Welcome To The Truth
Political discourse certainly has a lot going for it in the age of modern communication. At least there are a lot of ways to disseminate such information — the Internet and its main features, the Web and what you are reading now, a blog.
What it doesn’t have going for it is civility or even accuracy. Not that modern technology was necessary to inculcate deceit into the dialogue as truth — the dissemblers of truth did well enough at that in their day even prior to Gutenburg’s press; then used that invention and, later, Marconi’s transmissions and subsequent communication improvements as unwitting weapons. Technology just makes it possible to produce words at an overwhelmingly furious pace and at levels of saturation — and if it’s out there, it must be true.
A vigorous debate is one thing. Name calling, unfortunate as it is, has become a staple. But purposeful distortion is new. We have seen in recent weeks words public figures have said not just taken out of context, but purposefully redefined.
It’s as if to say, “I know what you said, but this is what your words will mean.” This is one step beyond their previous tactical highwater mark — the redefinition of their own words, such as when the largest tax increase in Virginia was called “tax reform” and a looming record budget surplus actually was a “deficit.”
We also have seen denial of fact: More federal tax receipts are in, yet supply side marginal tax rate reductions “do not work” — though it has happened in the 1960s, the 1980s and, now, in this new century.
This is truly white is black and black is white. The left has succeeded. They have brought Orwellian Newspeak to its Amerika.
Perhaps not yet. One thing this blog will tenaciously monitor is the political language and discourse, and dynamically and forcefully provide the truth.
This blog will not be all about horse-race politics, the good capitol square gossip, and who’s up and who’s down. It will be about issues, ideas, what is right and just, the truth and what it all means. It will be about — and on — a higher plane. It will be principled and fun.
As Edmund Burke wrote, “A very great part of the mischiefs in this world arises from words.” Although this new medium has been appropriated by some to abet that mischief, it can also bring clarity, expose lies and repair the deconstruction of fact.
Stay tuned — and welcome . . . to the truth.
Family Foundation….way to go! Welcome to the blog family. We need your thoughts and ideas on how we as pro-family Virginia voters can work together to protect our families and make our Commonwealth a better place!!
Fabulous!
Maybe Victoria will visit our blog and respond to my post.
This is great news. I wish we could look to our traditional media outlets for discussion of ideas. It should not be possible to dismiss as ‘anti-tax fanatics’ those who want to challenge ever increasing bureaucracy and the fact that the state collects more and more but cannot seem to lock resources into basic services. Then we see legislators creating panic legislation to raise taxes yet again. No one seems to want to look at the big picture. An open forum like this is a welcome addition to the blogosphere!
Government needs to be kept to its constitutionally mandated functions. It should not replace or usurp parental rights and religious liberties that have been recognized for over 200 years. Simple things like recognizing the unique institution of marriage shouldn’t be misconstrued as a restriction on anyone’s liberties. Yet we live in a world where the discussion is ever more defined by the terminology of modern liberalism. A crime is now defined more by the behaviors of the victim than the intent of the criminal.
William Wilberforce had his work cut out for him when he undertook the abolition of slavery and “the reformation of manners.” We do too! If his reforms took over forty years to achieve, should we expect any less of a struggle? I wish this forum a healthy and vigorous beginning toward meeting such goals!
G-d Bless!
“Government needs to be kept to its constitutionally mandated functions. It should not replace or usurp parental rights and religious liberties that have been recognized for over 200 years.”
With all due respect, this statement is inconsistent for someone who would support the totalitarian Family Foundation, who seems to think it’s the State’s job to restrict an abused women’s right to divorce her husband or restrict a husband’s right to terminate his marriage to an unfaithful wife. (HB2798) Apparently these aren’t matters that are best left to the individuals involved to sort out accordingly.
And on top of that, by ‘anti-tax fanatics’ you must have meant ‘anti-taxes that don’t support our pet causes fanatics’, seeing as the Family Foundation wishes to see taxpayers fund marriage counseling or ‘marriage education intervention’ at the barrel of a gun.
to Braden,
Taxes are collected by governments from each citizen. These taxes can be voluntary (democratic ideal) determined or mandated (totalitarian reality). They can be for specified limited constitutional purposes or extracted without limitations. The Family Foundation has been trying to make sure the state government exercises its taxing power within the limits of the state constitution and for purposes that promote the general welfare. Using state funds to help lower the 50% divorce rates will promote the common good. Divorce will ruin folks economically, scar their children emotionally, and disrupt the socially cohesive structure of the family upon which a civil society depends.
No one mentioned any guns but you. Specifying expenditure of our tax money to study whether the state can help couples avoid coming to a rupture in their marriage seems well within the constitutional function of the state. No one is arguing that divorce can be eliminated only that the state has an interest in trying to help encourage marital success. Does this seem unreasonable to you?
I am so pleased to see this. May God use it to educate all of us.
Welcome to blogging Family Foundation!
On to politics that affect us all:
The First Congressional District of VA recently suffered a loss of our Congresswoman, Jo Ann Davis to breast cancer. Though her faithful husband is running for her seat in a special election this December, and people do like him and support his dedication, he does not have the experience and record of proven achievements that would best suit and represent the district through a tough election battle that is likely to ensue from the liberals.
Many candidates are considering running for this seat including an outstanding individual, Col. Richard Black, formerly of the 32nd House of Delegates of VA for about 7-8 years. If you’re someone who is following this race, I urge you to get to know Dick Black if you don’t already know of his trend-setting approach to conservative policy making that made him nationally known.
His website is http://www.black2007.com and he has a record of accomplishments a mile long. Equally as important, he’s willing to serve us in the 1st District of the US Congress as our Federal Congressman!
We’ve lost many great leaders this past year to either retirement, election defeats or deaths, and we need to hold on to every seat we can to weather this storm.
Please support Col. Richard Black for congress in the special election on December 11, 2007.
Let me see here… the Family Foundation is ‘totalitarian’ for desiring to protect traditional institutions, such as marriage, from social engineering, but those who would rewrite our moral fabric beginning with kindergarten [correction -- now preschool] are not?
Mind Games in a World of Images, a talk by Ravi Zacharias gives one a lot to think about. How has our image driven culture changed the face of how we perceive arguments about truth?
Correction, former Delegate Col. Richard Black’s web site is:
http://www.blackout2005.com/
He lost his re-election bid in Loudoun by a wide margin for good reasons, including name-calling (he referred to his opponent as “poison”) and purposeful distortion which you can find by searching for the name “Dick Black” on our blog.
Let the “games” begin! This could be and should be a good forum for the expression of ideas if people will stick to issues and avoid “bashing” and all the ugly it brings with it.
I am proud to be working for Dick Black’s campaign for the VA 1st Congressional District. I must admit that I hate politics, because most of it is so phony, just a power game for points. However, I come out of hiding whenever Dick Black moves into position. I have never known another man who takes on harder issues, continually fighting for the nation and the family. This is a military man who never backs down.
I agree with Patricia, I hate politics too and “I come out of hiding whenever Dick Black moves into position”.
Here are the results of the search for “Dick Black” on the Equality Loudoun site. God truly blessed David and I when he advised us to choose Loudoun as the home for our family.
The above search returns many pages. An honest review of Dick Black’s legacy will reveal that his sinful behavior continues to influence Loudoun candidates today.
Study his record, seek truth, pray for justice and vote for Godly representation.
I would like to know what people are thinking concerning the 24th Senate District race. As you know, we have incumbent Emmet Hanger being challenged by Democrat David Cox and Libertarian Arin Sime. Normally it would be a simple decision, and conventional wisdom says that Mr. Hanger will prevail, but it is worth noting that Arin Sime has a pretty strong platform.
When it comes to limited government, Sime has the clearest vision.He would oppose tax increases like the recent one and favors fiscal accountability for state agencies. He also favors school choice, and generally favors empowering families to make their own school decisions. His thoughts on limiting property tax rates to a percentage based on value at transfer make a lot of sense for people trying to keep the family farm and older folks trying to stay in their house.
He is also pro-life. This is a non-negotiable issue with me, as it is for a lot of us.
Where I do differ with Mr. Sime is on support for the Marriage Amendment [I supported it, he didn’t], which may be a non-issue as it is already passed. In a world where the church was able to speak strongly into the culture I would actually prefer less legislation. Still, we live in a world where secular humanism has free access and concepts such as ‘abstinence’ become ‘religious in nature’ and are thus banned. It is worth noting that we did fine without a Marriage Amendment for many years, but now we face pressure from a vociferous few to redefine basic human institutions.
I supported Scott Sayre in the primary as you might have guessed. We showed strong but did not win. We got 47% of the vote, so I see that the issue of limited government is important to a lot of people. I’m glad someone is still in the race who believes in limited government and personal responsibility. Hopefully some good discussion will follow!
So YOU pick on a decorated war hero with inuendo and malice when the man has done more for Virginia and America than you’ll ever do? I never heard of the guy before so I had nothing to bias my opinion of him, but I went to your hate-site and sifted through the mindless accusations and assumptions until I got some facts which I searched to verify, and all I found was GREAT things about Dick Black (assuming he’s the same guy as Col Richard Black). This leads me to a scientific conclusion that you are not only a petty fire starter, but also a liberal whiner with nothing productive to say as usual. Perhaps you should hang out with Tim Kaine and some homeosexual illegal aliens instead of reading a family blog?
I know the workings of Dick Black very well. We have shared a County for over a decade. All I can say to you is run away, run as far away as you can. This man was the most ineffective representative Loudoun County ever saw. He brought disgrace to our community more than once.
Educate yourselves and look very closely at this man’s record. There is a lot more there than what his website lies wil tell you.
On a positive note if this rumor is true, Loudoun will be celebrating the fact that Dick Black was run out of town by reasonable voters.
I am not kidding, and I am not being political.
He got re-elected 4 times, all with primaries, so he must be liked by someone in Loudon. It’s not his fault the county is turning liberal (among other foreign nationalities) as fast as Fairfax. Be glad he’s gone if you want, but the 1st District seems happy to have him.
Let me put it this way, Dick Black belongs in a political predators database. Some may embrace his views, but for me he was absolutely pathetic at getting anything accomplished. His greatest accomplishment was establishing himself as the biggest buffoon in Richmond. It’s your district, but I would warn everyone to look at him very closely before supporting him. Look beyond his campaign rhetoric. Rhetoric like him saying that Loudoun turned to Democratic for him.
OR YOU COLD LOOK TO HIS RECORD FOR FACTS:
Serving the Commonwealth:
Most Conservative member of the General Assembly for 8 years
Member, Committees on Courts, Transportation, Education, and Elections
Helped elect over 30 Public Officials to House, Senate and Local Offices
Helped Defeat the 2003 Sales Tax Referendum in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia
Helped Elect 3 Delegates in 1st Congressional District
Pro-Family Legislation Passed
Parental Consent Required for Minor’s Abortion
Firearms Preemption Bill [Voided local gun controls]
Prohibited Discrimination against Boy Scouts in Public Schools
Made in the USA Bill (No More Nat’l Guard Medals Made in China)
Internet Filters Required in Schools
Ban Partial Birth Abortion (Principal cosponsor with Delegate Marshall)
Choose Life License Plate (Vetoed by Gov. Warner)
Marriage Amendment (formulated concept with Delegate Marshall)
Struck Down 21-Year Ban on Concealed Carry in Parks by Atty. General’s Opin.
Chaired Subcommittee that Crafted Legislation Denying Drivers Licenses to Illegal Aliens
Tightened Bail for Sexual Predators
Other Legislation Passed
Legislation Providing $200 Million to Build Six Highway Interchanges and Create the Rt. 28 Freeway
Law Empowering School Resource Officers to Maintain Order and Safety in Our Schools
Twice Enacted Increases in the Property Tax Exemption for Elderly and Disabled
Obtained Tax Exemption for Air Force Retired Officers’ Community
Expanded Heart and Lung Provisions of Workers’ Comp to Cover More Police
Awards & Ratings:
100% Rating: National Assn. of Independent Business
100% Rating: Family Foundation
100% Rating: Fairfax County Taxpayers Association
A+ Rating: National Rifle Association
National Right to Work: America’s Top Legislator of the Year, 2003
Family Foundation: Northern Virginia Legislator of the Year, 2003
Christian Coalition: Chairman, Northern Virginia 1993-95
Brent Society: Distinguished Legislator of 2006–“for constant and courageous defense of innocent human life, the sanctity of marriage, and the traditional family.”
Church of the Valley: American Eagle Award for 2007–”for bold defense of family values.”
Tax Payers Pledge: Signed it and kept it. Delegate Black never voted for a single tax in eight years.
Military awards include:
Purple Heart, three Legions of Merit, 13 Air Medals, Two Presidential Unit Citations and the Naval Aviator’s Wings of Gold.
Career History:
President, Highmark LLC; and Senior Consultant, Capitol Link
Elected to four terms in the House of Delegates (8 years)
Partner, Law Firm of Taylor, Horbaly and Black
US Army Judge Advocate Attorney
Attorney, Private Practice
US Marine Officer and Pilot
Construction Estimator
Factory Worker
Education:
J.D. in Law, University of Florida (Licensed to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court)
BSBS in Accounting (Honors), University of Florida
Nine Month Postgraduate Legal Studies, TJAGSA, University of Virginia Campus
Army War College
Family:
Married to Wife Barbara for 39 Years
Three Children, Six Grandchildren
Son-in-Law is Member, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (His father is a former U.S. Congressman)
Serving Our Country–Military
Rose from Private to Colonel
21 year-old lieutenant and pilot
269 combat helicopter missions
Rescued Medal of Honor winner Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie Howard and his men under withering enemy attack by a battalion of Viet Cong. One chopper was shot down and its pilot killed during the rescue.
Crash landed at Chu Lai after machine gun fire cut helicopter rudder cable.
Returned from four different missions with bullet holes in the chopper
As a Forward Air Controller, fought in ground combat with the 1st Marine Regiment
70 combat patrols, many at night behind enemy lines
Was wounded in an assault against enemy positions
After enemy platoon captured the end of his ridgeline, Lt. Black accompanied the 1st platoon silently through enemy lines at night. By dawn, the platoon had recaptured the ridge.
Black always fought in the front. Was struck in his flak vest by flying bomb shrapnel while directing close air attacks on enemy positions.
Wounded in battle (The only Member of the General Assembly holding a Purple Heart Medal).
Military Positions Held:
Fire Team Leader
Combat Pilot, H-34 Helicopters
Flight Instructor, H-46 Helicopters
Acting Platoon Commander in combat after other officers were killed
Marine Company Commander
Battalion Logistics Officer
Lead Prosecuting Attorney (JAG Corps)
Chief Defense Counsel
Chief of Criminal Law Division
Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in charge of five legal offices in three European countries
Top legal official at three installations—supervised up to 40 attorneys
Pentagon, Chief of the Criminal Law Division, Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Army
Headed the Army’s Criminal Law Division at the Pentagon.
Developed Executive Orders for the President’s signature, and
laws that were enacted by Congress.
Advised senior government officials on issues of national significance.
Testified before the U.S. Congress on several topics, including Victims’ Rights, weapons smuggling, and the Haitian intervention.
Yeah the 1st district would certainly fall apart if Dick Black were the Congressman. Jo Ann Davis was a great patriot and a great Republican, and she accomplished all that she did having only been a Realtor before getting in to politics.
A —PROVEN— leader like Black can get even more done to help save our contry from invaders and self-destruction as advocated from know-nothings like “BlackOut”.
sorry for the typo= I obviously meant “country” at the end.
Supporters of Dick Black may want to open their Bibles and review the difference between a “witness” and an “observer”. As a long time resident of Loudoun, I’ve witnessed the untruths told by Dick Black first hand. I know they were untruths because he was speaking about me, my family, my friends and my community. There is no more powerful witness of the things known between God and me, than me. I speak only truth so far as I know it, and will retract any statement where it can be shown that I’ve spoken untruth.
I will pray for the writers on this forum, that they will look at their own sins and stop the name calling. If people object to the “BlackOut” web site, they should relay those objections to Dick Black himself. The damaging material is compiled from Dick Black’s own words. Please counsel him and open your hearts to the truth.
FTR,
Nice cut and paste job from Dick Black’s tired ole website. A website that hasn’t changed in four years. Each one of those items has another side to it. Voters of D1 are going to have to figure this out for themselves, but should consider themselves forewarned. It took Loudoun four election cycles to figure out that Dick Black has a delusional practice of hyperbole.
Are you planning to host broadcasts of the “values voters” summit at any Loudoun churches? If so, please provide information. I’m interested in watching the dialogue between Jim Wallis and Richard Land and would like to do so in community with more conservative citizens.
TAKE THE BLINDERS FROM YOUR EYES!!!
With Congress rating at 11%, there is a “Doctor in the House”! He will cure America’s IMPERIALIST & other SICK policies – nearly 4000 troops killed in Iraq; 10’s of thousands of wounded & those with PTSD; 1,000,000+ Iraqi civilian killed; 4,000,000 Iraqi refugees; US borders overrun; rapidly depreciating $$$; collapsing housing market, etc. DR. RON PAUL (10 term Congressman) will cure America’s ills. Consider his living of FAMILY VALUES – 50 years SAME wife; delivered 4000+ babies; 3 of 5 children are MD’s, 2 brothers are Ministers; believes in and works for the JUST WAR doctrine etc. Go to Google or http://www.ronpaul.meetup.com to read about his prescription for US.
God bless America – we certainly need it!