– From “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats

Majority rules. It’s a fundamental precept of democracy. Yet, in real life it doesn’t always play out that way. Sometimes, the majority can be overruled.

For instance, in a spontaneous political discussion around a picnic table in the park, one pushy palooka with a bullhorn voice can shout down any five soft-spoken picnickers, taking turns to speak. Moreover, history tells us that when a savvy and energetic minority wants to run roughshod over the prerogatives of most of the population it can be done. It helps to be organized and ruthless.

We’ve recently seen town hall meetings about health care reform sabotaged in ways kindred in spirit to the picnic table example. Rudeness has seemed to be in the air this fall. Most notably, Rep. Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama, in the midst of a presidential address before a joint session of congress.

Aren’t some of the same folks who stridently objected to President Obama speaking to their children during the school day now calling the obstreperous Rep. Wilson a hero?

Talk about setting a bad example for kids!

Just how many people really see Wilson’s calculated grandstanding as a heroic gesture is guesswork. We’ll probably see a poll on that, eventually, but polls on such provocative questions are sure to be gamed to the hilt.

However, regardless of their political affiliations, I’m confident that most everyday people disapproved of what the ill-mannered, celebrity wannabe congressman from South Carolina did to interrupt the president’s address.

Of course, Wilson got plenty of help in becoming a celebrity from the two relentlessly partisan, finger-pointing basic cable news networks — MSNBC and Fox News.

With MSNBC on the left and Fox News on the right, a consumer can take in the same story presented from clashing points of view. How close either network gets to telling the plain truth varies from day to day. With their formats, those networks need the Wilsons of the world more than they seem to need to find the truth.

All the political news programs televised in this age routinely use battling spokespersons, people who are paid to attack their opponents. Too many times those presentations degenerate into shouting contests. It’s hard to believe any of the consumers’ minds are being expanded, or changed, by being subjected to mean-voiced bickering disguised as debate.

Soft-spoken politicians/candidates who use little bombast, such as a Creigh Deeds, don’t appeal all that much much to the ratings-hungry people booking the talent for MSNBC and Fox News.

Meanwhile, with all the shouting, the quiet majority isn’t silent. But it has little say-so because normal speaking voices can’t be heard over the din. Furthermore, that means most of us are being subjected to all the noise, so that a few bullies can make thoughtful communication more difficult whenever they feel like it.

In the bigger picture, with the shouting increasing and understanding diminishing is our society’s center going to hold?

– 30 –

It is not often that Virginians get the opportunity to hear from former governors, especially on topics other than pure politics. They get trotted out for endorsements but that’s about it. Kudos to Rhew for taking this on.

The video can be viewed here.

The university said it has received three documents related to the Hamilton matter but declined to identify them in detail or provide copies. Two are being withheld because they relate to a criminal investigation and the third pursuant to a court order prohibiting its disclosure.

Some have speculated that the third document may be an indictment under seal. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.

As WAVY reported, ODU is conducting its own investigation into its now-severed relationship with Hamilton. While Newport News Public Schools have also been subpoened by federal investigators, there is no word on them having received the three documents that ODU refused to provide.

Hamilton is also the subject of an ethics investigation called for by Speaker of the House Bill Howell.

Called Virginia Votes 2009, the series features three half hour shows, each including interviews with the nominees for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

• Virginia Votes 2009 – The Candidates for Governor: Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)
• Virginia Votes 2009 – The Candidates for Lieutenant Governor: Jody Wagner (D) and Bill Bolling (R)
• Virginia Votes 2009 – The Candidates for Attorney General: Ken Cuccinelli (R) and Steve Shannon (D)

In Hampton Roads, the shows premiere this Sunday on Cox Channel 11, with all three shows being aired back-to-back, beginning at 8:30pm. The shows will also be shown on Cox Channel 9 in Roanoke, with a slightly different schedule.

Viewers who miss the airings can watch the shows on Cox on Demand in Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Northern Virginia, as well as on YouTube.

For more information, check out the announcement (pdf).

UPDATE: The videos of the interviews are now available on our Elections 2009 page