National, State, and Local Politics Affecting Virginia Beach

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It’s Time to Work

By Joel McDonald • Jun 9th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Lead Story

Here in Virginia Beach, the best way we can help keep conservatives from taking Congress is to support Democratic Congressman Glenn Nye in his reelection campaign, and now that we know who Republicans are challenging Nye with, it’s time to get to work.



Did Bill O’Reilly Compare Gays to Terrorists?

By Joel McDonald • Jun 4th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

O’Reilly made the superhuman leap in comparing gays to terrorists, asking whether or not McDonald’s would add Al Qaeda to the groups being targeting in their “Come as You Are” ad campaign.



This Time, Dougherty Doesn’t Get It

By Joel McDonald • Jun 1st, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

Not everyone is correct 100% of the time, and Dougherty misses the mark in her Sunday column entitled, “Sen. Webb has the Right Idea on Military Policy: Don’t Rush.”



President Obama: June is LGBT Pride Month

By Joel McDonald • Jun 1st, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

President Barack Obama has proclaimed June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, stating that, “our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.”



UPDATE: Gay Couple Sentenced to 14 Years Hard Labor Pardoned

By Joel McDonald • May 30th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

While my heart aches for the Malawian couple, I also recognize that, in some ways, the United States isn’t much more enlightened or accepting. We as Americans, and as human beings, can be better and do better than we are now.



Rachel Maddow: That was then, this is then

By Joel McDonald • May 28th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

What’s clear is that in 31 years, nothing has changed about the way we respond to these major spills. We attempt and fail at using the same methods and technology to stop the leak and prevent the damage cause by the spewed oil. It took nine months for relief wells to be drilled to allow the well in the Gulf of Mexico to be capped in 1979.



Virginia Democrats Vote in Support of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal

By Joel McDonald • May 28th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

I am proud that every one of our Virginia Democrats in the House of Representatives voted for the passage of the amendment to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. This policy has been a blemish on our nation for over a decade.



My Letter to Senator Webb Regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

By Joel McDonald • May 25th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

I have every confidence that they are more than capable of adjusting to the reality that gay men and women do serve honorably and bravely with their straight counterparts in defending our nation.



Mayor Sessoms and Vice-Mayor Jones Need to Go

By Joel McDonald • May 12th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Campaigns & Elections

Our leaders need to be held accountable at the polls on election day, starting with Vice-Mayor Jones this November, and continuing with Mayor Sessoms in 2012.



Negotiations between City Council and School Board Fails, Edwards Disappoints

By Joel McDonald • May 11th, 2010 • Category: Blog, Related News & Events

Unlike Dan Edwards, the citizens are still willing to tell Mayor Sessoms and City Council that what they’re doing is wrong, and their action places the quality of our schools in danger.