Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from LynnRMitchell.com

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The reason for the season….

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-20

The true meaning of Christmas … a time for the Christian world to pause and celebrate the birth of the son of God.

As 2015 comes to a close, we are thankful for a successful year and especially for our readers who contribute and share the posts we publish at LynnRMitchell.com.

It is a time to remember those who have special meaning in our lives. We are grateful to our core group of contributors – Kurt, David, and Daniel — working together as each brings a unique perspective that is shared in our writings. We are also grateful to our 46 guest posters who have contributed over the past one-and-a-half years … and the list continues to grow.

The New Year will usher in changes to LynnRMitchell.com. We were sad to lose David when he relocated to Florida mid-way through the year. Recently, I was invited to rejoin Bearing Drift after a 2.5-year absence, and have accepted, along with Kurt who will also be joining the Bearing Drift group of writers. LynnRMitchell.com will continue with posts as well as guest posters.

February will mark 10 years since I became a contributor to Virginia’s conservative blogosphere. Here’s to a great 2016, and the next 10 years.

Facebook cultivates bully keyboard activism

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Wednesday news began circulating that former U.S. Senator Bob Dole had endorsed 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush. It didn’t take long for the disparaging remarks to begin showing up on Facebook and other social media.

Like most campaign seasons, this one is becoming very toxic as people defend their chosen candidates. I get it. But where do we draw the line of courtesy versus rudeness, and respectful defense of our candidates?

One Virginia blogger posted a link Wednesday to an article announcing Dole’s endorsement, with the comment, “THAT’S what Jeb! was missing! The comeback starts now!”

It was followed by mocking comments that expanded the negativity. “How many loser endorsements does that make? Romney, Dole, Cantor…” wrote one. Another added, “James Baker.. haha.”

Would any of those commenters say that to the faces of those they disparage?

Bully keyboard activism.

Remembering Alton Foley

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Alton and me at the 2008 Republican Party of Virginia convention. As you can see, we were all stickered up with candidate lapels because every convention requires that you be a walking billboard.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7

Sad news crisscrossed Virginia on Monday. Alton Foley, son of Stanleytown, and self-described on his Twitter account as, “Once a truck driver, then a contractor, then an electrical engineer; now I’m working at being a full time curmudgeon,” lost his battle with cancer. He was 59.

Virginia’s conservative blogosphere lost a pillar. Virginia conservative bloggers lost a friend and master story teller. Republican politics lost an activist. Virginia lost an adopted native son.

It was not unexpected news. Alton had been battling cancer for a while, and some weeks back he had a massive heart attack. His body was playing out. He picked a magnificent, sunny spring day to meet up with his old friend Tucker Watkins who left us three years ago. Reunited.

The news came in a phone call Monday morning from Richard Crouse who wrote on his Facebook page:

Alton my friend, may you find peace. I can see you with our old friend Tucker as you are sitting on the porch passing the jar and telling stories to the Angels.

I smiled at the thought.

Active from the early days of the Virginia conservative blogosphere, Alton helped co-found the Old Dominion Blog Alliance where I became a member of the gang. In the beginning he blogged as “I’m Not Emeril,” later blogging under his own name. Later he blogged at Bearing Drift and Virginia Politics On Demand (VPOD), writing folksy tales of his talks with down-home friend Clyde. I spent some time over at Alton’s blog re-reading the archives and wandering down the hallways of Virginia blogging.

At Bearing Drift, Shaun put in a call to Clyde (see Alton Foley passes away, Clyde reminisces) who shared his memories of Alton:

“Alton was a good man.  A great man.  Of course, y’all on social media wouldn’t know much about the man himself… or maybe you did.

“There’s one thing Alton loved sharing, and that was his opinion.  More like his thoughts.  And he offered them up to just about anyone who wanted to listen.  Wasn’t preachy, either.  Just stood up and told you what was.”

Alton’s trademark white mustache could be seen at GOP events and blogger gatherings, speaking with his soft Southern lilt as his eyes twinkled and a grin played at the corners of his mouth.

When his friend Tucker Watkins passed away in 2012 from the same wretched disease, Alton wrote about him:

“What’cha know?” That was how Tucker started each phone call, incoming or outgoing.

I first met Tucker Watkins by phone. Introduced by Barnie Day, a former Democrat house of delegates member. We spoke often after that, but didn’t actually meet until an event in Charlottesville brought us together. After that he would often stop by my Stanleytown home, or call me from out of the blue, to discuss the latest in Virginia politics.

I learned a lot from him. He was an exceptional organizer, having learned the art first in the JayCees and later managing a super-sized truck stop. He was also an learned student of Virginia politics. We had our arguments, to be sure. But we respected each other and left our differences behind.

I’ll never see another iPhone without thinking of him. Just like he embraced the Blackberry that paved the way for it, Tucker loved his iPhone. I don’t know why that popped out, just one of those things about Tucker you’ll never forget.

Tucker, I’ll visit you one last time on Tuesday. After that we’ll meet at your hospitality suite in Heaven.

Tucker’s hospitality suite in Heaven … now there are two. Rest in peace, Alton Foley … we will fight on. See you down the trail.

Alton’s obituary

Happy New Year! 2014 year-end review from LynnRMitchell.com

This is our first year-end review at LynnRMitchell.com. We started up eight months ago as a group blog, providing daily posts that include opinion, information, and humor about politics and many other issues. It’s been a good year. Our readers have included everyone from politicos to homeschool moms to friends and neighbors. We are generally right-of-center but promote rational thought and discussion as part of the dialogue with our contributors and guest writers.

During our eight months, we’ve published over 900 posts from our four regular contributors — Kurt Michael who is our managing editor, David Karaffa, Daniel Cortez, and Lynn R. Mitchell who is executive editor — as well as 23 guest writers.  Our very first guest writer was Mike Thomas whose post zoomed to the top of the ratings and helped launch us into the blogosphere.

The Top 5 posts for 2014 covered a variety of topics:

– Dr. Rob Marsh … Delta Force soldier finds peace as country doctor
– Augusta County’s Dennis Burnett passes away
– Summer 2014 … 40 things to do in and around Staunton, Virginia
– Louisa tea party chairman wins 7th Congressional District chair
– WSJ: ‘Health Care and the $20,000 bruise’

The next five posts were just as varied:

– Afton’s 2014 Bethlehem Village and the greatest story ever told
– Unaccompanied Child Immigrants in Verona, Virginia
– Sabato: ‘This is not a good development for Mark Warner’
– Did judge in McDonnell trial have conflict of interest?
– Kay Coles James for RPV chairman: A visionary for the future of the party

We have been read all over the country and around the world, thanks to our readers and contributors, and we’re looking forward to what 2015 will bring. We hope you’ll continue the journey with us. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us at LynnRMitchell.com

The reason for the season….

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-20

The true meaning of Christmas … a time for the Christian world to pause and celebrate the birth of the son of God.

As 2014 comes to a close, we are thankful for a successful year and especially for our readers who contribute and share the posts we publish at LynnRMitchell.com.

It is a time to remember those who have special meaning in our lives. We are grateful to have our core group of contributors –Kurt, David, Daniel, and Lynn — working together as each brings a unique perspective that is shared in our writings:

Let’s raise the level of debate and the integrity of our cause

By Benjamin Dessart

While I normally do not give such articles much consideration, the editorial written by the Daily Caller and promoted by Tom White is the most appalling editorial I have read in my time engaged in conservative politics.

Not only are the accusations implied here heinous and logically flawed, they are written (and promoted) in the name of journalism. This article is not news. This article is not journalism. In fact, it is an affront to journalism. Journalists hold themselves to a set standard of morality aimed at promoting the truth, no matter where it may lead them. This article is without the standards of common decency, never mind a standard of journalistic integrity. Such writing is not only deceitful, but it is manipulative, cold, and designed to promote a singular result: for the reader to hate someone.

‘Daily Caller’ and Virginia blogger stoop to new low regarding UVa ‘Rolling Stone’ article

By Daniel P. Cortez

In my 45 years as a writer-broadcaster and political media operative, this remains the worst breach of journalistic ethics I have ever seen. I find the author and editors of the Daily Caller reprehensible to suggest, by inference through association, that the son of former Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor had anything to do with the alleged gang rape reportedly occurring at the University of Virginia in 2012 during a fraternity party.

In the past such acts of desperate yellow journalism were frowned upon and summarily impugned by the established media community. Sadly, today this remains the consequence of poorly trained and ethically imbalanced blog operatives with a mentality embraced by too many known supporters of the tea party community. Such scurrilous acts of political sabotage through innuendo are the reason seasoned professional writers must be more selective to blog involvement in Virginia.

Happy Thanksgiving from LynnRMitchell.com

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens

The writers at LynnRMitchell.com — Daniel Cortez, David Karaffa, Kurt Michael, and myself — extend Thanksgiving greetings with gratitude to our readers for helping us become a successful statewide voice in the Virginia conservative blogosphere. We wish you a joyful day with family and friends as America pauses to give thanks for the blessings we all enjoy. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Cross-posted