A Democratic Weekend in Tacoma?

21 comments

• T Thorax O'Tool October 20, 2008

  Meh.

  Dems = Repubs = snake oil salesmen

  Doesn’t matter who the candidate is, they’re all just talking heads. Let me know when a candidate actually capable of rational, critical thinking comes to town.

• R RR Anderson October 20, 2008

  it’s an attitude like that thorax that will get a snake like Rossi into office.

• W WesS October 20, 2008

  I was at Cheney Stadium.

  Not trying to hash over the red/blue thing, but to raise some Tacoma aspects of the event.

  The stump speech, after all, was about like the usual Biden stump speech; possibly more energy than usual, as the word around the place was that the crowd was Biden’s largest of the campaign. I’ve seen 11,000, and 12,000 as estimates. Stadium’s seating capacity is listed at 9600, and though there were some empty seats in the right-field bleachers, there was standing-room in the infield and a goodly number of folks on the platform as well.

  I was worried that the senator would announce his happiness to be “here in Seattle” — but he got it right, calling it Tacoma every time. He had a little fun, understandably, at the expense of the name of the stadium.

  Crowd management was awkward; after the stadium parking lot was full, late arrivals had to park in the neighborhoods & contend with an hour-long line snaking up from Tyler Street, past Foss HS, behind the right-field fence, and between parked cars to the main stadium entrance, then along the grandstand aisle, down & around & up again to the bleachers. TPD personnel were really helpful on several occasions.

  Candidates & Democratic personages on the stage included not only key speakers Cantwell, Murray, Gregoire & Biden, but also (perhaps with speaking parts before we arrived) Goldmark, Ladenburg, Burner, Dicks, Adam Smith, … not sure who else.

  One more commercial note: I expect that our friends at the S. 12th Pizza Time did a booming business this evening; every car we saw parked along our route out had their flyers on windshields.

• M michael g. October 20, 2008

  @1: That kind of thinking was common in 2000 (when too many would-be Gore voters went for Nader), but if we’re to learn anything from eight years of Bush, it has to be that there are huge differences between the two major parties. As far as rational, critical thinking candidates go, you’re not going to do any better than the guy Biden was here campaigning for.

• T Thorax O'Tool October 20, 2008

  Actually, let’s not forget that during the 8 years of Bush, the Democratic legislature repeatedly passed Dub-yuh’s laws. Let’s not forget that Pelosi, the Speaker of the House repeatedly kept impeachment off the table… even though there never has been a president that deserved impeachment as much as Bush. Iraq war? Patriot Act? BOTH parties rubber stamped them.
  Neither the Senate nor House has enough spine to do what they should have done.

  Voting Democrat or Republican ultimately matters not, since they only answer to their corporate masters and their own career path.

  The best you can do is vote your conscience. If Gergoire/Obama/Dems are what your conscience agrees with, then more power to you. If Rossi/McSame/Republicans are what floats your boat, then float away my friend.
  Just don’t forget that until politicians are actually held accountable and until corporate america isn’t allowed to lobby or contribute to campaigns, our elected officials don’t work for us.
  The last 8 years is proof enough of that.

• T Tacoma (A)roma October 20, 2008

  Thorax O’Tool; I think we’re soulmates.

• M Michelle October 20, 2008

  Didn’t anyone notice that he mispronounced Cheney Stadium (pronounced chee-nee)? Instead he called it Cheney, as in Dick Cheney (pronounced cha-nee), twice. First, when he facetiously said thanks for allowing him to temporarily change the name to Obama/Biden Stadium. And second, when he talked about other democratic candidates who’ve previously spoken at the stadium.

• T tomtuttle October 20, 2008

  Is there really any difference between that voting map and a population-density map?

• I I'm for Change (for tacoma) October 20, 2008

  Thx Michelle – Being (somewhat) new to Tacoma, I didn’t know how to pronounce the stadium name. Now why is it called Cheney? Oops, still in my head I call it a worthless selfish souless evil dick.

• R RR Anderson October 21, 2008

  yeah they didn’t give bushy the ol heave ho. but that’s politics for you. They played it cool and now the dems stand ready to make this country a one party nation with control of the white house and over 60% of congress…

  and with the republicans down and out the reign of terror revenge convictions can begin free of presidential pardons.

  Republican Party is the new Whig Party.

• K Kristin October 21, 2008

  . . . and for what its worth, let us not make our candidates “a-human.”

  I imagine the microscope “they” (“us” ultimately) are placed under. Its surreal, really. While in reality these candidates, whether its McCain, Palin, Obama, Biden, well, I imagine they are like us. They deserve credit for placing themselves under fire at the risk of (admittedly, romantically speaking) losing face.

  I appreciate the work that all candidates have put forth. For what its worth. I appreciate that someone had the gumption to run and change our current state. And to them I say thank you.

• M michael g. October 21, 2008

  I agree that a D president isn’t going to renounce or prosecute some important mistakes (and crimes) committed by the previous admin., but the policy differences — and effect on ordinary Americans’ lives in terms of policies on health care, environment, energy, torture, due process, and progressive taxation, to name a few issues — is very significant. And dismissed at one’s peril.

• J jamie from thriceallamerican October 21, 2008

  @Thorax: This map shows something I’ve said for years. When they split the Oregon Territory back in the 1850s, they shoulda gone north-south along the Cascades. In terms of population, economics, etc, Western WA & OR are very, very different animals than Eastern WA & OR.

  At risk of totally changing the subject, I think we have to admit that when we finally (and mercifully) split from the rest of the U.S. and join with Oregon, Northern California, and B.C. to form the mighty Republic of Cascadia, we will need the eastern parts of our states to provide our agriculture. Viva Cascadia! (Hope my wife never gets nominated for Veep, because I may have just pulled a “Todd Palin”…)

• T Thorax O'Tool October 21, 2008

  “but the policy differences — and effect on ordinary Americans’ lives in terms of policies on health care, environment, energy, torture, due process, and progressive taxation, to name a few issues“

  Torture? That will not be changed until Gitmo is closed, which will not happen until the Patriot Act is struck down, and all the massive erosion of civil liberties is stopped and reversed.
  Not gonna happen under a democratic presidency; not gonna happen for the foreseeable future. Look at the UK; we’re only a decade behind them.
  Environment? Granted, some changes will trickle down, but with the money big oil has, it’s only a matter of time till we see more drilling in AK. Or god forbid off the WA coast (I can’t believe some people actually think that is a good idea).
  Energy? That contradicts the environmental stance of the D’s. The most ideal and greenest power technology we have that can provide the juice we need is nuclear. No reactors have been built in the US since 1987. Solar is a half joke, it’s still too much in it’s infancy to be a tangible option yet.
  Due process? Please see my post @ 14.
  Health care? The current health care system has 2 flaws that no party can resolve. 1) it’s for profit. 2) it’s not designed to be preventative. Wil 60 million baby boomers about to roll over into their twilight years, health care is far too profitable to truly overhaul. Expect a few little changes, just enough to distract you away from the status quo. If President Clinton couldn’t overhaul the system as is needed, Obama stands no chance.
  Progressive Taxation? There may be a slight trend towards more fairness, but considering just how HUGE the current national debt is, taxes will have to go up across the board… recession or not. Gotta pay for Paulson’s $700 billion somehow. And remember kids, taxation also comes in that sneaky invisible form: inflation. It’s kinda like carbon monoxide — by the time you notice it, it’s already too late.

• R rick October 21, 2008

  I was having a pretty good day, today. Then I read Mr. Happy’s post @17. Up ‘til now, I had no idea that our collective situation is so dismal, and apparently beyond repair. In my head (among the other voices), I swear I heard the Lilliputian, Glum, declare, “We’re doomed! We’ll never make it!” Momentarily, I felt compelled to leap from my office window. However, the three foot fall probably wouldn’t inflict the life ending injuries necessary to spare me from the wretched future. Plus, the broken glass would have really f’d up my Kenneth Cole kicks—I’ll be damned if Nordstrom is getting another nickel from me (until the half yearly sale, beginning December 26th… see you there!). I digress. Luckily, my next thought bubble included a tinge of optimism. Then it occurred to me that the @17 post was decidedly an editorial. Mere declaration on the author’s part does not [thankfully] make a statement true. Why can we not put an end to torture? I suggest (equally lacking any supporting evidence, mind you) that indeed we can. I’m no fan of the Patriot Act, or the FISA capitulation, but can we not act to fix, improve, revoke or otherwise positively affect the situation? I say yes. Easy as it is to finger blame “big oil”, it is, instead “big oil demand” that is fundamental to our ability to affect a key aspect of our environmental risks. Can we not embark collectively to promote change, to innovate, to make individual incremental improvements to reduce demand in the near term while working for fundamental improvements in the various alternative energy sources – among them, perhaps nuclear? Yes. Solar is a half joke? For every innovation or technological leap, there were a myriad of naysayers. I hear they have a club or society or something, you may want to look into it… The health care system certainly has flaws. Why Clinton was our only hope, as was suggested, I’m having trouble determining. Do we have super duper serious fiscal issues? You betcha! Besides the bailout, we put the tab for a couple wars on our collective AMEX card, and the payments are going to suck. Luckily we’ve had the traditional fiscal conservatives in power in recent years… By the way, “fairness”, as it relates to the progressive tax system is a matter of perspective. As with most people, Mr. Happy and I certainly agree that the topics listed are serious issues. Yet, our agreement ends there. T O’T, if you wish to conclude that it all sucks, can’t get better, and there’s nothing that can be done, you’re certainly welcome to do so. You must be a hoot at dinner parties! If it’s OK with you though, I’ll choose to believe that indeed there is the possibility to positively affect our collective future, and to do so within the current structure of our democracy. Perfection, it is not. Easy, it won’t be. We won’t all agree on the “path”. And every effort won’t be successful. But try we should, yes? Yes. As you continue to moderate nearly every discussion thread, please consider posting a warning on the front end of those entries that are particularly discouraging. I’ll see if I can scrape up a Prozac or two prior to reading. If this comes off as condescending [condescend: 1. to behave as if one is conscious of descending from a superior position, rank, or dignity. 2. to stoop or deign to do something: “He would not condescend to misrepresent the facts.”] please know that I may or may not have meant it that way. To be fair, I’ll consider my own warning. Danger: [(rickish)-(r)+(d)] comment ahead. Good day!

• K Kristin October 22, 2008

  Rick. Bravo Sir.

• S Squid October 22, 2008

  rick@18: a long post, but eloquent, sir. And if you take your prozac with an Oregon/Cascadia Pinot Noir, you will only need one pill.

  On the nuclear issue, was I sleeping when they figured out how to clean up the crap? And, remind me how long it takes to build a facility – 10-20 years?

• T Thorax O'Tool October 25, 2008

  No one solution is perfect or anywhere near ideal.
  Do note that all commentary from myself is neither intended to cause window-jumping en masse nor is it intended to make the stock value of prozac go up.
  Like it or not, my above “editorial” is the most likely scenario simply because the system is pretty well broken. We can’t rely on the political establishment to fix the problem… they are the problem.

  There is absolutely no reason why We The People can’t get our collective asses in gear and begin fixing the problems. People (in general) just need to stop thinking about only themselves for once and give a rip about others. Feeding the hungry in Pierce CO from May 2007 to 2008, FISH provided food to 313,962. What’s more important? That plasma TV you don’t really need or helping out a food bank feed 300,000 of your neighbors? Times are tough, it’s the perfect opportunity to build community. Carpool with your coworkers. Take the bus or walk… reduce your need for gas. Shop local, grow your own veggies. Do favors for neighbors and chores for the elderly without expecting repayment. Barter. Et cetera.
  If we want to fix the screwed up world we live in, we CANNOT rely on those in power, nor can we fight the monster directly (it’s far too powerful).
  Grassroots is the way to go. Don’t re-elect any incumbents. The more we keep Olympia and DC on their toes, the more likely they’ll be to listen to what the People want. Americans don’t want gitmo or torture. But we can’t march on it and protest (even if you could get to Cuba). So we change our attitudes here at home, clean house in politics and most importantly, we need to own up for our own responsibility in the mess we’re in.
  I’m not removing blame from politician X, I’m reminding us that they were put in office by us.
  Of course that alone won’t fix the problems. When it all comes down to it, this is the solution:
  We need a paradigm shift in our society and culture to a model that properly values humanity over the dollar and it’s pursuit.
  It only takes 1 person to get the ball rolling and all you have to do is Don’t buy it. Reject what parts of modern culture don’t fit and are harmful. Spending more than you could ever hope to pay back? Don’t buy it. Working too many hours at a job you hate? Hunger in this city? Don’t buy it.
  Fight back, fight back, fight back. remember if anything, the famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi:
  “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”

  This isn’t trickle-down economics; this is trickle-up responsibility.

• T Thorax O'Tool October 25, 2008

  …and in reference to Clinton and healthcare, I was referring to the fact that it was on Bill’s and Hill’s front burner, and they still didn’t manage to reform it in any meaningful way. Whereas it currently isn’t the top O’Obama’s priorities, so you can imagine little would get accomplished.

  No more, no less.

• J J. Cote October 26, 2008

  WOW!!!!!
  Great posts, TO’T and Rick.
  Social awareness is alive and breathing in “T-Town” and I love it!
  If you don’t like the way things are going, then quicherbichin and do something to help fix it.Help out at the “Friday Night Feed”, Don’t stop at dropping off a few cans of peas at a food bank, give them a couple hours of your time, sweep the leaves out of the gutter and catch basin on your street, pick up a blown down campaign sign and recycle it, help an elderly or disabled neighbor with some yard work (maybe surprise them by raking their leaves or cutting their grass), smile at a stranger in the grocery line and wish them a “good day”.
  It all sounds so easy because it is. It’s called civility. Be nice to people that you don’t know. TO’T is right in so many ways and so is rick. Have a great tomorrow, Tacoma. You deserve it.

• M Mofo from the Hood October 26, 2008

  Thorax @21 had me cheering for a great response to Rick @18. American ingenuity! These colors don’t run!

  Then the whole speech collapsed from the weight of a quote from Mahatma Gandhi.