It looks like another piece of Seattle infrastructure is closed for the foreseeable future. I really like the Waterfront Park. It’s obviously less important than the West Seattle Bridge, but I use it more. Too bad it’s a time when revenue is down.

Anyway, please wash your hands right now.

The Seattle City Council is voting on cuts to the police department today. It isn’t the 50% that activists have been pushing for. But it is a significant movement.

If you want to contact your Council Members to let them know how much you want cut, that an option.

In any case, please wash your hands right now.

No, you forgot to figure out what you were going to write about until a couple minutes before you had to be at work. Anyway, wash your hands right now.

It’s too early to call it, but it looks like two Democrats made it through to the general election for Lt. Governor. I don’t know if I like that as a possibility in our system. I do like getting the infighting out in August. And having an ability to vote straight ticket without thinking about it in November.

Still, it is nice knowing that if Governor Inslee becomes Cabinet Secretary Inslee that we know that there won’t be a Republican governor.

In any event, please wash your hands right now.

Get your ballot postmarked or dropped off by tomorrow. Given the fuckery around the Post Office, I would say get it in today if you’re mailing it. If you’re dropping it off, get it to the box by 8:00 tomorrow.

Also, please wash your hands right now.

This poll has a little bit of everything for people looking to defund the police, and for people who want to slow down the movement. People want to defund the police. But they don’t trust the City Council or the Mayor to do it. Carmen Best is still surprisingly popular. Don’t go too fast.

It’s a relatively new issue for most people, so maybe they haven’t had the time to solidify their positions. Still, the top line that people in Seattle want half of the police budget to go to social services instead is encouraging.

Anyway, wash your hands right now.

I am glad that the Federal agents are out of Seattle. And credit where it’s due to state and local officials who made it happen.

That said, the Feds are not the ones who were out of control over the weekend. So this doesn’t mean defund and reform of the police is any less important.

Also, wash your hands right now.

Stay cool everyone. Today is going to be too damn hot. Every year there are a few days where I think that I should get air conditioning.

Drink lots of water. Like, more than you think you need. You will want to get to the point where you are peeing clear. And when you’ve finished peeing wash your hands. Also, wash them right now.

I am glad that the Washington State eviction moratorium has been extended. I am also glad that Governor Inslee is preparing the way for a future extension. This crisis isn’t going anywhere until there’s a vaccine, or at the very least, competent Federal leadership.

Anyway, please wash your hands right now.

Congrats to the activists who seem to be getting the youth jail closed by 2025. There’s still work to do, but this is a great direction. It would have been better if it hadn’t been built in the first place. Still and all, it’s a victory.

Anyway, wash your hands right now.

I should probably write something…

Listen, I hate to do anything to benefit Portland, but if you’re able people I follow on social media recommended bail funds here. It’s scary what’s going on down there. The local police are scary enough, but add in the Feds kidnapping people off the street, and holy shit. Anyway, do what you can if you can.

Also, wash your hands right now.

They’re breaching a dam on the Nooksack River. It seems like it will help with salmon and trout recovery. Very exciting, and I hope it leads to more dam removal around the state.

But for now, wash your hands.

Sorry I didn’t post this morning. I had some work stuff early this morning and then I forgot to write it at lunch. So um. Here it is now.

Anyway, wash your hands right now.

Your primary ballots are dropping this week. So I guess look out for them next week. And then you will have until August 4 to get your ballot postmarked or dropped off.

Anyway, please wash your hands right now.

The Seattle City Council has committed to defunding the police department by 50%. Will replacing police duties with people from other city departments work? Will it provide better service? Will it reduce police shootings and other escalation of force? Will it reduce crime? I don’t know. But the status quo is not working.

Anyway, wash your hands right now.