– Well that special session totally, totally had a point.

– We have very little privacy unless we live completely off the grid. So how do we protect it?

– The Morning After Pill is available to all ages.

– Big corporations collect a vast amount of data about us. And then they ignore it and give us ads like these instead.

– Well, if the British are on board with our spying, then I guess…nope, still ought to be dialed back.

– A look at Seattle’s terrifyingly normal streets

– Hillary Clinton is on Twitter.

A few months ago in an Open Thread, I linked positively to this Sally Clark piece on finding a body during the One Night Count. It seemed like it was compassionate, and human. I now realize that was incorrect. That piece wasn’t her feeling sorry for a homeless person who had died, it was her dragging it in front of the rest of the world like a cat with a dead bird. How else do you explain her and 6 colleagues moving to force the closure of Nickelsville with only vague assurances of funding to solve the problem?

This morning, at the city council briefing, Council Member Sally Clark circulated a letter, addressed to Mayor McGinn, regarding the Nickelsville homeless encampment in Highland Park. All the council members except the two who have recently been working on homeless encampment legislation—that’s Nick Licata and Mike O’Brien—signed it.

This letter, which West Seattle Blog has a copy of here, asks the mayor to direct the city’s Human Services Department in planning and providing “immediate targeted outreach and engagement services to the Nickelsville residents along with immediate provisions of shelter, housing and other services.” Citing “a public health and safety emergency,” they ask that the plan be developed, implemented, and then Nickelsville be shut down, all by September 1, 2013.

As to the money that would cost, the letter says: “We recognize added resources may be required and, to that end, we will introduce legislation to authorize funding for this purpose.” They do not say how much or where it will come from.

Unfortunately, McGinn is going along (not sure what other options he has).

I appreciate the work of Councilmembers Licata and O’Brien for working on expanding legal options for encampments, which built upon the work of an advisory task force I assembled in my first year in office. For some time we have delayed enforcement of the law against encampments on industrial lands while the City Council examined these proposals to provide more opportunities for legal encampments in the City of Seattle. In light of the City Council’s clear statement of intent that they will not expand encampments further, and that they expect Nickelsville to clear the property by September 1, motivated in part by the desire to sell this property to Food Lifeline, I have no further basis to not enforce the law.

We will provide additional services, including extended winter shelter hours through the summer. Absent a change in direction by the City Council, by September 1 we expect the property to be vacated and we will follow the City Council’s direction to evict those who remain.

And look, none of this is to say that Nickelsville is a particularly good solution to Seattle’s homelessness problem. But whatever half assed fixes Seattle gets between now and September — if we even get the promised half assed fixes — won’t be enough. And as the September days turn chillier and chillier, well, it won’t be the members of the City Council out in the cold.

– The net effect—one mandatory off-street parking space plus one car-less household—is a one-space reduction of parking supply on my block. Repeat: my obligatory driveway and garage deprive the universe of one on-street slot.

– I think Joel is overselling the problems with installing a streetcar. I mean traffic where they’re installing one now isn’t great, but it isn’t in the best of times. And it’s not that much worse than it has been in the past (yes, Joel sites some examples, but there isn’t much concrete data).

– Snowden’s whistleblowing gives us the possibility to roll back a key part of what has amounted to an “executive coup” against the US constitution.

– UW kids against the Kochs

– How dare they accept our meek acceptance of power?

For the most part, I like what Emmett O’Connell is saying here about the Northwest attitude and the difficulty of outsiders to get it.

The same study pointed out that the typical Northwesterner was very open, but also very introverted. So, take that with the very sane label, I could see why crazy extroverts from other parts of the country would have trouble here.

So, long story short: we have a regional personality here in Cascadia. It is open, quiet and sane. It isn’t for everyone, but it was what defines us. There’s Southern Charm, Northeast brashness and up here we have Cascadian Calm

Right!

Still, I think he understates some of than animus toward people from the rest of the country. I mean it has warn off some, but Emmett Watson made a living hating Californians. And while the California hate was probably stronger than the rest of the country, East Coasters and people from all over get it too.

It’s not fair to say Rodney Tom doesn’t have a budget. He totally does. You just can’t see it. It’s, um, in Canada. But it’s totally real.

The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus called a 6-minute press conference on Thursday to say that they’ve made a counter-offer to the House on the budget. But they released no details about what’s in that offer.

[…]

Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom said the Senate made a “comprehensive offer” back to the House on Thursday morning, but would not say what that offer entailed.

Look you guys, I don’t want to use this press conference about my budget to bring the media into the budget process. But my budget proposal is real. It’s real. It’s just so awesome that if you saw it you’d be sad that it wasn’t your budget, so I can’t show it to you.

That press conference was so bizarre that even Josh Feit, who usually bends over backwards to give the conservative side, was flabbergasted.

Tom’s response to the proposal was breif and bizarre.

Asked about the Democratic proposal today, Tom said it wouldn’t meet the “dependable funding” requirement of the McCleary decision because the money from closing tax loopholes was going to the public for a vote. “This isn’t the old Soviet Union where you can guarantee an election,” he said.

However, the Democrats’ proposal to close $255.6 million in seven tax loopholes is not attached to a public vote. Sponsor Carlyle says: “There is no referendum clause. There never has been. Absolutely not. Unequivocally. Emphatically. Period. End of sentence. Have a nice day.”

In Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa We’re Doomed news there are radioactive birds at Hanford (Tri-City Herald, I think they have a limited number of clicks):

Work stopped Wednesday morning at parts of the Hanford vitrification plant after radioactive contamination was detected under a bird’s nest, according to Bechtel National.

I know where this leads: Soon they’ll bite people and then those people will have super powers. Like shitting on people from 100 feet up. I’m already terrified. The only question now is if they use their super powers for good or evil. Probably evil because how you could possibly use that power for good?

Or maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit.

The contamination is suspected of coming from mud used for the nest, which may have belonged to a swallow, said Bechtel spokesman Todd Nelson. Only a small amount of contaminated soil was found, and the contamination was at a low level.

– A progress report on the ex-offender hiring bill in Seattle.

– On the other hand, the fact that Obama didn’t hesitate to announce his appointment of Rice on the day after he defied Republican obstructionists with his three judicial nominees is a good sign.

– While here in Washington we’ll have to get even modest background checks on the ballot, Oregon may get a measure passed through their legislature.

– The Power of Choice Awards are coming up.

– The way I see it, if you can’t look the people in the eye and listen to them then you don’t belong in public office.

– The 2013 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan is out now. There will be time for public comment, and then after it’s finalized, politicians can ignore it.

– Like Paprocki, Mohler refuses to imagine any possible view of “moral truth” other than his own. Anyone who makes a moral argument challenging his own moral assertions, he claims, must be attacking morality itself.

The State House has just put forth a new budget plan (S/R link, I think they have a limit, but I’ve never hit it).

House Democrats offered to trim back spending and drop many proposals on taxes as part of a compromise they say would allow the Legislature to pass a 2013-15 operating budget before time runs out in the special session.

The $33.6 billion plan for the next biennium spends an extra $700 million on public schools in an attempt to meet a state Supreme Court mandate, although less than their leaders proposed at the beginning of the year.

It closes fewer tax exemptions and preferences and would not extend a business and occupation tax surcharge or higher taxes on beer that are scheduled to expire at the end of the month. A separate proposal would close or reduce seven tax exemptions, raising an estimated $256 million. That money would be dedicated to specific programs in public schools or colleges if they pass as separate legislation.

Well, I mean sure. It’s pretty shitty, but maybe at least now there can be a compromise. I guess a bad budget is better than no budget. I don’t want to give the impression I’m happy that the Democrats blinked, but they have to pass a budget that people like Rodney Tom’s Republicans Republicans can support.

But the coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats that holds the 25-24 majority in the Senate, was less enthusiastic.

“I’m disappointed that this House budget proposal is balanced on the backs of Washington’s school children,” Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, the majority leader, said in a prepared statement. The coalition “will not let political expediency get in the way of fulfilling our obligation to provide for our schools.”

Seriously, fuck you Rodney Tom. If you’re concerned about the obligation to provide for schools, how about raise taxes? But Rodney Tom is bitter asshole, a man so consumed with keeping his ill-gotten power that he would almost certainly kick kittens and then blame Democrats for not stopping him. Maybe other Republicans will be better. I’ll just go over to the House Republican Caucus page and see what they’re doing. Surely they’ll be more reasona…nevermind.

“I am also concerned about the process they decided to use – going through the media via a press conference and using two separate bills. To me, this looks like a step back from the negotiating table. Negotiating through the media by staging press conferences by the governor and House Democrats doesn’t bring the two chambers together.

I know, because all the indications were that the budget negotiations were going soooooooo smooooooothly before this. That’s why there’s a special session and it’s also why there have been warnings that we might go over a cliff. Because the process was working too well before people actually put their ideas forward for the public. Christ.

I don’t do much metacommentary any more. But when conservatives like Michael Medved are terrible, well, what can you do?

Should Eleven Year Olds “Come Out”?

It probably depends on the circumstance. Wait, what?

Should eleven year old boys who haven’t even reached puberty make public declarations about their sexuality? Of course not, but the disastrous new policy by the Boy Scouts of America encourages children to proudly announce their own homosexuality. Scouting is open to all boys at age 11, and those who’ve completed Cub Scouts with an “Arrow of Light” award join as early as age 10!

Medved has flipped all logic on its head. The Boy Scouts isn’t going to kick people out if they come out, but that’s very different from encouraging anyone to declare their sexuality. Saying that if at some point between 10 and 18 someone lets people know they’re gay, then that someone can still be a Scout is a very different thing than forcing children to declare their sexuality. In fact, the opposite is the case now, as before the Scouts had a de facto policy of making all of their members declare themselves heterosexual.

Anyway, please continue by making up some science.

But precious few children have formed fixed sexual identities at that age: every scientific survey of intimate behavior shows that even among the rare adolescent males who’ve experienced gay sex before 18, the majority grow up to identify as exclusively heterosexual after 25.

??????????????????????????????????????????

I feel like I’ve probably overused lots of question marks as a joke recently, but seriously, what the fuck?

The Boy Scouts still claim to ban both same sex and opposite sex intimacy, but raising questions of orientation at wildly inappropriate ages contributes to the destructive trend to sexualize immature children.

That’s why they stopped.

– Congrats to John Lovick?

– The attention her discovery has brought Barre-Sinoussi has changed everything, just like her friend warned, she says. It even won over the man who told her at the start of her career that a life in science would be impossible for a woman. He contacted her many years after the HIV discovery.

– You must remember this paragraph anytime someone tells you that the black ghettos of Chicago are “no different” than other white immigrant ghettos. Such a person is speaking in ignorance of the actual math and should be immediately instructed to put down the hair tonic.

– Interesting debates on the nature of food aid going forward.

– Seasonal service changes for transit agencies. (PS, I dig the new look at Seattle Transit Blog).

– I don’t even know what a hipster is, really.

1) Now that I-502 has passed, what will the purchase of marijuana look like within city limits? Will medical marijuana collective garden storefronts in Seattle have to abide by the 1000-foot rule established by I-502?

Since the medical marijuana dispensaries have served and do serve as suppliers for the recreational users as well – especially underage ones – my perception is that we have too many of them and it’s good that they have gotten notices to move further away with the 1000 foot rule. That said, I don’t think banishing marijuana storefronts makes any sense or sends a good message. We probably should have saved the old state liquor stores and used them for outlets. I attached the speech I made at the Cannabis Freedom March for some background on my thoughts. [a copy is here – Carl]

2) With Metro’s ability to fund itself at the whim of the legislature, what should the city’s role be in public transportation? As mayor, how will you both make sure we get our fair share, and that the system serves the entire region well?

My suggestion for METRO funding is called ORCA Tabs. Here’s a post I made recently called METRO Rx. http://katemartinformayor.com/2013/05/14/metro-rx/

3) What should the waterfront look like after the Viaduct comes down? Will there be a streetcar or other transit?

I think the upper deck of the viaduct should be preserved as an open space. Here’s a post I made recently called The Viaduct Park. http://katemartinformayor.com/2013/05/09/the-viaduct-park/

4) What should happen in the next 4 years to make sure that police reform both satisfies the Feds, and works for Seattle citizens?

Here’s a post from earlier in the campaign – pre Diaz retirement. http://katemartinformayor.com/2013/01/30/seattle-police-department-path/

Here’s some current commentary on that…

I sincerely hope that the selection process holds off until after the election. I believe the new chief should know who their boss will be for the next 4 years (at least).

When we do open up the search, we need a chief who I describe as a dichotomy. The person must be strong and able to command the respect of the force in an organization with a military-style hierarchy. Previously, although former Chief Diaz was on paper the chief, he didn’t exactly function like the chief. Command staff below him and union leadership seemed to dominate.

In addition to being able to actually function as a respected chief, the chief must lead by example and must be a woman or man with compassion for humanity and agility with a variety of tools beyond just force. The problem of excessive force and racism is an epidemic across our nation’s police forces, so a new tradition must be instilled. That is not something you can make people do and it’s nothing they can fake. They must have the aptitude and the proper professional development and leadership for it to happen.

Additionally, I think that the police force must be rested and healthy. With the $16.8M worth of overtime last year at SPD, I think we have to take a serious look at the relationship between overworking our force and the performance standards we desire, in addition to the budget implications of such practices.

I’d also like to see more neighborhood-based hiring to connect communities to the police forces in a social, neighborly way.

And finally, I understand that there have been inadequate levels of professional development. For all of our City workers, we must invest in their professional development. For the police, for instance, I understand that it has been 8 years since training for domestic violence. That is unacceptable and that’s not the only area lacking in professional development.

5) When there are police incidents, the response from the top is important. With hindsight, in the wake of John T. Williams being killed by a Seattle police officer what, if anything, should the mayor’s office have done differently what, if anything, did it do right?

We need a police force we can trust. I don’t think we’re any closer to having that than we were 2 years ago.

I believe the right response is to trace the incident back to a systemic problem and then fix that problem. I think that professional development of the force has been neglected. There are so many new officers and so little training. The force needs more tools to defuse situations – especially in cases with mental illness and addiction involved. It was just a couple of months ago when a father called 911 up near Carkeek Park because his mentally ill son was acting out. I am certain that the outcome that father was looking for was not the death of his son, but that’s what happened when 10 cars responded to the incident and a guy with no gun or knife was shot dead. Authentic, effective professional development must be stepped up so that every officer has the tools they need to successfully manage the tremendous variety of situations they encounter every day.

– The pride flag will fly above Seattle City Hall.

– So let me be very clear: If you claim to be “pro-life” and yet you don’t support this bill, I have to conclude you are, at best, a sanctimonious hypocrite and not someone whose proclamations on “morality” are deserving of any attention or respect.

– Lindy West continues to be pretty awesome.

– RIP Frank Lautenberg

– I don’t know why anyone would have lutefisk as part of a diet. In my family, it’s mostly just an excuse to have cream sauce.

I didn’t realize that this is happening next month (h/t, h/t), but it’s rather great that it is.

The Trans*Pride march will include community members that identify as Trans* in some way such as folks who identify as Transgender, Transsexual, Gender Queer, Gender Non-Conforming, Trans Men, Trans Women, Drag Queens and Kings, Cross Dressers, and our Friends, Families, Co-Workers, and other Allies. The purpose of the march and rally is to raise awareness and support for the Trans* community and to elevate the challenges faced by Trans* and Gender Non-Conforming people in Seattle and more broadly in Washington State, the United States, and Internationally.

We are very excited about the speakers that will be participating in this event, who will be addressing issues of gender identity and expression and how they intersect with sexual orientation, race, poverty and class issues, ability, and the many other intersections of identity we all have. The speakers will be announced soon. If you are interested in speaking or suggesting a speaker, please check our performers page.

I’m glad that Seattle is accommodating enough that the Department of Neighborhoods is a sponsor. It’s Friday, June 28, and if you’re interested in checking it out, here’s the schedule:

5:00pm – 6:00pm – Assemble in Front of Seattle Central Community College
6:00pm – 7:00pm – March to Cal Anderson Park
7:00pm – 7:30pm – Welcome & Speeches
7:30pm – 8:00pm – Music by: Rae Spoon
8:00pm – 8:30am – Seattle Trans* Organizations Highlights
8:30pm – 9:00pm – Keynote Speech: Julia Serano
9:00pm – 9:30pm – More of Seattle’s amazing Trans* Community Organizations
9:30 – 10:00pm – Comedy by: Ian Harvie
10:00pm – Thank you and Good night!
10:30pm – Trans Pride Official After Party!!

They’re also raising money here if you’re interested in supporting it monetarily.

As EvergreenRailfan has been noting in the comments, today Amtrak will have another round trip from Bellingham to Seattle. From their press release.

To help travelers pass the collapsed Skagit River Bridge severing Interstate 5, the Washington state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades train service will roll out two extra train trips daily between Seattle and Bellingham.

“Travelers need more options for travel and with the help of Amtrak, Sound Transit and BNSF, we were able to offer this great travel option,” said state Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson. “We are so fortunate that we have the relationships to make this urgent service a reality so quickly.”

This third, temporary round trip will depart Seattle at 8:15 a.m. and departs Bellingham at 5:15 p.m.

“Sound Transit is pleased to provide a Sounder trainset during the time this temporary service is in operation,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. “This additional service will help citizens avoid traffic congestion during the construction period, saving the public travel time as our organizations work together to bring a vital regional transportation artery back in operation.”

If passenger demand persists, the added round trip could remain in service until the Skagit River Bridge is repaired, rail officials said.

Hopefully it will help with congestion.

It has been rolling across the country for a while, and today the fast food worker’s strike has landed in Seattle.

Taco Bell was closed, along with a number of other fast food restaurants around the city as workers walked of the job in a rolling strike that is continuing today.

The strike, organized by Good Jobs Seattle, is demanding higher wages for fast food workers. The Lake City Burger King and a Subway on Capitol Hill also closed temporarily for lack of employees, and picketers have targeted Qdoba, Chipotle and Taco Del Mar as well

“They’re done with having poverty wages,” said Reagan Jackson of UFCW 21, who joined the picket lines outside the Georgetown Arby’s earlier today. “They’re requesting that they have a new living wage of $15 [an hour]”

Good for them. As someone who eats at several of those places, I’ll just say that I’d gladly pay a bit more for the food if the workers were paid a living wage. And I would eat even better knowing that it came out of CEO’s pay.