The Seattle Times reports another failed attempt to take care of it's underclass. They say they may expand plan to help the homeless.
Right.
$1.5m isn't going to make a change. What a PR stunt. The rich get richer, and the poor get trashed. These people don't want this, they simply see no way out, and a government unwilling to acknowledge their existence. This cycle of nonsense is never going to change without an aggressive movement.
It's coming eventually. I think Russel Brand summed it up nicely.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Monday, May 2, 2011
Osama bin Ladin: Was 'Justice done' ?
The world now knows the good news, Osama bin Laden is dead. I too slept better tonight having heard. To recap: U.S. special forces raided a compound 35 miles north of Islamabad, Pakistan, were they engaged the al Quida leader in a fire-fight that cost the terrorist-in-chief his life.However, a report this morning that the raid was a “kill operation” -- from the very beginning -- is troublesome. In all likelihood, a bullet to the head was the only outcome bin Laden would accept: a martyr for his cause. Yet, to think that we had no intention of capturing him and bringing him back to the U.S. to face charges for his crimes seems more like a stain on the gown of Lady Liberty than “justice,” as President Barack Obama later told the nation.
Revenge feels nice... I know. I feel it too. Since U.S. officials first pointed to bin Ladin as one of the masterminds of 9/11, I wanted him captured or killed as much as the next guy. As time went on, my fervor for his hide turned more toward dead vs. alive -- like a gas gauge moves from full to empty with each passing mile.
With the hope of Democracy spreading across the middle east and north Africa, why would we not want to show the world a better approach? If we could capture bin Ladin, assuming we could have, why not try? Why not put him on trial and make him answer for his crimes before the eyes of the world? Let’s be honest, he would have gotten the “chair” eventually anyway.
We are a nation that purports to have a fair and just system of laws that is better than any other system in the world. It's too bad our military and civilian officials behind the raid didn’t even want to give it a shot -- figuratively speaking.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Police investigate early morning crash; driver missing
A silver Audi slammed into a guard rail at the intersection of Roy Street and 8th Ave North and came to rest only inches from a steep drop onto the underpass below during the early morning hours of Sunday, December 19. Police, fire and medics responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call at 3:30 a.m. but found no one inside the vehicle.
"The car must have been flying," said one officer, referring to the force needed to uproot the cement encased metal fence and to tear up the surrounding landscaping.
According to witnesses, a loud noise was heard approximately 20 minutes earlier and a passerby noticed a flashing taillight among the thick brush that line the walls of the underpass.
The scene, just a block west of the popular family-style restaurant, Buca di Beppo, is largely a commercial area. Two Lincoln towing trucks were called to the scene to wentch the car back onto the street.
The vehicle is registered to a Stanwood address and police suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
"The car must have been flying," said one officer, referring to the force needed to uproot the cement encased metal fence and to tear up the surrounding landscaping.
According to witnesses, a loud noise was heard approximately 20 minutes earlier and a passerby noticed a flashing taillight among the thick brush that line the walls of the underpass.
The scene, just a block west of the popular family-style restaurant, Buca di Beppo, is largely a commercial area. Two Lincoln towing trucks were called to the scene to wentch the car back onto the street.
The vehicle is registered to a Stanwood address and police suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Big Victory for State Sen. McDermott
The margin of victory was wide for State Senator Joe McDermott who will now take a seat on the nine member King County Council. The openly Gay councilmember-elect was well aware of the history making moment saying that he looks forward to representing the interests of the LGBT community and the people of the 8th District.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
NASA, asteroids and cocaine: Oh, my!
While reading Google News during dinner tonight, ironically, I ran across these two stories...
Mystery object likely to be asteroid
"...this is a near-Earth asteroid about 10-15 metres across, one of approximately 2 million such objects in near-Earth space," a press release from the [Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL}] said.
"One would expect a near-Earth asteroid of this size to pass within the moon's distance about once every week on average."
THEN, I read...
Cocaine found in shuttle work area, NASA says
A bag containing a small amount of white powder residue that was later confirmed to be cocaine was discovered in the space shuttle Discovery's hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The hangar, known as the Orbiter Processing Facility, is a restricted zone for shuttle workers only.
Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! (Lost in Space reference)
Mystery object likely to be asteroid
"...this is a near-Earth asteroid about 10-15 metres across, one of approximately 2 million such objects in near-Earth space," a press release from the [Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL}] said.
"One would expect a near-Earth asteroid of this size to pass within the moon's distance about once every week on average."
THEN, I read...
Cocaine found in shuttle work area, NASA says
A bag containing a small amount of white powder residue that was later confirmed to be cocaine was discovered in the space shuttle Discovery's hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The hangar, known as the Orbiter Processing Facility, is a restricted zone for shuttle workers only.
Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! (Lost in Space reference)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Its Not in the PI: Play offers more than history lesson
Its Not in the PI is a play almost equally about the current state of journalism than it is about the closure of the P-I, a Seattle journalistic institution with roots going back 146 years. This North Seattle Community College production in collaboration with NewsWrights United hints at what is lost when pesky reporters (experts in their beats) stop asking questions while providing a fascinating glimpse into the life of a reporter and a newspaper.
A quarter of the play seemed like an inside joke best suited for former P-I staffers, which made up almost have of the audience on opening night. Yet, there was plenty of material left for the rest of us to consume. In one scene, a reporter speaks of his frustration with his editor after attempting to tell the tale of a Paul Allen lobbyist who signaled to hold a vote on a local stadium until one of his votes returned from the bathroom.
The production's set was sparse and the quality of acting varied among the cast but this ensemble gave a cohesive presentation and, thus, delighted this audience member. It seems appropriate that students would tell the story about the sad state of print journalism when local universities are still turning out journalism majors who face bleak job prospects – unless they aim for jobs in PR and marketing where dodging reporters and handling the media has become an art form.
A panel presentation to explore the future of news reporting in the Pacific Northwest will be held following the play on Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th. Tom Paulson, former P-I Science Reporter and Co-Executive Producer of Its Not in the PI, will moderate the panel of local members of the media.
Fridays-Sundays through Nov. 22, Stage One Theater, North Seattle Community College; $10 suggested donation (206-526-0063 or www.brownpapertickets.com).
A quarter of the play seemed like an inside joke best suited for former P-I staffers, which made up almost have of the audience on opening night. Yet, there was plenty of material left for the rest of us to consume. In one scene, a reporter speaks of his frustration with his editor after attempting to tell the tale of a Paul Allen lobbyist who signaled to hold a vote on a local stadium until one of his votes returned from the bathroom.
The production's set was sparse and the quality of acting varied among the cast but this ensemble gave a cohesive presentation and, thus, delighted this audience member. It seems appropriate that students would tell the story about the sad state of print journalism when local universities are still turning out journalism majors who face bleak job prospects – unless they aim for jobs in PR and marketing where dodging reporters and handling the media has become an art form.
A panel presentation to explore the future of news reporting in the Pacific Northwest will be held following the play on Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th. Tom Paulson, former P-I Science Reporter and Co-Executive Producer of Its Not in the PI, will moderate the panel of local members of the media.
Fridays-Sundays through Nov. 22, Stage One Theater, North Seattle Community College; $10 suggested donation (206-526-0063 or www.brownpapertickets.com).
Microsoft to ban XBox Live users
Microsoft aims at cutting down on pirated games and XBox consule modifications by banning XBox Live users who may have engaged in the practice, according to MSNBC. An estimated 600,000 and 1 million players could be cut off. Let us know what you think by voting in our interactive poll (see right ==>).
Veterans Day: We shall never forget...
SEABlogger would like to honor all of the veterans who served our country. My heart also goes out to the the families of the fallen soldiers whose lives touched many of us here in the Northwest. Feel free to honor your loved one in the comment section.
Microsoft to ban XBox Live users
Microsoft aims at cutting down on pirated games and XBox consule modifications by banning XBox Live users who may have engaged in the practice, according to MSNBC. An estimated 600,000 and 1 million players could be cut off. Let us know what you think by voting in our interactive poll (see right ==>).
Friday, November 6, 2009
Seattle mourns slain officer
A procession of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will travel from the University of Washington to Key Arena, the location of a memorial service for the slain Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, on Friday, November 6. The public memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 11:00 a.m.
On October 31st, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Brenton and his female student officer were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue South when a vehicle pulled up next to the parked patrol car and opened fire. Brenton was struck multiple times, killing him.
Brenton was born in Seattle on February 9, 1970. He spent his early childhood in Poulsbo and Woodinville, Washington. He later lived in West Seattle, where he graduated from West Seattle High School in 1988. He served in the Hoquiam Police Department and La Conner Police Department before joining the Seattle Police Department in 2000. He leaves behind his wife Lisa, daughter Kayleigh and son Quinn.
A fund has been established for Brenton's family. Donations may be made at any Bank of America branch under the "Brenton Family Assistance Fund."
The memorial procession will use the following route: begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.
On October 31st, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Brenton and his female student officer were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue South when a vehicle pulled up next to the parked patrol car and opened fire. Brenton was struck multiple times, killing him.
Brenton was born in Seattle on February 9, 1970. He spent his early childhood in Poulsbo and Woodinville, Washington. He later lived in West Seattle, where he graduated from West Seattle High School in 1988. He served in the Hoquiam Police Department and La Conner Police Department before joining the Seattle Police Department in 2000. He leaves behind his wife Lisa, daughter Kayleigh and son Quinn.
A fund has been established for Brenton's family. Donations may be made at any Bank of America branch under the "Brenton Family Assistance Fund."
The memorial procession will use the following route: begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.
Friday, July 17, 2009
My Google Voice account!
I'm in... I just replied to my invite and set-up my Google Voice account.
Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on the settings link at the top of your inbox.
Once it's open to everyone, you can join me!
Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on the settings link at the top of your inbox.
Once it's open to everyone, you can join me!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Got the road trip blues?
On a recent road trip, I realized a lot has changed from similar trips I had taken just a few years ago. I couldn't put my finger on it until I was gearing up for another -- though much shorter -- road trip.
As I was doing my packing, I was downloading some new tunes to my Ipod and, then, it struck me. Portable music devices and video players are ruining the bonding experience that occurs when you have nothing to do than sing songs, play word association games or do other stupid things to pass the time on a long road trip.
On my last road trip, a friend was in the back watching TV shows, music videos and a movie on his Ipod Touch. I was riding shot-gun and spent my time snoozing, checking for Wi-Fi hot-spots during refeuling pit-stops and listing to tunes on my Ipod Touch (which I openly admit that I bought in a bout of jealousy after a friend of mine showed me his). The driver spent most of his time checking for traffic reports, scanning the dial every half hour for the nearest news and trafic radio station.
I will be leaving for the Pacific Ocean tomorrow and decided to burn a CD of my dad's favorite musice (well, at least the music I could stand to listen to). That way, we'll at least be listening to the same thing and -- who knows -- we might even do some father/son bonding along the way.
Tell us about your road trip blues...
As I was doing my packing, I was downloading some new tunes to my Ipod and, then, it struck me. Portable music devices and video players are ruining the bonding experience that occurs when you have nothing to do than sing songs, play word association games or do other stupid things to pass the time on a long road trip.
On my last road trip, a friend was in the back watching TV shows, music videos and a movie on his Ipod Touch. I was riding shot-gun and spent my time snoozing, checking for Wi-Fi hot-spots during refeuling pit-stops and listing to tunes on my Ipod Touch (which I openly admit that I bought in a bout of jealousy after a friend of mine showed me his). The driver spent most of his time checking for traffic reports, scanning the dial every half hour for the nearest news and trafic radio station.
I will be leaving for the Pacific Ocean tomorrow and decided to burn a CD of my dad's favorite musice (well, at least the music I could stand to listen to). That way, we'll at least be listening to the same thing and -- who knows -- we might even do some father/son bonding along the way.
Tell us about your road trip blues...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Names of gay city employees may be released
Seattle City Light employee Philip Irvin wants the names of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) city employees who are members of a city-sponsored club working on issues of concern to their community.
The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.
Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."
A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.
My two cents... Irvin's request amounts to harassment. What legitimate purpose could releasing the names serve other than to invite discrimination upon these people or, potentially, "out" them to family, friends and, even, their churches. I don't think a closeted Mormon would be received well by his elders after being "outed".
I don't see the public benefit from knowing the sexual orientation of the person on the other end of the phone line at the City Light customer service call center. All I care about is that the person is knowledgeable enough to answer my questions, take my payment or update me on an outage in my area.
Maybe Irvin should stop meddling in the affairs of his co-workers and go start his "ex-Gay" group somewhere else.
The courts would be wise reject his request.
The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.
Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."
A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.
My two cents... Irvin's request amounts to harassment. What legitimate purpose could releasing the names serve other than to invite discrimination upon these people or, potentially, "out" them to family, friends and, even, their churches. I don't think a closeted Mormon would be received well by his elders after being "outed".
I don't see the public benefit from knowing the sexual orientation of the person on the other end of the phone line at the City Light customer service call center. All I care about is that the person is knowledgeable enough to answer my questions, take my payment or update me on an outage in my area.
Maybe Irvin should stop meddling in the affairs of his co-workers and go start his "ex-Gay" group somewhere else.
The courts would be wise reject his request.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
CatchCon delivers for Deadliest Catch fans
The Discovery Channel's CatchCon, a one-day Deadliest Catch fan festival, at Pier 66 on Saturday was a spectacle. The free event was top-notch from beginning to end.
I began my visit with a free box lunch where I was inches away from Matt Bradley of the Northwestern. I hadn't worked up the courage yet to say anything to him. Instead, I talked about him to my table-mate. That must be weird for him to hear someone at the next table talking about him -- oh, well!
Then, we had a Q & A with the boat captains: Sig Hansen, Keith Colburn, Phil Harris, and Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand. Later, they signed autographs.
I got a fisherman's cap from Verizon's booth and had all the captains, some of the crew and the show's producers sign it. I am going to donate it to a local youth nonprofit for their upcoming auction.
Outside, a helicopter could be heard and many of us went outside to see it. A Coast Guard helicopter was just off the pier giving us a demonstration of a rescue operation. From there, I toured the Wizard and Northwestern, which were docked alongside the pier.
Once back inside, I listened to a Q & A with the show's producers, including Jeff Conroy, co-executive producer. We heard their first-hand accounts of close calls, awnry crew members and the limb numbing challenges of filming at sea.
Finally, we saw exclusive video of the new season of the Deadliest Catch, which includes the the story of Seattle-based Katmai crew and interviews with its surviving crew members.
SPECIAL OFFER: The CatchCon fans also got an exclusive offer to purchase The Deadliest Catch 1-4 season set for a special price. If you don't tell them I told you (LOL)... and enter this promotional code at check-out: CATCHCON
I began my visit with a free box lunch where I was inches away from Matt Bradley of the Northwestern. I hadn't worked up the courage yet to say anything to him. Instead, I talked about him to my table-mate. That must be weird for him to hear someone at the next table talking about him -- oh, well!
Then, we had a Q & A with the boat captains: Sig Hansen, Keith Colburn, Phil Harris, and Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand. Later, they signed autographs.
I got a fisherman's cap from Verizon's booth and had all the captains, some of the crew and the show's producers sign it. I am going to donate it to a local youth nonprofit for their upcoming auction.
Outside, a helicopter could be heard and many of us went outside to see it. A Coast Guard helicopter was just off the pier giving us a demonstration of a rescue operation. From there, I toured the Wizard and Northwestern, which were docked alongside the pier.
Once back inside, I listened to a Q & A with the show's producers, including Jeff Conroy, co-executive producer. We heard their first-hand accounts of close calls, awnry crew members and the limb numbing challenges of filming at sea.
Finally, we saw exclusive video of the new season of the Deadliest Catch, which includes the the story of Seattle-based Katmai crew and interviews with its surviving crew members.
SPECIAL OFFER: The CatchCon fans also got an exclusive offer to purchase The Deadliest Catch 1-4 season set for a special price. If you don't tell them I told you (LOL)... and enter this promotional code at check-out: CATCHCON
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