Southwest Virginia Blogs

If you want even more proof of how sloppy the Bush administration has conducted this senseless war, just read the latest AP account on how over 14,000 U.S. issued weapons have gone "missing" in Iraq.



The Pentagon cannot account for 14,030 weapons -- almost 4 percent of the semiautomatic pistols, assault rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other weapons it has been supplying to Iraq since the end of 2003.



The life of a terrorist just keeps getting easier and easier in Iraq............

If you want even more proof of how sloppy the Bush administration has conducted this senseless war, just read the latest AP account on how over 14,000 U.S. issued weapons have gone "missing" in Iraq.



The Pentagon cannot account for 14,030 weapons -- almost 4 percent of the semiautomatic pistols, assault rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other weapons it has been supplying to Iraq since the end of 2003.



The life of a terrorist just keeps getting easier and easier in Iraq............

If you want even more proof of how sloppy the Bush administration has conducted this senseless war, just read the latest AP account on how over 14,000 U.S. issued weapons have gone "missing" in Iraq.



The Pentagon cannot account for 14,030 weapons -- almost 4 percent of the semiautomatic pistols, assault rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other weapons it has been supplying to Iraq since the end of 2003.



The life of a terrorist just keeps getting easier and easier in Iraq............

Today's Galax Gazette has an excellent editorial by Patrick Shell of Independence on reasons why we should all vote "NO" to Amendment #1 next Tuesday. Here is the editorial in its entirety:



In the middle of the 18th century in the colonies of North America an idea began to receive much favorable attention amongst wealthy, influential, white males. That was the idea that "we" are all equal deserving of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This compelled these men to organize their compatriots and to declare that the colonies had become a sovereign nation.



Later the nation survived a terrible civil war. One of the major issues of the war was to define who the "we" were that deserved the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.



And again early in the 20th century the civil liberties debate became tumultous, and after much debate, allegiance to the original good idea of our founding fathers prevailed. It was concluded that, yes indeed, women are part of this essential group referred to as "we."



Once more in the 1950's and 1960's a debate arose, this time about racial segregation. Eventually our society decided that it wasnt compatible with our core founding principles to hold people of color aside, even when that division was expressed as "separate but equal," which was judged to mean "removed and inferior."



Now we are in the midst of a cultural debate about homosexuality. Many are eager to make pronouncements about how we should structure our society. And indeed it appears that the upcoming vote on an amendment to our state constitution, defining marriage, will do that.



But I say "wait a minute," this debate has not run its course. We have not been given enough time to plumb the depths of all the questions. It is unnecessarily preemptive and obstructive to pass this amendment.



Voting against this amendment is not the same as voting for gay marriage, but it is voting for more time to study, to debate, and to consider the greatest common good.



May we have liberty and justice for all.

It is no wonder that both area newspapers, The Kingsport Times and the Bristol Herald Courier have endorsed Sen Allen over Jim Webb.

ARLINGTON, VA - While Jim Webb was campaigning this morning at the historic Bristol Train Station in downtown Bristol, local leaders in Southwest Virginia were once again praising Senator Allen for the work he has done in the Senate on behalf of the region: specifically lauding his actions to revitalize downtown Bristol and to preserve the very station at which Webb was campaigning.

"George Allen has been a long time supporter of revitalizing downtown Bristol," said State Senator William Wampler. "The historic Bristol Train Station is one of the anchor projects to revitalize downtown. Most recently Senator Allen was successful in securing $1.4 million to help preserve this historic part of Southwest Virginia. George Allen has always supported Southwest Virginia and he demonstrated that once again by fighting for this appropriation in the Senate."

"On behalf of the Bristol Train Station Foundation and the people of Southwest Virginia, we want to thank Senator George Allen for his help in procuring financial assistance to preserve this important part of the region's history," said the Secretary of the Bristol Train Station Foundation Mary Beth Rainero. "Now the story of the economic development of the region and the important part the railroad played in that, can preserved and passed on to future generations."

In contrast to Jim Webb, Senator Allen has a long record of positive achievements for Southwest Virginia. Listed below are just some of the projects that Senator Allen helped secure for the region during his first term in the Senate.

Senator Allen's Accomplishments for Southwest Virginia

Bristol Train Station

* Senator Allen helped secure $1.4 million in federal funding for the historic preservation of the Bristol Train Station.

Rural Health Care

* Senator Allen has worked closely with the Virginia Rural Health Association in support of increased funding for federal rural health programs, administered through the National Health Service Corps, including the Rural Health Outreach, the Network Development and Telemedicine Grant Program, and the Consolidated Health Centers Program.

* Senator Allen actively supported the establishment of the University of Appalachia School of Pharmacy and secured funding to help install a community education and outreach program.

Appalachian Regional Commission

* Senator Allen is a strong supporter of the Appalachian Regional Commission and has consistently advocated for increased funding for the ARC, which supports economic and social development in the Appalachian region, including 23 counties and eight independent cities in Southwest Virginia.

Tobacco buyout meeting

* During discussion on a federal tobacco quota buyout, Senator Allen organized a meeting in 2005, held in Gate City, for Southwest Virginia tobacco growers to meet with federal agriculture department officials about concerns with the tobacco buyout.

Clean Coal Technology

* Senator Allen is a leader in the Senate in support of investment in clean coal technology and has been able to help secure federal funding for the development and implementation of accelerated research and development programs for clean coal technology. Virginia's coal comes from Dickenson, Wise, Buchanan, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Tazewell counties.

Broadband Deployment

* Senator Allen is a leader in the Senate on increasing the deployment of broadband to rural areas. He introduced the Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 to facilitate the development of wireless broadband Internet access by allocating certain areas within the broadcast spectrum. This will particularly benefit those living and working in areas that otherwise have no connectivity to broadband Internet and will help close the economic digital divide.

Public Housing

* Senator Allen brought officials from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Roanoke to meet with Virginia housing authorities from all over Southwest to hear their concerns with a proposal that would have dramatically changed the Section 8 housing program. Senator Allen worked closely with Virginia's Public Housing Authorities to ensure that any changes in the program did not adversely impact Virginians living in subsidized housing or Virginia'spublic housing authorities.

Haysi

* Senator Allen was named Honorary Haysi Fire Chief and helped to secure a federal grant for the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new fire department equipment and USDA grants and loans to purchase two new police cruisers and for the renovation of the fire hall.

Small Business Assistance

* In order to assist small businesses in Southwest Virginia, and to make them more competitive, Senator Allen co-hosted two sessions of Southwest Virginia Community College's "Small Business Opportunity Fair and Conference." The Conference provides businesses with a setting where they can meet and network one-on-one with agency or prime contractor buying representatives.

Coalfields Expressway

* Senator Allen has a long history of support for the Coalfields Expressway, which would spur economic growth and development for families who want more job opportunities. Senator Allen continues to work with the Federal Highway Administration, the Virginia Congressional delegation, local and State elected officials and interested members of the public to find a way to bring the project back into compliance with the guidelines established when the project was approved.

Barter Theater

* Senator Allen helped the historic Barter Theater in Abingdon obtain funding for important upgrades and renovations to the theaters structure.

Roanoke RiverFlood Control Project

* Senator Allen is working with local officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of the Roanoke Flood Control Project, which is vital to downtown Roanoke and important for other projects along the River including the hospital, the Bio-Medical Institute and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Art Museum of Western Virginia

* Senator Allen continues to be closely involved with the effort to expand the Art Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke, in particular to build a new facility to include 19th and 20th century American art exhibits.

The Smart OR Project - Carilion Health System - Labor/HHS

* Senator Allen has worked with Carilion Health Systems in Roanoke in support of the Smart OR Project, which incorporates a state-of-the-art technology for minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures.

Technorati : George Allen, Jim Webb, Politics, Virginia, Virginia Politics

Transportation crisis? What transportation crisis?

VDOT to hold meetings on bicycle and pedestrian program

By VDOT (via NRVToday)



The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold four informal meetings in southwestern Virginia to provide information about its bicycle and pedestrian program and allow people interested in bicycling and walking to discuss the program with VDOT representatives.



VDOT's bicycle and pedestrian program was formed to ensure that bicycling, walking and other modes of non-motorized transportation receive the same consideration as motorized transportation in the planning, design, construction and operation of Virginia's transportation network. ( link )

A Virginia Department of Transportation meeting to talk about trails and footpaths. I'll certainly mark the dates on my calendar.



This goes a long way toward explaining how it is we have as many bike paths and walking trails in Southwest Virginia as we have roads. It could also be a portent of what our required mode of transportation is going to be in the future if we keep these guys in charge.



And they demand a tax increase ...

Transportation crisis? What transportation crisis?

VDOT to hold meetings on bicycle and pedestrian program

By VDOT (via NRVToday)



The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold four informal meetings in southwestern Virginia to provide information about its bicycle and pedestrian program and allow people interested in bicycling and walking to discuss the program with VDOT representatives.



VDOT's bicycle and pedestrian program was formed to ensure that bicycling, walking and other modes of non-motorized transportation receive the same consideration as motorized transportation in the planning, design, construction and operation of Virginia's transportation network. ( link )

A Virginia Department of Transportation meeting to talk about trails and footpaths. I'll certainly mark the dates on my calendar.



This goes a long way toward explaining how it is we have as many bike paths and walking trails in Southwest Virginia as we have roads. It could also be a portent of what our required mode of transportation is going to be in the future if we keep these guys in charge.



And they demand a tax increase ...

Transportation crisis? What transportation crisis?

VDOT to hold meetings on bicycle and pedestrian program

By VDOT (via NRVToday)



The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold four informal meetings in southwestern Virginia to provide information about its bicycle and pedestrian program and allow people interested in bicycling and walking to discuss the program with VDOT representatives.



VDOT's bicycle and pedestrian program was formed to ensure that bicycling, walking and other modes of non-motorized transportation receive the same consideration as motorized transportation in the planning, design, construction and operation of Virginia's transportation network. ( link )

A Virginia Department of Transportation meeting to talk about trails and footpaths. I'll certainly mark the dates on my calendar.



This goes a long way toward explaining how it is we have as many bike paths and walking trails in Southwest Virginia as we have roads. It could also be a portent of what our required mode of transportation is going to be in the future if we keep these guys in charge.



And they demand a transportation tax increase ...

Transportation crisis? What transportation crisis?

VDOT to hold meetings on bicycle and pedestrian program

By VDOT (via NRVToday)



The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold four informal meetings in southwestern Virginia to provide information about its bicycle and pedestrian program and allow people interested in bicycling and walking to discuss the program with VDOT representatives.



VDOT's bicycle and pedestrian program was formed to ensure that bicycling, walking and other modes of non-motorized transportation receive the same consideration as motorized transportation in the planning, design, construction and operation of Virginia's transportation network. ( link )

A Virginia Department of Transportation meeting to talk about trails and footpaths. I'll certainly mark the dates on my calendar.



This goes a long way toward explaining how it is we have as many bike paths and walking trails in Southwest Virginia as we have roads. It could also be a portent of what our required mode of transportation is going to be in the future if we keep these guys in charge.



And they demand a transportation tax increase ...

On January 20, 2009 a new President of the United States will take the oath of office and, if as planned and, within the first 100-days of office, the new President will witness the new unmanned Ares-I launch. It will be the first test of the vehicle by the federal space agency marking the impending retirement of the space shuttle fleet by mere months, if not weeks.

"Swiftly, aggressively and largely unnoticed by the rest of the nation" is how Howard Witt of The Chicago Tribune phrased it Sunday, in a reference to the nation's neo-lunar space hardware being brought together by NASA's research centers and private contractor Lockheed Martin and others.

The international space players in Russia, the European Union, China, and India are shaping new programs and new technologies that will challenge America's goal of returning to the moon before the 50th anniversary of the first human steps on the lunar surface.

Some believe that despite NASA's bureaucratic culture of the past 35-years, there is a growing synergy of determination to make the lunar objective more rapidly because of the utilization of proven technologies from Apollo and the space shuttle. Others question whether the program has staying power.

The real question is whether the individual who will take the presidential oath on January 20, 2009 will act to ensure the neo-lunar Orion program success.