Saturday, November 29, 2008
Editorial: Short takes
Quick views on some of the week's news.
From the RoundTable blog
Read the latest entries
Perriello snags a Good(e) office
Rep.-elect Tom Perriello owes the voters who backed his opponent, incumbent Virgil Goode, a bit of thanks. By keeping the margin of victory razor thin (and still being recounted) they ensured Perriello will get a swankier office.
Office space at the Capitol is assigned by seniority and then by lottery. So representatives like Alaska's John Young and Michigan's John Conyers, who have lurked around the House for decades, are entitled to sweet offices. Freshman representatives wind up with whatever's left over, sometimes not much better than glorified closets.
Because Virginia didn't declare Perriello the winner until this week, he missed the freshmen office lottery. That might have stuck him with the worst office, the one no one else wanted. But if Goode had ultimately prevailed, his seniority entitled him to far better digs. So, officials kept his current office in reserve. Since he no longer needs it, Perriello gets it.
Call it an early holiday gift from the voters of the 5th District.
The bus is back on schedule
For nearly two months, mall shoppers without the wheels to drive themselves to Valley View had two choices: stay away or risk life and limb crossing busy traffic lanes. Thankfully, Valley View Mall finally found a new place for Valley Metro to pick up and drop off riders directly into the mall. Valley Metro lost this access in early October when J.C. Penney decided it no longer wanted to host the stop. A new place should have been worked out with mall management ahead of time so there wasn't a disruption in service for the shoppers and workers who count on the connection.
In these tough economic times, it makes poor business sense to erect barriers to shoppers.
Michael Vick's new set of downs
Former Virginia Tech and Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty this week to a state dogfighting charge. Unless Vick fumbles his chance at redemption, the three-year sentence will be suspended. So despicable were Vick's crimes that some might think he should enter the state pen after his federal prison term ends. But that would impose a double penalty for the same offense. A better argument could be made that Surry County authorities piled on duplicative charges. Vick has just himself to blame for his circumstances: a criminal record, a few months more to serve, a suspension by the NFL, and nearly bankrupt after earning $17 million from the Falcons plus endorsements. His contrition and his talent might earn him a spot on some team's roster, if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell approves.
Whether he will turn his life around remains to be seen.
