David Reynolds | Why Washington fails us

David Reynolds

Before we go any any further let us make it clear that our title is not directed solely at our current president. Or his administration. Or the Democrats who control Congress. Past presidents, administrations and Congresses – of both parties – have been guilty of the same crime.  And what is this crime? Guilty of…

In the News

Chris Graham

– State News: Virginia Supreme Court strikes down ‘vague’ Va. Beach noise ordinance, posted Friday, 9:20 p.m. – Local News: Long-term road closure in Augusta, posted Friday, 9:20 p.m. – State News: Invasive Plant Removal Day, posted Friday, 9:20 p.m. – Politics: Perriello to hold telephone town hall, posted Friday, 8:10 a.m. – Events: Staunton…

Earth Talk | What about the elephants?

AFP

Dear EarthTalk: Are elephant populations stable these days? – Reuben Perrin, Hartford, Conn. Far from it. The double whammy of poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss has led to a dramatic decline in populations of both African and Asian elephants in recent decades. In 1930, there were between five and 10 million wild African elephants,…

In the News

AFP

– Local News: Blood drive at Fishburne Military School, posted Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. – Local News: Blue Ridge Food Bank honored nationally, posted Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. – Local News: Augusta, Staunton awarded money for emergency assistance, posted Wednesday, 9:20 a.m. – Local News: Wintergreen kicks off Bear Smart program, posted Wednesday, 9:20 a.m. – Local…

Rick Webb | Bailing out wind energy project is a misuse of stimulus money

AFP

The Highland County Board of Supervisors has unwisely proposed that the Commonwealth of Virginia provide $1.5 million in economic stimulus money to help facilitate the proposed Highland New Wind Development project in order to “enhance the long‐term returns to the county, developer and Commonwealth.”

Shepherd Bliss | Farms heal

AFP

After farming for most of the last sixteen years in semi-rural Sonoma County, Northern California, and being raised partly on our family farm in Iowa, I have come to understand that agriculture can serve many functions, in addition to producing food, fibers, and beverages. Some farms – especially non-industrial small family farms – are places…

The AFP Blog – Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009

Chris Graham

– Perriello criticizes tobacco tax in SCHIP bill, Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. – Conservation easements top 100,000 acres in Valley, Wednesday, 12:50 p.m. – Treasury announces new restrictions on executive compensation, Wednesday, 12:50 p.m. – House GOP pushing mental-health reforms, Wednesday, 12:50 p.m. – House bill allowing government-sanctioned sectarian prayers at government meetings unconstitutional, ACLU says,…