Shared Roads Necessitate Shared Costs and Accountability
The recent negative attention drawn to the issue of how bicyclists are faring in the grand experiment of roadway desegregation by a violent confrontation between agents of Critical Mass-a radical bicycling organization--and a motorist on Seattle's Capitol Hill is bound to be watered down in the weeks to come. Despite the fact that similar flare-ups involving cyclists have been taking place with increasingly regularity in cities like Portland to the south, this clash will eventually morph to be characterized as... [read more]

WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWS MAGAZINE**
**Jack LeCerveau will be on Vacation the week of 8/4! THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES OBAMA NO ROCK STAR? BLOODY VIOLENCE CAUSES BLOOD SHORTAGE IN SOUTH SOUND 3 MAJOR SEATTLE STORIES OF DRUGS, BOOZE AND BLOODSHED SNO COUNTY SHERIFF HIDING IN THE CITY? GREEN LAKE METAL SPIKES FROM OUTER SPACE? GOP UPGRADING INTERNET RESOURCES LA GANG LORDS WANT THEIR JUNK FOOD LEFT ALONE KING 5 HAS A TOILET PROBLEM? ADVERTISING DOLLARS VANISH NATIONWIDE TENT CREEP IN DENVER AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION?... [read more]

Griswold v. Griswold
So there's another Mark Griswold living up in Mill Creek. Unfortunately I can't say I'm happy to share my name with him. He recently weighed in on the governor's race with a letter to editor of the Times claiming Rossi is "self-serving" and "truth-evading". My response, which will hopefully be printed soon, below. Griswold v. Griswold In last Sunday's Letter to the Editor, Mark Griswold (of Mill Creek) opined that Dino Rossi "has been swimming in self-serving intrigue and truth-evading... [read more]

For Barry, the chrissy queen and WVH
683,294... 56%... [read more]

Finding Clarity - Are Senate Democrats bypassing debate using a procedural trick? (not really)
The headline at Michelle Malkin's site implies something very daunting: The Donkey Congress is allergic to debate Conservative stalwart Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint blew the whistle  last  week on a new report from the Congressional Research Service showing that 94 percent of bills passed in thee Dem-controlled Senate have been rammed through without debate or vote. Via CNS: Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) dismissed Democratic claims of obstructionism and expressed outrage last week over a government... [read more]

Just a quick Hi
Just thought I would say Hi to everyone out there. I am back from Iraq for a much needed three week vacation with my beautiful wife and our four wonderful boys. I hope to make it out to some of the upcoming political events and hope to see you all there.... [read more]

Friendship
We pause in our political blogging for some personal reflections. I got an email from an old Military friend today. It made my day. A big shout out to Eric, and congrats on making Chief! Hope I get down your way soon. It reminds me that even though many years pass, sometimes those ties we form never go away. A few years ago I did an almost frantic amount of research and contact and 'found' a lot of friends I... [read more]

We Don't Have Enough Highways
While Liberal partisans are attempting to yet again bilk the taxpayer for a 18 Billion dollar donnybrook called Lite Rail...I saw something interesting on Live Maps yesterday. Take a look at almost any European city. Paris, for example...now...when we hear about "Europe" from most Liberals, they describe it as everyone getting on a train whether it's to go to work, on vacation, or to visit grandparents. My own experience there is that other than Americans who get Eurorail passes, they... [read more]

Life Is Good: Good News, Bad News or No News.
Life is Good This afternoon I was listening to our local NPR station. The program had a segment called "Good News, Bad News, or No News". It's a simple bit, the host describes a story off the wires, and three pundits give their opinion as to the value of the piece. Up on the sacrificial altar today was a bit about the "Life is Good" promotion. In case you missed it, there is a clothing line out there featuring a... [read more]

Thanks for nothing Maria
Blather and BS from Senator CANT(and won't)well. I sent her an email in support of immediate drilling and she graced me with her form letter. I'll post the canned response I get from Patty when I get it... in about 3 months if she remains true to form. Dear Mrs , Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the high energy prices in Washington state. I appreciate hearing from you on this matter of utmost importance to families... [read more]

Things aren't quite as Barrylicious as they hope you believe!
This is a post of links... all from TODAY! Yep, many are 'biased' sources and most are opinion pieces. Bur so what? It's EXACTLY what's being said and it's it's not all halo's and adulation. Obama Mocked in Brit Paper Hysterical Obama Send up by Gerard Baker Hilarious column on the Obamessiah The Light of the World Obama's Unmemorable Berlin Speech Barack Obama and the press break up Two Reports: Obama Snubs Troops Obama Campaign: Pentagon Nixes Troop Visit... Pentagon:... [read more]

RE: ATTENTION SPOKANE REPUBLICANS: LOOK OUT!
Lindauer, Why won't you respond to my post? I have asked you legitimate questions regarding your character and your campaign. As a voter I believe in order for you to win my vote, you must answer my questions in an honest and forthright way. Also, what are you trying to prove with your poll? Do you really think the average voter is stupid enough to not see through your sham and biased polls and realize that they really mean nothing... [read more]

WEEKLY NEWS MAGAZINE..OBAMA UPDATE!
HEADLINES: OBAMA TAKES A DIVE! EDWARDS SCANDAL CONFIRMED BY FOX NEWS! PSE FOR SALE...CHEAP? MURDER DOWNTOWN DOESN'T STOP PLASTIC BAGS, REALLY AN ILLEGAL TAX? BOSS SIMS SAYS NO TO SOUND TRANSIT NEWSPAPERS TAKE ANOTHER BIG HIT OBAMA, IS HE A LITTLE STRANGE? GLOBAL WARMING SCAMS AND FRAUDS TO THE SEC OBAMA WANTS HEALTH CARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CRACKPOT OF THE WEEK AWARD EDITORIAL: THE FBI'S 100TH ANIVERSARY! NEWS YOU WON'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE SECTION OBAMA TRIP ANGERS AMERICANS! Obama's Trip... [read more]

Global Warming/Goracle update - Eco-Nanny roundup
I haven't taken the time to put together a round up of the Enviro-nitwit Supreme and all the other fun, so now seems like a good time. I do want to note one thing though, and that is the I am retiring the phrase "eco-nazi" from the blog, except in rare occasions. I decided that the term "Eco-Nanny" instead.  It seems to fit the "we know what's best for you" mentality that so many of these idiots seem to favor.... [read more]

Steve Beren Responds to McDermott's "Gas Stamps" Bill
Steve Beren Responds to McDermott's "Gas Stamps" Bill In a Red County Washington blog exclusive, Republican congressional candidate Steve Beren responds to Jim McDermott's proposed "gas stamps" legislation. McDermott's proposed bill claims to be a response to rising gas prices, and a way to help poor people. But Steve Beren argues that it would only make the situation worse, that McDermott's proposal does nothing either to reduce gas prices or to help lift people out of poverty. Steve Beren is... [read more]

Protesters Greet Obama in Jerusalem
Protesters Greet Obama in Jerusalem Israelis Understand Obama's Holy Landapalooza Was to- "Impress Jewish Voters" With a long history of associating with well known Jew-haters and attending a Jew-hating Church for 20 years, Obama wisely chose to campaign in Israel today. But, not all Jews were buying the staged political pop. Supporters of US Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) stand outside Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama's hotel in Jerusalem July 22, 2008. (REUTERS) Obama's campaigning continued today... [read more]

US House Democrats Preparing for Election Year Hearings
I am sure this is no surprise to anyone out there, but the US House Democrats (to include all of the Democrats from Washington State) have passed Kucinich's Resolution (HR1345). This vote is to refer an article of impeachment resolutionto the House Judiciary Committee, but the Democrat House leadership has already stated in no way will they actually pursue impeachment of the President. Instead; they have decide to hold an election year review where they will trot out witness, experts,... [read more]

News Flash: Obama to End Cold War!
I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems... ...I will not weaponize space... ...I will slow development of future combat systems... ...and I will institute a "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure the quadrennial defense review is not used to justify unnecessary spending... ...I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons... ...and to seek that goal, I will not develop nuclear weapons... ...I will seek a global ban on the development of fissile material... ...and I... [read more]

Is Mortgage Bailout Un-Constitutional?
http://www.nysun.com/opinion/unconstitutional-bailout/82095/ Unconstitutional Bailout By ANDREW NAPOLITANO | July 17, 2008 When Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced that the government would provide a credit line to shareholders of Bear Stearns in order to prevent the giant investment bank from collapsing, he was consciously making a profound choice to use taxpayer dollars to save one bank and not to save another. On Friday, IndyMac, a huge California-based institution, with billions in assets, was permitted to expire while depositors waited in long lines... [read more]

WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWS MAGAZINE! UPDATE!
HEADLINES THIS WEEK: MITT ROMNEY VP ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK? Boeing Strike at hand? No Pot at Clinics? Global Warming takes a hit! Big Brother on the Ferry? Osama at it again? Sound Transit scandal may be widening! Ronulans running from Ron Paul? Newspaper/mag bloodbath has started! Chicago new murder capitol? Al Gore licking his $$$ chops? Denver to hide bums and drunks during Demo convention! Joe Lieberman about to be politically whacked? Crackpot of the week award winner! Pension plan... [read more]

Gregoire's Campaign Based On Hypocrisy
I just thought I would share this letter to the editor that I wrote (and suprisingly enough the Olympian printed) Gregoire's campaign based on hypocrisy Recently in a news conference, Gov. Chris Gregoire had the following to say: "We have hit rock bottom in this campaign, and it is only June." She went on to say, "I call on my Republican opponent Dino Rossi to denounce the BIAW and these ads and instead run a campaign focused on good policy... [read more]

Taking a look at gas prices.
I have enjoyed making snarky comments about the gas prices and the complete failure of the democrat leadership to do anything about it.  Bad enough that prices have doubled since the democrats were elected, but now that they are historically high, they are paralyzed by the necessity to pander to their environmental base. And make no mistake, that's what this is all about.  The democrats know the environmental lobby has a huge voice and they don't want to be seen as... [read more]

Climate Consensus? Actually just a clique of 44 authors
We hear a lot of haughty rhetoric of the so called "consensus" of Global Warming and catastrophic climate change. We are told that there are thousands of scientists who have reached this grand consensus, and that we need not listen to any other scientists nor question this official IPCC consensus. Here's a new paper by John Maclean of the Science and Public Policy Institute that shows how the authors that contribute to the critical parts of the UN IPCC's climate... [read more]

Shifty Seattle Reporters in the Paroline Case
The early reporting on the Paroline slaying has really bothered me. The Lib mainstream papers have bent over backwards to try and portray Paroline, the 60 year old victim, as having harassed the girls. The papers all put the lies of the girls at the front of their articles "reporting" that he hit them, that he sprayed them...but now there is video evidence that he simply stayed stoic while they yelled, screamed and hurled objects at the guy! The official... [read more]

So what are we going to do about this?
Washington Assisted Suicide Opponents Trail Nearly 12-1 in Fundraising... [read more]

Attention Republicans: Watch Out!
There is a real dog-fight going on in Republican circles in Spokane right now. Kevin Parker and Melvin Lindauer are running an expensive primary to decide who will take on Rep. Don Barlow (D) in the battle to win the State Legislative seat, 6th District, Position 1. In trying to make up my mind who I want to support, I decided to do a little google search on both candidates to see if anything interesting would pop up. Low and... [read more]

Time for the Spartans?
This 60 Minutes piece about homosexuals in the military raises an interesting question ... Since commanders are more reluctant to boot out the queers, because of operational need, might the cultural dilemma be resolved by creating "Spartan Brigades" of wholly gay enlistees? Which is more absurd: the command structure who find no evidence of homosexuality with visual evidence and self-admission, or recognizing the reality of the world and develop openly segregated service, to take advantage of all the talents everyone... [read more]

Tony Snow--We Will Miss You
So, in my daily checking of Drudge Report, I was saddened to see this link: TONY SNOW DEAD AT 53.... Gosh, two brilliant American communication icons dead within a month of each other. First Tim Russert, and now my favorite White House press secretary, both dead. I used to love listening to Tony Snow on the radio before he became press secretary. I loved his soothing voice and sense of humor. Losing him from radio was bad enough, but now... [read more]

It's Starting! --Democrats Muzzle Free Speech
http://www.redstate.com/ Rep. Capuano's Newspeak for Censorship As the Obama candidacy gains momentum, we should all become more accustomed to "newspeak." Out is the word "censorship" to be replaced with the phrase "freedom of speech." The former phrase "freedom of speech' will be prohibited except in classical texts until such texts can be reprinted wherein all references to actual free speech will be deleted. That, of course, seems the natural progression from Rep. Mick Capuano (D-MA), who calls the internet... [read more]

King County Assessor ignoring reality
I'm sorry, but a 13% property tax assessment increase for 2009 is outrageous. My assessment card showed up today with a 13% increase for 2009, and even I can't believe the gall of this county to hike assessments in the face of home value declines and a mortgage crisis that is going to hit the Puget Sound much harder before it's over. Someone needs to tell King County Assessor Scott Noble that home prices peaked in King County in 2007.... [read more]

UPDATED, WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWS MAGAZINE!
ASSOCIATED PRESS GOES OVER THE LINE ON TONY SNOW In perhaps another example of how ugly the real face of the leftist media is in the US, Douglass K. Daniel wrote one of the most demeaning and insulting obituary ever written on someone in public service the day after they died! Daniel wrote the obit on Tim Russert which was a moving tribute to the man, he then turns around and insults Snow's family and his memory. Here is what... [read more]

Obama Youth Corps-Brownshirts?
From: http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php Here's an utterly ludicrous statement from Barack Obama that's flown under the radar so far; he is planning a "civilian national security force" that is as powerful and well-funded as the US military. Obama promised to increase AmeriCorps slots from 75,000 to 250,000 and pledged to double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. ... Obama had first outlined many of the proposals he talked about Wednesday during appearances in Iowa last December. "We cannot continue to... [read more]

Republicans in Seattle
http://clearfogblog.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/republican-candidates-in-seattle/ Who said there are no Republicans in Seattle? About a dozen brave souls have filed as Republicans for legislative seats in Seattle districts. The 46th Legislative District covering the north end of the city has two Republican candidates for the State House of Representatives. One is Keith Ljunghammar. He is running for the open seat currently held by Rep. Jim McIntire who is seeking the State Treasurer's job this election. Unfortunately for Keith there are two Democrats fighting (in... [read more]

Well, it was bound to happen...
So, listening to the radio this morning I heard the ad equating Dino Rossi to George Bush. I thought to myself that it was bound to happen, but I was surprised to hear that the ad was directly sponsored by Christing Gregoire's campaign. As I was listening, I wondered which third-party issue group, much like BIAW's support for Rossi, had put this ad on the air. Since the first direct shot of negative campaigning has been fired, I certainly hope... [read more]

Democrats 7-10 Year Argument Against Drilling
Recently the Democrats in Congress have made the claim that we can not drill for oil in our own country whether it offshore, the continental shelf or in ANWAR, as it would take 7-10 years to see any relief at the pump. Well this argument could be made against alternative fuels too. How long will it take to develop and bring online a new fuel source? Could it take 7-10 years to do this? With the Democrats making the 7-10... [read more]

Happy Independence Day...
Yes, today is Independence Day, and it reminds me of the blood, sweat, and brains of our Founding Fathers and other revolutionaries who were passionate enough about their independence and about the future of this nation's independence. Let's be sure to remember the true reason for this holiday, even though I know fireworks are awesome, beer is fun, and barbecuing is all you look forward to, please remember today why you CAN blow up colorful stuff, drink alcohol, and char... [read more]

Happy overthrow your government day!
May we all pray that we can manage to do it again soon.... [read more]

My 4th of July thoughts: Is America still great?
The question is on the lips of many.  Some  decry our failings and insist they are endemic, and show the decline of our Country's greatness.  They point to our prosperity as evidence of our selfishness.  They point at our innovation and insist that we are lazy and weak. They insist that in their lives we have never done anything worthy of pride. Some point to the White House and our president, and decry his failings and decide the America has suffered... [read more]

There's Hope for Higher Education After All!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/arts/03camp.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin The '60s Begin to Fade as Liberal Professors Retire By PATRICIA COHEN Published: July 3, 2008 MADISON, Wis. -- When Michael Olneck was standing, arms linked with other protesters, singing "We Shall Not Be Moved" in front of Columbia University's library in 1968, Sara Goldrick-Rab had not yet been born. When he won tenure at the University of Wisconsin here in 1980, she was 3. And in January, when he retires at 62, Ms. Goldrick-Rab will be just across... [read more]

NEW WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWS MAGAZINE
NEWS FLASH CRACKPOT BRAINERD GOES DOWN IN FLAMES Washington State Court of Appeals has apparently trashed the earlier trial court decision concerning property rights vis a vies the King County Critical Areas Ordinances. The Pacific Legal Foundation ran with this appeal and won. As soon as the decision is released you will read about it first here! Again the Circuit Court today has set aside an earlier verdict which now means that Property Owners have won against King County's Boss... [read more]

Goodbye, Seattle Sonics...
And it's been settled. Lame. Not only are there way too many syllables in "Oklahoma City Sonics", but the "O.K. City Sonics" doesn't sound very flattering either. Oh well, apparently part of the settlement required (aside from the $45 mil that goes to the City of Seattle) means that that the Sonics' name and their history will remain behind as the team moves on to Oklahoma City. I've never been a big fan of basketball...ever, but I still find it... [read more]

Updated: Spectacular Failure! Martin Tobias and BioFuel.
It's sometimes very instructive to go back in to the past and look at bad policy decisions and their outcomes. Blogs are a great source of history. Join me in going back to this Matt Rosenberg post on BioDiesel and Ethanol from 2005. Not to just toot my own horn, but my comments then were largely spot on. Look where we are today with the high price of gasoline fuel, even higher price of ethanol and high food prices. A... [read more]

Locally a democrat politician loses her home in a tragic fire - and ignites a conspiracy firestorm
No jokes, this is a tragedy.  Darcy Burner, the democrat nominee to the 8th District Congressional seat, lost her home to a fire this morning. The Burner's and their dog escaped injury, and their cat was lost. As I said, this is every family's nightmare.  To be woken up at 7am by your child telling you his room is on fire is an experience I am happy to avoid.  Thank God they did waken and escape. Now the cause is... [read more]

D Congress Gas Price: 7/4/07 $3.00 7/4/2008 $4.50
Here's what we get from "The Most Ethical Congress in History" under Nancy Pelosi. $4.50 a gallon. Is it ethical to let the US Economy slide under increasing energy costs without any plan for the future? Watch this video of what Pelosi said on July 4, 2007. Then compare that with today's gas prices. And Harry Reid just said that energy makes us sick. An unfortunate and very Democrat Freudian slip. Yeah, Democrats are sick at the prospect of the... [read more]

Obamanable
Printable version H/T - RF... [read more]

The Falacy of Canada's superior health care
Canadian Health Care We So Envy Lies In Ruins, Its Architect Admits Correction: that would be the health care system that the left envies. But then again, what does the left envy anywhere that really does what it is supposed to? "We thought we could resolve the system's problems by rationing services or injecting massive amounts of new money into it," says Castonguay. But now he prescribes a radical overhaul: "We are proposing to give a greater role to the... [read more]