http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/va-news/ en-us Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:58:27 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418717/posts YORK It took 41 years, but a York County airman missing in action since the Vietnam War has finally been laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery after his remains were positively identified earlier this year. Melvin Douglas Rash, of Grafton, was buried with full military honors Dec. 7 at the revered Washington-area cemetery. He had been missing since 1968, when his Air Force C-130 airplane was presumably shot down over Vietnam. After years of dead ends, the plane's wreckage was finally positively identified in 2002 in a jungle area near the Laotian border. It took six years before military... Daily Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418717/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:58:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418611/posts On Saturday night, Virginia Beach police arrested Jorge Alberto Fuertes Loredo, 31, and Isidor Loredo Amaya, 31, after Florentino Martinez-Melendez, 40, was shot to death in a trailer park. A second victim survived the shooting but remains in critical condition in a local hospital. Apparently, the fatal shooting was the result of a heated argument. Both Loredo and Amaya have been charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Both Mexican nationals are in the country illegally, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have placed a hold on them. Virginia Beach Commonwealth Attorney, Harvey Bryant,... Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418611/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:36:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418063/posts Lisa Miller Is Supposed to Handover Daughter Isabella to her Former Lesbian Partner Janet Jenkins on Friday - ABC News http://abcnews.go.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418063/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:40:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418042/posts RICHMOND -- Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore is the new president and chief executive officer of the Free Congress Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Alexandria. Mr. Gilmore, a Republican, announced his appointment by the foundation's board of directors Monday. The Free Congress Foundation was founded by conservative activist Paul Weyrich, who died a year ago. The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418042/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:03:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417990/posts Richmond, VA) -- Governor-elect Bob McDonnell wants Virginia to become the first state on the Atlantic seaboard to explore and drill for oil. The Republican has sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, asking that Virginia be allowed to move ahead on offshore energy exploration. McDonnell cites an Old Dominion University study that concluded natural gas production would create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars for the state. It's believed at least 500-million barrels of oil could lie off the coast of Virginia. WMAL http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417990/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:41:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417978/posts ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 30, 2009 – Due to multiple military deployments that have occurred for nearly a decade, many Army families choose to remain in their established neighborhoods or return to a relative’s hometown when their soldier deploys. In many cases this means that family resources commonly found on a military installation aren't available for the duration of the soldier’s deployment. The Army has hired 61 community support coordinators located across the United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Japan to help connect these geographically dispersed military personnel with community-service systems. Community support coordinators work to engage and invite... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417978/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:31:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417896/posts After a cold and rainy Christmas Day Rally at Walter Reed, Olney was the FReepers Christmas Gift. A misty rain was still there, blowing all over our glasses, but it was sufficiently warm that no gloves were needed. At least I didn't wear any. And the State Highway Administration has provided us with another flag pole support. BELOW LEFT: The new signal pole that will hold some additional flags. I’m putting up one flag on the power pole but the new pole will hold two. BELOW RIGHT: Lurker Bill setting up a banner on the soon to be torn down... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417896/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:30:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417659/posts ...Miller and Jenkins were joined in a Vermont civil union in 2000. Isabella was born to Miller through artificial insemination in 2002. The couple broke up in 2003, and Miller moved to Virginia, renounced homosexuality and became an evangelical Christian. Cohen awarded custody of the girl to Jenkins on Nov. 20 after finding Miller in contempt of court for denying Jenkins access to the girl. The judge said the only way to ensure equal access to the child was to switch custody. He also said the benefits to the child of having access to both parents would be worth the... The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417659/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:39:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417540/posts Amidst continued reverberations from the worst campus shooting in our nation's history at Virginia Tech in 2007 came news of yet another shooting on a "no-guns" Virginia campus earlier this month. According to news reports, as 20 year-old James Michael Hamilton stood at the entrance to his math classroom with a long black canvas bag at his side, oblivious classmates filed into a classroom, apparently giving nary a thought to what was in the bag, or why Hamilton had suddenly decided to reappear at the class after having been absent for several weeks. Although at least one student reportedly questioned... Buckey Firearms Association http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417540/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:31:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417332/posts A Rutland Family Court judge has refused to delay an order that transfers custody of a child from a Virginia mother to her former lesbian partner in Fair Haven. But with the whereabouts of Lisa Miller and 7-year-old Isabella Miller presently "unknown," it remains to be seen whether the first of its kind parent custody switch takes place when the court order takes effect on New Year's Day. Miller, who renounced homosexuality, and her former partner Janet Jenkins have been battling over visitation rights since they ended their civil union in Vermont in 2003. After the pair split, Miller returned... Times Argus http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417332/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:24:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417204/posts MONTPELIER, Vt. – The birth mother of a 7-year-old Virginia girl must transfer custody of the child to the woman's former lesbian partner, a Vermont judge ruled, adding that it seems the woman has "disappeared" with her daughter... ..The couple broke up in 2003, and Miller moved to Virginia, renounced homosexuality and became an evangelical Christian... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417204/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:50:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417154/posts Capitol Police tell staffers the situation has "stabilized" and the lock down will soon be called off. Hill staffers are in lock down after Capitol Police issued a report of a person with a gun. The email: Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 3:24 PM To: All House Staff Subject: Capitol Hill Complex Lock Down December 29, 2009 1523 hours A lock down has been intiated for all buildings in the Capitol Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417154/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:51:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417160/posts Siren up on Drudge. Possible man with a gun. Drudge Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417160/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:57:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417082/posts Vt. Judge: Birth Mom Must Give Child To Ex-Partner By WILSON RING Associated Press Writer Dec. 29, 2009 MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The birth mother of a 7-year-old Virginia girl must transfer custody of the child to the woman's former lesbian partner, a Vermont judge has ruled. Vermont Family Court Judge William Cohen ordered Lisa Miller of Winchester, Va., to turn over daughter Isabella to Janet Jenkins of Fair Haven at 1 p.m. Friday at the Virginia home of Jenkins' parents. Miller and Jenkins were joined in a Vermont civil union in 2000. Isabella was born to Miller through artificial insemination... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417082/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:40:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416885/posts If there was ever a textbook example of kissing up to a host in a television interview, Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., gave a demonstration on MSNBC's "The Ed Show." During the Dec. 28 broadcast, Moran, who represents a district that is just a stone's throw away from the U.S. Capitol, encouraged "The Ed Show" host Ed Schultz to keep pushing for the public option as part of health care reform, even though it is losing support as being essential in the U.S. House of Representatives. "You've got to keep up the pressure, Ed," Moran said. "You know, they pay much... Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416885/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:47:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415704/posts On Christmas day 20 years ago, Nicolae Ceausescu – long time dictator of Romania – was, along with his wife Elena, executed by firing squad just days after fleeing Bucharest, while his tyrannical regime unraveled before the eyes of a watching world.  His demise and the surrounding events are etched in the memory of those of us who watched it all unfold via various news reports. The look on the once strong-man’s face as a massive crowd began to boo during a speech on December 21st, was one of the defining moments of the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. ... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415704/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:39:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415482/posts "U.S. mosques fear influences on young" "Extremists, especially online, can be a powerful lure. "I have to be a virtual imam," counters one Va. leader." Washington Post WASHINGTON - SNIPPET: "Mustafa Abu Maryam, a Muslim youth leader who has known the five arrested men from Alexandria since 2006, said he was alarmed by their decision to go to Pakistan after exchanging coded e-mail messages with a recruiter for the Pakistani Taliban." SNIPPET: ""I'm really concerned about what the Internet is doing to my young people," said Mohamed Magid, imam at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va. "I... (WASHINGTON POST) via THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415482/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:11:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415377/posts ISLAMABAD (AP) ― Police are trying to determine whether five Americans detained in Pakistan had planned to attack a complex that houses nuclear power facilities, authorities said Saturday. The young Muslim men, who are from the Washington, D.C., area, were picked up in Pakistan earlier this month in a case that has spurred fears that Westerners are traveling to the South Asian country to join militant groups. Pakistani police and government officials have made a series of escalating and, at times, seemingly contradictory allegations about the men's intentions, while U.S. officials have been far more cautious, though they, too, are... WCBSTV.COM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415377/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:06:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415271/posts In the past year, exposure of significant jihadist recruitment inside the United States has left Americans worried that "homegrown terrorism" may become a serious threat. Eight years after the atrocities of September 11, 2001, media and government appear stunned by the upsurge of jihad incidents in the United States, including two lethal attacks. The Fort Hood massacre on November 5, for which an Army psychiatrist, Nidal Hasan, has been charged with 13 deaths, has been followed by two more cases. On December 9, five college-age Muslims from northern Virginia were arrested in Pakistan. They were allegedly headed for terror training... Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415271/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:32:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415037/posts A stronger blast, a little less luck, and the horse that Marine Sgt. Michael Blair is riding down an Arlington County trail could easily be pulling his coffin. "It's an honor riding these horses, knowing what they do," he said. The horses that Blair rides in a rehabilitation program for wounded service members also pull the caissons that carry fallen troops for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. At times, Blair rides them along the same road, turning and heading back to the barn before reaching the cemetery. ~snip~ [photo gallery at link] WAPO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415037/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:24:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414569/posts RICHMOND | Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said Wednesday that a 1 percentage point increase in the state's income tax that he has proposed in his final weeks in office is the most responsible way to make up a nearly $2 billion shortfall in the state's finances. "I think the only other alternatives are draconian cuts that would squander Virginia's leadership position or kind of gimmicky 'Let's take a bunch of money out of the retirement fund' or 'Let's pull out the credit card and borrow a bunch of money.' But I think that would threaten our AAA bond rating," Mr.... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414569/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:07:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1849842/posts Hundreds of Islamic centers in the United States have become a hot-bed of extremist activity; they promote violence, terrorism and hatred against America. “Our initial investigation has concluded there are between 400 to 500 radical Islamic centers in the U.S.,” said David Gaubatz, the director of counterintelligence and counterterrorism for the Society of Americans for National Existence. “In those places, they preach an extreme version of Islam that says America and the West is the enemy. They espouse violence, hatred and the need for terrorism.” Gaubatz is a former senior U.S. intelligence official, who now works for the Mapping Shari’a... Insight Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1849842/posts#comment Thu, 14 Jun 2007 02:01:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414459/posts A man suspected of taking hostages in a post office in the US state of Virginia has been arrested after a stand-off lasting several hours, police say. Authorities in Wytheville persuaded Warren Taylor to give himself up and release three people he was holding. Mr Taylor was reported to have entered the post office pushing a wheelchair and claiming to be carrying explosives. He initially fired shots from the building but no-one was reported to have been injured. bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414459/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:44:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414393/posts (snip) Unlike McKeon and Shuster, Cantor endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 presidential primary. Cantor's PAC transferred $5,000 to Romney's PAC in January -- about five months before the two Republicans participated in a forum for the National Council for New America in May. The report also indicated that Cantor's campaign committee also received $5,000 from Romney's PAC in May -- a donation that Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom chalked up to mutual admiration between the two.(snip) CQ Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414393/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:45:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413942/posts The text that is in quotes are excerpts from Warner's canned response back to my first letter asking him to not support the bill! “...As the debate in Congress continues, it is of utmost importance to recognize that our current health care system is financially unsustainable. ..." Only the government run systems are unsustainable! All current US State run systems (Ca, Mass, Tenn, others) are in the red and don’t even come close to living up toward the extravagant promises made by the state politicians that insisted on them. In fact these systems sole recourse is to pass costs to... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413942/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:26:40 GMT