Digital art: The Stumble

By Jack Brummet

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Drawing: The Beardo

By Jack Brummet

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Dolphin Painting

By Jack Brummet

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Reheated: four years ago on ATIT - NY Governor David Paterson unleashes a volley of 88 new taxes in retribution for his portrayal as befuddled on SNL

By Pablo Fanque
All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Governor David Paterson in an apparent fit of pique, has unleashed a set of 88 new taxes that insiders say are a punitive measure against what the Governor privately called "This c***sucking Saturday Night Live generation of Blackberry packing, iPod toting, spoiled a**holes!"

Editor's Warning: The video clip of SNL has been sporadically available on YouTube. The link below may well be broken by the time you read this. Bending to pressure from Patterson, and other groups, YouTube has deemed the video clip "offensive."



The Governor also said "I've been up front with these f***ing a**holes, admitted having affairs, snorting coke. My wife had affairs and did blow too. So motherf***ing what! Look what honesty gets me! Ridiculed on Saturday Night Live. How f***ing dare they mock my blindness! I can't pay back the whole f***ing country over this one. But I'll be glad to start with these New York creeps."

Although the Governor is attempting to close a $15+ Billion dollar budget gap, most observers agreed the new taxes were retaliatory. The Governor's office rolled out a punitive tax package that included, among many other taxes:

• an 18% tax on soda
• an iPod and smartphone tax
• a new movie theater tax
• doubling the taxes on beer and wine,
• new taxes on massages (up to 50% for "full release/happy ending")
• an additional tax on cigars
• an email and text tax
• a 75% tax on energy drinks
• a tax on all digitally-delivered entertainment (which, of course, includes phone ringtones, phone games, games delivered online like World of Warcraft, movies on demand or purchased, videos, and music downloads to name a few)
• a sporting event tax
• another taxi tax
• a new bus tax
• a limo tax
• cable TV tax
• a radio tax
• and a clothing tax

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Communism, Hypnotism, and The Beatles

by Jack Brummet, Music Editor

I am assuming this pamphlet by David A. Noebel was written sometime after John Lennon's statement that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. I remember when this happened in 1966, and how the Tea Party forebears held Beatle burnings across the south and midwest--huge bonfires of LPs, 45s, Beatle wigs, posters, books, and souvenirs. Even then it was clear these people were the lunatic fringe; it wasn't us, listening to what turned out to be fairly innocent and beautiful music. But the religious right aside, I dig the communism angle. Like The Beatles were channeling messages from Nikita Kruschev to the Youth of America.

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Drawing: Joe

By Jack Brummet

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The Lenin Library (Библиоте́ка и́мени Ле́нин) Metro station in Moscow

By Jack Brummet, Moscow Travel Editor

The Biblioteka Imeni Lenina (Библиоте́ка и́мени Ле́нина - The Lenin Library) is one of the ten  Moscow Metro stations (on the Sokolnicheskaya Line) I visited.  I especially liked the mural of Lenin.  

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The Beatles collaborative guitar solo in :The end:

By Jack Brummet, Music History Editor


Fifty-four seconds into The Beatles' The End are 18 bars of guitar solo: the first two bars are played by McCartney, the second two by Harrison, and the third two are Lennon, then they take one more round. I've listened to this song probably more than a hundred times and I've noticed the different voices in the solo, but I didn't know until tonight that it was a collaborative solo--Paul created it when he mixed the song. Their individual styles are so perfectly represented....

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Orson Welles eases out of his Charles Foster Kane makeup during the filming of Citizen Kane

Orson Wells slips out of his Charles Foster Kane makeup during the filming of the the classic Citizen Kane.

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The Seattle Police Department's post-election memo on marijuana

From the Seattle Police Department Blotter on Seattle.gov.  And, yes, they included this video with their post.

Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle

Written by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on November 9, 2012

The people have spoken. Voters have passed Initiative 502 and beginning December 6^th, adults over 21 years old can possess up to an ounce of marijuana (or 16 ounces of solid marijuana-infused product, like cookies, or 72 ounces of infused liquid, like oil) for personal use.

Marijuana has existed in a grey area in Seattle for some time now. Despite a longstanding national prohibition on marijuana, minor marijuana possession has been the lowest enforcement priority for the Seattle Police Department since Seattle voters passed Initiative 75 in 2003. Officers don’t like grey areas in the law. I-502 now gives them more clarity.

Marijuana legalization creates some challenges for the Seattle Police Department, but SPD is already working to respond to these issues head on, by doing things like reviewing SPD’s hiring practices for police officers to address now-legal marijuana usage by prospective officers, as well as current employees.

While I-502 has decriminalized marijuana possession in Washington, the new state law is in direct conflict with federal law, which classifies marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic. All Seattle Police officers have taken an oath to uphold not only state law, but federal law as well. However, SPD officers will follow state law, and will no longer make arrests for marijuana possession as defined under I-502.

The Seattle Police Department and Mayor Mike McGinn have already begun working with state officials to navigate this conflict, and follow the direction of Washington voters to legalize marijuana.

In the meantime, the Seattle Police Department will continue to enforce unlicensed sale or production of marijuana, and regulations against driving under the influence of marijuana, which remain illegal.

TL;DR?

Here’s a practical guide for what the Seattle Police Department believes I-502 means for you, beginning December 6^th, based on the department’s current understanding of the initiative  Please keep in mind that this is all subject to review and revision by the state attorney general, and King County Prosecutor’s office:

Can I legally carry around an ounce of marijuana?

According to the recently passed initiative, beginning December 6^th, adults over the age of 21 will be able to carry up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Please note that the initiative says it “is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana…in view of the general public,” so there’s that. Also, you probably shouldn’t bring pot with you to the federal courthouse (or any other federal property).

Well, where can I legally buy pot, then?

The Washington State Liquor Control Board is working to establish guidelines for the sale and distribution of marijuana. The WSLCB has until December 1, 2013 to finalize those rules.

Can I grow marijuana in my home and sell it to my friends, family, and co-workers?

As long as you’re a licensed grower and seller, yes. If you’re a medical marijuana patient, the rules on growing haven’t changed.

Can I smoke pot outside my home? Like at a park, magic show, or the Bite of Seattle?

Much like having an open container of alcohol in public,  so could result in a civil infraction—like a ticket—but not arrest. You can certainly use marijuana in the privacy of your own home. Additionally, if smoking a cigarette isn’t allowed where you are (say, inside an apartment building or flammable chemical factory), smoking marijuana isn’t allowed there either.

Will police officers be able to smoke marijuana?

As of right now, no. This is still a very complicated issue.

If I apply for a job at the Seattle Police Department, will past (or current) marijuana use be held against me? The current standard for applicants is that they have not used marijuana in the previous three years. In light of I-502, the department is consulting with the city’s employment law division and the state attorney general to see if and how that standard may be revised.

What happens if I get pulled over and an officer thinks I’ve been smoking pot?

If an officer believes you’re driving under the influence of anything, they will conduct a field sobriety test and may consult with a drug recognition expert. If officers establish probable cause, they will bring you to a precinct and ask your permission to draw your blood for testing. If officers have reason to believe you’re under the influence of something, they can get a warrant for a blood draw from a judge. If you’re in a serious accident, then a blood draw will be mandatory.

What happens if I get pulled over and I’m sober, but an officer or his K9 buddy smells the ounce of Super Skunk I’ve got in my trunk?

Under state law, officers have to develop probable cause to search a closed or locked container. Each case stands on its own, but the smell of pot alone will not be reason to search a vehicle. If officers have information that you’re trafficking, producing or delivering marijuana in violation of state law, they can get a warrant to search your vehicle.

SPD seized a bunch of my marijuana before I-502 passed. Can I have it back?

No.

Will SPD assist federal law enforcement in investigations of marijuana users or marijuana-related businesses, which are legal, at the state level, under I-502?

No. Officers and detectives will not participate in an investigation of anything that’s allowed by state law.

December 6^th seems like a really long ways away. What happens if I get caught with marijuana before then? Hold your breath.  Your case will be processed under current state statute. However, there is already a city statute making marijuana enforcement the lowest law enforcement priority.

I’m under 21. What happens if I get caught smoking pot?

It’s a violation of state law. It’ll be referred to prosecutors, just like if you were a minor in possession of alcohol. But, again, marijuana enforcement is still the lowest law enforcement priority in Seattle. This is all still under review and we’re still awaiting advisement from the state attorney general.

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all this is that election day and night posts on Facebook and Twitter

By Pablo Fanque, Mona Goldwater, and Jack Brummet

For my part, I could have lived with a Romney presidency, but I just don't think they ever let the real Mitt emerge (just a hunch).  I don't know if he broke back to the center too late or if it was just the fractured demographics.  I think the post mortems and finger pointing will be interesting to follow, and I suspect the GOP may come roaring back in the mid-terms (and of course they will if the economy is still moribund).
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From November 2008...Jack gets nostalgic about going to the election polls for the last time (Wash. went to mail ballots after this election).  http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2012/11/atit-reheated-end-of-polling-place.html
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If everything else breaks the way it looks like it might (and it has so far), my home state becomes the Bluest of The Blue. After the General Strike, Seattle (and Wash.) acquired a rep. In 1936, James Farley, a Postmaster under FDR, said "there are 47 states in the Union, and the Soviet of Washington." It looks like we're back.

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On top of news that Christie was Gov. Romney's first choice for Veep... /Pablo http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/83104.html

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If you don't vote, you can't beef. A lot of states have referendums and initiatives that may be more important than your President, Governor, Wardheeler, or Congressman. When people tell you that there is no difference between the two candidates or parties, don't believe them. Check it out and commit! xoxo /Pablo F/Mona G/Jack B

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Tim Eyman - How did we let him slip past us one more time? If we beat this guy, he's gone. But if not, he has a job for life, bullyragging and hectoring us for fun and profit.

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Paul Ryan returns to The House, probably as the budget chairman...

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Proud of Washington State tonight...this state broke ground today.

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But I want those 538 numbers--313 electoral votes. To vindicate Nate Silver.

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Nate Silver=92% likelihood now. No longer a nail biter? "Obama’s most likely margin of victory to be two or three percentage points,"

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Interesting Oregon resoundingly defeated their marijuana referendum after wins in other states. The PDX votes don't dominate the state?

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for three days mindless partisanship slumbered. . .

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I'm kind of sad we won't have Todd Akin to kick around anymore. Well, not really.

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"No question now that he's rapidly reaching the point where he's got his back to the wall, his shirttails on fire and the bill collector's at the door." - Dan Rather

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Remembrance of elections past. This is a shot of President Ford and his good friend "Joe" Garagiola on the '76 election night when the President was beaten by Jimmy Carter.

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In stark opposition to Nate Silver, Karl Rove's prognostications. He's no dummy, but it feels like he's whistling past the graveyard here or has been away from the news for a couple weeks...

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Chris Christie finally gets to meet his musical hero (and get a Jersey bear hug). /Mona G - ATIT Bi-partisanship Editor   http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bruce-springsteen-and-chris-christie-connect-through-hurricane-sandy-20121105

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KARL ROVE'S FINAL CALL : "Without twelve toss 

up states (MN, NV, CO, IA, WI, MI, OH, PA, NH, VA, NC, AND FL), Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are tied at 191 each. I predict Mr. Romney will win FL (29), NC (15), VA (13), NH (4), OH (18), IA (6), CO (9) and Mr. Obama will get MN (10), NV (6), WI (10), MI (16), PA (20). This brings Mr. Romney to 285 Electoral College votes and Mr. Obama to 253. These are just my base predictions and I still think several of these states are too close to call. For example, while I put them in Mr. Obama's column, I still believe NV, WI, and PA are in play and very winnable for Mr. Romney. If crowds at his recent stops in these states are any indication of his supporters' enthusiasm, Mr. Romney will likely be able to claim victory in these states as well." www.rove.com/election

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One thing we won't hear tonight are classic Dan Ratherisms. Daniel Kurtzman compiled this AMAZING list of Quotes from CBS Anchor Dan Rather on Election Night 2004. Just one night! this is only about 20% of what he said (you can find the whole list here...http://bit.ly/UvauBw).

"You hear that knocking? President Bush's re-election is at the door. ... This race is hotter than a Times Square Rolex. ... If you had to bet the double-wide, you'd have to bet that he'd win. ... This race is humming along like Ray Charles. ... This race is shakier than cafeteria Jell-O. ... Turn the lights down, the party just got wilder. ... This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach. ... Only votes talk. Everything else walks. ... Spandex tight. ...

"Tight as the rusted lug nuts on a '55 Ford. ... Smelling salts for all Democrats, please. ... When the going gets weird, anchor men punt. ... Florida is the whole deal, the real deal, a big deal. ... hotter than a Laredo parking lot. ... This will have the people in Austin standing up like they got stuck with hat pins. ... The big burrito out there in California. ... None of this television mumbo jumbo: Let's get in there and count the votes. ... We've lived by the crystal ball. We're eating so much broken glass, we're in critical condition.'

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 short, sweet concession speech for Romney. He made it clear that this election is over. And that was the right thing to do. Props. #fb

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“@thehill: Washington becomes 1st state to legalize #marijuanahttp://bit.ly/RTPfZp  --> this should be an interesting battle/court fig

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“@thinkprogress: Chris Wallace helpfully reminds Karl Rove he wasted 325 million on this election”

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Where does The Tea Party go from tonight? They're kind of receiving a big time swirly. #fb

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McCaskill and Warren. Sweet.

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Remembrance of elections past 3. Harry Truman beats Dewey. The most famous American election photo of all time.

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Remembrance of elections past: George W. Bush (another two term President) and Karl Rove. pic.twitter.com/S6ALUMNP

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At one point we were heading down the road of public financing (remember the $1 campaign checkoff on your income taxes?), and I still think we should go there. I don't think it's really any more fair that Bloomberg, Forbes, Pelosi, Cantwell or Suzan Del Bene can dump millions into their own campaigns. What we do is we give the Presidential candidates $10 million each. Senators get $100K and representatives $50K. And they can do with it what they will. Hire a few staffers, take a few polls, print up some yard signs and bumper stickers and buy a bus to travel around the country. Sure, it's an incursion into the first amendment, but so is not yelling fire in a theatre or muzzling hate speech. Sure, we'll need to work out some of the kinks, and maybe amend the constitution. . .

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Faces No. 330 - voters

By Jack Brummet

click to enlarge

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