It’s a heck of thing to see your name on the front page of the local paper. This is last Saturday’s Charlottesville Daily Progress, and it’s a profile of your truly, under the title “Who Is Rob Tracinski?”

Well, if you live in Charlottesville, and you didn’t know the answer to that question, there’s a better chance you know it now.

This profile is actually pretty good—with one big reservation—and I’d like to offer a few comments.

To begin with, they say it’s good publicity if they spell your name right, and that’s not something I can always take for granted, so I’m pretty happy with that. And it’s even better publicity if they mention my book, which they do. The very first step of my campaign is just name recognition—especially this early in the process. So this is exactly what the campaign needed right now.

And look, my advantage as a candidate is thirty years as a writer and speaker. I’m good at just sitting down and talking to a reporter.

And that’s the best thing about this profile. The reporter, David Valazquez, uses a lot of my best lines. So you get me saying, “I think the U.S. Congress is a good idea, and it would be nice if we had one.” Here’s an important one: “Part of the reason I ran is I didn’t see anybody else who was prepared for the kind of constitutional knife fight Congress needs to be fighting right now.” I describe our fifth district incumbent, John McGuire, as a “rubber stamp” without “even the slightest glimmer of independence,” and boy is that true.

And it quotes my basic case for my campaign: I can offer “a reasonable alternative for disgruntled independents and Republicans, while still offering Democrats the thing I think is actually most important, which is: We’re going to restore the power of Congress; we’re going to rein in an out-of-control president.”

But I’m afraid that led to a misunderstanding. I’ve done a lot of interviews, from both sides—asking the questions and being the guy who answers the question. And you never know what’s going to be misinterpreted. So I mentioned, just as a historical example, a previous Democratic representative from this district, Virgil Goode—as an example of how partisan loyalties sometimes shift. There are people who thought they could never vote for a Republican who know think they could never vote for a Democrat, and maybe they can switch back again. But then I find the reporter describing me as an “admirer” of Virgil Goode who takes him as my “role model.”

I never said any of that, and I didn’t mean to imply it, and I guess my lesson from this is to never mention the name Virgil Goode ever again. Because the downside is that Goode was elected as a Democrat and after a couple of terms ratted out on the Dems and switched to be a Republican, and I don’t want anyone thinking this is what I’m going to do.

The Republican Party is dead to me now, and even if they did their best to reform themselves and try to become something reasonable—well, you tell me how likely that is. You can’t turn back the clock, and we’re not gonna get, I don’t know, Ronald Reagan’s party back again. We’ve got the party that likes colonels from the KGB, not the one that hated them. It’s a shame, but there it is.

Last of all, the framing of this profile in the Daily Progress is that I’m the upstart candidate compared to the Tom Perriello, who I guess is more of the establishment Democrat in this district, and his one term in Congress sixteen years ago is the best Democrats have done so far this century. So fair enough, I know I’m the scrappy underdog in the Democratic primary.

But the first step is just to be getting better known to the community—and getting on the front page of the local paper, well, that’s a pretty good beginning.

The important thing is that this gets across my message about restoring our constitutional system, because that’s why I’m running, and it’s what I’m asking you to vote for.

Please consider a donation to support my campaign.

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Celebrities have a fast and loose connection with the truth.

Look no further than late-night TV. Host after host bends reality to their whim, from promoting the Russian collusion hoax to denying that violent groups like Antifa exist.

That disconnect applies to the biggest issues of our age, like the war against ICE.

The recent death of far-Left activist Renee Good, who prevented ICE agents from detaining hardened criminals in Minneapolis, is a prime example.

Multiple camera angles showed that Good not only refused direct orders from ICE officials but steered her car into the path of an agent, revved the engine and literally hit him with her Honda Pilot.

Said agent fired his weapon in self-defense, killing her. It’s a tragic death, no matter where one stands on ICE’s activities. It’s also not considered “murder” by sane observers, at least based on the available video evidence.

The agent suffered internal bleeding from being hit by the car, according to government officials.

Tell that to music superstar Bruce Springsteen. The Boss, depicted in 2025’s box office disappointment “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” raged against ICE in a factually-challenged tirade during a recent concert.

“If you believe in democracy, in liberty, if you believe that truth still matters, that it’s worth speaking out, that it is worth fighting for, if you believe in the power of the law and no one stands above it, if you stand against heavily armed masked federal troops invading American cities and using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens, if you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president,” Springsteen told the crowd, according to NJArts.net.

Quoting Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, he added, “and as the mayor of that city has said, ‘ICE should get the f— out of Minneapolis.'”

Good wasn’t protesting. She interrupted an ICE investigation, using her car to block official business. That isn’t a protest. Her death doesn’t change the facts in play.

And, of course, she wasn’t murdered. Springsteen doesn’t care enough to get the facts straight, and he’s only inflaming the situation. Does he want more Renee Goods?

Some Boss. But he’s not alone.

RELATED: SPRINGSTEEN ABANDONS HIS BLUE-COLLAR BASE

Far-Left singer Billie Eilish weighed in, too, pushing the same discredited talking points in the process. She did so while picking up an award for her environmental activism.

“We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped,” she said. “Resources to fight the climate crisis being cut, fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet and people’s health, access to food and health care becoming a privilege for the wealthy, instead of a basic human right for all Americans.”

“It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities are not a priority for this administration,” Eilish continued. “And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets.”

More lies.

Ellen DeGeneres, who allegedly left the United States due to President Donald Trump, also lashed out in a similar manner.

“I just wanted to say I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis and our country, really, but specifically Minneapolis right now,” DeGeneres began in her video. “Because it’s where I shot my last stand-up special, and everybody there couldn’t have been more lovely.”

“I shot it there because they say it’s the happiest city in America. And I found that to be true,” the comedian added. “So my thoughts and my prayers are going out to everyone. And I’m proud of everyone who’s protesting peacefully, and I am sorry for anyone who has been hurt just for protesting, for doing what you should be doing.”

These aren’t the only celebrities peddling similar fiction. It’s standard practice following Good’s death, including virtue signal buttons worn during the recent Golden Globes telecast.

Hollywood LOST IT at Sunday’s #GoldenGlobes2026 as Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes wear “Be Good” pins to honor the late Renee Good who rammed her car into ICE agents. #DanaRadio

Podcast: https://t.co/A9ZuQuXe0x pic.twitter.com/StUr1EnAM8

— The Dana Show (@DanaLoeschRadio) January 12, 2026

Meanwhile, the same stars haven’t said “boo” about radical protesters breaking into a Minneapolis church, frightening citizens, while their peers harass anyone presumed to be pro-ICE.

Nor will they.

Celebrities can and often do help the country at large. They rally to raise funds for worthy causes. Some use their personal tragedies to help others, like Michael J. Fox’s work fighting Parkinson’s disease.

Too often, artists cling to their ideological handcuffs to spread lies and make matters worse for the country at large. And no Legacy Media outlet will dare question them, let alone call them out.

Editor’s Note: It’s a brutal time to be an independent journalist, but it’s never been more necessary given the sorry state of the corporate press. If you’re enjoying Hollywood in Toto, I hope you’ll consider leaving a coin (or two) in our Tip Jar.

The post Celebrities Can’t Stop Lying About Renee Good appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.

The Trump Kennedy Center suffered yet another cancellation this week.

The Martha Graham Dance Company bowed out due to President Donald Trump’s connection to the august institution. More cancellations will likely follow.

So it’s little surprise that Stage Right Theatrics endures a steady stream of attacks for merely … existing.

The Ohio-based company has done more than exist, though. The cultural institution celebrates its 10th festival this month, once more giving audiences a different perspective on the arts.

Yes, the shows offer a right-leaning look at the culture. One example? The company presented the world premiere of conservative author Andrew Klavan’s play, “The Uncanny,” four years ago.

The company’s anniversary festival of short plays kicks off Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 1 at the Abbey Theatre of Dublin. The plays will be presented both in-person and live-streamed.

The short plays in question:

• “All Packed” by Curtis Miller (CA), directed by Veronica Heer: A couple comes to grips with a coming pandemic while the audience benefits from a five-year headstart.
• “(Not the) Metamorphosis” by Mary Poindexter McLaughlin (FL), directed by AJ Howell: Based on a 1920s “New York Times” article about the first woman to undergo plastic surgery, the play is inspired by Franz Kafka’s classic story.
• “The One” by Stuart Brown (CT), directed by Stacy Zuberi: In the not-too-distant future, A.I. has taken over the educational system of the country. Adrian and Maddie fret about what this is doing to their son.
• “Safe Space” by Matthew Greene (TN), directed by Alyssa Ryan: A college professor and HR go head-to-head in a space deemed safe from unwanted thoughts or ideas.

Company founder Robert Cooperman isn’t a radical right-winger. The Stage Right Theatrics motto remains, “Disagreement Does Not Equal Hate.®”

Tell that to Facebook users. They recoiled at a local news story tied to the group’s 10th anniversary. Here’s just a sampling of the responses.

I can see it now. Taking place 1942 Germany from the PATRIOTIC soldier’s perspective:
“Finding Anne Frank”

Stage Right presents “Ragtime” (but only the white scenes)!

“Springtime for Trump” – IYKYK

The possibilities are endless… They could do a version of Rent from the virus’ perspective

They have two drinking fountains and two sets of bathrooms

Be sure to visit the Epstein Lounge for a refreshment before the performance of Mein Kampf: The Musical.

D.W. Griffith’s ‘The Birth of a Nation’ will be playing daily…

The comments say far more about the people sharing them, from their lack of openness to hating anything that doesn’t perfectly align with their far-Left world view.

It’s the opposite of liberal. And these aren’t just words, according to Cooperman.

“For 10 years, we have more or less been boycotted by the local theater community.”

When a recent show paid tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, the response was immediate. Cancellations. Cries of bigotry. and more.

More information on Stage Right Theatrics 2026 festival:

Tickets cost $20 per person (for in-person) or per device (for live stream) and are available HERE. Senior (60+), student, first responder, and veteran discounts available ($5 off, making each discounted ticket $15). Call 614-562-9105 for the discount codes.

The festival is teaming with the Dublin Food Pantry to feed hungry citizens in the greater Columbus, Ohio region. Those donating to the cause will receive half-price tickets.

The post The Left Rages Against Lone Conservative Theatre Group appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.

I remain a tremendous fan of Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged, Anthem, The Fountainhead, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal), who contributed enormously to my comprehension of psychology, philosophy, human nature, ethics and government. The people writing in her name today, without any authorization by her since she died over 40 years ago, are peddling as original the precise propaganda you can find on MSNBC or in The New York Times. This post will be of interest to those who follow such topics.

The following is a post by Char Cushman to which I say, Bravo!

For those of you who have read Harry Binswanger’s latest post about ICE. I 100% disagree with him. He completely ignores the entire context.
Culture matters.

Binswanger [of the Ayn Rand Institute] claims we are all tribalists who dislike immigrants because of their color. I wonder what he thinks about Ayn Rand when she called people in the middle east savages.

He defends the rule of law–the aliens broke immigration law. What about that law? Without vetting, immigrants entered here who have harmed American citizens. They have brutally murdered people, raped and murdered women, and have committed massive theft (the Day care fraud and other fraud) from us. And don’t forget that many of them hate our country and wish for our demise i.e. “death to America.” I have heard some say, well, we have criminals too. So? Our criminals should go to jail and criminal immigrants should be deported. Let’s say the rape and murder of Laken Riley was the only crime committed. It was one death too many. It would have never happened if we had protected borders. Tell Laken Riley’s parents, family and close friends that her death by an illegal alien doesn’t matter because we already have criminals here.

The Left is focusing on the rights of the immigrants. Those who commit crimes have given up their rights. Besides, what about our rights? We don’t have any? We work and pay the taxes, but we don’t get a say on who can come here?

There is NO RIGHT to go where ever you want to in the world. To say it is a right means that others have to provide you entrance no matter where you go, no matter who you are. Criminals do not have a right to go where ever they want. That is one reason why borders need to be protected so that the good immigrants can be distinguished from the bad.

Another crucial point is that we are now a welfare state which was not the case in the early years of our country. How many people can we support on welfare before the United States collapses?

Don’t listen to ARI (Ayn Rand Institute). They are traitors to our country.

… I would add to this that the protestors are not peaceful. Blocking traffic, spitting on officers, throwing bricks at them, surrounding their cars, breaking their windows, breaking into their cars, and stealing items such as guns from police cars is not peaceful. Plus, there is evidence that they are paid to protest. My only complaint about them is that they are being too soft. From the get go, they should have been arresting them and putting them in jail or spraying them with pepper spray or cold water.

By all means, read and discover the ideas and contributions of Ayn Rand. As for the people peddling leftism and subjectivism at ARI, run for your life.

As a reader commented on Facebook, “I’m totally flabbergasted at the turn ARI has taken in the last ten years — maybe longer, but I didn’t notice it until the 2016 election cycle, when they went off the rails.”

My reply: When you think about it, the people at ARI are making a career living off the work of another person, i.e., Ayn Rand. They’re the very kind of people she wrote about as the mediocrities in her novels. From what I can see, the leadership there hasn’t changed for two decades or more. It seems like this would have to be a symptom of something. The great thing about Ayn Rand’s ideas is that they will matter, and they will always matter somewhere, to somebody; ARI will be forgotten when it eventually runs out of other people’s money.

The post Ayn Rand Was Not a Woke Leftist appeared first on Michael J. Hurd, Ph.D. | Living Resources Center.