C-SPAN to Launch New Searchable Video Library

For all you C-SPAN junkies (like me...), the network will launch a new searchable video library that includes all of its programming dating back to 1987.  All told, C-SPAN is putting online 160,000 hours of searchable content on Wednesday.

AG Cuccinelli Responds to Attackers on the Left

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli seized the opportunity in yesterday's Richmond Times to dispel the slanderish propaganda spewed by his detractors on the Left who have viciously attacked his recent his statement on Virginia laws regarding nondiscrimination policies at Virginia colleges and universities.  This was the first real opportunity by the Left since the start of Cuccinelli's term to target his statements and/or actions in a feeble attempt to brand him as a racist, bigot, religious nut, and/or homophobe. Sadly, this is a losing battle that the Left has been playing with Cuccinelli since he first became a State Senator in 2002.  Thankfully, AG Cuccinelli is able to clearly and articulately explain his position, which just happens to be the same position as the five previous Commonwealth AGs.   Here is AG Cuccinelli's Op-Ed in the March 14 Richmond Times:


Current Law Sets Agencies' Boundaries

I firmly believe that the commonwealth's colleges and universities comprise the best public university system in the nation. A proud product of that system, I feel that the controversy over my recent statement of Virginia law as it relates to nondiscrimination policies at our state institutions of higher learning deserves to be addressed.

While it is understandable that some are angry or confused about that statement of law, it is important to recognize it for what it was and remains. It is my permanently and long-held belief that government should not single out anyone for negative treatment.

Each day, more than 200 dedicated attorneys and staff work in the Office of the Attorney General to provide guidance, advice, and counsel to agencies impacting every aspect of the life of Virginians, from transportation to health care to public safety to education. Part of that job is advising state agencies that might be inadvertently taking actions not authorized by the law of the commonwealth. Much like local governments that are subject to the so-called Dillon Rule, public colleges and universities have only the powers granted to them by the General Assembly.

Over the past six weeks, I received a number of inquiries about the inclusion of sexual orientation as a specially protected class in the nondiscrimination polices of our colleges and universities. A review of the law and the opinions of no less than five of my predecessors -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- demonstrated that any decision regarding the creation of a specially protected class belongs exclusively to the General Assembly. A public university simply lacks the power to create a new specially protected class under Virginia law.

While our colleges and universities are governed by Boards of Visitors with broad rights and powers, those powers are not unlimited. Virginia's public universities are, at all times, subject to the control of the General Assembly. They have no authority greater than that which has been granted them by the General Assembly. As the attorney for the public colleges and universities, and for the commonwealth as a whole, I provided legal advice reflecting the law as it is.

As a legal matter, this statement of Virginia law has not been seriously challenged. While issues related to sexual orientation are among the most emotional and controversial, they do not change this fundamental proposition of Virginia law. My now well-publicized letter simply stated the current state of Virginia law; it did not advocate for any particular legislative position. Should the General Assembly change the law, my advice will be consistent with it.

The General Assembly has considered and defined the protected classes for purposes of nondiscrimination statutes. It has specifically defined unlawful discrimination at educational institutions. The Virginia Human Rights Act states that it is the policy of the commonwealth to "safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability, in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions." In addition to this affirmative statement, the General Assembly has on numerous occasions, including this session, considered and rejected creating a protected class defined by sexual orientation. No state agency can reach beyond such clearly established boundaries.

Nothing I have said or written authorizes unconstitutional discrimination against any person. My letter in no way addresses the legislative issue of including sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies. I believe that our colleges and universities do not illegally discriminate against any class of persons. Likewise, I do not believe they can or will after my restatement of Virginia law.

The people of the commonwealth, through their elected representatives, determine Virginia's laws. I cannot bend the law to fit a particular outcome, no matter what a person or group might wish, myself included. I have simply stated what is and is not currently permissible under the laws of Virginia. That is my job as attorney general.

The Family That Eats Together....

Another reason to gather around the table:  Late last year, Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse released "The Importance of Family Dinners V."

"Simply put: Dinner makes a difference," the survey says.

In terms of substance abuse, "Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are: twice as likely to use tobacco or marijuana; and more than one and a half times likelier to use alcohol."

Eating together also impacts academics: "Compared to teens who have five to seven family dinners per week, those who have fewer than three family dinners per week are one and a half times likelier to report getting mostly C's or lower grades in school," the survey reported.

And, most important, family togetherness results in family closeness:  "Teens who have frequent family dinners ... are likelier to say they have excellent relationships with their parents."

This also relates to faith:  "Teens who have frequent family dinners are also likelier to attend religious services at least weekly compared to teens who have infrequent family dinners."

"Bless us, O Lord ..."

Scott Walker's Plan to Help Create 250,000 Wisconsin Jobs

After getting slammed by The Left for his recent proposal to create 250,000 new jobs for Wisconsin if elected governor, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has gone on the offensive and produced a short, but effective commercial detailing his proposal (see video below).  In addition, his campaign has created the web site http://www.250000jobs.org. 

Walker is the right man for Wisconsin at the right time in history.  Kudos for him to have the guts to stand up, go out on a limb, and develop an aggressive plan and goal.  I'd rather see someone who is looking to make a difference instead of just going with the status quo.  Many in Washington could learn from Walker.  He is going to be a major national player in the GOP for years to come.

Virginia AG Cuccinelli Follows Law, Gets Ripped

From the Family Foundation web site:

Late last week it was revealed that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli sent a letter to the Commonwealth’s taxpayer funded colleges and universities informing them that, without General Assembly approval, they do not have the authority to issue non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation. Apparently, the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities had issued such policies without the approval to do so.

And thus started a media firestorm. Essentially the Attorney General, the office designated to instruct state entities on the law, told them to actually follow the law. But Democrat leaders and homosexual activists immediately pounced, calling Cuccinelli’s advice “hate” and vowed to revive legislation that died last week that would add sexual orientation to the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination policy.

Today, several legislators are literally screaming about the issue on the floor of the House of Delegates all but accusing Attorney General Cuccinelli of hatred. They are urging the House General Laws committee to act on legislation, SB 66, that was defeated in subcommittee last week, when the committee meets this afternoon.

It is quite interesting to listen to proponents of this major change in Virginia’s public policy. In three separate presentations before committee and subcommittee, advocates for making sexual orientation a protected class have admitted that 90 percent of Virginians don’t think there should be discrimination. They have admitted that the last three governors have had policies, either written or verbal, that they will not allow such discrimination. At no point has any actual evidence of discrimination been presented. Late last year the Washington Post editorialized that there are “thousands of homosexuals” working in state government.

Usually, the General Assembly passes legislation to remedy a problem. They often defeat legislation that, as is said, is a “solution in search of a problem.” That is exactly the problem with this legislation.

So what is the goal? It really is not about discrimination. It is about government recognition – acceptance – of the homosexual lifestyle. Make no mistake, this debate is a serious one and it will have long term consequences for not just state government but private businesses and ultimately our marriage amendment. The goal is not anti-discrimination – it is forced acceptance of a lifestyle that many Virginians find antithetical to their faith.

The rhetoric at the Capitol today is heated and not very tolerant. It seems that those who oppose creating a special class for homosexuals are hateful and bigoted, which is an easy accusation to make when you have no other argument and no ability to make your case.