Mr. McDonnell, thanks for liveblogging (and answering my question). Good job, Charlie! Look forward to future liveblogs.
Thank you Attorney General McDonnell for graciously agreeing to be a part of this event at Good Sense. We're not Bearing Drift or Spark It Up, but Good Sense is still en vogue. Thanks again!!!!
Folks, it is a big day in the McDonnell household. Today is the 16th birthday of my twin boys Bobby and Sean. Suffice it to say, they are very excited, but I haven't told them yet that they won't be finding matching Tahoe's in the driveway! I think I got to most of the questions, for those of you who I missed my apologies for not getting to yours.
Charlie, thanks for being a gracious host. This was a wonderful hour. I will see everyone in October at our next blog event. And if you are a praying person, say a prayer for my Fighting Irish, they need it!
Question: Thank you, Attorney General McDonnell, for participating in this live blog.
Now that the official report has come out regarding the April shootings at Virginia Tech, what do you think are legitimate solutions to this type of problem?
Also, once again we have a Democratic Governor telling us there is a budget shortfall. We can only presume that we're heading for another round of tax increases. Is this really a problem of not enough money or is it really too much spending?
Thanks again.
Answer: There have been numerous school safety improvements made in the last 5 months, such as cell phone alerts, and improved law enforcement procedures. We are evaluating the Va Tech panel report now to implement the workable recommendations. We have long been advocating for improvements in the mental health system, to ensure that individuals determined to be mentally ill by a court get a help that has been ordered.
To get to your second question. We absolutely have a problem at the state and federal level with excessive spending. The budget in Virginia has nearly doubled in the last decade. We Republicans need to do better at setting priorities and making touch choices. We need to require accountability for existing programs and resist new programs in times of a budget deficit.
Question: Recently many people have called the "Abuser-fees" unfair and want them removed during the next session.
I drive 81 for work often and have seen numerous incidents by unsafedangerous drivers that takes the safety of all us in their reckless hands. I favor the fines that address habitual drunkreckless driving and the more severedangerous people on our roads. Delegate Cline has tried numerous times to get funding for more State Troopers along 81 but his attempts have been turned down repeatedly .
What can we do?
Answer: Thanks for the question, it is important to remember that the abuser fees only apply to criminal offenses, not routine traffic offense. That has been lost a little in the uproar over these fees. Also lost is the fact that it was the Governor who removed the out of state drivers from the provision.
As for your larger question. This years transportation bill includes hundreds of millions of dollars annually for each region of the state to use as the regional transportation boards determine, which help I-81 and all our major thoroughfares. I am very familiar with the problems on the I-81 corridor, and we must do more to keep motorists safe on this busy interstate. I will work with Delegate Cline to see how we can better improve safety on the interstate.
Question: Thank you for your service to Virginia. The VA Republican Party is going through some bumps after several prominent losses, and many are unsatisfied. Do you see us unifying?
Answer: The key is to clearly focus on our outstanding record of accomplishment based on our Republican principles and creed. And to unify around the issue agenda promoted by General Assembly Republican leaders. We need to remember what we stand for, and, as Ronald Reagan noted, that if you agree with someone 80% of the time, that makes them your friend. We have a great Republican team in Virginia, from the activists, to the unit leaders, to the party leadership, to our elected officials. We need to focus 100% of our energy on battling the liberal Democrats who want to undermine or reverse many of the pro-free enterprise, common sense, Republican achievements of the last 15 years.
Question: Thank you, Mr, Attorney General, for agrteeing to answer questions on this blog, and thanks to Charlie for hosting.
Here's my question: What improvements do we need in the area of information technology to help law enforcement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I hear of so many cases of illegal aliens not being tracked, of information not being handed off from one branch of law enforcement to another, of turf wars between differing government entities, etc. etc. etc.
So what is the most pressing need, what would a "perfect information handling" universe look like to you, and how much do you think we need to spend to meet our immediate and long-term needs?
Answer: We do need to continue to work on information exchange between state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. I have had numerous meetings with ICE, and with local authorities to facilitate this goal. What we need immediately, as I detailed in my letter to President Bush, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid (letter available in the news room on www.vaag.com) is for the federal government to discharge its duties to properly secure the border and to enforce existing immigration laws. I don't believe that ICE has the resources and staff that it needs, particularly to police the problem of criminal illegal aliens.I have tried for months to get the Governor to execute agreements with the federal government to allow for limited state law enforcement authority when it comes to illegal aliens who commit violent crimes. He has failed to do so. So I am working with the legislature to enact new reforms next year to ensure that criminal illegal aliens are properly detained and deported. And to reduce the cost to taxpayers from those illegally present in Virginia and using state services.
Question: Thanks to all of you, especially AG McDonnell, for making this happen.
AG McDonnell: I think you'd be an excellent as well as logical replacement for John Warner in the US Senate. Have you considered a run? Yes? When will you announce? You have my support...
Answer: Think I might be having some technical difficulties on this end, just typed in an answer to this one but I don't see it here. So let me answer it again, but I'll be brief in case my old answer pops back up or this one goes awry.
I will not be a candidate for the US Senate in 2008. We have a great bench in the GOP though, and I know our nominee will be a very capable and ready candidate. My plan is to run for Governor in 2009, but for now my focus is on the mid term elections that are only 6 weeks away. Most of my time out of the office is spent helping our Republican candidates for the House and Senate.
Question: Dear General:
Thank you again for taking time to address the Virginia Blogosphere. Since we are all on the Internet here, I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about your OAG Internet Safety Book for Virginia's Children entitled, “Faux Paw’s Adventures in the Internet.”
How did you get involved with this Internet program? What is it all about? How extensive throughout VA have you been able to expand this program? As always, thanks for your time.
Virginian for FDT | 09.24.07 - 4:20 pm | #
Answer: Virginia is the national home of the Internet. To keep our great information revolution going, it is imperative we make sure the Internet stay safe and secure for all who use it. First and foremost that means keeping our children safe online, as they are living in the cyber age when nearly everything they do is via computer.
Through books like Faux Paw's (which you can check out at www.ikeepsafe.org), we hope to teach young people key Internet safety lessons like not giving out personal information online, and not meeting people in person who they have only met online. These are simple lessons like our parents use to give us, but adopted for the cyber-age. They can make all the difference in the world.
Our Internet Safety Task Force recommended a multi-year statewide effort to educate parents and kids about Internet dangers. The increase we have seen in Internet crimes like identity theft, sexual predators, and child pornography can be abated by an informed citizenry.
Thank you for your service to Virginia. The VA Republican Party is going through some bumps after several prominent losses, and many are unsatisfied. Do you see us unifying?
Question: Mr. Attorney General,
This fall the entire legislature is up for election. Please set out your case for sending the Republicans back, to keep their majority. Bring exhibits. Courtroom theatrics welcome. 'Cause this is the blogosphere! Seriously, in particular, what do you say to people who say, "Why should Republicans keep the majority? They're not really that different from Democrats. Let's just vote for 'change.'"
Answer: That claim is absolutely false. Only Republicans govern from the premise that government must keep taxes, regulation and litigation low, that the free enterprise system and not government programs is the key to economic prosperity, and that traditional values must be preserved. In looking at the record of results by the parties there is no comparison. Republicans have dramatically improved Virginia government with abolition of parole, welfare reform, juvenile justice reform, significant improvements in laws cracking down on drunk driving, gangs, and sexual predators. Republicans alone have ushered in accountability in schools with SOL tests, while investing record new sums in K-12 education. Just this session Republicans enacted the first major transportation funding bill in 21 years, significantly private property rights protections, and championed Youth Internet Safety. Democrats can point to nowhere near the same record of results that benefited the Virginia citizen. It is a record Republicans will proudly run on this fall. Similarly, in articulating a vision for the future Republicans have made concrete proposals to crack down on criminal illegal aliens, reform the mental health system, strengthen our school construction programs, and provide property tax relief. There has been no similar vision apparent from the Democrats, that is unfortunate.
Thanks for the question Jane, sorry for the long answer, but its a critically important topic.
Recently many people have called the "Abuser-fees" unfair and want them removed during the next session.
I drive 81 for work often and have seen numerous incidents by unsafedangerous drivers that takes the safety of all us in their reckless hands. I favor the fines that address habitual drunkreckless driving and the more severedangerous people on our roads. Delegate Cline has tried numerous times to get funding for more State Troopers along 81 but his attempts have been turned down repeatedly .
What can we do?
Question: Thank you so much for coming by and live blogging with Charlie and Good Sense.
Out of all the elected officials, you seem to have done more to embrace "blogging" as a viable and important media source as evidenced by the number of live blogs you have participated in.
Secondly, your office, with the obvious help of J. Tucker Martin, has been communicating a great deal with the people of the Commonwealth, at what I consider an unprecedented pace. And to me, that is as important as anything else you can do, regardless of which side of the aisle you happen to find your chair.
Recently, I was involved in a "bloggers only" round table with Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. During that discussion, he offered that "blogging", or the "horizontal media" was to todays campaigns what Talk Radio had been previously.
Sir, why do you feel blogging is so important and what effect do you feel it will have on the upcoming elections, including the Presidential election in 2008?
Answer: The new media has shown itself to be a powerful 24-hour source of news and opinion. Individuals who blog are informed and involved, and often very passionate about issues and politics, and thus are opinion leaders. This office does great work in safeguarding citizens constitutional rights and promoting public safety. I want to get the message out by all means possible about ways to educate citizens about protecting themselves. We try to stay very active with the blogs to ensure that we know what is going on in the lives of our citizens, and how we can best serve the Commonwealth.
As for 2008, I think the blogs and the Internet will be very important, in everything from fundraising to generating excitement and issues. Fred Thompson has notably been very active in the online world, and I think it has benefited him immensely. No candidate can run for office in this day and age without an active and complete online presence.
This will be great Mr. McDonnell. I'm not as proficient in blog design so I went with the easiest comment program I could find. Thanks again for being here.
One note, I will copy each question that I am answering, and then put my answer directly below it, hope that works out, it is meant to make the session easier to follow.
Hey folks, looking forward to a great blog event this evening. Hope everyone has been enjoying their September. As a Notre Dame alum I can't say I'm having the best month, but it is what it is! Thanks to Charlie for having us on the site, I look forward to a great hour of questions.
I would like to thank the Attorney General for agreeing to be here tonight to answer your questions. Don't forget, you can submit questions live tonight as well.
Dear General:
Thank you again for taking time to address the Virginia Blogosphere. Since we are all on the Internet here, I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about your OAG Internet Safety Book for Virginia's Children entitled, “Faux Paw’s Adventures in the Internet.”
How did you get involved with this Internet program? What is it all about? How extensive throughout VA have you been able to expand this program? As always, thanks for your time.
"badrose" not "BadRose"
AG McDonnell, can you MAKE them get my name right??
Let's make that a third!
My question: Advancements in DNA testing have cleared people wrongfully convicted of crimes. While these numbers are small, I'm wondering if Virginia has anything in the works to speed up the process for testing of inmates who may have fallen through the cracks.
Is the state also looking for ways to speed up the process for new trials or the release of persons who through DNA testing would merit this?
I second what BadRose says!
Thanks to all of you, especially AG McDonnell, for making this happen.
AG McDonnell: I think you'd be an excellent as well as logical replacement for John Warner in the US Senate. Have you considered a run? Yes? When will you announce? You have my support...
Thank you for participating in this live blog AG McDonnell, and thank you Charlie for hosting.
I personally appreciate your leadership on the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).We know that Governor Kaine has refused to act on this issue. I am hearing that the Republican leadership will push this in the General Assembly. Can you please fill us in on your offices role in this.
Thank you for taking time to "Live Blog"! I wish more of our elected officials did so. If nothing else, it fosters an atmosphere of accessibility that did not exist before.
I was searching the Virginia Code, haven't quite made it to Federal Statutes yet, for the laws regarding conspiracy, and aiding and abetting.
Is there a way your office, or local officials can charge organizations or more appropriately heads of organizations with conspiracy or aiding and abetting when it comes to illegal immigration? Specifically, Mexicans Without Borders?
Thank you, Mr, Attorney General, for agrteeing to answer questions on this blog, and thanks to Charlie for hosting.
Here's my question: What improvements do we need in the area of information technology to help law enforcement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I hear of so many cases of illegal aliens not being tracked, of information not being handed off from one branch of law enforcement to another, of turf wars between differing government entities, etc. etc. etc.
So what is the most pressing need, what would a "perfect information handling" universe look like to you, and how much do you think we need to spend to meet our immediate and long-term needs?
Thank you, Attorney General McDonnell, for participating in this live blog.
Now that the official report has come out regarding the April shootings at Virginia Tech, what do you think are legitimate solutions to this type of problem?
Also, once again we have a Democratic Governor telling us there is a budget shortfall. We can only presume that we're heading for another round of tax increases. Is this really a problem of not enough money or is it really too much spending?
Thanks again.
Mr. Attorney General,
This fall the entire legislature is up for election. Please set out your case for sending the Republicans back, to keep their majority. Bring exhibits. Courtroom theatrics welcome. 'Cause this is the blogosphere! Seriously, in particular, what do you say to people who say, "Why should Republicans keep the majority? They're not really that different from Democrats. Let's just vote for 'change.'"
Thank you so much for coming by and live blogging with Charlie and Good Sense.
Out of all the elected officials, you seem to have done more to embrace "blogging" as a viable and important media source as evidenced by the number of live blogs you have participated in.
Secondly, your office, with the obvious help of J. Tucker Martin, has been communicating a great deal with the people of the Commonwealth, at what I consider an unprecedented pace. And to me, that is as important as anything else you can do, regardless of which side of the aisle you happen to find your chair.
Recently, I was involved in a "bloggers only" round table with Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. During that discussion, he offered that "blogging", or the "horizontal media" was to todays campaigns what Talk Radio had been previously.
Sir, why do you feel blogging is so important and what effect do you feel it will have on the upcoming elections, including the Presidential election in 2008?
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