Libby's Blog

Dear Friends: As we enjoy this Labor Day weekend, does the song “9 to 5” keep playing in your head? I think sometimes we forget what our American holidays are all about except for an extra day off. The passing of both Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem at this particular fraught time feels very significant. At first glance, they seem like opposites: hair, make-up, urban vs rural. But, in very different ways, they each lived their beliefs that all people “are created equal:” Do

Dear Friends: I continue to think about the meaning of July 4th, which felt so desecrated this year. One thought, shared by quite a few, I’m guessing, is that we can celebrate the 250th anniversary of our democracy more properly when we get to 2038 and the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the US Constitution. By that time – if we can do what we need to do now – our democracy may be secured again. The past few years have seen many Americans learning far more about US

Dear Friends: I hope everyone has been able to take a little time to disconnect from the crazy world and recharge a bit with whatever holidays you celebrate, or just enjoy spring. The last week was particularly crazy. The fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and others on the far right criticized Donald Trump indicates just how crazy it was. Even they see that our President is unhinged. Keeping perspective on our history is so important to mental heal

Dear Friends: The regime’s horrors continue, but it is spring, which always helps me keep things in perspective, at least a little. And I’m looking forward to being part of one of the many No Kings III events nationwide this Saturday. But before I get to No Kings, I recommend that you check out the very positive perspective of Rebecca Solnit, which you can explore in The Interview podcast or read about in The Guardian. Many of my readers will likely be familiar with Ms.

Dear Friends: The pace of authoritarian efforts to destroy our democracy is picking up, and so is the pace of the Resistance, particularly in Virginia. Virginia has the potential to pick up 4 Democratic House seats with the April 21 referendum on redistricting. Virginia is uniquely positioned to fight back against the MAGA effort to gain an advantage in Congress through off-cycle redistricting. We must get every vote we can to pass the amendment. The Regime began this batt

Dear Friends: What a great day Tuesday was for Democracy! It indeed feels like the tide is starting to turn ; that common sense and decency are returning to our politics. We can’t delude ourselves that the next several years will not be difficult and have many ugly moments. Autocracies are usually vicious but especially so when they see power slipping away. But, for the moment, let’s savor our many victories. I’ve asked Austin Locke, who runs this webpage to write the rest

This year, I am supporting Levar Stoney, Arjoon Srikanth, and Takis Karantonis.

Dear Friends: It’s important to stay focused on our own local government. The Democratic School Board caucus voting has begun. There...