cascadian telegrams

up, up and away

finally some good progress to report on the house...

Northwest Design & Build - the guys who took over construction from our original builder (who went bankrupt in November) started in earnest after the first of the year and have been making good progress.  We should have a roof on next week, with dry-in (doors, windows etc) the following week.  We'll need continued good progress in order to stay on schedule.

Snaps are here.  Will take some shots later of the view from 2nd floor and attic, which is actually better than I thought... should be able to see the Olympics from up there on a clear day.

fired up! ready to go!

Obama rolls over the Clinton juggernaut in South Carolina 55 to 27%... a great win!  He really needed this one.  On to Super Tuesday.  It's looking more like my caucus here in Washington after February 5th/Super Tuesday may actually be important this time.

Favorite line via Andrew Sullivan:

This also shows that George W Bush is a uniter after all: People are so fucking frustrated that even rednecks are willing to give a black guy a chance.

lovely - squared

just beautiful... Iceland is a magic place.

and

campaign limericks

these are hilarious!  thank you Andrew Sullivan

Mr. Huck believes God’s the solution
And claims that there’s no Evolution.
It could be he’s right
God said “Let there be light,”
But he didn’t write the damn Constitution.

There once was a man named Obama
Who avoided political drama.
But when Clintonites spoke
Claiming King was a joke,
Obama responded, "Yo mama!"

Ms. Clinton, the bitter old crone,
Thought Dem votes were all her’s alone.
But then came Barack,
Who was right on Iraq,
Now smears fly by speech, mail, and phone.

They searched for the next Reagan in vain.
The support for hizzoner did wane,
Fred's attempt didn't take,
And Mitt is so fake,
They shrugged and said, "Maybe McCain?"

There was a strange fellow named Romney,
A shamelessly pandering zombie.
He once told some bikers
That one song he liked was
Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

Here is the candidate Fred
And these are the words that he said
"I want Law and Order
so I'm closing the border
If you want me, I'll be in my bed."

There once was the mayor called Rudy
Who went to Long Island for booty
The taxpayers paid
So that he could get laid
Did 9/11 come before Judy?

"I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out..."

biggest hockey brawl ever, from Russia w/o Love :  link

It's like watching gladiators or something.  I've been playing hockey for over 30 years, and while I love the game, it will never be taken seriously as a sport until there are very severe penalties for this kind of nonsense.  No other sport allows this kind of behavior.

smirky mcstumbletongue

... best bush nickname, ever.

Happy New Year!

how rude of me... I almost forgot to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2008

this was the view from our apartment window on New Year's Day.  It gives me hope and anticipation for 2008 -- don't you just want to cross that water and climb those mountains?

I won't do a 'Best/Worst 2007 list' or enumerate everything I hope will happen in 2008, but I will wish everyone peace, prosperity and joy for the coming year.

and one more thing on obama...

and then I'll shaddupaboutit; this one from -- of all people -- Andrew Sullivan:

 

At its best, the Obama candidacy is about ending a war—not so much the war in Iraq, which now has a mo­mentum that will propel the occupation into the next decade—but the war within America that has prevailed since Vietnam and that shows dangerous signs of intensifying, a nonviolent civil war that has crippled America at the very time the world needs it most. It is a war about war—and about culture and about religion and about race. And in that war, Obama—and Obama alone—offers the possibility of a truce.

 

did I say one more thing?  I meant two... this one from Douglas Burns in rural Iowa is great and to-the-point as well:

(Editor's Note: The following commentary by Iowa Independent fellow Douglas Burns first appeared in the Carroll (Iowa) Daily Times Herald, a newspaper owned by his family, on Monday. A subsequent poll released on New Year's Day by The Des Moines Register provides statistical evidence to back up Burns' analysis.)
(Commentary) Iowans, for a change, are about the select the smartest person in the room.
I expect Barack Obama to win the Democratic Iowa presidential caucuses Thursday night. He has succeeded in turning lightning in a bottle, that transcendent speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, into an enduring legacy and boots-on-the-ground effective campaign in Iowa.
The moment I thought I knew Obama would win the Iowa caucuses came nearly a year ago.
At 10:12 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, near the steps of the historic old state capitol in the gritty Midwestern city of Springfield, Ill., the post Baby Boom generation and all those dog tired of the Bush-Clinton politics of gratuitous self-absorption, had their man.
The phenomenon known as Barack Obama entered this 2008 race for the presidency of the United States that day and suggested that like another Illinois politician with relatively little experience before the White House, he too, could heal a fractured nation.
"The life of a tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer tells us that a different future is possible," Obama said in that speech. "He tells us that there is power in words."

The power of words. That is something Obama understands in a way no other politician in America does today. It's revealed in the connection he makes with crowds. He's had the biggest in Carroll this political cycle.
After walking from the old Illinois state capitol grounds in senses-numbing cold back to my car that February day, I kept my coat on until well past Peoria, thawing out on the western ride back toward Carroll, all the while rolling Obama's words over and over, wondering if he could take that momentum across the Mississippi, the history I had witnessed on frozen feet, and mix it up in our small towns.
As it turns out, he could.
Obama doesn't sound false notes. Growing up without a father, he is the amalgamation of many male influences and ultimately the product of his own journey of self-discovery. He is that rare person who truly understands himself, and no doubt sees parts of that self in all of us. We get this in Iowa because we are all about authenticity. There aren't that many of us in Iowa so you can't escape into the anonymity of the streets. You are at once known and accoutable -- which is the beauty of holding the caucuses here.
The national media and pollsters don't live where I do (Carroll, Iowa). When the story is told on Thursday night, the narrative will be a remarkable one: Obama will cobble together western Iowa counties with ivory towered college towns and eastern cities within the shadow of his Illinois. What's more, while he is running a tight race with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards with traditional voters, Obama will pull ahead with new people, not just the young, but the never-before caucus-goers. I see their faces in the crowds. They are the woman I went to high school with who stunned me by appearing, waving a Barack Obama sign, no less, at one of his events in Carroll. Surely, she must have an "American Idol" re-run to watch, I thought. No, she's caucusing for Obama.
Here's another reason Obama will do well in western Iowa (and win the whole thing): Democrats listen to their Republican friends and family. They know who has the best shot against the Republicans in a general election -- an instinct a recent Zogby Poll bears out by showing Obama beating all GOP presidential candidates.
Don't take it from me, though. Living in heavily Republican territory in Sac County, Marjie Sands, a nurse, joked that she doesn't visit often about politics with her friends and colleagues. That said, when the matter does arise, she hears more negative comments from Republicans about Clinton than Obama.
"My husband's a very staunch Republican," Sands said.
And who does he dislike more?
"I think Clinton," she said.
One very much underappreciated dynamic in this race is that among the leading Democratic contenders Obama is the Midwesterner. Hillary is New York slick and Edwards is a Southern-fried pol who delivered a speech so populist in tone Sunday that I suspected he might leave Carroll High School, cross the street and march with a torched mob on the more well-to-do Collison Addition of our town.
Yes, we are a largly white state, and sure, it goes without saying that when Barack Obama is on the television screen or behind the political podium we see a black man.
That is, after all, what he is.
But when you listen to Obama, the substance of thinking, the cadence of his reasoning, his unassuming acceptance of people, you hear a Midwesterner.
"What I see in Iowa are a lot the qualities I love in Illinois," Obama told me in an interview. "I think there's a truth to the idea that there's a Midwestern sensibility and that people don't like a lot of fuss, don't like a lot of pretense, and I think are much more likely to think about things pragmatically and how do you get the job done as opposed to having a lot of ideology driving decision-making. And I think that's what America needs right now."
Obama has shown me something in this race. He fielded some tough questions from me on his admitted past drug use, absorbed a story I wrote that a leading Washington journalist termed "devastating," and kept doing interviews with me. No shut outs. He gamely continued doing an interview as I hounded him with questions about foreign policy experience. As much as I respect Obama I am reminded of the lessons of the early days of the Bush Administration, when a press corps starstruck with its access (I have interviewed Obama six times) didn't ask the hard questions for fear of losing those exclusives, the coin of the realm in this business.
Knowing full well that the national media often builds and then crashes public figures Obama says he views the headlines and hoopla (and to his credit, the criticisms) as transitory.
But even when Obama does take broadsides and carefully crafted insults, the inevitable slings and arrows of politics at the highest level, he will retain a rare connectivity to voters. He understands people, not because, as Bill Clinton, he feels their pain in some abstract Baby Boomerish sense.
This generational change is what those undecided voters will gravitate toward on Thursday. Yes, the 1990s were better than the George W. Bush days. But like in some mend-bending physics test question are we to think we must go back to go forward? Or do we just damn the torpedoes and go with a real change?
Referencing President Clinton's legendary argument that he tried marijuana but didn't inhale, an audience member in Audubon one late November night asked Obama if, "Unlike other presidents, did you in-hale?"
"I did," Obama said. "It's not something that I'm proud of. It was a mistake ... But you know, I'm not going to ... I never understood that line. The point was to inhale. That was the point."
Who else would dare to say that? Who else could get away with laying the truth out there?
With that answer, Obama closed the deal with hundreds of southwest Iowans weary of equivocation, people who just want the truth, warts and all.
In an interview, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin compared crowd responses to Obama to what Harkin saw in 1968 with Bobby Kennedy.
Many people who attend Obama events make the Bobby Kennedy analogy, including people who saw Obama speak at Harkin's own steak fry last fall, I observed to Harkin.
"It's amazing," Harkin said. "I said the same thing to people. I'd just gotten out of the military and come back to Iowa in '68 and Bobby Kennedy came through Iowa and I was there and watched it. You're right, I haven't seen anything like that since, until Obama, just the way people draw into him. It's a very, very interesting dynamic there."
And on Thursday, it will be a winning one for Obama.

barack obama for president

said more clearly and forcefully than I ever could, over at jackandjillpolitics:

Barack Obama for President

When Barack Obama first announced that he was running for President, I had my doubts. I had my doubts that he could seriously take on the most powerful Democratic Machine in a quarter century and give it a good fight.

I understood his reasoning for running for President NOW. In fact, I thought it was a smart strategic move on his part in this sweepstakes known as The First Black President.

I cheered him on because I thought it was time that places who had never seen a Black candidate up close and personal in this country, would get that opportunity. I wanted for the country to see that a Black Man could run a credible, serious campaign for President and the republic would not fall apart. I had wanted to see that with Colin Powell, but I didn't get it with him.

The initial question was: was it the ' right time'?

I had to laugh at that one, because nobody ever uses ' Black' and ' the right time' in the same sentence. You take the time given to you and you run like hell with it. Obama understood that the door opens rarely like this, so you have to step up or let it pass you by. I would like to take this opportunity to thank George W. Bush, for if he hadn't of been such an utter failure on so many levels, then the country wouldn't remotely be open to the 'possibility' of a Black man as President.

The "Experience" Question
Hillary Clinton is a One Term Senator. Period. THAT is the extent of her experience. Don't give me the swill of her being someone's wife equals solid professional experience. If that's the case, then sign me up for the Laura Bush for Governor of Texas Exploratory Committee.
John Edwards is a One Term Senator. Period.
So, Barack Obama is a First Term Senator. It's about even for me there.

The Question of Ideology
Obama is by far the most consistent Progressive, according to those who do the evaluations on that sort of thing. It's not that Clinton and Edwards are far far to the right, it's just that Obama is to the left. So, let's leave it at that.

The Question of Electability
I have written many times that those who argue about electability better be arguing for John Edwards. If you bring up the fact, that in the history of this country, only a White male has been elected, and thus, this is why they support Edwards, I wouldn't have to like it, but I could accept it.
I will never accept an Electability argument for Clinton over Obama. You have polls that BEGAN with Clinton at 45% of the electorate saying that they will NEVER vote for her. The latest one, a year out, before any real attacks on her, have HALF OF THIS COUNTRY saying that they will NEVER vote for her. HALF before a single GOP commercial being run against her. Don't talk to me about electability with her. She gets Democrats. Period. She doesn't get Independents and she doesn't get Republicans. Basically, her strategy is 50%+1, and haven't we 'been there and done that' already?
The recent polls have shown that Obama is strong in General Election polls. In REAL polls versus REAL GOP Candidates, Obama is winning in every single contest by wider margins than Clinton. Here's the latest Electability Guide from Newsweek.

I am NOT naive. I am NOT delusional. I understand race in America as well as any Black person that has grown up in this country. I know that Obama could be subject to a Bradley Effect. But, the truth is, there are times when you have to choose optimism over pessimism. You don't have to be Pollyanna, but you fight, you push forward, and you hope. If you're ultimately disappointed, oh well, but it won't destroy you.
I have written plenty of times that I DO NOT KNOW if White people will, when push comes to shove, vote for a Black man.
I only want THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.
I believe it's time for that answer.

Obama's Campaign Approach
It has been disheartening to read 'Progressive' after 'Progressive' deride Barack Obama because they don't believe he'll be an attack dog like Hillary Clinton or Edwards. I don't know why it took me so long to vocalize this, but it came to me:
Barack Obama and no other Black candidate would EVER
and I mean EVER
campaign on a theme of 'attack dog', or anything remotely dealing with 'attacking' the opposition.

THEY WON'T GET ELECTED.

This doesn't mean that they roll over and play dead with the opposition. They will debate on the issues. They will be strong against their opponent. Being forceful without seeming nasty. They could never be the nasty, vengeful attack dog that Progressives seem to want. There is NO Black candidate that can to into an election with the strategy of "50%+1". It might TURN OUT that way, but there is no way that they can go into an election with that kind of strategy. Just won't work for them.
Look at the campaigns of Black candidates who have gone after something larger than a safe gerrymandered Congressional seat...what is their campaign focused around?
Reaching out to the ENTIRE community.
They have to, because they are Black. And, the ONLY way that, as a Black candidate, you will be able to WIN, is to appeal to a broad constituency. It's the ONLY way.
Barack Obama does it. (he won the Senate)
Harold Ford did it. (he lost the Senate)
Deval Patrick did it. (he won)
Adrian Fenty did it. (he won)
Douglas Wilder did it.(he won)
Tom Bradley did it. (he lost)
David Dinkins did it. (he won)
Harvey Gantt did it (he lost)
Roland Burris (Illinois) and Carl McCall (New York) did it. (both lost)
In the midst of one of the most racially polarizing campaigns in the history of this country, Harold Washington did it.
The MINUTE Barack Obama turns into that 'attack dog' that the Progressives are clamoring for, what will happen?
He will become THE ANGRY BLACK MAN.
He knows it.
I know it.
And, then, THERE will be ANOTHER excuse as to why they can't vote for Obama.
Obama understands that and is NOT going to fall into THAT trap.
That mode of campaign doesn't work with Black candidates. It's not an option for a Black candidate - not if they want to WIN. And make no mistake, Barack is running to WIN.

My Bottom Line

If forced to, I would have to say that the two things that Barack Obama can offer me, as a voter are:

1. The Disposal of the Imperial Presidency.
Of all the things that George Bush has done that are detrimental to this country, none of have more potentially long lasting implications than his shredding of The Constitution with The Imperial Presidency. The respect for The Constitution should be above all else, considering that you swear and oath to it. My stance could be called ' hokey', or ' are you for real?', and yes, I am. I am an AMERICAN of AFRICAN descent, and I respect both. The Constitution, IMO, is probably the greatest modern document ever written. It's brilliance is that it lives and adapts, but the dedication to the rule of law is what I believe. Without it, and believing that all its citizens, no matter how rich or powerful, are subject to it, is a fundamental for me. To have it trampled on, as Bush & Co. have done, is so offensive, it brings with it a deep sense of rage.
The Imperial Presidency isn't wrong because BUSH is doing it. It would be EQUALLY wrong if a Democrat were doing it too. What's best for the country is to be rid of it- PERIOD.
I believe Barack Obama would rectify that. I believe he would respect and honor the Constitution. I don't have any reason to believe that John Edwards wouldn't also get rid of the Imperial Presidency. But, I don't believe for one minute that Clinton would get rid of it.

2. The Election of the First Black President

The symbolism of it. Don't short shrift symbols. They are very powerful, and very meaningful. There is a Black kid somewhere, and his parent, grandparent, teacher, is telling him/her that they can be anything that they want to be. You have to tell kids that, because you can't begin them with the obstacles that would be placed in their way. You teach them later, as they age, about how to deal with the obstacles. To be able to point to PRESIDENT Barack Obama as an example of success - through education, hard work, and skill - that you can use your mind and achieve unimaginable success- yes, that's a powerful symbol.
I don't now, nor have I ever seen Barack Obama as some sort of 'Black Messiah'; I have Jesus, don't need another Messiah. I have seen him as an example of what is possible. He wasn't born to money; he wasn't born to power. Nobody handed him anything; not his Illinois State Senate Seat, nor his Illinois Senate Seat. Each time he worked hard, starting at the bottom and working, from the bottom up, to find those voters who would listen to his message. And, the pattern has been repeated here, with this election cycle. He began, ten months ago, with nothing. Brick by brick, he did the hard work, the grunt work, building, from the ground up, a political apparatus that, 48 hours before the Iowa Caucus, is poised to take on the most serious Democratic Machine in a quarter century. By lasting this long, Obama has stunned many skeptics and pessimists. None of what he has done was supposed to happen, but it has.
So, for me, Barack Obama is:
Qualified
Progressive
Electable
My best chance to rid this country of the Imperial Presidency
Would be the First Black President
Add all these together, and it's the sum total of why I support Barack Obama and wish him well tomorrow in Iowa.

dave's long way down, day 12: back in the barn

Day 12, mile 2629.4, and after 12 days in the saddle, I’ve finally made it home, (sigh).  I left Grants Pass, OR this morning about 9am to a very cold 33 degree ride north on I-5. I had to stop a couple of times just to let the feeling return to my fingertips, (heated hand grips are wonderful, but do much for your fingertips).  It’s nice to be home again to the familiar surroundings, but in the same sense, it’s weird. The feeling of excitement the night before departing on another leg of the journey always kept me going. Tomorrow it’s back to work and several days of daydreaming about the places I visited.

Don’t get me wrong… Long distance traveling on a motorcycle is difficult, uncomfortable, very risky, and some would say sheer lunacy during the Winter months. All valid points. But, enduring all of the hardships and returning home with some great stories to tell friends and family members makes these types of trips all worth while. I highly recommend everyone take a similar trip. Not necessarily on a motorcycle, load the bags/kids/pets into your car, grab a map, pick a point and go there. Traveling without agendas in itself is a tremendous adventure for most Americans. We all get so engrossed in our structured daily routines that we believe this is the only way to enjoy ourselves. Anyway, enough said. Try it, you may like it.

Thanks to everyone for all of your letters of support through my trip. It was nice knowing I wasn’t completely disconnected from the world.

As I mentioned in an earlier trip report, I hope this trip is the first of many for me in the future. For my future trips, I will establish a blog site and post updates there rather than spamming everyone’s mailboxes nightly. Another advantage to doing this is because I can expand upon my daily experiences without worrying about filling peoples mailboxes with long, tedious email messages. One of my trip supporters also asked about the possibility of writing a book during these travels. I don’t know if I’m up to writing a book, but including a travel log in my next adventure is already on my ‘must have’ list.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I will include you all in my future reports,

Dave