import re


def is_val_desc(p, pltype):
    """
    Value descriptions are a continuation of a previous variable
    value or a (long) value description. It should have an optional
    whitespace, period, and then the value description.
    """
    if pltype in ['Blank', 'Var Value', 'Val Desc']:
        pparser = re.compile(r"[\t ]*\.")
        words = pparser.split(p)
        if len(words) > 1 and not words[0]:
            return True
    return False