Posted by Brent Finnegan on February 6th, 2008
Contrary to what many of us thought, Virginians are waking up this morning to the realization that the presidential primaries aren’t over yet. I’m already seeing lots of political campaign ads on TV. As Joe mentioned, our primaries are next Tuesday.
Will any of them even visit the Valley? Anyone taking bets how Harrisonburg/Rockingham will vote? Consider this the primary open thread.
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The Arts Council of the Valley First Fridays Downtown for this month is Friday, September 3, 5 – 7pm. Scheduled events are listed in the following press release: Arts Council of the Valley, Smith House, 311 S. Main St. Michael Hough, Sculpture, Sarah Byrd, Book Signing, and Kimmon Waldruff, Acoustic Sets Arts Council of the Valley [...]
Fairfield Center’s Harrisonburg Summits series continues with a evening focusing on creating connections between local college students and the community at the Harrisonburg Student-Citizen Summit. The free event is scheduled from 3:30- 9:00 pm on Tuesday, September 21st, and will convene at Memorial Hall (Entrance B), the former Harrisonburg High school at James Madison University. [...]
Three Rockingham County preservation groups are warning the Board of Supervisors of the potentially hazardous effects of unregulated drilling in Bergton. State mining officials will not require emergency management plans for a proposed Marcellus Shale natural gas well near Bergton in Rockingham County despite growing reports of explosions and other accidents at similar wells in [...]
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Brent, Myron is voting for Obama so Hillary doesn’t win it.
He gives me hope for our country too Christa!
Christa, I would bet that the thing “about this guy [that] gives [you] hope for our country” is the same thing that gave me and others the same feeling of hope when we listened to Ronald Reagan many years ago: he sincerely loves our country and believes that we are a great and good people if we join together for the common good. The ideas on how to get there are certainly very different but the optimistic belief in the nation and the people is the same. While the ideas of 1980 aren’t what we need in 2008, after the last 16 years of bitter partisan conflict and political stagnation we certainly need that “reaganite” optimism. We are still that “shining city on a hill” if we just believe that we can be.
I think Obama is just as liberal as Hillary…..he just instills a little less fear in me than Hillary.
Myron,
I asked you sometime back what you considered a liberal to be, (I don’t remember which blog, perhaps it was yours) and you didn’t answer. You said you were looking for a good definition. (I am paraphrasing here)
Now might be a good time to put your concept into words.
What is it you fear?
Here are a few definitions I’ve found:
broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; “a broad political stance”; “generous and broad sympathies”; “a liberal newspaper”; “tolerant …
having political or social views favoring reform and progress
tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
big: given or giving freely; “was a big tipper”; “the bounteous goodness of God”; “bountiful compliments”; “a freehanded host”; “a handsome allowance”; “Saturday’s child is loving and giving”; “a liberal backer of the arts”; “a munificent gift”; “her fond and openhanded grandfather”
a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
I must say I’m not uncomfortable with the above as a description of me.
Here I am again, heading to the polls tomorrow with no one to vote FOR. Is it too much to ask? Is this the last vestige of idealism in me? I am resigned to the fact that I’ll always be voting AGAINST someone in November, but it seems like I should be able to vote FOR someone in the Primary. I know no candidate is going to share ALL of my views, but I don’t think I am so far out of the mainstream.
Perhaps the process is so whacked that the sort of person I would like to see in the White House would enter the contest. I don’t know.
Or maybe Liberty isn’t a mainstream idea anymore.
change “would enter the contest” to “wouldn’t enter the contest” – thanks
What, no love for Ron Paul, cook? He’s all about some liberty.
;)
Cook, here’s where we’re on different planes.
You are now where I was about a decade ago. And you know what? I decided I had had enough. Now my time of making a difference may have run its course, and yours is just beginning. Step up. It ain’t a frickin tea party man. Roll up the sleeves and pile on. No one can make the difference you want to see but you. Or as Ghandi said, (and perhaps one of my favorite quotes) You must be the change you wish to see in the world…
But back to the original premise of your last post(s).
While you dispair, I see reason for hope. Finally, real hope.
I look at my daughters and their peers, and see reason to believe. I look at your beautiful daughters, and I see reason for you to work your ass off to make sure the society that they will step into when they are my daughter’s age is a good one. And because Cook, I believe in you, I have hope….
Think about it…
Lowell, Shaun Kenney tells me I am a classical liberal, which is what you’ve defined.
Today’s liberal worships socialism and the state’s ability to take care of everything and everyone.
No Myron, I am today’s liberal. I and like thinking individuals. And Shaun Kenney’s attempts to define me and my friends, and what we together stand for, come up both short and weak.
Why I might ask, did you need to go to someone else to find a definition for that which you rail against? Did you not know already?
And let me say Myron, if you are indeed a “classic liberal” then welcome… I look forward to working with you against the status quos, and the supposed conservative leadership who have done so much harm to the society I love.
O.K.
I just allowed myself to get pulled into debating again when I shouldn’t.
Please accept my apology Brent. I for some reason have that affect on a blog. Must resist!
Won’t happen again…
You all figure it out.
Lowell, I don’t think anyone would call that a “debate”.
Let me be more precise.
I think the people of this country have turned to rely on government and the politicians have been more than willing to pander to them for votes.
I’ll be the first to admit that both parties have engaged in pandering, but to say it’s all “conservative policies” is also weak….. your side can share aplenty in the blame too.
I simply believe that the government should create a level playing field for competition and provide for our defense.
Shaun defined me…..not you.
Relax…..Obama will win.
“I think the people of this country have turned to rely on government and the politicians have been more than willing to pander to them for votes.”
I agree with you here Myron, and about politicians from both camps pandering. Pandering has replaced leadership, policy and governance in many cases.
And Myron, you know me well enough to know I don’t know how to relax. :o)