A common wail I've been hearing from my fellow bloggers lately is the meme of "Why Don't You Ever F#@<[^6 Leave A Comment?"
Well, many reasons and you know what I'm talking about. But it's getting dis-heartening. So next time you read a post by someone you like, do post a comment! Even if it's "Wow, this is brilliant! I'll get right back to you!"
You might not mean it. I don't care. Just say something.
Cause times are getting hard and nasty, but that's no reason to be mean to each other. People who blog, actually choose and fine tune what they post. They really wanted to tell you this, but they didn't want to spam you. You are actually here looking at this, so we know you're a friend... say hi, okay?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
I am so totally swiping this!
a...and, I'm not even going to ask permissions! Cause biking is so much better in Portland, than Seattle...
Dear Mom: What if the wheeled conflict in Portland were to roll over the edge?
Monday, July 28, 2008
FRANK ARMSTRONG
The Oregonian
(Portland, Day 12)
Dear Mom,
We are really enjoying our new city. Portland has so many exciting entertainment options, as well as recreation opportunities. Just a few minutes' drive from downtown and we're out in the country, visiting wine country or buying organic produce. We can go river rafting or just hike and see some of the many picturesque waterfalls. Lots of people ride their bikes to work here: The city has a great admixture of funky and business cultures, artsy but bullish as well. It's like this great experiment where cultures respect and don't try to lecture one another. I hope you and Dad will visit soon.
(Portland, Day 17) Dear Mom,
I went shopping for a futon in the Hawthorne District yesterday. While I was parking I nearly clipped a bicyclist (he came out of nowhere!) but I apologized and he was not hurt. We are really looking forward to your visit! Love to Dad.
(Portland, Day 26) Dear Mom,
I was heading down to Sellwood when an altercation between a group of bike riders and a driver of a minivan escalated from a shouting match into fisticuffs. The driver yelled at the riders when a couple of them ran a red light, and the riders yelled at the driver that he had driven way past the limit line at the stoplight. A crowd gathered and a couple of punches were thrown. Police arrived quickly, and everyone seemed to be apologizing to one another. I really love Portland! People can have disagreements, but they still respect one another. Hi to Dad.
(Portland, Day 42) Dear Mom,
You probably saw in the news some of the footage of the latest fracas, this time in Northeast. Just to set the record straight (as usual, the media blew it all out of proportion), only a few of the participants in the so-called "melee" took chain saws to the bikes, and it was a smaller number of bicyclists who firebombed the car dealership. The number of injured was also inflated. Most of the ill feelings were patched up with handshakes and a couple of microbrewskis. I received a small cut over my eyebrow (nothing, really) and am now torn between riding my bike more often or driving the SUV into a bike shop window. I hate to pick sides!
(Portland, Day 67) Dear Mom,
The streets are a little quieter now that the militia has shown up. Since the local Reserves are stretched a bit thin, we had to deal with Canadian Royal Mounties, and they're very polite when not busting up protests. I joined the Rider Resistance (don't tell Dad), and we have been taunting traffic across the Willamette (quite successfully, if I do say so myself). The loss of the Sellwood Bridge was a shame, though. We hadn't foreseen just how creaky it was when we set the charges. Oh, well. Live and learn. Not helping matters is the news that a local auto club has been promoting "combat driver" discounts for its members.
P.S. Don't believe the numbers being reported about casualties. It's all hype, meant to destroy our morale. That being said, please postpone your visit here, at the very least until the Security Corridor Commission has relaxed the requirements concerning travel documents.
(Portland, Day 143) Dear Mom,
Talks have broken down between the Riders and the Drivers. Our provisional government is barely operating. Much of the city is smoldering, and with all but two of the bridges down we are (once again) at an impasse. We had hoped to handle this more diplomatically, but they have the heavier machines. We Riders are kind of like Sir Francis Drake's smaller fighter ships running circles around the Spanish Armada. Except they have assault weapons. Also, bad feelings were engendered when the Drivers built a "Brown Zone" on Belmont, just to mock us. We in turn have brought all commerce to a standstill (except Powell's -- oh, to read again!).
We heard that President Bush has decided to respond to the situation here by declaring global warming a fraud. Hugs to Dad.
(Portland, Day 212) Dear Mom,
This will probably be my last letter from what's left of the city of Portland. We destroyed the last of the auto dealerships on 82nd and that's stoked the fires considerably. Though the slaughter on Division Street brought us some sympathetic coverage (mostly from Europe) we're losing members right and left (who would have thought that the city fathers of Bend would provide sanctuary?). Later today I'm going for a ride up to Vancouver. If they let me through the checkpoint, I just might go on to Seattle. Rumor has it they're sympathetic to our struggle. Of course, I will endeavor to be courteous to the drivers up there. After all, politeness counts!
Much love to all!
Frank Armstrong lives in Southwest Portland.
Dear Mom: What if the wheeled conflict in Portland were to roll over the edge?
Monday, July 28, 2008
FRANK ARMSTRONG
The Oregonian
(Portland, Day 12)
Dear Mom,
We are really enjoying our new city. Portland has so many exciting entertainment options, as well as recreation opportunities. Just a few minutes' drive from downtown and we're out in the country, visiting wine country or buying organic produce. We can go river rafting or just hike and see some of the many picturesque waterfalls. Lots of people ride their bikes to work here: The city has a great admixture of funky and business cultures, artsy but bullish as well. It's like this great experiment where cultures respect and don't try to lecture one another. I hope you and Dad will visit soon.
(Portland, Day 17) Dear Mom,
I went shopping for a futon in the Hawthorne District yesterday. While I was parking I nearly clipped a bicyclist (he came out of nowhere!) but I apologized and he was not hurt. We are really looking forward to your visit! Love to Dad.
(Portland, Day 26) Dear Mom,
I was heading down to Sellwood when an altercation between a group of bike riders and a driver of a minivan escalated from a shouting match into fisticuffs. The driver yelled at the riders when a couple of them ran a red light, and the riders yelled at the driver that he had driven way past the limit line at the stoplight. A crowd gathered and a couple of punches were thrown. Police arrived quickly, and everyone seemed to be apologizing to one another. I really love Portland! People can have disagreements, but they still respect one another. Hi to Dad.
(Portland, Day 42) Dear Mom,
You probably saw in the news some of the footage of the latest fracas, this time in Northeast. Just to set the record straight (as usual, the media blew it all out of proportion), only a few of the participants in the so-called "melee" took chain saws to the bikes, and it was a smaller number of bicyclists who firebombed the car dealership. The number of injured was also inflated. Most of the ill feelings were patched up with handshakes and a couple of microbrewskis. I received a small cut over my eyebrow (nothing, really) and am now torn between riding my bike more often or driving the SUV into a bike shop window. I hate to pick sides!
(Portland, Day 67) Dear Mom,
The streets are a little quieter now that the militia has shown up. Since the local Reserves are stretched a bit thin, we had to deal with Canadian Royal Mounties, and they're very polite when not busting up protests. I joined the Rider Resistance (don't tell Dad), and we have been taunting traffic across the Willamette (quite successfully, if I do say so myself). The loss of the Sellwood Bridge was a shame, though. We hadn't foreseen just how creaky it was when we set the charges. Oh, well. Live and learn. Not helping matters is the news that a local auto club has been promoting "combat driver" discounts for its members.
P.S. Don't believe the numbers being reported about casualties. It's all hype, meant to destroy our morale. That being said, please postpone your visit here, at the very least until the Security Corridor Commission has relaxed the requirements concerning travel documents.
(Portland, Day 143) Dear Mom,
Talks have broken down between the Riders and the Drivers. Our provisional government is barely operating. Much of the city is smoldering, and with all but two of the bridges down we are (once again) at an impasse. We had hoped to handle this more diplomatically, but they have the heavier machines. We Riders are kind of like Sir Francis Drake's smaller fighter ships running circles around the Spanish Armada. Except they have assault weapons. Also, bad feelings were engendered when the Drivers built a "Brown Zone" on Belmont, just to mock us. We in turn have brought all commerce to a standstill (except Powell's -- oh, to read again!).
We heard that President Bush has decided to respond to the situation here by declaring global warming a fraud. Hugs to Dad.
(Portland, Day 212) Dear Mom,
This will probably be my last letter from what's left of the city of Portland. We destroyed the last of the auto dealerships on 82nd and that's stoked the fires considerably. Though the slaughter on Division Street brought us some sympathetic coverage (mostly from Europe) we're losing members right and left (who would have thought that the city fathers of Bend would provide sanctuary?). Later today I'm going for a ride up to Vancouver. If they let me through the checkpoint, I just might go on to Seattle. Rumor has it they're sympathetic to our struggle. Of course, I will endeavor to be courteous to the drivers up there. After all, politeness counts!
Much love to all!
Frank Armstrong lives in Southwest Portland.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Department of Book Reports: On American Soil
Jackson Street Books was proud to be an early fan of On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of World War II (University of Washington Press, $19.95). Jack Hamann came and spoke at our store on August 12, 2005. At that time, he was going to be speaking at Fort Lawton next. The book was just starting to get some attention, and it was exciting to be in on this from the beginning. Jack was telling us about getting a copy to Rep. Jim McDermott. In 2005, after reading On American Soil, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced HR 3174.
Seattle P.I.
On the evening of August 14, 1944, a riot occurred at Seattle’s Fort Lawton. Black troops from segregated units beat up Italian Prisoners Of War along with the four American officers guarding them. Later that night, one of the Italians was lynched – hanged from a wire at the foot of Magnolia Bluff. The story told at the time and passed into history – until now – was that the American black soldiers resented the Italian Prisoners of War for their seemingly greater privileges and amenities. The incident had international repercussions, and the Army charged forty-three black soldiers with rioting and three with murder (despite no evidence linking these men to the hanging). At the time all records of the case, including the Army’s internal investigation, were classified. Jack Hamann’s riveting book, based on recently declassified documents, questions every supposed fact in the case.Historylink.org
Jack Hamann spoke with Tavis Smiley in September of that year. On American Soil was a top ten Booksense History pick.
The Hamanns' research into this case would pay off in ways they could never have seen. McDermott's bill would pass, and bring about talk of restitution for the families. This weekend, a public Tribute will be held at Fort Lawton and the Army is expected to formally apologize to the 2 surviving soldiers and the other's family members. On Saturday, one of the soldiers, Samuel Snow will ride in the Seafair Torchlight Parade.
Congratulations Jack & Leslie! Your good work has really brought some justice. I don't know when I've ever seen a book change the world as much as yours has.
On American Soil is available at Fine Independent Bookstores Everywhere!
Damn, I'm sorry to make this UPDATE: Honored by his country at last, man accused in WWII lynching dies in peace
cross-posted from Jesus' General
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tennessee Tactics Copycatted in Washington State
Washington State Republicans can't even be bothered to change the copy.
*Lori Sotelo, Chair of the King County Republicans, appears first in the video. In 2005, Ms. Sotelo tried to disenfranchise nearly 2,000 voters by claiming "personal knowledge" that they were incorrectly registered. The King County Canvassing Board threw out most of the challenges. Ron Sims described Ms. Sotelo as "our local Katherine Harris."
Whom do you admire, Michelle Obama or Lori Sotelo?
State Senator Val Stevens, representing the 39th Legislative District, spoke on the floor of the Legislature last year and compared homosexuality to bestiality, necrophilia, and incest.
Add that to this Eastern Washington idiocy.
*Thanks, Dwight Pelz!
*Lori Sotelo, Chair of the King County Republicans, appears first in the video. In 2005, Ms. Sotelo tried to disenfranchise nearly 2,000 voters by claiming "personal knowledge" that they were incorrectly registered. The King County Canvassing Board threw out most of the challenges. Ron Sims described Ms. Sotelo as "our local Katherine Harris."
Whom do you admire, Michelle Obama or Lori Sotelo?
State Senator Val Stevens, representing the 39th Legislative District, spoke on the floor of the Legislature last year and compared homosexuality to bestiality, necrophilia, and incest.
Add that to this Eastern Washington idiocy.
*Thanks, Dwight Pelz!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Actual Jackson Street Books
If you've just clicked over here from Netroots Nation; Hi! Nice to meet ya! Here's a recap of what Jackson Street Books has done this summer. Check back here for pictures of our new adventures in Bookselling in Washington's Friendliest Town. And if you're out this way, give us a holler. We'd love to meet you in RL.
After 4 1/2 years, and 18 years in our house, taxes and gang activity in our parking lot were the main motivations to get out of Seattle.
So, of course, we had to throw a kick-ass party!
We had met Hypatia and Zathrus in Second Life and quickly agreed to help with the Loneman School Book Drive. Altogether, we sent 12 (really big!) cartons of books to South Dakota. Jane2 sent a generous donation for books, and with the closing discount that became 48 new books!
We loved exploring our new town.
Did you know there are Zebras in Gray's Harbor? Well, there are!
It finally hits. We live here now.
The gardens are truly wonderful. This will keep me busy!
Well, probably more than you wanted to know, but you can also scroll back and find where we talk about books!
After 4 1/2 years, and 18 years in our house, taxes and gang activity in our parking lot were the main motivations to get out of Seattle.
So, of course, we had to throw a kick-ass party!
We had met Hypatia and Zathrus in Second Life and quickly agreed to help with the Loneman School Book Drive. Altogether, we sent 12 (really big!) cartons of books to South Dakota. Jane2 sent a generous donation for books, and with the closing discount that became 48 new books!
We loved exploring our new town.
Did you know there are Zebras in Gray's Harbor? Well, there are!
It finally hits. We live here now.
The gardens are truly wonderful. This will keep me busy!
Well, probably more than you wanted to know, but you can also scroll back and find where we talk about books!
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