A letter to the editor, published today in the Martinsville Bulletin has unfortunately revived ROSCOEgate. Bill Wyatt, owner of WYAT40 television read the letter on the air this morning and then gave a VERY INACCURATE account of the controversy. To summarize, he led viewers unaccustomed to blogs into thinking that Roscoe Reynolds’ pal Joe Stanley’s behavior (”just pulling a funny”) and the subsequent response by the Old Dominion Blog Alliance (”some group of Republicans”) was typical of the Virginia political blogosphere. There was no mention of Joe Stanley being no typical blogger but the Chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Committee.

In spinning his yarn, Bill Wyatt named Alton Foley as being involved in the brouhaha and inferred that Alton was somehow the instigator. Alton called the show and offered to set the record straight. During the on-air call, Bill invited Alton to come on his evening talk show Talk of the Town tonight to explain it. Bill also said that he would be inviting Joe Stanley to join them. Alton has accepted and I have no idea what Joe will do. My “woman’s intuition” says he’ll stay home. Being accountable is hardly a trademark of a person who believes the ends always justify the means.

From the Roanoke Times:

In January 2006, Stanley unseated Gary Furrow to become chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Committee. The coup was hardly bloodless, though Stanley has avoided speaking of it except in vague terms, and Furrow did not return calls requesting comment on the matter.

My opinion is that anyone capable of pulling off a coup that is not bloodless within his own party didn’t think twice about linking our group of Virginia bloggers to a group advocating lowering the age of consent so that “men” can legally have sex with little boys. I don’t take offense easily but as the mother of a nine-year old boy, Joe’s actions made by blood run cold…and then boil. The ODBA is not a faceless acronym at which one can recklessly throw barbs - to me its members are friends which I hold dear. They are honorable people - I’m willing to bet that if I asked them to name the most despicable group (before Joe connected us to NAMBLA, that is) they could think of, NONE OF THEM would suggest a group of pedophiles. We just don’t think like that.

In Joe’s Mea Culpa he says, “I started to point it to a prominent Democratic site, but I don’t know of anyone who wants to be associated with these hate mongers and flat-earthers.” Did he check with NAMBLA to see if THEY wanted to be associated with us? Linking us to moveon.org would be “a funny.” Child rape is not.

Joe has created a diversion to draw attention away from his candidate, Roscoe Reynolds, and I don’t blame him. He calls the ODBA a “gutless invertebrate.” Isn’t it ironic that he called Roscoe one of several “elected invertebrae” on his blog? (As well as naming Roscoe, Pickle of the Week.)

Joe did ask a good question, though:

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?

Anyway, anyone interested in watching tonight’s show, with or without Joe can do so via streaming video by going to http://ustream.tv/channel/martinsville-media

Talk of the Town is scheduled to air at 7 pm.

After having lived in Hanover and Goochland Counties for fifteen years, I came to feel a special kinship with the folks of Caroline County. That beautiful county must be feeling a hole in its enormous heart tonight.

From Tom at Caroline County, VA JUSTICE:

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 39 118 Courthouse Lane
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone (804)-633-1120 Fax (804)-633-1124
E-Mail: sheriff@carolinesheriff.org
Sheriff A. A. “Tony” Lippa, Jr.

For Immediate Release – September 26, 2007

CAROLINE COUNTY ANNOUNCES DEATH OF DEPUTY L. W. REEL
The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office is deeply saddened to announce the death of Deputy Leonard W. Reel, age 23, at approximately 12:30 p.m. The tragic set of events which culminated in Deputy Reel’s untimely death began on September 24, 2007. On that date at approximately 4:40 p.m., Reel’s girlfriend, Elizabeth C. “Liz” Ryan, age 23, was killed in a single vehicle crash on Nelson Hill Road. Deputy Reel was one of the first emergency responders to arrive on the scene of this crash.
This morning, a member of Reel’s family received a communication from Reel indicating he was despondent over the loss of Liz and thinking of ending his own life. The family member drove to Reel’s residence and discovered Reel. This was communicated to the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office by the family member. Sheriff Lippa, Major Hall, Captain Moser and other several members of the sheriff’s staff responded. All indications from the preliminary investigation are that Reel took his own life and died instantly.
Reel is survived by his parents, sister, and brother. While memorial services are incomplete at present, Deputy Reel has requested that he be buried with Liz and the families are working together to comply with that request.
Deputy Reel had been with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office since July 11, 2005. Funeral arrangements will be released by this office and the family once they have been completed.

Tom: Please keep us posted and we’ll keep these families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Events like this truly put things into perspective for me. How about you?

Earlier today, I was discussing the economic situation of this area with a friend of mine (let’s call him “Bob”). We were both pissed and disappointed but mostly pissed about the decision for a Volkswagen factory not to come here.

“Bob” is truly amazing - I’m honored to have him as a friend. He’s endured tragedies most of us couldn’t even sit through if they were displayed on a movie screen and despite it all, he’s the most upbeat and positive person I know. Growing up, being bounced around in orphanages and foster homes, he learned not to expect much at Christmas. His analogy was brilliant and I’ll do my best to relate it here:

You know from the past not to expect much at Christmas but you still have that hope that maybe this time will be different. You even make yourself a bigger Christmas stocking, just in case. (Shell building?) Christmas comes and you sit to the side and watch kids who already have more stuff than they can handle (Fairfax County?) get more and more. Over time you learn to just be happy with the little token gift you receive, but you still wonder - what did I do wrong? Am I not good enough?

So why didn’t we get the Volkswagen factory and the 400 jobs that came with it?? It’s not because our housing is too expensive or that our roads are too crowded or that we couldn’t use the revenue… So, why?

Or why not? Why not Henry County?

I haven’t read this book but I hope it has a chapter on what you should do when:

Your guy asks you to do something foolish for him (like patron a Senate bill which authorizes the state to collect abusive driver fees.)

You gladly fulfill his wishes thinking he’ll like you more and maybe do something nice for you in return (like use his Opportunity Fund to buy you a Volkswagen factory.)

Heartbreak sets in when you realize your guy isn’t really your guy - he’s giving gifts to someone else (locating your Volkswagen factory in HERNDON!!)

There’s no Herndon in your district, so don’t bother looking. Roscoe, although it hurts, it’s time to realize that He’s Just Not That Into You.

I know you’re in denial and you don’t want to believe me so I have proof of the “affair”:

Accompanied by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Jacoby made the formal announcement this morning. Kaine noted that the Ford plant in Norfolk, Va. closed after 80 years. “We would love to make the best case for why (a VW factory) would be best in Virginia,” Kaine said.

Timmy’s even using the “l” word. (that would be “love,” Roscoe) and they’re exchanging tokens of affection. Need more proof?

Jacoby was presented with a state flag of Virginia that had been flown over the state Capitol in Richmond. He spoke in front of three gleaming new vehicles — a new Beetle, Eos and Audi and gave Kaine a miniature VW Beetle.

Looks like the attraction between Timmy and his new interest is mutual (the book says that’s a bad sign for you.)

Pictures say a lot - they both look happy. (I KNOW it hurts but it’s for the best. Trust me.)

All couples are happy in the beginning but it’s only a matter of time before trouble rears its ugly head: But the area faces severe traffic snarls and local TV reporters asked Kaine what 400 more motorists would do to already monstrously long commutes. In a sign of the problems, one of the featured speakers at the press conference was 30 minutes late — held up by bad traffic.

But that’s not your worry, Roscoe, by then you’ll be LONG over him.

Well, whether or not you agreed with the decision to allow IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia University, the good news is: we can all rest easier and sleep better at night. Obviously, Iran is no threat to us or any other country. Israel is probably dismantling its defense systems and designing new playground equipment even as I type. The entire brouhaha regarding Iran being a threat to us was much ado about nothing. Ahmadinejad said that Iran is not going to attack any country in the world.

That’s good enough for me. Maybe if I book our flights today, the kids and I can still get good accommodations in Tehran for Spring Break. After all, Ahmadinejad said that the Iranians are a peace loving nation, they hate war, and all types of aggression. When was the last time you heard anyone say that about the US or any of its domestic vacation destinations?

The audience on repeated occasion applauded Ahmadinejad when he touched on international crises.

Even with my SAT scores I didn’t stand a chance of being accepted at Columbia University - nope, those students know a lot more than I do and they consistently gave him standing ovations during his address. (Although I am a little curious as to how many of them could identify Iran on a globe…. What’s a globe? Never mind.)

Personally, I’m glad that Ahmadinejad got to speak his mind. The more attention radicals of any sort draw, the better. Many people who had previously been lulled into slumber by their new iPod or American Idol are waking up to the reality of radicals like Ahmadinejad and moveon.org. (If you want to include stock in the New York Times in your portfolio, btw, now’s a good time to buy - it’s at a ten year low.) It’s just too bad that Ahmadinejad didn’t make time for an appearance on Oprah with Elie Wiesel. Who would get more standing ovations, then?

So sleep well like I will, knowing our security is not at risk - not as long as Ahmadinejad has the wheel. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

like Scott, Jane, Ward, Ron, Grumpy, Carl and of course, badrose, have left questions for Atty. Gen. Bob McDonnell over at Charlie’s place. You should have Good Sense, too!

On September 11th, 2007, while most of us were remembering what we’d lost and feeling grateful for what we had, Ben (blogging as Not Larry Sabato) was thinking (as usual) “What can I do to stir the pot?”

What can I do to pay back those mean ODBA members for their baseless attacks on my best pal, Joey? All he did was link them to a group of pedophiles for crying out loud. Those big bullies. Where’s their sense of humor? I know! Racism! That always works! I’ll show them! And everyone will believe me because I’m a Democrat, I mean Democratic (almost forgot) and they’re just a bunch of conservatives! I’ll attack Jeff Evans, the bad man trying to unseat Joey’s pal, Roscoe! Once I declare Jeff a racist, issues and Roscoe’s abysmal voting record will be overlooked and I’ll be the hero! Clients will flock to Joey! We’ll be rolling in the dough and go to Red Lobster to celebrate! I’ll order calamari… no, make that two orders of calamari……

Since Ben couldn’t link Jeff Evans directly to being a racist, I’m sure he was delighted when he discovered Chip Hairston’s facebook page listing Chip as a member of a George Wallace Appreciation Society. I’ll bet that Ben thought he’d struck gold. After all, in BenWorld, a Republican candidate must certainly be held accountable for what one of their unpaid volunteers posts on their social networking page. It would also send a message to Chip and others like him that while we want his generation involved in the political process, they will only be recognized and respected if they are Democrats. Remember, this isn’t the first (and I doubt it will be the last) time Ben and his cronies attacked a Republican college student for what they posted on their facebook or myspace page. Goddess forbid a woman and/or person of color be conservative.

Chip took the high road and the time to respond to Ben’s attack post as well as some of the heartless comments left by those bold and courageous anonymous commenters. He explained that the group was formed to celebrate Wallace’s beliefs in states’ rights, an issue which should unite rather than divide us. Speaking of the comments section, this is where Ben states that he was aware that Chip was African-American when he made the accusation. I find myself questioning Ben’s mental health a little more than usual on this one:

So Ben, the point of all this is, the courtesy of a reply is requested. What were you trying to accomplish if not to smear Jeff and embarrass Chip?

If you choose to remain silent regarding this latest stunt of yours, I’ll accept that, Ben. But going forward, you must remember: No campaign is so important that any of us have license to recklessly play the racism card as you have. While you apparently can’t see past the tip of your own nose, ego or the next election, creating division between races can have dangerous consequences. If you don’t believe me, then ask the estimated twenty thousand people who gathered in Jena, Louisiana….

I used to love to have people come stay at my house but something very, very, almost indescribably tragic happened here and now I have to be more careful. I still enjoy having company but I have no choice but to set down certain rules to insure my safety and more importantly, that of my children. If you want to come stay with us, we’d love to have you! It’s important for my children to be exposed to as many different people from all different walks of life and cultures. I want them to experience and embrace as many different people as our house will hold. The global marketplace they will one day enter is so much larger than it was when I was their age and will keep growing.

So come see us - just follow some simple “House Rules.” First, please call or write (or e-mail) my secretary. She’ll need your full name and some other information like how long you plan to stay, who you’ll be bringing with you, etc. She’ll give your information to my security people who will do a background check and make sure that there’s nothing in your past that indicates you might pose a threat to my children and me. Loads of people have already come here after going through this process, and although it may seem extreme to some, we all agree that once they get here, we have a more enjoyable time. We trust each other more when our intentions are made clear.

These are MY rules and they will be ENFORCED. You are not welcome in my home any other way. I promise I’ll have you arrested for trespassing and sent back to your own home. That’s the way it is and I’m sorry if things are bad in your home - I understand why you want to come here but I just refuse to take any more chances.

If you decide to ignore my rules and come anyway, then guess what! I will pay to send your kids to school with my kids. If you or your family gets hurt or sick (I hope you don’t) I will pay for that, too. You can drive my car. I want you to feel like my home is your sanctuary. Feel free to help yourself to my wet bar. I hope you don’t drink too much and then drive my car but if you do, and you happen to get pulled over for DUI, don’t sweat it. You won’t be arrested because I want you to feel safe and welcome while you’re here enjoying your sanctuary in my home. Besides, it’s too much trouble for me to contact proper law enforcement to deal with a person who came here against my wishes but I’ve allowed to stay.

If you get drunk and drive my car and eventually kill one or both of my children, well, that’s unfortunate. I should’ve seen the warning signs and I should’ve been more careful. Maybe I’ll be more careful in the future. Oh, I almost forgot! If you stay here long enough, Roscoe Reynolds wants to further reward you with in-state tuition for college! What a guy!

Isn’t this absurd? Does anyone else feel like I do? Yes. Jeff Evans does and that’s why he has my full support in his bid for a seat in the Virginia Senate. For 24 years, he served us as a Virginia State Trooper and knows full well the importance of having AND ENFORCING laws. It’s laughable that the majority of our law-makers are lawyers themselves. I’d prefer having more people like Jeff, with experience in putting their lives on the line enforcing the laws.

Take this to the bank: Some of the most honorable, upstanding, bravest and wisest people I know are currently in law enforcement or have been. If men or women like Scott White, Marshall Farley, Richard Brown or Darrell Bowling ever seek a seat in the VA General Assembly, regardless of their party affiliation, they also will have my full support.

Vote Jeff Evans. I am.