Washblog

Loving on loving...

From Rick Perlstein at The Campaign for America's Future comes this acknowledgement of the passing of Mildred Loving;

"Mildred Loving was a black woman who married a white man in Virginia, which was against the law in the state. She took her case all the way up to the Supreme Court, which struck down interracial marriage bans in the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision. Today it was announced that she has died at the age of 68. But what her AP obituary doesn't mention--hopefully others will correct the oversight--is that last year Mildred Loving came out foursquare for marriage equality for same-sex couples as well, and insisted you should, too."


Her statement from June 12, 2007 is below the fold:

(913 words in story) Full Story

Yolanda Wilson 3rd/18th Delegate for Obama

[Front paged: NM. Congratulations, Yolanda and Peter Wilson!]

All the way to Colorado from Kalama, Washington
By Yolanda Wilson
Owner: Vanveen Bulbs and How to Garden Host with Video Series on Expert Village

We did it! Delegates to the Washington State Democratic Convention!

Peter and Yolanda Wilson come on down, you are the next delegates to the Washington State Democratic Convention!

As we were leaving for the Cowlitz County Convention, my husband Peter taped a sign to his chest that said," I am not wearing a lapel pin but I love this country enough to become a US citizen last year." At first I thought to myself, this is too embarrassing but then I realized he might be on to something.  I have heard to become a contestant on the Price is Right it is all about the t-shirt and how obnoxious and outgoing you are while waiting in line. So we showed up with the same strategy. And it worked. Everyone loved Peter's sign. A few of the Hillary supporters (one gave him a pin with the American flag on it but he put it in his pocket because he was wearing a t-shirt and didn't have a lapel.) A few Hillary supporters snubbed him but considering there were Barack supporters there 2 to 1 it was a big hit. Just for fun I just googled Hillary images to see if she wears the American flag pin for pictures. I think there are 2 pictures out of 50 with the flag.

(1 comment, 2351 words in story) Full Story

Media mostly mum about terror drills and fusion centers

[Front paged: NM]

This week's terror-preparedness drill in the Pacific Northwest involves a lot more than what South Sound papers are reporting, and so far the papers in Seattle are ignoring the exercise all together.  An investigation by UFPPC's Jim O. Madison has turned up quite a bit of information about Washington State's little-known "fusion center," WAJAC -- a developing national security facility that (unless we're mistaken) has never been been described by the media.  

(1231 words in story) Full Story

Pacific County included in Columbia-Pacific Heritage Area Study Act - passed by House & Senate

Look what was happening in my own home county while my attention has been elsewhere these last years.  Read it in full here.

The Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act passed the Senate last week as part of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act.  It passed the House last year.  Now the act will be sent to President Bush for his signature.

U.S. Rep Brian Baird, D- Wash, who sponsored a bill for the designation in the House was ecstatic, "Congress recognized the historic and cultural significance of this region, and this is an important step to preserve the mouth of the Columbia River for generations to come' he said.  

Baid, whose Washington district includes Pacific and Wahkiakum counties, said there are significant potential benefits.

  read more below the fold  

(843 words in story) Full Story

David Sirota to Bring "The Uprising" to Town

The first review of David Sirota's new book, "The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington" is in and it should come as no surprise that the news is good.

(312 words in story) Full Story

On Gay Acceptance, Or, "Wheres Are Special Day?"

[Front paged: NM]

Unless Willie Brown was once your city’s mayor, the odds are pretty good that the gay community in your city is not as out and proud as they wish they could be.

In my little corner of the world, the plain fact is that it's probably a lot easier to remain closeted than it is to deal daily with the little taunts and jabs that come your way -- and of course for some, there’s the risk that they might end up like Matthew Shepard...a man who ended up out and dead.

There has been a reaction to that reality in high schools, which is why we are today visiting the public spaces just off the campus of Mt. Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington (home of the Wildcats), where a local church group will be arriving to protest the school’s annual ‘Day of Silence’;, an effort to acknowledge the pressures placed on the school’s gay population.

Displayed among the various protesters today was fear, ignorance, disingenuousness,  and a strange mixture of self-righteousness and homoeroticism...and that was just among the people in the church group.

Were minds changed?
Did anyone make a new friend?
And how do Dr. Martin Luther King and the Pledge of Allegiance fit into the picture?
Follow along, and we shall see.

(4 comments, 1980 words in story) Full Story

Marko Liias to Face Youthful Challenge

From Jerry Cornfield at The Petri Dish comes the story of Andrew Funk:

"Andrew Funk, who is studying accounting and business at Edmonds Community College, plans to run as a Republican against Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo.

Funk, 18, said he was getting discouraged that no one in the Grand Old Party stepped forward in the 21st Legislative District so he decided he would."


Oh the impetuous nature of Republican youth.

While I would never want to discourage the youth of today from becoming more involved in their communities and politics, there are more than just a couple of things wrong with this picture - not the least of which is the fact that Mr. Funk has chosen to challenge one of the true rising stars in the Democratic Party and the Washington State Legislature in Marko Liias.

More below the fold.......

(1 comment, 476 words in story) Full Story

NYT Breaks the News - "We've Been Lied To!"

So some five years and four thousand American troop deaths later, the New York Times has discovered more "Breaking News" about the invasion and occupation of Iraq. It seems that some of the talking heads, operating under the title of "Military Analyst" on our nightly news were actually mouth pieces for the Pentagon and the Bush Administration! OMG, I mean, WHO KNEW?

(1 comment, 778 words in story) Full Story

Field Repair of Diebold AccuVote TSx

I served as a poll inspector for the February 19th, 2008 Presidential Primary in King County WA. This is my (very late) report. The highlight, for defenders of democracy, is that we had to field repair our Premier Election Systems' (formerly Diebold) AccuVote TSx. Yes, the irony of an opponent to computerized voting being the one to fix the machine slays me too. Other highlights include challenges setting up and new opposition to mail balloting.

I hope this report motivates others to become poll workers for the upcoming elections in August and November. The need is real; we need eyes, ears, and hands to help safe-guard our election. In King County, call 206-296-1606.

More...

(3 comments, 1342 words in story) Full Story

On Investigative Journalism, Or, More Obama Connections Come To Light

[Front paged: NM]

Your friendly fake consultant has been digging deep into the world of anonymous sources recently, which is why we were able to recently reveal the truth about Hillary Clinton’s Bosnian sniper story.

Today we take that effort further...which is why we are able to bring to light another exclusive peek into the past of a Presidential candidate...only today it’s Barack Obama.

We will examine his prior associations and as a result we will be able to draw new conclusions regarding his world view...and as we said about Clinton, you might be shocked...but probably not surprised.

(835 words in story) Full Story

General Petraeus testimony; 8 in our Sgt H. Styker Brigade killed in Iraq; An Irresponsible Plan

Dear Readers, those of you who have been following along since 2003,  the saga in our military family, know that my daughter's husband is in his second deployment to Iraq. He left for Iraq in Dec 07, and since only December, eight in his brigade have been killed in Iraq.

I'd say the violence in Iraq is in no way on the decline, and clearly the Surge is not clearing up the violence. You heard of the recent attacks on the 'safe' Green Zone in Baghdad and the attack on Basra even while General Petraeus was giving his testimony to Congress last week? My son-in-law was on convoy two weeks ago when an IED exploded near his vehicle - violence already was escalating.  

(10 comments, 2449 words in story) Full Story

Ben Stein: Front Man for Creationism's Manufactroversy

[Recommended. A.R.]

Biblical creationism, repositioned as creation science and most recently intelligent design has lost the contest of ideas on all counts: the rules, the criteria and the judging. It doesn't follow the scientific method; it doesn't allow us to explain, predict, and control better; and the jury of relevant experts (aka biologists) keeps returning the same verdict.

Now the creationists have taken a new approach that they hope will help them achieve their goal of teaching religious beliefs in our schools as science. That approach can be summed up in one simple word: whining.

One week from today, the new movie, Expelled, attempts to turn creationist complaints into mainstream media. Featuring Ben Stein, one of the conservative right's biggest whiners, the film makes several plaintive appeals: There's a conspiracy among big government and big science, and it's not fair! All we ask is for our perspective to get equal time! (Read: we lost, so let's split the prize.) All we want is for teachers to "teach the controversy"! This is all about academic freedom. Americans like freedom, right?

(2 comments, 827 words in story) Full Story

What Are the Costs of War? Cyber Activists Organizing Face to Face

[Front paged: NM]

I've seen an interesting and hopeful thing happen over the past couple of weeks.

While perusing my inbox, I noticed a plethora of emails from various organizations dedicated to 'Not ONE more penny for this beastly war', especially some promoting Iraq Town Halls in each Congressional District in April.

First I thought, 'Yeah right, they think something can be organized within a couple of WEEKS?!?'.  Then, 'I have a ton of Central Area community meetings and two weekends with the Democrats in April.  SNOW or someone will do something, I am sure', and, 'I really should show up at 23rd and Union one of these Friday mornings to vigil with the Madrona group', and finally, 'I'll send Jim McDermott an email thanking him in advance for standing strong with the rest of the progressives in Congress'.  Then it occurred to me, 'Wait a minute, why is Democrats.com calling for people to organize forums?  Shouldn't anti-war groups like UFPJ do this?'

(1126 words in story) Full Story

Pelosi Makes a Move on Colombia "Free Trade"

Originally posted here.  Brought to Washblog due to recent Washington State twist.


This morning I received the following email alert from "The Hill":

Pelosi to prevent Colombia vote

By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 04/09/08 11:56 AM [ET]

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Wednesday that Democrats will use House rules to prevent a vote on the controversial Colombia free trade agreement.
Pelosi said Democrats decided in a closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday morning to vote on a rule this week to postpone consideration of the controversial trade deal..."


More below the fold......

(1011 words in story) Full Story

Why Initiative 26 is Bad News

I utterly oppose Initiative 26. From its website:
King County Initiative 26 would make the offices of King County Executive, King County Assessor, and King County Council Non-partisan. This allows voters to choose between all candidates in the primary without having to "pick-a-party," while making county government accountable to the people, not political parties.

Nice spin. With non-partisan races, meaning candidates won't have party support, only well-funded candidates win be able to win local office. And that means Republican candidates, in fact, if not in name.

More...

(2 comments, 289 words in story) Full Story

Next 15 >>

 

PNW TOPIC HOTLIST

 

Login

Make a new account
Username:
Password:

 HELP

Recommended Diaries

Washblog RSS Feeds

Political Contacts

Local Media

Coastal/Grays Harbor
Aberdeen Daily World
Chinook Observer
Montesano Vidette
Pacific County Press
Willapa Harbor Herald
KXRO 1320 AM

Olympic Peninsula
Peninsula Daily News
Bremerton Sun
Bremerton Chronicle
Gig Harbor Gateway
Port Orchard Independent
Port Townsend Leader
North Kitsap Herald
Squim Gazette
Central Kitsap Reporter
Business Examiner
KONP 1450 AM

Sound and Islands
Anacortes American
Bainbridge Review
Voice Of Bainbridge
San Juan Journal
The Islands' Sounder
Whidbey NewsTimes
South Whidbey Record
Stanwood/Camano News
Vashon Beachcomber
Voice Of Vashon
KLKI 1340 AM

North Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
The Northern Light
Everett Herald
Skagit Valley Herald
Lynden Tribune
The Enterprise
Snohomish County Tribune
Snohomish County Business Journal
The Monroe Monitor
The Edmonds Beacon
KGMI 790 AM
KELA 1470 AM
KRKO 1380 AM

Central Puget Sound
King County Journal
Issaquah Press
Mukilteo Beacon
Voice of the Valley
Federal Way Mirror
Bothell/Kenmore Reporter
Kirkland courier
Mercer Island Reporter
Woodinville Weekly

Greater Seattle
Seattle PI
Seattle Times
KOMO TV 4
KIRO TV 7
KING 5 TV
KTBW TV 22
KCTS 9
UW Daily
The Stranger
Seattle Weekly
Capitol Hill Times
Madison Park Times
Seattle Journal of Commerce
NW Asian Weekly
West Seattle Herald
North Seattle Herald-Outlook
South Seattle Star
Magnolia News
Beacon Hill News
KIRO 710 AM
KOMO AM 1000
KEXP 90.3 FM
KUOW 94.9 FM
KVI 570 AM

South Puget Sound
The Columbian
Longview Daily News
Nisqually Valley News
Lewis County News
The Reflector
Eatonville Dispatch
Tacoma News Tribune
Tacoma Weekly
Puyallup Herald
Enumclaw Courier-Herald
The Olympian
KAOS 89.3 FM
KCPQ 13
KOWA FM 106.5
UPN 11

Cascade/Okanogan
Ellensburg Daily Record
Levenworth Echo
Cle Elum Tribune
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Methow Valley News
Lake Chelan Mirror
Omak chronicle
The Newport Miner

Spokane/Palouse
The Spokesman-Review
KREM 2 TV Spokane
KXLY News 4 Spokane
KHQ 6 Spokane
KSPS Spokane
Statesman-Examiner
Othello Outlook
Cheney Free Press
Camas PostRecord
The South County sun
White Salmon Enterprise
Palouse Boomerang
Columbia Basin Herald
Grand Coulee Star
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Yakima Herald-Republic
KIMA 29 Yakima
KAPP TV 35 Yakima
KYVE Yakima
Wenatchee World
Tri-City Herald
TVEW TV 42 Tri-cities
KTNW Richland
KEPR 19 Pasco
Daily Sun News
Prosser Record-Bulletin
KTCR 1340 AM
KWSU Pullman
Moscow-Pullman Daily News