Scott Adams, creator of the “Dilbert” cartoon strip, exemplifies the “Manosphere” perfectly by writing that “… the psychological state of American men in 2016 is one of persistent humiliation for simply being male. Perhaps the biggest unreported story of this presidential election is the humiliation of the American male. You're seeing a celebration that your role in society is permanently diminished.” Read the Full Story >>
Civic Engagement
Local voices offer their opinions and insights into political topics across the spectrum. Coverage focuses on local issues affecting residents in and around Jefferson County, WV.
Understanding Mental Health by Tearing Down Some Walls
Diagnosing mental health disorders isn’t one of those easy professions, like, for example, brain surgery or rocket science. Enviably, those two specialties have clear and visible parameters for measuring success and failure, whereas defining “mental health” is fluid and debatable, at times dependent on functional and social norms. The diagnostic manual that defines criteria for Read the Full Story >>
MARC Train: Critical Public Hearing
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), which operates MARC, has said it will cut service from Martinsburg to Washington, D.C. (now three trains each way) to one train per day. Maryland has said the service to West Virginia costs it over $3 million per year, and West Virginia has not paid anywhere near that amount. The two trains that would be eliminated would still run from Brunswick to D.C. Read the Full Story >>
Citizens United, and the Making of America’s Frankenstein Monster
Citizens United needs no introduction; it will be forever remembered as the most polarizing Supreme Court decision of the contemporary era—so far. What’s easy to forget is that it began in 2004 when the non-profit organization “Citizens United” filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Michael Moore’s film “Fahrenheit 911.” Six years later, it delivered a cash cow of political influence in the form of paid endorsements, Super-Super PACs, expenditures, ads, dark money, and even worse, a broader legal definition of corporate personhood. Read the Full Story >>
Partisan Gerrymandering is Constitutional
About a month ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that what is called “partisan gerrymandering” passes constitutional muster. But that doesn’t make it right. Read the Full Story >>
Keep the Trains Running!
The Maryland Rail Corporation (MARC) has informed the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) that passenger service from West Virginia will be cut from three trains each way to one in October. This would be a disaster for Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. Read the Full Story >>
Whataboutism: Ego in Search of Equilibrium
And again, an export from Russia has flooded the United States, designed to create division, diversion, and delusion. It’s the logical fallacy called whataboutism. That was the standard propaganda response used by Soviet statesmen during the Cold War every time we accused Communist authorities of aggression, human rights abuses, or censorship. It’s a cartoonish reply Read the Full Story >>
West Virginia’s Premature Budget
The state constitution requires that a budget (that is balanced) be passed prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for which it is to be law. Our state’s fiscal year begins on July 1 of each calendar year. Read the Full Story >>
Pipeline Bait and Switch
On March 26, Delegate Sammi Brown and I met with Scott Mandirola, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and DEP General Counsel Jason Wandling. We met with them to urge the DEP to make good on its promise to hold a public hearing on the natural gas pipeline coming to Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Amendment 1: Government in Reverse
West Virginia Amendment 1, stating that “this Constitution does not protect the right to abortion,” is what I would call “backwards family planning.” We all agree that our goal is to bring children into the world who are wanted and able to thrive. We also agree that government is not just there to protect property, it’s there Read the Full Story >>
The Case for Cannabis in WV
The West Virginia Legislature passed a bill two years ago legalizing the consumption of marijuana for medicinal purposes. But no “weed” may yet be taken as medicine, because the administration of Governor Jim Justice has not been able to get the program under way. Read the Full Story >>
What’s the Dill with the Pickle Bill?
It was a bill that would expand access to healthy, locally grown food. Co-sponsored by Senator Patricia Rucker (R-Jefferson), it was legislation that would help farmers preserve and add value to their produce. Senate Bill 27 passed the WV Senate unanimously and the House of Delegates 95-3, yet alcohol and politics killed the "Pickle Bill" in the final hours of the 60th day of the Regular Session. Read the Full Story >>