Search Results for 'aF'

[Ken]

I like Hillary. I don’t like some of her voting record or her current triangulation . I liked Bill but I recognized the terrible future that both NAFTA and the various deregulation bills would bring.

I don’t trust her judgment, and her top advisor has lied to me face to face concerning touch screen voting.

Other than that I am undecided :)

Edwards is not the orator that Obama is but he understands the difference between health care and health insurance.

I also hope that Obama understands that Bipartisanship means different things to Republicans and to Democrats. Some Democrats still think it means compromise, while Republicans have redefined it to mean “Stand aside plebeians! I am on imperial business” (Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem!)

However, if any of the three are the nominee, I will work my ass off to get them elected since they are all far more likely to “First, do no harm” than any of the Republican gang.

“The way to make money is to start your own religion.” [L. Ron Hubbard, 1954]

[Ken]

While the recent House of Representatives “Christmas resolution” was being covered in the PI generating 5 pages of condemnation of Jim McDermott for voting against it, another far more disturbing resolution was introduced, one which, does not appear to have been noticed by anyone.

On December 18, 2007, Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) introduced H. Res. 888, a resolution “Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation’s founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as ‘American Religious History Week’ for the appreciation of and education on America’s history of religious faith.”

This resolution, which purports to promote “education on America’s history of religious faith,” is packed with the same American history lies found on the Christian nationalist websites, and in the books of pseudo-historians like David Barton. It lists a total of seventy-five “Whereas’s,” leading up to four resolves, the third of which is particularly disturbing — that the U.S. House of Representatives “rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation’s public buildings and educational resources,”

This is historical revisionism on a grand scale and it looks like it will slip through congress with no notice by the press busily baying like a pack of dogs across New Hampshire.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.RES.888:

For debunking of specific “whereas” see this book/website:

http://www.liarsforjesus.com/

Many people here in WA have told me that the takeover of the Republican party in the 80’s by fundamentalist, was repulsed and corrected. Informed people know better. The stealth use of steeplejacking of existing churches, using fake history in homeschools and christian schools, and the appeal to authoritarians of the dominionist, punish everyone world view, has all but wiped out moderate republicans in the WA GOP.

The Theocratic wing of the Republican party is driving now and with Huckabee’s rise in the primaries, they will only get bolder.

[peebs]

Personal recommendation: Intercolour Painting, General Contractor, Steve Moutafov, Residential and Commercial, Licensed, Bonded,Insured. Tel 206-241-6191 Cell 206-579-0708.

[beachdrivegirl]

I had Comcast for years and was fed up with it after continued bumps on their rates etc. So when I moved about 6 months ago, I researched the different costs between Direct TV, DISH, and COMCAST. After doing all of my homework I went with Direct TV for the “value” I thought I was receiving. Since then, I have had to replace my receiver twice (and all tv goes out) and on two other occasions due to the weather my disk just shut down and stoppped working. When i would call their customer support line I didnt receive any support and in fact both times had to pay shipping for new receivers. Needless to say, after 6 months, I am now going back to Comcast. Paying more for reliable service and a bit better customer service is worth it in my book.

[Ken]

I am released from comcast bondage and save about 70.00 a month. It would have been more but I had a grandfathered plan that they kept trying to force me to upgrade so they could double the price. The last straw was after the 06 windstorm when they dropped power to my block by 40% and refused to fix it as long as I could get a signal on most of the channels when I moved the tv to within 10 foot of the demarc. I had paid for two boxes and full slate of channels for 12 years.

Dish and direct are both good. I have dish and a friend is a direct installer. They both have a good deal on HD DVRs.

The downside for some people is you lose the semi local cable news channel and the weather channel does not give the local radar and forecast “on the 8’s”. TWC just cycles through the regional current temps and the national radar. Also MSNBC is only available on the highest priced digital plan so Keith Olbermann viewers have to pay a few bucks more per month.

On the other hand, some channels come in both east and west coast editions. (three hours earlier)Nikelodeon? (twice the spongbob seems to tickle the 7 yeaar old.)

My DVR has totally released me from the tyranny of the tv schedual and fast forward at 4x spped through commercials keeps me from falling asleep and missing the last 15 min.

[GenHillOne]

We started in Little League, but moved to Pee Wee after a militant T-ball coach (tell me why 5-year-olds need to practice in a thunder storm??). I’m not saying that was necessarily the norm, just our motivation at the time. Loved Pee Wee, didn’t mind the extra drive. As far as “try-outs”, they don’t start until the kids move up to Bronco (@ Lincoln Park) and they’re really more for player distribution. Players often stay on the same team all through Pee Wee and when they move up, the idea is to spread out the “talent” and make the teams more balanced. My son was very nervous for the first one, but by the end of the first day was relating it to a mini-camp.

[Ken]

Anyone have questions about the process?

I have a few about the changes rumored for this year, but I probably know more about the process than most having chaired my precinct caucus in both presidential years and off years.

Basic info is

Feb 9th at 1 pm.

Registered voters can caucus but any resident can attend and take part in the discussions.

The sign in sheet is where you must affirm you are a Democrat (on that day)

So far the planning seems to indicate that there will be refreshments (coffee, pastries, etc) and the sign in sheet will be used to track both the initial choice as well as any changes in support during the caucus.

Each precinct will need a chair (usually the PCO if there is one) and a secretary and a tally clerk. Forms and checklists will be provided to aid those who are unfamiliar with the process.

Relatively heavy turnout is expected and efforts are underway to streamline the sign-in process as well as the choosing of delegates.

Speaking of turnout, here is an example. During the last presidential nominating process, my precinct had 48 people show up out of around 400 registered voters (approx 88% of those self identified as Democrats) so estimated 350 as Democrats.

During the off year caucus, there were 4 of us that showed so we could not even fill all the allowed delegates for the precinct.

This is where grass roots organizing has a chance to multiply their vote since the power defaults to those who show up.

So far the “primary” election will just be a popularity contest for those who are too lazy or unable to participate in the caucus for some reason. It does indeed exclude those working on Saturday, deployed, and ill from the process but remember this is a party function, paid for by the local districts (that is where our annual dues go) and donations collected at the caucus. (so bring a few bucks for the donations envelope)It is not meant to be a beauty contest for the public at large.

Also note, each precincts number of delegates it can send to the district and county conventions, is determined by voter turnout in the previous general elections. (I am trying to find the formula and exact method for delegate assignment but so far …)

Details for the 34th LD Democrats

http://www.34dems.org

King County Dems caucus page

http://www.kcdems.net/

WA State Democrats page

http://www.wa-democrats.org/

[credmond]

One way I strive to be able to stop for pedestrians wanting to cross 35th is to go the speed limit on 35th. It’s 35 miles per hour, not 40 or 45 or 50. Of course, about two-thirds of the cars are passing me on the left. But those of us in the curb lane are at least in a position to slow down and stop, and since there’s usually at least two or three of us going the legal speed, that is a lot of cars to be stopping and drivers in the other lanes pay attention. I’ve stopped for any number of pedestrians in the area around Camp Long up to Morgan St. and had no problems and others eventually stopped to allow the pedestrians to cross. By not recognizing the need to stop sooner, others merely delayed the entire flow of traffic as the pedestrians weren’t going to cross until all 4 lanes were stopped – as it should be. We can subtly enforce the laws ourselves by actually abiding in them. Strange concept, I know. Oh, I also bike and walk on 35th – all the time, and ride the bus. So I do have a good feel for how traffic flows throughout the day and week. The alternative to not being nice, by the way, is to put 35th on a road diet – reduce it to one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane. Which would be better?

[credmond]

And anyone who’s seen “Who Killed the Electric Car, would have some thoughts for the 500-gallon coin and the thousand-gallon coin, too. Remember when “What was good for GM, was good for the Country.” Different era, different media, but – hey, we all got suckered in then. That was the heyday of the late 40’s and ’50’s when it was drive everywhere on gas so cheap it must have made your head spin. As a teenager in PA, I used to fill my mom’s car with Gulftane – I think it was 85 octane, but it was only 12 cents a gallon and her tank only held 13 gallons. All I needed to do after a date was make sure I had a dollar left in my pocket. We all fell for it then, too. And now we argue over how to replace the Viaduct. How ’bout electric cars? At least our electricity is “mostly” renewable and does a small amount of damage (fish) and its cost is pretty darned predictable.

[grr]

after a year and half of being fed up with Comcasts User Interface and lack of HD, I’m going to Direct TV.

[Kata]

I have to say that I find this discussion pretty amusing, but then I’ve spent most of my life in Minneapolis, where the whole idea that drivers should yield to pedestrians in crosswalks is a strange and foreign concept. I am continually amazed by how easy and safe it is to get across the street here, by contrast, and how very deferential most drivers are to the rights of pedestrians. (Perhaps if one is used to more civil behavior by drivers, the exceptions stand out more glaringly and cause more anger.)

[Kata]

I’ve had a membership at ASF since September, and have been pretty happy with it. The pluses, to me, are the quantity and variety of equipment available (aerobics machines, weight machines and free weights), and the fact that I’ve never seen it so crowded that I couldn’t get on the machine I wanted. I do wish they kept the women’s locker room cleaner, and had staff available on the 3rd floor to deal with problems that might arise. But on the whole, I’ve found it a really good deal for the money.

[JayDee]

OK, my bad JT for not searching more — Of course I am not the only one searching for the right answer.

As to Acemotel, community service is great, but I currently pay $58/month for basic cable, and despite “competition” — promised so long ago when Cable was deregulated — The monthly cost has never decreased. The problem with Cable/Satellite is that while it is certainly not a public good like electricity or gas, it is certainly more valuable than when I when I grew up.

The differential costs add up, month after month, and I am not willing to pay $25-$40/month year after year, even if they provide community service projects. Comcast has never shown me that my business is worth anything to them, or gone out of their way. While Verizon is a similar type of company, I never hang the phone up wondering if I’ve gotten the worst part of the bargain.

Acemotel, I will check out the thread reccomended and if Comcast offers the best deal or PQ at a reasonable, if not the lowest price, I will go with them.

Thanks – JayDee

[azure]

Is there anyone in West Seattle (or nearby) doing safe and effective electrolysis? I am reluctant to go with a yellow pages ad for such a delicate service. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

[Anonymous]

When I was looking for something unique I went to every nursery in the greater Seattle area. The choices were slim and not that healthy looking. A friend sent me to Bamboo Gardens of Washington. It’s between Redmond and Fall City, but if you have an afternoon, it is so worth the drive. They have a complete forest almost, of full grown (some are 30+ feet) bamboo. You really get a feel for what they will become. I thought I was looking for black, like everyone always is. But when I saw all the choices, many were much more attractive. Look at their website and you’ll see what I mean. Everything from shrub to timber varieties.

[credmond]

I love Peet’s in Fremont and forever rue the day that Starbucks bought Seattle’s Best since the Caffe Torrefazione (also at Fremont) was such a wonderful place to sit and sip and as soon as Starbucks completed the acquisition, that location and the other one in Occidental Square disappeared. One more reason I try diligently to never grace the threshold of a Starbucks store. Having said that, I would like to say that the only decent Starbucks in the entire city is the one at 23rd and Jackson – very cool and very hip baristas. But, that’s the ONLY Starbucks I ever enter.

[credmond]

Julie, I’m on the”rapid” ride advisory board, as are 24 other West Seattleites. From what we’ve learned so far, the California routing would go at the same speed the 54/22/128 go now and would basically stop all traffic when the bus stops because they would build bulb-outs from the curb to meet the bus in the travel lane. This makes for easier and faster ingress/egress but definitely will stop traffic on California because it has only one travel lane. On Fauntleroy it wouldn’t stop through traffic since that arterial has two travel lanes per direction. The time savings would be on the order of a few minutes to as many as 10, depending on time-of-day and day-of-week. The safety factor is one we have only previewed and is clearly one thing folks should bring up at the scheduled “rapid” ride meetings.

[Julie]

The California alignment would be better for me personally, but I’d support the Fauntleroy alignment for speed improvement, depending on how much speed. credmond, do you know the differential? One of my concerns about this “rapid” ride is safety of pedestrians, bikes, and cars sharing the road with these buses. (That grade-separation problem, again!) Seems to me this need for safety will surely slow the buses down. How would the safety compare California vs. Fauntleroy? I have a hunch California has fewer accidents, and if that hunch is correct, I’d guess it has to do with the lower speed on California. How would the “rapid” (I plan to keep quoting it to remind everybody that this is NOT a Rapid Transit solution) buses affect both streets? Would it make less difference on Fauntleroy because it’s already faster?

[marybethsc]

I completely agree with adding a Stumptown to WS. Caffe Ladro and Coffee to a Tea are my personal favorite places, and I only go to Starbucks when I receive gift cards, and I very rarely order coffee.

[WSMom]

I’d like to see a crossing light at Dawson and Fauntleroy. Trying to cross the street to get to Fairmount playfield for soccer games is scary, especially in the dark.

[moonflower]

Yesterday, on my walk around Lincoln Park I saw what at first I thought was a wolf. Right after the sighting I talked to a man with 2 dogs who said it was a fox. He said it was ‘the biggest fox I’ve ever seen’. I had seen a fox or two in Illinois and this one was different in that it was all brown and it looked like it was on steroids. (I had seen a red fox.) Has anyone else seen a fox at Lincoln Park? I saw him on the upper trail somewhere between where 2 nouthend trails start that take you down to the beach. I think it was around 2pm. It was the eeriest feeling. He moved very stealth-like, first he was there and then he was gone. Just had to share this. It was pretty cool!

[Keith]

Sue, yes you can go in and do cardio any time you want at no extra charge. I find it more convenient to do my cardio after a workout, but if you want to spend six days a week in there you certainly can!

The caveat: there are only three machines – a treadmill, a bike and an elliptical. So far I’ve never had to wait for one, nor have I ever seen anyone waiting.

[Sue]

Keith, that’s good to know about FT, doing the cardio on your own. I always thought it pointless to pay a trainer $70 an hour to hang out with their friends at the gym while I was on a cardio machine and periodically come over and say “how’s it going?” That’s what happened in another gym I used to go to.

If you have a package at FT for, lets say, 2 sessions a week, can you then go in another 4 days that week just to do cardio? And is that included in the package price you pay?

Maybe I’ll check them out after my never-ending stint in physical therapy.

[credmond]

I’ve got a new pet peeve – the low spots in the alley behind Poogie/Husky here little lakes form and the low spots in the Rite Aide parking lot. Yikes! After a days worth of rain you have to be a broad-jumper to navigate these places.

[credmond]

I was somewhat shocked recently to learn that nearly all products with a Nabisco label and all products with a Kellogg label contain High Fructose Corn Syrup. This has been implicated in a number of health-negative effects (obesity being one, possible liver damage being another). By contrast, General Foods (Chex, Cheerios) and Post (Kraft) cereals and most Keebler products contain sugar, invert sugar or brown sugar. None of these has been implicated in negative effects other than being empty calories.

As a consequence, my family decided we would not buy Rice Krispies, Oreos, Fig Newtons, or Corn Flakes until such time as these manufacturers get on the ball and drop their use of High Fructose Corn Syrup. In this forum, I’m calling for the rest of us to do the same. Express our concern over this unhealthy but cheap food additive by boycotting Kellogg and Nabisco products. Yeah, nothing’s better than Corn Flakes with banana or Rice Krispies with raisins, but Corn Chex and Rice Chex taste pretty close even if their texture is different and Shredded Wheat contains only wheat – nothing else (well, BHT in the packaging material).