The Cardinal Way: Civility Rules
Cardinal News has been selected by the American Press Institute Project to participate in a nationwide project to promote civic discourse. We are partnering with the Roanoke Collaboration Project to give people in our demographically and politically changing communities the tools to engage in constructive dialogue.
We may agree to disagree on issues, but we are hoping that we can do so without becoming disagreeable. At the end of the day, we seek to remember that there is more to our neighbors than their political yard signs and that we might even find common ground on which we all can stand.
We will try this experiment for a few months. If successful, we will continue through the 2024 election cycle so that our community can emerge from what is expected to be a trying political year.
Please read the featured essays, and then take part in an informal survey. We will publish new essays every other week with the survey results and comments in the intervening weeks.
Featured articles
Cardinal Way collection of civil debate
How to lower the political temperature
In light of calls from both sides politically to ‘lower the temperature,’ we asked a professional mediator how people can talk about politics in a…
Little agreement on data centers except ‘not here’
Data centers are driving power demands but few seem to want data centers near them.
A pragmatic approach to energy to keep Virginia the top state for business
We need more natural gas and nuclear to support our increasing energy demands.
Charting a sustainable path for data center development in Virginia
How Virginia can better cope with the growing energy demands of data centers.
From ‘I can relate’ to ‘insulting,’ readers weigh in on JD Vance’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’
Donald Trump’s choice of JD Vance as his running mate has been a big hit — on the best-seller lists. Vance’s memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” surged…
JD Vance’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ rings true
The story of America is the story of ordinary people stepping up to do amazing things. This is the story of JD Vance as told…
JD Vance’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ rings false
For Appalachia’s hillbillies, it’s more than an elegy.
When it comes to climate issues, not much middle ground
Gov. Youngkin’s decision to withdraw from an electric vehicle mandate raises questions about how much the government should be involved in reducing carbon emissions.
Not outsourcing Virginia’s lawmaking to California bureaucrats is a good thing
The simple fact is that no jurisdiction, even California, is ready for a forced transition to electric vehicles, and Virginia absolutely should not tie itself…
Youngkin’s autocratic decision moves Virginia backwards on the transition to EV’s
Some falsely argue that the government is telling people they cannot purchase gas vehicles. The compact does not prohibit the sale of new gas combustion…
Property rights vs. viewsheds? When it comes to solar farms, there’s sharp disagreement
Southside has become a hotspot for solar growth, but not everyone is happy about it. These responses to our Cardinal Way project show the intensity…
Solar farms respect property rights and the environment
The NIMBY crowd has moved further toward a “not-in-your-backyard, either” mantra. To hit state goals, solar needs just 0.5% of Virginia’s total land.
Local governments decide where, how big, under what conditions solar will be developed. Who advises them?
The Virginia Clean Economy Act is not working out as many expected. Solar farms are concentrating in Southside and many residents are skeptical of siting…
Too many workers are relying on minimum wage, readers say
Those who responded to our Cardinal Way essays on the minimum wage said we need to find ways to move workers into higher-paying jobs but…
Minimum wage hike could mean curtains for young employees
Raising the minimum wage increases expenses and reduces razor-thin profit margins without increasing profits.