If even Clinton gets it, what's wrong with the rest of the neo-comm scum?

Even Bill Clinton doesn't believe that Bush lied about Iraq. So, how come Dr. Dean/Mr. Hyde and the Leftist scum in Congress can't figure it out?




World will be better off when peace reached in Iraq: Clinton

Santiago, June. 25 (AP): Former US President Bill Clinton, has said the world and Iraqi people will be better off once peace is reached in Iraq.

He said yesterday he thinks President George W Bush ordered the attack on Iraq genuinely convinced that its President Saddam Hussein was storing arms of mass destruction.

Answering questions from three Chilean newsmen after addressing a gathering a crowd of some 2,000 made up mainly of business executives, Clinton said the main errors by the Bush administration regarding Iraq were miscalculating both the world reaction and "how hard it would be to gain peace."

But once peace is reached, "the world will be better off, the Iraqi people will be better off," Clinton said.

More...

When I read crap like this, I can understand why that idiot refered to women "wearing white like any other kitchen appliance."

Babs Boxer (D-naturally, CA) Is a leading example of the Leftist fringe scum infesting the democrat party. Read this tripe from her, and you'll see why.

Barbara Boxer Interview

Ruth Conniff
From the July 2005 Issue

In her third term in the U.S. Senate, Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, has come out swinging, the most visible and vocal opponent of the Republicans and George W. Bush in Washington, D.C. The petite, Brooklyn-born grandmother won a landslide reelection victory in 2004, receiving the third-highest number of votes in the nation, right behind John Kerry and George W. Bush. She wasted no time before she got down to the business of opposing the President. On January 6, she joined Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Democrat of Ohio, in objecting to the certification of Ohio’s electoral votes in the 2004 Presidential election. It was the beginning of what activists dubbed “The Boxer Rebellion.” On Valentine’s Day, fans sent 4,500 roses to Boxer’s office, as thanks for her stand against voter disenfranchisement and for talking back to the Bush Administration. She hasn’t let them down since.

More (If you can stomach it)...

Newspaper cluelessness continues - The Seattle PI blows it: Iraq Occupation: This war can't be won

It's reasonably clear to me that the media learned nothing from Vietnam.

The media was a major reason (Not the only reason, but a major reason) why we lost that war... and why we may, ultimately, lose this one.

The PI has, apparently, signed on to the Kucinich Approach, a harbinger of a strange and wonderful world that *I* thought no one but ol' Dennis could see.

They actually believe that withdrawal, followed by a massive infusion of aid will solve all of this.

What monumental arrogance.

A withdrawal now will lead to an immediate, extensive and bloody civil war... a war where retribution will be the order of the day, and the murderous terrorist scum who will inevitably win such a conflagration, will then hunt down and slaughter anyone even perceived to have helped the Coalition.

The PI, like most on the Left, are short-sighted and blindered by their hatred of Bush. They would advocate the deaths of tens of thousands for their political agenda.

Things are not going well in Iraq. And a HUGE part of that is caused by editorials like this one... by Leftists like Durbin, Kennedy and Reid.

Do the writers of this irresponsible pap even begin how damaging it is to our troops in the field? How this kind of nonsense strengthens our enemies?

What am I saying? Of COURSE they do. That's why they're doing it.

Otherwise, why would they use the musings of two-internationally renown foreign and domestic policy experts like these two?

No.... wait... these two don't know jack about either of those fields... they're OIL workers, for God's sake. Taking their word as having any meaning on this issue is as idiotic as listening to anyone on Air America, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon or Martin Sheen, nice guys all, but totally without education, background or experience in the areas they shoot off their collective mouths on the most.

Iraq Occupation: This war can't be won

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

The questions about U.S. presence in Iraq aren't about winning or losing. The driving factor must be improving, protecting and respecting the lives of the Iraqi people.

Those are people such as Hassan Juma Awad and Faleh Abood Umara, two oil worker union leaders from the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Visiting Seattle with the King County Labor Council yesterday, the two men had no doubt about what the United States can do next to help their country recover from the reign of Saddam Hussein, whom Awad refers to as "a criminal, in capital letters."

The occupation, they believe, must end. And withdrawal must be followed by a massive rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure, with U.S. support.

More...

The "Grey" of the abhorrent Supreme Court decision destroying private property rights.

I still simply cannot believe the monumental stupidity displayed by the Supreme Court in their decision yesterday to allow public condemnation for a private purpose.

Washington State's Constitution; somewhat more farsighted apparently, then the Federal template, provides some level of protection from this leftist USC idiocy.





Friday, June 24, 2005

Washington Constitution limits 'eminent domain' takings
By JENNIFER LANGSTON
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving local governments broad powers to condemn homes to make way for economic development projects isn't likely to have a big effect in Washington.

The state constitution has stricter prohibitions against condemning land for private uses, legal experts said yesterday.

The Washington Supreme Court has also defined a "public use" for which a city can use eminent domain more narrowly, according to Attorney General Rob McKenna.

Local governments generally haven't been allowed to condemn a home or business and then turn around and sell it to someone in the private sector, said Hugh Spitzer, who teaches constitutional law at the University of Washington.

"Our court has said if there's real blight -- dilapidated houses, juvenile delinquency, health problems, hazardous waste -- then (a city) can do it," he said. "It can't just do it because they think it would be neater or better for the economy."

The city of Seattle, for instance, was blocked from using its power of eminent domain to bulldoze several businesses on land that was originally supposed to be part of the private Westlake Center mall redevelopment.

The courts did allow the city to condemn property for the plaza, because that was considered a legitimate public use, according to the Seattle City Attorney's Office.

Still, there are plenty of places -- such as South Lake Union -- where the city has sold property that was originally condemned for freeway extensions or other public projects that never happened, said Steve DiJulio, a land-use attorney at Foster Pepper & Shefelman.

"You have examples throughout the history of Northwest development where properties were condemned and the project failed, and it found its way by default back to private development," he said.

The Cowlitz get busted in the chops AGAIN: NASCAR track goes to Bremerton.

Gloating aside, this thing shouldn't cost the taxpayers of this state one dime. But, and you heard it here first, a grateful and democrat controlled Legislature will give this project millions.

That said, it's clear the Cowlitz Tribe never were serious contenders for this track. And I hope that the people of the peninsula like it.

Source: ORBUSMAX.com





Bremerton Airport Site Chosen For NASCAR Racetrack

POSTED: 8:02 am PDT June 23, 2005
UPDATED: 11:44 am PDT June 23, 2005

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- International Speedway Corp., thwarted last year in a plan to build a NASCAR racetrack about 30 miles north of Seattle, announced Thursday that it has chosen a new site across Puget Sound.

Officials of the auto racing development and promotion company based in Daytona Beach, Fla., told a news conference they want to build an 80,000-seat track on 950 acres near Washington 3 south of Bremerton National Airport along the Kitsap-Mason county line.

ISC released some details of the plan to the Kitsap Sun newspaper Wednesday but not the financing plan or naming rights.

If the Legislature grants approval and county permits are issued, construction could begin in 2007 or 2008 on a track of 7-8 of a mile to 1.2 miles surrounded by parking and camping areas with a tiered grandstand offering views of Mount Rainier in clear weather, the Sun reported.

More...

The democrat hypocrisy series: They whine about Rove, but keep their pie holes shut about Dr. Dean/Mr. Hyde and Durbin.

Dean, the democrats racist/psycho/nutjob Party Chair, makes irresponsible after psychotic after delusional statements on a regular basis, and the democrat scum at the national level remain silent

Sen. Durbin likened American military members to the Nazi’s of World War II… and the democrats remained silent. That is, after all, because democrats can practice racism, bigotry and provide aid and comfort to our enemies with impunity.

So, Karl Rove gives a speech where he nails it, identifying precisely the main democrat weakness. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers,"

That sums it up, of course. Even today, the Leftist scum infesting the democrat party and their leadership make excuses for terrorists, doing all they can to undermine our military and our President.

So, what happens? Rove tells the truth… and the Leftist neo-comms lose their minds.

Of PARTICULAR note is the RANK HYPOCRISY of Dr. Dean/Mr. Hyde, who told us: Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean calls Rove's remarks "divisive and damaging."

Compared to the tripe Dean serves up on a daily basis, Rove’s Truth, no matter how unpleasant it may be for democrats to ponder, pails in comparison.

But the most monumental hypocrisy I have EVER seen in a Senator is this choice tidbit: Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says Rove should apologize, or resign.

So… Reid’s number two likens our troops to Nazis and scumbag Reid keeps his mouth shut. Rove tells it like it is and Reid has the balls to demand he resign?

Can there be a bigger example of the hypocrisy permeating the scumbag Leftist neo-comm fringe?


White House defends Rove 9/11 remarks after Dems demand apology

(White House-AP) June 23, 2005 - The White House is rejecting Democratic demands that Karl Rove apologize for saying liberals meekly offered "therapy" for the terrorists as a response to 9/11.

Press Secretary Scott McClellan says President Bush's top political adviser was just "telling it like it is." Rove delivered his blast a few miles from Ground Zero in New York, at a Conservative Party dinner, he said liberals sought "understanding" for the attack and Democrats called for "moderation and restraint" while President Bush saw it for what it was: a declaration of war.

McClellan says Rove wasn't getting personal, just describing different philosophies.

Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean calls Rove's remarks "divisive and damaging." Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says Rove should apologize, or resign.

More...

A sad day for America: Property rights? What property rights?

In a bizarre, unconscionable and inexcusable decision, the US Supreme Court destroyed property rights with one fell swoop by deciding that cities can use private development as the reason to exercise eminent domain over private property.

As an illustration, what this means is that the Taliban City Government of Vancouver may, at their own discretion, tear down every piece of private property in their government-funded downtown area so they can give it all to their friends… and there’s nothing the private property owner can do about it.

As you might expect, the Court Leftists exercised this peculiar brand of communism, and completely non-responsive governments like the Boss Hogg variety running Vancouver will use it to the hilt.

Locally, that means the recipients of the massive tax breaks handed out like samples in Vancouver now have an additional tool in their bag to screw the people.

The Left should be proud.



washingtonpost.com
Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes



By HOPE YEN
The Associated Press
Thursday, June 23, 2005; 11:13 AM

WASHINGTON -- A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights.

The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.

As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.

More...

The Columbia blows it: In Our View: Sensible Solution

One of the things that any regular reader of the Columbian can count on, much like death and taxes is for the Columbian to make every effort to destroy democracy as practiced through the initiative process.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the writers of these little nag pieces fail to understand that critical article of our state Constitution, as mentioned below.

Instead of stridently condemning initiative efforts, newspapers and other alleged pillars of our societies should support these and other efforts to seek out and implement the will of the people.

But here, we have yet another example of the confusion reigning in the Columbian’s editorial corridors. They are simply unable to understand that the direct word of the voters of this state reigns supreme. They are unable to understand that, merely because it conflicts with the agenda of the Columbian, that doesn’t make it bad… or a question that should not be taken or an initiative that should go in front of the people of this state… the people who pay the bills… the people who want a say on this matter.

Instead, we get nonsensical pontificating here people who, quite apparently, know no more about democratic practice then they do brain surgery, tell us “'When it comes to the will of the people, House Transportation Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, told The Associated Press this week: 'The will of the people is to prevent a loss of life from any number of bridges that might collapse. I think that it's time to move forward. It's an emergency.'"

'Remember, too, that this 9.5-cent gas tax, to be phased in over four years, was decided by legislators who were elected by voters, and dispatched to Olympia to make difficult decisions about transportation funding.'”

That is utter nonsense, of course.

Neither the Columbian nor Rep. Murray are interested in determining the will of the people when that will might conflict with their agenda… so what do they tell us? “Don’t make any effort to find out exactly what that will is.”

The fact that the Columbian deliberately wants you to overlook… The turd in the punchbowl, if you will is this: The will of the Legislature or the City Council of Vancouver is NOT superior to the actual will of the people. That said, if this tax is implemented and the bonds sold… If we get rid of EVERY Legislator who voted for this as well as the governor who signed it into law, it would change NOTHING. We would STILL have to pay the tax.

We have an initiative system in place for PRECISELY this reason. The Founding Fathers of this state could easily see a time or circumstance where our state’s government would cheerfully ignore what the people wanted. Why the heck else do you think they put an initiative process into place in the first place?

And when it comes to this BS: “was decided by legislators who were elected by voters, and dispatched to Olympia to make difficult decisions about transportation funding,” how many of these guys were elected on a platform of implementing the largest gas tax increase in the history of the United States?

We all know the answer… and it is zero.

In fact, did we not have a governor who ran on exactly the opposite plank? Was she not quoted in the Seattle Times as saying she, “In fact, during last year's campaign, Gregoire said she opposed — at least for now — raising the gas tax?”

Thus, the Columbian editorial today condemning efforts to allow the people of this state to have a direct voice in this decision is rife with lies, half lies and outright propaganda. But then, since the Columbian supports the gas tax increase, like they did light rail and the Pollard Hilton, could we reasonably expect them to write anything else?

In the end, if this tax is so important... if what it does is so very necessary... then the fine folks so rabidly supporting the increase should have no difficulty convincing the people of this state of that necessity during the upcoming campaign. And if they can't convince us of the necessity... then the tax deserves to go away.





In Our View - Sensible Solution
Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Facing a July 8 deadline for gathering 275,000 signatures, members of the No New Gas Tax group are pounding the pavement seeking support for Initiative 912.

Last week the group even took the matter to court, attempting to stop the state from collecting the tax prior to the signature deadline.

Our advice is to ignore the signature gatherers, for several reasons. They are bleating, incorrectly, that the will of the people is being ignored. They point to voter rejection in 2002 of a 9-cent gas tax. Remember, though, that the 2002 voters' voice was followed by the legislatively approved nickel gas tax that most sensible Washingtonians now believe was a good idea.

More...

Newspapers don't get it on the gas tax.

Article One, Section One of the Washington State Constitution is pretty straight forward:

SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER.

All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.

You got that? "ALL POLITICAL POWER IS INHERENT IN THE PEOPLE."

Seems relatively simple, doesn't it? Yet many, particularly on the Left, seem incapable of grasping this simple fact, a fact that should be the basis for ANY public discussion concerning our Legislature.

Unless, of course, you could care less about what the people of this state actually want. Unless your agenda just happens to match the agenda of the Leftists running this state's government.

THEN you have the SUPREME arrogance to say this:

"It would be an inappropriate interference in the legislative process for the courts to bar imposition of the 3-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase that goes into effect July 1."

The democrat-fringe controlled Legislature knew exactly what they were doing when they put an emergency clause on this piece of crap. They did it for one reason and one reason only: to make it as difficult as possible for the people to have a say.

Governments hereabouts have learned that they can circumvent the will of the people they would govern (You know, kinda like Sen. Durbin's Nazis?) by bonding the money out as soon as possible. If you're a member of the Taliban City Government of Vancouver, you actually sue the people you would govern to insure that they would have no say in these matters.

So now, those struggling to give the people a say in their government want the courts to order that the government of this state hold off on collecting the money that they set about to collect as fast as possible, until the deadline passes for signature gathering on this initiative, and if the signatures are gathered in time, to suspend collection of the gas tax at least until November.

Some see this as an "inappropriate interference" in the legislative process.

I see the determination of the democrat socialists infesting our Legislature to put a bogus emergency clause on this tax as "inappropriate interference" in democracy.

And I believe MY "interference" trumps that of the PI.




Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Gas Tax Increase: Pennies buy plenty

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

It would be an inappropriate interference in the legislative process for the courts to bar imposition of the 3-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase that goes into effect July 1.

The increase is part of a 9.5-cent boost to be phased in over four years. Opponents of the gas tax increases have asked a Thurston County judge to delay collection until after their July 8 deadline for collecting signatures on an initiative to repeal it.

Further, if the opponents get the requisite number of signatures to put the question on the ballot, they want the court to stay collection of the increase until after the November election.

More...

Durbin’s “apology” was a NON-apology.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D, of course – Illinois) gave what was purported to be an “apology” for his despicable and treasonous remarks on the floor of the Senate… remarks that will be used to strengthen and comfort the enemies of the United States while being DIRECTLY responsible for the shedding of American blood.

It was NOT an apology. This scumbag so carefully framed his remarks… that he was toadying directly to the Leftist scum fringe that he caters to and responding purely to the massive pressure brought to bear.

But the idea that this clown could, with an allegedly straight face, say, "Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

Look, the fact is that when Durbin likened American military to Nazi’s, he KNEW what he was saying… he KNEW what he was doing, and the very idea that only SOME “MAY BELIEVE” this idiot “crossed the line” shows exactly what he was thinking in the midst of this so-called “apology.”

To Sen. Durbin, I submit that the only way you could express an apology that I would accept would be your immediate resignation of your senate seat along with a pledge to never run for any office, anywhere, again.

Otherwise, you just remain another treacherous, treasonous anti-American scumbag, not fit to lick the boots of the lowliest Private holding a rifle in Iraq.



Sen. Durbin Apologizes for Gitmo Remarks By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
Tue Jun 21, 6:09 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically infamous figures.

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

His voice quaking and tears welling in his eyes, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate also apologized to any soldiers who felt insulted by his remarks.

"They're the best. I never, ever intended any disrespect for them," he said.

More...

Clark County taxpayers buy Mimsi Marsh… wrong on so many levels.

Well, taxpayers…. Aren’t you thrilled about how the Leftist fringe controlling your money is so eager to spend it, while simultaneously costing you hundreds of thousands in lost property tax revenue?

Here’s the tariff.

First, us taxpayers will be out directly $750,000 for yet another unwanted boondoggle.

Next, we’ll be out the hundreds of thousands in property taxes that will NOT be collected… because there’s no one there to collect it FROM.

So, over the next ten years, the folks who have no problem spending OUR money… have shafted us out of, oh… $1.5 million or so. Like we can afford it.

Wonderful.

The vast majority of the Columbia River is not populated directly… nor does it need to be. We have more than adequate access to those of us who actually feel compelled to go down to the River’s edge.

We do not need to spend this kind of money on this kind of purpose… and those spending OUR money ought to reflect on this: If this dirt is so necessary… if it’s so great… then get the money from private sources to buy it.

I want MY tax dollars going to law enforcement… firefighters…. Schools. Not more environmental political correctness and sexy dirt crap.

You'da thought the Taliban City Government of Vancouver would have learned after their idiocy of saddling the local taxpayers with the debt of the Pollard Hilton.



Mimsi Marsh - Council OKs buyout of marsh area from builder

Tuesday, June 21, 2005
By ERIK ROBINSON, Columbian staff writer

A yearlong effort by neighbors and conservationists culminated Monday when the Vancouver City Council unanimously agreed to buy a 7 1/2-acre property above a piece of wildlife habitat.

Developer Doug MacDonald, who had applied to build 28 townhouses on the property near the Evergreen Highway, agreed to sell the property for $750,000. That's about $110,000 less than the city of Vancouver's appraisal. A MacDonald representative said the longtime developer could have sold the property for $1.2 million.

"This is the family giving something back to the citizens," said Woody MacLeod, MacDonald's development director in Vancouver.

Mimsi Marsh feeds into a creek that attracts hundreds of chum salmon each autumn less than a mile east of the Interstate 205 Bridge. The city council's action Monday, to be followed by a decision by Clark County commissioners today, follows a $2 million public/private buyout of a 41/2-acre parcel near the river earlier this year.

More...

More proof: The Left is all about scoring the illegal alien vote.

As I’ve mentioned previously, the democrats have made the determination that they get the fraud vote.

So now, to reinforce that conclusion, “Oregon's largest Hispanic group, labor activists and state election officials are opposing a Republican-backed plan to require people registering to vote for the first time to show proof of citizenship, a proposal that one key backer said was made necessary by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.”

Now then… why would Leftist union-types and those supporting illegal aliens OPPOSE a bill to tighten restrictions on illegal voters… Hhhhmmmmm?



Hispanic group objects to voter bill

Measure would require proof of citizenship to vote

BY BRAD CAIN
The Associated Press

June 19, 2005

Oregon's largest Hispanic group, labor activists and state election officials are opposing a Republican-backed plan to require people registering to vote for the first time to show proof of citizenship, a proposal that one key backer said was made necessary by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The measure recently was approved by the Oregon House after sponsors said that the requirement would help prevent illegal immigrants from fraudulently registering and voting.

"In part, it's a response to the post-Sept. 11 world we live in," said state Rep. Linda Flores, a Republican from Clackamas. "Citizens want us to do everything we can to preserve their rights and to secure our borders."

The bill is directed at people who are in the country illegally and also to protect the integrity of Oregon's election process, she said.

More...

From the Right Corner: Sometimes the Columbian is just retarded over the Gorge.

I dunno… I just have a problem with the rank hypocrisy the Columbian shows over the Columbian River Gorge.

Tom Koenninger, crybaby extraordinaire, apparently seems to see the Gorge has his own personal fiefdom. Were it in his power, he would drag every human in the Gorge out; tear down every manmade structure, close I-84 and Hwy 14, and only allow logs and salmon the right to transit the area.

Clearly, he continues to flex his pea-brained muscle within the editorial staff. Today’s crybaby whinfest has Koenninger’s fingerprints all over it. It smacks of the exact same kind of sniveling he exhibited the last time the Gorge Commission budget was whacked.

He bitched like a cut cat then as well. The world, as we knew it, was going to end. He stupidly, ignorantly and shortsightedly issued threat after threat, complaint after complaint, including a demand for the resignation of then-State Representative Marc Boldt, “before his constituents throw him out.”

Of course, the simple idiot failed to get it. Then Rep. Boldt was not only re-elected four more times… He now sits as a Clark County Commissioner; much, I am sure, to Koenninger’s dismay,

Tom SHOULD have read the tealeaves from those outcomes. In case he couldn’t… let me spell it out: The people of this region do NOT believe that Tom Koenninger’s judgment on the Gorge is the right one. The State Supreme Court HUMILIATED Koenninger when they destroyed the legal position of those whining about the Bea House, 9-0.

Do those who view the Gorge area as their own personal post card understand that the Constitution of the United States doesn’t magically end at the borders of the Scenic Area? Apparently not.

The Oregon legislature, no doubt at the wise council of Oregon State Senator Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day), is cutting the Gorge Commission budget. So, we are now served up the second in a no doubt long series of crap from Koenninger telling us the world is going to end and those varmints who would DARE do such a thing should, in effect, be run over with a bus, figuratively speaking.

Today’s nonsense, allegedly from the editorial board includes this crapfest:

“But they better be careful of what they wish for, or they might get it. If the gorge commission and its staff become ineffectual, you can bet that some members of Congress as well as environmental organizations will be calling for the federalizing of the scenic area and an end to the notion of the gorge as a political football.”

To that, I say, “bring it on.”

Koenninger has proven himself in the past to be the master of the empty threat.. and this threat is one of his emptiest.

Why, gentle reader, do you think that Koenninger and his Winged Monkeys, the Friends of the Gorge (appropriately enough, the FOG) failed to appeal their shellacking at the hands of the state supreme court to the US Supreme Court?

Because they knew they risked the total destruction of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Act, a dark of night, smoke-filled room piece of crap by a bunch of RINO Republicans who, like Koenninger, viewed the Scenic Area as their personal little playground, residents of the Area be damned and saw this a cheap environmental vote… because they all knew, like Koenninger knew, that THEY would never have to live under restrictions that would have made a Stalin-era commissar blush.

So, to Tom, I say this: You think you can make this happen? You think you can get this BS past a Republican Congress and a Republican President?

Bring it on.

Meanwhile, stop whining. It’s so unbecoming.

Instead, take a look at what motivated the hatred by Gorge residents for the bureaucracy that was imposed on them. Take a look at why Sen. Ferrioli feels compelled to take these actions. Perhaps you could lead a movement to address the injustice to the people of the Gorge. Perhaps you could demand an end to the economic inequity between Washington’s much more restricted side of the Columbia River and Oregon’s much more liberal side.

But that’s not likely. Addressing unfairness, addressing inequity, addressing the basic violation of the rights of the citizens of the Gorge Scenic Area… why, that would be an admission that they were wrong from the beginning… and that the way the Gorge Scenic Area is administered represents a blight on the otherwise shining example known as the Bill of Rights.

Such an admission is impossible. So, instead, we get empty threats from the empty-headed. Makes you proud to be an American, doesn’t it?

Democrat State Senator Pridemore gets it: Steve Stuart's a sellout.

You’ve got to love it. Pridemore’s got Stuart figured out, but the idjits like the “progressives” and the rest of the “environmentally aware” leftist fringe? Why, they don’t have a clue.

Pridemore, a legendary hypocrite who just this past session voted FOR a state democrat budget that even HE said was “balanced on the backs of the poor and the powerless,” has finally said what needed to be said about Steve Stuart.

Pridemore nails it when he tells us that Stuart’s a sellout:

“Morris has set a deadline of finishing her work before the November election when Commissioner Steve Stuart, the only commissioner who sought to defend the existing plan, will be on the ballot. I believe that if Stuart doesn't do as Morris commands him, her friends with the homebuilders will pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into a campaign against him. It's little wonder that he's slow to speak out against something he should
know is ethically wrong and legally indefensible.”

Pridemore goes on to tell us that he is

"disgusted and appalled by what" Stuart is doing to "our community’s future."

That won’t matter to the majority of mindless automatons on the Left that would vote for Stuart if he were guilty of armed robbery since he’s a democrat. But to people in the main stream and on the right… this guy is a sellout and he’s toast.

The Leftist Fringe thinks he’s a bright boy… an up and comer. The problem is that he’d sell his environmental background, and, possibly, his own mother, to get elected to this position.

Don’t believe it? His donor list speaks for itself.

Happy motoring this next election, democrats. Expect to see Sen. Pridemore’s words of wisdom about Commissioner Steve Stuart a great deal. I’m sure you won’t mind.



Local View: Commissioners sell out to developers

Sunday, June 19, 2005
By Craig Pridemore

The tighter urban growth boundary that former Clark County Commissioner Judie Stanton and I adopted last year when we were county commissioners is working just like we said it would. Thousands of acres of farmland, environmentally sensitive lands, and open space that would otherwise have fallen beneath residential sprawl have been spared.

Land inside urban growth boundaries is being put to higher and better uses. This increases the value of that land, generating more tax dollars to pay for schools, parks and public services, with minimal increases in expenses to pay for them. That lightens the tax burden on all of us.

Urban decay that afflicted many cities has been stopped and is being reversed. Public and private investment that would have gone to subsidize growth on suburban fringes is instead revitalizing downtowns and preserving neighborhoods.

More...

From the Right Corner: More on Sen. Durbin and other democrat scum.

I appreciate partisan politics as much as the next guy. But Sen. Durbin’s remarks… along with the thoughtless remarks of legions of the Leftist fringe and the scum such as the moveon.org types… all go beyond mere partisan politics.

Those who suffer when these clowns shoot off their mouths are the soldiers in the field.

On one hand, treasonous scum like Durbin likens Gitmo to concentration camps and the guards to Nazi’s. Idiots like Durbin, who deserve to lose their seats in elective office, go beyond the pail by providing direct aid and comfort to the enemies of our Nation.

The terrorist scum have a new ally in Durbin and the moveon.org types, who do not care what happens to our soldiers in the field. When allegedly responsible elected officials such as Durbin, Kennedy and Pelosi let their battleship mouths override their rowboat asses, they provide our enemies with absolutely invaluable support.

And they do it for one reason and one reason only: to weaken President Bush.

These irresponsible traitors are directly costing American blood to be shed and are doing FAR more to rally support for the insurgency then ANYTHING done in or at Gitmo under any circumstance.

So, when the Zarqawi types rail against America for what we’ve allegedly done at Gitmo (does anyone really give a rat’s patootie what happens to the quran in Gitmo? Saudi customs types shred THOUSANDS of bibles every month… we don’t riot or kill people over that, do we?) they use the exact words and phrases first promulgated by the Durbins of American politics… and when American blood flows in Iraq or Afghanistan… when American lives are destroyed… when America’s sons and daughters come home in a box… part of the responsibility for that rests with the Durbins… the Kennedys… the Reids… the Deans… the Pelosis… any one of whom would cheerfully sell their daughters in sexual slavery if they were to gain a political advantage, real or perceived, out of the deal... are directly responsible.

I have no problem with opposing the President on any or every policy decision he makes. But can you even begin to imagine what would have happened to such high-ranking public officials for shooting off their mouths like this during World War 2? Such irresponsible rhetoric can accomplish nothing positive… and it goes far beyond the moment while providing direct aid and comfort to our enemies who would see us destroyed.

For all Durbin’s despicable rant accomplished… he should have written Zarqawi a check… or cashed the check Zarqawi appears to have written to him… because Durbin couldn’t have done his country any more damage if they paid him.

The Columbian blows it: In Our View: Delta Park Dilemma

The Columbian reminds me of a 6 year-old on the playground sometimes. You know, the cute, spoiled little blond-haired girl, stamping her foot, crossing her arms and hanging on to a ball…

“NO! IT’S MINE!” she screams in phase one of her tantrum.

Like junkies in a drug store, they’re all about the drugs… and in this case, the Columbian's drug of choice is loot rail. Like someone addicted to internet porn, their vision is so focused and wears such huge blinders that they simply cannot admit that they are wrong… so they will continue to hang on to their delusions that loot rail is needed… That loot rail will make any difference… That we can’t get another bridge in a different location… that the people of this county have a far better idea of what’s best than a newspaper wrapped around the unethical axle of taking an ever larger number of public stands that will serve to enrich it individually, instead of the community as a whole.

The people do not WANT loot rail. The people DO want another bridge or two in different locations. Changing the shape of the playing field to reflect their stilted view doesn’t change that.

“Eliminating those solutions on the problem's periphery brings us back to its epicenter: the I-5 bridge.” No, it doesn't.

Casually dismissing what the people of this area actually want is one thing the Columbian excels at. They were wrong in their abortive efforts to cram loot rail down our throats 9 years ago when it was destroyed at the polls… they’re wrong to dismiss any idea that shifts the focus off of downtown Vancouver where they would personally benefit from the expenditure of billions of wasted taxpayer dollars.

It’s a pity. If they’d just cast off their blinders and look around, they actually COULD become a force for good. Instead of deluding themselves into the “we can’t” stupor, they actually could become an engine for positive, community-supported change… not cheerleaders for obsolete thinking and our local version of totalitarian, non-responsive government.



In Our View: Delta Park Dilemma

Thursday, June 16, 2005
Columbian editorial writers

Skeptics who snarl that the infamous Delta Park bottleneck will never be widened are finding it increasingly difficult to hide and grumble in their Believe-It-When-We-See-It tent.

There really is hope on the horizon albeit the distant horizon for relieving the much maligned choke point on Interstate 5 just south of the Columbia River. That's where three lanes constrict into two, and conventional wisdom is that not even the fanciest fix of bridge congestion will work until the Delta Park bottleneck is unclogged. As many as 60,000 daily commuters from Clark County to Portland know exactly what we're talking about.

"There are people who think it's never going to happen," Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard said earlier this week. "It will happen. Delta Park will be fixed." Perhaps, but Pollard's a politician. Would it help to hear from a transportation expert? Kate Deane of the Oregon Department of Transportation told the Vancouver City Council on Monday: "I know there is skepticism about whether ODOT will really address this problem. But we do have the money ... There is a light at the end of the tunnel."

More...

No, Greg... it isn't.

As one of the phases of Republican County Auditor Greg Kimsey’s campaign to reduce his workload on elections, he’s come out swinging for “mail-only balloting.”

He tells us: “ "The best way to restore citizen confidence in the integrity of the election process is to reduce the complexity of that process," Kimsey said.

No Greg… it isn’t. In fact, it’s not even close.

The BEST way would be the way advocated in each and every Sam Reed bogus dog and pony show held around the state earlier this year.

The BEST way would be to cancel all current voter registrations.

The BEST way would be to require everyone to re-register.

The BEST way would be to require proof of citizenship when re-registering.

The BEST way would be to require legal photo-ID to sign up for mail-only ballots.

The BEST way would be to require legal photo-ID to vote at a polling place.

In fact, of ALL of the “ways” open to restore voter confidence, “reducing complexity” is the LEAST important.

The County Auditor should remember… like the issue of felon voters, this isn’t about HIM. This is about taking the necessary steps to make sure that the ONLY people voting are those who are SUPPOSED to be ABLE to vote… complexity be damned.

And frankly, I fail to see where going to this option does anything to accomplish that.



Commissioners hear all-mail voting plan

Thursday, June 16, 2005
By ERIN MIDDLEWOOD, Columbian staff writer

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey made his pitch for switching to all-mail elections to a receptive slate of county commissioners on Wednesday.

They plan to vote on the proposal Tuesday.

"I'm ready to move forward with it," Commissioner Betty Sue Morris said.

If commissioners vote for the change, the Sept. 20 primary election would be conducted by mail.

A handful of sparsely populated Washington counties, including Skamania County, already have been conducting all elections by mail. This year, lawmakers opened the option to all counties. They show no signs of turning back to the late 1980s, when ballots were mailed only to voters who would be out of town on election day.

More...

Ed Lynch... on the case: So Dave, you figure it out yet?

I have got to laugh every time I see Ol' Dave Barnett refer to Cowlitz Tribal members as "his people."

Earlier, I posted an observation from a tribal member that the 1/16th blood rule had to be waived in order for David Barnett to be allowed in the Tribe. To me, that's a HUGE yuk.

That means, if that post is to be believed, that ol' dave is, hold on to your hats, 1/32nd Cowlitz!

Just wondering Dave... calling a group of people that make up 1/32nd of your blood, "his people" is, well, as absurd as all of the rest of his lies and misrepresentation. What about the other 31/32nds?

Tut, tut, I digress, fair reader... please forgive me.

HEY DAVE, YOU GET IT YET? WE DON'T WANT YOUR MEGACASINO; YOUR ECONOMY KILLING, RESERVATION-SHOPPED MACHINE HERE... EVEN FROM A WANNABE NATIVE AMERICAN.



Another casino opponent steps up

Thursday, June 16, 2005
By MARGARET ELLIS, Columbian staff writer

Longtime community activist and philanthropist Ed Lynch will hold a press conference this morning to introduce the latest group to oppose the Cowlitz Tribe's request for a reservation near La Center.

It is the third Clark County group to sound an alarm against the tribe's plans to build a casino and 250-room hotel near the La Center exit on Interstate 5. Tribal officials say they expect the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to decide whether to grant the Cowlitz a reservation there in about a year.

The tribe said it plans to build a casino with a 160,000-square-foot gaming floor. In comparison, the Fred Meyer Salmon Creek store is 165,000 square feet. The casino complex would also have 210,000 square feet of retail space and restaurants, and 150,000 square feet of space for convention rooms and entertainment venues.

Lynch did not return a call Wednesday. His spokesman, Tom Hunt, wouldn't comment on what Lynch planned to say.

More...

Sen. Dick Durban (Democrat, naturally) is scum.

Durbin Supports the Troops

Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, took the Senate floor yesterday and likened American servicemen to Nazis (link in PDF):

When you read some of the graphic descriptions of what has occurred here [at Guantanamo Bay]--I almost hesitate to put them in the [Congressional] Record, and yet they have to be added to this debate. Let me read to you what one FBI agent saw. And I quote from his report:

On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18-24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold. . . . On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor.

If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.

We are fighting an enemy that murdered 3,000 innocent people on American soil 3 1/2 years ago and would murder millions more if given the chance--and according to Dick Durbin, our soldiers are the Nazis.

Source: http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/

And more from this disgrace to the Senate:

Durbin refuses to apologize for Guantanamo Bay comments

CHICAGO Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says he won't apologize for comments comparing American interrogators at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Nazis and Soviet gulags.News of the Democrat's comparison created a buzz around the Internet today, fueled by sound bites of yesterday's Senate floor speech on radio talk shows. By this afternoon, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna asked Durbin to apologize.

Durbin says the Bush administration should apologize for abandoning the Geneva Conventions. Human-rights activist groups and some lawmakers -- mostly Democrats -- want Bush to close the prison.

But administration officials say some of the people who have been detained at Guantanamo later return to fight against the United States.

More of that bogus tolerance of the scum of the Left: Schwarzenegger Jeered at Graduation Speech

The Leftist fringe infesting the democrat party was out in force yesterday when they couldn't even manage to keep their pie holes shut long enough for the governor of their state to give a commencement speech at his alma mater, Santa Monica College of Los Angeles.

The fringe Left is a despicable bunch. Their partisan crap is filled with the vitriol and poison of divisiveness on EVERY occasion. These clowns just HAD to ruin commencement for the hundreds of hard working students who had completed the courses of instruction on the road to making something out of themselves.

In this instance, the Leftist Union special interests are feeling the heat because Governor Arnold has the sense to ignore an out-of-touch legislature (advice for OUR state, come to think of it!) and make his case directly to the people, trusting in their judgment and giving them a direct voice in their government... a concept democrats generally and the Leftist Fringe particularly find distasteful.



washingtonpost.com
Schwarzenegger Jeered at Graduation Speech

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
The Associated Press
Wednesday, June 15, 2005; 9:16 AM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to his alma mater turned into an exercise in perseverance when virtually his every word was accompanied by catcalls, howls and piercing whistles from the crowd.

Schwarzenegger's face appeared to redden during his 15-minute commencement address Tuesday to 600 graduates at Santa Monica College, but he ignored the shouting as he recalled his days as a student and, later, his work as a bodybuilder and actor.

"Always go all out and overcome your fears," he told the graduates. "Work, work, work. Study, study, study."

Inside the stadium, the drone from hundreds of rowdy protesters threatened to drown out the governor's voice at times. Many in the crowd erupted in boos when a police officer pulled down a banner criticizing the estimated $45 million cost of the Nov. 8 special election that Schwarzenegger proposed Monday.

The governor is backing three ballot initiatives that call for imposing a cap on state spending, stripping lawmakers of the power to draw their own districts and increasing the time it takes teachers to gain tenure.

At times during Schwarzenegger's speech, cheers and boos mingled, and the graduates themselves appeared eager to hear the governor. Many applauded at one point when the noise from the bleachers briefly subsided.

More...

More on Schiavo

Schiavo Autopsy Shows Severe Brain Damage

By David Brown and William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, June 15, 2005; 4:38 PM

Terri Schiavo died of the effects of a profound and prolonged lack of oxygen to her brain on a day in 1990, but what caused that event isn't known and may never be, the physician who performed her autopsy said today.

A meticulous study of the organs, fluids, bones, cells and medical records of the Florida woman who became a cause celebre over the "right to die" also found that her brain was severely shriveled and weighed about half that of a normal adult's. The damage to it "was irrecoverable, and no amount of treatment or rehabilitation would have reversed" it, said pathologist Jon R. Thogmartin, who is the chief medical examiner for Florida's sixth judicial district.

The damage was especially severe in the region responsible for vision, making her functionally blind, he said at a news conference in Florida.

Schiavo died March 31 at age 41 in a hospice in Pinellas Park, Fla., 13 days after a feeding tube was removed from her stomach under a court order. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, had waged a seven-year legal battle against her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, to have the tube removed on grounds that his wife would not have wanted to be kept alive by such means. The Schindlers, backed by anti-abortion and right-to-life groups, rejected that argument and asserted that their daughter was responsive to them, wanted to live and could improve.

The autopsy essentially supported Michael Schiavo's contention that his wife's brain damage was irreversible and that she had no cognitive ability. It also refuted claims by some of his harsher critics that he had abused her.

Michael Schiavo's lawyer, George Felos, later told reporters, "Mr. Schiavo was pleased to hear the hard science and evidence of those findings."

Felos said Michael Schiavo intends to release certain autopsy photos of Terri Schiavo's brain "in the near future" in hopes of putting to rest any lingering doubts about her mental capacity. He said the photos would allow the public to "see the profound atrophy that was mentioned in the report."

In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the autopsy report did not change President Bush's view of the Schiavo case, in which he and Congress had tried to intervene with the aim of restoring her feeding tube and prolonging her life.

"No . . . it doesn't," McClellan said. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family and friends. The president was deeply saddened by this case."

A lawyer for the Schindlers, David Gibbs III, said today his clients continue to believe that before her death, their daughter "was demonstrating a will to live."

Among other findings, the autopsy either ruled out or greatly diminished the likelihood that Schiavo lapsed into a coma 15 years ago as a result of strangulation, beatings, drug overdose, eating disorder or a rare molecular heart defect. All had been mentioned since she collapsed at age 26.

Asked at today's press conference whether there was any evidence of neglect or abuse of Schiavo, Thogmartin answered firmly: "No."

But he was unable to shed any new light on what caused the 1990 collapse that left her incapacitated. Asked whether the cause will ever be known, he said: "I don't know."

He also said that even if the Schindlers' request to give Schiavo food and water by mouth had been granted after the feeding tube was removed, she still would have died.

"Removal of her feeding tube would have resulted in her death whether she was fed or hydrated by mouth or not," Thogmartin said. He said a review of Schiavo's medical records confirmed to him that she was "not a candidate for oral hydration or nutrition," and couldn't take enough by mouth to sustain life.

"She died of marked dehydration," he said. "She did not starve to death." As measured by the balance of salt and water in her body fluids, the dehydration was the most severe he had ever seen. This attested to Schiavo's robust underlying health, and in particular the strength of her heart, the pathologist said.

A toxicology study found only "therapeutic levels" of acetaminophen (the pain reliever also sold as Tylenol), and no evidence Schiavo was given any substances that "accelerated the dying process," he said.

Examination of the heart showed no evidence of damage from a heart attack. A study of her genes by a Connecticut company called Genissance found no evidence of the mutations causing long-QT syndrome, which is an increasingly well-recognized cause of sudden cardiac death in otherwise healthy young people.

The brain examination was "consistent with a persistent vegetative state," said Stephen J. Nelson, a neuropathologist who was a consultant to the medical examiner's office.

Some advocates argued that Schiavo was "minimally conscious" -- a recently formulated condition defined as a notch above "persistent vegetative state." Both states, however, are diagnosed purely on the basis examination of the living patient. They can't be confirmed with certainty on the basis of autopsy findings.

Thogmartin was especially skeptical about the long-running theory that Schiavo collapsed because of a severe electrolyte imbalance brought on by a long-standing eating disorder. Although Schiavo had lost about 100 pounds by dieting in the years before her death, she never said she had an eating disorder and no one ever witnessed her bingeing and purging.

Instead, the principal evidence for that theory was a very low level of bloodstream potassium when she was admitted to the hospital about an hour after being found unconscious. Vomiting and laxative abuse can cause this condition.

Normal blood serum potassium is 3.5 to 5 millimoles per liter. Schiavo's was 2, a level that can cause the heart to beat weakly, or stop. However, intravenous fluids and the heart stimulating drug epinephrine -- both given in large quantities in an effort to revive the young woman -- can lower potassium. He suspects that's the explanation.

"Once you eliminate the potassium problem, you end up with a 26-year-old who used to be heavy, who had lost a lot of weight and is reveling in her new looks," Thogmartin said. "If that's a bulimic, there are a lot of bulimics out there. It's just not enough."

He also said that toxicology studies done when she collapsed Feb. 25, 1990, found no evidence of drugs.

Schiavo was reportedly a heavy tea-drinker. Overdoses of caffeine can cause low potassium and, on occasion, heart rhythm abnormalities. Caffeine wasn't tested in the drug-screen. However, Thogmartin said because Schiavo's collapsed occurred in the morning, it seemed unlikely to him she could have consumed enough caffeine for that to be the reason.

The autopsy was performed the day after Schiavo died. It included 72 photographs of the outside of her body; 116 photographs of internal organs; 58 X-ray views before the autopsy and 28 during and after it -- 274 images in all.
© 2005 The Washington Post Company

Well the results are in on Schiavo: Wishful thinking wasn't going to bring her back.

The autopsy results are clear. There was absolutely nothing incriminating towards her husband; half of her brain had dissolved (as he alleged) and she was not capable of eating or drinking by mouth.

For the religious zealots who interfered in this matter... I would ask all of you... would ANY of you want to "live" like that? *I*, personally, wouldn't even consider such an existence.

Does that mean that those involved in attempting to legislate an extension to this woman's "life," are to be condemned for it, As Dr. Dean/Mr. Hyde routinely attempts?

No.

Support of that effort was an error in judgment, but the motivation for that interference appeared, on the whole, at least, to be altruistic in nature.

The lesson learned? Stay out of other people's business and stop interfering when you don't happen to like the outcome.




Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - Page updated at 08:48 AM

Schiavo autopsy shows no sign of trauma, official says

By Mitch Stacy
The Associated Press

LARGO, Fla. — Terri Schiavo did not suffer any trauma prior to her 1990 collapse and her brain was about half of normal size when she died, according to results released today of an autopsy conducted on the severely brain-damaged woman.

Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Jon Thogmartin concluded that there was no evidence of strangulation or other trauma leading to her collapse. He also said she did not appear to have suffered a heart attack and there was no evidence that she was given harmful drugs or other substances prior to her death.

Autopsy results on the 41-year-old brain damaged woman were made public today, more than two months after Schiavo's death ended an internationally watched right-to-die battle that engulfed the courts, Congress and the White House and divided the country.

She died from dehydration, he said.

He said she would not have been able to eat or drink if she had been given food by mouth as her parents' requested.

"Removal of her feeding tube would have resulted in her death whether she was fed or hydrated by mouth or not," Thogmartin told reporters.

Thogmartin said that Schiavo's brain was about half of its expected size when she died March 31 in a Pinellas Park hospice, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed.

"The brain weighed 615 grams, roughly half of the expected weight of a human brain. ... This damage was irreversible, and no amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons."

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company

Koenninger Blows it: Opinion - New Hilton victory for mayor, city

There are few people in Southwest Washington so out of touch with reality as Tom Koenninger… and this puff-piece extolling the Taliban City Council of Vancouver and their Mayor, Mullah Pollard’s crushing of democracy in their march towards progress serves to cement that perspective.

The conduct of Pollard and his cronies has been nothing less than despicable in this drive to ignore the will of the people because they falsely believe their judgment is superior to the judgment of those they would govern.

Other political leaders have had that perspective in the past. Everyone from Genghis Kahn through Idy Amin of Ugandan fame has had the exact, same perspective.

Other, more sinister types have been the head cheerleaders for despots in world history.

The role played by Mr. Koenninger, however, is a little subtler. He has advocated that the Taliban City Government of Vancouver crush opposition to their efforts, and supported their contemptible plans to not only ignore, but also belittle and attack those wise enough to see this for the financial disaster it will certainly become.

And in the end, history has not been kind… either to the despots in question… or their cheerleaders.

Were it in my power, I would lead a committee of the outraged in protest of this gargantuan, unwanted and unneeded money pit… and do everything I could to get those responsible out of any position of authority as a result. This culmination of the sorriest episode in local political history is nothing to celebrate. It is, instead, something to feel ashamed over.




Opinion - New Hilton victory for mayor, city

Wednesday, June 15, 2005
TOM KOENNINGER editor emeritus of The Columbian

Although just outside its boundaries, dedication ceremonies for the adjacent Hilton Vancouver Washington hotel and convention center at 10:30 this morning will mark yet another milestone in a multitude of milestones for Vancouver's downtown core: Esther Short Park.

The park, established in 1853 and the Northwest's oldest, has emerged from the shadows to become a shining example of how a city can rebuild and refresh its heart.

Dignitaries former Gov. Gary Locke and Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard will undoubtedly wax eloquently about the "ugly chick-to-swan" metamorphosis of the park. They will extol its virtues and venues for the public good. They will praise its benefactors and workers and ordinary citizens for the role they played in the park's transformation.

More...

The Columbian Blows it: In Our View - Visit Vancouver

.
The Columbian totally… but understandably… blew it with yet another in their bogus, rah, rah, editorials concerning the opening of the money-losing Pollard Hilton.

Of course, the ownership of the Columbian stands to benefit directly from the downtown renaissance. But the fact is, the Columbian is, once again, on the wrong side of the issue…. Like they are on their rabid light rail support and their efforts to keep the Columbia River Gorge Tom Koenninger’s personal park.

In the end, you can paint lips onto a pig…. And it will still be a pig. With the city’s current, unabashed efforts to raise taxes (HOW much have they spent on this government subsidized pig? HOW much are they costing us with their incestuous relationship with the downtown developers? HOW much do all the tax breaks add up to? HOW much is the free rent for the port-commissioner’s daughter’s restaurant?) and their increasingly expensive regulations, they’re doing everything they can to hurt small business while they expand their empire at the expense of the taxpayers.

Oddly enough, the professional PR types for the city, usually known as newspaper reporters, have failed to mention the lawsuits the city filed to keep their population silent on whether they wanted this pig built in any of their glowing articles or editorials. I wonder why that is?

They've also managed to skip over the part where the taxpayers of this entire county are on the hook for $70 million in taxpayer funds when this pig collapses under the burden of a disinterested populace and the construction of the Cowlitz Megacasino.
I, personally, do everything I can to avoid setting foot in Vancouver proper. I will NEVER live in Vancouver or any city LIKE Vancouver, a city governed by a council once likened by an acquaintance as the “Taliban City Council of Vancouver.”

I will also never set foot in the Pollard Hilton. I will never set foot in the convention center. And I will not spend a dime in the criminal enterprise known as downtown Vancouver. I feel sorry for those who have to live there… and contempt for those supporting this unjust “system.”





In Our View - Visit Vancouver

Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Columbian editorial writers

It is widely presumed that today's grand opening of the 226-room Hilton Hotel will be a seminal moment in Vancouver's emergence on the Northwest convention and tourism scene. It should go without saying but we'll say it anyway that we wish the hotel well. We cheer it, the city and everyone involved with attracting conventions that might otherwise be booked in cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Chelan, Wenatchee, Yakima, Spokane, Portland, Eugene and Bend.

But conventions and tourism aren't always the same thing, and attracting people to town who are not coming for a convention and who don't have relatives here is tough and expensive. It also takes a dose of reality about what there really is here to see. In our view, Vancouver's tourism niche as opposed to its convention niche is as a jumping-off point or "gateway" to other places.

We're all adults here, so let's face facts: Vancouver itself is not a multiday vacation destination for people with no meeting to attend or relatives to visit. Certainly we can be proud of a few places tourists might like to see here, such as the Columbia riverfront, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Officers Row, the Vancouver Farmers Market and, if the timing is right, an outdoor concert.

More...

The convoluted "thinking" of a democrat legislator.

Thanks to soundpolitics.com.

I've frequently been struck by the fact that I wouldn't let most democrat members of the Washington State House run an elevator for me, let alone craft public policy or write laws.

In an email of monumental arrogance and stupidity, a democrat state representative confirms my impressions while she attempts, and sadly fails, to justify her support of democrat efforts to crush the will of the people by ignoring I-601 in favor of their pet initiatives, I-728 and I-732.

Dumb E-mails from Elected Officials

The latest in our ongoing series of Dumb E-mails from Elected Officials.

This one is from Rep. Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup). It's in response to a constituent's inquiry asking her to explain her vote on SB 6078 gutting I-601, the popular mandate to control revenue growth. Not only does Morrell not seem to understand the initiative process and its central place in the Washington State Constitution, but she appears to be so dumb that even in her second term in the legislature, she doesn't know how to spell the word "legislature".
Rep. Morrell's ditzy reply follows:

Initiatives aren't the primary means of creating laws in this state. The legislator [sic] creates the laws. They are, however, good indications of what the electorate wants. Unfortunately you often end up with competing initiatives or initiatives that are unconstitutional or create unintentional problems. It takes a 2/3 vote of the legislator [sic] to change initiatives during the 1st 2 years after they pass. After the first 2 years, it requires a simple majority vote. We recently had to change an initiative for the firefighters that required a 2/3 vote. The firefighters thought they had the perfect initiative for their pension plans. After the initiative passed, they found a fatal flaw that would have cost the individual firefighters a great deal of money to fund the pensions. They came to us and asked us to change the initiative. The problem with initiatives is that they aren't vetted through the legislative process, the code reviser [initiatives are vetted by the code reviser] and vigorous testimony and debate as well as a governor's signature.

Initiative 601 was passed in 1993. There is not a business in the state that would create the restraints placed on those planning for the state that this flawed imitative [sic] did. As a result it has been changed many times since its passage.. I am attaching the list of changes to 601 that have been made throughout the years by both Republicans and Democrats. 601 was changed by the Republicans to create a two way street - this effectively created other accounts so the cap of 601 was never reached because the money was diverted to the accounts. The bill we passed this year closed the two way street in 601 and indexed 601 to the income of the residents of the state of Washington. [what the heck does she mean by a "two way street"?] A much more workable and "open" way of accountability to the people of this state. [meaningless incomplete sentence] We also had to fund initiative 728 and 732 that were passed by the people [Suddenly she respects the initiatives that are passed by the people? ]- the only way we could fund these initiatives was to change 601 so we could raise taxes for smaller class rooms and keep children on healthcare [728 and 732 included promises not to raise taxes . They said nothing about keeping children on healthcare]. I had always intended to vote for this bill but accidentally pressed the no button. It created quite a furor as we needed 50 votes to pass. I realized my mistake and changed my vote. I felt better when about a week later Rep. Buck on the other side of the aisle accidentally voted for the budget. He had to stand up like I did and ask for a revote.

Shows we are all humans.

Being a nurse, I have to do what is best for the state. Funding education, healthcare and creating a strong economy has to be at the top of the list and we have to do what we have to do to accomplish those goals.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at 11:18 AM Comments (21) Email This

As much as I fail to care less that she is a nurse, she has to do what is RIGHT REGARDLESS of her occupation outside the House and defend the will of the people.

I, personally, was all about funding I-728 and I-732 fully... and cutting the rest of the pet projects of the leftists and union hacks that make up our legislature in the process. That is, after all, what the WEA promised us... is it not?

In the end, she put the interests of the WEA, who lied repeatedly and directly about passing these initiatives without a tax-increase, ahead of the expressed will of the voters.

And legislator who believes that thinitiativeve process is not the "primary" way we make laws has failed to read Article One, Section One of the Washington State Constitution:

"ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights."

The direct voice of the people obviously reigns supreme over the thought process of a ditz legislator who needs to find another line of work, besides nursing and law making.

From the Right Corner: Answering more local democrat idiocy.

The local dems are a clueless lot. The GOP strengthens it’s local political chokehold on elective office around here, and the best the local neo-comms can do is THIS type of nonsense:

Looks like the first shot across the bow has been fired by the local Republicans in the county commissioner race now that the Clark County GOP has settled on carpetbagger Tom Mielke as their standard bearer.

What they REALLY mean: Looks like all the local democrat fringe has to whine about is where Tom is from. But then, they’ve never been real big on issues, have they?

We noticed that the Clark County Republican website had more to say about our Commissioner Steve Stuart than their own nominee, so we decided to do a little fact-checking on what they posted.

What they REALLY mean: We didn’t like the fact that Mielke bitch-slapped Stuart so we’re starting the spin as early as possible by lying and distorting everything we can about Stuart’s lack of experience and the outright ownership of this alleged “environmentalist” by developer special interests.

"Stuart moved to Clark County only a few years ago to work for 1000 Friends of Clark County"

Spin 1: Well yes, Steve moved BACK to Clark County a few years ago after spending TWENTY YEARS growing up here and graduating from Prairie High School.

What they REALLY mean: In fact, Stuart DID move back here to run a major leftist-fringe enviro group… we also just want to point out that he had lived here before that as well.

"Oddly enough Stuart so far has received most of his campaign contributions from developers."

Lie 1: ACTUALLY the biggest numbers of Steve's campaign contributions have come from individuals (over 150 individuals) in amounts from $5 to $500. Whereas half of Mielke's 16 contributors are developers or have ties to development.

What they REALLY mean: Mielke is right when he points out that ACTUALLY, the top five contributors to Stuart’s campaign are buying him with $10,000 contributions; that 4 of the top 5 contributors are developers, and that the top 11 contributors are responsible for 7/8ths of his campaign contribution total and that the “150” other contributors don’t mean a thing to Stuart compared to that.

"We will certainly be in for an entertaining campaign while Stuart explains himself--with flip flops sure to come."

Spin 2: Isn't MOVING DISTRICTS to run for a different seat becauseyou lost in your home district the BIGGEST OPPORTUNISTIC FLIP-FLOP EVER?

Ahhhhh, no. But thanks for asking.

You see, in this bit of rank hypocrisy, the party of the short memory blissfully forgets that THEY placed Jeannie Harris, failed county commissioner candidate, as number two on the list of candidates they sent to the commissioners to fill Pridemore’s vacant seat.

Odd, sin’t it? Democrat hypocrites would have had NO problem with Jeannie Harris if SHE was the one getting the seat… but now, all of a sudden, it’s a problem because Tom Mielke wants to do the same thing the democrats themselves did as recently as last December?

Typical, local democrat hypocrisy.

These people are scum. There is no lie… no distortion… no misstatement of the facts they won’t take. But that’s OK… because Tom is going to kick Stuart’s ass in the next election. If this is the best the dems can do… then they are a sorry lot, indeed.

Leftist neo-comms: you need more proof that light rail is worthless?

Leftist fringiacs are usually very big on light rail. The social engineers infesting the Portland area and forcing their perspective on Portland North (aka Vancouver) continue their below-the-radar-efforts to saddle us with the multi-billion dollar boondoggle of light rail from Portland, even though it will do absolutely nothing to address our number one transportation concern of congestion.

Well, an article was mistakenly snuck into the Columbian (The paper itself, but not the web site)illustrating, once again, the truism that light rail is a colossal and total waste of money.

Portland is a traffic nightmare. Although allegedly “benefiting” from an extensive light rail system, Portland continues to rank consistently behind it’s much more important and senior neighbor to the north, Seattle, which has yet to lay a foot of light rail system.

Those advocating light rail are advocating the vaporization of billions of dollars that will accomplish nothing.

STATESMAN JOURNAL FILE

Oregon can't keep up as traffic bogs down

BY NIKI SULLIVAN
The Associated Press

June 13, 2005

The state's busiest stretch of road, Interstate 84 in Portland, is a maddening snarl during rush hour. Traffic slows from 65 mph to a crawl. Cars inch forward as they struggle to enter the city in the morning and leave in late afternoon.

More than 170,000 cars travel the six lanes on I-84 near 33rd Avenue every day, a 20 percent increase from 10 years before, according to Oregon Department of Transportation figures for 2003 and 1993.

With no room to widen the lanes, ODOT spokesman Dave Thompson said it's an example of what the department faces across the state: Demand for roads far outpaces supply.

Across the state, more people are driving more miles in more cars than ever before.

That means increased traffic, and the Department of Transportation says roads can't be built fast enough to keep up.

More...

Yet another example of demo-scum in state government

As I previously have mentioned, The People of Washington State are saddled with mostly democrat scum in government.

From a legislature that dem Senator Craig Pridemore (BEFORE casting his “yes” vote) described as having “balanced the budget on the backs of the poor and powerless,” through a Lt. Governor who I was previously a rabid supporter of… until he made up a bogus job for a state representative friend of his and then paid him $70,000 or so a year for something he was wholly unqualified to do while jacking up his office budget 38% in ONE biennium (The rest of the schlep state employees have to make due with 3.2% this year, and 1.6% next year) to a governor who lacked the balls to nail him for it while jacking up her OWN office budget 37% for the biennium (Did I mention that state employees will have to make due with 3.2% this year and 1.6% next year?) all of these are what I refer to as “democrat scum.”

Well, here are the sorry details of how “Governor” Gregoire is screwing the taxpayers of this state. Dem-scum Leftist neo-comms are, no doubt, thrilled.




Monday, June 13, 2005 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Gregoire's Cabinet: same look, higher pay

By Ralph Thomas

Seattle Times Olympia bureau


OLYMPIA — In many ways, Gov. Christine Gregoire's 23-member Cabinet looks a lot like her predecessor's — same number of minorities, a similar average age, even some of the same appointees.

But there is at least one notable difference: Gregoire's Cabinet is costing taxpayers a lot more than former Gov. Gary Locke's.

All but three of Gregoire's Cabinet appointees are making significantly more than the jobs paid under Locke — including five appointees who are making at least $20,000 more, and an additional six who are making at least $10,000 more.

In all, Gregoire's Cabinet will earn about $256,000 a year more than the previous Cabinet when Locke stepped down.

More...

For you neo-comm ultra-Leftist fringiacs:

Loan sharks or Democrats?

Hell... we already know the ansdwer to that question... don't we?

(Tip o' da hat to Orbusmax)

THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: June 10th, 2005 12:01 AM
Talk about your sore winners.

First the Democrats win their court case to keep Christine Gregoire as governor. Now they want the state to repay the money the party paid for a recount – which it is entitled to – but with exorbitant interest.

The state Democratic Party wants its $730,000 back plus 12 percent interest, claiming the state should have repaid the money back in December when the third gubernatorial recount was certified.

Secretary of State Sam Reed says the money couldn’t be refunded until the election challenge was resolved. That happened Monday when Republican Dino Rossi declined to appeal a Chelan County judge’s decision upholding Gregoire’s election. The money has only been earning 2 percent interest in escrow – which is all it could earn according to state law.

Maybe the Democrats should take their beef to court. We suggest a Chelan County venue. Better yet, they should take their money – at 2 percent interest – and go home. They won, for crying out loud.