Washblog

This is the
Annual Democratic Party Crab Feast for which I dress appropriately when I go.

Surely EVERYONE would be disappointed if I did not make an appearance.

Most of the partygoers think it's delighful eye candy. They do not seem to realize that the jellyfish symbolizes the spineless Dems, the lionfish is the courageous ones, the puffer fish is the bloviators.

This year's guest  speaker is Senator John Tester of Montana.

See and be seen!
Rub shoulders with all the Washington Dem VIPs!
Cough up $40!

I would like to carpool with someone. The PCO training is an all-day thing (extra $10) and the Crab Feast starts right after that.

Please let me know!
Email dina AT digital-genie DOT com  
Thanks!

Kinda sucks.


We did not see this coming.

John Edwards to make a statement from New Orleans today, 1pm their time.

My lovingly designed (now outdated) caucus poster HERE.

It was billed as the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Day March. The dazzling winter sunshine matched the dazzling cheer of the Obama folks and their children.

I carried an Edwards sign with a couple of other JE supporters, and we were tolerated with good humor, although someone slapped an Obama sticker next to my Edwards pin, which I in turn tolerated with good humor.

As usual, I snapped some super shots. I'll post  them tomorrow.

At the 34th's monthly meeting the other night, I made it known I was organizing the John Edwards campaign in our LD. I shared a table next to an amiable Hillary representative.

My display of materials was more creative than his. But much as I admire my own graphics, I don't think that explains why he sold one button, and I sold 82 dollars worth of buttons, bumperstickers, and signs.  A whole bunch of people filled out my signup sheet. I don't think he even HAD a signup sheet.

The 34th (West Seattle-Vashon area) is not overly fond of Hillary. But I have to remind myself, it's probably one of the most liberal LDs in the nation. Jim McDermott is a hero, and Kucinich sweatshirts and signs are a common sight.

Surprisingly, the Kucinich supporters were not present that night, nor Obama people. The chair told me they didn't contact him.

One of my older DFA members wore an Obama button. "I'm sick to death of slick Southerners," he said, obviously a jab at Bill Clinton. "Are you prejudiced against Southerners?" I asked. "Yes!" He replied.

But a few minutes later his wife bought JRE materials. "Are you going to be on speaking terms with your husband after this?" I asked. "Don't worry, we will use both right next to each other," she said. "If only they were on the same ticket! I want to see somebody kicking corporate butt!"

The chair gave us reps a minute each to introduce our campaign to the members. The Hillary guy said something like: "I think many of you have not taken a good look at Hillary. If you really take a good look at all the candidates, you will have to agree, she is the only one experienced enough to start the job on Day One."

That statement from the official HRC talking point book did not go over well at all. The Hillary Rep was not booed, but he was greeted with a rumble of dismissal, sort of a mass "Oh, come ON."

I was greeted with applause and cheers before I opened my mouth. Hey, that was nice. I thanked the members for their support. I pointed them to the site Washington for Edwards (designed by Chad Lupkes and moi) and asked them to let us know of their support by signing in, and helping out any way they were able to.

Actually, I had not prepared a statement. But I said that to me, the Edwards campaign is about justice for the average American. Edwards wants to put a stop to the racketeering that's been going on between government and giant corporations for decades. That he's completely fearless in taking them on--that's what I respect most about him. Big applause.

The Hillary guy slinked out early.

John Edwards had a good result in Iowa last night, placing second. Obama and Edwards, the two "change" candidates, both beat the powerful status quo candidate Hillary Clinton. That has put a big dent in her crown, which pleases me tremendously. Sure, an Edwards first-place would've been even better, but Edwards did very well although far outspent by both.

WASHINGTON FOR EDWARDS is getting organized for the Feb. 9th caucus in our state.  Edwards-specific caucus training is offered Sunday, Jan 6, 2-5 pm, at Renton Carpenters Hall, just south of Seattle.

In reaction to the strong Iowa showing, Edwards has just had his biggest EVER fundraising day, funds that will be matched by the federal public campaigns program.

If you care about the message - valuing regular Americans over corporate monsters who dominate politics, healthcare, and media - please support the campaign however you can. To donate, go to John Edwards.com .  

Or contact the campaign:WAvictory@johnedwards.com and tell them you want to attend the caucus training. THANKS!

Continued:

Chad Lupkes and I have teamed up to make a very handsome Washington for Edwards website. We are pictured on the "About" page with other Seattle-area steering committee members.

You might also recognize Dick Kelley, former chair of the 43rd LD and candidate for state Representative; Tina Shamseldin of the King County Legislative Action Committee; Seth Armstrong, former state Representative. Not pictured are Paul Berendt, former WA State Dem Party Chair, and Senator Adam Kline of the 37th LD.

Continued below:

Highland Park is just north of the city line in West Seattle. Neighbors Diane, Monica and I, who met last spring, decided to share our passion for creative expression with other neighbors: Highland Park Arts.

For our first event, Highland Park Arts chose a collage workshop. Collage requires no costly materials or learning of special techniques - it's mostly intuitive creativity in action.

I've always been attracted by the whimsical image juxtapositions of collage in fine art and graphic design. Even the 2007 Washington state voters' guide featured a collage of state symbols on the cover. (right)

Of course, with practice the collages become more inventive and sophisticated, yet a child can do it, as these kids showed.

The workshop was highly satisfying! The 12 participants included 2 children and a teenager. All the participants said they wanted to do it again.

Word of mouth and publicity will surely grow this group. Eventually we wish to have an exhibit of artwork, along with things like a multi-cultural potluck and performing artists.

We were encouraged by people from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to apply for a grant to help us hold more events.

NOTE: If you can't see the images at first, that's cause the website is an "economy" deal with erratic download speeds. Pictures ARE there, really.
Details below:

Public campaign funding holds the promise of  transforming U.S. politics from what we have now to an actual democracy!

Washington Public campaigns had a tremendously successful Clean Elections Forum at Seattle Town Hall and other locations in January, with David Sirota. That event grew our membershp several times over and generated great interest in the public campaigns bills introduced in the 07 WA legislative session.

None of them passed, but we were THIS close.

This Saturday evening we hold another CLEAN ELECTIONS FORUM at Kane Hall, co-sonsored by AM 1090. This one is emphasizing the options for cities and local jurisdictions to offer their own public campaigns programs for candidates. Right now it's actually illegal to do so, and that makes no sense. Continued:

A few weeks ago, I was looking forward to voting for Venus Velasquez for Seattle city council.

Then came her arrest for speeding, erratic driving and DUI, during which she was also without her license, I belive. The publicity revealed her previous spotty driving record: many traffic stops in the past 13 years, including 4 (or was it 5) times she was written up for not carrying proof of insurance.

Should this matter? After all, no one is perfect. She never caused an accident. Should we be overly judgemental of a candidate we support for good reasons?

Thoughts below:

[cross-posted on Daily Kos, couldn't resist, please recommend]

Washington State may have its own Larry Craig... but it seems he went far beyond toe-tapping with his not-gay behavior. The Republican legislator initially denied being gay and having sex with a enterprising male hustler in Spokane, but now he's getting fuzzy on the details.

KOMO radio is reporting:

A Republican state legislator from southwest Washington had sex with a man he met at an erotic video store and then told police he had been targeted in an extortion attempt, according to police documents released Tuesday.

Continued below:

October 27, 2007 - A coalition of antiwar activists thundered through the streets of Seattle - part of a nationwide statement to our government and the whole world. An all-ages, colorful assemblage of pissed-off citizens united for peace, justice, and democracy yet again. I'm posting a lot of pictures to convey that the march went on...and on...and on: one of the biggest I've seen in Seattle. It made me proud!

The messages boiled down to a few themes. See below:

After many years of community input, artistic design and innovation, White Center proudly presented "Blue Sky Baskets", a bronze sculpture, against a backdrop of chilly rain.

The sculpture was created by local artists Judith and Daniel Caldwell. Based on Pacific Northwest Native American shapes and designs, "Blue Sky Baskets" was influenced by local residents and youth who designed the bronze "luggage tags' placed on the basket pillars, to represent where they've visited or immigrated from.

I imagine, like me, you find some public art is highly pleasing, and other examples you consider an eyesore inflicted on passersby. I like this one. Pictures below:

As part of my highly opinionated, ruthlessly honest series on political graphics, I zero in on campaign lit from the 34th. My purpose is to convince people that graphic design matters.

An unusual campaign, directed at PCOs, is in progress for the 34th District Democrats. We have many members eager to fill a soon-to-be-vacant seat in the state legislature for the remainder of the term.

Pictures and ruthless graphic analysis below:

I bought a ticket to the Reception at the Westin for $100.

I had paid off my personal credit card last month...that didn't last long. Looks like I won't be buying that sweet package deal of exquisite sign fonts I've been wanting.

Edwards needs the money, and I want to see him in person for the first time.

I have a soft spot for the Westin...thinking of the bittersweet occasion after the painfully disappointing caucus 2003, when Dean announced DFA 2 as the crushed but not beaten Deaniacs cheered themselves hoarse.. (Nice picture of Switzer standing behind Dean). Here I got Howard to sign my handmade poster right over his heart.

If you donate or help raise $1000 you can go to the more intimate reception afterwards at a private home, but that won't be me...a week isn't quite enough time to armtwist ten friends into buying tickets to these events.

But I'll be at the Westin determined to get my moment eye-to-eye with JRE. Will you?

West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice, As part of their fall movie series, had scheduled the award-winning documentary "Why We Fight" September 16th at the Kenney Retirement Home's community center.

Trailers for "Why We Fight"

Wikipedia's entry for "Why We Fight"

This is a film I've been wanting to see for a while.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All the arrangements had been made and publicity sent out to many online and print media.

Then the Kenney abruptly cancelled. Apparently, two members of the residents' board viewed our webpage, saw anti-war protest signs, and freaked out. Our members tried to persuade the Kenney to follow through on their committment, but they refused. They are a private residence, so we could do nothing.

West Seattle Neighbors managed to convince the nearby Fauntleroy Church to accept the movie showing on the same date at short notice.

Someone will stand outside the Kenney with a sign explaining that the cancellation was political, and direct moviegoers to the correct location.

FREE FILM SCREENING
"WHY WE FIGHT"

Sunday, September 16th, 6PM

Fauntleroy UCC Church, 9140 California Ave SW, Seattle 98136 (updated location)
Driving directions

West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice present a screening of the award winning documentary film, "Why We Fight" by Eugene Jarecki. This is an unflinching look at the anatomy of the American war machine, including historical background; weaving unforgettable personal stories with a "who's who" of military and beltway insiders. With John McCain, Gore Vidal, Richard Perle, and more, and more.
Discussion following the showing.

This is a free event, but donations will be gratefully accepted.