Sometimes you may find a delay between when you've submitted a post or comment and when you actually see it published. OlyBlog has had a brand new spiffy upgrade and we are still teaching the spam filter as to what is (yucky) spam and what is (tasty) ham. Nothing personal. Once one of us human types (docents) get to it we then can approve as appropriate.

Thanks for your patience all.

FYI -john

Washington, DC – June 20, 2007

Local government and nonprofit organizations from around the country today asked a federal appeals court to block, pending judicial review, implementation of the recent franchising order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which may otherwise go fully into effect in the next several weeks. The organizations assert that the FCC Order will severely restrict the ability of local governments to protect their citizens, rights-of-way, community channels and public safety networks. The organizations assert that the request for Stay is in the public interest since, among other things, under the FCC Order, "local franchising authorities will be forced to rush franchising decisions without being given an opportunity to ensure the interests of the public, including safety concerns, are met."

According to the Motion for Stay filed today in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, "The ‘Alice in Wonderland’-like quality of the Order, where up is down and down is up, is readily apparent." For example, in the Order the FCC created an arbitrary 90-day shot-clock for local governments to negotiate, review, obtain public comment and enact new franchise agreements even though Congress, under the Communications Act, gives local governments longer periods to complete more straightforward tasks, such as approving transfers or modification requests. The organizations are also concerned that the Order will accelerate the widening of the digital divide, and result in a "race to the bottom, with local governments stripped of their authority to ensure that the public interest is protected."

Thurston County Dep. Prosecutor Soukup was busted for DUI, but maybe we should have seen this coming.

Skelly over at Arbitrary and Capricious has been following this character for awhile. Here are a couple of the good ones:

banished from courtroom 208

prosecutor not guilty

Here is Skelly's entire Soukup archive.

Media Guy is there for you.

Today's analysis of the comments of the online edition of our local you know what will cover a subject that is close to Media Man's heart.

Unfortunately, one of our public officials made the mistake of drinking and driving. Media Man does not support drinking and driving at all, and yet, knows a bit about the subject.

In another story, an apparent drug addict was caught shoplifting and pulled a knife on security, only to end up being arrested.

What, might you ask, do these two issues have in common?  Addiction.  Yep....the Big A.

Considering that I am anonymous, here, at the level of press, radio and film, I'll say "I'm Larry and I'm an alcoholic".  As someone who is willing to say that, I know that the only difference between me and the "addict" is the substance of choice. 

It's a disease, so says the AMA and many other substantial experts on the subject and considering that I didn't make a choice to become addicted to my substance of choice, I agree.  I'm told that alcohol (fill in the blank with the drug of choice) is "cunning, baffling and powerful".  I say "amen".  As I watch many people who can take a drink once in awhile and never think about whether or not they have a "problem", I'm reminded that my condition was a "seemingly hopeless state of mind and body".  Again...not a choice, a disease.

Some will respond with a contrary approach to this, but I submit that they haven't done their homework and are just working with their OPINION, which is legal and their right, but if my opinion is that the moon is green cheese, that doesn't make it so.

Going to a new restaurant is a gamble. Sometimes you hit the jackpot- the food is outstanding and the server makes you feel like family. Other times, it's a bust and you wish you had just made a bologna sandwich at home because that salmon you ordered was a bit off and the service was similar to being in prison.

We are two foodies who truly enjoy food and want to share our experiences with our fellow Washingtonians.

Olympia Cuisine: From Scrumptious to Noxious

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