Free Republic

More school shootings, and the inevitable commentary on the evening news: "I didn't think this sort of thing could happen here." The heartfelt, but naive belief that murderous rampages "don't happen here" begs the question: "Where do you think such things happen?" Labels exist for the places where shootings occur: urban, inner city. But one thing urban folks can tell their scared suburban friends right now is that a good part of the horrendous violence in their communities is due to the proliferation of guns. Sometimes it seems like everyone is packing. Someone disrespects your girl? Shoot 'em. Someone looks...

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<p>At the midpoint of his four-year term, Gov. Mark R. Warner faces a 60-day legislative session that will likely determine the stamp he'll leave in state annals.</p> <p>The Democratic governor is pressing the largest tax increase in Virginia history.</p> <p>It would be no mean accomplishment for Warner to get tax-averse Republicans in the General Assembly to back his plan for balancing a state budget that's short more than $1 billion.</p>

While governor of Vermont, Howard Dean accepted personal pay from special interests at least five times for speeches and also received more than $60,000 in checks and pledges for his charity fund from insurers who benefited from a state tax break, according to documents and interviews. Dean's fees and charitable donations were legal and did not have to be disclosed under Vermont law but were detailed in correspondence and tax records reviewed by The Associated Press.

<p>Facing a skeptical legislature, Gov. Mark R. Warner recommended tax and budgetary remedies yesterday that he believes will deliver on the state's commitments to public education, transportation, health care and fiscal integrity.</p> <p>A confident Warner, some of whose marquee programs have been mutilated by a GOP-dominated General Assembly, called for tax increases and major spending to enable state government to live up to its promises to Virginians.</p>

<p>Gov. Mark R. Warner has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential contender next year, but he moved out of the ring yesterday.</p> <p>Democrat Warner, still struggling with a budget hangover and fortified GOP opponents in Virginia, said he has no time for or interest in his party's nomination.</p>