June 4, 2007 by Stuck In Spokane.

So, I find myself, on a daily basis surrounded by people almost as far to the right as Jerry Falwell, it’s tough. Take my work place for instance, the way they do hiring here is everyone gets to read your resume, they can form questions and give them to the interviewer, so they have seen what I have done and where I have worked. Because of my employment choices in the past, EVERYONE here knows my political affiliation. They take great pleasure in making extreme comments regarding right wing political philosophy, just to try and set me off. I usually manage to ignore them, usually.

Recently, they decided to attack “Sore-Loser Gore” (their words not mine) about his views on everything from global warming (its a “farse”) to how Vice-President Gore “invented the internet.” That comment was 7 years ago this year, and it was a comment completely taken out of context. It just really irks me that they HAVE NOT LET IT GO.

So my question to you, because I work with them, and because I do like some of them, how do I speak with them? How do you respond to people who make flagrant comments just because they know what you believe. Or in the case of Spokane, just make flagrant comments because no matter what, they are right and you are wrong. I think the only way Spokane will truly improve is if people can be educated that there are other viewpoints out there, and hell some of them may even be right! (Imagine that) But Spokane residents have been so poisoned by the various media groups here that it is almost impossible to inject an alternative viewpoint.

The Inlander has tried for years to provide an alternative voice to Spokane and has been doing reasonably well, yet even that small publication is still subject to attack by larger agenda possessing “new entities” like the Spokesman Review. In the last year they have begun publishing a small free paper called “The Spokane Seven” which sets itself out to be an alternative paper, but in reality it is an extension of the Cowles Corporation, pushing for its own needs over that of the people of Spokane.

It’s getting tiresome, and it needs to change. Any takers?

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June 4, 2007 by Stuck In Spokane.

As cliché as that may be that is the best warning I can give to Don, who will be facing re-election as a freshman member of the state house next year. He already has two potential challengers, one of whom could be an almost insurmountable challenge for him.

There is of course John Serbin who Don defeated last year to be elected as one of the first Democrat’s in the 6^th along with Chris Marr to go to the statehouse. Don had a lot going for him last year, despite barely doing an ounce of campaigning himself. He had Chris Marr who spent a record amount of money in a state senate race, a national wave, and a dedicated campaign manager who spent 7 months of his life from seven in the morning into the late hours of the night working to get him elected. If Don wants to hold on to his seat he is going to have to do a lot more, starting now.

Kevin Parker, a local Spokane coffee magnate (who notably owns Dutch Brothers Coffee), and very like-able Republican is looking at throwing his hat into the race. Anyone who spent any amount of time around the Democratic office in Spokane last year will have met Kevin, who always had time to talk, and would even host “free coffee days” for our office, he knows how to make friends, and as people would discover through conversations with him, he was a member of a “new breed” Republican, he’s fairly socially liberal, but fiscally conservative, and as a business owner he feels that categorizes him more with the Republicans. Kevin is very interesting guy, he recently bought an early 90’s diesel Mercedes and is intending to convert it either to bio-diesel or a grease car. He’s taken the first step towards using renewable energy, and for those who know me personally know it is an issue near and dear to my heart. Every candidate or politician I have come in contact with I have attempted to influence to use more bio-fuels. I hope this is a sign of things to come and that more Democrats and green activists begin throwing themselves wholeheartedly at the issue of renewable energy.

I want to see the Democrats maintain their hold on the statehouse, and hanging onto more seats in the Spokane area. Unless Don steps up to the plate and begins actively campaigning for his re-election this reality could quickly slip away from us.

So Don, again I re-iterate, Danger Don Barlow! Danger!

Posted in 6th LD, Campaigns | No Comments »