Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
I was born in 1978, called today Lee-Jackson-King Day as a kid, and had no idea what segregation was until I attended Caroline County Middle School (the old black high school) after having attended Ladysmith Elementary School (one of the two old white high schools). They were separate schools, but by no means equal facilities.
In the old rotting Auditorium, I remember reading scratched-in marks from students of previous years on the wooden backs. On one: “James Crow was a friend of mine.” Only years later did I realize what that meant, and how terrible that sentiment was.
On brighter subjects, I have accepted a position as Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia. What will change at ShaunKenney.com is there will be less political content due to obvious ethical considerations, and much more of what used to be here — philosophy, religion, ethics, and the public square.
I will still have a keen interest in promoting decorum and civility in public life, especially among Virginia’s blogosphere. It’s a good natured and sophisticated culture we’ve created in Virginia, and I hope that for all the strings tugging at us we remain loyal to the medium and remember we are Virginians first, and the “Virginia Way” is still alive and well.
On to the best of Virginia last week, our VBC!
I Have a Dream by Ward Smythe (Ward Smythe)
On the topic of Martin Luther King Jr. and race, Ward Smythe talks about his experiences, one of which was in the Gentlemen of the Gospel Mass Choir. Great post this MLK Jr. Day.
Few Words About HPV by Roci (Rocicante’s Burden)
Roci asks the question as to whether or not the HPV vaccine should be made mandatory in D.C. schools. She answers yes.
RIP, Mr. Ramen Noodles Guy by Matt Caro (Icarus Fallen)
“Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Feed a man Ramen noodles, and you don’t have to teach him anything.” Heh. I love philosophy blogs.
Jim Webb’s Foot-In-Mouth Disease by D.J. McGuire (Right Wing Liberal)
D.J. McGuire hits hard on Senator Webb’s idea on reaching out to Syria and Iran, and uses not one but two barrels. Even if you disagree, McGuire’s RWL is a formidable and well-thought out blog.
Who knows football? by Vivian Paige
I know the answer to that one… or more accurately, who doesn’t have a clue about football… (HINT: last name rhymes with Kenney)
Confederates in the Attic by Richmond Democrat (Richmond Democrat)
Lee-Jackson Day and MLK Day have always brought up this conversation in the Commonwealth. Richmond Democrat asks the question of Virginia Republican bloggers: Is there a neo-Confederate problem?
The Duality of the South by Chris Beer (Mason Conservative)
On a more philosophical note, Mason Conservative dwells on how the juxtaposition helps teach the intricacies of history… good point.
Lee-Jackson Day Honors Traitors by Jim Hoeft (Bearing Drift)
On the con side, Jim Hoeft over at Bearing Drift takes issue with Lee-Jackson Day, pointing out what kind of place we’d be living in if Lee and Jackson were successful.
A Little Political Courage About Lee-Jackson Heroes by Jim Bowden (Deo Vindice)
Whilst on the pro side, Jim Bowden notes both the character of both Lee and Jackson while commending the patriotism of Southerners today.
Live Blog with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling by Sophrosyne (NOVA Town Hall)
Tuesday was Lt. Gov. Bolling’s foray into the blogosphere for a live-blog over at NOVA Town Hall, one of my favorite Northern Virginia blogs. Go check it (and them) out!
Trapped In A War Zone: Christian Lebanese Tell All by Langley (Save the GOP)
Yet another favorite, and one that hits close to home. This one is a story concerning Hezbollah’s use of Christian towns to fire missiles on Israel… so the IDF could fire back.
Introducing Richmond Sunlight by Waldo Jaquith (Waldo Jaquith)
LIS is a great tool for its time, but Richmond Sunlight is a political junkie’s dream come true. If you haven’t played around, now is the time.
Cool Legislation You’ll Never Read About by Jim Bacon (Bacon’s Rebellion)
Yet another SK favorite, Jim Bacon gives us two transportation bills he believes passes the cool test. Bacon’s Rebellion is an absolute must for policy wonks on either side of the aisle.
The Pulpit Speaks: January 19th, 1957 by Vivian Paige (Vivian Paige)
Will I get in trouble if I say that Vivian Paige is my favorite Democrat? Every Sunday she posts one of the published sermons of her father on her blog. Non-partisan, and tremendously insightful.
VCU atop the CAA by F.T. Rea (SLANTblog)
My brother Jason goes to VCU, and I know quite a few VCU basketball fans upset that George Mason made it to the NCAA Tournament last year while VCU did not. GMU proved why, but it looks as if the Rams aren’t going to leave any question who belongs this year.
Minimum Wage, Major Worries by Leslie Carbone (Leslie Carbone)
If there’s a new ODBA blog that has to be a favorite, it’s Leslie’s blog. Leslie goes through with an excellent story about the impact of the minimum wage hike, and not from a perspective you would think…
Minimum Wage? Just a Start by Ben Kyber (Virginia Progressive)
On the flip side of the argument, VAPRO hits hard on the minimum wage by positing not just a hike but indexing it to inflation. A little give and take in the comments section.
Bucky’s Transportation 8-Ball by Not Buck Turgidson (Richmond War Room)
*shakes post furiously* Answer not clear?! What a ripoff…
George Mason: Forgotten Founder by The Friar (Reason and Revelation)
Excellent reviews are the type written so that a reader is inclined to buy the book and read it for themselves. This is an excellent review by the folks at R&R.
Standing Your Ground by Bart Hinkle (Barticles)
A man’s home is his castle? Delegate Janis has introduced a bill where not only is a home your castle, but invaders can be repulsed by all necessary force. Great article.
Romney Using YouTube to Combat YouTube by Jim Riley (Virginia Virtucon)
The omnipresent eye of Jim Riley pushes back on the 1994 Romney debate footage leaked online, where Romney’s own words described himself as less-than-conservative. Was Romney’s jujitsu effective? Don’t know, but this is a first for national politics.
Well… by Charlie Fugate (Good Sense)
Charlie opines on the 41-14 hammering Florida delivered to an outmached Ohio State earlier last week.
Mobile Bible Blogging! by Romeokat (Cathouse Chat)
Last but never least. This is red meat for those who believe, especially if you are feeling particularly down about sticking to your guns and doing what’s right, even though it’s uncomfortable.
Thanks to all who participated, many thanks more to those who were drafted! Next week will be hosted by… somebody… I’ll let you know. If you’d like to volunteer, just send me an e-mail and I’d be more than happy to pass your name to a much more competent authority.
Have a great week!