate suppression. Backed by the prominent Democratic law firm Perkins Coie, two Suffolk residents have sued to kick black rapper/entrepreneur Kanye West off the presidential ballot in Virginia on the grounds that signature gatherers for West deceived them. According to the Washington Post, Attorney…
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Still Chillin’
Wilber’s barbeque. Sunsets. Red wine. Farkle. Long, deep sleep. Early morning coffee. Sunrises. Not shaving. Long bike rides. Gnarly pin oak trees. Powdery sand. Squinting into the sunlit waves. Perspiration and sun tan oil. Cooling breezes. TV not working — no cable, no worries. — JAB
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Chillin’
Sorry to be out of contact, folks, but I’m chilling at the beach in North Carolina. After two other vacations were aborted, this is the first vacation the Bacon family has had in more than a year! (Curse you, COVID-19!) I’m sure the rest of the Bacon’s Rebellion crew will keep you entertained in my…
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McEachin Punts on Stoney Contract Inquiry
by James A. Bacon Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Collette McEachin said Friday she will not investigate Mayor Levar Stoney’s awarding of a $1.8 million contract to businessman Devon Henry, a Stoney campaign contributor, on the grounds that Henry also donated money in 2011 to her husband’s 2011 state Senate campaign. “Although the amount of money donated…
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A Little Hope Goes a Long Way
by Carol J. Bova The University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute’s COVID-19 Model Weekly Update for August 28 shows the R-naught reproduction rate was below 1.0 as of August 15 in every health region but the Northern one, and that number was barely over 1 at 1.018. A rate below 1.0 suggests that the viral spread…
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Don’t Mess with Mama Bears
by Chris Braunlich As a local School Board member many years ago, I learned the truism, “Never stand between a Mama Bear and her cub.” Education systems across the country are now learning it in real time. With most Virginia schools shut down for in-school learning, parents are trying desperately to find resources to supplement…
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Former Transportation Secretary Questions $1.8 Million Statue-Removal Contract
by James A. Bacon Pierce Homer knows a thing or two about construction contracting and government procurement. He is transportation director for a private engineering firm. Previously, he served as Secretary of Transportation under Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. And before that, he worked for local governments in Prince William County and Galveston, Tex. …
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VPAP Ranks Lobbying Compensation
This graphic from the Virginia Public Access Project shows the corporations and organizations that have reported the biggest expenditures on lobbyist compensation. No surprises here — every one of these groups has a major presence in the General Assembly. However, VPAP cautions, don’t read too much into these numbers. These seeming big spenders simply may…
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Time for the Mayor to Clear the Air
by James A. Bacon Three years ago, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published an article headlined thusly: “Baltimore paid less than $20,000 to remove four Confederate monuments last month. So what does that mean for Richmond?” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe had estimated that it would cost more than $5 million to remove five…
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We’ve Been Good, Governor. Ease Up on Virginia Beach.
by Kerry Dougherty Twenty eight days. That’s how long cities in Tidewater were able to enjoy the freedoms granted to us by our munificent governor when he graciously allowed us to move from COVID Phase 2 to Phase 3 on July 1. By July 28th Gov. Ralph Northam yanked some – but not all – of those…
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Now They Want to Ban Tear Gas
by James A. Bacon A House of Delegates subcommittee has passed a bill, the Best Equipment for Law Enforcement Act, that would ban law enforcement use of tear gas, rubber bullets and beanbag rounds. In a party-line vote, Democrats supported the bill and Republicans opposed it, reports the Virginia Mercury. “It’s currently legal for police…
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Hey, Commish, Not So Fast on the COVID Vaccine
by Kerry Dougherty Well, he did it again. Virginia’s Commissioner of Misinformation, er Health, shot off his mouth and alarmed the public, and then state government factotums had to do damage control. On Friday, WRIC ABC News reported that Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver “plans to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for Virginians once one is…
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Bringing Analytical Clarity to the COVID Shutdown Debate
by James A. Bacon While we’re on the subject of lazy, undisciplined thinking about COVID-19 vaccine mandates (see previous post), let’s address the topic of lazy, undisciplined thinking about economic shutdowns. The Wall Street Journal‘s Greg Ip brings some refreshing analytical clarity to the debate. Ip addresses public policy responses to the COVID contagion around…
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It’s Way too Early to Discuss a Vaccine Mandate
by James A. Bacon Four days ago State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver said he planned to mandate a COVID-19 immunization once it’s safely released to the public. Yesterday Governor Ralph Northam said he’s not planning a mandate, despite what his top health official said. When asked why the the Governor wasn’t embracing the stance…