[Ed Note: This article originally appeared in print in Bearing Drift’s January 2011 issue. To subscribe, join our mailing list and get a first peek in print every month.]
January first, after the champagne corks popped and the parades floated by, Virginians settled in for a good six or more weeks of winter and snow, and
Richmonders learned that artist Paul DiPasquale’s sculpture of Connecticut that had peered out at Richmond Diamond visitors for 25 years was being forced off the reservation. He eventually found a new home in Shockoe Bottom. Meanwhile,
In an interview with Sean Hannity, GOP Chair Michael Steele revealed that he had no confidence in his own party to retake either chamber of the U.S. Congress telling Hannity, “Not this year.”
The winter of 2010 turned out to be one of Virginia’s coldest in nearly 25 years, but as though Providence was smiling upon the Old Dominion, the day of Robert F. McDonnell’s Inauguration to be Virginia’s 71st Governor dawned sunny and mild. McDonnell took the office promising a Commonwealth of Opportunity. Bill Bolling re-took the Oath of Office for his second term of Lt. Governor. Ken Cuccinnelli was sworn in to be Attorney General, at which time he immediately filed suit. And, J.R. Hoeft covered the proceedings in a capitol square flower garden – he’d get arrested for that most days.
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake occured in Haiti, devastating the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, with an initial death toll over 230,000. Nearly a year later, devastation and relief efforts continue.
Closer, home, in one of two special elections, the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli is narrowly won by a homeless State Delegate. We’re still not sure if Sen. Dave Marsden has found a place to live. In Virginia Beach, Jeff McWaters was elected to replace former State Senator turned Sheriff Ken Stolle.
The Massachusetts Miracle sees Tea Party darling and former centerfold Scott Brown win the seat vacated by the death of Liberal Icon Ted Kennedy in a special election. Tea Party members are soon shocked to realize that Brown is actually from Massachusetts.
In one of his first official acts Governor McDonnell announced that Virginia’s nineteen shuttered rest stops and welcome centers would begin reopening in mid-February. The Virginia State Police reported a near immediate decrease in roadside “trucker bombs.”
Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher is declared unbeatable and appears poised to sail to reelection without an opponent.
Every parent’s nightmare was confirmed when the remains of missing Virginia Tech student Morgan D. Harrington are found on a farm in Albemarle County.
Newly minted Governor Bob McDonnell gives the GOP response to the State of the Union address in front of a live audience at the Virginia State Capitol. Republicans across the nation rejoice that he is “Not Bobby Jindal.”
In February, the National Football Conference Champion New Orleans Saints breathe life into a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina by defeating American Football Conference Champions 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. FEMA announced that trailers would be available for the victory parade.
In a shock to Richmond eaters, treasured Ukrop’s Grocery Stores are bought out by Martin’s Food Markets, owned by Giant. The coming Urkropalypse promises that stores will sell beer and wine and be open on Sundays. Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing after all?
Liberal Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha passed away at the age of 77 from complications from gallbladder surgery.
Republicans see an opportunity for another “Massachusetts Miracle” but in no real surprise, the heavily Democratic district returns a Democrat to Congress as Murtha’s replacement.
The 2010 Winter Olympics are held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed a petition on behalf of Virginia asking the federal Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its December finding that global warming poses a threat to people. Liberals declare Cuccinelli is the one with hot air.
In March, Bearing Drift launched the first successful issue of Bearing Drift Magazine featuring an exclusive interview with Governor Bob McDonnell. J.R.’s mom has not read it yet.
Thousands of Americans convened peacefully in Washington D.C. to protest the government takeover of the health care system. Typically, Congress didn’t listen.
Congress still didn’t listen when Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins kicked off “Read the Bill” a marathon reading of the health care legislation that even Nancy Pelosi said “we have to pass the bill so you’ll know what’s in it.” Perhaps it was because they fell asleep during the exercise.
Retired Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Denny Meade Slane took his final patrol ride.
Thanks to the leadership of McDonnell and Bolling, a deal is reached balancing the Virginia budget without a tax increase. Whoda thunk it?
Actor Fess Parker, known for his roles as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone blazed his last trail.
In what would turn out to be one of his last Town Hall meetings, at least with constituents, Congressman Tom Perriello told an assembled crowd, “If you don’t tie our hands, we’ll keep stealing.” Apparently, they believed him.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed a lawsuit against President Obama’s nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul, challenging the individual insurance requirement as an overreach of federal power. Apparently Cuccinelli wants to inoculate us from Washington, DC.
When campaigning for Governor in 1985, former Congressman Stan Parris often joked that he once got a job in the U.S. Capitol as an elevator operator and worked his way up. In March he took his final ride all the way to the top floor.
In April Governor Bob McDonnell caused a stir by proclaiming April as “Confederate History Month” without a reference to the stain of slavery. McDonnell admitted that to be an oversight. Bearing Drift publisher J.R. Hoeft made his annual call for a Virginia Heritage Day. Set your watches…it’s as consistent as the Winter Solstice.
Designing woman Dixie Carter sang her last song of the south.
In late April the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing eleven workers, and resulting in one of the largest oil spills in history. While tragic, President Obama used the tragedy to appease his liberal left by hamstringing any possibility of the U.S. becoming energy independent.
While celebrating Earth Day, Attorney General Cuccinelli called on the University of Virginia to produce documents relating to the research of former professor Michael Mann’s state grant-funded climate research. Shocker of shocks: the state asking to review research at a state university funded by state tax dollars!
In an economic win for Governor McDonnell Northrop Grumman announced that Virginia had been chosen as the site for their new corporate headquarters. They promptly announced later in the year they would be spinning off their Newport News Shipyard.
Not content with multiple lawsuits against the federal government, in May the office of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued lapel pins featuring a little used, but more modest version of the Virginia State Seal sans bare breast from an antique flag hanging in the State Capitol. In a statement after discontinuing the use of the pin, Cuccinelli said “I cannot believe that joking with my staff about Virtue being a little more ‘virtuous’ in this antique version has become news. This is simply a media-made issue that has become distracting to the work of my office.” C’mon, Ken. Virginia is for Lovers! Do you really think we’d stand for you covering up Ms. Virtue?
As part of the budget balancing measure, thousands of state employees were forced to take Friday, May 28 as a non-paid furlough day. The end result was a four-day weekend for most, accompanied by a slightly reduced paycheck. As for the government being closed, it’s not certain that anyone noticed.
Former State Senator Jay O’Brien dropped his campaign to reclaim his Senate seat after being caught on video removing his opponent’s fliers from a local convenience store. C’mon, Jay, at least you could have made it interesting by hoisting a six-pack of Four Loko.
In June, Country music legend and sausage king Jimmy Dean was buried in a piano shaped mausoleum at his James River estate with the epitaph “Here Lies One Hell of a Man”.
Freedom 1650AM hosted the first “Freedom Fest” in Hampton Roads with headliners Sarah Palin, Lee Greenwood, George Allen, Oliver North and soon-to-be Congressman Scott Rigell. Unfortunately, Bearing Drift was told to “shut down” during Palin’s speech. Bless her heart.
After serving nearly 60 years in the United States Congress, West Virginia Senator and ex Klansmen Robert C. Byrd passed away at the age of 92.
In July Gospel music legend, Doug Oldham, a regular at Lynchburg’s Thomas Road Baptist Church joined the heavenly choir.
In late July and early August Virginia hosted, for perhaps the last time, the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill near Bowling Green. An estimated 45,000 scouts, leaders and volunteers participated in the 100th Anniversary event. Once again, a win for the “Union” – apparently the Jamboree is moving to WEST Virginia.
Former Illinois Congressman Dan Rostenkowski passed away at the age of 82. A statement from his Chicago office said that he still intends to vote for Rahm Emmanuel for Mayor.
An overworked President Obama took his family on his 6th recession year vacation.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommends the closure of JFCOM in Hampton Roads. Virginia officials respond with a collective “Are you out of your mind?”
In September, Governor McDonnell tapped Chesterfield Delegate Sam Nixon to be head of the troubled Virginia Information and Technology Agency. It remains troubled, and after several statewide outages, we wonder if Nixon doesn’t miss the General Assembly. Seriously…this is like the 8th time we’ve said this. Sam…what were you thinking!
Former part-time Governor, and please-God-don’t-let-them-replace-him, DNC Chair Tim Kaine announced something big, and we mean really big for Democrats. Turned out to be just a new logo and the prototype for the Big Ten’s new branding.
Teresa Lewis became the first woman to be executed in Virginia since 1912 for her part in the murder for hire plot to kill her husband and stepson. Thy will be done.
President Obama visited the 7th Congressional District, one of only a handful where he knew he couldn’t ruin the Democrat’s chances. Congressman Eric Cantor said of the President’s visit, “I join my colleagues in urging the President when he’s in Richmond to come out in favor of defending all people –especially small businesses, when we’re looking to create jobs – and allow Speaker Pelosi to bring a bill to the floor that will make sure that taxes won’t go up for any American this year.” The President didn’t get the message until a few weeks later.
The Virginia Tea Party held their first convention in October with an all-star list of speakers and sponsors. Even we showed up.
First District Democratic candidate Krystal (yes that’s her real name) Ball was embarrassed by suggestive photos released that showed her enjoying some…um…reindeer games with her former husband. Some Virginia bloggers are still looking at the photos in the basement of their mom’s house.
Former 2nd District Congressman Owen Pickett passed away at the age of 80.
President Obama makes an eleventh hour visit to the liberal haven of Charlottesville in order to save the 5th District election, which he does…for Robert Hurt.
In November, in a landslide of epic proportions, Republicans take back the House of Representatives. Unbeatable Congressman Rick Boucher goes down in defeat to Morgan Griffith. Robert Hurt wins in the 5th, Scott Rigell wins in the 2nd and the remainder of Virginia’s GOP delegation wins with ease. Now that we’re back to where we were in before the 2008 election, have these guys learned their lesson?
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair and Senate-wannabe Corey Stewart strikes out at George Allen and Bob McDonnell in a move that has the pundits saying “what?” Hmm…smart move Corey – go after the two most popular political figures in your party? You must have some great advisers.
In December, the Democratic Party of Virginia gives Republicans an early Christmas present by naming failed gubernatorial candidate and younger, angrier brother of Angry-Jim, Brian Moran their new party chairman. In the words of BD contributor Eve Gleason, “The Democrats like to recycle.”
In a major victory for freedom and for Ken Cuccinelli, Federal Judge Henry Hudson of Virginia ruled that the individual mandate requiring citizens to buy health insurance or face penalties is unconstitutional. Keep the government’s hands off our bodies! Oh, wait…
Governor McDonnell released his list of budget amendment recommendations. The upcoming General Assembly Session will sort them all out. Thank God, because we can’t.
The Congress passed and the President signed the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts, effectively leaving the tax rates in place. There were concessions and convulsions on both sides of the aisle. Compromise?
“Bah, Humbug!” said Bearing Drift contributor D.J. McGuire.
The DREAM Act failed in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 55-41, while the repeal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy of the U.S. military sailed through with a 63-33 vote. “Hello, Sailor!”
And, just before the end of the year, on a cold, clear night of a non-specific holiday, a figure with a broad but normal face and an advanced-size abdomen was seen flying over the Old Dominion in an emissions-free vehicle produced by Terry McAuliffe, yet still pulled by eight size-challenged animals. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals promptly protested in the buff, promptly catching frostbite because of global warming. Undeterred, the vertically-challenged, mature, rouge-attired workaholic shouted, “Lady of the Evening! Lady of the Evening! Lady of the Evening! To all a happy non-denominational winter holiday!”
