Posted Fri, Apr 27, 4:03 a.m.

I've lived on Capitol Hill most of my 40 years and watched it change, much of it for the better, some of it for the worse I guess. It's still a vibrant, diverse, interesting neighborhood -- my favorite in the city. Losing Bauhaus and some of the small storefronts around ...

Posted Mon, Feb 20, 11:35 a.m.

We can't even pave our streets. There is no plan to do so. It's embarrassing.

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 4 p.m.

1) Lincoln -- you've got class. 2) Seriously, who cares about LA. Hopefully ripping on Seattle sold some papers and boosted their self-esteem. 3) What DOES bug me are the folks that have lived here for years and, year after year, are not prepared for the annual snow. Get a ...

Posted Sun, Jan 8, 11:19 p.m.

Jordan raises an important point about how some neighborhoods have to absorb a high share of the city's human services. I'd be fascinated to see a study of the balance/imbalance throughout the city. As Mr. Royer suggests, downtown, Pioneer Square and Belltown carry an extra heavy load. I wonder where ...

Posted Sun, Jan 8, 6:09 p.m.

Good piece Judy. I've always been in favor of universal coverage -- ESPECIALLY for kids. It's a no-brainer. We've got enough things to worry about in Washington. Access to basic medical and dental care should not be one of them.

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 10:32 a.m.

Providing non-emergency healthcare in clinics is so much cheaper, effective, and humane for people living here, rather than waiting until they are desperate enough to seek it in the ER. It works very well in most other industrialized countries. People interested in the subject should check out the work of ...

Posted Fri, Dec 9, 3:53 p.m.

Thanks for joining the conversation jessemulert and bkochis. You make a lot of thoughtful points.

Posted Wed, Dec 7, 4:51 p.m.

The Occupy activists across the country have shifted the political debate away from death panel nonsense, birth certificate stupidity, and tax-cut zealotry to economic justice, political corruption, and protecting our social safety net. We are indebted to them for that. True, as Bill points out, Occupy has not come up ...

Posted Mon, Oct 31, 11:53 a.m.

Ditto on the potholes. Seattle needs to get serious about tackling the road repair backlog. I lived in San Francisco on a barista's salary in the mid-90's without a car -- just a motorcycle, a bike, and my feet. The ability to legally park a motorcycle for free or cheaply ...

Posted Mon, Oct 17, 10:32 a.m.

I'm with SeattleGuy123. I've seen some less-than-spectacular games in the last couple of years here, but that game was not one of them. Does Crosscut need someone to cover the Sounders? Let me know ! joe

Posted Tue, Aug 16, 10:12 a.m.

Well put Peter! Mauro is indeed a gem. And KC may have a gem of a stadium, but I'd never trade it for 36,000+ fans in the heart of the city.

Posted Fri, Aug 12, 2:34 p.m.

I agree, we're getting what we pay for. Or what we don't pay for. $80 per year = $1.54 per week. Yes, we need to spend our money well -- but that's hard to do when their ain't no money to spend. Gas taxes, car tab fees, bake sales -- ...

Posted Thu, Jul 7, 2:24 p.m.

We need good teachers in our schools. They have a tough job. They should be paid well. I doubt most people have a beef with unions when they bargain for fair wages, benefits, and workplace protections. That's why they exist in the first place. I think where folks lose enthusiasm ...

Posted Thu, Jun 30, 12:04 p.m.

I'm surprised this piece has drawn such little comment. Maybe that means most readers agree with Bill -- I do. DannyK makes a great point about regional government for/via King County. Something tells me its inevitable in some form, for all the reasons cited above. And on our poor little ...

Posted Tue, Jun 28, 4:29 p.m.

I know! Let's just go all the way and allow floating Blade Runner advertisement blimps while we're at it.

Posted Tue, Jun 28, 12:47 p.m.

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm just tired of everybody trying to get my attention and sell me things that I don't need or can't afford. Billboards, email spam, piles of newspaper adds (without newspapers!) dropped on my front porch, direct mail, dumb names on our stadiums, etc. ...

Posted Tue, May 17, 11:27 a.m.

It's an issue of hypocrisy (sexual or otherwise) which is where John Stewart and Steven Colbert make their living. Gingrich is such a great posterboy for the holier-than-us politicians that talk tough on values but can't seem to keep their hands away from the cookie jars. Is there anything more ...

Posted Mon, May 16, 12:35 p.m.

Soccer is like kinetic, 22-man chess, and it continues to grow worldwide. So why mess with it? Why dumb it down for people that don't understand it? It would be like explaining your jokes -- if you have to do it, it takes the fun out of it. If people ...

Posted Tue, Jan 4, 11:22 a.m.

Well, for people that want to get the government out of their health care, and everyone else's for that matter, here we go. I guess it's better for tax payers to save a few bucks than to help our neighbors in need. Is this the best that Washington can do? ...

Posted Thu, Dec 23, 4:47 p.m.

Hey Crossrip, You may have a good suggestion there. Do you agree with my point though, that it would be helpful to provide a wider factual framework for discussions on governance and the true tax burden in this state? Sure, we all feel overtaxed. Are we? I would love it ...

Posted Thu, Dec 9, 2:58 p.m.

Very interesting piece, but what I feel is lacking in these discussions are some basic facts about whether the tax burden in WA state has been growing or shrinking over time. Of course that will vary from individual to individual, county to county, but I'm sure some averages could help ...

Posted Tue, Nov 23, 12:35 p.m.

A semi-related comment: I doubt there is any survey data on this, but I would be fascinated to know what percentage of Seattle-area drivers actually have chains that they can use in case of severe weather. The city's response in 2008 left a lot to be desired, but I was ...

Posted Fri, Nov 19, 4:16 p.m.

Paying more to raise the performance bar ought to help, as long as union rules don't make it impossible for principals to do what managers in the private sector get to do --- to let the low performers go. That's a dynamic that I rarely hear about in these discussions. ...

Posted Fri, Oct 15, 9:20 a.m.

Is it going to take a complete catastrophe before the leadership in this state (Republican and Democrat) agrees on a balanced package of tax reforms that adequately funds our public services and isn't too scary to business? I'm beginning to think it will.

Posted Tue, Sep 28, 10:26 a.m.

Great questions Knute. I yearn for answers as I recall my gruelling Saturday as it took me more than 45 minutes to drive from the Central District to Ballard via Wallingford (usually a 25-minute trip.) It was a little depressing, but hey, I'm over it. Here's a couple unoriginal thoughts: ...

Posted Tue, Aug 31, 10:25 a.m.

Dear blogging bloviators! A good friend of mine lives at 125th and Roosevelt. He rides his bike to work regularly. He drives a lot too. He's practical, not ideological, about his transportation. So I asked him what he thought about all this. Basically, he thinks that 3 lanes on 125th ...

Posted Tue, Aug 24, 11:23 a.m.

Marveck raises some great questions. For me, the well-documented problems in our troubled justice system leave me with zero enthusiasm for the death penalty. The possibility that the state might kill an innocent person in our names is the most serious matter which, in my mind, can leave no room ...

Posted Mon, Aug 23, 11:40 a.m.

Hello? Does everyone above think that EVERY teacher currently teaching in our public school system is doing a great job? It sure sounds like it. Most teachers are doing yeoman's work and are underpaid, but the bad ones should go. We have to find a way to hire, develop, and ...

Posted Mon, Aug 23, 10:17 a.m.

KUOW 'Weekday' had an interesting discussion on cycling in Seattle a few weeks back. As Hugo notes, discussion touched on our how cycling culture here is still young and evolving. Yes, we have the hardcores who will commute by bike rain or shine (I used to be one of them), ...

Posted Thu, Aug 19, 11:48 a.m.

Thank you Knute. Well said. I think we elected a very smart, ethical, and pragmatic man to our highest office. The art of politics is about achieving what is possible. I can only imagine where we would be with McCain/Palin driving the bus right now....

Posted Fri, Jul 16, 5:19 p.m.

I love sardines, and I eat them every day at work, much to the chagrine of my co-workers, many who would rather eat donuts. Hey, a good donut every now and then is cool, but I think sardines are delicious and satisfying! I hope more restaurants begin to offer up ...

Posted Tue, Jul 13, 4:39 p.m.

Thanks Knute for the link in your piece to the Weekly's Nov. 2009 write-up on HM's troubled past. The context is useful. Is it surprising that anyone with a childhood as rough as his was (abusive/dysfunctional parents) would end up in trouble with the law, or addicted to drugs, or ...

Posted Fri, Jun 11, 2:01 p.m.

I think another way of describing this tragedy is that it symbolizes our greed, hubris, and desperation. Companies, agencies, politicians, and consumers (us) have been willing to put our natural systems -- the very foundation of our economies and our cultures -- at risk in the name of cheap access ...

Posted Mon, May 10, 12:25 p.m.

Yeah, it's still early the season, so one can remain hopeful. Perhaps this will mark a low point. I thought Montano looked very promising -- he immediately started making things happen once Sigi put him in the game. We need more of that. !Viva Colombia! joe

Posted Wed, May 5, 12:12 p.m.

I don't study the public's attitudes about, or knowledge of, the environment, but I have to wonder if most people really understand the connection between our consumption of anything (oil, wood, minerals, food, you name it!) and the plundering of our natural systems. Or do we just have a religious ...

Posted Wed, May 5, 11:19 a.m.

Knute may be right -- that we won't see a tectonic shift in attitudes. But hey, the Governator backed away from renewing drilling off the California coast -- at least that's something. I think Tom Friedman lays it out best in the NYT today. Bottom line is, unless we protect ...

Posted Thu, Apr 22, 12:14 p.m.

I'm emotionally prepared for Republicans to win some seats locally, nationally, and throughout the rest of the free world. But what I really care about is this: Do they have any constructive ideas that will be helpful on planet earth? I'm sure some of them do, and that would be ...

Posted Mon, Feb 1, 4:58 p.m.

Ted, have you moved your money from Citi yet? If Chase tries to screw me over -- and so far they've been fine for me since taking over for "The Friend of the Family" -- then they can kiss my chump change goodbye. Joe Sperry

Posted Mon, Jan 25, 10:47 a.m.

I never listened to a lot of "Air America," but it seemed like a well-meaning liberal attempt to do what Rush and Beck do better. But now we've got John Stewart and Steven Colbert ruling the airwaves, doing what Air America and the humorless, lying right wing could never do: ...

Posted Thu, Jan 14, 3:25 p.m.

I don't know much about art or architecture, but I do think that in general, Seattle's skyscrapers are rather sad in comparison to Chicago's, which has so many interesting, classy buildings. After taking the river architecture tour there a few years ago (drink beer and learn about architecture!), it was ...

Posted Fri, Jan 8, 12:30 p.m.

As NickBob says above, Lieberman IS politcally dishonest, although it's good to know that he is a family man and is probably respectful of small animals. "I disagree with Lieberman on many issues. But I have no reason to believe that his views on any policy, including health policy, do ...

Posted Thu, Dec 31, 9:58 a.m.

Vance cites Murray's minor dip in approval rating as evidence she could be beatable in her next race. Perhaps. He says it's down a net 7% --- I actually calculate 5% based on his numbers. But that's hair-splitting. Is it any surprise that D's numbers are down at the national ...

Posted Mon, Dec 28, 8:51 a.m.

Thank god for a great innaugural year for the Sounders. Anyone heard of them?

Posted Wed, Dec 9, 6:42 p.m.

I am sad for Pioneer Square, but as a Capitol Hill resident, I am delighted to gain such a wonderful bookstore and institution. What to do about Pioneer Square?

Posted Tue, Dec 1, 11:32 a.m.

Come on Ted: "...consumers of Fair Trade coffee ... are fronting for disguised protectionism" etc? Talk about a straw man !! I appreciate your essay. But please don't confuse the issues. Us misty-eyed, politically correct consumers of fair trade products are simply willing pay a little more to support progressive ...

Posted Tue, Aug 4, 3:39 p.m.

I lived in Guatemala City for a year, where most people use reusable bags when they go to the market or grocery store. It was easy. No one complained. (Uh oh, too third-world for our high-tech city? -- maybe I should use another tack....) Anyways, there's too much toxic, plastic ...

Posted Wed, Jun 24, 1:34 p.m.

Who ARE all these whiners? How do they try to meet people? I grew up here and have lived in Seattle most of my life. Maybe I'm an exception (perhaps because I've travelled widely and lived elsewhere as well), but I have a wide group of friends that is, at ...

Posted Wed, Jun 24, 1 p.m.

I live 1/2 block from TT Minor. It's a great neighborhood -- utterly walkable, and even with the density, street parking is still possible. If we lose the school to development (which I hope we don't), we should not lose the green space to the west of the school. There's ...

Posted Wed, Jun 24, 10:44 a.m.

PebbleCreek touches on a critical point: there's more to success than the school, the principle, the teacher. Of course accountability is an issue. As are providing the resources, salaries, etc. to ensure the system can do its part. But what about accountability on the parental end? I have many friends ...