Glenn Nye Wins Election

In the year 3000.

“Democrat Glenn Nye defied a nationwide rightward shift in the House on Tuesday, winning a second term representing the Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He overcame a strong challenge from Virginia Beach Businessman Scott Rigell,, who used almost $2 million of his own money to bankroll his campaign.”

Whoops! Sorry, I was just reading what the Pilot initially published below the true story, which is, sadly,

Scott Rigell Wins Election

Rigell’s self-proclaimed “Operation Domination” worked. Likening an election to a gladiator race, he bulldozed his way through a largely self-funded campaign.

Rigell (and many others) have claimed that Nye rode into the House two years ago on Obama’s coattails, and that may be valid. I’m just going to call this like I see it and say the same for Rigell. The Democratic backlash that often happens two years into a new party’s Presidential term has happened again, and Rigell is riding Conservatism’s coattails just the same.

I didn’t love Nye. But I trusted him. I can’t say the same for Rigell, and truly hope he changes my mind. I just re-read Jay Ford’s interview with him after he won the primary and, like Nye, I don’t agree with everything he says, but (as Nye says to the Pilot) I think he has the best interest of the 2nd district at heart. I’m all for getting the budget back on track and helping those in our midst who are suffering due to job loss–I’m just not willing to agree to further hurt the poor or minorities, or further reduce funding for environmental, cultural, and social initiatives to do so.

Every man for himself must sound nice when you own several car dealerships and have many millions of dollars. It’s not so nice when you grew up in an environment with no opportunity for advancement and find no assistance anywhere you turn.

Rigell told the Pilot, “We must lead by example. We must be the conscience of the people. And I expect to be held accountable.” Don’t worry Scotty-boy, we’ll be watching.

For coverage on what happened nationally, click here. Some highlights include: pot is no more legal today than yesterday in California and South Dakota, Rhode Island remains a nickname (real name: Rhode Island and Providence Plantations), and Arizona has banned affirmative action.

One interesting (and good) tidbit: This is the first time since the 1990s there has not been a proposal to outright ban same-sex marriage on any ballot in all 50 states. Is this the same as welcoming it with open arms? Of course not. I’m not saying the pace is apt, but am nonetheless pleased to see the pace picking up a bit on this issue.

Drinking is Worse Than Heroin

Worse Than Crack Since 1893

As per the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs’ study in the British medical journal The Lancet, alcohol is the “most harmful” drug, beating a list of 20, including crack, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, and, of course, mary jane.

The study looked at physical, psychological and social problems and used a scale that separately looks at a drug’s impact on the individual and on society, then puts them back together with a score. Alcohol scored a 72 out of 100.

Obviously, just because it scored the highest, this doesn’t constitute or encourage skipping happy hour in favor of the opium den. It’s math, which rarely equates to common sense.

However, in going back to the election results thing, Prop 19 didn’t pass in California (and it should have). Alcohol is most definitely, without a doubt, 100% totally totally totally more detrimental to oneself and society than marijuana. As Zane Hurst taught us last week, a lot of its taboo is rooted in racism versus public safety. A lot of revenue is lost and crime rates gained each year by keeping it illegal.

Think that over as you drink your next beer, remember “it’s the most harmful drug in the world.”

Green Living

While this may be old news, as AltDaily covered it (with sweet pictures) back in April, I’m all for as much attention the local (and non-local, for that matter) media can throw to the guys at GreenBuildIt and the construction projects they’re heading up in Norfolk. This Hampton Roads Magazine story covers the existing house we featured, which is located in Park Place. Now that its residents (GreenBuildIt’s John Porter and his partner, Whitney Haussmann) have lived there for a few months, they’re talking a little more about life in “the green house” instead of just what it is.

I’m happy to read they’re loving it. I’m happy to report GreenBuildIt is now well underway in building a sister house next door. I’m happy to report how easy it is to be GreenBuildIt’s Facebook friend and follow more progress and innovation on your own.

It’s companies and residents like these that make me most proud of being in Norfolk. It’s grounds for bragging rights to call them neighbors.

First Photograph of a Human Discovered

I found this post by looking at a different blog, Krulwich Wonders, An NPR Sciencey Blog, which is a new, awesome find for me, as I normally repel anything scientific if it gets within fifty feet of me. However, calling it “sciencey” instead of “kinetoplastidey” or some such intimidating nonsense, and I’ll give you a chance. Then I’ll find things like the first photograph of a human being (and other cool things–I suggest you check this out in general to find out who really was the biggest movie monster ever or how much a hurricane weighs). It’s like MythBusters without all the cheese.

I love photography and history, so the discovery of this picture from 1838 (taking over ten minutes to achieve) was one of the coolest things I ran across on the interwebs last week. Thanks Science!

New Music Venue Tries to Come to Va Beach. Will the Suburbanites Let it Happen?

Since the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach “closed its eyes forever” (reference: Osbourne, Ozzy) last month, the Oceanfront’s live music scene is on shaky ground. Clay McNutt sees this gaping hole and wants to close it by opening a venue/cafe he calls Eden in the old Post Office building on 32nd Street. The owner of the space is Runnymede Corp., and its spokesperson Don Frederick explains the potential landlords are supportive, as they see the Jewma’s absence as a good business and cultural opportunity.

It appears, however, that locals are pushing the idea away, as the planning commission has twice already postponed approval pending complaints from local residents fearful of “another nightclub.” I was initially a little gloaty when I saw the first comment say “As a fan of music and the arts, in a town where both are lacking, I (look) forward to having another outlet. It seems like a great idea to me if I don’t have to drive to Norfolk to see live music.”

Yes! Someone at the Beach who likes Norfolk! Then I got serious.

While I’m happy our Norfolk scene is growing, and I’m thrilled to welcome Jewma’s to Granby Street, this commenter, Frederick, and McNutt, are correct. Music and arts are lacking in Virginia Beach–and in Norfolk, Chesapeake, etc.–and while I’m biased by living in Norfolk and (to an extent) feel that having the area’s best venues in our urban center is the most obvious choice, the fact remains that a major boost to our region is the Oceanfront’s tourism. As I said last March, not all tourists go on vacation just to get sunburnt and eat lots of food. Some look for local culture–or any culture, for that matter. A complete absence of good live music in our most touristy area seems ridiculous, and I hope the residents near Eden’s proposed location lose this battle.