Bacon's Rebellion

  • Left-Wing Money Paid For Deadly 2017 Charlottesville “Hate Rally”

    Posted on

    by

    James A. Bacon

    A street filled with a large crowd of people participating in a march, with buildings on either side and a banner above reading 'Diversity Makes Us Stronger'.
    Counter-protesters near Emancipation Park during the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally. Image courtesy of Anthony Crider / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    by Scott Dreyer

    On April 21, when many Virginians were focused on the gerrymander election, the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) made a bombshell announcement: The innocuously-named Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which for decades has posted a “Hate Map” where they targeted many right-wing individuals and groups, often including those holding pro-life, biblical, and/or conservative views, was charged with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    In sum, the accusation from a grand jury claims the SPLC ran a kind of massive shell game. The SPLC portrayed themselves to the public and their donors as a left-wing group fighting what they branded as “hate,” but in fact they were funneling more than $3 million of their donor’s cash to the very right-wing groups they claimed to fight, so that those right-wing groups would become more visible, which would further frighten and outrage SPLC donors to give more money, so that the SPLC could then give to more right-wing groups, in a never-ending cycle.

    One of the most high-visibility cases involves $270,000, which the SPLC allegedly paid to a member of the online leadership chat group that planned the 2017 so-called “Unite the Right” hate rally in Charlottesville.

    (more…)

  • How the Southern Poverty Law Center Con Infiltrated Every Power Pillar in the U.S.

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    by

    James A. Bacon

    We can finally stop pretending cries of ‘racism’ are anything more than failed leftist political talking points.

    by Beth Brelje

    When the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) last week on 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, it revealed how urgently the Left has perpetuated the myth of American racism to stoke public unrest and steer politics. But the indictment doesn’t tell the entire story of how—under the guise of fighting racism—SPLC infiltrated the highest levels of government.

    Imagine a fire department that sets lots of fires, then asks for donations to fight this “big fire problem.” That’s how Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers and former advisor to Donald Trump, described the disgraced SPLC’s actions in a call with Restoration News.

    IRS Form 990 for Southern Poverty Law Center, indicating gross receipts of $339,397,303 for the calendar year 2023.

    Although the $339 million, tax-exempt nonprofit has gotten rich and powerful claiming otherwise, the United States is not inherently racist.

    “The demand for racism from the Left far exceeds the actual supply,” Cortes told Restoration News. “So, what does the Left do in lieu of actual racism? It concocts it. It devises, and engineers, and gins up, and in some cases just completely lies about purported racism in American society.”

    SPLC took donor funds collected to fight for “racial justice” and “dismantle white supremacy,” and gave huge payments to the very extremist groups it said it was fighting, the DOJ indictment alleges.

    Extremist partners move politics

    After the DOJ followed a trail of documents and bank records, it concluded that “between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals who were associated with various violent extremist groups including: Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, Unite the Right, National Alliance, National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club, National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party), and American Front,” according to a DOJ statement.

    The deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” event in Charlottesville, Virginia was stoked by SPLC, the indictment shows. The rally is remembered for the images of men marching with flaming tiki lamps, and for killer James Alex Fields Jr. accelerating his car into a crowd of people, murdering Heather Heyer and injuring 30 other protesters. Fields got life in prison after pleading guilty.

    (more…)

  • Vacationing on Sharp’s Island

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    by

    James A. Bacon

    by Jon Baliles

    Apologies for being away from the keyboard, but when dealing with and reading and writing about the City of Richmond, everyone deserves (and needs) a little R&R now and then. So while I am away, take a visit to Sharp’s Island in the middle of the James River just west of the Mayo Bridge and south of Mayo Island. It is a one-acre piece of sand and rock that was purchased by avid outdoorsman Andy Thompson and 10 other local families in 2019. Richmond BizSense had a great story about it that year in which Thompson said:

    When recruiting friends to purchase the island, Thompson said reactions generally fell into one of two categories.“It’s almost like a personality test,” he said.

    “Some people are like, ‘Case closed, I’m in.’ Then some people are like, ‘What’s wrong with you? Why would you buy an island?’ It’s hilarious the reactions you get.”

    (more…)

  • Reading The Virginia Supreme Court Tea Leaves

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    by

    James A. Bacon

    A smiling fortune teller wearing a colorful shawl and jewelry, sitting at a table with a cup of coffee, surrounded by crystals, tarot cards, and soft lantern lighting.
    Kerry reads the tea leaves. Image credit: Grok

    by Kerry Dougherty

    These are the parlor games court watchers are playing in Virginia as the commonwealth’s Supreme Court justices mull one of the most consequential decisions of their careers.

    The seven justices will decide if the recent redistricting referendum, the one restoring gerrymandering to Virginia, will stand.

    It shouldn’t. And the entire country is watching this travesty unfold.

    Democrats, who control all three branches of government, have played cute with a number of Virginia’s laws in their breathless attempt to stage a special election in April and transform a 6-5 Democrat state to a solidly Dem state with a 10-1 congressional delegation.

    Everything from the loaded language of the ballot question to the timing of votes was an exercise in shameless chicanery.

    For example, Virginia law requires that constitutional questions be put to the voters only after the matter is approved by the General Assembly in two distinct sessions, separated by a General Assembly election. The hastily crafted return-to-gerrymandering question was voted on by legislators in October 2025, after early voting had begun. Certainly this violated the spirit if not the letter of Virginia law.

    How ironic will it be if early voting – a device that Dems love to pad ballot totals – craters the referendum. Continue reading.

  • With Virginia Back In, RGGI Futures Price Tops $41 Per Ton

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    by

    Steve Haner

    by Steve Haner

    The allowance price (carbon tax) per ton charged within the RGGI compact to any electricity generator burning coal, oil or natural gas.

    Virginia’s impending return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has driven up the price for carbon credits in the multistate cap-and-trade system’s secondary market. The futures price exceeded $41 per ton this morning, far above the roughly $25 per ton that utilities had to pay in the March 2026 auction. 

    It reflects the widespread expectation that Virginia electricity generators will be needing to buy far more allowances than Virginia will have available to sell, so they will be competing for allowances sold by the other ten states within the compact. High demand and short supply mean higher prices.  

    The next carbon allowance auction, and the first to include all the Virginia power plants as bidders, will be held in June, just weeks before the revised RGGI regulation takes effect in Virginia. As the General Assembly commanded, the final regulation was rushed through without any public input and has now been signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger (D).

    The information page on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website includes a three-paragraph economic impact statement that says absolutely nothing about economics or ratepayer impact. It’s a whitewash. The Governor’s Review Memo, dated April 24, is just one word: Approved. 

    Virginia will have 11.5 million carbon allowances to sell in the final six months (two auctions) of 2026. At the price set in the March auction, that will reap the state treasury about $288 million by the end of the calendar year. But a $40 per ton auction outcome would yield $460 million in six months and points to almost $1 billion in potential annual tax receipts in future years.

    Some key points:

    First, the regulation just adopted will be obsolete after this year. The other states, while Virginia was away, adopted many changes for the three-year “control period” that begins in January 2027. Virginia will need a new regulation to reflect those.

    (more…)

  • Jeri Seidman Must Resign

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    James A. Bacon

    Before her appointment as faculty representative to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, the then-chair of the Faculty Senate manipulated the student council president to advance her campaign against the previous board.

    by the Jefferson Council

    UVA’s Faculty Senate has spent the better part of the last year delivering lectures on transparency, trust, and institutional integrity. Resolutions were passed. Statements were issued. The language was always lofty — accountability, shared governance, the independence of the University community.

    These text messages tell a different story.

    A woman with shoulder-length hair and a warm smile, wearing a teal blazer over a light turtleneck, standing by columns in a well-lit outdoor setting.
    Jeri Seidman

    After receiving several tips about inappropriate communications between Jeri Seidman, a professor and head of the Faculty Senate, and Clay Dickerson, then-president of UVA Student Council, a FOIA request was submitted to UVA. The thread produced by the FOIA request is a series of texts stretching from July 2025 through March 2026. It is 36 pages long, detailed, and damning.

    What it shows is not two University leaders exchanging ideas in good faith. It shows a faculty member methodically cultivating a student leader, scripting his public statements, directing his organization’s actions, manipulating his messaging, and using him as a vehicle to move public opinion — all while the Faculty Senate was publicly and simultaneously demanding transparency from the same administration they were privately working to undermine.

    Campaigns Coordinated in Secret

    The texts reveal that Seidman’s involvement in the anti-Board of Visitors campaign was not occasional or advisory; it was operational, sustained, and hidden.

    They began on July 20th, coordinating to speak via a phone call on an unknown subject; the next day Seidman texted, “Glad you talked with NBC. I just commented as well.” A few hours later she referenced an NBC29 news segment that had just been published, calling it a “good news piece” that “made us seem all aligned.” Apparently, they “seemed” all aligned since they had coordinated efforts beforehand.

    (more…)

  • Virginia Democrats and Their Dysfunctional Election

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    by

    James A. Bacon

    Four hours is one thing, but 45 days? See a (juris) doctor.

    A historical painting featuring a female figure symbolizing justice, holding scales in one hand. She is depicted in classical attire, with a calm expression. In the background, a male figure can be seen, adding to the scene.
    Iustitia by Raphael in the Hall of Constantine, Vatican City State

    by Shaun Kenney

    Color me just a tiny bit surprised that the Great Seal of the Supreme Court of Virginia hasn’t been cancelled just yet.

    Seal of the Supreme Court of Virginia featuring a seated figure holding scales of justice and a peacock.

    For those who have always wondered, Iustitia is holding the scales of justice in her left hand and petting what is indeed an ostrich to her right — an ancient word for justice in Egyptian hieroglyphics being an ostrich feather. The original can be found at the Vatican in the Hall of Constantine — used by previous popes to receive diplomats and other dignitaries vising the Holy See — where there are Iustitia and Comitas (Justice and Friendship) presiding over four scenes meant to impose upon the dignitaries the unique position of the Vicar of Christ:

    • The Vision of the Cross where Constantine received his guarantee IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (“In this sign you will conquer” — the Cross),
    • The subsequent Battle of Milvian Bridge where the Emperor Constantine defeated the pagan armies of Maxentius in 312 AD,
    • The Baptism of Constantine.
    • …and finally the Donation of Constantine granting the Holy See temporal power over the Papal States (now widely considered to be a convenient forgery and abandoned by the Lateran Treaty of 1929).

    Over these four scenes presided over by Justice and Friendship is the fresco on the ceiling entitled The Triumph of Christianity over Paganism. Clearly, whoever drew up the Great Seal of the Supreme Court of Virginia in 1932 was more than just a classicist at heart.

    Monday morning’s Supreme Court of Virginia hearing did not go well for Virginia Democrats, who were sorely tested on both their method and their madness.

    (more…)

  • Potentially Disastrous Legislative Brinksmanship

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    by

    Steve Haner

    “A deliberate obfuscation.”
    Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), Senate Majority Leader

    by Ali Ahmad

    One of the most striking themes from last Wednesday’s reconvened session was the widespread rejection of Governor Spanberger‘s recommendations. Legislative Information Services shows that of 180 bills amended, the legislature adopted 137, placing those bills straight into law without returning them to her desk. 

    For the first time in decades, the General Assembly also preemptively overrode the Governor’s potential veto on a bill she amended. That bill now passes into law without the opportunity for additional action by the Governor. Essentially cutting the Governor out of the process. The rest of the bills are back on her desk for a final 30-days of bill review. 

    Many of the bills where the Governor’s recommendations were rejected were, without a doubt, some of the most sweeping changes to Virginia law adopted by the legislature this session. 

    Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) said he was “disappointed” that these changes were proposed “at the 11th hour instead of during the legislative process.” 

    The Governor IS Part of the Legislative Process 

    This language is a deliberate obfuscation of the legislative process outlined by the Constitution of Virginia. A 60- or 45-day session is followed by a 30-day Bill Review by the governor, then a Reconvened Session and then a subsequent 30-day review on any bill that has been returned to his or her desk. 

    (more…)

  • Scrapping the Work of the Founding Fathers

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    James A. Bacon

    Dems are crafting a revolution with an end-run around the Constitution.

    A historical painting depicting the signing of the United States Constitution, featuring George Washington and several founding fathers in a room filled with delegates.
    George Washington and the other Founders at the Constitutional Convention

    by John Lucas

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has just cemented her place in history as one of the most radical and dishonest governors in the country. She has a lot of competition for that title, but she is doing her best to surpass all rivals for the crown.

    One of her latest anti-Constitutional scams is to evade the Constitutional process for electing the President by effectively abolishing the Electoral College, which has been a key part of our Constitution and republican system of government since 1789.

    Like her efforts to amend the Virginia Constitution, Spanberger’s more recent abuse does not pretend to benefit Virginia voters. In fact, it has the opposite effect by trashing long-established constitutional rights.

    Spanberger and her Democrat lap doggies in the General Assembly are attempting to deprive all Virginians of a fundamental right — the right to have a meaningful voice in the election of the President of the United States when they cast their ballots. If they succeed, Virginians will still be able to vote in future presidential elections but their votes will be diluted by over 150 million voters in the other 49 states and the District of Columbia. And Virginia and Virginians will have no say in policing the accountability of other states’ voter fraud and electoral theft.

    They hope to accomplish this by entering into an illegal contract with other states. The contract was embodied an amendment to the Code of Virginia that added three new sections to § 24.2 of the Code of Virginia. Spanberger signed the new provisions into law on Monday, April 13.

    (more…)

  • Dems & Media Lapdogs Created An Assassination-Friendly Environment

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    James A. Bacon

    by Kerry Dougherty

    I have two words for anyone who campaigned for or voted for Jay Jones and who now is calling for an end to violent rhetoric:

    Shut up.

    Case in point, Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

    After merrily campaigning with Jay “Two Bullets” Jones she’s suddenly against violence. This comes after a would-be assassin was stopped just outside of a DC hotel ballroom Saturday night where the president and most members of his cabinet were attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

    Pity she – and other Democrats – didn’t feel this way six months ago. If they had, Virginia might still have a competent attorney general who doesn’t want his political opponents dead.

    No one who campaigned with Jones should be pretending to denounce political violence. They’re fine with it and they should have the decency to sit this one out. Continue reading.

  • On the Hot Spot

    Posted on

    by

    James A. Bacon

    Can the Virginia Supreme Court be counted on to overturn the redistricting referendum?

    A lineup of five judges in black robes standing at a courtroom bench.
    Image credit: Virginian-Pilot

    by Ken Reid

    The Virginia Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in Richmond Monday (April 27) on whether the recently approved constitutional amendment on redistricting was put on the ballot legally, in response to Republican litigation filed in January and February.

    A number of attorneys in the GOP camp think the court could overturn the referendum. But an interview with Norfolk’s Channel 13 News, political analyst Leslie Caughell noted that revisiting the issue would place justices in a difficult position.

    “You can only imagine how voters would feel or perceive the legitimacy of the court, or maybe the partisanship of the court if voters vote yes on this and then the court subsequently throws it out,” Caughell told the station. “I think it’s a really hard thing for the court to do.”

    Caughell also pointed to precedent in other states, noting that the supreme courts of Texas and California have both approved redistricting efforts during active election cycles.

    But there was a case in 1956 where a referendum in Arlington was allowed to go to the voters and then revoked by the court. Read about it here in Cardinal News.”

    (more…)

  • Jeanine’s Memes

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    by

    James A. Bacon

    A split image contrasting two political statements: the top shows a dilapidated indoor space with text about Minnesota Democrats spending on daycare, while the bottom features tents along a street with text about California Democrats spending on homelessness.

    View more memes at The Bull Elephant.

  • What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

    Posted on

    by

    James A. Bacon

    Read the City Journal article here.

  • Graph of the Day: the Young Adult Happiness Gap

    Posted on

    by

    James A. Bacon

    Line graph showing the happiness levels of young adults aged 22-35 by marital status from 1980 to 2020. Married individuals reported happiness levels around 91% in 1980, decreasing slightly to 90% by 2020. Non-married individuals showed a decline from 83% in 1980 to 68% in 2020, indicating a significant drop in happiness.

    From the Institute for Family Studies:

    For over a decade, happiness has been in free fall among young adults. The share of young adults ages 22 to 35 who reported being “pretty” to “very” happy has fallen by 12-percentage points since 2010. Notably, these declines in happiness have been concentrated among the unmarried. From 2010 to 2024, happiness among married young adults fell from 94% to 90%, compared to a decline from 82% to 68% among unmarried young adults, resulting in a 22-percentage point gap between the groups. This growing marriage-advantage may be driven by both selection effects into marriage and marriage’s protective effects against isolation in a digital age.

  • Spanberger’s Early Problems

    Posted on

    by

    James A. Bacon

    A cartoon depicting a colorful car with a woman looking concerned in the driver's seat, while two donkey characters in suits are arguing in the front. The background features a government building, and the car has a 'Richmond Circus' license plate. The caption reads 'Who's driving this thing?'
    Image credit: Grok

    by Anonymous

    At several key moments, Governor Abigail Spanberger has struggled to define her own agenda.

    During the campaign, she emphasized “affordability,” but the rollout leaned more on broad themes than specific, actionable proposals. Historically, new governors tend to anchor their first session with a clear set of priorities—legislation that signals direction and gives their party something concrete to organize around. That kind of defining initiative never fully materialized.

    In the absence of that clarity, the General Assembly did what legislatures always do: It filled the space. Lawmakers advanced their own priorities, not all of which aligned with Spanberger’s stated goal of governing from the middle. Once that dynamic takes hold, it becomes difficult for any governor to reassert control.

    At the same time, the administration never seemed to fully settle into a rhythm with the press. Previous governors—whether Terry McAuliffe or Glenn Youngkin—were willing to engage consistently, even under pressure, using regular interaction to shape their narrative. By contrast, Spanberger’s approach has been more limited, relying heavily on staged appearances without the same level of sustained policy discussion. In a media environment like Richmond’s, where access and relationships still matter, that choice has consequences.

    (more…)

Now Available

Book cover of 'Dust Mites: A Second American Revolution' by James A. Bacon, featuring astronauts planting a flag with a blue and white emblem on a lunar landscape, with Earth visible in the background.
For sale on Amazon.com

The year: 2075. The American colonies on the Moon are getting restless under Washington’s tyrannical rule….

This second edition of “Dust Mites” has a snazzy new cover, includes helpful lunar maps, and is 5,000 words tighter than the original. The sequel, “Trogs,” is scheduled for publication this summer.

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Bacon’s Rebellion is Virginia’s leading politically non-aligned portal for news, opinions and analysis about state, regional and local public policy. Read more about us here.

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