David Cox | Thinking strategically

David Cox

Our legislators are back at it in Richmond. A couple of weeks into a session that, everyone knows, has got to tackle some excruciating budgetary problems, they seem — as so often — to have produced more heat than light. I often wonder what they’re thinking. Especially when someone comes up with a good, if…

Veronica Gutierrez | Predators, indeed

Contributors

Recently, the term “predatory lending” has taken on a new meaning for me. I’ve always thought that predatory lenders were bad businesses. They plant themselves in low-income communities, offer fast cash, and then charge ridiculous interest rates, inevitably trapping people in a cycle of debt. Last Saturday, I joined in the Virginia Organizing Project’s door-to-door…

The AFP Blog – Weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2009

Chris Graham

– Singletary’s #44 to be retired, Saturday, 7:10 p.m. – President Obama’s weekly address, Saturday, 8:04 a.m. – Gannett, Media General slump deepens, Friday, 12:55 p.m. – Free-speech organizations offer support to Gloucester 40, Friday, 12:55 p.m. – Statement from Council of Economic Advisors chair Christina Romer on the fourth quarter 2008 advance GDP estimate,…

The AFP Blog – Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Chris Graham

– Unemployment in Waynesboro at 7.9 percent, 8:05 p.m. – Moran releases Green Virginia plan, 12:50 p.m. – ACLU says bills would violate religious freedoms, 12:50 p.m. – President Obama on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act bill signing, 10:37 a.m. – More feel good about direction of country, 9:08 a.m. – State issues…

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can be quite deadly

Chris Graham

It’s just words, isn’t it? “That’s so gay.” “He’s gay.” “She’s a lesbian.” Kids say them, they don’t mean anything. Pay attention, and you can still hear the crowd singing “The Good Ol’ Song,” to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” after a touchdown at a University of Virginia football game. “We Come from Old…

Sen. Whitfield

Chris Graham

When I was 17, I was barely able to say the word “campaign.” Matthew Whitfield has already worked on his generation’s most important political campaign, and the Robert E. Lee senior is really just getting started. “We thought we could make a difference if we worked at it, and it started snowballing from there,” said…

The AFP Blog – Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

Chris Graham

Tom Perriello statement on House passage of stimulus package, 6:54 p.m. Remarks by President Obama after meeting with Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs, 6:17 p.m. Norfolk, Roanoke papers force employees to furlough, 6:13 p.m. South Korean students to visit Presidential Library, 6:07 p.m. Motorists should expect lane closure tonight on I-81, 3:23 p.m. Airfares highest…