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www.REALchangenews.org issues • insight • impact January 24 - 30, 2007 rent ploy Insider Out Throughout most of state, landlords Police watchdog leaves behind a can choose to deny housing to those complex legacy with SSI subsidy or on Section 8. By CYDNEY GILLIS Page Staff Reporter 2 am Pailca is leaving her city job in MOving on up February, and the Seattle Police Of- More and more, single families Sficers Guild couldn’t be happier. Since the day she entered the police homes are being knocked down and department in 2001 as head of a now replaced with bigger domiciles. six-year-old civilian oversight office, the union and its members have fought Page 3 the feisty attorney tooth and nail, from suing the city to stop the creation of the Office of Professional Accountability to Daniel Ellsberg stands with 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who faces a court martial for fall out the latest move: filing an unfair labor refusing Iraq Deployment, at a Citizens’ Hearing on the Legality of U.S. Actions A crackdown on repeat anti-nuke practices claim to stop OPA from get- in Iraq. Ellsberg, who released the Pentagon Papers, credited Watada for standing protestors at Bangor may lead to ting unredacted police reports showing true to his convictions of the Iraq War’s illegality. Photo by Suzanna Finley officers’ names. stiff fines and jail time. Seattle’s citizens have fought Pailca, Page too. When the City Council created the A Court of Public Opinion 4 OPA, some hoped it would provide a check on the police abuse that many Local war tribunal examines legality of Iraq War say they see, particularly in commu- By ROSETTE ROYALE While the hearing itself was not People get ready nities of color. What they got instead Staff Reporter an official trial, it did, as the event’s On the Eastside, a man leads his was something of an Office of Policy subtitle made clear, refer to a specific neighbors in DIY preparations for Improvement that investigates every he war in Iraq is illegal. War crimes trial: the case of Lt. Ehren Watada, a complaint, but, even if Pailca finds an have been committed. The U.S. Ft. Lewis junior officer whose belief disaster response. officer was abusive or violated depart- TConstitution and the Geneva Con- that the Iraq War is illegal, immoral, Page ment policy, the police chief regularly ventions have been subverted. Justice and unconstitutional led to his refusing 5 overturns her findings. must be served. deployment to Iraq. In 2004 and 2005, for instance, These sentiments, reiterated dozens Lt. Watada announced his decision, Voice of Africa Chief Gil Kerlikowski reversed Pailca’s of times to an eager audience of close and the reasons behind it, last June. He may have been jailed and findings on 17 separate allegations to 400, produced a near-electric charge As a result, he will face a Feb. 5 court- against officers, ranging from the use on the first day of a weekend “Citizens’ martial where he will be tried on one beaten, but Kenyan author Ngugi wa of excessive force to making false or Hearing on the Legality of U.S. Actions count of missing [troop] movement and Thiong’o refuses to be silenced. misleading statements. That was at a in Iraq,” held Jan. 20-21 at Evergreen four counts of conduct unbecoming an time when investigations of complaints State College in Tacoma. Given voice by officer and a gentleman. Those charges Page 6 were climbing, from 149 to 163 in 2004 Iraq War vets and a defense analyst, a could land him in a military prison for and from 163 to 174 in 2005. retired Army colonel, and international six years. That’s not to say Pailca hasn’t made law experts, the statements, issued as During a Jan. 4 pretrial hearing, the Change Agent...... 3 strides. As a deputy chief with an of- parts of testimonies during the hear- junior officer, through his pro-bono Just Heard...... 3 fice next door to Kerlikowske, she set ing, offered the opportunity for citizen civilian lawyer, had argued for the right up the OPA and its complaint system representatives to examine the war in to question the legality of the war as a Short Takes...... 4 from scratch, generating reports on the court of public opinion. defense. On Jan. 16, the presiding judge trends and statistics that Pailca, an Judging by the crowd’s reaction ruled that Watada cannot question the Poetry...... 7, 9 attorney who will start in Microsoft’s — a brew of whoops, hollers, rounds of lawfulness of the war during his court- Arts...... 8 legal department Feb. 26, says brought applause, and standing ovations — the martial, thus stripping him of his main transparency and important policy repeated opinion that the nearly four- means to defend himself. That ruling Dr. Wes...... 9 changes to SPD. year-long Iraq War has little, if any, legal appeared to galvanize those in atten- When Pailca first started her job, foundation, spoke to a commonly held dance, adding import to testimony of Street Watch...... 9 which is restricted to two three-year belief in the room: The occupation of a sort that Lt. Watada will not be able appointments, the disrespect she faced Iraq breaks numerous laws and some- to give himself. Letters...... 10 as a female civilian was so bad that she thing must be done, now, to correct the Military analyst Daniel Ellsberg, Calendar...... 11 had to call in a mediator just to get her grievous errors. who released the majority of the Pen- own staff to work with her. Today, de- “We, the citizens of America,” said tagon Papers, a 7,000 page chronicle Director’s Corner...... 11 spite the glaring mistakes observers say Zoltán Grossman, Evergreen faculty of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam member, “are putting the war in Iraq First things First...... 11 See pailca, Continued on Page 10 on trial.” See hearing, Continued on Page 12 Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 Civil Right Make it a crime for landlords to turn down would-be renters because they get government assistance “Ms. M” (whose By MICHELE THOMAS Allowing landlords to discriminate The Tenants Union calls the bluff on Michele Thomas Guest Writer based on how we pay our rent weakens such excuses for discrimination. is a community name is withheld hard-won protections by giving cover The Tenants Union believes that organizer for the to protect the t may come as a shock to Real to prejudiced landlords who close their Section 8 and other kinds of gov- Tenants Union of tenant’s privacy) Change readers that landlords doors to whole groups of people seek- ernment assistance are crucial and Washington State, Ican categorically deny housing to ing a roof over their heads. legitimate resources that help people which works for is 55 years old any tenant who receives a legitimate Take the story of “Ms. M” (whose to pay their rent and to secure safe housing justice and terminally ill. and verifiable government subsidy, name is withheld to protect the tenant’s housing for their families. Indeed, through empow- such as SSI or a Section 8 voucher, privacy), who is 55 years old and termi- many Washington households rely on erment-based She receives SSI to help them pay the rent. Just open nally ill. She receives SSI and is looking government subsidies, and many other education, leader- and is looking for Craigslist to find the many advertise- for safe and affordable housing. She has Washington residents would agree that ship development, safe and afford- ments that boldly state, “No Section a good rental history, but many land- these subsidies are vital tools that can organizing, and 8 accepted.” Only Seattle, Bellevue, lords have closed their doors because help families break a vicious cycle that tenant ownership. able housing. She and unincorporated King County have her SSI is “not garnishable.” keeps people poor. has a good rental outlawed this outrageous, heartless, Or take the story of “Ms. S,” a Implementing Source of Income and irrational behavior. woman escaping domestic violence Protection will close the loopholes history, but many Twelve other states have already who recently was able to pull together a and strengthen our civil rights. It will landlords have created their own laws outlawing couple of one-time rent subsidies from put shame to the notion that those closed their doors discrimination based on a person’s both federal and nonprofit sources. who rely on subsidies to make ends source of income, and now is the However, when she tried to use these meet are inherently bad people and because her SSI is time for Washington to protect our to move into a new apartment, the therefore bad tenants. This legislation “not garnishable.” many residents who are suffering landlord refused them and mischarac- will not force landlords to rent to every from discrimination. terized these programs as fraudulent. Section 8 tenant or SSI recipient. It Local and federal officials have Or take the story of “Ms. W,” whose will only require that they give these already recognized that certain groups name was on the Section 8 waiting list tenants equal consideration and a fair of residents are so likely to meet dis- for three years. She had a great relation- chance. Prejudice and discrimination [Online] crimination in their attempts to find ship with her landlord of four years and are unfair roadblocks for many who The Tenants housing and other public services that had an outstanding history of paying are simply trying to secure safe, warm, Union: www. they have declared these groups as her rent and bills on time. However, and affordable housing, and it is time tenantsunion.org. protected classes. For example, it is when her turn finally came up and she for Washington's legislators to share illegal to discriminate against someone approached the landlord with the Sec- our outrage and implement Source of because of their race, disability, family tion 8 paperwork, she received a notice Income Protection this year. [Take action] status, sex, or sexual orientation. to vacate and the message that “I refuse Source of Income Protection has Call your state Yet closing the door to those who to rent to anyone on Section 8”. been endorsed by the Washington Low representative rely on SSI or Section 8 makes our state In each example above, the tenant Income Housing Alliance, Washing- at the toll-free and national civil rights laws less effec- had the kind of rental history that most ton Community Action Network, the Legislative Hotline, tive. Those who comprise single parent landlords covet. Why then would these Children’s Alliance, LELO: A Legacy of (800)562-6000, households (family status), those who tenants be denied simply because they Equality, Leadership and Organizing, and ask them are alienated from many good jobs are attempting to utilize legitimate and the Statewide Poverty Action Network, to support Sen. because of a disability, those who are verifiable assistance to help pay their the Low Income Housing Institute, the Darlene Fairley’s subject to the institutionalized legacy rent? Is it because of bad experiences Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition, (D-Shoreline) of racism, and those who face unfair that the landlord had with a previous and Real Change. If you have stories to Source of Income obstacles in the workplace because Section 8 tenant? Is it because any share or would like to get involved call Protection legisla- of their sex are many of the same landlord should have the right to dis- (206)722-6848, ext. 114. n tion. people who may then need to turn to criminate based on prejudices they government subsidies to pay their rent. hold about an entire class of people? Who Is Real Change?
Board of Directors Social Justice; Rick Simonson, Elliott Bay Book Co.; Pat Advertising Sales Representative Erica Wiley (Acting President), Faith Wilder (VP), Anne Simpson, Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness; Hilary Candi Wilvang Stern, CASA Latina; Robby Stern, WA State Labor Council; Bailey (Treasurer), Rebecca Kavoussi (Secretary), Wes Interns Peter Steinbrueck, Seattle City Council; Silja Talvi, journal- Real Change is published weekly and is sold by the poor Browning, John Denooyer, Stephan Fjelstad, Katherine Danina Garcia, Joel Turner and homeless of Seattle. Vendors receive 65¢ of the Jakielski, Margaret Kae, Mandy Levenberg, Gabriela ist/essayist; Jim Theofelis, Mockingbird Society; Marilyn $1.00 paid for this paper. Quintana, JoJo Tran Watkins, Economic Opportunity Institute; Bruce Wirth, Editorial Committee Mission Statement: KBCS; Alice Woldt, WA Association of Churches Artis, Mary Andrews, Wes Browning, Stan Burriss, Real Change exists to create opportunity and a voice for Advisory Board Morrie Condit, Anitra Freeman, José Ornelas, August low-income people while taking action to end homeless- Affiliations listed for identification purposes only:Sherman Staff Mallory, F. Roberts, Ruanda ness and poverty. Alexie, Poet, Writer, Filmmaker; Nancy Amidei, UW Executive Director The Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project is a School of Social Work; Kenan Block, Media Consultant; Timothy Harris Contributing Writers 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Programs include the David Bloom, Rauschenbusch Center for Spirit and Director of Advocacy and Organizing Amy Besunder, Dena Burke, Julie Chinitz, J. Jacob Edel, Real Change newspaper, the StreetWrites peer support Action; Kari Connor, Wongdoody; Darnell Dent, Com- Rachael Myers Jess Grant, Lester Gray, Jessica Knapp, Robin Lindley, Chris group for homeless writers, the Homeless Speakers munity Health Plan of Washington; Jim Diers, Author; Miller, Emma Quinn, Amy Roe, Rachel Rubinstein, Diana Lynne Dodson, Jobs with Justice; John Fox, Seattle Editor Bureau, and the First things First organizing project. All Wurn donations support these programs and are tax-deductible Displacement Coalition; Larry Gossett, King County Adam Hyla to the full extent of the law. Councilmember, Dist. 10; Jon Gould, Children’s Alliance; Staff Reporters Photographers, Graphic Artists On the Web at Andy Himes, Poetry in Wartime; Bill Hobson, Downtown Cydney Gillis, Rosette Royale Ginny Banks, Ken Dean, Terry Divyak, Sean Ellingson, http://www.realchangenews.org Emergency Service Center; Naomi Ishisaka, Colors NW; Production Manager George Hickey, Elisa Huerta-Enochian, Sherry Loeser, Email [email protected] Sally Kinney, Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness; Rosette Royale Luke McGuff, Justin Mills, Jude O’Reilley, Katia ISSN 1085-729X Sharon Lee, Low Income Housing Institute; Paul Loeb, Writer; Sarah Luthens, SEAMEC/Allyship.org; Roberto Director of Operations Roberts, Elliot Stoller, Mark Sullo. Real Change is a member of the North American Street Maestas, El Centro de la Raza; Paola Maranan, Children’s Newspaper Association, the International Network Craig Kirkpatrick Volunteers This Issue Alliance; Joe Martin, Pike Market Medical Clinic; Vince of Street Papers, and the Greater Seattle Business Director of Development Artis, Nick Cottrell, Tige DeCoster, Sara Dooling, Sandra Matulionis, United Way of King County; Carlos Marentes, Association. Enger, Jeanette Fassbind, Susanne Forham, Rick Garrett, Committee for General Amnesty and Social Justice; Al Joe Bushek Valerie Garvida, Nadine Gioia, Ana Haberman, Armando Poole, City of Seattle Survival Services; Wilson Edward Volunteer Coordinator and Office Manager Reed, PhD, Seattle University; Trisha Ready, Richard Hugo Brooke Kempner Levia, Brianna Morgan, Dan Otto, Loretta Pirozzi, Beth Roberts, Rachel Smith, Sara Sprigg, Carrie Wicks House; Aiko Schaefer, Statewide Poverty Action Network; Vendor Services Peter Schnurman, Retired; K.L. Shannon, Racial Disparity Robert Hansen, Margaret Kae Project; Bob Siegal, National Lawyers Guild/Center for Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007
Just Heard... Change Agent Parks parting s a kid of modest means growing This week marks the final Board of Park Com- up in Bellevue, Paul Bannick says missioners meeting for four members who have Ahe always wanted to ignite, in oth- resigned to protest recent board changes made ers, a passion for the natural world. by the Seattle City Council. He tried his youthful hand at drawing. “But,” the grown-up Bannick admits, On Jan. 16, the City Council passed legisla- “I was not a good artist.” Then he got a tion that spreads the board’s appointees evenly camera, and with it was gifted a way to between the council and the mayor, who now share his ardor for the outdoors. appoints all seven members (subject to council In its most immediate form, Ban- approval). In the future, the council and mayor nick communicates his zeal through an will each appoint three commissioners, with the email list, which sends, winging into a board itself choosing a seventh. hundred-plus inboxes every few days, The move was prompted by complaints that avian wonders he has photographed. the Park Board, which takes advisory votes Coupled with this, he serves as direc- on Parks Department projects, fails to listen to tor of development for Conservation Northwest, the largest regional non- citizens. But in their resignation letter, the four profit focused on wild places. departing board members — Angela Belbeck, But Bannick doesn’t stop there. Jack Collins, Debbie Jackson and chair Kate He also offers occasional digital Pflaumer — say it’s the council that has failed slideshows of his work throughout to listen to them, cancelling meetings with the the region. Though augmented by his board and confusing citizens about its work. innate storytelling ability, Bannick The letter notes that the council intends the knows that the visual component of new configuration to improve communications. his presentations — focused largely But, given “the council’s lack of interest and on birds — is what truly speaks communication with the board,” the letter volumes about the importance of ecological stewardship. states, “we find this hard to follow as a ratio- “A good photograph is like poetry,” nale for institutional change.” says Bannick. “There has to be a magic to it that people can feel in their own skin.” It works! His work can be seen online at Clear communication: PAUL BANNICK lets his photos speak to www.paulbannick.com. the importance of conservation. Photo by JOEL TURNER Plymouth Housing Group shared some good —Rosette Royale news with the Seattle City Council last week when it reported that a pilot program it started the average square footage of a single-family home in June 2006 had placed 20 chronically home- was half what it is today, and the average size of a less people in housing by the end of August On a Tear family was 3.7, not today’s 2.6 people. — and 18 of them are still in their units. New homes stick out where Seattle’s modestly sized residences once stood The city’s report shows clusters of teardowns across the city, from newly “discovered” neighbor- The Begin At Home program, which is located By ADAM HYLA in a newly furbished building Plymouth operates Editor hoods like the Central District to staid domains like Laurelhurst where wealthy buyers discard older at Second and Stewart in downtown Seattle, ts sheer walls soar three stories skyward. In front, structures like yesterday’s newspaper. Views ac- uses the “housing first” model that the city’s levels two and three are clad in floor-to-ceiling celerate the trend: The map shows a great number Human Services Department is switching to as Iglass. Its upper floors cantilever over the front of teardowns along shorelines or on the sides of part of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. stoop, where a nine-foot door announces that either ridges. Old homes are disappearing in Green Lake, It works, Plymouth staff members told the Gargantua will be moving in soon, where new residents may have found the early- council’s Housing Committee, because the city or people who like living large will 20th-century architecture too small. provided $200,000 for the kind of extra ser- The replacements, says architect Tony Case, make this big, unapologetically vices, such on-site nurse care and case manage- are “really destructive of the scale of the neighbor- modern house a home. ment, that chronically homeless persons need in On a Mt. Baker neighbor- hood, and it’s destructive of the social fabric as order to address longtime medical problems or hood block occupied mostly well. You get a different demographic.” by one- and two-story mid- to Case’s firm builds only on vacant land, as close navigate the difficulties of getting an apartment early-20th-century homes, it’s to downtown as possible. One typical home in with no references. hard to ignore. Rainier Valley is 1,700 square feet. That’s not the “The piece that’s been missing for us for years There are plenty of domiciles 800 square feet of yesterday’s nests; neither is it the is the medical nursing piece,” said Plymouth’s like these being built in Seattle: six-year-old, 3,850-square-foot residence up for sale Tara Conner. “Bringing that in onsite in housing more capacious, but forecast for three-quarters of a million dollars nearby. is a phenomenal success.” to shelter fewer occupants than “Most of us don’t really feel we need that —Cydney Gillis their modest neighbors. The much space,” says Case. “I’d rather have more first-ever Seattle Housing Inven- of a quality of space than a quantity.” tory report charts 492 homes in Small could come back any time, says Se- Bikes rolling single-family zones demolished attle Planning Commission chair Jerry Finrow. from 2003 to 2006. Boston’s Back Bay mansions were subdivided Soon, Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan will have Nearly as many single-fam- into row houses and apartments, and some- $32 million for over 440 miles of intercon- ily homes have been toppled in thing similar happened to create the rooming nected cycling routes, weaving an infrastructure Big time: a multi-family areas during the houses and multiplexes of Capitol Hill and the of cycling-designated routes, I-5 overpasses, standout ex- same period, according to the report. In the multi- University District. “sharrows” (shared, cyclist-auto lanes), a ample of Seattle’s family zones, says Alan Justad, spokesperson for Super-big houses are wrought by “growing Ballard bike bridge, and expanded trail and colossal new the city’s Department of Planning and Develop- affluence and more investment in the housing bike-lanes through the snarls of traffic. market,” he says. “It’s important to point out that houses. Photo by ment, virtually all the old homes are being replaced The final proposal, scheduled for early Febru- things get smaller too.” n Joel Turner with apartments or attached townhomes. ary, will be followed by a one-month comment But in the single-family areas, those homes are being torn down to make way for new single-fam- period. View the draft plan at www.seattle. ily structures. [Resource] gov/transportation/bikemaster.htm. Smaller households living in bigger houses has Links to not-so-big architects and contractors: —Chris Miller been the national trajectory since the 1950s, when notsobighouse.com. Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 Gone Nuclear Repeat protestors get harsher treatment for actions at Kitsap submarine base “You don’t have By CYDNEY GILLIS fighting two counts each of disorderly judge is scheduled to rule this week on Staff Reporter conduct in both May and August. If they whether they can testify on issues such to be an expert in lose, each could be sentenced to 180 as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty nuclear weapons hey expected to get arrested. They days in jail and fined $2,000. and the effect of nuclear weapons. to know they didn’t expect to spend a day and a It’s part of a crackdown, Watson “It’s very clear that international Thalf in jail. says, that started after the Mother’s Day law prohibits the use of weapons that are horrendous The three unlucky demonstrators protest last May. Since then, he says, can’t distinguish between civilians and weapons of mass who blocked the road last summer at deputies have immediately arrested any soldiers,” Watson says. “You don’t have the naval base in Bangor, Wash., say protester who stepped over the fog line to be an expert in nuclear weapons to destruction that it’s part of a crackdown on people who on the road to Bangor. But it’s the first know they are horrendous weapons of kill children just protest the nuclear weapons carried by time in nine years, Watson says, that mass destruction that kill children just as easily as they Trident submarines. the county has demanded bail of any as easily as they kill soldiers.” The protesters, however, plan to Ground Zero protester. Under the Nuremberg Principles, kill soldiers.” use their misfortune to make a point: “They’re trying to put a stop to a set of guidelines that emerged from In a trial that started this week in Port people risking arrest,” says the Bremer- the post–World War II trials for Nazi —Brian Watson, Orchard, they intend to turn the tables ton sculptor and stay-at-home dad. But, war crimes, Watson says citizens have protestor at Ban- and put Trident on trial. “Their tactics aren’t going to work, a duty to resist complicity in crimes gor facing trial On the morning of Aug. 7, 2006, because as more and more people learn against humanity. “We have a respon- Brian Watson, Carol Ann Barrows, the truth about what’s at Bangor, more sibility to take nonviolent, direct action [Resource] and Shirley Morrison, an 84-year-old are going to come out.” to try to change the policy and practices More online about member of Seattle’s Raging Gran- What’s at Bangor, according to of our government,” he says. nonviolent opposi- nies chorus, were arrested by Kitsap the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, are Co-defendant Shirley Morrison, a tion to one-quarter County deputies after stepping into the 2,364 nuclear weapons, or one quarter great-grandmother of six, agrees. “The of the nation’s highway leading to the Bangor base, of the nation’s entire nuclear arsenal law,” she stresses, “says [nuclear weap- nuclear arsenal which is home to nine of the nation’s — something that defense attorney ons] are illegal.” stationed on the 14 Trident subs. Michael Stowell plans to argue is well With or without the experts, Watson Kitsap Peninsula: Of the 40 protesters there, deputies within his clients’ right to protest under says he’s optimistic because similar www.gzcenter. arrested three others but let them go international law. arguments worked after he and other org. the same morning. Watson says the To help make the case, Stowell Trident protesters were arrested and Everything you county singled out Barrows, Morrison, plans to call two expert witnesses: tried in 1999. wanted to know and him — setting bail at $5,000 each Dr. David Hall of Physicians for Social Going to trial is “an effective way about Trident mis- — because they had been arrested May Responsibility and John Burroughs, of bringing the public’s attention siles and the eight 15 in a similar Bangor protest organized an authority on international law who to an issue that is of life and death Fleet Ballistic Mis- by Poulsbo’s 30-year-old Ground Zero spoke about Bangor in Seattle Jan. 20 consequence but is largely hidden or sile Submarines Center for Nonviolent Action. (“Our Own Backyard: International ignored,” he says. “We’re going to be at Bangor: www. The three refused to post bond and law expert sees a ‘holocaust’ in Puget acquitted because the facts of the case navy.mil/navy- spent 37 hours in jail. They are now Sound nuclear arsenal,” Jan. 17). The are clear.” n data/fact.asp. Short Takes
Here comes the hybrid “There’s a lot of folks who differ on what should of February. Both organizations assist Seattle’s places families and individuals in transitional and eattle voters have just under seven weeks to replace the Viaduct, but all agree that it should not roughly 8,000 homeless and low-income men, permanent housing. Sdecide whether they prefer a scaled-back tunnel be another elevated structure.” women, and children. When asked what led to the partnership, FASC or a new elevated structure to replace the Alaskan One group that has opposed the tunnel option The announcement finalized two months of interim executive director Jan Glick says that FASC has Way Viaduct. Having scheduled two advisory has come out in favor of a rebuild. The No Tunnel discussion. No jobs will be lost as a result of been in a six-year transitional period and the move measures for a March 13 election, the City Council Alliance, which held a rally outside the City Coun- the partnership. will help its clients achieve their goal of self-sufficiency. has reduced the discussion about what to do with cil before the City Council’s Fri., Jan. 19 advisory “We are delighted to welcome FASC clients, staff He also noted that FASC’s goals are consistent the aging, ailing waterfront highway to two options: vote, released a statement that day criticizing and supporters to the Compass Center family,” says with the Seattle-King County 10-year Plan to End rebuild it or bury it. the hasty process of designing a scaled-back Rick Freidhoff, Compass Center executive director. Homelessness, which was approved by the Commit- Some won’t like either, says Kelly Evans, manager tunnel and stated, “We support the governor’s “Our separate organizations have a similar goal: tee to End Homelessness in King County in 2005. of the first and best organized alt-Viaduct campaign position in going forward with the rebuild of the providing services and programs that promote the The plan calls for prevention, permanent housing, (the mayor and his staff don’t count). Waterfront For Alaskan Way Viaduct.” dignity of each person and lead individuals from and support services to help those in need prepare All/Not Another Elevated Viaduct began pulling in The four-lane tunnel idea is not the same design homelessness to independence.” for and maintain long-term housing. Living up to tens of thousands of dollars last fall from downtown as what’s been vetted by state engineers and The Compass Center was founded in 1920 by a those demands “requires capital improvements and business interests and engineers. State reports presented to the public by the state Department of Swedish couple, Otto and Alva Karlstrom, who es- additional case management,” says Katherine Koch, disclose $10,000 contributions to the campaign from Transportation, which manages the project, nor by tablished it as a chapel, soup kitchen, reading room, FASC board president. “Our board determined that the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the the mayor or City Council. That plan, the six-lane, employment agency, and language school. Today, important economies of scale could be achieved if Downtown Seattle Association, as well as smaller $4.6 billion tunnel, lacks support from state legisla- it operates13 locations in Puget Sound. About 40 we partner with an agency that has similar goals amounts from the Mariners, Vulcan, Harbor Properties, tors, who hold the purse strings. The new plan is percent of its clientele are veterans. and a similar client base.” and Holland America. In a December bid to sway Gov. estimated by the mayor to cost $3.4 billion. The FASC, which serves around 40,000 people a year, —Andrew Cardillo Christine Gregoire’s thinking on the elevated structure, Department of Transportation has committed no was founded in 1966 Evans’ group spent $40,000. more than $2.4 billion for whichever replacement by Dr. Mineo Katagiri, a Now, says Evans, who worked on the No-on-920 the state decides on. United Church of Christ and No -on-933 campaigns, Not Another Elevated —Adam Hyla minister, and Rube Label, Viaduct is trying to marshall a host of concerns a local business owner. about another elevated structure. She says the Service agencies join In addition to providing campaign will make common cause with both tunnel forces meals, showers, laundry supporters and detractors. n alliance has been formalized between the Compass facilities and computer “There is a group of folks who don’t want to see ACenter and the Family & Adult Service Center (FASC). access, FASC also pro- anything built. There’s a camp that wants it rebuilt, On Tues., Jan. 16, the Compass Center’s board vides life-skills training a camp that wants it retrofitted,” she says. “You’ll of directors confirmed its intention to begin and case management. see some crossover.” working closely with FASC, starting in the middle In addition, FASC Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 5
Natural Connections Let Real Change be part of your success Eastside man gets neighbors ready for DIY disaster response Reach 40,000 socially concerned readers while giving back By angie JOneS to the community. Contributing Writer Real Change ad rates are competitive and affordable. [Resources] ellevue resident David Baum has a generator wired Check us out at www.realchangenews.org, Baum’s blog, into the electrical system of his house, enabling use or call 441-3247 x202 www.greenham- Bof appliances during a power outage. Forty feet away mer.net, spells out is a shed stocked with bottled water, a fi rst aid kit, non- his focus and links perishable food, tools, ropes, fl ashlights, batteries, a tarp, to tons of external astronaut blankets, and fi ve gallons of gasoline. He and fi ve information. other households are on a walkie-talkie network in case the power goes out. For the local Com- Baum is dedicated to educating and assisting his immedi- munity Emergency ate neighbors in the Bridle Trails area in getting materials Response Team they will need if disaster should strike. He refers to his ap- programs, visit proach as politics at its most basic level: organizing society www.citizencorps. to meet people’s needs. gov/cert In the wake Hurricane Katrina, many who previously assumed the government would be there to help are now King County’s Of- taking matters into their own hands. fi ce of Emergency Last spring, Baum set out door-to-door within his neigh- Services: www. borhood (defi ned as the span he can walk in fi ve minutes metrokc.gov/ and including 33 households on three streets) with cases of prepare bottled water, practical information published by organiza- tions such as the American Red Cross and the Washington State Department of Health, and invitations to attend disas- ter preparedness meetings in his home. Baum is an independent community activist from Cham- paign, Ill. He moved to the Seattle area 20 years ago and his interests have included nonprofi t theater, animal sheltering, and advocacy for the homeless. His current focus is spelled out in his blog. The kind of work he’s now doing doesn’t proceed quickly. “It’s very hard to organize for a low-probability, high-conse- quence event,” says Baum. “It’s hard to get resources, and it’s hard to get peoples’ attention.”
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David Baum in front of Federal and local agencies provide guidelines designed his shed stocked with for personal disaster preparedness, but as Baum points out, emergency supplies. having knowledge and actually practicing it are entirely The Bellevue resident different things. is trying to prepare his Baum believes monthly meetings are vital as they increase EPXIVREXMZI own neighborhood for a interaction among neighbors and expose people to ideas and re- disaster, whether it’s an sources. He emphasizes the importance of continuity and hopes earthquake, pandemic, these meetings will become a part of his neighbors’ daily lives. or terror attack. Photo by “It’s a matter of working outward from the individual house- RI[W Elisa Huerta-Enochian. hold, according to people’s natural connections,” he says. Despite 11 years at her residence, Baum’s neighbor Suzie ,ISTENER 3UPPORTED Wagner has not had the chance to speak with many in her .ON COMMERCIAL 2ADIO FROM "ELLEVUE #OMMUNITY #OLLEGE neighborhood. She believes the two meetings held so far have brought an enhanced level of awareness and familiarity. 3TUDIO “It’s hard to ask for help,” says Wagner, “but I think we’re /FlCE starting to establish a new pattern of reaching out and con- necting with each other.” EMAIL KBCS CTCEDU [[[OFGWJQ See DiSaSTer, continued on page 10 Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 Africa, Rising Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o — having been maligned, jailed, and beaten— creates lyrical tales of Africans controlling their destinies “Africa has a his- Interview by ROSETTE ROYALE tory of its people Staff Reporter being murdered, eople tell you judging books by a history of their covers is a no-no. Just as Pdubious, I found when waiting to mass genocide, meet Ngugi wa Thiong’o, is to judge an that goes all the author by his words. Thinking over the storyline of his current novel, Wizard way back to the of the Crow (Pantheon, 2006; $30) — a days of slavery near-800 page epic that interweaves and each of the political satire, African mysticism, and global commentary upon a fictional colonial histories. landscape that shifts from the urban It is the cheapen- center to the rural countryside to the heavens above with graceful ease ing of African — I expected Ngugi (pronounced GOO- lives. And this is ghee) to be a giant of a man. I assumed very dangerous. his actual voice, much the same as his literary tone, would leap at me with What happened ferocious power. So, when he greets in Rwanda should me in his hotel lobby, leading me to the elevator, his figure towering to a be a shame and statuesque 5’6”, his voice as forceful as a blot on the a lightly tapped xylophone, I’m silenced international as he smiles a radiant grin. That quiescence is akin to what community. This I experienced when reading about must stop.” Ngugi’s life. Born in Kenya in 1938 dur- course of several years, constructed own, escaping, literally, with our lives: In Wizard of the ing British colonial rule, he displayed what would be called in English Wiz- I’m burned with cigarettes, I’m kicked Crow, renowned an early talent for writing drama and ard of the Crow. Returning to Kenya in everywhere, my wife is sexually as- author Ngugi wa fiction. But those works were written 2004 to promote the Gikuyu version, saulted. So, there is the image, in our Thiong’o creates in English. Realizing, in his 30s, that he found that danger still awaited him: minds, of beauty of the reception by a sweeping nar- “language is not simply an arrangement Days after his arrival, both he and his the people. And, of course, the terror rative wherein of sounds” but the “people who speak wife were brutally attacked. of the attack, which was orchestrated residents of the it,” he began crafting works in his na- Upstairs, in his hotel room, with the by the very forces that had already fictional na- tive tongue, Gikuyu. Unfortunately, that white noise of downtown traffic shuttling been against my writing and my politi- tion of Aburiria language was deemed illegal by Kenya’s by stories below, Ngugi recalls the terror cal views. confront their dictatorial president, Daniel Arap Moi. he and his wife faced that night and com- RC: You and your wife weren’t silent despotic leader, As Ngugi’s works became increasingly ments on mass media’s stereotypes of about what happened. Why did you known simply critical of injustices in Kenyan society, Africa, the strength of African women, and speak out? as The Ruler. he was arrested by the state and tossed, the travesties wrought by globalization. He says it’s without charge, in a maximum-security wa Thiong’o: Like I said, we just barely es- a parable for prison. There, he wrote a novel. On Real Change: So you wrote Wizard of caped, so our attack was not silent. We all citizens of toilet paper. the Crow in California and then you were hospitalized for about three days. the world, not An international hue and cry led to traveled to Kenya for the first time in As for [my wife] Njeeri, she was very, only Africans. his release, but while in Britain promot- 20 years. How was it to go back? very particular about silence of women Photo by Rosette ing that very book, he was informed the Ngugi wa Thiong’o: It was glorious. And over sexual assault. So it was very clear Royale Moi regime had plans to re-arrest, pos- also gory. Glorious in the sense that that she would speak out. She realized sibly even murder, him if he returned to it was really wonderful for me to go that, around rape, if you keep a cloud Kenya. He remained in Britain for some back to Kenya, after leaving there. It of silence, that won’t go around solving years, then moved to the United States was good to be back with my wife and it. You don’t keep silent over genocide, in 1989, his criticism of his homeland’s children, who were born in exile. It was eh? You don’t keep silent over murder. corruption never languishing. Continu- good seeing the reception we got. Thou- She was saying that rape, sexual as- ing to write in Gikuyu, he, over the sands of people came to the airport to sault, is of the same magnitude, on the see us. Some of primal level. them were hold- RC: You’re talking about genocide. The Low Income Housing Institute extends a ing some of my There’s genocide going on in Sudan. warm thank-you to the donors, volunteers and books which had There’s a growing cry here in the United been banned by States: “End the genocide.” But how do community members who supported our work the [former] Moi you confront something so massive? and our programs in 2006. dictatorship. We wa Thiong’o: I don’t have an answer, but arrived in Kenya the world, through the United Nations, In addition to providing affordable housing, LIHI strives on July 31, 2004. should respond vigorously, or equip to help residents achieve long-term stability and Eleven days lat- an international army, in such a way, self-sufficiency. We aid in resource coordination, er, in a very secure that they can effectively intervene. But case management, financial literacy and asset building, part of Nairobi, at Africa has a history of its people being youth programs and activities, and technology access about midnight, murdered, a history of mass genocide, and training. me and my wife, that goes all the way back to the days we are facing four of slavery and each of the colonial Visit us at: gunmen who had histories. It is the cheapening of Afri- Low Income Housing Institute been sent to at- 2407 First Avenue, Suite 200 can lives. And this is very dangerous. Seattle, WA 98121 tack us. So there What happened in Rwanda should be 206.443.9935 was the nightmare www.lihi.org a shame and a blot on the international that my wife and I community. This must stop. had to face on our Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007
Continued from Previous Page wa Thiong’o: Yes. A really remarkable libraries or bought in bookshops. Some a group of Western nations who are woman. She’s done good, hard work people have been killed because of this. becoming wealthier and wealthier. RC: You mentioned the cheapening of for the environment. But people forget So I know that a culture of silence and Then you’ve got a majority of nations, African lives. Africa is seen, not only also that she was one of the first woman fear is very dangerous, in any form, for largely from Asia and Africa, who are as a continent of genocide, but it’s also professors of veterinary science [in a community. getting poorer and poorer. And the gap now the continent of AIDS. Africa]. She’s a really accomplished Now, I use examples because they between them, as a result of globaliza- person intellectually, in her own right. are things that I know, concretely. Oth- tion, is widening. And these few West- wa Thiong’o: Yes, Africa is viewed as the And she is Kenya, she is Africa. African ers have to draw parallels, get what ern nations depend on the resources land of poverty, the land of AIDS, the women are shown as only dressed in they can get from all these experiences of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. land of massacres, and so on. Yes, that’s their beads, or cultivating, the peasant and determine whether it is relevant. So, that’s one thing. But another rift, true, although [these problems are] woman in the fields, barely able to sur- But all I can say about what happened which is also widening, is within na- all over the world, like in the United vive. Wangaari Mathaai and that woman in Africa is that people should learn tions themselves, big or small, in Af- States. This is not to say it isn’t a prob- are equally part of that continent. lessons from that. They should not rica, Europe, America, or elsewhere. lem in Africa. It is. But the tragedy for RC: Like you, Wangaari Mathaai was say, “Oh, that only happens in Africa. So the gap is forever widening. us in Africa is that, in fact, there are It cannot happen to us.” Now, my feeling is that the two rifts be- several Africas. We are rich in gold, jailed. RC: So this book has strong women tween nations and within nations is a great diamonds, oil, rubber; we produce wa Thiong’o: Yes, she fought for human foundation for the increasing instability coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa. We’re a rights in Kenya very voraciously, she and paints the rising Africa. It also describes globalization. we are seeing in the world today. My own continent of plenty. But the resources fought for environmental integrity. feeling, which I’m implying in the novel, go always to benefit those outside of And for all this she was jailed, she was wa Thiong’o: In the novel, I look at is that these fundamental rifts within and Africa, particularly in the West. So, beaten, she was harassed, she was globalization because it is doing two between nations have to be addressed. Africa is very rich, but poor. abused in Parliament, she was the ob- things which are very dangerous for They can’t be glossed over. n But there is the other side of Africa. ject of ridicule by the dictatorship. But the stability of the world. You have Look what the continent went through she does stand up: She’s surviving. In with slavery: a depopulation, literally, that sense, she’s once again a symbol, where civilization was wiped out over to me, of African womanhood. The large parts of the continent. Africa has African woman is not just a passive had many blows, and still Africa sur- figure: She has also agency. Wangaari vives, the African people will keep on Mathaai symbolizes that. rising. The truth is that the new Africa Last Drink RC: So, this question is kind of a leap, should be seen. but: You two were both jailed, and you RC: Well, people should be seeing the new describe Kenya as a dictatorship. Here, I wanted to go on Africa, but how do you, we, project the we’re hearing more instances of people leg sprawled across the bed positive side, the Africa that’s rising? being detained, illegally, by the United cat resting on my chest wa Thiong’o: I would say we need lit- States government — held for indefinite erature from the continent and writing periods, without being told why. So, not But I thought of you from people with progressive views to belittle your experience, but what do clutching my hand outside of Africa. Look at the way Af- you think about reports of people being and I gave up rica is portrayed in the media here. If held for the War on Terror? you mention poverty in the media, you wa Thiong’o: I talk meaningfully about —Catherine Hunt know that on TV, the image is nearly my own situation in Kenya, in Africa. always of a Black person. If you think I can talk about the culture of silence about diseases — AIDS and so on — the and fear, which is part of the narrative picture that pops up on TV to illustrate of Wizard of the Crow. I can talk about that is of Africa. So the picture then is people having been jailed in Kenya, created that Africa is only one of people for the books they have borrowed in who are disease-ridden and so on. The other thing is, whenever they have a portrait of Africa, it is in terms of wildlife — lions and wild beasts— that don’t show that in Africa there are also buildings of concrete and glass, that there are cities, that there are vehicles, there are traffic jams, there are traffic lights, that there are scientists, that there are Nobel Prize winners. All these things are there. The complex view of Africa is the lion, the hut, and the sky- scraper. Squalor and wealth are equally part of the continent because they are a part of each other. This is the reality. RC: You were talking about Nobel Prize winners in Africa and that makes me think of Wangaari Mathaai, who’s from your country. Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 From the Outside In Outsiders Within: Review by BONNIE OLSON The book is organized to take the tion as an industry: Who benefits and Many contribu- Writing on Contributing Writer reader to points along a transracial who profits? They review the language tors to Outsiders Transracial Adoption adoptee’s journey: childhood isolation of policies and promotion, track the Edited by Jane he new anthology Outsiders Within and racial bullying, adolescent identity exodus of post-war Korean children, Within counter is an outstanding compilation of Jheong Trenka, Julia angst, adult searches for healing and and identify similar patterns of other generalized as- stirring narratives and analysis of connection, and affirmative moves migrations from poor countries to the Chinyere Oparah, T transracial and transnational adop- to create supportive community and industrialized West. Viewed within this sumptions — for and Sun Yung Shin tion, written by adoptees themselves. define themselves. The authors speak context, they describe foreign babies example, that South End Press, 2006 The editors, Jane Jheong Trenka, Julia of chronic conflicting emotions: love as a cultural commodity requiring the Paper, 336 pgs., $20 Chinyere Oparah, and Sun Yung Shin, for adoptive parents and rage for an “help” of white couples, whose needs poor children of describe this book as a corrective action inability to deal with racism, belonging come first. color will have a and a counternarrative to the dominant to their families yet always feeling a These writings also offer inspiring “better life” with story about adoption across race. They sense of “other.” stories of strength and the healing posit that professionals have dominated Many contributors counter gener- power of self-discovery. Essays outline a more affluent the transracial adoption discourse, alized assumptions — for example, cogent policy recommendations for white family, or while adoptees have served primarily that poor children of color will have transracial adoption, such as cultural [Online] as “poster children” for success stories. a “better life” with a more affluent training and long-term counseling, and that the American The book counts This book will open new perspectives white family, or that the American describe the emergence of an interna- Black community 36 organizations for most readers interested in adoption, Black community failed to adopt Black tional movement of transracial and failed to adopt worldwide for race, and class and the complex issues children. Revealed is the reality that transnational adoptees. adoptees who of identity and belonging. many adoptees have living parents Anyone who followed the recent dis- Black children. support each other The book’s 39 writers tell their per- who were deemed unfit, due more to course around Madonna’s adoption of a as they negotiate sonal, gripping stories, ask deep ques- poverty than any other factor, or had “poor African orphan” (who happened their identities tions, and offer remedies to the sense a grandparent or aunt who was denied to have a living father) have heard ar- and learn about of isolation and loss they and other the right to raise them; the system guments that belie the notion that the their roots. They adoptees cope with. Told through mem- instead selecting a white middle-class ignorance and racism described in this include the Se- oir, essay, poetry, and photographs, couple. These writers describe this book is a thing of the past. attle-based Asian Outsiders Within includes dramatic with the terrible angst of those denied Voices in this anthology may be Adult Adoptees voices from around the world, includ- their natural ties. Personal narrative is difficult for many to hear, yet the chal- of Washington ing those of Native, Black, and biracial interspersed with historical and politi- lenges they present and solutions they (www.aaa Americans. Also represented are the cal analysis that places these traumas offer call for honest soul searching. washington.org) estimated 150,000 Korean adoptees within a larger systemic context, with These narratives stand as an example and the Vietnam- spread throughout Western countries, “transracial adoption as the intimate of the defining power of the “studied” to ese Adoptee raised by white families in mostly all- face of colonization, racism, militarism, speak for themselves. Outsiders With- Network (www. white communities — “a black-eyed imperialism, and globalization.” Some in is an important book for transracial van-online.org). pea in a bowl of white rice.” writers analyze transnational adop- adoption issues and beyond. n Women and Fools
Long Take on Review by LESTER GRAY With the country in turmoil and goods scarce, Genjuro’s Even though pots will bring a pretty penny in the marketplace, and he Mizoguchi Arts Editor at least 50 of Jan. 26 - Feb. 27 entertains visions of great wealth. Tobei, buffoonish and Northwest Film enji Mizoguchi, a master of the Japanese cinema, made quixotic, dreams of becoming a samurai and seeks a mentor. Kenji Mizoguchi’s over 100 films spanning the transition from silent to To follow their dreams, both aspirants must travel the roads, Forum films were lost, sound. His subject matter often dealt with the subjugat- a great risk in such fractious times. More importantly, they www.nwfilmforum. K ed role of women in Japan and, as a corollary, the foolhardy will be leaving their wives at home alone, easy prey for bands what remains org nature of the men. Next week the Seattle Film Forum begins of rapacious marauders wandering the countryside. clearly attests to a monthlong retrospective of his movies, two of which were In a deft fabulist style that includes a bit of the metaphysi- previewed for the press. cal, the versatile Mizoguchi offers up his variation on the the filmmaker’s The Sisters of Gion is one of Mizoguchi’s better known theme “Be careful what you wish for.” Although the histri- artistry. works. It tells the story of two sisters, lower level geishas, onics of this particular work may be initially off-putting to who live among similarly employed residents in the Gion contemporary American audiences, patience will prove the district of Tokyo. When the “patron” of one of the sisters large gestures and melodrama appropriate with the overall goes bankrupt, no longer able to afford her, she allows design of the story. him, a married man, to move in. She has a true affection Gion and Ugetsu are just two examples from a long and for him and finds the relationship to be more than a com- prolific career. Even though at least 50 of Mizoguchi’s films mercial exchange. were lost, what remains clearly attests to the filmmaker’s This arrangement sits poorly with her sister, who has a artistry. While some of these titles are available on DVD, low regard for men in general and a strictly business-like the upcoming showing at the Northwest Film Forum interpretation of the profession. The two barely make ends presents a rare opportunity to view them projected on a meet as it is, rendering her even less disposed to the specter large screen. n of a middle-aged, pampered, indigent roommate. The shenanigans set in motion by the disgruntled sister to undo this arrangement and pair her sibling with someone of more substantial means is evocative of the American ro- mantic comedies of the ’50s. But alas, there is no humor here, and when deceptions are revealed, no one is laughing. In Ugetsu, an adapted Japanese folk tale, Genjuro and Tobei are villagers in 16th century Japan, a country riven by civil war. The two male friends struggle daily to bring bread to their respective tables. But in reveries more associated with glory than practicality, they entertain illusions of power and wealth. The goal is to boost their stature in the eyes of their wives. Ironically, the women only wish to have their husbands display some sensibility. Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 9 Beggars Who Are Choosers he Downtown Seattle let us make as much money as we want! We Association, or the DSA, PROMISE neither we nor our children will use Tas we like to call it, has our profi ts to buy cocaine. We PROMISE we won’t Adventures its “Have a [heart symbol], use any of our profi ts buying other things we don’t Thurs., Jan. 4, 11:54 a.m., Third avenue, in Irony Give Smart” campaign, with need, like Italian shoes, Pinot Noir, jogging shorts, pioneer Square clinic. An offi cer was brochures and a devoted or canopied beds.” ©Dr. Wes Browning dispatched to the clinic and spoke with the complain- website at www.givesmart. Here’s what I think about the real estate busi- ant, a Harborview Medical Center caseworker based © Dr. Wes Browning ness: It’s all stolen property, people! Remember org. Let’s fi gure it out! at the Pioneer Square Clinic. The offi cer also spoke The DSA says it’s about who Seattle was? This land doesn’t really belong with the program manager at the subject’s shelter panhandling, which is about to these jackasses! — both requested that the subject, a transient The Downtown mostly non-homeless people wanting, “in many The Seahawks and Mariners are members. cases,” drugs and alcohol, and therefore you And, here’s your irony: so are the Oklahoma- white male aged 53, be taken to Harborview for Seattle Asso- shouldn’t give them money. group-owned Sonics and Storm. an involuntary mental evaluation. They did not ciation says it’s I say it’s about begging. Panhandling is han- I suppose the Sonics had no representative on have a court document but stated that the subject dling a pan. Begging is asking for money. Words the Give Smart Committee. Still, isn’t it odd that has been staying at the shelter for several weeks about panhan- have meanings, DSA! one of the most talked-about members of this and has been deteriorating. He has assaulted staff dling, which is Once we understand that they’re really talk- organization that’s telling us beggars shouldn’t get in the past, and staff are afraid for their and other about mostly ing about beggars, rather than pans, we can go to money is begging for the taxpayers’ money? residents’ safety. He has also thrown a chair through “How much of a sackload, Wes?” I’ll tell you the next fundamental question. Namely, who the a window. Today the subject has been rocking back non-homeless freakin’ hell is the DSA and why are they begging how much. If you took all the money they’ve asked and forth talking unintelligibly and repeating himself. people want- me not to give to beggars? the governor to help them pry from the state and The DSA is an association of, at last count, 439 you gave it to Seattle’s street beggars instead, each Witnesses stated this behavior had been going on for ing, “in many businesses located in or interested in Seattle. For one would get a minimum of $300,000 (assuming around four hours prior to police arriving. As subject cases,” drugs example, the New York City–based Merrill Lynch a high estimate of 1,000 street beggars. There may was sitting in the smoking room, the other smokers and alcohol, and is a member. They have offi ces here. US Bank is be only 439, one for each business in the DSA). had been removed for their own safety — subject a member. They’re part of US Bancorp, which That would allow them to all retire. kept throwing lit cigarettes on the fl oor. Suspect therefore you is headquartered in Minneapolis. Macy’s, which Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should was also reported to have medical issues he would shouldn’t give owns the former Bon, is a member. Nowadays do the opposite of what the DSA says and go out not let be treated — a foot problem and a lesion they’re based in San Francisco. Tillicum Village and give the street beggars every dime and dollar on his backside — he appeared unable to care for them money. they ask for. and Tours is a member, reaching out to Seattle himself. Subject was cooperative and agreed to be from Blake Island. I’m just saying, the various highly rich and I say it’s about transported to Harborview via ambulance. Almost exactly 25 percent of the DSA’s mem- some not-so-rich hotshots who run and own the begging. Panhan- bers are real estate fi rms. Nearly 25 percent businesses that identify themselves with down- Thurs., Jan. 11, 5:35 p.m., Western ave., dling is handling more deal heavily with real estate fi rms. There town Seattle, who act like they ARE downtown i-click. Offi cers on foot patrol spotted a large a pan. Begging are architecture & planning fi rms, law fi rms, Seattle, buy drugs and alcohol with the money group of individuals huddled in a doorway of I-Click banks, insurers, fi nance companies, and title they make off of this corner of the world. IN on Western Ave. Offi cers contacted all subjects in is asking for companies. So about half are companies that MANY CASES. That’s a fact. the doorway, and a name check revealed one of You should consider that before you let money. Words profi t not just out of a dedicated business site the people, a transient Black male aged 36, was in Seattle, but from the money that fl ows from them earn any more money than they really active with the Department of Corrections (DOC). have meanings, pocket to pocket when those sites are created, need for necessities like food, water, housing, Offi cers contacted his DOC offi cer and advised her DSA! leased, and sold, and leased again and sold and toilet facilities. again, and again, and again. They’ll tell you it’s different for them, precisely they had contacted her client. Suspect is active with So they’re begging, “Please, please, don’t give because they earn all their money (the Sonics, the DOC for drug violations and hanging out in high the beggars money. Help us send them away! They Seattle Opera, SAM, a hundred others, aside). narcotic areas; he also had an open 12-ounce can might scare off new businesses and we won’t But it’s not all earned! It’s made by dealing in of Milwaukee’s Best beer, and admitted to offi cers make as much money as we want to. PLEASE stolen property. Never forget that. n he had been drinking the beer prior to their arrival. His DOC offi cer requested that the police transport the suspect to the West Precinct for parole violations. He was transported to the Precinct, where he was interviewed and released. Sat., Jan. 13, 11:20 a.m., W. Dravus St. Victim, a transient white male aged 41, and witness, also a transient white male, are local as short panhandlers known by offi cers to inhabit the W. Dravus St. overpasses. Victim states that the suspect, Broken! a white male in his 40s, pushed him, and he fell dreams to the ground while at the northwest corner of the are made for overpass. Witness said he saw the incident occur streets. while all three men were on the southeast corner of the overpass, and stated the victim did not fall A surprise . . . on the ground. Suspect left southbound on a Metro shared bus. Victim stated that he did nothing to provoke with your friends! the push by the suspect. Relations between the Lost, suspect and victim are unclear – victim stated that probably he knew where the suspect lives, as he has a friend Dark! that lives in the same building, but he did not know First, your own. the suspect’s name. Offi cer states victim seemed intoxicated, but there were no obvious injuries, and no medical attention was required. —Stan BurriSS Compiled from incident reports of the Seattle Police Department by Emma Quinn. Got your own experience to relate? Call us at (206)441- 3247 ext. 207 and we’ll get the scoop. Real Change 10 January 24 - 30, 2007
DISASTER, continued from Page 5 Pailica, Continued from Page 1 In Pailca’s six years on the job, the total num- ber of citizen complaints (which can include mul- The winter storms of recent months exposed weaknesses she made early on, Pailca cites a new acceptance tiple allegations of misconduct) also increased, in household provisioning, as more than a million people among officers that civilian complaints must be from 260 in 2001 to 287 in 2005, with allegations were left without electricity for up to 12 days. Wagner rec- dealt with openly. jumping from 356 to 466 in the same period. ognizes the valuable lessons presented, in addition to the “That sounds small, but seeing that expecta- In 2004, Pailca, whose work is overseen by unfortunate hardships. tion take hold has been really fundamental and a three-member OPA citizen review board, sus- “Sometimes you get those wake-up calls in life where transformative,” Pailca says. “And it has survived tained at least one allegation in 34 cases. Twenty you think, ‘Hey, anything can happen!’ So I think in lieu of a changes in personnel and leadership.” of those allegations pertained to excessive use of wake-up call, you have a meeting,” she says. Kate Pflaumer, a civilian police auditor whose force, which a report Pailca released last week Baum and Wagner agree that self-reliance is key when it work is part of the Office of Professional Account- shows is also up, particularly among people of comes to disaster preparedness and response. While Baum ability, says that plus the policy changes Pailca has color. Members of minority groups filed 42 per- holds King County government’s local preparation in high re- championed count. “That’s an important aspect cent of 79 use-of-force complaints in 2004 and 52 gard, he feels federal agencies have proven useless. National people don’t often recognize,” she says. percent of the 90 incidents reported in 2005. funding for earthquake, pandemic, and anti-terror prepara- Whether the system Pailca created benefits The numbers are high or low, depending on tion has been distorted in recent years by politics, ideology, citizens is another issue. One of the big mistakes who you talk to. Sunil Abraham, a public defender simple incompetence, and mismanagement, he says. Pailca acknowledges early on was allowing an who follows racial disparity issues, says the Se- “Any response that may occur is likely to be slow, inef- officer accused of using excessive force — an attle Police Department needs to address the high fective, and inadequate — leaving counties, cities, and states unprovoked pepper-spraying of protesters in 2001 proportion of force complaints that are made by on their own and without adequate resources.” — to see a confiscated videotape of the incident citizens of color. Baum places some value in training conducted by Com- without revealing the tape’s existence to the re- But Sgt. Rich O’Neill, president of the police munity Emergency Response Team programs and other local porter who filed the complaint and was himself guild, says that, overall, Pailca sustains very few programs, which provide free or low-cost classes on how to knocked down by the officer. complaints of any kind, raising a question for him prepare for disaster and assist professional responders. But Trevor Griffey, who was on assignment for Se- as to why she investigates every single complaint he feels they fall short when it comes to preparing people attle Weekly at the time and later settled a lawsuit that comes through the door — a practice he to respond in practical ways. Direct experience has shown over the matter, says he’d have never known of the hopes her successor will drop. him that, instead of formal training, people want to know tape if he hadn’t filed public disclosure requests. what to stock up on and how to communicate with each But he points out that, because of their sensitivity, other when disaster strikes. the results of OPA investigations aren’t subject to Once he pinpoints the most effective approach in reach- public disclosure law. See pailca, Continued on Page 12 ing his neighborhood of 33 households, Baum will turn his attention to the broader community of 1,800 households. Initially, he intends to hold monthly meetings, offering first appropriation. They are in the same aid training and information, in hopes of emphasizing the political party as our governor. importance of being ready. Letters Mason Taylor “It’s politics without partisanship,” he says. “It’s personal, [email protected] it’s one-on-one, and it’s right in people’s homes.” n Seattle Fed up with the feds New Year Dear Real Change, Dear Real Change, After reading Jean Colman's piece in a As a new year begins, I wish once recent Real Change (“Earn My Vote: an more to express my appreciation and open letter to Gov. Gregoire,” Oct. 5), admiration for the always-cheerful- I called Governor Gregoire's office to in-all-kinds-of-weather Real Change voice my concerns. I asked how single vendors. I know their lives must be parents are supposed to go to school hard, but they never express a com- to get a job and at the same time man- plaint. Their smiles and their often-kind age to juggle providing daycare while eyes warm my heart. They are indeed R e a l C h a n g e resources are being cut back? courageous. welcomes letters The person I talked to seemed very I always enjoy the poetry in each to the editor of defensive, which manifested in impa- issue, and I want to give particular up to 250 words tience and maybe a little anger at me. thanks to the poet [J. Glenn Evans] in length. Please According to them, at first everything who wrote “Take Time To Whittle” in i n c l u d e n a m e , was going fine, there were lots of re- the last 2006 paper. Like many others I address, phone sources. At the last minute the Federal often feel deeply distressed by the way number, and email Government made significant cuts, and we are behaving in our country – the for author verifica- that’s why everything is a mess now, greed, the hatred, the horrors we have tion. Letters should according to our governor. brought about in the world, in Iraq, and b e a d d r e s s e d Our bipartisan rulers are spending all the Middle East. to Editor at Real $248,0l5.87 per minute ($14,880,958 Then I read “Take Time to Whittle” Change, 2129 per hour, $2,500,000,000 per week) on and my mind and heart felt hope 2nd Ave., Seattle, the Iraq occupation quaqmire. Does again. As long as there is a sensitive WA, 98121, or that have something to do with federal man like this poet, perhaps we will emailed to cutbacks on our domestic programs? turn “our swords/ Into pocket whit- editor@ Every single senator, including Mur- tling knives again.” realchangenews. ray and Cantwell, approved the latest Virginia Younger org. CLASSIFIED Opportunity
“Bridges Out of Poverty” is an innovative Custom Valentine Gift Idea “My Fat Cat Real Change clas- workshop led by Dr. Ruby Payne. Conference Fee: Designs” Native American-Bead Designs. Hand sifieds are a way $249. Mon., Jan. 29 and Tues., Jan. 30. Renton Crafted Bracelets and Earrings. By artist Faith to reach 30,000 Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Ann Trust (Real Change vendor #3231). Call loyal readers. Call Info: www.nwti.org. (206)322-7438 to view jewelry, place an order 441-3247, or or general information. email classified@ “The Reality of Race” explores difficult con- realchangenews. cepts of race throughout history. Tues., Jan. 30, 9 org. a.m. - 3 p.m., Antioch University, 2326 Sixth Ave. Tickets $165. Info: www.wsame.org. Real Change January 24 - 30, 2007 11 Director’s Corner t’s been said that the most dangerous place in the world is between me Calendar Iand a microphone. That’s why I found Spectrum Dance Theater’s invitation to come soapbox at Westlake Center to the accompaniment of a troupe of This Week’s Top Ten interpretive dancers utterly irresistible. I didn’t talk about homelessness. Others had that base covered. lutions and Transportation Choices Saturday 1/27 Instead I railed against boring people, who bore you with their boring Join EarthCorps, Longfellow Creek Coalition for intense dialogue with problems. “I mean, how dare they!” I shouted, my voice quivering with Watershed Council, and Seattle Parks policy experts and steps for immediate and Recreation in restoring the natural action. 12:15 p.m., Rainier Unitarian unexpectedly real outrage. habitat along Longfellow Creek by Universalist Center, 835 Yesler Way. But the center was held by the street kids, who would have been there anyway and unexpectedly found Info: (206)723-5672. removing invasive plants, maintain- themselves at the coolest speaking platform ever. They talked about “spanging” (the contraction of ing restoration Tuesday 1/30 spare changing), having nowhere to go, and being despised. sites, and plant- “Long Journey: ing native flora. The punker-girl who was up when I arrived sounded for all the world like she was addressing her high Contemporary school civics class, which is where, in a less screwed-up time, she would have been. Others talked about One of only Northwest Po- how they weren’t like those spangers who use drugs (homeless teens apparently never use drugs), and three natural ets” features waterways left a dozen of Se- how your judiciously offered money would go to things like, oh, clean shirts for job interviews. This kid within Seattle attle’s leading looked like a four-foot-eight version of Sean Penn in one of his seedier roles. c i t y l i m i t s , bards including But in one aspect, they were completely convincing. They were kids. Immature, petulant, stressed out, salmon stopped David Wagoner, vulnerable kids. All that armor didn’t hide a thing. To indict society, they only had to be there. using the creek Jana Harris, and in the 1930s due Kevin Craft. 7:30 to pollution and p.m., Richard blocked stream Hugo House, passage. Ef- 1634 11th Ave. forts from com- munity groups Thursday 2/1 First things First and volunteers John Newman’s made the re- Boeing Versus Get Involved • Take Action turn of salmon Airbus is an in- possible in the depth look into ’90s. 10 a.m. - 2 how each com- Get HUD What People Need p.m., Longfel- Rafe Esquith has been inspiring students pany functions, low Creek, West for 25 years at Hobart Elementary, an in- strategizes, and Issue: Congress plans to pass a Joint Funding Resolution that will set funding levels for HUD hous- Seattle. Info: ner-city school in Los Angeles. His uncom- competes. He ing programs for fiscal year 2007 (through Sept. 30). The resolution as planned will fund all HUD (206)255-4160. mon commitment to his “disadvantaged” will discuss criti- programs at 2006 levels unless there will be “cataclysmic” consequences. They are trying to pass the pupils was filmed in the PBS documentary Celebrate the cal issues Boeing resolution before Feb. 5, when President Bush provides Congress with his 2008 budget request. The Hobart Shakespeareans. His students has faced, includ- 30th Birthday come to school early for mental math ex- Background: HUD programs face severe funding shortfalls, and thousands of people will either lose their of the Tenants ing ethics scan- ercises and continue learning into the eve- dals, the contro- housing or have no access to housing if HUD programs are left at 2006 levels. Here's what is at stake. Union with tes- ning: the kids’ test scores are consistently timony from versial move to • Without a $487 million increase for 2007, 70,000 vouchers will be cut at local agencies. in the nation’s top 10 percent. Esquith and Chicago, and a leaders on ex- his students will perform music, Shake- difficult merger • Contracts on at least 107,000 Section 8 project-based units will not be able to be renewed in 2007 panding tenants’ speare, and more. Sun., Jan. 28, 12:30 rights, winning with McDonnell- if Congress does not increase the project-based Section 8 budget by $636 million. p.m., Seattle Public Central Library, Micro- Douglas. Tick- accountability, soft Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Ave. and creating ets $5. 7:30 p.m., • Public housing operating subsidies will be underfunded by about 25 percent of what HUD says is safe, affordable Town Hall, 1119 needed in 2007. And, public housing capital needs will continue to be neglected if this fund remains at housing. Found- Eighth Ave. 2006 levels. Public housing has lost more than $1 billion in funding since 2001. ed by volunteers, the organization Friday 2/2 • Unless funding is increased by $185 million, 14,000 homeless people will be consigned to another year uses empowerment-based education Granita De Arena places the struggle of homelessness. and believes that those facing hous- over the privatization of the public ing problems must be the leaders that school system in Mexico in a global • Even people served by smaller programs like Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) will be in transform our housing conditions and context. Filmmaker Jill Friedberg jeopardy. If the $14 million requested increase for HOPWA is not enacted in 2007, 3,500 fewer communities. 11 a.m., Yesler Commu- spent two years documenting strikes, people with AIDS (and their families) will receive housing assistance. nity Center, 917 E. Yesler Way. Info: marches, and direct action taken by www.tenantsunion.org. over 100,000 teachers, parents, and • If funding for the Census is not increased by $50 million for 2007, the ability of the Census Bureau to Writers in the Schools, a dedicated students. Her film raises questions accurately determine funding allocations and produce the American Housing Survey will be compromised. wing of Seattle Artdand Lectures, about democracy, sovereignty, and the brings students and teachers together right to education. 7:30 p.m., Keystone Action: Call 1(877)322-5742 toll free and ask to be connected with your representative. Then call back to share poetry and prose. 2 p.m., Elliott Church, 5019 Keystone Place N. two more times and ask to speak with each of your senators. When you’re connected, ask to speak to the Bay Books, 101 S. Main St. staff person in each who deals with housing issues and give them the following message: Until Sunday 2/4 Featuring Christy McWilson, Carrie Akre, Only 15 years old when the Israeli Army “I am calling to urge Representative/Senator ______to adequately fund all HUD programs in the fiscal and Cross-Eyed Kitty, “WomanSong- invaded and laid siege to Beirut, Walid year 2007 joint funding resolution. HUD programs face severe funding shortfalls, and thousands of people will NOW!” is an evening of music honoring Raad used his telephoto lens to photo- either lose their housing or have no access to housing if HUD programs are left at fiscal year 2006 levels.” Seattle’s NOW Chapter, the city’s only graph the military activity. Reprinting multi-issue feminist-activist organization the pictures from the now degraded Calls are best, but if you can’t do that, you can email your representative and two senators. that works to legalize abortion, legitimize negatives, Raad found the image’s dis- Rep. Jay Inslee, 1st Dist.: jay.inslee.mail.house.gov battered women’s defense, and eliminate coloration, creases, and holes were a barriers to rape prosecution. Tickets $15 disturbing and realistic representation of Rep. Rick Larsen, 2nd Dist.: [email protected] students, $20 general. 7 p.m., Kane Hall, the catastrophes Lebanon had suffered. Rep. Jim McDermott, 7th Dist.: www.house.gov/mcdermott University of Washington. Info: www. His exhibition features 15 large-scale Rep. Dave Reichert, 8th Dist.: www.house.gov/reichert nowseattle.org. photographs. Tickets $10. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rep. Adam Smith, 9th Dist.: www.house.gov/adamsmith Sunday 1/28 Henry Art Gallery, 4100 15th Ave. NE. Sen. Patty Murray: www.murray.senate.gov/email What will the 2007 Legislature do about Calendar compiled by Dena Burke. Have a suggestion for Sen. Maria Cantwell: [email protected] global warming? Join the Climate So- an event? Email it to [email protected]. For more information about this issue, or to find out who represents you, visitwww.nlihc.org . Real Change 1 January 24 - 30, 2007 pailica, continued from page 10 hearing, continued from page 1 citizens, spelled out, as it were, in a had been committed in Iraq, Millard recent poll. Conducted by ABC News provided a one-word reply: “Yes.” “I am originally from the North- War from the mid-’50s to the early and The Washington Post, the poll, Avoiding the potential of being east,” O’Neill says. “A lot of the things ’70s, said that Lt. Watada’s actions go with its three-point margin of error, ordered to commit such crimes, but Seattle [OPA] would choose to inves- beyond demonstration. found that 70 percent of respondents secure in his refusal of deployment, tigate” — for instance, a citizen com- “My life is changed by people who disapproved of the way the president Lt. Watada surprised the crowd with plaining an offi cer was rude — “would cast their whole vote,” said Ellsberg, re- is handling the Iraq War. As for how an unexpected appearance. Though get you a dial tone in Baltimore or New ferring to how Watada’s action is a full Bush is managing his presidency, only appearing downcast as he stood at a York City.” commitment to nonviolent principles. 17 percent strongly approved. Fifty-one podium, his voice never wavered in his When asked by one of the 12 percent of those polled — a random assertion that his decision was the right members of the tribunal panel what sampling of 1,000 people — strongly one. “Sometimes a duty comes with a constituted an illegal war, Ellsberg disapproved of the job he’s doing. It’s price,” Watada said. said that the U.N. charter makes it with such in-the-gutter ratings that Indicating that he being denied clear that war is not the panacea to Bush, in his seventh State of the Union his right to defend himself was una- settle disputes. While the U.N. Secu- address on Jan. 23, faced a Democrati- merican, he said the judge’s decision to rity Council — whose fi ve permanent cally controlled Congress that has been disallow his opportunity to question the members are France, China, Russia, downright vociferous in its opposition war’s legality as a defense represented the United Kingdom, and the United to a presidential plan to send 21,500 a travesty of justice. “I will fi ght and States — has the power to veto any more troops to the war-torn, yet oil- always fi ght,” said Watada, “and take U.N. decision on war, only wars of self- rich, Middle Eastern nation. it to the highest court.” defense, not those undergirded by pre- Providing some of the most poi- The fi ndings from the citizens’ hear- emptive motivations, hold legal basis. gnant testimony of the day was retired ing will be released prior to Lt. Watada’s “Anything else,” he told the panel and soldier Geoffrey Millard, who had been court-martial. Copies will be sent to the enlivened crowd, “is illegal.” stationed there. Noting that military every member of Congress. n Robert Falk, Princeton professor personnel bear the obligation to refuse [Check it out] of international law, agreed with the any unlawful order, Millard silenced the To hear what was said at the Citizens’ war’s unlawfulness, concluding that audience with a tale of how a soldier, Hearing, and view what was seen, visit the country’s leadership — namely, unnerved at a traffi c control point, had attorney sam pailca has been the www.wartribunal.org. Audio and video President Bush — is encouraging the pointed a machine gun at an oncoming first Director of the office of profes- clips are available, as well as updates persistence of lawlessness. “What the vehicle, unleashing 200 rounds. As a re- sional accountability, the siX-year-olD on the release of the hearing’s fi ndings. civilian-leD agency overseeing inves- Iraq War presents is the most fl agrant sult, four Iraqi civilians lost their lives: a tigations into allegeD police miscon- and sustained violation [of international mother, a father, a boy, aged four, a girl, Duct. photo by sherry loeser law] in modern history,” said Falk. three. “If these fucking Hajis learned to Continuing that Lt. Watada’s ob- drive,” Millard recalled a colonel saying “We’re spending an enormous ligation to refuse an unlawful order on being briefed of the incident, “this amount of time investigating things was supported by the Nuremberg shit wouldn’t happen.” so minor they’re laughable,” some- Principles — which, formuated after When asked by a panel member thing that could be avoided, O’Neill World War II, determine what consti- if he thought a pattern of war crimes says, if the new director has any com- tutes a war crime — Falk said that his mon sense and, better still, actual case represented a situation of such police experience. urgency to the public, it could not be Peter Holmes, an attorney and mem- ignored. “It’s an appeal to all citizens” ber of the OPA review board from the to end the war, he said. beginning, says it’s time for the guild It is the Iraq War itself that is breed- and Mayor Greg Nickels to show some ing mounting disquiet in the country’s respect for the OPA director’s role. “What was surprising to me was INVENTORS’ SEMINAR the resistance at the top — the chief and the mayor’s offi ce — and that con- Patent attorney JR Hynson on: tinues,” Holmes says. “It’s a top-down • Writing patent claims problem we face now and that Sam’s • Other protection for ideas replacement will face.” • Low-cost patents For her part, Pailca remains opti- • Attendees receive discounts mistic about OPA’s prospects in the on patent services future. Even with the police guild • Seminar fees apply to trying to overturn a City Council fl at-rated services ordinance that calls for turning over Feb. -5, Inn at Port Hadlock unredacted fi les, she has upbeat ad- vice for her successor. Inventors Resource Center “Never lose hope,” she says. “The op- (360)385-7368 portunities for change are there.” n
[Resource] For more on the OPA, or to fi nd out how to fi le a complaint about a Seattle Police offi cer’s actions: seattle.gov/ police/OPA.