ALottaTalk Update

I've been keeping busy with my little mini-blogging website, http://www.alottatalk.com We've added a nice new menu system, and some visual upgrades. It's starting to look very nice!

I've been told it's very easy to use. I hope so, that's part of the goal!

I also added a new feature: Now you can upload your own audio (.mp3) when you start a talk!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=195&talktype=3

Also, our NW Conservative Podcast, "RIGHT HOOK" is chugging along, we recently recorded show #4. Keli Carender is part of the crew!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=201&talktype=3

Last but not least, I interviewed a good friend who spent years in the celebrity autograph business, some interesting stuff!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=197&talktype=3

Come by and check it out! You don't have to sign in to read and listen to any Public post! If you do sign in, we ask for a minimal amount of information, and we respect your privacy.

ALottaTalk.com introduces "Audio Talks"

I have an exciting (but quick) update about my mini-blogging website ALottaTalk.com:

I've just added a new type of talk, called an "Audio Talk". An Audio talk is like the regular talks, except you can upload an .mp3 file (up to 85 MB) as part of your Top Post! Now, you can upload your recorded thoughts about politics, sports, entertainment, music or your interview, round table discussion or your announced sporting event. Also, like our other talks, you can keep your audio talk private for only those you invite, or make it public (with either Limited or Open commenting) for the whole world to hear!

Also, if you haven't seen it, there is a new mobile version of http://www.alottatalk.com - check it out from your smart phone!

As always, let me know about any ideas you might have about http://www.alottatalk.com and how to make it better and easier to use.

Interview With Keli Carender!

I interviewed Keli Carender on Saturday. Keli, if you recall, is the organizer of the first Tea Party protest in the nation (before it was even called the Tea Party) in February 2009.

Read it here, at my alottatalk.com website!

Introducting http://www.alottatalk.com

More later!

In the meantime, check it out

http://www.alottatalk.com

An Exchange With Tim Harris, of REAL CHANGE

MY E-MAIL TO TIM HARRIS, DIRECTOR OF REAL CHANGE:

Dear Tim,

I have been a patron of "Real Change" here in Seattle since 2001 or so until recently.

I love the model of a homeless person doing a real job, and getting compensated in return. Hopefully, this is a first step for many of these folks getting back into "mainstream" society, and moving on to even better employment, and getting off the streets. Even if this doesn't happen very often, I still like the idea of a man or woman having dignified employment, rather than simply asking for money.

Part of the reason I like the model, is I am a Conservative politically. Your model fits in well with my world view of helping persons to get back into the working world, and the idea of someone striving to improve one's lot in life.

However, after recently reading a few articles recently laced with name-calling toward Conservatives (ie, "Teabaggers"), I have stopped buying the newspaper. It really saddens me, walking past folks out there trying to make an honest living, but I see the paper as hostile toward my point of view and I will no longer support it until civility and balance are restored.

Is this possible? Can you ask your contributors to argue for their point of view, and not denigrate those with opposing views? Or, at the very minimum, refrain from name-calling? Can you find a Conservative advocate for the poor to contribute an article in each issue? (Conservatives tend to give more to charity, you know: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/conservatives_more_liberal_giv.html)

I realize this is Liberal Seattle, but simply a more civil attitude from your contributors could win me back. I've been reading the paper for many years, despite it's Liberal bent. That doesn't bother me. The current lack of civility from your pages does bother me, and I can no longer financially support such a publication.

Please win me back.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Greg Moon
Seattle


TIM'S ENDEARING RESPONSE:

Hi Greg.

We're a progressive community newspaper that fights for social change, and would no more have a conservative columnist than National Review would offer a column to Michael Moore. I wonder if you could offer any other examples of the name-calling you describe. "Teabaggers" is, after all, what one strain of reactionary populism dubs itself, and hardly constitutes a descent into incivility. Thanks for writing.

Best, Tim

Letter to Congressman McDermott

This "Slaughter" rule being proposed in the House of Representatives is truly frightening, it threatens the foundation of our Republic.

I wrote this to Representative McDermott expressing my concern:

Congressman McDermott,

I have been reading about this proposed "Slaughter" rule in the House that may be used to pass health care. Essentially, the House may "deem" the Senate health care bill to have been passed by the House, without an actual vote of the House on the Senate bill having taken place.

Everything I've read and listened to indicates to me that the use of this rule would be unconstitutional. A basic reading of Article I, section 7 reveals this to be true.

I strongly encourage you not to use any unconstitutional means to help pass health care. The future of our great democratic Republic depends on the preservation of the constitution, which you have swore to uphold and protect.

Thank you,
Greg

Seattle Tea Party - 1 Year On

UPDATE Feb 28: Story in the Seattle Times. Seems very fair. The estimated the crowd at 250.

I attended my 5th Tea Party protest at noon today. Today's event was fairly low key and quiet, we had no formal speakers, but we did have, by my estimate, around 125 American Patriots willing to sacrifice a Saturday Afternoon in the rain to tell our fellow country men "We gotta stop this insane spending!". The crowd was largely older and white, but I did spot a few younger folks, and non-white folks. There were a few critics driving by in cars, but everything remained pretty cordial.

Opposition to government mandated and run health care was a major theme.





This young man is an Iraq war veteran, who is worried about the course his country is on.










People were very friendly and very polite.

The man 2nd from the left is James Watkins, who is running for Congress in the 1st District of Washington State.







Here's the sign I brought. Get it?














A shot of a small part of the crowd.