You’re on quite the jihad against this fella, huh?

Posted by Judge Smails on 30 October 02007 @ 9pm

I would estimate that you use that term a lot more than almost anyone. Other than SWAC’ers, that is. It is overused, and has no more shock value.

Or is this just another jokey-joke?

Posted by Mark Brooks on 30 October 02007 @ 10pm

I didn’t mean anything by it. I don’t even know what a SWACer is. I would point out that the use of “jihad” and “Taliban” to describe political opponents in America appears to have been initaited by Dems, as in “the Taliban-wing of the Republican Party.”

Anyway, about this Abbitt fella: One of the big beefs against him is that he’s never introduced meaningful legislation. But, remember, there are a lot of people in Virginia and certainly in his rather conservative district who believe that that which governs least governs best. So, for me, the fact that he hasn’t tried to get the legal limit down to .05 BAC or introduced a new tax whose proceeds go to benefit “the children” is actually a reason to keep him as a Delegate. He’s taking up space that might otherwise be profitably used by an opponent of doing the minimum.

Posted by Judge Smails on 31 October 02007 @ 9am

But, remember, there are a lot of people in Virginia and certainly in his rather conservative district who believe that that which governs least governs best. So, for me, the fact that he hasn’t tried to get the legal limit down to .05 BAC or introduced a new tax whose proceeds go to benefit “the children” is actually a reason to keep him as a Delegate. He’s taking up space that might otherwise be profitably used by an opponent of doing the minimum.

JS, think this through. There’s no just no way you believe that.

First off, this leads us down an absurd path. The thinking is that we should have 140 members of the General Assembly who do nothing of consequence. There are so many problems with our government and our state, impending crises and foolish laws, and we should…do nothing?

More important, you seem to believe that Abbitt is capable of, at best, inaction. Wouldn’t it be better for him to actually do something to reduce the size of government? He’s made no effort to eliminate onerous regulation, simplify our tax code, etc., etc. If it’s good that Abbitt isn’t doing anything bad, wouldn’t it be better still to have somebody doing something good?

If you like Abbitt for being elected and doing nothing, you’ll love the 7,642,741 Virginians who do nothing in Richmond.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 31 October 02007 @ 12pm

Little Wat got himself written up in our electric co-op newsletter as a “Voice” for rural Virginia. He was the cover-bubba. I keep it around because he’s standing next to a cool old tractor, gloves in hand, looking like a man about to work.

Posted by Bubby on 31 October 02007 @ 1pm

The point is with 140 semi-professional legislators, a governor, and a large bureaucracy there’s a need for people without a lot ambiton or drive to see more laws passed. I’m not a fan of Abbitt’s, and I couldn’t vote for him even if I was. I know little of him except that he appears to be a beneficiary of electoral nepotism and hasn’t written or sponsored much legislation. Still, that’s fine with me and certainly preferable to someone who wants to write and pass a bunch of crazy new laws that I’ll be bound by.

Posted by Judge Smails on 31 October 02007 @ 2pm

Do you have reason to believe that Connie Brennan “wants to write and pass a bunch of crazy new laws that you’ll be bound by,” or do you just assume that she’ll do so because she’s a Democrat.

There’s nothing wrong with the latter — political parties are a convenient shorthand for a reason after all — but I’m just curious.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 31 October 02007 @ 9pm

Bubby,

That magazine article in question was lovingly reproduced and inserted in Abbitt’s first mailer, way back last spring.

Those electricity folks love Abbitt. You can tell by how much money they have given him.

Posted by Mark Brooks on 1 November 02007 @ 1am

I have no reason to believe Connie Brennan would sponsor crazy legislation. Everyone I’ve asked about her likes her a lot. But since she’d vote to organize the HoD differently than the incumbent, I couldn’t support her.

Posted by Judge Smails on 1 November 02007 @ 8am

Mark: I guess that makes Little Wat part of my kilowatt cost :) All the same, after 22 years it’s time for him to get back to fishing and sorghum-making full-time.

Posted by Bubby on 1 November 02007 @ 10am

Judge Smails,

Funny, that sort of reminds me of why I liked Mark Warner as Governor. He didn’t mess with stuff. He dealt with crises swiftly and decisively and kept the machinery humming along. He didn’t shove any ideology or expensive boondoggles down our throats. Just ran the government and stayed out of my face.

Posted by Jack on 1 November 02007 @ 12pm