Cuccinelli goes after another federal regulation

Ken Cuccinelli (Pic | Politico.com)

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who feels hurt to not be called a “rising star of his party” anymore now that he’s an actual risen star of his party, has announced that his fight against equal rights and affordable health care are feeling lonely, so he’s beginning a new fight against Net Neutrality. His statement that Net Neutrality constitutes “the most egregious of all violations of federal law” is being reported exclusively today in the Washington Times.

If I were to look up, say, a list of all federal laws, I would use the internet. To do so would probably disprove Cuccinelli’s claim. If I then announced that I’d disproved it, I would do so on the internet. When I finish Cooch: The Musical, the public workshop will be advertised on the internet. And it’s thanks to the internet that I know Kenneth T. Cuccinelli can be anagrammed to spell Lenient Chicken Cult.

In short, no wonder Cuccinelli wants internet freedom dismantled.

For Cuccinelli to say that net neutrality “is just extraordinary” to him is like a bullied kid calling his school’s lack of regulation of bathroom graffiti extraordinary: that is, it’s logical. Then again, Cuccinelli also tells the Washington Times that “Our [office’s] credibility isn’t a problem anymore,” which isn’t one bit logical. Maybe the operating principle here is that even a stopped clock is logical twice a day.

Ron Paul would end federal war on marijuana

Conservatives’ support for “states’ rights” often ends as soon as a state wants to do something they disagree with. Thus the federal war on drugs. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is one of the few Republicans working across the aisle with the similarly few Democrats courageous enough to try to end that expensive failed war.

The Atlantic’s Conor Friedersdorf explains why Ron Paul’s bill is momentous: “Hailed as the first bill of its kind to be introduced in Congress—that’s expected to happen later today—its states’ rights approach is significant, and forces defenders of federal drug policy into their weakest position. It’s one thing to argue that marijuana should be illegal. It’s another thing to insist that the federal government enforce a nationwide ban even as duly elected state legislatures signal that the people disagree. That is the essence of the matter. Under this bill, marijuana would be legalized only in states where the people and their representatives desire it.”

McDonnell’s reconstituted policy team

The governor’s new policy team consists of Jasen Eige, Jeff Palmore, Julia Ciarlo Hammond, Christy Tomlinson Morton, Andrew T. Lamar, Jenny Wortham, Generra Peck. I don’t know the first thing about any of these folks, so I set aside three minutes this morning to Google them.

Julia Ciarlo Hammond has a piece from two years ago arguing that 2009 is not the right time for card check because it destroys Virginia’s sacrosanct belief in the secret ballot. Presumably 2011 isn’t the right time for card check, either. Christy Tomlinson Morton is, or used to be, registered to lobby on behalf of clients listed here, including MillerCoors and Kraft. Most usefully, the blog of the Port of Virginia has two office phone numbers for Andrew T. Lamar: 804-225-4805 and 804-385-4457.

I’m in Vermont without phone reception, but I hope you’ll all seek further information yourselves and post in the comments what you’ve learned. Thank you in advance.

Koch Brothers Beaver Creek retreat to be met by protesters

Right-wing quadrillionaires David and Charles Koch will host a retreat this weekend in Colorado where Governor McDonnell will be a guest, so feel free to ask about its agenda when you phone the numbers above.

GOP prez candidate Cain to speak at Virginia event

Herman Cain (Pic | Politic365.com)

Herman Cain, a Republican presidential candidate who has accused Planned Parenthood of genocide against black babies, will speak this fall at the Family Foundation of Virginia’s annual gala.

If you’re curious about the Family Foundation’s policy goals, they’re articulated on an About Us page. After reading that page, I developed a hunch that its text is pro-Islamic-caliphate group Hizb ut Tahrir’s About Us page put through Google Translate. If that were true, it might lead me to conclude that it’s difficult to find godly people to donate money for strengthening families, but I can’t find proof.

I know for sure the following is true: in addition to a victories page listing the Family Foundation of Virginia’s own accomplishments, there’s another page listing God’s accomplishments as they apply to the Family Foundation of Virginia.

Here’s some of the public policy support God has provided so far on behalf of the Family Foundation: “Principled guidance for all legislators and decision makers of the Commonwealth.” “Courage for The Family Foundation’s legislative staff and favor with legislators.” And my favorite: “Praise for past legislative victories: abortion center safety regulations, a student religious liberty protection act, the Virginia Marriage Amendment, eminent domain reform, and many more.”

It’s interesting that God gives principled guidance to all legislators but courage and praise to only the individual laws and staff members he specifically supports. Maybe again it’s a question of limited resources.

Senate candidate: Virginia should test welfare recipients for drugs

To test welfare recipients for drugs would cost over $1 million per year, and in fact “the savings would fall short of the expense by $1.6 million the first year.” My idea: there are far fewer Senate candidates than welfare recipients, so let’s test them instead for a mere fraction of the cost.

Drivers skirt toll hike on Chesapeake bypass to Outer Banks

NC Wildfire (Pic | nbc17.com)

Now that the Chesapeake Expressway toll has risen from $2 to $6 on summer weekends, the number of drivers bypassing it on Battlefield Boulevard has shot up drastically. Whether or not this means the new toll is too high, it does help demonstrate that drivers are relatively willing to pay small tolls like $2 to help offset the staggering costs of our socialist road system.

NC wildfire grows, smoke expected to affect beaches

The fire, which now covers 70 square miles, is “emitting thick smoke as peat in the containment area continues to burn more than a foot into the ground.”

Pat Robertson: Hollywood forcing straight actors to play gay roles

Give it to The 700 Club today to help Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network free these actors from Hollywood’s oppressive grip.

Virginia textbook-approval guidelines proposed

One new guideline prohibits novelized versions of “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” from being adopted as official state history textbooks.

Richmond car crashes into tree; 2 dogs, no people inside

This is my latest reason to support the light rail.