Great turnout for Valdis Ronis's birthday party!

There were people I'd never met before as well as the usual suspects, and two elected officials. He's got a lot of enthusiastic support!

Valdis's campaign is getting off to a terrific start!!

Did doors with Shanyn Ronis, Valdis Ronis's daughter!

She is an awesome walker. Energetic. Enthusiastic. We were out for over 2 hours, did a TON of doors. It feels like July out there. All you other canvassers, stay hydrated!

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I'm endorsing Valdis Ronis for Supervisor from the new Ashburn District. Tomorrow's a fund-raiser for him, come on out and meet him!

I couldn't BELIEVE how much the traffic was honking on the way into work this morning

Families of geese, right at the entrance to where I work.

Where you can find me today

Over at the Loudoun Times Mirror, writing about language.

Jennifer Wexton Wrote an Op-Ed Piece

You may not have seen it, because it is only in the print edition of Loudoun Times Mirror (and in their e-edition, scroll to page A21).

Since LTM wouldn't put up a link, you can read it at Jennifer's website!

And while you're there, why not get involved? It's time for a new Commonwealth's Attorney.

CBPO Dead

Killed by Scott York, Lori Waters, Eugene Delgaudio, Jim Burton, and...Andrea McGimsey.

Yeah, I'm shaking my head over it, too.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime...

I've been hearing a lot lately about "Liberty and Justice for All, Born and Unborn."

It is not justice to force a pregnant person into involuntary servitude for 9 months, risking her life and health. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is not justice to declare that the life and health of a living person is worth less than the fetus she carries. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is not justice to withhold life-saving surgery from a living person due to concern for the fetus she carries. With no trial. No judge. No jury.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are also working to allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense birth control.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are also working to prevent accurate sex education.

It is PARTICULARLY not justice to do so when you are working to cut funds to social services, day care, foster care.

...If we truly valued children, we would do everything in our power not to traumatize, deprive, or neglect them...

Until I see this, I won’t believe that “pro-lifers” care about life at all. I won’t believe that “family values” proponents care about families. And I won’t believe that those who seek to “protect” children care about children.

Matt Kailey at Womanist Musings

Oh! And in case you thought Choice is only about Abortion, here's a post that will better inform you.

And if you're interested in empowering young people to make reproductive choices that work for them, why not donate to NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation (the second button, it's tax deductible!) and help with their mission in Petersburg, VA.
(crossposted at Loudoun Progress)

Random bullets of a busy weekend

• NARAL Pro-choice VA's LUNAFEST event was splendid! Valdis Ronis and his daughter Shanyn joined us, along with many others. We also got donations from many local businesses, as well as local friends. So here is a thank you to Valdis, Erika, The Reign of Cats and Dogs, and Rouge Spa. Your generosity is appreciated.
• The kick-off for Cliff Keirce was terrific. Bonefish was generous with the food and drinks. I had great conversations with lots of people. People from within and without the new Broad Run were there. Including some people I think Andrea would have expected to be fully with her. I gave a donation, and have pledged to walk with Cliff in Oakgrove and many other precincts. 
• Went to two picnics (one on Saturday with my son's after-school, one on Sunday with the UUs of Sterling).
• On Sunday at church, I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for being a part of the UUs of Sterling. The members of that church are all community-oriented, politically aware, generally progressive. I realized that leaving the LCDC didn't mean I had left the only community that was involved locally in causes that are important to me. 

LCDC Members: I'm not asking any of you to choose sides

It's not going to hurt my feelings if you want to stay with the LCDC. It's not going to hurt my feelings if you just want to focus on getting through this election, and not get involved in any of this sturm und drang. It's really okay.

I mean it.

And thank you for the calls and emails. I really appreciate each and every one.

It's true (updated after the jump)

 I resigned from the LCDC last night. If you were there, or if you're my husband, you know exactly why. If you weren't there, well, then, if you know me outside of the internet, I'll tell you about it. I am not going to air LCDC stuff here.

I will be continuing to walk for Mark Herring, Mike Kondratick, Dave Butler, Jennifer Wexton, and the Dem candidate to run against Delgaudio (I have my favorite, but I'll support whoever wins the nomination).

In the meantime, thank you to the people who have shown their support for me in this.

Went out walking with Jennifer Wexton again!

She is so much fun to walk with! We did doors for about 3 hours on Saturday, and then she ran out of lit, so we stopped for the day. I emailed her more walk sheets for Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, did anyone get an odd message from two of the LCDems lists that day? If you did, please let me know. liz (at) millerhousehold (dot) com.

Now, perhaps, we can bring our troops back home

I am glad Osama Bin Laden is gone from this world, and can do us no more harm.