Politics not as usual
A seminal campaign speech and a crisis on Wall Street mark a turning point in the national conversation, with implications far and near.
Ted Van Dyk has been active in national policy and politics since 1961, serving in the White House and State Department and as policy director of several Democratic presidential campaigns. He is auth
A seminal campaign speech and a crisis on Wall Street mark a turning point in the national conversation, with implications far and near.
Neither the City Council nor Mayor Greg Nickels seems to care that the Mercer Street Corridor project — realignment of the South Lake Union street grid — will do nothing to mitigate traffic between Seattle Center and Interstate 5. It will simply beautify a neighborhood virtually owned by Paul Allen.
A group headed by Norm Rice and John Stanton is gathering allies for a more rational and practical approach to the region's transit needs. Both supporters and opponents of the failed Proposition 1 are part of the effort.
Sound Transit, the Viaduct, 520, the Mercer Mess — everywhere you turn, there's a Puget Sound transportation problem awaiting solution. It's time for citizens to demand leadership from leaders and to push for reform of agencies and even government.
I am continuing my Johnny Appleseed book tour [http://www.crosscut.com/politics-government/9414/] while absorbing national and regional vibrations. I have found an intense interest not only in the presidential nominating campaigns and candidates but also the major international and domestic issues o