1. In fairness to Greg, When he was a county councilman, he did often take the bus in to work, or alternately he drove the family's aging Toyota Corolla station wagon to work. He would walk to meetings within the downtown core. One may idsagree with his politics, but Greg Nickels has never been one to be flashy at taxpayer expense.

Having met some of the police detail that guards him, I have no trouble believing that they insist upon the snazzy car, if for no other reason than they get to slack off and ride around in it, as well.

One of the mayoral detail members, Joe Bouffiou, is the father of King County Elections' lying accountant and personnel guy, Sean Bouffiou, the mastermind of a number of the fabrications that came out of the Elections Office in the 2004 debacle. (Re-read the staff comments about Sean Bouffiou, released by the Sims task force.)

I suspect the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

Posted by: Insider on March 25, 2006 11:41 AM

2. "To each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities"

(Unless you are the ruling class, which gets to live off the backs of everyone else.)

I find it interesting the liberal movement is all against corporations getting rich off the work of the proletariat, but they have no problem with Nickels getting rich off of our backs, and keep electing liberal demos.

Posted by: Jason Woodruff on March 25, 2006 12:12 PM

3. Mass transit is for the little people. The great ones, such as Al "I invented the Internet" Gore and Mayor Greg "My kingdom for a tunnel" Nickles, need to ride in their grandiose chariots. How else are the hoi-poloi going to recognize their greatness?

Posted by: Mike S on March 25, 2006 12:15 PM

4. I think you are off-base on this one. I am not a big fan of Mayor Nickels but he is our Mayor and and there are a lot of koooks out there. He does need some level of security. Maybe a Prius would be a better choice in your mind?

Posted by: Raw Data Complex on March 25, 2006 12:23 PM

5. Ah yes---"buses for thee, but not for me", replied the government honchos.

I'll drive my car, thank you.

Posted by: Michele on March 25, 2006 12:36 PM

6. Raw Data Complex
" I am not a big fan of Mayor Nickels but he is our Mayor and and there are a lot of koooks out there. He does need some level of security."

No kidding. I didn't know there were kooks out there, such as the guy that shot up capitol hill this morning. My contention is that we should each deserve the same security as him, which no one can get in capitol hill, or on a bus, or on UW campus. If he would just get a ccw license like the rest of us can, he could alleviate a lot of the taxpayer expense of associated with his "security"

Posted by: Jason Woodruff on March 25, 2006 01:03 PM

7. 1 Could someone please post a weblink to an extract of a scientific research paper that compares nonnatural particles in the atmosphere to what existed in the 1800s with the steel mills in Pittsburg, PA and Gary, IN
2 It's been a while since I took geology in school but the temperature has fluctuated up and down the past million years
3 The April 2006 Consumer Reports www.ConsumerReports.org has a four (4) page article on Hybrid Hype starting on p 18.
4 "Hybrids have been overhyped, and the focus on the hybrid has created this impression that if you want to be green, you have to get a hybrid," says John DeCicco of Environmental Defense, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting environmental rights. "I think that's a very damaging perception because there are a lot of ways to save fuel." per the above article.
5 Mr Nickels rides in a Cadillac and Mr Sims rides in a Lincoln. If they need a large vehicle for protection why can they not ride in a less expensive more fuel efficient Chrylser, Ford, or GM vehicle.
6 Could someone post the members of Mr Nickels pr 18-person commission he named to come up with the proposal that aims at cutting greenhouse-gas emissions in the city in an amount equivalent to taking more than 148,000 cars off the road and other stuff.
7 Is the 18-person commission respectable people or graduates of Tinfoil Hat U?
8 Denis Hayes is President and CEO of the Bullit Foundation

http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=7184
http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=304

Posted by: Green Lake Mark on March 25, 2006 01:13 PM

8. What I found interesting about the article was the pains the reporter took to describe how PC everyone traveled to the pep rally. You just know it was in direct response to Stefan's "Lincoln Town Car Environmentalism" post of yesterday. The reporter even went so far as to describe Nickels car by model (Cadillac DTS--the same ride in which Notorious B.I.G. met his end) in order to dispute Stefan's ID of hizzoners limo as a Lincoln Town Car.

Posted by: Organization Man on March 25, 2006 01:39 PM

9. Yes, there ARE alot of Kooks out there, and guess what? They all ride the BUS! If more busses are going to be an option, then they need to provide a tiered service where for a little extra fair you can have a kook free bus.

Need I remind anyone of the 359 Aurora Ave bus accident a few short years ago?

Posted by: Thr33of4 on March 25, 2006 01:40 PM

10. Thats fine. Make it more expensive in a already very expensive city. I will go to THE CITY even less than I do now.

Posted by: DE644 on March 25, 2006 01:43 PM

11. I almost forgot: check out the photo of Gore accompanying the Times article. Classic thick Bonds-like neck and jowels. Wonder if anyone has a record of his weight over the past 10 years or so. It could explain his aggressive behavior that first appeared during the 2000 campaign.

Posted by: Organization Man on March 25, 2006 01:48 PM

12. I'll tell you what, I will ride the bus and any other mass transit the minute Ron "Landtheft" Sims, Queen "No New Taxes" Gregoire, or Greg "Billion Dollar Boontunnel" Nickels gives up their Lincolns, Cadillacs and chauffeurs.

Not a day before!

Until then (the sun will fall before any one of them will get out of their tax payers ritz) I'll continue to ride in comfort and safety in my SUV!

Posted by: GS on March 25, 2006 01:49 PM

13. I think you are off-base on this one. I am not a big fan of Mayor Nickels but he is our Mayor and and there are a lot of koooks out there.

Hizzoner would be offended to hear you talking about his supporters that way.

Posted by: South County on March 25, 2006 04:16 PM

14. Notice that even though W gets ferried around as president in all kinds of non-bus modes, he isn't yapping at the rest of us to get on the bus and out of our cars. He "gets" it! He isn't about to nag people about the fact that we all like to drive our cars. Good for you, President Bush!

Posted by: Michele on March 25, 2006 04:32 PM

15. I shoulda wrote this Tuesday:

If it were up to me

Maybe it's the moviews, maybe it's the books,
Maybe it's the bullets, maybe it's the real crooks,
Maybe it's the drugs, maybe it's the parents,
Maybe it's the colors everybody's wearin',
Maybe it's the pResident, maybe it's the last one,
Maybe it's the one before that, what he done,
Maybe it's the high schools, maybe it's the teachers,
Maybe it's the tattooed children in the bleachers,
Maybe it's the Bible, maybe it's the lack,
Maybe it's the music, maybe it's the crack,
Maybe it's the hairdo's, maybe it's the TV,
Maybe it's the cigarettes, maybe it's the family,
Maybe it's the fast food, maybe it's the news,
Maybe it's divorce, maybe it's abuse,
Maybe it's the lawyers, maybe it's the prisons,
Maybe it's the Senators, maybe it's the system,
Maybe it's the fathers, maybe it's the sons,
Maybe it's the sisters, maybe it's the mums,
Maybe it's the radio, maybe it's road rage,
Maybe El Nino, or UV rays,
Maybe it's the army, maybe it's the liquor,
Maybe it's the papers, maybe the militia,
Maybe it's the attitude, maybe it's the ads,
Maybe it's sports fans, maybe it's a fad,
Maybe it's the magazines, maybe it's the internet,
Maybe it's the lottery, maybe it's the immigrants,
Maybe it's the KKK and the skinheads,
Maybe it's the communists, maybe it's the catholics,
Maybe it's the hippies, maybe it's the addicts,
Maybe it's the art, maybe it's the sex,
Maybe it's the homeless, maybe it's the banks,
Maybe it's the clearcut, maybe it's the ozone,
Maybe it's the chemicals, maybe it's the car phone,
Maybe it's the fertilizer, maybe it's the nose rings,
Maybe it's the end, but I know one thing,
If it were up to me, I'd take away the guns.

Cheryl Wheeler

Posted by: Wells on March 25, 2006 07:05 PM

16. If Mayor Bloomberg of NYC can ride the subways, why can't Nickels, Sims, et al ride the bus?

I don't buy that security c**p one bit. It's not as if we are talking about the President who even has a Vice Pres. waiting in the wings. We're talking about local honchos with no discernible risks.

If Seattle & environs are such great places and so safe for all of us to live in, then the mayor and county executive are no more at risk than he average Joe Blow. Or don't they belive their own PR people?

Posted by: Clean House on March 25, 2006 08:48 PM

17. Al Gore is a typical liberal hypocrite. We should take the bus while he deserves a limo - reminds me of a conference he was at several years ago with Ted Turner, speaking on population control and encouraging families to voluntarily institiute a one child policy. Of course neither one of them bothered to mention that Turner has FIVE children and Al and Tipper kept working until she finally produced a son on the FOURTH try. I guess only the "elite" are allowed to reproduce at will, probably because their offspring are SO much more talented!

By the way, Cheryl, I have no idea what point you were trying to make, but you certainly made a good argument for vouchers in the public schools!

Posted by: Suzihomemaker on March 25, 2006 08:51 PM

18. Al "lead foot" Gore isn't one to talk...

"Thursday, August 19, 2004

Gore gets speeding ticket while traveling in Oregon
Former vice president polite, trooper says

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASTORIA, Ore. -- Former Vice President Al Gore was cited for speeding as he drove a rented car to visit family on the coast, authorities said.

Gore, who was alone, was issued a $141 ticket for driving 75 mph on state Route 26 in the northwest corner of the state, police said. The speed limit is 55.

Gore was issued the ticket Aug. 3 at 12:37 p.m., said Lt. Dale Rutledge, spokesman for the Oregon State Police."

Can you imagine is he had to wait for a bus?

Posted by: Deborah on March 25, 2006 09:21 PM

19. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....
Deborah, it would be interesting to know what kind of vehicle Gore was driving. Hybrids don't go that fast.

In addition, doesn't Gore know that 75 MPH is much less gas efficient than 55 MPH?
What is he trying to do, destroy the environment?

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on March 25, 2006 09:47 PM

20. Maybe ol' Al was late for an inventor's conference.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on March 25, 2006 10:22 PM

21. It is becoming increasingly clear that pure progressive social theory "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs", is less than perfectly understood. Mr Gore, Mr Nickels and members of that ilk simply have needs that far exceed the needs of the average bus riding schnook. This period of visionary utopianism requires an appreciation of those very important needs, and the tax revenues required to support them. What are you, some reactionary closet money changer ? This is Martin Luther King county, remember ? We have a dream. And we won't wake up !!

Posted by: Poor Schnook on March 25, 2006 11:00 PM

22. "Nickels' excuse for his chauffered limousine is that "his police security team requires him to ride in a large and powerful car".

Maybe if Nickels quit p*ssing off the citizens of Seattle..he wouldn't have to be so "protected"!

Take a good look at Nickels, Sims, Gregoire, liberal talking heads in the media, ....and every high ranking liberal Democrat in this state. See how they live. Where they vacation, what they drive, where they eat. They are all living extremely large for people who preach to the little guy! They are all snobs who wouldn't give their supporters the time of day on the street! Heck! Their liberal supporters would most likely be arrested if they tried to approach any of these guys!

These people are in the business of creating social chaos. It's not us - the "average" citizen they fear...it's their brainwashed followers who pose the biggest threat to them...and to society....They want us to ride the bus and train with these creeps - while they ride in luxury - protected by our cities finest...

So they hide - using our tax dollars - from the monsters they create with their socialist, communist - liberal rhetoric....

Go figure!

Posted by: Deborah on March 26, 2006 12:06 AM

23. Deborah--you nailed it--any Tent Cities in their areas? any sewage plants nearby? doubt it; sure, I don't expect them to live under a viaduct, but anything they propose to US should first be halved for truth; when they walk the talk, I'll follow; until then, we're on our own;

Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on March 26, 2006 04:00 AM

24. "Maybe it's the end, but I know one thing,
If it were up to me, I'd take away the guns.

Cheryl Wheeler"

Meaning if there were no guns out there he wouldn't need security? Are you seriously saying that or did I misunderstand?

Posted by: thedude on March 26, 2006 08:34 AM

25. Well yet another unfortunate incident at a KENT Sound Transit Bus Station in todays paper. A man was stabbed repeated after refusing to give up articles of clothing. But luckily the Perp got on the Bus to Auburn after stabbing and was soon captured. I can see it now where ST advocates will say riding the bus is a "Crime fighting technique ". Get on the Bus Ron, you too Greg. Lead from the front, don't follow behind in a Limo.

Posted by: Just Wondering on March 26, 2006 08:41 AM

26. I participated in a protest with other anti-CAO folks at Ron Sims house. We delivered a 'bouquet' of the noxious weeds that we are forced to leave on 65% of our properties.

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_022605WABcaoprotestSW.e8bc5f14.html

The tent city comment had me chuckling, there is a mid-street park in front of his, (poorly maintained) home. I think this park needs to be the next tent city location. Heck for that matter, Ron is the only one on the street with a full double lot, with a huge backyard, and there's a church on the corner. Sound perfect for him to host the next tent city in HIS back yard.

Posted by: MSRedneck on March 26, 2006 08:59 AM

27. Sound Politics is a good site to get a better understanding of right wing ignorance, bias, intolerance, mud-slinging, deceit, hatred, hypocricy, extremism, and dancing with the devil.

Al Gore never said he invented the internet. He did however, sponsor legislation which led to its implementation. He rides in limos for security, period. I'm impressed that he will still rent a car but not suprised that in the rural flatlands of eastern Oregon, he will drive 75 mph. Who doesn't or won't on occassion passing?

Sorry to interrupt this little right wing hatefest, but Al Gore won Florida and the 2000 election. Bush only won both elections dishonestly. And so, the entire republican party, including the rank-n-file, is dishonesty personified. It's a disgrace. Have a nice day.

Posted by: Wells on March 26, 2006 11:27 AM

28. Hate to burst your Geographic bubble there Wells but Astoria, Oregon is on the coast in Western Oregon. But thanks for playing the home game. I realize it only mentions the location and where it actually is in Oregon in the article, but reading for meaning must have not been on the WASL.

Posted by: Just Wondering on March 26, 2006 12:27 PM

29. Al "flood gate" Gore...that pretty much describes it.

Two rule books; one for them and one for us.

Now shut up you miserable peasants.

Posted by: Andy on March 26, 2006 12:52 PM

30. Here is an example of walk the talk, the CEO of IKEA, 4th richest billionaire in the world flies economy and drives a 15yr old Volvo.

"Why not? If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. I have to do so for all the Ikea employees," Kamprad retorted.

We need some of this type of fiscal responsibility and "walk the talk" in this state, King county and the City of Seattle for sure.

Here is the Link to the CEO of IKEA

IKEA billionaire founder proud to be frugal at 80

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2006-03-26T111451Z_01_L2446861_RTRUKOC_0_US-SWISS-IKEA-KAMPRAD.xml&rpc=23

In this state it is "DO as I SAY, NOT as I DO"

Posted by: GS on March 26, 2006 12:58 PM

31. Here is an example of walk the talk, the CEO of IKEA, 4th richest billionaire in the world flies economy and drives a 15yr old Volvo.

"Why not? If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. I have to do so for all the Ikea employees," Kamprad retorted.

We need some of this type of fiscal responsibility and "walk the talk" in this state, King county and the City of Seattle for sure.

Here is the Link to the CEO of IKEA

IKEA billionaire founder proud to be frugal at 80

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2006-03-26T111451Z_01_L2446861_RTRUKOC_0_US-SWISS-IKEA-KAMPRAD.xml&rpc=23

In this state it is "DO as I SAY, NOT as I DO"

Posted by: GS on March 26, 2006 12:58 PM

32. Wells,

Darpanet the predecessor to the internet launch in 1968 when Gore was in the Army. Gore was one of many co-sponsors, just like he and Tipper were the inspiration behind Love Story.

Posted by: JCM on March 26, 2006 02:05 PM

33. Is that like his claim that momma Gore sang the union him to him when he was an infant. The same song that was written when he was 27?

BTW, Wells, even the NY Times admitted that Bush won every recount in FL conducted by the press, except for the one using the most liberal counting methods. So Dubya won six of seven recounts. Heck in baseball you only have to win four of seven. Only R's are held to a higher standard.

Now run along to HA when you can feel their love and peace.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on March 26, 2006 02:44 PM

34. OK Wells, about that gun comment. Quick, too. I know people are tired of this. A gun is an inanimate object that only does anything when outside force is applied to it. Much like a pencil. You didn't throw away every pencil that caused you to write a wrong answer in history class did you? I hope not, because from what I've read from you, I'm sure you got a LOT wrong in history class. Blame the person, not the gun. Try shooting just once. You will see how hard it is to hit a target when you don't aim at it and pull the trigger. Or see how "dangerous" a gun is when you want to use one to fend off that guy who just checked your front door to see if it was locked, but you don't know how to take it off Safe. Once again blaming everything but the perpetrator. So tired.

Posted by: thedude on March 26, 2006 05:55 PM

35. My post about guns, "If it were up to me", is a song by Cheryl Wheeler, who mostly does country music. After the recent shooting I figure many people will conclude 'easy' gun access for idiots is a bad idea. Cheryl's song, I think, was making that statement along with pointing out societal ills.

If the entire state of Florida had a recount, Al Gore would have won. That's the best measurement of who won. And since the Clinton adminstration was actually combating terrorism, maybe 9-11 could have been prevented if Al Gore had taken office. George's boys were far too preoccupied with tax cuts for the rich, (ie bankrupting social programs), to bother about the non-issue of terrorism.

Neo-con Rumsfeld and Cheney were signatores to the Project for a New American Century, PNAC, who's stated goal was to conquer Iraq, regime change, whatever. PNAC was reliant upon a terrorist act to build support with the public. It's as if they let 9-11 happen. "Ooopsy! Sorry! We done thot the terror'rs 'ud do sumthin a little less extreme. If we'd only known they'd use airplanes as missles, we'd a dun sumpthin 'bout it".

Yeah right. They knew about the possibility of airplanes as missles. Their denial was just one more lie. This is why the word INCOMPETENT is now most used to describe the Bush administration.

Posted by: Wells on March 26, 2006 08:59 PM

36. Wow Wells, all of that insight from someone who can't read a map or an article that clearly states where Astoria is in Oregon. It's a good thing you don't like guns, I sure wouldn't want you anywhere near one.

Posted by: Just wondering on March 27, 2006 07:19 AM

37. Actually Wells, it was Clinton that formalized US policy for regime change in Iraq. It was also Clinton that passed on an offer to have UBL on a silver platter, and who nixed a cruise missle at him when he was in our sites.

All basically the same way the Ds want to fight terrorism now.

And speaking of fighting terrorism, our friend Al 'count every vote' Gore, was trying to get the Military votes excluded in any 2000 recount. I assume that is because he has such respect and support for the military, their opinions and votes!

Posted by: Fred on March 27, 2006 10:14 AM

38. "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet"

-Al Gore

Posted by: Palouse on March 27, 2006 12:58 PM

39. Wow, so Clinton was fighting the war on terror. So is that why we responded so aggressively to acts of war such as bombing the Kobar Towers, blowing up embassies, and killing 17 sailors on the USS Cole, just to mention a few?

Such a covert, secret war against terror by Clinton that no one has heard of it.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on March 27, 2006 01:24 PM

40. Great post! But, you know, they actually ride in these luxurious automobiles in pompous caravans for OUR benefit.

Posted by: BananaLand on March 27, 2006 06:51 PM

41. Wells wrote:

" Al Gore never said he invented the internet. He did however, sponsor legislation which led to its implementation. He rides in limos for security, period. I'm impressed that he will still rent a car but not suprised that in the rural flatlands of eastern Oregon, he will drive 75 mph. Who doesn't or won't on occassion passing?

BTW - It was in Western Oregon between Seaside and Portland on US 26. Gore actually slipped and stated they helped invent the Internet - check it out on http://www.snopes.com. But of course, the leftwing press never made light of it. If Newt Gingrich had said the press would have been all over it, dude...

"Sorry to interrupt this little right wing hatefest, but Al Gore won Florida and the 2000 election. Bush only won both elections dishonestly. And so, the entire republican party, including the rank-n-file, is dishonesty personified. It's a disgrace. Have a nice day."

Seems like you have a leftwing hatefest going against Republicans. You are projecting self-loathing on the Republican Party - you need to go see a counselor and get this delusional hatred out of your system. As for the 2000 election - GET OVER IT - BUSH WON !

Posted by: KS on March 27, 2006 09:11 PM

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