Don't. Stop. Thinkin' bout tomorrow.

I remember Clinton's campaign. Do you?


Apparently, Senator Ed Murray has taken an interest in my blog. This is intriguing, because only 5 people that I know of actually read it. I'm all for politicians responding directly to public criticism and everything (alas, John Kerry did not follow this Clinton-esque strategy and we are all suffering for it), but the 43rd district Democratic race is apparently more contentious than I formerly imagined if those 5 votes really do count that much. And that is not even taking into account that those 5 kids are college students in the U-district.

These days the U-district can't turn out in the polls in large enough numbers to sway shit, and believe me when I say that our beloved 43rd reps know this better than anybody, and will not hesitate to discuss this issue in justification for some of their not-so-student-friendly legislative actions. Don't worry, Senator Murray, I'm not making things up here, and I wasn't before either. I haven't had these discussions with you, but I do read the newspaper. Even The Daily, though sometimes embarassingly amateur, is legit enough to not maliciously mischaracterize your intentions to the student body. Additionally, you and others have been surprisingly candid to many a student regarding our unfortunate position in the political heirarchy of constituents. It's cool, though, we understand how the legislature works and that these calculations have to be made...just don't get your panties in a twist if one student blogger isn't your biggest fan. It can hardly be surprising considering how long the student conduct code drama has been going on, but hopefully that is passe now and future students will be able to forgive--or at least to forget.

If anyone missed the rant that generated Ed Murray's comment, check it out: http://phoebestrivialpursuits.blogspot.com/2007/02/cant-touch-this.html

Yes, it was over the top, but I think Senator Murray's response proves that we all can get a little crotchety when provoked. In the spirit of the equal opportunity provision, here is his response again:

I am not sure if the author was one of the people who visited my in Olympia? If so I don’t believe we were in the same meeting. I did not bitch about students not voting. I did share a concern about low voter turn out in the U district. We then had a discussion about if democratic students should register in the very democratic 43rd or if they came from a suburban republican leaning district if they should register there. I also did not say students opinions don’t matter. I think my record of meeting with UW students over the years can not be matched by other legislators. In addition I have hired as legislative staff and campaign staff students I have met as a result of those meetings. Finally I did not say I wanted to level husky stadium and mentioned I attended football games in the stadium. Again I have a long record of attempting to find a solution to the SR520 problem for all of us who live, work and study on the Seattle side of the lake.
So I don’t mind being considered an asshole, I just think when you make up comments I did not say you are also being an asshole.
February 20, 2007 10:47 AM

Isn't it good to know that even legislators make an occasional typo? I know that I feel better knowing it. Granted an aide could have written it for him, which would be much less satisfying, but you can't have everything I suppose. I'm not here to be a grammar biatch, however. Instead I would just like to respond to a few things.

First, like I said before, these comments are not made up, aaaand, they were not all attributed to Senator Murray. Let me burn an additional bridge here (pun intended...520, anybody?), by emphasizing out that at any point during my galactically offensive entry I was referring to either the man in question or the 43rd Representative, and in some cases, both. I am sure the Senator is being honest in asserting here that he never claimed to want to level the 520, and I commend him on sharing that sentiment with me. I am marginally pacified, and only think that one individual here is "off his rocker", which I believe is the allegation in question.

However, I think it is important to note that the message that UW students' opinions on certain issues are largely unimportant to both of our state legislators in the 43rd, has been communicated clearly to all of us whether the Senator would like to admit it or not. If this is one of those Mary Cheney-do not discuss topics, then perhaps fewer public comments on the topic from our reps themselves would be prudent? And let's be honest, discussions with regular UW students on campus or elsewhere are not private. You are doing us a favor by meeting with us, but we owe you nothing in return, especially not confidentiality. Expect that word will get around about the opinions you share in front of us...especially if you are blunt and insensitive as a virgin Representative [Ed, this is a situation where I am referring to someone other than you--I'm sorry it happens sometimes, I'll try to differentiate more now, though, so that we can all be on the same page. And, heads up, becuse in the next sentence I will go back to adressing both men of the 43rd]. Overall, we, as students are neither blind nor dumb, and everything that I so eloquently shared before *insert sarcasm here for those of you who have issues picking it up* has actually been impressed upon us by way of direct comments, veiled threats, and legislative actions over the past couple of years. As a Democrat who has voted to elect both of you, I have no motivation to call you out on made-up shit, especially considering my audience of 5...which I suppose is now around 6 + leg aides?

Second, I would also like to commend the legislator for his statement that his record of meeting with UW students is matched by no other legislator. I would agree. Of course, excluding the newbie Pedersen, he is the only legislator that has the UW as part of his constituency, so I would hope that his record would stand as such. Additionally, it is important to distinguish between meeting with and listening to UW students (this is a discussion point, not an allegation--I have no intimate knowledge of your receptiveness to students outside of the conduct code issue, but am sure that you are an advocate for us based on the hiring practices that you stated in your comment). Still, I think that we can all agree that this is a positive thing. Snaps for the Senator meeting with students.

Third, I'm glad that you don't mind being considered an asshole. You should get used to it with a career in politics, as I will apparently have to if I make a habit out of insulting politicians. And, once again, don't worry, I don't have a lot of political pull, so there's no way my opinion of you here will bite you in the ass in the Democratic stronghold that is your district outside of what you make of it. If you take anything away from my comments other than a general annoyance with UW students (that may help you bond more with community surrounding UW, actually), I hope it is that even if we don't turn out at the polls, don't have a lot of political clout, and don't communicate with you on a regular basis, UW students do not exactly view you as our fearless leader. We have a lot of criticism for you, some constructive, some reduced to Tricky Dick allusions. What it comes down to, though, is that no matter how many UW students you've met with, you've made it clear where you stand on certain issues that affect us. We want to want you as our Senator. We're mostly liberal to the death. We're just tired of being talked down to and disrespected (here, I am not taking into account that you just called me an asshole...I think it's special that we just shared our opinions of one another, I am referring to condescending statements previously made, or sentiments made clear though legislative action).


That's all.




Tee hee hee. I still think that it's hilarious that 5 whole minutes must have been spent reading and responding to my blog. Seriously, is Oly that boring? Isn't there legislation to be writing or something? I guess it's like the snarky kid from my polisci class would say: "It's the legislative hustle, son."







"You can't handle the truth. [...] We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to."
-Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men