Welcome to Backyard Blog, our group online journal for this election season. We've asked a broad array of people with deep ties to the region to share their views on politics during the 2004 campaign. Send your comments to bbcomments@seattletimes.com.

Meet our Backyard Bloggers Garrett Ferencz E-mail | Bio Blog entries Donald Gilbert-Santamaría E-mail | Bio Blog entries Carl Gipson E-mail | Bio Blog entries Shalini Gujavarty E-mail | Bio Blog entries Anna Kleppert E-mail | Bio Blog entries Libby Liming E-mail | Bio Blog entries William Thomas Mari E-mail | Bio Blog entries Sierra Michels-Slettvet E-mail | Bio Blog entries Michael Moretsky E-mail | Bio Blog entries Jay Porter E-mail | Bio Blog entries Matthew Ranger E-mail | Bio Blog entries Stephen Russell E-mail | Bio Blog entries Stephanie Sanguinet E-mail Blog entries Ian Stewart E-mail | Bio Blog entries

September 21, 2004

Is Libby popular, or what?

Posted by Ian Stewart at 01:25 PM

Hey Libby. I really enjoyed reading your response to my questions. Here are some things I noticed. First, you say you’re a political ditz, but you voiced solid opinions on almost all (save the environmental Q) of the questions I asked. Second, maybe you were already thinking ahead to my Iraq questions but this part was by far the most interesting to me…I’ve excerpted it here: IAN ASKS: What would you say Bush’s strategy is for combating worldwide terrorism? Has it been effective, or not, or can you even tell? LIBBY ANSWERS: Bush’s strategy (at this particular time) seems to be “try and force Iraq into a democracy”. (emphasis added by Ian) Maybe your brain got ahead of you and was already on to the Iraq question from later in the post. That sentence of your answer points to one of the most brilliant (and abhorrent to me) victories of the Bush campaign; getting people to confuse the war on terrorism with the war in Iraq. In fact, the Bushies have managed to pull this off three or four times on different issues. Don’t take my word for it. You too can do what CBS did and get verification from this fake Bush RNC video done by the Daily Show (there’s a Kerry one too, both equally brilliant, yet painfully accurate). Sowing confusion on this issue (and many others) is key to a Bush victory. And although his ability to do so is waning, he’s still getting away with it. At least, that’s how I see it. What about you? It’s my sincere hope that Kerry steps up the attack he started on Monday with his speech in New York, and end these shameful and dangerous lies the administration has perpetuated since they got in power . Third, if I didn’t already know differently it, your answers would lead me to believe you’re done with Bush. But I still haven’t heard the other side of your story…time for Kerry. Who is John F. Kerry? I mean, what do you really know about him? Do you think he would make a good Commander in Chief, or not? Do you think his economic policies would be better for you than under Bush, or not? Do you think the economy is different depending on who is in charge? And finally, what’s your best reason NOT to vote for Kerry? Join the fray: answer Ian's questions about Kerry

Yes, but which 4H display will they vote for?

Posted by Libby Liming at 10:43 AM

I overheard the following conversation (almost word-for word) between two women at the Puyallup Fair yesterday afternoon. The ladies seemed to be in their 70’s, checking out the quilts and preserves in the exhibition center while discussing presidential candidates: Woman A: So, who do you think you’re voting for this year? Woman B: I’m not going to vote. I’ve been voting for 47 years, and I am done. Someone else can make my decision for me. A: What if they choose someone you don’t like? B: Then I’m just going to have to live with that. That’s what I get for giving someone else the choice to make for me. A: But what do you think about that “Kerry Edwards”? He seems like a nice boy. B: It’s not Kerry Edwards, dear. His name is Edward Kerry. And I think he’s running for governor. I know that SOME people are trying to make an informed decision, but how many just don’t care about voting? How many people have given up on voting, due to the “lesser of two evils” factor in this presidential race? On totally different subject…Jay, it was really nice to meet you yesterday, and I honestly didn’t hold your post last week against you, I promise. [Ed: See Jay Porter post below] I like it when people disagree with me and don’t feel ashamed to say whatever they feel. It’s when people are too quiet and just nod and smile that it irritates me. It’s your democratic right to argue! Say what you feel! Tell me I am a terrible stupid person! It’s OK to express your opinion! (Even if you’re Teresa Heinz Kerry, I admit. I haven’t heard anything from her lately, and I sort of miss her.) Also Jay, I am fully supporting your proposal of the DOMABSA. I will picket and gather signatures on a petition for you...whatever it takes to get this put into law! Respond

Small (blog) world

Posted by Jay Porter at 09:08 AM

Posting on the blog here can seem so abstract. It's not like our fellow writers are people we see every day, right? Wrong. It turns out I see Libby pretty often. We share a little slice of Bellevue together. So when I happened to hear her say "This is Libby," and saw her familiar-from-the-blog face, I blanched. I was kind of tough on her last week. I was extra nice when I introduced myself. And apologetic for any offense. I think it's safe to say none was taken, unless she is a really good actor. Libby and I have seen each other, and will again. That puts a new spin on things. I'll be a bit more respectful toward you, knowing that I could run into you pretty much anywhere. It makes all this a bit more personal. Likewise, my fellow bloggers, let me make this request as a walking, talking wedge issue. Next time you think about the Republican Party's narrow definition of marriage, think of me and my husband. Think about the 1,100+ Federal rights and responsibilities we don't enjoy here in the USA. And because it was covered on all the news channels today, think about the fact that Britney Spears can get married twice this year. Because I'm bitter about that. Along with Kerry's poll numbers it's one more thing that makes Canada look awfully attractive. Can I get a shout out for a Defense of Marriage Against Britney Spears Act? DOMABSA-- Can't we all agree on that? Does the anonymity of the web affect the way you act toward other people? Would the political dialogue be different if we were somehow face-to-face?