In the waning months of 2011 after the police systematically cleared out Occupy Wall Street encampments across the US and Canada, it was obvious to many activists that the foreclosure crisis and the economic system that engendered it should be the prime target of our attention. Several Occupy Seattle members met in the early months…

I have been engaged in an ongoing edit war concerning the Wikipedia article on Chuck Hagel, whose name is being mentioned as a possible nominee for Secretary of Defense.  Hagel is coming under criticism from Republicans and neocons who are unhappy with Hagel’s statements such as “[t]he Defense Department, I think in many ways, has…

Regarding the rash of gun violence that continues to cause this country so much sorrow and pain, when all is said and done only one thing remains to be said and one thing remains to be done: we must speak out about mental illness and how we can help those in need of treatment and…

Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks says, in Obama Will Ride to the Rescue … for Republicans: The Republicans have put themselves in a holy mess with this Plan B debacle. They now have less than zero leverage. They are a national laughingstock. A majority of the country now thinks they are “too extreme.” They…

“Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. They talk about gun rights but what about Chris’ right to live? When will this insanity stop?” — Richard Martinez, father of 20 year old victim Chris Martinez. “If you go back, you can see Wayne LaPierre, who runs the NRA, testifying in front of…

Outgoing Governor Gregoire has proposed two budgets, as described in the video Inside Olympia by TVW. By law the governor is required to submit a balanced budget. The first budget, an all cuts “Book One Budget,” raises no revenue but makes significant cuts to state programs, namely to: Gregoire’s second budget raises revenue from an…

The pine bark beetle has long been a natural part of mountain ecosystems in the southwestern United States.  Normally these insects play an important role in the life of a forest, attacking old and weakened trees, allowing for renewal by younger trees.  However, mild winters and hot, dry summers have led to infestations that have…

The Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) has published a brief on one of the proposed changes to Social Security under the “fiscal cliff” deal – this one known as the “Chained CPI.” The Chained CPI is a bit complex, but here’s the bottom line: it would cut benefits for Social Security recipients by shrinking…

During a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.,  [Defense Secretary] Panetta said lawmakers should take out about $74 billion in “needless” spending on weapons that “have outlived their usefulness.” –  from Panetta: We Need to Cut DOD Budget But our leaders in D.C. instead want to cut Social Security. Don’t put up…

The answer to gun violence is more guns? Columbine High School Had Armed Guards During Massacre In 1999. As others have said, how odd that so-called conservatives are calling for more government policemen.