Dear Fellow Patriots, Happy New Year! As we start the new year, I hope we will all make an effort to thoughtfully engage on the issues before us. A new administration in Washington and upcoming elections across Virginia provide every responsible citizen the chance to examine modern success and failures and make adjustments. We should also take care to study our past when there were hugely divisive issues and widespread hostility. How do we make our society successful and prosperous and innovative for the most people without falling into the socialist trap that has ruined so many other cultures and economies worldwide? And how do we avoid violence in our own country while not avoiding the real problems we face? At the Virginia Council in the coming year, we will examine the lives of some of our cultures formerly most respected citizens and how and why they are viewed with disdain today. Everyone from Christopher Columbus to Stonewall Jackson to Thomas Jefferson to Harry Byrd has been subjected to a revisionist and I would claim deliberately erroneous examination of their decisions and motivations. My approach to study- as I have traveled the world over the last 40 years has been one of curiosity rather than condemnation. How do leaders and societies rise and fall and what are the real motivations for judgements that we today reflexively (and retrospectively) find abhorrent? We think an enlightened society doesn’t arrogantly destroy, it perseveres, examines, and builds- for the future. Stay with us this year as we unveil our seminars and of course our first two speakers for the Virginia Forum. We hope to put tickets on sale next Sunday! Have a great new year's first weekend!  John Reid Founding Chairman of The Virginia Council Virginia Election Updates: A look at where 2025 gubernatorial candidates are on the issues Virginia’s special elections test party strength before 2025 Governor’s race • Virginia Mercury Virginia braces for economic impacts amid federal policy shifts, ODU report says | 13newsnow.com Virginia lawmaker to introduce AI disclosure law on political ads. | wusa9.com Pat Herrity to run for lieutenant governor, aims to boost GOP ticket in 2025 The Richmonder presents: The (Real) State of the City Virginia state flag hung in Gwangju as mayor labels President Yoon Suk Yeol a ‘tyrant’ - The Korea Herald  Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Youngkin's top 10 wins for Virginia this year State legal officials ask SCOTUS to uphold divest-or-ban law as Trump's request remains up in the air | Fox News Georgia, Rhode Island repealed car taxes. Could Youngkin’s plan lead to an elimination in Virginia? • Virginia Mercury Virginia’s anti-hazing efforts helped shape national legislation signed by Biden • Virginia Mercury These Virginia laws will go into effect on January 1, 2025 | 13newsnow.com Virginia lawmakers consider measure to send detailed school overdose notifications Youngkin's energy legacy may be nuclear | WVTF AEP's small modular reactor project backed by area lawmakers School divisions launching stricter cell phone policies in January - Cardinal News Jonathan Haidt Wins the Fight Against Smartphones in Schools Local leaders receive threats about sanctuary cities – NBC4 Washington Virginia Republicans’ questions on solar siting bill preview 2025 legislative fight | WVTF Fairfax County Public Schools committee creates draft of plan to implement gender ideology into elementary school curriculum - Parents Defending Education A state senator wants to require social services to ask about immigration status Color Us Unsurprised: Something In The Water Festival Missed Another Deadline. — Kerry: Virginians' homeowners insurance costs are climbing - Axios Richmond  Articles, News, & Quotes: FBI finds 150 homemade bombs at Virginia home | AP News Henrico hospital NICU nurse charged with child abuse, malicious wounding By Melissa Hipolit & Jon Burkett Fairfax Co. leaders forecast a nearly $300 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2026 By Nick Minock The Sordid Reality of “Great and Good” | Bacon's Rebellion - By James A. Bacon Micron announces plan to invest $2.17 billion in Manassas expansion, creating 340 jobs • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Richmond's annual financial report is 18 days overdue By Samuel B. Parker Student fights erupt at Tucker HS before winter break, hospitalizing one By Liana Hardy Where Is Richmond's Hero? - Style Weekly By Dale M. Brumfield https://vagovernor.substack.com/i/153984882/slipping-homeownership-opportunity-is-the-issue-of-our-time By Casey Flores Shoplifting surges in Arlington County as more patrols are deployed By Nick Minock Since 1967, this small division at the University of Virginia has investigated the possibility of reincarnation By Nick McNamara Jan. 5, 1781: A little-known piece of Revolutionary War history in Richmond By Greg McQuade (On Jan. 5, 1781, 800 British Soldiers raided Richmond by climbing onto Chimbarazo Hill, chasing 200 retreating colonists.) Richmond National Battlefield Park to Commemorate Arnold’s Raid and Revolutionary War Battle - Richmond National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)  Interviews of Interest Our Weekly Conversation With JIM GILMORE Former Governor Gilmore reacts to the recent terrorist incidents that rang in the new year. A Philosophic Discussion With DR. ANDREW BERNSTEIN Dr. Bernstein, author of The Moral Case for Western Civilization joins to discuss current events in the light of competing ideologies. Congressman Bobby Scott still teases run in gubernatorial primary podcasts.whro.org/whroReports/2024-12-31-10-31-31-POD_scott_still_teases_hankerson.mp3?sc=siteplayer&aw_0_1st.playerid=siteplayer?utm_source=enewsletter Douglas Murray Gets It Right on Why Things Are Going Wrong in the West | PragerU JOE MORRISSEY Predicts 2025 Statewide Races Former state Senator Morrisey talks about the investigations into the terrorist attacks in light of the Dogwood Dell misstatements and the statewide races in 2025. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press Issues 2024 was the worst year ever for campus free speech. Can we make 2025 better? | Fox News By Greg Lukianoff First Amendment gives way to national security: Countdown on for TikTok • Virginia Mercury By Cullen Seltzer If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  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. |
