OK, so I heard that one of my fav shops downtown had the tires on the business vehicles slashed again...

...this follows a wave of vandalism in Olympia, including several trees attacked.

I'm not sure what motivates folks to be so thoughtlessly cruel and mean, but I know that my blood pressure sure goes up when this stuff hits my radar-

-the lack of security and safety downtown is not cool (this is Oly, not some big city)...

...I'm concerned that this kind of mindless violence will escalate, and I'm especially concerned what will happen when these folks get "caught in the act" (if at all).

In a community where thugs beheaded a man, I'm not sure where the borders are anymore...

12 mini-reviews for the short attention span, taken from dark corners of stevenl's video vault:

I just posted a new blog entry at my blog, In the Course of Events, about the ethics of corporate power re: social and environmental degradation. It needs some work, in terms of defining exactly what I mean when I use the terms of social and environmental degradation, and otherwise. But here's a link anyway, just in case you're interested: corporate power ethics social environmental degradation

bert

Can anyone out there provide information on this place? It was on Hunter's Point, apparently facing the Eld Inlet side. I'm told it had a somewhat nefarious history.

I just sent this letter off to the City Council, and I wanted to share it with you too!

From:

Robert F W Whitlock
[address redacted]

To:

Olympia City Council Members,
City of Olympia Staff,
Residents of the City of Olympia

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Dear Members of the Olympia City Council, City Staff and Residents of Olympia:

While working on another project, I ran across this editorial from the Jan. 27, 1911 Leavenworth Echo. Interesting that the issue of the geographic location for the Washington State's seat of government was still an issue at that late date to some. Remember that in 1911 the actual Capitol Building was the structure next to Sylvester Park that now serves as SPI HQ:

"The Echo has never had anything to say about capital removal, for the reason there is little likelihood the present legislature would give serious consideration to a bill contemplating removal. That the state capital is in the wrong place will hardly be denied by anyone outside of Olympia. It is not only inaccessible, but altogether too far removed from the center of the state. If its location was left to The Echo it would be removed at once to Wenatchee: because it is not only a splendid site, but also practically the geographical center, and at present more accessible than Olympia; and when a road is built up the valley of the Columbia, as one surely will be in a short time, it could be reached from any part of the state easily and at much less cost than the entire population east of the mountains can reach the present capital. The present legislature will not, however, consdier removal, and there is no profit in discussing an issue that lacks life."

More information about protest and repression in St. Paul around the RNC.

MEDIA ADVISORY September, 4, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Contingent of Lawyers, Activists, and Media Take Concerns of Police Brutality at RNC to Mayor Coleman's Office

- WHAT: Attempt to meet with Mayor Chris Coleman about escalation of police brutality in St. Paul

- WHO: Lawyers, activists, and members of the media

- WHEN: September 4, 2008 @ 4:00 p.m.

- WHERE: St. Paul Mayor's Office, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

Police violence has not been limited to the streets. The Coldsnap Legal Collective, providing support to people arrested at the RNC, has received numerous reports of abuse in the jails. In addition to widespread denial of medical attention, multiple people have been brutalized by Sheriff's Deputies inside their cells. At a press conference earlier today, recently released activist Elliot Hughes made statements that while in jail he had a bag placed over his head, a gag in his mouth, and was beaten to unconsciousness by multiple correctional officers.

Didn't Russia once go democratic? What is Putin still hanging around for?

Having not followed war on the topic of Georgia, I can only assume Russia is up to no good and Georgia is egging them on. However as you know,..the news we get is NOT what is really happening. Who knows why this is all happening.

The world is like a lady bug

A turtle that learned to fly

The problem is this lady bug

Will definitely die

It is not that this lady bug

Is seeking this demise

Only cells of the lady bug

Contain tears of knowing why

                                                    - Scott Westerback

Katy, Bruce, Heather, Justin, Deborah, and Gabe

From decorabilia:

The Cougars, powered by Riley Wall's quick feet and an experienced O-line's excellent blocking, were able to keep pressure on the Fighting Irish's bigger, faster squad. O'Dea appeared unfocused and undisciplined; I lost count at 10 penalties, including successive illegal man downfield calls. The only thing that kept O'Dea from blowing it was a lack of turnovers.

The Cougars led 13-7 with 1:29 left in the 3rd quarter, but couldn't keep the Irish from striking back quickly, edging ahead on a long touchdown pass when a Cougar defender fell down. Capital's attempt to come back was stuffed, but the defense held O'Dea in check, handing the offense the ball with just over 3:00 left in the 4th.

Please read the entire report and comment over there.