Today, I attended Governor Gregoire's big event at 11 am at Paine Field near Boeing announcing the receipt of $1.5 million of federal money for a government program. The event was held in a big airplane manufacturing hangar where everyone was required to wear protective glasses. At 10 am this morning, I had attended the NO on I-1033's press conference at the Everett Chamber of Commerce. No press, event got cancelled, I asked them if it was OK to get a No on I-1033 sticker and a campaign sign, they said OK. I heard them talking about the Governor's event at Paine Field Tech Center in Mukilteo (3 miles from my home) so I decided to drive over to her event to ask the Governor a question in person.
Being that it was a Gregoire event with lots of state and local politicians and her other supporters, I wanted to protect myself, so I put on the NO on I-1033 sticker on my chest and carried the NO on I-1033 sign with me at all times (see pictures below).
Safety first, that's my motto. It was very effective, no harassment - whew!
For weeks, Edmonds city council member DJ Wilson has been trying to work with the Gregoire's office to set up a debate at Edmonds Community College on I-1033 between me and the Governor.
After listening intently and politely during the event and after its conclusion, I waited my turn, and eventually stepped forward, shook her hand, and very politely asked: "Chris, Edmonds City Council member DJ Wilson has been working for weeks with your staff to set up a debate on I-1033 sponsored by the Edmonds Community College and he wants you and I to debate it. Would you be willing to do that?"
"Gawwwwwd no" she said. I sincerely asked "Why not?" She responded, "I don't want it (the debate) to be personal." Exasperated, I answered "Well, it doesn't have to be, we can just debate the issues on I-1033." Her response: "No we wouldn't." I answered "That's unfortunate." And we went our separate ways.
A reporter for the Puget Sound Business Journal interviewed me afterwards and asked about the sign and he eventually took pictures. He asked why I was carrying around the sign and wearing the cheststicker and I told him 'safety first' and recounted the story above -- he got the joke and hopefully others will too.
Here's their story about it.
Posted by Tim Eyman at October 15, 2009 05:09 PM | Email ThisProviding a link is about as limp as you are.
Self-serving douchebag. Karma's a bitch.
Posted by: Marky on October 15, 2009 06:04 PMGood story Tim. Like a spy thriller.
Posted by: deadwood on October 15, 2009 06:12 PMFunny how someone can call themselves a Democrat yet disagree with the Democratic process.
Posted by: Rick D. on October 15, 2009 06:18 PMI thought that carrying a sign in opposition to an initiative that I support would be a hilarious way of suggesting that my opponents would beat me up if they knew I supported it. Even though everyone knows who I am, and that I sponsored the initiative. In other news, important politicians don't consider me important enough to indulge my intense craving for undeserved public attention.
Posted by: Lee on October 15, 2009 08:25 PMI told the guy sure and he went in the lying spiel of how I-1033 will cut all these programs and people will be be without essential services.
I asked him if he knew just what I-1033 did. He didn't. I started to explain that it was a way of controlling govt spending by controlling how much that could raise taxes only 1% and if needed they could request a higher raise by putting it to a vote of the people. He countered that the 1% wouldn't cover the $9 Billion shortfall in the past budget, which we wouldn't be if Gregoire hadn't increased state spending by 34% in the previous four years.
The anti I-1033 people HAVE NO clue what the bill does and depends on lies and misdirection to try to get their point across.
This needs to pass and force gov't to spend on NEEDS first and WANTS last.
We didn't even get a chance to discuss R-71 'cuz he said obviously I knew what I was talking about and he wasn't going to change my mind.
Just like the McGinn supporter who called last week and said that we need MORE socialism in Seattle to really make the city a worthwhile place to live.
Posted by: Vindi on October 16, 2009 07:08 AM
@13: A 34% increase to meet mandated needs. I just love it when conservatives want something for nothing, and then accuse liberals of the same thing.
"but you have no problem being a blatant publicity whore by interrupting meetings and inappropriately asking the Governor to a debate."
Obviously you are a product of union based education. If you actually read the story, you'd know he didn't go up to the governor until AFTER the meeting. MORON.
Posted by: Dumbo Kid on October 16, 2009 08:48 AMIncorrect. Conservatives have been loudly telling (you) that we want little of the "mandates" that you claim we "need", nor the unsustainable costs that are associated with these percieved needs.
What do you not understand about our position on this?
Posted by: Boxxerace on October 16, 2009 10:52 AMI called both twice, but didn't never spoke to either camp.
So, we'd still love to do an event, Mr. Eyman. In fact, we'll give you the entire stage if you want it.
A televised Town Hall event with 200 audience members for you to take questions on 1033. We can do it on Monday the 26th.
The stage is yours if you'd like it.
DJ
Posted by: DJ Wilson on October 16, 2009 01:43 PMDid he ask her in private? Or did he do it in public and crow about it afterwards?
@17: "Your" position on this is foolish and stupid. Far right wingnuts want to gut this state and hole up in their fortified complexes, but there are plenty of folks that love the services here and just don't want to pay their fair share. Where is the fiscal responsibility in that?
@19: Why exactly should the Governor be called for a debate, by the way?
Posted by: demo kid on October 16, 2009 02:25 PMDid he ask her in private? Or did he do it in public and crow about it afterwards?
@17: "Your" position on this is foolish and stupid. Far right wingnuts want to gut this state and hole up in their fortified complexes, but there are plenty of folks that love the services here and just don't want to pay their fair share. Where is the fiscal responsibility in that?
@19: Why exactly should the Governor be called for a debate, by the way?
Posted by: demo kid on October 16, 2009 02:25 PMYou define the current leftist moron, not conservatives...
Posted by: Alphabet Soup on October 16, 2009 02:35 PMBull. You love the services, but you just don't want to pay for them! Keep on deluding yourself... but if libraries close and schools lose teachers, you'll only have yourself to blame.
Posted by: demo kid on October 16, 2009 06:14 PMIf all we were paying for were schools, roads and libraries (and such)you would have an effective and truthful arguement. As this is quite obviously not the case, I'd much rather hear what (better) ideas you have in lieu of I-1033.
What do you propose, at least in general terms, to create a fiscally suistainable *and* effective State government? No magic pill, I know but your posts don't have much weight unless you have some real meat to them. Scare tactics might have an effect on granny, but let's have a real conversation if you think you have a better idea and technique.
Posted by: boxxerace on October 16, 2009 10:53 PM"sustainable"...
Posted by: boxxerace on October 16, 2009 10:56 PM