The Merits of Photoshop
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Our friends over at Virginia Virtucon, specifically Riley, Not O'Reilly have recently been on a Photoshop Watch. He has posted twice (here and here) in recent days regarding cases where the mainstream media used Photoshop® (and used it poorly I might add) to alter photographs without indicating that they had done so. Neither photo actually needed to be altered. Just some idiot playing with his mouse.
In some ways Photoshop® is a like a gun, in that it all depends on what you do with it.
I like Photoshop® and think it can be used for good in our community. Photoshop® can help people. Thats why, when I saw the photos of Senator George Allen on Flickr, I decided to help him out and whiten his horribly yellow teeth. (Just in case you doubt the authenticity of the original photo...)
I am glad I could use my copy of Photoshop® for good today. I can't be here every day to whiten the Senator's teeth, so I'm going to need him to accept some responsibility here and do something to fix the problem.
And hey, Senator Allen, if you're reading this, no need to thank me, pay it forward.
posted by Libertas @ 6:16 PM,
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Who Was I Kidding? A New Look!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Alright, I admit it. This blog used to have a header that featured the Capitol and cutaways of the state seal. All of that is fine and dandy, but it just didn't fit the tone of the site. We have a new look now, and I think it is more in line with the content you see here.
While the name comes from the back of the Seal of the Commonwealth, the sentiment is applied to politics–persevere!
We talk an awful lot about the level of discourse and the tone of blogging. We all choose different paths. Personally, I am not into civics. I enjoy politics, the process and the rhetoric. Of course, civics and policy are so important, but what too many candidates fail to realize is that you don't get to write policy until after you get elected.
I hope you like the new look and here is to the campaign! Both sides. Fight for what you believe in, and never back down!
posted by Libertas @ 9:40 PM,
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George Allen White Sale
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
I just don't see how you explain this away.
Asked whether Allen supports or deplores the CCC, John Reid, his communications director pleaded ignorance. "I am unaware of the group you mention or their agenda and because we have no record of the Senator having involvement with them I cannot offer you any opinion on them," Reid told me in an e-mail response.I suppose Mr. Reid hasn't seen this picture?
posted by Libertas @ 8:34 PM,
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A Disaster Strikes and Bush is on Vacation...NEVER!
I know its not "nice" to repost things. On this anniversary for Katrina, however, I thought this may be the best approach to acknowledging the one year anniversary of landfall.
Some folks think Katrina is yesterday's news, and frankly, I was close to being one of them. Then I saw this news story. The AP has uncovered video footage of FEMA briefing sessions held by Mike Brown and broadcast to president Bush at his ranch in Texas, and Michael Chertoff.
IF NOTHING ELSE, YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO...On the eve of Hurricane Katrina's fateful landfall, President Bush was confident. His homeland security chief appeared relaxed. Louisiana officials were heaping praise on the federal government.
And warnings of the coming destruction - breached or overrun levees, deaths at the New Orleans Superdome and overwhelming needs for post-storm rescues - were delivered in dramatic terms to all involved.
All of it was captured on videotape.
The Associated Press obtained the confidential government video and made it public Wednesday, offering Americans their own inside glimpse into the government's fateful final Katrina preparations after months of fingerpointing and political recriminations.
posted by Libertas @ 11:47 AM,
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"Conflicted"
Monday, August 28, 2006
A Special Session on Transportation was called by Speaker Howell. In a speech to GA finance committees, Governor Kaine said, "If we do not act, it will be our people and our future that will suffer."
Folks like Morgan Griffith are already puffing out their chests and preparing for the fight. This could make September even more exciting than the fumbles ata stop on George Allen's listening tour.Calling the public "conflicted" about higher taxes for roads, he said "they are aware that solutions will cost money. But they don't want to pay more taxes."
Instead, Kaine urged lawmakers to focus on areas where Democrats and Republicans in both chambers have already agreed: reform of the Virginia Department of Transportation, land use changes and modest increases in the amount of money spent on transportation.
"These points of agreement demonstrate a significant common ground from which we can craft a comprehensive solution," Kaine said in his 24-minute speech.
posted by Libertas @ 5:33 PM,
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Wrong turn? Lost? Need directions?
Webb 47.9%, Allen 46.6%! In the words of John Zogby, "colossal political crackup."
It's not over by a longshot. 72 days until the only poll that actually counts. George Allen has a ton of cash and mean streak two miles wide, buckle up and get ready. You might alos gather up a few proverbial rocks to throw at the Senator, if you are so inclined.
posted by Libertas @ 12:42 AM,
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Bloggers United ::: Martinsville
Sunday, August 27, 2006
(Left to right) Leslie Byrne, Alton Foley, Chris Saxman, Eileen Levandoski, Jerry Fuhrman, Josh Chernilla, Greg Letiecq, Carl Kilo, Brian Patton, Paul Anderson, Ben Tribbett, and Jay Hughes.A quick word on this weekend...Fantastic. Alton Foley and crew did a great job organizing this event and making everyone feel at home. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I had a wonderful time, made some new friends, tore down some walls with some other folks, and learned a great deal.
The picture above captures just a few of those who participated. Some of those not pictured are Republitarian and his wife (I have the picture, just cannot see much with the burkha and all) Will Vehrs, Steve Minor, John Brownlee, Steve Sisson, Tucker Watkins, and others.
I think enjoyed meeting some of the conservative bloggers more than anything. Not because I was able to take pictures for future photoshopping, but because I realized they didn't have horns and were just as passionate about their beliefs as I am. In fact, Kilo almost convinced me Chad Dotson was a good guy. He did convince me that enough people respect Chad that I included him in my blogroll. (Yes, I am acutely aware that the addition of Chad to my blogroll will do nothing for Chad.)
Major kudos to Senator Roscoe Reynolds for attending Friday night's function at Chatmoss Country Club. It was great to get to talk to the Senator and I really appreciate his taking the time to attend.
Everyone knows the genesis of this event and it is sad, if not shameful, that Delegate Ward Armstrong lives so close to Patrick Henry Community College and he chose not to attend. Perhaps he was live blogging at Raising Kaine and that is why Lowell Feld chose not to attend. Ho do you coordinate the netroots when you do not associate or participate in functions with your peers?
I genuinely enjoyed Chris Saxman's talk, and that of John Brownlee, but my favorite was Leslie Byrne. She tells it like it is, and lives with the consequences. She is a rockstar!!!
posted by Libertas @ 11:26 PM,
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That Old Dotson Magic-REDUX
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Some of the best blog entries have been election return analyses. They are great because they give us an opportunity to suggest future scenarios based on past performance. I have read with some interest the news stories concerning voter fraud and the compounding gambling operation in Wise County–like this, this, this, this, this, this, and this and that, that, and this one too. I have even commented here, here, and here about the situation.
So I decided to go back and look at these elections in questions. Admittedly, I never made it that far. In looking through recent election returns in the tiny town of
It seems that
In 2001, Mark Warner won the town of
That is 15 points behind Chad Dotson who was running against a fellow resident of
I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but Al Gore won the town of
In a related story, read this interesting article on pork rinds.
posted by Libertas @ 4:26 PM,
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That Old Dotson Magic
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Hotline reports...
That is actually not a bad idea. Folks down in Chad's neck of the woods have a way with turning elections. Even I would have to admit it is going to take a lot of pork rinds.According to an e-mail circulating among conservatives, Chris LaCivita, Allen's longtime strategist, and other Allen aides believe that the campaign has so far failed to appreciate the generative role that bloggers can play -- and the consequences that pertain when the GOP Netroots aren't mobilizied on behalf of candidates.
LaCivita is looking for a prominent conservative online strategist to join the campaign's staff. Chad Dotson, a Virginia prosecutor who blogs as Commonwealth Conservative, is helping LaCivita with the recruitment effort.
posted by Libertas @ 7:50 PM,
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I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack
After a summer spent traveling to the far reaches of the globe, including the Kingdom of Phaic Tan and the ancient land of Molvania, I have returned to take up the mouse and once again let the photoshopping begin.
We will be adding a new blogger to this site in the coming days and I am anxious for you to meet her. I am sure she will continue the long tradition of skewering, roasting, and lambasting.
posted by Libertas @ 12:35 PM,
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