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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2009

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2009

Today's fun video: Colbert satirizes Beck 

In the battle of the populists, who speaks for the folks, and who speaks for the faux? Stephen Colbert sends up Glen Beck in this segment.The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cThe 10/31 Projectcomedycentral.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorNASA Name Contest

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April 15: It's party time 

Tax protesters in Spokane will hold their own "tea party" this month as they try to mobilize and create a new citizens' movement.The Spokane Tea Party, described on its Web site as "a peaceful protest to the massive spending of dollars we do not have",…

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MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009

Coming Sunday: Gun control?

Sunday's Spokesman-Review will have a special feature in the Today Section on Obama and guns.Not Barack Obama and his stance on gun control.Michelle Obama and her "guns". (Psst. That's her upper arms for those of you who are wondering "Shotguns, pistols or rifles?")It features a…

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A shout out for Maria

Sen. Maria Cantwell got a mention from President Obama Friday in his speech about Afghanistan and Pakistan.She was one of three members of Congress cited by the president as he backed their idea on economic development for the war-torn region. Cantwell, Reps. Chris Van Hollen…

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Putting some chips on the Zags

When a sports team from around here plays in a big contest with a team from elsewhere, Washington politicians usually have to have something riding on the outcome.In 2007, when the Seahawks played the Chicago Bears in the NFL playoffs, Gov. Chris Gregoire bet salmon…

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McKenna: Economy a bipartisan mess 

The crisis in the financial markets is a “bipartisan mess” involving both of Barack Obama’s immediate predecessors, Congresses over the past 10 years and people who thought housing prices would always go up, Washington’s attorney general said Thursday. Rob McKenna told the Washington Realtors Conference…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

Congress must be very busy

A previous post may have seemed snide for noting the Washington Legislature is considering naming the Olympic marmot as the state mammal. And a certain amount of snideness was intended.But the Legislature seems to be a piker on wasting time compared to its governmental "big…

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009


A marmot takes a break – from mayhem, perhaps? – in Riverfront Park. 
 (Rajah Bose / The Spokesman-Review)

How busy is the Legislature? 

Note to Legislature: Handle the big stuffIn Olympia, one might argue, not very busy.The State Senate has passed a bill making the Olympic marmot the state mammal. The proposal is now before a House committee.As is typical with such proposal, it started with a grade…

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009


About Obama's picks

Barack Obama got his pick for Commerce Secretary on the third try. That would be former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, who was confirmed today.He's doing not quite so well on his picks for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, where he's picked 33 out of the…

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MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2009

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2009

Lots of interest in that birth certificate 71 

Anyone who thought questions about Barack Obama’s citizenship were laid to rest by the election or a series of court decisions tossing out lawsuits trying to challenge the election on that issue might have been surprised by a question Chief Justice John Roberts got during…

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009

How are Obama's picks holding up? 

Wondering about the president's picks?No, not his picks for cabinet or subcabinet posts, but the really important ones. His picks in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament.President Obama currently has picked 16 correct, as of Friday afternoon. Respectable, to be sure, but that puts him tied…

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Today's Video: Obama does Leno

For those who forgot to set the DVR, then fell asleep with the TV on and didn't wake up until Jimmy Fallon was on, here's President Obama's appearance on the Tonight Show.They talk about a range of topics, from AIG to puppies.Question for discussion: Would…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

OMG: Obama did what?

Conservative media are abuzz with the fact that President Obama has filled out his bracket for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Some are talking heads and members of Congress are even aghast.Aghast, you say, because he filled out a Men's bracket and not a women's…

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Do you know?

Today is the sixth anniversary of a pretty big event. It made really big headlines at the time, although now, not so much and not so often.Do you know what that event is?Answer inside the blog.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009

Obama statement on VA Health benefits

Here's the official White House statement sending a proposal to change VA health benefits to the round file.You know, the Deep Six, the 86, the kybosh. Sounds like this SNAFU was FUBAR. Whatever, It's toast. Statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the President’s Strong…

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Obama on VA health changes: Never Mind 

The Obama Administration is dropping a proposal that would have allowed the Veterans Affairs Department to bill a vets' insurance company for treating service-connected disabilities and injuries.That's the word from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who is one of the top members of the Senate Veterans…

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Today's video: Tea'd off?

Fox News reports on anger and discontent brewing among the populace. The plan: Tea bag the White House.Those with a local interest in such protests might check out the Spokane Tea Party's Facebook page. (They don't have a separate Web site, apparently.)Much as Spin Control…

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Murray on VA changes: DOA 

Sen. Patty Murray had some harsh words for a proposal being floated by the Obama Administration that would change health care benefits for veterans.You can listen to her opening statement hereand her questioning of former Gen. Shinseki, the VA secretary, hereor go inside the blog…

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The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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