Dear Fellow Patriots,
Summer is almost done and we enter the long sprint towards another national Election Day in America. Presumably our citizens will make a careful inventory of what is going well and what is not and wisely evaluate who can lead towards peace and prosperity and which party has a philosophy and plan that will yield the best results.
We are nonpartisan so of course I will leave that decision to you, but allow me please to share with you one story that is illuminating. I have been chagrined (in a negative way) to see the fabricated outrage over an alleged altercation involving staffers for a candidate at Arlington National Cemetery. Personally, I doubt the veracity and severity of the story and it sounds like a hyped-up non-event to me - as a former political staffer myself.
But… let me point out that it would be almost impossible for anyone in American military and political leadership to show more disrespect to our war dead than what occurred less than one year ago with the decision to dismantle one of the most striking military memorials in Arlington.
The same people who are supposedly outraged at photos being taken in the cemetery authorized the actual destruction of the memorial to American reconciliation after the Civil War and robbed a veteran – the sculptor of the monument, no less -of his own grave marker.
Somehow political sobriety and decency must be restored to our governmental decision making.
Modern Americans may have blurred understanding of our history and mixed feelings about how it is commemorated but they do not like politically driven erasure and destruction. We must stop this rabid, arrogant revenge driven movement and preserve the symbols, sites, and art that tell our national story.
I'm very proud that The Virginia Council this month filed a friend of the court brief in the federal lawsuit aimed at ordering the Department of Defense to return the Reconciliation Monument to Arlington National Cemetery (Press Release here). We hope the federal appeals court will see the removal for what it is – a flagrant act of disrespect to the war dead and an ominous precedent for more cultural vandalism.
And, at the end of the year we will unveil legislative ideas to repel this nefarious ideology and protect our cultural heritage and to make sure the courts (of law and public opinion) respect the society we have inherited instead of catering to angry pop culture whims - whims that cannot be taken back once they've done their deed. Please help us… by joining The Virginia Council, financially supporting our efforts, or becoming a volunteer. We would deeply appreciate your help!
And please be with us for two informative and valuable events in the coming weeks:
- The Virginia Forum with noted author and social commentator Xi Van Fleet. She will recount her escape from Communist China and sound an urgent warning about manipulative cultural trends that could destroy the societal freedoms we have grown up knowing. Buy tickets for this event here for the Forum on Wednesday, September 25th at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center!
- And on Wednesday, September 18th we will host our monthly meeting, with a focus on Dark Money in politics. How are our leaders and political operatives being captured by individuals and groups with huge money? We will hear about it from Robert Stilson, senior research analyst at the Capital Research Center and an expert on the network of massive, virtually hidden contributions that are distorting American politics. Our monthly meeting will be held at the conveniently located Park Lane Tavern in western Henrico. RSVP for this free event here.
I hope you and your family have had a classic fun and restorative summer and are ready for an active fall and our efforts to save the best of Virginia for future generations.
Please join and support us!
John Reid, Founding Chairman
The Virginia Council
Monthly Meeting: Dark Money with Robert Stilson
Wednesday, September 18th, 12 noon at Park Lane Tavern, Short Pump, Va
Join The Virginia Council's monthly meeting to hear from our guest Robert Stilson of Capital Research Center as he delves into Dark Money in Politics: Influence, Sources and Threats.
About Robert Stilson
Robert Stilson is a senior research analyst at the Capital Research Center. He specializes in investigating nonprofit activism and funding. He has a B.A. from Hanover College and a J.D. from University of Richmond School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude.
To register for this event, please click here.
Please pre-register since seating is limited.
Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor Updates:
- Trump recruits Hung Cao for Virginia campaign pit stop: 'The Vietnamese community loves me!' - Washington Examiner
- Youngkin signs legislation to expand criminal penalties for bigotry (augustafreepress.com)
- Checks containing private taxpayer information found unsecured on Richmond employees' desks | WRIC ABC 8News
- Trump and Senate candidate Hung Cao visit Vietnamese community in Virginia | FOX 5 DC
- Powhatan man facing up to 10 years in prison for over $200,000 Medicaid fraud scheme | WRIC ABC 8News
- UVA Suspends Student-Guided Tours | Bacon's Rebellion - Democracy Thrives in Sunlight (baconsrebellion.com)
- Youngkin announces expansion of fentanyl overdose awareness campaign • Virginia Mercury
- Poll shows Derrick Anderson, Eugene Vindman in a dead heat in VA-7 congressional race (wjla.com)
- Derrick Anderson challenges Eugene Vindman to debate, questions military claims (wjla.com)
- Richmond wants to stop illegal building demolitions
- Virginia reaches new deal with Norfolk Southern to extend passenger rail to the New River Valley • Virginia Mercury
- School Board Denies Responsiblity to Pay Ziegler's Attorney Fees | News | loudounnow.com
- Here's why Trump is competitive in Virginia: Independents and rural voters - Cardinal News
- Virginia Board of Education approves changes to accreditation, accountability systems • Virginia Mercury
- Presentism in Virginia Politics | Deo Vindice (wordpress.com)
- Virginia College Acceptance Rates (vpap.org)
Articles, News & Quotes:
San Fran Gets $3 Million to Finish Removing “Racist” Statues - The New American By R. Cort Kirkwood
RN C hosts event in Clarendon to train volunteer voter fraud lookouts | ARLnow.com By Dan Egitto
Hate Crimes or Thought Crimes? | Bacon's Rebellion - Democracy Thrives in Sunlight (baconsrebellion.com) By James Bacon
George Washington Monument Vandalized By Pro-Palestinian Protesters – JONATHAN TURLEY
Virginia universities roll out new rules for campus demonstrations - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer
Daily Progress appeals after UVa shooting report withheld By Hawes Spencer
U.Va. suspends admissions tours led by the University Guides Service - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Thomas Baxter, Grace Thrush and Finn Trainer
RN C hosts event in Clarendon to train volunteer voter fraud lookouts | ARLnow.com By Dan Egitto
Virginia Tech adds new language to student code of conduct that addresses unlawful behavior | WVTF By Roxy Todd
ICE arrests Bolivian man convicted of child sex crimes claims Fairfax refused detainers (wjla.com) By Nick Minock
New Sweet Briar policy bars transgender students (insidehighered.com) By Josh Moody
Confederate statues come down as Black history rises across the U.S. (usatoday.com) By Krystal Nurse
Free Speech Is Not Enough | City Journal (city-journal.org) By Wilfred M. McClay
Regional apprenticeship hub announced during U.S. Labor Secretary visit to Newport News (whro.org) By Nick McNamara
The American Presidency: The Ultimate No-Show Job — Kerry: (kerrydougherty.com) By Kerry Dougherty
Floyd County holds event to remember NASCAR legend Curtis Turner - Cardinal News By Steve Hemphill
6 more deaths linked to Boar's Head listeria outbreak | Fox Business By Daniella Genovese
North Anna gets federal OK to operate through 2060 - Virginia Business By Kate Andrews
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center, poses with a group of North Anna Power Station employees at an event in July 2024. Photo courtesy PRNewsfoto/Dominion Energy
Interviews of Interest:
Dennis Quaid (audacy.com) While John was in Illinois last week for the DNC, he made a detour from Chicago to Dixon --boyhood home of President Ronald Reagan, and location of the worldwide premiere of the biopic Reagan! There, John had the chance to catch up for a brief interview with the film's star -- Dennis Quaid!
Ann McLean (audacy.com) Dr. Ann McLean, Vice Chair of The Virginia Council discusses the concerted effort to eradicate American culture and traditions. (John and Ann do take solace in the fact that individuals have filed Amicus Briefs in court for the sake of sparing Reconciliation from removal from Arlington National Cemetery.)
Col. John Mills (audacy.com) Col. John Mills (Ret.) offers a scathing critique of the infamous Vindman Twins -- one of whom is running to succeed Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in Virginia's 7th District.
Darnella Moore (audacy.com) John encountered political activist Darnella Moore thanks to President Trump's rally earlier this summer in Chesapeake: John and Darnella discuss why she, a woman of color, supports President Trump -- as well as why she thinks people of color generally should support (and increasingly areendorsing) Donald Trump.
Brian Kilmeade (audacy.com) We check in with our friend, Fox News' Brian Kilmeade -- co-host of Fox & Friends and host of The Brian Kilmeade Show. John and Brian discuss RFK Jr.'s Trump endorsement, the now-concluded DNC, 2024 polls, and war in the Middle East.
Art, History, and Human Resilience with Sabin Howard - Victor Davis Hanson (victorhanson.com)Victor Davis Hanson interviews renowned figurative sculptor Sabin Howard. They delve into Sabin's monumental task of creating the World War I memorial, exploring his artistic process, influences, and the significance of his work. Sabin shares insights into the classical techniques he employs, the cultural importance of figurative art, and his vision for future projects.
Action Alert from Virginia Action Institute
The Virginia Board of Elections has an opportunity to build trust in the 2024 election results by approving a statewide Risk Limiting Audit of the 2024 U.S. Senate Race at its next meeting, Tuesday, September 3rd. We SUPPORT a statewide Risk Limiting Audit (using the Batch Comparison Method) of the U.S. Senate race this November. We urge you to read about this issue and lend your support by emailing the State Board of Elections and other state leaders.
The Board of Elections is expected to take up the measure at its next meeting
Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 1:00 pm.
The meeting allows for public comment both in person and virtually.
September 3rd State Board of Elections meeting information: Click HERE
State Board of Election Members:
john.obannon@elections.virginia.gov
georgia.alvis-long@elections.virginia.gov
donald.merricks@elections.virginia.gov
rosalyn.dance@elections.virginia.gov
matthew.weinstein@elections.virginia.gov
Governor Youngkin and Commissioner of Elections:
glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov
constituent.services@governor.virginia.gov
susan.beals@elections.virginia.gov
With your help, we can guarantee that our elections remain fair and free!
Thank you for your dedication! Sincerely,
Lindsey Zea, Director of Policy Virginia Action Institute
Join Us!
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.
To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here.To volunteer, click here.
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.
- The Executive Board of the Virginia Council
