While RK Closes Down Two New Virginia Blogs Surface

With the upcoming closure of RK (Raising Kaine) two new blogs have been announced …  New Dominion Project  and Blue Commonwealth … both have been added into our Virginia links … and I want to wish both groups all the best! …. clearly the niche RK served would be hard for any one blog to capture … head on over and check them out

Thank You Lowell, Eric, and all the Folks At Raising Kaine, RK

Immediately after the public announcement that RK (formerly Raising Kaine) was closing up at the end of this year I sent the following email to Lowell Feld (he’s the one pictured above asking me questions while Ingrid Morroy checks out her camera)   

Hi Lowell,  I read your entry about the future of RK with a mixture of sadness and a flood of memories … after years of efforts to make RK the “Voice of Progressive Virginia” the results must be very satisfying for you… I hope you take great satisfaction in the Democratic victories occurring all across our Commonwealth … by my count RK has had a major role in victories in one Governor’s race, one Senate primary and general election, and what looks like three seats VA-02, VA-05 and VA-11 along with another Senate seat … not to mention one very successful Presidential outcome and all the various successful Delegate and State Senate races  … these victories are in no small part due to the netroots strategy you helped put in place … I’m actually pleased that you may now become personally involved in the real work of governing begins … going forward … no matter what you do … I want to thank you and your family for all you have done for our party, our nation, and our world … 

Keep fighting the good fight!
Shawn

Note: I checked on the minor contributions I was able to make to the RK blog they included … comments  – 254
2008 – 64 posts 
2007 – 62 posts
2006 – 7 posts
The following are titles and links to the postings made as “Shawn” over the years on RK … I’m not certain how long they will remain active links:

Barack Obama Will End “Trickle Down Economics” and Follow A “New Path” To Help Our Country

Collis-Warner “Almost Annual Pig Roast” Preparation for 2008 Senate Victory

Virginia’s Democratic Party 2008 U.S. Senate candidate, former Governor, Mark Warne and his wife Lisa Collis hosted yet another of their “almost annual pig roasts” Saturday at their Rappahannock River Bend Farm in King George.

The crowds of friends, longtime supporters, and guests came in the form of Democrats, Republicans and independents from across the Commonwealth, around the nation and even a few visitors from other countries. Their numbers well exceeded last year when almost 5,000 people attended. I’d estimate the number this year to be closer to 7,000 (as the picture below of a small portion of the “field level” parking lot and my personal observation would suggest).

A smiling pink pig greeted folks as they roamed the spacious grounds

Mark Warner spent his time greeting each guest, holding one-on-one conversations, and taking pictures with many of them for well over 5 hours.

The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum brought over one of their roving exhibitions, a replica of the John Smith Barge.

Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Democratic Candidate for Congress, Bill Day took time out from “meeting and greeting” to take this picture with supporters

Former DNC Chair and potential Democratic candidate for Governor in 2009, Terry McAuliffe was found being questioned by well know Virginia blogger and friend Vivian Paige, she’s got her own take on the conversation here

Everyone attending had plenty to do, like these boys keeping busy climbing all over the stacked bales of hay

Toward the end of a very long day I was pleased to be able to take time to thank the host and have a picture taken. To me personally, the way the soon to be next Junior Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia and his entire family treat their guests provides even more evidence about why, this November 4th, Mark Warner deserves the vote of every Virginian.

With the event winding down not much was left of the pigs but one of their heads with a decorative hat, sunglasses, and red lipstick

Will Media Cover Issues or Just “Lies, Phony Outrage, and Swiftboat Boat Politics”?

With 55 days until November 4th, Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama was in Norfolk Wednesday talking with people who understand the impact this year’s election will have on the future of our Nation and Virginia.

h/t Rob over at RK

Sheryl Crow Performs For Democrats Attending The DNC Convention

President William Jefferson Clinton Stands Up For Barack Obama

Tonight I was pleased to once again witness one of the greatest Americans and public servants I’ve ever had the pleasure to support, President William Jefferson Clinton, in action.

One thing he said as he stood up and supported Barack Obama to be our next President was especially memorable, “Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Ready to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States.”

Below the fold is a video and written copy of the speech:

Mark Warner Keynotes 2008 DNC Convention

Watch a video of the speech or read the entire text below the fold:

The end of Rakan’s War

This Sunday I urge you to take the time to read the story of Rakan Hassan covered by Boston.com and a very thoughtful blog by TeacherKen on Daily Kos

The end of Rakan’s war
by teacherken [Subscribe]

Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 04:12:01 AM PDT

I will not quote a single word. But I want to warn you. I am going to insist that if you do nothing else today you need to follow the link I am about to give you. It is the lead story in today’s Boston Globe. It is about a boy only a bit younger than the student whose death on Friday inspired me to write my diary yesterday.

And why do I warn you? Because the story will and should trouble you. You are going to be affected, if you still have a heart.

Only after you have read it should you consider going below the fold to read anything additional I might have to offer. And doing so, or recommending this, or commenting, are totally unnecessary, although I will welcome you if you proceed.

But now, please, I insist. Follow this link, being sure to read the entire article.

Hat Tip To Center For American Progress Blog