Allen talks up new jobs ‘blueprint’

AFP

Lower taxes, drilling and a balanced budget amendment – to George Allen, it’s a blueprint for economic rebirth; to his critics, it’s the boilerplate that sank the American economy during his term in the United States Senate. “The strength, skills and optimism of America’s workforce is our competitive advantage. By shedding the burdensome taxes that…

McDonnell pushes immigration enforcement

Chris Graham

On May 12, 2011, after months of delay and inaction by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, Gov. Bob McDonnell wrote Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting immediate approval of the Commonwealth’s application for the Virginia Department of State Police to be granted limited immigration enforcement authority under a 287(g) agreement,…

Kerry C. Kachejian: The dilemma over rebuilding the Middle East and North Africa

AFP

The “Arab Spring” that is sweeping the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is still running its course. Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and Iran have all showed signs of revolution – whether peaceful or not. And how should the US respond? Clearly, each country is unique and America’s approach needs to…

Jim Allsup: Life after a stroke

AFP

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time of the year when we reflect on the progress we’ve made in stroke prevention and recovery, and look for ways to continue improving stroke response in the future. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. experiences a stroke, which is the third-leading cause of death in the…

Bin Laden dead

AFP

International terrorist Osama Bin Laden was killed in a U.S. military operation in Pakistan on Sunday. Four others were killed in the operation, including a woman used by Bin Laden as a human shield. No U.S. personnel were hurt in the operation. Bin Laden was the mastermind of the terrorist attacks on the United States…

Gas prices stabilizing

Chris Graham

Prices at the gas pump have seen some stability after a tumultuous past few weeks, though at levels that are still uncomfortable for most. The national average price of regular grade gasoline was $3.56 Friday, up two cents from a week ago, 37 cents higher than month ago prices and 75 cents higher than year…

Emergency food, shelter funds available

AFP

Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro will be awarded federal funds under the Phase 29 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The selection was made by the National Board and is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA,…

Groups criticize McDonnell on anti-union push

Chris Graham

A coalition of Virginia groups are taking issue with Gov. Bob McDonnell’s support for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s push for legislation that would cripple public-sector employee unions in that state. The coalition sent McDonnell a letter Wednesday morning expressing solidarity with those protesting in Wisconsin and highlighting that Gov. Walker is not to be commended…

Chris Graham: The forest for the trees

Chris Graham

Mark Warner, once again, I’m right there with you, dude. “This problem cannot be solved simply by focusing on cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, which is only 12 percent of the budget. Increased revenues and economic growth by themselves will not get us there, either. That’s why we must have a grown-up discussion about spending…