Just Right of Attila the Hun

Kirby to the Rescue

2010-11-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

Kirby Wilbur is running for Washington State Republican Party Chair against incumbent (former State Senator) Luke Esser!

There's an excellent piece on Red State (and Red County) by Byran Myrick on what the heck (didn't) happen in this state on November 2nd. I highly recommend digesting it (read it here).

I was composing the following response before I read that Kirby will be challenging Luke Esser:

Okay. Luke Esser as judged by the results has in fact been a very polite, well spoken failure. Who then should take the helm of the rudderless Washington State Republican Party?

The Evans-Gorton-Munro-Reed club will produce more Democrat-Lite leaders and candidates. The Clint Didier-esque Tea Party'ite wing will likely produce angry leaders that turn off much of the Snohomish-King-Pierce County Squishy Centrists that determine statewide elections year-after-year.

Successful candidates like Rob McKenna, and up-and-comers like Reagan Dunn wisely take their political careers seriously and don't want to get stuck in the weeds-and-mud of the mechanics of running a state party.

So who does that leave to displace Luke Esser? Even former political staffers like Kellie Daniels have become successful political consultants who likely wouldn't want the tiny income or election return hits that leading the state party would likely bring them..

What about the likes of oft-written Eric Earling? Or other former/current DC staffers like Liz Fortunato (Gorton & Hastings), Travis Sines (Dunn), Chris Strow (Metcalf & State House), or Mariana Parks (Reichert)? At least those names have seen Republicans win in this state!

I am onboard with ousting Luke Esser based on results, but then what?

Then I read the news (again by Bryan Myrick): "Radio Talk Host Kirby Wilbur Announces Challenge for State GOP Chair"

I am SO very excited that somebody who has been part of the grassroots conservative underground of this state (and King County!) wants to head the party that SHOULD be courting not only Republicans, but fiscally conservative Independents (the Squishy Centrists) and the all important Scoop Jackson Democrats (especially those behind the Snohomish-King-Pierce Blue Curtain of the People's Republic of Seattle).

I just want to thank Kirby Wilbur for stepping up and offering to unseat the really nice, polite, funny, well spoken failure of a party head that the Republicans now have in the State of Washington.

Isn't it a better day knowing that there's some hope for the party of Ronald Reagan in this state?

I-1053: Yes Again to 2/3 Majority for Taxes

2010-10-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Following I-601, R-49, and I-960, the people will again pass a 2/3 majority requirement for the legislature (or by a simple majority refer for a vote of the people) to raise any taxes.

Initiative 1053 will again constrain the Washington State Legislature, for at least 2 years, from simply raising taxes yet again whenever they believe that they yet again don't have enough of our money.

This initiative wouldn't be necessary if the state legislature would stop thwarting the thrice-expressed will of the people to stop using their ever increasing apatite for the voters' money to fund their ever-expanding state budgets; however, it is abundantly clear that this legislature's leadership has a high degree of contempt for the simpleton knuckle-dragging voters in this state (who managed to elect the very same politicians in question) when it comes to the voters' own pocketbooks.

If state politicians had any chutzpah they'd propose a state constitutional amendment to solidify the 2/3 majority (or Referendum) rule. Unfortunately very few in Olympia want to recognize that the people, not the politicians, are supposed to hold the power in this state.

Initiative 1053 may be repetitive, but sometimes it takes repetition for children (or politicians) to get the message.

I've enthusiastically voted Yes on I-1053.

November Ballot

2010-10-19T10:08:00.001-07:00

As with the last Primary Election I'll show my ballot picks for this General Election first, then break out each office (as time allows).

My Ballot picks on the issues:

Initiative 1053 (Re-instituting Super-Majority for tax increases): Yes

Initiative 1082 (Partial privatization of Workers Comp insurance): Yes

Initiative 1098 (Establishing a State Income Tax): No (is HELL NO! an option?)

Initiative 1100 (Privatization of liquor sales): Yes

Initiative 1105 (Privatization of liquor sales with state-controlled prices): No

Initiative 1107 (Repeal candy and some grocery taxes): Yes

Referendum 52 (New bonds for public buildings energy efficiency): Rejected

State Constitution Amendment SJR 8225 (Change public debt limits): Rejected

State Constitution Amendment HJR 4220 (Authority to deny bail for some charges): Approved

King County Charter Amendment 1 (Preamble Change): No

King County Charter Amendment 2 (End duplicate reporting requirement): Yes

King County Charter Amendment 3 (Collective Bargaining authority to Sheriff): Yes

King County Proposition 1 (Sales Tax increase): Rejected

My Ballot picks on the people:

United States Senator: Dino Rossi (R)

U.S. Representative (Congressional District 8): (write-in) Reagan Dunn (R)

State Legislative District 41, Senator: Steve Litzow (R)

State Legislative District 41, Representative Position 1: Peter Dunbar (R)

State Legislative District 41, Representative Position 2: Stephen Strader (R)

King County Prosecuting Attorney: (write-in) Bill Sherman (D)

State Supreme Court, Position 1: Jim Johnson

State Supreme Court, Position 5: (write-in) Mark Sidran

State Supreme Court, Position 6: Richard Sanders

State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 1: (write-in) John Groen

State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 2: (write-in) Stephen L. Johnson

King County District Court, Southeast, Judge Position 2: Darrell Phillipson

King County District Court, Southeast, Judge Position 6: David Tracy

and if I were in the 9th Congressional District:

U.S. Representative (Congressional District 9): Dick Muri (R)

and if I were in the 47th Legislative District:

State Legislative District 47, Senator: Joe Fain (R)

State Legislative District 47, Representative Position 1: Mark Hargrove (R)

State Legislative District 47, Representative Position 2: Rodrigo Yanez (R)

and if I were still in the 11th Legislative District:

State Legislative District 11, Representative Position 1: Sarah Sanoy-Wright (No Party)

State Legislative District 11, Representative Position 2: John Potter (R)

Specific races to follow...

Supreme Court Position 1: Jim Johnson

2010-08-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

As I wrote earlier I have voted for Justice Jim Johnson in the race for State Supreme Court Justice Position Number 1.

This race is to re-elect Justice Jim Johnson to a second term on the state's highest court or replace him with workers-comp attorney Stan Rumbaugh.

As the incumbent justice has received virtually every newspaper endorsement in the state the challenger is making this race about the fact that Stan Rumbaugh is pro-abortion and would have voted to throw-out this state's Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) whereas the incumbent justice voted in the majority to uphold the law.

As I actually agree with almost all of the the big-case opinions that Justice Jim Johnson has written I see no reason to unseat him with a candidate that has almost zero expierence at all in appelate courts who is being heralded as the candidate that would legislate from the bench.

I've voted to keep state Justice Jim Johnson on the bench.

U.S. House 8th District: Tim Dillon

2010-08-17T09:38:00.001-07:00

I've already ranted about how much I can't stand incumbent U.S. Representative Dave Reichert (read it here). As I already stated I voted for Republican challenger Tim Dillon.

While I fully realize that The Sheriff will in all likelihood make it to the General Election (along with Democrat challenger Suzan DelBene) I will never ever again cast my lot for the supposedly conservative useful idiot Dave Reichert. If that means a Pelosi-drone Darcy Burner-clone sits in Rod Chandler & Jennifer Dunn's seat for 2 years then so be it. At least then an actual conservative can make a good run at the seat.

As Tim Dillon probably won't make it to the General Election I will likely be writing-in Reagan Dunn's name on my November ballot.

Senate Race: Dino Rossi

2010-08-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

As I wrote earlier I have voted for Dino Rossi in the U.S. Senate race.

This race really boils down to either re-electing Senator Patty Murray for a 4th term or not. As Senator Murray is No Rocket Scientist, chairs no full committees in the U.S. Senate despite being the 21st senior Democrat in the Senate (19th not counting Specter or Lieberman) - where 3 more junior senators already run standing committees, or replacing her with someone (anyone) else.

Despite the fact that she previously lead the DSCC (odd since she's not from New York or New Jersey) into debt, is the Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference (where the Vice-Chair position was created to bump the Secretary's leadership ranking down a peg), and sits on the Appropriations (chairing the Transporation Subcommittee), Budget, and Rules Committees she doesn't seem to wield a lot of clout in the Senate.

So the alternative to Patty Murray this year would seem to be either 2-time state Gubernatorial candidate (who really did win the 2004 election) and former State Senator Dino Rossi, farmer and former Washington Redskins Tight End great Clint Didier, or Bellingham entrepreneur Paul Akers.

Rossi certainly has the polling numbers to show he can make this race a tight one, but at one point so did Didier. While I actually liked Akers prior to Rossi jumping into the race (pretty late into the campaign season as his critics will cry to anyone who will listen) Akers not only just doesn't poll anywhere near the big three (Murray, Rossi, and Didier) he also joined Didier in doing the dumbest thing I think I've ever seen in a U.S. Senate campaign season - Akers and Didier joining together to run a joint campaign for a single political office.

Didier, the early Palin-endorsed (who now can't seem to find any time to show up for him) candidate just sounds too damn angry all the time for me. The fact that Ron Paul has endorsed him also doesn't bolster his stock with me.

So I prefer the not-Murray candidate who has a track record of winning support and votes from the muddled-middle that in so many elections really seem to decide who wins.

I've put my vote and my money on Dino Rossi.

August Primary

2010-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

As with the last General Election I'll show my ballot picks for this Primary Election first, then break out each office (as time allows).

My Ballot picks:

United States Senator: Dino Rossi (R)

U.S. Representative (Congressional District 8): Tim Dillon (R)

State Legislative District 11, Representative Position 1: Sarah Sanoy-Wright (No Party)

State Legislative District 11, Representative Position 2: Jackie Moore (No Party)

King County Prosecuting Attorney: (write-in) Lana Weinmann (R)

State Supreme Court, Position 1: Jim Johnson

State Supreme Court, Position 5: (write-in) Terry Lukens

State Supreme Court, Position 6: Bryan Chushcoff

State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 1: (write-in) Stephen L. Johnson

State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 2: (write-in) John Groen

And if I were in the 9th Congressional District:

U.S. Representative (Congressional District 9): Dick Muri (R)

And if I were in the 47th Legislative District:

State Legislative District 47, Senator: Joe Fain (R)

State Legislative District 47, Representative Position 1: Nancy Wyatt (R)

State Legislative District 47, Representative Position 2: Mark Hargrove (R)

Specific races to follow...

KVI no longer matters

2009-11-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Fisher Radio Seattle canceled The Kirby Wilbur Show and fired Kirby Wilbur a month before Kirby's contract was up. Kirby had been on the air with KVI for 16 years; he has never worked for any other radio station.

I have already sent Fisher Communications an email expressing my thoughts on the matter:

To: 570KVI@Fisherradio.com

Cc: dkelly@fisherradio.com ; jclayton@fsci.com

Subject: Kirby Wilbur

Fisher Radio Seattle Management,

I just wanted to let you know that I will no longer be listening to any of the Fisher Radio Seattle stations. Your decision to not renew the contract of Kirby Wilbur after 16 years of loyal service to KVI is a classless move that will rapidly prove financially unwise.

After the amateur handling of Michael Medved's show, pairing John Carlson with Ken Schram and then moving Carlson off of KVI altogether, the firing of Bryan Suits (who I'm sure was unhappy for all of 10 minutes when KFI then begged him to move to Los Angeles' much larger market), the many ridiculous attempts to fill dead air from 9 to Noon, the soap-opera like relationship your company created with Carleen Johnson (is she next to be axed, again?), and now the firing of quite literally your most loyal broadcaster, why would ANYONE in the greater Seattle talk radio format market keep 570 AM on their presets at all?

Six years ago I strongly disagreed with Premiere Radio Networks' decision to pull The Rush Limbaugh Show from Fisher and give it to (then) Entercom in the Seattle market. I thought it was a mistake. Obviously I was wrong. Fisher Radio Seattle's experiment of managing the affairs of a financially successful, highly rated, nationally-recognized local-paired-with-national conservative talk radio station has proven that Clear Channel, Bonneville International, and Premiere Radio Networks were visionary in their high-speed retreat from the dying giant formerly known as 570 KVI.

With so many other local TV and radio outlets, let alone the satellite radio and internet streaming venues available to me and the average listener I know of no reason I ever need to watch or listen to a Fisher station again. I don't just mean talk radio either. KOMO News Radio is the CNN Headline News of news radio - even KIRO 97.3 FM is more interesting! Star 101.5 is rendered needless by Jack 96.5 and satellite radio. KOMO TV has no local programming anymore, and there are plenty of other local stations that air the news on TV.

I certainly hope that Coleen Brown disregards any past successes and company loyalties you may have had when it comes time to decide what, if any, contract you all get next time - just like you've done with Kirby Wilbur. Rest assured that I will be contacting several companies who advertise with Fisher to let them know how I feel about Fisher and those that fund their reckless decisions with advertising dollars.

Fisher's sales staff might as well start booking work-day infomercial time slots.

Sincerely,

Eric W.

former Fisher/KVI listener and viewer

So I guess I'm relegated to listening to Glenn Beck in the morning. Glenn is fine, but I prefer something a bit more local to start my day. I already tune-out local radio at 9 AM in order to listen to The Fred Thompson Show.

I certainly hope Kirby continues to be heard on the air somewhere. I know I would follow him to another local station.

I also plan on letting several of KVI's advertisers know how I feel about their continued support of an ungrateful rotting station.

November Ballot

2009-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

So last General Election I wanted to go office-by-office and measure-by-measure over my ballot, but waited too long and ran out of time.

This time I thought I would show my ballot picks first, then break out each office/measure.

My Ballot picks:

King County Executive: Susan Hutchison
King County Sheriff: (write-in) Chad Karlewicz
King County Assessor: Lloyd Hara
King County Council District 9: Reagan Dunn
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position 1: (write-in) Ken Passe
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position 3: David Doud
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position 4: Tom Albro

City of Renton Council Position 1: Randy Corman
City of Renton Council Position 2: Rich Zwicker
City of Renton Council Position 6: (write-in) Terry Persson
City of Renton Municipal Court Judge: (write-in) Russ Wilson

Court of Appeals Judge, Division 1, District 1, Position 3: (write-in) Terry Lukens

Renton School District 403 Director, District Number 2: (write-in) Don Bressler
Renton School District 403 Director, District Number 5: Jim Grossnickle

Public Hospital District 1 Commissioner, District 2: (write-in candidate) Cory Cappelletti
Public Hospital District 1 Commissioner, District 4: Aaron Heide

State Initiative 1033: Yes (Enact)
State Referendum 71: No (Reject)

King County Charter Amendment 1 (Transitory Provisions): Yes (Enact)
King County Charter Amendment 2 (Work Programs & Allotments): Yes (Enact)
King County Charter Amendment 3 (Charter Review): Yes (Enact)
King County Charter Amendment 4 (High Conservation Value Properties): No (Reject)

So Sarah has got to be running

2009-07-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

So Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has announced that she not only not seek another term as governor, but she will be resigning from her current term as of July 26th.

I can only presume that she will not be challenging incumbant Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski in the Senator's bid for re-election next year, nor do I see her running for the sole U.S. House of Representatives seat Alaska has, held by Congressman-for-life Republican Don Young. I can only surmise that Governor Palin's intent is to run for President in 2012.

I don't know how I feel about that. Just like with Newt Gingrich there is a high negative rating with the Governor. There is still a lot of misinformation floating around the world politic about the Governor (like who really said "I can see Russia from my house"), but I just don't see her winning the nomination in 2012 (whether she should or not).

I think if President Obama is still popular come the spring of 2011 a lot of big names will skip trying for the nomination this time around.

I just think that an elected official, especially one who hasn't even completed one full term, should honor the commitment they took upon taking their oath of office and serve to the best of their ability for the entire length of the elected term.

Then again, when has anyone, ever, anywhere, done that?

Good luck Governor. I wish you all the best.

Enough is Enough

2009-07-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have again sent a letter to my Congressman. While I have little hope that he'll even read it, and no hope that it will make a difference in his future voting record I at least needed to put my (G-rated) thoughts to page:

Representative Reichert:

I am one of your constituents. I have supported you in three consecutive races for Congress. I wrote you last week imploring you to vote against H.R. 2454 (The American Clean Energy and Security Act). I watched you vote twice against procedural motions leading to the Passage vote on this Cap & Trade bill. I then watched incredulously as you became one of just eight Republicans that provided political cover for 44 Democrats (who themselves wisely voted against this vastly compounding tax hike). I am disgusted that the man I have defended for seven years cast his lot with Henry Waxman, Edward Markey, and Nancy Pelosi.

I also watched and listened as you ducked for cover and timorously dispatched Pete Sessions and Eric Cantor to try to provide cover for your indefensible vote. Once it was clear that your proxies would not be able to sweep your (mis)calculated act under the political rug you finally (5 days later) called in to the less in-your-face of local conservative talk shows to try to personally mitigate your vote to artificially
raise the cost of living for every single person in this great nation.

I heard you make the ludicrous statement that this bill would provide for MORE coal fuel. While I realize that you think its silly to read all, or even much of a 1,200+ page bill that you are voting to make law (which I find offensive) you certainly had crib-notes that pointed-out that this bill is Henry Waxman's best effort to tax coal production and use out of existence. This bill would also tax domestically produced and consumed oil at a higher rate than imported petroleum. How exactly does taxing coal to death and *encouraging* the importation of foreign oil get us closer to energy independence and IMPROVE our national security?

Solar and wind power is inefficient and incredibly expensive, nuclear power is politically dangerous (despite your protestations of "nuclear research"), you are onboard with killing off coal power usage, and taxes on oil consumption continue to rise. That leaves Natural Gas. As the demand for Natural Gas rapidly will outpace available supply, due in large part to this bill, what do you think that will do to Natural Gas prices? Is your goal to make energy so expensive that we revert to the Dark Ages?

As Natural Gas prices inexorably skyrocket, and as Natural Gas is the main source of nitrogen used in commercial fertilizers, this bill will shoot the basic costs of every single agriculturally-based good to staggering levels. How exactly does increasing the
direct cost of energy, compounded by the escalation of prices for absolutely every agri-based and petroleum-based good help improve the standard of living for voters in the 8th Congressional District?

If you insist on defending your vote to make Cap & Tax law I can only conclude that your view of America is antithetical to my own. As your continued membership in the U.S. House Republican Conference is obviously in opposition to your voting record I have to ask why you don’t simply change political party membership and officially join Congressman John Larson's Caucus of Thieves? If that is just too much to stomach then why not retire and leave the U.S. House entirely?

While I do understand that August and November of 2010 are several lifetimes away (in political terms) I will *not* forget you frequent votes against my own conservative political philosophy.

I have never voted for the likes of Heidi Behrens-Benedict, Dave Ross, or Darcy Burner, but in the 5+ years you've been ostensibly representing me in the U.S. House of Representatives I too often have been unable to tell which candidate really took office.

Sincerely,
Eric W.
8th District Constituent
Citizen, Veteran, Taxpayer, Voter,
and political donor

Afraid of Debate

2009-02-11T13:27:00.001-08:00

Today I sent an (electronic) letter to my Congressman asking him to sign an open letter to the Speaker of the House & the chairs of the House Appropriations and Rules Committees asking that Pro-Life Riders remain in any bills reported out of either of those committees, and that if those long-standing Pro-Life Riders are not included to at least allow floor debate on amendment of those bills to include Pro-Life Riders.

I would encourage anyone with an opinion on the use of your hard-earned tax dollars for support & funding of abortions all over the world let your elected representatives in the other Washington know how you feel.

Here is the letter I sent:

Representative Reichert,

I urge you to add your signature to the open letter from Representatives Jim Jordan and Heath Shuler to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman David Obey, and Chairwoman Louise Slaughter requesting that Pro-Life Riders be included in any Appropriations Committee reports.

While I am sure that Speaker Pelosi would like to take as much of my tax dollars as possible to pay for every abortion on Earth I do not support any attempts to pass a de facto Freedom of Choice Act by stealth procedure.

If the President and his proxies in Congress really want to support increasing the number of abortions all over the world with my hard earned money there should at least be an open and honest debate on the topic on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Please show your support for such a floor debate by adding your signature to Representatives Jordan and Shuler's letter to the Speaker and Chairs of the Appropriations and Rules Committees.

Sincerely,

Eric W.

Constituent, 8th Congressional District of Washington State

Voter, Taxpayer, and U.S. Navy Veteran

(address)

(telephone)

(email)

As my Representative in the U.S. House is not only in the minority, but also does not serve on either the House Standing Committee on Appropriations or the House Standing Committee on Rules I am pretty certain that even if he does sign this open letter that it will have very little impact on the actions of the House Leadership; however, for anyone who is represented by a Congressman that is part of the House Democrat Caucus, especially by Norm Dicks (the third-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee), the impact of your Representative at least supporting debate of Pro-Life Riders on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives would be huge.

Direct election of Elections Director

2009-02-02T23:18:00.001-08:00

So the political machine that is King County governmental politics lost their battle to keep King County as the only county in the state without a directly elected supervisor of elections - thanks to the county initiative process. Now the council has allowed a free-for-all plurality-wins (6-way) race held strictly by mail-in ballot.

The election is officially today, February 3rd, which just means that all ballots to be (presumably) counted must either be postmarked no later than today (meaning the last regular business-day mail pickup) or dropped off at any one of ten 24-hour ballot drop boxes no later than 8PM tonight.

As this office is officially Non-Partisan (like the County Sheriff and Port of Seattle Commissioners, and soon to be all county elected offices) the six declared candidates are not officially identified by party affiliation/preference, but that's just naked imperial theatre in my opinion.

So please do a little homework as to who the candidates are, and then vote!

(P.S.: I think Christopher Clifford has a good record for fighting to keep government entities open and honest).

January 24, 1968

2009-01-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

On January 24, 1968 the North Koreans seized the Navy intel picket ship U.S.S. Pueblo (EGER-2). Its now believed that the Soviets convinced North Korea to seize a U.S. Navy spy ship in order to access cryptology equipment that was initially detailed by John Walker. So the capture of a commissioned U.S. Navy ship on the high seas, the death of one crewman, the torture of Commander Lloyd Bucher, and the imprisonment of the Pueblo's crew for 11 months, along with the devastating damage done to U.S. Navy cryptography can all be put at the feet of John Walker, his (now ex-) wife, son, brother, and his one-time student Jerry Whitworth.

I know when I was in the Navy there had been developed the Communications Security Material System (aka CMS), the very detailed methodology for handling encryption equipment and codes by U.S. Naval officers & sailors. We were never left alone with 'crypto' (called Two Person Integrity) and were in constant fear that one of us would screw the paper-trail up somewhere and end up in Leavenworth. (Thankfully I never did had a 'CMS Incident'.)

The torture and subsequent breaking of Command Lloyd Bucher by the North Koreans (be threatening to execute his crewman) also lead to a change in the wording of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States. By Executive Order President Jimmy Carter (in November of 1977) amended the Code of Conduct (as put in place by Ike in 1955) to remove the clause ONLY in "I am to give only my name, rank, service number, and date of birth"....

Enough with the Lovefest

2009-01-19T16:40:00.000-08:00

Perhaps its just my faulty memory, but as best as I can recollect this giddy lovefest that is going on in the media for tomorrow's Inauguration of the new President just didn't happen 4 or 8 years ago.

I remember quite clearly talking my then-supervisor from work into hosting a Victory 2000 party on January 20, 2000 to celebrate the swearing in of the 43rd POTUS, and everyone who wasn't part of that party had puzzled "why in the world would you be excited about a President getting sworn in?!?" looks on their faces.

Perhaps I am just missing the part about being excite to join hands and sing Kumbaya all night long....

Never Forget

2008-12-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

This Sunday is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

U.S. Flag Code directs the President of the United States to order all flags to Half-Staff each December 7th in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. President Bush has directed flags to half-staff this Sunday.

The U.S. Flag (and all subordinate flags) shall be flown at Half-Staff within the entire United States on Thursday, December 7, 2008 from 8 AM (when Colors are raised) to Sunset (when Colors are retired) in accordance with current U.S. Flag Code (Title 36, United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 1, Section 129):

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day...and to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff each December 7 in honor of the individuals who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

Revised U.S. (Federal) Flag Code: http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/flagcode_07.pdf

So if you run across any governmental buildings (including public schools, city halls, fire stations, police stations, Post Offices, et cetera) or businesses that are not properly flying the Flag please politely ask the person in charge there why they aren't following Flag Etiquette.

Decompression

2008-12-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

I have been steering clear of blogging since the day after the election in an attempt to decompress. I didn't want my posts to sound too over the top; the world isn't coming to an end just because of the results of an election.

I will start chiming-in yet again about the world politic in the upcoming days.

Brand New Day

2008-11-05T06:10:00.001-08:00

Kumbaya, The One, kumbaya
Yes We Can, The One, Yes We Can
Change and Hope, The One, Change and Hope,
Kumbaya, The One, kumbaya

Kumbaya, The One, kumbaya
Iran will like us now, kumbaya
North Korea'll stop developing-the-bomb,
Oh Great Talker, kumbaya

Taliban stops shooting, kumbaya
Al-Queda gives up, kumbaya
Putin's missiles? Nah, kumbaya
Oh they'll like us again, kumbaya

Punish big oil, The One, kumbaya
More-expensive-gas, The One, kumbaya
Raising taxes (on "them"), kumbaya
Spreading the wealth, The One, others' wealth

Israel's crying, The One, kumbaya
Hammas is cheering, The One, kumbaya
We're all less safe now, kumbaya
Yes We Can, The One, kumbaya

Someone's praying, The One, kumbaya
They'd better-not-pray out loud! kumbaya
Fairness Doctine, now! kumbaya
Silencing decent, Hope-Change! kumbaya

Masses are fainting, The One, kumbaya
But what has changed? The One, kumbaya
Eloquent words, The One, kumbaya
Eloquent words, The One, just eloquent words

Quick Cheat Sheet

2008-11-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Since its clear I'm not going to finish by 8PM PDT here are the rest of my picks:

Secretary of State: Jason Osgood

Lieutenant Governor: Brad Owen

Governor: Dino Rossi

Representative, U.S. House, 8th Congressional District: Dave Reichert

President of the United States (Electorial College Elector): John McCain/Sarah Palin

Sound Transit Proposition Number 1 (Mass Transit Expansion): Rejected

King County Charter Amendment Number 8 (Nonpartisan Elections): No

King County Charter Amendment Number 7 (Charter Amendment by Citizen Initiative): Yes

King County Charter Amendment Number 6 (Budget Deadlines): Yes

King County Charter Amendment Number 5 (Establishing Forecast Council and Office of Economic and Financial): Yes

King County Charter Amendment Number 4 (Additional Qualifications for Elected Officials): No

King County Charter Amendment Number 3 Regional Committees): Yes

King County Charter Amendment Number 2 (Prohibiting Discrimination): No

King County Charter Amendment Number 1 (Elected Elections Director): Yes

Initiative Measure Number 1029 (Long-term Care Services): No

Initiative Measure Number 1000 (Allowing Certain Terminally Ill): No

Initiative Measure Number 985 (Transportation): Yes

Attorney General

2008-11-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

Republican incumbent Attorney General Rob McKenna is running against Democrat challenger Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg.

Attorney General Rob McKenna has served one term in Olympia as AG, and served three terms on the King County Council. Prior to that he was an attorney with the huge law firm Perkins Coie in their Bellevue office.

Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg is a former Tacoma City Councilman, Pierce County Prosecutor, and now a two-term County Executive.

AG McKenna took a majority of the vote in the August Primary (very nearly 57%), whereas Executive Ladenburg received 43% of the primary vote.

Endorsements for the two candidates breaks mostly along typical party lines, with the noteworthy exception of 13 county sherriffs and several prominant law enforcement unions supporting AG McKenna.

The Attorney General's Office has been busy under AG McKenna, including twice successfully defending state initiatives before the U.S. Supreme Court.

There's frankly not a lot of difference between the two, with the quite notable exception that Executive Ladenburg supports pre-emptive review of initiatives by state courts, whereas AG McKenna views that as a violation of the state constitution.

I have dealt with Rob McKenna on King County budget issues in the past. He's a VERY sharp man. I've been impressed with him everytime I have encountered him.

I see no reason for change in this office. I am voting for Rob McKenna for Atttorney General.

State Treasurer

2008-11-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

Democrat incumbent State Treasurer Mike Murphy is retiring. Assistant State Treasurer Allan Martin, a Republican, is running against Democrat challenger State Representative Jim McIntire, currently the chairman of the State Economic & Revenue Forecast Council.

Assistant Treasurer Martin has been with the State Treasurer's Office since 1998 (where he is now the current Treasurer's top deputy), and prior to that was Chelan County Treasurer for six years. He was a banker and is still a licensed funeral director.

Representative (Doctor) McIntire has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Washington. He was a research scientist at the Battelle Memorial Institute, did work for Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, was Governor Booth Gardner's Fiscal Policy Advisor for 3 years, has run 5 different state economic advisory groups, has served on the faculty of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs (at the University of Washington) since 1983, and still serves in the State Legislature (since 1998) where he has served on every financials-related committee in the House including having previously chaired the House Finance Committee.

Assistant Treasurer Martin took as a plurality of the August Primary with 45% of the vote in a 3-way race. Representative McIntire received almost 40% of the vote.

Assistant Treasurer Martin has been current State Treasurer Mike Murphy's top deputy since 2007. He is the continuation of Treasurer Murphy's policies. He said he would have given the same answers as his boss regarding demands to toll both 520 and I-90, and in opposing a NASCAR racetrack partnership.

Representative McIntire has said he supports moving to a state income tax, but has never introduced or voted for any legislation to do that. He also was instramental in putting together the legislation that led to the state's Rainy-Day Fund.

While I am no fan of even talk of a state income tax, I also don't think the State Treasurer should be announcing he'll refuse to sell bonds for which the legislature would direct to be sold unless a political policy he backed was also implemented (as in tolling I-90 as well as 520).

I am voting for Jim McIntire for State Treasurer.

State Auditor

2008-11-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

Democrat incumbent State Auditor Brian Sonntag is running against Republican challenger Dick McEntee, a corporate executive. These candidates also ran against each other in 2000.

Auditor Sonntag has been in office since winning the 1992 election. Prior to that he was twice elected Pierce County Clerk, and then two-term Pierce County Auditor.

Dick McEntee has long served in lesser known government roles such as sitting on the Fircrest City Council, Governor's councils, county-appointed corporations, and also was the Pierce County Republican Party Treasurer for 2 years. He has a long career in business including as Vice President of Nalley's Fine Foods and VP/Chief (Government) Compliance Officer of an investment firm.

Auditor Sonntag took the majority (59%) of the August Primary. Dick McEntee received 33% of the Primary vote (in a 3-way race).

Auditor Sonntag has been in office as the focus of the State Auditor's Office changed from purely letter-of-the-law CPA-style auditing to Performance Auditing as empowered by I-900.

He has done a pretty good job of going into budget-heavy sacred-cow territory (such as the state Department of Transportation budget) and given his own party the bad news. This has made Auditor Sonntag more popular in many Republican/conservative circles than in his own party!

Auditor Sonntag has received some key endorsements from the Association of Washington Business and the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Mister McEntee has been calling for more extensive performance audits for a long time, and makes the argument that he would be more forceful in this area than the incumbent has been.

While I have often thought that the State Auditor's Office should be more liberal in its use of its Performance Audit authority I also have to remember that it was under his watch, and (continuing) political leadership, that real Performance Audits came into existence in state government.

I am voting for Brian Sonntag for State Auditor.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

2008-11-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson is running against challenger Randy Dorn, head of the Classified school workers union and former state legislator.

Superintendent (Doctor) Bergeson was a teacher and school administrator, head of the state teachers union, ran the state committee that created the WASL, and has been Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1997.

(Former) Representative Dorn is a former teacher and principal, former state representative (for 7 years) who chaired the State House Committee on K-12 Education, and currently runs the second largest school workers union in the state.

Superintendent Bergeson took a plurality of the six-way August Primary with nearly 40% of the vote. Representative Dorn received just over 5% less of the vote in the Primary.

While Superintendent Bergeson was initially the darling of the state teachers union there is now no love-loss between either of the public school employees unions and the current Superintendent.

Representative Dorn has made the WASL the primary issue of this election. While I personally support an objective, standardized testing program as part of earning a High School Diploma, the WASL is just horrible. Teaching to a good test leads to good fundamentals. Teaching to the WASL (a subjective test) that absolutely does not teach the basics. (Watch this well-done video to see an example).

Its time for the sad state of affairs in actual graduation numbers to be addressed. The incumbent is ensconced in defending a bad standards test that she developed and is deaf to calls for looking at actual rates of graduation instead of using cooked numbers.

I may not be a fan of the state teachers union agenda for schools, but their candidate is better than the status quo.

I am voting for Randy Dorn for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Lands Commissioner

2008-11-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Republican incumbent Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland is running against Democrat challenger Peter Goldmark, an Eastern Washington rancher and unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 2006.

Commissioner Sutherland has been in office since winning the 2000 election. Prior to that he was Mayor of Tacoma, and then Pierce County Executive, along with a plethora of conservation commission and committee memberships.

Doctor Goldmark (he has a Ph.D. and was a research scientist) was Governor Mike Lowry's Director of Agriculture for 5 months in 1993. He's served on several Governor's councils and committees on the environment since then.

Commissioner Sutherland took a very slim majority of the August Primary over his only opponent (Dr. Goldmark) by 2 1/4 % of the vote.

While this office's race tends to polarize between the environmentalist/eco-terrorist crowd and the pro-timber industrialist crowd I find that Commissioner Sutherland has been really very fair in his execution of policy and administration of the state Department of Natural Resources.

This department was a virtually unmanaged mess when Commissioner Sutherland took control eight years ago, and has turned its administration around. He took a department with competing policy objectives that brought in $6 million per year into a streamlined-in-objective less-beauracratic entity that now brings in $16 million per year.

While Commissioner Sutherland has received endorsements from the timber industry he is not in their pocket. He's actually fair.

Doctor Goldmark has pointed out that the DNR has made some mistakes over the past eight years, but I don't see these as a worthy call for the ousting of a fair, centrist, experienced administrator of the largest department in our state's government.

Doctor Goldmark's five-months of experience administering a state agency just doesn't compare to the eight solid years of successfully directing the DNR in which Commissioner Sutherland has proven himself.

I am voting for Doug Sutherland for Commissioner of Public Lands.

Insurance Commissioner

2008-11-03T12:13:00.001-08:00

While I'm not sure why we need to be electing a plethora of state executive positions with no budget authority I also wasn't around when our state's constitution was written!

Democrat incumbant State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is running against Republican challenger John Adams, owner of a Seattle-area indeptendent insurance agency.

Commissioner Kreidler has been running this office since he succeeded fellow Democrat Deborah Senn (who lost her race for Attorney General) in the 2000 election. Prior to that he was in the state legislature and served one term in Congress (losing his 1994 re-election campaign). He is an optometrist by trade.

John Adams is relatively new to campaigning for public office. He was on the Board of the Lake Washington School District for 8 years, and has been an insurance agent for 38 years.

Having a sour taste in my mouth for Commissioner Kreidler from when he was my none-too-agreeable Congressman I am predisposed to not support him; add to that the fact that his opponent actually has experience in the insurance industry and my mind is pretty well set.

I am voting for John R. Adams for state Insurance Commissioner.

State Legislature

2008-10-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

For House of Representatives Position #2 in the 11th Legislative District there are two candidates on the ballot. Incumbant Representative Bob Hasegawa is running again against law firm business manager John Potter.

Representative Hasegawa, the incumbant Democrat, took a large majority of the vote in the August Primary (70-30) against Mr. Potter, the Republican who has run unsuccessfully against this incumbant twice before.

Representative Hasegawa lives on Beacon Hill, and has easily won and held this seat in the heavily-Democrat 11th District. He has been an all-but lock for the agenda of the Majority in the State House (as he bucked House leadership in voting against authorizing tolls for 520 & I-90).

For House of Representatives Position #1 in the 11th Legislative District there are two candidates on the ballot. Incumbant Representative Zack Hudgins is running again against David Morris.

Representative Hudgins, the incumbant Democrat, took a large majority of the vote in the August Primary (almost 70-30) against Mr. Morris, the Republican. At least this election cycle there are two candidates running for this office....

Representative Hudgins lives in Tukwila, and like Representative Hasegawa easily holds this seat for his party. He is even more of a lock for voting with his party's leadership than Rep. Hasegawa.

As I am not a fan of the current majority in the State Legislature's House of Representatives I will be voting for the challenger in both House elections in my district.

For State Senator for the 11th Legislative District we are now down to two Democrats running (thanks to the Top Two primary system we now use in this state). Incumbant Senator Margarita Prentice is running against former political staffer and activist Juan Martinez.

Senator Prentice, the powerful incumbant Democrat who chairs the State Senate Ways & Means Committee, nearly took a majority (48%+) in the August Primary over two other Democrats (as the Republican Party has often failed to field a candidate for the Legislature in this Democrat-dominated district). Juan Martinez got nearly 28% of the vote in the same Primary.

I don't think I can put it better than The Stranger did:

Incumbent Margarita Prentice, head of the state senate's powerful Ways and Means Committee, has been in the legislature for 20 years. Now some of her more controversial positions are starting to catch up to her. Senate leadership is reportedly considering ousting Prentice because of her ill-fated efforts to build a $500 million stadium for the Sonics in Renton; because she wants to tap the new state "rainy day fund"; and because she has supported controversial constituencies like payday lenders and casinos. In 2004, just four of Prentice's contributions were from residents of her district—just $175 out of the total $160,000 Prentice raised. It's time for new blood in the 11th. Vote Martinez.

Mr. Martinez's world view is even further to the left than that of Senator Prentice; however, the Senator's extensive tenure in the State Legislature, in my opinion, has superseded any political ideology she may have had with that of establishment power (meaning her own).

While I certainly would not pick a former staffer for Congressman Jim McDermott as my ideal representative in Olympia, his election would mean the overdue retirement of Senator Prentice from elected office.

In what is truly a vote against incumbant Margarita Prentice I am voting for Juan Martinez for the State Senate for the 11th Legislative District.

Uncontested Judgeships

2008-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Due to a clause in this state's constitution and state law, if a candidate for state Supreme Court justice or state Court of Appeals judge receives more than 50% of votes cast for the office in the Primary Election their name is placed uncontested on the General Election ballot. Combine this with the fact that most judicial races don't draw two candidates in the first place, and the whole purpose of electing our judges seems irrelivant.

Since the two Court of Appeals and three Supreme Court positions on my ballot are all uncontested I simply register my protest by writing-in a name.

Mark Sidran (former Seattle City Attorney), Mike McKay (former U.S. Attorney) and Jeff Sullivan (former Yakima County Prosecutor and current U.S. Attorney) are all well-qualified potential state justices (and the names I will be writing-in).

Stephen Johnson (former State Senator) and John Groen (a Bellevue property-rights lawyer) are both well qualified potential state appellate judges (that I am writing-in).

Superior Court Position 1

2008-10-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

For King County Superior Court Judge Position 01, there are two candidates on the ballot. Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Tim Bradshaw is running against Assistant State Attorney General Sue Parisien.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Bradshaw took the August Primary Election with nearly a majority of the vote (over 46%); Assistant Attorney General Parisien received just under 30% of the primary votes.

The Voting for Judges website (of course) has more information on the two candidates than I could find anywhere else. This race really seems much easier to decide on than the two other contested Superior Court races on my ballot. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Bradshaw has been a prosecutor for over 20 years, has participated in 125 jury trails in Superior Court, and has extensive experience in both criminal and civil law. Assistant Attorney General Parisien has worked in the state Attorney General's Office on-and-off for 10 years (with time away working as an in-house counsel for Nordstroms and as an opposition researcher for Christine Gregiore's 2004 campaign). Parisien lists just 11 jury trials worth of experience in Superior Court.

I find that Tim Bradshaw's vast experience serving in the Superior Courts makes him the clear choice.

I am voting for Tim Bradshaw for King County Superior Court Judge Position 1.

Superior Court Position 22

2008-10-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

For King County Superior Court Judge Position 22, there are two qualified candidates on the ballot. Juvenile Court Commissioner Julia Garratt is running against former UW Law School Adjunct Professor Holly Hill.

Garratt took the August Primary Election with a plurality just over 36%, Hill got just under 4% less of the vote.

The Voting for Judges website has more information on the two candidates than I could find anywhere else. Again for me this race boils down to which candidate's experience will likely make for a better Superior Court Judge. Julia Garratt has been a Judge Pro Tem in King County Superior Court for the past 10 years. Holly Hill was an Adjunct Professor at the UW Law School for 20 years.

Neither of these candidates has much courtroom experience in Superior Court. Julia Garratt lists 50 trials in Superior Court (although its not clear if this is just the number of trials at that level in which she participated as an attorney or both as an attorney and as a Judge Pro Tem) while Holly Hill lists just 15 trails in Superior Court. Garratt has presided more than 1ooo days in Superior Court as a Judge Pro Tem.

I personally find that Julia Garratt's more extensive experience working in the Superior Courts gives her the edge.

I am voting for Julia Garratt for King County Superior Court Judge Position 22.

Superior Court Position 37

2008-10-24T01:26:00.000-07:00

Even though Sound Transit Prop One (Mass Transit Expansion) is actually the final entry on my ballot I am going to skip it for now and get back to it when I go into the rest of the Measures & Propositions on my ballot.

For King County Superior Court Judge Position 37, there are two highly qualified candidates on the ballot. Seattle Municipal Court Judge Jean Rietschel is running against Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Barbara Mack.

Judge Rietschel took the August Primary Election with a plurality of almost 40%, while Deputy Prosecutor Mack got just under 3% less of the vote.

The Voting for Judges website has as much information on the two candidates as I could find elsewhere (and more). For me this race boils down to which candidate's experience will likely make for a better Superior Court Judge. Judge Rietschel was a public defender for eight years, practiced in a firm for eight years, and has been a city court judge for the past twelve years (including a stint as the Presiding Judge). Deputy Prosecutor Mack served as Deputy Under Secretary of the (U.S.) Interior, a legal & policy consultant, and has been a prosecutor for the past 22 years.

I personally find that Barbara Mack's 22 years in the King County Prosecutor's Office, dealing virtually exclusively with the King County Superior Court (virtually in as much as she also dealt with higher courts) gives her the edge. I find that a Judge Mack would be better prepared (although by a matter of degree) to preside over felony jury trials from the start.

I am voting for Barbara Mack for King County Superior Court Judge Position 37.

Changing Focus

2008-10-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

For the past several weeks I've been starting (but not finishing) various blog posts on things like the second McCain-Obama debate, Hannity's interview with both Senator McCain and Governor Palin, Charlie Gibson's interview with Senator Obama, deeper research on the Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn connections to Barak and Michelle Obama, the final McCain-Obama debate, the two candidates' humorous roasts at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, and Secretary Colin Powell's endorsement of Senator Obama. Unfortunately I have done a very poor job of keeping up.

In lieu of waxing politic on a daily reactive basis I will begin going over my General Election absentee ballot which I received in the mail two days ago.

I will start in reverse order of what is on my ballot and ultimately explain why I'll be voting the way I am this election.

Perhaps this will generate discussion. I almost wrote 'more discussion', but as nobody is posting any comments....

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

2008-10-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

In honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and National Fire Prevention Week the U.S. Flag is to be flown at half-staff on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

Federal law instructs the President of the United States to direct all Flags to Half-Staff each year to honor the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The President has directed the U.S. Flag (and all subordinate flags) shall be flown at Half-Staff within the entire United States on Sunday, October 5, 2008 from 8 AM (when Colors are raised) to Sunset (when Colors are retired) in accordance with Public Law 107-51:

The American flags on all Federal office buildings will be lowered to half-staff in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

So if you run across any governmental buildings (including public schools, city halls, fire stations, police stations, Post Offices, et cetera) or businesses that are not properly flying the Flag please politely ask the person in charge there why they aren't following Flag Etiquette.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081003-6.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 3, 2008

Fire Prevention Week, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
Americans can help reduce home fires by taking simple steps such as regularly inspecting furnaces and fireplaces, keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable materials, and checking the condition of electrical cords. Making sure that smoke alarms and fire extinguishers work can also help minimize the impact of home and building fires. I encourage all Americans to remember this year's theme -- "It's Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires!" -- and to check their homes for fire hazards to help prevent disasters.
Across our Nation, firefighters put themselves at risk to protect our communities, and their selfless dedication has saved countless lives. America's Bravest hold a cherished place in our hearts, and we honor those who have paid the ultimate price to protect citizens in harm's way. The sacrifice of these men and women is an inspiration to all and epitomizes the true meaning of heroism.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 5 through October 11, 2008, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 5, 2008, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half staff on all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance through appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #

Veep Debate

2008-10-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

After all the pre-debate hype, including how prepared Governor Palin would look, what verbal gaffes to expect from Senator Biden, and whether or not Gwen Ifell would show her own political leanings while moderating the debate, none of those scenarios played out.

What we did see was 90 minutes of polite quasi-exchange of campaign slogans. Senator Biden chose to debate John McCain. Governor Palin chose to give slices of stump speeches directly to the television audience. Gwen Ifell appeared to not direct (nor redirect) the candidates' time toward each other or back to the underlying point of her questions with any poignancy.

When I watched the debate live I didn't feel Gwen Ifell overtly slanted the questioning for or against either candidate, but her own analysis of the debate sure makes me feel uneasy about her moderating, let alone Tom Brokaw's role in the next Presidential Debate.

But neither Senator Biden nor Governor Palin had any major faux pas, so both camps can claim victory. Then again has anyone - ever - voted for a ticket because of the VP nominee?

I sort of wish that we'd stop calling these events debates at all. It would be more accurate to call them joint campaign appearances.

Hell No

2008-10-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

Now that the economic crisis bailout bill has thankfully failed in the House, the Senate has passed a pork-laden version of the same.

I have again emailed by U.S. Representative asking him to again vote against the (newer, porkier) bailout bill:

Representative Reichert,

Please vote against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This $800+ Billion pork-laced Senate-passed bill is even worse than the House version you voted against just a few days ago.

I don't know why we need to authorize $700 Billion of my tax dollars toward a bailout of Wall Street speculators when even under the most ambitious plans from Treasury Secretary Paulson he doesn't call for spending more than $50 Billion between now and January of next year.

I don't know what the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, which the Senate attached to this bailout bill, has to do with the Credit Crunch our economy is now in.

What do bond sales in states impacted by Hurricane Ike have to do with the national credit crunch? How about alternative energy incentives? Tax-exemptions for wooden arrows and tax-breaks for Rum makers in Puerto Rico? How does that help Wall Street or Main Street?

This bill is a monstrosity. It has no business even coming to the House floor for a vote. I would implore you to vote against this bill, and even if you decide to go against the vast majority of your constituents in a tough election year to vote for this bill, I would demand that you read all 455 pages of this bill before you would support this legislative Frankenstein.

Please vote against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

Sincerely,
Eric W.
Constituent, 8th Congressional District
Voter, Taxpayer, Citizen, and Veteran

So if you have an opinion on whether or not your Representative should be voting to pass or to not pass the Senate's buy-a-vote version of this Wall Street bailout bill please call and/or email them so that they understand what their constituents expect from them.

Catching Up

2008-10-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

Haven't posted in a few days and that's okay (what, with all the Comments made and all).

I would have posted on McCain-Obama debate number one, but it wasn't exciting enough to bother.

I found it initially foolish, then after watching the media reaction, rather shrewd of Senator McCain to suspend his campaigning to try and broker a deal on the credit crunch bailout. I also find it telling that Senator Obama, as a faux member of the Senate Banking Committee, wasn't even planning on returning to the Senate to vote on a bailout bill until Senator McCain announced his own return to Washington, D.C.

Then there is the piecemeal interview with the ratings-sagging Katie Couric. Why won't CBS just show the whole interview, or at least one strung-together edited interview? At least ABC news tends to string together their very edited interviews to make it look like one continuous interview (since that's actually what it was)!

Now we have the third Gubernatorial debate set for tonight in Yakima. I'm sure there will be more Rossi-is-Bush attacks by Christine Gregoire, and more Change! slogans by Dino Rossi.

Then there's the whole VP debate & noise over Gwen Ifill moderating the debate, but there's plenty of time tomorrow to pradle on about that....

Tonight I will be enjoying a nice dinner & discussion as the Washington Policy Center Annual Dinner where Czech President Vaclav Klaus, philanthropist Phil Smart, Sr, and political commentator Fred Barnes will be speaking. I have to thank KTTH's give-away of these tickets or I would not be getting near this event. :)

Again to the parties: Go stick it!

2008-09-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

I'm out of things for a few days with kidney stones and surgery and all of a sudden I can't create a post with hyperlinks?!?

Anyway:

So the major political parties in Washington State don't like the Blanket Primary system that we've had forever in this state because without public party registration the parties have to do their own party-building and fund-raising ground work. So the parties sue the taxpayers the claim to speak for to force a closed-party primary system. They get their wish, sort of (thanks to the veto pen of Gary Locke). The people pass an Initiative to sweep-aside any weight party labels have on state-run elections. The party bosses again unite to again sue the voters each party claims to speak on behalf of. They finally lose in a 7-2 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now that we the people have definitively removed any legal connection between party affiliation and the election of public officials (on the taxpayers' dime), the Democrats are now suing the Secretary of State (legally charged with executing state elections) who is a Republican, because he has the audacity to allow candidates to list their own party preference on the General Election ballot (as specified in the same state law that the U.S. Supreme Court already upheld).

The Democrats are crying now because Dino Rossi chose "Prefers G.O.P. Party" instead of listing his own political party preference the way his opposition wants him to (as in "Prefers Republican Party").

Missing

2008-09-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well I have really wanted to watch Sean Hannity's interview with Governor Sarah Palin, quote Senator Biden back to himself, mention Constitution (aka Citizenship) Day and National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and prequel the Gubernatorial Debate tonight, but that all got put on hold as I spent some time in the hospital for a Kidney Stone.

I highly discourage anyone from partaking in such an endeavor. Really. I can't say enough negative things about the whole experience (which still hasn't been resolved).

So enjoy the debate tonight.

Gibson versus Palin

2008-09-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

It's just tiresome.

Why can't the top news anchor for one of the Big Three networks just be a journalist? Why has it become common-place for supposed reporters to interject into their reporting their own commentary? Isn't that what commentators and columnists are paid to do (which is supposed to be different than what reporters are supposed to do)?

Again we have Charlie Gibson simply making his political points:

GIBSON: Can you look the country in the eye and say "I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?"
GIBSON: And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"
GIBSON: Didn't that take some hubris?
GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?
GIBSON: I know. I'm just saying that national security is a whole lot more than energy.
GIBSON: Have you ever met a foreign head of state?

Charlie Gibson made his very biased political point (over and over again) that he clearly doesn't think she should be Vice President.

He then moved on to try to goad Governor Palin into declaring that she would go to war with Russia, support Israel bombing Iran, and that she'd invade Pakistan:

GIBSON: You think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.
GIBSON: What if Israel decided it felt threatened and needed to take out the Iranian nuclear facilities?
GIBSON: So if we wouldn't second guess it and they decided they needed to do it because Iran was an existential threat, we would cooperative or agree with that.
GIBSON: So if it felt necessary, if it felt the need to defend itself by taking out Iranian nuclear facilities, that would be all right.
GIBSON: The Bush doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense, that we have the right to a preemptive strike against any other country that we think is going to attack us. Do you agree with that?
GIBSON: Do we have a right to anticipatory self-defense? Do we have a right to make a preemptive strike again another country if we feel that country might strike us?
GIBSON: Do we have the right to be making cross-border attacks into Pakistan from Afghanistan, with or without the approval of the Pakistani government?
GIBSON: But, Governor, I'm asking you: We have the right, in your mind, to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government.
GIBSON: I got lost in a blizzard of words there. Is that a yes? That you think we have the right to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government, to go after terrorists who are in the Waziristan area?

Are you kidding me? "I got lost in a blizzard of words there" ?!? I wish the Governor would have rebuked him there with something along the lines of:
"I beg your pardon?" (not asked in a meak way either)
or
"It's clear that you don't like my answers, but aren't I the one who is supposed to answer questions here?"

Can you imagine Walter Cronkite or Peter Jennings rebuking a candidate they begged to interview because the interviewee wouldn't frame their answers to their own liking?!? I don't recall Gibson being that blatantly rude during his interview with Senator Obama (when the Senator droned on and on with almost every answer, quite often turning his response sharply from the question asked). Gibson wasn't even quite that rude when last he interviewed Senator McCain!

If this were going to be a give-and-take exchange between the host (notice I didn't use the word reporter) and a guest then Governor Palin would have been free to frequently interupt the host, not just the other way around. That is the kind of exchange The O'Reilly Factor presented when Bill O'Reilly and Senator Barack Obama went at it (for 30-40 minutes). I'm sure that Charlie Gibson thinks himself well above Bill O'Reilly. That's too bad (not just because Gibson would be wrong in thinking that) since at least O'Reilly is honest about what kind of exchange he is going to have with a Presidential nominee.

I want to know that

2008-09-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

Mister Matthew Damon, of Hollywood movie fame, recently said the following:

”I need to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago. That's an important -- I want to know that. I really do. Because she's going to have the nuclear codes. I want to know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago. Or if she banned books or tried to ban books. You know, we can't have that.”

Great questions. Too bad that these smears, rumors, and myths have all been thoroughly debunked by the time Mr. Damon said this.

I need to know if Matt Damon is incapable, or just too lazy to get on the World Wide Web, finding ANY search engine, and type in the letters: s n o p e s . c o m – I want to know that. I really do. Because he’s got public influence. I want to know if he’s too dumb to use a search engine. Or if he really isn’t even registered to vote. You know, we can’t have that!

It's like a really bad action movie: the attention-seeking starlet using their celebrity status to bad-mouth someone they don’t agree with. He's yapping about reality and using all his acting skills to try to get people to care what he thinks about politics. It's absurd.

Patriot Day

2008-09-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

As today is the Seventh Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our nation I thought I would remind everyone that this Patriot Day all flags should be flying at half-staff.

Federal law instructs the President of the United States to direct all Flags to Half-Staff on September 11 of each year for (National) Patriot Day. The President has sort of directed flags to half-staff this Patriot Day.

Nonetheless:
The U.S. Flag (and all subordinate flags) shall be flown at Half-Staff within the entire United States on Thursday, September 11, 2008 from 8 AM (when Colors are raised) to Sunset (when Colors are retired) in accordance with current U.S. Flag Code (Title 36, United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, Section 144):
Display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
So if you run across any governmental buildings (including public schools, city halls, fire stations, police stations, Post Offices, et cetera) or businesses that are not properly flying the Flag please politely ask the person in charge there why they aren't following Flag Etiquette.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080908-2.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 8, 2008

Patriot Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

September 11, 2001, was etched into America's memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.

Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We are confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform serving around the world and the devoted members of our law enforcement, public safety, and intelligence communities at home who work night and day to protect us from harm and preserve the freedom of this great Nation.

Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, united in prayer, and responded with extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their lives for the country they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember all those who were taken from us in an instant and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. We must not allow our resolve to be weakened by the passage of time. We will meet the test that history has given us and continue to fight to rid the world of terrorism and promote liberty around the globe.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2008, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Media attacks on attacking the media on media attacks

2008-09-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

So what is acceptable and what is beyond the pale when it comes to questions to/about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in regard to her status as Republican Nominee for Vice President of the United States?

Well I would say smear after smear after smear after smear after smear just might be a bit much. What does it tell you when the only not-republished thing The Seattle Times can "report" about the Chief Executive of our (quasi-)neighboring state of Alaska is:

"critics started talking of a recall"

Oh no! Critics never TALK of trying to recall or impeach their victorious political opposition! Shocking!

Oh, but some say the McCain campaign attack on the media in response to the sexist/smarmy attacks on Governor Palin's personal life by the media was a strategic action to induce a calculated reaction all along. If that's the case then which side is dumber for taking the bait?

Perhaps when ABC's Charlie Gibson interviews Governor Palin he can just ask the same question (slightly re-phrased each time) over and over again to hammer home his own political point of view like he did when he last interviewed Senator McCain?

GIBSON: Can you look the country straight in the eye and say Sarah Palin has the qualities and has enough experience to be commander in chief?

GIBSON: [Obama has] been vetted. Nineteen months he's been debating in front of this country, 18 million times, the primaries people voted for him. With her, we have your say-so.

GIBSON: Senator Obama makes the case he's CEO of a campaign, with a budget, multiple sized the budget of the state of Alaska.

GIBSON: Can you honestly say you feel confident having someone who hasn't traveled outside the United States until last year, dealing with an insurgent Russia, with an Iran with nuclear ambitions, with an unstable Pakistan, not to mention the war on terror?

GIBSON: You can assure people you made this decision based on the idea of country first as opposed to a political decision to solidify the base of the party.

Perhaps instead of throwing any/every negative comment conceivable about Governor Palin against the wall of public debate to see what sticks the media might try reporting on actual FACTS, but that might mean actually having to gather some first! I know, I know...why would a bunch of "reporters" bother with such an unimportant thing like that?!?

The Long Speech

2008-09-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't yet written about Senator John McCain's Nomination Acceptance Speech at the Republican National Convention last week....

His speech was long. Too long really. He had a nice opening when he spoke to Senator Obama. Then he dropped into what sounded like a lengthy stump speech. Finally, when he began telling his story in Vietnam (in a different way then many others have relayed Lieutenant Commander McCain’s experiences) I was moved. When Senator McCain talked about being broken by his North Vietnamese torturers/captors I actually started to tear up a bit (not that crying is a measure of anything concrete – just look to campaign stop ‘Obasms’ to understand how meaningless this can be). Unfortunately this was 43 minutes into his address. I wonder what percentage of the audience that mattered (those who aren’t solidly committed to turning out for either nominee) were still awake and tuned in to hear the rousing final nine minutes of that speech?

Seven Months Later

2008-09-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Before I wax poetic about Senator McCain's nomination acceptance speech I wanted to revisit what I said about Senator McCain seven months ago:

From: Eric W.
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 2:48 PM
Subject: Caucusing for Conservatives

My fellow conservatives,

I watched Governor Mitt Romney withdraw from his campaign and watched Senator John McCain give what I thought was a very strong speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. As I see Senator Rodham-Clinton stump at the Tacoma Dome, and Senator Barack Obama speak at the Key Arena, I am still pondering exactly what I'm going to do when I go to my Republican Party Precinct Caucus tomorrow.

The four choices that still remain for caucusing for Republican presidential candidates are: Congressman Ron Paul, Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator John McCain, and Uncommitted.

Congressman Paul says a lot of things I agree with, but anything positive he has to say gets lost in the “Fortress America” message he champions. His position that we should withdraw *ALL* U.S. forces from everywhere around the world just makes me question how in touch with reality he is. He may generally be the lone libertarian voice in Congress, but I won't even bother discussing why it would be a total waste of my time and effort to stand for Ron Paul's candidacy for President. I don't even think most of Ron Paul's supporters will vote for whoever the eventual Republican Nominee for President come November (as the anti-war candidate in the General Election will be the Democrat).

Governor Mike Huckabee intrigues me a little. I love how he's not afraid to invoke his faith as he stumps for political office; however, I believe his record and espoused policies make him a very weak candidate on a national level. The Fair Tax isn't going to happen anytime soon, his record on taxes is not as simple and attractive as he'd have you believe, and his "Bunker Mentality" comment about President Bush's foreign policy shows his lack of any deep understanding of this country's position as the last Superpower in the world. Frankly I don't even think he'd even be that helpful in drawing many Southern voters come November if he were to become the Vice Presidential nominee.

Then there is Senator John McCain. I, as a Reagan Conservative (who some of my friends say is "just right of Attila the Hun") certainly have been no fan of Senator McCain in the last several years. Since he first ran against then-Governor George W. Bush in 1999 (for the 2000 election for President) he seems to have revelled in his reputation as a Maverick in national Republican politics. The major media fawned all over him as the anti-W Republican. He appears to prefer to associate with prominent Democrats rather than his own party's leadership in the Senate. Bills such as McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, and McCain-Lieberman are often mentioned with fondness by folks whose world view is diametrically opposed to my own. He speaks of drinking the coolaid of Global Warming, amnesty (by any name) for illegal aliens, banning any drilling in Alaska’s ANWR, and closing Guantanamo Bay as positives.

With all that said it is all but assured that Senator McCain WILL be the Republican Nominee for President once the Republican National Convention rolls around in early September. From the opposition’s perspective the Senator has an _unimpeachable_ record on national security. He has a *perfect* Pro Life voting record. Let me repeat: he has a PERFECT voting record on matters of Human Life. He has a well-earned reputation of cutting pork-barrel spending. He will not appoint judges like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He will NOT surrender on ANY front in the war on Islamic Terror. He is NOT “Democrat Lite”, yet obviously not my ideal candidate; however, my favorite candidate who was in the race (former Senator Fred Thompson) will likely endorse Senator McCain before we reach the Republican National Convention.

So what is a Reagan Conservative to do at their Republican Precinct Caucus? This uberfan of President Ronald Wilson Reagan is bouncing back and forth between pinching my nostrils and standing for Mac, or to continue to hold out a little longer (knowing full well who I’m voting for in November) and caucusing as an Uncommitted Republican. If a good number of delegates reach the Washington State Republican Convention, and perhaps even the Republican National Convention, as uncommitted to any one candidate, I believe Senator McCain’s campaign will have to continue to at least think about courting those uncommitted conservatives who otherwise may be taken for granted, and perhaps even ignored in the Senator’s dash to the center in his national campaign against whatever Democrat wins their nomination.

As I write this I am more and more convinced that Senator McCain should have to whew we conservatives into not just voting for him in November, but in actively supporting his campaign. Winning takes boots on the ground, volunteers manning phone banks and distributing bumper stickers and pamphlets. I don’t know many conservatives who are excited enough about Senator McCain to do more than admit (a bit begrudgingly) that they will vote for whoever the Republican nominee is on their November ballots. Maybe we the Uncommitted Republicans at our caucuses and conventions can force Senator McCain’s hand to not take the Reaganite base for granted just yet.

Conservatively,
Eric W.
Christian - American - Veteran - Conservative - (mostly) Republican

With hindsight providing perfect 20/20 vision I have to say I was wrong about Senator McCain. He never ran away from the party's conservative base. At all. Even with his pick for a running mate he has courted several groups beyond his base without alienating those of us he needed to get to the General Election.

I fully admit I underestimated John S. McCain. (I'm very happy to see how wrong I was on this). I don't think I will do that again.

Madame Vice President

2008-09-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Once again I was not home to watch the primetime (well, primetime on the East Coast anyway) speeches at the Republican National Convention last night. So I taped the keynote and headline addresses.

As soon as we got home last night we watched the Washington State RNC delegation cast 4 votes for Representative Ron Paul we turned the VCR on (yes, we still use one) and watched the speeches.

The night's keynote address was given by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. While the text of his speech seemed to be pretty powerful, his delivery was just bad. Really bad. Did I...mention how...bad...his speech...was...delivered?!?

Now the headliner was a different story. Alaska Governor, and now officially Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah "Barracuda" Palin gave an outstanding address!

She was composed, direct, funny, and not afraid of a fight. My kind of candidate!

So bring on the attacks from the media advocates (they call themselves reporters). The more the McCain-Palin ticket is attacked on a personal level the less the casual observer will give attacks in general any credence whatsoever.

RNC Day 2

2008-09-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

After watching U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner speak at the Republican National Convention yesterday I was ready to take a long nap; however, once it finally got to First Lady Laura Bush, President George W. Bush, (the First Lady again), former Senator Fred Thompson, and Senator Joe Lieberman I finally saw some energy on the podium, on the convention floor, and felt some excitement myself!

I wasn't at home for those speeches so I drove home as soon as Senator Lieberman was finished. As I drove the few minutes it took to get home I listened to NPR. Their post-Lieberman Address analysis was ridiculous and extremely biased, but what should anyone expect from the official radio network of the Democratic Party?

Senator Thompson's (aka The Fred) fiery speech was great. Too bad the political opposition can't talk about their nominee with as much national pride as the Republicans can this time around.

I look forward to Mayor Giuliani and Governor Palin's addresses tonight. I am sure the bash-Sarah smear-campaign talking points are out today, and will undoubtedly get more airtime once Governor Sarah Palin has spoken tonight, but I'm hoping that she knocks her speech out of the park so that it is even more obvious to the casual viewer how anti-Palin the "unbiased" media is by this time tomorrow.

The Beginning

2008-09-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well after years and years (and years) of talking about politics I have finally layed down a cyberspace patch to park those political rants.

Patrick Leonard, my high school sophomore English teacher, and youngest child of then State Representative June Leonard, always said I was "Just Right of Attila the Hun", so here it is!

I am a Christian, a proud American citizen, voter, taxpayer, and U.S. Navy veteran.

I am also a President Ronald Reagan Conservative. That is to say that while I tend to vote for political candidates from the Republican Party I am in no way, shape, or form married to a particular political party.

I'll get on my Soap Box a bit later and start ranting on about whatever topic of the day has me fired up at the time.

Just Right of Attila the Hun

Kirby to the Rescue

I-1053: Yes *Again* to 2/3 Majority for Taxes

November Ballot

As with the last Primary Election I'll show my ballot picks for this General Election first, then break out each office (as time allows).

Supreme Court Position 1: Jim Johnson

U.S. House 8th District: Tim Dillon

Senate Race: Dino Rossi

August Primary

KVI no longer matters

November Ballot

So Sarah has got to be running

Enough is Enough

Afraid of Debate

Representative Reichert,

I urge you to add your signature to the open letter from Representatives Jim Jordan and Heath Shuler to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman David Obey, and Chairwoman Louise Slaughter requesting that Pro-Life Riders be included in any Appropriations Committee reports.

While I am sure that Speaker Pelosi would like to take as much of my tax dollars as possible to pay for every abortion on Earth I do not support any attempts to pass a de facto Freedom of Choice Act by stealth procedure.

If the President and his proxies in Congress really want to support increasing the number of abortions all over the world with my hard earned money there should at least be an open and honest debate on the topic on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Please show your support for such a floor debate by adding your signature to Representatives Jordan and Shuler's letter to the Speaker and Chairs of the Appropriations and Rules Committees.

Sincerely,

Eric W.

Constituent, 8th Congressional District of Washington State

Voter, Taxpayer, and U.S. Navy Veteran

(address)

(telephone)

(email)

Direct election of Elections Director

January 24, 1968

Enough with the Lovefest

Never Forget

Decompression

Brand New Day

Quick Cheat Sheet

Attorney General

State Treasurer

State Auditor

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Lands Commissioner

Insurance Commissioner

State Legislature

Uncontested Judgeships

Superior Court Position 1

Superior Court Position 22

Superior Court Position 37

Changing Focus

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

Veep Debate

Hell No

Catching Up

Again to the parties: Go stick it!

Missing

Gibson versus Palin

I want to know that

Patriot Day

Media attacks on attacking the media on media attacks

The Long Speech

Seven Months Later

Madame Vice President

RNC Day 2

The Beginning

I-1053: Yes Again to 2/3 Majority for Taxes