Steve Klein addresses current issues impacting Yelm and vicinity and provides a meeting place for anyone with an interest in this area to provide their ideas and opinions
Yelm’s new community garden at Yelm City Park. By Bounty For Families in partnership with the City of Yelm, Thurston Conservation District, GRuB and The Mission Continues, plus considerable financial support from the Nisqually Tribe. Credit: Heidi Smith, Bounty For Families
The White House: The Biden-Harris plan to beat COVID-19 [Ed. note: Finally, one year to the day after the U.S. recorded the first COVID-19 case, a national COVID-19 plan is publicly released from the top!]
Close-up of the Fox News Channel website seen displayed on a smartphone. Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, Forbes
Editor’s note: With the FOX News staff shake-up as Trump left office, coupled with a federal judge’s ruling AND FOX News admitting Tucker Carlson is not always accurate with the acts, the curtain has been pulled back on the unreliability of the news at that network, as many have known for years.
With The White House focused on transparency and facts, FOX News will become even more irrelevant without their mouthpiece Donald Trump.
FOX News viewers should read these two magazine reports below and be forewarned!
“Fox News has dealt a major shakeup to its staff, laying off more than a dozen staffers after falling behind in the ratings, as some of the departing employees told media outlets the move might be in response to backlash from President Donald Trump and his supporters over how the network handled its coverage of the 2020 presidential election” by Nicholas Reimann, Forbes Staff. Read more
+ On Tuesday, January 19th, Shepard Smith, a Fox News Channel(FNC) reporter for a quarter of a century until 2019, who now has a show on CNBC, was interviewed by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour why he left his job at the FNC.
He replied, “I believe that when people begin with a false premise and lead people astray, that’s injurious to society, and it’s the antithesis of what we should be doing. Those of us who are so honored and grateful to have a platform of influence have to use it for the public good.”
“I don’t know how some people sleep at night because I know there are a lot of people who have propagated the lies and have pushed them forward over and over again, who are smart enough and educated enough to know better. And I hope that at some point, those who have done us harm as a nation — and I might even add as a world — will look around and realize what they’ve done. But I’m not holding my breath.”
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris applauds as President-elect Joe Biden arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, via the AP
Editor’s note: I have received a large volume of e-mails since January 6th that Trump had everything under control, along with Gen. Mike Flynn, promising Trump would become President on January 20th.
As late as January 18, Trump adherents were beseeched to stay the course, posts proclaiming that “once Biden takes his oath, he and his team are arrested for treason and sedition…encircled by the military.”
I have watched “enlightened” and educated people toss aside their own reasoning abilities to consume and become followers of the promulgated garbage of baseless lies, merely to fit an agenda and/or to follow the herd.
Trump was defeated because he did not take care of his people, and did not know how to govern.
Approx. 402,000 covid deaths occurred on Trump’s watch, nearly the U.S. total of WWII military deaths.
Finally, President Joe Biden has been elected, certified and inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
Grace and civility now return to the Office of the President, and along with First Lady Jill Biden, America can have pride in decency, honor, and kindness.
America now rejoins our allies as committed partner.
As just one example, when the pandemic is over, our President & First Lady will take their rightful place in the Kennedy Center Honors Presidential Box, the premier annual event recognizing our country’s leading artists who have contributed to the American culture via their life’s work in the performing arts. Former President Obama was the last sitting President to bestow these honors, in 2016.
And Vice President Kamala Harris and First Husband Doug Emhoff are forging new paths as a bi-racial couple, shining brightly as a beacon of hope for so many people!
As Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY.) tweeted: “The omission of Snowden, Assange, and Ulbricht, from the pardons and commutations list speaks volumes. The President went 0 for 3 in his final round with the swamp.” [Ed. note: Trump was always for himself, and merely used his supporters and adherents.]
And a last good-bye to President Trump on his last day as President:
The Trump Administration now ends exactly where it began 4 years ago today, having promulgated over 30,000+ lies since January 20, 2017, the first lie about Inauguration crowd size:
200,000 Field of Flags on the National Mall Credit: Eric Baradat, AFP via Getty Image via YahooIncoming second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, incoming first lady Jill Biden and President-elect Joe Biden watch as a Covid-19 Memorial is lit at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Tuesday. Credit: Jim Watson, AFP – Getty Images via NBC News
Editor’s note: This is a landmark day, so the numerous headlines below are also for historical and archival purposes.
Slate: Trump Has Quietly Hollowed Out the Government [Ed. note: Inexperienced Trump loyalists installed with little to no experience running government has meant disasters on so many issues.]
Loren Culp, Republican gubernatorial candidate, seen at a rally in Bellevue on Oct. 10, 2020. Credit: Bettina Hansen, The Seattle Times
Editor’s note: As a footnote to Trump leaving office tomorrow, the challenges to the Washington election, including to Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman, require a perspective and our attention.
Culp followed President Trump’s roadmap to challenge election results in this state by following the most loyal allies and listening increasingly to conspiracy theories, which echoed his own views and offered an illusion, and an alternate reality.
To impinge the credibility of certain county auditors, including Thurston’s Mary Hall, without any credible evidence, was an attempt to undermineour election process by causing voters’ doubt.
THIS IS NOT OK!
The more educated voters of the state, conversant with facts, saw right through such a charade. Culp lost by 545,177 votes.
The disinfectant of sunlight and transparency is required so this does not occur here again!
We just can’t pretend this was the proper manner of elections in a Constitutional Republic!
WA. Democrats filed a Bar Complaint against Culp’s Campaign Lawyer.
And Culp put Yelm in the spotlight by violating Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 regulations in conducting rallies with large crowds, few masks, and no social distancing.
Excerpts from these stories below reflect the assault on democracy in our state and are posted here for historical and archival purposes:
“Culp’s lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court last month, tried to sow doubts about his 545,000-vote loss to Gov. Jay Inslee. It claimed “intolerable voting anomalies” in an election “that was at all times fraudulent.”
“But, facing a threat of legal sanctions for making meritless claims in a court of law, Culp’s attorney, Stephen Pidgeon, withdrew the lawsuit Thursday night [Jan. 14], according to a copy of his motion supplied by the state Attorney General’s office.
“The lawsuit was withdrawn “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled.
“The about-face by Culp occurred after Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office warned Pidgeon that the state intended to file a motion to dismiss the case, and intended to take the unusual step of asking a judge to impose sanctions unless Pidgeon withdrew the case by noon Friday.
“The notice, which Ferguson personally signed off on, said the claims made by the Culp campaign were “‘factually baseless.'”
“Culp’s tactics — and resulting defeat — are reminiscent of the post-election flailing by President Donald Trump, who similarly leveled debunked fraud claims in an unsuccessful effort to overturn his loss to President-elect Joe Biden.
“‘Rather than concede gracefully, Mr. Culp has used this lawsuit to distract from the magnitude of his loss and to sow confusion. Mr. Culp also fundraised off his baseless allegations [AG Ferguson’s notice said],'” by Jim Brunner and Joseph O’Sullivan, The Seattle Times. Read more
“The lawsuit challenged the results in King, Pierce, Thurston, Clark, Skagit and Kitsap counties and demanded audits of voting machines, paper ballots and results. All six counties were won by Gov. Jay Inslee and Culp lost the state by 545,177 votes, according to a SeattlePI analysis of election results.
“‘These unsubstantiated allegations were without merit and created confusion among Washington voters,’ said Wyman in a statement Friday [Jan 15]. ‘Today we finally have an opportunity to shed light on some of the misleading and inaccurate assumptions made in this lawsuit, and can continue working to restore confidence with a swath of Washington’s electorate.'”
“On Friday [Jan 15], the Washington State Democratic Party announced they have filed a bar complaint against Pidgeon for “violations of his oath to defend the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions” and are seeking disciplinary action.“
“The newly-filed complaint claims that Pidgeon used the courts for ‘desperate and legally unjustifiable attempt to undermine the electoral process on behalf of his defeated client’ and imposed costs on Washington taxpayers,’ by Callie Craighead, Seattle P-I. Read more
“‘As I have said before, I welcome anyone who has questions about Washington’s elections processes or who has substantive evidence of fraud to reach out to my office. I publicly invited Loren Culp to do the same, and he never contacted me or my office to share his concerns,’ Wyman said.” Read more
“The complaint seeks an immediate investigation into Dr. Pidgeon’s multiple violations of his oath to defend the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions and impose appropriate disciplinary action.
Specifically, Dr. Pidgeon has repeatedly advanced meritless allegations of unspecified election fraud in his representative capacity for the Culp for Governor campaign in the case of Culp for Governor vs. Wyman et al., (King County Superior Court Cause No. 20-2-17720-2 SEA). His use of the judicial system to advance these frivolous claims undermines both public confidence in the democratic process and has contributed to the spread of disinformation that has resulted in threats of violence against election officials — including Washington’s own Republican Secretary of State.” Read more
Editor’s note: Culp violated state COVID-19 regulations right here in Yelm by conducting rallies with large crowds, few masks, and no social distancing. Where was this man’s leadership in taking precautions caring for his constituents’ health?
Culp did not earn this state’s trust to be a leader!
Martin Luther King, Jr’s. work and legacy is even more pertinent today!
This story has been posted here annually on MLK, Jr. Day since 2009:
THIS IS 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS WEEKEND THE NATION PAUSES TO REMEMBER THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
– MLK’s letter from the Birmingham, Alabama jail penned April 12, 1963 still resonates today. By Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more
– “Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist and prominent leader
in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to
secure progress on civil rights in the United States, and he has become a
human rights icon: King is recognized as a martyr by two Christian
churches. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early
in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found
the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its
first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington,
where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he raised
public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established
himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history.
In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination
through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. By the time of
his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and
opposing the Vietnam War, both from a religious perspective. King was
assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was
posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and
Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was
established as a U.S. national holiday in 1986,” quoting Wikipedia.
– The Seattle Times has a fabulous 2011 expose on the civil rights giant. Click here
– The full version of Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. August 28, 1963, posted on YouTube. Click here
– “The Color of Surveillance” “What an infamous abuse of power teaches us about the modern spy era.”
“The
FBI has a lead. A prominent religious leader and community advocate is
in contact with a suspected sleeper agent of foreign radicals. The
attorney general is briefed and personally approves wiretaps of his home
and offices. The man was born in the United States, the son of a
popular cleric. Even though he’s an American citizen, he’s placed on a
watchlist to be summarily detained in the event of a national emergency.
Of all similar suspects, the head of FBI domestic intelligence thinks
he’s ‘the most dangerous,’ at least ‘from the standpoint of … national
security.’
“Is this a lone wolf in league with foreign sponsors of terrorism? No: This was the life of Martin Luther King Jr. That FBI assessment was dated Aug. 30, 1963—two days after King told our country that he had a dream.,” by Alvaro M. Bedoya, Slate.com. Read more
–“6 Leaders Who Carry On Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy”
“With King’s dream only partially achieved, they work to ensure civil and other rights,” by Pamela K. Johnson, AARP. Read more
– “11 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes that will inspire your soul”
“At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love,” by Bethanni Williams, KING-5 TV News, Seattle. Read more
– “‘Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope’ | MLK Memorial brings famous speech to life”
“Here’s the history behind the monument in Washington, D.C. which pays homage to the life of one of the greatest civil rights leaders,” by Megan Yoder, KING-5 TV News, Seattle. Read more
Blogger Klein is a founding donor to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Grocery Workers Seek Return of Hazard Pay A sign on March 23 near the entrance to Yelm Safeway tells another tale of COVID-19, this one to help shield seniors and other at-risk shoppers from crowds that could pass on the virus. Credit: Paul Dunn, The Chronicle, Centralia.
Editor’s note: Regarding Big Tech’s crackdown last week, Reporters Without Borders crafted an excellent observation:
“After overlooking the fake news and hate speech that Trump posted throughout his four years as US president, Twitter unilaterally decided on 8 January to permanently close his @realDonaldTrump account and then, a few days later, 70,000 other accounts linked to the pro-Trump QAnon movement. Facebook, Instagram and Twitch also suspended the presidential accounts for an unspecified period, while Amazon then suspended the pro-Trump social media Parler.
“All of these decisions were taken by private-sector companies without any democratic or judicial control!
“The laws of the public arena used to be established by parliaments and enforced by judges, but private-sector corporations are now in charge. Their norms are not defined within a democratic framework with checks and balances, they are not transparent and you cannot appeal to any court before they are carried out. The organization of the online public arena should not be left to market forces or individual interests.”
“We must impose democratic obligations on the leading digital players”
