Obama Commemorates 10th Anniversary of War With Afghanistan by Bombing Libya

President Obama ordered a fourth night of air strikes against Libya today, saying he could think of no better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the war with Afghanistan than "bombing bad guys." Obama said the air strikes by the U.S. and coalition forces would enforce a No Fly Zone against bad guy Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The bombing, he said, would protect good guy rebel forces--whomever they were. When asked what his long-term goals and exit plans were, the president said "I'll get back to you on that."

Obama also said, from an undisclosed location in Latin America, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear--there will not be any American boots on the ground in Libya." Since Saturday, there have been 162 Tomahawk missiles and 100 attacks launched by U.S. and allied forces. Lack of U.S. troops on the ground, though, made it difficult to ascertain who or what had been destroyed to date. Libyan leader Gadhafi emerged uninjured, however, from his Tripoli compound, which had been bombed earlier by a Tomahawk missile.

President Obama had said earlier that Gadhafi "had to go;" then said it wasn't his goal to topple the Libyan leader; then said "but let me make another thing perfectly clear...I am, er, not a wimp."

Obama's latest actions regarding Libyan air strikes continues the president's political trend towards "slapping the hippies"--pissing off the left to cozy up to the right.

Conservatives will also find there is a lot to like in the president's new war--which began suddenly, without any thought for the Constitutional requirement for Congressional approval.

President Barack Obama, a former Constitutional law professor, is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's Bully Tactics Exactly Why We Still Need Worker Protection

Suppose you had a boss that demeaned you in public? Accused you of being greedy when you just wanted to make a decent wage to support your family? Threatened to fire you, lay you off, or cut your wages and benefits? Who saw no value in your service to the public, and who accused you of bankrupting the state and even causing the country's economic recession? Who finally, along with his cronies behind closed doors, and without any input from you, shredded your and your fellow employees' contracts to bits?

This is essentially what Governor Walker and fellow Republicans did in a secret meeting on March 9, when they "voted" to eliminate most union collective bargaining rights for Wisconsin public employees. The vote was held behind locked doors, with only one Democrat present, and no notification to the public as to the new bill's contents.

Walker had previously stated that he was only interested in getting the state budget balanced by asking for union pay and benefit cuts, as well as repeal of collective bargaining rights. Walker, however, had recently passed several tax cuts for businesses--including allowing new businesses in Wisconsin state to pay no taxes for two years--which were estimated to cost the state a severe loss in tax revenues in the future. Unions had also agreed to previous pay cuts and reductions in future pay, as well as higher contributions to health and pension plans, and were offering to do so again.

Yet Governor Walker was not satisfied with mere taxpayer savings, and held out for repeal of state workers' collective bargaining rights. Democratic lawmakers meanwhile had fled the state to stall his bill, and loud protests against the union-busting portion of the bill had gone on for more than three weeks in the state capitol. In a sudden surprise move, Walker and fellow Republicans took the budget portions out of the bill, and in a secret closed session voted for the revised bill which would eliminate collective bargaining rights. Walker asserted that they didn't have to have any public input on the bill, or have Democrats vote on it, because the revised version no longer contained any budgetary items.

Walkers' and fellow Republicans' bully tactics and disrespect for the democratic process demonstrate exactly why we still need worker protections. Public employees contribute much to this society, and deserve more respect. They are teachers, public health nurses, food safety inspectors, librarians, and street and parks maintenance workers--among many others. They work hard, and have already made many financial concessions in Wisconsin and many other states. They've taken pay cuts, wage freezes, and are being asked to take unpaid furloughs, as well as contribute more to retirement and health plans.

They do not, according to recent statistics, make more than the average non-union private employee.

And they did not--contrary to some efforts by Republicans to divert the real blame from shameless crooks in banking and on Wall Street--cause the economic melt down. They're just working and middle class people like you, trying to get by in this never-ending economic downturn. Some day Americans will wake up and realize this, and Republicans and Tea Party activists should think long and hard about kicking the working class when they're down--it's bound to come back to haunt them some day.

While Governor Walker did sign the anti-union bill into law on March 11, on March 18, Dade County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi entered a temporary restraining order against it, saying the original secret committe vote violated Wisconsin's open meeting law.

Efforts are also under way by some to recall the Republicans who voted for the union-busting bill http://www.recalltherepublican8.com/ But whatever happens in the long run, it appears there are many people who will continue to fight for fair democratic process--as well as the rights of America's working class and middle class citizens.

Great Free Blues Wednesday Nights at 88 Keys Dueling Piano Bar in Seattle

If you're in the mood for some free, fabulous mid-week music, head on down to the 88 Keys Piano Bar http://ilove88keys.com/ in Pioneer Square on Wednesday nights. Between 6-8 p.m., host Marlee Walker interviews blues acts, and films their live performances for her show, Blues-To-Do-TV http://www.scantv.org/ I've caught several acts so far, and I certainly have not been disappointed.

Last night I heard Aury Moore (pictured), who performed some hot blues numbers with powerful, knock-out vocals. Her band was smoking, too, with especially nice renditions of "Stormy Monday" and "Dear Prudence."

After the Blues-To-Do-TV filming, the fun continued with Lynn Sorensen and Doug McGrew from Bad Company, along with Michael Johnson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. These guys will knock your socks off with their playing, so be sure to stick around.

On street parking is easy to find and free after 6 p.m., and host Marlee Walker and 88 Keys staff are friendly and welcoming. So show some support for our local Seattle-Tacoma blues musicians by heading on down for some red-hot, free music on Wednesday nights at the 88 Keys.

For more information on the upcoming performances and other local blues events, check out http://www.bluestodo.com/ See you all there...

Seattle Storm Wins WNBA Championship: Why You Should Care

Hundreds of raucous Seattle Storm fans gathered in the Kangaroo and Kiwi, an Australian pub in Seattle, on Thursday night to cheer the Storm on in the WNBA finals. A life-sized cardboard cut-out of Storm center and MVP Lauren Jackson—who hails out of Australia—greeted me at the door when I arrived. The house was packed, with fans crowding up to the bar in front of the big screen TVs, and spilling out into the street. In the best of five competition, the Storm had already won two against their opponent, the Atlanta Dream, and the rowdy crowd appeared eager for the championship. Chants of “Let’s go Storm! Let’s go Storm!” filled the air.

At first it looked like a slam dunk for Seattle, with the Storm pulling ahead of Atlanta by a wide margin. But as in the previous two games, the Dream fought back hard, and it was a nail biter until the end. Yet despite Dream forward Angel McCoughtry’s astonishing 35 points, Atlanta couldn’t overcome Seattle’s deep talent, with five Storm team members scoring in the double digits, and many shooting 3-pointers. And in the end, due to foul trouble and a missed basket on the Dream’s side, the Seattle Storm clinched the 2010 WNBA over Atlanta, 87-84.

The Seattle Storm http://www.wnba.com/storm/ has had an impressive record: the team has won 35 of 41 games this season; has won every single one of their home games (21-0); and has swept the finals, 7-0. To top it off, this is their second WNBA championship, having won a title in 2004.

But if you took a random sampling of locals on any one day, half of them might say, “Storm who?” This is partly due to the lack of proper recognition and respect for professional women athletes, as well as poor media coverage for what has unfortunately been labeled “women’s sports.”

This was painfully apparent at some recent public events I attended. At the King County Fair, a sports radio station booth had posted every conceivable stat and score of men’s major league baseball, the NFL, etc; there was no mention of the Seattle Storm—who were in the WNBA playoffs. At Emerald Downs Racetrack, the Seattle Seahawks score was announced over the PA; but there was no mention of the Storm, who had just won game two of the playoffs. The same day, on the Washington State Ferry, the Seahawks score was announced, but nothing was mentioned about the Seattle Storm; a friend had to actually shame the resistant crew into announcing the Storm playoff score.

And poor televised coverage of the Storm has been readily apparent, with the Seattle Storm frequently having to take a back seat to “men’s” professional sports, and even high school games. After the Seattle Storm clinched the WNBA championship, Fox news appeared surprised, scrambling to get some last-minute coverage of the Seattle Storm WNBA championship win.

In addition to poor media exposure, professional women athletes still have other hurdles to overcome. The WNBA is forced to play in the summer—so they do not compete with the men’s NBA games. And the WNBA salary is far below the NBA players. Though it’s been 38 years since Title IX—the mandate to even up hiring and employment practices between men and women in federally funded institutions (and eventually college athletics), the professional women WNBA players make far less than the men. For example, veteran Seattle Storm MVP Lauren Jackson reportedly makes only around $101,000 per year; by contrast, NBA players Kevin Garnett of Boston made $24.75 million per year; and Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers made $21.26 million. This pay discrepancy has forced many WNBA players to play overseas in the off season to make ends meet—often where they are paid better and treated with more respect.

But the Seattle Storm has risen above all of these obstacles, choosing instead to focus on just playing plain old good basketball. It’s hard to believe, just a few years ago, Seattle was in danger of losing this outstanding team. At the time, the current NBA Sonics and Storm owner threatened to move his teams to Oklahoma if he didn’t get a new arena. The city said they didn’t have the money, and we were in danger of losing both teams.

While unfortunately Seattle lost the Sonics, four enterprising women (and Storm fans) stepped up and formed a partnership, Force Ten Hoops. They offered to buy the Seattle Storm. And the rest, as they say, is history: thanks to the efforts of these four women, and the superb playing of the Seattle Storm, the first WNBA women-owned team stayed here—and won their second WNBA championship.

The Seattle Storm has won two WNBA championships now, and they have the best winning percentage of any professional sports team in Seattle history.

They are not just “women athletes;” they are superb champions in their field.

Congratulations, Seattle Storm.

It’s time you finally get the recognition and respect you deserve.

Double Latte with .38 Special on the Side: Starbucks Caters to Gun Crowd

Just when I think I've heard everything, some recent news events will prove things can get even weirder. Sometimes I think humankind is on a crash course towards de-evolution--a sort of gradual slippage back into the primordial slime from whence we came.

For instance, take all of these recent gun incidents happening all over America. First it's school and workplace shootings. Then it's those folks at political rallies and health care forums, parading around with loaded guns crowing about their Constitutional rights. Others are insisting on their right to carry guns in city and national parks (it's now legal in the national parks). Sen. Pam Roach from Washington state has even suggested that we allow teachers and school employees to carry guns onto school grounds.

I used to be able to escape such nuttiness by stopping by my local coffee shop to unwind. I'd curl up in one of those nice cozy leather chairs over by the faux fireplace with a steaming hot cappuccino and a good book, and leave my troubles beyond the doors. But no more...for the craziness of the world has now followed me inside, by way of gun nuts packing heat. That's right, guys are carrying loaded guns into Starbucks stores, insisting it's their God-given right to do so.

Now I'm not about to argue about someone's right to own guns--but how about a little common sense here? Just because it's legal to jump off a cliff like lemmings doesn't make it the sane or right thing to do. Everyone knows from the recent shootings of four Lakewoood police officers in a coffee shop in Parkland, WA that guns and coffee shops just don't mix. And do we really want people brandishing guns at political rallies, intimidating others and threatening the democratic process? Or want guns at children's playgrounds or schools?

Starbucks so far has refused to take a stand, saying they "don't want to get in the middle of the gun debate," allowing guns in their stores if it is legal in the state where the store operates. But private businesses all over the country have banned activities on their premises that could endanger health or safety, so why should this be any different? What could be more potentially harmful to others than over-caffeinated people with loaded firearms?

So come on, Howard, get a backbone and ban guns at Starbucks: prove you're worth your $12 million salary. And all of you coffee and tea drinkers out there, be sure and sign the petition at http://www.bradycampaign.org/ asking CEO Schultz to ban guns in his stores.

Better yet, boycott Starbucks until they get their priorities straight. Besides, I'm sure your local free range, gun-free baristas would appreciate a few extra dollars.

Meanwhile--keep your guns off my latte.

Salmon Plentiful but Proving Hard to Hook

Lately it seems fish are everywhere. They’ve pushed their way into the Puget Sound and made their way up the mouth of the Duwamish River, leaping gracefully from the waters in abundant numbers. Fishing boats line up at boat ramps at Alki, Edmonds, and Mukilteo, fishermen hopefully eying the bounty of pink and silver salmon. And now the fish have started to make their way up most of the northwest rivers: the Skagit, Snohomish, and Stillaguamish are chock full of salmon heading upriver to spawn.

A while back I eyed the huge salmon jumping from the slow-moving Duwamish River, briefly considering trying my luck. The river is narrow and lazy: it would be like catching fish in a bath-tub, I thought. But I decided against fishing there—the Duwamish runs through a polluted industrial area, and fishing is complicated by Native fishery nets which block access in many places.

So a couple of weeks ago my trusty fishing buddy Lynny and I opted for trying the Stillaguamish River up by Arlington. I’d had luck there a few years back, and thought we could at least catch a few pinks.

We weren’t disappointed. The scenery was beautiful—a shallow, fast-running river in a wooded area near some farmland, with deer browsing along the opposite shore. The place was fairly crowded with fisherman wading in the water, but we could spread out, and the pink salmon coming upriver were abundant. While it took many hours to hook a salmon, Lynny managed to finally land a male humpy (she’s pictured above releasing the fish). Many people around us were also hooking them—though many of those catches were snags, and had to be released. The hardest part of fishing spawning salmon is getting them to bite—they’re more in the mood for love, so legally hooking them in the mouth is difficult.

I went home with a nice female (though true confession—I didn’t catch it). Some folks say pinks aren’t good for eating, but it sure made some good salmon and chips.

Last weekend, we decided to try the Snohomish River near downtown Snohomish. We got there at 7 a.m. and it was chilly and socked in with fog—fall had definitely come. Despite the fact that it was Monday and not the best weather, fishermen lined the shore, and a few boats drifted downriver. The salmon—fat pinks and silvers—were putting on a spectacular show, leaping out of the water and splashing back down, almost daring us: catch me if you can. Many breeched within feet of the shoreline. Unfortunately, none landed on the banks in front of us, though we kept hoping.

After 3 hours, though, nobody had managed to catch a thing. Lynny and I didn’t even get one bite, no matter what type of lures we tried. When the sun finally peaked through the fog, I gave up and took a walk into town.

I made my way to the local fishing store, and despite the fact that the store’s sign read “open,” no one at first appeared to be there. Just as I was about to turn away, though, a couple of sheepish guys—the owners—showed up. They’d been down at the river trying to catch some fish, too. Even they couldn’t catch anything, so I didn’t feel so bad. They were completely stumped as to what to use to catch them.

My friend Lynny eventually joined us to fish-talk with the boys in the fishing store, then Lynny and I met a friend for lunch. My friend lived in town near the boat launch on the river, and was constantly battling fisherman who blocked her driveway with their vehicles and boat trailers (though she didn’t hold fishing against us). This time of the year, fishermen are in a fishing frenzy, and not too considerate. One time, my friend said, her poodle grabbed hold of the calf of a trespassing fisherman. “Stop!” she shouted, “let me get my dog!” The fisherman paid her and her dog no mind, rushing off to the river, the dog hanging off his pant leg. “Can’t stop now, lady—THE FISH ARE BITING!” We laughed.

That’s the way it is with fishing fever.

Memory Walk For Alzheimer's Disease Raises Funds For Research and Support

It’s been nine months since my mother passed away after an eight-year-long battle with her progressive brain disease—long enough to dull the pain of her loss somewhat, but not long enough to forget her once-beautiful smile, her good-natured sense of humor, and her wonderful piano playing. While I can do little now to bring her back, I could think of nothing better to honor her memory with than to participate in the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s disease this weekend at the Seattle Center.

So a couple of friends and I formed a fundraising team, the Lavender Ladies, pictured above left (L to R, Suzanne, Kim, and Kathy), and headed on down in the autumn sunshine to the Memory Walk. A respectable though not huge crowd had gathered at the Mural Amphitheatre prior to the walk to hear various speakers, including Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, talk about the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Over 5 million people in the U.S. currently have Alzheimer’s disease, with the numbers expected to rise. One in ten people over 65 suffer from it, and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer’s. It is a terminal brain disease, along with another progressive brain disease, Lewy Body Dementia, which causes severe deterioration of brain and body functioning. It can last anywhere from three to twenty years, and render a healthy person such as my mother into a debilitated individual unable to even cloth or feed themselves (my mother in the later years of her illness, pictured with my sister, top right photo). Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease are emotionally and financially stressed, as insurance and Medicare does not normally pay for long-term care. That’s why it’s important to support organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, which sponsored the Memory Walk. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association go to educational programs, caregiver support, and research in fighting the disease.

After the speakers finished, the fundraising teams lined up to begin the short 1-2 mile walk around the center grounds. Friends and families in their brightly-colored Memory Walk t-shirts, many with pictures of their loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s on their backs, lined up with individuals and teams from local caregiver facilities. The Lavender Ladies and I joined in the orderly crowd as it wound its way around the grounds.

Afterwards, back at the amphitheatre, the crowd of fundraisers reassembled in front of the stage. One speaker, Dick Lundgren, whose wife suffers from Alzheimer’s, spoke of the need for legislation to aid caregivers in long-term care. He talked about recent state funding cuts in money for adult day health services, and urged the audience to get involved in demanding these services.

Awards were then given to top fundraisers. Among the leading fundraisers were Judy Wright for Merrill Gardens, who raised $6,300; the Alzheimer’s Association team, which raised $10,541.07; and Emeritus Senior Living, which raised a whopping $38,383.90. And while there was not as much of a media presence as I would have liked, considering the importance of this devastating illness, the King 5 Home Team was a participant, and raised $9,210.00.

Our little team, the Lavender Ladies, raised the more humble amount of around $700, but I was encouraged by the generous support of friends, family members, co-workers, and even casual acquaintances. It seems everyone I talked to knows someone affected by the disease, and wanted to help. It is important to continue to support the efforts of organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association in fighting the effects of this horrible illness.

The Memory Walk is in its twentieth year now, with fundraising walks occurring in cities around the country. As of today, the Memory Walk has raised $228,495 in donations, with the money still coming in. You can still donate to the Memory Walk until October 31 by going to <www.alz.org/memorywalk>