Schram: On Blue Angels whining, tolling, DSHS ineptitude
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Some quick takes on a few of the issues that are percolating in the public consciousness at the moment.
First, a word to all the people who have emailed me whining about the Blue Angels.
I’m sorry your dogs, cats and cockatiels are traumatized by the roar of the jets; sorrier still that you're such a lousy human companion to your pets that you can't figure out a way to get them through a few hours a year of spectacular fun for the 99 percent of us who enjoy the heck out of them.
A quick word to the penny-wise and pound-foolish folks at the State Department of Transportation.
Take a lesson on how to win friends and influence people.
You could easily have made Seafair traffic more tolerable by offering toll-free trips across the 520 bridge while the I-90 bridge is closed for the Blue Angels.
Sure, it would've cost a few thousand bucks in lost toll revenue but I know DOT has spent more for less than public goodwill in the past.
And finally, to the officials at the Department of Social and Health Services, there's no question in my mind that your policies gave Josh Powell the opportunity to kill his two little boys.
How many more dead bodies must there be before proper and prudent steps are taken to actually protect children?
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
First, a word to all the people who have emailed me whining about the Blue Angels.
I’m sorry your dogs, cats and cockatiels are traumatized by the roar of the jets; sorrier still that you're such a lousy human companion to your pets that you can't figure out a way to get them through a few hours a year of spectacular fun for the 99 percent of us who enjoy the heck out of them.
A quick word to the penny-wise and pound-foolish folks at the State Department of Transportation.
Take a lesson on how to win friends and influence people.
You could easily have made Seafair traffic more tolerable by offering toll-free trips across the 520 bridge while the I-90 bridge is closed for the Blue Angels.
Sure, it would've cost a few thousand bucks in lost toll revenue but I know DOT has spent more for less than public goodwill in the past.
And finally, to the officials at the Department of Social and Health Services, there's no question in my mind that your policies gave Josh Powell the opportunity to kill his two little boys.
How many more dead bodies must there be before proper and prudent steps are taken to actually protect children?
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
Ken you want to stop the screw-ups in DSHS? Then quit voting for and supporting liberal politicians and bureaucrats.
Oh, and money you don't have is not a "cost" to anyone. This is in sync with typical liberal thinking that lowering taxes is going to "cost" the government.
Ken: I rarely agree with you but in this case I could not agree more about the Blue Angels and the whiners. I have a dog that actually lifts my bed in the air trying to hid under it. I have two horse that hide in the barn. But you know, the next day all is well until New Years and the 4th of July. Oh shoot, maybe we should whine about those too ya think?
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wOw Ken. I agree on all three of your comments. Well done!
Yes, the Blue Angels are loud, fun and represent the best of the best in military pilots. Ken, you forgot to specifically address those individuals who are aliens. Legal or not. Also, the people who come from war torn countries. Really? Really? This is a tradition for us and I for one wouldn't appologize to anyone because their pets are shaking or they come from another country or whatever. Who in their right mind thinks like that? The blue angels are a tradition around here and many other parts of the country. Get real.Â
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As for the DOT another big REALLY? While I didn't know of the 520 bridge charging tolls during other highway closures I think this just represents how the leadership of that agency doesn't have a clue as how to treat people. They can always find a way to make us pay, but they don't seem to be able to use discretion. Too bad for them.
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As for Josh Powell, while tragic in it's ending, we have to remember that people are innocent until proven guilty. The police in Utah may have been way too slow in charging him and they should also have a little responsibility in the final day. However, DSHS should not be the judge and jury, nor the public, before someone is found guilty.Â
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One thing, we should all remember that what one person calls a "loophole" is generally our Bill of Rights. Don't trade your rights EVER for what anyone else offers you. No one could ever tell what goes through anyone else's mind.
I say the Navy should call in a fire strike and the Blue Angels can drop some cluster bombs on the people complaining about them.
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I mean holy arse crackers - you live in a city surrounded by military bases and where a huge number of jet aircraft are built and serviced. If you don't like the noise - move to Montana.
 Gee,the F/A-18 makes too much noise!!Some people around here will never be happy about anything!!Yes,these awesome machines are expensive,but the Naval Recruiting Command is budgeted to employ this fine team of Aviators,maintainers and support personnel to educate and entertain the public in the world of Naval Aviation
in a fun and exciting manner.Yes, I am a navy brat who grew up around airbases,airports and completed a
24 year career in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician and personally,I have no problem with this
awesome team of professionals demonstrating the flight capabilities of the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and inspiring
people who desire to be a part of this Nation's defense.Granted,there will be those who do not share the passion
of jet-fueled action and that is their right.These pilots,maintainers and support personnel work hard every day
to protect the right of those who complain and also those who pursue either a stint or a career in the military.
I support our Sailors,Airmen,Marines,Soldiers and Coasties who will be supported and villified by some.
It's Not a Job,It's an Adventure!!!!
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So, the solution is take the kids way forever at the first hint of accusation? No hearings, no investigation, just haul them off and never give them back. Maybe we can build some big, cinder-block holding cells so the kids can be kept safe and sound. After all, the unltimate goal is to never give them back. Child abuse allegations stick forever, even if the accused is found innocent.Â
Let me start by saying that for you Ken, to chastise others for whining is pretty pot kettle black.
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As for the Blue Angels, and sea fair in general... the sounds suck, the traffic sucks, and it's not even held on the sea! But good for everyone that finally got to see planes fly and boats float,
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And though the list of State agencies that lack leadership and are wholly incompetent is exhausting, I would venture to say that the media especially, but also those who are always entertained by a tragedy, are as much to blame for the deaths of the Powell boys as the various authorities are.
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So as you ask "tough questions" of DSHS, how about asking the same of your own industry?
 @antiseattle JCCBlvu said it before I could. Before you start talking about the Seafair name, you should have researched the name. That IS what the Internet is for dear! Since this is SEA-ttle and I would like for you to SEE what you are talking about.
@antiseattle Hmmm... Seattle is a mighty big maritime city. The name Seafair seems to be more than appropriate to me.Â
It wasn't long ago that you could Google "failure" and get a picture of George W. (and rightfully fooking so...), I think now it should get you a picture of DSHS... Those poor boys. I can only hope that they didn't suffer, and that Josh Powell did....
DSHS's new policy is supposed to keep the children safer. What a joke.  DSHS now has levels and if the risk factor reaches a certain level, then the child will be put in foster care. But their ultimate goal is to keep the family together. What about the child's right to be safe?
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It makes you wonder what policies or laws are in place that would allow for Josh Powell to have visitation in the first place. Â Parental rights are strong, but there is such a thing as common sense, but then again...maybe not. Â I hate to see lawsuits in the millions determine public policy, but our history (government and private sector) is littered with such policy changes. Â
Even when that story broke about Josh Powell killing his two boys I was amazed that they would give him visitation period, let alone in his own home and with a female social worker. Â If I was a social worker I would have refused to enter the house of a man who was under investigation of killing his wife and had such a creepy dad. Â I would have insisted on a police escort and supervision for I would not want to be left alone for a minute with that man let alone allow for the children to be. Â It seems like a no brainer in my mind and always will. Â DSHS can not prevent all abuse from happening but in this high profile case you would think they would have taken some extreme precaution.
After thinking about it, I do have a problem with the Blue Angels. They're not loud/exciting enough! How about they launch some drones into the sky and Angels take em out with a couple missiles? Take some barges, build some houses on them, send them into the middle of the lake, and drop some 500lb bombs on them!  Let's see some more action out there!
How about higher taxes to properly fund DSHS so they can properly do their job? Really Ken? Your statements are just not rooted in fact. Have you asked DSHS workers how many cases they are required to handle? Have you asked why these policies have not been updated, or why they are in place? Josh Powell was a horrible human being, but if he had never been charged with a crime DSHS cannot keep him from seeing his kids, and they cannot make special rules for those people they "think" have done bad things. Josh Powell killed his kids, and the only that would have stopped him from doing so was if he were behind bars. There is plenty of blame to go around, but DSHS is very low on the list.Â
@sseattle79 Spoken like a true lib!!
 @sseattle79 I hate to say it, but you can pump trillions of dollars into our current system and it will still be broken.  Just like education and a few others.  Money is not always the answer.  Better management is.  Oh, and maybe some accountability would help too.
OK Ken, you assume "99 percent" on the Blue Angels. Hardly. If you like them, great. But a lot of people don't. That population ranges from people who have immigrated here from places where war planes are not simply an annual amusement, to war veterans, to people who's kids don't like the noise. High-Fivin-White-Guys just assume EVERYONE enjoys the same things they do and the truth is that they don't. Just like more people in this country visit museums than sporting events but we all get to foot the bill for traffic control at events and festivals or have a stadium tax added to our meals so guys like you can dig on them. (Out of 660,000 I can assure you that "99 percent" are not lovin on the Blue Angels this afternoon)
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Ken, that is fine, enjoy what you want but don't assume all the rest of us do too or that there is something wrong with those of us who don't. You will get your Blue Angels and the rest of us will get our peace and quiet back.
So, move north of Seattle and you won't hear the Blue Angels again. :)
Gee Ken, it sounds like you're WHINING to me.
Ken Schram batting 1.000. Blue Angels rock! People who whine don't. The 520 tolling system is broken. Josh Powell is a piece of trash, and DSHS is lazy. How can you argue against that?
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Oh, only if you hate airplanes, can't teach your pet more than two tricks because they are "terrified", you love tolls because you ride your bicycle everywhere, and you support murderers. I guess you could argue with those points.....
I live under the McChord landing path.  When a plane rumbles over my house, I thank God for our Military men and women and the freedom I have because of their service.  If they want to have a little fun demonstrating their flying, go for it.  If it cost me a few $$$ on my taxes, where can I send a check?
2 out of 3 in my opinion...
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1. I agree about the Blue Angels. Don't like them? Too bad! Put in earplugs and go watch a few Walt Disney cartoons... And the pets? Seriously? Do you also hate the 4th of July?! Go buy some Benadryl and talk to your vet about proper dosage.
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2. The 520 tolls. Well, I didn't like them to begin with. But yeah, there should be an exception when the other bridge is down. Seems reasonable to me.
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3. Well, like all things, hind site is 20/20. Whenever something bad happens, we always question what could have been done differently. What I would like to bring up though, is there was only one person that killed those to boys (and probably their mother), and the was the creature named Josh Powell. He, and he alone committed murder.
Three for Three on this one, Ken
Seafair has been held the 1st weekend in August for as long as I can remember. You can note it on yer calandar 10 years from now.
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The last evening t-storm we had, our cat sat in the window sill (window open) and marveled at the sight. She was entranced by the lightening and the claps.
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As far as DSHS goes; we've been whining abuot it for far too long, and still nothing is done. Maybe, just MAYBE, we should try voting opposite to what we have fer the last 30 years.
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Just a thought.
 @bobalouie SeaFair is the Democrats fault? Is that your implication?Â
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I love SeaFair, let's not make it political...
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This is Jet City. People need to realize that Boeing built this town, and we built so much for America because of Boeing.Â
 @caphillkid  @bobalouie Boy, you must be tired today Cap.  He bobalouie clearly stated that DSHS is the democrats fault.  And it is.  I believe the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.
@stamperzann - DSHS or it's equivalent is just a big a mess in the state of Arizona -last I looked they are run by Republicans. Don't think it's a Democrat or Republican issue - maybe we all need to protest more about it and really get changes made to it.
@caphillkid @bobalouie Logging and a gateway to Alaska built this town. Since WWII boeing has done more for it though. And I agree SeaFair is not about politics.
Sometimes you just have to rant, don't you Ken?
LOVE the Blue Angels. They fly over my house most every year and I LOVE it...NW economist obviously doesn't understand economics as the Blue Angels bring in a LOT of revenue for the area every Seafair. Never have they crashed (here) since they have been performing (here). He is so concerned about the dangers of everything I imagine he has rubberized his home.I can't imagine what he thinks about the other air shows in WA.Lastly, this is a display of the aptitude of the Navy's pilots, of which we should ALL be in AWE of as they are protecting our freedoms...regardless if you agree with the wars, the soldiers are on the ground, in the air and at sea to protect us.
 @Dawgfan67 Yeah, rock on! America $%^# ya!
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In case you missed the dripping sarcasm, you don't need obscene and costly military displays to demonstrate national pride. Do you have any idea how much it costs to fuel and fly those jets for seafair? I guarantee you it's more than the amount of extra revenue they generate above and beyond what sefair would pull in minus only them.
Now I understand, you don't like the military. How are the Blue Angels obscene?
The Blue Angels are not "deployed" domestically on some mission other than PR and to show the rest of the population the capabilities of our aircraft. They have been doing so since the mid 1940's.   I am very aware of how much they cost. You do know they have no armaments right?
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So our military should be out of site and out of mind then? Keep them overseas?
 @Nitroxman Because they're flying high priced incredibly expensive war machines over a crowded civilian populace? We aren't at war in the US? You need to understand how ungodly expensive they really are and how little revenue they generate to offset their costs that isn't picked up by the rest of seafair anyway.
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I, and most of the members in my family have served in every branch. I support the military but only when its doing its job overseas and not deployed domestically in a giant waste of $
@NorthwestEconomist You should be glad they do not have Red Stars on those jets....If they did, a whiner like you would no doubt be unable to complain....as for the 520 bridge fiasco, it is ok to whine about that.IMO
 @FreedomLover Temper temper. Time to chill. And yet you're still proving my point for me. Only this time, you're not making any sense. Offtopic? Definitely trollish. Time for you to get off the computer and get a hobby. Anymore trollish replies will only prove my point even more since you can't take what you dish out. Probably a good idea to quit before you fall any farther behind. I ain't gonna reply back 'cause you just ain't worth my time, even tho I'm sure I'll get another good laugh out of it.
@Zoso How? How is this off topic? WTF?
 @stamperzann @schramalot And let's not forget FreedomLover. Seems to be worse than NorthwestEconomist.
 @Zoso I was just about to say the same thing.  Well said.
@Zoso right OH...moving on...
Let's not feed the troll. NorthwesyEconomist has done nothing but whined to every post supporting the Blue Angels with his mindless rants. Nothing to see, move on!
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 @FreedomLover "You made an enemy out of me"?  Seriously?  That sounds like a threat to me.  Ken Schram writes op-ed pieces.  Those types of articles are never going to look the same as a news article because he's commenting on the news, not giving it to us.  If you don't like his writing, you don't have to read it, but to say that he's made an enemy out of you is absolutely ridiculous and can be construed as a threat.  Oh... and you can complain to his higher-ups all you want... I doubt it will get his pieces removed from this site.  You think you're the first one to complain about his op-ed pieces?  "It is I who will complain to your superiors about this article"...  someone is sure full of themselves, aren't they?  Ken's job is to give his opinion on a news item and he has done that here.  I don't know what you were expecting, but you clearly were never going to find it here.
@eleman30 It's not illegal to have enemies. I am the original publisher and in no way or shape did I threaten any physical harm. Did I threaten going to his superiors? Yup. And I did. Let them be the judges. My orig posting was about me reading it by accident because it was on the FRONT PAGE. And you're right...I am full of myself. I am an American. I believe I have the right. Furthermore, I am a Seattleite. I believe our community does not deserve to be bashed.  Do you think you are the first one to gripe about me? And you don't have to read what I am writing, nor respond.Â
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@eleman30Â Not a threat, but an enemy of the pen
 @FreedomLover Take a chill pill and respect other people's opinions. How do  you take offense to this article? It says the Blue Angels rock (truth)! The 520 Toll system is broken(truth), and Josh Powell is a piece of trash as well as DSHS is lazy (truth). If you don't like it, go read some other news site and get the hell off of this one. Bye.
@PacificNWRunner @FreedomLover
Because of the sarcastic tone behind it. Fallacy: people must be bad pet owners if they don't lock up their pets during SeaFair. Ignorance: He is "sick and tired" of people "whining"over the Blue Angels Overgeneralization: his criticizing the DSHS (who are doing wonders with the community, particularly the poverty) for "How many more dead bodies must there be before proper and prudent steps are taken to actually protect children?" I can pick it apart. But hey, to each to their own. So I have a right to express my opinion just as Schram does. So I expect criticism just like he should expect it. The difference is, I don't represent a professional media source.  IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY, MOVE ON. DON'T COMMENT TO MY OPINION.  GET THE HELL OFF MY REPLIES. BYE. SEE YA.    Â
 @FreedomLover Wow! Really? I'm guessing you don't have much in life to worry about if a story on a news site has to pis you off so much.
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 @FreedomLover LOL! OMG! You really must be 80 years old if you don't know what a troll is, and you basically just proved that, so I'll just let you look it up. I sure ain't gonna be feeding the troll here anymore, especially since I just happened to notice your comments are already getting removed.
@Zoso What your easy day of sitting around and replying (as you are "in between" jobs, right)? Again you did not cross-examine any of my points. Therefore, I haven't the time for you now. I like debating material that has substance. Unfortunately you lack substance. I enjoy the Hyena's pouncing on me...it builds my debating skills. As I pointed out earlier, I was amused by some of your lack of knowledge on political debates. As a matter of fact, I noticed that ALL you do is reply to comments with one-liners like the one above. Please be better at debating, troll-crap (I noticed that is your word of the day, "troll"). You used that previously, thank you for that laugh! Who calls people "troll" anymore? What are you, 80 years old! Troll dumpings! Ha ha Â
 @FreedomLover You did your job? LOL! Thanks for the laughs. Makin' my day easier.
@Dawgfan67 @Zoso So let his superiors be the judge. If they want Komo to represent themselves as sarcastic and a rude news source, then so be it. I did my job. I like Komo, I support them and do spend a lot of time on there site. I like reading their articles, but if they demonize my community, then I stand up for myself. My hypothetical was not a waste of space. My point was that opinions can be damaging to a community and the media source. And if his superiors gives a rat's rear about my complaint, then so be it. My question is why do YOU give a rat's rear about what I have to say?Â
 @FreedomLover  @Zoso  @FreedomLover He did not cross any line. He gave his opinion. Your hypothetical "what-is" are a waste of space.....You don't like his opinion, that is fine...his superiors aren't gonna give a rats rear end about your complaint....What that means is your spending a LOT of time on the KOMO site...which is their objective....so either way...KOMO and Ken win...which actually makes me laugh about it.....
 @FreedomLover And then you get all heated up and come back with the namecalling. Yup. Definitely the response of a troll.
 @FreedomLover I only care about the issues, the issues that effect us the people. What are you going on about here? You're going on and on about a Ken Schram post and bitching and complaining, saying you're pissed to the point that you are complaining to his superiors about it because you have a problem about it being unprofessional. You think anybody's gonna care? And like a typical troll who can't take the criticism, you respond to my reply and turn it around on me? Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black? Don't worry about me, I got a life and a little bit of down time right now. But it's probably about time for me to get on with my life for at least a little while now.
 @FreedomLover Uhh, you do know who Ken Schram is right? Writes articles on Komonews.com for basically the sole purpose of giving his opinions on the goings on of the world? You don't have to like what he says and you can complain to his superiors all you want but I highly doubt that they are going to do anything about one person doing their job. Perhaps you should grow a pair and not take everything so personally (because as it turns out, the world doesn't revolve around you).....I'm just sayin
Okay, first of all, Yes I realize that he writes opinion columns. However, they should be professional. They should be respectful. They should not be sarcastic, as that is poor journalism. I read Komo News for the professionalism. If I wanted to read about how some guy is pissed off at people whining then I will just get on Facebook, or something. The world doesn't revolve around me, but it is evolving around me. Evolving into poor, biased journalism, lesser educated columns such as this one, and I can't stand idly by. So "Uhh" yeah I am upset at this being on the front page. Thanks for defending Schram. How about if I insult you, how would you like it? How about if I blast it on the front page so that everyone can read it? So yeah, I have a right to be pissed. Thanks for your suggestion? But I suggest you shove it
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@Mandalayfarm07 It sounds like you're taking what I have to say personally!? Did you have a point....Because if your was that he is not a journalist, then my point comes back to my original thought...he represents Komo News. Everything that he writes on Komo reflects Komo. I bet you disagree with that too. And that's fine. I'm just wondering what would happen if he were to write a racist comment. Then would you still agree? Hypothetically speaking, if he said something racist, his consequences would result in termination (and public uproar).   You went of on a tangent arguing whether he is a journalist...my point is that he was UNPROFESSIONAL. Get it? What he says reflects who he works for. If he is sarcastic, condescending, belittling, rude, that is downright unprofessional.Â
.......did you have a point with that or....? No? Ok, cool. Just gonna reiterate, he is a news and radio commentator, could you technically consider that journalism? Sure, you could, but he doesn't proclaim to be a journalist, he claims to be a commentator who is extremely opinionated and you can either agree with him or disagree with him. If you disagree, fine, no one is stopping you, but taking his opinions that you disagree with, personally? That's a bit childish
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@Mandalayfarm07 You hear that Ken? You are NOT a journalist! From Wikipedia: "'Opinion journalism' is journalism that makes no claim of objectivity. Although distinguished from advocacy journalism in several ways, both forms feature a subjective viewpoint, usually with some social or political purpose."Â
 @FreedomLover He is a public commentator not a journalist and he is sought after for giving his no holds barred, non PC opinions. And as it turns out, sarcasm has a way of getting the point across a lot better than being respectful does. And again, this isn't about you. Schram didn't personally insult you and put it on the front page for all the world to see. So using that comparison doesn't really apply.
@FreedomLover I never expect professionalism from KOMO...sometimes entertainment though.
@schramalot Because they have people like Schram representing them
 @FreedomLover Good luck, it is an oped piece. Quite a bit if nice writing yourself with the name calling....Should get you real far in your complaint...LOL
@Dawgfan67 The "e-Pen" goes a long ways
@Dawgfan67 Pretty much
 @FreedomLover  @Dawgfan67 Yeah like getting your comment deleted....LOL