REWARD OFFERED
Friday, May 19, 2006
That's right folks, I am offering a reward! I will give a free t-shirt from my store to the first person who sends me a full face picture of Alice Marshall.
She has officially crossed the line today in asserting that Jim Webb is anti-semitic. Calling someone the anti-christ is far from anti-semitic. In order to be anti-Christ, wouldn't you have to buy into the idea that he was Christ to begin with? But I digress. i won't play her game, but I will photoshop her until she repents!
I want her to know that each time she pops her head out from the bubbling water of hot tub, I will be there to post another classic moment in Alice Marshall's life!
If you don't like the t-shirts that are there I will design one on request all for a usable photo of Alice Marshall.
posted by Libertas @ 3:33 PM,
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By "Forced," I Didn't Mean "Forced!"
The Washington Post reports (via Not larry Sabato) "He also said it was the board of directors of that organization which forced him to contribute personally to some Republican candidates in recent years."
Can he really be that stupid? I know Bush went to Yale also, and he swimming in the shallow end of the think tank, but I gave Miller more credit.
Harris Miller has to know that is illegal, after all, he is a lobbyist!
posted by Libertas @ 3:02 PM,
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Dear Mr. Miller...Please Write Back
Thursday, May 18, 2006
I sent the following letter three days ago. I haven't heard back yet, and the gallery is still no where to be seen.
Dear Sirs,
For more than two months I have visited your site viligantly looking for your photo gallery. Each time I am greeted with the same message, "Harris Miller Photos Coming Soon!"
Is there an actual time frame you have mapped out for posting your photos? I only ask because there was such fanfare when your staff was announced. Mr. Rohrbach was touted as quite a photographer and I am eager to see the fruits of his labor.
I am so anxious to see images of Mr. Miller on the campaign trail, I have conducted numerous internet image searches only to find what must be embarassing images of an otherwise continent candidate. I should think you would flood the web with other images in order to dilute the pool. No pun intended.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and viewing those campaign photos.
Sincerely,
Libertas
posted by Libertas @ 9:25 PM,
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Pickel of the Week ::: For Real This Time
It's that time again! Once again, we have several nominees for Pickle of the Week.
Our first nominee comes to us from the 33rd Senate District, Mark Herring. Apparently , two months serving in the midget colony that is the General Assembly went straight to Senator Herring's head. Despite never runningin a General Election, he is an expert on what it takes to win, "I know he (Harris Miller) is the only candidate who can beat George Allen in November."
What could he possibly know about running in a general election, much les what it takes in a statewide general election. Herring managed to get 10,000 votes in a January special election-that's less than some candidates got who lost last fall-and now he is an expert on Federal elections. Give me a break!
Our second nominee is none other than blog vivant, Will Vehrs. I know we are all about as tired of Will as we are Gerry Connolly. I no more pick up my copy of the Martinsville Bulletin yesterday and who was on the front page WITH THE WOMAN HE MALIGNED? That's right, Will Vehrs.
It seems that Will took his ten day suspension from work and in addition to doing a conservative's abridged version of Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, he traveled to Martinsville to meet with the folks he flung poo at!
Now I guess you could say Will is building bridges. I would say he is clinging to his fifteen minutes of notoriety and cannot seem to let well enough alone. Not since little Jessica fell in the well has been there so much ado about so little! After all the fussin' and fightin' Will goes and sits down with the woman he commented on, "Cindy’s top was symbolic of the decline in Southside’s fabric industry."
Cindy's response, while just as sad in some way, was reflective of the sensitive, good hearted people of Martinsville, "I think all human beings make mistakes and I believe this man is sincere from the bottom of his heart when he apologizes, I forgive him."
Well, Cindy can do whatever she wants, but I'm staying mad for just a little while longer.
On a side note, I cannot believe that Cindy wore the same shirt Vehrs made fun of. You have to admire that kind of tenacity.
Finally, our third nominee and this week's winner is none other than Steve "Athletic and Toned" Chapman. As NLS posted and Black Velvet Bruce Lee expounded upon, little old, illegally voting Stevie is need of some loving!
Chapman exhausted every other means of finding a "Christian Chic"
It's not that he uses match.com to find a date, more power to him on that one. It's that he wants to play hardball politics and represent folks in the General Assembly, but doesn't have the sense to remove things like this.Did he think no one would find this? He is a lightining rod for controversey and should use better judgement before causing his party and his hometown more embarassment.
On the other hand, I could just as easily give the Pickle of the Week to the myopic activists who get behind candidates like this and continue to give them hope that just because you want to be a delegate means you should be one.
posted by Libertas @ 4:19 PM,
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"C'mon Guys, Trust Me!"
Monday, May 15, 2006
Alright y'all, let's fight!
posted by Libertas @ 10:52 PM,
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You Mean Someone At Media General Isn't Fair?!?
According to Not Larry Sabato, Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times Disgrace has used one of his barrels of ink to exact revenge on Will Vehrs, and in a way, bloggers everywhere.
At the end of the day though, just about everyone who put themselves in the middle of this mess came out dirty. Will shouldn't have been blogging at work. Ward Armstrong should have kept his mouth shut about inappropriate comments. Jeff Schapiro, if NLS is correct, should exact some of that revenge on his own paper, their corporate parent, and their obvious media bias.
posted by Libertas @ 5:25 PM,
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ALERT::: NLS & Larry Byrne Plotting...
It appears that Not Larry Sabato's Ben Tribbett and Larry Byrne were having lunch today and plotting. My NOVA source says they were seated nearby NLS and Byrne and over heard bits and pieces. They swear the two were looking at some documents at one point and began discussing Gerry Connolly! I asked if they were maybe discussing "Weenie of the Week" and my source guffawed at the idea that Larry Byrne would participate in that.
She said if Larry Byrne was meeting with NLS in public, then there must be something nefarious afoot! Okay, those weren't her exact words, but that sounds better than "There has to be some shit going down!"
Any ideas?
posted by Libertas @ 12:44 PM,
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Our New Store
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Over the course of the past couple months I have had a few emails asking how folks could get my pictures on a t-shirt or other items. Thanks to Cafe press, that is now solved. We have set up a store with t-shirts, notebooks, mugs, stickers, etc. The stock will revolve with designs, so you never know when something will disappear.
Let me know if you have any good ideas or would like to see something in particular in the store.
posted by Libertas @ 9:37 PM,
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Ewert Would Be First To Run WITHOUT Nose
Twelve months ago when I first heard that Bern Ewert may seek the nomination I was hopeful. I think competition makes us better. I grew up around Roanoke and knew that if Bern were able to do for Southside, what he did for Roanoke, then that would be a good thing. I also knew that if Al Weed won the nomination, he would make an incredible congressman.
Here we are, one week from the 5th District Democratic Convention and things have drastically changed.
Al Weed has secured the nomination through hard work and honest means. Bern Ewert on the other hand has shown that he is in this solely for himself and the party and rules be damned.
I was horrified when Bern issued letters to Al Weed delegates encouraging them to go back on their written pledge and cast a vote for him. His rationale? No one would know. Now I have a six year old child, and I would be sadly disappointed if she used this rationale to justify her bahavior. I would like to think I could expect more from my congressional candidate.
Before I go forward, let me be clear that I enjoy negative campaign materials. As long as they are true, I firmly believe they fall within the realm of fair use. Except for minor children, I believe their is little or nothing in a candidates life that is off limits--AS LONG AS IT IS TRUE.
I am in receipt of a letter where Bern Ewert accuses Al Weed of utilizing illegal immigrant labor on his farm in Nelson County. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! Ewert's accusations are further evidence that he only offers more of the same divisive, dishonest, and destructive politics that already govern Washington, DC.
His attack is no different than one that would read, "If Virgil Goode were to find that Bern Ewert had been convicted of child molestation, he would surely use that against him." You see, Bern has never been accused of child molestation, much less convicted of it. It would be a shameful attack to make, just as Bern Ewert is now making shameful, baseless attacks against Al Weed.
All of this, Bern is doing with the justification that he simply wants to defeat Virgil Goode. Yet the only thing he is working for is the defeat of the Democratic nominee. Bern is apparently unable to see that he is cutting his nose off to spite his face.
posted by Libertas @ 2:04 PM,
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Please Define "Everybody" ::: UPDATED
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Just when the dust was starting to clear from a weekend of flaming comments and threatening emails, I happened to pick up my copy of the Roanoke Times today to find another story on Appalachia, that quiet little town with a great big problem.
It seems more than a half million dollars has been confiscated so far in the bust up of three prominent gambling houses along Main Street.
As a team of law enforcement officers entered a bank in Big Stone Gap on Monday morning, McAfee said, one of the suspects was in the drive-through lane withdrawing money.Apparently, the only way anyone knew about the gambling was through the election fraud case. Just makes me wonder who was gambling then? Also, didn't somebody at the bank notice a ne-er do well with a balance unbecoming them?
...
The raids on the suspected gambling houses are an outgrowth of a state police investigation into election fraud.
Authorities believe that some candidates for town council used illegal means to get into office -- buying some votes with beer and cigarettes and stealing absentee ballots from the mail -- in order to control a local police department that was then ordered to steer clear of the gambling establishments.
This excuse just doesn't pass the smell test.
"Everybody knows that gambling has gone on in Appalachia for a long time," said Rick Bowman, a former member of town council. "It's become a way of life, just like political corruption has been."
Although the investigation into election fraud has yielded an indictment charging 14 people with nearly 1,000 offenses, the gambling probe has yet to produce any charges.
The investigation includes "past and present public officials," some of them town council members who have been known to frequent the gambling establishments, McAfee said. He did not identify the public officials, or say how much they are suspected to have been paid by the owners of the gaming houses.
So, by "everybody," does he mean Chad Dotson? According to Mr. Bowman, this has not only been common practice, but common knowledge for years.Chad Dotson worked for the Town of Appalachia and I understand that is why he had to recuse himself. In light of so many town officials now being implicated, Chad should explain his role in the town of Appalachia and his relationship with those now implicated in this growing scandal.
Why wasn't it busted up before the election charges even came to light?
Why did it take a special prosecutor to do what the local Commonwealth's Attorney wouldn't?
Why didn't Dotson see the big neon sign on the outskirts of town?
If he can't find a way to prosecute anyone in Wise County, how can he preside over their trials?
If I get answers to any of these questions, I'll be sure to post them. I suspect, however, I'll only get more threats and name calling.
posted by Libertas @ 8:36 PM,
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Gerry Connolly Should Not Resign
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
But he should be embarrased and ridiculed at very public appearance for the remainder of his tenure in office. Is there no line he will not cross? Is there no one he will not push into oncomng traffic in order to get in front of a TV camera?
It seems that yesterday, when Fairfax County needed a leader, Gerry Connolly failed his constituents, and moreover, the employees of Fairfax County miserably. When Connolly learned an officer had died in the line of duty, his first thoughts should have been that officers family and co-workers.
Not our Gerry! He yells, "I am ready for my close-up!" and reveals the name of the slain officer before the family could be notified. If it weren't for the forethought of the journalists covering the story, that poor family may have very well learned through the media that their wife and mother would not be coming home.
Gerry Connolly is a MEDIA WHORE and his reckless behavior should be called out and ridiculed.
posted by Libertas @ 10:29 PM,
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New Feature :::: Pickle of the Week!
Monday, May 08, 2006
In somewhat of an homage to Not Larry Sabato, we are beginning our own weekly award, "The Pickle of the Week!" Of course, this dubious award is also named in honor last week's fugitive, GOP tracker Hunter Pickels.
The award will be given at my own behest. Readers are of course welcome to make nominations of their own, but I'll make the final award--I'm the decider here.
The inaugural award nominees included myself for my post yesterday on Wise County CA, Chad Dotson. I clearly hold an opinion that is quite the opposite of Chad's friends and family. He is a lucky guy to have folks so willing to defend him. Their persistent posting and occasional abuse is, however, without effect. I stand by my opinion that it is inappropriate for a Commonwealth's Attorney to operate a political blog.
Another consideration was of course our namesake, Hunter Pickels. Mr. Pickels egregious behavior and zealous exectuion of his job led him afoul of the Commonwealth's criminal code. Pickels defenders were less apparent than Dotson's, but far braver in their attempt to defend his behavior. Pickels is of majority age, actually a bit older than any number of US casualties in Iraq. He is a college graduate and fully capable of defiling a beloved Virginia landmark. He stepped into the ring and started throwing punches. He deserves what he gets.
I also considered awarding the pickel to the editorial board of the Virginia Pilot for their puff piece on Harris Miller. With lines like, “Part of my challenge is to convince voters that we’re not running for student body president,” and "Webb labors in deep waters that Miller swims in easily," it quickly becomes apparent that the editorial boad of the Virginia Pilot know less about Jim Webb than I do about Chad Dotson.
But alas, I must make a decision. Without further hesitation I bestow the first "Pickel of the Week" to the three state legislators calling for the termination of Will Vehrs, and particularly Ward Armstrong. While Roscoe Reynolds and Danny Marshall both expressed disgust at Mr. Vehrs behavior, Ward Armstrong actually wrote Governor Kaine and asked that Mr. Vehrs be fired. Rather than criticize Vehrs for misuse of state time and resources, they blasted him for finding humor in a ridiculous photo. In fact, they all but blamed him for the current situation in Southside. Rather than accept responsibility for their own role in Martinsville problems and invite Mr. Vehrs to use his considerable knowledge of economic development to assist them in redeveloping Southside, these elected invertebrae feign outrage and commence passing the buck.
After years in office, who do you think is more culpable for the economic situation in Martinsville, Armstrong, Marshall, and Reynolds, or a blogger two hundred miles away?
posted by Libertas @ 8:21 PM,
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Exactly what is it Chad Dotson does?
Sunday, May 07, 2006
I've never met Chad Dotson. I occasionally read his blog. I think he is probably a good guy who I disagree with vehemently on political issues. I also think he holds some responsibility for the total lack of law and order in Wise County.
As the chief law enforcement officer in the county, and an elected one at that, Chad needs to come forth and explain how these things continue to happen right under his nose without his acting to stop them.
The Roanoke Times reports today, "Authorities believe that "past and present public officials" in Appalachia took kickbacks from the businesses in exchange for directing town police officers to allow the illegal activities to continue, said Tim McAfee, the special prosecutor overseeing the investigation."
While Chad is not suspected of being one of those officials, what has he done to stop this behavior? There is no doubt in my mind that one can live-especially the Commonwealth's Attorney--in a small community like Wise County and not know that "some members and ex-members of Appalachia Town Council are suspected of frequenting the gambling houses, which are run out of vacant storefronts on the town's dusty and dilapidated Main Street. Open for business every day but Sunday, the establishments reportedly offer wagering on poker games and sporting events."
Maybe with his love of baseball, movie reviews, and self promotion, Chad just doesn't have time to do his job.
Chad loves to remind folks that he is Virginia's first elected blogger. I sincerely hope the Wise County Democrats get together and make him Virginia's first elected blogger to lose an election. If they don't at least put someone up there against him, then I am not sure they deserve to even have a committee.
posted by Libertas @ 12:47 PM,
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