http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/wa-news/ en-us Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:42:01 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284924/posts Posted: 9:02 am PDT July 3, 2009 Updated: 9:16 am PDT July 3, 2009 SEATTLE -- A fire at Fisher Plaza has disrupted stations that broadcast from the building near the Seattle Center and many Seattle-based Internet sites. KOMO Radio said the fire in an electrical vault about 11 p.m. Thursday forced the evacuation of the building and caused the sprinkler system to activate. The fire and water damage knocked out a large data center in the building that handles many Seattle-based web sites. Authorize.net, which handles credit card transactions for tens of thousands of e-commerce vendors, is one of... Seattle PI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284924/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:42:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284528/posts > The Desert Eagle pistol can "blow a hole the size of a Mack truck through a person," said Leigh Winchester, regional chief of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. > Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284528/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:48:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284111/posts Nearly 150 prominent attorneys, of all political stripes have banded together to support one of their own who went to Washington, D.C., to serve as a government watchdog, only to be unceremoniously dismissed by the Obama Administration earlier this month. New York Lawyer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284111/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:13:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283816/posts Top of the News: Is Boeing getting ready to drop another 787 bombshell? If so, it might land right in the heart of the Puget Sound aerospace cluster. Persistent threats and rumors about the company adding production in the Charleston, S.C. area get more heft from blogger Jon Ostrower, who reports that sources say Boeing is poised to buy the Vought's 787 operations in North Charleston that make the aft fuselage. Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283816/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 03:05:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283710/posts Regulation: Ignoring the first rule of holes, a bankrupt state passing out IOUs welcomes an EPA waiver allowing it to further kill its economy. Too bad the state can't stop the air pollution imported from a growing China. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday granted California its long-standing request — denied by the Bush administration — for a waiver to allow it to impose even more stringent air pollution rules than currently required by the federal government.The way is now clear for implementation of a 2002 state law requiring new cars to increase their fuel economy 40% by 2016.... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283710/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:16:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283557/posts When her Edmonds condo went on the market, Mindy Moore thought she had managed to avoid foreclosure. Moore listed the home in Edmonds for about $30,000 less than she owed on the mortgage. She thought the “short sale” agreement signed with the bank meant the bank would absorb the loss. Then she discovered that her lender, Bank of America, might still come after her for the difference. That means she may have to let the bank take back her property, or file for bankruptcy because she can’t afford to pay up. Experts say the wording, which was recently and quietly... Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283557/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:45:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282814/posts The announcement in a press release from Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reveals that $16.5 Million in Waterway Conservation Recovery Funding will pay for 6 projects in Washington State. It is estimated that the six projects will support 115 jobs. Breakdown of funding: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation: Project/Funding: Removal of Derelict Fishing Gear in Puget Sound: Remove over 200 metric tons of marine debris, including net removals. (Mt. Vernon) $4,595,369 The Nature Conservancy: Project/Funding: Fisher Slough Marsh Restoration: Restore 60 acres of the Skagit River floodplain by replace antiquated agriculture floodgates and restoring 15 miles of critical habitat for Chinook,... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282814/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:35:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282566/posts A man was arrested Saturday afternoon after police said he threatened to “blow up” the U.S. Army recruiting tent set up in Riverfront Park for Hoopfest. Keith M. Stroupe, 40, was booked into Spokane County Jail on suspicion of felony harassment, said Senior Patrolman Timothy Moses of the Spokane Police Department. The original call came in just before noon, Moses said. Stroupe also made threats at a second Army recruiting station at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Washington Street, Moses said. Though Stroupe disappeared into the crowd, one of the recruiters had filmed him with his cell phone, enabling police to... The Spokesman-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282566/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:34:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282142/posts The man accused of trying to gut a cat that belongs to a South Seattle church has changed his plea. Tracy Clark originally entered a not guilty plea to a first-degree animal cruelty charge in May for the April 20 attack that left Scat the cat with multiple stab wounds, including a 7-inch gash on its side. But on Monday Clark changed his stance and entered a guilty plea. The injured cat had been the pet therapy cat at the Cross Church & Discipleship Center for the past eight years. Clark, 47, said he had enrolled in rehabilitation at the... komonews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282142/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:54:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282050/posts Congressman Baird was so outraged at the quick passing of the appropriations bill without it being read that he sponsored House Resolution 544. Bills are available on line for 72 hours before being voted. Congressman Baird had no problem Friday voting on something he didn’t have time to read as long as he got his cut of the deal. Center for Fiscal Accountability http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282050/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:57:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282030/posts Climate Change: A switch of four Republican votes would have defeated Waxman-Markey, the Democrats' global warming legislation. But like the Clinton Btu tax, the bill could die in the Senate and turn the House over to the GOP. What were these RINOs thinking? The GOP is supposed to be the party of low taxes and free markets. Rep. Mike Castle, one of the eight offered an explanation right off of President Obama's teleprompter...Illinois Republican Mark Kirk, who has senatorial ambitions to replace the choice of impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Roland Burris, demonstrates why GOP fortunes in the Land... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282030/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:36:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281802/posts From the Seattle Times: Washington, DC - Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) released the following statement today after the U.S. House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act: “Energy independence and our national security are critical issues for America. These issues transcend politics. The future of this country is on the line and we can spare no effort when it comes to  leading on these issues at a global level. “This bill is not perfect, but it is a vital step toward energy independence. America cannot maintain global leadership without innovation and new ideas, and we cannot lead if we... NW Bloggers http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281802/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:39:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281260/posts BELLINGHAM -- The initiative that made Washington the second state to legalize physician-assisted suicide is the stuff of double-edged language and hard ethical choices. "It is a fact of life. We need to live with it," Arline Hinckley of Compassion & Choices of Washington State, which supports the initiative, told a packed house Wednesday at Bellingham City Club. "We have had two persons take advantage of the law in this state," she added. But the Whatcom County Medical Society has asked opposing physicians -- those who will not help patients kill themselves -- to identify themselves. "Many have done that,"... Seattle Post-Intelligencer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281260/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:48:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281207/posts There's a scene in the 2008 movie "Lava Storm," a low-budget sci-fi flick about magma engulfing the globe, in which a volcanologist hatches a quixotic scheme to save humanity. He'll blow up the local dam to douse the rampaging inferno. Everyone doubts him, of course. "We can't save the world," says his wife. "No, baby," he shoots back. "But maybe we can buy it some time." It's so crazy, it just might work! That was about my reaction when I interviewed the writer and producer of "Lava Storm," West Seattle's Bill Hoffman, about his next big project. Which is, believe... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281207/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:56:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278653/posts Congressman Jim McDermott has now explained what he was thinking when he sought to use taxpayer dollars to polish up The Rainier Club's windowsills. He was thinking: Why aren't you making a grab for cash, too? "This is not a ridiculous request," McDermott said. "Everybody in the 7th District has the right to make a request — the University of Washington, The Rainier Club, everybody." Set aside for now the tone-deafness of comparing our largest public university, reeling from budget cuts, with a private social club (where choice subcommittee assignments include the likes of "Greeting and Hospitality" and "Single Malt... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278653/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:08:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277996/posts Boeing has once again been forced to delay the first flight of its new 787 Dreamliner, this time because part of the aircraft needs to be reinforced. The aerospace company had confirmed at last week's Paris Air Show that the environmentally-friendly jet, which is already two years late, was on track to make its maiden flight by the end of June. It will now be "several weeks" before a new flight and delivery schedule is announced. "Consideration was given to a temporary solution that would allow us to fly as scheduled," said Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing's commercial plane... Daily Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277996/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:15:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277803/posts A Catholic priest who was critically injured while deployed with his Fort Lewis unit died Saturday, more than five years after his Humvee struck a roadside bomb in Iraq. The Rev. Tim Vakoc becomes the first chaplain to die of wounds sustained during the war in Iraq. The former major from Minnesota – known to most as Father Tim – suffered brain damage and lost an eye from the May 30, 2004, attack. He had most recently lived at a nursing home in New Hope, Minn. “He was a great man of God,” said Fort Lewis spokesman Joseph Piek, who... The News Tribune (Tacoma WA) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277803/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:53:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277643/posts Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott doubts his own request for a $250,000 earmark of federal funds to pay for renovations at the exclusive Rainier Club will win approval in Congress.While descending a tiled staircase into The Rainier Club lobby, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott said Monday he doubts his request for a $250,000 earmark to cover renovations at the exclusive downtown Seattle club will win approval from federal lawmakers. "Given what's going on in the country these days, it seems unlikely to me," the Seattle Democrat said, amid a backdrop of fine artwork and antique furniture. "I'm not going to say definitively... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277643/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:07:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277415/posts 4 kids sicced pit bull on women in SeaTac, cops say By Phillip Lucas Seattle Times staff reporter Four children between the ages of 11 and 15 used a pit bull to attack two women in SeaTac on Sunday evening after one of the victims questioned the group's treatment of the dog, according to the King County Sheriff's Office. The girl, who is from Burien, and the boys — ages 11, 12 and 13 — all from White Center, were taken into custody by sheriff's deputies. All four were released to their parents and the dog was seized by King... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277415/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:05:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277074/posts SEATTLE - Two police officers were assaulted by women as they responded to a huge brawl aboard a cruise ship early Sunday on the Seattle waterfront. The officers responded to the scene at about 1:40 a.m. after receiving a 911 call about a large-scale disturbance aboard a cruise ship docked in the 1100 block of Alaskan Way. When police arrived, they found a chaotic scene of more than 100 people on the dock, many of them shouting and arguing. Officers then learned that some passengers were still physically fighting aboard the ship. Officers moved to the dock to begin clearing... KOMOnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277074/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:06:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276889/posts Among more than 100 local projects for which U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott recently sought funding earmarks in the coming federal budget are a new cancer-research program, municipal road projects and a law-enforcement initiative to combat gang violence. Also included on the Seattle Democrat's 2010 appropriations wish list is a relatively modest — but curious — appeal: A $250,000 request to fund a "window repair and limestone sill replacement" at The Rainier Club — one of Seattle's premier private clubs, whose members include some of the city's most well-heeled and politically connected residents. McDermott's request on behalf of The Rainier Club... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276889/posts#comment Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276366/posts SULTAN, Wash. (AP) -- Five teens were charged Friday with second-degree murder in the beating and stabbing death of a 17-year-old Marysville youth in this Snohomish County town. AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276366/posts#comment Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:52:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276076/posts SEATTLE - Hundreds of people - some wearing bizarre costumes and some wearing their birthday suits - turned out for an annual tradition celebrating the beginning of summer in Seattle's Fremont District. Once again, clothing was optional in the Fremont parade. People used their freedom of expression to go down the parade route in everything from home-made costumes, to body paint, to nothing at all. Two newlyweds told KOMO News that the parade, and the preparation for it, is one of their favorite times of the year. "We've done this actually a couple of years now and we just love... KOMO News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276076/posts#comment Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:24:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2275970/posts I was visiting Ft. Simcoe State Park, in Washington State, when I came across this... one of Obama's 57 states. Not sure where Wahington State is but it has to be close. vanity http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2275970/posts#comment Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:56:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2275183/posts Washington, D.C., political insiders were treated Wednesday morning to an unforgettable exchange of 19 e-mails. The players: an aide at McBee Strategic, a major lobbying firm, and one Elizabeth Becton, scheduling secretary to Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash. The aide's sin: He sent an e-mail addressed to Becton as "Liz." The episode is not without precedent. Ex-Sen. Elizabeth Dole is renowned for turning icy when anybody uses the nickname "Liddy." Elizabeth Taylor once erupted when fifth husband Sen. John Warner began an admonition with the words "Now Liz . . ." "Don't you Liz me," Taylor shot back, sticking a finger... seattlepi.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2275183/posts#comment Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:23:48 GMT