Search Results for 'pR'

[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.

[credmond]

It’s funny, in the Wiki entry for Pennsylvania, they mention Tastykake as being one of the local food traditions – previously citing Pennsylvania as the capital of the snack food world. Yum, I think I can even remember one of their radio jingles. I’d said caramel earlier, obviously I meant to say butterscotch. That’s probably also the only butterscotch item I ever liked – hate the stuff, otherwise. I always thought they put something in the recipe so that it would become addicting. Also, apparently Philadelphia is the heart of the American food flavor and scent industry. Knew someone who worked there and they were always inventing new compounds which totally tasted or smelled like – a Jones Soda. Wonder who does the chemistry work for Jones.

[GenHillOne]

I can’t think of any WS tie, except perhaps our new neighbor from the Gates Foundation, but if you haven’t seen his video from the Consumer Electronics Show, you must check out Bill. I won’t try to link to You Tube, but go to kiro710.com and choose Bill Gates “click here” then “see the video” – SO funny. I have new respect for Bill, his self-deprecating sense of humor, and his rolodex!

[cburns]

I think there was a previous thread about stylists in WS but that may have gone dormant. I’ve been heading downtown for haircuts for ages, but thinking about switching to a neighborhood salon. Nothing fancy (i.e. color, perm, etc), just in the market for relatively straight-forward, slightly stylish hair cutting. Curious what recommendations others may have. Thanks.

[Ken]

Kinsley: a joke quote from Wikipedia:

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On July 12, 2006 Kinsley underwent a form of surgery known as deep brain stimulation, to treat his Parkinson’s Disease. Initial reports suggest that the operation was a success. According to a joke reference in Time Magazine, Kinsley’s first words out of the operating room were, “Well, of course, when you cut taxes, government revenues go up. Why couldn’t I see that before?”[2

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So I wonder if he will show up at the caucus in his precinct?

[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.

[Ken]

No Cite. But delegate counts are known long before the convention in most cases. The last nearly brokered convention was in 1976 Republican convention where delegates shifted away from Reagan over to Ford. On the Dem side I think it was Carter and Kennedy.

In both cases WA delegates had the same power as any other delegates and super-delegates can often change their commitments in the middle of the primary/caucus season.

Delegate count is mostly a PR value if a clear nominee emerges, and life and death importance if one does not.

So, the answer is,

It depends.

[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]

RE super delegates:

Both parties have them and they are elected officials above a certain level (what determines the level is probably in each State/National parties bylaws somewhere)and party officials also determined by those same bylaws.

Indirectly, PCO’s voted for the party officials (actually we voted for people who voted for the

party officials) And the electorate voted for the elected officials who are also super delegates.

For convention delegates, the caucus is the only source for non super delegates on the Dem side.

The Republicans will choose half at the caucus and half at the primary.. unless they change their mind.

If Huck or Ron Paul were to win the republican caucus, then the party is not above a little top down retroactive maneuvering if it is commanded to by the RNC.

I am under no illusion that the WA Dems would not buckle under the same kind of pressure from the DNC, but there does not seem to be any similar divisions on the Dem side. I suspect all Dems agree that any random Democrat pulled stinking drunk out of a Drinking Liberally meeting, would be a better choice than the current administration or the current crop of Republican wannabees.

If you’re not in the trenches for a particular candidate or party, then stock up on popcorn since this is probably going to be quite entertaining.

[FreeRangeAuthor]

I haven’t watched (or heard) any Party National Prez Convention in more than 20 years.

Of those I recall seeing, in my youth, it appeared that voting from the floor occurred in alphabetical order by State name. I also recall that long before the alphabet got around to Washington, enough delegates had voted to select a nominee (50% + 1), so that the Convention rules were suspended and the remaining States voted by acclamation, since the winner already had enough votes. Voting by the remaining States would not change the outcome, so acclamation was used.

If this is common at most Conventions, it seems to make Washington delegates, for both Parties, moot – they never get tallied individually. Even with a second or third ballot, the counting my not reach the States at the end of the alphabet before enough votes are accumulated, and acclamation used for the remaining States.

Can anyone cite any National Convention, for either Party, where Washington delegates changed the outcome of the vote?

[FreeRangeAuthor]

Here are a couple resources about the caucus, if you support Ron Paul for Prez,

http://www.washington4ron.info

West Seattle Meetup Group for Ron Paul

http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1469/

[FreeRangeAuthor]

Some time last year I thought I heard that Dem Prez delegates (to the National convention) were to be selected by PCO’s, not the public at caucus or primary.

Where can we find the official rules about who will determine Prez delegates to the National convention, from Washington State?

I’ve tried looking around the official County and State Dem web sites, but found nothing that clarifies, with authority, who will select the delegates.

If it’s still just PCO’s, then the caucus and primary are just straw polls, for the Democrat Party.

Thanks for the clarification.

UPDATE: This article (link below) seems to indicate the caucus will select Dem Prez delegates, but the Primary will not. “The state Democratic Party, as it has in prior years, will ignore the results of the statewide vote [Primary] …”

I may have been confused by the issue of “super delegates”, which are selected from within the Party … “Another 17 Democratic delegates will be “super-delegates,” elected officials and high party officers who are free to back the candidate of their choice at the conventions”

source,

http://snipurl.com/1wrxu

Seattle Times, June 10, 2007

[westwood]

The Little League fields are near Alki, the Pee Wee fields are in Highland Park. So if you live in Admiral or Alki, Little League is probably your better bet. If you live in the south end of WS, Pee Wee will be easier. Your son will be playing T-Ball at 5, so you can always switch later if you wish. My son loved Pee Wee. They play T-Ball, then two years of B ball, then two of A ball, then Bronco at Lincoln Park. Each level changes the rules. Coaches pitch most of the time in B-ball.

Good luck.

[Keith]

grr, Comcast recently dumped the Microsoft-created user interface for a new one. It’s definitely an improvement. And they do have HD channels, just added 5-6 new ones for a total of about 20.

I’ve never gone the dish/direct route because I don’t want to mess with it and I like having OnDemand. I do wish we could move into “a la carte” with cable where you could pick and choose the channels you want, as there are many (most!) that I never watch.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Comcast service, especially compared to other utilities and services.

[JanS]

I know I, for one, will be at WSHS for my caucus on Feb. 09, as will my daughter, who, at age 27, is finally realizing how important these processes are. Why let someone else make the decision for us?

[Anonymous]

Im looking for recommendations for a great painter for re-painting the exterior of my home this spring. Any suggesions ?

[WSB]

Well, just to tamp the cynicism a tiny bit: As we posted here in finally belatedly introducing ourselves last month, I worked in “conventional media” for many years, including 14-plus years as a manager in TV news departments here in Seattle. The political coverage was always “my thing” because few people in the newsroom really took the time to pay attention to it, get passionate about it, learn about the people and the issues, much more a case of negligence than deliberate malfeasance. But — and this is part of the reason why I have left that business — it’s true, it doesn’t get much coverage any more till the last minute, hard to squeeze it in between the latest bursts of mayhem coverage, which is where most local tv news is hanging most of its hats right now. But thank heavens for this here medium that we are all using for communication right this moment … it makes it possible to learn as much as you want to know, provided it’s not too tough to find. Which is part of our mission here in this small corner of the Internet: make the hyperlocally relevant info easy to find. Going to add an election page before long. — TR @ WSB

[Ken]

If I remember correctly. The newspapers hold off until the state and county parties buy some ads.

Free milk vs cow and all that.

The last two weeks is when they will start using the press releases and manage to mangle the details in editing.

The tv stations will mash it up with some incomprehensible fake controversy and then run it on the weekend before or like some times in the past, not mention it until it is over at which point it becomes “news”.

It is an old game around here.

Even some of the liberal web sites think the “primary” is the relevant part of the process. It is if you’re a republican… They will choose half the GOP delegates at the caucus/straw poll and half via the primary.

[Kayleigh]

Loved the video, Jan.

Anybody considering voting for the genial and charming Mr. Huckabee, please read more about him. I realize Rolling Stone is not The Washington Post, but I go where I can to find provacative, interesting reporting (which is scarce now)…

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/17324246/matt_taibbi_on_mike_huckabee_our_favorite_rightwing_nut_job

[WSB]

The other half of the team, who is up and reading the NY Times on Sundays hours before we creak to life, notes that Michael Kinsley (moving to WS or perhaps already here, as we reported last month:

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=4809 )

has an item in today’s NYT about the presidential candidates and “change”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/opinion/06kinsley.html

[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/

[JanS]

chas…I saw an article about a car just the other day…that gets “300 mpg”…runs partially on electricity, so the “mpg” thing doens’t ring very true, as…how do you measure electricity in mpg’s…but it was an interesting looking vehicle…

jetson’s , anyone?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html?series=19

I find it interesting that more and more people are talking about the economy, especially surrounding gas prices, which in turn raises prices on goods, while sometimes income doesn’t keep up…as opposed to the war in Iraq, etc, becoming a lesser important thing…like it’s there, we’re learning to live with it, it’s just a fact, oh, well…very interesting indeed…

[WSB]

We actually are posting a feature on the Pee Wee group, probably tomorrow – interviewed its president a few days back. Their registration is under way now. We also have a message out to a contact with West Seattle Little League to ask them about any key dates coming up so we can share that info too.

[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]

If you’re lucky, on a Comcast main trunk, in a popular area for them then you’ll do fine. If there’s a lot of Comcast folks in a single neighborhood, they respond fast if one of them has a problem, they don’t want to generate a serious customer migration. We’ve got two digital set boxes – now about 5 years old, and two equally ancient remotes. The Comcast software is only slightly less sucky than the AAT MotoRazr software on my cell phone – which is to say they both suck a lot. But they work, and like an old microwave, they do what you tell them to do even if it takes some weird contortion of the buttons to do it. If you’re in some isolated Comcast, single customer, zone, I’d expect your service would get pretty bad even if you had their latest set boxes and fancy, back-lit, remotes. Ask around, if other neighbors in your area have Comcast and are happy with it, then you in the right area for Comcast. If you see a lot of dish antennas on people’s houses or balcony’s, see which one has the most logos and ask a couple of folks what they think.

I personally think it totally depends on where you are in West Seattle. I think Highland Park/White Center is a dish network area. Gatewood Hill seems to be a fairly happy Comcast area. The Junction seems to be in love with their DSL (and why not, the freakin’ switch is about 100 yards from everyone).