under the Congressional letterhead, might he have broken some rules/laws there? Institutionalized bigotry, anyone?

I think we need to talk this up even more to make sure the perception of him is injured.

Thanks for linking me, btw. Didn't want to step on your posts with one of my own.

I doubt there's any rules on sending out stupid thoughts on that letterhead.

The new Republican Party of Virginia Logo shall be:

Republicans

"Brown People Scare Us...and should scare you too"

Seems Jim pulled it... I wonder why?

"...must delete article lest I damage my party with my honesty..."

Through out the 2006 election I constently ask RK supporters from across VA to help get rid of this jerk, but the Democrats only showed up in 3 of the counties in the 5th District. Sure they showed up in other counties but in low numbers. I constantly heard Virgil cannot be beat in the southside, so I guess they decided not to show up to vote.
I certainly thank Webb, Warner, Kaine, Deeds,Grissom for all their help in the 5th and Al Weed for running against Virgil, they did their jobs. That is for sure. Thanks to all other Democrats who did show up(Hope I did not forget anyone).

Now it is up to the new congress to push for the answers, but who really cares about 1 lowly congressman in the 5th District.

Maybe you all do care since you are bashing him now, better late then never. Heck I am all for a special election in the 5th. Get him and take him down. His record or should I say none record says he has to go.

We were a lonely bunch down at Al Weed headquarters...all the discussion was about "what a loser" Al was.  Al was a great candidate, but we got very little help, financially or otherwise.  The CW was "Virgil's unbeatable" and nobody made any effort to do more than criticize.  The local Webb people were more than happy to use our help, but did not reciprocate; I know I spent as much time plugging Webb as I did Al when phone-banking (and that was true for everyone I observed in the office), but the calls left on my home machine by Webb people didn't mention Al. 

I gather RK was busy pushing Jim Webb too - something I think was great - it would have been nice if there had been as much on RK about Weed/Goode as there was about the Drake/Kellam race, among others. 

I'm really sorry this just came out now...about two months too late.  Perhaps if it had come in July when the MZM stuff was in the news a bit more, and Al looked to be doing better, it might have helped.  Certainly anything to put Al's name out there would have helped. 

There is no doubt ole Virgil was showing his "true colors" and playing to the home crowd for the vast majority of the 5th.  The reality is, maccacca moment or no, this will help him more in the 5th than it hurts him - just as Allen's comments were applauded by the live audience he was addressing.  Unfortunately, Charlottesville, Albemarle and Nelson can't hope to tip the balance for the 5th the way that NoVA can for the state.  We must re-take the State legislature by 2010 so that we have the opportunity to undo one of the most egregious gerrymanders in the whole state. 

So I'll be brief.

I volunteered at Webb HQ, and beg to differ with you assessment. 

As for RK, there's only so many different ways you can write combinations of 1) MZM, 2) do-nothing.

If you wanted to see more on RK about Weed/ Goode, why didn't you diary it? I would have loved to see it.  I would really have loved to have seen another voice speaking up.  I would have loved to see someone explain what the fuck the problems are down here and have it connect somehow.  I couldn't do it. Neither could Mark.  Partly, because THERE IS NO STORY when the incumbent doesn't engage!

You've got at least FOUR RK posters who stood up with Al down in Bedford, Don filmed it and we all wrote about it. 

And there's more to this than playing to the home team.  That's a different story.

I'm not picking on you, Mont.  I am most furious with myself and my own ineffectiveness.

And going forward: same team, dammit.

Downstream Republicans need to come forth with their viewpoint on this letter.  That we can agree on I hope.

I should have diaried more here about Al's race - I wasn't down at Webb HQ, so I can't really speak to that, but it was the perception of a number of people in our group and not just mine.  My answering machine is but one data point, but others reported about the same results.

I am not particularly playing the blame game - I am just unhappy that it takes this kind of gaffe to get some attention - Virgil is really a turkey of the first order, and he clearly was concerned - he worked harder than he has in the past two elections. 

I do agree about downstream Republicans needing to come forth - I guarantee they won't unless this becomes a sustained media story at the national level.  I definitely agree on working for the same team going forward.  I did my best to plug Jim Webb at least as hard as Al - sadly, most of the GOPers and 'independents' (comatose is more like it) I talked to were not even aware who their congresscritter is, but had heard (after the incident) of Jim at least. 

I'm sorry to say it. Not saying it wasn't. We need to change that.

And selfishly, it is very painful to see this happening now. I can't describe it. Anyway tomorrow Bell and Deeds will be at UVA.  I can't remember who else, but it's at lunch time, so I'm going.

Will Virgil be there? I doubt it.

you were just talking to one person about posting on RK about Al Weed. I had many posts about Al and very seldom did I ever get any comments. Usually I got 1 or 2 from Mark and you. Some times I got negative comments from other areas of the state, but most of the time there were not any comments.

Now I take responsibilty that maybe I don't know how to post to get others interested, but I felt I got no help. I heard more from the Weed campaign for the effort, but they felt it was inappropriate from some one from the campaign headquarter's to post or comment on RK.

As you say ineffectiveness or the feeling, kicks a person in the fanny, but they just keep plugging along for a good cause. Al Weed was a good cause and a good candidate.

Go down 29 to the antique stores. You can get a copy of Little Black Sambo from under the counter for $145.00.  You can get a genuine BALL AND CHAIN from the slave days for $2500.  You can get more Jim Crow memorabilia than you can shake a stick at.

Keep going down in Lynchburg.  You'll see a church with a sign lit up with spotlights and draped with flags: Marriage amendment. Passed by God. Gen. xxx whatever.

What the heck. Same church right after the presidential election had a blurb up about God speaking from the BUSH. That's right.

And I felt like an idiot going on about this sign at the dumpster for nearly 2 years (the sign was just across the line in the 6th and is down now). http://www.skatha.co...

That web site in the bottom of the photo is run by the Judge Moore folks.

And I wrote about these theocrat neighbors - who don't think we need jails because stoning is the way to go.
http://www.hisglory....

They are the ones who put up that giant sign in Madison Heights.

Those are just the public signs out there for all to see.  Just listen to what's on our talk radio because they don't play that stuff all over the state. When I read about what goes on in the rest of the state, I wonder if we are on the same planet. And I swear if it weren't for concern about local SUFFRAGE I wouldn't be here right now.

I asked myself this.  Would I feel comfortable voting at my polling place if I were an African American?

NO. I wouldn't. And now this time we stand out there listening to queer jokes. Was that comfortable? NO.

I only have had one close Muslim friend in my life. I cared for him deeply like a son. This is all so painful on many different levels. He is truly one of the kindest most gentle people I have ever known.

That's what really matters - people living their lives day in and day out and being treated decently and with respect - or not. So why does it take some half crazy Jerry Springer antics to see what's going on?

Diaries shmiaries - just look at what all you did offline, too. So, no, I'm not talking about you, and I'm not talking about Montpelier. I just wish we'd try a little harder to listen to each other and not be so quick to judge. And right now I just don't care what pundits and mandarins safely removed from all of this spout in their contest to be the most horrified and outraged in their contest to say the most clever thing.

Meanwhile, we have Virgil and we have the marriage amendment.

I understand and identify with your frustration completely. I too am disappointed about the election and this shit-for-brains that was re-elected as our Congressman.

We are looked at now with the disdain of a nation, wondering what kind of people would elect such a person to office.

By the way, the dumpster picture doesn't come up for me.

I hope I get to talk with you before the Holidays, to tell you how much you mean to me as a friend and political sounding board. I have learned much from you, and I am more whole for having met you.

Gordie, the same goes for you. I think your activism is just terrific. I was proud to stand with both of you in Bedford, and I would do what I could to help either one of you.

Sorry for the emotionality.

slow loader.

http://www.skatha.co...

not to worry about emotionality when it comes to that experience.

Amy Goodman read the "Goode" story on Democracy Now
12/20/06. Transcripts are usually posted later in the day:
www.democracynow.org

Virgil Goode is fanning the flames of fear...based on his own fears. 

Peace on Earth..Goodwill to ALL