Government

United States of America – What do they call it when they say one thing to cover for another? A distraction? Distraction is defined by wikipedia as: “the diversion of attention of an individual or group from the chosen object of attention onto the source of distraction.” While finding missing children is certainly a...
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Wetzel County, WV and Bergton, VA – PHOTO ESSAY – What does the 1st proposed hydrofracking operation in Virginia have to do with the water supply for citizens of the Shenandoah Valley and the Greater Washington D.C. area? A lot. A Four-Hour Tour “Sit right back” and ride with me through rural WV. See for yourself...
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Washington D.C. – Food Crime – Control of Seeds – Control of Food Supply – I received this email alert today about the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. Check out what restrictions it will put on your ability to grow and choose your own food, as well as regulations about food allergies and...
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Staunton, VA – 7Bends received this open letter from Steven L. Thomas about his trial that is scheduled to begin tomorrow, July 14, 2010, at the Augusta County Courthouse, located at 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton, VA 24402. We print it here. Decide For Yourself Read and form your opinion about whether justice is being...
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Reported on July 11, 2010 by Jack Dolan, of the Los Angeles Times - “Sacramento -  A plan to let oil companies leave large parts of decommissioned drilling rigs in the ocean off California’s coast, saving them hundreds of millions of dollars, is sailing through the California Legislature at a time when the Gulf of...
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Regarding Israeli Navy – Letter that Congressman Barney Frank wrote in Response to Boston Herald article  – Issued on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 “The article in today’s Boston Herald is inaccurate in saying that I “had harsh words yesterday for the Israeli Navy.” The harsh words I spoke were specifically aimed at some non-governmental settlers...
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The Associated Press on Sunday, 11 July 2010, issued report that an: “Air France passenger jet heading from Rio de Janeiro to Paris made an emergency landing in north-eastern Brazil, following a bomb threat. All 405 passengers and 18 crew members were safely evacuated from Flight 443, said Jorge Andrade, a spokesman for airport authority Infraero. A...
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Shenandoah Valley Education News: Dana A. Fisher, agricultural educator from Central High School in Woodstock, Va., (pictured) has been selected as the 2010 Virginia winner of the Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award – given by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). Outstanding Ag Ed Teacher Award winners are agricultural educators who...
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Planet Earth -  Hear, or should I say “here”  is some “food” for thought – The significance of  July 11, 2010,  and thereabouts: Here/hear is what five top astrologers have to say about the rare Total Solar Eclipse and New Moon which both happen this Sunday, following the line up of five planets that occurred...
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These two developments by the Federal Government – limiting freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the United States – happened within a week of each other. You decide what’s going on. Which issues will be labeled off limits next – for the people, and for the press?  And,...
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RICHMOND, Va. —As communities in Lord Fairfax Health District endure record-high temperatures, local health department officials are advising residents to protect themselves against heat-related illnesses. “Extreme heat can cause heat stroke or other heat related illnesses,” said Lord Fairfax Health District Epidemiologist, Patricia Shobe, MPH. “Avoid or put off significant activity until it cools off.”...
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Boothville, Louisisana – About one hour south of New Orleans, The A Whale, a huge oil skimmer ship, is now anchored, awaiting approval by the U.S. government to begin skimming off the oil from the BP oil disaster. As long as three football fields (372-yards) and 10 stories high, the newly- refurbished vessel is ready...
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Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – This just in from WENY.com: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has released a list of more than 80 chemicals used in drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region. WENY obtained the list and noted that some of the chemicals have been shown to harm human health. View WENY...
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Through an Executive Order,  Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia has proclaimed Friday, July 2, to be celebrated as a special day of observance in honor of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, and will give state employees the official day off. “The governor truly hopes that this day off will allow state...
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Washington, D.C. – This month, Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced bipartisan legislation – the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act – which will protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay, while also ensuring the strength and vitality of family farms and local communities within the Bay Watershed. “The Chesapeake Bay, the argest estuary...
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Richmond, VA – Well, July 1, 2010 will be upon us soon. Here are some of the new laws voted by the Virginia legislature last session – that will go into effect later this week in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Citizens will want to be aware of these changes, as should visitors to Virginia,...
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Edinburg, VA – Terry McAuliffe, one of the nation’s top Democrats, will be the headline speaker at the Shenandoah County Democrats Annual Picnic – being held Saturday, July 17, 2010, starting at 5:00 p.m. in Edinburg Town Park – off Interstate 81. Terry was Chair of the National Democratic Party and a candidate for...
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Woodstock, VA – Robert A. Belyea, Director of Special Education and Student Services for Shenandoah County Public Schools, has been selected as this year’s Special Education Director recipient of the James T. Micklem Award of Excellence for 2010 for the state of Virginia. The award, initially called the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education...
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Toronto, Canada – In five days, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will be host to the 2010 G-20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy - for two days – June 26 and 27, 2010. Overview – What to Expect This Summit  is the fourth G-20 Conference.  Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is the host...
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Luray, Virginia – It won’t be easy to keep up with the Junior Rangers at Shenandoah National Park! It’s fun and healthy to play in the parks, and now National Park Junior Rangers get an extra reward for “movin’ it outside.” Shenandoah is one of 20 national parks kicking off “Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger.” ...
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Commonwealth of Virginia – Hold your hats; hold the drilling! Read an attorney’s letter sent to the DMME for yourself. Here’s the latest on the controversial natural gas extraction method called hydrofracking, and its threat to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The following letter was sent to the Director and Deputy Director at the...
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Harrisonburg, VA – Tonight, withstanding an early-morning polling place software glitch, the special election for the Virginia House of Delegates seat in the Shenandoah Valley is history. Broadway businessman Tony Wilt (R) has beat Kai Degner (D), as well as Carolyn Frank (I). 26th District Election Results (unofficial) - Across Rockingham County, Wilt picked up 4,218...
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Richmond, VA – As you probably know, June 1 was the official beginning of the 2010 hurricane season. And, the “cast of characters” has been named. (See the list below of the names selected for hurricanes this year.) So, now is a great time for Virginia residents to review their personal readiness plans and know...
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Gulf of Mexico, USA – There are reports today on the Internet that a mass evacuation of Gulf Coast residents may be coming, as soon as June 15. Readiness exercises conducted at the end of May 2010 According to a June 3, 2010 press release on the U.S. North Command web site, “three units representing ...
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Strasburg, VA – You are much greater than you ever dreamed. You are a soaring spirit – only constrained by a body if you choose to be. That’s what author and spiritual leader Wayne Dyer was illuminating in a November 2005 interview by Ray Hemachandra, Editor-In-Chief of New Age Retailer. Wayne has this to...
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