- Commentary: Don’t Texas Virginia
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This column is being written before the results of Tuesday’s Democratic primary elections are known. With a crowded field of candidates running for several offices, there are bound to be some surprises: Democrats are looking for electable candidates that can help them keep their hold on statewide offices and the General Assembly, and Republicans are hoping that the candidates they recently chose through a modified convention process can give them an opening that will allow them to stop and/or reverse Democratic reforms. Regardless of the primary outcomes, there are certain to be hotly contested, well-financed general elections on November 2.
The issues in the fall elections can be anticipated. We have heard them throughout the spring leading up to the candidate selection processes. Democrats who now control the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general and majorities in both the House of Delegates and Senate have been speaking with pride and some would say gloating over the reforms that occurred during the transformative 2020 and 2021 sessions and special sessions. Broadly these issues are ending discrimination in all forms including repeal of leftover Jim Crow laws, passing the most progressive election laws in the country, ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, repealing laws that created barriers for women’s reproductive health, repealing the death penalty, and enhancing public safety with common sense gun legislation and a redefinition of the role of police.
I have been honored to be a part of the legislative work that brought about these changes as I know other members of the majority party have been. I am aware, however, that these issues will be defined differently by the opposition. Anti-discrimination laws will be opposed by some who do not want the laws to apply to immigrants or persons who love someone other than someone they would approve of. The new election laws will be said to be open to fraud and to stolen elections. The ERA will be termed unneeded and counter to our culture as a nation. Reproductive health laws will be called baby killing and worse. Repealing the death penalty will be used as an example of the state getting soft on crime. Redefining police work to strengthen public safety will be called defunding police of which I am not aware of anyone in Virginia proposing. The gun safety laws will be called the first step to gun confiscation, again something I am not aware of anyone in Virginia proposing.
Fortunately, voters have become aware over the years that these arguments have been used for a party to regain power or to stay in power. The repeated social media and televisions ads will try to drive home the point, but I believe that the voters have been more sophisticated than falling for fear tactics. Democrats will be running grassroots campaigns to counter the misinformation and paranoia.
Why do I write with such certainty as to what will be happening this election year? I only need to look to what is happening in Georgia and Texas to see the playbook of the opposition. My message from what I am seeing there is to ask voters that we not Texas Virginia!
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Latest Updates on COVID-19 |
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Fairfax County
6/8/2021 — Lost Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card? Here’s How to Get a Copy of Your Record. Read the information.
Virginia
6/8/2021 — Everyone in Virginia Age 12 or Older Is Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine Now. Find out more.
6/8/2021 — Virginia Brings Back Job Search Requirement to Receive Unemployment. Read the details.
Nationwide
6/8/2021 — FBI Urges Citizens to Protect Your Wallet—and Your Health—from Pandemic Scammers. Read the information.
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Curious About Juneteenth? |
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Although commemorated for more than 150 years by African Americans, Juneteenth remains a curiosity for many people across the nation. In 2020 Fairfax County declared Juneteenth a county holiday. Learn more at Juneteenth. |
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Reston Community Yard Sale
Saturday, June 19
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Eighty families will be selling a variety of items. Sign up to have a booth or stop by to browse for great bargains. Booth space is two parking spaces. Tables are not provided. Space is limited. Rain date: 6/20. Learn more. |
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Community Food News - Summer 2021 |
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Read the latest newsletter from the Fairfax Food Council updates about urban gardening, food access, and food literacy activities and resources from around Fairfax County. |
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What can I do? Civic Involvement |
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Be Part of the Conversation about Vehicle Pursuit By Police
Thursday, June 10
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Major Bob Blakely and members of FCPD’s pursuit policy review committee will host a virtual town-hall meeting to promote public awareness and collect community feedback about this important policy initiative. Fairfax County is a rapidly urbanizing jurisdiction creating safety challenges for motorists, pedestrians, and officers. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for all officers, supervisors, and commanders when making the critical decision to initiate a pursuit, continue a pursuit, or end a pursuit. To join the meeting, visit https://bit.ly/3wXlqlc. To learn more about the event, visit Pursuit Policy
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Now through Wednesday, June 30, Behold: The Beauty of Earth! Exhibit, at RCC Hunters Woods. Richard Neff, a former mathematics professor, and Ava Neff, lifelong creator of art quilts, present an exhibit featuring Richard’s landscape oil paintings, encaustic paintings and portraits, and studies of famous paintings and Ava’s complex and colorful, art quilts, some even mirroring Richard’s oils. Learn more.
Friday, June 11, 8:45 p.m., Movies in the Park Featuring: Croods: New Age (Rated PG, 1 hr. 35 mins). At Brown's Chapel Recreation Area. Bring your blanket or chair for a movie under the stars. Concessions will be available for purchase. This event is canceled in the event of rain or threatening rain and high wind. You must cancel 72 hours in advance to receive a refund. More is at Movies in the Park.
Monday, June 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided. Most protesters will drive past the NRA with signs taped to their car windows or doors. Those who want to social distance and wear masks will stand on the sidewalk.
Saturday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Reston Association 80 Family Yard Sale, Reston Association parking lot, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Sign up to have a booth or stop by to browse for great bargains. Booth space is two parking spaces. Tables are not provided. Space is limited. All sales are final. No refunds unless canceled due to rain. Rain date: 6/20. To increase participation, post on your social media and invite your friends to come shopping! Event website
Saturday, June 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Reston Pride In-Person Event. More information is at Reston Pride.
Sunday, June 27, 3:00 p.m., Equity Matters: Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, at RCC Hunters Woods – the CenterStage. This documentary takes a close look at the educational, judicial and societal disparities facing Black girls. The film confronts the ways in which the misunderstanding of Black girlhood has led to excessive punitive discipline, which in turn disrupts one of the most important factors in their lives, their education. More is at Pushout.
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