Motley Blog

Just What is Populism in the 21st Century?

2010-03-09T17:53:33Z

Wikipedia article on the subject goes into this very interesting history in greater detail. ]]> The United States Constitution, the foundation of legal authority, could be considered a 'populist' document, assuring the protection of the individual citizen from authority of all stripes. But yet somehow the term has come to mean something just a shade less negative then 'anarchism' - a philosophy that argues for self-control above control from the law and State. Populism today is being manipulated by the authoritative elites of corporate media via such 'astroturf' grass roots efforts such as the Tea Party. Although originally inspired by the Libertarian Ron Paul the effort is starting to look like a racist group of hatemongers. This group has the potential for some sort of KKK style reactionary violence, due the takeover of the group through targeted expenditures, including $100,000 to the person of Sarah Palin. This is very similar to the nature of the KKK in the American south, an intentional effort to divide poor whites from poor blacks via hate. On the left Obama won his presidency by effectively energizing the people of America through an internet campaign including email, and perhaps most importantly, social media. In attempting to portray himself as a centrist leader and not some radical leftie he supported the bailout of corrupt and criminal Wall Street. However in doing so he rapidly lost the support of those Independents who voted for him. I will argue that it is this completely unorganized group whom is the most likely to lead America to an honest, prosperous, and equitable future - three closely interrelated concepts. But what is honest populism today? Is it really a bunch of uneducated rubes incapable of making a smart decision? Or perhaps it is people that have actually lived an honest life and have developed some common sense big picture judgment in the process? I, personally, think so. I will not predict what populism will become in the time period between 2010 and 2012, but one thing for sure, the people have access to technology, and the common sense to use it to their benefit - not for the traitorous corporatist screwing over of the vast majority of law abiding US citizens by the 'smart' folks. And, for what it is worth, I hope I will be one of the voices to shape that renewal of American populism, our Constitutional government and its free market constituents.

Obama and the Tea Party

2010-02-23T10:08:31Z

George Will made an interesting observation on the ABC news program 'This Week' claiming "1/5th of Tea Party folks voted for Obama and 1/3 express support". I quoted this on Facebook and was promptly informed that Will is known to pull statistics out of his ass. As such, I decided to research further. That Facebook friend may well be right, and an analysis of the motivation for the apparent fiction is disturbing. Here's the clip: (commenters on the video repeat that question about Will's numbers, but Wikipedia does not.) Even if this 'analysis' is completely false I do think it is safe to say that Independent Voters, who tilted strongly for Obama in the election, have largely lost favor with Obama. This would include myself, and I am certainly NOT a Palin/Tancredo tea bagger.]]> curiously also on ABC. I smell a rat. Independent voters are the most important segment of the electorate, their tendencies decide elections. Yet the corporate media, at best, ignores them. Or, at worst, engages in efforts to manipulate them such as in the recent mainstream conservative takeover of the Tea Party. Though there are admirable libertarian elements in that movement, which I hope will persevere, the fact is that the effort is very much an anti-Obama groundswell, regardless of how you look at it. In my opinion the motivation for George Will's alleged fiction is nothing less than a 'willful' and deceitful attempt at manipulating the independent voter into the "Freak Show Circus" (Will's term) of the big tent Tea Party. But perhaps Mr. Will, a better course would be for you to join with the rest of the right's numerically challenged in jail - plenty of room in that tent, once we get the pot smokers out, right?

Update: Highway 520 Lake Washington Bridge Project

2010-02-18T14:21:56Z

The replacement of the 520 bridge debate has been going on for 20 years now, and is making progress, albeit slowly. I can't recreate the gist of that entire debate, complete with engineering and cost data, in a short post, so if you aren't familiar with these issues, this will be hard to understand. If you are somewhat familiar with the debate and wish to understand further, check out the quality project documentation on the Washington DOT site. (A quick aside for those outside of Washington State - if you've ever seen a Husky Football game televised the bridge in the background of the Stadium long shots is 520.) ]]> controversial in early reports. I believe I was the first to bring up the option K concept, in 1988, but it may well prove too expensive. I will still defend option K, including as modified by Mayor McGinn, so long as the lane is joint use for both bus and light rail transit, and, perhaps, intelligently equipped public safety vehicles). At this point there are two paths to proceed along with this public design, tweak the option A+/L (L is a bridge version of K, and might be the best compromise) range of options to improve transit function and reduce impacts on Montlake OR continue to look at option K in a larger context. As a minor point, please note that transit improvements to the currently winning alternative, A+, will marginally increase the cost, perhaps as high as the option 'L" budget. The reality of Montlake being able to delay the project still, is a political reality. This would give the time to look at the transit network options in further refining option K. For example, why not drop that third transit lane from the Montlake to I5 segment and enhance transit connectivity from Montlake to Capitol Hill (and Downtown) as well as Montlake to the University District (and I5)! Removing the third lane from the Montlake to interstate 5 segment is also an alternative, and could further reduce the costs of the current preferred version.

Slumburbia?

2010-02-15T16:12:36Z

New York Times stringer and author Tim Egan (The Good Rain) opines in the New York Times on the steep decline of housing prices in the greater San Francisco 'sprawl' zone. Anecdotally Egan cites the case of Lathrop California, two hours from the Bay Area in the Central Valley. Housing prices there have dropped from a peak of $500,000 to $150,000. This is an interesting phenomenon, certainly both worthy and timely. But where Egan takes his analysis of this tragedy is truly irresponsible. First, he implies that the problem in Lathrop and surrounding communities is the model of foreclosure throughout the United States. Then, curiously, he defines such areas as slums in a typical Seattle passive aggressive manner. professor Richard Morrill in the online site Crosscut for a grounded and balanced discussion of this issue.) Curiously Egan then continues asserting the relative health of older, denser, Cities on the West Coast as resulting from the fact that they have strong controls on growth. I'm sorry Mr. Egan, but that is journalistic quackery. The biggest factor creating more relative stability in older Cities is the composition of the ownership market - a community that has been around longer will have many more homeowners in relatively secure financial shape. A community that was largely formed at the peak of the boom will, of course, have a much larger problem. No less an authority than Ron Sims, former King County Executive and current number two at HUD, has cited this article, as part of a larger effort to start funding subsidized housing in greater density. This is a lesson we have already learned, and a mistake not to be repeated. Density is great in desirable areas where the market justifies it - doing so for affordable housing is what creates gang ridden slums, not the lack of development regulations. A more relevant question is whether established Cities are too some degree inappropriate beneficiaries of the TARP 'bonus' program. Most certainly some of the people putting forth this politically correct fraud and extortion propaganda are. ]]>

Treason in the Judicial Branch and all Legal Practice?

2010-02-14T22:23:45Z

There has been much said about the recent five vote Supreme Court decision equating corporations with persons - including accusing the Five Supremes who voted in favor of this decision of treason. The Constitution sets explicitly high and narrow standards for this crime, noticeably different from English statute and common law. However, for evidence, the Constitution only requires two witnesses. ]]> Here, a group of Veterans comes to that conclusion. I will second that accusation without hesitation or question, submitting my own experience and well developed case as evidence., and I'm quite sure I am not the only one. For instance, in addition to the above Veteran internet link, my local paper had a letter to the editor published making exactly that claim (their online policy limits editorial page letters). A crucial point here is the 'court' of jurisdiction. Will any State court take up this matter? Will the legislative and executive branches take up same or will they join in the conspiracy? This is a crucial point, and a test for both of these branches of our system of government - either hold the trial or stand with them as any two citizens of the United States seek their constitutionally guaranteed right to petition for recourse. One point to be made along this line of reason is that the Bar (an interesting 'corporation' itself) is not qualified to administer the law, given their 'activism', right and left, around the its founding principles. The specific standards are clear, "Treason...

shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."

The critical point here is making the determination that corporations are enemies of the people of the United States. ('Levying' corporate 'war' has not yet occurred yet, to the best of my knowledge. However we are getting closer and closer to that happening. - Make my day Blackwater scum.) This is a relatively simple task, merely show a pattern of court supported corporate violations of other Constitutional rights. Adding a financial benefit criteria would be okay - defining corporate treason as the extortion of individuals to deny them their rights for the financial benefit of the fictional 'person'. Respect for the intent of caution in making these allegations from the original drafters merits mention. Corporations do have a use, FWIW though they may well be inherently quasi socialist organizations and **NOT** members of the private sector at all. This is a subject for more discussion. Note that the Constitution explicitly limits a finding of treason to not include "corruption of blood", referring to punishing the descendants of any perpetrator and limits property 'forfeiture' to the life of the convicted - allowing heirs to inheirit. Please note though that this does not prevent additional legal actions addressing this factor, again, with caution. For one, I'd argue that any accredited legal professional who openly violates the constitution is, by definition, a power mad genetic defect - as, by their documented intelligence and choice to abuse others via the misuse of same. As to caution, I'd limit the 'punishment' on the descendants for this ancilliary crime to the 'clawing back' of all financial benefits provided to the child or relative gained by illicit means. I, personally, would also argue for 'claw back' provisions for all those receiving substantial payments from said convicted corporation for services which in any way supported the acts of Treason. Forfeiture of assets until death is a great way to immediately freeze assets, and hold them in trust until the death of the individual found guilty.Such a 'trust' or 'estate' could certainly be sued for any damages resulting from the criminal actions of the individual in question. A crucial question here is the relationship of responsible individuals within the corporate framework. This needs more work, but I'd put that authority and responsibility in direct correlation with the authority of the individual at hand. The CEO loses everything, including citizenship, executive ranks might well keep their citizenship, middle management only a forced bankruptcy, and, for the lowest supervisory and professional ranks, termination, for cause from the corporation (whose assets are now under control of the US or State Government). Of course all legal professionals should never work in the law again, and lead counsel - in and out of house, should share the full punishment of the President, CEO, and Corporate Board. Stripping citizenship would be an ironic form of justice for a larger treasonous 'regime' who delighted in denying Geneva rights to military combatants through engaging in torture, etc. Going one step further I do think it is time to scientifically address the question of genetic defects as called 'corruption of blood' as a separate deliberative matter from any treason proceeding. All this may seem complex, but I think it really comes down to one simple question/criteria: Is your government in conspiracy with a corporation threatening your life or shortening it in any form, or, do you know anyone to whom it is? If you are reading this you know at least one individual who will die earlier than he otherwise should have, due legal and corporate malfeasance over a period of 25 years. The appropriate legal standard here is 'self defense' by a 'reasonable' standard of judgment, irregardless of the presence of any court - though, albeit, it would be wise to have an advance finding of reasonableness. Please note that individuals forced to act in such a manner against the ultimately responsible individuals are NOT limited by any restrictions on 'cruel and unusual punishment'. Again, with caution, I would set this standard similar to that of the military concentration camp officers of the Third Reich. Those folks have no rights as citizens of any country, nor do they have any status even as human beings, they are merely miserable beasts to be wiped from the face of the earth. Allowing the victims to execute the punishment has high risks, but these risks can be monitored, and it is certainly more expeditious and cost effective than a bureaucratic government and its courts who refuse to do their JOB. Of course, suicide of responsible individuals prior to a court case might well protect at least some assets for descendants. I'd personally argue for prohibiting claw back against relatives in such cases, where the suicide includes a voluntary forfeiture. I would argue that there is probable cause to investigate every national corporation who maintains a lobbying presence in Washington, D.C. for these crimes. I would also suggest that the Blackwater corporation, forgiven for war crimes by US Courts, is a legal equivalent of the Concentration Camp divisions of the German Military. Like I said, Blackwater folks, make my day, scum. You may well believe you are righteous honorable Americans but you are in fact nothing more than splattered bugs on the dashboard of human history.

Game On: Forecast - no Green, no White, but plenty of Red

2010-02-13T01:34:34Z

The Vancouver Winter Olympics open tonight with snow and money stories, plus a smart ass red head. Like many Western Ski areas Whistler's Intrawest development is struggling for lack of green, and proceeding through a Wall Street foreclosure, just as the games kick off. Talk about supporting the Olympic Spirit of amateur athletics! Freestyle skiing and snowboarding are being hosted closer to Vancouver, at Cypress Mountain - where, curiously they have no snow.. Shaun White, the jaggeresque redheaded snow boarder is a good bet for plenty of US Gold, and should prove to be quite entertaining. Speculation will no doubt continue as to White's supply of green, certainly he is not hurting for the monetary kind. FWIW, I do hear that semi-legal marijuana is openly available, and used, in Whistler. Personally I remember paddling the Class IV Capilano River **in** West Vancouver (located between Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain, hosting the Today show crew) high, only time I did so, with the Canadian National Whitewater Slalom Champ. Quite memorable, that.

Mark Sidran's Archives

2010-01-08T18:39:03Z

Curiously coincidental with the Pete Holmes takeover of the Seattle City Attorney's office is is the release of Mark Sidran's archives, holder of that office from 1990-2002. All the more curious for me is the fact that I am indexed in these archives, only one of eight individuals including also Michele Malkin and John Hoff. http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/nwda-search/fstyle.aspx?doc=WaSMAR4400_02.xml&t=k&q=tooley

Amanda Knox - A Curious Case of Circumstantial Coincidence

2010-01-06T22:40:50Z

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, whom I usually like, has come out in support of Amanda Knox, convicted of murdering the mixed race Meredith Kircher in Perugia, Italy. Admittedly much of the evidence is circumstantial, but, nonetheless there is a dead body. Curious how the University of Washington finds white males guilty of harassment **without** evidence, a policy and management attitude that would also facilitate arrogant female prima donnas that think they are above accountability. Just saying, Senator Cantwell - nothing more than circumstantial evidence, right? Personally, I'm still wondering about the rapes by black football team members that were overlooked by the former black Dean of Students, Ernest Morris. Just saying Ms. Cantwell, perhaps you should get your priorities in order?

Comments on the Interstate 5 HOV Tacoma Project

2009-11-23T15:59:46Z

]]> Presidents Ridge Bike/Pedestrian Trail This trail concept was added to the Tacoma Comprehensive plan last year, preliminarily called ‘Presidents Ridge’ for the 3 neighborhoods it would connect, Lincoln, McKinley, and Roosevelt.(Citizen Graphic Attached) Funding for this project should come from local sources, however there are critical design and legal issues that should be addressed in the scope of this project – including one minor modification to the Pacific Avenue Bridge design, a shelf on the highway median under the bridge to accommodate trail construction. The alignment for this trail is proposed at roughly the boundary of the controlled access area. It would be **nice** if this alignment could be justified as a maintenance access road within the scope of your current project. In any case a legal review of this route is appropriate at this time. Please note that alternative routings do exist and that these might be preserved in any enabling documents – and that any possible need for modification likely extends beyond the 2030 analysis envelope. Pacific Avenue/Dome District Interchange/Access Point Design The study of the Pacific Avenue interchange is completely missing from all project documents available to the commenter. This interchange is admittedly ‘supplementary’ to the I-705 access system which overshadows it, but is nonetheless still important. For framing purposes I have added access to the Tacoma Dome and Dome Business District to the suggested scope of this needed analysis. Since 1999 the 34th and Pacific area has been designated for additional density, something that will realistically occur within the temporal envelope of this analysis, as will substantial redevelopment of the Dome District itself. I believe that left turn access should be provided from Pacific to both the North bound (‘A’ Street) and South bound ramps – this can be justified via transportation, environmental justice, and social/economic arguments. Sound Transit has proposed blocking off one of these access points for its Sounder Lakewood extension as part of their ‘Berm’ proposal, the intersection of ‘A’ Street and 26th. I believe this ST proposal requires access modification approval and this process provides a timely way to accomplish that review. Please note also that additional delay of this ST project may have construction timing impact benefits should the two disruptions of Pacific Avenue overlap. The benefits of this overlap should be studied. I also believe an additional off ramp should be provided just to the North of McKinley Avenue providing direct access to Tacoma Dome parking, mitigating on street congestion created through existing in-direct routes. I also believe it **may** be feasible to create a northbound on-ramp at McKinley Avenue, depending in large part upon neighborhood opinion on the balance of costs and benefits. This sub I-705 access area of the Dome District and the 34th and Pacific Mixed Use Center definitely needs further work, including possible additional alternatives. How this particular issue escaped under the radar of both WSDOT and the City of Tacoma is mystifying – I’ll chalk it up to vagaries of political negligence and underfunding over a period of decades. Direct HOV Access to Downtown Tacoma Since the 1999 date of the original project configuration direct access HOV ramps have become more of a standard best practice. Their omission from this project is a glaring omission – not providing direct access to the largest employment center in the entire County, as well as residential areas further North, is ‘shocking’. Upon my initial review I would suggest a ‘Texas T’ configuration couplet at Portland (north connecting) and Pacific Avenue (south connecting) during the reconstruction of these interchanges. The McKinley and ‘L’ street bridges do offer additional opportunities for this absolutely necessary project component. Please note that closure of Wiley would be acceptable, if an additional access point to Dome parking was created. Compatibility of Design With Expedited Sound Transit Link Completion With the passage of Sound Transit 2 last Fall completion of the north Link connection is possible within the 2030 temporal envelope of this analysis. At this point the current alignment is thought to be along the I-5 corridor from the Federal Way Transit Center at 317th. This may not be feasible from the Port of Tacoma road south. A final decision cannot likely be made on this issue at this time, however a preliminary determination of inappropriate access might be issued. Alternatively, the HOV and light rail system could be designed for joint operation as in the Seattle Bus Tunnel. The limits of this joint operation are not understood at this time, but should be relatively soon, just as direct access HOV practice has evolved. Toward that end I have attached a conceptual proposal for a direct access HOV/light rail alignment that accesses both the Puyallup Tribal areas and Downtown/North Tacoma (Dome Transit2.Pdf). Costs on this proposal would be high and would not be expected to occur at this time for either project component, however corridor design should be accommodated, even if it means closing Wiley Street or taking a small amount of additional land from McKinley Park. Wetland/Flood Plain Mitigation Mitigation alternatives for this project are incomplete through the omission of a First Creek mitigation option within the jurisdiction of the City of Tacoma. It is my understanding that the justification for this decision was based on the potential for salmon habitat in First Creek by the Puyallup Tribe, a valid, but incomplete decision point. Additionally it has come to my attention that additional stream flow to this area is possible and relatively simple from a Ms. Cindy Beckett (email contact above), a property owner in the headwaters of this area just South of Tacoma City limits affected by a historical kludge of aquifer mismanagement. A ‘daylighting’ of First Creek has additional recreational benefits which should be considered in addition to an updated Salmon habitat study. The final decision on this should be made considering the decision of the Tacoma City Council first. I also believe this alternative may be at less cost, given that the only significant construction item is an additional pipeline under the railway right of way. Catastrophic Event Analysis The construction of Berms along this corridor have strong risk components given the natural path of floodwaters. The First Creek sight is one of these, under the direct control of WSDOT. Sound Transit is proposing another at the ‘B’ Street gulch which may impact I-5 operations. Both of these gulches would become the target of stormwater from a large area given stormwater system failure from either a massive flood event, or, more likely, seismic event. I’m not sure of the exact legal way to make this argument, especially as stream delineation information is missing from the published document. This may be an area for legal improvement and I would suggest that the project team look at the HAZUS effort of the Federal government which is specifically designed to study many such scenarios. Traffic Camera Placement Please consider public safety in the placement of traffic cameras so that adjoining ‘jungle’ areas can be monitored with traffic resources. Please note that this same justification goes to the requested trail access proposal at the beginning of this comment document. Thanks Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project at a time when it is still possible to effect the design based on your environmental analysis. I look forward to the City of Tacoma being served by a state of the art HOV system. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or at my home: Douglas Tooley 422 S. Wright Avenue Tacoma, WA 98418

Procedural Comments on the Tacoma I5 Environmental Impact Statement

2009-11-23T15:58:19Z

Below are procedural comments on the I5 Tacoma HOV project, including a description of my own interests. *********************************************************************************************************** Date: August 29, 2009 To: Carrie Berry, Tacoma HOV Environmental Coordinator CC: Claudia Cornish, Communications Manager RE: Tacoma/Pierce County HOV Program Supplemental Environmental Assessment The following comments go to procedural issues concerning your current Tacoma HOV environmental review. My substantive comments will follow shortly. I have received and preliminarily reviewed the IJR report for the Tacoma HOV projects. I had assumed that a report describing the WSDOT analyses direct access HOV ramps for Freighthouse Square and Downtown Tacoma would be included, apparently incorrectly. Additionally appendix ‘E’, the Wetland and Stream assessment is missing from both the distributed CD and the website for the NEPA assessment. Lastly, please note that although I have lay qualifications read the environmental appendices associated with this project there is too much material to reasonably review in the time allotted. I am also concerned about the timing of the review of State environmental procedures. Though I have not confirmed exact dates it does appear that the determination of non-significance was issued concurrently with Governor Gregoire’s budget delaying the project funding beyond available monies – hopefully not with the intent of pressuring local governments to accept the SEPA findings. Most significantly SEPA allows for greater analysis of alternatives than does the NEPA and the project plan has substantial gaps in this regard. Similarly, the ten years that have elapsed since original planning, design and review was done limit the relevance of current documents. On a similar note I consider the actions of the City of Tacoma insufficient in regards to feedback on this project. I understand that the cause of this is poor funding, but that may also be bad budgetary judgment on the part of those that control this City. In any case it would best if it was clear WSDOT encouraged active involvement in project planning and avoid any appearance of the opposite. I have noticed that WSDOT has ample staff and would suggest consideration of assigning some of this funding to local jurisdictions to fund their participation. You may be aware that there are currently personal accusations floating around regarding my behavior in civic issues related to this matter. Please be assured that these are false. Please be warned that I allege these to be intentional with the intent to control public expenditures through techniques which amount to second degree extortion, even if executed under apparent legal authority. I have been subject to and used in such a manner for a period of 20 years that has resulted in my current disabled status. This does allow me the time to review these projects but also limits my ability to respond. The exact delineation between these disabling effects and the extortionary harassment creating some has not yet been determined. Please note that although I do not comment for any organization I do believe I have established informal relations with all groups that do have an interest in this project and should be aware of all public position statements that would effect this project. As an individual I can hopefully address all of these concerns in a balanced fashion, though at definite risk of retaliation from polarized special interests. Please note I also have an associated professional interest in this matter – as a GIS professional I found that responsible community involvement was a great way to obtain the level of knowledge needed to effectively manage geographic data in the public interest – an area where I **was** a State pioneer. I am currently seeking to re-establish that career as well as gain recompense for the damages that have been done to that career over 15-20 years per the above. It is my perception that WSDOT has the organizational ability to withstand at least some of these pressures, albeit at the expense associated with large organizations. It is my belief that my flexibility as an individual can strengthen the effectiveness of WSDOT practices and all that they impact and look forward to a continued association – perhaps even as part of my return to the GIS profession. At this time though I am strictly a solo practitioner within that field and very much out of date regarding technical practice. Lastly, the City of Tacoma through its Police Department has begun a pioneering effort at creating a ‘code of conduct’ for our community. As a document on the shelf this will not mean much, cognizance of the conversation will mean much and would encourage the familiarity of this to you Ms. Berry as well as Ms. Cornish. http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?nid=894 -Douglas Tooley

Transportation Planning Districts - 2009

2009-11-05T13:00:49Z

The City of Burien, an affordable suburb south of Seattle, resoundingly rejected a Transportation Planning District (TPD) for sidewalk and bike trail improvements. TPD's are a revenue mechanism drafted by the Washington legislature last year. This is unfortunate, but also telling. Though some might respond with a knee jerk response to those who vote against taxes, it is crucial that the community planning effort be engaging enough to sell the product of the effort, as well as produce good design based on competent engineering. In this regard it is the planning effort that failed. So, it is back to the drawing board, and rightly so. The measure may well have also suffered from the particular form of tax used, a surcharge on vehicle licensing ($25). This particular form of taxation has been highly politicized due its role in the career of highly controversial initiative guru Tim Eyman. The drafting of this enabling legislation was done on the heels of a failed Eyman initiative on the subject of transportation. This political context may well have been the largest factor in the defeat of the measure. Though Burien does have some expensive waterfront homes it is largely a blue collar town and it appears likely that the 'democratic' bureaucracy made errors in the community planning effort which offended the common sense of these individuals - not unlike the political dynamic that led to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Book Review - Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost

2009-11-03T14:06:39Z

Don't Follow Me I'm Lost by Richard Rushfield 2009 At the height of the Reagan revolution author Richard Rushfield chose to attend the most prestigious radical institution of higher learning, Hampshire College. This book is his story, and the story of the allied group of artists, producers and marketers that was the Supreme Dicks. It was a coming of age in a moment of political and artistic zen, the time between punk and grunge in the musical world. The Supreme Dicks were the sperm that fertilized the egg that would become the Universe of Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and Dinosaur Jr, and, as a side project, create the first X fueled raves. In this book RR skewers the pinnacles of the corrupt and hypocritical NE establishment with humor blending Sean Penn in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' and Hunter S. Thompson. His words are filled with the freshness and perspective of a west coaster wandering free in the strict class society of the east coast. Rushfield leaves the titans that used Hampshire College, and the Dicks, to forge the abusive corporate and political tool of Nifong political correctness sleeping under the bridge with recently released Priest pedophiles. You however, will walk away laughing, with a buddha smile of enlightenment and individual empowerment that will carry you through whatever the bastards may throw your way. Available at Amazon and other booksellers. (A mea culpa: I was a friend of the group in its early days - I believe I was the one who started calling the civilian security force as a prank, a 'theme' that apparently persisted after my departure from the campus.)

Junior Senator Barack Obama and Halloween, 2009

2009-11-01T15:29:18Z

Senior United States Senators were admittedly being frightened by Junior Senator Barack Obama pretending to be United States President. Leading the pack of screaming old white guys was Joe Lieberman, after this incitement by Rachel Maddow:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Meanwhile, in the real world: (Seriously, perhaps it is time to get rid of Seniority rules in Congressional leadership - allowing us to, among other things, reward a moderate Republican who is willing to lead from the center instead of destroy from the status quo?) Where's Lowell Weiker when you need him!

George Will on Kerlikowske - Washington Post

2009-10-29T17:34:52Z

Gil Kerlikowske, Drug Czar and Former Seattle Police Chief (a position he took from working with the DOJ in D.C.) is profiled by the iconic George Will.

1033

2009-10-27T13:18:20Z

If you talk about the history of tax initiatives in Washington State you can't avoid the name Tim Eyman. I've certainly not voted for every initiative Mr. Eyman has produced and his politics are definitely to the right of mine, yet still I take offense, major offense, at the way some, most of his opponents battle his proposals. Frankly most of the opposition to 1033 is downright rabid. Demonization of your opponent as a strategy of negative politics can certainly work. However allowing this sort of politics in discussions about money, in the civic sphere or the corporate office, is definitely NOT something this country needs right now. Consider the coverage of Joni Balter from the Seattle Times following the lead of former print columnist Joel Connelly.]]> Balter, opening:

Professional initiative operative Tim Eyman is seriously past his pull date.

From here she goes on with a littany of at risk public services, laying all at the feet of Eyman. Now, sure, opinion columnists do have the right to express their opinion, but, frankly, this diatribe is nothing but providing character witness to a con game. Connelly, concluding:

In an era of short attention spans, our TV news dominated by celebrities and car crashes and puppy mills, it is imperative that voters think about hard questions. If swayed by sound bites and ballot title language, they could just turn Washington into another Mississippi.

Talk about doublespeak, from a campaign funded by those same public employees who are supposed to be working for us! Both Connelly and Balter make the point about education. Certainly both are literate, but it takes more than a skill in words to be a responsible adult, in takes 'numeracy' every bit as much as literacy - in fact the absence of the former in the presence of the latter is a red flag for fraud. It is not Tim Eyman who puts the future of this State at risk, it is the felons who have conspired to bully there way with high sounding talk to control of the the public purse. 1033 sets a realistic base for government expenditures and a responsible framework for growth as well as critieria for triggering public votes should more monies be needed on a case by case basis. It is true that government is at risk these days, the solution though is discipline to avoid the problem in the future, including the creation of realistic rainy day funds, not the repetition of the problem till your personal retirement. If Balter and Connelly are so dedicated to 'saving' this state perhaps they should volunteer their own personal wealth to bail out State employees - and the destruction of their reputations as 'education' as to what happens to public thieves?