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…
Category: Social Issues
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…
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…
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…
First Person: What Gay Pride means to me
By Bill Edgin: Growing up in Tomball, TX, I knew I was gay by the time I entered high school. But I also knew to bury this secret deep and never tell anyone, as I had been taught from an…
My experience sets me apart, says Ray Morrogh, seeking re-election as Commonwealth’s Attorney
By Ray Morrogh: Ray Morrogh is Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County and candidate for re-election in the Democratic primary on June 11. In my 35 years of experience as a prosecutor, I have approached each case with the same guiding…
Del. Kaye Kory helps minority-owned pet store stay in business
By Susan Laume: Support from the community, including from state Del. Kaye Kory (D-38), has saved a Latino woman-owned pet store in Barcroft Plaza shopping center from closure. The pet store, Chico’s Natural Pet Market, faced shutdown when the owner,…
Steve Descano has a plan to bring criminal justice reform to Fairfax County
By Steve Descano: Candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Democratic primary on June 11 Since the 1960s, Fairfax County’s criminal justice system has been led by the mistaken notion that “tough-on-crime” policies reduce criminal behavior and improve outcomes for our…
“It’s not too late” for Northam, says Kofi Annan. But is the gov. listening?
By Brad Swanson: Kofi Annan is puzzled. He’s the president of the Fairfax County NAACP, one of the largest and most active chapters in the Commonwealth, and winner of a prestigious prize as the best chapter in the country. Yet…
Should values lead justice? Fairfax prosecutor candidates clash
By Brad Swanson: Democratic Party candidates for criminal prosecutor clashed in a debate Friday, May 24, as challenger Steve Descano painted a vision of “progressive justice” while incumbent Ray Morrogh, represented by a staff attorney, insisted on the importance of…
Fairfax Dems’ call on Northam to let trans soldiers serve arrives too late
By Brad Swanson: The Fairfax County Democratic Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday, May 21, to urge that Gov. Ralph Northam allow transgender troops to serve openly in the Virginia National Guard — not knowing that just a few hours earlier…
Meet the at-large school board candidates
In their own words, at-large candidates for Fairfax County School Board say what motivates them to seek a seat on the board, why they are qualified, and their plans to lift up all students. They made their comments at a…