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Annotations & Elucidations

Ashcroft Envy?

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has reminded us of a move by then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in 2002, who had the topless female Spirit of Justice statue covered in the Great Hall of the Department of Justice. In Mr. Cuccinelli’s case, he wanted to issue a new lapel pin with a modified Seal of the Commonwealth, which features an exposed breast of the Roman goddess Virtus, that would be fully clothed. He said it is a replica of an old version of the seal. Knowing the AG’s love of history, that must be true. Yet, the ensuing media racket persuaded him to revert to the standard issue. Unsurprisingly, the same people who have created this disproportionate distraction over this incredibly minor deal are the same ones hammering him for “distracting and frivolous” actions fighting the EPA and ObamaCare, though that is what he is sworn to do — uphold Virginia law. But blowing up minutia to cover for a lack of substance is never a consideration for the left.

In the News: The prayer State Police Chaplain prayer policy continues to make news, even nationally, and we’re along for the ride in the three of the first four links below. The AG makes headlines for other reasons, as well. He has a 100-day review in the Richmond Times-Dispatch (where you’ll find more Family Foundation quotes) and he’s made more national headlines requesting — under Virginia law — documents from a former U.Va. professor who may have been involved in deceptive “science” and defrauded the commonwealth out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money.

In Analysis, Erica Werner of the AP may not have a job tomorrow after the White House reads her piece documenting what it says about its actions on the Gulf oil spill aren’t exactly the truth. Also, according to the AP, as many as 80 Dem Congressional seats now are in play; and Marc Thiessen reports that Senator Jim Demint (R-S.C.) is leading a conservative revolution in GOP Senate primaries. In Commentary, it’s Larry Kudlow on money and Star Parker on Life. If that doesn’t sum it up, nothing does.

News

*McDonnell strikes a balance, conservatives rethink support (Washington Post)

*Virginia’s new policy on prayer policy (Newsweek/Washington Post)

*Va. governor lifts ban on police chaplains’ sectarian prayers (Associated Baptist Press)

*Cuccinelli draws praise, derision (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State attorney general demands ex-professor’s files from University of Virginia (Washington Post)

Cuccinelli goes for a more modest version of the state seal (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

AG Cuccinelli drops new lapel pin to get away from distractions . . . (The Shad Plank Blog)

Cuccinelli ditches lapel pin with altered Virginia seal (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cuccinelli yanks lapel pin with breast-plate-covered goddess (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Franklin County activist to head 5th District GOP (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Independent says he would run if Hurt on ballot in 5th District (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National News

Attorneys agree to block on Oklahoma abortion law (Washington Post)

Union: Va. Firm’s Ads chiding Ark. Senate candidate ‘racist’ (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Report: Congress makes too many vague laws (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Dobson changes mind, endorses Paul for Ky. Senate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Virginia Attorney General goes after Mann and UVA (Anthony Watts/Watts Up With That? Blog)

Leading the charge for GOP insurgents (Marc A. Thiessen/Washington Post)

SPIN METER: There since Day One? Maybe not (Erica Werner/AP/GOPUSA.com)

GOP expands political playing field; Dems slipping (Liz Sidoti/AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

The Left Loses Its Way by Abandoning ‘Third Way’ (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

The NAACP and Abortion Politics (Star Parker/TownHall.com)

Race and Resentment (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Obamacon Doves vs. Hard-Money Heartland Hawks (Larry Kudlow/GOPUSA.com)

‘Government is Us’ (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

You have to love when politicians eat their own words. But is there anyone who eats them as frequently — and obviously — as the 44th President of the United States? Or should that be obliviously? Because he sure doesn’t seem to care, or think we’re paying attention. But it is very much all about him (see David Limbaugh at townhall.com) as this fantastic video from our friends at Americans For Prosperity demonstrates.

No way. It’s not about me. Especially when it comes to taking blame and responsibilty! Never. Not about me, no sir!

We’re back! We hope all of you had and enjoyed some time off and had a blessed Christmas with time together with friends, family and the Lord. Here’s today’s News:

Will online politics lurch right as Obama takes power? (The Daily Press)

McAuliffe’s Prowess As Fundraiser Grabs Spotlight in Va. Race (Washington Post) 

Kaine Relative Eyed for U.S. Attorney Job (Washington Post) 

GOP Aiming to Plant Seeds of Its Resurgence in Va. Governor’s Race (Washington Post) 

Editorial Comic:

“Change This Spare And You’re Back In The Race” (Henry Payne, TownHall.com)

The communications department had a “business trip” today in the northern reaches of the commonwealth — there are conservatives up there? — so we don’t have much of a News Stand today. However, what I have found is good. So, herewith, with some comments by me, is today’s News Stand:

News:

Group seeks more recorded votes (This is very interesting to note. Conservatives are split on the issue of recorded House of Delegates sub-committee votes. Some like the idea of killing of bills quickly and quietly, while others preach the good government/open, transparent government reform mantra. It cuts both ways: Neither side likes to go on the record when they can help it.) (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Election 2009: Governor’s Race Is Wide Open In Virginia (Polling from Rasmussen shows it tight from the get-go. Also, interesting numbers on various issues, including that Virginians are not dying for a tax increase for transportation.) (Rasmussenreports.com)

Opinion:

The Democratic Culture Of Corruption (From Michelle Malkin. I’ve been waiting for someone to write about this, and I still may. By the way, she left off her list Eliot Spitzer — prostitution; Senators Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad — Countrywide loan scandal; Representative Robert Wexler, who had no home in the Florida district he represents until recently; and Representative Tim Mahoney — who tried to use government money to keep his mistress quiet; among others.) (GOPUSA.com)

The Friday Line: Ten Republicans To Watch (From Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post blog The Fix. He notes 10 Republican rising stars who may make it big nationally. Two are Virginians, House Republican Whip-Elect Eric Cantor, from the 7th Congressional District, and Attorney General Bob McDonnell, seeking the governor’s mansion. Additional interesting picks are two governors Virginia conservatives like very much: South Carolina’s Mark Sanford and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal. Those not on the list include Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.) (The Fix/WashingtonPost.com)

Editorial Comics:

“Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Bar Codes” (Steve Breen, Townhall.com)  

“Obama Prepares To Part The Red Sea” (Chuck Asay, Townhall.com)  

“Having Solved The Affordable Housing Problem Congress . . . “ (Chuck Asay, Townhall.com)  

The birth control pill, from its conception — uhhhhhhhhhh, pardon the ironic word choice — has met with debate, with feminists claiming it as women’s great liberator. However, it’s taken near environmental catastrophe to one of America’s most beloved marine friends (and gastronomical delights), the Largemouth Bass, and one of our most beautiful and historic waterways, the Potomac River, to re-ignite the debate. But the debate isn’t between opposing interest groups or political factions. It’s between liberals.

Not exactly all liberals. Just the environmentalist and feminist types.  

A column by Kathryn Jean Lopez at TownHall.com elaborates (to read it,click here). Her source for exposing this liberal predicament is Iain Murray’s book The Really Inconvenient Truths: Seven Environmental Catastrophes Liberals Don’t Want You to Know About — Because They Helped Cause Them. 

It appears that estrogen and hormone pollution, from birth control and abortion pills flushed into George Washington’s favorite river by sewage treatment plants, has affected the male Largemouth Bass. Affected in the sense that many are found to have eggs in their organs and other gender bending characteristics that prematurely kill the males and make the re-population of the species in the Potomac impossible. Their numbers have dropped dramatically to the great dismay of environmentalists, fishing enthusiasts, seafood lovers and meatless eaters throughout the mid-Atlantic.

Now this may be considered a victory of sorts for some in the radical feminist and “GLBT” communities, but at least humans who change their sex do it of their own choice. Picking on fish who have no voice — or should we say “choice”? — in the matter is, how the liberals say, “meanspirited.” Besides, woe be unto thou who makes mad an enviro. You may find one chained to your medicine cabinet — or toilet.