Just think about that as you go through the day, realizing the great sacrifice that saw freedom prevail.
And what better transition from that than to talk about a gubernatorial race in Virginia. Haven't talked about this too much, but it is a big one and it seems to be heating up.
Not long ago it looked like the Democratic candidate, Creigh Deeds, was dead in the water. Back in June this race was close. In the middle of August, Bob McDonnell, the Republican, was up 12 points. Then in just the last week or so, some interesting stuff came out. This is like West Wing stuff.
Turns out McDonnell was a forward, or some may say backward, thinking graduate student back in 1989. While studying for his masters in public policy at Regent University (which I've never heard of), McDonnell wrote a thesis that described working women as "detrimental" to the traditional family. This included criticism for federal tax credits for childcare, which of course is the cause of women entering the workforce (his words, not mine). He criticized the legalization of contraception for unmarried couples and showed his dislike of the "purging" of religion in schools. He wanted these schools to teach "Judeo-Christian values."
Of course his explanation is that he has grown considerably since then, though it is hard to believe that someone has grown less conservative in their religious values. If he wants religion taught in schools, that's his view. There are private schools for that, but that is less important, I think, than the contraception issue. Seems that even in 1989 an unplanned pregnancy between unmarried people is worse than one with a married couple. Again, I don't vote in Virginia - yet. But this is interesting stuff.
The winner will follow Tim Kaine, a popular governor who was well liked by the conservative community even as a Democrat. That is common in some places - not in Virginia. Just ask Rep. Tom Perriello.
And, while there are most surely many stories present on this Tuesday before labor day, the other one that is catching my eye is in California. Wildfires are again ravaging the southern part of the state, very near populated areas. Over 120,00 acres have burned. This is a yearly occurrence in California and Washington, as well as other places and yes, partially caused by climate change.
The LA Times is keeping a blog solely devoted to the fires right now.
One of the more interesting questions, past the issues of people's safety (two firefighters have died) and the destruction of homes, is what some of the many planned sporting events do. While it may not seem serious, thousands of people flock to Los Angeles to watch sports each weekend and with it being Labor Day, surely many were planning some activities.
UCLA is still planning to play San Diego State in their football opener on Saturday, despite the fire being just 10 miles from the Rose Bowl.
I remember in San Diego, when some athletes lost homes, the UW men's soccer team was scheduled to play down there during the fire. The game was cancelled.
This isn't at the level of San Diego yet. But pay close attention.
Just a few links:
Remember when I said this was happening a lot? Well...
Yes Southern California and Arizona, there is a hurricane, Cat. 5, coming too.
Lastly, remember that sports blog idea I floated a couple of days ago? Well, look for that, soon.
Things are getting pretty busy around here. Took me about four hours on and off just to get this post done. In and out of the room. Have a meeting about new media later. Setting up a tele-Town Hall (don't ask) and a rally as well. I have become an LTE (Letter to the Editor) machine. At least four a day. Seriously, feels like there should only be so many ways you can say the same thing...My head might explode if I keep trying to remember the rest of my to-do list. Thank goodness for a steno pad.
Comments are always good. I like letters too. Who doesn't like getting mail?
Stay classy.
http://bentondc.blogspot.com/2009/09/last-world-war-oh-wait-thats-just.html?showComment=1251852365745#c1859948243318121190'> September 1, 2009 at 8:46 PM
FYI Regent university is a conservative christian school set up by Pat Robertson (i believe).
Also, I would argue that Virginia is certainly in the class of states that a Democratic governor would be well liked by the conservatives. Remember, many of the conservatives - at least in Southern VA - are still Democrats at heart, a sentiment that goes back to before the partisan realignment in the South. It's the same reason that the state with the third longest string of Democratic Governors - though it should have ended in 2008 - is North Carolina (behind only Oregon and Washington).
The South is still a very strange place in partisan/political terms.
I'm reading a book right now called "Deer Hunting with Jesus", which essentially is a cultural study of white working poor in the South (extrapolated to a national view of the class) done by someone who grew up in Winchester, VA, moved away and became an acid-dropping hippy, then moved back at 50 with his liberal ideology in tow.
I don't agree with a lot of the commentary that is made in the book, and parts of it I think are a little too partisan and shortsighted, but it is certainly an interesting view into the Southern poor culture.
I guess all that is meant to say that I would caution against taking Southern politics at face value once you get involved in VA political races. Not that you wouldn't already.