Tag: Guest contributors
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Virginia Law Leaves Public Unions Unbound
by F. Vincent Vernuccio First published this morning by the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, where Vernuccio is Visiting Fellow. Twenty-eight years after Governor Doug Wilder signed it into law, the Virginia General Assembly lifted the ban on public sector collective bargaining. As of May 1, localities in Virginian could give government unions a monopoly…
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Yes, Virginia, There May Be Alien UFOs — Off Your Coast!
by Bruce Majors If you spend any time on the internet, you will almost daily see geographical rankings: the best colleges, the best small towns, the best places to retire, the cities with the worst drivers, the states with the worst tippers or the rudest residents. Apparently whoever or whatever is behind the UAPs (the…
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Critical Race Theory in Virginia Beach Schools
by Victoria Manning Critical Race Theorists reject colorblindness and equality and they center their goals on equal outcomes (equity) rather than equal opportunity. Merit-based individualism is replaced with group-think collectivism and the dominant white culture is a privileged oppressor. What the public doesn’t understand is that CRT is already here in Virginia Beach. Teachers won’t…
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The Case Against Structural Racism at VMI
Alternatively headlined: There Will Be Heat Death in the Universe Before You Read These Quotes in a Washington Post news article. Carmen Villani, Virginia Military Institute class of 1976, recently compiled a list of perspectives given by African-American alumni as well as actions taken by staff and professors that illuminate the military academy’s record on…
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The Great Scattering
Richmonder Doug Monroe is the founder of The Praxis Circle. an organization that explores philosophical and theological world views, primarily though not exclusively from conservative and Christian perspectives. Doug has interviewed dozens of literary and philosophical giants in the United States and United Kingdom and distilled key insights into short, digestible video clips. He also…
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A Jewish Community Heartbroken and Distraught
by Ellen Renee Adams and Daniel Staffenberg Richmond’s Jewish Community has watched the developments in Israel and Gaza with sadness, empathy and trepidation. The suffering of innocent Israelis and Palestinians is unacceptable. We are pained by the ways in which this conflict is being misunderstood and mischaracterized by some members of the media and our…
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Three Card Media
by William Moore Three Card Monte is a classic short con. The Dealer places three cards face down and the Shill, who is in on the con, attempts to pick the money card. They play boisterously, hoping to catch the attention of some poor sap, the Mark. Thinking himself quite good at following the money…
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Youngkin: Liberal Wolf or Reaganesque Happy Warrior?
Virginia Republicans embark today upon their bizarre, COVID-safe, convention-like proceedings to select candidates for statewide office. Bruce Majors, an active Republican, writes how he has experienced the run-up to this unorthodox event. — JAB by Bruce Majors Back in March, I listened to Virginia conservative talk radio from John Reid’s excellent morning show in Richmond…
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The Proper Role of Virginia’s Attorney General
by Jack White By now, Virginia voters have heard from many candidates running for Attorney General making sweeping promises about policy changes they will implement as AG or talking about being the chief prosecutor for Virginia. With due respect to the other candidates in the race, I feel compelled to reiterate what is and what…
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Alexandria Stands with Government Unions, Not Workers
by F. Vincent Vernuccio In mid-April, the City of Alexandria passed an ordinance allowing government unions to bargain with the city. Unfortunately, many of the ordinance’s provisions are lopsided: they grant special advantages for government unions to easily organize public employees and trap workers into paying dues. Alexandria’s lopsided ordinance. Alexandria’s ordinance makes it is easy for…
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About Those Face Masks for Kids…
Letter from Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, to Governor Ralph Northam, dated May 5, 2021: With the onset of warm weather and summer quickly approaching, we request clarification of your mask protocol for children participating in required school activities. I heard from multiple constituents regarding yesterday’s high temperature and the dangerous effect it had on…
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An Achievable Dream Is an Asset to Henrico County
by Aubrey L. Layne Jr. My first experience with An Achievable Dream Academy is one that I never will forget. I remember shaking hands with Newport News elementary school children and seeing the excitement in their eyes. Every encounter since further solidifies my belief in the value of this program for our community, and for…
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Virginia’s Math Path Could Erode Equity
by Andy Rotherham Years ago Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Bud Spillane had a plan to collapse early grades K-2 into an ability group approach. He went around the county explaining the approach to parents. They generally liked it because it offered customization and a more individualized experience. Then, at some point parents starting asking, “but…
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Open Letter to the Sentara Community
by Dr. Robert H. Sease As a lifelong resident of Harrisonburg, a retired physician and a volunteer hospital chaplain, I feel compelled to write about the current and ongoing situation at our local hospital. My father, my two uncles, my brother and myself have a combined 180 years of medical service to this community, so…
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The Honor Code: A Reason to Be Proud of VMI
by Brady Biller Leadership is made, not born. I have almost completed my cadetship at The Virginia Military Institute. In 22 days, I will be graduating with a Civil Engineering degree. I’m currently on my last ever guard shift as the Night Officer of the Guard while typing this thought. Its 03:41 on a Saturday…