A Collected Brief - for those still undecided voters

In phone calls and visits to voters in our precinct, we find a number – albeit small – of prospective voters who remain uncertain. This report is for them.

The strongest and most detailed arguments for Obama’s election were published by the New Yorker magazine on October 13 and are still available at the free site: NewYorker.com Among the many points you will find is: “On almost every issue McCain and Obama speak the generalized language of reform but only Obama has provided a convincing, rational, and fully developed vision.”

Of course, the New Yorker is the epitome of liberal, elitist journalism. So here are comments from leading conservative commentators.

In a Washington Post column titled “McCain Loses His Head” George Will wrote: “For McCain, politics is always operatic, pitting people who agree with him against those who are ‘corrupt’ or ‘betray the public trust.”

Christopher Buckley, whose father was one of the titans of the post-Goldwater Republican Party wrote: “The campaign has changed John McCain. It has made him unauthentic. A once first-class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence…”

David Brooks, the New York Times Republican, who is as much sociologist as journalist, wrote of Obama: “It is easy to sketch out a scenario in which he could be a great president. He would be untroubled by self-destructive demons or indiscipline. What that cool manner, he would see reality unfiltered. He could gather – already has gathered – some of the smartest minds in public life, and, untroubled by intellectual insecurity, he could give them free rein. Though he is young, it is easy to imagine him at the cabinet table, leading a subtle discussion of some long-term problem.”

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, also a loyal Republican, visualized Obama as a “transformational figure.” We don’t need to quote more. Since he spoke on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, it is impossible to overlook his comments that continue to be quoted on broadcasts and in print. This endorsement may be the most significant in the history of modern politics.

Be sure to use your ballot.

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Flying the Stars and Stripes for Obama

Two weeks ago we caught ourselves saying, “Look, there are McCain voters,” when we saw a flag on a house. Then we realized that no party owns the flag and decided to do what we could to erase that general impression.

This was just after the first of our Obama yard signs was stolen. (We joked that the culprit probably wanted it for his yard.)

We got another sign, dug a deep hole, inserted the flag, added stones and poured cement around the post. The second night the whole thing was ripped out.

Buying four more signs at Whatcom Demo headquarters, we asked where we could get American flags. A woman there suggested Fred Meyer, where we found some just the right size.

With the flags attached to the signs, we cemented them into the ground last Monday. After seven nights they’re still standing tall.

Would the divide that this very bitter election is creating be reduced if more Obama supporters put flags with their signs?

Sheriff Elfo on Birch Bay Incorporation

The good sheriff was applauded warmly at the Birch Bay Steering Committee last Wednesday evening for resisting the County Executive’s budget reduction that would have cut the neighborhood deputy who serves 40 hours a week in the community. Then he was asked about the incorporation feasibility study that would use the tax money from Birch Bay that now goes to the county for law enforcement. Sheriff Elfo explained that he had advised the consultant he could provide enough officers for coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the same tax dollars.

This possibility represents the, “Mosquito Lake Road factor.” The sheriff’s services are spread throughout the rural areas of Whatcom County. He needs to provide the same coverage for Mosquito Lake Road and other remote areas with few residents as provided to Birch Bay Drive.

The officers in the city of Birch Bay, while employees of the Sheriff’s Department, would wear uniforms and drive cars with Birch Bay identification. The practice is well established in other counties in Washington.

Those who say security is their greatest concern are glad for the 40-hours-a-week deputy coverage and wish there were more; they see the sheriff’s explanation as a dramatic argument for incorporation.

The next meeting of “Exploreincorp-BB,” the forum that discusses the subject, will be Monday, October 13, at 7 o’clock at the Community Bible Church on Jackson Road. The participants who get and give the most from and to these meetings have read the feasibility study and done their homework – see birchbayinfo.org, click on Incorporation.

Kathy Berg Coming on Strong

The leader of the Birch Bay Steering Committee, who also has started “ExploreIncorpBB” promoting incorporation, demonstrated the strongest advocacy in our experience with her when speaking to the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Tuesday, September 16.

Kathy Berg was robust, enthusiastic and, as usual, articulate. In addition to arguing that it is time for Birch Bay to become a city, she challenged Council members to get behind the drive to join the Blaine Chamber and other groups to establish a scenic byway (see byways.org) that would wind along the water through Blaine, Birch Bay and Bellingham, connecting to Chuckanut Drive.

The following Thursday, Tara Nelson gave the concept a boost with a front-page article in the Northern Light. But the next week, two letters to the editor threw cold water on the idea.

We are curious to see how members of the Birch Bay Chamber will react. This could be a real boon to business along Birch Bay Drive. But does the Chamber have the muscle to make it happen versus folks who argue there’s too much traffic already?

Time for this blog to change gears

While we will continue to address community issues, for the next month we will be concentrating on the state and national elections. We were drafted to work for Obama, re-election of Gov. Chris Gregoire, and Mark Flanders, state legislator for district 42 in our precinct, No. 109, that extends along the Bay from Harborview and Lynden Roads to Bay Road; the eastern border runs north and south between Blaine and Kickerville Roads.






We've been assigned 11 "turfs" within the precinct. Already we have eight turf captains and we are looking for more. The immediate challenge is to get every qualified person registered to vote – by mail or online at www.secstate.wa.gov.elections/2008/aspx by October 4, or new registrants in person at the court house in Bellingham by October 20. On this we are non-partisan – we’re glad to help those who are inclined to vote for McCain.