Upper Falls, Whatcom Creek, Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham, WA
Whatcom Creek is the third salmon spawning stream that runs through Bellingham. I promised in my last diary that it would be the last. However, I took so many photos and there was too much stuff. So, here I will describe the creek and its history. The next one will focus on both the primeval timelessness of the creek itself and illustrate how its two fish hatcheries are working to keep this marvelous place for future generations.
From the White House – Weekly Address
In this week’s address, President Obama said Congress should act to extend emergency unemployment insurance for more than one million Americans who have lost this vital economic lifeline while looking for a job. Letting emergency unemployment insurance expire not only harms American families, but it is also a drag on the overall economy. The President urges both parties to pass the bipartisan three-month extension under consideration in the Senate so that we can once again focus on expanding opportunities for the middle class and creating jobs for all hardworking Americans.
Make sure you let your peeps
know where to find you!
PLEASE Do Not Recommend the check-in diary! Fierces on the Weather Critter Comment are |
In about six weeks (oh, crap – it’s only 6 weeks away!), I’m walking the half of the Austin Marathon, with a group I’ve been training with since summer. My team raises money for the Austin Children’s Shelter — our team slogan is “Creating a world without child abuse & neglect, one step at a time.” If you want to skip the pleading, you can donate to Austin Children’s Shelter – look for me – 1st column, 10th name
Interrogatories
Are you still accidentally writing “2013” instead of “2014”?
Are you a good driver? How are you at parallel parking?
Did you ever have to sneak into your own home?
Have you ever been locked out of your home when nobody is around to let you in? What did you do?
The Twitter Emitter
Donald Trump: "Global warming is obviously a hoax based on my extensive research in checking the weather this morning."
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 2, 2014
If Pot is a gateway drug, beer is the well-lit accessible walkway that leads to the gate.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) January 2, 2014
Snowstorm is just the crisis de Blasio needs to nationalize the financial industry.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) January 2, 2014
The liberal media is so biased that I haven't seen one story on the bread lines and rationing in NYC caused by the de Blasio regime.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 3, 2014
Can't decide between a Duck Dynasty rifle or a Hoarders home clutter kit.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 3, 2014
IDEA: Add Snapchat to Target app.
— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) January 3, 2014
Maybe Chris Kluwe can replace Ezra Klein.
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) January 3, 2014
I have to give Obama this– two days in and no one has leaked the secret location of the Obamacare Death Panels to the press.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 3, 2014
Climate change? Who cares what happens after I die? I want it all, and I want the world to die with me. Suck it, future losers.
— kara vallow (@teenagesleuth) January 3, 2014
Sorry you're getting your "White Christmas: late, guys. That's what we get for sending it UPS.
— Jesus Christ (@Jesus_M_Christ) January 3, 2014
Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin aren't hypocrites; I'm sure they will be up in arms about Chris Kluwe's free speech rights any minute now.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 3, 2014
A bag of Doritos now costs $149 in Denver.
— Tim Siedell (@badbanana) January 3, 2014
Good morning, Moosekind. TGIF! Hope it has been a good week for everyone. Snowy, blustery and incredibly cold here. Winds to 50 mph, wind chills below zero (almost unheard of in these parts).
PLEASE Do Not Recommend the check-in diary! Recs on the weather jar comment are still welcome. |
Quick answer: pretty much everything.
When I was phonebanking in 2010 for OFA (Obama For America) in Wisconsin, the unified campaign effort was tasked with electing a Democratic governor, re-electing Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), and electing Democrats to the House of Representatives. The phone script included this: “Please vote to send people to Washington DC who will help President Obama advance his agenda”.
On the list of people we were calling were those who had voted for President Obama in 2008, people who should have been interested in advancing his agenda because, in theory, they voted to do just that only two years before.
But mid-terms are funny things. Many of the people I called said they only voted in presidential elections. Some of them were unhappy because they didn’t get their pony so much of the president’s agenda had to be set aside to deal with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression … a parting “gift” from Worst President in History George W. Bush.
Well, Democrats were not enthused but Republicans were because they had two things firing up their base: a black man (who was not even born in ‘Murica!!) had stolen the election (ACORNNNN!!) … and the Affordable Care Act had been passed, ushering in death panels and government-run health care and frightening all your doctors into fleeing to the libertarian paradise of Somalia.
So turnout was low and we ended up with Scott Walker and a solid Republican legislature here in Wisconsin. And we sent Ron Johnson to the Senate and Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble to the House of Representatives. Elsewhere, Michigan got Rick Snyder, Ohio got John Kasich, Pennsylvania got Tom Corbett, Florida got Rick Scott, Iowa got Terry Branstad, Maine got Paul LePage … and America got Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner.
Oh, man, today’s gonna feel like Monday again! That’s two weeks in a row with two Mondays. No fair.
Interrogatories
When do your Christmas decorations come down?
What famous landmarks or artworks have you been photographed with?
Do you carry a handkerchief? What is your sneezing strategy?
The Twitter Emitter
If you think everyone should
have the right to own a gun
You have no idea
what “everyone” means.
— Joey Tranchina (@JoeyFotoFr) December 27, 2013
They say children are a gift from god. I'm totally wide-open to regifting.
— inappropriate mom (@nicfit75) December 27, 2013
George Zimmerman sold painting on e-bay for $100K. He's the most promising young artist to come along since John Wayne Gacy.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) December 25, 2013
It’s interesting that a lot of journalists who think that the NSA is Stalinist seem perfectly cool with Bloomberg’s stop & frisk policy.
— Teresa Kopec (@TeresaKopec) January 1, 2014
Before we give all those sluts free birth control, let's be sure to ask them if their husbands/boyfriends/dads have locks on their gunracks.
— kara vallow (@teenagesleuth) January 1, 2014
Utah asked Supreme Court to halt gay marriage, saying that gays should be punished here on Earth instead of leaving it to God in Heaven.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 1, 2014
Remember: 2014 years ago, Jesus freed the slaves from the gay Communists.
— Andrew Gatto (@AndrewGatto) January 1, 2014
Make sure you let your peeps
know where to find you!
PLEASE Do Not Recommend the check-in diary Fierces on the Weather Critter Comment are |
Interrogatories
How’s the new year treating you so far? Any hangover?
Do you remember when they advertised cigarettes on TV? What ads do you remember?
What time zone is Real Time?
How do you plan to start off this new year?
The Twitter Emitter
Fewer Republicans believe in evolution but nearly 100% believe big oil is looking out for their best interests.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 31, 2013
Think of what you scream when a car alarm starts relentlessly blaring. Now think about what you scream when Isaa speaks. #SameThing
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) December 31, 2013
Afghanistan is now our most unpopular war. This never would've happened if Romney were president– Iran would've been the unpopular war.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) December 31, 2013
Kind of wish MSNBC hosts would quit apologizing to butthurt conservatives. It won't make them any less butthurt; it's their natural state.
— TBogg (@tbogg) December 31, 2013
GOP: please proceed with your minority outreach by screaming about Duck Dynasty Phil's free speech rights, and then demanding MHP be fired.
— Zandar (@ZandarVTS) December 31, 2013
PJ O'Rourke will be on @jaketapper 's show today to help usher in 1988
— TBogg (@tbogg) December 31, 2013
If Utah thinks marriage is linked to procreation, they’re not allowing any post-menopausal women get married, right?
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) December 31, 2013
2014 is already terrible and I broke all of my resolutions.
— CrutnackerNutcracker (@Crutnacker) January 1, 2014
After 2 hours in 2014, let me report that everything is better. Colors more vivid. Food tastes better. Really great. Also, I'm pretty baked.
— William K. Wolfrum (@Wolfrum) January 1, 2014