Yesterday was May Day: The Seattle Times estimated more than 1,000 people showed up for yesterday’s May Day march that began at Cal Anderson Park and headed downtown via Pine Street. We were there, too, speaking to labor leaders and organizers at the rally ahead of the march. Watch:
More Marching: Missed May Day? Want to keep marching? There is an All Labor March Saturday at the Washington State Capitol Building.
Trump Continues to Attack Press: Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order demanding that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting “cease direct funding to NPR and PBS.” In the order, titled “ENDING TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZATION OF BIASED MEDIA,” Trump writes: “Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage.” Fuck that. Today would be a good day to donate to our local NPR stations, KUOW and KNKX, and PBS-supported Cascade PBS. KUOW posted a response to the news here.
Trump Continues to Attack Harvard: This morning Trump posted on Tr*th Social, “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” A Harvard spokesperson told the Boston Globe, “The unlawful use of this instrument more broadly would have grave consequences for the future of higher education in America.” A law professor at the university calls it “unconstitutional.” The Globe has live updates here.
He’s Trying to Brainwash Us: You see it, right? By defunding press outlets, universities, and the arts, he’s attempting to stop the flow of information and eliminate free-thinking. He wants to squeeze out anything and everything that doesn’t bow down to him so all that’s left is government-sanctioned, brainwashing “Dear Leader” bullshit. This shit is what has made Kim Jong Un the butt of jokes in American pop culture for years! And now it’s happening here. As Charles Mudede wrote earlier this week, “WE HAVE A DICTATOR.”
Humanitarian Aid Ship Bombed: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says one of the ships “carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza” was bombed by drones. The attack caused a fire and a “substantial breach” in the hull. FFC says the 12 crew members and four civilians aboard are safe. Meanwhile, Israel continues its “blockage of food and medicine,” and Al Jazeera reports that “43 people have been killed in Israeli attacks” since Friday morning. And a humanitarian coordinator “warned that more children likely to die from malnutrition as ‘the whole Strip is starving.’” Tell me again, how is this not a genocide?
SPD Accused of Sexual Harassment: Jamie Tompkins was the Seattle Police Department’s chief of staff from May 2023 to November 2024. Now she “is demanding $3 million from the city and is threatening to file a lawsuit,” reports the Seattle Times, for “relentless rumormongering and sexual harassment by officers and managers.” Real ones will remember that SPD Chief Adrian Diaz was fired shortly after Tompkins resigned, after an investigation claimed Diaz “used his position of power to carve a path for his alleged romantic partner,” believed to be Tompkins. Diaz and Tompkins both say they were never romantically involved, and Tompkins says she didn’t write the letter. (Which was allegedly on an Ewok card. How dare anyone use Ewoks for evil.) We will have more coming today from Stranger contributor Carolyn Bick, so stay tuned to Slog!
RIP Jill Sobule: Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule died in a house fire yesterday. She was 66. If you’re unfamiliar, know this: Before Katy Perry there was Jill Sobule. Her 1995 song “I Kissed a Girl” was the “first openly gay-themed song ever to crack the Billboard Top 20.” And unlike queerbaiting astronaut Perry, Sobule was actually bisexual.
Diddy Doesn’t Take Plea Deal: Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court yesterday and rejected prosecutors’ plea deal in his sex trafficking case. He’s charged with “charged with racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex trafficking and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution,” writes BBC. Diddy says he’s innocent; his lawyer says he’s just a “swinger.” This case is separate from the more than 100 assault allegations he’s being sued for. Jury selection in Diddy’s federal trial begins Monday.
It’s Happening: Vatican firefighters installed a chimney on Sistine Chapels roof ahead of the papal election. Conclave, baby! I am not Catholic and all I know about conclaves is what I saw in Conclave but neither hockey team I root for made it into the playoffs so I’m just dying to cheer for something. Pierbattista Pizzaballa! LFG!!!!!!!! (Enthusiasm based on name alone.)
Chile Issues Tsunami Warning: This morning a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Ushuaia, Argentina. Chilean President Gabriel Boric posted a tsunami warning on X: “We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region.” (Related: Let’s all stop using X? Can we? It’s just one more way that Elon Musk and the Trump Administration are trying to control how and what information spreads. They’re attempting to choke-out media outlets and using X to platform misinformation and dangerous hate speech. Choke them back. Get off X. Anyway, watch out for a tsunami if you’re in Chile.)
I’m Sleepy: We were up late last night putting our May issue to bed. It’s all about the Seattle International Film Festival, and it’s stuffed with more than 100 film reviews! YOU’RE WELCOME! Anyway, because I’m too tired to write much more, but news keeps happening, here are a few more notable headlines. Please read this list in a breathless auctioneer voice. “Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace in ‘message’ to Sharaa”; “US weather forecasting is more crippled than previously known as hurricane season nears”; “Thousands Call on the Trump Administration to Return Kilmar Abrego Garcia”; “Photos reveal Trump cabinet member using less-secure Signal app knockoff“; “A massive tariff on millions of Americans’ purchases just went into effect — cue the chaos” “RFK Jr.’s latest vaccine plan threatens future of shots, experts say“; “Ports of Seattle, Tacoma warn of empty retail shelves, fewer labor hours for truckers, longshoremen“; “This cute animal is one of Yosemite’s ‘most dangerous,’ rangers say” (it me).
Decide for Yourself if Radio’s Gonna Stay: REM are releasing a new five-track EP, Radio Free Europe 2025, their first studio release since 2011’s Collapse Into Now. In a statement, singer Michael Stipe said, “Whether it’s music or a free press—censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere. On World Press Freedom Day, I’m sending a shout-out to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe.” It’s available for streaming and download now. You can pre-order it on vinyl via R.E.M.’s online store. Proceeds will go to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Remind your Jewish friends to vote in the World Zionist Congress election! 😃 Voting closes on Sunday, so don’t delay!
The World Zionist Congress directs a wide variety of Zionist and humanitarian programs and administers a huge budget, including that of the Jewish National Fund, the principal body for national land acquisition in Israel. If you or your friends are Jewish and have an interest in Israeli land policy and other issues related to Zionism, this election is your chance to make your voice heard in the one place where it matters! 🔥🔥🔥
Slates from across the political spectrum are running for the next Congress. Whatever your vision for Zionism, you’ll find a slate working to put it into practice! Vote today! 💯
So either SPD’s former chief hired his fuckbuddy for a top role, or the rest of SPD jealously and maliciously harassed a high ranking female. What a proud credit to the community that department is.
@2, Former Chief Diaz has also filed his own $10 million suit. It’s entirely possible that the City will loose suits to those claiming harassment, and suits to those disciplined for said harassment.
Welcome to the unpredictable world of civil litigation and the unique difficulties of public sector employers.
Megan,
“his layer says he’s just a “swinger.”
His layer? Is that the person who secures his sexual victims for him?
So Jamie Tompkins is demanding three million and filing a lawsuit? The mistake is in the Seattle Times article. She must be suing for three million, not extortion + lawsuit. Or maybe I’m naive as to how far the sexual lawsuit industrial complex is alive and well at SPD.
@3 not quite, their suits are aligned. Both say they never had a sexual relationship, and Diaz says he was wrongfully terminated based on the false allegation that they did. If they’re telling the truth it will be pretty hilarious that, after all the nonsense assertions that SPD’s first Black female chief was forced out due to a toxic environment created by Defund advocates, in reality SPD’s first gay Latino chief was forced out due to a toxic environment SPD created all on their own.
@4…
It’s hilarious that you nitpick ‘layer’ vs ‘lawyer’ when in your previous comment (and other times) you use the word ‘loose’ when you mean ‘lose’.
Maybe you ARE actually ‘Myopic”.
Dumbass.
Re: #1: Oh good lord, Prof. Whankus is back, this promoting religio-fascism – with overused emojis, as usual. For those who don’t know, the WZC has longstanding, deep ties to all major Christian Zionist organizations. Christian Zionism, for those lucky enough not to have been exposed to it, is the belief that once all the Jews are in Israel, the much-coveted “end times” will happen; this is an evangelical, dominionist branch of the Xian religion – it is generally regarded as anti-semitic-adjacent by less authoritarian Christian and Jewish communities, and most certainly would be by non-partisan observers. Belief in Christian Zionism is of course closely correlated to a support for political violence against “liberals.”
It’s not a Jewish organization: it’s theofascist, period. My experience with Zionists is that if you bring the racist nature of their Christian supporters up, they will accuse you of hating them also – i.e., they won’t absorb the information. No doubt this characterizes Whankus as well. The Stranger should remove his post.
@8: lol, Jews don’t control what Christians believe. And non-Jews can’t vote in the World Zionist Congress. Time to get a grip, eh? 😜
@1 The vision for Zionism of most Jewish people I know is “give it up already.”
@4 oh my, that is an embarrassing typo. I’ve fixed it.
@9: You failed to absorb the information, as I predicted. I think it’s pretty safe to say that the majority of SLOG readers want nothing to do with an organization with the same political goals as dominionist Xians, regardless of their ability to vote – as if that’s the only way to influence the proceedings.
Whankus’ problem is that he continues to equate Zionism with Jewish identity – which is an historical impossibility. @10 Thank you. Given the decidedly mixed feelings which Zionism evokes in the local Jewish communities, it seems very odd that people like Thumpus take such pains to promote it.
@11,
That’s OK, @4 is an embarrassing human. And unfortunately he can’t be fixed.
“Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage.”
That’s pretty much what they get with PBS & NPR. Hell, I’ve been calling NPR “Now Promoting Republicans” for a decade. Krasnov has never listened to NPR in his cursed life.
We live in hell.
@9 “non-Jews can’t vote in the World Zionist Congress”
Not true, you just have to check a box online promising you’re Jewish (and pay $5). I guess you also believe everyone reads the Terms & Conditions.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/wzo-elections-marred-by-alleged-widespread-voter-fraud-abuse-of-voting-platform/
“Voting for the Zionist Congress in the US is open through May 4 to self-identified Jews aged 18 or older. Voters are told to go to zionistelection.org, which forwards to a page on the Votem platform. There, users can input their name, address and contact details. After ticking off boxes confirming that they are Jewish and agree to the WZO’s Zionist principles, they can pay the $5 registration fee via credit card, Paypal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.”
RIP to Jill Sobule; that’s a tough way to go.
She was scheduled to open for the Mekons at the Tractor in August.
Congratulations to @1 for once again threadjacking Slog AM. You’re a machine.
@12: lol, it’s not Jews’ fault if Christian whackjobs harbor weird delusions about Zionism. There are also plenty of progressive whackjobs who harbor weird delusions about Zionism! 😉 Comes with the territory, I guess. 😄
@15: ha ha, well OK dude, if you want to falsely certify that you’re Jewish just so you can cast a fraudulent vote in someone else’s election, I mean…go ahead I guess? 😂
@17: It ain’t a thread without Thump Dogg speaking on it! 😇
@18 not me but I wouldn’t put it past the “Christian whackjobs,” of which there’s a solid chance you’re one
@20: Atheist Muslim mystic, actually. 😂😂😂
@8
@13
thumpf You!
is Wormtonuge’s
A”I” saying aloud
that which shouldn’t
be said atall. tS Should
Remove Both their arses
@17
fucking Bingo.
Why, @tS?
fucking WHY.
That aid ship was off Malta, 1,000 miles from Gaza’s port. I can’t believe Israel would bother, but who else would have the capacity.
Arguing about whether Gaza is a Genocide is pointless.
If it is, it’s the slowest and least effective Genocide ever: 2.2% of the total population killed over 20 months of war, and the % of that 50K death toll that are Hamas combatants is unknown but is estimated at 1/3. Gaza is definitely a horrific Siege, and Israel doesn’t have any other tools to push Hamas than to keep punishing Gazans.
Suggestions for resolving the conflict are welcome. Dissolving Israel is not an option.
@18: “…falsely certify, &c.” I didn’t mean that or anything like that. I’m not sure how you got that. “It’s not Jews fault if Xian whack jobs…” Nobody said it was the Jews’ fault anything. It is the Zionists’ choice to make common cause with others religious bigots, whack jobs, and theofascists. For the majority of Seattlites, that’s pretty heavy guilt by association, and in any case, it’s a choice which speak volumes about their own priorities. Recall your high school math please (assuming you took math in high school): a set is not necessarily equal to a given quantity. A set is often subsidiary to a quantity: therefore, Zionists Jews are a set of worldwide Jews; Zionists do not equal Jews.
If Whankus knew anything about upper education, he would realize that US Jews are, on the whole, too educated for there to be a supermajority accepting of a nationalist ideology like Zionism, even if it were relatively benign (which it isn’t). Nationalist ideologies are currently at a low point in popularity with the intellectual class right now, and they’re getting less popular by the day. It’s time for him to go back to school and stop wanking in public already.
“Atheist Muslim mystic”: it’s possible, I guess.
@24: Certainly not every American Jew has to self-identify as a Zionist. If you break out Zionist beliefs, though, you’ll find that virtually all American Jews believe in at least some version of the Zionist program and are therefore Zionists whether or not they adopt the label. In fact, decent people of all religious, national, and political persuasions believe in at least some version of the Zionist program. 😄
Antizionism, by contrast, is nothing but racism in a pink suit. Decent people repudiate antizionism wherever it rears its head. 😉
So tiresome.
@7, Or maybe the word choice was intentional. It would fit the allegations against Combs.
@23 “Gaza is definitely a horrific Siege, and Israel doesn’t have any other tools to push Hamas than to keep punishing Gazans.”
It could equally be argued Palestinians don’t have any other tools to punish the IDF than to keep shooting rockets and taking hostages. Which is to say, anyone who’s inclined by their partisan bias to excuse atrocities can almost always find a way to do so.
@25 ready to repudiate?
https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-842602
“(Rabbi Dov) Landau’s opposition to Zionist institutions is rooted in long-standing ultra-Orthodox theology, which rejects the Zionist project as a secular-nationalist enterprise.”
@29: lol, the rabbi’s objection to Zionism is that Zionism as practiced is too secular, not that Zionism doesn’t belong in Israel. 😂
@14: Not to mention William F. Buckley Jr’s “Firing Line” on PBS!
Also The McLaughlin Group and Washington Week in Review had robust conservative viewpoints discussed.
@30 wrong
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ultra-orthodox-anti-zionist/
The way republicans think PBS is literally state-funded media while also believing it’s anti-capitalist propaganda needs to be studied. Public broadcasting is the final boss of “everything I don’t like is communist”.
@32: “Numerically speaking, this ideology is marginal,” says your own source. lol!
These people do want Israel to be restored to the Jews. They just think it ought to be god’s messiah doing the restoring, rather than Jews themselves. These are your antizionist champions? OK, my dude! 🤣
@34 it’s wild that despite constantly aggrandizing it you don’t even actually understand Zionism
@23: “If it is, it’s the slowest and least effective Genocide ever: 2.2% of the total population killed over 20 months of war, and the % of that 50K death toll that are Hamas combatants is unknown but is estimated at 1/3.”
In fact, there are more Gazawiyn alive today than there were when the so-called “genocide” began. Gosh, it’s the first “genocide” in history ever to see the population increase while the genocide was still underway! 🤪
The data from Gaza are not consistent with genocide. The data are consistent with urban combat against a large, well-armed fighting force entrenched in the midst of a civilian population. But that was Hamas’s call, not Israel’s. Defender chooses the ground. These defenders chose their families’ homes. 😝
@28: “It could equally be argued Palestinians don’t have any other tools to punish the IDF than to keep shooting rockets and taking hostages.”
It could be argued that use of the passive voice is a standard weaseling technique employed by persons who don’t want to admit what they’re really advocating, but there’s no need to go there, as you’ve already admitted that, albeit backhandedly.
Hamas isn’t shooting rockets “to punish the IDF,” they shot them to kill Israeli civilians, from behind Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Hamas took hostages primarily from Israeli civilians, then illegally imprisoned those civilian hostages behind Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
This works better if you understand that one side intentionally targets civilians as a matter of stated policy by leadership, and the other does not. (That the side intentionally targeting civilians has clearly stated it wants a higher body count of civilians on both sides does not actually make the two sides more equivalent; rather, it makes their difference greater.) It’s been over a year and a half, so if you could please start trying at the understanding, we could all save some time and effort already.
Oh no!
A good guy with a gun: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/father-shoots-man-accused-breaking-into-seattle-apartment-complex/STGGXTGIVNFIZOP4RM5MXWICLE/
“More than 1000” marched on May Day. This is the way the woke left ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
“This works better
if you understand that one side
intentionally targets civilians as a matter
of stated policy by leadership, and the other does not.”
when the
‘voice of reason’
is psychopathic it
doesn’t make the targeting
of Journalists and Children, the
Starvation of a Captive Populace
Any LESS
Of a War Crime:
END the
fucking MASSACRE:
Free Israel
Free Palestine
Pardon Nutnyahoo
if That’s what it fucking Takes.
oh
and Quit
giving them
the Weaponry
to Kill 50,000 Civilians.
Shorter @40.
Your OK with it as long as the Israeli’s get there weapons elsewhere.
Got it.
@41,
He didn’t so much as insinuate that. If I refuse to give you and any of your like minded, firearm obsessed cohorts weaponry, it doesn’t follow that I’m OK with you using weaponry you’ve obtained elsewhere to kill with.
Fuck you for dragging me into this utterly pointless debate, you obnoxious, myopic ass.
And as long as I’m here (and I won’t be for long, this is my last post as I’m headed out for the evening) I guess I’ll also point out that Mr Smiley Face’s claim that there are more Gazans now than there was at the start of the war is also false.
@43: Only if you discount all births in Gaza and also discount all living people who left Gaza. But you shouldn’t discount them, because babies from Gaza and refugees from Gaza do, in fact, count as Gazawi people. 😁
@thumpus, you realize that Zionism is looked at the same way as colonialism, which is not a good thing, right?
Do you think it’s possible that tenny is actually Bibi with free time commenting on slog? Their resilience to be pro-Israel no matter what is unmatched
@40: We already knew you would refuse to understand the basic distinction between the two sides that I had described; furthermore, we knew you wouldn’t even address it. You had no need to make those points. All you ever bring here is name-calling attempts at dismissals, but thank you for confirming that.
You’re very useful in showing that’s all the Stranger has on this issue, as well. Thank you for that.
@45: “…you realize that Zionism is looked at the same way as colonialism,”
Only by persons who seem to have no problem with actual imperialisms in Palestine, so long as each one actively disfavored the Jews who have always lived there.
@46: Don’t forget all of the sockpuppets I’m always running, like thumpus himself! (Or so I am repeatedly told…)
@45: “you realize that Zionism is looked at the same way as colonialism”
Only by people who don’t believe in Jews’ right to national self-determination. The name for such people is “antisemite.” Hopefully that’s not you! 😘
What’s the name for people who don’t believe in Palestinians’ right to national self determination?.