By Brad Swanson: What motivates a man to spend more than two decades – and counting – as a volunteer running a farmers market? In the case of John Lovaas, a manager of the award-winning Reston Farmers Market, the answer…
NY Times shows nation GOP indifference to gun violence in NoVA delegate race
By Brad Swanson: Like many readers of The New York Times, both here in northern Virginia and across the nation, Dan Helmer was taken aback by the indifference to gun violence shown by an incumbent Virginia state delegate, especially in…
Renoir’s boaters raise a blue wave in Fairfax County
By Kimberly Davis: A curious alteration of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s famed Impressionist painting “Luncheon of the Boating Party” has captured attention at recent events. Wait, isn’t that state delegate candidate Dan Helmer (dist. 40) in white? And there’s some other familiar…
“Gun Reform Now” demand protesters at NRA vigil
An estimated 300 protesters showed up Tuesday evening, Aug. 5, to protest gun violence — and especially last weekend’s devastating attacks in El Paso and Dayton — at the headquarters of the NRA in Fairfax. There was a candle lighting…
Ibraheem Samirah: My protest energized people
By Brad Swanson: One week after disrupting a speech by Pres. Trump, although the headlines have faded from national news media, Ibraheem Samirah feels vindicated – and ready for more action. In an interview with The Blue View, the Virginia…
Republicans are the problem. We are the solution
By Todd Smyth: We know how to solve epidemic gun violence. Every other developed country has solved this problem. Republicans won’t allow it in America. We know how to get better healthcare that covers everyone. Every other developed country spends…
Fighting to stay together, not break apart
By Brandon Thurner: In today’s heated political atmosphere, Americans need to learn from successful married couples how to “fight in a way to preserve the union,” and to avoid demonizing each other. This message was delivered by prominent sociologist and…
Fairfax Young Democrats take national level slots
By Paul Davis: Four young Democrats from Fairfax County were recently elected members of issues caucuses at the national level. The elections took place at the 2019 Young Democrats of America convention on July 16-22 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Fairfax…
Absentee voting in-person helps Dems win. Boost it with the Voting QuickGuide
By Todd Thurwachter: Early voting is a key tool in increasing Democratic voter turnout — just ask Dr. Ibraheem Samirah. In Samirah’s successful race for state delegate in a special election on Feb. 19, early voting shot up 335% in…
Meeting the challenge of affordable housing in Fairfax County
By Jerry Poje: Fairfax County’s future is on the line. As we saw in part I of this series, high housing costs are forcing lower income families, young adults and seniors to migrate out of our region. This cripples our…
Republican lawmakers ambush Northam’s special session on gun violence
By Susan Laume: A day that began with hope quickly ended in anger and frustration as Republican state legislators in Richmond abruptly shut down a special session on gun violence less than 90 minutes after it began on Tuesday, July…
Personal testimony of gun violence fails to heal rift at Leesburg roundtable
By Susan Laume: On the eve of a special state legislative session on gun violence, a roundtable in Leesburg hosted by state Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D- 33) on July 7 revealed the deep divide among the public on this critical…
Affordable housing: a challenge we must face in Fairfax County
By Jerry Poje: Part 1 of a series on affordable housing. Coming soon, Part 2: Meeting the challenge. Affordable housing topped the list of issues among the Democratic candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisor chair in last month’s primary…
Drums and parade underscore political power at Women’s Summit
By Lola Quintela: Drummers, a parade, and rousing speeches gave last weekend’s northern Virginia Women’s Summit a charge of excitement while breakout sessions allowed participants to dive deep into important issues at the sold-out event. Northern Virginia lawmakers at both…