Harrisonburg: Retired JMU prof honored for professional achievement, service

Chris Graham

Staff Report Kathleen G. Arthur, a James Madison University professor emerita, received The Award for Exemplary Achievement, the most prestigious award given by the Southeastern College Art Conference, in recognition of personal and professional development as well as longstanding service. Arthur has served the SECAC, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the visual arts…

The Valley Blue Dog: Notes from the dirty campaign trail

Steven Sisson

Column by Steven Sisson Our presidential campaign has sunk lower than the Wall Street stock index. Down, down, down … Republican operatives have historically gone negative in losing campaigns to drive down voter participation and denigrate their Democratic opposition. Guess what? Dinosaur-like GOP president nominee John McCain is losing to a first-term senator. The Blue…

Harrisonburg: Candidates in Sixth talk issues

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] The economy, Iraq, health care and interestingly, term limits. Voters in the Sixth District were able to get a glimpse into the differing approaches of Republican incumbent Bob Goodlatte, Democrat Sam Rasoul and independent Janice Lee Allen on those issues and others in a candidates forum sponsored by WSVA-550AM in…

Waynesboro: Moran stumps for Obama, Warner, has eyes on ’09 prize

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] The last time Virginia went Democratic for president, gas was 25 cents, The Beatles were about to make their debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” Ronald Reagan was still a Democrat, and Brian Moran was 5 years old. “A lot has changed, but this year, Virginia is going to elect…

The Valley Blue Dog: Do as I say, not as I do?

Steven Sisson

Column by Steven Sisson It’s becoming clear as mud after last night’s debate that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is worst running mate since Thomas Eagleton in 1972. McCain’s political strategy ensuring women will vote for the Republican ticket because Palin’s sexuality is condescending to say the least. To quote Charlie Chan, the “mud of bewilderment…

White House ’08: Moms want some attention from the candidates

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] Tonight’s vice-presidential debate has the attention of voters on the nomination of Sarah Palin on the Republican Party national ticket. A coalition of women’s groups hopes the spotlight on a prominent political woman will bring some needed attention to the plight of working women who feel passed by in the…

W.R. Marshall: The new McCarthyism of the anti-intellectual right

Letters

Column by W.R. Marshall “A screaming comes across the sky. It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now.” – Thomas Pynchon Why Pynchon? Because he appeals to the intellect. And because it’s literal. There is a screaming across the sky, a constant shrill chorus filling the air. And it has…

Crystal Graham: Lilly Ledbetter’s story is my story

Crystal Graham

Crystal Clear column by Crystal Graham It had been a long time since I thought about women’s rights, particularly equality when it comes to pay. It certainly hasn’t been a deciding issue in this election – not for me, anyway. And yet Lilly Ledbetter sparked my memory when she talked Wednesday at a Michelle Obama…