He did the same thing last year with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

... I mean seriously, they did endorse a Democrat in 1977...

This seems like a good Christmas item.  Very good paper.

The reason America remains a free and united country (rather than another Yugoslavia) is because we still have people -- like Jim Webb, and Dan Radmacher of the Roanoke Times -- with the guts to speak truth to power and challenge demagogues like Bill O'Reilly. 

I hope we see more of Radmacher -- terrific stuff.

I had to stifle a laugh. Even I'll admit that the Roanoke Times has a heavy tilt to the left during election season, but they're pretty moderate as far as papers go. I love their commentary, and the editorial board has been insightful with regard to the problems and highlights that come with life in Roanoke and the NRV.

In all fairness though James, they did endorse Jim Webb and Al Weed. Not only that, they opposed the Marshall-Newman amendment in an area where it passed by an overwhelming majority.

I think James was referring to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, which I wouldn't describe as moderate.  See my comment that he was replying to.

Reflections on; "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"* by Ross Bagdasarian

Thanks so much, Rob, for this accurate, timely diary.  I can assure you that it is much appreciated by us "locals" here in the greater Roanoke Valley.  Until this morning, the whole "War on Christmas" controversy between Roanoke Times editorial page editor Dan Radmacher and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly was literally "news to me"! 

Coincidentally, interestingly and ironically enough, I was so busy - initially at my office and then taking care of purchasing, delivering and sending Christmas cards and gifts to co-workers, friends and relatives - that I didn't have time to respond to Radmacher's subsequent RT article of earlier today. 

As a result of the information and links that you have provided here, I have finally been able to thoroughly investigate and understand the whole issue as described in your diary above and can now comment on it. 

As a native Roanoker who has lived here for more than a half-century, was employed by the Roanoke Times as a route carrier at age 14 and as a route manager at age 19, I have the greatest affinity and respect for our "little" hometown newspaper.

In 1979, the Roanoke Times endorsed my candidacy when I ran as a long-shot independent for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors... and lost.  Thereafter, the RT has endorsed me every time I have run for public office - always as a Democrat - and, with their help and support, I have always won.  (There's a message in their somewhere...)

Likewise, while I was serving as a county supervisor, when the Roanoke Times did not approve of my positions on specific issues nor of my votes on certain items, the newspaper's editorial staff made their feelings and opinions abundantly apparent by soundly criticizing me on the newspaper's opinion page. 

Over the years, I have had many heated discussions and debates - and probably an equal number of pleasant conversations - with various Roanoke Times reporters, editors and publishers. 

During this time, one facet of the Roanoke Times has remained consistent and constant; the honesty and integrity of those same reporters, editors and publishers.  Editorial page editor Dan Radmacher and publisher Wendy Zomparelli are most certainly no exceptions to this rule, and I have a hard time believing that either one would hide under a desk from the likes of Bill O'Reilly.

For as long as I can remember, the Roanoke Times has endorsed various Democratic, Republican and independent candidates for public office.  Some of their most recent political endorsements at the state and federal levels have included Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Rick Boucher and Jim Webb. 

I suspect that the Roanoke Times endorsements of these Democrats have created most of O'Reilly's ire.  In other words, O'Reilly comes across as yet another poor loser amongst scores of them created by this year's elections.

Just imagine how O'Reilly might behave beginning a couple of weeks from now when we Democrats are the majority party in Congress and in the various governors' mansions.

Regardless, in the spirit of the season and with much gratitiude for all the free national and international attention and advertising of the Roanoke Times as provided by Mr. O'Reilly and company...

...and with proper acknowledgement (http://en.wikipedia....)  and all due respect to the late Ross Bagdasarian and his creation (as released by Liberty Records almost exactly 48 years ago on December 22, 1958):

*"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", I will close with this sincere request for you to please sing along with me as we serenade Mr. O'Reilly with a portion of that 1958 Billboard #1 hit tune while offering him this heartfelt admonition from Bagdasarian's "David Seville" and his three little singing, animated friends; "Alvin", "Simon" and "Theodore":

http://centripetalno...

"Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer... We've been good, but we can't last... Hurry, Christmas, hurry, fast... Want a plane that loops the loop... Me, I want a hoola hoop... We can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don't be late..."

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and best wishes for what promises to be a truly exciting, productive and prosperous new year... and beyond!

(Is it Christmas 2006 yet?  Will 2007 ever get hear?  I can hardly stand the wait...)

Thanks again!

Steve