Democrats Squander Eastside County Council Opportunity

The winds have changed in the Suburbs of East King County. Once a solid Republican area, Democrats have recently captured seats in every legislative district but the 5th. Still frustration is in the air as long time Republican County Councilwoman Jane Hague (above) seems to be unraveling with one embarrassing revelation after another. The twist is that Hague's Democratic foe, Richard Pope is a perennial office seeker who as run as both a Republican and Democrat without capturing the heart of either party nor any single office. He has lost 11 races for public office according to the Seattle PI.

Washington Supreme Court--Government Should Not Be Truth Police

In an unusual case where the ACLU and one Liberal sided with 3 Conservative justices and took on 4 Left leaning judges defending a Republican thinking Democratic Legislator, the
Washington Supreme Court struck down a 1999 law that prohibits candidates for public office from intentionally lying.
Conservative Tim Sheldon invoked the law when his opponent, Green Party candidate Marilou Rickert sent out a pamphlet which allegedly falsified his voting record. Rickert appealed the ruling. The ACLU argued that the law was an abridgement of the first amendment. That point is debatable. Laws requiring truth in advertising seem to withstand legal scrutiny.
I really think that this should motivate the public to do their own homework. Study the candidates and find out what they really are saying. I think voters as a whole, vote on emotion for the most part and that is too bad.

Maple Valley Case Mystifies World

Maple Valley woman Tanya Rider is a household name after being found alive on highway 169 severely injured but still alive. The case has put the King County Sheriff's Department under a microscope after allegation from Rider's husband that authorities would not begin an immediate search for her. It is my hope that Ms Rider makes a complete recovery. There is no doubt that there is much more to this story than we have heard so far.

The Seattle Times has printed a time line to this story.

Seahawks Beat 49ers At "The Stick"

The game was never exciting, but the results were satisfying. The Seattle Seahawks handily defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-3 in San Francisco. You may remember that last year the 49ers beat Seattle twice.

Alex Smith, who played brilliantly against the Seahawks last season went out in the first quarter after being sacked by Rocky Bernard. Ex Seahawk Trent Dilfer came in to replace Smith but was very rusty and ineffective after sitting for two seasons.

Deion Branch had 7 catches for 130 yards and Matt Hasselbeck threw touchdown passes to Bobby Engram and Marcus Pollard. Josh Brown had 3 field goals.

Sharon Mast Is Pick For DNC

Democrats from across the Washington state enjoyed the Hospitality of Picturesque Wenatchee and picked Sharon Mast to replace Karen Marchioro as DNC representative. Mast was chosen on the third ballot after a hard fought battle with Southwestern Washington populist Cathi Bailey. My choice, Di Irons , was able to go to the second ballot after a coin toss. Irons had tied for third with Lexi Smith on the first ballot.

The meeting featured a moving slide show tribute to Marchioro.

Wikipedia: A Good Reference But Beware

I have been called into question for using the Wikipedia as a reference. The Wiki is basically open to anyone who has a computer. We all know that is a recipe for disaster but the Wiki seems to work. Because anyone can contribute, it has a localized flavor. That is people write about things that are important to them. I was surprised at how much Seattle and Washington state information is contained there. I would imagine that is because people in the area contribute many articles. I do not know anyone who has written or edited the wiki except for myself. I have contributed 4 articles that have since been updated and edited. I make a good effort to use footnotes and site my sources. One example is the Baker-Boyer Bank (pictured above) from Walla Walla.

I have also a number of family members that are listed.

Seahawks Win Thriller 24-21

A couple of last minute plays made the difference today between a dismal turn to this young season and a promising one as the Seattle Seahawks edged the Cincinnatti Bengals 24-21. The Seahawks, who despite making some heads up plays in the game, could not get any break in the second half until Matt Hasselbeck found Nate Burleson for a 22 yard score with barely a minute remaining. For the second week in a row, a young USC quarterback was effective against our defense. Last week, it was Matt Leinart, who engineered a Cardinal victory, this week it was Carson Palmer perplexing our defense and coming close to doing the same. After the Burleson touchdown it looked like hang-on time, but Seahawk special teams player Lance Laury, made a jarring hit on Bengal Return man Glen Holt during the kick-off and the Hawks had the ball back and only had to run out the clock.

Di Irons For DNC Rep

This weekend, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee will be asked to do the impossible. We will have to find a replacement for the Late Karen Marchioro. Di Irons, my fellow 5th legislative district state committee person is seeking that post.
The DNC (Democratic National Committee) is charged with "working with national, state, and local party organizations, framing the national platform, and planning the national quadrennial presidential nominating convention. Our state sends 2 male and 2 female reps to meet with other reps from across the United States.
Di Irons has been a friend, mentor and consultant to me for many years. She serves on the State Finance Committee as well as the Rural and Agricultural Caucus. She has served as treasurer on several campaigns and a three time candidate for public office. Whenever a political event takes place in our corner of the county, you can bet that Di has made to major contribution to it in some way.
Di Irons deserves the position on the DNC and I would urge the committee to join me and vote for her.

Million Dollar House In WW

This entry caught my eye in the Puget Sound Business Journal. It does not seem that long ago when it was big news in Walla Walla when a house sold for over 100 thousand. The above pictured house (sorry about the bad quality and small size) on Palouse Street, three houses down from the house where I grew up is listing at 1,100,000 dollars!

Is This The End Of The Line For The Juice?

Are we about to go through another OJ nightmare? Sources say OJ Simpson is being held in connection with an armed robbery in Las Vegas. It was 13 years ago when OJ Simpson, a once boyhood hero of mine, was implicated in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole. At the time, OJ had a reputation as one of the sporting world's good guys. Further looks into his life as a retired football player showed that he may not have been the white knight that he was thought to be. He fought the charges by hiring a cadre of the world's best attorney's who then proceeded to create reasonable doubt (yes you can create reasonable doubt) by suppressing evidence, handpicking a jury and by playing to racial fears and prejudices that really did exist in the area.
This time, the aging Simpson's reputation is less than "sterling", his brilliant attorney Johnny Cochran is no longer with us and it may be harder to find a predominately black jury in
Las Vegas. It is important that OJ receive a fair trial and that the wheels of justice bring the proper verdict.

Hawks Battle Back But Can't Cage Cards

For a short time it looked like the usual story for the Seahawks, slow start, other team gets big lead and the Hawks come back in the second half. This time the Arizona Cardinals did not follow the script.

Down 17-0 toward the end of the second quarter, Matt Hasselbeck found Nate Burleson for a 24 yard touchdown pass. When Lofa Tatupu intercepted a pass in the third quarter to set up a Shaun Alexander touchdown run, it was clear the momentum had shifted in favor of the Seahawks. The Hawks pulled ahead with two Josh Brown field goals.

In the fourth quarter, Cardinal kicker Neil Rackers hit a 56 yard field goal, he had previously missed one at that yardage early in the game. The Seahawks got the ball back and marched down field with smart clock management seemingly on the verge of setting up a game winning field goal. It was not to be as a stunning miscommunication between Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander caused the Hawks to fumble and lose the ball. The Hawk defense could not pull through and Neil Rackers ended the game with a 42 yard field goal.

Seahawks Add Depth At QB

The Seattle Seahawk have acquired Charlie Frye from the Cleveland Browns. Frye is a 3rd year quarterback out of Akron, who through 10 touchdown passes last year. Frye will back up Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace.

Seahawks Open Season With Win Over Bucs

If Seattle Star quarterback Matt Hasselbeck thinks he has gotten flack for giving an autographed football to President Bush, it would be nothing compared to a loss at home to the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fortunately, the 'Hawks were able to find their way in the second half as they defeated the Buc 20-6. The Seahawks were up by a thin touchdown halfway the fourth quarter, when Hasselbeck found little used running back Maurice Morris for a 37 yard touchdown. Saun Alexander finished the game with 105 yards and one touchdown.
Matt had been in the unaccustomed role of taking criticism from Seahawk fans for his show of approval for President Bush. Longtime Republican Mack Strong had also experienced some negative reaction. I think that fans should leave politics out of the mix and cheer these two longtime Seahawk stars.

One Final Summer Trip

We returned last week from Las Vegas. We went to LOVE, the Cirque de Soleil tribute to the Beatles. We went to the "Bar At Times Square" to see the dueling pianos. That is not me in the green hat, that piano player is much bigger than me. Also, we caught the Fremont Street light show and spent our daytime at the swimming pool. We stayed at the MGM Grand.

Good Luck Seattle Seahawks!

What Other Bloggers Are Saying

Cindy Callinsky, one of America's most promising new authors, is the daughter of a US Veteran. She is a supporter of the troops yet, in this piece, she questions America's involvement in the Iraq conflict. Please read

KYYX Radio Tribute Site

There are many web sites dedicated to defunct Radio Stations. I was knocked out by this one on the station where I have so many fond memories, KYYX.

Jennifer Dunn's Death Shocks Our State

Former Washington 8th District Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn has died. Dunn headed the Washington State Republican party while the late Karen Marchioro headed the State Democratic Party. While it was well known that Marchioro was ill, Dunn did not seem to show any sign of poor health. Dunn's two decades of service to the state earned her praise from both Democrats and Republicans.

Seahawks Win Final Exhibition

The Seahawks finished there exhibition season with a rather unconvincing victory over the long floundering Oakland Raiders 19-14. The victory came 5 short days after another win against Minnesota, which gave Hawk fans a sigh of relief after a thorough embarrassment in Green Bay. Neither game showed enough to make us confident for a return to the Super Bowl.
The two Seahawk victories, no matter how meaningless they were, where a welcome contrast to the sudden fall of the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners after pulling within three games of the LA Angels from Anaheim (they really are the Anaheim Angels from LA, but that's a different story), have lost 7 games in a row. Last Tuesday loss at Safeco after building a five run lead, seems to have ripped the heart out of this team.

Farewell To Karen Marchioro

Washington state politics are a little duller today, as Karen Marchioro died of cancer today. Marchioro was best known as chair of the Washington State Democrats during the 1980s. The Republicans also had a woman state chair named Jennifer Dunn. The two women reflected their parties well. Dunn was demure and stylish, Marchioro was outspoken and hardscrabble.

She was active with anti-Vietnam protests when she first got involved in politics. She most recently was our representative to the Democratic National Committee. I rubbed elbow with Karen many times at Democratic meetings and I was always a little wide-eyed running into her. I mean she had such a history. She was very cordial and always had time to share her opinion. We exchanged many e-mails discussing the issues of the time.

Thank you to washblog for the picture. (Karen with Senator Warren Magnuson)

Final Tune Up For Seattle Seahawks

It's do or die for many wishing to play for the Seahawks, as they play their final exhibition game against the Oakland Raider tonight in Qwest Field. After the game, it will be up to Coach Mike Holmgren to trim the roster to the regulation size. Many of the players that we have seen for the past few weeks will not be in the NFL.

Seahawks Slip Past Vikings

The Seahawks got back on the winning track last night beating the Minnesota Vikings 30-13. Matt Hasselbeck ran into his old nemesis EJ Henderson again as the Minnesota lineman sacked him on the second drive. Henderson was the player who last year rolled of a block and hit Hasselbeck's knee, putting the Hawk's star quarterback out for a month. While watching the game, I wondered why it is necessary to have instant replay in an exhibition game. Saun Alexander had a one yard touchdown run.

Walla Walla To Get Luxury Condos Over Former Scrap Yard

Over in Walla Walla, Washington, the Corner of North 4th Street And Sumac, once scale and Junk yard for B. Barer And Sons will soon be transformed, according to my brother Steve. For decades, the fenced enclosure had little but rotting truck bodies and high weeds. Now Windemere is developing an upscale living development. The name of the project is Vue 22. You may say that the yard has gone from scale to upscale!

2007 Sports Sad Summer

One True Media

Penticton 07

Thank you to Cindy Callinsky for introducing me to onetruemedia.com It can make anyone look like an expert. You can click on the picture to see some of my "work".

Mariners Bleach The White Sox

The Seattle Mariners kept up their slim lead in the American League Wild Card Race by beating the Chicago White Sox 11-5. Winning pitcher Felix Hernandez looked mortal in a 10 hit, five earned run outing, but had tremendous offensive support, as the M's had 10 hits as well.

Educated Or Whitewashed: Baird Changes Mind On Iraq

Washington's 3rd District Congressman Brian Baird has altered his stance on Iraq. Baird, who has opposed military involvement in Iraq, has just returned from a trip to the Middle East. He now says an immediate withdrawal would aid Iran and compromise US Security (paraphrase).

This view will no doubt bring heat from much of his constituency. Already there is a "told you so" attitude from Right Wingers. In fact, Baird may be the Right's new poster boy.

I think more likely it show that in policy, nothing is "black and white" We all view issues with our own prejudices and slant, believing that the villains were the black hats. It could be that Baird is showing that we in the Democratic Party can take a pragmatic approach to the problem. That while the invasion was not one of our best decisions, we need to take time to clean up any mess that we made. Time will tell where all of this will lead.

Seahawks Vs Green Bay: Glad It Does Not Count

I've never been a real fan of "exhibition" football. Generally, starters only play a fraction of the game, so by the middle of the second quarter, it stops being exciting or even pleasant to watch. The Seattle Seahawks can only hope that yesterday's 48-13 thrashing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers was not a sign for things to come. The Pack had over 30 points by halftime to put this game to bed early and the only consequence from this game was the round thrashing by Coach Mike Holmgren who said that the reason there were no major injuries in the game is his players did not hit anyone.

Happy Birthday, Debbie

My little sister's birthday is today.

New York Vinnie Leaves KIRO

I'm sure it was said at one time that noone could fill the shoes of former KIRO sportscaster Wayne Cody. In most ways, New York Vinnie comes close. The talk show host made his name at Sportsradio KJR, during the fight to save the Mariners. Sounding more like a New York cabbie than a cookie cutter sportscaster, Vinnie dazzled listeners with his anecdotes about baseball in the Big Apple and what sports can mean to a community. It may be said that New York Vinnie was just as important to saving baseball in Seattle as Lou Piniella and Ken Griffey, Jr. After losing his gig with KJR, Vinnie turned up at KIRO. Last week, he was let go along with Ron Reagan as the station revamped it's format. Here is wishing happy landings for Vinnie.

Lee Hazlewood Passes On

Lee Goldberg's blog A Writer's Life informed me of the passing of Lee Hazlewood. Hazlewood is said to be the artist behind the career of Nancy Sinatra. He wrote "These Boots Are Made For Walkin" and did duets with Nancy on Summer Wine, Jackson, and Some Velvet Morning.

It is a rather said irony that cigarettes which contributed to his trademark rough voice also may have contributed to his early death.

Pics From The Oregon Coast

At the end of last month, we spent a little time in Seaside Oregon

I thought that I would share a few pictures. It is often forgotten that the Necanicum River flows through the town, we rented a paddle boat (as scene above) with somewhat humorous results. Next picture shows the famous Seaside Prom. The last one was taken on the beach at Ecola Park.

Homerun 756*

Barry Bonds now has hit more homeruns than any other player in Major League history passing Hank Aaron. We can now get back to the baseball season and enjoy the tight pennant races.

It's Oh Boy Oberto!

The 2007 Chevrolet Cup Hydroplane Race concluded today as Steve David piloted the U-6 Oh Boy Oberto to an upset victory. The Chevrolet Cup race marks the grand finale of Seattle's anual Seafair. The win took place on the 80th birthday of U-6 owner Art Oberto.

More Pictures From My 50th!

A wonderful gathering of family and friends. July 14, 2007, Doc Maynards, Seattle WA. Thank you to everyone!

Seahawks Kick Off Their Regular Season September 9

The 2007 version of the Seattle Seahawks start their regular season Sunday September 9 in Qwest Field. The 2005 NFC champs will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Look here for another season of Seahawk blogging beginning August 12th when the Hawks travel to San Diego to play the Chargers in exhibition play.

A Moment Of Silence

We mourn the victims of the I-33 crash in Minnesota.

Burl Barer To Pass Threshold

Coming next Thursday (August 9th) it's "So Long F years" (40s and 50s) and "Hello S Years" (60s and 70s) as Burl Barer turns 60. You can read about Burl in the Wikipedia.