It looks like TVW is putting its new media online with a nice flash player. But, for now at least, it looks like you can’t embed. Crap.
Author: Emmett O'Connell (Page 111 of 176)
He thinks that it was his doing the governor is traveling the state, talking to citizens:
Why is she doing it? I’ll tell you why, because I am partly responsible for her determination to start running for re-election more than a year and a half early. But I am demanding that she and her Democratic Party cohorts stop charging her political tour to the taxpayers and start paying for it out of her private political funds.
It’s quite obvious how the whole thing started. More than a year ago, I began looking for a sponsor for my Idea Bank plan. I have written one book of new ideas in all fields and have thousands more new ideas to offer. Instead of putting the rest of the ideas into more books, I decided to seek a sponsor for the Idea Bank.
Oooooh, so since Gov. Gregoire was actually traveling the state before then, doing the exact same thing she’s doing now… then the Idea Bank is actually her idea! Sweet.
The only reason anyone is paying attention to the tour at all this year is because people from the Republican side of things are complaining. Last year, no complaints = no coverage.
Another sleazy Rossi front group is a new web project by the Washington State Democrats. Yes, fine, I get the point that the Forward Washington group was a way for Rossi to get his name out there (campaign) before he actually campaigns.
But, constantly pointing it out makes you look snotty, like your tattling.
I’m going to stop worrying about MLS in Seattle and start worrying about something I haven’t thought of for awhile.
Peter Levine points on over to a nice article by Ron Fournier (who helped write Applebee’s America) on what he calls the “civic core.” Move on over soccer moms, security moms, Reagan Democrats, here comes the engaged:
There is no greater issue than civic engagement.
A democracy is based on the notion that its citizens contribute to their society and solve problems together. In addition, there are numerous studies linking a person’s health to the strength of his or friendships and community ties.
But, he points out, other than Chris Dodd, no one has talked about civic type issues this year. And, the national service plan roll-out is a very easy task for Democrats. Not a lot of people will harp on your for doing it, but it seems no one really expects you to follow through on it either.
Bill Richardson sort of rolled out a national service plan. Actually, it was one point in his education plan:
Create a Nation of Service
Teaching the importance of community service should be a focus in our schools. To create incentives for more student participation, in my Administration, the federal government will forgive two years of the cost of tuition and fees at a public university for each year of service.
So, as much as I’d love to see Democrats (and even Republicans) talk more about civic, I don’t see them getting past the crow bars that are so much more effective at getting people to support them in a primary.
I’m still rooting for Michael Tomasky and the November 5th Coalition.
No word yet on the MLS in Seattle (not here, here, here, here or even here).
The wait is giving other sports bloggers in Seattle the chance to chime in:
So why hasn’t soccer proliferated? I would argue that it’s a matter of institutions, or lack thereof. Iraqis actually like the idea of democracy, but the problem is that they lack the strong institutions to back up their support their interest in a representative democracy. Likewise kids that play soccer play it all throughout their adolescence, but without a professional team, teams to identify with, and available media, kids don’t follow up with that interest after they stop playing.
On a personal note though, and just to keep it real — I hate soccer. I don’t trust any sport where the clock goes up, and what the fuck is up with those cards?!? Just have elaborate hand symbols like every other sport.
Good point about the lack of major teams to bring together a community of fans towards a central institution, but whey the last graph? Well, the clock just goes up, get used to it. And, if you can’t figure out the cards, come on now. Do you really need that much help?
We’ll find out today sometime. For now, a little good luck charm for the workday:
Maybe you’d enjoy some history of the great Evergreen State College.
Or, maybe a bit about the Republican who saved the hippie college.
The best local high school rivalry game is of course the Spaghetti Bowl.
A post in which I paste a comment I put on another fine blog.
Jeff and others over at Center Holds It are wondering about Seattle, the Major League Soccer… uh… league, Paul Allen and Qwest Field.
I say this:
Also, I think that the “not a new stadium right now” talk has a lot more to do with our current situation with the Sonics than anyone is really willing to admit. No one wants to make getting an MLS team depend on a funding package for an new stadium while Clay Bennett is in town jerking our chains.
A little bit down the road maybe? The legislature put $30 million towards a new hockey arena just south of Seattle, which is closer in cost to an SSS than a new basketball arena.
So, I think we’ll eventually get a soccer specific stadium here, its just down the road a bit. Especially if it can be packaged with a regional soccer complex like the Home Depot Center, we’ll have a winner.
Bob Blum died. Too bad for Mr. Blume and Lacey will live on. Too bad for us.
I don’t make referring to letters to the editor in the Olympian a common practice, but this current municipal election is so not exciting to me (oh, where are you Ira when I need you?), so the Hearn/Olsen match up in Lacey is all I have.
And, the letters coming in supporting Hearn are just priceless. Here’s the first one, but this one actually points out that based on a year living in Lacey, Hearn is your man for the job:
I have been a Lacey resident for only a little more than a year, and I have come to love it for its distinct differences from other places that I have lived…
I have become acquainted with Hearn through chamber activities. His unwavering volunteerism to his community is to be commended. I want a council member who is willing to listen to the citizens of the city of Lacey and not special interest groups. As a councilman, Hearn will take a balanced approach for growth, transportation and the environment. Hearn deserves Lacey voters’ support.
First of all, the “balanced approach to growth, transportation and environment” sound like “ok, when you write a letter to the editor about me, mention these things.”
Second, have you met Russ Olsen? I’m not saying Jason isn’t a great guy, but if you haven’t met both candidates, how do you make such a strong endorsement especially on such a vague basis?
Third, if you never remember Lacey and Pacific avenues going both ways, don’t bother.
Emmett O'Connell
@emmettoconnell@olympiatime.com
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