Percival Landing Friday February 5 2010

Percival Landing Friday, February 5, 2010

full size (3.85 mb file): Percival Landing 3 Image Composite Friday February 5 2010

Olympia Harbor in 1856

view larger: Olympia Harbor

Washington did not become a state until 1889. Washington was the 42nd state to become part of the United States.

In 1856, over 30 years prior to Washington becoming a state, the landscape around Olympia was very different than it is today, in 2010.

I imagine that the environment was much healthier back then, with great flocks of wild birds, and a bounteous feast accessible for harvest from the waters of the Salish Sea.

Antiwar Protest Interview

Olympia, Washington
November 2007
Photo by Kay Schultz

Here I am talking to news reporters about the way police attacked peaceful protesters with chemical weapons, and also the anti-war/anti-imperialism civil resistance movement's need for legal support.

Night Panoramas from Olympia Washington

view large: Madison Scenic Park Vista


view large: Capitol Lake Panorama

Capitol Lake, Isthmus, and Budd Bay

view larger: Capitol Lake, Isthmus and Budd Bay

Olympic Mountains

I am not super keen on the thick border on this photo, but it's a pretty view of the mountains:

Olympic Mountains

view larger: Olympic Mountains

Tumwater Hill Overlook Park

October 2008
11 image composite

view larger: Tumwater Overlook Park

and larger still: Tumwater Overlook Park

Tumwater Hill Overlook Park Panorama, December 29, 2009

Seasons Greetings! Joy to the World, Good Tidings for a benevolent 2010!



View larger:
Tumwater Hill Overlook Park Panorama, December 29, 2009 (1024 x 83)

and larger still:
Tumwater Hill Overlook Park Panorama, December 29, 2009 (10000 x 806)

here's another one (on a sunnier day):

Olympia Washington Night Streets

A couple of nighttime photos from downtown Oly:

Bald Eagle with Mount Rainier

Olympia Yashiro Friendship Bridge

Black Hills in Black and White

Egalitarian and Sustainable Future

I believe that to have holistic sustainability will require economic egalitarianism. To have sustainability will require ending economic exploitation, both of each other, and of the resources of the planet. The fight for sustainable, and sound, economic practices and ecological relationships is tied in tightly with the fight against oppression - the fight against discriminatory behaviors. This is especially true when people in power express preferential treatment for some. The path to peace, justice, nonviolence and sustainability will be paved with love and understanding, with radical compassion and forgiveness.

Here's an excerpt of a comment I recently posted on OlyBlog about egalitarianism and sustainability relating to future potentials:

The standard that makes sense to me is for an egalitarian future. We need curtailment, I believe that is clear based on unsustainable consumption of resources. Will the future be one of responsible, and holistically sustainable, environmental relationships?

Population growth downtown sounds great to me. But this population growth must be coupled with a serious and responsible reduction in resource consumption. I believe it will be possible to grow in terms of population (and people power,) while simultaneously reducing overall resource consumption to levels which are holistically and fundamentally sustainable.

I believe in the power of community - the power that people have with each other.

What needs to be changed is the the status quo - the current system - where decision makers have coercive power over others.

Real power exists in our relationships with each other, in our ability to cooperate and to serve truth and life.

The idea of some few having power over others is destined to recede - to fail along with the cultural status quo of oppression, of exploitation, of imperialism and economic/social/political dominance.

When some people receive preferential treatment in their interactions with elected decision makers, while others are discriminated against, then we have a system that is divisive and socially destructive. It's unsustainable. People are waking up. People are talking. People are sick of it. And I believe people will not tolerate the current inequities for long.

"Our problems stem from our acceptance of this filthy rotten system."
- Anarchist and Catholic Worker, Dorothy Day

I want to live in a world where the concepts of long-term sustainability, the precautionary principle, and the well-being of all people, and planet, take precedent over economic self-interest.

And, here are a few Ben Harper tunes to keep you company. Have a Good weekend. I'll be in Seabeck Washington Celebrating Peace with the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation:

Oppression/Get Up Stand Up - Acoustic Live


Give a Man a Home


Beloved One


Be Well

Puget Sound

This is Budd Inlet, as seen from Percival Landing, Downtown Olympia, Washington.

Not Another Mistake on the Lake

Couple of Recent Posts on OlyBlog

Couple of recent posts on OlyBlog to draw your attention to:

1) Drop Charges Against Oly 26 Protesters: a group of 26 protesters is being charged with alleged crimes related to their efforts to oppose and resist the enabling of an illegal military operation via the use of municipal port facilities. These protesters ought to be hailed as heroes—not charged with crimes!

2) 13 Mouseovers: get to know Olympia via photography.

Peace,
Berd

January 31st Roundup

Here are some photos I made while out and about yesterday (prior to the Second Annual Westside Artswalk):

January 31, 2009

^Berd's January 31, 2009 set

Public Testimony re: Isthmus Building Height Rezone

Here's a video, which includes public comment, oral testimony, that I provided in regard to the proposed building height rezone on the "Isthmus" of downtown Olympia. My testimony is from the first group (selected by lottery) and it begins approximately 1 hour, two minutes, and 30 seconds (1:02:30) into the video (embedded below.) The whole video is worth watching!!! A lot of people gave great testimony. All five + hours of the public hearing are available on the Internet. More information about that: Video from City Council Public Hearing on the Isthmus Building Height Rezone

Public Hearing on Isthmus Rezone Proposal

[update: Photos are uploaded [City Council Urban Water Front Rezone Land-Use Hearing], and some are added to this post.]

Wow. Wow. Wow!

I am back at home after a 5 hour City Council meeting during which nearly 100 people spoke on the topic of a proposal to change the existing urban waterfront zoning regulations on the "Isthmus" area of Downtown Olympia. Flood of emotion here. I'll try to keep it on track. The meeting was very informative. I heard many things that I haven't heard before. People who spoke seemed to be about 3 to 1 opposed v. supportive of the proposed rezone.

The rezone might result in what developer Triway Enterprises has marketed as a massive mixed use building that would, as it is currently slated, contain 141 "up-class" condominiums, which would be priced from between $800,000 to $1.2M (according to the proposal.)

Many passionate speakers on both sides. I am processing some photographs that I took during and before the meeting. I recommend that you watch the video of the testimony. All five hours - good to the last drop. Some of it might be infuriating. But you'll be a better person afterward!

I hope to have more about the meeting later on. There were many amazing moments. Some wonderful and some, frankly, horrifying things were said (e.g. the Triway advocate (lawyer) who engaged in blatant threats and condescension. But, I suppose, that might depend on your point of view.)

There was a lot of impressive testimony. Some I agreed with, some I disagreed with.



Some questions to ask after the hearing or when viewing the video of the hearing (which isn't on the Internet as of the morning of September 17th, 2008):

Did any of the speakers seem to be intellectually dishonest (even perhaps to the point of engaging in what might be considered to be "Double Speak" (as defined by George Orwell)?)

Which side of the rezone proposal presented a better argument, and why?

Pay attention to your feelings. How did you feel at various times throughout the hearing (or viewing the hearing?)

Did you hear anything new?

What was the most compelling testimony?

...many, many more questions could be asked. And hopefully they will. Make sure to keep an eye on OlyBlog.net for more information. By the way, I entered the discussion that has taken place on OlyBlog (it has been discussed since at least February) into the official record. (see http://olyblog.net/isthmus-2008)

Stay tuned for photos [photos are up].

The Isthmus from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial: