"Every election is determined by the people who show up." --Larry J. Sabato

The only sack of pus in our government worse than JD Vance is the orange guy. Admittedly, we have a vast array of sacks of pus to choose from and many are large and vile.

Long before any Europeans arrived, the land where I now lived was home to the Nisqually and Squaxin and other first nations. They cared for the land and fisheries. Today's commemoration, replacing the day named for the famous Genoan exploiter, is not only appropriate but an active good.

Olympia area events next weekend. Freaking vote, people.

If he tries, we must stop him--firmly.

Working on postcards to encourage WA Democrats to vote, to be mailed Tuesday. Five state Supreme Court justice positions, three state ballot initiatives, and a host of federal, state, and local legislative seats are up for grabs. Lots at stake. It's go time.

Wondering what members of the armed forces stationed in Southern California think of the orange guy's statement. Plenty of them there. Perhaps some will rethink their voting strategy.

The Olympia (WA) City Council is considering a resolution against state ballot initiatives 001 and 638 at their meeting tonight (Tues.) at 6. The anti-gay, anti-trans initiatives deserve a sound defeat. If you can show up to support the council resolution, please do!

It must be October.

About a month until the election. Vote early. Post signs, bumper stickers. Wear candidate/cause t-shirts or buttons or caps. Get involved with a local campaign or activist group. Donate money to campaigns. Help a get-out-the-vote drive. The more people dive in, the more likely change becomes.

I-638 is the most extreme measure of its kind in the US. It discriminates against girls with invasive sex inspections that will drive more girls away from sports by imposing new burdens, costs, humiliation, and possible harm. Vote NO on I-638 when your ballot arrives. #NoHateWAState

Felt an earthquake for the first time since moving to WA in Feb. 2025. Epicenter was about 20 miles away, 4.15 magnitude, at a depth of just over 17 miles. For us, it was a small jolt, followed by a faint sensation of movement, then a smaller jolt. Feeling at home here.

"Authority founded on injustice is never of long duration" (Seneca, from his play Medea). But I'd like to ask him if six years of a certain president should be considered long.

Talarico on trans athletes: “I’m always going to stand up to politicians who bully kids to score political points. My faith teaches me that every child is made in the image of God…I’ll always fight to make sure our student athletes and every sport is safe and fair. Those are not mutually exclusive.”

Some, but not all, trees on my street think it is autumn.

The GOP playbook is to scare voters about people who are different than they are, sound alarms about miniscule voter fraud, toss as many people off voter rolls as they can, and scream "Communism!" That's feckless scheming and nothing more. Vote them the hell out.

If Congress turns blue in 2027, could they impeach the orange guy? Maybe. The House vote requires a simple majority. The Senate, though needs a two-thirds vote to convict and that would mean considerable GOP help. But, setting up a 25th Amend. commission would take a simple majority, both houses.

If I could fire any five people in our government right now: 1) orange guy, 2) veep, 3) speaker, 4) secty of defense, 5) either RFK Jr. or Patel, pick 'em. Lots more to do, but it would be a start.

I'll be tabling for No Hate in WA State later at a candidate and causes support gathering of Olympia Indivisible. We're connecting members with candidate organizations, with ballot initiative campaigns, and with opportunities to take action. Plus, there will be cookies.

Apathy is the most dangerous weapon of mass destruction.

Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate today. I know because I felt a disturbance in the Force. Give him a cowl and cast him in a sequel.

The orange guy is openly encouraging MAGA to "cheat like hell" in the upcoming elections. If the GOP had the faintest traces of integrity and backbone left, he would be impeached. But they don't and are complicit and must go.

From yesterday's walk at LBA Woods in Olympia.

Worth remembering that, as West Wing put it, Al Qaeda is to Islam as the KKK is to Christianity. Part of the aftermath of 9/11 was hearing many blame all Muslims when a radical fringe group was responsible. Sure, emotions were high. But that's no reason to turn off one's brain.

We have entered the out-in-the-open $5000 bribe stage of competitive authoritarianism.

Check out this performance, "bela fleck bach" share.google/3cPwgArda9vg...

November ballot initiatives I-001 & I-638 will threaten the safety of all Washington students. I-001 puts kids at greater risk of abuse, while I-638 could force invasive genital exams on girls of any age just to play sports. Vote NO on I-001 and I-638 this November. #NoHateWAState

Earlier this year, the WA legislature passed a millionaire's tax. Part of the money will go to school lunch programs. But a millionaire paid signature gatherers and got a repeal initiative on the Nov. ballot. He'll still be a millionaire either way, but he'd rather not have poor kids eating.

This is the first September 3rd in many years that I haven't been busy getting college classes ready to roll. Or teaching them, depending on academic calendar variations. I miss students and class prep, but not grading, commuting, and jumping through bureaucratic hoops. Teachers, best wishes.