Recent Posts: Transformational Citizenship
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Woke is not enough
The Reverend Dr. William Barber was in my neighborhood last night. For those who would like an introduction: Dr. Barber is the pastor of a North Carolina church and former head of the state NAACP. In 2014 he founded Repairers … Continue reading
Blue Virginia expels the Confederacy
A link here to my column in The Washington Post, the day after Democrats captured both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly for the first time since 1992. And the text for those who don’t pony up for a subscription: … Continue reading
Posted in election campaign, Uncategorized, Virginia legislature, Voting
Tagged gun control, taxes
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Desmond Meade: Restoring the franchise – and justice
Last November Florida voters amended the state constitution, automatically restoring voting rights to ex-felons who had completed “all terms of sentence including parole or probation.” The amendment was expected to affect more than 1.4 million Floridians, but the newly elected … Continue reading
The American Way of agriculture — and an alternative
I went to eastern Oregon last weekend to tour a version of the American Way of Agriculture with a couple dozen Portland citizens. I was impressed – and at a loss how to convey what I had seen about the … Continue reading
Posted in climate change, Uncategorized
Tagged rewilding
Revolution in Virginia: the legislature cedes a spoil of partisan advantage
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
Posted in gerrymandering, Supreme Court, Uncategorized, Virginia legislature
Tagged League of Women Voters, OneVirginia2021
New maps and a new reality in Virginia
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
Posted in gerrymandering, Supreme Court, Uncategorized, Virginia legislature
George Bush and the politics of prudence
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
Posted in Congress, federal budget, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged federal budget, George H.W. Bush, Leon Panetta, Newt Gingrich, Richard Darman
What I ponder at the Lincoln Memorial
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
Standing agape in an undivided current
Thoughts on Yosemite, from bikerben58.wordpress.com: The vision of Abraham Lincoln and John Muir
Posted in Abraham Lincoln, National Park Service, Uncategorized
Tagged John Muir, Yosemite
On cue, Virginia punts on redistricting reform
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
Posted in gerrymandering, Obamacare, Uncategorized, Virginia legislature
Tagged gerrymandering, Medicaid
