Blame to go around

We've learned lots about Ukraine in the last week.
And how many actors on all sides made mistakes.
That Ukraine has allowed itself to be used as a pawn against a powerful neighbor is in part the fault of Kyiv’s reckless and corrupt political class. But Ukraine is not a superpower that owes allies and client-states judicious leadership—that’s the role of the United States. And in that role, the United States has failed Ukraine. More broadly, the use of Ukraine as a goad against enemies domestic and foreign has recklessly damaged the failing yet necessary European security architecture that America spent 75 years building and maintaining.

Great Eight scores again

Alex Ovechkin offered his opinion on the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Putin needs to listen to his great wisdom.

Help Hunter's friends

Want a slogan that really won't help the Ukraine effort?
But Ukraine could probably use the money that gas company paid Hunter Biden.

Loss of a blogging friend

The Other McCain notes the passing of Bob Belvedere, the pen name of a Massachusetts man who spread his knowledge through the blogosphere in the Obama era.
While The Camp of the Saints remains on the internet, I found he included me in an Obamacare roundup in 2010, and several other links

The masks will drop

Democrats celebrated a court victory Friday about Governor Youngkin's order on mask mandates.
Youngkin had reason to celebrate a court victory Monday.
Time is on Youngkin's side, as those seeking to keep mask mandates in schools watch multitude jurisdictions bringing their masking to an end.
The masks will drop.

Read the election results

Governor Glenn Youngkin went shopping in Alexandria for a photo op for his plan to cut grocery taxes.
Another customer was upset - where's your mask?
"Read the room."
Read the election results, lady.

Can we borrow your dog?

West Virginia governor Jim Justice made headlines by lofting his dog into the air as a speech ended - and suggesting the critics "kiss her hiney."
Can Virginia's Glenn Youngkin borrow the dog for his critics?

Looks like they made it up

Earlier today, the news came out Barry Manilow wanted him music off Spotify.
Manilow came out hours later, saying the idea wasn't from him.
Looks like some rumormonger is going to have a cold Weekend in New England.

Wanted: Justice for the losing side

Justice Stephen Breyer reportedly plans to retire soon.
Democrats are looking for a replacement, someone who can be on the bench for 30 years or more.
Someone who won't be tired of always being on the losing side.
Good luck finding the right person - to continually lose to the right.

Hole in their wall

Virginia Democrats claim the Senate will be their brick wall to stop Gov. Glenn Youngkin's agenda.
They forgot about Chap Petersen.
On Monday, Chap Peterson, a moderate Democrat who joined with Republicans to force school re-opening last year, said in an email to the Fairfax County Parents Association that Fairfax’s school board “must define an ‘off ramp’ for mandatory masking. That means plainly stated metrics as well as a final deadline (e.g. Valentine’s Day). They should announce that immediately. The forced masking policy is going to end very soon, i.e. in a few weeks.

Quite a large hole in the Democrats' wall.

Youngkin shows the way

Governor Youngkin's start has impressed Kurt Schlichter.
He won, against all odds. And he did it not by tacking to the squishy center and trying to please the Washington Post, but by ignoring the consultant consensus that he should disregard issues the people were concerned about and focus on the same losing platform that these hacks haven’t changed since 2005. And then he followed up by keeping his word.

Parents rule, bureaucrats drool

Gov. Youngkin gives parents a choice.
Bureaucrats don't like that.
Thanks to the governor, parents get their say next week.

The Blue wail

Democrats are having a hard time understanding transfer of power to Republicans.
Let the 2023 campaign commercials right themselves.

It's going to be a fun four years

Blue Virginia collects the reactions of Virginia Democrats to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's first day in office. 
It's going to be so enjoyable to read their reactions as the days go on.

Democratic vandalism in Richmond

Gov. Glenn Youngkin arrived at the governor's mansion before taking office at noon.
Outgoing governor Ralph Northam handed him a credit-card style door key.
With holes from a dog bite.
Instead of a brass key to a door lock, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam handed the incoming governor a plastic card – punctured by tooth marks from his Labrador puppy, Pearl.
Democrats trying to prevent transfer of power.
Start spreading the news.

If Virginia Democrats did so well, why'd they lose?

Virginia now has a Republican majority in the House.
And Saturday, a Republican takes over as governor.
As Democrats leave power, they keep heaping praise on their work the past two years.
But really.
If Democrats did what the people wanted, why did they get voted out?
Their opinions don't match the facts on the ground.

Looking forward to Jan. 6, 2023

Democrats are looking back to last year.
Republicans should be looking forward to next year.
When January 2023 rolls around, Republicans should take the House.
Nancy Pelosi - or her replacement - will hand the gavel over to (likely) Kevin McCarthy.
The investigations of Democratic malfeasance can begin.
There's plenty of targets available.
Let the Democrats have their fun, looking backward.
The future belongs to Republicans.

The saddest holidays

Most people get off work New Year's Day.
But it's really a lousy holiday.
Just like Labor Day.
Both are holidays that mark the end of a good season.
Even football can't save them.
The good things of the past year get wiped away. 

I saved a lot of money at my local Food Lion - now my number is back to zero.

We've got the long slog of winter weather in January and February to make it through until it starts to warm in March.

And we have the sunlight we need after work hours.

Thanks President Joe (Manchin)

If you're just getting up to speed now, all year long the Joe in charge of Washington was Manchin.
Today, he said no to Build Back Better.
No, it is.

Central planning doesn't work

Blue Virginia has a collection of tweets from the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee chairwoman. 

Too bad they don't read with an open mind. 

Democrats would see why their plans will fail based on the failure of the McAuliffe team.

The McAuliffe team pushed a top-down plan, keeping control of their campaign signs and ignoring warning signs that their message wasn't working. 

HoD candidates and staff were left out to dry with McAuliffe’s staff keeping their cards so close to their chest that the majority for the time even DPVA was kept in the dark about decisions being made. Team McAuliffe did not coordinate.

Like many of the Democratic policy plans, putting government and its bureaucrats in control.

If something doesn't work, they just keep doing it.

If this management style doesn't work in campaigns, how can it work in the real world?

Oh happy day

What a glorious day in Virginia.
Republicans won the top three spots.

And will have the majority in the House of Delegates.
Democrats are moping.
Complaining.
Frantic about the future under Governor-elect Youngkin.
Losing produces a thousand excuses.

Sweep

Good news from Virginia, with large Republican turnout pushing Glenn Youngkin and his team toward victory.
Quite a way to end a decade-long losing streak.

Limping through year 13

Today is this blog's 13th anniversary. 

The 13th year hasn't been great - fewer posts. 

 The blog world has changed much since I started in 2008. 

But we'll keep the lights on. 

Especially if Glenn Youngkin pulls out the big win next Tuesday.

Headline in two weeks

Youngkin schools McAuliffe.

Here come those tears again

The Washington Post makes Blue Virginia sad today.
Imagine how sad Democrats will be November 3.

Undefeated teams watch

Five teams have made it through the first three weeks 3-0. 

One - the Los Angeles Rams - have their second straight game against an unbeaten opponent when Arizona comes to town on Sunday. 

The Panthers, Raiders and Broncos round out the 3-0 crew. 

The 1972 Miami Dolphins continue watching.

Get ready for Gov. Youngkin

Early voting has begun in Virginia.
Panic has begun for Democrats.

Undefeated teams watch

With most of week 2 done, there are seven teams with 2-0 records. 

Two of them will meet next Sunday, with Tom Brady and the Bucs taking on the Rams. 

The 1972 Miami Dolphins will be watching, just like they have for years.

Saturday song

I previously posted songs each week, but they would disappear.
Let's see if this happens with Rumble.

>

Song we need to hear