Dems urge McDonnell to come back to reality on economic recovery

AFP

The Democratic Party of Virginia today urged Bob McDonnell to focus on his job as governor and less on making tortured and patently absurd efforts to explain the nationwide economic recovery as anything other than a reflection on President Barack Obama’s strong leadership. On Sunday Bob McDonnell went on CNN’s State of the Union and…

Ken Plum: Repeat of a sordid history

Ken Plum

The Virginia General Assembly may be about to repeat an unfortunate chapter of its history by passing bills that will have the effect of suppressing voter participation.  Although the bills are justified by the proponents as preventing voter fraud, no examples of voter wrongdoing have been shown. At the turn of the 20th century Virginians…

Bridgewater College Coming Events: February 2012

AFP

Wednesday, Feb. 1 Convocation: 7:30 p.m., Cole Hall, Bridgewater College Speaker: Leilani Münter – race car driver and eco-activist – is a professed vegetarian who calls herself Carbon Free Girl. She utilizes her racing as a platform for promoting energy and eco-friendly projects. Sponsored by the Anna B. Mow Endowed Lecture Series Free and open…

David Reynolds: Poverty-A moving target

David Reynolds

Why does society’s well intended aim keeps missing the poverty mark? Because folks move in and out of poverty far more than we realize. Yet, whenever we hear the word “poverty” we picture a permanent underclass, a group of victims with a crippling disease. So we crank up our personal quilt machine and donate time…

AXIS residency at JMU focuses on disability in dance

AFP

The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in cooperation with various constituencies at James Madison University will host AXIS Dance Company, one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities, for a five-day residency Jan. 17-21. During its residency, AXIS will conduct master classes for JMU students and interactive…

Folic acid vital for health pregnancy and preventing some cancers

AFP

During National Folic Acid Awareness week, Jan. 8–Jan. 14, RMH reminds women of the importance of taking vitamins containing folic acid before, during and after pregnancy. Studies have shown that women who take an over-the-counter multivitamin containing folic acid can decrease the chance of birth defects by as much as 70 percent. “It’s really important…

Pam Solo and Grant Smith: Solyndra and the real risk to American taxpayers

AFP

The bankruptcy of Solyndra, a solar company that received a federal loan guarantee, has made the front page because of charges of cronyism. But among the biggest risks to taxpayers, who underwrite federal loan guarantees, isn’t renewable energy. It is nuclear power. The Department of Energy declared its intent to conditionally issue a loan guarantee…