Features | Opinion | Videos | Calendar | Advertise Wednesday, February 8, 2012
POSTS BY Jay Ford
Believes the world would be a nicer place if we all made some of our own furniture and grew some of our own food. He has worked on various state and national political races around the region, before switching over to issues based campaigns, where he advocated for voting rights, universal health care, and the environment. He has taught grassroots activism, and happens to think it is pretty important. He believes passionately in environmental reverence, social equality, the power of collective action, and his ability to speak with his cat. He fancies himself a part-time philosopher and thinks that people should dance on their cars more often. Jay thinks that abolishing the hand shake and replacing it with mandatory five second hugs would go leaps and bounds in changing the world.

Op-ed: The Battle to Rid Ghent of Homeless People

By Jay Ford

Plus Cooch, Sessoms’ absurd response to a tent city at the Beach, and more in Jay Ford’s powerful If You Read the Paper.

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Op-ed: Looks like Gov. Bob Will Get Unchecked Power in Richmond

By Jay Ford

The writing is on the wall; Gov. Bob also confused about Occupy Wall St.; Here comes Romney!; and Cooch makes news, for a change. In today’s If You Read the Paper with Jay Ford.

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If You Read the Paper | Wed, Oct 12

By Jay Ford

VB trying to continue ban on uranium mining; McDonnell playing games with Obama; Dominion Power donates a pittance; Norfolk schools ain’t what they used to be, and more in Jay Ford’s Paper.

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An Imaginary Conversation between Jay and Dominion Power

By Jay Ford

Plus Cooch does a good thing, VA leaves NCLB, Virginia Uranium, and more in today’s If You Read the Paper with Jay C. Ford.

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Op-ed: Ken Cuccinelli Has a Posse

By Jay Ford

A swell teacher in Portsmouth, DADT repeal party fun, an Asia Minor shout out, racism alive in VA, and more in Jay C. Ford’s If You Read the Paper.

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Why Record Poverty in America? One Word: Selfishness

By Jay Ford

Poverty in the US soars, Gov. Bob undermines abortion rights, a soft core porn mural is approved for Downtown Norfolk, and more in If You Read the Paper from Jay C. Ford.

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Op-ed: Double Jeopardy in Portsmouth

By Jay Ford

One of the major reasons cited for our depressingly high percentage of repeat offenders is the fact that those coming out of prison have extreme difficulties finding employment and housing. This policy only makes things worse.

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Op-ed: Bachmann’s Fight Against Florescent Bulbs Not Very Bright

By Jay Ford

“In the end is maintaining the illusion of man as an island really worth the health of our children, our planet, and ourselves?” – Jay C. Ford, in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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American Politics Will Be Less Interesting When Ron Paul is Gone

By Jay Ford

And more essential politics news and views from Jay C. Ford in If You Read the Paper for Wed, July 13.

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If You Read The Paper l Wed July 6th

By Jay Ford

“As we collectively decided to pay attention to this trial instead of any number of things that might actually shake the world to its knees…” And more from Jay C. Ford.

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New Virginia Laws Affecting You Today

By Jay Ford

Bikes and motorcycles can sometimes run red lights, restaurants can let you bring your own wine, protection for farm animals, and the government can GPS track you if you’re bad.

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If You Read The Paper | Wed June 29th

By Jay Ford

Koch convention; Dependency on France; Political endorsements; Employee protection and unions; Suing of EPA; Army Corps of Engineers; Uranium mining; Food not Bombs members arrested.

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If You Read The Paper | Wed June 22

By Jay Ford

Problems with Nuclear Plant; Wind Energy Conference; Pharell gives back; Return of 10k troops to Afghanistan; Super Computer; Eugenics; James Richard Verone.

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If You Read the Paper | Wed June 15

By Jay Ford

Public voice, Norfolk Police Department injuries, Norfolk Police Safety Assessment, Winning vs. Truth, Beach closes because of grossness, Tea Party Summer Camp, and more in IYRTP.

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If You Read the Paper | Thu Feb 3

By Jay Ford

Verizon’s anti-citizen measures, VA legislators’ fear of nonviolent inmates, and HRT’s shoddily produced PSA, plus more in today’s headlines.

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Preview: Rock through the Ages @ School of Rock

By Jay Ford

If you haven’t experienced a cherubic 9 year old belt out the lyrics to Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” then put simply you have not lived.

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Future Pillar of Hampton Road’s Economy Must Be Green Collar Jobs

By Jay Ford

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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Bob McDonnell: One Man Legislative Machine

By Jay Ford

Police recruit violence, water parks, and possibly bad news for Planned Parenthood. And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Jan 13

By Jay Ford

Today’s top headlines and an inane AltDaily contest await, after the jump.

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Virginia’s Own Little Julian Assange?

By Jay Ford

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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Transportation: The Elephant in the Governor’s Mansion

By Jay Ford

Kerry Dougherty on why VB is a bitch when it comes to sledding, bad textbooks for good teachers, a cleaner Bay, and more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Dec 23

By Jay Ford

Jay pinpoints THE American news story of 2010.

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The Case Against Political Compromise

By Jay Ford

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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Voting Rights Act: It’s Still Necessary in Virginia

By Jay Ford

Plus VB recognizes human rights, still discrimination in government all over, free drunk rides from AAA, 100 billion in tax relief for the rich, and more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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Funktion One – A Party to Help End Homelessness

By Jay Ford

In 2005 Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim laid out an ambitious and admirable goal of ending homelessness in 10 years. Four years later, in 2009 according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Norfolk experienced one of the highest per capita increases of homelessness in the nation.

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Jay’s 2009 Birthday Wish Comes True: No Drilling Off VA’s Coasts

By Jay Ford

Jay’s tip for happiness today: No matter where you are, you should live like you will never leave that place. That and more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

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IYRTP: Philip Bay Belongs in a Treatment Facility. Period.

By Jay Ford

This trial is about nothing more than how we as a society choose to deal with our undesirables, and should Bay end up in jail, we will have failed him and ourselves.

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IYRTP: Remember the Neediest Vets Today

By Jay Ford

Veteran Affairs estimates that 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness.

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David Swanson: War is a Lie

By Jay Ford

David Swanson, who speaks at tonight’s showing of “The Tillman Story” at The Naro: “War is not unavoidable. War is not inevitable. It is not in our genes. It’s a part of some cultures and it’s not a part of others.”

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IYRTP: What is Wrong with Us, and Why Don’t We Change?

By Jay Ford

People are looking at what humanity has become and we are finding it wanting. The change we’ve asked for is not coming from our elections, or from better jobs, or more money, and our desperation has more and more often been taking the ugliest forms as possible solutions for what ails us prove ineffective.

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Glenn Nye: It’s Lonely out There for an Independent

By Jay Ford

A talk with–and thoughts on–Virginia Congressman Glenn Nye.

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Glenn Nye, who will mourn you when you’re gone?

By Jay Ford

If You Read the Paper for 10/28/2010.

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Bad Education: Fake Historians in Virginia Schools

By Jay Ford

In today’s If You Read the Paper for Thursday, Oct 21, 2010.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Oct 14

By Jay Ford

Randy Forbes: If your constituents voted for a horse in a top hat, you should still stand on stage next to that old mare and engage the ideas presented. That’s what democracy is all about.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Oct 7

By Jay Ford

We are in a regional moral pickle folks. American troops abroad are good for us economically but often times bad for our souls.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Sept 30

By Jay Ford

Jay asks some questions: Is it raining outside? What’s Fraim got to hide? Why not Lohan? Wait… Politicians lie in their ads? Are we looking out for ourselves or for America by fighting for JFCOM?

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Sept 23

By Jay Ford

Tonight at 9pm all of us will murder Teresa Lewis with our inaction as if we administered the needle ourselves.

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If You Read the Paper | Thurs Sept 9

By Jay Ford

The biggest news of all this week: Jay is getting married to the love of his life in two days. Oh, and VA is gonna get a lot drunker if McD has his way.

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If You Read The Paper | Thurs Sept 2

By Jay Ford

Another debate, music in the streets, the story of the hurricane, Barbara Lai gets a bad deal, anti-NYC mosque movement starts here in VB, and VA hates the Bay.

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If You Read The Paper | Thurs Aug 26

By Jay Ford

I would like to announce the creation of the anti-Kerry Dougherty blog. It will go live later this week, and in it we will address why most of your work is a detriment to the community, and we will also offer positive solutions to address whatever the topic at hand.

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If You Read The Paper | Thurs Aug 19

By Jay Ford

Free of the regulatory red tape that plagues our armed forces, Eric Prince and his team could think outside of the box, which led to such varied charges as murdering civilians in Afghanistan, defrauding the Federal Government, and weapons smuggling.

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A Chat with Pulitizer Prize Winner in Poetry Rae Armantrout

By Jay Ford

“We don’t think language is a clear window through which the world can be presented. Or, if language is a window, we’ve learned that it’s best to examine the glass and the frame.”

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Meaning in a Madhouse: Freedom Fest @ The Ted

By Jay Ford

The logic of all arguments flowed in reverse, with each premise deriving its truth from the conclusion in a dizzying cycle of self-affirming reason.

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An Interview with Congressional Candidate Kenny Golden

By Jay Ford

Kenny Golden is running for Congress as an independent in the 2nd district, and he afforded me a comfortable and relaxed interview.

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Join Together for Change: Hands Across the Sand

By Jay Ford

Get involved and make sure that from this oil spill heartbreak springs a new chapter in America’s relationship with the world about us.

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Republican Primary Winner: Scott Rigell

By Jay Ford

“I am sounding an alarm to the people of Hampton Roads that all is not well with our finances and it is not something that can long be ignored.”

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Congressional Candidate Interview: Ed Maulbeck

By Jay Ford

“If there are Republicans that are not acting like Republicans, I will make them act like Republicans. If no one has the stomach to lead this effort than I will lead it. The stakes are too high, we must take back our country!”

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Q&A with Bert Mizusawa, Republican Hopeful for Congress

By Jay Ford

“I don’t want to be a politician; I want to be a leader. I am the only one who has actually done the things needed to successfully represent the district.”

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If You Read The Paper | Mon May 10

By Jay Ford

Obama at Hampton U; Gardening in prisons; Big Tobacco and Big Mining considering doing the nasty; Perfect pitches; and some other links to get you through Monday.

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A Fan Letter to Ken Cuccinelli

By Jay Ford

First off let me say, I think you have been doing a bang up job. Not a week goes by without me turning on a television or picking up a paper and blamo! there you are doing something hilarious.

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Q&A: Republican Hopeful for US Congress, Jessica Sandlin

By Jay Ford

An exclusive interview with Jessica Sandlin, former English teacher, mother of five and candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District.

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Q&A: Republican Hopeful for US Congress, Scott Taylor

By Jay Ford

An exclusive interview with Scott Taylor, who is running for the Republican candidacy to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District.

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If You Had Read The Paper | Mon April 12

By Jay Ford

Local cities spend big moolah on outside lawyers and education lobbyists, Obama opens nuclear arms summit, Taxes!, goobye fair Dixie, and a local church that doesn’t think gays are icky.

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Film Review: 2010 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts

By Jay Ford

If one is to search out some commonality amongst these films, it is surely to be their greatness. They are films you carry with you, and you reflect on them when they reflect on you.

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Film Review: The Acid Test

By Jay Ford

NRDC presents this free film and forum at the Naro Cinema tomorrow.

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The March of the Virginia People’s Assembly

By Jay Ford

Sure, shouting loudly that you want justice is not the most rational approach, nor the most elegant, but sometimes it is what people need. It is the democratic equivalent of running into the woods and screaming until your bones shake and you feel something intangible leave you.

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Local Review: ‘Crude’ @ The Naro

By Jay Ford

Jay talks about the gorgeous place in the Amazon basin where Texaco and Petro-Ecuador dumped over 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater, and nobody cared enough to clean up their mess.

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9500 Liberty: An Exploration of Democracy and the Changing Face of America

By Jay Ford

The film (Tuesday @ The Naro) captures jaw-dropping insensitivity, ignorance, and racism in Prince William County, Virginia, a community only a few hours’ drive from Hampton Roads.

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On Revitalizing the Urban Core

By Jay Ford

We can shift poverty, but we cannot force people out of our city. They will still need the services that downtown needs now, they will still have people living below the poverty line, and they will still be supported by Norfolk’s tax base. In essence, all we really will have accomplished is a grand veil.

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