Search Results for 'Ba'

[Ken]

Just a note the any who have never had contact with the military. (And for you yellow elephants, movies are not enough even if they do have John Wayne in them)

The politicians tell the generals to draw up a plan for withdrawal and a time line. The Generals delegate that to Colonels and Majors who already have the data and several hundred plans worked out in their logistics training. The generals either approve the plan or modify it and send it to the politicians to approve. They also supply all the officers who worked on the plan to the CIC/ politicians in case they have questions.

The plan is approved and implemented. Or sent back for changes and the process starts over until it is.

Troops come home. More troops possibly from different branches, get assigned to removing equipment that still has value (mostly Navy) and other specialist destroy or disable equipment that has only scrap value when compared to the cost of shipping it home.

And the scenario John McCain paints now for his hundred year occupation, will commence right after an underground cache of unicorns and rainbows are discovered in Iraq.

Also note: dropping bombs from 35,000 feet and then getting captured and tortured does not give you a realistic view of the horrors of war. What is did do to many in WWII, Korea and VN is make you incapable of rational thought when there are Asians in the same room with you. I knew a WWII Japanese POW pilot who got early retirement from his airline job when they could no longer keep his office an Asian free zone.

[Ken]

Don’t any of you guys fix your own stuff? Most washers and dryers are of a basic design that has barly changed in a 50 years. Even my sisters fix their own appliances. It’s not a car :)

[JanS]

cool…thanks :)

[Ken]

I live in the Highpoint neighborhood. However I live in the “old” Highpoint, rather than the “new” Highpoint.

Our house is across the street from the SHA subsidized rentals near the north west corner of the project.

I watched the old buildings torn down and the new ones going up.

The SHA rentals had to be built to federal standards and local building codes as did the developer units, but the SHA units included integrated smoke alarms that flash all the lights in the house as well as enhanced access in the ground floor units designated as handicapped/elderly apartments.

The for sale units vary by builder.

The stepdaughter is renting one from an investor who bought several of them from the developer.

Observations will have to be limited to “The Dwelling Company” http://www.dwellingcompany.com/

since I don’t have any direct experience with any of the other builders units, but I suspect there may be some similarities.

Most notable is the warranty service. There is one. It is limited to actual builder problems and does not address design issues or the stupidities that were drawn into the blueprints. Some will find these minor. Some will not. It depends on what you expect from modern townhomes and the abilities of marketing to deform every product it is applied to.

The most annoying visible issue to many will be the unusable garage. The height of the opening is already unusually low which is why most pickups and SUV’s are parked on the street or on the concrete pad outside the garage. Add to that the Duct work and pan underneath the gas fireplaces (I think they all have them) in some plans restricts the garage door from opening all the way so even some full size sedans or small pickups cannot use the garage. This is bad enough to call for a public flogging of the architects and the marketers who demanded the gas fireplaces be shoehorned into each plan. Also note, there is so little room in some garages that only some low clearance openers can be installed causing the top of the door to not seal creating a 1 in gap for heat to escape. We shall see more “green building” flaws next.

Lighting:

These units have lots of windows. I can see a few across the way that seem to have huge windows in the three floor stairwells. Good for light but I imagine the homeowners were not considering how they would either clean the windows or replace the lighting when they were admiring the design.

We shall see.

But I do have direct experience with the interior lights. There is not a single standard bulb fixture in the unit. They range from kinda standard expensive 300 watt halogen bulbs to insanely expensive halogens with mini candelabra bases (t-6) to damn near unavailable plug in blade style CF in fixtures where two hands and enough effort to break lesser fixtures are required to unscrew the 10 inch diffuser lens. Luckily I am tall enough to reach the ceiling without a ladder. Others will probably resort to adding normal lamps rather than replacing some of these bulbs.

The manufacturers of halogen lamps got them classified as “green” even though they produce immense amounts of waste heat, burn large amounts of energy and have to be installed behind heavy tempered glass shields in case of explosive failure. http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr01/tensor.html

Other issues with some of the for sale housing are the seeming inability of the warranty dept to get the various subcontractors to repair defects such as plumbing that hooks up hot water to outside faucets, cable connection vaults that have no drains and fill with water, and drains that sit above the surrounding pavement or too close to landscaping.

Some confuse the OSB that is used as sheathing when these units were built, with earlier generations of “particle board”. The OSB is much stronger and resistant to moisture than the old particle board. That said, older homes in the Seattle area were built using the old growth Fir and solid wood for both sheathing and sub flooring. These products are either entirely unavailable or prohibitively expensive in the current market.

On another note, read the HOA agreement carefully no matter where you look at new homes. Some people seem to have overlooked some of the responsibilities they were agreeing to and some of the rights they were signing away.

http://highpointblog.wordpress.com/

Finally, the neighborhood.

I like it. I live here and I know my neighbors. There are some things I like about the neighborhood that some may not like (read the archives of the above link to a dead blog)

It is diverse. Not just the SHA housing but the surrounding neighborhood and even to some extent the market rate housing. The surrounding neighborhood is 88% Democratic voters, many very active in local politics (I know because I am the PCO). The precinct that includes the entire SHA property (sea34-1485) had a vary large turnout at the Democratic presidential caucus in Feb.

If you like organic produce, the local farmers have one of the most beautiful and productive garden I have ever seen. The High Point Market Garden has a link for more info and to subscribe to get a share of the veggies. http://seattlemarketgardens.org/farmers.html

Site wise, it is a damn near perfect location (if they ever beef up the bus service on the 21) located 15 min from downtown via car or express bus, surrounded by parks, green belts, Camp Long, Longfellow creek trail, the municipal golf course and includes a library, medical-dental clinic and the future site of a small retail park. (no grocery store). Several current residents (both of the rentals and the market rate) bike commute via 25th ave and the upper and lower bridge path.

Views are of downtown, Cascades, and Mt Rainier for the most part and if you get a market rate unit with a view, current rules make is unlikely anyone can build into that view.

So. You pays yer money and you takes yer chances as with any large purchase. Just remember, the properties that are in developments will increase in value as long as the market in Seattle stays tight. But the units encumbered by Home Owner Association rules can have both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the older homes in the area have large lots that will increase in value over time, even faster than the townhouses on tiny lots that are measured in square feet.

[JoB]

Kayleigh…

i have no idea what Clinton has said now that has become another soundbite… so no worries… ;->

And i don’t have time today to follow all the links to find what everyone thinks is so cool that Obama said… it’s tax time:(

however.. i do have two observations.

I believe in applying the same standards to everyone..

so if Rev Wright’s military service in Vietnam (or where he served.. the time period would suggest vietnam) is relevant. then so is McCain’s…

that doesn’t make me pro McCain.. NewResident will be more than happy to back me up on that one…

it just makes me equal opportunity.

The other is actually more of the same… If you believe that the way for your candidate to win is to vilify the opposition, then you should expect the same in return.

The one thing i have disliked most about this campaign is the double standard… any negative interpretation of anything the opposing candidate has said or done is not only all right, but righteous…

however, anything negative that is even implied about Obama is dirty tricks…

Looking at any candidate through rose colored glasses is comforting..

but it has the same net effect as preaching to the choir…

it will be interesting to see what FOX news has to say about all of this.. because they have the ear of those who will ultimately elect a president.

[flipjack]

We’ve used them and I they did work much better than ordinary plastic. They don’t hold the moisture as much either so your veggies don’t get soggy or soft as fast. I recommend.

[Ken]

http://applianceguru.com/forum2/11639.html

stackables usually get cloged at the impeller motor to hose connection. Should be easy to check. The access panel should have a hex head screw with a slot and the hose will have a spring hose clamp.

Otherwise basic troubleshooting next moves to electrical with visual inspection of the wireing between the lid switch and the impeller motor.

Look up the diagram by model number at sears or partsamerica.

[JanS]

I was just talking with a friend about these yesterday…glad you brought it up..inquiring minds want to know :)

[Bikefor1]

Has anyone tried those green bags advertised on tv? They’re supposed to keep your fruit and vegetables fresher longer because they’re formulated to remove the harmful gasses that make them decay. They’re on sale at Rite-Aid and I was wondering if they’re worth it. Thanks in advance!

[add]

This post a little while back mentioned the laundromat in the Junction that was advertising laundry service:

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=6707

[beachdrivegirl]

Two quick questions:

First does anyone know of anyone who can quickly fix a Kenmore stackable washer dryer??? (Basically it will not drain we have checked the drain hose….)

Secondly, since I have been unable to find someone quickly to fix my washer/dryer today does anyone know of a dry cleaner or somewhere in w.Seattle that does laundry b/c the typical 3-4 day loads i get done on my saturday/sundays did not happen. thanks!

[charlabob]

Context does help, doesn’t it KL?

The desperate attempts of the other side (both Clinton and McCain) to convince us that he’s elitist, antireligious, contemptuous of the poor don’t stand up very well when you actually read what he said.

BTW, The Compassion Forum on CNN will be repeated at 2 a.m. (and probably other times)…Tivo/DVR it and watch at a more civilized hour. It’s definite worthwhile — though maybe not at 2 a.m. :-)

You can find rerun times on CNN here:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/

Clinton was interviewed first and Barack second. Once again, he displayed a unique ability to articulate faith, to answer hard questions about abortion and contraception without the BS and platitudes common to politicians.

He walks the walk and can talk about it coherently and without artifice. He understands the importance of implementing faith in the real world.

[charlabob]

Hey, Ken, that’s one key Boston driving rule — the other, especially on rotaries (roundabouts here) is Don’t Make Eye Contact. Ever.

Long before I moved to Seattle, I’d come out to visit friends and no one would ride with me the first couple of days — until I decompressed.

Then, when I went home to Boston, I was always in danger of being killed until I regained the correctly (bad) attitude.

[Kayleigh]

At first I thought Obama’s remarks were foolhardy, but then I read that link and understood them in context. He’s right, and Hillary has no shame (I luv ya, JoB, but I still think that’s true.)

I am once again in awe of Obama’s wisdom and his courage to say things few politicians say. And I wonder if Hillary has enough self-awareness to know how ridiculous she sounds waxing nostalgic about shooting a duck and claiming the mantle of Most Sympathetic to the Working Class. Or has she begun to believe her own spin?

[Ken]

I was a cab driver in Boston Late 70’s. There is only one traffic law.

Most expensive vehicle yields right of way.

I drove a 4000 lbs checker cab with a winch fore and aft, and railroad tie for both front and back bumpers. All I had to do to change lanes was glance at the driver currently occupying the lane I wanted too be in. The body did not have a single square foot without a dent in it. (I paid the fleet mechanic extra to make sure and add some to the trunk when the lid got replaced.)

It is something like docking a fishing boat to make a u-turn and park on 4 inches of packed snow/ice on Mass Ave but it never ceased to amaze/frighten the tourists.

[Anonymous]

Love it!

[cruiser]

Whilst stopped at a red on a hill in Dublin,Ireland my friends car quit on him. When the red went green the guy behind started honking,my friend went back and said “tell ya what,you go start my car and I’ll honk your horn,a***ole:)

[charlabob]

This link includes the complete text of Obama’s controversial statement about the effect of politics on the working class, along with some pointed, on the mark commentary about the responses, especially from Clinton. Hint: she’s now even waffling on gun control.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/carpenter/042

I’m posting it here, because it also reminds me of what’s good about Obama — the Clinton info is almost incidental. Obama is straight talk; even when I don’t want to hear it.

For years, the right wings of both parties have lied to the working and middle-class about who their enemies are. Maybe, just maybe, Obama can speak the truth and be heard.

Meantime, watch CNN tonight at 5 for The Compassion Forum, a seminar on faith in the world, featuring Obama and Clinton:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/

[charlabob]

You’re welcome <takes small bow>. I knew instinctively, in Boston, that showing concern for them was my only hope of emerging unbruised. But I was just tired of the honking.

BTW, driving in the Boston area for 20 years gave me a huge tolerance for what we call traffic jams. If my wheels are moving, it’s just a slow down. A jam is when my wheels haven’t moved, no one in front of me is moving, and I have no idea if I’ll ever move again. Anything less than that gives me some hope. :-) See? Everything is relative…

[charlabob]

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. — Mark Twain

The attempt to distance Obama from people of faith, and from his religious history is particularly disingenuous, since his intimate personal knowledge faith was a major part of his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004.

The current controversy, dishonestly promoted by Obama’s opponents as his attack on religion or his elitism, shows that Clinton and McCain have both learned well the “Attack them on their strength,” strategy from Karl Rove.

Obama’s faith and translation of that faith into action is a strength with people of all faiths –and people of no faith. It’s part of how he can bring us together.

Meanwhile, here’s something for the “Hate Jeremiah Wright” crowd who try to convince us that Wright Hates America: Wright’s military record. (This article was written by noted left winger. Lawrence Korb, an assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration.)

Fortunately, Obama has so far been much too smart to take the bait.

We should all have such mentors and friends.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0404wrightapr03,0,92000.story

[miws]

Love it, charlabob!

.

*Clapping*

.

I like that better than my idea! Shows “concern” for THEM!

.

Mike

[JoB]

i wish i had been there…

i agree with him.. not because it’s Hillary but because all those jokes about men and women thinking differently and having different priorities exist for a reason. Our basic priorities are different.. no matter what our political affiliation.

If you want to know the why Hillary part all you have to do is go to wikipedia and read the evidence of her involvement with the issues most affecting women and children (especially disadvantaged women and children) that spans her entire adult life.

If Hillary accomplishes nothing else in this primary, she needs to go the distance so that our party can see that those issues matter to at least half their members… and that those concerns are big enough to transcend bad press and charisma.

What she represents really matters.. and regardless of the political hype.. there is no way a woman in the white house could be business as usual.

This woman might actually know enough to be able to use the current system to get things done.

After all, as women invade the boardroom and upper management, corporate culture is slowing starting to recognize that one of their largest assets is their people…

that’s a step in the right direction… and definately not business as usual.

[beachdrivegirl]

WSMom, thank you so much! Reading your post is music to my ears!!! :) I am very impressed with the license plate and will tell a coworker of mine that is going to the convention but can not go any further to keep an eye out for Danielle. Again, thank you WSMom, for making my Saturday night great!!!

[charlabob]

Mike, that’s wonderful! I actually jumped out of a car and said, “What’s wrong … are you having a heart attack? Should I call someone?” TWICE in Boston a few years ago. I just got tired of being honked at. Didn’t cure everyone, but I suspect it cured the two idiots I did it to. And I didn’t even get shot or maimed…remember, this was Boston :-)

[charlabob]

Thanks, WSMom. I’m especially impressed with her license plate. Many people won’t commit to a bumper sticker; if I had a vote, she’d get it. :-)