Steve Stuart's bachelor party? I'm surprised it wasn't sponsored by David Barnett and the Paskenta/Mohegan/Cowlitz Mob.

.
So, two of Tim the Liar Leavitt's biggest supporters are going to merge their operations.

Steve "$100,000 in cold hard cash" Stuart is getting married. And in keeping with their position as the local democrat newsletter, the local rag has to tell us about it.

Steve's a bright guy. Like that empty-suited, anti-American racist bigot in the White House, ol' Steve graduated from law school. Course, he never passed the Bar... but at least he graduated from a school.

Steve is a Clark County Commissioner. Now, the ONLY reason he's a Clark County Commissioner is because one David Barnett illegally laundered $100,000 through a fringe democrat front group, one Progressive Majority, who then illegally spent almost $90,000 of it getting Stuart elected back on 2005.

Now, I'm given to understand that Stuart knew that Barnett was going to be bundling this illegal cash for what is SUPPOSED to be an "independent expenditure" in August of that year. Barnett cheerfully gave up that, to him, minor amount of cash; because he, Barnett, knew that Stuart's then opponent, now Clark County Commissioner Tom Mielke, would do everything he could to keep the organized crime project then known as the Barnett/Mohegan/Cowlitz megacasino from being built and injuring our economy, overloading our infrastructure and screwing up our community.

Stuart, on the other hand.... not so much.

Now, Barnett has a history of attempting to buy politicians. In his ignorance (and for a guy with so much money, his political ignorance is frightening) Barnett gets hosed by consultants, has no sense of timing, and is dramatically unconcerned about a few mundane issues like election laws.

The first effort Barnett made to buy an election was with our own, inimitable, Pam Brokaw, back in the 2004 cycle.

Richard Curtis was running against Brokaw in the 18th District. Brokaw had no experience or qualification to be a state representative... just like she had none to be a county commissioner... but she was running for an open seat and the local newspaper only endorses democrats in open seats.

It's their history and an editorial policy or something.

Curtis was, at the time, strongly opposed to the criminal enterprise on the drawing board for the LaCenter exit of I-5. Brokaw never stood a chance, since in addition to her myriad of other talents, she supported gay marriage and partial birth abortion, two non-starters in the heavily conservative 18th.

Towards the end of her inevitable political demise, David Barnett swoopes in and dumps a cool $25,000 or so into an "independent expenditure" through Washington Conservation Voters, of all people, who then did a rather pathetic mailer accusing Curtis of supporting I-892, an initiative that would have started the process of ending the tribal gambling monopoly had it passed.

Washington Conservation Voters, like Progressive Majority, is a leftist front group that can be bought when the price is right... like Barnett bought them here.

Barnett has a LOT of money... so, he likes to "buy" things... "things" like politicians and groups, typically portrayed by media (How many times as our local stain on journalism relied on the WCV for quotes, positions and bulletins?) as having some level of worth or stature that they are wholly undeserving of.

Barnett's political ignorance showed. This time, he left an easily discovered paper trail, and his efforts to buy Brokaw blew up in his face, and Brokaw was blown out in the general.

But for Barnett, it was a teaching moment. He knew he had compromised his effectiveness in buying a candidate by doing it in such a way that his paper trail could be discovered and used both as proof of his efforts to corrupt OUR election, and that a politician had been bought.

So, in 2005, Stuart was up in a special election. Stuart had been appointed to replace Craig Pridemore who, in a stunningly moronic move, gave up his commissioner's seat to become a state senator... a position that earned half the money and ten times the frustration.

Stuart, the democrat, ran against Mielke, the Republican. Tom ran a solid campaign, and was ahead on points... when Barnett's $100,000 hit... $100,000 that Stuart KNEW was going to hit, months before.

Barnett knew that Mielke was a threat to his plan to screw our community, so $100,000 was chump change to buy a commissioner and eliminate an enemy. And it worked like a charm, THIS time, because he laundered his money through an out of state organization, with completely different reporting requirements. In fact, it wasn't until December of that year that it could be proved that Barnett had bought and paid for Stuart by laundering tens of thousands through Progressive Majority.

The $100,000 bought Stuart a series of mailers full of lies, half truths and exaggerations... and Stuart barely won.

Had Barnett not corrupted our election, Stuart would be pumping gas in Oregon, or something, instead of raping us on the unneeded and unwanted I-5 Bridge replacement/loot rail scam.

He also wouldn't be doing all he could to get that casino in here, like he did with that bogus rescission resolution that made the Cowlitz thug squad so positively giddy.

Barnett, not having learned his lesson the first time, tried to stop the bleeding again with Brokaw; a candidate who went around saying that she would kick Mielke's ass since she had it all her way.

She had a HUGE fund raising edge (something like 4 to 1) and a leftist tide sweeping the land as Obama easily won Clark County.

What she DIDN'T have was an anti-bridge/tolls/loot rail/casino position. She was owned by the unions and by the casino.

Fortunately for our community, Mielke had all of those things, so thousands who voted for Obama then turned around and voted for Mielke.

And they voted for Mileke in spite of Brokaw arranging to have Barnett dump almost $80,000 into the last 72 hours or so of the election.

You would have thought Barnett would have known better.

But then, it had worked with Stuart... so why wouldn't it work with Brokaw?

So, congratulations to Steve Stuart and what's her face. May Stuart's corrupt political career end as soon as possible, and may you both find happiness in whatever Stuart's next career is going to be... pumping gas in Oregon, or whatever.
.

So: Megacasino developer has happen to him what he would do to us.

Poor David Barnett. Two restraining orders from two different women, and now it appears that another one has wrecked him.... precisely like he wants to wreck us.

Barnett, who has as much Cowlitz blood in him as my newly bought Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is doing everything he can to ram a massive casino down our throats here in Clark County.

When he hasn't been busy channeling Chief Umtuch, he's been busy insulting, threatening and intimidating public officials smart enough to oppose his perfidy, save for those like democrat County Commissioner Steve Stuart, who Barnett bought for a paltry $100,000 back in 2005, and elected official wannabes like Pam Brokaw, who was the recipient (indirectly, of course) of over $100.000 MORE dollars in additional lame efforts to buy ANOTHER county commissioner (democrat, of course) that blew up in his face when Brokaw was beaten by Republican Commissioner Tom Mielke.

Barnett has run onto hard financial times, lately; problems that have kept him from trying to buy elections in the most recent round... although the $40,000 channelled to Tim "The Liar" Leavitt through a New York City union smacks of the same kind of corruption that bought Steve Stuart; money laundered through Progressive Majority out of Washington, D.C.; a technique that DOES have the kind of fingerprints Barnett is known for. (I'm in the midst of investigating that right now with the help of the New York version of our PDC) on the surface, at least, even though another local blog claimed that Barnett played in a Snohomish County commissioner race (and lost there, as well) there is no evidence to support that any effort was made by Barnett against Somers... unless, of course, those making that effort failed to file with the state... and guys like Barnett would never do THAT, would they?

So, when news made it down here that this thug had been folded up like a pretzel and stuffed into intensive care at Harborview (I was only disappointed that karma hadn't dealt an even more severe blow, and taken him out of our picture permanently.) I could hardly be upset.

Those foaming at that mouth to get that criminal enterprise opened down here will feign anger at my insensitivity. And that is too damned bad.

Barnett and most of the thugs supporting him (particularly those who stand to get the big checks) have never lived in our community; do not live in our community; and never WILL live in our community; and will not have to suffer the many massive negative impacts this massive criminal enterprise will cause.

So, if he's in traction with tubes coming out of every orifice, I can't say I'm sorry about that, since that is precisely what he plans for SW Washington.

With any luck at all....

Casino developer injured in auto crash

Tuesday, November 17 | 1:19 p.m.

BY MICHAEL ANDERSEN
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

Cowlitz casino developer David Barnett was in serious condition Tuesday afternoon after a Monday morning car crash.

Barnett, 49, was critically injured and unconscious after being thrown from the bed of a Toyota pickup at 6 a.m. Monday in Shoreline, police said.

No other vehicles were involved, the King County sheriff’s office said. The pickup’s female driver, 36, was uninjured.

The accident occurred five blocks from Barnett’s $1.3 million home on Puget Sound.

An emergency vehicle rushed Barnett to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, said Sgt. John Urquhart of the sheriff’s office.

By Tuesday afternoon, his condition had improved from "critical" to "serious," according to a hospital spokeswoman, meaning Barnett’s life was not in immediate danger.

Detectives for the King County Sheriff’s Office were investigating the accident as a possible case of vehicular assault, Urquhart said.

That charge is used in cases of reckless driving or use of drugs or alcohol.

Urquhart described the pickup’s driver as Barnett’s "live-in roommate, whatever you want to call her."

He said a sample of her blood has been sent to a state lab and is likely to return in six to eight weeks.

More:

Stuart, bought and paid for by Barnett and the Cowlitz Tribe, works to sell us out for a casino.

By now, we should all know the story. The first shill for the Cowlitz was David Barnett.

Barnett had the advantage of being the Chief's (John Barnett) son. So, he became the "casino developer."

Now, the entire purpose of jamming a megacasino down our throats here in a community that doesn't want one is to first, enrich Barnett; second, enrich the Mohegan Tribe (Casino financiers) of Uncasville, CT and only peripherally to take care of Cowlitz Tribal Members, the vast majority of whom do not and never have lived anywhere close to Clark County.

Barnett is a bully. He has used threats and intimidation, belittlement and allegations of "racism" against most of the main opponents of this project; He has been the recipient of at least two restraining orders, one from a local woman running a casino opposition group, and one he was having an affair with in Seattle (He was married at the time). He has since been replaced by a mouthpiece lawyer, Phil Harju, who's escapades are discussed here:

Among other episodes by Mr. Barnett have been his three separate efforts to use his money to buy politicians that, first; once bought will remain bought; and second, will do everything they can to support his organized crime effort of ramming one of the largest casinos on the planet down our gullets whether this community wants one or not.

Barnett first used his money to corrupt our elections back in 2004. Late in that election, Barnett laundered something like $25,000 through a democrat-front group, heavily relied upon by our local fishwrapper and democrats, (Washington Conservation Voters) to attack a candidate for the state House at the last minute because he was a casino opponent.

Who benefited from Barnett and the tribe's corruption? Pam Brokaw. Brokaw lost... and Brokaw has again benefited from Barnett's corruption during our recent Commissioner's Race.... and again, appears to have lost.

Brokaw has a large number of political faults, not the least of which is her arrogance. Arrogance, of course, is one of the many things that goes before a fall.

She was telling anyone who would listen that she was going to kick Mielke's butt. The problem with that kind of talk is that when you keep telling people you're going to beat someone like a rented mule, they tend to think that you don't need their financial support.

So, all of a sudden, Mielke found some messages... messages that apparently resonated, since he was one of the few able to stem the Obama tide in an open seat. And Brokaw panics.

And the next thing you know, Brokaw admits meeting with Barnett. And all of a sudden, because time is running out and Brokaw can't be caught dead accepting cash directly from Barnett, Barnett stupidly uses one of his companies to drop $75,000 into the campaign (otherwise known as "nuking") in the last 5 days.

Only this time, he was caught and the Columbian ran with it, exposing the corruption of Brokaw and Barnett in time to make a difference.

Based on these figures and the thousands provided by a union PAC that would benefit from the construction of this megacasino and the almost $100,000 that Barnett has spent on Brokaw shows that we know what she is... anything else is just a matter of price.

But the other recipient of Barnett's largess was none other than Steve Stuart. Except in Stuart's race against Mielke, Barnett's corruption was more successful.

Barnett wised up a little more with Stuart's race. He again laundered money through an outside organization, but knowing that his money was political poison, he violated a dozen or so state/federal laws by bundling his cash through yet another leftist front group out of state, "Progressive Majority." (For so-called "independent expenditures" that were by no means "independent" as required by law) It was $100,000 in cold, hard, cash with one purpose in mind: to corrupt our election and buy himself a county commissioner. He was successful in both endeavors.

He went out of state because he knew that, at the time, out of state expenditures had a much looser standard for reporting. In fact, Barnett's cash wasn't revealed until late December after the election.

By then, it was too late. Barnett and Stuart had scammed the people of Clark County into electing Stuart over Mielke. Remembering this and knowing about it is an important element of perspective when reviewing Stuart's efforts to ram an MOU with this corrupt tribal administration BEFORE Mielke takes office.

Stuart denies that, of course. But Stuart has been bought and paid for. So, when you read this article in today's Columbian, keep all this in mind.

County-tribe casino deal in works
If new pact will have needed support from board is unknown
Sunday, November 23 10:23 p.m.
BY JEFFREY MIZE
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER
Clark County and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe are making progress toward replacing a casino agreement that was struck down two years ago.

“I can tell you that we are getting closer to getting things back to the public, which we had promised originally,” Commissioner Steve Stuart said last week. “What we bring and whether it will be satisfactory to anyone, I can’t tell.”

Stuart said the county does not yet have a draft proposal to replace the 2004 memorandum of understanding covering the tribe’s plans to build a casino complex west of La Center.

A state hearings board struck down that agreement because there wasn't enough public involvement.

The county doesn't want to fall into the same pit again. Earlier this year, commissioners had three hearings to take public testimony on what residents want to see in a new agreement.

Stuart said the county would report back to the public on county-tribe discussions before any draft agreement is completed.

But with Commissioner Betty Sue Morris, a Democrat who has been a commissioner for more than 12 years, retiring in early 2009, there might not be two votes to approve any new county-tribe deal.

Republican Tom Mielke holds a 197-vote lead over Democrat Pam Brokaw, based on the latest returns released Friday. The race is almost certainly heading to an automatic recount, but Brokaw likely will have trouble making up such a significant deficit.

Mielke generally has taken an anti-casino stance, so much so that Cowlitz casino developer David Barnett spent $59,000 on anti-Mielke mailers and $17,500 on automated phone messages in the campaign’s waning days. (I'm sure that Mize just "forgot" to mention that Barnett paid $100,000 for Stuart back in 2004, and that Stuart remains well-bought.)

Commissioner Marc Boldt, a Republican who won a second four-year term in this month’s election, always has opposed the casino project and has said he wouldn't have signed the 2004 deal if he had been in office.

Stuart said he understands that casino opponents will question if the county is trying to push an agreement through before Morris retires.

“They’re going to twist whatever we do to suit their own needs,” he said. “That’s their job. They’re the opposition. I don’t blame them for it.” (Of course you don't - edit)

Tom Hunt, a spokesman for the anti-casino group Citizens Against Reservation Shopping, said he doesn't understand why commissioners would want a new memorandum of understanding, especially since they were so critical of a final environmental impact statement on the Cowlitz casino.

“The county’s was the tribe’s harshest critic,” he said. “And yet willy-nilly, they are willing to sit down and negotiate an MOU.”

The 2004 agreement requires the tribe to comply with county building and health codes, to build roads and intersections to keep traffic flowing, to pay for law enforcement and prosecution of misdemeanor crimes, and to compensate the county and other local governments for lost property taxes. It also required the tribe to establish an education and arts fund with 2 percent of net gambling revenues to support charitable activities in Clark County.

After the agreement was declared invalid, the tribe enacted a gaming ordinance that embraced those same provisions. The tribe also granted the county a limited waiver of tribal sovereignty, which allows the county to sue the tribe if it fails to live up to its commitments.

The federal government, through the final environmental impact statement, appears to have accepted the gaming ordinance as a substitute for the invalidated 2004 agreement. And that raises questions if the tribe has any reason to make concessions in hopes of signing a new deal.

Phil Harju, the Cowlitz Tribe’s vice chairman and spokesman, said the tribe always has been open to discussion on a government-to-government basis with the county. But he declined to discuss what the tribe would like to see in a replacement agreement.

“The tribe is not negotiating with the county in the newspaper,” Harju said.

Jeffrey Mize: 360-735-4542; jeff.mize@columbian.com.

David Barnett: Gee, a crack head druggie doing business with La Center city government. Why am I not surprised?

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So, the local paper publishes a story documenting how David Barnett was on crack and meth if the "girl friend" is to be believed.

Barnett was ejected and Rutyne fled. Emergency responders transported Barnett to Harborview Medical Center and tracked down Rutyne. According to a report by Deputy Mark Souza, Rutyne told firefighters that she had been using crack cocaine and methamphetamine with her boyfriend and that she had also used Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Percocet. She voluntarily gave a blood sample and rambled about her relationship with Barnett, Souza wrote.

“She said she met her boyfriend at rehab and they began dating about one year ago. She relapsed in May and began using crack with her boyfriend,” Souza wrote.

Rutyne told officers that she and Barnett had used drugs, according to a report.

Toxicology results were “positive” for both Barnett and Rutyne, according to documents, but the sheriff’s office redacted the specific substances.

Barnett, best known for shilling for the massive economic black hole known as the megacasino, (Along with his 2 different restraining orders from women) suffered serious head injuries from his brief airborne dalliance.

As I have pointed out, I do not have any sympathy for Barnett. What he and his minions are working so hard to do to our community has long since eliminated any ability I would have otherwise had to be sympathetic to Barnett's plight.... since he shared no sympathy or our plight.

When I would attend a meeting, and Barnett would literally channel Chief Umtuch ("Chief Umtuch sends his greetings") I wondered if he was on drugs.

When he threatened Marc Boldt... when he bought Steve "Easy Money" Stuart... when he dumped $100,000 into our local politics to buy politicians to support their money laundering operation... I wondered. "Is this guy on drugs?"

Well, given his extensive record, it wouldn't have surprised me. It would certainly help to explain why the new shill for the casino, Phil Harju, "disappeared" this guy locally.

But now, I have even less sympathy or concern for this drug-addled scum who is doing his best to wreck that which I have come to love so he can make millions off of the gambling addicts supporting this garbage HERE, because they don't want to get on a bus and drive for an hour or two to dump their social security checks into the pockets of others somewhere else.

That the now wholly owned by tribal-interests city government of LaCenter is so eager to do business with people like this is simply beyond my comprehension.

Hopefully, they didn't share needles.
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David Barnett is on the ropes: Huge Snohomish project heading to foreclosure.

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Regular readers know what I think about the megacasino project that David Barnett and the LaCenter city government want jammed down our throats.

David Barnett has "fallen" into hard times... head first.

Unfortunately, I cannot find it within myself to be any more concerned about his problems than he is about ours... or the problems his herpes-on-our-economy will cause... which is not at all.

These things may be taking care of themselves, however... since this cancer of corruption on our local economy and politics seems to be broke.

Best known for his lies and restraining orders from women, Barnett is apparently in, or heading towards, default and foreclosure. And it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Thanks to the anon poster who provided this information... otherwise, it might have got past me.
Publish Reject 1

So: Megacasino developer has happen to him what he... (1)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/20...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011454345_barnett27m.html

A developer who wanted to build a 6,000-home community near Lake Roesiger in rural Snohomish County is in default on his property.

A notice posted last week at the 2,600-acre commercial forestland, owned by Shoreline developer Dave Barnett, says he owes $15.6 million on the property and
must pay within 30 days or the bank, First Citizens Bank and Trust Co. of
Raleigh, N.C., will move to foreclosure.

(anonymous)

And how cool is that?
.

So, has David Barnett bought Brian Baird like he bought Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart?

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Interesting goin's ons in DC, where our local "72 hour bill" hypocrite Congressman Brian Baird has introduced HR 3084, the "To restore Federal recognition to the Chinook Nation, and for other purposes."

By now, we all know the story of David Barnett's purchase of Steve Stuart, bought for $100,000 on the barrelhead, money bundled to Progressive Majority who then proceeded to use it to buy Stuart the election back in 2005.

Ever since then, Stuart has carried Barnett's water like Gunga Din. Why shouldn't he? Even though our ever-corruption conscious democrats remain silent about that particular brand of corruption, since it's one of their own involved; that doesn't change the fact that even the 13th Amendment hasn't freed Mr. Stuart from his massa.

The question, though, is this: has Barnett's efforts extended to our own Congressman?

Let's review, shall we?

Baird has remained silent on the matter of the organized crime effort of the Barnett/Paskenta/Mohegan/Cowlitz megacasino.

Why?

He's had no difficulty coming out in total opposition to the LNG plant, even though he offers no alternative; does not deny that we need the increased capabilities of the plant AND THE PLANT ISN'T EVEN IN HIS DISTRICT.

Yet, the economic black hole of the Barnett megacasino is almost precisely in the population center of his district; the vast majority of community and business leaders have come out firmly in opposition... and what does Baird do?

Nothing.

And that brings us to this sorry effort.

This Bill, located here:
Acknowledges the presence of the Chinooks in the following counties:

(b) Service Area- For purposes of the delivery of Federal services to enrolled members of the Tribe, the Tribe’s service area shall consist of Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, and Clark Counties, Washington, and Clatsop and Columbia Counties, Oregon.

Yet, oddly enough, under subsection (c) Restrictions on Land Taken in Trust -, we find the following:

(2) The Secretary shall not accept any real property in trust for the benefit of the Tribe that is not located within the political boundaries of Pacific, Wahkiakum, or Cowlitz County, Washington.

Odd, that. Why not Clark County? Why not Clatsop and Columbia Counties?

Could it be that Baird has been ordered to restrict these people so the Barnett Megacasino has no competition?

What other possible reason could there be? And who could possibly force Baird to do this?

Gee. I dunno. Who do YOU think?

Steve Stuart, already owned by David Barnett, cements himself into the moron zone over the bridge.

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Well, Steve Stuart has come out of the closet.

As the ready already knows, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart is a wholley-owned subsidiary of David Barnett and the Cowlitz Tribe. In fact, Stuart is SO bought that he should invoke the 13th Amendment and the Emancipation Proclamation.

David Barnett paid $100,000 cash on the barrel head by laundering that huge and corruptive amount through Progressive Majority back in 2005 in his successful effort to buy a then friendly government for his massive, community-destroying economic vacuum of a casino.

Stuart embodies election corruption. And now, he's finally shown his hand in betraying this community again by shilling for a bridge replacement and loot rail that few outside the corrupt Downtown Mafia want.

Stuart's support for this colossal waste of billions of dollars dooms 60,000 commuters to Portland every day with yet the additional inequity of paying at least $1200 per year for the privilege.

As the Pravda Columbian with their typically lying, one sided article pointed out; Stuart, who obviously doesn't give a damn about the working-poor forced to drive to work every day, joins with arrogant scum like Pollard, Leavitt and WSU Chancellor Hal Dengerink in not only demanding this unconscionable, utter and complete waste of money; but that this unbelievable vaporization of badly needed transportation funds that will achieve ABSOLUTELY NOTHING except the payoff of the union shills supporting Stuart's candidacy should only go to THE most expensive option possible: a 6 lane bridge with 6 unneeded additional exist lanes that will have precisely ZERO impact on the two most important transportation issues facing us: congestion and freight mobility.

Stuart is brazenly lying when he said this:

Stuart said he believes the incremental cost of going from 10 to 12 lanes can be justified by the reduction in congestion and accidents.

The observation is based on two blatant fallacies:

First, this bridge replacement cannot be justified under any circumstances... incrementally or otherwise.

Second, this bridge will do absolutely nothing to reduce congestion or accidents.

Let's remember, the ONLY reason for this bridge replacement scam is to get loot rail into Vancouver.

With that in mind, when Stuart talks about these sorts of things, he's, well, lying. Experts have already concluded that this bridge will make no difference, just like they've quoted officials as saying that while they know that this is a waste, it's "better then doing nothing."

It isn't, of course, but what's the waste of four billion dollars between friends?

He moronically goes on to say:

An eight-lane bridge would have a projected seven to nine hours of daily congestion in the year 2030, he said, adding that he can't see himself knocking on the windows of motorists stuck in traffic and asking them to pay tolls.

"I would get beat up or shot or certainly unelected," he said.

Guess what, Mr. Stuart: your support of this massive waste of money is GOING to get you "unelected" anyway, because hatred of this massive waste of money crosses party lines, demographics and age.

Clearly, he's ignoring what the experts are saying about his own preferred choice:

Congestion on new I-5 bridge back to today's level by 2030, study finds

Planners and elected officials who back the project are aware of the shortcomings, but say it's better than doing nothing

And that's the problem, here. That's why there is NO justification for Stuart's position on the Bridge/loot rail, just like there is no justification for Stuart's decision to continue to be David Barnett's buttboy.


12-lane bridge garners support
Option gets most votes from project sponsors; final decision due March 6

Friday, February 6 | 6:34 p.m.

BY JEFFREY MIZE
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

A driver’s view of a 12-lane Interstate 5 bridge, with six lanes in each direction and freeway shoulders. This sketch features a series of center arches with wind turbines, which is one of several design themes under consideration. (Touchstone Architects and Columbia River Crossing)

PORTLAND — For anyone keeping score, there were four votes Friday to build a new Interstate 5 bridge with 12 lanes, one vote for an eight- or 10-lane crossing and five votes for "stay tuned."

That unofficial poll, where each member of the Columbia River Crossing project sponsors council had the opportunity to speak and voice an opinion, might provide the best indication to date as to where the group is heading.

The council's next meeting, March 6 in Vancouver, should be decision time, when the group makes a recommendation on the lane issue that has been kicked around for several months.

Four council members — Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart, Washington State University Vancouver Chancellor Hal Dengerink and Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matthew Garrett — advocated for a 12-lane option.

Projections indicate a 12-lane bridge and associated freeway improvements would cost the most, an estimated $100 million to $150 million more than a 10-lane alternative. But it also would have the least amount of congestion, the fewest number of accidents and the smallest number of cars diverting to the Interstate 205 Bridge.

"On the face of it, I'm at 12," Garrett said. "Doesn't mean I will stay there."

Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said the Washington State Department of Transportation is not stuck on the number of lanes, but it does want to see a significant improvement in safety.

Transportation officials in Washington and Oregon, she said pointedly, do not automatically want to build the biggest project possible.

"Our DOTs (departments of transportation) are not just about adding concrete," she said.

Metro Council President David Bragdon was the only one of the council's 10 members to back a smaller alternative Friday. Bragdon has persistently questioned if building a bigger bridge will induce sprawl miles away from a new crossing.

More garbage:

Critique of the Democratian's Madore article.

.
Clearly, the Madore article was done to harm Republican candidates in the upcoming election cycle; the simple way to make this "fair" would have been to do an "expose" on typically democrat funding David Nierenberg.

A quick look at the PDC's and FEC's show that Nierenberg has spent upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in local and federal races... but we don't see an article discussing his generational long fiscal involvement in politics.

Displaying items 1 - 15 of 324
Report
LEGACY FUND NIERENBERG DAVID 4/20/2005 $50,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG DAVID 9/29/2008 $50,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG PATRICIA 9/29/2008 $50,000.00

Report
DEFEAT 1098 NIERENBERG DAVID 9/19/2010 $25,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG DAVID 8/3/2004 $25,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG DAVID 10/16/2006 $25,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG PATRICIA 8/3/2004 $25,000.00

Report
YES TO A RAINY DAY FUND NIERENBERG DAVID 10/9/2007 $25,000.00

Report
STAND FOR CHILDREN WA PAC NIERENBERG DAVID 7/20/2010 $20,000.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG DAVID 7/18/2006 $17,500.00

Report
WA ST DEMO CENT COMM NON EXEMPT NIERENBERG PATRICIA 7/18/2006 $17,500.00

Report
STUART STEVEN J NIERENBERG DAVID & PATRICIA 12/4/2005 $15,000.00

Report
HOUSE DEMO CAUCUS CAMP COMM NIERENBERG DAVID 9/1/2006 $12,500.00

Report
HOUSE DEMO CAUCUS CAMP COMM NIERENBERG PATRICIA 9/1/2006 $12,500.00

Report
HOUSE DEMO CAUCUS CAMP COMM NIERENBERG DAVID 5/10/2004 $10,000.00

So, where's the article questioning Nierenberg's motivations?

Nor have we seen any particular article related to casino developer David Barnett and Steve Stuart, who received $100,000 of Barnett's largess by bundling that figure through Progressive Majority. And, like anyone else who carries the rag's water on the unneeded and unwanted bridge replacement/loot rail project, we can expect the Democratian to ignore those connections, much like they spend so much time pushing democrat Golik through their over the top, bizarre, hurray-for-me Storro coverage.

To me, the issue is one of free speech. My concern is that usually when it comes to holding candidates accountable, or those who help/fund those candidates, the Democratian is much more concerned and involved with candidates they disagree with... which usually means GOP candidates... like those singled out in this article.

The rag, which long since has lost any hope or pretense of fairness over the bridge/loot rail project, whines about Madore:

His appearance in the process now has many asking questions: Why is he backing these candidates? Why is he so ardently against light rail and tolls — to the point where he’d rather see the bridge project fail than see it go through? What does he stand to gain out of this? Why now?

Of course, the primary issue here is that why Madore does what he does... why any private citizens acts the way they act, as long as those acts are legal... is precisely none of the rag's business.

While Madore made the mistake of granting the leftist propaganda sheet an interview, he was certainly under no obligation to do so.

And the questions asked above answer themselves with mind numbing simplicity:

He backs these candidates because he supports their positions... Precisely the same reason anyone else backs a candidate. And this reporter actually had to ask?

Why is he so ardently against light rail and tolls — to the point where he’d rather see the bridge project fail than see it go through?

Because he likely understands what most people who actually get oxygen to their brains understand: That the bridge is not needed or wanted and we generally cannot afford it given the lack of return; and that those sniveling the most about the bridge opposition will pay the least to see it built... enslaving as many as 100,000 people every year to pay $100,000,000 for a bridge that bridge cheerleaders won't have to use OR pay for to go to work every day.

Unlike Tim "The Liar" Leavitt, Madore's opposition to this project isn't situational. Unlike "The Liar," Madore has nothing to gain from his opposition to this horrific waste of money and criminal pay offs save the sure and certain knowledge that HE is right and the donwtown mafia is wrong.

And making this project fail would be a blessing and not a curse. This bridge does not need to be replaced; we do not need loot rail. And the 10's of thousands of people this bridge would enslave do not need to pay a ransom just to go to work.

The Liar is REALLY whining about Madore... because, I believe, that Madore will help end that sniveling worm's political career. So of course he's gonna bitch, and the paper will dutifully report Leavitt's complaints:

“In no way are his efforts healthy for our community,” said Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, who has drawn much heat from Madore for his change of stance from last year, when he campaigned on a “tolls-as-a-last-resort” platform, to supporting a bridge with tolls. “It’s unfortunate that he’s funneling so much of his own personal money and profits he’s made from his company into delivering messages that are inaccurate and replete with rhetoric.”

What a lying scumbag.

There's a reason he's becoming increasingly known as "The Liar." And for a rank hypocrite like Leavitt to claim that someone ELSE is "delivering messages that are inaccurate and replete with rhetoric," is the height of political hypocrisy.

That the political decision was made to ignore the obvious need for a 3rd and 4th bridge in no way means that those options were anything less then outstanding as much as they failed to meet the mafia's criteria... since the ONLY acceptable outcome... the pre-ordained outcome... was the one these clowns have stuck us with now. Those behind this multi-billion dollar con job on the people of Clark County didn't want it, so those appointed by these same people to come up with the only acceptable-to-them-solution of replacing a perfectly serviceable bridge naturally "discovered" in developing the pre-ordained outcome" that the obvious solutions of a 3rd and 4th bridge were "poor."

Believing that outcome is as moronic as believing Obama when he told us that the stimulus would hold unemployment to

Identity Vancouver is one of the downtown mafia families.

But Identity Clark County Executive Director Ginger Metcalf, who has spoken several times to the city council in support of the Columbia River Crossing, called the regular visits from Madore and other anti-tolling speakers “abusive tactics.”

They “have taken over the podium of citizens communications as an opportunity to bash government,” Metcalf said. “They are provided an opportunity to be televised and be quoted in the newspaper on their uneducated comments, with no opportunity for rebuttal from engineers and people who have been involved in the project for 15 years.”

Of course, that "engineers" have been wrong for 15 years seems to be an impossible concept for the mafia to wrap themselves around.

See, the only comments that are allowed or educated or not abusive are those that agree with the slime running the show. Otherwise, it's treated with contempt like the rest of us.

But here is the crux of the matter:

Wagner, the CRC co-director, said elections could effect change.

“If every elected official in Clark County were against this project, it would be very, very difficult to move this project forward.”

Unfortunately, notolls.com is behind the curve in terms of organization, media and outreach. While they will impact in this election, their impact will be muted at best because they failed to plan in a timely manner.

But in 2012, they will likely be the 8000 pound gorilla in the room. And those political types who want to support this kind of public extortion for over $100,000,000... without even having the courtesy of asking US if we WANT this, will be out of job.

Some of his candidates don’t have any say over tolling and light rail, Madore concedes. But they all have one thing in common, he said: They haven’t “sold out” to special interests.

Not every single NoTolls backed candidate will win. Madore knows that. But the businessman said he’s set to become a permanent player in Clark County
politics.

“We will keep fighting,” he said. “There’s another election. We will not go away. Politicians with any sense of a political future better get on board and listen to the people.”

Madore is a smart guy. It won't take him long to get up to speed.

And because he's willing to put his money where his mouth is, there thankfully seems to be a new sheriff in town. And maybe, just maybe, he can put the downtown mafia out of business... to the betterment of us all.
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Shannon Barnett bails on his commitment to David Castillo

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According to Liz Mair, who cranked up her Herrera spin machine, rife with the ol' "Unnamed source" quotes that I could go around and make up on the spot as well, Shannon Barnett is using this call, which most likely cost next to nothing, as an excuse to bail on his presumably solemn commitment to endorse Castillo.

However, the robocall has caused other tempers to flare, too. It emerged today that the Castillo robocall has even prompted one former Castillo endorser—Shannon Barnett, a candidate running to replace Herrera in the Washington State House of Representatives— to drop his support altogether. According to Barnett (with whom I spoke earlier), Castillo spending money on the call constitutes a waste of campaign resources. Furthermore, Barnett says, it evidenced an unwillingness on Castillo’s part to stick to a key campaign pledge made months ago to Barnett. Per Barnett, Castillo promised to focus his campaign on talking about issues that unite Republican voters in the district. Hal Palmer, an advisor to Barnett, added that he was “appalled at the distorted attack on Jaime Herrera.”

The problem with Barnett's little snit is this:

Since he gave his now worthless word to support Castillo... and since he has no chance to win election in the 18th... then doesn't that make Barnett's entire campaign a waste of money?

And, by the way... is there some reason Barnett failed to mention that the second Herrera announced, he became one of her Winged Monkeys as well? Or is it more a matter that he told Liz, but she just kind of left it out? Yup, Barnett was one of those lowlifes who gave what's called a "dual endorsement." Odd that Liz didn't know that, isn't it?

And the best way to "unite the voters" would be for this worthless waste of skin to withdraw. Because I will support ANYONE but her... and that means if she manages to survive through to the general, anything I have that I can give will go to whoever else makes it in the top 2, regardless of party.

Because supporting either a Herrera or a Barnett does nothing to solve our problems in government.

As for Palmer, maybe he can provide a single instance in the call where Castillo either lied... or "distorted?"

He can't, of course, because there was nothing remotely inaccurate, distorted or exaggerated in the call.

Once Herrera announced, Barnett, who has been slavishly devoted to Ridgefield Barbie, couldn't wait to dump his "committment" to Castillo. This kind of thing was just the excuse he was looking for, because the issue of campaign expenditures, and at a few cents per call (what... maybe 2 cents each?) this was anything BUT a "waste of campaign resources."

As a result of the buffoons handling and supporting Herrera, hundreds, if not thousands more people know much more about her and her clueless supporters. And how could that have been a waste?

Because, in the end, as Kathy McDonald put it:

According to Kathy McDonald, a well-known Republican consultant from the third district unaffiliated with either campaign, “It looks like David Castillo is calling a spade a spade. The facts are Jaime was back in DC for a fundraiser, the fact is Jaime took money from the SEIU; the fact is she went before the legislative session was over. If she had waited 2 weeks until session was over this fundraiser would be a mute[sic] point.”

At the end of the day, that's the whole point of this moronic faux outrage aimed at Castillo.

Where these idiots are pissed isn't because Castillo's call lied, or distorted or exaggerated.

It's that Castillo would DARE to point out these TRUTHS to the people of the 3rd Congressional District who think this cardboard cut out of an empty suit is either Republican, or worthy to be elected to Congress.

How dare Castillo, they think in their heart of hearts.

Jaime Herrera is The One! She's been ANOINTED! Why, no less a personage than Slade has touched her on the shoulder to a choir of heavenly angels!

Except Herrera is nobody special. And that this episode would make Barnett bail on his word shows that he, too, is unfit for elective office... just like the gas bag he's supported all along.

Crossposted at Jaime Herrera Watch.
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Is racism the last refuge of a scoundrel?

It was only a matter of time until David Barnett, The Mouth That Roared for the Cowlitz Tribe, aimed his racism gun at Ed Lynch.

You see, in the world of the Cowlitz Tribe, anyone opposed to the Megacasino-economic black hole they want to build next to La Center is, by definition, a racist. The Cowlitz generally and Dave Barnett in particular could care less about the negative impacts their little development will have on Clark County… The massive social costs, reductions in revenue to local government, the stresses on our transportation infrastructure, the huge hit the taxpayers will have to absorb with the massive influx of third-world children with their multiple foreign languages in our schools…

So, Ed Lynch, an octogenarian philanthropist who has given at least $1 million dollars to Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, whose primary student body is made up of Tlingit Indians, is no more a racist then David Barnett is reasonable.

Here’s a bulletin for the Cowlitz Tribe: Ed Lynch is no racist and your insistence on calling him one has just proven what we already know about you: You’re led by bigots.



Map fuels debate between anti-casino group, Cowlitz

Thursday, September 22, 2005
By JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer

A group fighting the Cowlitz Tribe's proposed casino west of La Center says it has uncovered a 19th-century map that shows the tribe has no historic ties to Clark County.

The map has fueled tensions and led to charges that a leading casino opponent made a "racist" comment during a Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Interior map, dated 1876, shows the historic distribution of different tribes. The map places the Cowlitz Indians, spelled "Kowlitz" on the document, in northern Cowlitz and Skamania counties, with their range stretching south to what is today Kelso.

Ed Lynch, chairman of Citizens Against Reservation Shopping, said the map represents another piece of evidence indicating that a Cowlitz reservation should be established farther up the Interstate 5 corridor.

Lynch charged that Dave Barnett, spokesman for the Cowlitz Tribe, is using his money and influence to "buy" his way into Clark County.

"He doesn't have any other basis to be here," Lynch said. "I know Mr. Barnett will say we (Cowlitz Indians) were all over, but he has to say this map was wrong."

More...

Rod Van Mechelen and another "myth-laden letter." Redux.

Rod asked the Reflector to post his trash, and unlike the Columbian, they printed ALL of it.

The Columbian, however, had the good sense to edit out Blatant Lies Numbers 3, 4 and 5.

"We encourage open debate, but we cannot tolerate blatant misinformation. Native Americans welcome the chance to set the record straight, and we will continue to be good neighbors in Clark County."

Lie Number 3: "We encourage open debate, "

In a pig's ass. David Barnett threatens and attempts to humiliate anyone who disagrees with him. He spent thousands of dollars putting together a last minute hit piece in a bogus effort to keep Richard Curtis from getting elected.

Phil, the idiot the Cowlitz send to the Roundtable every month is a very lucky man. Had he badmouthed me to my face the way he has Kami Beale of Stand Up For Clark County at those meetings, I would have knocked him out.

And even ol' Rod, the King of condescension.

Rod never addresses the issues, instead engaging in bate and switch tactics along with deflection as his modus operandi. He hypocritically opposed I-892 because that would have meant competition to the Tribe and money out of HIS pocket. But none of the negative impacts of that initiative even give him and the rest of the "Tribe" pause as they deliberately inflict the same problems on us.

No... these people don't want debate. They want us to accept their intimidation... their idea that this is a slam dunk, and act as if the concept of rape, once being determined to be inevitable, is something that we, the victims, should enjoy.

Nonsense.

Lie Number 4: "but we cannot tolerate blatant misinformation. "

Really?

You had no problem tolerating it when you tried to get us to believe you weren't GOING to build a casino.

You had no problem tolerating it when you tried to get us to believe you were only going to build a SMALL casino... until BS Morris hopped in bed with the Tribe and rammed the MOU down our throats.

And you have no problem tolerating it NOW when you argue semantics about the Megacasino you clowns want to build outside La Center.

So, let me help you a little bit, Rod, by rewriting that sentence to tell the truth: "but we cannot tolerate blatant misinformation (unless, of course, it is to our benefit.)

Lie Number 5: "and we will continue to be good neighbors in Clark County."

Rod, neither you nor David Barnett, all 1/32nd or 1/64th of him being Cowlitz, LIVE HERE. YOU are NOT our "good neighbor." David Barnett is NOT our "good neighbor." You and your "Tribe" ARE NOT OUR NEIGHBORS, PERIOD, GOOD OR OTHERWISE.

In the end, Rod, if you REALLY "cannot tolerate blatant misinformation," then you ought to do us ALL a favor and never touch a keyboard again.

Apparently, Justine Kondrat has stopped by to reply to a post I did last November 27: Note to Justine Kondrat.

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I've made no bones about my rabid opposition to the organized criminal enterprise taking place under the guise of the Cowlitz Tribe.

On November 27, I took on a comment she had made in the Columbian concerning opposition to those leading the charge to build the 5th largest casino on the face of the earth here in Clark County.

Here, unedited, is what I assume to be her response:

Justine said...

I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with a casino, but I am saying that amends need to be made. This has been done in the past when the U.S. interned Japanese-Americans in places like the Puyallup fair grounds for no good reason.

You're talking about an entire culture that was forced off of their land. What if I told you that I would pay you for about 10% of the worth of your house and if you didn't like it, too bad? That's what happened to my tribe. We offered pennies for our acres and refused and had our land taken away from us anyway so we were forced to integrate into the white settler community, therefore losing much of culture and heritage.

Unfortunately, money is needed to help bring back some of this culture and research. In the past few years, for example, we've hired a linguist to write down our language before that was lost forever.

Please don't make assumptions about a person you've never met. You wouldn't know that I'm a pediatric ICU nurse that hopes to go to graduate school to become a pediatric nurse practitioner to serve some of the rural southwestern Washington population.

My Dad grew up in a poor family and joined the military to gain an education, so yes, I don't live there and didn't when I was growing up until I went to high school and college. But my heart lies in Washington and I intend to raise my future children there.

I'm sorry that you're so angry. I might be frustrated in your circumstance, but I would understand that one can't ignore the obliteration of a society and not make amends for it, even if it wasn't directly my fault.

8:54 AM

Justine, I have no "assumptions" concerning you, one way or the other.

I have drawn some conclusions about you based on what you've written, however, and they are these:

First and foremost, you don't live here. In that, you and about 98% of the Cowlitz Tribe have that in common. You certainly have it in common with the tribal membership and the chief criminal behind the effort to blow a hole in our local economy, because NONE OF THEM LIVE HERE EITHER.

As a result, THEY won't have to put up with or pay for the gigantic number of problems, hassles and tax increases that those of us living here will be FORCED to address... and subsequently, pay for.

Come to think of it, YOU won't have to deal with those issues, either, because YOU don't live here... either.

Secondly, you make a claim to being a tribal member. This speaks to an inculcation as victim. Multi-millionaire developer David Barnett never missed the chance to come across the same way.

Of course, his threats and intimidation, which have drawn him at least TWO restraining orders from women during this debacle, have set the tone for this entire situation.

Thirdly, you bring up restitution to the Japanese-Americans "interned in places like the Puyallup fair grounds for no good reason."

While that may be up to some debate, the restitution was limited to a one-time payment... not an ongoing faucet of taxpayer dollars.

So, if you view that as a basis for removing land from state sovereignty, you have to consider the ENTIRETY of the "restitution" program... including the fact that ONLY those "interned" received restitution... ONCE.

To that end, ONLY those ACTUALLY "forced off their land" should receive consideration.

And somehow, for example, I don't believe that means you. Nor do I believe that *I* should have to pay for it.

The Mohegan Tribe pays the state of Connecticut $400 million a year from their casino proceeds. In Wisconsin, The Mohegans, $500 million backers of the Barnett/Cowlitz/Paskenta effort up here, promised to pay $2 BILLION to state and local governments over a 20 year period.

The Cowlitz? Their now illegal Memorandum of Understanding shows less than a million dollars per year in payments; and a laughable, paltry, $50,000 per year for problem gamblers.

No taxes like I have to pay from my business. No state minimum wage. No adherence to our anti-smoking laws. No labor and industries regulation or insurance, no unemployment... no Business and Occupation Tax and an illegal construction on land zoned agricultural.

I appreciate the fact that you attempt to justify the now Orwellian concept that all pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others.

That is, I didn't serve 14 years in uniform defending this country to come back to a magic double-standard where ANYONE is assigned rights that I don't have, merely because of their race.

And I CERTAINLY did not defend a system where people can cheerfully manipulate the laws of this country to build what would otherwise be illegal structures violating our Growth Management Laws; fail to pay taxes, fail to have the same safety and other worker law requirements in place and fail to pay for ALL of the MANY impacts that their massive construction will cause... as it gets bigger... and bigger... and bigger.

Lying about tribal land like Barnett and the Cowlitz have and are (Just for one example, in their recognition packet, they claimed no land south of Longview as tribal land... but all of a sudden, they can NOW claim land 24 miles SOUTH of that as magically being tribal land when they failed to do so with their tribal recognition request?) does nothing to strengthen their cause.

That's a case of reservation shopping, pure and simple. And no amount of channeling from Chief Umtuch, which I swear to God that moron Barnett claimed he could do, will ever change that.

I have a government that lied to me as well... primarily over issues of medical care resulting from my service in the Army.

Now, I can, as you apparently do and as the Cowlitz/Barnett ABSOLUTELY do, revel in my victimhood. Or I can do what I have done, which is to move on with my life.

The choice is up to each of us. But I will not bear the guilt for something I had no hand in; that was not my fault AT ALL, directly or "indirectly," period.

The fact of the matter is this: I don't owe you, David Barnett, the Cowlitz Tribe or anyone else a thing because of the accident of their birth. In this state, I-200 ended preferences by government based on race or gender.

Putting this thing here, no where close to tribal lands, will do nothing to address any injustice to anyone that was involved in "the obliteration of their society." It will, however, provide millions of dollars to the casino developer, millions of dollars to the Mohegans... and millions of dollars to the Paskenta. Very little of the massive amounts of money brought in will filter down to the Tribe... a Tribe used as cover for the blatant violation of our laws, but a Tribe that will benefit very, very little from the project.

That Barnett claims he's a multi-millionaire developer pretty much proves that even tribal members like him, as little Cowlitz blood flowing in his veins as there is, can certainly rise above their Native American heritage; and in Barnett's case, extensive criminal background, to make something of themselves.

They do not need this casino or Clark County to achieve that. It is easy for you to assign some sort of responsibility to me "for the obliteration of a society," but then, as I pointed out, you will never suffer the consequences of that responsibility like you would force me to experience.

Thanks for stopping by to exchange views, and feel free to do so in the future.
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ANOTHER Columbian LTE-Cowlitz Casino shill heard from?

I cannot say, for certain, that ALL of the few supporters of the Barnett/Paskenta/Mohegan are ignorant and pathetic. But every once in a while, someone needing their gambling fix a little closer then the Oregon coast will write something to the Columbian that is so bizarre, inane and idiotic that I am frequently required to re-evaluate my prior assertion.

This moronic effort is a case in point:

Cartoon had local application

The Nov. 26 editorial cartoon, with one Pilgrim stating, “They say they’re building a wall because too many of us enter illegally and won’t learn their language or assimilate into their culture …” is similar to the Cowlitz Tribe casino issue.

Nonsensical pap.

The Cowlitz have never lived here; the vast majority of their tribe live in the Seattle area; their tribal land is 60 miles north of here.

Their efforts to ram a casino down our throats are not opposed for any racist reason of any kind. Unfortunately, the loons supporting this organized crime effort always trot out racism as their last refuge, ignoring the many and massive negative impacts this economic black hole would foster in our community... because, after all, their gambling fix or their temporary union job is MUCH more important than our community.

Zerr blathers on: We took their land, spread diseases, broke treaties, and put them on reservations with no way to support themselves.

Really? Who is "we?" I have never taken ANYONE'S land. Nor have I "spread diseases, broke treaties" or put anyone anywhere.

Did David Barnett, multi-millionaire megacasino developer with less Cowlitz blood than my cocker spaniel, who owns land in several states (he claims) get "put" somewhere? How about Rod VanMcHelen, Cowlitz tribal councilman, who doesn't have a drop of Cowlitz blood anywhere in his body? Was *HE* "put" somewhere?

"Now, with an opportunity to provide for themselves, the Cowlitz are made to assimilate the beliefs of a few in La Center, Clark County and Vancouver."

Typically absurd racist crap.

The Cowlitz, who do not and typically have never lived here, only have to assimilate one thing: we do not want one of the largest casinos on the face of the earth to be built here causing economic and social damage far beyond the boundaries of their operation. Once they "assimilate that belief," and either build something else or build their massive casino project somewhere else, everything will fall into place.

"The arrangement of the MOU between Clark County and the Cowlitz Tribe reminds me of playing marbles in the 1930s."

That you'd make such a statement reminds me that you've probably lost most of yours.

We’d draw a circle, lag for position, then play our game—winner takes all. Afterward, someone always seemed to say, “I want my marbles” or “I didn’t understand the rules.” I guess it depends how you play the game.

That's a perfect example of David Barnett's efforts to corrupt our local elections down here. Since your side, and Barnett, lost this time, I guess it's pretty clear that he "didn't understand the rules."

Folks, I don't care if you support this massive economic and social invasion that will cost the local taxpayers 10's of millions of dollars or not. I really don't.

But when you take a position, for God's sake, can't it make just the tiniest bit of sense? Is that too much to ask?
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The man with the political deathwish: Steve "Cold, hard cash, Mr. Barnett" Stuart and his moronic bridge.

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Steve, look. The people of Clark County aren't nearly as stupid as you seem to think.

This isn't 2005 when you were able to get away with riding a wave of David Barnett's last minute laundered cash into a commissioner's seat.

So, here's your sign:

1. We do NOT need, want, can afford or remotely desire a replacement bridge with your idiotic loot rail.

2. It is not government's job to pay off your union buddies by wasting billions of OUR dollars to give THEM work. Government's function is to govern, not to pay off unions the way David Barnett paid off you.

3. When you said: "I can only support a toll if it is low enough for Clark County working families to afford and creates a benefit that's worth it," you lied. Like that clown Tim "The Liar" Leavitt, there is NO toll level you won't support, because, after all, the unions own you almost as much as Barnett.

So do us a favor and stop wasting our time. It doesn't matter how high the toll is, you would find some excuse to support that monstrosity.

4. The state of Oregon will NEVER cut the people of this region a break on taxes. Whether they should or not is besides the point. The point is that YOU and that moron Leavitt are largely responsible for popping the people who live here with an additional $1300 per year tax for the rest of our lives for a bridge that YOU won't have to pay for.

It is NOT important to "replace the existing bridge." It doesn't matter how many times you repeat that lie, it is not true. That you keep saying it doesn't make it true, since a completed bridge will do absolutely NOTHING to address congestion OR freight mobility.

You know that, of course, but how can you pay off your union buddies unless this steaming pile of crap is built?

I repeat: providing employment for the unions jerking your chains is not the job of government. I don't CARE about the "16,000" jobs that will put us into debt indefinitely. "Jobs" are NOT an argument for ANY of this... particularly since you lack the balls to ASK US FIRST.

To get that pig pile built and pay off your union lackey supporters, you are doing everything you can to sell out the 65,000 commuters perfectly happy with the paid for bridge we have now.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
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Local leftists seem upset that I go out of my way to remind people that Stuart is owned by David Barnett.

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Steve Stuart is one of our 3 county commissioners.

He became an elected county commissioner in 2005 when the election, and Stuart's loyalties, were bought by David Barnett at the last minute when he laundered money through Progressive Majority, a fringe leftist group that goes around fronting for corrupt politicians and those who would by them... much like a side of beef. Barnett, former chief shill for the massive megacasino project resulting from his reservation shopping activities, dumped a butt-load of money in at the last second, to buy Stuart.

CHA-CHING!

The purchase price? $100,000... clearly, money well spent.

Barnett tried the same thing in the most recent election, when he got hosed by a consultant and proceeded to get raped for $78,000 or so in the last few days when Pam Brokaw managed to snatch defeat directly out of the jaws of victory by losing an election she had no right to lose.

It's odd that democrats, who are all about allegations of corruption when it comes to the GOP, choose to overlook so many of their own peccadilloes at every level... and this particular version here... confronting us all... right now, today.

I am not going to leave this issue alone. I am sick of corruption at any level, by anyone, and I will constantly remind the democrats precisely and exactly who it is they support so strongly... and, perhaps, envision as a congressman down the road.
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From the Right Corner: I am so completely sick of David Barnett.

I am sick of his efforts to pawn himself off as an “Indian,” when he admits… ADMITS to only having 1/16th Indian blood!

Does that mean that he’ll only get 1/16th the profits that a full blooded Cowlitz (assuming such a thing exists) will receive from this tribal boondoggle?

I am sick of his threats and amateur efforts of intimidation to those who oppose his tribal scam.

I am sick of Barnett, who appears as white as I am, talking about “white man this,” or "white man that," AS IF HE WASN’T A WHITE MAN HIMSELF!

I am sick of his constant, bogus references to tribal poverty, alcoholism and unemployment. HE IS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE DEVELOPER… WHY HASN’T HE DONE MORE TO ADDRESS THEIR PLIGHT?

They have PROVEN they don’t give a damn about us… why should we give a damn about them?

I am sick… and getting sicker, of the “whoa is me Cowlitz Tribe.” Is it any wonder that NASCAR didn’t want anything to do with him?






Amid casino debate, an olive branch

Wednesday, July 27, 2005
By JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer

The spokesman for the Cowlitz Tribe extended an olive branch Tuesday to a group that recently formed to defeat the tribe's plans for a casino west of La Center.

David Barnett, a Seattle-area developer and tribal member, met with representatives of Citizens Against Reservation Shopping and promised that tribal officials will carefully consider the group's views.

"We want to be responsible," he told about a dozen people attending the hourlong discussion. "We want this to be responsible development. And we want you to work with us."

But Barnett also made it clear his tribe has no intention of abandoning plans for a 160,000-square-foot casino along the west side of Interstate 5 at Northwest 319th Street.

More...

Can any Mayor be so ignorant?

Royce Pollard, who has been and continues to be a huge disappointment as mayor of Vancouver, has allowed himself to be sucked in by the Cowlitz Tribe in their efforts to locate a mega-casino just up the road.

Pollard, who has been instrumental in suing his constituents to keep them from voting on his favorite pet boondoggle, has allowed himself to be seduced by a snake-oil salesman by the name of David Barnett.

Barnett, who has been shilling for the casino development, has mastered the art of telling local officials whatever they want to hear in order to gain their cooperation in his bogus venture.One of the many projects the Cowlitz intend to build will be a large hotel. This hotel, directly up the freeway from the soon-to-be-built Hilton-operated hotel that Pollard and his minions rammed down the throats of Vancouver taxpayers without asking their permission, while putting them on the hook for over $60 million dollars; will be in direct competition with Vancouver's effort.

Now, I can understand why Pollard doesn't care about that. After all, HE isn't responsible for making up the losses the Vancouver hotel would sustain... losses that would have been bad enough WITHOUT the Cowlitz hotel being built just up the street, so to speak. No, that responsibility rests where he put it.... the poor suckers living in Vancouver..

From Tony Bacon's The Daily Insider:

Mayor unequivocal regarding Cowlitz Casino Resort

In citing examples of the City of Vancouver working together with other jurisdictions, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard cited the city’s relationship with the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort near La Center:

“When the Cowlitz Tribe announced their interest in opening a resort and casino in La Center, Vancouver got involved. Traffic impacts, jobs, housing...we knew all of it will have an affect on us. It would have been easy to get angry or defensive about their proposal. Instead, we have build a good working relationship with the Cowlitz. Because of this, when I met with the Cowlitz chairman John Barnett (David Barnett's father), John looked me dead in the eye and made a firm commitment. He said, ‘Mayor, we have no intention of causing any harm to Vancouver.’ At the end of our meeting, John and I shook hands, and I left feeling confident that he would honor his word and hold up his end of the bargain. And, I believe, he felt the same way about us. This relationship didn’t happen with contracts or lawyers. We are building this relationship based on the values of trust, honor and integrity.”

Now then... allow me to translate that.

1. "Screw La Center. I don't care what happens to them, or any other part of the local economy."

2. "So what if the Cowlitz will be building a hotel that can undercut us at every turn? The taxpayers of Vancouver are getting stuck with the bill.... not me."

3. "I'll believe absolutely anything, facts notwithstanding, if you look sincere enough when you tell me how you're going to screw us."

4. "I really don't have a clue.... because.... what are we going to do if this guy is lying to us the way he lied to the County Commissioners?"

5. "Am I really so dense that I can't understand the idea that if the Tribe gave a damn about this area, they wouldn't be seeking the least restrictive classification for their Casino.... that of "Initial Reservation?" You know, the classification that allows their Casino to be built regardless of County or local laws or regulations or negative impacts on the local economy?"

"Trust, honor and integrity?" With a man that calls anyone opposing this 900 pound economic gorilla in our midst a racist? A man who lied through his teeth to the Clark County Commissioners over the plans for the land at the Ridgefield Junction? With a man that DESPERATELY needs "anger management" classes?

HHhmmm.... must be because they're so much alike.