As most of the locals know, the Seattle P-I has been circling the drain for a while now. There's a lot of local hand-wringing going on, but this is something that the folks there should have seen coming. For one thing, they have mainly been a parrot of the AP for what seems like ever. For another, only the Seattle Weekly or Stephen Colbert leans further left.
The only question is will this be a quiet death at home, with just a few mourners, or is it going to be violent and drawn out. Either way, it should be quite entertaining.
UPDATE Ah, they've gone to a web-only format. For shame. Let's see if they can maintain their leftward stance in the sea of Huffingtons and Koses(?) out there.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
"This couldn't have happened at Southcenter. It's a gun-free zone."
Well, the law-abiding folks had to leave their weapons at home, yet somehow there was a shooting at the Southcenter mall. One person was killed and another injured in this case. Obviously it could have been much worse. The post title, btw, is the very first comment in the story.
Folks seem perplexed at how the police can't be everywhere at once. Yet they don't seem to connect that everything is being handled the same way it is every time. And after the fact, as usual.
I don't have a conceal carry license. Yet. But I just might get one soon while I still can.
Folks seem perplexed at how the police can't be everywhere at once. Yet they don't seem to connect that everything is being handled the same way it is every time. And after the fact, as usual.
I don't have a conceal carry license. Yet. But I just might get one soon while I still can.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Here's how my ballot looks 2008
Well, I've put it off long enough. Using my voting strategy (below), what follows is how I'm voting in the 2008 general election, starting at the top of the ballot:
Initiative 985: Yes, mainly because I know that red-light cameras are merely a revenue source and can be tweaked to make more money, for example, by making yellow lights shorter. This measure would require the money from those to be dedicated for traffic flow.
Initiative 1000: Yes.
Initiative 1029: Yes, because I do think that our elderly and disabled need qualified care. I don't know that this initiative would accomplish this, but I need to vote my conscience here.
Federal Offices:
President: The Libertarian candidate, Bob Barr. I know that Obama will carry this state anyway, but it will be “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
US Representative District 1: The incumbent is Jay Inslee, and Larry Ishmael is the strongest challenger, so Larry gets my vote.
Governor: The incumbent is Chris Gregoire, and the strongest challenger is Dino Rossi, so he gets my vote.
Lieutenant Governor: The incumbent is Brad Owen and the strongest challenger is Marcia McCraw, so she gets my vote.
Secretary of State: Sam Reed (the Republican!) is the incumbent, so Democrat Jason Osgood gets my vote.
State Treasurer: The office is open (no incumbent), and there is no third party candidate, so I'm writing in “Turd Sandwich.”
State Auditor: The incumbent is Brian Sonntag, so the Republican Dick McEntee gets the nod.
Attorney General: Rob McKenna is the incumbent, so John Ladenburg (D) gets the vote.
Commissioner of Public Lands: Doug Southerland is in the office now, so Peter Goldmark (D) gets it.
(Non-Partisan) Superintendent of Public Instruction: I'm writing in “School Vouchers”
Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler is in there, so I'm voting John Adams (ha!)
State Senator: Connie Lord (voting against Phil Rockefeller)
State Representative 1: I'm not just voting against Sherry Appleton, but for Larry Cooney (A Ron Paul Republican)
State Representative 2: Mark Lowe (voting against Christine Rolfes)
County Commissioner 1: Sandra LaCelle (voting against Steve Bauer)
County Commissioner 2: The office is open and there is no third party candidate, so I'm writing in “Giant Douche”
County Auditor: John Clark (voting against Walt Washington)
For the rest of the non-partisan races (judicial and PUD commissioner), I'm writing in “Giant Douche” or “Turd Sandwich” (I'll flip a coin).
Initiative 985: Yes, mainly because I know that red-light cameras are merely a revenue source and can be tweaked to make more money, for example, by making yellow lights shorter. This measure would require the money from those to be dedicated for traffic flow.
Initiative 1000: Yes.
Initiative 1029: Yes, because I do think that our elderly and disabled need qualified care. I don't know that this initiative would accomplish this, but I need to vote my conscience here.
Federal Offices:
President: The Libertarian candidate, Bob Barr. I know that Obama will carry this state anyway, but it will be “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
US Representative District 1: The incumbent is Jay Inslee, and Larry Ishmael is the strongest challenger, so Larry gets my vote.
Governor: The incumbent is Chris Gregoire, and the strongest challenger is Dino Rossi, so he gets my vote.
Lieutenant Governor: The incumbent is Brad Owen and the strongest challenger is Marcia McCraw, so she gets my vote.
Secretary of State: Sam Reed (the Republican!) is the incumbent, so Democrat Jason Osgood gets my vote.
State Treasurer: The office is open (no incumbent), and there is no third party candidate, so I'm writing in “Turd Sandwich.”
State Auditor: The incumbent is Brian Sonntag, so the Republican Dick McEntee gets the nod.
Attorney General: Rob McKenna is the incumbent, so John Ladenburg (D) gets the vote.
Commissioner of Public Lands: Doug Southerland is in the office now, so Peter Goldmark (D) gets it.
(Non-Partisan) Superintendent of Public Instruction: I'm writing in “School Vouchers”
Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler is in there, so I'm voting John Adams (ha!)
State Senator: Connie Lord (voting against Phil Rockefeller)
State Representative 1: I'm not just voting against Sherry Appleton, but for Larry Cooney (A Ron Paul Republican)
State Representative 2: Mark Lowe (voting against Christine Rolfes)
County Commissioner 1: Sandra LaCelle (voting against Steve Bauer)
County Commissioner 2: The office is open and there is no third party candidate, so I'm writing in “Giant Douche”
County Auditor: John Clark (voting against Walt Washington)
For the rest of the non-partisan races (judicial and PUD commissioner), I'm writing in “Giant Douche” or “Turd Sandwich” (I'll flip a coin).
Friday, October 17, 2008
My Voting Strategy (Vote Them All Out)
I will stoop to voting for a Republicrat if I have to. But my overriding plan is voting out those in power, especially career politicians who have done nothing to advance freedom and independence. So this is how I vote:
- Always vote against the incumbent
- Vote for the strongest challenger
- If there is no incumbent, vote for the third party (preferably Libertarian)
- If there is no incumbent or third party candidate, write in "Turd Sandwich" or "Giant Douche"
In my next post I will lay out my entire ballot and how I'm going to vote.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
In These Trying Times, it's Good to be a Jackboot!
Well right near my stomping ground the DEA has stopped a few people from getting prescription painkillers and other drugs from a phony online pharmacy.
One of the emails from the owner of eDentity was certainly telling:
According to federal court documents unsealed Thursday, Drug EnforcementI can't imagine what the customers did after this. Get their "meds" from somewhere else, maybe? But another feather in the cap of the DEA, who bosses will certainly demand that even with all the debt our nation is in, still needs increased funding to make even further improvements in preventing otherwise law-abiding people from putting certain substances into their body.
Administration agents searched the offices of eDentity Media Inc. in January
2007 as part of an investigation into an illicit prescription drug ring
purportedly run by Florida resident Antonio Quinones.
One of the emails from the owner of eDentity was certainly telling:
Boy, ain't that the truth. Just ask any pain doctor. Or pretty much anyone else who is not a drug war apologist."(I) need to make sure you're OK before going too far," the man wrote in a
secure instant message to the agent. "Nothing personal. But you show a good
knowledge of the industry. DEA agents are usually clueless on the
details."
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Inslee's Response (He Voted Nay)
Well, I'm happy to report that in the original House version of the bailout bill, Inslee voted no. It was for the wrong reasons, of course, but I'll take it. Here's some of his response.
Like you, I am outraged that reckless and irresponsible conduct has put us in this terrible position of economic uncertainty.
I'm sure he's not referring at all to the subprime lending sprees of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to anyone with a pulse, nor the recklessly low interest rates set by the Federal Reserve.
...the original proposal from the Bush administration was arrogantly unaccountable to the taxpayer, did not provide for Congressional oversight, included absolutely no equity stake for the taxpayer, and no help for struggling homeowners. Like you, I hoped the revised plan would address these inherent flaws.
Actually, I hoped that the bill would not pass in any form. Something about adding a trillion dollars to the national debt kinda turned me off of it. But no mention so far about spending money we don't have, notice that?
Regrettably, this plan is a continuation of the same type of deficit spending that has been so damaging to our economy in the last eight years...We need to take a long and hard look at how Wall Street got itself in this pickle and establish regulations to prevent another party on the taxpayer’s dime.
Yeah! More regulations, that'll do it! We just need the right people in charge, that's all. The other thing we should do is make recessions illegal. *dusts hands off* Problem solved!
In addition, I am a strong proponent of growing and diversifying our economy in new markets with tangible assets like clean energy, rather than relying too heavily on one market for our economic stability.
Hmm, I like clean energy too. I just don't want to pay for it with tax money. I'll gladly pay to fuel my car or home with it, though.
The rest of his response is standard boilerplate. New legislation, new regulations, etc.
I think if he was not running for reelection he would have voted yes. But thankfully, he didn't. Both times.
Like you, I am outraged that reckless and irresponsible conduct has put us in this terrible position of economic uncertainty.
I'm sure he's not referring at all to the subprime lending sprees of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to anyone with a pulse, nor the recklessly low interest rates set by the Federal Reserve.
...the original proposal from the Bush administration was arrogantly unaccountable to the taxpayer, did not provide for Congressional oversight, included absolutely no equity stake for the taxpayer, and no help for struggling homeowners. Like you, I hoped the revised plan would address these inherent flaws.
Actually, I hoped that the bill would not pass in any form. Something about adding a trillion dollars to the national debt kinda turned me off of it. But no mention so far about spending money we don't have, notice that?
Regrettably, this plan is a continuation of the same type of deficit spending that has been so damaging to our economy in the last eight years...We need to take a long and hard look at how Wall Street got itself in this pickle and establish regulations to prevent another party on the taxpayer’s dime.
Yeah! More regulations, that'll do it! We just need the right people in charge, that's all. The other thing we should do is make recessions illegal. *dusts hands off* Problem solved!
In addition, I am a strong proponent of growing and diversifying our economy in new markets with tangible assets like clean energy, rather than relying too heavily on one market for our economic stability.
Hmm, I like clean energy too. I just don't want to pay for it with tax money. I'll gladly pay to fuel my car or home with it, though.
The rest of his response is standard boilerplate. New legislation, new regulations, etc.
I think if he was not running for reelection he would have voted yes. But thankfully, he didn't. Both times.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
My Email to Inslee on the Bailout
NO BAILOUT!
Mr. Inslee,
I know that you waited until you knew the bailout bill would not pass before you cast your nay vote. I am against a bailout in any form. This country needs to wake up and stop living on easy credit.
We've been through recessions before and we'll get through this one. By adding $700B to our national debt and attempting to socialize and subsidize risk we will have a bigger one down the road. I don't want my children or grandchildren to endure that.
In the end, the best thing you can do is encourage less spending from the federal government. We can't tax the rich to pay for ponies for everyone, and we can't grow our way out of this. The holders of the purse strings need to lead by example and start being responsible with taxpayers money. Any bailout would be exactly the opposite of that. Thanks for your time.
Mr. Inslee,
I know that you waited until you knew the bailout bill would not pass before you cast your nay vote. I am against a bailout in any form. This country needs to wake up and stop living on easy credit.
We've been through recessions before and we'll get through this one. By adding $700B to our national debt and attempting to socialize and subsidize risk we will have a bigger one down the road. I don't want my children or grandchildren to endure that.
In the end, the best thing you can do is encourage less spending from the federal government. We can't tax the rich to pay for ponies for everyone, and we can't grow our way out of this. The holders of the purse strings need to lead by example and start being responsible with taxpayers money. Any bailout would be exactly the opposite of that. Thanks for your time.
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