| Dear friends, We have a very important anniversary starting this year that will roll into next year! It’s the 250th birthday of the USA and there will be ceremonies noting every great event and sacrifice that led to the creation of the most successful nation in the history of mankind. Virginians were the thinkers and leaders and fighters who brought about this great experiment in freedom and self-governance and it's important that our ancestors and their role be front and center as this anniversary arrives. It’s also important that this anniversary be an actual celebration and not a leftist lamentation. The people who want to ruin America and take it over always use events to focus on shortcomings and negatives. It’s not intellectual objectivity and open mindedness that drives this negativity- it’s a deliberate psychology to soften the connection to tradition and pride and make a take-over easier. I want to warn against the movement to demean America on what should be a great and grand celebration that reminds our people why we are here and what’s worth fighting for. At our upcoming Virginia Council meeting on Thursday, March 6th, we will hear from Cheryl Wilson, one of the key figures in planning the celebrations all across Virginia. Please RSVP for free here to join us. I’m excited to look back on our great and successful journey to that fabled “more perfect union” and work and aspire for an even better society in the next century. And also, please get your tickets to hear Mike Emanuel the Chief Washington Correspondent from FOX News at our Virginia Forum on March 20th! Tickets are available here. God Bless America!   John Reid Founder of The Virginia Council Get your tickets today for our next event! Mike Emanuel March 20, 2025 at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center VIP Reception begins at 5:45pm Program Begins at 7pm with doors opening at 6:15pm for General Admission ticket holders.  PURCHASE TICKETS HERE Want to know more about Mike Emanuel?? Mike Emanuel currently serves as chief Washington correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined FNC in 1997 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Emanuel also anchors FOX NEWS LIVE on Sunday afternoons at 1pm and was in the chair during an historic moment in the 2024 campaign. It was Sunday, July 21st when President Biden suddenly dropped out of the campaign and Emanuel had it first on Fox. Previously, Emanuel provided the latest breaking election news from Washington, DC during FNC’s Democracy 2020 election coverage. Additionally, Emanuel has covered both the House and Senate proceedings surrounding both impeachments of President Donald Trump, lawmakers passing tax reform, the confirmation hearings for the Trump and Biden Cabinets, and the confirmation hearings for President Trump’s three Supreme Court nominees. He also covered Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. In his role, Emanuel has reported on key congressional races, the IRS scandal, the hearings surrounding the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya attacks and President Barack Obama’s 2012-2016 State of the Union addresses from Capitol Hill, among other events. Come hear him speak about how the Washington D.C. press will cover the exciting and historic second term of President Trump in 2025! Virginia Election Updates: Spanberger and Sears use their predecessors' actions against each other on the campaign trail By Brandon Jarvis ‘You Were Certain Before’: Winsome Sears Taunts James Carville After He Declares She Is ‘Certain’ To Lose Race | The Daily Caller By Harold Hutchison Virginia GOP feud with conservative wing spills into critical election year • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt LaRock is considering a run for governor after grassroots push to get him on the ballot - Virginia Scope By Brandon Jarvis Election shake-up? Va. Republican explains why he wants to run against Youngkin’s pick in governor’s race - WTOP News By Nick Iannelli Earle-Sears: Virginians will be 'all right' despite federal workforce purge - Fredericksburg Free Press By Taft Coghill Jr. Jim Gilmore endorses Reid for LG - by Brandon Jarvis President Trump appoints Virginia's Youngkin and Maryland's Moore to Council of Governors By Ida Domingo New Donors Active in Gubernatorial Funding By VPAP.ORG  Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Youngkin acknowledges anxiety felt by federal workers as cuts continue - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer Budget deal doubles funding for Helene relief - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer How much money new Virginia state budget could put back in your pocket By Cameron Thompson Virginia gets more federal money than it pays in taxes - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno The first federal impact committee meeting Called by Speaker Scott Va. ranked last in U.S. for math recovery from 2019-2024 By Anna Bryson President Trump meets with Youngkin, other governors to discuss top topics | WRIC ABC 8News By Marysa Tuttle Youngkin, legislators differ on VMSDEP funding level as costs rise By Megan Pauly A Conscious Veto of the Unconsious Bias Bill | Bacon's Rebellion - By Steve Haner Va. lawmakers reject gift of last Founding Father home in private hands - The Washington Post By Gregory S. Schneider & Laura Vozzella Bill to guarantee paid sick leave for all employees in Virginia heads to Youngkin’s desk | WRIC ABC 8News By Tyler Englander Vindman calls on Virginians to defend civil servants 'like they've defended us' - Fredericksburg Free Press By Taft Coghill Jr. Nick Freitas on X: "It’s hard to hear…but if she is brave enough to let her story be told, we should have brave enough to give her a hearing. https://t.co/FPOuVomP8c" / X UVa starts releasing, but mom says report devoid of content By Hawes Spencer (2) Ian Prior on X: "Coming soon to Northern Virginia … @LCPSOfficial @fcpsnews @ACPSk12 @PWCSNews @APSVaSchoolBd" / X How a partisan fight over Virginia Beach's charter has led to a rural county in the Shenandoah Valley losing its industrial development authority - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Va. teacher diversity grants, training under review By Anna Bryson Bill to regulate license plate readers advances in Senate committee process after amendments By Brandon Jarvis Tapping the Strategic Investment Fund to Assess Research Spending | Bacon's Rebellion -By James A. Bacon UVA professor compares Kamala Harris loss to ‘violence of chattel slavery’ | The College Fix By Megan Rosevear (2) Patrick || M.S, LPC on X: "@DOGE @DOGE_HHS @GlennYoungkin @janetvkelly 🚨🚨 violation because this is where Virginia is sending taxpayer money and it is clearly racist As I have warned 1000 times, they are going to secretly slide these DEI initiatives into mental health and you can clearly see it in https://t.co/94bX32CZub" / X Probation reform modeled on Jay-Z, DeSantis efforts gets bipartisan support in new state | Fox News By Charles Creitz AI Anti-Discrimination Legislation Passes Virginia Statehouse By Zach Williams Charlottesville activist Zyahna Bryant running for school board seat By Dmitry Martirosov VA School District Defies Trump Orders, Won’t Tell Parents If Children Identify As Transgender By Mairead Elordi (2) A Guy on X That's On a Mission. Live by the Code on X: "🚨Virginia: Guy to Cops "I'm recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia as female" Did I miss something, or can guys now officially list themselves as women on their Virginia driver’s license or ID? A few questions come to mind: 1. Is this actually true? 2. Are @JasonMiyaresVA," / X Overdose crisis spurs school notification bills, but key details still up for debate • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline Designs unveiled for new $400M state government office building downtown - Richmond BizSense By Mike Platania  Humpty Dumpty’s Theorem and Lessons in Political Demagoguery By Scott Daniels, PhD  In a scene from Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale, Through the Looking-Glass,[i]Alice and Humpty Dumpty have a sophisticated exchange on the role of language. Their exchange captures much of what has been called, “our contemporary moral confusion,”[ii] especially in the realm of political argument. Humpty Dumpty declares that the meaning of words in everyday language rests with the speaker’s arbitrary and unaccountable use: “‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.’ ‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’ ‘The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master – that's all.’” Let’s call Humpty’s manipulative use of language “Humpty Dumpty’s Theorem.” Lines like these tempt us to think that Carroll was a political satirist. He wasn’t. But who could resist the parallels to today’s polarized political jungle, especially to hear the Democrats wail against a fairy tale legislation of their own making? The purpose of the Veterans War Memorial Protection Act is to prescribe a peaceful and more democratic approach to removing a veteran war memorial. Not surprisingly, anti-confederate opposition to this proposal purposefully misrepresented the purpose. A consensus objection emerged to desecrating the Confederate War memorials during 2020-2021 directed more narrowly at the militant means of their destruction. Moral outrage was palpable on all sides. But the multicultural protagonists’ irreverent disposal, more so than the removal itself, galvanized the focus of criticism against their desecration. It is the legal condition that made possible the destruction of Monument Avenue by the left – like the provocations from the extreme right leading to the destruction of the Lee monument in Charlottesville – that we sought to address in the proposed legislation. The Virginia Council supported legislation to address the removal of veteran war memorials (monuments and markers) of all 15 wars identified in The Code of Virginia (Code). It did not address deliberation for erecting war monuments, nor the particular significance of the monuments regarding their symbolism of personal or social ideals. More recent memorials could have a 40-year life. Memorials older than 40 years (e.g. Revolutionary or Civil Wars) as is the case for all memorials evaluated for removal would be subject to a mandatory referendum requiring a favorable motion from two-thirds of the voters. Local leadership could affirm or reject the election with a two-thirds majority. Not surprisingly, the proposal did not survive committee support in either chamber of the General Assembly. Democrats were hostile, and Republicans appeared disinterested. However, we are deeply appreciative that Sen. Sturtevant (SB1429) and Del. Williams (HB1884) sponsored the proposal. The Democrats demagogued the bill. Moreover, there is a remarkable pattern to their oral criticism. Let’s consider them briefly by clicking here to read the entire op-ed. [i]Carroll, Lewis. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There (Philadelphia: Henry Alters Company, 1897), p. 123. Access at Google Books, 8/22/2018. [ii]Mitchell, Basil. Morality: Religious and Secular: the Dilemma of the Traditional Conscience. Oxford : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press, (1980). The next Virginia Council monthly meeting will be on THURSDAY, March 6 at Park Lane Tavern. Cheryl Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director for the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, will join us to discuss the exciting celebration planned for 2026. The Commission, which was created by the General Assembly for the purpose of planning for and commemorating the 250th anniversary of Virginia's participation in American independence will be active through 2031.  The next Virginia Council monthly meeting will be on THURSDAY, March 6 at 12 noon at Park Lane Tavern. Cheryl Wilson serves as the Executive Director for the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. The Commission is composed of legislative leaders, tourism and economic development officials, historians, and experts across a wide spectrum. Cheryl's background in planning and executing historic celebrations in the Commonwealth is unsurpassed. She served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission From its creation in 2006 to its culmination in 2015. Please join us for a very special update from Cheryl Wilson on Thursday, March 6 at noon. RSVP HERE About – Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration – VA250 The VA250 Commission has chosen “To Form a More Perfect Union” as its theme. Our overarching goals are: to educate Americans, including our students, about our history, our founding ideals, and our system of government; to engage with every community and every Virginia locality in events that tell a complete story; and to inspire us all to commit to the values inherent in American citizenship. Articles, News, & Quotes: Weekend deluge leaves destroyed homes, washed-out roads and at least 1 death - Cardinal News By Susan Cameron Audit finds Richmond gave more than $1M to nonprofits that didn’t meet city criteria By Graham Moomaw In lawsuit, public housing residents say RRHA systematically hid rent waiver from poorest tenants By Sarah Vogelsong Richmond's third-party water report highlights power outages, massive flooding - Axios Richmond By Karri Peifer Confusion resulting from BOV gender-affirming care resolution | News | cbs19news.com By CBS19 News Staff New details emerge about Lee Enterprises cybersecurity attack - Cardinal News By Matt Busse (1) Jeff E. Schapiro on X: ".@LevarStoney has some splainin’to do. “The improper awards were spread across 16 different organizations, according to the report, and accounted for 25% of the nearly $6 million doled out to charitable organizations in 2023.” https://t.co/kFsBhqJDyc" / X Virginia fort names Gregg-Adams, Walker, Barfoot could be safe By Bill Atkinson (1) C'villeBubble on X: "Running for @CvilleSchools Board: C'ville BLM activist & UVA student also went on to MA program @UVA after making false statements about other student. AND UVA had to settle lawsuit with aggrieved Morgan Bettinger 💰💰 https://t.co/UnJesGACSQ" / X UVa board to meet on gender-affirming care as legal uncertainty grows • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods University terminates special status agreement with Guide Service - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecilia Mould Phil Holloway ✈️ on X: "“My new standing order is that no one who attended UVA law school can appear before me so I need you to sit down” DC District Judge Ana Rayes wasn’t joking Another instance where a district judge (appointed by Joe) can’t contain their personal animosity TDS warrants recusal" / X 'Hero' likely averted mass shooting at Crozet Harris Teeter that killed 3 By Hawes Spencer DEI-charged claims fly over contract talks for military school’s leader as lawmaker demands ethics probe | Fox News By Charles Creitz To stave off bird flu, Eastern Shore farmers treat chicken houses like 'the operating room' By Ryan Murphy USDA Has Spent $1.25 Billion on Mass Culling for H5N1 Bird Flu—With Disastrous Consequences By Nicholas Hulscher, MPH A Virginia county's economy depends on data centers. Some say they're intruding on communities. - CBS News By Janet Shamlia &Alicia Hastey Norfolk-based crews are in Greece as USS Truman works through repairs By Steve Walsh BWXT wins $2.1B in U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contracts - Virginia Business By Beth JoJack How to Create a Leftist Monoculture: Rising Scholars — Kerry: By James A. Bacon The hero of the Battle of Great Bridge was a sentry who took on an entire British platoon. He was also a free Black man. - Cardinal News By Leah Small Virginia Museum of History and Culture hosts naturalization ceremony | WRIC ABC 8News By Julia Broberg PHOTO GALLERY: George Washington's birthday at Ferry Farm - Fredericksburg Free Press By Suzanne Carr-Rossi George Washington's Ferry Farm - Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm  Interviews of Interest GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN Joins the Show CANDI CUSHMAN on Virginia Counties' Gender Identity School Policies Keep Life Thriving in VA! Virginia March for Life DOUG WILDER Discusses VMI DEMAND FOR HATE | Official Trailer By The Daily Caller City Councilwoman SARAH ABUBAKER Addresses City Water Concerns The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty Medical Freedom and the Constitution By Sheila M. Furey, MD Pastor's "Hate Speech" Charge Upheld By Realtor Appeals Panel — Founding Freedoms Law Center By Victoria Cobb Supreme Ct. Filing Exposes How Charlottesville Officials Enabled 2017 Violence to Suppress Speech | The Gateway Pundit | by Assistant Editor The Battle over Women’s Sports: Modern History of Women’s Sport -Capital Research Center By Kali Fontanilla FOIA reform bill stalls in Virginia House, keeping high public records fees intact • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods (9) EKO on X: "THE 1776 PROPHECY" / X "As we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence," the report challenged, "we must resolve to teach future generations an accurate history of our country so that we all learn and cherish our founding principles once again." The-Presidents-Advisory-1776-Commission-Final-Report.pdf  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 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 Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. |
