Why the lone wolf is easily hunted down and killed....

David Stallheim has a passionate appeal for contributions for his legal appeals on "Get Whatcom Planning" in a post entitled "An Orwellian Time - Where Nothing Is What It Seems to Be". I don't know the full details of his pursuance of the "land disturbance violation" on the proposed GPT property that county council member Carl Weimer first alerted the general public to in July of 2011; but I recognize a familiar pattern in David's struggles to hold big business accountable to the rule of law here in Whatcom County and across the country.

Let's face it: very few of us have Carl Weimer's chutzpah or David Stallheim's courage and integrity.  Very few of us want to find ourselves in a hearing room with big energy on one side and a provincial hearing examiner between us and them.  Oh, we all write letters and blogs, and some march, and  some organize and appeal to the group for more support.  But the fragmented nature of unpaid activism and a balkanized progressivism here in the United States makes forcible activist reforms easily defeated by money and power and corruption.    Historically, it takes conditions approaching social revolution (WWI, Great Depression, Vietnam War, Iraq War) to coordinate and apply progressive social reform in any organized electoral and judicial fashion.

We should be honest about our limited electoral successes in Whatcom County.  The sole reason David Stallheim is not our chief executive in Whatcom County is because the GOP convinced us that voting for one conservative was somehow better than voting for the other. We are not just easily bullied and fragmented; we are easily fooled as well. Without Tom Steyer's funding, would Whatcom Wins have even elected a Democratic majority to council last fall? I doubt it.  If David Stallheim's hearing is any indication, we won't stop the coal terminal regardless. In truth, there is no Republican majority or conservative block of any significant democratic strength in either Bellingham or Whatcom County. Nor is there such, I suspect, in most of the country.  What there is instead is a well-funded pro-business elite who ceaselessly act to control the economy, social conditions, voter messaging and individual attention to further the ends of their increasingly consolidated profits.

When you really see behind the curtains and you have nothing left to lose, you become a revolutionary social movement like Occupy.  And you find yourself on trial and convicted for protecting yourself against the groping of an un-uniformed police officer.[1, 2]  We have to face facts now: both at the local and national level we currently  live in a fascist state.  How we each choose to come to grips with such a reality is our dilemma as progressives and individuals. But think about that tomorrow. Today, I recommend you send David some help and support.

Candidates who have filed in the 42nd LD

Thanks to all of those who are running for public office in the 42 LD! 

State candidates who have filed for office in WA 42nd LD are here and listed below.  As the weeks move forward,  I will fill in their websites and multimedia pages below and pin this post to a gagdet link on the right column of this blog. Best I can do  is a screenshot below and a messy, elongated table with links below the break.  If you are a candidate in the 42 LD and you have additional links, please email them to me.  

Personally, I want to encourage all  political candidates to have a coordinated approach to multimedia: Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Blogs, Websites.  Contrary to what some might believe, most of the voting electorate really doesn't want to meet you or listen to you. Although they might want to read about you speaking with others in public, most of the voting electorate even in our small county won't ever get a chance to meet or see you in person.  What we want to know is that you are competent, work hard and represent our political opinions and our community well.   Multimedia is the best approach to reach the breadth of the electorate. 

Click the image below to enlarge or please see a linked table below the break.

Fwd: Acting short-term, thinking long-term

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Fwd: Two rerfineries, two public comment periods, two very different permits

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Subject: Two rerfineries, two public comment periods, two very different permits
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Two rerfineries, two public comment periods, two very different permits

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Two refineries, two public comment periods, two very different permits The Northwest Clean Air Agency will be accepting public comments this month on separate air permits for two different refineries: A draft modification of the BP Cherry Point Refinery air operating permi A draft construction permit for a Shell Puget Sound Refinery proposed rail unloading platform to receive import of "feedstock" – a thick petroleum material (not Bakken crude). The agency has already scheduled public hearings for both permits, even though past history suggests neither would have generated enough interest to prompt a hearing request. (See below for announcements about the individual permits and their public comment periods.) "People have been telling us they are paying attention and looking for opportunities to engage in the process," said NWCAA Executive Director Mark Asmundson. "We've been listening." On April 30, 2014, more than 70 people filled a NWCAA public hearing on the Shell Puget Sound Refinery's draft air operating permit renewal. Comments focused on worries about oil-train safety, refinery emissions and enforcement of refinery violations.

Testing For Evidence of Fukushima Part IV: Is wood burning and radioactive fallout a deadly combination for the Pacific Northwest?

Four WA City Comparison from http://airgraphing.pscleanair.org/

Data from https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

In Part I of this series, I have described how I have collected three years worth of external air filters sealed in plastic since before March 11, 2011. I change them out every 45 days as they are so filthy with smoke and soot! My hypothesis is that  Fukushima radionuclides bio-accumulate in our forests. As quite a few of my neighbors burn for heat, I should see a gradual increase Cesium137, Strontium90, Iodine131, etc. as the months progress since the accident(s) at Fukushima. In this post, I will look at fine particulate (PM-2.5) emissions; their effect on health and compare our PM-2.5 emissions in Bellingham with other station "polygons" in WA state. Excellent background on PM-2.5 can be found at Wikipedia. Google Scholar has many available academic articles on PM-2.5.

Wood Burning is considered one of the top health hazards in WA State. Limiting fine particle pollution ( less than 2.5 microns) is considered a top monitoring priority for ECY, WA and the EPA. Both the Northwest Clean Air Agency, UW, and ECY have issued health warnings and research describing the disastrous effects of wood burning on human health. A number of areas in Washington of noted interest for their high PM-2.5 levels including the Tacoma-Pierce non attainment area, The Duwamish Valley in Seattle and Whatcom County's Columbia Valley.  However, in some recent data analysis, I have discovered that urban Bellingham is extraordinarily high in total volume of PM2.5 pollution. Although rates recorded by the Yew Street station never reach the same high levels as Tacoma and Yakima station, we burn a longer season in both Anacortes and Bellingham; thus possibly creating a total yearly volume of PM-2.5 emissions equal to or greater than an EPA non attainment area.

Cancer Montage for WA Counties

Below the break is a cancer montage for WA State from NCI State Cancer Profiles.  The SEER*Stat data covers 2012.   Washington is one of three states that currently has "data too sparse" to allow a comparison with the rest of the states on NCI Micromaps for the latest annual and recent trends in incidence rates for all ages,sexes,races. With only 13 counties reporting for most of these graphs, one can see why. I have drawn a yellow line across Whatcom County in the four charts below. In their most recent annual report, the Cancer Center at Peace Health points out that their collection is probably more extensive than many other counties.  Of this, I have little doubt. One of the best reasons to live in Whatcom County is the competence of it's medical practitioners.

What is also of little doubt is that Cancer is a raging national epidemic that affects all ages, races, classes in the United States. We now suffer 1.6M cases of Cancer each year in the U.S. Despite extraordinary improvements in technology and treatment, our latest average incidence rate in  Whatcom County (2006 - 2010) still gives us well over 1000 cases of cancer each year. I find it troubling that only Thurston County reports a higher annual incidence rate in cancer sites under the age of 50 than Whatcom County. (Chart 1 below). The recent trend increase in Washington state counties for Children under the age of 20 is also disturbing.(Chart 3 below)

Cancer rates at these levels have disturbing sociological effects on family stability, income, solvency.  In the 12 years, my family and I have lived in our neighborhood, I can count the deaths (2), the survivors (4), the tragedies. Keep in mind, this is just the people I know of within some hundreds of feet from our home. Cancer is a vicious national tragedy. More frank discussion of its suspected causes and its tragic, expensive aftermaths should be encouraged.

Testing for Evidence of Fukushima in Bellingham: Part II

(My) Aware Electronics RM80 Geiger counter radiation testing from air filters and room fans for March to mid April 2014 from Bellingham, WA. Click to Enlarge.

A bivariate trellis ("lattice") R graph of  EPA RADNET air filter measurements for  Alaska cities  between 3/11/2011 - 5/24/2011.   Click to Enlarge.

Note: I am not a physicist, physical sciences researcher or anything of note. Just another father who wants to make sure his children aren't going to get cancer from Fukushima fallout. That's your warning to take your own samples and do your own data analysis before trusting mine.

There are a number of serious problems when attempting to measure for origin and type of anthropogenic radiation versus background or so called NORML radiation. There are also a number of problems with measurement of radiation and interpretation of the safety levels of radiation. The top graph above is done with  an Aware Electronics RM80: a sensitive PC based Geiger-Mueller counter that can register Alpha, Beta, Gamma radiation  rates.  The bottom graph is from data taken on 5/24/2011 from the EPA, most probably using a sensitive gamma spectrometer  that can measure amounts of radiation by type. The cost of the first device is about $400. The type of device used for the second graph is for more expensive.

Unfortunately, this difference in cost is preventing me from doing useful measurements of the effects of Fukushima in Bellingham. It looks like my air filters are showing higher than normal background radiation as measured by my Geiger-Mueller counter. But  what I really want to know is what type of radionuclide is responsible for that radiation.  Short lived radiation from various sources floats in the background of our lives. Some of it, if breathed in or ingested, can potentially have more devastating consequences on human anatomy than others.  To get this kind of equipment, I am going to need a generous donor.  If you are such a person, please contact me.   R Code output for my recent measurements plus an aggregate graph is below.

The capitalist crisis and the fight for socialist internationalism - World Socialist Web Site

The capitalist crisis and the fight for socialist internationalism - World Socialist Web Site

Fwd: Become a precinct committee officer AND Seth Fleetwood RUNS FOR STATE SENATE!

Democrat Greg Haffner's plea to sign up to run as a Precinct Committee Officer for your local precinct is far below.  Pictured immediately below are the Bellingham Precincts and a GIS map of property lots in Bellingham overlaid with Bellingham Precincts. Click to enlarge this image.

There are currently 87 precincts in Bellingham with vacant PCOs (See the list below).  Yes! 87 precincts in Bellingham currently have no Precinct Committee Officer according to Whatcom County Democrats!  Do you want to make a difference in the next election? Then you need to "submit a Declaration of Candidacy to your County Auditor between May 12th and May 16th." See links below  and Greg Haffner's letter on how to do this.

Having these precincts activated will be especially important for the 42nd  LD State Senate race between incumbent Doug Ericksen(R) and Seth Fleetwood(D).  The 42nd precinct extends through downtown Bellingham and contains 33 Bellingham 200 series precincts.  Activating those precincts will be a key part of any Democratic win in the 42nd LD.

Some important links

https://wei.sos.wa.gov/county/whatcom/en/Pages/default.aspx  Whatcom County Election Page
https://wei.sos.wa.gov/county/whatcom/en/CandidateInfo/Pages/PCO-Information.aspx WC PCO Info
http://documents.co.whatcom.wa.us/weblink8/browse.aspx?startid=2937976&&dbid=100 BHAM Prcnts MAPS
http://www.cob.org/services/maps/gis/index.aspx COB GIS
http://www.whatcomdemocrats.com/content/precinct-committee-officers-pcos Current Committee Officers
http://wa40dems.org/pages/pco.html  40th LD web page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/42nd-Legislative-District-Democrats/205002056367 42nd LD Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/fleetwoodforsenate Fleetwood for Senate

Does Washington want war with Russia? - World Socialist Web Site

Does Washington want war with Russia? - World Socialist Web Site

Fwd: Location change for Shell refinery air permit public hearing to make room for more people

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Subject: Location change for Shell refinery air permit public hearing to make room for more people
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Fwd: Numbers never lie, but they can be misleading

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Fwd: NWCAA news: Shell air permit might not do what you think it does

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Fwd: Fracking or renewable energy?

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From: Gasland The Movie <admin@gaslandthemovie.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 5:37 PM
Subject: Fracking or renewable energy?
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Oso Landslide Part V: The Rain over Hazel

Accumulated Precipitation 1/1/2014 - 4/16/2014. Maximum accumulation in blue, this year to date in green, normal curve is brown, minimum is red. Top row: Baker, Diablo, Ross Dams. Bottom Row: NewHalem, Arlington, Concrete. From NOAA Now Data . Click picture to Enlarge. No doubt it has been a wetter than normal year in the Northern Cascades.

Oso Landslide Part IV: "How Politics Buries Science..."

"The entire federal budget for landslide research is $3.5 million a year — far less than the property value lost on a single day when 17 mansions slid down a hill in 2005 in Laguna Beach, Calif. (For comparison, $3.5 million is about the same amount Medicare spends per month buying penis pumps for men with erectile dysfunction.)"

from How Politics Buries Science in Landslide Mapping by Bill Dedman NBC News 

Oso Landslide Part III: "Hand of God" or "Hand of Man"?

Is the Oso Landslide a result of "Hand of God" or the technological "Hand of Man"?

Seismic activity the day before the March 22nd Oso event. Middle (blue) signature is a most probably a cultural source. It appears to this author to be a digitally produced "sine wave".

Oso Landslide Part II: Technical links (to date) for Oso 'Event'

There is lots of reporting on Oso floating around in news. Here are links to geologist Daniel Miller's article in the Guardian, followed by USACE technical reports from Miller's article on "Hazel" or the "Steel Haven Landslide" and the news release of the proposed NSF sponsored GEER review:

• http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/01/washington-mudslide-tragedy-google-next-time
• http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Portals/27/docs/civilworks/projects/Hazel-GoldBasinLandslidesGeomorphicReviewDraft.pdf
• http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Portals/27/docs/civilworks/projects/SteelheadHavenLandslideDraft.pdf
• http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Portals/27/docs/civilworks/projects/PrelimDesignProposalforHazelandGoldbasinLandslides.pdf
• http://www.geerassociation.org/GEER_Post%20EQ%20Reports/GEER%20Press%20Release-2014_Washington_Oso_Landslide.pdf 
• http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1098433-miller-and-sias-1997.html#document/p3df

Fwd: Downtown Bellingham Plan: Planning Commission Work Session Tomorrow Night (4/3)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pool, Lisa A." <lapool@cob.org>
Date: Apr 2, 2014 10:04 AM
Subject: Downtown Bellingham Plan: Planning Commission Work Session Tomorrow Night (4/3)
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Downtown Bellingham Plan: Planning Commission Work Sessions

How to create a safe and prosperous downtown...

A post from the indomitable Tara Almond, currently legislative aide for 40th LD representative Jeff Morris, made me remember how much I have to say as a father and citizen about the health of Bellingham's downtown. Bellingham's downtown was one of the original reasons I concluded Bellingham would be a good place to live and raise a family. Originally, when I scouted this place, I rented a hotel room on Samish and spent the next three days walking the entire town from Fairhaven to Cornwall Park.  I walked around Bellingham's downtown repeatedly. I was pleasantly surprised at how safe it seemed. As a note, both my wife and I were raised in east Oakland. I had never really walked through a downtown without my senses alert and guard up. I just didn't realize that until I moved here.

As I have mellowed  and lost many of my 'street instincts' in the last 12 years here, I can easily see now how there are real problems that need addressing downtown and these problems are distressing to many residents.  I sent the letter below based on my beliefs that small communities like this should cultivate a  downtown that is  "family centered" and create appeal to parents who want to move here to give their children a safe and prosperous community to grow up in.  I invite you as readers to send your thoughts to these elected and non-elected officials below. Nurturing and cultivating a prosperous, safe downtown is so important. Many activists and citizen organizations here think and pontificate about this. Much important work has been done by many both publicly and privately.  If you have something to say, your voice should be heard.

Oso Landslide Part I: Data from Oso and Jim Creek Naval Station

Oso, WA landslide from JCW Seismograph (Jim Creek) of March 22nd. The middle energy signature is present in all graphs below for March 10, March 19-22

UW postdoctoral researcher Kate Allstadt has a comprehensive post on PNSN on Seismic Signals generated by the Oso Landslide. Among the more interesting notes in her post is a "sound recording" of the landslide at 160x speed. Local geologist Dan McShane has a number of excellent posts on the geology of the region and the landslide itself. Chuck Forsberg of Omen.com generously shipped me a dump of VLF transmissions log from Jim Creek Naval Station. The the JCW seismographs compiled below show March 10th (date of 1.1 quake) and March 19 - 22.  My guess is that the recurring 8 - 10 AM energy signature identified by Kate Allstadt as a "cultural source" is probably some cycle of the nearby 250 KW VLF transmissions in Jim Creek. Seismographs from PNSN.  Click to enlarge.

From left to right: March 10, March 19 - 22.  Note the two sharp disturbances early morning of  March 21st; the day before the slide. Also note the persistent "cultural source" signature that shows up in each plot. 

Testing for Evidence of Fukushima in Bellingham: Part I

45 days of filtration in a Bellingham neighborhood that heats with wood.

I am working on (DIY)  testing for evidence of Fukushima fallout in Bellingham. This is a "science project" fraught with difficulties for a layman. I will leave pictures and R code output without much comment for now. So far most of my testing has been exploratory and I looking at how to systemize my methodology.  I have collected three years worth of external air filters sealed in plastic. I change them out every 45 days as they are so filthy with smoke and soot! 

Why you should install heat pump technology now!

In a statement Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Hoeven (R-ND) called on the Obama administration to order the DOE to quickly evaluate more than 20 applications to export LNG to countries without a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. Specifically, they want DOE to approve all of the pending permits within 60 days, or provide reasons why they can't be approved.

"For the first time in a generation, America is in a position to export energy, and acting strategically to increase our natural gas exports will weaken [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's grip on energy supplies for Europe and Ukraine," Warner said. "We're suggesting a comprehensive, bipartisan approach that will have a positive impact in the near term and the longer term on the energy security of Ukraine and the EU." from 

http://www.naturalgasintel.com/articles/97781-europe-ukraine-discuss-pipeline-upgrades-reversals

Don't believe energy company hype about Shale Gas. It is not a panacea and the energy industry is seeking to make profits exporting LNG!  Global warming and the new Cold War will result in future shock to your household each winter. I recommend you install either the new 'greenspeed' or  the hybrid heat pump technology for your heating needs.  Our gas bill this January in Bellingham, WA? $38.00.

Passed the three year anniversary of Fukushima last week...

A John Servais column about radiation found in the Fraser River Valley in Northwest Citizen reminded me that we passed the three year anniversary of Fukushima last week.  Little is known about the effects of the radiation releases on the West Coast because the monitoring is so sparse and distrusted. For what it is worth, here are the EPA RadNet (air source) graphs of ten different gamma energy ranges in Seattle, Fairbanks, and Juneau for the last six months. Click to enlarge:

My general feeling is the radioactive releases from Fukushima are affecting our health now and will for a very long time.  My guess is that the amount and effects of such releases are being covered up or dismissed.

Fwd: SEP Newsletter: What the Western-backed regime is planning for Ukrainian workers

---------- Forwarded message ----------
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Date: Mar 16, 2014 11:05 AM
Subject: SEP Newsletter: What the Western-backed regime is planning for Ukrainian workers
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Fwd: Today on the WSWS

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Doubling Tar Sands production for Imperial War » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Doubling Tar Sands production for Imperial War » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Fwd: Downtown Bellingham Plan: March 27 Planning Commission Meeting Materials

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pool, Lisa A." <lapool@cob.org>
Date: Mar 13, 2014 12:29 PM
Subject: Downtown Bellingham Plan: March 27 Planning Commission Meeting Materials
To:
Cc:

DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM PLAN: March 27 Planning Commission Meeting Materials

All documents associated with the draft Downtown Bellingham Plan are scheduled for a public hearing at the March 27 Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission packet, including the staff report and City Center Implementation Strategy, is now posted online here: http://www.cob.org/government/public/boards-commissions/planning-materials.aspx.

Written comments should be submitted to planningcommission@cob.org no later than March 25, 2014, for consideration at the meeting. All comments submitted prior to or during the meeting will become part of the written record.

Thanks,

Lisa Pool, AICP

Senior Planner

City of Bellingham, WA

360-778-8390

My incoming and outgoing email messages are subject to public disclosure requirements per RCW 42.56.

The Post Crimean World Order...

The U.S. blinked!  The situation is still fluid, but the apocalypse didn't happen.  The world will now pursue a "Post Crimean World Order".  In this new world, major economic powers will each pitch  the less powerful countries in the World. States from Ukraine to Ecuador will have some choices to make in alliances: US or Russia Federation or China or Brazil or... perhaps the "middle way" of balancing between all of them! Hey, it worked for the French!

Russia is not weak anymore. The United States economy is still too weak to engage in substantial military or economic risk. The neo-conservative / neo-liberal dream of interfering far and wide has seen limits. With the Asian axis developing strong capitalist economies, national power will become more globally diffuse or 'multilateral'.  In the 'Post Crimean World Order' the Asian economies will increase in power and strength.  Europe and Japan will to have to bend towards them.  The United States is in a difficult position for now. It's aggressive neo-colonial era launched under the guise of the 'war on terrorism' has resulted in lost international good will. But this can change.

My contention is that the world will be at  greater peace and eventually more prosperity with a stronger Russia. With a burgeoning capitalist economy of its own now, it should be able to help China, Brazil, India challenge the economic and political axis of the West. It is possible that with less (or more hard earned) foreign economic opportunity, the US may have no option but to substantially grow and innovate the domestic economy. This could increase the prosperity of the US workforce and shrink the wealth gap. It might also shrink all of our ridiculously bloated defense and intelligence budgets.  And that, dear reader, is an outcome worth hoping for!

Of course, there are always other outcomes.  The U.S. could become bitter and reactionary, engaging in more needless foreign intrusions. An impoverished America could fall into nationalism and elect right wing extremists convinced that nuclear wars are "winnable"....  But I don't think this is going to happen. The general public here is sick of sending there sons to die in foreign countries and hearing about how we supported neo-Nazis to overthrow elected governments like Ukraine.  Let us hope the future brings out the best in United States and the rest of this very large and growing world!

Fwd: SEP Newsletter: The David Miranda ruling and the attack on press freedom

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Socialist Equality Party" <sep@socialistequality.com>
Date: Mar 2, 2014 4:55 PM
Subject: SEP Newsletter: The David Miranda ruling and the attack on press freedom
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Socialist Equality Party Newsletter Below is a selection of articles appearing on the World Socialist Web Site last week. Six days a week, the WSWS publishes on all the major political, social and cultural developments. To sign up for the daily newsletter, click here. Contents: The David Miranda ruling and the attack on press freedom Coup in Ukraine: A warning to the international working class The political lessons of the UAW debacle in Tennessee US and Japanese troops train for war against China

The brilliance of Neo-Nazi paramilitarism combined with Neo-Con dreams of world domination....

"If Russia wants to be a G8 country, it needs to behave like a G8 country."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

So  Mr. Secretary, when we invaded Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria... What exactly were we behaving like in the United States? It turns out that supporting a bunch of Neo-Nazi paramilitary reactionaries to overthrow Ukraine's elected government was a really bad idea!  Victoria Nuland and the rest of the neocon world have now learned the lesson that Ukraine isn't El Salvador. Wow! How freaking brilliant for them to learn this at the expense of our country and world economic stability. More on these subjects later. For now read, please William Engdahl....

Fwd: Downtown Bellingham Plan: Planning Commission Public Hearing and DNS Notices

I'm a bit late with this forward...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pool, Lisa A." <lapool@cob.org>
Date: Feb 25, 2014 4:17 PM
Subject: Downtown Bellingham Plan: Planning Commission Public Hearing and DNS Notices
To:
Cc:

DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM PLAN: Public Notices

Two items pertaining to the Downtown Bellingham Plan are now available online:

-          Notice of Public Hearing for the March 27 Planning Commission Meeting: http://www.cob.org/cob/Pubnot.nsf/frmNotice/79E8F0216FD0EEC288257C8A00771146?OpenDocument
-          Determination of Non-Significance: http://www.cob.org/cob/Pubnot.nsf/frmNotice/7332DE73F39985A788257C86006285C6?OpenDocument

The Planning Commission staff report for the Downtown Plan will be posted online by March 13, 2014.

Contact Lisa Pool, Senior Planner, at lapool@cob.org or 360-778-8390 with comments or questions.

Fwd: Climate Wars: Feb 26 in Bellingham

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Robin Everett, Sierra Club <robin.everett@sierraclub.org>
Date: Sat, Feb 22, 2014 at 3:41 PM
Subject: Climate Wars: Feb 26 in Bellingham
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Christian Parenti visits Whatcom County on Wednesday to talk about the violence Climate Change is causing across the World. -RMF

Fwd: SEP Newsletter: Ukraine and the pro-imperialist intellectuals

---------- Forwarded message ----------
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Date: Feb 9, 2014 12:00 PM
Subject: SEP Newsletter: Ukraine and the pro-imperialist intellectuals
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Socialist Equality Party Newsletter Below is a selection of articles appearing on the World Socialist Web Site last week. Six days a week, the WSWS publishes on all the major political, social and cultural developments. To sign up for the daily newsletter, click here. Contents: Ukraine and the pro-imperialist intellectuals Social inequality and the war against the working class The return of German militarism The revival of Japanese militarism Contact Socialist Equality Party PO Box 48377 Oak Park, MI 48237 Phone: (313) - 409 - 8083 sep@socialistequality.com * Visit the website! * Join the SEP! * DONATE today! Ukraine and the pro-imperialist intellectuals Alex Lantier 5 February 2014 The "Open letter on the future of Ukraine" issued by a group of Western academics and foreign policy operatives is a vile defense of the ongoing far-right protests in Ukraine supported by Washington and the European Union (EU). It peddles the old lie, repeated over nearly a quarter century of imperialist wars and interventions in Eastern Europe since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, that US and EU policy is driven only by a disinterested love of democracy and human rights. It states, "The future of Ukrainians depends most of all on Ukrainians themselves. They defended democracy and their future 10 years ago, during the Orange Revolution, and they are standing up for those values today. As Europeans grow disenchanted with the idea of a common Europe, people in Ukraine are fighting for that idea and for their country's place in Europe. Defending Ukraine from the authoritarian temptations of its corrupt leaders is in the interests of the democratic world." The identity of the imperialist powers' local proxies demolishes the open letter's pretense that the imperialist powers are fighting for democracy. They are relying on a core of a few thousand fascistic thugs from the Right Sector organization and the Svoboda Party to topple the Ukrainian regime in a series of street protests, replace it with a pro-EU government hostile to Moscow, and impose savage austerity measures. Washington and the EU are not fighting for democracy, but organizing a social counterrevolution. (Read more) Further coverage on Ukraine can be found here.

The Weather Centre (by Andrew) and other weather/climate information locations

If you are not reading Andrew's  The Weather Centre then you are just not understanding the weather or the climate this year. Other (government or educational) places I like to look:

• http://squall.sfsu.edu/crws/jetstream.html
• http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc_home2.cgi
• http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/data.php?loc=satellite
• http://www.weather.gov/
• http://www.climate.gov/
• http://www.globalchange.gov/

Here some images for today's weather:

Naval Weather Monterey shows an  outsized Kona Low/Pineapple Express/Chinook wind hitting the Pacific Northwest.

If you think these temps are stressful Alabama; then checkout the temps for Northern Sask.  this morning on Weatherbell.com.

The new 'wavier' or 'meriodonal' jest stream as it affects the Pacific Northwest...

Fwd: [New post] The NSA's Secret Role in the U.S. Assassination Program

"In fact, as the former JSOC drone operator recounts, tracking people by metadata and then killing them by SIM card is inherently flawed. The NSA “will develop a pattern,” he says, “where they understand that this is what this person’s voice sounds like, this is who his friends are, this is who his commander is, this is who his subordinates are. And they put them into a matrix. But it’s not always correct. There’s a lot of human error in that."  from The NSA's Secret Role in the U.S. Assassination Program

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Drones Watch" <donotreply@wordpress.com>
Date: Feb 10, 2014 12:43 PM
Subject: [New post] The NSA’s Secret Role in the U.S. Assassination Program
To: <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Fwd: Really...?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Aaron Ostrom, Fuse Washington" <info@fusewashington.org>
Date: Feb 6, 2014 2:38 PM
Subject: Really...?
To: "Ryan M Ferris" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

In just three weeks, the state Senate Republicans have dredged up dozens of failed far–right ideas. The first big legislative deadline is next week, and we're working overtime to protect working families and put Washington back on a path to progress. Will you chip in $10 now to fuel our fight on the ground, online, and at the capitol? Chip in!

Dear Friend,

What are they thinking?

In just three weeks, Sen. Rodney Tom and the Senate Republicans have dredged up dozens of failed far–right ideas. They've introduced bills to cut the minimum wage, gut election transparency, and impose new restrictions on abortion. They even brought Exxon–funded climate deniers to testify before the Senate environment committee.¹

Together, we can ensure not a single one of these dangerous bills ever becomes law.

Fwd: Draft Downtown Bellingham Plan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pool, Lisa A." <lapool@cob.org>
Date: Feb 4, 2014 3:28 PM
Subject: Draft Downtown Bellingham Plan

DRAFT DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM PLAN NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Feedback provided by the community throughout the extensive "myDowntown" planning process has been incorporated into the draft Downtown Bellingham Plan that is now posted online here: http://www.cob.org/services/planning/downtown/index.aspx. The draft Development Regulations and a summary of other associated changes are also posted with the Plan.

These documents are available for your review and comment in advance of the legislative process, which starts with the Planning Commission public hearing on March 27, 2014. The staff report for all of the Downtown planning documents will be posted online by March 13, 2014.

The following Boards and Commissions will be asked to provide a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the draft Plan:

·         Historic Preservation Commission, 4p.m., February 11, Council Chambers, City Hall, 210 Lottie Street
·         Transportation Commission, 6 p.m., February 11, Mayors Board Room, City Hall, 210 Lottie Street
·         Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, 7 a.m., February 12, Bloedel Donovan Park (Beach Pavilion), 2214 Electric Avenue

Contact Lisa Pool, Senior Planner, at lapool@cob.org or 360-778-8390 with comments or questions on the draft plan.

An insider outs the criminal United States Banking System and it's Government Protectorate...

"That IED going off in Afghanistan, killing an American or Allied soldier; that is being financed by our banks!" Everett Stern on RT

 Like Edward Snowden, Everett Stern is another 29 year old who believed in the system, until he got a chance peer beneath the covers. What Mr. Stern and Mr. Snowden  have in common: extremely bright believers in the system that just saw the dark side and decided to do something about it. Snowden dumped data. Stern figured out how to do the job of detecting money laundering (for which the bank who had hired him had apparently not trained him) and then started emailing the CIA and the FBI. Mr. Stern is unable to believe that this story can not get more press. Dynamite interview with Sophie Shevardnadze...

More Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Sternhttp://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/gangster-bankers-too-big-to-jail-20130214

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Stern

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/14/us-hsbc-compliance-delaware-idUSBRE86C18H20120714

Snowden Exclusive on German Television

Explosive Snowden Exclusive on German Television ....

Polar Vortex Strikes again: "...snows near the coastal areas of the Carolinas."

Yo' to all my peeps in International Falls, MN...Come check out Bellingham, WA. Yes , you can live next to the 49th  parallel without the -31 F temperatures. 

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 346 PM EST Mon Jan 27 2014

"Coal port EIS process is set for County Council review this coming Tuesday"

From a David Stallheim FaceBook post (with permission):

"The coal port EIS process is set for County Council review this coming Tuesday. The County appears to forget that the EIS is meant to inform the public and decision-makers, and not the applicant, about the impacts of this project. Ask your County Council for accountability, openness and transparency. Comments attached."

Link to Dave's comments

Fwd: Today on the WSWS

Least we forget how much our globally financialized world dominates geopolitics...

Global stock sell-off highlights financial parasitism

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: World Socialist Web Site <list@wsws.org>
Date: Fri, Jan 24, 2014 at 9:37 PM
Subject: Today on the WSWS
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>

Fwd: NextGen News: A Week for Heroes

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Matt James <Matt_James@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 3:53 PM
Subject: NextGen News: A Week for Heroes
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Fwd: Sightline Daily 1-16-14: Bills for Big Oil

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Sightline Institute" <editor@sightline.org>
Date: Jan 16, 2014 8:32 AM
Subject: Sightline Daily 1-16-14: Bills for Big Oil
To: <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Fire and Ice: Of AO, ENSO, Polar Vortexes, Climate Change, Heating Fuel Costs and the new "Destination Climate Refuge" : Bellingham,WA

The Windstorm this time: A "Kona Low" fuels  a vigorous "Chinook" Wind into the West Coast.

Fwd: Don't watch it alone!

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Gasland The Movie <admin@gaslandthemovie.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Subject: Don't watch it alone!
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Fwd: Infographic: Extending Emergency Unemployment Insurance

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The White House <info@messages.whitehouse.gov>
Date: Wed, Jan 8, 2014 at 2:37 PM
Subject: Infographic: Extending Emergency Unemployment Insurance
To: rferrisx@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Emergency unemployment insurance is a vital economic lifeline for millions of Americans who are looking for work -- and because Republicans in Congress failed to act at the end of 2013, that lifeline was taken away from 1.3 million Americans. Congress can fix this before it affects millions more. Take a closer look the numbers behind why this matters:

Fwd: SEP Newsletter: The launch of the Obamacare counterrevolution

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Socialist Equality Party" <sep@socialistequality.com>
Date: Jan 5, 2014 11:23 AM
Subject: SEP Newsletter: The launch of the Obamacare counterrevolution
To: "rferrisx@gmail.com" <rferrisx@gmail.com>
Cc:

Socialist Equality Party Newsletter Below is a selection of articles appearing on the World Socialist Web Site last week. Six days a week, the WSWS publishes on all the major political, social and cultural developments. To sign up for the daily newsletter, click here. Contents: The launch of the Obamacare counterrevolution The pseudo-legal arguments for a police state Fiat's $4.35 billion payoff to UAW, Inc. Contact Socialist Equality Party PO Box 48377 Oak Park, MI 48237 Phone: (313) - 409 - 8083 sep@socialistequality.com * Visit the website! * Join the SEP! * DONATE today! The launch of the Obamacare counterrevolution Kate Randall 3 January 2014

Boeing Machinist Vote (Part II)

The USASpending.gov summary page for "The Boeing Company". Boeing has (at least) ten different business names listed in USASpending.gov when you search for the term "Boeing". Together they provide for billions of dollars of federal contracts....

Newspapers are reporting a slim  600 margin "Yes" vote on the latest pension smashing contract offer. There is an excellent interview with IAM 751 Machinist Shannon Ryker here that offers details on how low starting pay is for most machinists at Boeing already. The exiting Boeing CEO looks like a real tool and a well paid one at that [1,2,3,4].

Boeing Machinists vote(Part I)

In what is shaping up as a keystone vote on local union strength and power, Boeing's machinist union members will vote tomorrow on a contract extension that is being rejected by local leaders but recommended by the national union.  Boeing is threatening to move 777X development to another state if the Machinist union does not comply with this current offer. This struggle has some important edges to it. The local machinist union is rejecting any attempts to sever them from traditional pensions. It is also advising rejection of the latest Boeing offers citing Boeing current economic success and a recent decision by the Boeing to order $10 B in stock buybacks. The IAM local is standing firm on rejection of the current offer; sending a strong message to corporate America.  The New York Times is covering the split between the local and national union representation:

Wealth Inequality in America