I like, however, what I see in this article he filed today. If you're going to lob criticism (and, for that matter, praise) as a journalist, it would be helpful to have actually been to the region you're describing.

"I'm planning on going out on patrol with Iraqi forces tomorrow, which should be interesting. They don't have armored vehicles, so it's a bit dicey. But I think it's an important story. It's worth seeing them operate for myself."

"Every soldier I talked to today said the media hasn't done a good job of telling the full story from Iraq. It's a complaint I've heard before, and certainly understand. I do think television tends to focus on the bombs and the bullets, the most dramatic headlines. So much of what happens here never makes the nightly news."

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/13/btsc.cooper/index.html

From Clint Burelson:

Hi Folks,

Congressman Brian Baird’s office asked me to explain why the union opposes the Olympia consolidation and to include all points of contention. The attached document is our response based on available information at this time.

More on the flip...

[via omjp] 

Hello everybody,

The Emma Goldman Youth and Homeless Outreach Project (EGYHOP), also known as Done and Done, is a group committed to providing services to those living on the streets who do not have access to traditional resources due
to age, gender, mental health, or any other reason.

The winter is upon us, and we are in desperate need of warm clothing, and especially blankets, for outreach workers to distribute during this time of year when receiving a blanket or warm coat can literally mean the difference between life and death.

For material donations such as blankets, warm coats, gloves, scarves, etc., please contact Andrea at the Bread and Roses Advocacy Center,
360-754-4588, to set up a donation, or we have a new dop-off box at the Capitol Theater in the upstairs lobby.
Monetary donations can be made by sending a check to "Done and Done" 1959 Union Ave. SE 98501. We are a 501c3.

Thank you in advance, and please forward this e-mail to other groups in the area and feel free to respond to me if you have questions. Also we have a website at groups.yahoo.com/group/EGYHOP.

I'm not going to even try to describe it. 

When you drive, please pay attention. Watch for pedestrians.

During just an hour today of walking around downtown and the westside, I was almost hit twice. While in marked crosswalks on a "Walk" signal. Even located in crosswalk where vehicles should have stopped to let me pass.

Washington State's Crosswalk Law 

-------------------------------------------------------------- Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia said Monday he doesn't expect Democrats to filibuster the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, but he still chastised Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for threatening to stop any such effort through a drastic parliamentary effort that has been dubbed the "nuclear option."

"If he ever tries to exercise that, he's going to see a real filibuster if I'm living and able to stand on my feet or sit in my seat," Byrd said in a Senate debate with Frist, R-Tenn.

"If the senator wants a fight, let him try it," said Byrd, the Senate's senior Democrat. "I'm 88 years old, but I can still fight, and fight I will for freedom of speech. I haven't been here for 47 years to see that freedom of speech whittled away and undermined. "
----------------------------------------------------------------

The amazing thing is he said this while looking Frist right in the eyes across the table from him. Looks like a battle is getting ready to happen in Congress. A battle for our hearts and minds. (and wallets) This could get interesting. Does anyone remember the 'Gang of Fourteen'? The 7dems/7repubs who stopped the nuclear option last time it was brought up, they still have regular meetings to stay in touch. I wouldn't worry about the nuclear option. The smart Republicans aren't going to go along with the removal of the filibuster from our process for the simple reason that they know they won't always be in power and might want to use it someday in the future.

I've been fiddling with the font sizes on the site.  I'm not sure if this has been an issue for everyone, but on my machine (mac), the calendar and other tables were illegible because the fonts were too small.  I think I've fixed that.  The increase in font size also applies to the forum, so that should also be more accessible now.  

If you want to post something about the Olympian, I encourage you to go to Olympian Watch and post it there.  Your post will still appear on the front page (if you want it to).  The idea is that we will begin to establish a track record of behavior which we can use to make more focused and constructive criticism of the paper.  Let me know if we need more categories for the forum (e.g., a particular reporter that we want to track), and I'll put it in.
 

From the Olympian: 

Improvements

The plan calls for dotting the corridor with improvements, such as partial bike lanes and a permanent speed-radar sign south of the Interstate 5 bridge for northbound traffic. Pedestrian crossing islands would go in at O’Farrell Avenue, Washington Street and 24th and 18th avenues, with flashing lights in the pavement at the Washington, 24th and 18th crosswalks.

At the curve south of 25th Avenue, where drivers have lost control, the center stripe would have lights on the ground, and the pavement would be roughened for better traction.

No change to three lanes, however.  Seems it costs too much and would cause congestion.