Elections: Our Own Local Laugh-in

-----------------------
With one day remaining to file for office, have you seen the latest filings?

You can decide to laugh or cry over the weird turn of events that now has Pete Kremen running for County Council against Tony Larson!

Then, help us decide what in heck is going on here, please!

More to follow, maybe...
------------------------
1:15 AM June 10:

OK, I couldn't resist a couple of educated guesses about why Pete might have acted as he has so far:

• Could it be that strong competition from Jack Louws may have triggered his 'hypertension'? Pete doesn't like working too hard on anything, much less against credible rivals. Also, Doug Ericksen's entry probably further exacerbated this problem.

• Larson likely irritated him in questioning the wisdom of the Reconveyance scheme; an idea Pete would like to consider his legacy.

• This Council -including Larson- has been a real problem for Pete and the County Administration. Just too many strange, individual agendas motivated by fixed ideas, cronyism, ignorance and arrogance.

• Pete probably could use a few more years under the County's health plan due to his personal health issues, as well as the State's retirement system -which is based on years of service- at least until he reaches the age of 62 to 65.

• County politics is the only 'job' he knows, so it is hard for him to walk away from the public attention and the public dole so suddenly/

You think local politics might have hit a new low here in Whatcom County?
I do.
But that's just my opinion.

As bad a representative as Tony Larson has been -and shows promise to become- it's really hard to stomach Pete in office again, although his presence on this Council may actually help it do its job more competently.

Wouldn't it be fun to be a fly on the wall in certain places?
But, maybe the public, know how to use a fly swatter!

Time will tell I suppose; besides, there's another whole left day to file for office...
--------------------------------

Good Mornin' America, How Are Ya?

---------------------
Old Willie Nelson's familiar words occurred to me about 4AM this AM when a [relatively quiet] train tootled its way through the Ham. I wondered briefly if it had a name, like 'The City of New Orleans' or someplace else. Most likely it had no name, like most trains; just efficient, impersonal numbers. That would seem to fit better with the style -or lack of it- of BNSF Railroad, now owned & operated by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway, in Omaha, NE, or wherever it wants to be.
Hey, how about 'The City of Omaha?

I actually like the kindly, smiling Mr Buffet, who seems to epitomize competency, caring and good business sense. Just the kind of investment steward that is desired, actually preferred, for retirement security and growth. And, at my age, I can't afford too many gambles, at least of the financial type.
But, you know, such things aren't that simple now. Maybe they never were, but certainly not now.

Railroads helped build this nation and secure business opportunities, jobs and critical supplies so necessary for growth.
In return, they were rewarded handsomely, by large land grants, relatively few restrictions and the resulting success that was bound to follow. And that was good, essentially, but maybe not as good as it might have been had the foresight for future needs been built into the equation; like providing reliable, efficient transportation for people along established routes - like, well, in Europe.

Over time, railroads have become more like necessary evils, not very responsive to anything other than their own short term wishes and profitability. That seems evidenced by the current push to create more rail traffic by hauling steam coal from huge deposits in Montana & Wyoming to a suitable export terminal somewhere on the US West Coast.
Where, do you imagine might this facility be located?
Are any of the several major seaports eligible? Strangely, it would seem not! From south to north, San Diego, Los Angeles/Long Beach, San Francisco/Oakland, Portland, Longview, Seattle/Tacoma, Everett all were not selected for this purpose, for various reasons related to ownership of RR rights of way, excessive distance/cost of shipping, lack of space, or simply not wanted by the port in question.
Why do you imagine that might be?
Not to worry, that explanation isn't really necessary, because all those places/ports have been rejected by the erstwhile proponents, in favor of Cherry Point in northern Whatcom County -a place crying out for development?

Some may be crying out in favor of it, but most seem to be shedding real tears at the prospect of the enormous blot envisioned to be created by forcing an undesirable facility, with its attendant invasive side effects, into our community.
I certainly hope this blitzkrieg proposal does not succeed, despite the nice Mr Buffett and all the local political rhetoric that panders to the prospect of 'free' new taxes, plus several dozen new jobs to swell the coffers and clout of a few union bosses.
Does that seem like a fair trade to you?
Is the kindly Mr Buffett likely to care?

Somehow, it all just seems a little too opportunistic to me, what with using all that inherited set of entitlements bestowed by our well-meaning government 150 years or so ago.
And, the timing is also suspect; trying to take advantage of economic hard times; almost reminds of the evil villain tying Miss Lizzie to the tracks...
But, enough of this; why not actually name this/these proposed train/s? After all, they're all part of the same dysfunctional family. Any suggestions? Keep it clean!
How about the City/Cities of [fill in the blank], China?
Sorry, but Willie Nelson might give up singing this song with those lyrics.
----------------

The trip I just completed furnished some interesting information regarding coal companies, trains & terminals, so I'll share some of it:
The two shipping terminals in the Hampton Roads/Norfolk, VA area have been there for quite a while. Sufficient trackage and marshaling areas are already in place to allow loading of large ships -colliers- on the waterfronts of Norfolk and Newport News.
Coal from West Virginia, Kentucky and western Virginia is hauled by C&O and other railway carriers to these facilities in long, unit trains. Dockside loading facilities are enormous, but easily accommodated in a large seaport area like Hampton Roads.

Here's a picture of the Norfolk coal loading facility taken at a distance from a boat. One ship is being loaded in the picture, but more can be handled at one time depending upon stockpile available.

The Newport News facility is several miles away across Hampton Roads, up the James River.

One concern noted is the fact that several empty colliers seem always at anchor off Lynnhaven -just east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel- awaiting their turn to travel via the Thimble Shoals Channel into Hampton Roads. This photo taken from a VA Beach park shows such vessels lying at anchor offshore.


On that day, 10 ships lay at anchor, down from the more usual 20 or so, according to local people. Note that Thimble Shoals Channel is the primary access route to/from Hampton Roads for major vessels; probably about 1000 yards wide and 50 feet deep. It is also used by US Navy vessels, cruise ships and other seafaring vessels.

I wonder what is visualized at Cherry Point regarding the queuing up of vessels awaiting loading? Our local waters do not have the space for many multiple anchorages of very large vessels, although crude oil vessels do anchor near Anacortes and sometimes further north. Channels are also constricted and the danger of spills, ballast dumping, crowding and collisions seem relatively high. Competition from fishing and pleasure craft is another real concern, since the San Juan & Gulf Islands are prime locations sought out by boaters for there beauty and serenity -a not inconsequential reason for the popularity of our area!
---------------

Further west, I had the opportunity to talk with a person from eastern Montana who is very familiar with both the Powder River Basin mining area and railroad operations, in particular the BNSF Railroad.
Coal deposits in Montana are larger than those in Wyoming, and coal mining companies are typically indiscriminate about what they sell or to whom.
They are also typically very secretive about plans and reluctant to spend money for necessary or desirable track improvements. Often, they will front a local sponsor as project advocate to take advantage of local knowledge and shield themselves from direct scrutiny.
Once a new loading facility is built, they will ship whatever product{s} they can sell on an interchangeable basis, despite any stated purposes. It seems established rules allow this type of activity.
The picture painted of coal mining companies is not pretty; they are international opportunists, pure and simple, with no conscience of unintended consequences.
If their immediate goals cannot be readily achieved by a specific proposal, they will shift to another. They also wield powerful lobbying clout which they use often.

The BNSF also operates opportunistically. The potential Mr Buffett saw in acquiring his controlling interest is unused capacity, plus desirable track routes.

The BNSF Railroad route from eastern Montana essentially parallels US Highway #2, which was used to build/maintain it.
The maximum grade railroads can negotiate is about 2%, one third of what highways can design for.
Marias Pass [5575 feet elevation] in Glacier National Park is the highest elevation BNSF crosses along this route. Extra engines are needed routinely for this service.
One can follow this route through a series of towns and crossings, including East & West Glacier MT, Whitefish MT, Libby MT, Bonner's Ferry ID, Sand Point ID, Spokane WA, Wenatchee WA to Everett WA.
From there, BNSF can go north or south, but for the moment prefers north through Bellingham to the proposed terminal at Cherry Point.

You know, just like the Olympic Pipe Line, the BNSF Railroad traverses many communities, all of which will be impacted by higher levels of train traffic. That is a point that should not be lost of us; this is not just about us!
That is why severely limiting the EIS scope is not a good idea; impacts will be felt other places too, but with the big difference that a huge, hungry terminal may be in OUR back yard.
What about the unsuspecting people all along this route who will not be notified that their lives are about to change in ways they don't expect, and can do little to mitigate? You know, little things like waiting 10 to 15 minutes or more at a crossing that used to be no problem.
Annoying and maybe dangerous things will happen all across the Highway #2 corridor, but most won't even know about it until too late to matter. Sorry, but that ain't OK.
Good mornin' America, how are ya? indeed.
--------------------

One final comment about those 'Robber Baron' folks who aren't happy with the Mayor of Bellingham and his recent 'come to Jesus' moment; he's finally realized -in the brilliant light of election season- the overwhelming wishes of his constituency!
Those disappointed by this turn of events will need to come up with better arguments than 'we need to wait for the EIS' before expressing opinions.
Get serious!
No competent party ever goes into a negotiation without having a clear idea of what the desired outcome could/should be.
The same is true here, and thank goodness the community has made its voice heard early in this process.
To wait for 'others' to perform the EIS without our clear concerns and desired outcomes is lunacy of the first order.
And, it is stupid and self-serving to suggest otherwise. That's simply imposing some personal will upon the community, which doesn't fit too well with a real democracy.
The Mayor gets credit for hearing the public's concerns; but that was only possible if he actually listened.
Out.
---------------------

Coal Terminal: Mayor's Listening Session

----------------------
For those interested, here is a summary of the brief remarks I gave earlier at tonight's meeting:

Two broad points pertain, which touch on several of the elements of EIS impact categories listed for reference on the screen.

First, this proposal should NOT be framed as either JOBS or QUALITY OF LIFE.
It is a much more complex decision than that simplistic characterization.

As Ben Franklin actually put it; 'Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'

[I substituted the words prosperity for safety, and environment for liberty.
But, essentially the same point is made]

Second, SAFETY is the real issue, just like it was 12 years ago, with the Olympic Pipe Line disaster.

Then, people spoke, and government listened, despite the City of Bellingham's lack of specific 'jurisdiction'.
Many necessary changes were effected afterwards -in Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.

Unfortunately, the OPL disaster had to actually happen before concerned citizens were heard.

The Coal Terminal proposal carries with it the distinct possibility -maybe even the probability- that a similar disaster could occur.
That makes this EIS drafting time critical to the prevention of future catastrophes, whether a cataclysmic single event, or a series of cumulatively harmful events, either of which will be impossible to mitigate after-the-fact -like Bhopal.

Aspects of SAFETY which ought to be carefully considered include these:

• SAFETY for humans and wildlife along the rail lines, at crossings and/or near habitats and sensitive areas

• SAFETY of our precious waters from shipping traffic [Note that the 2 coal terminals in Norfolk and Newport News, VA require thousands of acres for marshaling and loading operations, plus deep water anchorages for between 10 and 20 large coal carrying ships.

• SAFETY of investments in both public and private properties near the routes in question

• SAFETY of public expectations in waterfront redevelopment visioning, plans and potential job-producing development

• SAFETY of our shared, global environs from multiple, unnecessary degradations and depletion of natural resources

At a minimum, a comprehensive and careful proposal that addresses these legitimate concerns needs to be submitted by the proponents, outlining those mitigation modifications reasonably required.
Not until this type of proposal is available for additional public review and comment, should any go/no go decision for action be made.

After all, the principles of triple bottom line need to be respected and followed as is reasonably possible.
Trust does require verification!
----------------------

Reunion Time

Soon, I will attend the 50th reunion of my college class of 1961 an event I'm looking forward to.
While not a native Virginian, many of my genealogical 'cousins' were, as were several of our nation's founding fathers; Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington among them.
Hmmm, ever wonder what they might think about how we've evolved?
But I digress; maybe that's another blog...

One thing that would likely be pleasing is the quality of education now available at places like the University of Virginia, where I was very fortunate to matriculate with the assistance of a Navy ROTC scholarship.
That school has also reflected the steady, but often difficult progress of history through changes in issues such as diversity, civil rights and sustainable funding.

A few reflections:
At the time I attended, UVA was essentially an all-white men's school of about 5000, with 200 or so women nursing and graduate students who were called 'Guests of Mr Jefferson's University'. Can you believe that?
Also, not many 'people of color' were in evidence.

Although classified as a 'State University', UVA only received about 30% of its funding from the State of Virginia, a situation that has consistently worsened until now, when the % has declined into single digits. [sound familiar?]
UVA was losing out on funding from competition with VA Tech and other schools, so it launched an aggressive -and thankfully successful- campaign to provide a large endowment fund from donors. Now, this endowment -in the billions- ranks very high among public universities; over $120,000 per student.

Hide-bound traditions are something else.
So-called 'Ivy League drop-outs' liked to continue 'traditions' for their own sake, sometimes at the expense of normalcy.
Such artificial standards had the effect of idolizing past myths and perceptions, rather than of establishing more rational and inclusive ideas as the 'raison d'entre' for a college.
While there is some appeal to such tradition, it's past time to 'get real'.
Fortunately, that has occurred.

After 50 years, what really counts for me are these:

• gaining an excellent education
• retaining an appreciation for what it takes for consistently delivering values deserving of higher education
• a sense of honor, truth-based knowledge and fair judgement
• a sense of belonging to alma mater, traditions of excellence and lasting friendships
• an amazing head-start in life, career and citizenship
---------------------
This writing, penned in 1903 by James Hay, Jr, pretty much sums it up:

THE HONOR MEN
The University of Virginia writes her highest degree on the souls of her sons.
The parchment page of scholarship -the colored ribbon a society- the jeweled emblem of a fraternity- the orange symbol of athletic prowess- all these, a year hence, will be at the best the mementoes of happy hours- like the withered flower a woman presses between the pages of a book for sentiment's sake.

BUT...
If you live a long, long time, and hold honesty of conscience above honesty of purse;
And, turn aside without ostentation to aid the weak;
And treasure ideals more than raw ambition;
And track no man to his underserved hurt;
And pursue no woman to her tears;
And love the beauty of noble music and mist-veiled mountains and blossoming valley and great monuments-
If you live a long time, and keeping the faith in all these things hour by hour, still see that the sun gilds your path with real gold and that the moon floats in dream silver;

THEN...
Remembering the purple shadows of the lawn, the majesty of the colonnades, and the dream of your youth, you may say in your reverence and thankfulness:
"I have won the honors of Honor. I graduated from Virginia."
-----------------------
"The Good Old Song" was written in 1893. Sung to the familiar tune of "Auld Lang Syne," it has since served as UVa's unofficial alma mater. Although the words to the song are attributed to the late Edward H. Craighill, Jr., of Lynchburg, Va., Craighill wrote in the October 1922 issue of the University of Virginia Magazine that "no one man should be credited with the authorship" of the first stanza. He said it was a byproduct of a welcoming home of a victorious football team and was the joint production of several students. The cheer "Wah-hoo-wah" was in vogue with the student body and was incorporated into the song.

The song is most frequently heard during home football games as Cavalier fans stand and sway, arm-in-arm, singing "The Good Old Song" after each Virginia score and at the end of the game. The song is also sung at numerous other UVa athletic events and University- related functions.

That good old song of Wah-hoo-wah,
We 'll sing it o 'er and o 'er.
It cheers our hearts and warms our blood
To hear them shout and roar.
We come from Old Virginia,
Where all is bright and gay.
Let's all join hands and give a yell,
For the dear old UVa.
Wah-hoo-wah,
Wah-hoo-wah.
Uni-v, Virginia,
Hoo-rah-ray,
Hoo-rah-ray,
Ray! Ray! U-V-A!
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------

Good Friday & Earth Day

-------------------------
Ever heard someone try to disparage the term 'environmentalist'?
Did that sound ignorant, intolerant and silly to you?
But, there are also others who would disdain the observation of any type of religious faith, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or others.
I sometimes wonder how much overlap exists between these two groups?
Maybe more than I wish to know, which would be a real shame.
-------------------------




Did it ever occur to you that today was the first time these two special days were coincident?

Per Wikipedia, Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, which is calculated differently in Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity (see Computus for details). Easter falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, the full moon on or after 21 March, taken to be the date of the vernal equinox. The Western calculation uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern calculation uses the Julian calendar, whose 21 March now corresponds to the Gregorian calendar's 3 April. The calculations for identifying the date of the full moon also differ. See Easter Dating Method (Astronomical Society of South Australia).
In Eastern Christianity, Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25 on Julian Calendar (thus between April 4 and May 8 in terms of the Gregorian calendar, during the period 1900 and 2099), so Good Friday can fall between March 20 and April 23, inclusive (or between April 2 and May 6 in terms of the Gregorian calendar). (See Easter.)

Good Friday Calendar:

2011 = April 22

2012 = April 6

2013 = March 29

2014 = April 18

2015 = April 3



Of course, Earth Day is a much more recent special day, as Wikipedia again records.



-----------------------------
Remember this POGO poster by Walt Kelly?
Think Pogo was right?




-----------------------------

Blog Index

--------------------------------
Today's posts brings the total published to 366, one for every day of a leap year.
Maybe enough to keep some sleeping pills in their bottles.

When I started blogging it seemed something of a mission; to document issues, facts, opinions, perspectives, ideas, problems & public processes, and to file all this in one place -where I, and interested others, can find the stuff.
The labels and search function really do help.
Some posts are dated, but most have some lasting meaning.

It has been mostly fun -and still is- so I'll keep at it, but maybe without too many self-imposed deadlines.
--------------------------------
Date
Title
Labels
Blog No.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
My First Blog Posting: GMA & Comprehensive Plan Update
PlanningGrowth
1
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
2nd Posting - The UGA Land Supply Debate
PlanningGrowth
2
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Mea Culpa and Apologies
Elections
3
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Straight Talk About Lake Whatcom
Lake
4
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Candidate Questionnaire & Decision Making
Elections
5
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Annexation: Asset or Liability?
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
6
Monday, July 30, 2007
BTV10: Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants
Sunshine
7
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Is Charter Review Important?
Charter
8
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Last Night's Forum:Mayoral Candidates Opening Statements
Elections
9
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Mayoral Candidate Forum Responses
Elections, Waterfront
10
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Solar Power Case Study: An Old Idea With New Economics
Environment
11
Friday, August 3, 2007
On Integrity and Competence
Elections
12
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Pooh Bear's Easter Party
Greenways
13
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Politics for Dummies?
Elections
14
Monday, August 6, 2007
Parking Is Not Free
Library, Parking
15
Monday, August 6, 2007
Either Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!
Elections
16
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance - Citizens Task Force Recommendations
Lake, PlanningGrowth
17
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Public Water Supply Management 101: A Short Primer and Call to Action for Newcomers and the Newly Involved
Lake
18
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Feeling Smart? Test Your Watershed IQ
Lake
19
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Water Source Protection Plan: Shelf Art or Management Tool?
Lake
20
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Water Source Protection Plan: Comments & Questions

21
Monday, August 13, 2007
Surface & Storm Water Utility: Rates & Rationale Revisited
Lake, Stormwater
22
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Between Iraq & A Hard Place
War
23
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Growth Management & The Art Of Pedantry
PlanningGrowth
24
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Growth Management 102: Dealing With Uncertainty -And Fantasy!
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
25
Friday, August 17, 2007
A Tale of Two Cities: Watershed Protection Law Case Studies
Lake
26
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Benzene in Lake Whatcom: Some Questions & Answers
Lake
27
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Bellingham & Whatcom County Public Facilities District: Redux
Government, PFD
28
Monday, August 20, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Incorporating Waterfront Futures Group Recommendations
Waterfront
29
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Growth Management: Ahwahnee Principles for Resource-Efficient and Livable Communities
Lake
30
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Lake Whatcom: BLOG Feedback & Lake Tahoe Ideas
Lake
31
Friday, August 24, 2007
Lake Whatcom Storm Water Management: Entranco Report Redux
Lake, Stormwater
32
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Valuable Real Estate for Whom?
Lake
33
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Cost of Growth: Impact Fees & Feelings
PlanningGrowth, Taxes
34
Monday, August 27, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Clean & Green or In-Between?
Environment, Waterfront

35
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Accentuating the Positive: Qualities to Reflect in Library Design
Library
36
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Lake Whatcom: A Lilliputian Response to a Gulliver Proposal
Lake
37
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Goal Statements & Methodology Aren't Enough!
Lake
38
Friday, August 31, 2007
Lord of the Rings - Bellingham Style
Annexation, Charter, Elections
39
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Public Trust or Public Trough?
Budgets, Taxes
40
Sunday, September 2, 2007
On Baking a Cake: A Generic Wish
Elections, Government
41
Monday, September 3, 2007
Civic Field Sports Complex: A Bellingham Success Story
Parks
42
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Big Box Theory: Attacking Mall-Wart
Annexation, PlanningGrowth, Taxes, WAL-MART
43
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
People for Lake Whatcom Questionnaire: REDUX for the General Elections
Lake
44
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: BEYOND LEED to a Triple Bottom Line
Environment, Waterfront
45
Friday, September 7, 2007
"To Err is Human, to Forgive, Canine"
Parks
46
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Navigating Charbydis & Scylla
Waterfront
47
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Mother Goose & the Doctors of Spin Revisited -PART 1
Waterfront
48
Monday, September 10, 2007
Mayoral Elections: I Like Pike!
Elections
49
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Lake Whatcom: An October Surprise?
Lake, Parks
50
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Reconveyance Feedback
Lake, Reconveyance
51
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Growth Management: Meaningfully Involving Neighborhoods -Part 1
PlanningGrowth
52
Friday, September 14, 2007
More Reconveyance Feedback: No Secrets or Surprises
Lake, Reconveyance
53
Sunday, September 16, 2007
"You can't teach what you don't know, and you can't lead where you won't go"
Personal
54
Monday, September 17, 2007
Kathryn's SWAN SONG: A Tribute
Personal
55
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Dan Pike: An Unabashed Endorsement for Mayor
Elections
56
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Follow the Money!
Budgets
57
Friday, September 21, 2007
Reconveyance: RCWs to Read & Questions to Ask
Lake, Reconveyance
58
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Budgets 101: An Introduction to the Public Purse
Budgets
59
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Pork Barrel Heaven: Reflections on the City’s "Living Wage" Ordinance
LivingWage
60
Monday, September 24, 2007
The 10th Street Parking 'issue': A Tempest in a Teapot
Parking, Parks
61
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Reconveyance: No September Surprises
Lake, Reconveyance
62
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Economic Development: 2003 versus 2007 - What has Changed?
Annexation, EconomicDevelopment, PlanningGrowth
63
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Growth Debate Revisited: BIA versus Eben Fodor
PlanningGrowth
64
Friday, September 28, 2007
Ever Heard of LIDAR?
PlanningGrowth
65
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Waterfront Redevelopment: Economic Development on Steroids
EconomicDevelopment PlanningGrowth, Waterfront
66
Sunday, September 30, 2007
WRIA-1: Whatcom County's Unfinished Water Business
Lake, WRIA-1
67
Monday, October 1, 2007
Turn! Turn! Turn!: (To Everything There Is a Season)
Personal
68
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Water District Fiefdom or Community Treasure?
Lake
69
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
WLV Forum: Ad Libs, Glibs & Fibs
Elections
70
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Mitch's Kool-Aid: Special FISHY Flavor for Election Time
Elections, Reconveyance
71
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thoughts: All Politics Really Are Local!
Elections
72
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Mayor: A Living Wage Job In A Fishbowl
Elections
73
Sunday, October 7, 2007
IT'S BUDGET TIME AGAIN! -A $200 Million Exercise
Budgets
74
Monday, October 8, 2007
Lake Whatcom Reservoir: A Necessary Restructuring
Lake
75
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Lake Whatcom: City's Stormwater Plan - Phocusing on Fosphorus
Lake, PlanningGrowth
76
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
A Political Rant: It's Not the Cream of the Crop, It's the Pick of the Lot!
Elections
77
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Operation Overlord & Landlord Accountability
Landlords
78
Friday, October 12, 2007
Silver Beach Neighborhood: Wading Into Uncharted Waters - Again
Lake, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth
79
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Growth Management: Neighborhood Planning - Whose Job Is It?
Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth
80
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Growth Management: Neighborhood Unrest Means People Aren't Happy!
Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth
81
Monday, October 15, 2007
What is Consensus Decision-Making?
Neighborhoods
82
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Mayoral Elections: Which Dan and Why?
Elections
83
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Campaign Rhetoric Versus Institutional Memory: A Litany of Concerns - Part 1
Elections
84
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Campaign Rhetoric Versus Institutional Memory: A Litany of Concerns - Part 2
Elections
85
Friday, October 19, 2007
Whatcom County Park, Recreation, & Open Space Plan: Draft or Daft?
Lake, Parks, Reconveyance
86
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Campaign Rhetoric Versus Institutional Memory: A Litany of Concerns - Part 3
Elections
87
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Campaign Rhetoric Versus Institutional Memory: A Litany of Concerns - Part 4
Elections
88
Monday, October 22, 2007
Politics Without Principle? We Can Do Much Better Than That!
Elections
89
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
South Hill Neighborhood: Views Become Vision
Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth
90
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Library Planning Update: Citizen Input Wanted!
Library
91
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My Goodness! Should Today's Weakly be Considered An In-Kind Campaign Donation?
Elections
92
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Library Planning Update 2: Working Hard or Playing Games?
Library
93
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The Nightmare Before Elections
Elections
94
Sunday, October 28, 2007
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: Mark Twain on Written Interviews
Elections
95
Monday, October 29, 2007
HALLOWE'EN
Elections
96
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Truth or Consequences: Not Just A Town In New Mexico
Elections
97
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tricking & Treating: Reflections on Elections
Elections
98
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Today's Headlines: It's Come to This!
Politics
99
Friday, November 2, 2007
Lake Whatcom Mis-Management Non-Program: It's Time To Get Serious!
Lake
100
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Some Comments & A Review of Green Principles
LEED
101
Sunday, November 4, 2007
DNR Land Swap: What Would Rev. Spooner & The Capitol Steps Say?
Humor, Reconveyance
102
Monday, November 5, 2007
City Council: New Tools for 2008 & Beyond
Annexation, Budgets, PlanningGrowth, Sunshine
103
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Gutter Politics & Political Gutterballs
Elections, Water/Sewer
104
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Death & Taxes: Two of Life's Certainties
Taxes
105
Friday, November 9, 2007
All Elections Are Important: Some More Than Others
Elections
106
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Is It Time to Consolidate Water & Sewer Services?
Lake, Water/Sewer
107
Friday, November 16, 2007
Growth Management: Options for Closing the 'Gap' on UGA Boundaries
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
108
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Photos: A Few Favorite Places
Personal
109
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Municipal Budgeting: Care & Feeding of the Fiscal Monster
Annexation, Budgets, Taxes
110
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Growth: Are You Ready For Some Bootfall?
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
111
Monday, November 26, 2007
Is The Only Thing Constant, Change?
Personal
112
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The 'News': Breaking or Broken?
NEWS
113
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
"The News Business: changes, challenges.....and do we care?"
NEWS
114
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Breaking Good News About NOAA
PlanningGrowth, Waterfront
115
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
116
Friday, November 30, 2007
Growth: Following A Predetermined Path to A Foregone Conclusion
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
117
Saturday, December 1, 2007
B&O Tax News: The Missing Headline
Budgets, Taxes
118
Sunday, December 2, 2007
'Making Plays': Exercises in Frustration
Humor, Politics, Sports
119
Monday, December 3, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 1st Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
120
Monday, December 3, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 2nd Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
121
Monday, December 3, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 3rd Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
122
Monday, December 3, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 4th Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
123
Monday, December 3, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 5th Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
124
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 6th Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
125
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 7th Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
126
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance Redux: 8th Meeting Citizens Task Force
Lake, PlanningGrowth
127
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Silver Beach Ordinance - Citizens Task Force Recommendations
Lake, PlanningGrowth
128
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Lake Whatcom: Watershed Land Acquisition Program -Rationale & History
Annexation, Environment, Lake, PlanningGrowth
129
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Landlord Accountability: Defining the PROBLEM & What to do about it?
Landlords
130
Thursday, December 6, 2007
District Only Voting: Are You Kidding Me?
Elections
131
Friday, December 7, 2007
District Only Voting: No Rotten Boroughs!
Elections
132
Saturday, December 8, 2007
District Only Voting: Constituencies & Voting Systems
Elections
133
Sunday, December 9, 2007
On Taxes in the State of Washington
Taxes
134
Monday, December 10, 2007
Farewell Comments & More on District Voting
Elections, Personal
135
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Something's Gotta Give
Personal
136
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Olympic Pipe Line Disaster: Reflections
OlympicPipeLine
137
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Growth Management Act: A Refresher & Rant with Local Footnotes
PlanningGrowth
138
Monday, December 17, 2007
Modern Sports Scene: Rooting or Ranting ?
Sports
139
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Today was the first day of the rest of my life.
Personal
140
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Growth Management: Deer Creek Water Association
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
141
Saturday, December 22, 2007
La Dolce Vita... e Il Dolce Far Niente
Humor
142
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 1
Humor
143
Monday, December 24, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 2
Humor
144
Monday, December 24, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 3
Humor
145
Monday, December 24, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 4
Humor
146
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 5
Humor
147
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 6
Humor
148
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 7
Humor
149
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Flame Warrior Archetypes: Part 8 ~FIN~
Humor
150
Friday, December 28, 2007
More On Green Design: Principles, Future & Practical Advice
LEED
151
Saturday, December 29, 2007
On City Finances & Direction
Budgets, Government
152
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Future of Architecture: 2005-2015
LEED
153
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Future of Architecture: 2015-2025
LEED
154
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Future of Architecture: 2050-2100
LEED
155
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
Personal

156
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Sustainability & Buddhist Economics
Buddhist, Budgets
157
Thursday, January 3, 2008
ANNOYANCES...
Humor
158
Friday, January 4, 2008
Driving our KARMA & Curbing our DOGMA
Buddhist
159
Saturday, January 12, 2008
On City Government, Football & Other Contact Sports
Government, Lake, Library, PlanningGrowth, Waterfront
160
Sunday, January 13, 2008
On Libraries & Football
Library
161
Saturday, January 19, 2008
On Libraries, Hiking & A Bobcat!
Library, Personal
162
Monday, January 21, 2008
A Few Belated Responses on MLK Day:
Library, PlanningGrowth
163
Monday, January 28, 2008
A New Bellingham Public Library: A Real Need
Library

164
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Cost Effective Watershed Protection
Lake, PlanningGrowth
165
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Politics
166
Friday, May 9, 2008
Lake Whatcom: Reconveyance & Park Plan -A Few Unanswered Questions
Lake, Reconveyance
167
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Lake Whatcom: A Convergence of 3 Issues
Lake, PlanningGrowth, Water/Sewer
168
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Important County Water Programs Funding: Decision Alert!
Lake, Stormwater, WRIA-1
169
Friday, May 16, 2008
Lake Whatcom: People For Lake Whatcom Meeting & Some Reconveyance Answers
Lake, Reconveyance
170
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Myanmar: Remind You of Anything?
Politics
171
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lake Whatcom: Bellingham's Moratorium
Lake, PlanningGrowth
172
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Lake Whatcom: Potential Moratorium Actions
Lake, PlanningGrowth
173
Monday, May 26, 2008
Lake Whatcom: DNR Reconveyance & Park Plan Questions
Lake, Reconveyance
174
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Reconveyance & Park Plan: More Feedback & Other Thoughts
Lake, Reconveyance
175
Friday, May 30, 2008
Integrity Versus Loyalty
Politics
176
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
On Impermanence & What Counts
Personal
177
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Real Life Reality: Grandma & the Chicken
Personal
178
Monday, June 30, 2008
Funnies?
Humor
179
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Word Games: Taxes versus Fees
Budgets, Politics, Stormwater, Taxes
180
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Reassessing this Blog
Blog, Personal
181
Saturday, July 26, 2008
What Makes a Headline?
Politics
182
Saturday, July 26, 2008
In the Valley of Elah
War
183
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Adapting Woodstock Farm: Home of Inspiration Point
Parks
184
Thursday, July 31, 2008
On Gaps & Gundecking
Budgets, Government
185
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Dilemma or Fallacy?
Parks, PlanningGrowth
186
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
On Student Housing
Landlords
187
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Giddy Gato: The Passing of a Dear Little Being
Personal
188
Friday, August 8, 2008
Reconveyance & Park Plan: City Council Presentation by Tom Pratum
Lake, Reconveyance
189
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Chuckanut Ridge: Land Supply Implications
Greenways, PlanningGrowth
190
Thursday, August 14, 2008
More on Land Use Efficiency: Chuckanut Ridge, Birch Street & Otherwise
Annexation, Greenways, PlanningGrowth
191
Monday, August 18, 2008
On Decision Making: Remembering a Colleague
Personal
192
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Waterfront Redevelopment: A Rant About Election Games
Elections, Waterfront
193
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Lake Whatcom: Possible City Club Questions
Lake
194
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thoughts & Impressions: Sarah Palin as VP?
Politics
195
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Politics & Entropy: What's in a Name?
Politics
196
Monday, September 8, 2008
She Whose Name Should Not Be Spoken Would Ban These Books
Politics
197
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Lipstick: Asset or Distraction?
Politics
198
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Maverick is His Name: Gambling is His Game
Politics
199
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Fall Hiking at Mt Baker: Chain Lakes Loop
Personal
200
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Got Lipstick?
Humor
201
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Crying Wolf
Politics
202
Monday, September 22, 2008
Not so fast Mr Bush!
Politics
203
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Who's Leading & Who's Following?
Politics
204
Monday, October 6, 2008
Bailing Out: Preferable to Sinking?
Politics
205
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Dismal Science & 15 Minutes of Fame
Politics
206
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Looking Out The Window
Personal
207
Friday, October 10, 2008
Large Doses of Realism
Politics
208
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
This & That
Politics
209
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Letter from a former Lt Governor of Alaska
Politics
210
Friday, October 24, 2008
Term Limits: Great Taste or Less Filling?
Charter, Politics
211
Sunday, October 26, 2008
On Warriors & War
War
212
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
More Sun Tzu: The Healing Arts
War
213
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
America Awakes!
Politics
214
Monday, November 10, 2008
Property Taxes: Bellingham's Dilemma
Budgets, Taxes
215
Monday, November 10, 2008
Waterfront Redevelopment: Impasse or Opportunity?
Waterfront
216
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Do We Really Want 'Ready, Fire, Aim' Approaches To National Problems?
Politics
217
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Lovely Letter from Alice Walker to Barack Obama
Politics
218
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla
Politics
219
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Freedom or Free Dumb?
Politics
220
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Time for Big Changes at the Port of Bellingham!
Waterfront
221
Monday, November 17, 2008
Auto Rescue: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
Politics
222
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Waterfront Redevelopment: Can We Get On With It Now?
Waterfront
223
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Taxes: A Parallel Universe?
Annexation, Budgets, Taxes
224
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Beggars Banquet: A Lesson for Bellingham?
Budgets
225
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lake Whatcom: A Thanksgiving Blessing
Lake
226
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Triaging Detroit
Politics
227
Thursday, December 18, 2008
On Becoming a Septuagenarian
Personal
228
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve Reflections & Aspirations
Personal
229
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Ringing in the New
Politics
230
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Global Warming: Is This Really A 'Debate'?
Environment
231
Friday, January 9, 2009
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Sports
232
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Football Blues
Sports
233
Friday, January 16, 2009
Greenways: Keeping the Process Honest, Equitable & Public
Greenways, Politics, Sunshine
234
Monday, January 19, 2009
Lake Whatcom: Questions about Proposed Private Road
Lake, PlanningGrowth
235
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Inauguration: A Few Thoughts
Politics
236
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Greenways: Are We A Unified Community Or A League of Single Interests?
Greenways
237
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Greenways: Wishing Does Not 'Make It So'
Greenways
238
Friday, January 30, 2009
Serious Business in Seattle
Personal
239
Sunday, February 1, 2009
America: A Fair to Middling Place
Politics
240
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Jim Webb's Great New Book
Personal
241
Monday, February 16, 2009
Presidents Day Observations
Politics
242
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Obama's Home Foreclosure Plan
Politics
243
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Stimulus: Show Us The Money
Politics
244
Friday, February 20, 2009
Gristle: Excellent GMA Article
PlanningGrowth
245
Sunday, February 22, 2009
America: A Place You Can Rant!
Personal
246
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Greenways: Lies, Damn Lies & Plain Levy Language
Greenways, Politics, Sunshine
247
Friday, February 27, 2009
A Remarkable Week
Politics
248
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Eschewing Obfuscation & Espousing Elucidation
Annexation, Greenways, Politics, Sunshine
249
Monday, March 2, 2009
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Part I
Budgets, Taxes
250
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Part II
Annexation, PlanningGrowth, Taxes, Water/Sewer
251
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Part III
PlanningGrowth, Taxes
252
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Parks: Their Care & Feeding
Lake, Parks
253
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lake Whatcom: Reservoir or High Rent District?
Lake, PlanningGrowth
254
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March Madness & Gladness
Humor, Sports
255
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Picking The Top Teams
Sports
256
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer: Want Fries With That?
Lake, Water/Sewer
257
Sunday, April 12, 2009
T-Party or P-Party?
Politics
258
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Whatcom County Planning: An Oxymoron
Annexation, PlanningGrowth
259
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Local Politics: One Tough Profession!
Government
260
Thursday, April 16, 2009
On Piracy
Government
261
Friday, April 17, 2009
Census 2010: Honest Count Or Partisan Issue?
Census, Government
262
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Polarization: What Does It Mean & Who Decides?
Government
263
Monday, April 20, 2009
Pirate Economics & Social Contracts
Government
264
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Making Government More Effective & Less Costly
Government
265
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Executive Sessions: Necessary Secrets Or Inconvenient Law?
Sunshine
266
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Waterfront Redevelopment: A Grecian Flat Earth Day Theory?
Waterfront
267
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Library: Contingent on Waterfront Redevelopment?
Library, Waterfront
268
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Calling A Charade A Charade
Environment
269
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Waterfront Redevelopment: Are Circadian Rhythms To Blame?
Waterfront
270
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Whatcom County Budget Deficit: Surprise?
Budgets
271
Thursday, April 30, 2009
How Swine Flu Is Transmitted -OR- How Lipstick Gets On A Pig
Humor
272
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A Name Tag That Says 'SURVIVOR'
Personal
273
Monday, May 4, 2009
Library: Facts or Attacks?
Library
274
Sunday, May 10, 2009
It's Local Election Time Again
Elections
275
Monday, May 11, 2009
HamsterTalk: Labels
Blog
276
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Olympic Pipe Line 'Incident': Personal Reflections
OlympicPipeLine
277
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
'Politics Without Principle'
Elections, Politics
278
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Politics: What Kind of Science?
Government, Politics
279
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
California: Terminal or Just Normal?
Budgets, Government, Politics, Taxes
280
Saturday, May 23, 2009
WRIA-1: Wasted Resources or Important Asset?
Environment, Government, PlanningGrowth, Politics, WRIA-1
281
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Budget: FAST or Famine?
Budgets, Government, Politics
282
Monday, May 25, 2009
Citizenship: Pen Versus Sword
Citizenship, Government, Landlords, Neighborhoods, Politics, Sunshine
283
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Waterfront Redevelopment: Changes in the Wind?
Budgets, EconomicDevelopment, Elections, Environment, Government, LEED, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Taxes, Waterfront
284
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Leopold: Barbers of B-Ville
Humor, Personal
285
Thursday, June 4, 2009
WAL-MART: Hate to Say 'I Told You So', but....
Budgets, PlanningGrowth, Taxes, WAL-MART
286
Friday, June 5, 2009
Growth Management: Choosing Our Sprawl & How To Pay For It
Budgets, Elections, Government, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Taxes, WRIA-1
287
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Economic Development: Why Not Combine City & Port?
Annexation, EconomicDevelopment, Government, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Waterfront
288
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Olympic Pipe Line -Versus- Lake Whatcom Reservoir
Elections, Lake, OlympicPipeLine, Politics
289
Sunday, June 14, 2009
More Library Volleys
Government, Library, Taxes
290
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Center For Watershed Protection: Helpful Articles
Environment, Lake, PlanningGrowth, Water/Sewer
291
Monday, June 15, 2009
Local Labor Boss Issues 11th Hour 'Warning'
Budgets, EconomicDevelopment, Government, LivingWage, PlanningGrowth, Sunshine, Taxes, WAL-MART
292
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS: Can They Work?
Environment, Government, Lake, PlanningGrowth, TDRs
293
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Draft Sewer Plan: Perpetually Unfinished Business
Annexation, Budgets, PlanningGrowth, Water/Sewer
294
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Population Forecasts: Numerology or Just Mind-Numbing?
EconomicDevelopment, Government, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
295
Saturday, June 27, 2009
On Kings & Things
NEWS
296
Monday, June 29, 2009
A Tale of Two Cities: Role Models for Bellingham?
Citizenship, Government, LEED, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
297
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Cheap Versus Free
Citizenship, Government, PlanningGrowth, Politics
298
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Toolkit Complaint
Citizenship, Government, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
299
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Healthcare & Walmart
Citizenship, Government, Healthcare, Politics, WAL-MART
300
Monday, July 6, 2009
Triple Bottom Line: What Does TBL Mean?
EconomicDevelopment, Elections, Environment, Government, LEED, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Waterfront
301
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Politics: Paleontology & Palintology
Elections, Government, Politics
302
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Budget Reporting: Whatcom County's Home Charter Mystique
Budgets, Elections, Government, Politics, Sunshine
303
Friday, July 10, 2009
Climate: Global Warming, Local Anomaly or Normal?
Environment, LEED, Sunshine
304
Saturday, July 11, 2009
On Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth
305
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Healthcare: Simple or Complicated?
Government, Healthcare, Politics
306
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Gloom, Despair & Agony on Me...
Humor, Personal, Politics
307
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
“The Ship the Nazis Had to Get”
Personal
308
Friday, July 17, 2009
Under Promising & Over Delivering
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Politics, Sunshine
309
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Blue Dogs & 'No Hogs'
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Healthcare, Politics
310
Friday, July 24, 2009
More on Healthcare: Knowledge as Truth
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Healthcare, Politics
311
Friday, July 24, 2009
Port: Populist Instrument or Bete Noir?
EconomicDevelopment, Elections, Environment, Government, Politics
312
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Lake Whatcom: Is TMDL a Waste of Time?
Citizenship, Elections, Environment, Government, Lake, Politics
313
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Water Meters: It's About Time
Government, Politics, Water/Sewer
314
Monday, July 27, 2009
HamsterTalk's 2nd Birthday
Blog, Government, Politics, Sunshine
315
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Gorilla
Humor
316
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Famous Pig
Humor
317
Thursday, July 30, 2009
On 'Town & Gown' Issues
Government, Landlords, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
318
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lake Whatcom: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Citizenship, Environment, Government, Lake, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Water/Sewer
319
Saturday, August 1, 2009
August: Getting Started on the Right Foot
Citizenship, Environment, Government, Lake, Personal, PlanningGrowth, Water/Sewer
320
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
N.O.A.A: Crying In Our Beer?
Elections, Government, Politics, Waterfront
321
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Healthcare: The Status Quo Has Got To Go!
Healthcare
322
Friday, August 14, 2009
Entertainment: Pulp Fiction & Port Sport
EconomicDevelopment, Elections, Government, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Sunshine, Waterfront
323
Monday, August 17, 2009
Healthcare: More Heat Than Light?
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Healthcare, Politics
324
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A Potpourri Of News: Port Primary & County Growth Management
Elections, Government, Lake, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Waterfront
325
Friday, August 21, 2009
Healthcare: More Perspectives
Government, Healthcare, Politics
326
Friday, August 21, 2009
Humor: Genealogical Convolutions
Humor
327
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Parks: Woodstock Farm & Inspiration Point
Greenways, Parks
328
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Three Topics: Healthcare, Climate, NOAA
Environment, Healthcare, Waterfront
329
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Growth Management: An Exercise In Futility?
Annexation, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Waterfront
330
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Waterfront Redevelopment: How Long Can You Tread Water?
Waterfront
331
Monday, August 31, 2009
Library: From Top Priority To Something Less
EconomicDevelopment, Government, Library, PFD, Taxes
332
Monday, September 7, 2009
More on Cake Baking
Government, Healthcare, Personal, Politics
333
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Library: Consolidation Via Deus Ex Machina?
Government, Library, NEWS, Politics
334
Friday, September 11, 2009
On Peak Oil
Energy, Environment, Government, Politics
335
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Local Politics: 25 Reasons?
Elections, Government, Politics, Stormwater, Water/Sewer, WRIA-1
336
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Bellingham's New Transportation Commission
PlanningGrowth, Transportation
337
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fairhaven Highlands: Entertainment for Silly Season
Government, Greenways, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
338
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Fairhaven Highlands: DEIS Summary Findings
Government, Greenways, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Sunshine, Transportation
339
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Chartreuse?

340
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Healthcare: Trick or Treat Time
Government, Healthcare, Politics
341
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Endurance & Politics
Elections, Government, Politics
342
Saturday, December 12, 2009
County Council: Who Would You Appoint?
Elections, Government, Politics
343
Monday, December 14, 2009
Affordable Housing Toolkit: Inclusionary Zoning
Government, Neighborhoods, PlanningGrowth, Politics
344
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
US Healthcare: Big Tent or Big Top?
Government, Healthcare, Politics
345
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Hallelujah, Halleluyah and Alleluia!
Healthcare
346
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
County Council: Appointment or Disappointment?
Elections, Government, Politics
347
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Welcoming 2010
Personal
348
Friday, January 8, 2010
Lake Whatcom: Little Ducky Duddle's Fault?
Elections, Environment, Government, Lake, PlanningGrowth, Politics, Reconveyance
349
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Lake Whatcom: Fiddling with Phosphorus
Environment, Government, Lake, PlanningGrowth, Politics
350
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Healthcare & March Madness
Healthcare, Politics, Sports
351
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Cycles & Recycles
Blog, Government, Lake, Landlords, Parks, Politics, Waterfront
352
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
BP's Deja Vu Squared
Energy, Environment, Government, OlympicPipeLine, Politics
353
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
What A Difference 238 Years Make
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Politics
354
Friday, August 20, 2010
History: A Zero Sum Game?
Citizenship, Government, Politics
355
Monday, August 30, 2010
Individual Rights & 'Right Things To Do' Aren't The Same.
Citizenship, Government, Politics
356
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Caveat Lector & Voter!
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Politics
357
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Elite Or Effete?
Government, Politics
358
Monday, November 1, 2010
For Whom Will The Polls Toll?
Elections, Politics
359
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Trouble With Liberty?
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Politics
360
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Politics, Popularity & Priorities
Budgets, Government, Politics, Taxes
361
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Jabberwocky

Government, Politics
362
Monday, February 28, 2011
Ill Fares The Land
Citizenship, Elections, Government, Politics
363
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear...
Coal, EconomicDevelopment, Energy, Environment, PlanningGrowth
364

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Budgets & Policy: Tomorrow's Just Your Future Yesterday
Budgets, Government, Politics, Taxes
365

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
BLOG INDEX
Blog
366
================================

Budgets & Policy: Tomorrow's Just Your Future Yesterday

---------------------------------------
Craig Ferguson wrote a catchy theme song for his Late, Late Show:

It's hard to stay up
It's been a long, long day
And you got the sandman at the door
But hang on, leave the TV on
And let's do it anyway
It's ok
You can always sleep through work tomorrow, OK?
Hey hey
Tomorrow's just your future yesterday

That last line somehow stuck with me.
---------------------------------------
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd. - Voltaire

“When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also add that some things are more nearly certain than others” - Bertrand Russell

The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is unchangeable or certain. -John F. Kennedy

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are so confident while the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell
---------------------------------------

A leading blessing -and curse- of our political system is its very dynamics, which encourages constant change.
This makes some folks feel uncomfortable while giving others something to fight for and welcome.
But, since hope springs eternal, each change attempted or made carries with it a promise to help solve some problem or benefit some cause.
The problem comes when people have different ideas about what is good or necessary and what is not.
And, since all things are ultimately connected and fairly delicately balanced, it matters that an honest effort at fairness and sustainability be made in our decision making.

Just think for a moment about budgets, whether Federal, local, global or individual.
Why do we have them and why do they matter?

Isn't there a practical limit to our resources, whether fiscal, ecological or social?
Isn't there also the question of reliably meeting established needs and anticipating future requirements?

Even though most real time decisions are made in the present moment, shouldn't these consider the continuum of time?
After all, radical disruptions/dislocations to businesses, climate or society do cause painful and worrisome effects.

Wouldn't it be nice if a clear majority of citizens could agree, once and for all, what is truly essential in life and set that aside from tampering by greedy, short-sighted or criminal elements?
That way, at least some lasting degree of certainty could be established to benefit us all.

Businesses like certainty; just ask any owner, CEO or shareholder.
People like certainty; just ask any employee, family member or investor.
Nature likes certainty; just ask any farmer, hunter, seaman, aviator or species- for that matter.
---------------------------------------

Our current budget debates in Washington, DC simply reflect what is happening at other levels of government, as well as businesses, households, institutions and charities.
This is integral to our priorities; meaning those things we consider most essential.
But it is also about our ability -and willingness- to pay for what we get.
To expect otherwise is wishful thinking at best, and patent ignorance at worst.

When budgets are established, debated, approved and adopted, are they written in stone -never to be altered?
Maybe more like written in Jello, as my Oncologist once described experimental treatment protocols.
But regardless of where and how budgets are written, we don't expect having to repeat EVERY argument each time budgets are revisited in the future.
There simply has to be SOME degree of constancy that can be relied upon in matters of importance to our society.
Don't you agree?

---------------------------------------
All that seems indispensable in stating the account between the dead and the living, is to see that the debts against the latter do not exceed the advances made by the former. - James Madison

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations. - James Madison

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority. - James Madison

There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and which, therefore, more needs elucidation, than the current one, that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong. - James Madison
---------------------------------------

When I started this post, linking to multiple articles to illustrate points crossed my mind, but I ditched that idea.
Too many words on a complicated subject are hard to write and even harder to read.
So, instead, a few more quotable sources are cited.
---------------------------------------
"The present is the only reality and the only certainty." - Arthur Schopenhauer

For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future. - Barbara Jordan

If you aren't in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back to pain and regret. - Jim Carrey
---------------------------------------

Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear...

Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad was a railroad that was built in northwest Washington State, between the town of Bellingham, Washington, to the town of Sumas, Washington to connect with the Canadian Pacific Railway for a continental connection.

The company was incorporated in California on June 21, 1883. After the Northern Pacific Railroad chose Tacoma over Fairhaven, Washington on Bellingham Bay, local railroad boosters along with Nelson Bennett at their head started the B.B. and B.C. Railroad in 1891.

A line around the north side of Lake Whatcom to the Blue Canyon coal mines was completed as many short lines to numerous logging camps. Signs of these old roads can be found through out the county.

The B.B. and B.C. was taken over by the Bellingham and Northern Railway in 1912, which in turn was taken over by Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway in 1918.


----------------------
NW Citizen's article posted recently poses some potentially very plausible scenarios regarding the proposed coal exporting terminal at Cherry Point, plus some other useful links.

But the ideas discussed aren't really new; they are recycled from various parts of our history, beginning about 1883 or so, then repeated at intervals from the beginning of the 20th Century, when JJ Donovan proposed a direct rail route to Spokane through Glacier and Cascade Pass, to the 1980's, to the present - with other whistle stops in between.

For those who remember the 'Lone Ranger' radio broadcasts, this latest coal hype sounds a lot like a "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear."
As much as we may have liked the Lone Ranger and his good exploits, he was a fictional character.
So is the concept of 'Clean Coal', which tries to substitute Mr Clean for the real Coal Miner with his blackened lungs.
Of course, 'yesteryear' was also a time when natural resource extraction was paramount in these parts, and dreams of making Bellingham a major west coast rail terminal were actively promoted.

Why, any enterprising entrepreneur could become almost as rich as a railroad robber baron, with a little luck and access to the bountiful timber, coal, gold/minerals, fish and other local natural resources!
Alas! The railroads instead followed more logical routes, relegating Bellingham largely to a secondary, spur status.
But hope springs eternal, and demand for raw materials - as well as value-added goods - follows dynamic market forces.

Now, China -which already supplies many of our value-added products- wants cheap raw materials/fuel to expand its ability to create more jobs to expand its burgeoning economy.
And, who in the name of free markets can blame them?
After all, who really believes in 'triple bottom line accounting?
[For those unfamiliar with the term, it means paying more than winking attention to actually balancing critical social and environmental aspects as integral parts to an economic evaluation]

It is distressing that even after over a century of so-called growth and progress, we [some of us anyway] are still dreaming about making huge corporate profits by strip mining a fossil fuel, hauling it 1500 miles by train, then several thousand miles by ship, and delivering it at $14 per ton to our major competitor.
And that's not counting the impacts of laying new track over rich farmland, building a huge marshaling yard and terminal to handle continuous train loads of coal, and further distressing our scenic and sensitive coastal and inland waters with a monstrous ship loading facility, and its attendant noise, airborne dust and, stormwater pollution and run-off directly into a rich aquatic breeding ground for species that feed our valuable salmon. [and us]

All of this effort is to expand the continued burning of coal, at a time when we already know its polluting costs!
Any economic benefits from local [short term] construction, jobs and operations will be enjoyed by very few, and likely be dwarfed by the air pollution and jobs created in China, not to speak of local public infrastructure subsidies likely required and negative impacts to our living environment.

And, let's don't forget the mitigation and/or adaption costs to Bellingham and Whatcom County, and quality of life that has promoted us to multiple 'Best Places' lists.
What do you expect happens when continuous, noisy trains are unleashed to dump their poisonous loads onto awaiting mega ships to ply our local waters on their way to polluting foreign air -which will eventually return to us bearing particulate matter and ever more green house gases?

You'd think that a country/region so technologically advanced as ours would think more than twice about returning to those short-sighted practices of the past century.
After all the visioning, planning and effort/expense that has into sustaining a viable economy, environment and quality of life, it would a shame to nullify our collective investment as a community.
But hey, the incentive for indiscriminate corporate profits still seems to reign supreme, doesn't it?
Small wonder since our highest court has ruled corporations are equivalent to people!
---------

Some of us recall the idea of a bulk terminal at Cherry Point to haul trainloads of grain across northern Whatcom County from Canada.
That scheme was being promoted by Port of Bellingham Commissioner Scott Walker, among others, about 10 years ago, which reflected a long term fixation on building big industrial facilities in that area.

Unfortunately, that particular fixation refuses to die, despite the expensive economic development report -commissioned by the Port- which recommended dramatically different strategies, like allowing infill from regional businesses to occur more naturally in the corridor between the Vancouver, BC and Seattle.
In fact, the Port was so surprised by the [$250k] Deloitte & Touche Report that they actually asked the consultant to reconsider/alter its recommendations! [They refused]

Subsequently, the Port & City have collaborated in trying to redevelop our waterfront, with the existing shoreline BNSF Railroad a significant impediment. [It's hard to imagine the Railroad permitting -or building- a second track along this route, anyway, due to multiple factors, not the least of which are safety and ecologically related]

In the meantime, Whatcom County has not been supportive of either the Waterfront Redevelopment or the Port's role as lead agency for economic development. You have to ask, 'what does each jurisdiction have to gain or lose' from the proposed Coal Terminal?
I suspect the Port will be involved in some capacity, since products would be entering and leaving Whatcom County across borders and shorelines, but I don't know.
Whatcom County's position is likely more political. First, they will welcome ANY additional jobs or revenue, almost without regard to details like negative impacts. Second, since northern County cities like Sumas, Lynden and Ferndale see themselves as potential beneficiaries, the County administration will likely be happy to claim any credit for the Terminal going forward, especially during economic hard times - which do provide some political cover.
----------------

Without access to any more facts that we have now, I don't believe the Coal Terminal proposal is a good thing for us, either now or in the future. Like Cinderella's slipper, it just does not fit her ugly step-sister!
While economic health is something that does benefit our community, it should not be necessary to accept EVERY idea that comes down the pike without critical examination. Sometimes, it is necessary to just say NO.
-------------------
OF INTEREST:
In light of the recent earthquake-caused tsunami that created the most recent radioactivity problem in Japan, this link provides information that puts our global situation in truer focus:

From one perspective, nuclear power has been remarkably safe. The 1986 Chernobyl accident will ultimately kill about 10,000 people, mostly from cancer.
Coal plants are much deadlier: the fine-particulate air pollution they produce kills about 10,000 people each year in the United States alone.

Whatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from a Nooksack word meaning "noisy water."
Think we ought to make some noise about this issue?
We can do better - much better!
--------------------

Ill Fares The Land

-------------------------
It's been a while since I've posted, but that's not due to a lack of worthy subject matter.
Rather, I've been absorbed lately in reading, thinking, and trying to reprogram myself a bit- physically, mentally & emotionally.

A most welcome visit by my son, Tom, was accompanied by the passing of my dear little sister, Mary.
So, my joy was counter-balanced by some sadness, as is often the case.

But, life does go on and we must accept it as we can.
-------------------------
"Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey; Where wealth accumulates, and men decay." - Oliver Goldsmith, The Deserted Village (1770)
-------------------------
One thing that should NOT be acceptable to us is continuing to neglect our situation of growing political and economic dysfunction.
While a certain amount of conflict and controversy is built in to our system, we have exceeded healthy levels.
Even more troubling is the threat of escalating contentiousness, at the very time we need to come together with a sense of urgency.

With so many serious problems, like unemployment, health-care needs, international wars & turmoil, environmental threats, severe fiscal realities, regulatory failures, educational challenges, immigration worries, corporate & union misuse of power, banal & biased media misinformation, rampant lobbying, manufactured brinkmanship and political shenanigans of every stripe, we desperately need to get our elected officials' attention!

And, then focus them on coming up with practical solutions that respect prior programs, and provide for future needs as best we can, starting with the problems in bold, above, then moving to others.

What has evolved over time is not likely to be set right quickly, but we can develop a plan and mandate the discipline to follow it.
All this self-serving petty posturing, hypocritical rhetoric, clever wordsmithing, dodging candid answers, partisan bickering, fear mongering, blame games, lying and selective truth-telling, parliamentary trickery, legalistic nonsense, saber-rattling, and demagoguery needs to stop, at least long enough to achieve some real progress on what truly qualifies as a multi-dimensional national emergency!

-------------------------
I recently read -and recommend-Ill Fares The Land by Tony Judt, which projects lessons learned forward, challenging readers to debate "what comes next?" and makes the case for renewed social democracy. Here are a few excerpts of book reviews:

Judt's death in 2010, occurred at exactly the moment when the use of fear and anger by the right is reaching dangerous proportions.
He deserves praise for carrying out what he himself described as the historian's task "to tell what is almost always an uncomfortable story and explain why the discomfort is part of the truth we need to live well and live properly. A well-organized society is one in which we know the truth about ourselves collectively, not one in which we tell pleasant lies about ourselves".

Written under the debilitating effects of ALS, Ill Fares The Land, has been described as Judt's "most overtly political book" and a "dramatic intervention" in the decline of the progressive ideals of the 20th century. Judt laments the breakdown of the post-war Keynesian policy consensus, the rise of Austrian Neo-liberal economics in the West and its political manifestations under Thatcher, Reagan et al.

He notes the limited triangulation achieved by the Third Way and the paradoxical resurgence of the Right after the Global Financial Crisis.

He asks: where to now for social democracy?, and concludes that nothing less than a radical restatement of the values of equality and community can stem the challenge of the hegemonic Right.

He explored how the social contract that defined post-war Europe and the US and the guarantee of security, stability, and fairness was no longer considered a legitimate social goal and how a social democratic vision could win back the disaffected by creating a "civic language" that could support a renewed social contract between governments and their citizens.

Editorial Review

Something is profoundly wrong with the way we think about how we should live today.

In Ill Fares The Land, Tony Judt, one of our leading historians and thinkers, reveals how we have arrived at our present dangerously confused moment.
Judt masterfully crystallizes what we’ve all been feeling into a way to think our way into, and thus out of, our great collective dis-ease about the current state of things.

As the economic collapse of 2008 made clear, the social contract that defined postwar life in Europe and America – the guarantee of a basal level of security, stability and fairness -- is no longer guaranteed; in fact, it’s no longer part of the common discourse.
Judt offers the language we need to address our common needs, rejecting the nihilistic individualism of the far right and the debunked socialism of the past.
To find a way forward, we must look to our not so distant past and to social democracy in action: to re-enshrining fairness over mere efficiency.

Distinctly absent from our national dialogue, social democrats believe that the state can play an enhanced role in our lives without threatening our liberties.
Instead of placing blind faith in the market—as we have to our detriment for the past thirty years—social democrats entrust their fellow citizens and the state itself.

Ill Fares the Land challenges us to confront our societal ills and to shoulder responsibility for the world we live in.
For hope remains. In reintroducing alternatives to the status quo,
Judt reinvigorates our political conversation, providing the tools necessary to imagine a new form of governance, a new way of life.
---------------
About the Author
Tony Judt was born in London in 1948 and died in NYC in 2010.
He was educated at King's College, Cambridge and the École Normale Supérieure, Paris, and has taught at Cambridge, Oxford, Berkeley and New York University, where he is currently the Erich Maria Remarque Professor of European Studies and Director of the Remarque Institute, which is dedicated to the study of Europe and which he founded in 1995.

The author or editor of twelve books, he has been a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, The New Republic, The New York Times and many other journals in Europe and the US.
Professor Judt was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a Permanent Fellow of the Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen (Vienna).
He is the author of Reappraisals: Reflections On The Forgotten Twentieth Century and Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945, which was one of the New York Times Book Review’s Ten Best Books of 2005, the winner of the Council on Foreign Relations Arthur Ross Book Award, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

-------------------------
"Our greatest glory consists not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall."~ Oliver Goldsmith
-------------------------