Monday, July 25, 2005Goolrick: The Odd CoupleJohn Goolrick. For folks in Fredericksburg, to be mentioned in the same sentence with him is a peculiar honor. Half-historian, half-reporter, there's probably not a better person to know and talk to when it comes to Virginia politics. In short I'm a fan, and what he writes I read with great attention. So naturally, when I see a column in the latest edition of Bacon's Rebellion, I couldn't help but take a look. With great precision, he comments on what many outsiders might remark as a strange friendship between Speaker Howell and Senator Chichester, and how such civility has been lost and forgotten by many today: As anyone who follows state politics knows, there is a huge intra-party fight going on in the Virginia Republican Party involving taxes and spending. Howell and Chichester are at the very eye of the storm and have quite differing opinions on the subject. As for me, I don't feel that I am the least bit under taxed, but when stuck in some horrendous traffic jam wonder where the money is going to come from to do something about all the congested roads.Ah, to be able to genuinely disagree and debate the merits of a political issue. . . Truth be told, the Howell/Chichester friendship is something I understand without a second thought. For a long time, I've been of the opinion that it's the hallmark of an open-minded person to be able to abstract ideas from individuals. I can think of a number of local Democrats I would much rather speak with than some of my fellow Republicans. I would like to think - however naively - that politics didn't always have to be a bloodsport, but perhaps I too am reminiscing of a day and discourse that is slipping away. Look at the way we eviscerate politicians that slip up, or how we prefer headlines (and blogs?) to an in-depth story. Goolrick's lament is right. May those days speedily return!
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JEFFERSONIAD POLL: Whom do you support for Virginia Attorney General?1) John Brownlee2) Ken Cuccinelli AboutShaunKenney.com is one of Virginia's oldest political blogs, focusing on the role of religion and politics in public life. Shaun Kenney, 30, lives in Fluvanna County, Virginia.ContactThe JeffersoniadArchivesMarch 2002 April 2002 May 2002 June 2002 July 2002 August 2002 September 2002 October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 April 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009
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