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How about this for a New Year’s Resolution: Join us for drinks, laughs, and political conversation at this week’s Seattle Chapter of Drinking Liberally?

We meet tonight and every Tuesday at the Roanoke Park Place Tavern, 2409 10th Ave E, Seattle. You’ll find us in the small room at the back of the tavern. We start at 8:00pm.

Can’t make it to Seattle tonight? Check out one of the other DL meetings happening this week. The Long Beach, Tri-Cities and West Seattle chapters also meet tonight. The Lakewood chapter meets on Wednesday. And on Thursday, the Tacoma chapter meets.

There are 186 chapters of Living Liberally, including eighteen in Washington state, three in Oregon and one in Idaho. Find—or start—a chapter near you.

When I was looking for stuff to write about, I came across this press release about Inslee’s budget by Representative Bruce Chandler. I don’t think I can improve on it’s terribleness, except to say that people vote for him. Like actual humans in Washington see his name on a ballot every two years since 2008 and mark the little circle.

“The governor is required to introduce his ideas for state spending before the Legislature convenes each year. We thank Governor Inslee for his proposal and for his staff’s efforts in providing a starting point from which the Legislature can begin its work.

So far, fine. Let’s follow it up with the dumbest paragraph ever written.

“At first glance, we’re pleased to see emergency money allocated for fire suppression efforts across the state. While we may not agree on the cause of this year’s horrendous forest fires, we certainly agree on the need to allocate adequate resources to fire suppression now, and in the future we believe there is ample opportunity to restore forest health and develop more effective state and local fire response strategies.

Sometimes when you do a metacommentary piece, you have to leave jokes on the table. Here are some things I left out because if I went in depth on them, I’d never finish writing this:

• If you’ve taken the time to write 8 paragraphs, it’s not first glance.
• There’s no mention of how he wants to pay for the fire suppression stuff.
• That monster second sentence could be, like, 3 sentences.
• Is “we” the whole GOP Caucus? It sort of sounds like that from future paragraphs, but it’s never explicitly stated.

OK. With that out of the way: As far as I can tell “we may not agree on the cause of this year’s horrendous forest fires,” is Representative Chandler’s way of saying he doesn’t believe humans caused global warming. Or possibly he doesn’t think global warming is even a thing? Look, on the one hand, you have Governor Inslee’s side: Basically all the scientists that study the issue, and the fact of the actual forest season that we’re actually talking about. On the other side, you have Representative Chandler: Nu huh.

Seriously, global warming is real. It did contribute to the fire season being bad. It will contribute to future bad fire seasons.

“We agree with the governor that a supplemental budget year is not the time for substantial policy changes that balloon state spending down the road. The 2015-17 biennial budget was signed into law less than six months ago. Significant policy additions – outside of emergency caseload adjustments – are better suited for the deliberation and scrutiny of a 105-day session during budget-writing years.

Fine whatever. Although I’d prefer yearly budgets, that’s not the process.

“However, in his proposal for additional policy changes, we find it disappointing that Governor Inslee has decided to trot out four tax increases we’ve all seen before. These tax increases have either been rejected by voters in the past, like the tax on bottled water, or already reviewed by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. The Legislature had ample opportunity to impose these new tax increases over the last few years, but after citizen input and careful scrutiny, chose not to. If the governor felt it was an emergency to add further growth to state government, the public would be better served by innovation and new ideas rather than a continuation of failed efforts of taking more from taxpayers.

Innovation and new ideas? Look, if you could just innovate greater revenue, people would have already done it. Why does Governor Inslee propose minor tax increases when he hasn’t even tried magic?

“We’re also disappointed that Governor Inslee failed to make a strong commitment to public charter schools in our state. During today’s press conference, he had the opportunity to lend his support to bipartisan legislative efforts to ensure all students and parents of our state are served equally. Legislators will invest precious time and political capital in crafting a solution to our state’s voter-approved public charter school system. However, without the engagement of our governor in those efforts, the solution will be more difficult.

Charter schools were ruled unconstitutional. What possible commitment could you make to them if you swore to uphold the state constitution? Gaaah.

In any event, given the McCleary decision, I’d think it would probably make sense to include something about public school funding more generally in this press release if it’s going to have an education section. But no. Just take us home a no-transitions-needed ending.

“We look forward to further discussions with the governor and the other caucuses to arrive at timely, common sense solutions so that the 2016 session can end on time.”

Is ending the session on time really the highest priority? I would think making some situation where you aren’t in contempt of court for shortchanging education would at least get a mention. Oh well.

Hey, remember back in early November when I said I was going to take a week or so off? So, I think I’m back. The plan is to not do links but to maybe have a paragraph or so as the open thread, and then have more time/effort to write longer form stuff. I don’t know if that will pan out.

I think except over the holidays, the conversation was fine in the abbreviated open threads. But I do like the community aspect of linking to other blogs always including local ones. So we’ll see how it goes. If you want more links, or whatever, let me know.

Seattle’s “Congressman for Life” Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA-07) will, apparently, defy his appellation and retire from the House without first dying.

McDermott is expected to announce his retirement on Monday. If KING 5’s sources are correct, that is.

The 79 year-old psychiatrist-turned-politician was first elected to the Washington state legislature, representing the 43 district, in 1970. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1988, taking office on Jan 3 of 1989.

McDermott had several causes in Congress including health care issues of all types and, generally, pissing off the Republican leadership. His battle against Newt Gingrich over Gingrich’s violation of a House Ethics committee agreement was epic (but cost McDermott a lot of money). McDermott also fought an unorthodox battle to strike the phrase “one nation under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance.

McDermott once showed up the the Seattle Chapter of Drinking Liberally. A couple of College Republicans decided to stop by that same evening and pestered the Congressman. He largely ignored them. But, then again, he hasn’t been back.

Maybe he’ll have more time for recreational politics and beer next year.

2 Samuel 13:10-15
And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”

“No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”

Discuss.

Young Turks: Prosecutor throws case in Tamir Rice case.

Obama: What is really important in life.

Jesus was a refugee points out the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Young Turks: NSA caught spying on Congress, Israel, everyone.

The 2016 Festival of KKKrazy:

• Ben Carson’s top campaign staffers resign.
• Trevor does Ben
• David Pakman: Trump spokeswoman appears on CNN wearing bullet necklace.
• Young Turks: Trump spokesperson wears a bullet necklace.
• Hitler hates Donald Trump.:

• Thom: Should we blame Trump for the Christmas Mosque burning?
• David Pakman: Trump’s massive FLIP-FLOP on wages after Sanders destroys him.
• Young Turks: Donald Trump is the Twitter Troll-in-Chief.
• David Pakman: Unhinged Ted Cruz supporters rival trump supporters in insanity.

Michael Brooks: Black Panther Obama?.

Thom: The big lie on the war against drugs.

Young Turks: The surprising story of the bearded woman.

Office Space: Dave Reichert’s Washington Precinct.

Watch 25 years of arctic ice disappear in one minute.

Obama: Making America safer for our children:

Young Turks: Open carry laws are not for Black people.

2015 Leftovers:

• Congressional hits and misses: Best of 2015.
• Mark Fiore: The year in one breath.
• PsychoSuperMom: 2015 musical year in review.
• David Pakman: How many people overdosed on pot in 2016?
• Chris Hayes and friends: The power of Black Lives Matter in 2015
• Jonathan Mann: New Years eve 2015
• Liberal Viewer: Scariest political clip of 2015.
• Young Turks: 2015 Turk Of The Year.
• Why are there so many calendars?
• Jimmy Dore: Ron Paul’s holiday wish.:

• Strange New Year celebrations from around the world.
• David Pakman: funniest foreign policy statement of 2015.

Thom: Should Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI) be in jail for child abuse?

White House: West Wing Week.

Young Turks: Surprising new poll on abortion.

Last week’s Friday Night Multimedia Extravaganza can be found here.

From Deez Nuts To Donald Trump: Goodbye 2015:

Jimmy Dore: Bill-O is intoxicated by the holidays.

Say “goodbye” to 2015 bad memories.

The most important people of 2015.

Sam Seder and Digby Year in Review: Part 1 and Part 2.

Young Turks: The real War on Christmas revealed.

Politics is a Drag: The year in politics.

Ann Telnaes: Out with the old, in with the Trump.

Mental Floss: 21 things that turned 21 this year.

Look at the bright side: When politicians made us go WTF in 2015.

Francesca Fiorentini: Resolutions to actually make America great again:

Meet the Press: Crazy year in politics.

Jimmy Dore: Jeb Bush believes in the miracle of billionaires.

The business of New Year’s resolutions.

Let’s Get Political:2015’s Top U.S. Politics Headlines.

Go!

Let’s bid farewell to 2015 over drinks and conversation at this week’s Seattle Chapter of Drinking Liberally.

We meet tonight and every Tuesday at the Roanoke Park Place Tavern, 2409 10th Ave E, Seattle. You’ll find us in the small room at the back of the tavern. We start at 8:00pm.

Can’t make it to Seattle tonight? Check out one of the other DL meetings happening this week. Tonight the Tri-Cities chapter also meets. And next Monday, the Yakima and South Bellevue chapters meet.

There are 186 chapters of Living Liberally, including eighteen in Washington state, three in Oregon and one in Idaho. Find—or start—a chapter near you.

I hope you had a good Christmas if you celebrate it, or a good long weekend if you don’t. Back to the grind.

Jeremiah 10:2-4

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Discuss.

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) uses big numbers.

Obama: The top 10 things that happened in 2015:

David Pakman: Health care costs rise slowest since 1961 thanks to ObamaCare..

Minute Physics: Why December has the longest days.

Obama wins the War on Christmas™.

Maddow: Debate audiences crush records.

Thom: The Good, The Bad and the Very Very Ludibriously Ugly.

Congressional Hits and Misses: Best of the Rules Committee.

David Pakman: 2015 lies of the year.

White House: West Wing Week.

The 2016 Carnival of Crazy:

• Thom: Republican’s obsession with strong-man leadership is un-American and un-natural
• Sam Seder: Trump says Hillary Clinton Got ‘schlonged’ by Obama in 2008
• Young Turks: Trump jokes about killing reporters.
• Two guys build an asshole wall around Trump Tower
• Sam Seder: Don’t worry…Trump comes out against killing journalists.
• Thom: Trump supporters are building bombs?
• David Pakman: Trump said Hillary got schlonged….
• Young Turks: Trump says Hillary got “schlonged” by Obama in 2008.
• Sam Seder: Donald Trump has no idea with the nuclear triad is.
• Anne Telnaes: GOP hopes for its own Miss Universe disaster.
• Maddow: Crass remarks from Trump are a signature style.
• Sam Seder: Trump suggests that Hillary Clinton is disgusting for going to the bathroom
• David Pakman: Is Ted Cruz surging or is Donald Trump running away with it?
• Steve Kornacki: Ted Cruz will not make overturning gay marriage a priority.
• David Pakman: Does this Ted Cruz rally creep you out?
• Jimmy Dore: Ben Carson explains how to defeat ISIS.
• Jimmy Dore: Ben Carson thinks carpet bombing is like saving kids from cancer
• Sam Seder: Losing is the new winning.
• Jimmy Dore: Jeb Bush ain’t taking shit from no one anymore.
• Sam Seder: Jeb’s! sad, sad closing.
• Young Turks: Down goes Lindsey Graham.
• Jimmy Dore: Chris Christie takes bold stand for WWIII

Obamas’ Christmas address

Library of Congress highlights the first book printed in America.

Jimmy Dore: Far right kook wonders how he became so liberal:

Young Turks: Senator Cotton suggests that disability benefits lead to heroin abuse.

Maddow: Best campaign ads tell the story of U.S. politics.

White House: A historic agreement to combat climate change.

The Young Turks: Is Chick-fil-A going gay?

Stephen is ready to go to Mars.

Thom: Are the Koch prison reforms only helping executive & white collar crimes?

The FAUX News Chelsea Clinton conspiracy theory.

Twelve rejected political parody videos:

Maddow: NASA to survey belching, toxic gas leak.

Last week’s Friday Night Multimedia Extravaganza can be found here.

Every year I bravely wage the War on Christmas, and yet once again, despite my best efforts, it came just the same. Damn you, Bill O’Reilly!

Mental Floss: 25 holiday film facts.

Mark Fiore: The Real War on Christmas.

What does Santa want for Christmas.

Young Turks: Santa Claus field trip causes controversy

The uncensored 12 Days of Christmas:

David Pakman: Some alternative Christmas carols.

A holiday message from Hillary Clinton.

What do Syrian refugees want for Christmas?

Unaired SNL Christmas with fighting siblings.

Thom: Mystery meat for the holidays?

Uncensored office Santa.

Black Santa is very in demand.

The pagan origins of Christmas:

Key of Awesome Christmas Parody Spectacular.

Young Turks: Cheesy politician Christmas cards.

Best Christmas gift ever.

Happy Holidays from Boston Dynamics.

Monday evening, returning to the US from our “vacation of a lifetime” to the Galapagos*, I was detained by Customs and Border Patrol agents at Miami International Airport.

I hadn’t flown internationally in 15 years, so I was unfamiliar with the reentry process. As instructed, my daughter and I used the automated kiosks provided for US citizens. We scanned our passports. We answered the questions honestly—”no” to everything that would warrant further inspection—and had our photos taken. (The touch-screen kiosk is actually pretty nifty; it automatically adjusted its height lower to take my daughter’s photo.) Katie’s reentry pass printed out with a slightly goofy surprised smile. Mine printed out with a big X printed across my face, and instructions to go see an agent… who promptly confiscated my passport and called an armed agent to escort me to a holding area. My passport had been “flagged,” I was told.

“How long will this take?” I asked the agent, mentioning that we had a connecting flight to catch.

“Could be five minutes; could be five hours,” he offered uncooperatively. “Could be five years,” he added with a slightly ominous tone.

Yikes.

While others were escorted into rooms for their interviews, my daughter and I sat and waited, making plans for her to continue to Seattle without me or our luggage if the process dragged out too long. After about 45 minutes, I was called to a counter, handed my passport, and instructed to take a left, head down a hallway, and then go through a gray door. It was only once I opened the door that I realized it was an exit. It would have been useful had they told me they were done with me, considering my daughter was still waiting in the sitting area around the front.

I retrieved my daughter, and after a bit of a search, our luggage (our flight information had scrolled off the monitor, and no airport personnel could tell us on what carousel it had arrived, so we had to sort through thousands of bags). The process leaving the baggage area was routine. At no time during my encounter with CBP was I questioned; at no time was my body or belongings searched. Fortunately, we had a three-hour layover, so we made our connecting flight.

But the question remains: Why the fuck was my passport flagged?

I suppose it could have something to do with this. Or this. Or maybe this, this, or this. But although I’ve been a brash and frequent critic of the security theater that has characterized the Orwellian-named Department of Homeland Security in the post-9/11 era, nothing I’ve said or written could reasonably be interpreted as an actual threat. Still, I’ve always entertained the possibility that my writing could leave me open to some sort of retaliation.

But assuming this incident was intentional rather than due to some weird glitch (and to be clear, there was nothing random or routine about my detainment), I’m guessing it probably had more to do with something like this. Or even more likely, this. And if it was, judging from their actual lack of interest in me or my belongings, I can only characterize this experience as an episode of official harassment.

Okay. Lesson learned: From this point forward I will always speak my mind clearly and forcefully—even recklessly—without any fear of the consequences. I’ll just never, ever book a return to the US again expecting to make a connecting flight.

Suck on that, DHS.

 

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* And yes, it was a vacation of a lifetime.