Dear Fellow Patriots, “When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness” - Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America This is the time of year for thanksgiving and reflection- to celebrate our hard-fought accomplishments, commiserate over inevitable setbacks, and set exciting plans for the future. And the volunteer board members at The Virginia Council are no exceptions as we work to improve and expand the efforts of our organization. We are dedicated to illuminating a prosperous path forward for all Virginians by celebrating the best of our Commonwealth while learning from the mistakes of our forebears (and contemporaries). We do this through our monthly speaker meetings, world famous speakers at The Virginia Forum, suggestions for legislation, and our weekly newsletter. We believe a rational grounding in the revolutionary political, moral, and philosophical lessons of our ancestors is essential to thriving in the modern age. Understanding the inhumanity of past societies should inform and humble us to not make the same errors, nor condemn us to eternal recriminations. Rather than just cursing the darkness, will you join us in standing for the first principles of freedom, liberty, respect, and compassion? Standing up for your rights strengthens the rights of all. Please attend our meetings, volunteer on committees, and make a donation: you'll inspire others with your courage and resolve. And you'll feel empowered rather than dis-spirited at the work that needs to be done. To donate please click here, and to volunteer, please click here. “It is far more important to resist apathy than anarchy or despotism, for apathy can give rise, almost indifferently, to either one.” - de Tocqueville  Will McGurn Director, The Virginia Council  Virginia Election Updates: Roanoke College poll reveals sharp divide in political anxiety among Virginia voters Kaine, Warner, Earle-Sears, Miyares criticize Biden's pardon of his son; more ... - Cardinal News Virginia electoral board certifies 2024 results following ‘safe and fair’ election • Virginia Mercury Man suspected of Trump campaign office break-in arrested in California (1) Michael Pruser on X: "Bad certification @vaELECT While working on my Virginia election turnout report, I encountered an error in Rockingham County. They've double-counted their mail absentees. The state seems to have certified this mistake, and I'm hoping you can take another look and correct the https://t.co/tO8RiNzv3P" / X CORTEZ: Inaugural Celebrations Provide Opportunities Virginia Democrats still don't understand why their own constituencies are rejecting them. Meanwhile, Republicans are getting the message. Fairfax officials may seek common ground with Trump on keeping federal workers in region | FFXnow House: VPAP Index How far each district leans Republican or Democratic.  Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Richmond's top election official resigns after investigation “The buck stops here” | Richmond Free Press | Serving the African American Community in Richmond, VA Richmond’s top election official resigns after critical IG report A deeper look: Richmond elections official defends actions that preceded resignation | WRIC ABC 8News School Board Criticized for MATA Admissions Lottery Plan | Education | loudounnow.com Delegate wants law passed to require high schoolers to pass a naturalization test to graduate | WRIC ABC 8News School officials begin dissolving ill-fated ‘Project Ace’ linked to Altria warehouse donation Board of Education plans to advance accountability framework, despite calls for delay • Virginia Mercury MAJOR VICTORY — Court Rules Fairfax County Public School’s Pronoun and Bathroom Policies Violate Student’s Constitutional Rights - America First Legal Graham Moomaw on X: "Testy Richmond City Council exchange btwn Reva Trammell and Michelle Mosby over $125K in state funds going to Mosby's nonprofit. Trammell is questioning it and Mosby + daughter are pushing back. "Stop it. Right now. Or I'm going to end this meeting" says President Kristen Nye" / X Loudoun Co. School Board Member defends shutting off cameras despite transparency pledge Fourth Circuit OKs challenge to Virginia’s felony voting law | Courthouse News Service Solid waste company sues after city revisits approval of trash center contract Why Sen. Sturtevant wants to stop big investment firms from buying homes in Virginia • Virginia Mercury Virginia senator wants to ban investment firms from buying single-family homes among other reforms | WRIC ABC 8News Virginia panel begins to grapple with racial history of state colleges, universities Virginia’s food to alcohol sales ratio likely safe for now thanks to court action U.S. Education Department pings states, schools to set policies on cellphone use • Virginia Mercury  Articles, News, & Quotes: Va. Dept. of Transportation estimates Hurricane Helene debris cleanup will take 3 to 6 months • Virginia Mercury By Charlie Paullin Virginia's unaccompanied migrant children face brutal jobs - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno Study finds that a higher percentage of North Carolina workers are prepared for jobs than those in Virginia are - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey DMV leaders discuss how much new funding Metro needs, and how to pay for it By Tom Roussey Small businesses hurt by Helene's flooding left in an uncertain limbo without SBA funding - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer A Call Unanswered - richmondmagazine.com By Harry Kollatz Jr. Richmond to build life-size replica of slave ship as part of historical memorial project | WRIC ABC 8News By Sahara Sriraman The resurrection of Hotel Petersburg • Virginia Mercury By Ian Stewart Voting to Impose Big Solar on Other Legislator’s Voters | Bacon's Rebellion - Democracy Thrives in Sunlight By Steve Haner Axios Richmond The U.S. Department of Labor is "eager to return" millions in unpaid wages due to Virginia workers, according to the agency. Guide Service breaks from U.Va. to give unsanctioned historical tours - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecilia Mould Delegate wants law passed to require high schoolers to pass a naturalization test to graduate | WRIC ABC 8News By Cameron Thompson Will Virginia Universities Stand up for Virginia History? Er… No. | Bacon's Rebellion - Democracy Thrives in Sunlight By James A. Bacon A SOLDIER'S JOURNEY - Western Art & Architecture By Rose Fredrick In the Centennial Footsteps of “A Soldier’s Journey” | RealClearDefense By Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy Indigenous communities in Virginia are reclaiming their Algonquian language By Pamela D'Angelo  Interviews of Interest Herndon Police Chief MAGGIE DeBOARD Discusses Migrant Crime Chief DeBoard provides details of an attempted rape by an illegal alien who has been known to law enforcement since 2017 and what it means to safety in the Commonwealth. ROB WITTMAN Discusses the Forthcoming 119th Congress Representative Wittman talks about the past election, the new Congress, & the issues that will inform the statewide elections in Virginia next year. Our Weekly Conversation With JIM BACON Jim discusses the dollar and social costs of unchecked DEI programs: “do they actually work?” VICTORIA COBB Analyzes the Trans Case's Oral Arguments Victoria is the president of the Family Foundation and talks about the arguments before the Supreme Court concerning sex change drug treatments for minors and the changes in public perception about it. Professor WILFRED REILLY Previews His Forthcoming UVA Lecture Associate Professor Reilly of Western Kentucky talks about the subversion of academia to leftist narratives and what is has meant to civil society. Ellis Goes Rogue — The Jefferson Council UVA Board of Visitors member Bert Ellis vows to vote no on all new spending until a new budget with cuts to administrative costs is presented. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press Issues Seeing a need for civics education, John Marshall Center is offering new program for middle schoolers By Abigail Finney & Jessica Khan What Now on Campus? | City Journal By Ilya Shapiro & Noam Josse Data Analytics - Health Care Transparency Tools - VHHA Hospital Price Transparency Tools & Financial Assistance Policies Legislation Could Solve Discrepancy Between FOIA and Judges' Manual, Advisory Council Chair Says By Adele Uphaus (3) C'villeBubble on X: "UVA Board is on Day 3 of meetings. The DEI infrastructure, $20M yr, will not be discussed. DEI doesn't protect Jews. The rise in Anti-Semitism on UVA Grounds needs addressing, as does recent Hate Crime against a Jewish student. https://t.co/Zrs8ZZZ5tG" / X Summit Academy growing fast through 'classical' education - Fredericksburg Free Press By Bill Freehling The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians. "Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
