He has won, and as far as I can see he won fair and square. We need to support him when we think he’s right and try to nudge him a bit more towards fish friendly policies whenever possible.

IMHO what he needs to do is try to bring the country together. The divisiveness and downright hatred I have seen expressed by both sides is not good for the U.S.A.

I am hopeful that Bush will see that
and do all he can to be the uniter he promised to be. Hopefully with no more elections in his future he can pull away from the far right folks and become a bit more moderate. Only time will tell.

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Bush has another opportunity for greatness, just like right after 9-11. If he lets the neocons in his administration go wild with their bulldozer tactics without reaching across the isle on some issues, he will miss this oppourutinity again.

It will be interesting who desides to stay and who goes. Rice, Rumsfeld, Powell.... There could be some really interesting kiss and tell books.

I heard a disturbing rumor (and I HOPE it's just a rumor) that Colin Powell may be stepping down as Secretary of State to be replaced by none other than Paul Wolfowitz!

If it's true then God help us all...

4 salt,

That rumor is correct you will also see a bunch of Bushes cabinet step down because they also believe that bush is running the house for his own personnel goals

4Salt,



"If it's true then God help us all... "

Your prayers have been answered. God helped us all yesterday.

king,

Would you REALLY prefer Wolfowitz to Powell as Secretary of State?

I can see it now... Tactical nuclear diplomacy! :rolleyes:

Powell is (was) the ONE bright spot in the Bush administration IMHO... well, until he succumbed to cabinet pressure to go along with the WMD farce.

4Salt,

Yes . I subscribe to the Goldwater theory on using military force. When you decide to use it use it all and decimate the enemy. I think the doctrine that Powell subscribes to will not work in the Islamic world in the long term. Wolfies influence has been this; Osama wanted to unite the Islamic world against us , he failed, so much so that today we recieve intel from every Islamic state against Al Queada. He wanted to crash our economy he failed. at the end of the day all he could do was send a ham handed tape to try and scare people into voting for capitulation. That did not happen because Powell is strong statesman. It happened because his statesmanship was backed up with some guys that would bring it on otherwise.

I think part of Al Queda's plan is to bleed our coffers dry on these protracted wars, aka what happened to the former Solviet Union.

Agreed. But will they last long enough? Seems to me that attacking other nations and killing innocent people has made it difficult for Islamic states to harbor them. Every Islamic state has provided some help in tracking them down. Knowing that they cannot afford to isolate themselves from the west. They are not giving it 100% but it only takes a little.

1) I think Bush needs to understand that the Environment is BIG BUSINESS. Individuals and communities benifit far more economically with a healthy environment than they do from commercial fishing, logging and mining. I'm not saying get rid of it all but save wild places. It also means that if it is in the forests best interest to chop it down then chop it down. I'm tired of hiking through dead forests such as those in the Pasayten Wilderness. We've all seen this the last few years with the huge Chinook runs in the Columbia. We also see it every fall in places like Republic, Wa .
1-a) Drill, Drill and more Drilling!

2) Make the tax cut permanent and get rid of the IRS

3) Get rid of the death tax. Why should only rich people be able to pass on a lifetime's creation of wealth to their children?

4) Continue to support/implament policies that incourage an "ownership sociaty."

May each generation of Americans be better off than their parents!!!

There are some good points raised here. Dave's right in that Bush needs to make the effort to get Democrats involved in his projects, but it's imperative that Democrats participate, not blow off opportunities that arise just because the project is suggested by a Republican.

One thing Bush needs to do is a better job of communicating his ideas. He's not eloquent, and that may be part of the problem, but some of his ideas are worthwhile and commonsense solutions, yet they've been burned by bad public relations, bad press, and I think, partisan bickering. For instance, his "relaxation" of EPA rules on pesticides-- something that was discussed on this forum. The spin given by the press and his environmental opponents was that the actions were a strike against the environment.

However, and it's a big however, the rules that were rescinded were so cumbersome to follow that the EPA hadn't been using them for something like 12 years. It makes sense to do away with those and find something that will work and will do the job of protecting the environment.

I've seen other examples of people thinking some of the same old fairy tales about roadless areas. This is an area I have a background in, and what Bush proposed was nothing like the 'cut and slash' predictions I've seen posted recently.

Does this mean that I think the Bush administration should be given a pass-go card on the environment? Of course not-- but it does mean that I think it's necessary to keep an open mind. Too many people have closed minds and don't think for themselves. Too many people react first without thinking things through. Too many people think that the only way to save something is to lock it up. In this day and age, that's a sure way to lose -- a lot of things.

My $.02,

Keith

Let me introduce you to the national deficit.

By the way, here we go:
White House wants debt ceiling raised.

I guess that means you are out on the inclusiveness issue eh harley?

BB-- FYI: Unless things have changed in the last eight years, there is no death tax on inheritances under $250K in Washington state.

I do think we need to try hard to stop the kind of fanatical hatred we see from some on both sides of the spectrum. I plan to cut Bush all the slack he earns on environmental issues. That said, there have been several instances of his administration showing little concern for our salmon, Columbia River draw downs, a salmon recovery plan the courts have found to be woefully inadequate, attempts to loosen dam relicensing rules, etc. etc. We need to hold all politicians feet to the fire when they fail to protect our resources. In case you may think my complaints are based solely on my political leaning I was quick to criticize Clinton, in my columns, on several occasions when his administration voted against our salmon and steelhead.

I don't think our fish have a political affiliation and they need all the help they can get. The RFA is a strong bipartisan voice for the fish and the fishermen. Check them out.

Go Harley-
I wouldn't fret about the debt too much. It's like .05% of the GDP. France, by the way, has already broken the new EU Constitution by carrying a National debt of over 3%. I on the other hand, with a mortgage, car payment and credit cards am carrying close to a 40% debt against my annual income! Now that hurts!

Keith-
Your absalutely correct about Bush's lack of communication. I think he would do himself a favor by not being so secretive all the time. It's hard to complain about the media coverage when you never talk to them.

The death tax needs to go away completely. Have you seen a $255 K home lately. Not much there. That is not wealth. If someones father (my old carpooler to be exact) was smart enough to invest $30k on a waterfront home in the '50s and that home is worth 2.5 million 40 years later his family should be able to keep it all! Every last stinking dime!!! My friend was paying taxes that whole time (the taxes ended up being more than the original mortgage) and therefor the Govt. should not be able to tax it twice, especially when that is all the wealth he was able to leave his 4 children!!! The death tax is evil evil evil.......That is how the rich get richer (with their lawyers hiding everything) and the poor stay poor (with the Govt. stealing everything).

BB-- You're right-- I'd forgotten how little $250K buys in the way of a house-- especially in your neck of the woods. Why I remember when--ooops, starting to sound like Granpa there..

Dave-- I concur that fish don't care whether you're Republican or Democrat. I also think we must hold politicians' feet to the fire on fisheries issues and environmental issues. However, there is a lot of mis-information floating around, some of which is supported by folks whose real agenda seems to be to lock things up as a way of "saving" them (and some undoubtedly from folks who would like unfettered access).

Sometimes locking up resources (fish, timber, wilderness or what have you) is a good idea, and sometimes it does more harm than good. Each case or each issue needs to be looked at without partisan spin from one side or the other--end of rant.

I still have yet to check into the RFA, but that is on my short list. A strong bipartisan organization can do wonders for sportfishing and fish restoration in the Northwest. We only have to look at the Coastal Conservation Association in the Gulf of Mexico and what they accomplished with the inshore netting ban or the UAC/UASC successful efforts to stop bottom trawling in California as good examples.

My $.02,

Keith

Well said David. I'm moving on.....putting new line on my reels for Bubba Chum and his brother Brutus.

IMHO Expecting to change the way we manage fish and not changing the way we live will not work. If we demand that builders build in a fish friendly manner, smaller more eco with alternative materials they will do it. If we redesign our life to use less resources leave a smaller foot print and vote fish friendly with our $$ the business and the policies will follow. Right now we are saying one thing and doing another. Business and Govt do not do things against the majority they dissapear if they do.

King-- You sound like a Port Townsend liberal (all politics aside, really) in that a number of folks in this area are doing just that-- changing the way they live to benefit not only salmon but all the natural environment. Smaller, eco-friendly houses, living off the grid, making wise environmental choices in everything from recycling greywater to storing rain to use in their organic gardens. Some of it is rubbing off on me...

Aunty-- I will try to get that issue by hook or by crook.

As far as the warmwater fishing goes-- the tackle industry calls it adipose fever-- whenever of salmon or steelhead are doing well, fishing for other species stops in the Northwest. This is especially true in the fall when bass fishing drops off, and a lot of bass guys hook up their sleds. Since some of the walleye fishermen use sleds as well, when the salmon or steelhead are in, all they have to do is change some of their tackle boxes.

You may also be seeing the effects of the economy. When folks are laid off or unemployed, they tend to go fishing more often-- as witnessed by the increase in hook sales; they go way up in a down economy. Another thing that seems evident is that there is more disposable income (contradictory, I know) in that sales of aluminum boats are way up-- a number of factories are sold out of their production or have a substantial backlog of orders. More disposable income puts more people on the road chasing fish.

Thinking about it a bit more, since the blackmouth fishery seems to have tanked over the last few years, it could be that saltwater guys are moving around a lot and may be in rivers or bays or places they haven't fished before. I know that several folks from around here are fishing in SW Washington because of better opportunity.

Keith

KJ,

The huge house thing is an interesting phenom. Baby boomers grew up in homes that where 1200sf or less. Here the avg is 2800sf new const. and the family is smaller. 2x the resources used for the same number of people. I would bet if polled about environmental issues they would all claim them to be a high priority.

Well said all! I think this is a very good start at working towards common goals. I would like to steal another liberal credo, "Act locally, think Globally." This is something I certianly could do better at. Every year I tell myself I am going to do more than just write letters and I never do. I would love nothing more than to raise/harvest all of my own food. I look at a package of hamburger and wonder just how many dead cows are contained in that one package!

I have never sent a letter to the White House but the local politicians are probably sick of hearing from me.......TK's right.....The buck starts here!

The Seattle Times, a family owned newpaper, opined in their Sunday editorial about the death tax. They said it better than I could. This is one thing Bush needs to get rid of during his second term:

It is time to cut a deal on the death tax. Democrats and Republicans in Congress have had different approaches, but all have constituents who face the same problem.

The problem is that heirs to a large family business face a marginal rate of 45 to 55 percent on the federal estate tax. If they don't plan ahead, this will cause them to sell the business. Or they can plan ahead by buying life insurance with money that should have been invested in the business. Many privately held Puget Sound area companies have been sold for estate taxes, including the Everett Herald, Ben Bridge Jeweler and the Frank Russell Co.

This is not a theoretical issue for us. We are a local company. We do not want to sell out to Gannett, Hearst, Viacom, Walt Disney, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation or somebody else.

A high death tax is not comparable to a high income tax. The top rate of income tax is 35 percent and used to be double that. But people earn income in dollars and can pay a high income tax if they have to. The death tax is like the property tax on a house. In Seattle, the property tax is a bit more than 1 percent of value of a house. Imagine inheriting a house and having to pay the government 48 percent of its value. Imagine having to plan for that, years ahead — and how that might affect your willingness to invest in your house.

That is the problem for family business in America — and for every employee who works in one.

Supporters of this tax advertised it as a way to bill the rich. Actually, what it does is force family owners to sell to corporate giants, to tie up their money in trusts and to purchase a lot of wasteful life insurance. It has diverted money that could have created good-paying jobs.

In the past few years, estate-tax repeal was blocked in the Senate by Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D. Many Senate Democrats understand this issue far better than Daschle did, and several have offered reasonable compromises.

The next step is to propose a plan that will repeal or dramatically lower this tax, which handicaps family companies in their effort to grow and create family-wage jobs.


Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

Unfortunatley I believe this "kiss the ring" administration will continue as is. It seems to me that if you are on board you have to be there 100% and no exceptions... if you disagree with anything you are shoved outta the way. Exclusive and not inclusive.

I heard from insiders that right after innauguration day Bush is going to get legislation to sign that will abbrogate the treaties signed in the 1800s giving the tribes land and fishing rights. The religious right is behind the move to stop the spread of gambling. I noticed a new casino announced its grand opening this weekend in Arlington...450 new slot machines....waited until the election was over I guess. Wouldn't want to appear to be expanding gambling now would they.

One can dream, eh Grandpa? But if he could really pull that off, I'll cancel that topless Cadillac I rented for Bush to ride in through Dallas.

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It's kinda funny, now that I-892 failed and the Tribes don't have to compete with tax paying non-tribal casinos' slots---They don't seem to be as concerned with the expansion of 'Evil' gambling.

Has anyone seen a Tribe sponsered 'Concerned Moms Against Gambling' commercial warning us about the 'Evils' of gambling in the last two weeks?

I haven't.

But oddly enough, since I-892 was defeated--I have seen several commercials inviting me to 'Come have a great time' at Muckelshoot and Tualip Casinos....

I guess gambling is only 'Evil' enough to have Tribe sponsered 'Concerned Moms Against Gambling' commercials on TV and Radio 24 hours a day warning us about the 'Evils' of gambling when some of it may possibily be done off the reservations and 35% of the profits would lower everyones property taxes. When the Tribes get to keep ALL the Tax Free profits from gambling r themselves.... it's 'Come have a great time.'

Why so many were sucked in baffles me. As I predicted before the election gambling will keep expanding to NEW locations all over but it will expand without competition and without revenue to the state.

We can only wish :p

We can only wish
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Kennedy was shot in Dallas while riding in a Lincoln Continentel.

As long as you're publically fantasizing about having president Bush killed like Kennedy you might as well do it in a historically correct context.

I usually appreciate a good joke as much as anyone...even if it's at my expense---this litte public 'ha-ha' about President Bush having a 'Nightmare on Elm Steet' comes awfully close to crossing a line.

Aaaaaah heck RB lighten up.....it's all in fun.

I am sure if the word Bush would have been replaced with Clinton or Kerry you would have gotten a laugh out of it.

Geez, Democrats ride in Continentals, Rupublicans in Cadillacs. That better?

By the way, I've heard the only reason Bush is still alive is because no one wants Cheney as President.