Obscenity v. The First Amendment: Why the prosecution of X-rated films affects books

Chris Graham

Story by Matthew Warner What’s so horrible about porn other than the poor quality of most of it? And why should you care? ‘LITERARY OBSCENITY’ Watch out, you writers and purveyors of erotic horror and explicit romance. The folks here in my Bible Belt city of Staunton, Virginia, care quite a bit. Last summer, when…

Driver fees and the GOP

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Conservative activist John Taylor noted with interest the story in The Daily Progress about Central Virginia Republican Del. Bill Janis coming out in support of changes to the controversial abusive-driver fees that have had GOP lawmakers on the defensive the past couple of months. “Now it’s almost a daily event that…

Moving on transportation

David Cox

Column by David Cox First a $20 billion problem. Then the travesty of a bill that doesn’t solve the problem, but does include fees which judges, one by one, are voiding as unconstitutional. Now a bridge collapses in Minnesota, drawing all eyes to how well – or not – our bridges are maintained.

The Vick of the Valley

Chris Graham

Stop the Presses column by Chris Graham I’m a scofflaw – I admit it. I have a dog, and since I can’t remember whether or not I have a license for her, I’m guessing that means that I don’t. Which means, of course, that I’m subject to prosecution and exposed to a possible one-year jail…

The making of ‘Evan Almighty’

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham (Editor’s Note: This story was originally published May 1, 2006.) Months of anticipation were culminating in this one moment. “We’re rolling!” a member of the production crew shouted to the heavens. People gathered on the sidewalks of downtown Waynesboro buzzed at the beck and call. Something was about to go on…

Violence and our kids

AFP

The Top Story by Chris Graham Ours is a violent culture – and we’re not talking about the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles or New York City or some other urban enclave. Violence is in your living room – not to mention your child’s CD player or iPod or Xbox or Playstation2. From…