UVA Soft on Nazis but Brutal to Students?

Posted on May 8, 2024 by | 3 comments

White supremacists carry tiki torches in 2017 march through Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village. Photo credit: Salon.com.

by James A. Bacon

A continuing meme in the ongoing rhetorical battle between leftists and anarchists on the one hand and the Ryan administration on the other is that University of Virginia authorities brutally cracked down on peaceful protesters May 4 while allowing White supremacists to march through UVA unmolested in 2017.

For example, the Virginia Student Power Network posted the following on its Instagram account three days ago:

#Charlottesville students who stood up to torch-bearing Nazis in 2017 affirm their solidarity with the UVA encampment for Gaza, which is currently being threatened by dozens of cops in riot gear – the same police agencies that were fully aware of + allowed 300+ white supremacists with torches and guns on UVA’s campus.

UVA President Jim Ryan took the meme seriously enough that he addressed it during the virtual “town hall” meeting yesterday in defense of his decision to shut down the UVA Encampment for Gaza protest. Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture wars, Education (higher ed)

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Spying in Salem

Posted on May 8, 2024 by | 9 comments

by Scott Dreyer

On March 9, 2010, in the heated struggle to approve the controversial “Obamacare” legislation (aka “Affordable Care Act”), then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) made national headlines when she tried to support the bill and remarked, “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it….”

Pelosi’s line comes to mind regarding the roiling debate in Salem about proposed surveillance cameras that may (or may not) be installed at some yet-unclarified locations around town.

The Roanoke Star reached out to Salem Mayor Renée Turk, Vice Mayor Jim Wallace, and City Manager Christopher Dorsey, who began his position on January 8, 2024.

The questions were as follows:

  • Do you have any statement about the issue of city-funded surveillance cameras, and your personal perspective on it?
  • Do you know about how many cameras there will be, and how much it will cost to install and operate them?
  • Who will have access to all that information collected, and where and how long will it be stored?

Vice Mayor Wallace did respond, City Manager Dorsey did not, and Mayor Turk did not respond but delegated the task to Communications Manager Mike Stevens.

It’s unclear if Stevens realized he was taking a page from Pelosi’s playbook, but twice he essentially claimed (paraphrased), “The cameras haven’t been approved yet, so it’s too early to talk about it, but if they are, then we can have a discussion.” Continue reading →

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Posted in Government Transparency

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Team Ryan Defends Shutdown of Tent Encampment

Posted on May 7, 2024 by | 22 comments

President Jim Ryan during virtual Town Hall

by James A. Bacon

The University of Virginia called in the Virginia State Police to disperse “UVA Encampment for Gaza” protesters because they feared the demonstration was spiraling out of control, said President Jim Ryan, University Police Chief Tim Longo, and other University leaders in a virtual town hall early this afternoon.

Some protesters had tried to smuggle in wooden structures that could be used as barricades to fortify the encampment, as seen at pro-Palestinian demonstrations at other universities. Although that effort was thwarted, law enforcement authorities learned that four individuals associated with previous Charlottesville events “that resulted in violence” had entered the so-called liberation zone. Meanwhile, organizers were using social media to appeal to more outsiders to join them, and the numbers were growing.

Ryan said he acted before more outsiders joined, the encampment became more entrenched, and the potential for violence increased. “If we didn’t act, would we be faced with 50 tents and 20 outsiders?” he said. “Where would we be then?”

Ryan, Longo, and Provost Ian Baucom stated repeatedly that protesters spurned repeated efforts to engage in dialogue. The limited communications that did occur were relayed through faculty members. University officials were at pains to contrast the anarchist protest with other pro-Palestinian demonstrations organized by student groups, in compliance with university guidelines. Continue reading →

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Posted in Crime, Corrections and Law Enforcement, Culture wars, Education (higher ed)

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Intellectuals Yet Idiots on the Loose

Posted on May 7, 2024 by | 42 comments

Microsoft Image Creator’s AI-generated image of Intellectuals Yet Idiots… well, Intellectuals Yet Fools, actually. The word “idiot” violates its word-usage guidelines.

by James A. Bacon

Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the “Black Swan” and “Antifragile” author and curmudgeonly critic of just about everyone, coined the term Intellectuals Yet Idiots (IYIs) to describe the modern-day class of journalists, academics, and other cultural elitists who think they know everything better than anyone else.

The term well describes professors with the University of Virginia Department of History who signed an open letter critical of President Jim Ryan’s crackdown on the “Encampment for Gaza” protest on UVA grounds  in violation of university rules.

“As historians” they wrote, “we are acutely aware that this police action fell on the anniversary of the murder of four student protesters at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. History has not judged those who ordered the violent repression of that protest kindly. History will also judge the University of Virginia’s actions on May 4, 2024, and we have no doubt that history will also condemn the disproportionate, draconian and excessive use of force against nonviolent protesters exercising their free speech rights on an academic campus founded by the author of the Declaration of Independence.”

Yeah, right. The crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters was just like the Kent State massacre in which four students were killed and nine wounded by the Ohio National Guard…. except for the fact that no one at UVA was killed. Or wounded. Or seriously injured. Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture wars, Education (higher ed)

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Parking Decks, Debt, & Trap Doors

Posted on May 7, 2024 by | 2 comments

by Jon Baliles

On Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm in City Council chambers, City Council will vote and approve the plan presented by the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to allow Richmond to issue $170 million in bonds to pay for the new baseball stadium on ten acres that will be surrounded by about 57 acres of new development built out over the next decade plus.

Two years after kicking off the Diamond District process, the new plan announced a month ago was suddenly hailed as the fastest way to build a new stadium so Major League Baseball (MLB) doesn’t move the franchise for failing to upgrade stadium facilities as promised since The Diamond is too archaic to be retrofitted or modernized.

Wednesday will be a rosy “kumbayah” meeting in which all the positives will be laid out in front of the Council and the public and none of the negatives or risks will be discussed. The public hearing will take place, but many people will be at work in the afternoon or picking kids up from school, and others might decide to stay home knowing this deal will be approved by Council on a 9-0 (or maybe an 8-1) vote.

The city’s “leaders” and financial experts promise this new plan will save millions over the next three decades because of lower interest rates and “almost no risk,” compared to the original plan they started out with two years ago. But the Mayor and CAO, in their desperation to get any deal done and not lose a second baseball franchise, forgot to put any protections in the deal for the city and managed to leave a trap door.

They swear up and down that the development that has been occurring organically in and around Ashe Boulevard and Scott’s Addition will continue (which is very probable), and that the new development in the Diamond District will produce enough new tax revenue to cover, or almost cover, the annual debt required to pay the bonds back (or so we are told).

But what no one will talk about on Wednesday is the trap door in the form of a blank check called the Community Development Authority (CDA) that will have a real impact on future city budgets and city services for decades to come. Two years ago when the Diamond District was announced, the plan was to create a CDA to issue bonds for the stadium that would be paid back by tax revenue from the development within the district’s boundaries. Continue reading →

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Posted in Economic development, Government Finance

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Ignoring FOIA?

Posted on May 7, 2024 by | 10 comments

by Joe Fitzgerald

I’ve wondered since college, if not high school, what happens when a public body decides to just ignore the Freedom of Information Act. I don’t know if that’s what the Rockingham County School Board is doing right now, but if they are, the criticism might be just the cost of doing business. It’s not Hell to pay. It’s Hell to pay off before moving on to the next liberal interference in their drive to replace education professors with City Elders.

The board recently formed a panel to judge their banned books, and because people making decisions for the public should be judged themselves, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act says we should know who those people are.

Of course FOIA doesn’t mention judgment, possibly because so many public servants come up short in that category. What it does mention is that public bodies shall be public, and that the definition of public bodies, “shall not exclude any such committee, subcommittee, or entity because it has private sector or citizen members.”

Not so much, says Matt Cross’s School Board majority. They’re not revealing the names of the book-vetting committee members. The superintendent has said that in forming the committee, they looked for people who could read. That’s an extraordinarily low bar for people judging literature, perhaps akin to demanding that a referee be able to see. Continue reading →

10 Comments

Posted in Education (K-12), Governance, Government Transparency

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With the Tents Down, the Blowback Begins

Posted on May 6, 2024 by | 71 comments

by James A. Bacon

Following the decision to take down the tents in the UVA Solidarity Encampment for Gaza “liberated zone” at the University of Virginia on Saturday, UVA President Jim Ryan is facing strong blowback from leftist elements in the UVA and Charlottesville communities.

Pro-Palestinian protesters had rebuked the administration’s orders to take down the tents and refrain from the use of loudspeakers in violation of University rules. After repeated warnings, the decision was made to send in Virginia State Troopers in riot gear Saturday to break up a tent encampment of anarchists and militants near the University Chapel, resulting in the arrest of 25.

The Jefferson Council contends that the takedown was fully justified. The issue was not the protesters’ right to free speech — they had been shouting and chanting their pro-Palestinian views for almost a week — but their refusal to abide by the rules regarding time, place and manner of protests that everyone else is expected to obey. Continue reading →

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Posted in Crime, Corrections and Law Enforcement, Culture wars, Education (higher ed)

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Views on Tobacco Disqualify Defender of Whales?

Posted on May 6, 2024 by | 12 comments

By Steve Haner

It was disappointing to the see the Richmond Times-Dispatch stoop to a weak ad hominem argument on its front page on May 6, seeking to discredit a legal challenge to the Dominion Energy Virginia wind project by labeling the plaintiffs as “climate deniers” and defenders of tobacco.

The challenge to the federal permits for the wind project is based on some of the same laws and precedents used to challenge (and successfully delay) the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Southwest Virginia. The Biden Administration is pushing construction of thousands of ocean wind turbines in the migratory path of an endangered whale species. The Endangered Species Act requires their careful protection and lawsuits are filed under its provisions all the time.

Yet the first thing reporter David Ress and his editors thought it important to mention was that the plaintiffs “challenge Biden administration climate policy as climate change alarmism.” Deeper into the story he details some of their skeptical statements on the issue, and in the case of one group even brings up statements about tobacco.

Of what possible relevance to turbine permitting are The Heartland Institute’s views on tobacco regulation? Oh, I guess if Heartland is not convinced tobacco kills people, that would explain why it is also not convinced the climate catastrophe is killing people. The problem is that a quick visit to Heartland’s website reveals it does consider smoking a health hazard and it is pushing non-tobacco vape alternatives as providing “harm reduction.” So, it recognizes harm after all.

There is some actual news about the lawsuit, which Ress all but ignored, but which explains why the newspaper chose now to attack the plaintiffs. A federal judge in Washington has taken up the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction, with some deadlines for information and briefs building up to a key hearing later this week. Reports that she ruled for the plaintiffs were premature, but she also didn’t rule for the company or the Biden Administration. Continue reading →

12 Comments

Posted in Energy, Environment, Regulations and Government Oversight

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Virginia Is Not California. Or New York.

Posted on May 6, 2024 by | 38 comments

by Kerry Dougherty 

By pro-Hamas standards, the protests at the University of Virginia were anemic.

Estimates placed the size of the “crowds” that began gathering on Grounds – as they say in Charlottesville – last week ranged from about 12 to perhaps as many as 50.

The Hamas fan club was clustered near the chapel and engaged in mostly peaceful demonstrations. According to news reports the demonstrators respected the orders of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who warned last week that Virginia would not tolerate tents or “encampments” on any campuses. Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture wars, Democracy and Western Civilization, Education (higher ed)

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Ban Cellphones in Schools? It Can be Done!

Posted on May 5, 2024 by | 31 comments

Photo credit: U.S. News and World Report

by Dick Hall-Sizemore

Schools around the country, including in Virginia, are beginning to effectively ban students’ use of cellphones in schools.

According to available data, about 75 percent of schools in the country ban the non-academic use of cellphones during school hours. However, in most cases, the ban is enforced sporadically. Teachers are put on the spot to enforce it, which creates another source of tension in the classroom. Enforcement is inconsistent— some teachers are OK with some cellphone use; others might feel that they would not be supported by the administration; others might not want to deal with angry parents over the issue.

Technology has made the implementation of a ban much easier. Yondr, a San Francisco-based company, makes a magnetically sealed pouch that can be used to keep cellphones unavailable for use. They have been used at concerts to prevent attendees from filming performances, but schools have been their biggest customers recently. It works simply: When students arrive at school, if they are carrying their cellphones, they place the devices in the pouches which, when closed, are magnetically sealed. During the day, the cellphones cannot be accessed. When leaving the school, the pouches can be unlocked with a docking device. Continue reading →

31 Comments

Posted in Discipline and Disorder, Education (K-12)

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RVA Car Tax Elevator: Going Up!

Posted on May 5, 2024 by | 14 comments

by Jon Baliles

A reader alerted us this week that if you have not yet gotten your personal property tax bill (car tax) from the City of Richmond, you soon will — and it will be notably higher than last year unless you bought a newer model or drive a jalopy.

The city receives roughly $16.7 million per year from the state to provide for car tax relief originally established by the state in 1998 (which is a whole other topic for another day). During and after the pandemic, car values rose as the demand for used cars skyrocketed and higher tax bills followed accordingly. City Council first approved the Mayor’s “step-stair” approach to tax relief in 2022 — a policy in which owners pick up a bigger share of the tax over the course of a few years. Last year, the tax relief rate was 36.6% in the city.

In the city, you pay $3.70 tax per $100 assessed value. Under the relief program, a car valued at less than $1,000 owed no tax. If your vehicle was assessed between $1,000 and $20,000, you received the partial credit and owed the balance. If your vehicle was assessed at $20,000, you received the credit in relief up to $20,000 but then owed full freight on everything over $20,000.

So, a car assessed last year at $12,000 would owe $444 in personal property tax but got the 36.6% relief. That vehicle would have received a credit of $162.50 and the owner paid $281.50 in tax. Continue reading →

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Posted in Taxes

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Jeanine’s Memes

Posted on May 5, 2024 by | 16 comments

From The Bull Elephant

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Militants to Ryan Administration: “Bullshit”

Posted on May 4, 2024 by | 69 comments

Source: UVA Encampment for Gaza Instagram post

by James A. Bacon

Pro-Palestinian militants erected tents last night at their “liberation zone for Gaza” near the University of Virginia chapel in defiance of orders to take them down. The administration’s immediate response: engage in dialogue.

“We are writing to acknowledge the document you shared with us early this morning outlining the interests of your group,” wrote Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, and Brie Gertler, vice provost for academic affairs, to the Gaza zone participants.

“We thought it would be most productive to respond in writing, with the hope of scheduling a time to discuss your goals in greater detail with the appropriate representatives from your group,” they said.

The protesters posted their response, written in bold letters over a copy of the letter, on Instagram: “Bullshit.” Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture wars, Education (higher ed)

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Fairness + Accountability = Thriving City

Posted on May 3, 2024 by | 7 comments


by Jon Baliles

The city of Richmond seems to be trying to plug all of the holes in its boat, also known as the U.S.S. Meals Tax Fiasco, that has been taking on water for months. It seems that the city is finally wiping out the erroneous meals tax payments and interest they had charged numerous restaurant accounts in recent years, often amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, without ever telling them the bills were so enormous.

Tyler Layne at CBS6 reported last week that Matt Mullett, the owner of Richbrau Brewing, recently got a call from the city’s Finance Director, who said the city would clear his $50,000 bill that accrued due to bad advice he received four years ago from the Finance Department when they told him he did not need to collect meals taxes on draft beer, even though the department had lost a case just a few years prior.

In addition, Mullet’s business was now finally eligible to receive Enterprise Zone grant money to improve his business. This money had already been approved several years ago, but was not released because the city said they owed all the back meals tax money. Which he didn’t. Nevertheless, Mullet took the high road and was thankful the unnecessary drama and delays were behind him so he can move forward with his business. Continue reading →

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Posted in Business and Economy, Economic development, Government Finance, Government Transparency, Taxes

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A Question for Some Supreme Court Justices

Posted on May 2, 2024 by | 102 comments

I have a question for the originalists on the U.S. Supreme Court (Thomas and Alito) and textualists (Gorsuch):  where in the Constitution does it say that the president is immune from prosecution (partial or full immunity)?–RWH

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