Preamble

As members of the OlyBlog community, we acknowledge our mutual responsibility for maintaining conditions under which communication can flourish - conditions characterized by openness, honesty, civility and fairness. These conditions carry with them certain rights and responsibilities, expressed in this Social Contract, a document that will define and guide the blog's values and operation from this time forward. The Social Contract is an agreement; a guide for civility and tolerance toward others; a reminder that respecting others and remaining open to others and their ideas is an essential ingredient for successful community building. By registering for an account on OlyBlog, individuals agree to abide by this contract.

The Social Contract

OlyBlog is a self-organizing community that offers an alternative civic forum for the discussion of news and events in Olympia, Washington. OlyBlog can thrive only if members respect the rights of others while enjoying their own rights. Members of the community may differ widely in their specific interests, in the degree and kinds of experiences they bring to OlyBlog, and the level of involvement that they wish to undertake. All must share alike in demonstrating intellectual honesty, in responsibly obtaining and providing full and accurate information, and in resolving differences through a process with a strong will to collaboration.

The individual members of the OlyBlog community are responsible for protecting each other and visitors to the blog from uncivil abuse and personal threats. Civility is not just a word; it must be present in all our interactions. Members of the community must be allowed to exercise the rights accorded them to voice their opinions with respect to basic matters of policy and other issues.

I made one more addition to the Social Contract (adding the practices that Mike reminded us of). I think it is good to go. I've added it to the registration email, so all new members will receive it as soon as they sign up. Here's the link, if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

Moving forward, I've started a wiki for building a set of Bylaws for OlyBlog. Roll up your sleeves and click here to get to work.

"We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable. We work with being,
but non-being is what we use. "

Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell Translation

I hereby declare, the SPACE within the Capitol Building to be the Taoist "HolyDay" display for the season.

more pics here

TNT has put together a database derived from L&I.

The Mike Malloy Show is being aired live every weeknight on 92.9 FM in Olympia.

Malloy is probably the most outspoken left wing voice who hasn't yet been thrown off the radio or into prison.

If you want to hear the guy who's the sand in the NeoCon butt crack and the guy who coined the phrase "Bush Crime Family", check it out.

-Dr. Sandi

This month's first event brings us a visit from Jim Kainber, author of Olympia High School's entry in the Campus History series! Because you know what? Olympia High is 100 years old this year!

Mr. Kainber is donating his royalties from sales of the book to an OHS almuni scholarship fund which has already raised more than $4000. Wotta kool kat! I mean bear.

Even a casual glimpse through the pages will prove enlightening and reveal many familiar (to locals) names: Winlock, Bigelow, Sylvester, Locke... But as with all history, the real story is provided by the un-monied, un-hobnobbing mass of teens over the past century.

Expect a visit from Gretchen Christopher of the Fleetwoods -- OHS' first contributor to the national pop music hit parade and the very first group to score two #1 hits in the same calendar year (1959, "Come Softly to Me" and "Mr. Blue").

Be there or miss a vital chunk o'history.

thanks & take care Jon/Orca Books

Orca Books at 509 E 4th Ave - announcement taken from newsletter

Cars are going to be water logged at Uhlmann's.

My beloved Wal-mart got hit too.

Check the pics out here.

Quite a lot of water went over I5 around mile post 78. You can see that the lane dividers have rearranged themselves a bit and they are a little heavy.

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