Works in Progress

Environmental and Open Government advocate Arthur West has filed a suit in the United States District Court in Washington DC claiming that the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project (“Project”) violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This follows on the heels of a September 27 suit filed in Thurston County Superior…

I don’t know but its worth finding out. Pavement, warehouses, roads and new housing. All create ‘polluted’ runoff. The Clean Water Act was established to protect our water. And in order to get a permit to build, one must get a suite of permits, one of which is a permit…

Before a strong hurricane hits, millions of people are evacuated from the area. Why would anyone deliberately head into the danger zone? That is exactly what Red Cross volunteers do. I interviewed Stephanie Gilstrom, an Olympia resident who is a licensed mental health clinician. Since retiring six years ago, she…

The Hands On Children’s Museum on the East Bay waterfront is planning a fourth expansion since it opened in 1996. The HOCM sits atop one of the most contaminated hotspots on Port property. From the late 1880’s until 1968, it was the site of timber-related industries which caused soil and…

Throughout courtrooms across America we hear words like “fair”, “harsh”, and “too lenient” being thrown around as if crime deserves an equal standard when being addressed regardless of what state or territory it’s conducted in. But wait a minute… This brings up a good point: Why shouldn’t there be a…

As a seemingly comforting phrase for those struggling with the results of the recent U.S. presidential election, I’ve heard variants of “It’s okay, we survived the first term.” While this may be a well-intentioned attempt to provide comfort to those in distress, it deserves a more thoughtful examination. A parent…

He Ran the Table Unbelievably, Donald Trump not only won the presidency – capturing the popular and electoral votes necessary to do so fair and square – but he also ran the table, meaning his party likely controls both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. Whatever he wants to…

Across the country, millions and millions of citizens who supported Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign are no longer walking around in a haze, instead moving toward the light. Still, there is emotional fallout that needs our attention. Our nerves are frayed; it’s impossible to ignore the stress. It’s a good time…

Donald Trump’s latest rollout of his hyper nationalist “America First” policy underscores the world’s long-term slide toward catastrophe. Within nations, when conflicts inevitably erupt, there are laws, as well as police, courts, and governments that enforce the laws. On the global level, however, the situation approaches international anarchy. Although the United Nations, the International…

“America is for Americans – Americans only!” The words are those of Stephen Miller, speaking last month at the infamous Madison Square Garden rally, but they define Donald Trump. This is the message – the cry from the mountaintop – he brought to the country . . . at least to…

Originally published by Visual Capitalist, at https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s-military-spending-vs-other-top-countries/ U.S. Military Spending vs Other Top Countries The U.S. is well known for its immense military and defense spending. In 2020, the nation ranked #1 in the world in terms of military spending at $778 billion outpacing the next nine highest spenders, which…

DSHS Mobile Office is Coming – Olympia library parking lot 313 8th Ave SE – December 2, 11-3pm Hop on board to apply for food, cash, and/or medical benefits. You can also drop off paperwork, complete a review, make changes to an existing case or request a replacement EBT card. Emergency Financial First Aid…