Author Archives: Bennett Minton

Revolution in Virginia: the legislature cedes a spoil of partisan advantage

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Bennett Minton

It’s been a bad month for Virginia’s government, with controversies around racism, sexual assault and the “Virginia way” enveloping its three elected state leaders, and the legislature unable to formulate a response. As if to affirm Virginia is still mired … Continue reading →

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New maps and a new reality in Virginia

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Bennett Minton

The four-year, twisting tale of 11 Virginia House districts judged to be racially gerrymandered is reaching its climax, as the federal court presiding over the case has drawn new lines for 26 districts, both those at issue and 15 adjacent … Continue reading →

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George Bush and the politics of prudence

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Bennett Minton

What George Bush, who died yesterday, regarded as the biggest mistake of his presidency was his most courageous political act. It was also the last time the Republican Party engaged in responsible budget policy. I was Capitol Hill reporter when … Continue reading →

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What I ponder at the Lincoln Memorial

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Bennett Minton

What have I learned in 60 years? Take little for granted, other than that I will (likely) return home from a bike ride. At dawn I took my customary solstice/birthday pilgrimage to the Lincoln Memorial and faced the Washington Monument, … Continue reading →

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Standing agape in an undivided current

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Bennett Minton

Thoughts on Yosemite, from bikerben58.wordpress.com: The vision of Abraham Lincoln and John Muir

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On cue, Virginia punts on redistricting reform

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Bennett Minton

Virginia’s legislative attempt to address gerrymandering came to its expected futile end May 18 when Democratic Governor Ralph Northam vetoed a bill that would have made minor changes in the criteria the (for now) GOP-controlled General Assembly must use to … Continue reading →

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In the afterglow

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Bennett Minton

Reflections on a short trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

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A few days in southern Utah . . .

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Bennett Minton

. . . where a piece of the Trump administration’s environmental agenda is playing out, and where hordes of Americans (and foreigners) can’t get enough of the West. Fiery Furnace is a mind game

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Thoughts on visionaries

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Bennett Minton

Linked from my other site: Ruminations on Rambling: Glimpes of genius in the Permian Basin

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Traveling the U.S.A.

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Bennett Minton

I am traveling the country for two months, but politics is never far from my mind. See my other site, generally devoted to thoughts about bicycling, but in this case travels without Charlie: Temporary border in the Big Ben   … Continue reading →

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