Back in 1991 I co-authored the book and lyrics for an Off-Broadway musical. Much to my dismay the NY Times sent Mel Gussow to opening night, a theater reviewer who occasionally confessed that he didn’t really care for musicals. (He didn’t much care for ours either.)
And so in talking about the initiatives on today’s ballot, I should start with a similar caveat: I don’t much care for the initiative process. Indeed, for those unfamiliar with my bio, this blog’s domain name is a vestige from my accidental pratfall into the political arena, when a joke between me and some friends somehow turned into an initiative to officially proclaim Tim Eyman a “horse’s ass.”
Oh, I think that initiatives are fine in theory, but in practice, I don’t find anything particularly direct or democratic about direct democracy. All it takes to get an initiative on the ballot is half a million dollars of paid signature gathering (or free use of the airwaves.) And the battle at the polls is too often won by whoever spends the most money. Moreover, the vast majority of initiatives are actually complex pieces of legislation that would greatly benefit from a more deliberative legislative vetting, rather than just being thrown together in some watch salesman’s bonus room, and shoved onto the ballot for an up or down vote.
Perhaps the only initiative on today’s ballot that remotely resembles the type of simple, straightforward policy issue direct democracy is equipped to deal with, is I-901, which bans smoking in public places. Do you want smoke-free bars and restaurants? I do. Cigarette smoke is a nuisance and a health hazard, and a smoker’s right to puff away in public clearly infringes on my right to breath clean air. Breathing trumps smoking. So I’m voting Yes.
The other initiatives, I’m voting No.
I-900…? Say what you want about my anti-Eyman posturing, but I’m guessing I’m one of only a handful of citizens in this state to actually read the full text of I-900 and compare it section by section to the performance audits initiative passed by the Legislature last spring. I-900 is superfluous and over-reaching, placing too much power in the hands of the State Auditor. Sure, I trust Brian Sonntag to use this power wisely, but he won’t be auditor forever. How soon do you think it’ll be before the BIAW spends a million bucks to put some hack into the auditor’s office, who can use I-900 to harass and disrupt state and local agencies of their choosing?
And finally, while I certainly support experimenting with performance audits (I even testified on behalf of the bill last spring), Eyman is dramatically over-promising the impact. These are complicated audits that require a great deal of expertise… and the full compliance of those being audited. It’s kind of like psychoanalysis… it only works when you have a good therapist and a cooperative patient.
I-912…? What can I say… it’s a shortsighted, intentionally misleading, possibly life-threatening load of crap. Our state’s economic health, and the safety of its citizens, depends on maintaining our transportation infrastructure… that’s why I-912 has drawn opposition from such an unusually broad coalition of groups: labor, business, environmental, etc. Indeed, the only groups that seem to be actively supporting the initiative are politicians and radio talk show hosts.
The bipartisan transportation package that I-912 would repeal was painstakingly negotiated, and includes hundreds of desperately needed safety and improvement projects scattered throughout the state. Kill it now, and nothing will replace it for years. This is too important an issue to fall victim to petty political maneuvering.
I-330 / I-336…? Confused as to which is which? Well one is backed by the insurance industry and the other is backed by the trial lawyers… and they both deserve to be defeated. There is most certainly NOT a medical malpractice insurance crisis going on in WA state right now, as I-330’s backers deceitfully claim, and even is there was, I-330 is a totally one-sided solution that takes away your rights, and hands them over to the insurance industry.
As for I-336, it contains a few good ideas, but this is much too complicated an issue to warrant a thumbs up at the polls. Medical malpractice and tort reform need to be addressed by an open, deliberative process in the Legislature, not in an advertising war on the airwaves.
And I almost forgot… the Seattle Monorail. It’s never fun euthanizing a pet, but show some mercy and put this dog to sleep now. It’s not that I don’t want a monorail, it’s just that this particular one just isn’t worth the money.
I’ve got nothing against the technology, and I’m a big fan of elevated rail, but the monorail folks went about this entirely backwards. They started with monorail technology, and then tried to figure a way to fit it into our cityscape and transportation infrastructure… when really, they should have started by looking at our transportation needs, and then finding the solution that would make the most sense. Maybe that would have been a monorail? Or maybe dedicated bus lanes? Or maybe a giant roller coaster from West Seattle to the downtown waterfront? (Wheee!) But we’ll never know.
But yet, you gotta admire a city that still has the youthful joy to give something like this a try.
So in summary, Yes on I-901, an emphatic No on everything else. (And I wouldn’t be so disappointed if all the initiatives failed.)
I agree with you on everything except 336. I voted yes. I thought 336 would do Washington some good.
More attmpted republican FRAUD…this time in Virginia.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo.....13427/2881
Notice a pattern anywhere, folks?
I’m a non-smoker and I voted no on 901. The 25 foot rule, besides being rediculous, *will* be selectively enforced by local officials.
It’s too bad it’ll pass. Hopefully the more obnoxious provisions will get tossed out in court.
Goldy,
Once again you prove to be completely insane.
A few great excerpts from this latest rambling, being a failed playwright is just one more notch on your ever growing list, political hack, Simms flunkie, etc…
You are off base on I-900, while Eymen may be your kryptonite, it’s a good, sound initiative that needs to be, and more than likely will pass. This past springs accountability Audit measure is just one more account of putting the wolf in charge of the hen house.
I-330, there is no Crisis? What did Simms pay you to say that? Yes, when Insurance double over the course of the year, that is a crisis.
I love smoking cigarettes– especially the full strength “American Spirit” cigarettes. In addition, I enjoy drinking copious amounts of beer while smoking. In addition to that I enjoy loud, beer-fueled political debate with people who disagree with me or just loud, beer fueled….
I quit all those things years ago, but I would still like to have an opportunity to do it again if I wanted to. It’s just like the white guy who complained about being mugged in the ghetto at 2 AM. If he didn’t want to get mugged he shouldn’t have gone there. Most restaurants and lounges attached to good restaurants are already smokeless. Why do you want to take our dangerous, smoke filled dives away from those who love them. If you don’t like the smoke there, there’s a simple solution. DON”T GO THERE!
I want a giant roller coaster…
Blah, blah, blah. Almost all ballots cast as of now anyway. It’s frivolous Goldy. Only time will tell….
In addition, Mr. Cynical is copying my clown description. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Mr. Cynical/Copycat. The muted shushing of giant shoes and the soft beeping of muted klaxon horns is a thing only depressed liberals can enjoy. You’re welcome to come onto the bus and respectfully squeeze Goldy’s wheeze. But then, Mr. Cynical, you need to go. If you don’t you will be soaked in an endless stream of seltzer water. Sometimes, enough’s enough.
The 25FR (buffer) on I-901 is reasonable. It’s actually 25 feet OR less if you read the iniative. Not sure how you’d could get more flexible than that.
They’re nothing new as other cities already have them. We don’t live in a bubble here. If we didn’t have it, people that choose to smoke would naturally congregate in the doorways like they have in other states/countries with similar laws that don’t include a buffer. No smoke-free indoors if the area immediately outside isn’t. It was smart to look at others’ experiences. I’m glad we’re getting it right the first time. I’m sure people would be bitching if we didn’t.
So, if you go 26 feet away you’re breaking the law? Can’t get more unreasonable than that.
momus @ 4
If insurance rates are the problem, then why doesn’t 330 address that issue? There’s nothing in the initiative that would hold insurance companies accountable for their rates. In CA and other states that capped malpractice awards, insurance rates have continued to rise … hmmm.
Goldy: “maybe dedicated bus lanes”
Hmmm… Perhaps they should’ve thought of that idea instead of the Sounder North line??? At least they could convert those lanes for cars when people didn’t use the service.
Just wondering… All you Lefties who are SOOOOO for buses and light rail and all kinds of mass transit… How often do YOU actually use it? I undestand that some of you do, but I’d bet a lot more of you are “do as I say, not as I do.”
And why is it that Ron Sims can’t take public transit while Michael Bloomberg, Republican mayor of a city that is a permanent target, takes the subway to work every day?
Malpractice insurance from Physician’s Insurance actually went down 7 % the past year.
mark:
I used public transit when I worked downtown. You’re making a big assumption there @12.
The trick is, mass transit is better, much better… if people use it. Now you could argue that trying to force people to use it is a bad idea (and I wouldn’t argue), but its theoretically the better solution.
I’d use it… let me ask you why you wouldn’t?
Loosey Fart-
So don’t show up in my neighborhood, either. What a dumbass. Get back to work wiping the bullshit off of Rons Sims shoes.
Windie; why I don’t use it
(live by a great route, transit center, etc)
a) Never on time.
b) Never know if i missed last bus by 5 min, or am early for the next bus.
c) My car departs on time 100% (that is, when I want to go home, its ready).
d) Bus does not save me any time, since it uses same surface roads.
e) I’m right winger to the core, but guilty enough about oil use to frequently give the bus another try; but man its bad enuf to really only be for losers or communists..
Mark:
New York is a vastly different city than Seattle. Many people don’t even own a car because mass transit is so pervasive (and parking so difficult).
But yet, you gotta admire a city that still has the youthful joy to give something like this a try.
And at the same time, you gotta hate the forces that were so determined to defeat the monorail that they wasted all of the mmoney. But not to worry – many (if not all) of the Top 10 Seattle law firms made out OK.
i always find it amazing that my fellow liberals feel the need to continue to legislate personal behavior.
i understand that smoking is bad for the smoker as well as others but it seems to me that business owners should have the rights to make the rules inside their own business.
if a bar or restaurant wishes to go non-smoking…more power to them. everyone that goes to work in the F&B industry goes in knowing that you will be in a smoking environment.
@ 12
This is so weird to say, but: I AGREE WITH YOU (I know, its amazing)
Sounder North Line is a nice idea, but its not ready. There are not enough stops, and the per person is way too high (much higher than, say, Sounder South) They should add a stop at Mukilteo to pick up ferry traffic.
I use transit everyday. I don’t have a car. Ofcourse, I live in Belltown, so its easy to not have a car. Its a lifestyle choice, but I encourage people to use transit because I find it to be very convenient most of the time. The rest of the time I use FlexCar, which is awesome.
I think Ron ought to take the bus. But Bloomberg has it easy: they’ve been investing in transit in NYC for 100 years! For us, its been only 35 or so, and we’re finally building light rail.
But the bus is not rest for people who work long hours, or odd hours, and he’s a busy guy, so I don’t know if its in the best interest of King County residents that he take the bus. But, why not, Bob Fergeson does!
righton@16
man you must be really unlucky, or maybe that route just stinks.
I always went to the Burien transit center, The Express Busses to Seattle almost ALWAYS left within 5 mins of on time, and it was a 25 minute shot downtown. (And remember, busses are the least reliable form of public transit)
At least from the south county, transit has worked… And when I was taking the Amtrak to Portland, I saw a fair number of people using the sounder too…
I’m more doctrinaire than you are. NO on all initiatives. It is a terrible way to legislate.
Wayne @ 13
By comparison to what?
The 40% increase from the year before?
wayne @ 17
The question is why Ron Sims can’t take public transit and Bloomberg can. Is there not bus service near his house? Can’t he carpool/vanpool?
windie @ 12
I do take public transit when it makes sense. However, when you have kids, it is far more convenient, flexible and safe to take a car most of the time.
If there were a quick, quiet, clean monorail to the airport, I’d take that, too. Tried the bus to the airport a couple of times. After a long flight, I not only had to wait, but the ride was unpleasant.
When I lived in Bellevue, I used to take the bus downtown to work and back. THAT was a nightmare — especially in wet weather. You slog to the bus stop. Wait in the cold (suit & overcoat). Stand (not sit) in a crowded, sweaty bus where everyone else is wet, too. You’re also totally at the mercy of the bus schedule. And as righton mentioned above, you never know if the bus is late or early or ever going to show up.
So, if you go 26 feet away you’re breaking the law? Can’t get more unreasonable than that.
Comment by Apache Fog— 11/8/05 @ 12:04 pm
Now you’re being silly. ;-)
Me @ 25
I meant “windie @ 14.”
Also, follow-up to my reply to you. Mass transit — if it was quick, clean, inexpensive and highly-available — is a good idea. It is also a chicken-and-egg argument. You won’t get them to run more service until people commit to doing it and you won’t get people to commit until the service improves.
The other problem they have to resolve is people carrying stuff. For commuters, mass transit works because it is just the person and a bag or briefcase. Have you ever tried Christmas shopping and taking the bus? If you could incentivize stores to offer free or inexpensive package delivery services, more people would take mass transit.
One last thing… If I’m in my car and I start to feel hungry, I can pull off the road, go to the store or a restaurant and then seamlessly resume my journey. Mass transit does not currently allow for flexible travel. It works GREAT for point-to-point people-moving, but not so great for the way most Americans use their cars.
We just need to start building a mass transit system. Every proposal gets critiqued as either “It’s too ambitious and too expensive” or “It’s too small and doesn’t go anywhere” or both. We’ll expand and improve the system over time but we really need to get started and get people used to the idea of riding mass transit. The system will build steam as we go but we need to get going.
As it is, I ride the bus every day. It’s slow but it’s much cheaper than paying for gas and parking downtown and I get a lot of time every day to read.
Aexia @ 28
Do you ride a crowded commuter bus? How long is your ride? Do you NEVER drive a car anywhere? Does your job ever require you to work late, come in early or go somewhere offsite?
And what type of a mass transit system do you propose? Bigger fleet of buses? Light rail? Commuter rail? Monorail? And if you’re thinking multi-modal, who will coordinate all of this? City-level? County-level? State-level?
What about highly unprofitable and wasteful routes (like Sounder North)? Should different routes get different pricing schemes?
And who will pay for this? At what point, if ever, do you expect the system(s) to be in the black (or at least not blood red)?
Goldy—
thank you for your detailed input on Initiatives.
Count on my family to cancel out your vote…..and then some.
(Except on I-336….that’s a definite NO. Ambulance chasers like John Edwards would have a field day if this ugly dawg passes).
Comment on 13
Insurance companies have only two sources of revenue: Premiums, and investment income. When stock market returns and interest rates decline, cutting into insurance companies’ investment income, they raise premium rates.
It’s that simple.
The stock market and interest rates have FAR more to do with the cost malpractice insurance than lawsuits. Most of the rate increases in recent years were due to the stock market decline and low interest rates.
@19
The rationale for banning smoking indoors, whether you agree with it or not, is that 225,000 retaurant industry employees and other workers are involuntary recipients of second-hand smoke.
And before you say “they chose to work there” let me respond, no they didn’t, in small communities especially, people have to take whatever work is available.
All the other initiatives have been talked to death, so I’ll just take a moment to disagree with Goldy on I-901
(full disclosure: I am a very sparse and very guilty smoker. I used to smoke about 3 cigarettes a week. It’s now down at the 3 a month level or somewhere thereabouts).
I want Goldy and his daughter to breathe clean air. I want my daughters to breathe clean air. There are all sorts of places I do NOT want cigarette smoke, including my office, my house, and restaurants I go to enjoy a meal.
I also want the occasional opportunity to be bad outside. Since there are a lot more non-smokers than smokers, I am willing to endure a fair quantity of hassle for my minority right to be bad.
I-901 just goes too far. There is no exception for cigar bars or other workplaces where there is an expectation of encountering smoke, and there is the asinine 25 foot rule.
Last time I was up in Vancouver, the establishment I was in had a good compromise.
The place was smoke-free until 10:30 p.m. Enjoy your dinner, your drinks, and some civil entertainment in a smoke-free atmosphere.
After 10:30, we juvenile deliquents who were still out were free to light up. Everyone was reasonably happy.
side note, are we all ready for Dino “No balls” Rossi to come out in support of all initiatives that pass and against all those that fail?
I sure am!
The other problem they have to resolve is people carrying stuff. For commuters, mass transit works because it is just the person and a bag or briefcase. Have you ever tried Christmas shopping and taking the bus?
I once hauled a new TV through the DC metro system. Another time, I carried a couple of 8×10 rugs along with a couple bags. Got a lot of funny looks of course but I made it through just fine. Buses should be a bit easier to carry packages onto nowadays though with the wide-door low-floor models that have been phased in. If a wheelchair can get on the bus, so can your Christmas shopping.
On the other hand, if you’re buying so much stuff that a car is definitely going to be needed, then drive a car. Mass transit isn’t going to be the solution for every trip.
One last thing… If I’m in my car and I start to feel hungry, I can pull off the road, go to the store or a restaurant and then seamlessly resume my journey. It works GREAT for point-to-point people-moving, but not so great for the way most Americans use their cars.
Point to point travel is what needs to be fixed. Our roads aren’t being clogged by moms doing shopping or kids on roadtrips. They’re clogged by everything driving into the city for work every morning and driving out of it every evening. That’s what mass transit addresses.
also theres the ‘drive people to casinos’ effect! Thats not so good… Seeing how they’e just leeches offa the state anyways.
Cyn @ 29
Too bad you didn’t “read the fine print” (as the ads say) on I-330. Go ahead and vote no on 336. But don’t ignore the fact that I-330 was written by lawyers, too… for the insurance companies.
If you want to monkey with the formula for attorney fees, fine.
You’re throwing the baby out with the bathwater, though. Didn’t you read that they can include language that takes away your right to sue? That means doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. And don’t pretent that they ALL won’t do it — if for no other reason than to hide the ones who really need the protection. Where will you get medical care then??
And a $350K non-economic cap is far too low in cases of a non-wage-earner like a stay-at-home mom, teenager or nearly-retired senior. What if the malpractice means that the 60-year-old who worked hard all their life and planned to spend the last 20 years traveling no longer can? What price can you put on the enjoyment of the rest of their life? If someone gave you $350K, would you be willing to give up on anything and everything fun — including wrestling with grandkids — for the rest of your life??
WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!!!!
ANGRY CLOWN ALERT!
One of our angriest LEFTIST PINHEADED CLOWNS, Apache Frog, has escaped from the circus Big Tent.
He is armed with vicious words and is one angry CLOWN!!!
Apache FROG sez:
” Having observed for five years how Republicans handle power I am disinclined to ever cooperate with them on anything. I just want to grind the Republican party to dust until the right wing extremists have no say whatsoever in anything.”
Grind our bones to dust you say???
Sounds like physical violence to me.
You need to go to a support group PRONTO!!
Your LEFTIST PINHEADED PALS have Dr. Bozo ready to administer medicine candy to calm your violent tendencies.
Apache FROG….please vist the website
http://www.shantimai.com.
Do so immediately.
Mark @ 27 — Do you know people go Christmas shopping in New York City? Sure you do. You’ve seen it in the movies? How many people in Manhattan drive cars? Hardly any.
Shantimai can save you Apache FROG….(be sure to bring cash…lots of it)
Throughout her life Shanti Mai has studied numerous traditions and techniques with many teachers. She now draws on all of them in her work, but credits the lineage of Ramana Maharshi and 17 years of single-parenting her four children as having been her greatest teachers.
As a child, Shanti Mai thought and spoke a lot about God and studied metaphysical topics independently while still in elementary school. Born into a professional and abusive military family, her life taught her, of necessity, to be able to “read” many different types of people, and forced her into the role of healer. Her first client was herself!
She graduated with a B.S., Cum Laude, in the mid-70’s, planning, originally, to head to grad school to become a teacher of the Deaf. Shanti Mai has worked in such diverse capacities as:
Teacher of Transcendental Meditation to military personnel in Europe
Night school German teacher for Irish Businessmen
Lead Teacher of the Head Start Program on a Reservation
Substitute teacher specializing in problematic Junior High Schools
Resident manager of a group home for schizophrenic adults
Sign language interpreter for Deaf college and university students
Freelance Editor/Co-writer (current, part-time)
About Shanti Mai’s Work
Shanti Mai draws clients who, though they may not know how, are willing to take an active role in their lives and in their healing process.
She begins by helping the client to silence their mind, becoming fully centered in the present moment.
Shanti’s focus is on helping her clients to see exactly where they are right now. In this silence of mind, it is possible to see and know your obstacles – and options – allowing you to heal and to make better choices. Shanti Mai empowers her clients through teaching.
Reading the present moment can clarify relationship and work issues, bring resolution to hurts and fears, help you access your intuition – and present new options for your life. It can also bring communication with a pet or a deceased loved one – or bring insight into current health issues.
As a minister, Shanti Mai provides customized Life-Transition Ceremonies – available for returning clients:
Birth
Coming of Age
Marriage & Commitment
Final Passage /Death
Mediation with an emphasis of understanding the other’s perspective and fears is available. Sessions start out one-on-one, as developing compassion for the other helps us in claiming our own lessons. Seeing how the other serves as our own mirror, whether the other person seems to “get it” for themselves or not, can help us to handle what we can change, which is – merely ourselves.
For another explanation of Shanti’s work, see Testimonials.
Many of the testimonials are from clients whose sessions were 15 – 20 minutes long. The main factor is the readiness or “ripeness” of the client. Longer sessions are recommended for the sake of privacy, for deep-seated issues and for those in a healing crisis. Special offers are available to returning clients who join Shanti Mai’s Yahoo group.
Shanti Mai lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state (USA) and travels to Seattle; and Portland, Eugene, and Ashland, Oregon. She also offers Satsang – see Calendar page under the Eugene heading.
Prices for private and Phone sessions:
30 minutes, $45.00
45 minutes, $60.00
1 hour, $75.00
Throughout her life Shanti Mai has studied numerous traditions and techniques with many teachers. She now draws on all of them in her work, but credits the lineage of Ramana Maharshi and 17 years of single-parenting her four children as having been her greatest teachers.
As a child, Shanti Mai thought and spoke a lot about God and studied metaphysical topics independently while still in elementary school. Born into a professional and abusive military family, her life taught her, of necessity, to be able to “read” many different types of people, and forced her into the role of healer. Her first client was herself!
She graduated with a B.S., Cum Laude, in the mid-70’s, planning, originally, to head to grad school to become a teacher of the Deaf. Shanti Mai has worked in such diverse capacities as:
Teacher of Transcendental Meditation to military personnel in Europe
Night school German teacher for Irish Businessmen
Lead Teacher of the Head Start Program on a Reservation
Substitute teacher specializing in problematic Junior High Schools
Resident manager of a group home for schizophrenic adults
Sign language interpreter for Deaf college and university students
Freelance Editor/Co-writer (current, part-time)
About Shanti Mai’s Work
Shanti Mai draws clients who, though they may not know how, are willing to take an active role in their lives and in their healing process.
She begins by helping the client to silence their mind, becoming fully centered in the present moment.
Shanti’s focus is on helping her clients to see exactly where they are right now. In this silence of mind, it is possible to see and know your obstacles – and options – allowing you to heal and to make better choices. Shanti Mai empowers her clients through teaching.
Reading the present moment can clarify relationship and work issues, bring resolution to hurts and fears, help you access your intuition – and present new options for your life. It can also bring communication with a pet or a deceased loved one – or bring insight into current health issues.
As a minister, Shanti Mai provides customized Life-Transition Ceremonies – available for returning clients:
Birth
Coming of Age
Marriage & Commitment
Final Passage /Death
Mediation with an emphasis of understanding the other’s perspective and fears is available. Sessions start out one-on-one, as developing compassion for the other helps us in claiming our own lessons. Seeing how the other serves as our own mirror, whether the other person seems to “get it” for themselves or not, can help us to handle what we can change, which is – merely ourselves.
For another explanation of Shanti’s work, see Testimonials.
Many of the testimonials are from clients whose sessions were 15 – 20 minutes long. The main factor is the readiness or “ripeness” of the client. Longer sessions are recommended for the sake of privacy, for deep-seated issues and for those in a healing crisis. Special offers are available to returning clients who join Shanti Mai’s Yahoo group.
Prices for private and Phone sessions:
30 minutes, $45.00
45 minutes, $60.00
1 hour, $75.00
Aexia @ 34
“I once hauled a new TV through the DC metro system. Another time, I carried a couple of 8×10 rugs along with a couple bags. Got a lot of funny looks of course but I made it through just fine. Buses should be a bit easier to carry packages onto nowadays though with the wide-door low-floor models that have been phased in. If a wheelchair can get on the bus, so can your Christmas shopping.”
Funny you say that. About 30 minutes ago, I took the D.C. Metro system to Reagan National Airport, loaded down with two bags and a “personal item” (bag with laptop, etc.). (I am waiting for my flight right now).
I’ve spent the last several days hauling ass all over Washington D.C. Didn’t need a cab even once.
The Metro is a fantastic mass transit system. I SO badly want one of these things for the Seattle metropolitan area! If I could, I would commute by a system like this every day.
Mr.Cynical: I would gladly go to the support meeting, but being the punctual clown that I am, I’m always the first one in the miniature car. By the time all the other clowns get out , the meeting’s over!
Apache Frog—
Hark….a brief glimmer of a sense of humor!
Don’t be concerned Frogman….between myself and my pals who are always RIGHT, we’ll douse out the flicker quicker than Rosie O’Donnell gettin’ outta her car to a Buffet Line!
Interesting how what “Roger Rabbit” says at 31:
“The rationale for banning smoking indoors, whether you agree with it or not, is that 225,000 retaurant industry employees and other workers are involuntary recipients of second-hand smoke.” (and I’ll add just like office workers use to be…some people have short memories.)
all gets thrown out the window by what “jsa on beacon hill” says at 32:
“I-901 just goes too far. There is no exception for cigar bars or other workplaces where there is an expectation of encountering smoke, and there is the asinine 25 foot rule.”
Overall, there are a lot more benefits to this initiative than anything else. Sometimes I think we tend to get stuck in overthinking minutia with the most important, main point sitting in front of us….the protection of 225,000 hospitality workers’ and the public’s health/safety. I see the big picture and that’s why I voted “yes” on this. (The 25FR has already been explained above.)
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK LEFTIST PINHEADS BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK LEFTIST PINHEADS BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK CLOWNSTEIN BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK LEFTIST PINHEADS BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK LEFTIST PINHEADS BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK CLOWNSTEIN BWAAAAWK
BWAAAAWK BWAAAAWK LEFTIST PINHEADS LEFTIST PINHEADS
Oh good grief, the damned sky is falling, black is white, up is down and DAMN IT, apache fog and I actually agree on something.
I despise smoking.
I hate it with every fiber of my being.
BUT
I simply don’t go where people smoke.
See how easy?
Non-smoking establishments get my business.
Smoking establishments get the business of SMOKERS.
NO ON 901.
NO ON USURPING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.
NO ON INTERFEREING IN PRIVATE BUSINESS DECISIONS.
NO ON BUSY BODIES.
NO ON NANNY STATE BABYSITTING.
NO ON “PROTECTING” THOSE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR PROTECTION.
NO ON SLAPPING THE FREE MARKET.
NO, NO, NO ON 901!
If mommy government and busybodies who think they know best want to correct the omg horrible wrong of smoking or whatever current vice fad of the day, LET THEM MAKE IT ILLEGAL AND STOP COLLECTING TAXES ON IT.
I believe that’s called ‘put your money where your mouth is’.
it scares me, I think I agree with proudASS about something…
901 is just too ‘tyranny of the majority’ for me.
so yeah, no on 901!
Good line… “tyranney of the majority”… I may have to use it on you sometime! :)
rujax @ 41
Sounds like your nightly “mental download” from MorOn.org got corrupted.
See what happens when you aren’t taught to think for yourself?? Try it! You’ll like it!
I was close, hows No on 901, and Yes as many times as they will let me on 912…
rujax @ 41
wow was that a moment of clarity….good job
aah, a righty contemplating vote fraud… Must be another (u)SP refugee.
Re 901;
Yeah, if saving Health care $$ (by way of quasi socialism) is the trigger for “ban this behavior”, then whoa…
No more McDonalds
No more Doritos
No more Colas
No more singles bars, other places to get aids, herpes
No more motorcycle riding
No more alcohol, except gentle red wines
I’m sure if i called my mother i could get a list of other foods and behaviors that would cost us all money…
hey ass, If you didn’t hate America so much, you’d have come across it before, Thomas Jefferson said it first.
No more beds without bars…. falling out is such a problem.
No more open toed sandals… ouch, billy stubbed his toe.
No more ski lifts without seatbelts.
No more escalators while wearing shoes with laces.
No more loud noise emanating from cars driven by punks.
No more balconies.
No more plugs in bathrooms….
@55
awww, I was gonna get away with lookin’ really smart and you ruined it!
I do think it applies here tho’…
“i always find it amazing that my fellow liberals feel the need to continue to legislate personal behavior.”
you do??? that is what liberals do – where the heck have you been the last 20 years?
Yes, this is the type of thing he was talking about. The will of the people should prevail only so long as its not a burden on some minority, how much of a burden is up for grabs though.
Eric, funny, the liberals are not the ones trying make laws that prevent polygamous or gay marriages. (Well, most liberals, there is always rabbit, but I maintain he is not so much a liberal as an anti-republican). What are those laws if not an attempt to legislate personal behaviour?
Throughout her life Shanti Mai has studied numerous traditions and techniques with many teachers. She now draws on all of them in her work, but credits the lineage of Ramana Maharshi and 17 years of single-parenting her four children as having been her greatest teachers.
As a child, Shanti Mai thought and spoke a lot about God and studied metaphysical topics independently while still in elementary school. Born into a professional and abusive military family, her life taught her, of necessity, to be able to “read” many different types of people, and forced her into the role of healer. Her first client was herself!
She graduated with a B.S., Cum Laude, in the mid-70’s, planning, originally, to head to grad school to become a teacher of the Deaf. Shanti Mai has worked in such diverse capacities as:
Teacher of Transcendental Meditation to military personnel in Europe
Night school German teacher for Irish Businessmen
Lead Teacher of the Head Start Program on a Reservation
Substitute teacher specializing in problematic Junior High Schools
Resident manager of a group home for schizophrenic adults
Sign language interpreter for Deaf college and university students
Freelance Editor/Co-writer (current, part-time)
About Shanti Mai’s Work
Shanti Mai draws clients who, though they may not know how, are willing to take an active role in their lives and in their healing process.
She begins by helping the client to silence their mind, becoming fully centered in the present moment.
Shanti’s focus is on helping her clients to see exactly where they are right now. In this silence of mind, it is possible to see and know your obstacles – and options – allowing you to heal and to make better choices. Shanti Mai empowers her clients through teaching.
Reading the present moment can clarify relationship and work issues, bring resolution to hurts and fears, help you access your intuition – and present new options for your life. It can also bring communication with a pet or a deceased loved one – or bring insight into current health issues.
As a minister, Shanti Mai provides customized Life-Transition Ceremonies – available for returning clients:
Birth
Coming of Age
Marriage & Commitment
Final Passage /Death
Mediation with an emphasis of understanding the other’s perspective and fears is available. Sessions start out one-on-one, as developing compassion for the other helps us in claiming our own lessons. Seeing how the other serves as our own mirror, whether the other person seems to “get it” for themselves or not, can help us to handle what we can change, which is – merely ourselves.
For another explanation of Shanti’s work, see Testimonials.
Many of the testimonials are from clients whose sessions were 15 – 20 minutes long. The main factor is the readiness or “ripeness” of the client. Longer sessions are recommended for the sake of privacy, for deep-seated issues and for those in a healing crisis. Special offers are available to returning clients who join Shanti Mai’s Yahoo group.
Prices for private and Phone sessions:
30 minutes, $45.00
45 minutes, $60.00
1 hour, $75.00
You know cynical, advertising for your workplace on a political blog really isnt cool.
In other words, *yawn* it has gotten old, you really have no clue how to tell a joke, do you? Here is a hint, when they don’t laugh the first 80 times, telling it again is probably not going to work.
Bill @60: I thought Goldy recently created a blog entry about a polygamist judge and railing all over him. Did you miss that entry? http://www.horsesass.org/index.php?p=1130 Just look to the right; Goldstain’s last bullet item.
DJ: Finally you said something cogent. I love the DJ Metro! It is on-time and CLEAN!
That is DC Metro. I am so shocked to agree with DJ I wrote DJ again!
Wow are you stupid, why don’t you actually read the posts there, dumbshit.
As a reminder, (I can tell that you are senile and need a reminder) thats the place where you said:
“Remember that joker who had five wives a few years ago. He bragged about it. The problem is when you stray away from God’s original plan of one man – one woman problems occur.”