Southwest Virginia Blogs

Since response to my last blog on gas prices has been so robust, I thought I would tackle the topic again and share a cool Web site that allows you to compare gas mileage on different vehicles side-by-side.

From this site, I learned that my mid-size SUV isn’t bad ... (19-22 mpg) and that I wouldn’t do much better by purchasing a Subaru Outback or other wagon or a minivan (sorry to disappoint those who said this was the case). They do about 2-3 mpg better. When you consider the cost of buying another vehicle (even one a few years old), this isn’t great.

I would do better with a Ford Escape hybrid, however. Interesting stuff. I encourage you to check it out.

I was listening to the radio simulcast of Fox & Friends as I drove to work this morning, and something I heard struck a nerve (not in a positive way, either). E.D. Hill, my least favorite of the morning trio, teased a segment on immigration and a path to citizenship this way, “If we grant amnesty ... what will this country look like in 10 years?” The emphasis seemed to be on fear ... fear of people who are different.

Based on the letters to the editor and responses to my last immigration column, fear is a motivating factor for some people in this debate. They fear the “Latinization” of this country. What’s that about? Racism? Xenophobia? Fear of the Spanish language? I do not understand. What is so scary about adding a little Latin flavor to the nation? We’re not bland chicken broth (to use a food analogy); we’re a spicy gumbo. Our differences make us strong. Our differences make us interesting.

I am not ignoring the other arguments: economics, drug smuggling, terrorism, etc. that sometimes are factored into this debate. Just observing that fear of those who are “different” seems an underlying and troubling theme in much of the debate. Change is hard; I get that, too. But change comes whether we like it or not.

America in 2006 is vastly different than it was 100 years ago or even 10 years ago. The past is the past. Let it go.

- Andrea Hopkins

I have not been following the Senate race down in Tennessee, but did just see a commercial for Bob Corker. Can a guy named “Corker” actually expect to be elected to the senate?

I don’t think so.

I have always been more of a Chevy guy, but if I was a Tennessee voter, I would go for a Ford - Harold Ford, Jr. Not to mention, Ford keeps some good company.

Now something entirely unrelated to the newspaper’s changes or the upcoming elections ... gas prices. At this rate, I guess I’ll be vacationing in the backyard this year.

More seriously, the major U.S. oil companies will report their first quarter profits this week. Anyone want to guess the outcome? For a far more expert analysis than I can offer, check out this MSN Money article. While reasonable minds may differ as to the identity of the villains in all this, people who just want to fill up their car to get to work or to get the kids to school or the ballpark have pretty much had it.

I’ve tried all the supposed fuel-saving tips, but I can’t ever see a difference. Listening to Bill O’Reilly’s radio show at lunch, I heard him suggest a revolt is coming - something akin to the Boston tea party. Maybe. But I don’t see how much more the average American can take.

- Andrea Hopkins

The Winston-Salem Journal, part of our Media General family, takes an interesting look at the impact of some of the proposed immigration reforms on Christmas tree farmers just across the state line from our region. Their reporting illustrates some of the points we made in our editorial on Sunday about the economic complexities of the situation.

So far, reaction to our editorial has been far less than I expected. As an editorial board, we struggled with this one because there are so many complicated issues involved. Balancing security, human rights and economic realities is a difficult task. With the comprehensive bill, the Senate is making that attempt, if an imperfect one.

- Andrea Hopkins

Some people believe Sen. Clinton is worried about a Mark Warner candidacy in 2008.

From the Human Events:

Hillary and her supporters are well aware of [Warner being the anti-Hillary candidate], which might be why The New York Times recently ran an extremely unflattering cover photo of Warner on their weekly magazine.

It may be also be why HILLPAC just hired Matthew Felan, the deputy campaign finance director for Warner’s successor, Democratic Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. Some pundits believe that Felan brings expert insight to Virginia’s political operation, which would help Hill deal with Warner.

I am glad to see Hillary is getting worried. Warner is obviously running and has a very good chance of winning the nomination.

The third anniversary of the start of the Iraq War arrived this week. It was marked by protests in this country (including one in Abingdon) and more violence in Iraq. As expected, there was no shortage of commentators telling us what to think about the anniversary and the war - views shaped more by politics than reality on the ground in Iraq.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist emerged as the top presidential hope for the Republicans in 2008 in a straw poll at the Southern Republican Leadership conference Saturday night in Memphis. Perhaps it was the home field advantage, since 70 percent of conference-goers were reportedly from Tennessee?

Even in Tennessee, I don’t know a lot of gung-ho Frist supporters. Virginia’s former governor and current senator, George Allen, has more buzz as a contender in 2008. As a reporter, I covered both Frist and Allen several years ago. Allen has a magnetic, larger-than-life personality. Frist is a smart fellow, but not nearly so charismatic.

I just got back from a fundraiser/reception in Abingdon for Congressman Rick Boucher.

The Congressman said the crowd tonight was the largest ever since they started having these type of events. I did not get a count, but I am guessing around 100 people were there.

The Congressman and his long-time (over ten years) girlfriend, now fiancée, Amy Hauslohner, also had some big news. Boucher said he and Amy are getting married. They did not give a date, but said to expect a small wedding with a large reception.

Here is a camera-phone picture of the happy couple:

Ms. Hauslohner is the editor of the Galax Gazette and lives in Grayson County.

Congratulations to the Congressman and Ms. Hauslohner.

Yes, the food police have spoken again – but with the appearance of more authority this time. Soda drinking is bad for you, and it might be making the nation (particularly children) astoundingly fat.

Of course, no one thought soda was a health food, but the latest studies cast it in a particularly bad light. Some states are banning it in schools, which seems like a great idea to me.

The results from today’s Republican Primary in Texas are starting to roll in.

Unless something major happens, Tom Delay will probably be the Republican candidate in Texas’ 22nd Congressional District. He currently has 9,522 to Tom Campbell’s 3,933 votes, with about 10% of the 216 precincts reporting.

I had hopes the GOP would rid themselves of Delay instead of fielding a weak candidate in November.

Old habits must die hard.

Just to show I am bipartisan, here is a video of Frank Caliendo’s imitation of Bush and Clinton.

That is good stuff.

I hate to dive into national politics again, but everyone should see this video clip from the AP.

I know people will think that this is all politics, but I am glad all of the failures - from Bush, FEMA, states, etc. - are being brought out in the open now, so we don’t ever make the same mistakes again.

A lot of folks are upset with President Bush. After reading this, though, it looks like the same problems that plague President Bush’s Administration are of the nature that run in the family.

A $236 million contract “facilitated” by Governor Jeb Bush, leasing cruise ships from Carnival Cruise Lines to house Katrina victims, is a topic that smells of corruption and is drawing more criticism.

According to [Rep. Henry] Waxman, Bush forwarded to [Michael] Brown, then the FEMA director, an e-mail from a Carnival advertising executive proposing that the company’s ships be used for housing two days after the Aug. 29 storm.

The Carnival official, Ric Cooper, has been a major political donor to the Florida and national Republican parties, including $65,000 to the state GOP in 2002, and $50,00 to the RNC in 2004, Waxman said.

Less than three hours later, Brown replied to Cooper, saying he thought it was a “great idea.”

No doubt, the circumstances immediately following the Katrina disaster called for extraordinary procedures to be taken, but this deal certainly raises some red flags.

Here is a video update from Mark Warner.

How much longer until we can start calling him “President Mark Warner?” Or “Democratic Nominee Mark Warner?” I guess I am just getting anxious.

Today’s big news was the James Webb announcement.

It is now official, James Webb will challenge George Allen.

Webb said:

‘I don’t wake up in the morning wanting to be a U.S. senator,’ Webb said in an interview. ‘I wake up every morning very concerned about the country. We need to put some focus back in our foreign policy, a different focus.’

By most accounts, Webb is a great guy and will be a very strong candidate. I am looking forward to him winning the Democratic nomination, taking the fight to Allen, and being the next U.S. Senator from Virginia.