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junipero

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Fr Junípero Serra was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta… more »

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4:07 PM yesterday junipero commented on Um, The Stranger Has Not Made Its Mayoral Endorsement.

Just don't overcompensate your coverage of the race to show you're not in the tank for McGinn yet - which is exactly what the Murray folks want you to do. For example, how has McGinn failed on the arena? It's moving forward exactly as planned. Getting an NBA or NHL team is not within his power or that of any of these candidates, but Seattle is clearly a top destination on the minds of both leagues.

Jun 11 junipero commented on Governor Inslee Calls Second Special Session Before First Special Session Even Ends, as State Government Shutdown Looms.

Time to start referring to Rodney Tom as Newt Gingrich. Marko Liias called the Senate GOP "the Tea Party Senate" - a name I particularly liked. Wrap that label around them at every opportunity.

Jun 10 junipero commented on Seattle One Step Closer to District Elections.

@9 the Harvey Milk argument is still relevant because it shows that in SF, as in every other city that moved to district elections, it became possible for people and groups that had been marginalized to get elected to City Council. There are no Latinos on the City Council right now, only one Asian American - and he is also the only African American member. Only three of the nine are women. Cities with district systems generally have more diverse representation.

@10 actually, district elections don't empower NIMBYs. Folks like @8 think they do, that a districted City Council would function just like their neighborhood councils, but they are fundamentally different. District elections generally empower progressive people who have good values but can't break through citywide.

Also, @10, in cities with district systems like SF and LA, urban planning has proceeded just fine without the process being hijacked by NIMBYs - mainly because districted City Councils are more likely to produce urbanism-friendly candidates.

Too often Seattleites discuss political issues as if other cities do not exist. We have a lot of evidence to show how district elections work. The results are very favorable to most Slog readers. The challenge is not with the concept but with the specific design of this initiative.

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Jun 10 junipero commented on Seattle One Step Closer to District Elections.

The answer to this polling question is clearly "yes" - district elections are a fundamentally progressive thing. The challenge is that this particular initiative has been badly botched. It should be all 9 councilmembers elected by district, not just 7. And more importantly, the first district map used for an election should be drawn up by an independent commission, not by the people who proposed the initiative. I will still vote for it, but the people who put this initiative together made some big mistakes that may doom the effort.

Jun 5 junipero commented on Ed Murray Has People!.

@8 I assume that's sarcasm? Or are you serious? All the "most powerful people" in Seattle opposed McGinn in 2009 and he beat them. Voters don't actually follow the recommendations of the "most powerful people" and often resent being told to do so.

Jun 4 junipero commented on Governor Inslee: I'm "Shocked," "Surprised," "Concerned," "Disappointed," and "Blindsided" by Republican Effort to Repeal Washington's Estate Tax.

The lesson for Democrats in the legislature from similar fights around the country and in Congress is clear: do not cave. Ever.

Jun 4 junipero commented on The Most Enjoyable Moments of Last Night's Mayoral Candidates Forum on the Arts.

What ability to build coalitions? If he is so good, where is our transit funding? Where is our education funding? Why hasn't the state budget been finalized yet? Murray is full of it and the Stranger shouldn't let him skate on this.

May 21 junipero commented on McGinn and Harrell Garner Barbs, then Dual Endorsement from 37th LD.

@1 the thing that's "reaaaaaaally wrong" here is that Seattle's media barely covers Southeast Seattle and as a result few people realize just how strong McGinn still is down there. He's got a lot of support from people of color - many of whom realize he actually is strongly for police reform - and it came through loud and clear last night.

May 17 junipero commented on Kay Smith-Blum Won't Seek Second Term on School Board.

Hearing rumors that the privatizers and right-wingers who call themselves "education reformers" may try to take over the board this year with money from Gates, Bloomberg, and the usual suspects. If so then the school board race suddenly becomes the most important priority in town for progressives.

May 6 junipero commented on The City Council's SLU Rezone Actually Provides Less Affordable Housing Than the Mayor's.

At last Thursday's debate Harrell asked "how could anyone support McGinn's SLU proposal and look a housing advocate in the face?" Looks to me that Harrell didn't actually ask the housing advocates at all, and at least one of the main ones supported McGinn's plan.