In case you missed it, the Seattle Times reported about the procession of candidates who auditioned in front of the Seattle City Council the other day for appointment to the council seat left open by Jim Compton's resignation. The huge volume of applicants (98) and their pitches underscore what a freak show is politics in our fair city. Appointee applicants should have to rebut Jaques Derrida or juggle seven plates for 30 seconds - or something - to even be allowed in front of the council. Consider:
Performers included a man whose life was changed by the musical group ABBA, a woman who described her attributes in Italian musical terms and a former editor of a magazine of erotica called Squirm....Edward Song told how ABBA's song "Fernando" helped him overcome paralyzing social anxiety. "I say as Fernando fought for liberty by crossing that fearful Rio Grande, I cross my river of anxiety to fight for community principles." Evan RL Sutton, a former bartender at Larry's Nightclub, boasted in his application that he "maintained an average output of 100+ drinks per hour."
Um, just wondering: would that rapid serving pace have abetted the ongoing violence at Larry's - which led to the recent suspension of their liquor license?
On the other hand, how about...a public radio employee with a penchant for erotica?
....the one-time Squirm editor, explained she also founded Inertia, a journal of poetry and fiction, and now works at public radio's KUOW.....Some told Capra-esque stories. Ven Knox said she almost died in a car wreck last week and saw her survival as a sign she should serve on the council. "My brush with death got me thinking about all I had not accomplished yet," said Knox, the city's former director of human services.
Ven, Ven, Ven. You're being too hard on yourself. Why after all, when you headed the city's Human Services Department, you played a key role in bringing in consultants to hold "Undoing Racism" workshops for department employees. Talk about legacy!
Actually, the real sign for Knox that she should try to get the well-paying council seat was probably the dissipation of her most recent taxpayer sinecure, a 100K+ job working in community relations for the Seattle Monorail Project, which ran off the tracks last year due to egregious financial mismanagement.
Of course, several current council members say a woman of color is what they want, which means Knox (who's black) could get the post, althought there are several other appropriately-hued and rightly-gendered contenders, including public affairs consultant Venus Velasquez. If we're going to choose by type, though, I'd suggest one of two others mentioned in The Times article: the feminist belly dancer, or the ex-Marine who's - UPDATE - NOT an "electrician" (as I earlier wrote), or merely someone who "installs copper cable" (as the paper reported), but a voice and data networks specialist (see comments section).
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at January 14, 2006 11:33 PM | Email ThisWell, that and infinite depression when I saw how many in Seattle would actually be hanging on every word, taking it seriously as an intellectual event.
Posted by: Marc on January 15, 2006 05:42 AMI'm not an electrician. The Times, in typical liberal fashion, made a half-assed snide comment concerning my occupation. Consider for a moment the fact that not a single person in the Coucil has ever worn the cloth of the nation and that Washington has one of the largest military presences and veteran populations in the United States.
I am however a straight, white, veteran male. I've put my ass on the line for the constitution. I EAS'd with the rank of Sergeant, which means I have some leadership experience. I was a technical controller who planned voice and data networks for part of OIF, and deployed to the 'Wait (never went forward, though half of my company - including some of my younger Devil Dogs - did). Since then, I've been planning, installing, operating and maintaining the voice and data networks on Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. About the only thing that would qualify me as a minority is the fact that I'm Muslim, which if you ask me is none of the council's (or a prospective employer's) business.
In an earlier comment, I put my spiel forward to the council, because I simply couldn't be back in the timeframe they gave me. Kyrgyzstan isn't exactly around the block. I'll re-post it here for your edumacation:
Good Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen, Members of the Council.
I am unfortunately not able to make this presentation in person due to logistical obstacles, but I have asked my father to present my case before the Council.
A brief bit about myself – I was born in Seattle on the 10th of April, 1980. I grew up around the Green Lake area. I attended Seattle Public Schools – Wedgwood elementary, Washington Middle School, Roosevelt and Middle College High Schools. I played soccer at Woodland Park for a number of years. Though the vast majority of my adult life has been spent in uniform or supporting those in uniform, I have always considered myself a Seattleite and followed the affairs of my hometown.
That being said, I am by no means “one of the regulars" in regards to local politics. In fact, it could be accurately stated that he sum total of my political experience is a campaign I volunteered on while in High School. I have not ever held elected office before nor have I campaigned for such. I do not have political savvy based on years of operating within the system or wheeling and dealing. What I do have to offer is dedicated service. Upon reaching the age of majority, I put on the cloth of the nation and rendered 5 years of faithful service as an enlisted member of the United States Marine Corps. Following my discharge to the Commanding General, 1st Civilian Division, I accepted a position as a switch technician at a forward logistics hub in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I can offer only to faithfully execute the duties of the office and perform the expressed will of the electorate. It is my understanding and belief that a government derives its just power from the consent of the governed. If appointed I will ensure that I accurately represent the will of the people of Seattle in matters of concern to the public.
I understand that the Council is not interested in a placeholder. As stated previously I have no political campaigning experience. What I do have is the ability to adapt, improvise and overcome. I believe that if appointed my record would speak for itself when election time came around. Perhaps this is youthful naiveté or bravado, but it has always been my belief that if an elected official performs to a high standard and accurately represents his or her constituents’ concerns then he or she need not worry come election time. Actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: Aaron on January 15, 2006 08:10 AMGlad you went through the exercise. Where I come from, that's known as casting pearls before swine. I'll take 1 of you any day over the whole of KC leadership.
Posted by: Danny on January 15, 2006 09:04 AMPoliticians don’t want someone who won’t fit in. A couple years ago, Drago mentioned about Seattle residents as “they don’t know what’s good for them”. So, your statements, “perform the expressed will of the electorate” won’t fly with the current persons on the council. You will have to learn first the process of “I will support you on X issue, if you will then in turn support me on Y issue.” That’s how it works. You don’t expressly represent the people but bring a balance to the other members to get “some” of your agenda accomplished. Ah, that’s why I would like to see term limits for public service. With a limit in place, a politician will not have a long laundry list of favors due.
Yes, don't forget Goldstein. He was one of the many circus acts to come before the council with his creative letter that got him absolutely nowhere. This should be an update to the post, since Goldstein is a blogger in the area, I'm surprised that Stefan or one of the other bloggers at SP has not yet commented on his failed bid.
Maybe it's just that you all consider him irrelevant. Fair enough.
Posted by: Jeff B. on January 15, 2006 11:04 AMMaybe the moonbats that come here can learn somethin but I doubt it! It is worth a try.
I have the speaches that Reagan did and the text. Just an FYI the party has started! Many, many blogs are doing the Reagan years.
Posted by: dcat on January 15, 2006 01:17 PMI think Goldy's purported bid for a council seat was just that, "purported". I read the supposed e-mail he sent to announce to them his intentions, and it has to have been a spoof. I doubt it was even really sent. It was so full of foul language that I can't believe he actually did sent it to them. If he did, he's even more of a fool than we thought.
Posted by: katomar on January 15, 2006 01:42 PMI can hardly wait for the 2006 and 2008 elections where the real Gong show will take place!
With the Queen Gong and her Gongettes in power for another 60 days, we are guaranteed to have plenty of stupid legislation and gong ringing in the next elections.
PS: You Gotta love this:
Queen (Rain God) Gregoire was praying for water saying last fall there was going to be a virtual drought so she will have to raise your water bills. God listened to to her and then to us taxpayers and rained down heavily on her tax happy parade.
Now she is praying for mega tax dollar help from Washington DC for all the rain damage caused by all the dang rain she got caused by all the dang praying she did before.
I think it is time for a little taxpayer targeted praying for a little taxpayer targeted lightning!
It'll smell like fried chicken and I'll be the one in the back a ringing that taxpayer relief gong!
As for comparisons...I wasn't there, but I assume it looked like the bar scene from Star Wars.
Posted by: South County on January 16, 2006 07:20 AMI think Goldy was serious about his bid. Goldy usually throws stuff out, and then if it creates a ruckus that is too big, or makes him look bad, then he says he was only kidding. Convenient. But the those on the left think they can mold reality to fit their world view.
Posted by: Jeff B. on January 16, 2006 09:59 AMHow can you take that foul-smelling piece of anatomy serious?
Posted by: swatter on January 16, 2006 12:12 PM'In announcing their first cut, several council members said they were looking for more diversity on the nine-member body, which now includes two women and two racial minorities, Richard McIver, who is African American, and David Della, a Filipino American.
"It seems like the council is headed in the direction of (appointing) a woman of color. It seemed to be the momentum of this process, and I think it's going to stick," said Councilman Peter Steinbrueck.
"No white men were among the seminfinalists." '
Posted by: Raw Data Complex on January 17, 2006 01:52 PM