Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Governor McAuliffe Signs Legislation Establishing Military Medics and Corpsmen Pilot Program

Now what you are about to read actually sounds both good and fair, until you realize that private enterprise is now being mandated by law that they must hire a certain class of people putting that class above others.  This is not fair even though it sounds nice.  Just because something sounds like a good idea does not make it so when one realizes that other rights have to be surrendered.  And once again, where did the people have any say in any of this?  Here is the news from the Virginia propaganda machine.

~ Program will bridge health care careers for transitioning service members ~

NORFOLK – Governor McAuliffe today ceremonially signed the Military Medics and Corpsmen bill, establishing the Virginia Military Medics and Corpsmen (MMAC) Pilot Program in the Commonwealth. Modeled after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Intermediate Care Technician Program, SB 437 established Virginia’s MMAC Program, which is the first of its kind in the nation, creating pathways to employment to Virginia’s health care fields for highly skilled medical veterans.

“Expanding benefits and employment opportunities for our veterans in Virginia has been a top priority of my administration since day one, and the Virginia Military Medics and Corpsmen pilot program underscores Virginia’s unwavering commitment to our service members,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This program ensures the advanced medical training our men and women received in uniform is harnessed in successful post-service career tracks in Virginia’s health care industry. Whether we are functionally ending veteran homelessness, expanding post-service medical treatment, or creating new career pathways, Virginia will continue to be on the forefront of veteran services for those who bravely served our country.”

The MMAC Program in Virginia is modeled after the highly successful Veterans Health Administration Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program, which operated in 15 Federal Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the United States. With the MMAC Program, Virginia is the first state in the nation to offer this kind of innovative pathway to employment for these highly skilled veterans. 

“As a former Army doctor, I worked alongside military medics while treating soldiers injured during Desert Storm,” said Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam. “Our medics and corpsmen have extensive training and valuable experience, and this important piece of legislation recognizes their service, helps them transition into our civilian health systems, and has the potential for hundreds of veterans to gain employment in healthcare jobs throughout Virginia.”

House bill patron, Delegate Christopher Stolle added, “As a retired Naval Officer and physician, I can personally attest to the relevant, real-world experience military medics and corpsmen hold from their extensive military education and training while on active duty.  Military medics and corpsmen are outstanding candidates to help fill many gaps in Virginia’s healthcare workforce.”

“The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) has been developing this initiative with input from the following five health systems: Sentara, Inova Health System, Carilion, Mountain States Health Alliance, and Bon Secours. We extend our thanks to these vital partners who will help develop this program," said John L. Newby, Commissioner of VDVS.

“Veterans trained as military medics and corpsmen should be recognized for the extensive skills they bring to the table,” noted Senate bill patron Senator George Barker.

Sentara Heart Hospital hosted the bill signing. Howard P. Kern, President and CEO of Sentara Healthcare, added, “Recognizing how important this is for veterans, and the Commonwealth’s need for more health care professionals, Sentara has supported establishing this pilot program. We also have provided input to the Department of Veterans Services as it has been developing the details.”

Pittsylvania County Named Virginia’s Third Certified Work Ready Community

Most will not be able to see what is really being said here.  If you understand the term centralized and deploy-able workforce and know that it comes from the communist tenants then you will have a much better understanding of what you are about to read from the Virginia propaganda machine.

 RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Pittsylvania County has been designated as a Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC). The nationally recognized designation by the Commonwealth and American College Testing (ACT) will help Pittsylvania County attract new businesses and jobs as it signifies job ready skill sets of the county’s high school students, job seekers, and incumbent workforce.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “Developing core workforce development skills is an essential component to building a world-class economy. I applaud Pittsylvania County for its leadership and continued efforts to prepare local workers for innovative, high-tech jobs. This certification is the foundation to attracting private sector investments that contribute to our efforts to build a new Virginia economy in every corner of the Commonwealth.”

“Communities that prioritize the workforce readiness of their residents position themselves for economic growth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “I congratulate Pittsylvania County on their achievement, and I look forward to working with the county to promote their new certification.

“The designation of Certified Work Ready Community allows employers to recognize that our workforce has the foundational skills to help their businesses prosper,” said Laurie S. Moran, CCE, President & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. “It also provides the framework for our region to link workforce development to education, align our workforce with economic development, and match job seekers to jobs based on their skill levels. Our designation was a collaborative effort that demonstrates Pittsylvania County’s seamless and integrated workforce services for our employers and our job seekers.”

“Today’s achievement by Pittsylvania County demonstrates that when we work together as a region, great things are possible. It demonstrates to our existing employers, as well as prospective companies, that we have a trainable workforce with the foundational skills to compete,” stated Dr. Julie Brown, Program Director, Dan River Region Collaborative (DRCC).

More than 70 local employers, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations supported Pittsylvania County’s efforts to achieve this important national certification. To become certified, a county must achieve benchmarks in three areas of performance: high school graduation rate, number of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) credentials attained in the county, and number of employers recognizing the NCRC. Amthor International, located in Gretna, Virginia and the site of today’s announcement, is just one of the companies in Pittsylvania County supporting the CWRC effort.

“Amthor International’s competitive advantage is derived from our focus on quality, delivery, and product innovations,” said Brian Amthor, Vice President. “With continued growth in our sales orders, it is critical that we have a workforce with foundational and mechanical skills that allow us to meet our customers’ requirements. By incorporating a nationally-recognized credential as part of our applicants’ assessments, we are able to hire quicker and train more effectively.”

CWRC is a voluntary initiative guided by key community leaders – local elected officials, economic development teams, business leaders, chambers of commerce, educators, and workforce development agencies. At the core of the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative is the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT NCRC®). Since January 2006, more than 2.75 million Americans have earned an ACT NCRC®. This national, portable credential includes three essential workplace skill categories: applied math, reading for information, and locating information. The NCRC credential is administered in Pittsylvania County by Danville Community College (DCC) with multiple agencies providing referrals. 

“Pittsylvania County’s workforce has been a key asset for our county as we recruit new businesses and support the expansion of our existing businesses,” commented Jessie L. Barksdale, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. “The achievement of the Certified Work Ready Community designation validates our workforce has the foundational skills that employers need to be competitive and profitable in today’s global economy.”

Matthew Rowe, Pittsylvania County’s Director of Economic Development, stated, “Today’s certification announcement not only validates the strong and tough work ethic of the County’s workforce, but also recognizes its intelligence and readiness for 21st century jobs. The workforce of Pittsylvania County, along with its Southern Virginia neighbors, is ready to roll up its sleeves, get to work, and serve as example of why the Commonwealth is a great state for business.”

In addition to Pittsylvania County, Henry County and Halifax County have been certified as Work Ready Communities. Three neighboring southern Virginia localities are on track to become CWRCs within the next four months, including Patrick County, and the cities of Danville and Martinsville. In addition, Greensville County and the City of Emporia launched their CWRC initiatives in 2015, with Cumberland County planning to launch this spring. 

Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order to Choke All Virginians

It just does not get any dumber than this.  Carbon Emissions, let's see, the stuff we breath out and trees and plants breath and change into oxygen.  So the idiot governor thinks people are getting way to much oxygen?  He has signed an executive order, without the consent of the people, to cut the oxygen levels in Virginia hence wanting to choke us all to death?

  First, where does this scumbag get off on just signing some order without the consent of the people?  Where is that democratic republic?  Signing some executive order without the consent of the people is communism.  The New Virginia Economy.

Second, where are the studies to show that Virginia has more oxygen than it needs?  The bottom line is that this is nothing more than a tax and theft of the rights of the people to conduct business without government interference.  It is putting more people into slavery.  Another real objective here folks is the raising of all costs such as electric bills, transportation costs, shipping costs, which will affect all other costs.  Here is the official propaganda from the state and his office.

~ Order creates workgroup to recommend executive actions to reduce carbon emissions from the electric sector ~

RICHMOND – Governor McAuliffe today issued Executive Order 57 directing Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward to convene a workgroup and recommend concrete steps to reduce carbon pollution from Virginia’s power plants. The group will evaluate options under Virginia’s existing authority to address carbon pollution.

The Commonwealth’s electric sector has already made significant strides towards a reduced environmental impact; between 2005 and 2014, carbon emissions from Virginia’s electrical generators fell by 21%. Currently the sector accounts for approximately 30% of the state’s overall carbon emission. The workgroup will focus on how to continue this trajectory in a way that makes clean energy a meaningful part of Virginia’s energy portfolio.

“Increasing Virginia’s emphasis on clean energy generation will help grow Virginia’s economy by reducing carbon emissions, ensuring our Commonwealth’s long-term energy security and creating the next generation of good jobs in this emerging sector,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Many of the largest employers on the globe have made it clear that the availability of clean energy is a key part of their decision making process when it comes to new jobs and investments. To continue attracting competitive and innovative businesses, we need to invest in a 21st century energy policy to ensure our grid is reliable, affordable, and clean.”

The newly convened workgroup will receive input from a diverse range of perspectives including scientists, energy experts, business leaders, and environmental advocates. The Secretary of Natural Resources will be charged with developing a regulatory strategy to reduce carbon pollution in Virginia’s energy sector while realizing opportunities to lead in the new clean energy economy.

“Global warming and sea level rise driven by carbon emissions pose a significant threat to Virginia’s environment, economy, and way of life,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “The energy choices we make today will be felt for generations to come, so it’s worth thoroughly reviewing all options under Virginia’s existing authority. This workgroup’s report will be a jumping-off point for future conversations about climate change and clean energy in the Commonwealth.”

The group’s recommendations will build upon the McAuliffe administrations existing efforts to improve energy efficiency and transition the Commonwealth to carbon-neutral energy sources. Executive Order 31 directed state agencies to implement energy efficient practices, protecting Virginia’s environment and bottom line. The governor established the Solar Energy Development Authority to catalyze growth in this rapidly-expanding market. Additionally, Governor McAuliffe set new procurement standards for state agencies, requiring eight percent of the energy they consume to be generated by renewables within the next three years.

The full text of Executive Order 57 is below:

DEVELOPMENT OF CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION FACILITIES

Executive Order Number 57
Part I – Importance of the Initiative

Though our coastal communities may be the first to witness the effects of climate change, the risks presented by increasingly fierce storms, severe flooding, and other extreme weather events are not confined to a single geographic area. Neither are their causes. The economic implications are significant, and we must do all we can to protect our critical military infrastructure, our ports, our homes, and our businesses. It is only by acting together with common purpose that the Commonwealth can effectively adapt and stave off the most severe consequences of climate change.

One key step forward is to continue with a strategic goal of reducing carbon emissions. Virginia has already made meaningful strides – between 2005 and 2014, Virginia reduced its carbon emissions from power plants by 21 percent. However, the electric sector is still responsible for approximately 30 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution in the Commonwealth. Moreover, electric companies are including carbon regulation projections in their long-term plans. The electric sector is changing rapidly through increasing reliance on low and zero carbon resources. As such, it is vital that the Commonwealth continue to facilitate and engage in a dialogue on carbon reduction methods while simultaneously creating a pathway for clean energy initiatives that will grow jobs and help diversify Virginia’s economy.

Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in the Governor under Article V of the
Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, I hereby direct the Secretary of Natural Resources to convene a Work Group, chaired by the Secretary, to study and recommend methods to reduce carbon emissions from  electric power generation facilities. The Secretary shall receive input from interested stakeholders.

Such methods shall align with the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board’s power to promulgate regulations abating, controlling and prohibiting air pollution throughout or in any part of the Commonwealth.

Part II – Scope and Guidance

In preparing their recommendations, the Secretary and the Work Group shall consider the following:
(1) the establishment of regulations for the reduction of carbon pollution from existing electric power generation facilities pursuant to existing authority under Virginia Code § 10.1-1300 et seq.;
(2) the carbon reduction requirements for existing electric power generation facilities established under § 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act, which are currently stayed pending final disposition;
(3) the interaction between electric utilities and regional markets, including PJM Interconnection;
(4) the impact any reduction requirements place on the reliability of the electric system;
(5) the impact any reduction of carbon pollution may have on electric rates and electric bills;
(6) the impact of reducing carbon pollution on low income and vulnerable communities;
(7) the cost effectiveness of pollution reduction technologies that may be deployed;
(8) the economic development opportunities associated with deployment of new carbon reduction technologies;
(9) the implementation and administration of carbon reduction regulations; and
(10) flexibility in achieving the goals of any carbon reduction regulation.

The Secretary of Natural Resources shall complete her work, including the development of recommendations as to viable carbon reduction methods for the electric power generation facilities by April 30, 2017. The Secretary of Natural Resources shall provide a report on the recommendations to the Governor by May 31, 2017.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect for one year after its signing unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 28th Day of June, 2016.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Fed Court Orders Gloucester To Allow Transvestite To Use Boys Bathrooms



A Federal Court of Eastern Virginia has ordered the Gloucester school board to allow Gavin Grimm to use the male restroom.  Now, sorry I really do not care if anyone is offended by my views here, Gavin is a little whiny transvestite.  What this so called transgender stuff is no one really knows.  It's something new that was made up to upset the balance of decent society.  (I can hear the rants now coming from some claiming human rights).   Transgender, cleaning up the word, transvestite.

I am seriously wondering if the judge who made this careless decision is willing to share his bathroom with little girls? Or is that the reason this decision was made?  The judge?  Robert G Doumar.  A questionable judge based on others experience with him.  Here is one of his ratings.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9209
Rating:1.7 
Comments:
This is one of the worst judges in America. He screamed at highly qualified experts, his mood changed by the hour, he did not give fair treatment to both sides - allowed one party to use demonstratives but not the other, did oustide research on his own to decide the case. If he was a good judge once, he is not now and should get off the bench. I was warned about him before but had no idea he would be as bad as he was.

http://www.therobingroom.com/Judge.aspx?ID=1521

Source link is above for the above copied rating on this judge.  Might be on too many medications and is having issues keeping his temper?  


This is not about human rights.  It's about giving extra rights to what some will call perverts.  This is the kind of crap one gets in a secular society.  You can challenge anything and everything for any reason at any time.  But marrying more than one woman is illegal in this country?   Why is that exactly?  So when will Bob, Steve, Robin and Joan all be allowed to inter marry each other and live at Bob's mom's house?  One big happy family?  Don't forget to allow them to marry the dog on top of all this.

It's not going to far when we already have gone to far.  Best bet now is to pull your children from the local schools or pervert your children.   Well, why not just marry them off to that judge?  Let him take care of your children.  Oh, but you have to pay their support though.  



There is nothing Constitutional about perversion. We had a republic but we allowed it to be stolen from us as Benjamin Franklin predicted.

I doubt our public officials have the guts for it, but they should ignore the judge's order, and demand that the judge go through a psychiatric evaluation based on feedback from the public on a public forum.  That might not be grounds, but I have seen psychiatric orders given on less from the courts.


In the event our public officials just go along with that order, then as already given, it is my opinion that everyone who finds the order offensive should pull their children from the school and it is a Constitutional legality to refuse to pay taxes based on refusing to fund government that no longer serves your interest.  Problem is that courts no longer follow the Constitution and will lock you up anyway in violation of the Supreme law of the land.  These days the law is whatever the judge feels like the law should be and based on who is paying the most to make sure a certain agenda is followed.  Again, my opinion based on what I have seen in many courts.  Not all judge's are bad and not all courts are corrupt.  But the number of courts and judges who are corrupt is growing, not shrinking.  

Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers. Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees, of the people; and if the cause, the interest, and trust, is insidiously betrayed, or wantonly trifled away, the people have a right to revoke the authority that they themselves have deputed, and to constitute other and better agents, attorneys and trustees.  (John Adams:  1765).





Thursday, June 23, 2016

Governor McAuliffe Announces $275,000 in Grants for Early Intervention and Education of Children with Disabilities

Here we go with more corporate welfare from the state or should I say, from your pockets.  At what point do we say stop?  It's not the government's business to get involved in every area of our lives!  Here is their official propaganda.

~ Grants awarded through the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities will improve services and expand resources ~ 


RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced two federal grants that will improve services, supports and information availability for early intervention and education of children with disabilities. The grants are awarded through the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities Council.

“Improving and expanding services for individuals and families with disabilities is imperative to ensuring that all Virginians have access to the tools they need to succeed,”said Governor McAuliffe. “Securing these federal grants is a big step forward for the private and public institutions in Virginia that work to provide care and assistance to those with disabilities, and I commend the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities for their hard work on this issue. We will continue to ensure all children, adults, and their families in Virginia have the resources they need to achieve their dreams and realize their full potential.”

The Virginia Hospital Research and Education Foundation will receive $125,000 for its Virginia Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Early Intervention Collaborative, a statewide program designed to increase access to early intervention services for infants who have spent time in a NICU and may be at risk of developmental delay.

“We know that the care a child receives in her earliest hours can have a lasting impact on her life,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel. “This collaborative project will help the families of our most vulnerable infants make sure those children get the support they need.”

The Virginia Department of Education (DOE) will also receive $150,000 for its project “Adult Curriculum on Critical Decision Making Points for Students with Disabilities.”

“Improved access to and knowledge of intervention services and educational resources are critical for our children with disabilities,” said Secretary of Education Anne Holton. “The grant that the Department of Education will receive will help support their work to positively impact the lives of students with disabilities.”

The goal of DOE’s project is to improve post-school outcomes and increase opportunities for employment and higher education through the development and implementation of a training curriculum for students, families, schools, staff, and others.

We are grateful to receive grant funding through the support of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities,” said Tracey A. van Marcke, Executive Director of the Virginia Hospital Research and Education Foundation. “By partnering with Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association members, VHHA’s Center for Healthcare Excellence will work with Virginia’s NICU leaders to spread patient- and family-centered best practices with the goal of enhancing links to crucial early intervention services for NICU patients and their families.”

“The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is very excited to be funding both of these projects,” said Heidi Lawyer, the Board’s Executive Director. “We believe these grants will directly help families access needed services and supports and bring about statewide improvements in policy and practice.  These projects also support the Governor’s broader initiatives in early childhood and education, which are expanding opportunities for all children.”

The VBPD serves as the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for the Commonwealth of VirginiaBoth of these projects stemmed from recommendations that the Board made in its 2014 Assessment of the Disability Services System in Virginia, which identifies gaps and barriers in services and supports for individuals with disabilities of all ages. 

Governor McAuliffe announces $5 million in Vibrant Community Initiative funding for Montgomery County and City of Richmond

Well here we go with more state welfare being sold as caring for the people by big government.  Over 5 million dollars of your tax money being thrown at projects the state has no business being in.  But then again, it is after all a Big Brother deal.  Since there is no capital market for this, the government must step in and do the job.  (1984).  All I can see is pure communism here.  Here is the rest of their story.

~ Funding will be used for comprehensive neighborhood housing and community development projects ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today $5 million in Vibrant Community Initiative (VCI) funding for housing and community development projects. Montgomery County and the city of Richmond will each receive $2.5 million for a regional comprehensive community-based strategy to expanding the availability of affordable housing and creating more opportunity for community residents to succeed.
“The Vibrant Community Initiative channels vital funding to affordable housing in central Virginia, which in turn fosters economic growth and job opportunities for communities that need it most,” said Governor McAuliffe. “We want to ensure that every Virginian has the opportunities to succeed and this starts with investments at the local level in housing, schools, and infrastructure. By combining state and federal resources, this pilot program will serve as a foundation for future economic investments and local initiatives across Virginia as we continue to build our new Virginia economy.”

VCI combines multiple Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funding sources to support local or regional comprehensive community-based projects including affordable housing, community development and economic development components. The initiative identifies highly impactful, transformational projects and then leverages several funding resources to streamline the application process, while also streamlining the project management and compliance processes. The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) has partnered with DHCD to provide critical technical assistance and financial support.
“The Vibrant Community Initiative will make a meaningful difference in these two communities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “This comprehensive approach will not only address affordable housing needs but also assist the development and execution of an economic and community development strategy that will create an overall better quality of life for their residents.”
A tiered application process was utilized to solicit proposals, and applicants were required to submit a letter of interest to identify the project and its key characteristics. A panel with representatives from DHCD and VHDA evaluated the proposals. Site visits were conducted for the five highest rated projects, and those five applicants all submitted final proposals for the $5 million program.

Richmond Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Community Builders received funding for the city of Richmond project, which is focused on the Church Hill North and East End Revitalization. The Church Hill North/East End Revitalization is a comprehensive project that focuses on increasing opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents by building quality and affordable housing options for residents of a variety of income levels. The project capitalizes on ongoing economic and community development work and leverages existing plans to address the East End business corridor’s needs and lack of community amenities. The VCI investment will fund the development of 220 units of rental housing for a mixed-income community, including 128 units of replacement public housing for residents of the nearby Creighton Court Public Housing development. In addition, the VCI resources will be allocated to support homeownership opportunities for residents located on the site of the currently vacant old Armstrong High School.

The project in Montgomery County is the Old Prices Fork School Comprehensive Community Revitalization Project. This project is a multi-phased project involving the historic revitalization and renovation of the former elementary school to incorporate 32 units of mixed-income, multi-generational housing and new and innovative economic development opportunities through the establishment of the Old School Food Center. The housing units will provide an opportunity for mixed generational living and support the sense of community and learning that has been a hallmark of the Old Prices Fork School. Additionally, the development of food processing, dining and retail opportunities will expand the vibrancy of the project not only to those living, working and selling products there, but also to the community and region. The Old Prices Fork School will continue to be an integrated space and cultural touchstone of the Prices Fork Village, the county and the New River Valley. 

2016 Virginia Community Initiative Fund:
Locality
Project Name
CDBG Award
City of Richmond
Applicant:
Richmond Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Community Builders
Church Hill North/East End Revitalization
$2,500,000
Montgomery County
Applicant:
Montgomery County
Old Prices Fork Road School Revitalization Project
$2,500,000

First Lady McAuliffe Celebrates National and Virginia Pollinator Week

Now this is rather interesting.  The governor's office is interested in helping to save the honey bee?  They put a beehive on the top of a building.  An interesting location.  It seems to be out of the way of electromagnetic fields which is one of the concerns for the disappearance of the honey bees as well as radio signals and cell towers, pesticides, GMO's and the list from all around grows with varying research.  (My bet is more on pesticides and GMO's for the disappearances).

  Here is a link to Mother Jones, (Idiotic explanation), website.  http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/climate-change-killing-bumblebees

Blaming man made climate change on a significant part of the loss.  I simply do not buy it.  So let's also check another site to counter the official propaganda.

http://freedom-articles.toolsforfreedom.com/bees-dying-off-top-4-reasons/

As shown above, GMO's EMF's and other reasons such as virus as well as genetic engineering.  Either way, let's look at what the official propaganda story from the governor's office.

~ Unveils Bumble Bee Box at Executive Mansion, Rooftop Bee Hive in Capitol Square ~

RICHMOND – Earlier this week, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe joined Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Sam Towell and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) staff to celebrate National Pollinator Week and Virginia Pollinator Week by dedicating a rooftop bee hive on the Oliver Hill Building at Capitol Square where the agency is headquartered. In addition to the rooftop bee hive, Governor and First Lady McAuliffe have installed a bumble bee box and outdoor pollinator window box on the grounds of the Executive Mansion, in an effort to showcase the need for protection of Virginia’s bee population. These steps are part of a wider effort in coordination with VDACS to demonstrate the importance of pollinators in producing our food supply and promoting environmental stewardship in the Commonwealth.

“We are doing everything we can to encourage the cultivation of bee populations to protect biodiversity in the Commonwealth,” said First Lady McAuliffe. “According to a survey done by the Bee Informed Partnership, beekeepers across the United States lost 44 percent of their colonies in the past year. Families can take small steps at their homes that will go a long way in restoring and protecting our precious pollinators – Virginia’s smallest livestock – such as planting gardens or installing window boxes. Whether you live in an urban or rural setting, every Virginian can do something to attract, protect, or increase the Commonwealth’s pollinator species.”

“I have worked with honey bees and other pollinators all of my life,” added Keith Tignor, State Apiarist, VDACS. “As a beekeeper I am grateful for all the actions Virginians of every age are taking to help protect these critical species.”

“Growing up on a farm in Pittsylvania County, I learned from my grandparents the important role that pollinators play in agriculture,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “In my current position, I have learned to appreciate them even more given the role that the play in keeping Virginia’s agricultural economy moving forward. The work done by pollinators impacts roughly one third of the state’s agricultural production. I thank the Governor and First Lady for their commitment to Virginia agriculture in general and specifically highlighting the unique work performed by bumble bees, honey bees and other pollinators that benefit the industry.”

Governor McAuliffe declared June 20 – 26, 2016 as Virginia Pollinator Week, a time to recognize and appreciate the tremendous value of pollinators in the Commonwealth. Because pollinator species such as honey bees, bats, and other insects and birds are essential partners with farmers in producing much of our food supply in Virginia, VDACS encourages all Virginians to take positive action this summer to benefit our pollinators. Without adequate pollination services, Virginia could experience a significant reduction in its harvest of a variety of agricultural products, including: apples, alfalfa, berries, cucumbers, melons, peaches, squash, tomatoes, and pumpkins. Experts estimate that insect-pollinated plants are the direct or indirect source of approximately one-third of the human diet.  

To attract pollinators to yards and gardens, Tignor offers the following suggestions:

1.      Download the BeeSmart Pollinator Gardener apphttp://www.pollinator.org/beesmartapp.htm.

2.      Plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year. A greater variety of plants available will attract more pollinators to a garden or landscape. Providing pollen and nectar sources throughout the year offers a food source to increase pollinator numbers and activity.

3.      Plant flowers in clumps rather than singly or in rows. The fragrance from the flowers can attract pollinators from a great distance. Clumping flowers in groups increases the intensity of the fragrance and a pollinator’s ability to locate its origin, including those that only come out at night, such as moths and bats.

4.      Select plants that are known to attract pollinators in your area. Many of these will be native plants. To determine which plants are best for attracting pollinators in your region, go to pollinator.org/guides.htm and enter your zip code for an area-specific guide. 

5.      Choose flowers with a variety of colors. The color of a flower often alerts pollinators to good nectar and pollen sources. For example, butterflies are attracted to red, orange and yellow while hummingbirds prefer purple, red and fuchsia colors.

6.      Choose flowers with a variety of shapes. Butterflies and honey bees need to land before feeding and usually prefer flat, open flowers. Tubular flowers help lure pollinators with long beaks and tongues, such as hummingbirds. Guidelines on the types of flowers that appeal to the different pollinators can be found atpollinator.org/Resources/Pollinator_Syndromes.pdf

7.      Plant non-hybrid flowers. Many hybrid flowers have had their pollen, nectar or fragrance bred out of them. Non-hybrid flowers are often more attractive to pollinators.

8.      Do not use pesticides or herbicides when pollinators are present around a pollinator garden. Even organic pesticides can be potentially harmful to pollinators. Herbicides can actually wipe out some of the most important food plants for pollinators.

Now this is interesting.  As we see from the governor's office, stay away from GMO plantings, do not use pesticides, even organic ones, showing that the potential reasons for the disappearance of the honey bees is in fact GMO's and insecticides which may be causing the viruses?  You be the judge.


Monday, June 20, 2016

Who Authorized Littering Virginia Highways And Roads? Drive Smart Virginia?

First, who has given the state the right to tell people they must wear a seat belt?  Yeah, it's their law and who cares?  If you want to accept their premise, then send them a bill for compliance of their order.  It's not a valid law as it has no place in the Constitution of either the Federal Government nor State Government.  Those are arguments in themselves and not the real intention of this article but I had to sound off anyway.

  As the picture shows, our highways and streets have been littered with these signs throughout the state.  Under what authority did these signs get put up?  If you own a business and put signs out like this, you will notice them missing within a few days as VDOT is instructed to remove them and throw them out.  If you keep putting up signs like this, you may get in a great deal of trouble.  If you can get in trouble for putting signs like this up, what makes some entity such as Drive Smart Virginia think they are above the law?

  Did Drive Smart Virginia, the provider of these signs, get permission from each locality?  Did they pay the locality a fee for this?  Did the locality you live in hold a public meeting to get public input on the mass distribution of these signs?  No?  Why not?  Is Drive Smart Virginia in violation of many of Virginia's laws?  Well it sure seems that way.  So who is behind Drive Smart Virginia and who is Drive Smart Virginia?  From their own website.

Members of the Board of Directors include leaders from private industry, state and federal government, law enforcement, military, media, and traffic safety organizations.

DRIVE SMART Virginia was founded in 1995 by six of Virginia's insurance companies, including Allstate, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm, USAA, and Virginia Farm Bureau. Since 1997, Erie Insurance, Farmers Group, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Rockingham Group, and Alfa Alliance have also joined the organization


The littering of these signs say more than we are trying to promote safety.  Promoting safety?  Nice, but I do not buy this crap.  It actually says, we are part of the nanny state; centralist's who do not think you have any rights other than what we tell you you have.   We do not have to follow the laws we put on you.  We are watching you and if you do not do as we say, we are going to punish you.  Who paid for these signs?  Well, you did.  You paid for them through your insurance premiums.  And the knuckleheads who head up the insurance companies use your money against you.  

  So, if you use any of these insurance companies, file a complaint with them, file a complaint with your locality, file a complaint with the police, file a complaint with the state.  Take the signs down if you paid for them.  They are yours and not Drive Smart America's since they used your money to pay for them.  They are a non profit organization dedicated to the nanny state and against Constitutional rights and want to control your behavior.  Don't take my word on this.  Read their site.  It says they seek to control your behavior right on there.  

In my own opinion, I do think that buckling up is a good idea in general.  But if you are going to demand I do it, then I am less likely to even consider it and not do it.  Drive Smart Virginia is part of a growing problem we are seeing throughout this country.  Not part of any solution.  Throw them out.  Switch to an insurance company that does not support these nanny state tactics and littering of our highways and roadways against state and local laws.  They seem to have no issue violating the laws, why support them?  And talk about environmental issues with these signs?  The costs to make them and then they are littering all over the state with impunity?  At least the environmentalist's should be up in arms over this and one has to question if Drive Smart Virginia bothered to do an environmental impact study before making these signs.  Are they in violation of the EPA?  A complain to the EPA would answer that question fast.