Cupp of Knowledge

I recently read a great book, co-authored by young conservatives S.E. Cupp and Brett Joshpe, Why You're Wrong About the Right, Behind The Myths- The Surprising Truth About Conservatives. This book explodes a lot of myths about conservatives, particularly about the myth that Republicans are humorless and racist. For example, the smartest funny show in television is South Park which is NOT liberal. A show like South Park regularly rips both the Left and Right. Most of the comedy on Comedy Central is decidedly anti-PC. Conservatism believes in the power of the individual and for every social conservative, there are two or three libertarians who are part of the "Right". Cupp and Joshpe interviewed people as diverse as Newt Gingrich and Al Leiter, K.T. McFarland and Lisa "Kennedy" Montgomery, MTV DJ. The main point of the book is that the Right isn't monolithic. I heartily recommend this book and give it four stars.

Mercer Island

This past weekend, I spent a shabat in Mercer Island. It was very nice. The hosts were good and Shevet Achim is a nice synagogue. It would be nice to go there again, but given my schedule, that may take a while to get there, as I have other commitments in Seward Park and First Hill.

Yesterday, I spent an hour and a half in Mercer Island at the Summer Celebration handing out brochures for Susan Hutchison, former KIRO TV anchor, who's running for King County Executive. I hope that she wins because she seems to have a grasp on the issues and is the most qualified candidate. While we can't get Sarah Palin, Susan Hutchinson may be the woman with the most gravitas in this state. It was great to have met Reverend Wayne Perryman, an African-American pastor in the Seattle area who is friends with Pastor Ken Hutcherson, former NFL player. I purchased Rev. Perryman's CD on the historical legacy of both political parties on race. Very powerful and worth listening to, in my humble opinion. For more information on the Washington State Republican Party, go to www.wsrp.org and for information on Susan Hutchison's candidacy, go to www.SusanHutchison.com .

light rail a boondoggle

In two weeks, the Seattle area will get a look at light rail when the Sound Transit runs trains from SeaTac Airport to downtown Seattle. A number of the stations are located on Martin Luther King Way, which is in the neighborhood, about a mile west of Rainier Avenue in Rainier Valley. I hope that these city and county planners hope to get a lot of other people to ride, because I don't think that too many Seward Park residents will be using the light rail. Let's take someone who works downtown and lives near Seward Park Avenue as an example, he or she has to get to MLK Way and Othello or Beacon Hill, which would be a short car ride or a really long walk. For my new job, I walk to Rainier Avenue and take the #9 bus to Broadway and Denny Way, which takes about 40 minutes. Maybe there are a lot of people in the Rainier Valley and elsewhere who will ride the train. Bus service is standard to sub-standard at best, adding light rail will detract from the quality of service given to Rainier Valley/Seward Park.

If other Seattle people have thoughts on this matter, feel free to let me know.

Thank you and have a great July Fourth.

Letter to Seattle Times

In light of the fact that the Times routinely puts out progressive columnists such as Jerry Large and Nicole Brodeur, I wrote this letter to the Seattle Times editors

Dear Mr. Blethen:

As a conservative, I think that the Times is missing a great opportunity by not having a conservative or Libertarian on its staff on a consistent basis.

off court behavior reason Heytvelt excluded

I have a theory as to why Josh Heytvelt wasn't drafted in the NBA draft on Thursday night. Although he is a good player and a big man with some decent offensive skills, in the back of the GM's minds, his arrest in February of 2007, gave them pause and wondered if he was worth the risk. If he had the image and persona of Tyler Hansborough, the All-American guy from North Carolina who was taken by the Pacers, then he would have got drafted in the second round.

DeLay on last year's election

Tom DeLay, former House Majority Leader, wrote about why the Republicans lost last November. Hopefully, the Republicans will heed his message and apply winning principles.

http://http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/05/the-democrats-shadow-party/

We also need some strength in handling this Iranian genocidal situation. I don't see how the US can't get involved in some way. That doesn't mean troops, but some tough sanctions would help.

From Mark Levin's website on Lech Walesa's eulogy of President Reagan 5 years ago. The World Needs a Cowboy. Very relevant to the Iranian situation.

http://marklevinfan.com/?p=5005

Places to be for jobs in next couple of years

Look at this map of where the jobs will be after we recover from this recession. Thanks to Rush Limbaugh and McClatchy Newspapers.

http://http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_061609/content/01125116.guest.html

Check out the Map, The Upper Midwest is in horrible shape, job-wise. The West looks pretty good.