Over at Sic Semper Tyrannus, Virginia's self-described "ultimate blog" (is that like ultimate frisbee? cool!), they've got a piece entitled "Strong Work RaisingKaine." Of course, they don't REALLY think much of the work we do here, especially our jabs at the Kilgore family for running a little political machine down in Gate City. They even wonder if I could find Gate City, which of course is easy with the help of our friends at Mapquest.Turns out that to get to Gate City from Arlington, you take I-66 about 65 miles to Vienna/Front Royal. Then, you go south 319.7 miles on I-81 toward Roanoke. After that, you take exit 57B and merge onto US-23 toward Kingsport, driving 15 miles. Finally, you make a slight right turn onto US-23 BR/US-421 BR/US-58 BR, drive 0.9 miles, and you're in Gate City. The question is, what do you do when you get there? Raise some Kaine, perhaps?
Speaking of "RaisingKaine," a reader named John K., also from Arlington (hey, maybe we should drive down to Gate City together and check it out!), asks whether "the title of [the RaisingKaine] website suggests that our name means that Mr. Kaine wishes to 'raise Cain's spirits," and also that we're "angry" like Cain in the Bible.
First, let me reiterate for the gazillionth time: RaisingKaine is a totally grassroots operation and has no connection whatsoever (zero, nada) to the Kaine campaign. Did I say "totally grassroots?" Just wanted to make sure.
Second, the dictionary defines the phrase "raise cain" as "to cause trouble and disturb others." Although the phrase's origin is indeed biblical, we at RaisingKaine, of course, are using it in its everday, normal, secular meaning, with no intended religious overtones (just like "jumpin jehosephat," "holy moses!" etc.). In other words, "RaisingKaine" is simply a fun play on words, the hope being to help "raise" Tim Kaine to the governor's mansion. In the process, of course, if we "disturb" or "trouble" the Kilgore campaign (i.e., make them worry a bit) politically, that's fine with us.
As far as Cain's crime is concerned - slaying his righteous brother Abel - I would remind you that Tim Kaine is the most "pro-life" individual, based on his strong Catholic religious convictions, in the Virginia governor's race this year. That's why Kaine personally opposes both abortion AND the death penalty - unlike Republican candidate Jerry Kilgore. (by the way, notice that God did not slay Abel for committing murder but instead sent him into exile? Hmmm...)
Also unlike Kilgore, Lt. Governor Kaine deeply respects the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, as he swore (on the Bible, we might add) to do. Thus, when Kaine drafted a constitutional amendment back in 2002 which would have BANNED partial birth abortion, he did so in a manner that would have withstood Supreme Court scrutiny. But, the Republican legislature apparently preferred to keep partial birth abortion as a political issue instead, and insisted on ommitting simple language protecting the mother's life and health. Talk about "angry" people -- for the far right wing, nothing's apparently ever good enough in this world.
Finally, I would like to point out that I never made fun of Debbi Kilgore for being a home ec teacher. Personally, I have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for teachers. What I made fun of in that article, if the satire was not crystal clear, was simply the high-falutin' name Gate City High School gives to home ec -- "Family and Consumer Science." What next, "Gastronomic and Culinary Science" for lunch break? "Psychological and Physiological Respite" for recess? Jumpin' Jehosephat!
Oh, and just to be absolutely clear on this subject, I did NOT intend to make fun of Debbi Kilgore personally (never met the woman, could be the nicest person in the world for all I know) . However, I DID intend to make fun of her description of the home ec class in question. In particular, I thought the part about teaching students useful life skills like "parliamentary procedure" in home ec class was pretty darned funny. I don't know, maybe things have changed since I took home ec during the 1970s, but when exactly did "parliamentary procedure" replace cooking and sewing in the home ec curriculum?
But, perhaps teaching "parliamentary procedure" in home ec class is considered critically important in Gate City, given that one of the town's cottage industries apparently involves churning out right wing Republican politicians with the last name "Kilgore?" To that, all we here at RaisingKaine have to say is "Holy Moses!"
It will be nice to see both Kilgores back in the private sector. Southwest Virginia will be a better place without either Kilgore in public office.
For too long, people there have believed that the Kilgores had their best interest at heart, and they now realize that this family has never delivered much. The county doesn't even have a full service restaurant or hotel.
I have been working on organizing the campaign of a fine gentleman who is planning to run against Terry. This guy has not even announced yet, but the hope that he will has generated a lot of local support.
Scott county is definitely making progress, and we just have to make sure the state doesn't back track by electing what we're trying to kick out down here.
As for Gate City and the rest of Scott County, its not entirely a "right-winged republican breeding ground." As a matter of fact, in the local elections of 2003, all seven republican memebers of the Scott County Board of Supervisors were replaced, and six out of the seven new members are honest, law abiding democrats. This was a big step in leading Gate City and Scott County out from underneath the corrupt power of the Kilgores, and into the hands of some individuals who can make a change, and care deeply for this wonderful area I call home.