Archives for June 2014

Today is a special day in the Calendar of Political Americana. It’s National Fist Bump Day, a day to remember a young Sen. Barack and Michelle Obama using a body gesture in public that so befuddled FOX News anchor E.D. Hill that she asked, “A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab?!?.”

The idea behind National Fist Bump Day is to give Americans a chance to make the world a slightly better place with a simple and fun gesture of respect,” says David Weiner, one of the organizers, along with Sarah Greenwalt. “It may not solve the world’s problems, but it can at least reaffirm the fact that in the end, we all can get down with each other.

Wait…screw that Kumbaya shit. It’s a day to ruthlessly mock the the fuck out of the right wing propaganda mill’s outrageous, dishonest, and racist attacks against Barack Obama.

Tuesday is also a primary election day of some consequence. In California, the top two-style primary will select the Republican that will go on to be crushed by Gov. Jerry Brown in the general election. There are a bunch of interesting House races in California, as well.

In Mississippi, the senior Sen. Thad Cochran (R) is in a tight race against a Teabagger, state Sen. Chris McDaniel.

In South Dakota, a large Republican primary will determine the opponent for Rick Weiland (D) in the U.S. Senate seat race opened up by the retirement of Sen. Tim Johnson (D).

A similar scenario is happening in Iowa with the retirement of Sen. Tom Harkin (D), and a 5-way GOP primary will determine the opponent for Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA-01). Of course, Braley’s House seat is open and there are competitive races on both sides of the isle in that race.

In Montana, Sen. John Walsh (D), who was appointed to the seat that Max Baucus left to become U.S. Ambassador to China, seems likely to win the Democratic primary. Also in Montana, the open house seat has a five-way GOP primary that will select an opponent for  John Lewis (D).

In New Mexico, there is a five-way primary that will determine Gov. Susan Martinez’s (R) Democratic opponent.

New Jersey has a primary election, as well, with some mildly interesting House races.

So, with all that excitement on deck, please join us tonight for an evening of electoral politics and scary body gestures over a pint at the Seattle Chapter of Drinking Liberally.

We meet every Tuesday at the Roanoke Park Place Tavern, 2409 10th Ave E, Seattle. The starting time is 8:00 pm, but some folks show up before that for dinner.

Can’t make it to Seattle? Check out another Washington state DL over the next week. They’re everywhere! The Tri-Cities chapter also meets this and every Tuesday night. The Lakewood chapter meets on Wednesday. For Thursday, the Spokane and Tacoma chapters meet. And the Enumclaw chapter meets on Friday.

With 207 chapters of Living Liberally, including nineteen in Washington state, four in Oregon, and three more in Idaho, chances are excellent there’s a chapter meeting somewhere near you.

Okay, the council meeting hasn’t even started yet, but its a festive atmosphere in council chambers as the throng of $15 minimum wage supporters gathers for the inevitable.

Stay tuned and I’ll let you know when it’s official, as well as fill you in on various updates.

UPDATE 1:59PM: Just like me, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has already released a celebratory statement:

Today’s vote in Seattle will go down in history as a milestone in the struggle to raise wages and ensure fair pay for all workers. It is proof that when working people organize and make their voices heard, we all benefit.

While Republicans in Congress fail to act, Seattle, along with other cities and states around the country, is ensuring that workers receive a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. We have already seen progress in states from Hawaii to Minnesota, and we will continue to fight to provide every worker with a good living wage and an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

UPDATE 2:23PM: Unlike previous council meetings, Subway franchisees and other business representatives seem to have abandoned the chambers to minimum wage advocates. No doubt there was plenty of pro-business lobbying behind the scenes, but they appear to have given up on making their case in public. Public testimony continues.

UPDATE 2:39PM: Council member Nick Licata: “Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last week for the vote on training wages.” Council member Tim Burgess: “Good.”

UPDATE 3:15PM: Council member Kshama Sawant closes her speech in favor of the ordinance: “Fifteen dollars in Seattle is just the beginning. We have an entire world to win.”

UPDATE 3:39PM: It’s official! Ordinance passes 9-0! Audience cheers, than quickly files out, leaving council to continue other business.

– Sen. Murray Proposes Summer Food Benefits For Low-Income Kids

– It’s kind of amazing to think you can pull off a both-sides-say about something that’s in people’s face like income inequality.

– More playing in the street, pleez.

– I was never much of a fan of Ken Schram, but Andrew at NPI has a nice remembrance.

– In conclusion, donate your motherfucking organs.

– Richard Sherman’s Let’s Move video is pretty great.

At some point over the past several days, 15Now.org cleverly transposed its Twitter avatar to read “15won.” But that subtle declaration of victory hasn’t stopped the organization from pushing council members to make the minimum wage ordinance even better:

Retweet if you agree @bruceharrell @Jean_Godden @CouncilmanTim should vote against delaying start date & training wages! @15forSeattle

— 15 Now (@FifteenNow) June 2, 2014

The best defense is a good offense, and all that. Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant and her 15 Now comrades have been roundly criticized by the establishment types for continuing forward with their initiative even as a business/labor compromise inched toward passage. But it’s an “or else” strategy that has been incredibly effective in defending against unacceptable concessions.

The full city council will officially pass the ordinance this afternoon, making Seattle the first city in America to adopt a $15 an hour minimum wage. And then the real celebration can begin.

Last week’s contest was unsolved as of Friday night. It was three locations where people recently blew up their homes making hash oil: 1. Puyallup 2. Reno, NV 3. W. Boca Raton, FL

This week’s contest is a random location somewhere on Earth, good luck!

Luke 19:27
Now bring me the enemies who didn’t want me to be their king. Kill them while I watch!”

Discuss.