Tag Archives: Linkalicious

Jennifer Wexton Wrote an Op-Ed Piece

You may not have seen it, because it is only in the print edition of Loudoun Times Mirror (and in their e-edition, scroll to page A21). It’s a rather effective critique of Jim Plowman’s role in the scandal of the innocent Vice-Principal. Here’s an excerpt.

Though the summary facts are well known, there are key aspects of the case which have been forgotten, or never publicized, which reflect poorly on Mr. Plowman. First, the original charges against Mr. Oei said nothing about child pornography.

Even the misdemeanor charge against Mr. Oei (punishable only by a fine of up to $500) was based on the mistaken belief that Mr. Oei had not reported the matter appropriately. After it was determined that Mr. Oei had, in fact, reported the incident to his Principal, the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney assigned to the case agreed that the charge should not be prosecuted, and filed a motion with the court to officially drop the case.

It was at this point that Mr. Plowman became personally involved, ordering the Assistant C.A. to withdraw the motion and continue with the case. Mr. Plowman also communicated to Mr. Oei’s lawyer an ultimatum: plead guilty to the failure to report charge and resign from the school system, or be charged with felony possession of child pornography.

As Mr. Oei’s attorney later stated in a sworn affidavit, Mr. Plowman “threatened [his] intention to pursue a legally and factually unsupportable felony charge” if Mr. Oei did not resign. Mr. Plowman had taken it upon himself — without consulting the Loudoun County Public Schools and despite Mr. Oei’s 30 years as a teacher and school administrator — to determine that Mr. Oei was not fit to work in the schools, and decided to extort him into resigning.

The Loudoun County School Board later voted to reimburse Mr. Oei for the legal fees he incurred defending himself from the baseless charges. Loudoun taxpayers were required to pick up the $167,000 tab for Jim Plowman’s witch hunt.

Mr. Plowman is an elected official, ultimately answering only to the voters of Loudoun County. In this election year, it is important to remember these egregious examples of Mr. Plowman’s poor judgment and abuse of power. – Jennifer Wexton

Since LTM wouldn’t put up a link (for reasons that are not yet known, there have been no new Letters to the Editor posted to the LTM site since February), you can read the full letter at Jennifer’s website!

And while you’re there, why not get involved? It’s time for a new Commonwealth’s Attorney.

(I provided some additional details and text from the letter to expand on this post -P13)

Dan Lloyd drops out of the Sterling race, throws his support to Al Nevarez

May 18, 2011

All Loudoun County Democrats,

I have decided to end my campaign for Sterling Supervisor. During this amazing four-month learning process, I have met great people who care about their community and learned a lot about our local issues and the political process. However, given the pressures of running a small business in a down economy and keeping up with family responsibilities, I have realized that I don’t have the time to devote to beating the incumbent in the fall. Fortunately, Al Nevarez has the knowledge, communication skills and a team in place to take on Delgaudio, and I will help to fully mobilize Democrats and Independents around his campaign.

I thank you for all your advice and support and I will do whatever I can to help our local candidates and the LCDC succeed.

Sincerely,
Dan Lloyd

Thank you for stepping up, Dan, and thank you also for this gracious note about your departure from the race, which I received from a friend within the LCDC.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime..

I’ve been hearing a lot lately about “Liberty and Justice for All, Born and Unborn.”

It is not justice to force a pregnant person into involuntary servitude for 9 months, risking her life and health. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is not justice to declare that the life and health of a living person is worth less than the fetus she carries. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is not justice to withhold life-saving surgery from a living person due to concern for the fetus she carries. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are also working to allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense birth control.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are also working to prevent accurate sex education.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are working to cut funds to social services, day care, foster care.

…If we truly valued children, we would do everything in our power not to traumatize, deprive, or neglect them…

Until I see this, I won’t believe that “pro-lifers” care about life at all. I won’t believe that “family values” proponents care about families. And I won’t believe that those who seek to “protect” children care about children.
-Matt Kailey at Womanist Musings

Oh! And in case you thought Choice is only about Abortion, here’s a post that will better inform you.

(cross posted at DoorbellQueen)

INVITATION TO LUNAFEST!

LUNAFEST Arlington 2011
Hosted by the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation
LUNAFEST logo
Thursday, May 12, 2011, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
near Pentagon City Metro station, Arlington, VA 22202
(location available upon ticket purchase or reservation)
 
 
Join us on May 12 to enjoy great short films while supporting two important causes! Proceeds support the research, education and outreach work of the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation, as well as the national LUNAFEST beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Fund.  Featuring:
  • Screening of LUNAFEST’s compelling, diverse short films by female filmmakers
  • Reception with wine and other refreshments to enjoy during the films
  • Silent Auction with great prizes to bid on, including: a one-week stay at an international vacation condo; original artwork; handmade jewelry; a one-night stay at the W Washington DC Hotel; a basket of great wines; spa treatments from Calvert Rejuvenations; gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses such as Pizzeria Paradiso, Georgetown Cupcake, and Thrive Pilates; Potomac Nationals baseball tickets… and more!
Watch the teaser trailer for this year’s films below!
 
Choice Guardian Host Committee
Barbara Burgess • Matthew Boyer • Jennifer Brown • Liz Miller • Jennifer Brooks Miller • Gary Spoden • Lori Swain
 
Silent Auction donors
Lisa Baker • Calvert Rejuvenations • Georgetown Cupcake • Ben Greenberg Photography • Misty Jones • Pizzeria Paradiso • Potomac Nationals • Thrive Pilates & Yoga • W Washington DC Hotel
 

LUNAFEST®, sponsored by LUNA, is a national traveling festival of short films by, for, and about women. It was established in 2000 to promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues, and support the Breast Cancer Fund and other worthy nonprofit organizations working on women’s issues throughout the country.

 


Tickets/Sponsorship:
 
 
 
  
 
General Admission Tickets: $35
($25 discounted rate for GEM for Choice monthly donors and Students/Young Professionals)
 
VIP Admission: $75 Individuals / $125 Choice Power Couples
 ($50 discounted VIP rate for GEM for Choice members)
Includes tickets with reserved seating & admission to VIP pre-show reception.
 

Choice Guardian Host Committee: $250
Includes your name on website & event publications, 4 tickets with reserved seating & admission to VIP pre-show reception.
 


 
Please contact rsvp@naralva.org or 202-973-3085 with any questions about purchasing or reserving your tickets.

 
 If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating an item to be placed up for bid at our Silent Auction, please contact caroline@naralva.org.

 

Thank you to everyone who made last year’s LUNAFEST 2010 a great success! Check out some additional photos from the night right here!

Went out walking with Jennifer Wexton again!

She is so much fun to walk with! We did doors for about 3 hours on Saturday, and then she ran out of lit, so we stopped for the day. I emailed her more walk sheets for Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, did anyone get an odd message from two of the LCDems lists that day? If you did, please let me know. liz (at) millerhousehold (dot) com.

Dems I have a great feeling about this year

Mark Herring. Raised nearly $100,000 since January. Has $150,000 on hand. Smart, popular, and effective.

Mike Kondratick. Raised over $15,000 since January. He has nearly twice that on hand. I just met his campaign manager, and she is on the ball and ready to roll.

David Butler. Experienced elected official, has already raised over $8000  raised over $11000 in the last report and has over $22,000 on hand [thanks for the update Dave!]. I haven’t met his primary opponent, Jim Magner, and he’s too new to have filed a report.

Jennifer Wexton. She raised over $9000, and is off to a great start. Her resume and her attitude will help us be rid of the embarrassment that is Jim Plowman.

Valdis Ronis. Raised nearly $7000 over $12,000 [I was looking at Cash On Hand]. Planning Commissioner. Architect. Well-known and well-liked.

Al Nevarez. Raised OVER $7,000. I just met his campaign manager, and I think that this is the team to beat Delgaudio. Also, he did very well in last night’s debate with Dan Lloyd and Barry Aliriza.

Speaking of Dan Lloyd, I thought he also did well, and any of the three of them would be a better choice than Delgaudio.

And I haven’t even touched on Malcolm Baldwin or Kelly Burk.

So the Dems have a pretty exciting line-up this year. I’m looking forward to walking for most of these good folks this season.

YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE

Today is the last day to comment on new rules the State Department may impose on people seeking new passports.

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for some passport applicants: The proposed new Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information. According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”

Submit your comments to the State Department

(Via Shakesville. No word on WHO those “some people” would be.)

My first endorsement

I put some shoe leather in for Jennifer Wexton yesterday. She and I walked my neighborhood gathering signatures for her petition to get on the ballot. We had a great time visiting with my neighbors and talking with a star-struck youngster who thought it was really cool that Stevens and I live around the corner from her.

Jennifer has what it takes to win, and she’s committed to it. She did over 40 doors with me, and then went and did over 40 in Leesburg in the afternoon.

Way to go, Jennifer!!!

——

And speaking of candidates who are doing well, have any of you seen Mike Kondratick‘s VPAP filing this period? He’s the 25th in the state for money raised. WAY TO GO, MIKE!!