From ThinkProgress.org

Rush’s red state blues. A new Democracy Corps poll finds that, in conservative-held congressional districts nationwide, “liberals” and “progressives” are viewed more favorably than Rush Limbaugh. On a scale of warm (100) to cold (0), here was the breakdown: progressives 45.0; liberals 40.1; Rush Limbaugh 33.0. November 21, 2006 1:25 pm |

Wonder what it would take to get our local talkradio station KGMI to replace that drug addict Rush with a real American like Thom Hartmann.

42nd LD Election Results

I've looked over the Election results for the 42nd Legislative District and they're definitely BLUE. The 42nd district covers Northern Whatcom County and part of Bellingham. The myth has been that if you take away the Bellingham vote Whatcom County is a Conservative bastion. But the votes say different.

2006 General Election (prelim.) Results
42nd Legislative District

Registration 74220
Ballots Cast 46919
Turnout (%) 63.22%

State Measures
Int 920 YES - 39.12%
Int 920 NO - 58.16%

Int 933 YES - 39.30%
Int 933 NO - 58.66%

Int 937 YES - 51.26%
Int 937 NO - 45.52%

HJR 4223 APPROVED - 75.68%
HJR 4223 REJECTED - 18.81%
==========================
U.S. Senate
Maria Cantwell (D) 52.21%
Mike McGavick (R) 44.08%
Bruce Guthrie 1.92%
Robin Adair 0.58%
Aaron Dixon 1.14%

U.S. Rep (WA-02)
Rick Larsen (D) 61.96%
Doug Roulstone (R) 37.24%

State Senate
Jesse Salomon (D) 46.23%
Dale Brandland (R) 52.40%

State Representative pos. 1
Jasper MacSlarrow (D) 44.48%
Doug Ericksen (R) 54.07%

State Representative pos. 2
Kelli Linville (D) 64.43%
Craig Mayberry (R) 30.86%

Supreme Court Justice (NP)
Susan Owens 46.99%
Stephen Johnson 37.04%

I-920 (to eliminate the inheritance tax) and I-933 (Special Rights for Property owners) were both rejected by wide margins, while I-937 (alternative energy) was approve by a solid majority.

Maria Cantwell got a solid majority. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and State Rep. Kelli Linville were both reelected by wide margins.

Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens beat Johnson solidly. Stephen Johnsons Republican partisanship didn't do him any good here.

Brandland and Ericksen seem to have coasted in on the inertia of incumbency. They didn't receive the approval that Democratic incumbents did.

Why Blogging Counts

The Sept. 15th edition of PBS NOW had a feature that asked the question: "Left-leaning political bloggers - ...will they finally make political headway..." Watch it:

PBS - NOW
Blog The Vote
Are political blogs influencing elections?

And smile!

Whatcom County Still Counting Votes

In Whatcom County, the races for (42nd LD) State Senate and State House pos. 1 are too close to call with at least 20% of the ballots still to be counted. However, most of the election results are pretty clear (and just as I thought they'd turn out). I-920 and I-933 were resoundingly rejected. I-937 passed. A solid majority re-elected Maria Cantwell. Rep. Rick Larsen got two out of three votes, again! (Attention Pundits: WA-02 isn't a swing district anymore!) 42nd LD Representative Kelli Linville has overwhelming approval with 70% of the vote. Justice Susan Owens has over 60%, proving that Whatcom County voters aren't interested in special interest judicial candidates like Stephen Johnson.

Whatcom County, Washington - General Election Results
Last Updated: November 8, 2006 4:22 PM

INITIATIVE TO THE PEOPLE 920
Yes 38.35%
No 61.65%

INITIATIVE TO THE PEOPLE 933
Yes 36.88%
No 63.12%

INITIATIVE TO THE PEOPLE 937
Yes 56.39%
No 43.61%

U. S. SENATOR
DEM - MARIA CANTWELL 57.30%
REP - MIKE McGAVICK 38.99%
LIB - BRUCE GUTHRIE 1.99%
I - ROBIN ADAIR 0.57%
GRN - AARON DIXON 1.15%

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 2nd
DEM - RICK LARSEN 66.70%
REP - DOUG ROULSTONE 33.30%

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE POS. 2
NP - SUSAN OWENS 60.47%
NP - STEPHEN JOHNSON 39.53%


STATE SENATOR 42nd DST
DEM - JESSE SALOMON 48.84%
REP - DALE E. BRANDLAND 51.16%
Total 30,376 100.00%

STATE REP 42nd POS 1
DEM - JASPER MACSLARROW 47.30%
REP - DOUG ERICKSEN 52.70%
Total 30,355 100.00%

STATE REP 42nd POS 2
DEM - KELLI LINVILLE 69.20%
REP - CRAIG MAYBERRY 30.80%
Total 29,408 100.00%

[Source: Whatcom County Auditor]

The B'ham Herald has an article about the close races.

ELECTIONS
2 legislative races remain close
Brandland and Ericksen battle Dem challengers

SAM TAYLOR
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Whatcom County still had two close legislative races as of Wednesday, one seemingly a surprise.

State Sen. Dale Brandland, RWhatcom County, was leading about 51 percent to 49 percent against Democratic challenger Jesse Salomon as of Wednesday afternoon — a race that seemed like a sure thing for Brandland before Election Day.

The other race, between State Rep. Doug Ericksen, RFerndale, and Democrat Jasper MacSlarrow had Ericksen ahead about 53 percent to 47 percent. ...

I found it puzzling that the reporter wrote:

The close race between Salomon and Brandland seems to be a twist from the norm, with Salomon receiving a strong turnout with help from his lengthy doorbelling campaign and out-of-county contributions that came to about half the money he raised.

And:

About 75 percent of MacSlarrowÂ’s contributions came from out of the county, which included more than $42,000 from state Democrats to try and oust his opponent.

But he didn't find it worth mentioning that 87.5% of Brandland's and 72.5% of Ericksen's campaign funds came from out-of-county. What's up with that, Sam?

Election Day Final Push

Whatcom County Democrats came out Tuesday afternoon for a final push to get homeward bound commuters to vote.

the world is watching

Yesterday’s election gave me hope for the first time in a really long time. A lot of people I know worked really hard. A lot of people all across this country worked really hard. We should all give ourselves a big pat on the back. And after we breath and have some fun, we have to make sure we really do go in a different direction. And part of that is being accountable and taking responsibility for what has been done in our name.

Let’s just pretend these people were extra mistakey and not criminals.(and i believe the later.) Thousands of people have lost their lives; thousands more have lost limbs and any chance to live a “normal” life. Thousands of people have no infrastructure or security and live with tons of depleted uranium. They had no voice in the "fight them over there" decision. So far a great many Americans live in comfort. Many don’t. No sacrifice has been asked, tax cuts have been given to the already rich, and shopping is encouraged. They have spent all our available treasure, sold us off to the highest bidder, and my grandchildren’s credit cards are maxed out. I want to go forward and mend relations with the world community and go in the right direction. And I want these people held accountable. No more unofficial hearings in backrooms, without subpoena power, while the mainstream press looks the other way. The world is watching. Do we really believe we're going the wrong direction or is this lipstick on the pig?? If we do not step up we are in cahoots with them. We own this too and they have made a colossal mess.


and i loved this from Michael Moore......

November 8th, 2006
Friends,
You did it! We did it! The impossible has happened: A majority of Americans have soundly and forcefully removed Bush's party from control of the House ofRepresentatives. And, sometime today perhaps, we may learn that the same miracle has happened in the Senate. Whatever the outcome, the American people have made two things crystal clear: End this war, and stop Mr. Bush from doing any more damage to this country we love. That is what this election was about. Nothing else. Just that. And it's a message that has sent shock waves throughout Washington -- and a note of hope around this troubled world.
Now the real work begins. Unless we stay on top of these Democrats to do the right thing, they will do what they've always done: Screw it up. Big Time. They helped Bush start this war, and now they should make amends. But let's take a day to rejoice and revel in a rare victory for our side -- the side that doesn't believe in unprovoked invasions of other countries. This is your day, my friends. You have worked hard for it. I can't tell you how proud I am to count all of you as part of the greater American mainstream we now occupy. Thank you for all the time you gave this week to get out the vote. Some of you have been at this since the large demonstrations of February 2003 when we tried to stop the war before it started. Only 10-20% of the country agreed with us at that time. Remember how lonely that was? Some people were even booed! Now, 60% of the country agrees with our position. They are us and we are them. What a nice, strange, hopeful feeling.

A woman, for the first time in our history, will be Speaker of the House. The attempt to ban all abortion in the conservative state of South Dakota was defeated. Laws to raise the minimum wage were passed. Democrats were elected to fill Tom DeLay's and Mark Foley's seats. Detroit's John Conyers, Jr. is going to be the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Democratic governor of Michigan beat the CEO from Amway. The little township next to where I live in Michigan voted Democratic for the first time since... ever. And on and on and on. The good news will continue throughout today. Let's enjoy it. Savor it. And use it to get Congress to finally listen to the majority.

If you want to do one thing today, send an email or a letter
to both of your senators and your member of Congress and tell them, in no
uncertain terms, what this election means: End the war -- and don't let George
W. Bush get away with any more of his bright ideas.

Congratulations, again!
Now let's go find a spine for the Dems to do the job we've sent them there to do.

Yours in victory (for once!),
Michael Moore

mmflint@aol.com

freedom is on the march......

would the "fence" be to keep people out or...??????

“Mother, may I?”
Should you have to ask for permission from the government before you are allowed to get on a plane or cruise ship?
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed that airlines and cruise ships be required to get individual permission (”clearance”) from the DHS for each individual passenger on all flights to, from, or via the U.S. Unless the answer is “Yes” — if the answer is “no” or “maybe”, or if the DHS doesn’t answer at all — the airline wouldn’t be allowed to give you a boarding pass, or let you or your luggage on the plane or ship.

Hmmmmm..........

Riverbend on the Saddam verdict.....

once again the Iraqi people are used....and i think it is sooo important to remember we have been using the Iraqi people for a long time .....these are the same people(rumsfeld) who in 1983 were shaking hands with our guy saddam. this was one year after the crimes he is now convicted of committing in 1982........

........It’s not about the man- presidents come and go, governments come and go.
It’s the frustration of feeling like the whole country and every single Iraqi
inside and outside of Iraq is at the mercy of American politics. It is the rage
of feeling like a mere chess piece to be moved back and forth at will. It is the
aggravation of having a government so blind and uncaring about their peoples
needs that they don’t even feel like it’s necessary to go through the motions or
put up an act. And it's the deaths. The thousands of dead and dying, with Bush
sitting there smirking and lying about progress and winning in a country where
every single Iraqi outside of the Green Zone is losing.
Once again… The
timing of all of this is impeccable- two days before congressional elections.
And if you don’t see it, then I’m sorry, you’re stupid. Let’s see how many times
Bush milks this as a ‘success’ in his coming speeches.
full post

Senator Cantwell Still Ahead.

ELECTIONS
Cantwell still holds big lead
GOP had hoped race for Senate would be close

LES BLUMENTHAL
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With less than a week to go before the election, Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell maintained her strong lead over Republican challenger Mike McGavick, holding a 16-point edge in the latest McClatchy- MSNBC poll.

Cantwell, who is seeking a second term, was leading McGavick among men, women, independents and virtually every age group, according to the poll. She was ahead in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties and was running only 6 points behind McGavick in normally conservative Eastern Washington, where she previously had run poorly. ...(more)

As of Friday afternoon, 34% of Whatcom County's Voters have mailed in their ballots. (source)

Senators Cantwell, Murray and Rep. Inslee Visit Bellingham

Our local candidates, Jasper MacSlarrow (State House 42nd pos. 1), incumbent State Representative Kelli Linville (State House 42nd pos. 2) and Jesse Salomon (State Senate 42nd LD) applaud Representative Jay Inslee as he talks about The New Apollo Energy ProjectSenator Patty Murray introduces Senator Maria Cantwell.

The turnout was great. The Energy is high among Whatcom County Democrats and a little Saturday morning wind and rain wasn't going to keep anybody away. For many this event was just a morning warm up for working the phone banks.

Republican's Give Nukes to Terrorists

Democrats condemn posting of Iraq arms data Accuse the GOP of endangering national security

By Bryan Bender and Bryan McGonigle, Globe Correspondent

| November 4, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Top Democrats and weapons specialists yesterday assailed the government's decision to publish details about Iraq's defunct weapons programs on the Internet, accusing the White House and the Republican Party of endangering national security to try to convince the public that Saddam Hussein resumed building an atomic bomb after the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

fashion a nuclear weapon. Senior intelligence officials and even the US government's senior weapons investigator in Iraq warned Washington about releasing the data, but the Republican-led Congress pressured the Bush administration by approving a measure that required thousands of those documents to be made public. ...(more)

And if that's isn't bad enough, an editorial that will appear in the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times, and Marine Corps Times says that Rumsfeld should go because American Military leaders don't trust him.

Papers sold to military: ‘Rumsfeld must go’
Editorial comes days after Bush affirms defense secretary’s job security

MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 9:38 p.m. PT Nov 3, 2006

Just days after President Bush publicly affirmed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's job security through the end of his term, a family of publications catering to the military will publish an editorial calling for the defense secretary's removal.

The editorial, released to NBC News on Friday ahead of its Monday publication date, stated, "It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation's current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads." ...(more)

When it comes to National security, the Republicans have been all talk.

new directions

there is an enormous amount of work to be done......just trying to clean up the mess that's been made is daunting. but the greedy, criminal, bullies who are stealing our treasure can not say the Dems have no ideas.....Nancy Pelosi's first 100 hours look like a running start!

Iraq - Slip, Slip, Slippin' Away

freedom is on the march

the enabling act of 2006 ......."Fellow citizens, this bill throws out legal and moral restraints as the president deems it necessary—these are fundamental principles of basic decency, as well as law. I’d like those supporting this evil bill to spare me one affliction: Do not, please, pretend to be shocked by the consequences of this legislation. And do not pretend to be shocked when the world begins comparing us to the Nazis." Molly Ivins: Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006)

and right on it's heel the 2007 "defense" authorization bill.......wake up America.........

this from Toward Freedom




Bush Moves Toward Martial Law
Written by Frank Morales
Thursday, 26 October 2006
In a stealth maneuver, President Bush has signed into law a provision which, according to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), will actually encourage the President to declare federal martial law (1). It does so by revising the Insurrection Act, a set of laws that limits the President's ability to deploy troops within the United States. The Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C.331 -335) has historically, along with the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C.1385), helped to enforce strict prohibitions on military involvement in domestic law enforcement. With one cloaked swipe of his pen, Bush is seeking to undo those prohibitions.





more here

Bush the Al Qaeda Recruiter

George Bush, occupier of Iraq and the Whitehouse, has started another slander tour.

America loses if Democrats win, President says

By James Gerstenzang, Times Staff Writer
8:56 PM PST, October 30, 2006

SUGAR LAND, Texas -- Using the backdrop of the Iraq war to launch some of his toughest campaign attacks this political season, President Bush on Monday accused Democrats of being more concerned with pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq than with winning the war. ... (more)

The truth though, is that Bush's absent-minded and neglectful "Stay-the-Course" policy has turned Iraq into a training ground for Al Qaeda:

INTERVIEW-US tactics swelling Al Qaeda in Iraq-Sunni moderate

29 Oct 2006 15:45:03 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Suleiman al-Khalidi

AMMAN, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Sunnis radicalised by brutal U.S. tactics and disillusioned mainstream insurgents are swelling the ranks of Al Qaeda, which believes it can turn part of Iraq into an Islamic emirate, a moderate Sunni politician said on Sunday.

Saleh Mutlaq, whose Iraqi National Dialogue group supports the U.S.-backed political process, said al Qaeda's growing control of strongholds at the heart of the country's Sunni insurgency was paving the way for an Islamic fundamentalist state in western, central Iraq and even the capital Baghdad. ...

... Mutlaq said heavy-handed U.S. tactics against civilians have propelled many ordinary Sunnis into the arms of al-Qaeda. "American prisons have become the school for suicide bombers and transformed many prisoners into al-Qaeda elements when they were not before," Mutlaq said. ...

... He said al Qaeda's growth has exposed a flaw in U.S. military strategy which conceived Iraq as a place where Islamists zealots from across the region could be drawn into a battlezone far from the United States and wiped out.

Mutlaq said he also saw signs that U.S strategists -- reeling from growing casualties and domestic pressure for an exit strategy -- were ready to talk to mainstream nationalist insurgents opposed to al Qaeda's harsher aspirations for Iraq. ... (full article)

With Democratic oversight from Congress, we at least have the hope of a foriegn policy that encompasses more than talking tough.

Riverbend on the Lancet Study

after no posts since August 5th this came oct 18th. i was checking everyday or so and worried. it is so disgraceful what is being perpetrated on the Iraqi people in our name. you hardly ever hear any of our leaders, of any party, speak of the lies that got us over there. and it makes me sick to hear our leaders say how they have to stand up for themselves(every stripe of politician says that). like we would let them....after we attack, invade,break and occupy their country for no reason, we have the nerve to suggest they are failing to look out for themselves. shameful!!!!!!!! and who is making all that money off the amazing amounts of munitions in Iraq?? yikes! it's the only thing in Iraq there is no shortage of. when will these monsters who have taken over this country(ours) be stopped?????? they are bullies with weapons and a cash flow(our grandchildren's credit cards) and the blood of more than 3000 Americans and over half a million Iraqis......i guess freedom is on the march......wake up America!!!!! freedom's comin' here too.

all of the population of san juan(15,274), whatcom(183,471), and skagit(113,171) counties and add the cities everett(91,488), tacoma(196,790) and olympia(43,963)for a total of 644,157 = 655,000 killed in iraq

billmon does a good job of expressing our national shame...

............We literally do not know a single Iraqi family that has not seen the
violent death of a first or second-degree relative these last three years.
Abductions, militias, sectarian violence, revenge killings, assassinations,
car-bombs, suicide bombers, American military strikes, Iraqi military raids,
death squads, extremists, armed robberies, executions, detentions, secret
prisons, torture, mysterious weapons – with so many different ways to die,
is the number so far fetched?
There are Iraqi women who have not shed their black mourning robes since 2003 because each time the end of the proper mourning period comes around, some other relative dies and the countdown begins once again.
Let's pretend the 600,000+ number is all wrong and that the minimum
is the correct number: nearly 400,000. Is that better? Prior to the war, the
Bush administration kept claiming that Saddam killed 300,000 Iraqis over 24
years. After this latest report published in The Lancet, 300,000 is looking
quite modest and tame. Congratulations Bush et al. .........

full
post

America's Getting Better

Growing Number of Liberal Democrats

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
October 11, 2006

The percent of Democratic voters who think of themselves as "liberals" has been slowly rising in recent years, while the number of conservative Democrats has declined. In polling conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press from January to September of 2006, 32% of Democrats describe themselves as ideologically liberal, while 23% think of themselves as conservative. This reflects a starkly different balance of opinion from four years ago, when there were as many conservative Democrats as liberals (27% and 26%, respectively). ...(full article)

WA - 42nd LD Democrats hosts Veterans forum

Panel listens to Veterans Left to Right: Jim Pace, Rick Larsen, Pete Kremen, Mike Slocum (standing)

Tuesday night the Ferndale Library meeting room was full to its 80 person capacity for a Veterans listening forum sponsored by the 42nd Legislative District Democrats.

The forum was designed to give Veterans a chance to speak to officials about their issues and concerns. The listening panel consisted of: Congressman Rick Larsen (D) WA-02; Jim Pace, President, Washington State Vietnam Veterans of America; Peter Kremen, Whatcom County Executive. Executive Kremen was a last minute substitution, originally scheduled was Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, Deputy Director, Washington State Dept. of Veterans' Affairs. (WA State Dept. of Veterans' Affairs backed out after an ungrounded complaint from the Doug Roulstone campaign.)

The forum was organized by Mike Slocum (USN Ret.) and Moderated by Shannon O'Brien, Chair, 42nd LD Democrats.

The panelists were each given three minutes to introduce themselves and then they listened. Every Vet that wanted to speak was given time to voice whatever concerned them.

Present were Veterans of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War and the current conflict. Also squeezed in at the back of the room as observers were students from a Ferndale High School Government class.

Many older veterans talked about being let down by the current Veterans Administration and the pressing need for a VA outpatient clinic to serve the 19,000 Veterans who live in Whatcom County. A Veteran of the Iraq Occupation, who identified himself as being gay, talked about the stupidity of the Military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Other Veterans voiced their opposition to the continued occupation of Iraq. The mother of an Intelligence Officer serving in Iraq read a letter from her son denouncing the Occupation and calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops so that the Insurgency can come to an end and Iraqi's be allowed to get on with rebuilding their country.

we're excited about Jesse!!

Jesse Salomon has been working sooo hard in his race for State Senator from the 42nd LD.


i have watched Jesse and his campaign manager Ellen Ware and it has been inspiring and gives me hope for our future.
the ice cream social was really fun.....thanks to everyone who made it happen and came to share the afternoon.....










and i couldn't say it any better than.......

DfA-Bellingham organizer, StephenSchuck



It went great! As (sort-of) sponsors, DfA got some air time before Jessie's talk, and your "organizer" was (sort-of)de-facto elected to the job. I can't remember a word I said, except that when I asked for show of hands of people who receive these notes. I was overwhelmed by the turnout. Thank you all, very much.......

Oktoberfest Fun-Raiser!

i'm a little behind but this was a great event!!!!! and i have a few photos to prove it.

the 42nd Legislative District Democrat's pre-election celebration and attitude adjustment party! At the Biergarten of Janis Walworth and Michele Kämmerer

Return Susan Owens to the State Supreme Court

Don't forget to mark your ballot for:
Susan Owens for State Supreme Court Justice - Pos. # 2

Patty Murray here to endorse Jasper

Citizen Steve was on hand to meet with Patty














it was great to meet Patty and her endorsement of Jasper MacSlarrow for State Representative from the 42nd LD was very heartfelt.
she has known Jasper since he showed up in Washington D.C. looking for work after graduating from college. he was up for the hard work then and he is now. he knows the issues and he knows how to get things done.


Penny Hinkel was a hit with her songs....
it was really fun!!!!! ....

no on I 933

here is my recently published letter to the editor.....and a reading of part of it on the Thom Hartmann Show by Peter Collins who was filling in for Thom. this was during his "be the media hour"

Initiative 933, the "property fairness act," is anything but fair. Contrary
to claims, it will lead to the paving over of farmlands.
It would force us, taxpayers, to pay people to follow the rules or the rules would be waived.
Millions of dollars will be spent by taxpayers to process, study and possibly
litigate claims.Small municipalities and counties will not be able to afford
to pay, forcing us to waive protections. Some are federally mandated and can't
be waived, forcing us to pay.
This will lead to irresponsible development.
This is money we won't have for needed services to benefit all of us.
Much of the support for this initiative comes from out-of-state big development seeking loopholes.
full letter

and this from the campaign ...to send to our friends....
Dear Friend,
I am writing to urge you to vote NO on Initiative 933. I’m helping the campaign to defeat Initiative 933 and want to make sure all my friends are voting NO!I-933 is the most extreme threat to Washington’s environment and quality of life in over a decade -- rolling back protections we’ve all worked hard to secure. Please join me in voting NO on I-933!Initiative 933 puts us in a no-win situation: we are either forced to pay some property owners to follow our existing laws, or we have to waive those protections. For example, if a law prevents someone from building a strip mall in a neighborhood or a subdivision on farmland, I-933 would force the community to either waive the law and allow more traffic and pollution, or have taxpayers pay off that person to follow the law.By forcing communities to waive protections, I-933 will create loopholes for irresponsible development, threatening water quality, forests, farmland and our own backyards.I-933 is poorly written and will cost tax payers billions. An independent study by the University of Washington found that I-933 could cost taxpayers $8 billion dollars.I have joined with groups like the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, United Farm Workers, League of Women Voters of Washington, The Nature Conservancy, American Federation of Teachers- Washington, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and American Lung Association of Washington, Repulicans for Environmental Protection, 6 ex Washington state Governors in opposing I-933 because it is the most dangerous assault on Washington’s taxpayers,communities, and environment in over a decade.
Please join me in working to defeat this dangerous initiative.
Pledge to Vote NO on 933: http://noon933.org/get_involved/pledge.php
For more information and a great short video visit: www.NOon933.org
Thank you! jpeg

WA-42nd LD, GOP Candidate Withdraws

GOP withdraws support for Mayberry
42nd District candidate owes $260,000 in taxes

JARED PABEN
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

The Republican Party has pulled its support for Lynden resident Craig Mayberry in his bid for a state representative seat after reports that Mayberry owes about $260,000 in unpaid state and federal taxes.

Several failed businesses, stung by the economic downturn after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, left him owing more than $212,000 to the federal government and about $50,000 to Oregon, Mayberry said Wednesday.

Mayberry, 40, a University of British Columbia graduate student who also teaches economics and finance at several colleges, was challenging incumbent Democrat Kelli Linville of Bell-ingham for a 42nd District seat. ...

... Mayberry said Wednesday night he will no longer actively campaign for the position. That would effectively hand the election to Linville, who declined to comment on Mayberry's financial situation. ... (full article)

Oops! It's not a huge scandal, but it's the only scandal we've got up here in Whatcom County. The B'ham Herald had already decided to endorse incumbent Democrat Kelli Linville before GOP candidate Craig Mayberry's tax troubles were made public.

Mayberry's candidacy was brought to an end by a single line in the Bellingham Business Journal:

Judgements & Liens

Tax liens
A tax lien is a legal claim filed in court by a government against a person or business owing taxes. Liens are civil, not criminal claims, and normally seek to attach money and/or property to pay the taxes. A list of liens is kept at the county courthouse showing whom the government is pursuing and how much is sought.

... Craig L. Mayberry, $212,509.39 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 15. ...

Bellingham Herald gets it wrong

The Bellingham Herald has endorsed the Republican incumbent for the 42nd LD Senate seat. But they've gotten it wrong, wrong, wrong. Jesse Salomon (D) is the right candidate for State Senate 42nd LD.

I can't agree with the Heralds view that Brandland "puts his constituents first and who represents most Whatcom County viewpoints". He has sponsored plenty of bills that invade our privacy and seek to limit our rights away.


Some of the Bills Brandland sponsored:
SB 5133 To take away privileged communications between spouses.
SB 5553 a pilot program for electronic fingerprinting technology.
SB 6063 Limiting damages against health care providers.
SB 6072 Providing for omnibus civil liability reform.
SB 6106 disclosure of health care information for law enforcement purposes.
SB 6680 a biometric matching system for driver's licenses and identicards.
SB 6719 the exchange of criminal history records for noncriminal justice uses;
---
He has also opposed bills that protect our privacy and our rights.

Opposed 2005 Senate Bill 5452 (Prohibiting genetic testing as a condition of life insurance).

Opposed 2005 Senate Bill 5327 (Creating an office of privacy protection).

Opposed 2005 Senate Bill 5275 (Prohibiting the use of consumer credit histories for personal insurance renewal decisions).

Opposed 2006 Senate Bill 6508 (Requiring minimum renewable fuel content).

Opposed 2005 Senate Joint Memorial 8014 (Requesting that the privatization of social security be rejected).

Opposed 2006 Senate Bill 6185 (Modifying the Family and Medical Leave Act).

Opposed 2005 House Bill 1636 (Adopting a wage ladder for child care workers).

Opposed 2005 Senate Bill 5069 (Establishing a family leave insurance program).

Brandland may stay out of the limelight, but that might be because his activities can't stand the light of day. He certainly has a lot of out of state contributors:

$625.00 CONOCO PHILLIPS CO HOUSTON TX
$675.00 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO HOUSTON TX
$675.00 CENDANT CORPORATION PARSIPPANY NJ 07054
$250.00 MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC. FRANKLIN LAKES NJ 074172603
$675.00 NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORP EAST HANOVER NJ 079361080
$350.00 WYETH GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND MADISON NJ 07940
$350.00 WYETH GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND MADISON NJ 07940
$500.00 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY PRINETON NJ 085435200
$500.00 SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC BRIDGEWATER NJ 088070944
$600.00 PFIZER INC. BROOKLYNN NY 11206
$675.00 PFIZER INC. BROOKLYNN NY 11206
$75.00 PFIZER INC. BROOKLYNN NY 11206
$675.00 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SERVICE INC. CALVERTON NY 119930579
$650.00 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SERVICE INC. CALVERTON NY 119930579
$25.00 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SERVICE INC. CALVERTON NY 119930579
$350.00 BAYER PITTSBURGH PA 15205
$150.00 BAYER PITTSBURGH PA 15205
$350.00 BAYER HEALTHCARE PITTSBURGH PA 15205
$675.00 ASTRAZENECA WILMINGTON DE 198505437
$300.00 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON DC 20004
$350.00 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON DC 20004
$300.00 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON DC 20004
$675.00 PHARMACEUTICAL RES & MANUF OF AMER WASHINGTON DC 20005
$675.00 PHARMACEUTICAL RES & MANUF OF AMER WASHINGTON DC 20005
$625.00 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES INC RICHMOND VA 232855508
$500.00 GOODRICH CORPORATION CHARLOTTE NC 28217
$700.00 BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION ATLANTA GA 303083615
$600.00 GEORGIA-PACIFIC JACKSONVILLE FL 322325067
$25.00 GEORGIA-PACIFIC SHARED SERVICE CORP JACKSONVILLE FL 322325067
$100.00 GEORGIA-PACIFIC SHARED SERVICE CORP JACKSONVILLE FL 322325067
$675.00 GEORGIA-PACIFIC SHARED SERVICE CORP JACKSONVILLE FL 322325067
$500.00 CITIGROUP TAMPA FL 33610
$500.00 HEALTHSOUTH BIRMINGHAM AL 35243
$300.00 CORRECTIONS CORP OF AMERICA NASHVILLE TN 37215
$600.00 KEYCORP ADVOCATES FUND CLEVELAND OH 44114
$350.00 PROGRESSIVE MAYFIELD VILLAGE OH 44143
$350.00 PROGRESSIVE MAYFIELD VILLAGE OH 44143
$350.00 PROGRESSIVE MAYFIELD VILLAGE OH 44143
$250.00 ELI LILLY AND COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS IN 46285
$625.00 HOUSEHOLD INTL MT. PROSPECT IL 60056
$675.00 HSBC NORTH AMERICA PROSPECT HEIGHTS IL 60070
$675.00 BP NORTH AMERICAN EMPLOYEE PAC WARRENVILLE IL 60555
$700.00 BP NORTH AMERICAN EMPLOYEE PAC WARRENVILLE IL 60555
$500.00 MONSANTO COMPANY ST. LOUIS MO 63167
$400.00 7-ELEVEN, INC. DALLAS TX 75204
$700.00 WASTE MANAGEMENT HOUSTON WA 77253
$700.00 TESORO PETROLEUM COMPANIES, INC. SAN ANTONIO TX 782166999
$700.00 AT&T SAN ANTONIO TX 78238
$500.00 CINGULAR WIRELESS EL PASO TX 79912
$400.00 COMCAST ENGLEWOOD CA 80112
$400.00 BOISE CASCADE, LLC BOISE ID 837280001
$675.00 FARMERS GROUP, INC. LOS ANGELES CA 900103807
$675.00 FARMERS GROUP, INC. LOS ANGELES CA 900103807
$500.00 PACIFICARE CYPRESS CA 906300061
$700.00 MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC. LONG BEACH CA 90802
$675.00 MOLINA HEATHCARE, INC. LONG BEACH CA 90802
$500.00 AMGEN THOUSAND OAKS CA 913201789
$675.00 AMGEN THOUSAND OAKS CA 913201789
$500.00 SYMETRA FINANCIAL ENCINO WA 914368588
$625.00 CHEVRONTEXACO CONCORD CA 94524
$75.00 KRAFT FOODS NORTH AMERICA SACRAMENTO CA 95814
$75.00 KRAFT FOODS NORTH AMERICA SACRAMENTO CA 95814
$625.00 KRAFT FOODS NORTH AMERICA INC SACRAMENTO CA 95814
$625.00 KRAFT FOODS NORTH AMERICA INC SACRAMENTO CA 95814
$500.00 WILLAMETTE DENTAL MGMT CORP HILLSBORO OR 97124
$500.00 HAMPTON LUMBER SALES COMPANY PORTLAND OR 972256666
Total funds from outside Washington State. $32,450.00

I-933 is a Kickme Sign on Washington State

Over at washblog, Noemie Maxwell has posted video of Jim Hightower talk about I-933. Go watch it, it's great.

Then you can read how bad things are in Oregon because of Measure 37.

Then you can read the truth about who's really behind I-933.

State Senate Candidate Jesse Salomon on KVOS-TV

This morning KVOS interviewed 42nd LD State Senate candidate Jesse Salomon

There are two more segments you can watch by going to the KVOS-TV website and scrolling down the page

Bellingham City Council Passes TroopHome! Resolution

City calls for plan to end Iraq occupation
Council OKs TroopsHome! Resolution after change of wording, additions

SAM TAYLOR
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Audience members roared in triumph and gave a standing ovation to Bellingham City Council members after an anti-war resolution passed 6-1 Monday night.

The TroopsHome! Resolution, which originally urged Congress to immediately withdraw troops from Iraq and to divert war spending to needy Americans, was altered Monday, however. The resolution, as passed, urges Congress to "immediately commence plans to end the occupation of Iraq and bring our troops safely home." ... (full article)

The text of the resolution is here. This IS how democracy works. Majority rules. The City Council are the representatives of the people of Bellingham. It's perfectly reasonable for the Council to petition the Federal Government on the behalf of their constituents.

Every day the Bush Administration is allowed to continue "staying the course" there are more needless deaths!

WA-02 Larsen widens lead - Roulstone plays the race card

... But the probability of Roulstone succeeding in this quest is tumbling.

On Aug. 31, Survey USA polled 586 voters in the congressional district and found Larsen leading Roulstone 58 percent to 35 percent.

On Sept. 13, the political arm of the Veterans of Foreign Wars national organization endorsed Larsen, who has never served in the military, over Roulstone, a decorated combat veteran.

Six days later in the Republican primary, anti-abortion advocate Teri Moats snagged 25 percent of the vote against Roulstone even though she mounted no campaign and he'd been running for a year, aided by the biggest names in the Republican family.

Then this week, another poll, this one of 400 voters, shows Larsen leading Roulstone 62 percent to 22 percent. That's a 40-point advantage - 40 - entering October.

Larsen's campaign paid for the poll, so one can insinuate a factor of numeric inflation and deflation.

The campaign did hire a respected firm, Evans McDonough, not known for botoxing results. Larsen can afford to buy good calculating rather than creative genuflecting.

His showing is in line with his election performance in 2004. That year he garnered 64 percent of the vote in defeating Republican Suzanne Sinclair and Libertarian Bruce Guthrie.

Roulstone's number is the eye-opener. Two years ago, Sinclair collected nearly 34 percent of the vote. And she did it with a fraction of Roulstone's budget. ... (full article)

Roulstone has run a couple of robo-calls, he's trying out various sour themes. Looking over his campaign website, the theme that really steams me is his RACIST THEME:

Voting Rights: Protecting your Ballot

If you are feeling disenchanted about voting this year, you are not alone. As we have seen in this state before, your vote is very important. Rick Larsen voted against Real Id. This was a bill that would require voters prove who they are at an election. Currently, illegal immigrants could vote in our election. They are even issued driverÂ’s licenses without proof of citizenship! This should concern us since Rick Larsen has continually demonstrated a pattern friendly to illegal immigrants. They will be voting, and you need to be heard. Don't let them make decisions about your future. (source:)

This isn't Roulstones first flirtation with race baiting. Earlier this year he called the Washington Minutemen Detachment "a program that makes sense".

When I called the Roulstone campaign to ask them about this race baiting, I got a woman who couldn't give me a single example of a non-citizen voting. She just kept saying 'but they could vote' and told me about how she'd been at a senior center where 'everyone' was feeling like their vote didn't count. She went on to talk about how this was a problem like the Governors election when all those dead people voted in King County. I said; "gee, it sounds like you worked for the Rossi campaign" and she admitted she had. At that point I realized the conversation was a losing proposition. I didn't bother to point out that the only dead people caught voting were Rossi supporters. I wanted to stick to the subject, which was; where was their proof that non-citizens are registering to vote and she was working hard to change the subject. She bailed out of the call when I asked if she understood that 'Real ID' mandates a National Identity Card.

It's a sad sad thing that in an attempt to get their votes, Roulstone is stooping to frightening little old ladies with fairy tales of evil aliens.

I'm not surprise that Roulstone can't get any traction with his campaign. He's not really connected to the District. He's accuse Rick Larsen of being a "Rubber Stamp Incumbent" but Roulstone's allegiance is to the Republican Party, not to the Second District. His $100,000+ campaign seed money came from four dozen Republican Congressmen and the rest has come from fund raisers headlined by Republican Party big-wigs. The leaders of the House G.O.Perv's; Speaker of the House Denny Hastert, House Majority Leader John Boehner and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds each gave $5000 to Roulstones campaign.

Roulstone is such a lack luster candidate that even though he's a decorated veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a retired Naval Officer, the VFW endorsed Rick Larsen.

The Everett Herald noted that in the Primary Roulstone also ran for Republican PCO in his home precinct, getting only 65 votes. Shoot! What a dufus! Our very own jpeg ran for Democratic PCO in our rural precinct an got 88 votes.

The Math Doesn't Work... for Bush

39 percent: President Bush’s approval rating, a drop of three points since September, according to a new NBC/WSJ poll.

58 percent. Number of Americans who believe the Bush administration has deliberately misled the American public about the war in Iraq, according to a new CNN poll.

... As in six previous surveys over the past 12 months, voters by a wide margin say they favor the Democratic congressional candidate in their district (50%-39%). When the sample is narrowed to likely voters, approximately half of registered voters, the Democratic lead is undiminished. That Democrats poll as well among likely voters as among all voters may reflect the fact that Democrats, in contrast to recent campaigns, are more enthusiastic about voting than are Republicans. ...(Pew Research)

Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006)

Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006)
With a smug stroke of his pen, President Bush is set to wipe out a safeguard against illegal imprisonment that has endured as a cornerstone of legal justice since the Magna Carta.

by Molly Ivins - (Read It)

... The bill simply removes a suspect’s right to challenge his detention in court. This is a rule of law that goes back to the Magna Carta in 1215. That pretty much leaves the barn door open. ...

... Fellow citizens, this bill throws out legal and moral restraints as the president deems it necessary—these are fundamental principles of basic decency, as well as law.

I’d like those supporting this evil bill to spare me one affliction: Do not, please, pretend to be shocked by the consequences of this legislation. And do not pretend to be shocked when the world begins comparing us to the Nazis.

Our Washington Democrats in the House and Senate Voted against this travesty.
=====================================
H R 6166 RECORDED VOTE 27-Sep-2006 4:45 PM
QUESTION: On Passage
BILL TITLE: Military Commissions Act
- Voting NO
Baird - Dicks - Inslee - Larsen - McDermott - Smith
=====================================
Question: On Passage of the Bill (S. 3930 As Amended )
Vote Number: 259 Vote Date: September 28, 2006, 06:37 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Bill Passed
Measure Number: S. 3930
Measure Title: A bill to authorize trial by military commission for violations of the law of war, and for other purposes.

- Voting NO
Cantwell (D-WA), Murray (D-WA)

Whatcom County - Thinking Local

Who'da thunk... Whatcom County Sustainable Connections in FORTUNE Magazine.

'Small-Marts' take on Wal-Mart
Small, local groups nationwide are fighting back against big business and helter-skelter globalization.
FORTUNE Magazine
By Marc Gunther, Fortune senior writer
August 30 2006: 8:39 AM EDT

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Local businesses in Whatcom County, Wash., next month will exhort their customers to "Buy Fresh Eat Local."

Some people in the scenic, mountainous region will take a pledge to nourish themselves for a week entirely from the local food shed - drinking milk from local cows, eating fresh-baked organic bread and patronizing restaurants like Flats Tapas Bar, which will serve such dishes as flatbread with all-local smoked salmon, caramelized apple, gouda cheese and hazelnuts.

Others will enjoy the Downtown Carrot Jubilee, a chance to taste local carrots harvested that day; they'll wear "I Ate Local Today" stickers.

"We want to help raise awareness of the value of local food systems," explains Max Morange of Sustainable Connections, a network of more than 500 Bellingham-area businesses that sponsors the annual event. "We're losing farmland very quickly."

So committed to localism is Morange, a 25-year-old slow-food activist, that last year he churned his own butter rather than buy spread "imported" from elsewhere.

The campaign is a stunt, to be sure, but it's also evidence of a backlash - against look-alike chain stores and helter-skelter globalization. ... (full article)

Whatcom County Government to go 100% Green Energy

County Council votes to go green
County facilities will be run on alternative power bought from PSE

SAM TAYLOR
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

About $62,000 in county tax revenue will be spent to use renewable sources of energy to power county facilities in 2007.

Whatcom County Council members approved a resolution Tuesday night that will require 100 percent of the energy used in county buildings to come from sources such as wind, solar, or biomass power. ...

... Council Chairwoman Laurie Caskey-Schreiber said the increased costs of the power from Puget Sound Energy would easily be handled by the county because of five years worth of energy conservation measures taken by County Executive Pete Kremen and his staff.

Kremen told the council that power conservation had saved the county about $85,000, so the contract with Puget Sound Energy would not be using all of the savings. ... (Full article)

Torture is NOT an American Value!

George W. Bush is the guy who used to shoot his brother with a bb gun... for fun. For him torture isn't part of a National Security Policy, it's part of a Dangerous Personality Disorder.

Burner pulls even with Reichert in WA-08

Lynn Allen at Evergreen Politics has the scoop on a new poll.

New Poll Has Burner and Reichert Even

Emily's List, the national organization dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to Congress, commissioned a poll in the 8th CD that has Darcy Burner and Dave Reichert neck and neck at 44-43. For an incumbent to be this close at this point in the campaign is not good for him. ... (more)

New Ad - Darcy Burner (D) WA-08

Watch Darcy's new ad on youtube
Visit Darcy's website.
Donate a couple of bucks to her campaign.

Nobody likes Tim

It took a long time, but Washington Voters have finally had enough of Tim.

Geography Surveyed: City of Seattle
Data Collected: 09/19/2006 - 09/20/2006
Release Date: 09/21/2006 9:15 AM ET
Sponsor: KING-TV Seattle

Filtering: SurveyUSA contacted 600 Seattle adults; 513 identified themselves as registered voters and were asked the questions that follow.

Q. #5
Asked of 513 registered voters
Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.2%

Is your opinion of initiative promoter Tim Eyman favorable? Unfavorable? Or neutral?

11% Favorable
65% Unfavorable
23% Neutral
1% Not Sure

Now maybe we can start thinking about how to insure that Ballot Initiatives are about what the citizens of Washington want instead of what special interests want to stick us with. Maybe we can start with regulations that make paid signature gathers wear signs identifying themselves.

Making It Worse

...Can't the United States see that when we allow someone to be tortured by our agents, it is not only the victim and the perpetrator who are corrupted, not only the "intelligence" that is contaminated, but also everyone who looked away and said they did not know, everyone who consented tacitly to that outrage so they could sleep a little safer at night, all the citizens who did not march in the streets by the millions to demand the resignation of whoever suggested, even whispered, that torture is inevitable in our day and age, that we must embrace its darkness?

Are we so morally sick, so deaf and dumb and blind, that we do not understand this? Are we so fearful, so in love with our own security and steeped in our own pain, that we are really willing to let people be tortured in the name of America? Have we so lost our bearings that we do not realize that each of us could be that hapless Argentine who sat under the Santiago sun, so possessed by the evil done to him that he could not stop shivering?

adorfman@duke.edu

Ariel Dorfman, a Chilean American writer and professor at Duke University, is author of "Death and the Maiden."
(full article)

So torture will be Ok with Warner, McCain and Graham just as long as Bush keeps it secret. Lovely, just lovely; we have fools in charge. Republicans have disgraced our Nation and they are plunging full speed ahead into making things worse instead of better.

The Pro-Torture Pact

Ari Berman

Democrats chose to outsource their policy on military tribunals to John McCain. And McCain did what he's done best the last year: capitulate to Bush.

"Senators Snatch Defeat From Jaws of Victory: US to be First Nation to Authorize Violations of Geneva," Georgetown University law professor Marty Lederman writes of the so-called "compromise" between Senators McCain/Graham/Warner and President Bush. ...(full article)

The hand writing is on the wall... as it were. Bush's staying-the-course is making things worse. The Neo-cons grand strategy is a nightmare that's destroying our military and making more enemies faster than we can count them.

Spy Agencies Say Iraq War Fuels Terror
The conflict spreads extremism and serves as a laboratory for deadly tactics, says a bleak analysis by 16 U.S. intelligence units.
By Greg Miller, Times Staff Writer
September 24, 2006

WASHINGTON — The war in Iraq has made global terrorism worse by fanning Islamic radicalism and providing a training ground for lethal methods that are increasingly being exported to other countries, according to a sweeping assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies.

The classified document, which represents a consensus view of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, paints a considerably bleaker picture of the impact of the Iraq war than Bush administration or U.S. intelligence officials have acknowledged publicly, according to officials familiar with the assessment.

"They conclude that the Iraq war has made it worse," said a government official familiar with the document who spoke on condition of anonymity because of its classified nature. ...

... "It paints a fairly stark picture of what we all know, and that this is a movement that is spreading and gaining momentum around the world," said the official familiar with the document. "Things like the Iraq war have given the terrorists recruiting tools and places to ply their trade and a training ground."

The official said the estimate touches on a number of factors fueling the jihadist movement, but that "the reference to Iraq was the main one." ...(full article)

42nd LD Going All Blue?

The Primary vote count for the 42nd Legislative District is almost finished (88.5% counted) and the results are mighty exciting. Whatcom County is 100% vote-by-mail, so it couldn't have been any easier to vote in the primary and of those in the 42nd LD who choose to vote and pick a party, 56% picked The Democratic Party. Jesse Salomon is running for 42nd LD Senator, Jasper MacSlarrow is running for 42nd Leg Dist Rep Pos 1 and Kelli Linville is seeking re-election as 42nd Leg Dist Rep Pos 2. All of our Democratic candidates have won! And won by hefty margins! Even though it's not a face-off, with only one candidate from each party in each race and a 40% voter turnout, it sure looks like winning.

2006 Primary Election Results Total Registered Voters: 102,452 Number of ballots returned to date: 41,106 -- Approximately 40% voter turnout -- Approximately 4,600 ballots left to count
State Senator District #42 - Whatcom*
Candidate	Party	Vote	Vote %
Jesse Salomon	Democrat	10324	54.2%
Dale Brandland	Republican	8709	45.8%
Vote Totals		19033	100%
State Representative District #42 Position #1 - Whatcom*
Candidate	Party	Vote	Vote %
Jasper MacSlarrow	Democrat	10228	54.0%
Doug Ericksen	Republican	8723	46.0%
Vote Totals		18951	100%
State Representative District #42 Position #2 - Whatcom*
Candidate	Party	Vote	Vote %
Kelli Linville	Democrat	11081	56.6%
Craig Mayberry	Republican	8504	43.4%
Vote Totals		19585	100%

I looked back to 2002 for a point of comparison. The winners of the primary were the winners of the general election. Although from the primary to the general ex-sheriff Brandland's margin decreased he still managed to unseat incumbent Senator Georgia Gardner (D). Incumbents Rep. Ericksen (R) and Rep. Linville (D) were re-election in '02 and again in '04 by approx. the same margins. Again in this years primary Kelli Linville received about 55% of the vote, but Ericksen isn't looking too good with only 46% and Brandland looks just as bad.

Whatcom County 2002 Primary Election Total Registered Voters: 90,104 Total Turnout: 32.59 (0%)
42nd Legislative Senator
Peter Tassoni (GRN)	885	04.17%
Dale Brandland (R)	11537	54.38%
Georgia Gardner (D)	8397	39.58%
Donald Crawford (L)	398	01.88%
42nd Legislative Rep Pos 1
Doug Ericksen (R)	12571	61.12%
Jim Boyle (D)	7998	38.88%
42nd Legislative Rep Pos 2
Gene Goldsmith (R)	9438	45.53%
Kelli Linville (D)	11289	54.47%

Whatcom County 2002 General Election Total Active Registered Voters: 91656 Total Turnout: 55066 (60.08%)
42nd Leg Dist Senator
Georgia Gardner (D)	17565	46.20%
Dale Brandland (R)	18721	49.25%
Donald Crawford (L)	724	01.90%
Peter Tassoni (GRN)	1006	02.65%
42nd Leg Dist Rep Pos 1
Jim Boyle (D)	15726	42.44%
Doug Ericksen (R)	21328	57.56%
42nd Leg Dist Rep Pos 2
Kelli Linville (D)	20950	56.49%
Gene Goldsmith (R)	16138	43.51%

Whatcom County Growing Pains

The brakes are on for new subdivisions because development has outrun infrastructure. In this case it's fire protection. Everybody just expects police, medics and firefighters to be there when they call 911. But the population of Whatcom County has increased by over 50% in the past twenty years and new home building is out pacing government budgets. The old funding mechanisms worked fine when growth meant a new house here and there but not now that developers are building hundreds of houses at a time.

- PUBLIC SAFETY -
Fire wards raising red flag on growth
Emergency service letters withheld on housing projects

JOHN STARK
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Faced with rapid population growth and a shortage of money, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue District commissioners have decided to take a step that could bring new subdivision approval to a halt across a broad swath of the northern county.

The district has stopped issuing letters agreeing to provide emergency services to new real estate developments. Developers apparently need those letters as one of several legal requirements for subdivision approval.

North Whatcom Fire Chief Tom Fields said the issue is money: The district doesn't get enough from its property tax levy to keep up with residential growth. If hundreds of new homes are added to North Whatcom's service area, Fields said, its response time for fires and medical emergencies could drop to potentially dangerous levels. ... ( full article)

The hucksters ramble on about imaginary "you can't tell me what to do" property-rights , but the reality is that what people do with their land has an impact on everyone else in a community.

Spooks Spooked - They smell the sulfu(R) too

CIA ‘refused to operate’ secret jails

By Guy Dinmore in Washington

Published: September 20 2006 22:07 | Last updated: September 20 2006 22:07

The Bush administration had to empty its secret prisons and transfer terror suspects to the military-run detention centre at Guantánamo this month in part because CIA interrogators had refused to carry out further interrogations and run the secret facilities, according to former CIA officials and people close to the programme.

The former officials said the CIA interrogators’ refusal was a factor in forcing the Bush administration to act earlier than it might have wished. ...

... But the former CIA officials said Mr Bush’s hand was forced because interrogators had refused to continue their work until the legal situation was clarified because they were concerned they could be prosecuted for using illegal techniques. One intelligence source also said the CIA had refused to keep the secret prisons going. ... (source: Financial Times)

Bush and his pals have operated beyond the law long enough that nearly everybody has figured it out.

IN TREATMENT OF POWs, THE U.S. SHOULD…

Follow international agreements
63%
Do what it thinks right, regardless of what other nations think
32%

Source: CBS News

---

Smell the sulfu(R)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez calls President Bush 'the devil' during speech at U.N.
UNITED NATIONS, Sep. 21, 2006
By IAN JAMES Associated Press Writer
(AP photo)
... "The devil came here," Chavez said. "Right here. Right here. And it smells of sulfur still today, this table that I am now standing in front of."

He then made the sign of the cross, brought his hands together as if praying and looked up to the ceiling.

Chavez's words drew tentative giggles at times from the audience, but also some applause.

He later spoke to hundreds of New Yorkers who filled a college hall Wednesday night, saying he hopes Americans choose an "intelligent president" in the future.

"I'm not an enemy of the United States. I'm a friend of the United States ... the people of the United States," Chavez said during his speech to an audience including union organizers and professors. "They're two very different things _ you the people of the United States, and the government that's installed there." ...

more Jim Hightower......

Everybody does better when everybody does better.


what a wonderful time i had seeing Jim Hightower in Seattle recently....his words have been been an inspiration to me for a couple of decades.

Walker summed it up beautifully here

thanks to Noemie and all that made this happen!

Citizen's Steve's post

Democrats Campaign in Ferndale, WA

Japser MacSlarrow is running for Wa. State Legislature 42nd Dist. pos. 1
Kelli Linville is running for re-election to Wa. State Legislature 42nd Dist. pos. 2

Kelli and Jasper wave to passing motorists on the Ferndale Main Street Bridge.

Supporters wave to motorist going the other way.

Jasper and supporters wave and commuters smile and wave back.

The reaction from commuters was 99.99% positive.

Jim Hightower Was Here

I've been meaning to write about Jim Hightowers appearance at Town Hall Seattle. Ever since we got back home Thursday night, I've been meaning to write about what a pleasure it was to actually meet Jim Hightower and shake his hand. Meaning to write about what an awesome job Noemie Maxwell did organizing the event. Meaning to write about how great the Seattle Peace Chorus was and how they warmed up the crowd before Jim spoke. Meaning to write about how funny and inspiring Hightower was. Meaning to write about what a great time everyone had.

But like my Grandma used to say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".

At least I was on the ball enough to get David Postman to correctly refer to Jim Hightower as a populist rather than simply as a lefty. (read the comments)