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THIS is OUR senator?
Make it STOP. Vote for anyone but Murray, though Benton would be the best choice.
Showing posts with label Benton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benton. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Impressions of a County Convention-Clark County GOP 20 March.
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"I don't belong to any organized political party... I'm a Republican."
That could have easily summed up today's effort by the Clark County GOP.
They live in terror of the Ron Paul types who, apparently, "took over" the 49th District in '08. As a result, they slipped in a change to the rules that served to silence the delegates at the convention from running any resolutions from the floor.
"Time" was the excuse given. But at the end of the day, "time" is no excuse for silencing the bedrock of the local GOP.
The convention "HAD" to close at 5:00 PM sharp, we were told. So, therefore, in the interest of "time," we had to silence the delegates. That wasn't the main excuse, of course, but it was the excuse given.
I pointed out that one way to fix that would be to find a facility that DIDN'T have to close at 5:00 pm, because doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome is, well, you know.
So, I made an effort to amend the rules. I made a motion to strip out the language limiting resolutions to those submitted in writing prior to March 13... and I was hammered.
Later, I was told by the chief tool of the hammering that it was because I had, they thought, thrown my lot in with the Paulinista's. That was wrong on so many levels, but because of their fear, I was turned into collateral damage by people who could not and would not tolerate any agenda that did not closely dovetail with their own.
Then, the candidate speeches started.
Herrera got up and did a Barbie cheerleader speech typical of someone with cardboard depth and a vacuous grasp of the issues. Here's clue, Jaime: we don't care that you used to be able to play basketball. The president can do that, and look at what a total moron he is.
Doug Simpson, speaking for Clint Didier, got up and went off script, losing Didier the few votes he had in the room. Benton did his usual fine job, polished by years of experience and a deep passion for the job; David Castillo got up and actually made sense; the newest candidate (who's name escaped me) got up and talked about the things important to him, but didn't do to well due to his lack of experience. A large group of candidates spoke to a surprisingly small number of delegates, considering.
When I've had the chance to review the speeches, I'll critique them here, and folks can draw their own conclusion.
I then went in search of Herrera supporters who, could explain to me what they could possibly see in Ridgefield Barbie to support her.
I couldn't find one who could articulate it.
We split off into districts to elect delegates to the state convention.
I have actually run a state convention (Spokane in 2000) and attended a National Convention (Philadelphia in 2000) and I, personally, would rather dive into a pool of burning hydrochloric acid then do either again.
But others wanted to. We were, as I recall, supposed to elect 30 delegates and 30 alternates. I only knew 8 people on the list I could support, and I added 2 who said they were veterans. So, I voted for 10. I didn't know or care who was elected for either the rest or the the alternates.
For the 18th District, it took about 3 hours to get the delegates and the alternates voted in. So, we started on the platform and resolutions two hours late.
My resolution from the caucuses, to require a county wide vote on the horrific waste of money known as the I-5 Bridge/Loot rail project, was adopted.
I discussed the issue with Marc Boldt. Boldt pledged to me that he would support putting the question onto the November ballot this year.
I will hold him to his word, because I already know that Tom Mielke will support putting the question to the people in an advisory vote scenario, which is what Marc agreed to as well.
So, we should hopefully see that coming up soon.
Anyway, it ended. The Benton Bars (Chocolate and maple bars, a Benton tradition) vacuumed up, the various cookies and gallons of coffee, the every-two-year fix for folks to hear themselves speak; the announcement by Jim Dunn that he was going to run again... the massive and unrelenting egos and the typical lack of competence.
What I've come to expect every county convention.
.
"I don't belong to any organized political party... I'm a Republican."
That could have easily summed up today's effort by the Clark County GOP.
They live in terror of the Ron Paul types who, apparently, "took over" the 49th District in '08. As a result, they slipped in a change to the rules that served to silence the delegates at the convention from running any resolutions from the floor.
"Time" was the excuse given. But at the end of the day, "time" is no excuse for silencing the bedrock of the local GOP.
The convention "HAD" to close at 5:00 PM sharp, we were told. So, therefore, in the interest of "time," we had to silence the delegates. That wasn't the main excuse, of course, but it was the excuse given.
I pointed out that one way to fix that would be to find a facility that DIDN'T have to close at 5:00 pm, because doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome is, well, you know.
So, I made an effort to amend the rules. I made a motion to strip out the language limiting resolutions to those submitted in writing prior to March 13... and I was hammered.
Later, I was told by the chief tool of the hammering that it was because I had, they thought, thrown my lot in with the Paulinista's. That was wrong on so many levels, but because of their fear, I was turned into collateral damage by people who could not and would not tolerate any agenda that did not closely dovetail with their own.
Then, the candidate speeches started.
Herrera got up and did a Barbie cheerleader speech typical of someone with cardboard depth and a vacuous grasp of the issues. Here's clue, Jaime: we don't care that you used to be able to play basketball. The president can do that, and look at what a total moron he is.
Doug Simpson, speaking for Clint Didier, got up and went off script, losing Didier the few votes he had in the room. Benton did his usual fine job, polished by years of experience and a deep passion for the job; David Castillo got up and actually made sense; the newest candidate (who's name escaped me) got up and talked about the things important to him, but didn't do to well due to his lack of experience. A large group of candidates spoke to a surprisingly small number of delegates, considering.
When I've had the chance to review the speeches, I'll critique them here, and folks can draw their own conclusion.
I then went in search of Herrera supporters who, could explain to me what they could possibly see in Ridgefield Barbie to support her.
I couldn't find one who could articulate it.
We split off into districts to elect delegates to the state convention.
I have actually run a state convention (Spokane in 2000) and attended a National Convention (Philadelphia in 2000) and I, personally, would rather dive into a pool of burning hydrochloric acid then do either again.
But others wanted to. We were, as I recall, supposed to elect 30 delegates and 30 alternates. I only knew 8 people on the list I could support, and I added 2 who said they were veterans. So, I voted for 10. I didn't know or care who was elected for either the rest or the the alternates.
For the 18th District, it took about 3 hours to get the delegates and the alternates voted in. So, we started on the platform and resolutions two hours late.
My resolution from the caucuses, to require a county wide vote on the horrific waste of money known as the I-5 Bridge/Loot rail project, was adopted.
I discussed the issue with Marc Boldt. Boldt pledged to me that he would support putting the question onto the November ballot this year.
I will hold him to his word, because I already know that Tom Mielke will support putting the question to the people in an advisory vote scenario, which is what Marc agreed to as well.
So, we should hopefully see that coming up soon.
Anyway, it ended. The Benton Bars (Chocolate and maple bars, a Benton tradition) vacuumed up, the various cookies and gallons of coffee, the every-two-year fix for folks to hear themselves speak; the announcement by Jim Dunn that he was going to run again... the massive and unrelenting egos and the typical lack of competence.
What I've come to expect every county convention.
.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Interesting results from Rasmussen on Senate Poll: Benton leads announced Republicans.
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Both the Didier and Widner camps have to be disheartened at the results of today's Rasmussen Poll here in Washington State, where recently announced State Senator Don Benton leads all announced Republicans in the race to unseat Patty Murray:
Likewise, continued leads in the polls have to be of interest to Dino Rossi as well.
Meanwhile, Scott Brown's consulting crew, now on board with Benton, must be thrilled; since Brown was 33 behind when he announced.
Meanwhile, Obama is doing everything HE can to aid the GOP in Washington by trashing government at every level with Patty Murray as a willing accomplice.
Will we see the granny-in-tennis shoes snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as she continues to march, lemming-like, over the Obama cliff?
Evan Bayh wouldn't go there. Will Murray?
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Both the Didier and Widner camps have to be disheartened at the results of today's Rasmussen Poll here in Washington State, where recently announced State Senator Don Benton leads all announced Republicans in the race to unseat Patty Murray:
Washington Survey of 500 Likely VotersFebruary 11, 2010
2010 Washington Senate
Dino Rossi (R)
48%
Patty Murray (D)
46%
Some Other Candidate
1%
Not Sure
5%
2010 Washington Senate
Don Benton (R)
38%
Patty Murray (D)
50%
Some Other Candidate
3%
Not Sure
9%
2010 Washington Senate
Clint Didier (R)
34%
Patty Murray (D)
49%
Some Other Candidate
4%
Not Sure
13%
2010 Washington Senate
Chris Widener (R)
33%
Patty Murray (D)
48%
Some Other Candidate
5%
Not Sure
14%
Likewise, continued leads in the polls have to be of interest to Dino Rossi as well.
Meanwhile, Scott Brown's consulting crew, now on board with Benton, must be thrilled; since Brown was 33 behind when he announced.
Yes, it's early yet, but both Didier and Widner have been campaigning for some time and both have yet to show anything approaching Benton's fund raising skill.Election 2010: Washington SenateMonday, February 15, 2010Democratic Senator Patty Murray holds double-digit leads on three of the top Republicans who hope to unseat her in this year’s Senate race in Washington State.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds Murray, who is expected to seek a fourth six-year term this fall, leads Republican state Senator Don Benton 50% to 38%.
Against former professional football player Clint Didier, now a private businessman active in the Tea Party movement, Murray has a 15-point lead, 49% to 34%.
The incumbent posts a 48% to 33% lead over businessman and motivational speaker Chris Widener.
In the three contests, anywhere from three (3%) to five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate and nine (9%) to 14% are undecided. An incumbent at this stage of the contest who earns less than 50% is considered potentially vulnerable.
The potential vulnerability is highlighted when Murray is matched against Dino Rossi, the unsuccessful GOP candidate in the state’s last two gubernatorial contests. Certainly the best-known of the Republicans, Rossi attracts 48% of the vote in a match-up with Murray while the incumbent earns 46%. One percent (1%) like another candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided.
More here:
Meanwhile, Obama is doing everything HE can to aid the GOP in Washington by trashing government at every level with Patty Murray as a willing accomplice.
Will we see the granny-in-tennis shoes snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as she continues to march, lemming-like, over the Obama cliff?
Evan Bayh wouldn't go there. Will Murray?
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Sunday, February 14, 2010
So, yesterday's exercise in democracy: the local GOP caucuses.
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I haven't been to the caucuses for 4 years, so it was with some interest that I went to see the going's on... and to look at public response to the current scenario confronting us. I thought, "There should be a huge turn out, given the horrific job the democrats are doing at every level."
There wasn't.
About 40 people showed up. 3 or 4 precincts had no one at all. My precinct was represented by, well, me and my wife; which also describes 2 or 3 others. One precinct had 12 people show up.
I was hoping for more as an indicator. I was disappointed.
No candidates showed up. One person spoke for Ann Rivers, candidate in the 18th District House race; one for Craig Williams, candidate for US Senate. (As a brief aside, the guy who spoke for Ann spoke off-the-cuff for 45 seconds or so, the woman who spoke for Williams read a massive amount of text off of a web page from a netbook. It was mind-numbing, and bizarre to talk about maybe 20 different subjects at the same time; very difficult to remember any of it.)
A letter was read from State Senator Don Benton (R-17) thanking everyone there for taking the time to show up and asking folks to check out his website. Another letter was read from Jaime Herrera, a typical written-for-her yawner.
Only two candidates had literature there: Ann Rivers and Shannon Barnett... who still doesn't seem to have a campaign web site up. (How's that working out for you, Shannon?)(At least this time, he was smart enough not to mention Herrera.)
Barnett used a cute dodge to scam a list: he put out a "survey" that he'll ignore, except to get names and address off of those who actually believe the results of the surveys mattered.
No other candidates showed up; no other candidates had literature; and no other candidates had any campaign representatives.
We did a part where candidate stuff was done (speakers and the like) a part where resolutions were done (a resolution was passed demanding a vote on this ungodly bridge/loot rail waste among others) and then each precinct voted for county convention delegates.
That was pretty much the whole deal; a rather eloquent exercise in democracy.
Now, some might be just the tiniest bit confused at my multiple protestations on this blog that I am no longer a part of the GOP. If so, then why did I go to their caucuses, and why go to their convention?
Information.
No, I'm not a spy. But *I* need information, so *I* can tell what's going on.
Now, as a convention delegate, I expect all the candidates will be sending me stuff. And from that "stuff," I can glean bits of information, critiquing those running to oust the democrats who've managed to so cluelessly fly this country into the ground.
I mean, Herrera's already sent me a fund raising letter. And in her rather bizarre letter, read at the caucus, she mentioned her worthless endorsement by Slade, continued to pound away at her "Senior Legislative Aide" lie, and her spin about "raising the most money in the last 15 days" of the reporting period was as worthless as she is.
So, it's reasonable to expect that a forest's worth of pulp will be coming my way.... and at the same time, I can start a push from the ground up to get our commissioners to run the county wide advisory vote that should have been done years ago.... so we can finally drive a stake through the heart of the idiotic nonsense that is the waste of $100,000,000 (so far) on a bridge we don't need, and loot rail we don't want.
It was interesting to interact with others as concerned as I am over the damage the left is causing to this country. But it was not the overwhelming response I anticipated.
One has to wonder.... why? The dissatisfaction with leftist government is palpable. If the GOP can find a way to tap into that rage, then 94 will look like a fender-bender for the left in comparison.
But if they can't get past the abysmal failures of GOP congressional control... if they can't find a way to convince the people that THIS time, they MEAN it when they say "smaller, more efficient government.... then nothing will happen.
Cross posted on Jaime Herrera Watch.
.
I haven't been to the caucuses for 4 years, so it was with some interest that I went to see the going's on... and to look at public response to the current scenario confronting us. I thought, "There should be a huge turn out, given the horrific job the democrats are doing at every level."
There wasn't.
About 40 people showed up. 3 or 4 precincts had no one at all. My precinct was represented by, well, me and my wife; which also describes 2 or 3 others. One precinct had 12 people show up.
I was hoping for more as an indicator. I was disappointed.
No candidates showed up. One person spoke for Ann Rivers, candidate in the 18th District House race; one for Craig Williams, candidate for US Senate. (As a brief aside, the guy who spoke for Ann spoke off-the-cuff for 45 seconds or so, the woman who spoke for Williams read a massive amount of text off of a web page from a netbook. It was mind-numbing, and bizarre to talk about maybe 20 different subjects at the same time; very difficult to remember any of it.)
A letter was read from State Senator Don Benton (R-17) thanking everyone there for taking the time to show up and asking folks to check out his website. Another letter was read from Jaime Herrera, a typical written-for-her yawner.
Only two candidates had literature there: Ann Rivers and Shannon Barnett... who still doesn't seem to have a campaign web site up. (How's that working out for you, Shannon?)(At least this time, he was smart enough not to mention Herrera.)
Barnett used a cute dodge to scam a list: he put out a "survey" that he'll ignore, except to get names and address off of those who actually believe the results of the surveys mattered.
No other candidates showed up; no other candidates had literature; and no other candidates had any campaign representatives.
We did a part where candidate stuff was done (speakers and the like) a part where resolutions were done (a resolution was passed demanding a vote on this ungodly bridge/loot rail waste among others) and then each precinct voted for county convention delegates.
That was pretty much the whole deal; a rather eloquent exercise in democracy.
Now, some might be just the tiniest bit confused at my multiple protestations on this blog that I am no longer a part of the GOP. If so, then why did I go to their caucuses, and why go to their convention?
Information.
No, I'm not a spy. But *I* need information, so *I* can tell what's going on.
Now, as a convention delegate, I expect all the candidates will be sending me stuff. And from that "stuff," I can glean bits of information, critiquing those running to oust the democrats who've managed to so cluelessly fly this country into the ground.
I mean, Herrera's already sent me a fund raising letter. And in her rather bizarre letter, read at the caucus, she mentioned her worthless endorsement by Slade, continued to pound away at her "Senior Legislative Aide" lie, and her spin about "raising the most money in the last 15 days" of the reporting period was as worthless as she is.
So, it's reasonable to expect that a forest's worth of pulp will be coming my way.... and at the same time, I can start a push from the ground up to get our commissioners to run the county wide advisory vote that should have been done years ago.... so we can finally drive a stake through the heart of the idiotic nonsense that is the waste of $100,000,000 (so far) on a bridge we don't need, and loot rail we don't want.
It was interesting to interact with others as concerned as I am over the damage the left is causing to this country. But it was not the overwhelming response I anticipated.
One has to wonder.... why? The dissatisfaction with leftist government is palpable. If the GOP can find a way to tap into that rage, then 94 will look like a fender-bender for the left in comparison.
But if they can't get past the abysmal failures of GOP congressional control... if they can't find a way to convince the people that THIS time, they MEAN it when they say "smaller, more efficient government.... then nothing will happen.
Cross posted on Jaime Herrera Watch.
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Sunday, February 07, 2010
So, the buzz was correct: Benton IS running for the Senate.
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As I mentioned earlier, there was a buzz about Benton running for the Senate that was, essentially, correct.
Man, when the article hit in the paper, the fringe left nutter commenters went wild with some of the most moronic, inane, hyperbolic hypocrisy I've ever seen.
It seems pretty clear that Benton became the front runner last night. it's going to be an interesting race, for sure.
The limitless number of candidates is problematic, however. Maybe a little leadership from the WAGOP and the NRSC would b in order?
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As I mentioned earlier, there was a buzz about Benton running for the Senate that was, essentially, correct.
Man, when the article hit in the paper, the fringe left nutter commenters went wild with some of the most moronic, inane, hyperbolic hypocrisy I've ever seen.
It seems pretty clear that Benton became the front runner last night. it's going to be an interesting race, for sure.
The limitless number of candidates is problematic, however. Maybe a little leadership from the WAGOP and the NRSC would b in order?
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Thursday, February 04, 2010
So.... rumor has it that State Senator Don Benton (R-17) has been approached to run against Murray for the US Senate.
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I'm hearing from more than one source that Benton has been approached to run against Murray this November.
It's an intriguing thought. Murray is ripe for the picking: completely in the fringe left, tax and spend/Obama socialism mold; tying her to Obama, who is turning out to have political leprosy, would be a child-like task in its simplicity.
Benton brings experience and some major league fund raising skills to the table. None of the other candidates are close to catching fire, or putting the kind of bank roll together that taking out Murray will require.
What say you email him and let him know your thoughts? Try don@donbenton.com. I know I will.
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I'm hearing from more than one source that Benton has been approached to run against Murray this November.
It's an intriguing thought. Murray is ripe for the picking: completely in the fringe left, tax and spend/Obama socialism mold; tying her to Obama, who is turning out to have political leprosy, would be a child-like task in its simplicity.
Benton brings experience and some major league fund raising skills to the table. None of the other candidates are close to catching fire, or putting the kind of bank roll together that taking out Murray will require.
What say you email him and let him know your thoughts? Try don@donbenton.com. I know I will.
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
When Clark County Republicans get stupid: Blowback against the Benton-Pollard endorsement and the scum email making the rounds.
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I'm fond of saying, when asked, that I'm FROM Seattle... and it's a great place to be FROM.
I used to be a Republican. I've worked very hard on partisan races... I've had some successes and some failures. Typically, the races I picked were ALL GOP, ALL the time, because being Republican meant you weren't the political version of the anti-Christ.
I've even held paid positions in the GOP up to the state level... where my true political education began in earnest, and I discovered that it wasn't really about getting Republicans elected... far from it. It was about funneling tens of thousands out the door every month for consultants and lawyers. It was about what job could be scammed through the "Plum Book," what appointment... what "consideration."
Those increasingly smaller numbers of people who call themselves Republicans do so because they feel, in part, that it's SUPPOSED to mean something. And that's the problem: It doesn't.
I became a Republican because it was SUPPOSED to mean honor... integrity... character... and inclusiveness.
Today was yet another lesson that such is not the case.
Below is a copy of Senator Don Benton's endorsement of Royce Pollard for his re-election. I support that position as much as I despise many of Pollard's policies.
As even the Columbian has pointed out, on the policy level there is little to differentiate between Pollard and Leavitt. They've been, essentially, joined at the hip legislatively since Leavitt was appointed to the city council a few years back.
Leavitt knew that he had to differentiate himself from Pollard to get this notch on his gun belt before he ran for Congress or whatever he ultimately plans to do.
So, he contrived a hair-splitting difference on tolls, manipulated the local hispanics into committing political suicide, and attacked HIS opponent for HIS OWN failure to vote; a privilege, I might add, that BOTH Pollard and myself spent many hard years INSURING that Leavitt had available to him, only for him to ignore it... again and again and again.
So, I have been hammering Leavitt like a nail. But as I pointed out below, many in the local GOP hierarchy mistakenly believe he's a Republican because Leavitt had the foresight to play both sides of the fence; apparently supporting Rossi while definitely endorsing and supporting the man who has single-handedly inflicted more damaged to our country in less time than any human being who has ever lived, Barack Hussein Obama.
Benton has endorsed Pollard. I will let that endorsement speak for itself. That the endorsement was made, however, has hurt Leavitt badly, because even though he has surrounded himself with leftists and has so far counted on $30,000 (so far) in leftist money laundered from the East Coast, he was secure in the knowledge that he had sucked most local Republicans into wrongly believing that HE, Leavitt, was one.
I also appreciate Ryan Hart's efforts to jam a shiv into Sen. Benton's back with his non-endorsement endorsement of Leavitt, below.
You know, I appreciate the passion of those in this email that is now making the rounds.
Like those circulating this filth, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I appreciate CDR Patella's use of the axiom, of "what happens when you 'lay down with dogs'," since Pattela seems to have acquired an entire kennel.
My opinion is this:
Tim Leavitt is a democrat. His campaign has surrounded itself with democrats such as Steve Stuart, Betty Sue Morris and democrat campaign strategist Heather Mellon, who ran democrat Peter Goldmark’s successful campaign for state lands commissioner.
Leavitt claims to have supported Rossi. Well, he also endorsed and supported the blight on the land known as Obama. How come no one mentions THAT?
Does that make him any more palatable to you so-called Republicans?
While Benton obviously has a history of fighting for Republican causes and issues that extends back unbroken for the last 15 years in elective office, that does not make him blind to issues of character, integrity and courage of convictions.
The fact of the matter is that I view Leavitt as a political mercenary. He and Pollard are essentially the same on matters of policy and legislation, with very few differences over the years until Leavitt was bitten by the “mayor” bug, when he realized he had to begin to emphasize, and contrive, differences in order to separate himself from Pollard.
So, he makes up a scam about bridge tolls. He’s OPPOSED to tolls, you understand… just not enough to oppose the BRIDGE when it’s REQUIRED to have tolls. And then, we find out that he never bothered to vote. And then, we find out about his grand plan to tax EVERYONE to get the bridge replaced, a replacement that we do not need and do not want and cannot afford.
Most of you base your opposition to Pollard on what amounts to personal animus. And because Don, after much consideration, has decided what *I* consider to be, by far, the lesser of two evils, you respond like this?
For ANY of you to even REMOTELY begin to question the character and integrity of a man like Sen. Benton with a REPEATEDLY PROVEN RECORD of Republicanism is part and parcel of why I have stopped BEING a Republican… And if this is what it takes to be a part of this party, then that is why I am ashamed to call myself one.
Because if blind obedience to an unofficial party line is a requirement to be a part of your organization, then I want nothing to do with it.
Pollard has, of course, engaged in dozens of policies that I oppose…AND SO HAS LEAVITT. Why do you people seem to forget all about that? Why is there such a horrific double standard?
The difference here, at least to me, is that Pollard is HONEST about his positions, where Leavitt is a slimy weasel. EVERYONE KNOWS where Pollard stands, like it or hate it. Leavitt? Well his latest stupidity on taxing EVERYONE to pay for the bridge and light rail that HE wants says it all.
There is nothing to reconsider. I urge Benton to maintain his stance, a stance based on PRINCIPLED support, something apparently lacking in the organization that I have worked so hard, at so many levels to support… But now have come to despise because of this kind of activity on the part of its “members.”
Because someone disagrees with you, you attack him like this? You people are no different than the Obama White House. You’re no different than Axlerod, or Emanuel or Dunn.
You have BECOME the enemy because of your hatred, and your inability to understand the difference between pragmatism and selling out. You would throw a man under a bus because he may disagree with YOUR conclusion on this ONE issue.
Do you think absolutely unsupported ”talking points” will have any sway?
You express concern over how Pollard has treated Campbell. That’s DEMOCRAT Pat Campbell, who USED to be a Republican… right? The utterly INEXPLICABLE idiocy of trying to make excuses for Leavitt's non-voting record... because Pollard was an OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
Are YOU telling US, "Commander," that when YOU were in the Navy in YOUR early 20's, that YOU didn't vote and then, like Leavitt, you LIED about it?
*I* voted, Commander. I bet dollars to donuts that Pollard did as well. That you didn't, and then proceed to make excuses for YOUR candidate who followed along in YOUR irresponsibility is simply beyond the pale.
I cannot and will not speak for Don. But if it were me? I would say the hell with the lot of you. I would say, “great. You don’t want to support me? THEN DON’T. Feel free to vote and provide money to whatever leftist they run against me."
And I pity you for it.
From: Local Mailing List
Date: 24 Oct 2009 09:13:11
To:
Subject: Is Don Benton a RINO?
(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) __
Senator Benton, I have no idea what kind of a deal you made with Pollard, but what ever it was you are a great disappointment to this Conservative.
You must have forgotten what your mother said happens when you "lay down with dogs".
You may not care and you are starting to believe you own press releases, but you no longer have my support and I will do my best to convince other to no longer support you.
For all who supported Rossi and those of you who support Leavitt, Benton needs to hear from you. Please send Debbie's email to everyone on your mailing list.
L. M. Patella
CDR USN (ret
Dear Friends,
Please email to your email lists, blogs, any media outlets.
Call to Action: Please email Don Benton and let him know how disappointed you are by the Pollard endorsement. don@senatordonbenton.com .
If you need talking points, please feel free to use any or all of my letter to Don.
Dear Don,
I am stunned that you have endorsed Pollard for the following reasons:
1. Pollard is pushing the very policies that you have spoken against.
2. He is vocally rude, condescending, and often humiliating to Vancouver citizens during public comment, so much so that the city lawyer, Mr. Gathe had to come in and remind Pollard of appropriate ethics while at city council.
3. He has been degrading to both Pat Campbell and Jeanne Stewart, his own colleagues, during city council meetings.
4. After numerous requests (for removal), he still retained his campaign treasurer as chair of the Vancouver Charter. As a result of that, the review board sent us weak, useless recommendations at a time when real issues needed to be addressed, such as dispersal of public property, the purchase and rental of property, term limits, and mayoral election cycle.
After weeks of public comment as to the importance of these issues, none of them was recommended for review by the Charter Review Committee. It was disgusting,and a blatant disregard for public input.
5. He has spent this city into a position where we didn't even have enough money to pay our fire/police. If BHO hadn't had the stimulus money, we would have been down ten police positions added to the four the city lost previously. It was disheartening to see firemen begging city council to raise taxes to cover their personnel positions/expenses.
6. Have you seen the proposed developments for downtown Vancouver? Good by to all the reasons we all moved here. It will be a concrete canyon.
Tower after tower of high rises.
7. The whole Leavitt voting record thing is absurd. I'd like to see Pollard's voting record when he was in his early 20's.
8. Lastly, please see below what your own Clark County chair has to say about Pollard, after Pollard trashed yours and my 2008 gubernatorial candidate.
Dear Republicans:
The Clark County Republican party decided earlier this year to not make any endorsements in the 2009 non-partisan races. We did send out a voter information guide for the purpose of informing our members of identified Republicans running for office. Since there were many cases of Republicans running against Republicans, and Democrats running against Democrats, we have made it clear that we as a party have taken no official position in these non-partisan races.
Today I was disappointed to see a mailer sent out by the Royce Pollard campaign attacking Mayoral Candidate and City Councilman Tim Leavitt for supporting Dino Rossi in 2008, and for introducing Rossi at his final appearance in Clark County the weekend before the 2008 election. The mail piece states, “The Leavitt-Rossi agenda will move Vancouver in the wrong direction.”
As Chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, I remain proud of Mr. Rossi and the campaigns he ran in an effort to move Washington forward.
Furthermore, it was an honor to have Councilman Tim Leavitt introduce Dino Rossi.
Mayor Pollard needs to understand that tens of thousands of Vancouver residents voted for Dino Rossi, and that Rossi won Clark County in both 2004 and 2008.
Christine Gregoire, however, now has an approval rating around 30 percent.
It is her failed policies, and those of the Democratic majority, that are hindering Washington and, more specifically, Clark County from moving forward. It is doubtful that the majority of Vancouver voters approve of Governor Gregoire’s job performance today.
Tim Leavitt was right to support Dino Rossi, and I applaud him for it.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hart
Chairman, Clark County Republican Party
Don, I urge you to reconsider your endorsement of this once effective, but now misguided mayor.
Debbie Peterson.
.
I'm fond of saying, when asked, that I'm FROM Seattle... and it's a great place to be FROM.
I used to be a Republican. I've worked very hard on partisan races... I've had some successes and some failures. Typically, the races I picked were ALL GOP, ALL the time, because being Republican meant you weren't the political version of the anti-Christ.
I've even held paid positions in the GOP up to the state level... where my true political education began in earnest, and I discovered that it wasn't really about getting Republicans elected... far from it. It was about funneling tens of thousands out the door every month for consultants and lawyers. It was about what job could be scammed through the "Plum Book," what appointment... what "consideration."
Those increasingly smaller numbers of people who call themselves Republicans do so because they feel, in part, that it's SUPPOSED to mean something. And that's the problem: It doesn't.
I became a Republican because it was SUPPOSED to mean honor... integrity... character... and inclusiveness.
Today was yet another lesson that such is not the case.
Below is a copy of Senator Don Benton's endorsement of Royce Pollard for his re-election. I support that position as much as I despise many of Pollard's policies.
As even the Columbian has pointed out, on the policy level there is little to differentiate between Pollard and Leavitt. They've been, essentially, joined at the hip legislatively since Leavitt was appointed to the city council a few years back.
Leavitt knew that he had to differentiate himself from Pollard to get this notch on his gun belt before he ran for Congress or whatever he ultimately plans to do.
So, he contrived a hair-splitting difference on tolls, manipulated the local hispanics into committing political suicide, and attacked HIS opponent for HIS OWN failure to vote; a privilege, I might add, that BOTH Pollard and myself spent many hard years INSURING that Leavitt had available to him, only for him to ignore it... again and again and again.
So, I have been hammering Leavitt like a nail. But as I pointed out below, many in the local GOP hierarchy mistakenly believe he's a Republican because Leavitt had the foresight to play both sides of the fence; apparently supporting Rossi while definitely endorsing and supporting the man who has single-handedly inflicted more damaged to our country in less time than any human being who has ever lived, Barack Hussein Obama.
Benton has endorsed Pollard. I will let that endorsement speak for itself. That the endorsement was made, however, has hurt Leavitt badly, because even though he has surrounded himself with leftists and has so far counted on $30,000 (so far) in leftist money laundered from the East Coast, he was secure in the knowledge that he had sucked most local Republicans into wrongly believing that HE, Leavitt, was one.
I also appreciate Ryan Hart's efforts to jam a shiv into Sen. Benton's back with his non-endorsement endorsement of Leavitt, below.
You know, I appreciate the passion of those in this email that is now making the rounds.
Like those circulating this filth, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I appreciate CDR Patella's use of the axiom, of "what happens when you 'lay down with dogs'," since Pattela seems to have acquired an entire kennel.
My opinion is this:
Tim Leavitt is a democrat. His campaign has surrounded itself with democrats such as Steve Stuart, Betty Sue Morris and democrat campaign strategist Heather Mellon, who ran democrat Peter Goldmark’s successful campaign for state lands commissioner.
Leavitt claims to have supported Rossi. Well, he also endorsed and supported the blight on the land known as Obama. How come no one mentions THAT?
Does that make him any more palatable to you so-called Republicans?
While Benton obviously has a history of fighting for Republican causes and issues that extends back unbroken for the last 15 years in elective office, that does not make him blind to issues of character, integrity and courage of convictions.
The fact of the matter is that I view Leavitt as a political mercenary. He and Pollard are essentially the same on matters of policy and legislation, with very few differences over the years until Leavitt was bitten by the “mayor” bug, when he realized he had to begin to emphasize, and contrive, differences in order to separate himself from Pollard.
So, he makes up a scam about bridge tolls. He’s OPPOSED to tolls, you understand… just not enough to oppose the BRIDGE when it’s REQUIRED to have tolls. And then, we find out that he never bothered to vote. And then, we find out about his grand plan to tax EVERYONE to get the bridge replaced, a replacement that we do not need and do not want and cannot afford.
Most of you base your opposition to Pollard on what amounts to personal animus. And because Don, after much consideration, has decided what *I* consider to be, by far, the lesser of two evils, you respond like this?
For ANY of you to even REMOTELY begin to question the character and integrity of a man like Sen. Benton with a REPEATEDLY PROVEN RECORD of Republicanism is part and parcel of why I have stopped BEING a Republican… And if this is what it takes to be a part of this party, then that is why I am ashamed to call myself one.
Because if blind obedience to an unofficial party line is a requirement to be a part of your organization, then I want nothing to do with it.
Pollard has, of course, engaged in dozens of policies that I oppose…AND SO HAS LEAVITT. Why do you people seem to forget all about that? Why is there such a horrific double standard?
The difference here, at least to me, is that Pollard is HONEST about his positions, where Leavitt is a slimy weasel. EVERYONE KNOWS where Pollard stands, like it or hate it. Leavitt? Well his latest stupidity on taxing EVERYONE to pay for the bridge and light rail that HE wants says it all.
There is nothing to reconsider. I urge Benton to maintain his stance, a stance based on PRINCIPLED support, something apparently lacking in the organization that I have worked so hard, at so many levels to support… But now have come to despise because of this kind of activity on the part of its “members.”
Because someone disagrees with you, you attack him like this? You people are no different than the Obama White House. You’re no different than Axlerod, or Emanuel or Dunn.
You have BECOME the enemy because of your hatred, and your inability to understand the difference between pragmatism and selling out. You would throw a man under a bus because he may disagree with YOUR conclusion on this ONE issue.
Do you think absolutely unsupported ”talking points” will have any sway?
You express concern over how Pollard has treated Campbell. That’s DEMOCRAT Pat Campbell, who USED to be a Republican… right? The utterly INEXPLICABLE idiocy of trying to make excuses for Leavitt's non-voting record... because Pollard was an OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
Are YOU telling US, "Commander," that when YOU were in the Navy in YOUR early 20's, that YOU didn't vote and then, like Leavitt, you LIED about it?
*I* voted, Commander. I bet dollars to donuts that Pollard did as well. That you didn't, and then proceed to make excuses for YOUR candidate who followed along in YOUR irresponsibility is simply beyond the pale.
I cannot and will not speak for Don. But if it were me? I would say the hell with the lot of you. I would say, “great. You don’t want to support me? THEN DON’T. Feel free to vote and provide money to whatever leftist they run against me."
And I pity you for it.
From: Local Mailing List
Date: 24 Oct 2009 09:13:11
To:
Subject: Is Don Benton a RINO?
(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) __
Senator Benton, I have no idea what kind of a deal you made with Pollard, but what ever it was you are a great disappointment to this Conservative.
You must have forgotten what your mother said happens when you "lay down with dogs".
You may not care and you are starting to believe you own press releases, but you no longer have my support and I will do my best to convince other to no longer support you.
For all who supported Rossi and those of you who support Leavitt, Benton needs to hear from you. Please send Debbie's email to everyone on your mailing list.
L. M. Patella
CDR USN (ret
Dear Friends,
Please email to your email lists, blogs, any media outlets.
Call to Action: Please email Don Benton and let him know how disappointed you are by the Pollard endorsement. don@senatordonbenton.com .
If you need talking points, please feel free to use any or all of my letter to Don.
Dear Don,
I am stunned that you have endorsed Pollard for the following reasons:
1. Pollard is pushing the very policies that you have spoken against.
2. He is vocally rude, condescending, and often humiliating to Vancouver citizens during public comment, so much so that the city lawyer, Mr. Gathe had to come in and remind Pollard of appropriate ethics while at city council.
3. He has been degrading to both Pat Campbell and Jeanne Stewart, his own colleagues, during city council meetings.
4. After numerous requests (for removal), he still retained his campaign treasurer as chair of the Vancouver Charter. As a result of that, the review board sent us weak, useless recommendations at a time when real issues needed to be addressed, such as dispersal of public property, the purchase and rental of property, term limits, and mayoral election cycle.
After weeks of public comment as to the importance of these issues, none of them was recommended for review by the Charter Review Committee. It was disgusting,and a blatant disregard for public input.
5. He has spent this city into a position where we didn't even have enough money to pay our fire/police. If BHO hadn't had the stimulus money, we would have been down ten police positions added to the four the city lost previously. It was disheartening to see firemen begging city council to raise taxes to cover their personnel positions/expenses.
6. Have you seen the proposed developments for downtown Vancouver? Good by to all the reasons we all moved here. It will be a concrete canyon.
Tower after tower of high rises.
7. The whole Leavitt voting record thing is absurd. I'd like to see Pollard's voting record when he was in his early 20's.
8. Lastly, please see below what your own Clark County chair has to say about Pollard, after Pollard trashed yours and my 2008 gubernatorial candidate.
Dear Republicans:
The Clark County Republican party decided earlier this year to not make any endorsements in the 2009 non-partisan races. We did send out a voter information guide for the purpose of informing our members of identified Republicans running for office. Since there were many cases of Republicans running against Republicans, and Democrats running against Democrats, we have made it clear that we as a party have taken no official position in these non-partisan races.
Today I was disappointed to see a mailer sent out by the Royce Pollard campaign attacking Mayoral Candidate and City Councilman Tim Leavitt for supporting Dino Rossi in 2008, and for introducing Rossi at his final appearance in Clark County the weekend before the 2008 election. The mail piece states, “The Leavitt-Rossi agenda will move Vancouver in the wrong direction.”
As Chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, I remain proud of Mr. Rossi and the campaigns he ran in an effort to move Washington forward.
Furthermore, it was an honor to have Councilman Tim Leavitt introduce Dino Rossi.
Mayor Pollard needs to understand that tens of thousands of Vancouver residents voted for Dino Rossi, and that Rossi won Clark County in both 2004 and 2008.
Christine Gregoire, however, now has an approval rating around 30 percent.
It is her failed policies, and those of the Democratic majority, that are hindering Washington and, more specifically, Clark County from moving forward. It is doubtful that the majority of Vancouver voters approve of Governor Gregoire’s job performance today.
Tim Leavitt was right to support Dino Rossi, and I applaud him for it.
Sincerely,
Ryan Hart
Chairman, Clark County Republican Party
Don, I urge you to reconsider your endorsement of this once effective, but now misguided mayor.
Debbie Peterson.
.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Republican Senator Don Benton (R-17) endorses Pollard. I guess Tim "The Liar" Leavitt isn't a Republican after all.
.
Speaks for itself.
____________________________________
Speaks for itself.
____________________________________
Dear friends and family,
.
I wanted you to know that I have endorsed the re-election of Royce Pollard as Mayor of Vancouver. I know that for many of you this will be shocking, so let me explain my reasoning. There are two choices in this race. I know both candidates. Royce and I have big disagreements on a few items (I-5 bridge, HOV lanes, light rail and tolls) and I am hoping he will someday see the light (no pun intended)on the light rail boondoggle. But even though we disagree, I believe Royce is honest, has impeccable character and is truly committed to the people of Vancouver and the job of Mayor. He strongly opposes the big casino project and with good reason in my opinion. Even though we have “had it out” a few times on issues, he still returns my calls…that says something about the kind of person he is. On the other hand, I believe Tim Leavitt to be an opportunist. I have never “had it out” with him on an issue but he doesn’t return my calls-not very responsive. We now know that he has not bothered to vote in many, many past elections which indicates to me that he really isn’t engaged in the electoral process-in other words-he doesn’t seem to care. He also supports light rail, the I-5 bridge debacle and tolls (although now he claims not to) and the big casino project. When someone, anyone, doesn’t vote for years and then wants to be Mayor, to me, it spells opportunist.
.
I would rather support someone that really cares and has good character even though we disagree on some issues than someone who is just an opportunist with their own personal agenda. I could have sat this one out but, as you know, that isn’t my personality. I want the best for my constituents and the best for Vancouver and right now with the choices we have, the best, in my opinion, is Royce Pollard.
.
(signed)Don Benton
Senator Don Benton
________________________________________________
.
Clearly, many on the right have been completely fooled by Tim "The Liar."
.
That he's surrounded himself by democrats, that he whines and snivels and bitches and moans while in the midst of embarrassing our community (see my apology to Southwest Washington for this miserable little worm.) that he's repeatedly failed to vote; that he lies in his voter pamphlet candidate statement ("We all deserve to vote on important city programs" but we don't, in his twisted little world, deserve to vote on this massive and unwanted I-5 Bridge/loot rail project that he so rabidly supports?) that he refuses to take responsibility for his own actions...
.
Well, none of this are the hallmark of a Republican.
.
So, here you have it. Vote for a lying, non-voting little worm like Leavitt if you must, but DON'T do it because you're misled into thinking this clown, who endorsed Obama early on, is in the GOP.
.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jon Russell tells us "Actions speak louder than words." Really, Jon?
.
There's a certain level of irony when it comes to Jon Russell's doomed-to-failure congressional campaign theme.
I've known Mr. Russell for five years now; I've worked with him on the campaign trail.
I have to admit: actions DO speak louder than words.
For example, when Russell called me to try and get Pam Brokaw's social security number (that was actually his second call to me... ever) while I was working on the Curtis campaign.
I, of course, didn't HAVE her social security number, and wouldn't have given it to him if I had.
But the question here is this: what does that "action" have to say about Mr. Russell?
Actions DO speak "louder than words." So imagine my surprise when I discovered that Mr. Russell was the campaign manager/consultant for the recently smashed Vancouver Port Levy... the largest local tax increase, had it ultimately been successful, in the history of the region... a tax increase which, ultimately, was not needed and was utterly rejected at the polls.
What, precisely, does THAT action speak to?
Look at the results. Look at the results of Russell's efforts to get Roy Rhine and Paul Harris elected. Look at his short tenure as both an HROC staffer and a legislative staffer.
And then, according to Lew the PCO's were regaled with Russell's experience on the Washougal City Council... and then...
Castillo is the guy. He has COMPETENT experience and professional credentials and accomplishments that put Russell's to shame.
And that's in addition to trying to portray yourself as a fiscal conservative after you've run the campaign for the biggest tax increase in our region's history.
H/T to Clark County Conservative
.
There's a certain level of irony when it comes to Jon Russell's doomed-to-failure congressional campaign theme.
I've known Mr. Russell for five years now; I've worked with him on the campaign trail.
I have to admit: actions DO speak louder than words.
For example, when Russell called me to try and get Pam Brokaw's social security number (that was actually his second call to me... ever) while I was working on the Curtis campaign.
I, of course, didn't HAVE her social security number, and wouldn't have given it to him if I had.
But the question here is this: what does that "action" have to say about Mr. Russell?
Actions DO speak "louder than words." So imagine my surprise when I discovered that Mr. Russell was the campaign manager/consultant for the recently smashed Vancouver Port Levy... the largest local tax increase, had it ultimately been successful, in the history of the region... a tax increase which, ultimately, was not needed and was utterly rejected at the polls.
What, precisely, does THAT action speak to?
Look at the results. Look at the results of Russell's efforts to get Roy Rhine and Paul Harris elected. Look at his short tenure as both an HROC staffer and a legislative staffer.
And then, according to Lew the PCO's were regaled with Russell's experience on the Washougal City Council... and then...
Uncalled for in his (Russell's) speech was a subtle but obvious slap towards David Castillo when he said words to the effect of any candidate can speak of work in the government that(sic) may have done.So, as far as that goes one has to wonder: if "any candidate can speak of work in the government" does that "any candidate" include Mr. Russell?
Castillo is the guy. He has COMPETENT experience and professional credentials and accomplishments that put Russell's to shame.
And that's in addition to trying to portray yourself as a fiscal conservative after you've run the campaign for the biggest tax increase in our region's history.
H/T to Clark County Conservative
.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
So, the Gorge Commission's budget has been cut. Where's the Columbian's demand for resignations and firing of those who cut it?
.
It wasn't that long ago that I've forgotten.
A little over 10 years or so ago, the budget of the Columbia River Gorge Commission was whacked by about a third to a half.
Led by then Rep. Marc Boldt (R-17) and current Sen. Don Benton (R-17) on the Washington side, and Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) on the Oregon side, the budgets for both states, which have to match, was cut as a way to get the Commission's attention.
The Gorge Commission had increasingly shared the Columbian's view that the people of the Gorge are a nuisance, and the phrase through out the Scenic Act, that is, "visually subordinate," actually meant "totally invisible."
They took months to approve projects as mundane as painting your house (The reader, of course, is aware that the Commission must approve a request to say, paint your house if you live in the Scenic Area. They and they alone can approve YOUR choice of colors.) and far too often would implement an overly restricted series of policies NOT called for by the Act's language.
Then, of course, there was the debacle of the Bea House; a house approved by the Commission only to be stupidly and arrogantly challenged by both the Commission and our local stain on journalism.... positions utterly destroyed by a 9-0 State Supreme Court decision.
The reaction by the democrat newsletter that is this rag?
Howls of outrage. It's one of the many reasons why this waste of pulp has never endorsed Sen. Benton, and why they've only recently endorsed Marc Boldt. In fact, Tom Koenninger demanded Boldt's resignation, moronically suggesting that Boldt "resign before the people do it for him."
Over the years, the stupidity of that position has become self-evident.
Slashing the Commission's budget as a teaching moment proved to be wildly successful. Attacking those who orchestrated that move proved to be hideously moronic.
In short, that the fishwrapper believes that the people of the Gorge should be bulldozed out (with the appropriate re-planting of trees) so that OUR side of the Gorge could go back to its natural, pre-people state (OUR side of the Gorge anyway... I wonder if the rag has noticed an interstate freeway on the Oregon side of the Gorge...) so that it could remain the post card that THEY want to look at... but would never dream of living in with all the restrictions and assaults on their freedoms that they have to put up with, is not a universally-shared view.
In fact, voters here locally would have no problem if the Commission were abolished.... let alone have their budget cut.
All of which begs the question: Where's the faux outrage? Where's the demands for resignations? Where's the barrels of ink, the screaming, whining and moaning.... the generalized idiocy of Tom Koenninger trying to bully people and destroy them politically?
Where is it?
It's no where.
Now.... why is that?
The answer is simple. THIS time, the legislature cutting this budget were all controlled by... democrats.
THAT is the difference. The state democrats OWN the despicable rag that is our paper. They SLASHED this miserable rag's business and occupation tax in the midst of a $10 BILLION budget deficit... so they now OWN this steaming pile of garbage... and as a result, they have cemented their position as being beyond criticism or question... because this rag knows that the legislature giveth, and the legislature taketh away.
Combine that with Koenninger's utterly rank hypocrisy, and the result speaks for itself.
One need look no farther than the Gorge Commission's despicable efforts to steal operations dollars out of money's MEANT for economic development and recreation planning dollars.
And that the money in question STILL hasn't been paid out on an Act in place since the REAGAN ADMINISTRATION is a testament to the weak representation of the 3rd Congressional District since the Scenic Act was put into place.
So, why is it that this garbage heap of a paper isn't hammering Baird, that cow Murray, and ol' round heels Cantwell for failing to get the money into the Gorge that the Act calls for?
Here's a bulletin, morons: our elected representatives don't give a damn about the Commission, either. If we were to wake up TOMORROW and discover that the Gorge Commission no longer existed... most of us wouldn't give a damn... much like we wouldn't give a damn if your paper ceased to exist.
.
It wasn't that long ago that I've forgotten.
A little over 10 years or so ago, the budget of the Columbia River Gorge Commission was whacked by about a third to a half.
Led by then Rep. Marc Boldt (R-17) and current Sen. Don Benton (R-17) on the Washington side, and Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) on the Oregon side, the budgets for both states, which have to match, was cut as a way to get the Commission's attention.
The Gorge Commission had increasingly shared the Columbian's view that the people of the Gorge are a nuisance, and the phrase through out the Scenic Act, that is, "visually subordinate," actually meant "totally invisible."
They took months to approve projects as mundane as painting your house (The reader, of course, is aware that the Commission must approve a request to say, paint your house if you live in the Scenic Area. They and they alone can approve YOUR choice of colors.) and far too often would implement an overly restricted series of policies NOT called for by the Act's language.
Then, of course, there was the debacle of the Bea House; a house approved by the Commission only to be stupidly and arrogantly challenged by both the Commission and our local stain on journalism.... positions utterly destroyed by a 9-0 State Supreme Court decision.
The reaction by the democrat newsletter that is this rag?
Howls of outrage. It's one of the many reasons why this waste of pulp has never endorsed Sen. Benton, and why they've only recently endorsed Marc Boldt. In fact, Tom Koenninger demanded Boldt's resignation, moronically suggesting that Boldt "resign before the people do it for him."
Over the years, the stupidity of that position has become self-evident.
Slashing the Commission's budget as a teaching moment proved to be wildly successful. Attacking those who orchestrated that move proved to be hideously moronic.
In short, that the fishwrapper believes that the people of the Gorge should be bulldozed out (with the appropriate re-planting of trees) so that OUR side of the Gorge could go back to its natural, pre-people state (OUR side of the Gorge anyway... I wonder if the rag has noticed an interstate freeway on the Oregon side of the Gorge...) so that it could remain the post card that THEY want to look at... but would never dream of living in with all the restrictions and assaults on their freedoms that they have to put up with, is not a universally-shared view.
In fact, voters here locally would have no problem if the Commission were abolished.... let alone have their budget cut.
All of which begs the question: Where's the faux outrage? Where's the demands for resignations? Where's the barrels of ink, the screaming, whining and moaning.... the generalized idiocy of Tom Koenninger trying to bully people and destroy them politically?
Where is it?
It's no where.
Now.... why is that?
The answer is simple. THIS time, the legislature cutting this budget were all controlled by... democrats.
THAT is the difference. The state democrats OWN the despicable rag that is our paper. They SLASHED this miserable rag's business and occupation tax in the midst of a $10 BILLION budget deficit... so they now OWN this steaming pile of garbage... and as a result, they have cemented their position as being beyond criticism or question... because this rag knows that the legislature giveth, and the legislature taketh away.
Combine that with Koenninger's utterly rank hypocrisy, and the result speaks for itself.
One need look no farther than the Gorge Commission's despicable efforts to steal operations dollars out of money's MEANT for economic development and recreation planning dollars.
And that the money in question STILL hasn't been paid out on an Act in place since the REAGAN ADMINISTRATION is a testament to the weak representation of the 3rd Congressional District since the Scenic Act was put into place.
So, why is it that this garbage heap of a paper isn't hammering Baird, that cow Murray, and ol' round heels Cantwell for failing to get the money into the Gorge that the Act calls for?
Here's a bulletin, morons: our elected representatives don't give a damn about the Commission, either. If we were to wake up TOMORROW and discover that the Gorge Commission no longer existed... most of us wouldn't give a damn... much like we wouldn't give a damn if your paper ceased to exist.
.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Kudos to Benton and Mielke: Foes of bridge plans will rally in Portland
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Kudos to Washington State Senator Don Benton and Clark County Commissioner Tom Mielke for coming out full force in their opposition to the massive waste and fraud known as the I-5 Bridge Replacement.
While some of the more ignorant are stuck on the bizarre idea that "SOMETHING" has to be done, the idea of replacing a serviceable bridge that accomplishes nothing but a massive and colossal waste of transportation dollars combined with sucking out as much as $100,000,000 per year from our local economy for bridge tolls, in addition to heaping yet another huge tax on our commuting public, ain't that.
If the outcome of any transportation project is not decreased congestion and increased freight mobility, then the result is an epic failure.
Unfortunately for the people, those who govern us here locally have fallen in love with this idea. It's unfortunate because "love" is not supposed to be a part of governance.
With those running our government that lose sight of their duty, such as the mayor of Vancouver, they become fixated on a goal and demand that everyone else sacrifice to achieve THEIR vision... a vision that we are not going to be allowed to impact.
There is precisely zero justification for replacing this bridge. As Commissioner Mielke put it, the bridge is in "A-1 shape."
Others more ignorant about issues related to the bridge, say things like "I don't know how he comes to that conclusion on a interstate bridge that sits on 100 year old Douglas Fir pilings," and seem to be fixated on the idea that pilings, if they are in danger of failing (and the commenter offers no evidence that they are... just the age) can be replaced... and replaced without replacing the entire bridge.
None of the supporters of the bridge replacement have addressed the massive and permanent hit our local economy will take as a result of this effort. They either don't think of it, or they don't care about it.
Obviously, at some point, replacement of the I-5 bridge is something that should be considered. But not until a 3rd and 4th bridge have been built, or unless the bridge reaches a condition that makes it unrepairable.
And NO ONE indicates that to be the case.
So, bridge fanatics become closet OCD freaks, ignoring and belittling the opposition if it's opposition they don't happen to like. They lose site of the forest for the 100 year-old douglas firs... and they become fixated on forgetting that ANY opposition to this massive, colossal and unforgivable waste of money is GOOD opposition.
Political pragmatism is the order of the day... for everyone. And to suggest that those elected down here, while buried in a minority in Olympia are not doing all they can to stop the Pridemore/Wallace gerrymandering bill is both moronic and an insult to those who have done more before 9:00 a.m. to kill this deal then some disgruntled idiots have in the entirety of their lives.
Thanks again to all of the responsible public officials who represent us and actually LISTEN to those they would govern.
Illegitimus non tatum carborundum.
Local NewsFoes of bridge plans will rally in Portland
They’ll highlight possible alternatives to a 12-lane crossing
Thursday, April 2 8:17 p.m.
BY JEFFREY MIZE
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER
A collection of interests, from environmental activists in Portland to third-bridge supporters in Vancouver, will assemble in Portland this Sunday.
Their goal? Demonstrate unified opposition to the proposed Columbia River Crossing, which would replace the Interstate 5 Bridge with two spans, each with as many as six lanes.
The rally begins at noon Sunday in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, near the west side of the Morrison Bridge, and will include speakers, information booths and anything else to encourage opposition to the crossing project.
Rally organizer Joe Kurmaskie said the event will highlight alternatives to a project that opponents see as a throwback to the days when gas was cheap and the auto was king.
"Unless we've got another planet or two in our pocket, we are really going to have to change our habits," he said. "I don't think we can build our way out of congestion. It hasn't worked in Atlanta or Houston or Los Angeles."
Alternatives include tolling both the I-5 and Interstate 205 bridges, retrofitting the existing I-5 Bridge, tweaking freeway ramps and maybe even building a smaller replacement bridge, Kurmaskie said.
"This is a not a 'no build' rally," he said. "There is no consensus as to what all those alternatives should be. But there is consensus that this mega-bridge, 12 lanes, is going to create more problems than it's going to solve."
The crossing project also would extend light rail from the Expo Center in north Portland to Clark College and rebuild six freeway interchanges, four in Vancouver and two in Portland. The entire project, bridge, highway and transit, would cost $3.5 billion or more.
Sunday's rally will attract opponents from Oregon and Washington. Shumway residents John Kangas will lead a group of bicyclists that will assemble in Vancouver's Esther Short Park at 10:30 a.m. and pedal to the rally in downtown Portland.
More:
Kudos to Washington State Senator Don Benton and Clark County Commissioner Tom Mielke for coming out full force in their opposition to the massive waste and fraud known as the I-5 Bridge Replacement.
While some of the more ignorant are stuck on the bizarre idea that "SOMETHING" has to be done, the idea of replacing a serviceable bridge that accomplishes nothing but a massive and colossal waste of transportation dollars combined with sucking out as much as $100,000,000 per year from our local economy for bridge tolls, in addition to heaping yet another huge tax on our commuting public, ain't that.
If the outcome of any transportation project is not decreased congestion and increased freight mobility, then the result is an epic failure.
Unfortunately for the people, those who govern us here locally have fallen in love with this idea. It's unfortunate because "love" is not supposed to be a part of governance.
With those running our government that lose sight of their duty, such as the mayor of Vancouver, they become fixated on a goal and demand that everyone else sacrifice to achieve THEIR vision... a vision that we are not going to be allowed to impact.
There is precisely zero justification for replacing this bridge. As Commissioner Mielke put it, the bridge is in "A-1 shape."
Others more ignorant about issues related to the bridge, say things like "I don't know how he comes to that conclusion on a interstate bridge that sits on 100 year old Douglas Fir pilings," and seem to be fixated on the idea that pilings, if they are in danger of failing (and the commenter offers no evidence that they are... just the age) can be replaced... and replaced without replacing the entire bridge.
None of the supporters of the bridge replacement have addressed the massive and permanent hit our local economy will take as a result of this effort. They either don't think of it, or they don't care about it.
Obviously, at some point, replacement of the I-5 bridge is something that should be considered. But not until a 3rd and 4th bridge have been built, or unless the bridge reaches a condition that makes it unrepairable.
And NO ONE indicates that to be the case.
So, bridge fanatics become closet OCD freaks, ignoring and belittling the opposition if it's opposition they don't happen to like. They lose site of the forest for the 100 year-old douglas firs... and they become fixated on forgetting that ANY opposition to this massive, colossal and unforgivable waste of money is GOOD opposition.
Political pragmatism is the order of the day... for everyone. And to suggest that those elected down here, while buried in a minority in Olympia are not doing all they can to stop the Pridemore/Wallace gerrymandering bill is both moronic and an insult to those who have done more before 9:00 a.m. to kill this deal then some disgruntled idiots have in the entirety of their lives.
Thanks again to all of the responsible public officials who represent us and actually LISTEN to those they would govern.
Illegitimus non tatum carborundum.
Local NewsFoes of bridge plans will rally in PortlandThey’ll highlight possible alternatives to a 12-lane crossing
Thursday, April 2 8:17 p.m.
BY JEFFREY MIZE
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER
A collection of interests, from environmental activists in Portland to third-bridge supporters in Vancouver, will assemble in Portland this Sunday.
Their goal? Demonstrate unified opposition to the proposed Columbia River Crossing, which would replace the Interstate 5 Bridge with two spans, each with as many as six lanes.
The rally begins at noon Sunday in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, near the west side of the Morrison Bridge, and will include speakers, information booths and anything else to encourage opposition to the crossing project.
Rally organizer Joe Kurmaskie said the event will highlight alternatives to a project that opponents see as a throwback to the days when gas was cheap and the auto was king.
"Unless we've got another planet or two in our pocket, we are really going to have to change our habits," he said. "I don't think we can build our way out of congestion. It hasn't worked in Atlanta or Houston or Los Angeles."
Alternatives include tolling both the I-5 and Interstate 205 bridges, retrofitting the existing I-5 Bridge, tweaking freeway ramps and maybe even building a smaller replacement bridge, Kurmaskie said.
"This is a not a 'no build' rally," he said. "There is no consensus as to what all those alternatives should be. But there is consensus that this mega-bridge, 12 lanes, is going to create more problems than it's going to solve."
The crossing project also would extend light rail from the Expo Center in north Portland to Clark College and rebuild six freeway interchanges, four in Vancouver and two in Portland. The entire project, bridge, highway and transit, would cost $3.5 billion or more.
Sunday's rally will attract opponents from Oregon and Washington. Shumway residents John Kangas will lead a group of bicyclists that will assemble in Vancouver's Esther Short Park at 10:30 a.m. and pedal to the rally in downtown Portland.
More:
Monday, February 09, 2009
Sen. Don Benton comes out swinging against the replacement bridge/loot rail swindle.
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I've had a few hundred thousand or so words to say against the bizarre and monstrously wasteful idea of replacing the I-5 Bridge without building a third... and then a fourth, bridge first.
But that idea has no particular cache' with the Downtown Mafia. Our slimier politicians, entirely in the pockets of the special interests pulling their strings, including Pollard, Leavitt, Stuart, Pridemore, Wallace and the like; don't give a damn WHAT WE want: I mean, the very idea that the people who have to pay for this; the people who will have to put up with the results of a loot rail connection with the city that loves their mayor, one Sam Adams; and by any means the poor bastards that will get stiffed with the $1200 a year tax these morons will not have to pay to go to work shouldn't have any say as what it is these more enlightened people want to ram down our throats.
And out of all the people representing us, I have to rely on a senator from the adjoining district to actually step up and speak out against this colossal and massive waste of time, energy and effort... not to mention $4 trillion.
My legislators are heavily involved in the church mouse act. So, Sen. Benton has stepped up to provide a voice for all of those ignored so far by an arrogant, out of control government that views their personal wants to somehow exceed the importance of the opinion of those they would govern.
BENTON BULLETIN: STATE SENATOR DON BENTON 02/02/09
I've had a few hundred thousand or so words to say against the bizarre and monstrously wasteful idea of replacing the I-5 Bridge without building a third... and then a fourth, bridge first.
But that idea has no particular cache' with the Downtown Mafia. Our slimier politicians, entirely in the pockets of the special interests pulling their strings, including Pollard, Leavitt, Stuart, Pridemore, Wallace and the like; don't give a damn WHAT WE want: I mean, the very idea that the people who have to pay for this; the people who will have to put up with the results of a loot rail connection with the city that loves their mayor, one Sam Adams; and by any means the poor bastards that will get stiffed with the $1200 a year tax these morons will not have to pay to go to work shouldn't have any say as what it is these more enlightened people want to ram down our throats.
And out of all the people representing us, I have to rely on a senator from the adjoining district to actually step up and speak out against this colossal and massive waste of time, energy and effort... not to mention $4 trillion.
My legislators are heavily involved in the church mouse act. So, Sen. Benton has stepped up to provide a voice for all of those ignored so far by an arrogant, out of control government that views their personal wants to somehow exceed the importance of the opinion of those they would govern.
Columbia River Crossing
My position on solving the I-5 bottleneck from Vancouver to Portland continues to be distorted in the news media. I am not against a solution; I am against the current proposal that will not solve the problem. So far, Washington has spent $60 million dollars – wasted $60 million – on a plan to build a new bridge that will not increase capacity and will not help commuters. Replacing the bridge will not solve congestion, nor will it significantly improve freight mobility. With the forecast of six-mile backups lasting 14 hours per day made by David Evans and Associates done for the CRC in 2005, I think the idea of just replacing the bridge is unbelievable.
Nearly one-third of these commuters live in Clark County – and Vancouver continues to grow, having more than doubled its population since 1995. Even with the planned correction of the bottleneck at Delta Park, there are no additional thru-lanes planned, which would mean that cars and trucks will still crawl over the river, waste fuel and spew carbon monoxide, and drivers will be charged a toll to do it.
I have been a champion of transportation projects for all of Clark County, not just my legislative district, throughout my 14 years in the Legislature. I have gone to bat for important transportation projects that bring great benefit to the entire county and region and will continue to do so. I simply cannot condone or support wasting precious resources on proposals that will not increase capacity or reduce congestion. I call on other community and government leaders to join me in my opposition to this horrendous waste of public resources and join forces to promote a real congestion relief plan that will include a new corridor and a third bridge across the Columbia River. The underlying cause of congestion on Interstate 5 is a corridor issue, not a bridge issue. A replacement bridge will not solve that long-term problem. We need a real solution, not just a place to put light rail which even proponents admit will not move more than 2 percent of trips daily.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
David Carrier explains why he couldn't make it past "speedbump" status in the 17th District senate race.
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I'm sure it hasn't been so long that we've forgotten David Carrier, the sacrifice de jour to Senator Don Benton in the last election (although, based on Carrier's slavish partisanship and political ignorance, perhaps we should forget him.)
Self-delusion is part and parcel of the commitment to be a leftist generally, and a democrat particularly. In a rather fascinating tome printed in today's Pravda Columbian, Mr. Carrier confirms his cluelessness with this sorry effort.
No, I'm not suggesting he didn't actually GO to DC. I have no idea if he did or did not, and really, I could care less. But his judgments (using the term in it's loosest possible sense) on this matter reflect his idiotic political positions during his abortive effort to get someone to elect him to the senate.
Many of Mr. Obama's choices for cabinet positions ARE, in fact, the very thing Mr. Carrier, for whatever the bizarre reason, would lead you into thinking they are not.
Hillary Clinton... NOT a "political crony?"
(BTW, Mr. Carrier, I understand that campaign donors are limited to US Senate seats if they're democrats.)
Bill Richardson... NOT a "political crony?" Tax cheat and illegal alien employer Tim Geithner... NOT a "political crony?" Eric Holder, best known for getting fugitive financier Mark Rich and a group of Puerto Rican terrorists pardons from Bill Clinton, NOT a "political crony?" Arne Duncan, whose disastrous tenure as Chicago Schools Superintendent includes a $67,000 espresso bill and a system with utterly abysmally academic outcomes, NOT a "political crony?" Former Raytheon lobbyist (You DO remember Obama's pledge not to hire lobbyists in his Administration, don't you, Mr. Carrier?) William Lynn for Deputy Defense Secretary... NOT a "political crony?"
Look... I get partisanship as much as the next guy. But pathological self-delusion?
This is nothing close to the "dawn of a new era." In fact, it's beginning to shape up as a return to the days of Tammany Hall and the Teapot Dome Scandal.
Hiring crooks... giving them a pass when Republicans similarly situated would be crucified by you and others like you every hour on the hour is more like the "dawn of the know-nothings."
It is efforts like this, Mr. Carrier, that serve to confirm that the people of the 17th District acted wisely indeed in passing you over to return Sen. Benton to office.
.
I'm sure it hasn't been so long that we've forgotten David Carrier, the sacrifice de jour to Senator Don Benton in the last election (although, based on Carrier's slavish partisanship and political ignorance, perhaps we should forget him.)
Self-delusion is part and parcel of the commitment to be a leftist generally, and a democrat particularly. In a rather fascinating tome printed in today's Pravda Columbian, Mr. Carrier confirms his cluelessness with this sorry effort.
It's difficult to tell if Mr. Carrier's moronic take on these cabinet appointments is something he sadly, and incorrectly, truly believes; or if he's just a flat out liar. Clearly, if this crop of cabinet officials "impresses" Mr. Carrier, he needs to stay out of the political business.Obama’s appointments impressive
I attended several Senate confirmation hearings last week and was impressed that President Barack Obama’s Cabinet appointees are highly qualified, and are not corporate big shots, campaign donors, or political cronies.
They simply wish to serve their country.
Steven Chu, secretary of energy, won a Nobel Prize in physics. Lisa Jackson (for EPA administrator) acknowledged that global warming is our most serious environmental challenge. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s family has been ranching in Colorado longer than it has been a state. Attorney General-appointee Eric Holder stated without equivocation that waterboarding is torture. SEC head Mary Shapiro wants the banking industry to pay for its own mistakes. All three appointees to the Council of Economic Advisers are Ph.D. economists who have written extensively on labor and trade issues.
This is the dawn of a new era for our country, and I was proud to be one of the 2 million who witnessed its rebirth first-hand.
David Carrier
VANCOUVER
No, I'm not suggesting he didn't actually GO to DC. I have no idea if he did or did not, and really, I could care less. But his judgments (using the term in it's loosest possible sense) on this matter reflect his idiotic political positions during his abortive effort to get someone to elect him to the senate.
Many of Mr. Obama's choices for cabinet positions ARE, in fact, the very thing Mr. Carrier, for whatever the bizarre reason, would lead you into thinking they are not.
Hillary Clinton... NOT a "political crony?"
(BTW, Mr. Carrier, I understand that campaign donors are limited to US Senate seats if they're democrats.)
Bill Richardson... NOT a "political crony?" Tax cheat and illegal alien employer Tim Geithner... NOT a "political crony?" Eric Holder, best known for getting fugitive financier Mark Rich and a group of Puerto Rican terrorists pardons from Bill Clinton, NOT a "political crony?" Arne Duncan, whose disastrous tenure as Chicago Schools Superintendent includes a $67,000 espresso bill and a system with utterly abysmally academic outcomes, NOT a "political crony?" Former Raytheon lobbyist (You DO remember Obama's pledge not to hire lobbyists in his Administration, don't you, Mr. Carrier?) William Lynn for Deputy Defense Secretary... NOT a "political crony?"
Look... I get partisanship as much as the next guy. But pathological self-delusion?
This is nothing close to the "dawn of a new era." In fact, it's beginning to shape up as a return to the days of Tammany Hall and the Teapot Dome Scandal.
Hiring crooks... giving them a pass when Republicans similarly situated would be crucified by you and others like you every hour on the hour is more like the "dawn of the know-nothings."
It is efforts like this, Mr. Carrier, that serve to confirm that the people of the 17th District acted wisely indeed in passing you over to return Sen. Benton to office.
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