#MeToo hits Mariners execs: Back in the day, we’re talking 2009-10, the Mariners executives were embroiled in a case of inappropriate workplace conduct. They settled financially with the women who filed complaints. “The three women involved left their jobs. All three executives remained in their positions, and two were later promoted,” reports the Seattle Times. Those men are in even higher positions of power, including Mariners president Kevin Mather. According to current employees, the Mariners have made an honest effort to make it a good, safe environment to work. However the Times unearthed video footage personnel at SafeCo Field had shot and compiled. The footage focused on two women at the game. It was up close. The file was saved and labeled as “9-29-15 Blondes.” The Mariners said it was made for security purposes.
Duck boats designed by guy who had no business designing anything: Robert McDowell was no engineer, he was no mechanic, and he was no designer. McDowell had narrowly finished two years of college. Yet, nearly two decades ago he came up with the design for the “stretch duck boat,” an amphibious vehicle that was involved in the 2015 Seattle crash and the current tragedy in Missouri that killed 17. In the water, the boat sinks rapidly and it’s like being trapped in “an enclosed bus,” reports the Los Angeles Times.
The viral disease video we’ve all been dreading waiting for is here: The Seattle Police Department just released their lip sync video as a part of the the global cop-lip-sync-video-challenge. You can read up on the history of that here. I just watched the video. It actually stirred something in me and I am conflicted. All I will say is that I have spent hours of my life watching cop lip sync videos for that article I linked. Seattle’s is the best by far. Facebook won’t let me embed it because SPD has never heard of YouTube so here’s a hyperlink.
SPD’s tool to identify bad cops is mostly useless: After a Department of Justice investigation into SPD in 2011, it was found that SPD officers used an unconstitutional level of force and that a lot of those instances were going unreported. To combat that, SPD instituted an early detection system. Years later, it’s come to light that the system is ineffective and often wrong about which officers it flags. Something particularly interesting in this Crosscut article: “… female officers were 8.5 percent more likely to be labeled as worth monitoring than male officers.”
Orca calf dies within half-hour of its birth: Yeah, I’m sorry to bring you sad orca news so early in the morning. But, this is the state of things for our southern resident killer whales. The females of this pod have not had a successful pregnancy in three years. The mother swam with her dead calf beside her, refusing to let go. Experts say they just don’t have enough to eat.
Bid Northgate Mall adieu: It’s a gross little mall, but it’s historic. As one of the country’s first indoor shopping experiences, Northgate has stood tall since 1950. With the light rail making its way steadily toward Northgate, the mall is not long for this world. New plans to create a sort of “central park” as well as a hotel and 1,200 housing units have surfaced. The whole mall won’t be torn down, according to the plans. Just a good chunk of it.
Wildfire risk across the board in Washington: It’s hot! It’s dry! Washington is begging to burn. Every county in Washington is under some level of wildfire risk right now. Everything will be fine as long as you don’t litter a cigarette ($1,025 fine) or light off fireworks in the Gorge (lifetime of shame and multi-million dollar fine).
Yosemite National Park is on fire: Evacuations are underway during the height of the park’s tourism season.
I wasn’t clear when I originally posted this as wasn’t expecting it to get so much attention. This *is* a photo of a 🔥cloud above #yosemite of the #FergusonFire was on a flight from LAS to SFO. The pilot said to look out the window for a rare smoke☁️ pictures don’t do justice pic.twitter.com/pea1iqXPwo
— Ashley Watkins (@all4PR) July 17, 2018
Three more high rises proposed for U District: The future is knocking at the door of the U District and it’s draped in affordable housing units and green space. The U District as we know it — grimy, derelict yet charming — will soon cease to exist. In its place will be sleek high rises with retail space underneath, over 500 units of housings, and 100 new hotel rooms.
Second place for hottest July on record: Whether we win it this year or next year or the year after that won’t make much of a difference. Global warming has assured everyone that victory is in the bag as summers keep getting hotter and hotter. New year, new record. Just so you all know, I didn’t buy an air conditioner — I’m not a monster, okay? — I bought another fan. If I have two big fans blasting my upstairs room/coffin is that more efficient than an air conditioner? You can either answer that or you can join me in a Northwest forest, nature’s air conditioned lobby.
Summer heat got you down? Come visit your local forests! They’ve got the coolest spots in town! Check out this list of particularly refreshing destinations: https://t.co/fTJg044AEi #TuesdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/ix5jPYSCVn
— Forest Service NW (@ForestServiceNW) July 24, 2018
Instead of doing this, maybe you should just vote:
President Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been smashed into pieces by a man with a pick ax. https://t.co/VUQw6jDUqp – @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/XVmSAqJUq3
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 25, 2018
Lawmaker says he’ll resign after appearing on Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show: To be fair, I’m not sure what kind of political future this guy had left after his performance on Sunday’s “Who is America?” In the episode, Baron Cohen poses as an anti-Israeli terrorism expert and instructs Georgia state lawmaker Jason Spencer. During the instruction, Spencer — a proponent of a “burqa ban” — exposes his ass, distastefully impersonates a Chinese person, and shouts the n-word over and over. The clip has over three million views. Spencer announced he will be stepping down.
Apparently the White House edited footage from the Putin/Trump summit: I love not knowing what is real.
White House edits video to remove question about whether Putin wanted Trump to win. pic.twitter.com/ExlsHNlgF8
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) July 25, 2018
The waters of Mars: Scientists detected a lake of liquid water underneath Mars’ southern ice cap using radar. That’s big.
Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment options include: The cutthroat Chopped-style Game of Chefs cook-off, live movie riffing with Trace and Frank of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, and a surefire dancing opportunity with local electro-pop groups Ghost Soda, Pablos Legs, and Fine.
Now, what you’re eating for breakfast. I’m praying I see no mummy juice:
Patrick is evolved.
Robert has important work to do this morning.
A slightly elevated version of Robert’s breakfast for Harry.
From Austin: “I got up early due to summer heat so I made an omelet to go with the normal coffee and museli. 11/10 would omelet again.”
Austin! When I get up early because of the summer heat I lay in my bed and sweat out of protest. I admire you and your omelet.
From Jim: “I have an egg every morning – usually on an English muffin with ham or spam and various cheeses and some kind of spice like harissa or berbere, topped by avocado. This one is an egg over left over mac & cheese with ham, onions, red bell pepper, avocado.”
That is some grade-A plating, Jim. I am so very hungry looking at your breakfast.
Our other friend Jim — and Slog AM breakfast regular — isn’t sure what he’s having yet: “Some of my friends had Purina One with a touch of Kirkland Signature Super Premium plus water.”
My mom just sent me a picture of the fridge this morning:
From Lissa and The Bunny Mug: “A sunny morning and a good book, (the Bunny Mug enjoys a good space battle) makes for a happy breakfast of raisin muffins with peach jam and sliced banana.”
