political parties

The Road to November and Beyond

It would not be too great a stretch to assert that the American public favors fair elections not predetermined by rigged devices such as gerrymandering. After all, fairness is a virtually genetic value pursued, if not perfectly practiced, in most… Read More ›

E Pluribus Unum Religion

In 1939, George Orwell coined the term Judeo-Christian in a book review describing a scheme of ethics or morals based upon communal principles of the two religions. The concept has no precedent in colonial America before its popular introduction in… Read More ›

Not So Distant Comparisons

The verb “juxtapose,” meaning to place closely together for comparison, can prompt intriguing questions and thoughts about the matters in juxtaposition. The front page of a recent edition of The New York Times carried two items that, thousands of miles… Read More ›

Hickory, Dickory, Wokery

Britain’s royalty and Parliament in the late 1650s were not welcoming to Richard Cromwell to become successor as Lord Protector of the realm upon the death of his father, Oliver Cromwell. Historical legend informs that the English rhyme about a… Read More ›

Government by Edict

Editors’ Note: Excerpted, with permission, from Bacon’s Rebellion, March 14, 2022, https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/ By Dick Hall-Sizemore Although the issue of school mask mandates is now behind us, it is instructive to examine the legal arguments advanced by Attorney General Jason Miyares… Read More ›

General Assembly Session Scorecard

The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) produces visuals that helpfully portray the parameters of political and cultural activity in the Commonwealth. Its latest graph provides a political scorecard of the results of the two political parties with respect to legislation…. Read More ›

Campaign Finance Backwater

Editors’ Note: Reposted from the Virginia Mercury, March 7, 2022. https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/03/07/by-allowing-political-cash-for-personal-use-virginia-remains-a-campaign-finance-backwater/. By Bob Lewis  Virginia’s General Assembly has always set a low bar for campaign finance accountability. And every winter, our legislators fail to clear even that. The way the… Read More ›

Decency, Decorum Die

1 Decency and decorum are essentially interchangeable, or at least essential companions. That character or quality within society will thrive in the absence of conflicts or poverty, which otherwise tend to excite human behavior. Since the end of the Korean… Read More ›

Truth or Consequences

Truth or Consequences is a town and county seat of Sierra County in New Mexico, adopting its name from the popular radio show of the same name. The city changed its name from Hot Springs to Truth or Consequences as… Read More ›

Money Honey Pot

Editors’ Note: Reposted with permission from Bacon’s Rebellion, Feb. 26, 2022 [https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/dominions-meddling-in-governors-race-more-despicable-than-originally-thought/]. Original title: Dominion’s Meddling in Governor’s Race More Despicable than Originally Thought. We also note, related to this article, that former Del. Hala Ayala, candidate for lieutenant governor last… Read More ›