In 2008, when I first flew to Norfolk for a job interview,

I walked down Hampton Boulevard from my hotel to Skip’s, the gay bar that was razed as part of ODU’s eminent-domain land grab. Inside the bar a wall-mounted TV was blasting Fox News. Why? “Because the owner really likes news,” explained the bartender.

You can get lost for days in those mountains. (Pic | virginia.org)

We got to talking about the Virginia presidential primary, which was days away. He said his candidate, Mitt Romney, had just dropped out. I wondered aloud how he could support a campaign built on the demonization of gay people. “I haven’t heard about that,” he said. I decided to change the subject. Did he like Norfolk? Yes, he loved it because he likes mountains so much.

A first-time visitor, I allowed that mountains could be lurking nearby that I didn’t know about, e.g. Mount Trashmore. Eventually, though, my know-it-all impulse caused me to ask “Isn’t it flat for 150 miles in every direction?” to which he replied, “It’s better than Fort Lauderdale.”

If I’d ever lived in South Florida, I too might be able to enjoy Norfolk for its craggy mountains, but I find myself needing my fix elsewhere. Thus I write to you today from Maine’s Katahdin region, where a friend and I are hiking in Baxter State Park. There’s no phone reception, no radio reception, and only spotty internet, which is a longwinded way of saying today’s news will be short.

8 from GOP trade attacks at Iowa debate

It must be 2008 all over again, because again Mitt Romney is co-starring in a Republican primary based on demonization. This time the former Massachusetts governor is mainly demonizing himself. He vociferously hates all his own policies from five years ago; he has been traveling the country loudly attacking himself for those policies. Last night in Ames, Iowa, he publicly behaved in this self-destructive manner in the presence of seven fellow would-be presidents.

When someone you care about sinks into a downward spiral of self-loathing, it’s hard to watch. That’s the main reason why I’m avoiding the Republican debates.

Me? You mean... ME?!?! (Pic | The Government)

Ken Cuccinelli on board with Rick Perry, Michelle Bachman on gay marriage

This week Attorney General Cuccinelli grew anxious that we’ll forget he doesn’t like gay people, so he told News 12 in Richmond that he “believes a constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a heterosexual union is needed.”

Suquamish Indian tribe approves same-sex marriage

I guess this is what got Cuccinelli worked up.

U.Va. document disclosure plans worry science groups

The plans worry me also, but I’ll stay calm until Cuccinelli seeks to make me disclose the working draft of my musical about him.

Census shows 49% increase in Virginia same-sex couples

They’re probably moving here for the fjords.

Communities push back against Gov. McDonnell’s fiscal mirage

Borrowing from the future might not be sound budgetary policy, but it does wonders in getting you onto GOP vice-presidential shortlists.

Making a difference in Virginia

There’s just one state-level openly gay elected official in Virginia, and that’s Adam Ebbin, who’s fighting a close primary race for the 30th Senate District. The primary election is August 23. Click here to learn how to help support Ebbin.

Candidate Ebbin. (Pic | ebbinforvirginia.com)

McAuliffe builds cars, looks toward 2013 governor’s race

If Terry McAuliffe is building cars, maybe he’ll get in one of them and drive away, thus lifting the perpetual threat Virginians suffer of another McAuliffe candidacy.

Postal service proposes cutting 120,000 jobs, pulling out of health-care plan

Right-wing billionaire oligarchs rejoice at the news that the USPS wants to break labor agreements and shatter the economic wellbeing of 120,000 families.

Visible from space: Great Dismal Swamp fire grows

The fire in the Great Dismal Swamp isn’t big enough yet for me to have breathed its smoke in Maine, but it’s getting close: six thousand acres and counting. The weekend forecast says “the smoke is likely to be pushed toward central Virginia.”

Norfolk considers taking downtown club’s liquor license

Norfolk shuts down downtown bars and clubs on such a regular basis that I’m surprised any are left to shut down, but it seems there’s one.

Birch Bar, a neighborhood beer shrine

The Pilot profiles what is in all likelihood the best bar in Norfolk.