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Seattle Community Network |
Saturday
July 1, 2000 |
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July 1
Marshall cites as an example Spokane's use of HUD funds and guarantees of city revenue to assist the Cowles family with the costs of a parking garage for their new River Park Square mall, intended for Spokane's wealthier shoppers: "Spokane is a very poor city. Around 40% of the population lives in a household that manages to get by on $20,000 or less per year. ... what does it mean that 40% of the population in Spokane combined has less than one small family? Does it mean anything in regard to economic justice and the political landscape? ... what if that wealthy family also owns the city's only major newspaper? "The problem is that a great deal of Spokane's public dialogue - from those published on the front page of the Spokesman-Review and announced on the nightly newscasts of KHQ to those conducted on various civic and communal boards - is directed by or, some would say, beholden to Cowles' interests." Marshall concludes, in part, that "vast financial interests coupled with control of print and TV media can exert control in a community. ... The Cowles family serves or has recently served on numerous boards or panels; on many, one family member or another is director or chair. Certainly that activity is part of a certain community spirit and connected to the family's long-standing philanthropic interests, but it's naive to think that such involvement does not also create power and influence, two primary elements in the manufacturing of consent."
"'... what's going on in Spokane is outrageous,' Gendler said. 'From the manipulation of the news, to repeated violations of laws and regulations, to the subversion of citizens' rights...'"
"A double-edged phrase, that 'affordable workforce' has created a high employment, low wage economy. ... A quarter of the families in Spokane have household incomes of less than $15,000 per year." ... "The sense that Spokane's existing leadership has somehow failed to guide the city into the high tech age is becoming a key element in a broader effort aimed at reshaping Spokane's political landscape."
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June 25 - July 1
Seattle Site of the Week:  
Harvey Muggy Stonewall Democrats of Washington State
"We believe involvement in the political process is the path to freedom and justice for all people." ... "Harvey Muggy (1944-1991) was a grassroots political organizer with a vision. ... Like many gay activists, Harvey was triggered by the national anti-gay crusade of 1978. He registered voters, filled PCO positions with supporters, knew the issues and the candidates, and monitored elections precinct by precinct on maps like a general on a battlefield. He donated generously to political campaigns and made sure candidates knew it was 'gay money' that was supporting them. ... "Harvey saw that even good friends could not stand up to the hateful rhetoric in the legislature as well as 'one of our own,' so he ran for 43rd District Representative in 1986. ... In 1988 he delivered the PCO votes that appointed Cal Anderson to the state legislature as the first openly gay representative in Washington. "A child of Clallum-Irish parents, Harvey supported social justice for all as his motto stated: 'It is not enough to work for one group's civil liberties unless you work for all.' ... "Harvey wasn't flashy - he just worked hard and had a lot of common sense and feeling for humanity. ... "Become a PCO: leave a messsage for us at (206) 903-9613 or write to 1122 E. Pike St. #1196, Seattle, WA 98122-3918 and let us know what District and Precinct you live in. We can see if you have a vacanct office in your precinct to fill, or challenge an incumbent..." |
