I guess "escorts" resent being called "prostitutes."

Spitzer Call Girl Says She's No Prostitute

NEW YORK -- The escort at the center of the scandal that brought down former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said she didn't realize who he was until the scandal broke.

In an interview with Diane Sawyer, Ashley Dupre insists on ABC News' "20/20" that she's not a prostitute, saying that being an escort involves much more than just sex.

She had earlier told People magazine she felt connected to Spitzer's wife, but not to the former governor. She said she saw the pain in Spitzer's wife's eyes when the situation became public.

There was a captivating story in the press today that touches on not one, but TWO scenarios that had really bad endings in the sci-fi stories:


( Read more... )

The Issaquah Press ran this story about the Unincorporated Area Councils, including the 4-Creeks Council between Renton and issaquah. As expected, county budget cuts are high on everyone's worry list right now. In the city we are a bit more insulated in some areas (local services), but the county budget still affects many regional services we depend on.

The three Lawyers duking it out at today's Rossi deposition quickly discovered that the legal arena and the political arena are two different theaters.

The attorneys were squabbling like school children by the end of the session; they were threatening each other with defamation lawsuits, arguing about who was yelling at who, calling each other the most disrespectful attorney they had ever met, and threatening that they were "this close" to calling (Mom), the judge, at any moment...but not following up on it.

Dino Rossi, the person who had cleared his schedule to be deposed, was the one who did the least amount of talking. But when he did say something, he came out swinging, answering each question with an answer that would embarrass the Gregoire campaign. As a result, the attorney deposing him would quickly say "move to strike", claiming that Rossi's answer needed to be stricken from the record. Then, Rossi's attorney would argue that it was a fine answer, and the whole process would start again.

I'm now even more convinced that the courts have their place, and political campaigns have their own very different place.

I read the full transcript from the Rossi deposition, and found it very entertaining.

On the surface there are similarities to the frivolous lawsuit Dan Clawson has filed, except that Dan completely fabricated his allegations--with no basis in fact whatsoever. In the Rossi case, lawyers are arguing about whether Rossi's admitted contact with the builders prior to the official launch of Rossi's campaign constituted a PDC violation. In our case, Dan has fabricated many facts, conversations, and "secret meetings" that are pure fantasy. Dan is also a less experienced trial lawyer than those involved in the Rossi case, so he is hanging out there ever further.

So far, Dan Clawson and Kathy Keolker have been deposed in Dan's lawsuit-- and Toni Nelson will be coming up soon. I'll be publishing full transcripts when everyone is done. I've got many observations I am dying to share already, but from a legal strategy it is better if I wait.

Meanwhile, read this article, and this transcript , if you have time. It's illuminating and entertaining to see politics and legal maneuvers collide like this.

I can't watch TV or listen to the radio this week without getting annoyed by the worsening, spiraling attack ads! Don't any candidates have anything positive to say anymore?

If you are like me, you are ready for this campaign season to come to it's sloppy end.

Which ads out there bug YOU the most?

Renton in today's USA today, for playing a significant swing role in the governor's race. Interestingly, many Renton Obama-supporters are reportedly voting for Rossi in the governor's race. Click here to read the story.

What do you think is the reason? Was it Gregoire's close association with ex-mayor Keolker?

Interesting that this issue gets national press.

Chares have been filed against Randall Goulet in the case of the yard sign thefts. Here are more details in the Renton Reporter.

Many people are curious as to who the yard sign snatcher is, and what the motive may be.Read about the stolen yard signs here

I'm going to discourage reader speculation on this topic, because everyone always seems to guess wrong in cases like this...

...but if any of you get genuine, accurate PUBLIC information about why these signs were taken, please post it!

Eventually the police or prosecutor will tell us, assuming the prosecutor files charges.

(Past sign thefts have occurred for reasons as mundane as people wanting garden stakes, fire wood, bases for their own signs, or they are just fed up with looking at yard signs. It's extremely rare for it to be anything organized by an opposing campaign. If signs are stolen in a political action, it is generally by a rogue supporter, not endorsed by or associated with an official campaign.)

The Heaviest Element Known to Science


Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2- 6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of morons promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Here is the link. Thanks to all of you readers, tipsters, and commenters, who keep this interesting and relevant.

These Jib Jab videos always make me laugh. This one is really cute.

While I abhor vandelism, I have to admit I found this story satisfying in a way. I guess installing a wax figure of Hitler in Berlin, even if just for historical significance, is maybe not a good idea. Considering the SECOND VISITOR TO THE MUSEUM RIPPED HIS HEAD OFF!... it is clear that the people of Germany do not see the psychopath racist devil-dictator who was responsible for the deaths of 30 million people as a simple historical figure.

Here is the story

Depressed Candidate Runs Attack Ad About Self


WASHINGTON—In the midst of a fiercely competitive presidential race with no clear Republican front-runner in sight, an increasingly depressed Mitt Romney shocked political insiders Monday when he released a new national attack ad targeting himself.

Read more by clicking here

I have not studied this issue in detail, but on the surface I think the idea of having a non-paritisan king County Council seems appealing to me.

I have a feeling they might be better at resolving issues if they didn't have the burden/confusion of maintaining partisan alliances...particularly since there are only nine members on the council.

Here is the info I received:( Read more... )

I've never heard of anyone doing this before....

Here is the story from the PI:

Texas candidate alters photo in mailer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON -- A mailer from a congressional candidate's campaign contains a photo of his head attached to an image of a different body that makes him look thinner.




Closeup


Read the whole story here

America's spy agencies are introducing a top secret social networking site called A-Space, fashioned after MySpace, to encourage agencies and spies to share informal information with each other. There is high-hope that such a network could prevent the type of information failure that allowed the September 11 attack even while various agencies had a variety of clues beforehand (but no one agency was able to put the whole picture together in advance).

MySpace users and other bloggers have figured out that the social networking is a great way to expose and share all pieces to a puzzle, and I'm encouraged that our nation's security experts realize there is real value in the this type of networking.

Your friends (and maybe even your kids) on MySpace are a lot more in-the-know than you may realize...if you are not familiar with social networking, you probably need a tutorial to fully comprehend the way information spreads through the medium.

I'm sure this information-spread is why Rupert Murdock, arguably America's shrewdest and most forward-looking news media icon, has purchased MySpace, in addition to the Wall Street Journal, FOX, and hundreds of other major media properties he (and his company News Corp) owns.

Closer to home, I have been enjoying both MySpace and it's competitor LiveJournal to share information with thousands of Renton citizens over the last couple years. (Right now Renton Myspace is getting 'happy birthday' comments from the many readers that are aware that the city's birthday is September 6; bloggers are sharing candid inputs about the Mayor's race; and residents are commenting about whether we should pursue a plaque or statue at Kennydale Beach Park to inform people about Clint Eastwood's Lifeguard service there)

Click here to see the Renton WA MySpace Page


( Here is the story about America's spy agencies in today's New York Times )

Today is primary election day, so don't forget to.....




( And remember this... )

You may be glad to hear that the artificial spine is now commercially available over the internet.



(It's possible this product may also help protect against backstabbings, but I wouldn't personally rely on that). :-)

Randy

I wonder who made this addition to Wikipedia. The council was neutral on this annexation (which was defeated by the voters two to one), and the entry misleadingly implies that the annexation would have improved the financial well-being of our city.

New Entry: Unfortunately, a resolution to annex a nearby plateau area that would have increased Renton's population and tax base was defeated in a special election. [2]

( see the whole paragraph here )

I love the simile Jerry Large uses in this column ..."is the world driving itself while we pretend to steer, like kids in a carnival ride?"

Classic!
____________________________________________________________
Monday, February 19, 2007

Feeling powerless? You aren't
By Jerry Large, Seattle Times staff columnist

A person could be forgiven for thinking life around here has gotten out of hand.

Neighborhoods change overnight, and big civic issues seem beyond the touch of average people. Big decisions about the viaduct, the Sonics, Iraq and development happen on a level most folks can't reach. The paper seems full of anti-civics lessons.

Is the world driving itself while we pretend to steer, like kids on a carnival ride?
( Read more... )

Good advice to us today, especially coming from the man who kept our nation intact...


"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser - in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume II, "Notes for a Law Lecture" (July 1, 1850), p. 81.

Renton is going to be seeing some BIG changes over the next few years. Your town will become fancier and cleaner, while keeping its cool and historic heritage. Think Fremont in Seattle, with some Kirkland Carillon Point stuff thrown in for those special occasions.

Here are some of the things you are not yet hearing much about, but are on the way.

The Seahawks training facility has broken ground, and unlike the current Kirkland site, it will offer fans an opportunity to watch the Hawks play.

The Sonics are still seriously looking at Renton...the team's new owners say they want to keep the team in the Seattle area. They are looking at over twenty sites, and three or four of them are here in Renton.

The Landing Urban Villiage is really coming along fast, and tenants (businesses, restauraunts, etc) are getting really excited about it. The first stores will be open in less than a year.

The Landing bumps right into a growing residential/restaurant/business/hotel development project on the Lakefront, known as Southport, which is in a new building phase.
Between Southport, the Landing, and Coulon Park we will have one of the coolest beach recreation areas/gathering spots in the Northwest, second only to Alki in the summer time.

The new Logan Avenue, which will run through the heart of the Landing, will provide a brand new four lane boulevard directly from Renton Highlands (I405 Exit 5) to the historic downtown, and will be lined with new businesses and hang-outs. Logan will enable you to get off the freeway and head straight for downtown without the rats-maze of streets we deal with now.

On the other end of the downtown, near the Fred Meyer, we will be spending 50 MILLION DOLLARS of Sound Transit money (That's 1000 dollars per city resident ) on street improvements to FINALLY make Rainier Avenue wider and prettier, and to widen and realign Hardie Avenue which runs behind Fred Meyer. Hardie will no longer do a goofy loop-te-do behind Fred Meyer, with the crazy three way stop-yield thing, and will instead go stright to a new intersection onto Martin Luther King Way. This will shift mucho traffic from Rainier onto Hardie, and make Rainier a nicer business street. We are even considering doing away with some of the one-way street confusion.

All the transportation improvements in downtown, combined with zoning that allows multi story buildings with stores on the ground floor and apartments above, mean lots of new business, restaurants, and residents in our downtown. And lots of cool new people to make friends with. Maybe downtown will finally be open after five o'clock again, like it was in its Renton-loop era heyday of the 60s (but without the cruising). In 2007 the city council will be studying ways to improve the pedestrian and business connection between the Landing and downtown...so very cool.

We are already seeing land values increasing and big new projects coming in for permits downtown, and builders have more enthusiasm than we have seen in many years. There will be lots of condominums available to those of you that are looking for buying opportuinties. Many new condos are in planning right now, and several of the newer apartment buildings in downtown are undergoing conversion to condominiums (from apartments). This is a postive change, because it reflects that more people want to buy property in downtown Renton.

And yay! The old parts of Renton Highlands are finally getting the renovation thay have long needed. Land values under the World War II duplex units have increased to ONE MILLION DOLLARS PER ACRE, about four or five times what the land was worth in the mid 90s. Thanks to this increase in value, we are about to see significant revitalization in the Renton Highlands, with many new homes, shops, restaurants, and other great places to visit, meet friends, and hangout. The development pressure is so great in this area that we are rushing to get new zoning in place before the end of 2006, and we have a citizens committee meeting twice per week to make sure we get the nicest redevelopment possible without pushing you out of your current homes! Overall, this will give us a much safer, prettier, and more fun Renton Highlands.

There are many, many other projects in work right now, but I can't name them all. For instance, there is an all-new neighborhood park in the highlands, a new 100 acre wetland/bird sanctuary in the valley with a two-mile paved nature trail, the Jimi Hendrix House/Museum, and many other cool businesses that are still in the planning stages.

Builders and investers are so confident in our little town, that Conner Homes development just broke ground on a new housing project near Coulon Beach where they will build 147 houses, ranging in price from one to three million dollars! It is expected that several of the Seattle Seahawks will be buying homes here.

So, be proud to live here. Renton is a happening place, and we are about to get more than our fair share of prosperity. My advice to you, my Renton friends, is to consider buying some real estate in our blossoming town, so you can enjoy your environment AND cash-in! We have a bright future!