McDonnell: Make Virginia “America’s Most Veteran Friendly State”

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Bob McDonnell Press Release can be read in its entirety here:
McDonnell: Make Virginia “America’s Most Veteran Friendly State”

Army Veteran Rolls out Broad List of Proposals in Speech to American Legion

RICHMOND- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, today rolled out a broad package of proposals all designed to make Virginia “America’s Most Veteran Friendly State.” McDonnell unveiled the proposals in his speech at the 91st Annual Convention of the American Legion, Department of Virginia, in Richmond. McDonnell is a United States Army veteran. He served 21 years active duty and reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. His father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. McDonnell’s oldest daughter, Jeanine, served in the United States Army, including a one-year tour of duty in Iraq.

The highlights of McDonnell’s far-reaching proposals to make Virginia “America’s Most Veteran Friendly State” include:

- Commit Virginia to helping veterans find jobs by consolidating current state efforts; starting a state-run veterans employment website; bringing business leaders to the table; waiving administrative fees for applications and permits for veterans starting small businesses; implementing state hiring incentives for veterans

- Support effort to grant real estate tax relief to disabled veterans

- Provide burial vault funding for heroes laid to rest in Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries

- Designate a member of the Governor’s Cabinet with responsibility to be the Senior Advisor for Active Duty Military Community and Dependent Affairs

- Protect Department of Defense assets in Virginia by assembling team focused on keeping military facilities in the Commonwealth and pursuing opportunities for growth

- Establish “Virginia Compact with Veterans” to guarantee Virginia leads the nation in taking care of veterans

- Evaluate veteran homelessness issue and direct state government to work with federal and private partners to launch a homeless veteran program

- Continue the Virginia Wounded Warrior program to help veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

- Speed up and simplify veterans benefit claims processing

- Name the “Honor and Remember” Flag as the official flag by which the Commonwealth remembers Virginians killed in the line of duty

Speaking about making Virginia “America’s Most Veteran Friendly State”, McDonnell stated, “Our freedom is purchased daily by the sacrifice of American men and women serving valiantly in locations around the world. They volunteer to stand up for America, and when these heroes return we must stand up for them. A tradition of military service runs deep in the McDonnell family, as it does in so many other Virginia families. Personally, I owe my college education, and law degree, to the opportunities provided to me by the United States Army. I never forget that. As governor, I will look for each and every opportunity by which Virginia’s government can help the over 800,000 veterans who call the Commonwealth home. They have served us; now Virginia’s state government must better serve them.”

In my honest opinion this is a pretty comprehensive list of proposals that I can support and commend Bob McDonnell for coming up with. First, its about jobs and opportunity. Second, its about a warm hearted appreciation for our veterans and those who choose to serve. Third, it includes a special topic of interest for me. Veterans homelessness which I will cover in a seperate post.

Citizen Solider by 3 Doors Down

They walk beside you but you may not see them!

Bob McDonnell doesn't need a Stand In to Stand Up for Veterans!

Thank a Vet!

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Bob McDonnell at Dale City,Va. 4th July Parade

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Bob McDonnell is taking this "running" for Governor seriously! Oh he is a veteran!

Connect with Bob McDonnell:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobmcdonnell
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bobmcdonnell?ref=ts
Homepage: http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/



Did you see Lt. Governor Bill Bolling?
Connect with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LGBillBolling
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lt-Governor-Bill-Bolling/12220636661
Homepage: http://billbolling.com/

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Ken Cuccinelli On Virginia Attorney General Debate

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I have been following the Ken Cuccinelli campaign to be elected as Virgina's next Attorney General this November. When you see the fiscal deterioration of the Commonwealth and the legal challenges to states rights by the federal government you realize that this is one of the most important positions you as a voter should be interested in and following.

Below text is from Ken Cuccinelli's "The Cuccinelli Compass" which is a great insight into Ken Cuccinelli and his campaign.

Debate Results
Steve Shannon and I had our first debate on June 20th in Virginia Beach and the most notable thing about the debate was Steve's unwillingness to address many issues, including cap & trade and associated energy issues, right to work, partial birth abortion, global warming, and whether or not he'd resist Washington's impositions in some of these areas (i.e., whether he'd ever try to protect Virginia's sovereignty under the 10th Amendment).

Here is the ONLY press write-up of the debate (by Lawyers' Weekly), as there were no other reporters that came to the debate. Amazing: http://www.valawyersweekly.com/weeklyedition/2009/06/29/cuccinelli-shannon-face-off-in-ag-debate/

I think one of the most interesting aspects of the article is Steve's quote at the end of the article where he seems to say that the Attorney General is just supposed to give legal advice at the request of the Governor and the General Assembly. With all due respect - give me a break; however, it may be that Steve just intends not to advance any of his own initiatives and stick to strictly responding to what everyone else in the political arena does...

Differences
Campaigns are about differences and Steve and I differ on a wide variety of issues that matter to the Attorney General, and I want all of you to know about these so you can talk to your friends and neighbors about them.

I will address a few of these in any given issue of The Compass. Here are a few.

Right to work. I'm for it and Steve has voted against it. This is a critically important issue for Virginia's long-term economic health. Steve has a 100% AFL-CIO voting record every single year he's been in the House, and of course, I'm a guy that appreciates consistency like that... my AFL-CIO voting record has been 0% for all of my years in the Senate. Also, this year's NFIB (small business) ratings are out and I got a 100% for the last two years (again), while Steve got a 50% rating. So, if anyone asks you who is the pro-free market and pro-business candidate in the AG's race, now you know the answer.

In our debate, I indicated that I would fight attempts by Washington to undercut our right to work law. Steve refused to agree to protect Virginia.

Cap & Trade. Again, I committed to fighting Washington's imposition of this destructive energy tax scheme. Steve refused to address the issue. Did you know that Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth both oppose the cap & trade bill voted through the House of Representatives? Why? Because the both say it will do nothing to help the environment! What does that tell you? It tells me that cap & trade truly is nothing but an excuse to raise taxes. So, why won't Steve Shannon oppose it?

Property Rights. Steve has consistently voted against protecting property rights while I have led the fight to protect this fundamental individual right. This is a huge difference between us. Note that many special interests in Richmond hate the notion of more protection of property rights, as it gets in the way of the special deals they wrangle out of their unprincipled political allies (not surprisingly, the special interests are major political supporters of the same political allies that get their dirty work done for them).

Good Job Ken!

Ways to get connected with the Ken Cuccinelli campaign:

Web: http://www.cuccinelli.com/ (sign up for The Cuccinelli Compass email)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523714007&ref=ts
Old Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ken-Cuccinelli/8658098691
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KenCuccinelli

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The CAP and TAX debate moves to the Senate

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H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

The House passed 219 - 212 H.R. 2454 (commonly known as CAP and TAX bill) . The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate. Keep in mind that debate may be taking place on a companion bill in the Senate, rather than on this particular bill.

Washington, Jun 27 - The American people deserve to know what’s in the legislation their representatives in Congress are voting on. That was the fundamental principle behind House Republican Leader John Boehner’s (R-OH) hour-long speech on the floor of the House last night, in which he read portions of a 300-plus page amendment Democrats added in the dark of night to Speaker Pelosi’s already 1,200-page national energy tax legislation. The legislation is going to raise electricity prices, increase gasoline prices, and ship American jobs overseas to countries like China and India. It also will be a bureaucratic nightmare overseen by a confusing web of government agencies that will take and redistribute trillions of dollars from family budgets and workers’ payrolls.

My Favorite portion of John Boehners speech.

Virginia House of Representatives votes:

Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10] Nay

Rep. Rob Wittman [R, VA-1] Nay

Rep. James Forbes [R, VA-4] Nay

Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R, VA-6] Nay

Rep. Eric Cantor [R, VA-7] Nay

Rep. Glenn Nye [D, VA-2] Nay

The five Virginians that did NOT read the bill again!

Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3] Aye (202) 225-8351

Rep. Thomas Perriello [D, VA-5] Aye (202) 225-4711

Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8] Aye (202) 225-4376

Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9] Aye 202-225-3861

Rep. Gerald Connolly [D, VA-11] Aye (202) 225-1492

The eight Republican who voted AYE after NOT reading the bill.

Bono Mack (CA) 202-225-5330

Castle (DE) 202-225-4165

Kirk (IL) 202-225-4835

Lance (NJ) 202-225-5361

Lobiondo (NJ) 202-225-6572

McHugh (NY) 202-225-4611

Reichart (WA) 202-225-7761

Chris Smith (NJ) 202-225-3765

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When you face trials, run toward the roar!

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This picture from Iranian elections uprising reminded me of the saying "Run Toward The Roar". One lone Iranian women standing in the face of unknown danger while others scurry from the scene.

Run toward the roar story here:

"We all know that the Lion is king of the jungle. Every creature that graces the jungle floor must surrender to the power of the lion. Every bird that thinks of flying through the jungle must get runway clearance from the lion. Yet, as the Lion rules the jungle he has his detractors. Imagine that, animals like humans, have their detractors. Each and every day the lion wakes up he must defend his right to rule. As he grows older more and more attack animals the throne of the lion. Even his closest relatives, the young and vivacious lion cubs begin an attempt to overthrow the Lion. The entire jungle is against the lion, yet he is able to hold onto his reign of the jungle. How? He continues to roar. As he gets older and older, as his mange begins to tatter and become worn, the lion roars and his attackers retreat. As he continues to rule through his old age, the very teeth that once killed the gazelle are now gone. With his mange gone, his ability to run and stalk behind him and his teeth on the floor of the very jungle he rules, the lion has only one form of protection left, his roar. As the younger lions prepare to attack, he roars and they retreat. As the gazelle near, he roars and they retreat. You see, what the lion cubs, gazelle and other animals don’t realize is that the Lion has lost everything he once used to rule the jungle. His great mange gone, his swift speed gone, his teeth gone, all that’s left is the roar."

Thoughts and prayers for the people of Iran, Peace be with you.

You can follow the Iranian election uprising via Twitter here:

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Frank Wolf (VA-10) becomes a H.R. 1207 Co-sponsor

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Congressman Frank Wolf from Virginia's 10th district name has been added to the list of 218 co-sponsors of:

H.R. 1207: Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009

To amend title 31, United States Code, to reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States and the manner in which such audits are reported, and for other purposes.

If your not familiar with this bill it was sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul from Texas's 14th district and has a great grassroots effort from his supporters and Campaign For Liberty.

Below is the latest video post concerning H.R. 1207 (otherwise known as "Audit The Fed").

The other Congressman from Virginia to co-sponsor H.R. 1207:

Rep. James Forbes [R-VA4]

Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R-VA6]

Rep. Thomas Perriello [D-VA5]

Rep. Rob Wittman [R-VA1]

Rep. Frank Wolf [R-VA10]

They are starting a campaign for the Senate version of H.R. 1207 (S. 604: Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009)

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Grim Picture for Nation’s Financial Future - Bright Future for Tea Party's

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I found this email interesting from my Congressman Frank R. Wolf from Virginia's 10th District. Frank is on the Appropriations Committee Actually, I was somewhat taken aback as Frank is not one to cry "wolf". He is pretty quite even with his food drives, Northern Virginia transportation and power lines thru Loudon County issues. So here we have someone trying to make sense of the nations checkbook (so to speak) and he is concerned? Well, here is the text of his email:

Last week Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the House Budget Committee that "unless we demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal sustainability in the longer term, we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth." Those powerful words come on the heels of the annual Medicare and Social Security trustees’ reports which show that both programs are hurtling toward bankruptcy faster than earlier predicted.

The over $56 trillion our nation owes in unfunded entitlement obligations combined with this year’s $1.8 trillion deficit and record national debt topping $11 trillion should be a wake-up call that lawmakers must act in a bipartisan way to get our nation’s finances in order. With our national economy linked to the global economy, we also should be alarmed by the downgrading this week of Ireland's credit rating to AA from AA-plus - its second cut in three months - by Standard & Poor’s Investment Service, which previously predicted the U.S. could lose its AAA bond rating by 2012 if we don’t reverse our financial course.

I continue to advocate for the creation of the bipartisan SAFE Commission that would put every spending program and tax policy on the table for discussion. Congress would be forced to vote on the commission’s legislative proposal. This bipartisan effort could help ensure that we don’t leave our children and grandchildren buried under a mountain of debt. Please visit www.wolf.house.gov/SAFE for additional information.

This isn't some right wing conservative talking head or radio spin mister putting this out. This is someone who works with appropriations day-in-day-out. Bernake, the deficit, the nations debt, U.S. bond rating, of course concern for our children and grandchildren, its all there. I hope people are paying attention and are planning to participate in the upcoming 4th July Tea Party events.

Tea Party Patriots homepage - http://teapartypatriots.org/

Virginia Tea Party Patriots - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57963861711

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Candlelight Vigil, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, "The Wall"

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Candlelight Vigil, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, "The Wall"

Friday, May 22, 2009 9:00 pm

This was my first time attending the Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, "The Wall", in Washington D.C. Like others attending the vigil we did not know what to expect. I hope I can give a summary of what one might expect. First there were no candles only a fiery torch and lots of mini glow sticks. Bring extra mini glow sticks to hand out if you can. Another note is photography is difficult unless your familiar with taking pictures at night. I did not notice any main stream media coverage for this event, sadly.

I arrived at "The Wall" grounds at about 8:30 pm for the vigil that was to start at 9:00 pm. Dusk is quickly upon us. The first thing you notice is the wall-to-wall people stretching the length of "The Wall" and some three to five people deep. People also surrounded the rope fence completely around the grounds of the eclipse for "The Wall". If I had to guess I would say the number of people to be plus 1,000 was in attendance (a Tax Day Tea Party guess).

The other thing you will notice is two huge flags (POW/MIA and Stars and Stripes) about 30 feet high and 50 feet long if I had to guess. They overlook “The Wall” upon the adjacent hill. I walked up and talked to one of the veteran volunteers (Tom) from Massachusetts who was greeting visitors. He explained that airline pilots had made special trips to their site to see what the display was because they had noticed them when flying into Reagan National airport. Please feel free to walk up and get your pictures taken in front of the flags.

I found my way to the surrounding grounds that eclipse the wall by 8:45 pm where numerous people had started to congregate around the rope fence to watch the vigil from afar. Since there was no way to make it to the line assembled at “The Wall” I decide to stand and watch from the opposite end of the eclipse facing “The Wall”. Seemed like a great panoramic view of the vigil.

9:00 pm sharp its dark. The bagpipes begin to play from the left side of “The Wall” and begin to precede down “The Wall’s” sloped downward pathway at a slow, methodical and marching pace. They descend down the path only to be obscured by the wall of on lookers along the pathway lined up close facing “The Wall” with their silhouettes illuminated by the glow sticks lighting the pathway.

The bagpipes are followed by what at first I thought where two torches but suspect the reflection of “The Wall” was playing tricks with my perception. Soon the two torches were joined by two more lights of fire at the center of “The Wall” moving downward and suspect again the center wall lights of torch fires where reflections from the torch off both walls. As the precession proceeded down “The Wall’s” pathway one could not stop and take notice of the eerie shadowy silhouette of marching legs which were visible through the silhouette of people standing along the pathway of the wall. One couldn’t help to envision a column of soldier’s who have no names, no faces and no noticeable features except their marching legs silhouettes of shadowy figures.

Once the precession reached the center of “The Wall” the precession stopped for about 5-10 minutes. The torch was reflecting two bright flames off each walls of the monument. Being so far away I could not hear the speaker or prayer given. Very solemn moment for all us not close to the wall, deafen silence of respect. As the prayer ended the bagpipes proceeded up the eclipse grounds toward us while the precession continued up the right side of “The Wall” pathway. As the torch and precession moved up “The Wall’s” pathways right side so did the two torch reflections. The two torch reflections at the center of “The Wall” began to move upward towards the top of the wall. Amazing piece of engineering I thought.

The precession (with the torch) moved around the eclipse grounds of “The Wall” to the Vietnam Women's Memorial statue. Dedicated to the women of the United States who served in the Vietnam War, most of whom were nurses. The woman looking up is named Hope, the woman praying is named Faith, and the woman tending to a wounded soldier is named Charity. The precession stopped at the Women's Memorial where I was able to hear the prayer and speech of thanks for those who choose to serve. Some twenty former military nurses were there in the precession. Amen!

The precession (with the torch) moved around the eclipse grounds of “The Wall” to The Three Soldiers statue (purposefully identifiable as White American, African American, and Hispanic American). The precession stopped at The Three Soldiers again repeating a prayer and speech of thanks for those who choose to serve. Amen!

Afterwards I proceeded to “The Wall” pathway to pay my respects. What an amazing sight, seeing “The Wall” at night.

I probably did not do the torches reflections and movement or symbolism any justice but would just ask if you do attend a future Rolling Thunder Vigil at “The Wall” and are not able to stand at “The Wall” for the precession you might want to just stand back and take in the torches reflections and their movement on the wall, and watch the shadowy legs of the precession marchers thru the silhouette of those who do stand at “The Wall”. Maybe thank a veteran standing next to you. You won’t be disappointed ;-)

Reflections:

“The Wall’s” symbolism means different things to different people. For me “The Wall” is about reflections and silhouettes of the past and the future. We can choose to repeat its failures or avoid its previous pitfalls. What I find amazing is that some thirty five years later our citizens and politicians on both side of the aisle continue to politicize another war. America has not learned from a previous costly mistake as symbolized by "The Wall". Right, left or independent, America must unite to win this war in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly soon to be Pakistan before another generation has to bear the burden of a war that was winnable. Never again!

I don't know what was in the letter Rolling Thunder delivered to the President Obama administration Friday but I hope it included a history lesson.

God Bless our Troops!

Ken

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Senator Ken Cuccinelli email on Notre Dame

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I have been following the Notre Dame and Barrack Obama debate for some time hoping both sides would come to a compromise. Sadly, that was not to be. Without a comprise the abortion debate was surely to go critical which it did today.

I received an email message from Senator Ken Cuccinelli campaign late Sunday evening. I do support Senator Ken Cuccinelli as Virginians next Attorney General.

Once reading Senator Ken Cuccinelli's email I am thankful that he noted that we simply had to read the Notre Dame mission statement to find why a compromise was never possible in the first place. Notre Dame faithful were lost some time ago we just didn't know it till now. Perception and reality sometimes do not meet. I really liked Notre Dame, Charlie Weis and their football program but that now is forever tarnished. Good Luck Charlie, I wish you the best old friend!

Thanks Senator Cuccinelli, just another reason why I support you.

 I'll see you on Facebook! (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=523714007&ref=ts)

Till then I will keep dreaming ;-)

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War World II Veterans Cheered at Reagan National Airport

Armed Forces Day video - Thanks to all those who serve!