October 2007 Archives

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YELM COMMUNITY BLOG READERS!

Wikipedia has alot of information about this holiday.

Senior Minister Jeff Adams, College St. Christian Church
Photo from Lacey's College St. Christian Church website

A letter I wrote to the Nisqually Valley News (NVN) was published last week explaining who frequent NVN letter writer Jeff Adams is, questioning his motives and asking why we have not heard about this man in the newspaper.
NVN publisher/editor Graves replied,
"Jeff Adams has always been forthright with the Nisqually Valley News about his profession as a pastor and intent to someday expand his congregation to Yelm."

A Yelm Community Blog reader wrote to me about Mr. Graves reply saying,
"How are the READERS supposed to know who he [Jeff Adams] is if neither he, nor the paper, say so. I guess they're supposed to 'know.'"

Good point.
After all, the NVN won an investigative journalism award for a story published in 2005 due to Jeff Adams supplying the NVN with information for reporters to pursue. Mr. Adams was mentioned in the story, yet his profession and intent were mysteriously missing. Previously, the NVN published over a half dozen letters to the editor by Adams where he interjected himself into a Yelm political campaign with venom about someone he knew nothing about nor has ever met. My, oh my, is this how Christian values are being practiced by this man?

Never once has the NVN mentioned Mr. Adams title or position in the newspaper. Mr. Graves got a promotion to publisher and committed in his February 5, 2007 editorial saying "we won't gloss over the truth to protect sources, nor will we twist it to suit our whim or agenda." This may be his stand, yet we must rely on other newspapers and journals outside of Yelm to give us the bigger picture, in particular when important information is missing in our local paper. Searching the NVN archives for their coverage of Jeff Adams' identity resulted in none being found. And, now we have Mr. Adams letter published 2 weeks ago stating he is "an ever-increasing-personality in Yelm," again without identification from the NVN. And, Mr. Adams was a public speaker at a Yelm meeting last weekend. HMMM!

You can read the letter published in the NVN
I wrote about the Minister Jeff Adams of College Street Christian Church in Lacey.

The NVN never identifies Jeff Adams in their front section stories or letters, however you will find his name and position buried in the Living Section at the bottom of their October 19 Worship Guide:
"Limited space is available for Bible Studies in Yelm, the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m., led by Pastor Jeff Adams. Call 360-491-7372 if interested or go to www.cschristian.org ."

If this man is "an ever-increasing-personality in Yelm," shouldn't area citizens know all about him?

Joseph Pulitzer, the editor and publisher in whose name the most prized honor in journalism is awarded, stated in May, 1904, "Our republic and its press will rise and fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself."

This writer says the time has come for our local journalists to be more vigilant and steadfast in keeping the public interests in mind.

1. The Nov. 5th Thurston County Board of Commissioners Meeting was postponed to give the County Staff an opportunity to resubmit more comprehensive information to the Commissioners, since the Thurston Planning Commission did NOT approve Yelm's Comp. Plan Amendments.

2. Additional briefs will be presented & discussed among the Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 27th from 2-3pm.
The public is welcome to attend as observers only, however no public comments are permitted at this meeting.
The is a Board briefing by County Staff to clarify several issues.

3. A tentative reschedule date of Tuesday, December 4 at 6pm is the suggested date/time of the public hearing on the Yelm Comp. Plan.
That is not definite, as that date/time must be agreed to by the Commissioners at a Board Meeting.
So, until the Board meets and agrees, the Dec. 4th date will not appear on the calendar.
However, the Dec. 4th date is expected to be approved.
Those wishing to provide public testimony at the proposed Dec, 4th meeting are encouraged to attend the Nov. 27 briefing to be in full knowledge of what will be covered at the Public Hearing.

4. Aimee Swenson, Associate Planner for Development Services is the person to write for those wishing to have their comments be included as part of the public input, however you must do so in writing by December 3rd at 5pm.

You may email your comments directly to her at:
swensoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

5. The Board of Commissioners will have Work Sessions on Dec. 12 from 3-4pm and on Dec. 18 to review and interchange amongst themselves all of the public input.
The public is welcome to attend as observers only, however no public comments are permitted at these 2 sessions.

The following is a Guest Entry from Bald Hills Fire Commissioner Bill Owen about the Levy on the ballot for those in the Bald Hills Fire District to have knowledge to make an educated vote:

The Bald Hills Fire Department is asking the taxpayers to pass a levy lid increase of about 29 cents per thousand dollar
assessment to pay for more equipment and training for the volunteer fire fighters and medical responders. I've been campaigning
for the levy and getting a lot of good positive feedback until the new property tax assessments came in the mail last week.
My property tax went up about 60 % and I nearly fell out of my chair. My first reaction was "I being robbed !!!" I'm guessing
that there are a lot of voters who are thinking; not another cent in taxes. I really can't blame them.

I'm writing to plead for the fire department. No matter how much your assessment goes up we only get a one percent increase
in our budget without the levy passing. We need a lot of stuff to assure a proper response to neighbors who have emergencies.
We have a large newer mobile home that has been generously donated to the fire department. We need about 30k to move it
and set it up. We need more air packs, and bunker gear for all the new responder volunteers that have signed up, which will
cost the district about 60k. We want to buy a thermal imaging device to locate the seat of the fire in a house or quickly locate
all the victims of a car crash, it costs about 10k. We want to add a second fire engine for times that our main engine is out of
service, it will cost about 40k for a used one and we need to equip it with hose, fans, tools, hose fittings etc. .... more money.
I hope your reader are getting the picture. We need to pass the levy.

The volunteer response since we have ended our contract with Yelm has been fantastic. We have a class of 11 volunteers
going through medical First Responder class and they are nearly finished. We are starting a Fire Corp program for those who
don't respond to calls but who want to help the fire department. This includes a Fire Cadet program for young people 16-18
years old who want to train as fire fighters and medical responders. We've had a number of people join up who have prior
experience as either fire fighters and/or EMTs. An important way that voters can show your support for all these great volunteers
is to pass the levy.

If you would pass these thoughts on to your readers, I would be in debt to you.

Bill Owen
Commissioner
Bald Hills Fire District
360.894.3515

Photo courtesy of Stefan Elie

FROM THE ELIE JEWELRY PRESS RELEASE
Yelm Jeweler Margarette Elie has won three national awards with all of her three new designs in the current "Tahitian Pearl Trophy" contest for 2007-08. This is her second consecutive year winning a National Design Award .

Every other year the Cultured Pearl Association of America, and the Pearl Association of Tahiti sponsors the prestigious worldwide “Tahitian Pearl Trophy” design contest. This 2007-08 event was themed “Song of the Stars”. Margarette Elie was a national winner in the US with all three of her designs.

The first award was 2nd Place in the Parure (set of three) category. This design is a choker, earring and bracelet set inspired by the beauty and elegance of the written music “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven. Margarette was practicing her piano lesson and felt moved by the placement of the notes on the page. Where there were notes, she saw pearls, and the design was created. The pieces are made of white gold. The choker displays the actual note placement of ‘Ode to Joy’ and meets in a clef clasp with a cascade of white gold chain dangles with Pearls and Pave Diamond Stars to the front. The earrings are in the same clef design along with the matching bracelet.

Her next entry was an exquisite Brooch based on the Van Gogh painting ‘Starry Night’. This is a yellow and white gold piece with enamel inlay and pearls. Impressed by the impassioned movement of the painting, Elie saw Pearls where there were stars. This elegant creation, titled “Pearl of the Night”, was awarded 3rd place in the Brooch category.

The third design was “the Ballade” in the Accessory category. It was awarded 3rd place. This is a stunning yellow gold belt in musical stanza. Where there are black notes, Margarette saw black pearls. This belt plays the key of C with an elegant treble clef clasp meeting in a cascade of Pave Diamond Stars and Pearl dangles. This exquisite creation is in congruous theme to the ‘Ode to Joy’ Parure.

Margarette Elie’s first award was First Place for the US in the international 2005-06 Tahitian Pearl Trophy contest for her “Ice and Spice” creation. To see her winning piece from 2006 visit, click here.

Margarette Elie is an inspired jewelry designer who has been creating jewelry in the City of Yelm since 1992
She can be visited in her Jewelry store & Design Center at
210 E Yelm Ave in Yelm, Wa. 98597.
Tel: 360-358-5758

This was a very spot-on Letter to the Editor in the NVN, what with QFC closing here today.

Think about supporting local stores
QFC
Editor,

There are some of us in this area who will very much miss QFC.

We watched QFC struggle to survive when Safeway came to Yelm, and, by now, the unbelievable has happened - Wal-Mart has also come to this town.

QFC is the first to have to fold and go.

Many of us did not want the "super giant" in our community as, typically, one by one, some of the smaller stores lose too much business. Many of us do not shop at Wal-Mart for this and other reasons.

We know QFC has many loyal customers, but apparently that was not enough.

We want QFC to know that we appreciate the very excellent and personal service, including special orders and carrying the products we ask for. It is a comfort to know we can count on our quality foods, especially produce and meats, the organic and free-range chicken.

Thank you, QFC, for carrying Wilcox Farms dairy products.

Must we really say goodbye to such easy access to the natural and organic products QFC carries? Thanks, QFC, for being true in the organic department. You are the only larger grocery store whose "organic" labels I have come to trust.

And what other store has someone so capable in the produce section who will help you select the best of any item?

The list goes on - bulk herbs and spices, best wine and cheese selection in town, day-old bakery items, including Artisan breads. Did I mention Deborah, the happiest, most pleasant grocery checker in town? She has managed to stay that way through this transition, but her face also had some tears when we last spoke.

For those who read this, have you considered that if you want a store to stay in our town, a good way is to patronize it. Today I shopped at a nearby store. It sure looked empty in there. Perhaps it was just the time of day.

Let's not have to write any more eulogies.

Iris Moore
Yelm

I AGREE WITH YOU MS. MOORE.

It's the 10th annual Sight Night! Trick-or-treat for eyewear on Halloween this year to benefit Give the Gift of Sght. All the collected eyewear will be cleaned, repaired, and hand-delivered to underprivileged individuals worldwide who cannot otherwise access or afford it.

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell's official website

FROM REP. CAMPBELL'S OFFICIAL OCTOBER 24TH PRESS RELEASE.
"After several days of flurry over the requirement of hospitals to report details of serious medical errors, Rep. Tom Campbell said the Washington State Hospital Association is backing away from their position that they don’t have to report such errors.

Campbell, (R-Roy) a Chiropractor by profession, expressed his anger with the position of the hospital association in a number of newspaper and television stories exposing the association’s decision that the state Department of Health must stop releasing hospital-specific adverse-event statistics.

The hospital association said disclosing the errors punished the hospitals unfairly without improving patient care. They contend legislation passed last year forbids release of such records.

The public response in the past few days, however, seems to have prompted the hospital association to reconsider its position. “Our phone was ringing off the hook,” a Hospital Association spokeswoman told the Spokesman-Review. “There’s been a lot of reaction to this, more than we expected.”

Serious errors ranging from operating on the wrong body part (21 such occurrences in the past year) to leaving objects behind after surgery (34 such occurrences in the past year)

“People are entitled to know which hospital has the best and the worst record of patient care,” Campbell said. “For the association to say ‘people wouldn’t understand’ is arrogant; it’s just a condescending slap in the face.”

In addition to the numbers on surgeries on wrong body parts and foreign objects left behind over the past year, hospitals across the state have reported eight cases of patients receiving the wrong surgical procedure and six cases of death or disability from medication errors.

The state Dept. of Health said it is seeking a formal opinion from state Attorney General Rob McKenna. And Campbell said he will also plan to offer new legislation in the 2008 session to emphasize the requirement of the department to disclose the information."

Contact: Rep. Tom Campbell at (360) 786-7912 or campbell.tom@leg.wa.gov

THANK YOU REP. CAMPBELL FOR BEING THE LONE VOICE TAKING A STAND FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS!

October 27: March to End the War and Impeach Bush and Cheney
Seattle
12 Noon at Judkins Park

Ian Mardon at his Yelm Library performance
Photo courtesy of Miceal Ledwith

The Friends of the Yelm Library presented a very special performance last night
Tuesday, October 23
from visiting German violinist Ian Mardon
who demonstrated his skill at playing works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardon’s newest composition, “Lux Aeterna“.
Over 225 people jammed the Library and enjoyed the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
Mr. Mardon's stories added to the warmth of the evening.
The evening was a gift from Yael & Steve Klein.

Dr. Lisa Rosenberger

Dr. Lisa Rosenberger
Consumer Advocate
Co-Founder, President & CEO of
American Mortgage Educators, Inc.
Foremost Mortgage Reduction Expert in U.S.
Dean of "Know Your Rights" Online School

"About American Mortgage Educators, Inc.

American Mortgage Educators, Inc. is a Washington based educational company led by Dr. Lisa Rosenberger, who is the Company’s President and CEO. The Company’s primary role is to support and advance the platform of AME's Consumer Advocacy, which is to:

* Educate,
* Empower and
* Protect homebuyers, home loan borrowers, and homeowners

Dr. Rosenberger has taken the above vision and translated it into action. In doing so, she has turned the Company into a powerhouse that delivers critical information to help homebuyers and home loan borrowers make educated and informed decisions regarding the single most important and most expensive purchase of their lives. One of the chief mediums through which the Company accomplishes this feat is through this Consumer Information Center – a vital Community Service Resource that the Company manages, maintains, and funds on behalf of the Advocacy Office.

The most revolutionary feature about the Company is not that it provides information, but that it also supplies a unique combination of resources and tools for homebuyers and home loan borrowers never before seen in this country," quoting the AME website.

American Mortgage Educators, Inc.

"There will be a Thurston County Democratic Community Meeting to introduce the TCD Precinct Committee Officers in the Yelm/Rainier area and discuss local, national and world political issues with an opportunity for an "Exchange of Information and Ideas".

Our first community meeting will be 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, October 24, at the Yelm Timberland Library, Fay Fuller Building, 210 Prairie Park St., Yelm, Wa.

We will discuss and explain the details of your nominating the presidential democratic candidates in the coming Thurston County Democratic caucuses. These meetings will be on going once a month on Wednesdays, dates to be announced. We encourage you to attend.

Thurston County Democratic Precinct Committee Officers attending will be:
A. Louise Oliverio, PCO 701, Legislative District 2, Yelm, who has lived in Yelm, and been involved in issues affecting the community for 18yrs. as well as volunteer for the Nisqually Land Trust,

B. Tim Lancaster, PCO 703, Yelm, Legislative District 2, has been involved in Washington State Democratic politics since 1972. He has been a PCO and State Committeeman for both the 22nd and 2nd Legislative Districts. Tim is an educator in the Yelm Community Schools.

C. Jackie Reid, PCO 130, Legislative District 2, Bald Hill in Yelm, who helped start the Yelm Food Co-op. She is a member of the Inter-City Transit Citizen Advisory committee and a Toastmaster."

Photo by Steve Klein

This is a photo of Stevens Street looking eastbound from 1st St.

This writer will be away until Oct. 21, so this week's blog entries are all listed now for your information.

"Wal-Mart is involved in a large-scale effort to roll back the property tax valuation of its stores, cutting the amount it owes to local governments for schools and social services."

"When Wal-Mart proposes to build another of its giant stores, local residents often raise concerns about increased car and truck traffic, a loss of open space, higher crime rates and other negative impacts that they argue will lower the quality of life in the neighborhood and thus depress property values. The company responds to these concerns by painting a different picture, claiming that its stores provide substantial benefits to communities. Yet what Wal-Mart does not disclose in site fights--but is revealed for the first time in a new report by Good Jobs First -- is the extent to which the company later in effect concedes the point about reduced property values. Once a store has been in operation for a while, Wal-Mart frequently challenges the assessed value that local officials assign to it for tax purposes. In an effort to cut the property tax it pays to local governments--revenue that pays for public education, police and fire protection and other vital services--Wal-Mart routinely tries to belittle the value of its own facilities.

Good Jobs First discovered this behavior in a labor-intensive, nine-month investigation of Wal-Mart's property tax behavior at more than 500 stores and distribution centers around the United States," quoting AlterNet.

Logo courtesy of Sunrise Homes website

"Virgil and Darlene Baker owners of Sunrise Homes have spent 23 years building quality homes to meet a wide variety of peoples needs. From small ramblers to spacious luxury homes with all the modern extras. From experience they have learned to work as a team with the home owner so that the building process goes as smooth as possible. Virgil and Darlene started out in Lacey, Washington and moved their business to Yelm where they live. Sunrise homes also offers carpet, vinyl, tile and laminates, at cost, that can save you money. Their honesty, along with quality, and a fair cost have always been their highest priority.

You will never hear of how FAST the job will be done. Quality is Number 1!

The first home this writer purchased in 1988 upon moving to Yelm was a Sunrise built home.

ALL MY BEST TO DARLENE & VIRGIL BAKER.

Olympia Regional Airport recorded a record rainfall for any October 19th on record with 1.26", beating previous record of 1.17" set in 1954.

A friend of the Earth

Clean Airport Partnership, a non-profit environmental group, has given Seattle-Tacoma high marks for its Earth-friendly practices. A recent report by CAP, which was sought by airport management, cites a variety of airport practices: charging tenants for discarding non-recyclable trash, composting coffee grounds, recycling cooking oil and sending unsold sandwiches, salads and pastries to food banks," quoting USA Today.

Logo courtesy of Silver Springs Organics website

"Silver Springs Organics is dedicated to:

Improving our environment through waste reduction and recycling by diverting organic wastes from landfills and transforming them into a renewable, high-grade compost product;
Creating good jobs and improving the local economy; and,
Remaining a steward of the Silver Springs Ranch and preserving it for the enjoyment of future generations.
Creating Silver Springs Organics"

Please feel free to call us!
360-446-SOIL (7645)
Rainier, WA.

The Friends of the Yelm Library present a very special performance next
Tuesday, October 23
by visiting German violinist Ian Mardon
“Lux Aeterna:” a Performance of Classical Music for the Violin
Mr. Mardon presents works by Bach, Paganini and Debussy, as well as the American Premiere of Mardon’s newest composition, “Lux Aeterna“. Enjoy the intense, warm tone of his 1775 Guadagnini violin.
7 - 8 PM
in the Yelm Timberland Library.

"His enthusiastic performance style has resulted, through appearances with numerous orchestras in Canada, USA and Germany, in his establishing himself as a renowned soloist. Today, he is continuously performing as a soloist and chamber musician in Germany and North America. In 2006 Mardon played over 40 concerts and recitals.

'It is my intent to uplift the audience and to remind them of our transcendental nature of being. I try to choose pieces that inspire the listener to recognize their own greatness, to view their life from a new perspective and to ponder their dreams," quoting Mr. Mardon's website.

Co-sponsored by Yael & Steve Klein (this writer is chair of the Yelm Timberland Library Board).

Hear Mr. Mardon's interviews on Yelm's own Beyond the Ordinary internet radio.

What kind of County does Thurston want to be?

That's the million dollar question that the Planning Commission is asking Wednesday (17th) at 7:15pm when it holds a public hearing to review the sizing of its urban growth areas (UGA).

The hearing is on October 17 at 7:15 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers, Room 280, located at the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia Washington.

The public is invited to comment about the surge in traffic in these UGA's, and in particular, how large Yelm's is.
You are encouraged to speak on the matter
Your opinions WILL make a big difference, as we saw last week.

The proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments are textual amendments that revise the County's Urban Growth
Area policy language, and update the County's population forecast to bring it up to date with the most recent data available.

Please Note: The proposed amendments do not include changes to the County's current UGA boundaries. The County's UGA boundaries and any possible changes to them, will be discussed by the Thurston County Board of Commissioners at a briefing scheduled for October 23rd and are not the subject of this public hearing.

If you wish to comment on the proposed comprehensive plan amendments please come
and testify at the public hearing or submit written comments to
Celinda Adair
adairc@co.thurston.wa.us by email,
mail, or in person at the permitting assistance center,
2nd floor of Bldg. 1, of the courthouse.
The deadline for providing written comments is the close of the public hearing on October 17, 2007.

Thursday, October 18, 2007 - Chamber After Hours at Rosemont Retirement & Assisted Living
5:30-7 p.m.
215 Killion Rd. NW
Yelm, WA 98597
Ph: 360-458-1800

"Rosemont Retirement and Assisted Living Community is located in Yelm, Washington near area hospitals, shopping and services. Our community provides the services you need, delicious meals, and a host of amenities in a gracious setting that has been designed with your comfort and security in mind. Call for your personal tour and reserve your apartment today!"

TELL MANAGER CHERRI MITCHELL YOU READ ABOUT THIS FUNCTION ON THE YELM COMMUNITY BLOG!

The Rev. Dr. Richard Banach

REV. DR. RICHARD BANACH: An amended essay with endnotes on the deeper implications of the Bush II Presidency

The following essay on the deeper implications of the Bush II presidency by the Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach was published in The Olympian [scroll down], regional newspaper for the Washington State capital area, circulation 35,000, on October 3, 2007. Title: Reclaim power and create better future.

It was first published in The Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, WA on September 21, 2007. Title: Faith, Values: It’s not too late to make future better.

Rev. Banach's letter was also published on the Yelm Community Blog Scroll to Sept. 25, 2007.

It was originally written to compliment NVN editor, Keven R. Graves, for courageously publishing political cartoons like the following:

August 17, 2007: Cartoonist Gary Markstein depicted little boy Bush sitting at his desk amidst the rubble of a ruined America, holding on to the string of his happy face party balloon, while father figure Karl Rove walks away saying, “My work is done here…”

August 31, 2007: Cartoonist Stantis portrayed civil liberties robbed blind as Alberto Gonzales runs away heavy laden with the evidence saying, “My work here is done!”

September 14, 2007: Cartoonist Sherffius showed a redesigned “Seal of the Imperial President of the United States” with a two-faced disheveled eagle courtesy of Bush, Cheney, etc.

The original “The Nisqually Valley News” essay was posted this blog on 9/25/07.
Dr. Banach’s reply to the challenge of a professional “provocateur” can be found under “comments.”
Printed below is the original essay amended with endnotes giving more information on this subject.
(Obviously, “The Olympian” version did not contain the first two sentences.)

--oOo--

Thank you for courageously printing insightful opinion page cartoons that unmask the sinister motives of an imperial presidency. They are reminiscent of an insight I once gained.

I became a minister with the expectation of teaching about the art of living life aglow with God’s presence within. But to my chagrin, some members were not interested. “They joined the church,” one wise member counseled, “because it looks good on their resume.”
Ouch!

Many people voted for the Bush II administration because faith and family values looked good on its resume. But they got more than they bargained for, a hidden agenda.
A great big OUCH!

First, it finagled its way past losing the popular vote in 2000. Then, it bamboozled us with the ultimate “shock and awe” - 9/11. Frightened to death, we surrendered our freedom for its protection. It’s turning out to be the false security of Bush I’s “New World Order,” run by multinational corporations (corporatocracies) whose lobbyists write our laws, and a vast military-industrial complex enforcing covert hateful foreign policies.

All this bears an uncanny resemblance to Revelation’s “Babylon the Great,” a globalized religio-capitalistic domination system of complete control over everything and everyone, by the elite. 1

Twenty-seven years ago in September 19, 1980, the evangelical magazine Christianity Today, warned its readers, that single-issue politics was too narrow a front in battling a moral crusade, and could prove disastrous. “It could lead to the election of a moron who holds the right view on abortion.” 2
Fast forward.

Now, we are finally waking up to having been deceived by the slick spin of ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing, the fruit of whose actions is exposing them, Matthew 7:15-20 style. 3

Let us not retreat into denial, but reclaim our power, and create a better future! 4

Endnotes
1 An excellent introduction to the ancient domination system and its link to the ancient cosmic combat myth is given by theologian Marcus Borg in Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, chapter 10, Reading Revelation Again. Another source is theologian Walter Wink’s trilogy on the invisible forces that manipulate human existence: 1. Naming the Powers, 2. Unmasking the Powers, and 3. Engaging the Powers.

One of the reasons for the power of John’s Revelation, writes Borg, is his use of one of humankind’s most widespread archetypal stories: the ancient cosmic combat myth. It appears in many cultures, ancient and modern, and takes on many forms. It is a story of cosmic conflict between good and evil. In the ancient world, the conflict was between gods (some interpret as aliens) or light, order, and life against an evil power of darkness, disorder, and death, commonly imaged as a dragon, as in the archangel Michael warring against the dragon.

It’s found in the Enuma Elish, one of the world’s oldest creation stories from Babylon, the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament. It is the central plot element of the Star Wars movies. “Babylon the Great” is not code name simply for Rome in John’s day: it designates all dominations systems organized around power, wealth, seduction, intimidation, and violence. It is a web of political oppression, economic exploitation and religious legitimation. Elites of power and wealth control societies in their own interests and declared the order they imposed to be the will of God.

Learning the art of reclaiming one’s power and creating a better future, one free from eons of manipulation by the ancient domination system, is a topic on the curriculum at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment.

2 This quote is from Getting God’s Kingdom into Politics 10 [1031], cited on page xvii in Balmer’s book listed in the next endnote.

3 Some Christian leaders are now writing about how the religious community was misused and betrayed by the Religious Right. Examples: Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America, An Evangelical’s Lament by Randall Balmer, and Why the Christian Right is Wrong: A Minister’s Manifesto For Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, and Your Future by Robin Meyer. Ironically, while preaching against being duped by Revelation’s “Babylon the Great,” the Religious Right has been a participant all along in setting the stage for its ultimate fulfillment.

4 Many Bible students believe that biblical prophecy is fixed and cannot be altered. But the book of Jonah says “No.” The great city of Nineveh, capital of hated Assyria in Jonah’s day, was headed for destruction. It repented, after Jonah reluctantly prophesied against it, meaning it changed. In doing so, it averted destruction, and was spared. The gift of Jonah’s prophecy became its non-fulfillment.

Prophecy is a warning, not a prediction. Nineveh is biblical proof the future is not fixed or predetermined. Prophecy is not meant to be fulfilled, but is a warning to change or else what is being shown will take place.

The site of ancient Nineveh is on the bank of the Tigris River in modern day Iraq. It’s about 230 miles upriver from Baghdad near Mosul, smack in the middle of Bush II’s endless war of potential star wars proportions because it might just become a prelude to Armageddon.

If the future was changed there thousands of years ago, it can be changed there again today, if we change.

“We the people” have a big mouth. During the day let us do a lot of loud talking and in your face action, until criminals are brought to justice, and the rotten fruit of their actions are pruned away.

And at night…ah, let us dream of a better world unspoiled by sinister motives. And in the process, let us create a new future, a new heaven and a new earth, wherein we qualify to be invited into the intergalactic family of peaceful planets. On the loftiest of levels, it’s called “The American Dream.”

--oOo—

Kindly forward this essay on to others, especially the religious community.
Permission granted by The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Banach, United Methodist minister
Your comment is welcomed at drRichardB@hotmail.com.

The Rev. Dr. Banach and his wife Mary reside in Rainier.

Representative Jim McCune
Photo from Representative McCune's official website

Rep. Jim McCune's Newsletter for the 2007 Legislative session says,

WASL is flawed graduation requirement
Every year, there seems to be a new set of “hot” issues – ones that are particularly important to people at the time. One issue, however, is consistently at the top of people’s minds – the Washington
Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).
Unfortunately for most of us, particularly our 10th graders, the WASL brings many unpleasant thoughts to mind. Whether or not a student will be able to continue to college hangs on the outcome of this test alone. It doesn’t matter how well you have done academically in the past. Your future hangs on your ability to pass the WASL, not on your academic achievement.
That is why the Legislature is moving in the direction of requiring students to take, and pass, courses in algebra, geometry
and biology as part of their high school graduation requirements.
House Bill 2327 is a somewhat watered down version of a tougher bill that I co-sponsored (HB 1288).
We all want high standards in our education system, but the WASL’s standards are too far from the norm to be acceptable.
They are too subjective. Let’s get back to real standardized achievement testing, and put the bar in its right place again. Graduation should be attainable to everyone, and students should be tested on what they are actually learning in school – not their ability to use unconventional methods and logic.
I will continue to work for local control and high standards, so all children can graduate from high school equipped with the best tools for success in life.

From the NVN Oct. 5th edition,
"THE WASL TEST FUNDAMENTALLY MESSED
One of my top priorities as a legislator is ensuring that our children get the best possible education. This means having meaningful standards and expectations, true accountability, and decisions made at the level closest to our children..."

YOU ASKED FOR IT, THEY DELIVERED!

FILM: NO END IN SIGHT

"The first film of its kind to chronicle the reasons behind Iraq’s descent into guerilla war, warlord rule, criminality and anarchy, NO END IN SIGHT is a jaw-dropping, insider’s tale of wholesale incompetence, recklessness and venality. Based on over 200 hours of footage, the film provides a candid retelling of the events following the fall of Baghdad in 2003 by high ranking officials such as former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Ambassador Barbara Bodine (in charge of Baghdad during the Spring of 2003), Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, and General Jay Garner (in charge of the occupation of Iraq through May 2003) as well as Iraqi civilians, American soldiers, and prominent analysts. NO END IN SIGHT examines the manner in which the principal errors of U.S. policy – the use of insufficient troop levels, allowing the looting of Baghdad, the purging of professionals from the Iraqi government, and the disbanding of the Iraqi military – largely created the insurgency and chaos that engulf Iraq today. How did a group of men with little or no military experience, knowledge of the Arab world or personal experience in Iraq come to make such flagrantly debilitating decisions? NO END IN SIGHT dissects the people, issues and facts behind the Bush Administration’s decisions and their consequences on the ground to provide a powerful look into how arrogance and ignorance turned a military victory into a seemingly endless and deepening nightmare of a war.

“I think this decision to disband the [Iraqi] Army came as a surprise to most of us…”
Q: What was your reaction?
“I thought we had just created a problem. We had a lot of out of work
[Iraqi] soldiers.”
– our interview with Richard Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State

NO END SIGHT alternates between U.S. policy decisions and Iraqi consequences, systematically dissecting the Bush Administration’s decisions. The consequences of those decisions now include 3,000 American deaths and 20,000 American wounded, Iraq on the brink of civil war, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilian deaths, the strengthening of Iran, the weakening of the U.S. military, and economic costs of over $2 trillion. It marks the first time Americans will be allowed inside the White House, Pentagon, and Baghdad’s Green Zone to understand for themselves what has become the disintegration of Iraq," quoting the official movie website.

My wife & I saw this with friends in Olympia last month and were so moved about the information provided in this film, we wanted everyone to see this movie!

This film is slated for a 2 week run.
See Yelm Cinema listings for showtimes.

THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Last night, the Thurston County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Annual Thurston County Comprehensive Plan Amendments.

Several letters were received as well as public testimony. The public testimony only concerned Yelm's Traffic Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The Thurston Planning Commission noted that all of the public comments received about Yelm were negative.

After hearing from the public, the Thurston County Planning Commission asked Yelm Community Development Director Grant Beck to step up to answer questions. Key amongst those were:

1. The City of Yelm has specified level of service (LOS) F in the Comp. Plan since 1995?
Beck: Yes

2. The concurrency mark was set in 1998 where LOS D is the Regional Plan and must be followed. What steps have been taken to get roads to LOS D since 1998?
Beck: The Yelm Loop (Bypass) & the inner Loop (side connector streets)

3. The Bypass is not funded, so let's eliminate that from the discussion.
Beck: It's out of our control as the largest amount of traffic, 63% comes from outside of the city and its UGA.
Commissioners: We want to see your surveys on the 63% coming from the county and will examine traffic from SE Thurston & Pierce Counties impacting Yelm's arteries, as well, as we are responsible for and need to know what that impact is.

4. So outside of the Loop, nothing has been done to bring LOS down to level D?
Beck: Fumbles on that one.

5. If traffic is out of your control in the City, then why are you still issuing building permits, and to 500 home developments and larger, asked Chris Lane?
Beck: Fumbles again.

6. About the issue of the unfunded Bypass used to mitigate traffic, how much is unfunded.
Beck: about 30 million. We have received $1 million from the government & $33 million for right-of-way acquisition and are working on getting the rest of the funding package next year.
HMMM! That is most interesting, as Mr. Beck has not read the WSDOT update on the Yelm Bypass, which has now moved the funding requirements to $92 million with $56 million unfunded, a $25 million shortfall reported by Mr. Beck to the County Planning Commission.

7. When do you expect construction to start on the Bypass?
Beck: with funding next year, then 2009
Commissioners: and length of construction?
Beck: 2 years
Commissioners: then you expect in 2011 this road will be operational, which is a full 13 years after the concurrency mark was set in 1998. You should have not been using an unfunded Bypass this long to determine mitigation allowing you to continue to approve large developments.
Once again, if only Mr. Beck had read the WSDOT report on this road so vital to this town, he could have quoted,
"The purchase of Right of way is underway and will continue through 2011.
The construction phase is not currently funded."
Bottom line: another fumble, as the Yelm Bypass can not possibly be open before 2013 even if funded next year.

8. Why was staff (Thurston County) supporting the Yelm plan.
County Staffer Swenson: Yelm did not have a policy change or a text change.

Chris Lane moved and Tom Cole seconded the motion to NOT move forward in approving Yelm's Transportation & Introduction Chapter updates that would have sent them on to the Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Lane commented he is a Realtor, although a commercial Realtor, yet he is for responsible development.
He said, "It's irresponsible if we don't look at this. It's irresponsible to add to the problem when you can't deal with it (Yelm's traffic) now."

FINALLY!
The citizens of Yelm got someone else besides Yelm's Planners to look into Yelm's traffic problems.
The Thurston County Planning Commission requested traffic analysis and other documents from Yelm to continue to study this, and before making a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

Last week in his editorial, NVN editor/publisher Keven Graves stated,
"It's very easy to stand on the sidelines and carp at city officials about the traffic - a problem that stems from tremendous growth that nobody could have foreseen or planned for decades ago.

Rather than being goaded into pointing fingers and complaining, now is a good time to acknowledge the strides that the city has made, and support the work planned to help alleviate the community's traffic woes."

Mr. Graves, now an entity outside of the Yelm cabal has now publicly looked at Yelm's Comp. Plan and stated,
"It's irresponsible to add to the problem when you can't deal with it (Yelm's traffic) now."
Further said in open forum,
The City of Yelm has specified level of service (LOS) F in the Comp. Plan since 1995, and the concurrency mark was set in 1998, where LOS D is the Regional Plan and must be followed. Outside of a few connector streets and relying on an unfunded Bypass, little has been done here to achieve concurrency, in almost 10 years, all the while approving mega-developments and accepting applications for more. "All of this problem that stems from tremendous growth [WAS] foreseen" by the public, who have commented on this for years and got little to no response. Now, a County Planning Commissioner has labeled Yelm's actions since 1998 "irresponsible".
THE LIGHTS ARE BEING SHINED ON YELM'S TRAFFIC MESS NOW - BY THE COUNTY!

Maia, Adam & Bellaluna of Clean Freaks Carpet Care

"Hi!

My name is Adam Dealan-de. I own a local carpet cleaning company called Clean Freaks Carpet Care.

I started this business in 2002 with a burning desire to build a business that was like no other carpet cleaning company out there. After working for other professional carpet cleaners, I knew there had to be a better way. I started small, growing one customer at a time while attending every training and certification course I could find. I had a small van, a portable extraction machine and my wife, Maia who helped me with the books.

I still have my wife (and now a baby girl), and – one client at a time – I've earned the trust of over 900 homeowners (including million dollar estates), numerous industry certifications, and my humble equipment has been upgraded to the best truck-mounted cleaning system and most advanced cleaning, spotting and drying equipment available."

"We've got a GREAT referral contest that started October1st 2007, and we couldn't wait to share it with you! You already know us and love us, so why not spread the word for a chance to get referral reward cash, a whole house of FREE carpet cleaning, and the Grand Prize of $500.00 Cash For Christmas!!!"

Clean Freaks Carpet Care
P.O Box 66
Yelm. WA 98597
Phone: 360-481-0101
Email: adam@cleanfreakscarpetcare.com

Hello from the bakery! SEBASTIAN'S BEST

THIS MONTH'S CLASS IS ON THE AUSTRIAN RASPBERRY LINZER TORT &
BLUEBERRY TORT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12,
7PM
105 YELM AVE. EAST
458-9313

We had a wonderful summer, and, during September, made room for more of you to come inside and sit at our new espresso counter. Celebrate with us during October—Sebastian’s delicious Mochas are just $2 all month long.

We are also gearing up for the holidays—our busiest baking season. Order your holiday treats 10 days ahead for a 5% Discount. This includes large orders of chocolates, whole cakes, tortes, and any special orders you have in mind.

Seasonal favorites that are currently stocking our shelves are Sebastian’s freshly dipped Chocolates, as well as traditional Swiss Meringue cookies, Amaretti, and Ginger Thins.

Best wishes from Amy, Sebastian and Elena Schefer, and Chris, Steve and Cindy

SEBASTIAN'S BEST BAKERY

THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOW RESCHEDULED TO WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

I applaud the work the city has done on the Stevens St connector that opened September 27th and have said so publicly [see the Yelm Community blog September 26.].

While some may find public comments, perhaps as well as my own, "pointing fingers and complaining," as Nisqually Valley News publisher/editor Keven Graves said in his editorial last Friday, the Yelm Planning Commission was told on September 17 by Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) Senior Planner and City of Yelm adviser Kathy McCormick the State officially informed her Yelm's main arteries are highways of regional significance, which states level of service (LOS) D (the grade given roads based on a traffic analysis) is regional policy on the city's Highways 507/510.
She stated the Yelm plan is, therefore, in "conflict."

Ms. McCormick said that Yelm's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter's lower LOS F threshold (the lowest grade possible for roads) is NOT consistent with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) standard or how the Thurston County Comprehensive Traffic Plan is supposed to read.
THIS IS THE CONFLICT.

I asked Ms. McCormick and the Commission how LOS D is going to be included in Yelm's Plan.
Other than Ms. McCormick saying Yelm's plan is in "conflict," there was no answer.

For the city to adopt LOS D, they must enact LOS D according to measurements from a traffic impact analysis.
One of the immediate remedies to begin adherence to LOS D would be for Yelm to reduce incremental,
additional local traffic to the city's main thoroughfares by no longer approving large traffic generators like housing developments, commercial developments and big box stores.

I asked City Assistant Planner Tami Merriman if LOS F remained in the Plan that the Planning Commission forwarded to the City Council for review later this month. She confirmed that to be the case, and this after Ms. McCormick informed the Yelm Planning Commission that they must take action to have their Plan be consistent with the Thurston County Transportation Plan. No action was taken by the Yelm Planning Commission to remedy this situation. [Ed. Note: This writer sat there dumb-founded that the Yelm Planning Commission did not address Ms. McCormick's directions.]

If Yelm's main roads must be consistent with the county and be LOS D, the city of Yelm has much work to do.

"Complaining", as NVN Editor/Publisher Keven Graves states in his editorial this week?
I don't think so. Holding our city's officials accountable as to how they will follow State and County requirements was the nature of my question.

After all, we all know traffic is the number one issue in this community. Now we know the city is in conflict with the regional traffic plan.

Further, we now know the State and TRPC Rep. have given notice to the city's Planning Commission of the "conflict" and direction to remedy this conflict, on the record, Mr. Graves.

This Wednesday night (October 10), the Thurston County Planning Commission will have a special public hearing to take public input on the Regional Plan. The previously scheduled 2 meetings were canceled for lack of a quorum amongst the 9 members, which turned out to be a blessing, as more people had time to craft comments and submit to the Thurston Planning Commission..

Won't you consider attending this meeting or sending your comments in writing by Wednesday, October 10th.

Aimee Swenson, Associate Planner for Development Services stated to me that anyone who wishes to have their comments be included as part of the public input, may do so in writing by the October 10th meeting.

You may email them directly to her at:
swensoa@co.thurston.wa.us

or via snail mail to:
2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW
Bldg.1, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98502

or Fax:
360-754-2939

Concurrently, you may send your comments to:
Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner
Attn: Thurston Regional Planning Com. (TRPC)
2424 Heritage Ct SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502

or directly to her email: mccormk@trpc.org

Be sure to mark all comments for the Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing Oct. 10.
All comments must be received by the close of the hearing on the 10th.

LET'S TELL THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THEIR PARTNER IN THE REGIONAL PLAN, YELM, MUST FOLLOW THAT PLAN AND WE EXPECT THEM TO HOLD YELM ACCOUNTABLE TO DO SO!

THE THURSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU!

As the Nisqually Valley News reported in their September 7th edition:
Kleins to take part in impeachment march

This writer and his wife were interviewed and filmed at the Impeach Bush/Cheney March on Washington, DC September 15, 2007.

See the interview in front of The White House, and on Pennsylvania Avenue from The White House to the US Capitol.

Quicktime version
Or:
Windows Media version
Camera crew and editing courtesy of Andrew Wright and Lisa Fitkin.

Further, Yelm's own KRSE - Beyond the Ordinary internet radio aired a special interview with us that Saturday now available on their archives.
Then scroll down to : "The Day of the March Sat Sept 15th" where they report,

"Steve and Yael report live from the Impeach Bush/Cheney March on Washington D.C. with numbers estimated up to 25,000 [later reported at 100,000]. They give us a sense of being there, describing what the media not only cannot, but would not. In fact what Yael and Steve saw and heard is very different than what most of us heard and read elsewhere about the march. You can call that 'perception' or 'spin.' They bring us the beauty of the variety of the people gathered; colorful, peaceful throngs making their presence known, the main purpose of the march."

The Forests & Fish Law is a Landmark Salmon Recovery Plan

"The Forests & Fish Law is an historic, science-based set of forest practices regulations that protect 60,000 miles of streams running through 9.3 million acres of state and private forestland. In 2006, the Forests & Fish Law was endorsed by the federal government, through a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan. As one of the largest and most comprehensive pieces of environmental legislation in the U.S., the law is designed to fully comply with both the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect Washington's native fish and aquatic species.

Washington has one of the Greatest Levels of Protection for Forested Streams in the U.S.
The Forests & Fish Law was developed in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, and county governments and private forest landowners. Representatives of these governments and organizations worked together for 18 months to make changes to the forest practices rules to protect clean water and riparian habitat on non-federal forestland in Washington State. Changes were made to improve forest roads and culverts, enlarge buffer zones along stream banks, and locate unstable slopes around the state. An adaptive management monitoring program has also been put into place to test the effectiveness of the new rules."

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAN? I DID NOT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

Photo of Jacqui Davis from Dance N Create website

Welcome to Dance N Create

"I have been inspired to birth DANCE N CREATEsm and share a simple activity to assist humans to create their own better world.

In ancient times, tribes used dance and words to bring the rain and a good harvest. Their shaman danced and sang to know where to hunt the buffalo.

Dancing has always been a joyful activity and has the power to lift our consciousness above the mundane. In the moments that we are truly caught up in the dance we are transformed.

We, the race of humans were endowed with the ability to be creators. We create every moment of our lives, whether we realize we are doing it or not. As a conscious creator-being, aware of words, thoughts and actions, we become the grandest, most effective manifestors.

If you are reading this text, you already know there is more to life than your repetitive program. You have the desire to be more, do more, know more. You know the act of creating can be light-hearted and fulfilling.

Just as an athlete desires to excel at a sport, so do you, the human creator, desire the fulfillment of a manifestation or experience. The athlete choses the sport and begins the repetitious movements that bring the mind, body, and brain, into alignment to manifest excellence, rewards, and recognition. DANCE N CREATEsm, using fabulous music, movement, and word create a map in the brain, and with concentrated focus, prepares the body, like the athlete in training, to have the desired experience.

The process of DANCE N CREATEsm is like an actor who takes a role and forgets his/her past/future and becomes the character in the role. The actor holds the character's state of being until the curtain falls. In the process of DANCE N CREATEsm the dancer stays in character until the desire is experienced, manifested. And so, at the end of each dance class the dancer's mind must continue to rehearse the desire until it manifests into his/her life. In this way, we are active, conscious participants in the process," quoting Jacqui Davis.

DANCE N CREATEsm - It's a WORKOUT

National Solar Energy & Green Building Tour This Saturday

"The ASES National Solar Tour is the largest tour of sustainable energy features for buildings in the U.S. Now in its 12th year, some 100,000 people across the nation will see how neighbors are using clean sources of energy to save on energy bills and protect the environment. Through a series of open-houses and informative tours participants learn about renewable energy options, energy efficient design, real-world costs, current rebates available, and other valuable insights," quoting their website.

Solar Washington, State Chapter of The American Solar Energy Society

Presents the National Solar Tour

Saturday, October 6, 2007 10am to 4pm

Self-Guided Tour in Thurston County

For Locations & Map: http://www.solarwashington.org/tour/2007/OlympiaTour.htm

What is a Green Home?

* They use less energy and are more comfortable to live in.
* They use less water for every day use
* They have healthy, superior, indoor air quality
* They use our natural resources efficiently, by reducing waste, reusing products, and using products that contain recycled content, and
* Their landscapes requires less watering and chemicals, and a landscape that minimizes water run-off problems down stream.

A Green Built Home is Simply a Quality Built Home
That Will Retain Value into the Future !!!

The tour is sponsored locally by
SunSet Air, Scott Homes & Merrill Lynch

If you live in Pierce County, the Graham Dispatch says,
"On Saturday, Oct. 6, the public is invited to tour several Pierce County homes and laboratory sites to see working solar power installations and other alternative energy generation systems. Sponsored by Tacoma Power, the American Solar Energy Society and local proponents, six sites, including two in Graham, are available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. free of charge.

Photo courtesy of Eatonville Dispatch's Bruce Smith

"Alder Lake is at historic lows for this date, Sept. 26, 45' below its maximum elevation of 1,207 feet. This is the second-lowest level ever recorded. Officials at Tacoma Power say the reservoir has not been able to maintain normal levels due to profoundly reduced run-off from the snow pack on Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascades," quoting Bruce Smith in the Eatonville Dispatch.

Mr Smith reported to this writer:

"Officials for Tacoma Power, which operate the reservoir and dams, say that decreasing run-off from the snow pack off Mount Rainer and surrounding peaks of the Cascades are simply too small to keep the lake at normal levels.

Float docks are 13 feet above current water levels, and Tacoma Power had to close boat launch areas on August 24th due to insufficient water. The swimming areas at Stacel Point on Alder Lake have been dry since early summer, and now deer graze where bikinis used to roam."

" Oberquell named to National Assoc. of Counties

Thurston County Commission Chairman Diane Oberquell has been named to a committee of the National Association of Counties.

Oberquell, who has served on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners for 19 years, was recently notified of her appointment to the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee of NACO," quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OUTGOING (2008) COUNTY COMMISSIONER!

A. "Latest WASL results skewed, says Yelm district" quoting the Nisqually Valley News.

B. Reprinted from the Eatonville Dispatch with permission

WASL resistance part of Bethel strike
Encroachment by corporations into education identified
by Bruce Smith

Although fueled by the nitty-gritty issues of pay and workload, the recent Bethel teachers' strike was viewed by many as the area's first large scale push-back against WASL, No Child Left Behind and organized business interests trying to restructure the state's educational system.

"An element of the strike," says Bethel teacher Jim Sawatzki, "was a visceral reaction to the encroachment on our professionalism by external forces such as the WASL. It was a subtext to the bargaining - a clue being that the District did not, out-of-hand, reject the tie-in of WASL test scores to teacher evaluations."

After lengthy negotiations, the District agreed to refrain from using WASL results as criteria in evaluating teachers.

According to Tom Cruver, president of the Bethel Education Association, many teachers were ready to strike over just the WASL issue, "even if we get our money."

But teacher sentiments against WASL go beyond evaluations, and reflect a sense that it i