en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1479412 Comments by smokey307 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367092397 Urban/Interface Zones: As more and more folks move into wildland, fire tactics change to favor structure protection rather than wildland and weldfires then become even more destructive. Property owners can make their property more firesafe. Please contact your local fire department. Global warming is also contributing by raising average temperatures which result in drier fuel and more erratic winds. Some recent fires illustrate the point: the Station Fire in 1999 which burned 260,000+ acres, 1/4 of the entire Angeles NF; the Texas fires last year that were unprecidented for that state, and the Wallow Fire in Arizona last year that burned 500,000+ acres. We haven't had a major wildfire on the West Side in over 100 years but the potential is definitely there. The Yacoult Fire in September, 1902, burned 238,920 acres in Clark, lewis, and Skamania Counties. A problem emerging this year is that the US Forest Service isn't funding enough large air tankers and hoping it will be a quiet fire season. It will continue to get worse. Fri, 25 May 2012 15:31:33 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367092397 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367083550 Why and what can we do are natural responses. A result of the August 1910 fires which burned together and then burned 3,000,000 acres in N Idaho, W Montana, and NE Washington, federal agencies mandated that all fires be suppressed and controlled by 10 the following morning. If that didn't happen, then target 10 the following morning, and so on. However, fire is natural in wildlands. It keeps undergrowth cleaned out, favors strong overstory, and is required by some species to even germinate. We have kept fires out of some areas for more than 100 years which resulted in incredibly high fuel loads beneath canopies and sometimes species changes. When fires hit those areas the tend to be huge, violent, and unable to control. Wildland agencies are now trying to clear some of that fuel tonnage but no nearly enough has been treated because of weather conditions. Fri, 25 May 2012 15:15:14 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367083550 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367077352 I spent 19 years as a wildland and structure firefighter, most of it wildland. I have been everything from the last McLeod operator on a hotshot crew to the nation's first Situation Coordinator at the National Interagency Fire Center. I wa the first Chief of Wildfire Management of the Territory of Guam and a Battalion Chief for a Washington Fire Department. I have studied wildfires since 1966. Some years have been really aweful and some have had minimal impact. What I've seen the last several years though is a lettle scary. I've seen more violent fire behavior lasting longer than ever before, I've seen much larger fires, I seen more buildings and infrastructure destroyed, and I've seen burned areas unable to return to their natural (original) type. Fri, 25 May 2012 15:03:55 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Wildfire-destroys-12-homes-in-southwestern-NM-153903855.html#IDComment367077352 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Preview--Investigation-finds-more-child-deaths-DSHS-facing-possible-penalties-151776725.html#IDComment361842640 This situation really saddens and angers me. I think none of us want a government agency intruding into that most private part of our lives. It's very easy for parents to keep abuse secret and hidden for years. My parents kept their physical and mental abuse of my brother and I secret forever. On the other hand, judges and cops either believe that what they saw was not abuse or it is not serious enough to remove the kids. I remember going to a shelter care hearing for neglect. I showed a bunch of pics to the judge who wasn't interesting in taking any action. I showed him a picture of a literal pile of garbage about 4' high in the living room. He looked at the picture and said, "Is that a dead cat on top of that garbage!!?" I told him there was indeed a cat there. He then ordered the kids out of the home. He would not have ordered the kids out except for the cat which, was not dead at all but I didn't tell him that. Once the kids were safe, I could investigate in depth and I uncovered a large sexual abuse ring. Thu, 17 May 2012 02:48:09 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Preview--Investigation-finds-more-child-deaths-DSHS-facing-possible-penalties-151776725.html#IDComment361842640 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Preview--Investigation-finds-more-child-deaths-DSHS-facing-possible-penalties-151776725.html#IDComment361836248 I can't begin to say how distressed I an about the number of Washington's kids killed by abuse. DSHS has some of the blame but not even most of it. The law limits what DSHS can do. Until they know about abuse or neglect they can't even begin an investigation. Once they investigat a situation and determine a child should be removed, the law does not give DSHS the authority to remove the kids. Only the cops or a court order can do that. Once they remove the kids, there are two nearings fairly quickly. A Shelter Care Hearing allow a Superior Court judge to order the kids to be removed. If he doesn't so order, the kids return home. DSHS has a little more time to finish the investigation, a week or less, and file an in home Dependency Petition. Again there is a Superior Court Hearing. The parents are represented by a free public lawyer. The judge will issue an order at the end of the hearing. Actually, anything can happen. The kids could remain in care, they could go home, the parents may be required to do something. Once there is an order, DSHS must follow it even if they believe the child wilol be abused again if he goes home. Thu, 17 May 2012 02:32:30 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Preview--Investigation-finds-more-child-deaths-DSHS-facing-possible-penalties-151776725.html#IDComment361836248 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-gives-DOJ-police-reform-counterproposal-151807545.html?clmob=y#IDComment361828848 Who believe the SPD or the Mayor's Office can take care of this matter themselves? Absolutely NO ONE (and those few that do don't count)! SPD must be required to follow the DOJ directives, fire SPD senior management, fire the bad cops, and clean out the mayor and his staff. It's possible to redeem SPD but the cost of redemption must be very high indeed. Thu, 17 May 2012 02:14:18 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-gives-DOJ-police-reform-counterproposal-151807545.html?clmob=y#IDComment361828848 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Windows-smashed-as-May-Day-protests-wind-through-Downtown-Seattle-149713705.html#IDComment352423224 I certainly believe our economy and world position are declining because of the 1% and the 99% percent certainly have a right to protest our plight even to the point of civil disobedience. However, no one has the right to commit violence and and act like the're still in their terrible twos. Certainly the father of civil disobedience, Henry David Thoreau, is apalled at what has taken place today. These people are neither liberal nor conservative, they are just seffish. If you want to protest effectively you could do no better then to follow the example of Dr. King, Gandhi before him and Thoreau before him. Wed, 2 May 2012 04:10:22 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Windows-smashed-as-May-Day-protests-wind-through-Downtown-Seattle-149713705.html#IDComment352423224 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Ken-Schram-Well-deserved-kudos-to-those-investigating-the-Keller-case-149527095.html#IDComment352398941 While it is pretty obvious that the conservative "trust" and Murdock control Fox News, what is also true but not so obvious is the same "trust" controls CNN and the major networks. The "trust" decides what news to air and how to spin it. Wed, 2 May 2012 03:13:00 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Ken-Schram-Well-deserved-kudos-to-those-investigating-the-Keller-case-149527095.html#IDComment352398941 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Magic-era-officially-begins-as-closing-of-Dodgers-sale-finalized-149695045.html#IDComment352391905 Naturally, I was excstatic when the Dodgers moved to LA and I never missed a game on the radio or TV. I was on the Arcadia High School baseball team in 1965 when we won state. We were invited to be introduced to fans along the sidelines before the game and out pitcher threw out the first ball. We then watched the game from the Dodger dugout. I remember sitting there quiet and awestruck when a player came up to me read the lineup which was posted above me. I looked up and it was Sandy Koufax. Oh My God. He was my all time baseball hero and there he was. He then turned and started a normal conversation with me about baseball and my dreams. I was in heaven and so stunned I forgot to ask for his autograph. That's why I'm a Dodger fan. I'm a Mariners fan too but that's another story. Wed, 2 May 2012 02:56:07 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Magic-era-officially-begins-as-closing-of-Dodgers-sale-finalized-149695045.html#IDComment352391905 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Magic-era-officially-begins-as-closing-of-Dodgers-sale-finalized-149695045.html#IDComment352391795 Woo Hoo! Finally sanity and honesty return to the most storied team in baseball. I admit I'm biased. I've been a Dodger fan since I was first enchanted by baseball in about 1953 or so. I grew up in LA and since there were no major league teams in the Western US, Dad rooted for the Dodgers and since I usually root for the underdogs and the Yankees ruled the baseball roost then, of course I rooted for the Dodgers. As I got a little older I learned that Dad was good friends and ran track at Pasadena Junior College with Mack Robinson, the older brother of one of the Dodger stars. Dad was one of the few white boys Mallie had over for dinner at that house on pepper street. No wonder he had a Dodger connection. Wed, 2 May 2012 02:55:49 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Magic-era-officially-begins-as-closing-of-Dodgers-sale-finalized-149695045.html#IDComment352391795 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Ken-Schram-Judges-compassion-totally-misplaced-148545895.html#IDComment346031111 I consider myself compassionate but I also support justice. I am against the death penality but I believe a person should pay for his crime even if he dies while he is incarcerated. As for the medical costs, I believe he will be eligible for health care for the indigent disabled if he is released. He is alleged to have committed a horrible crime, deserves his time in court, and is legally presumed to be innocent. However, the state has a right to protect residents and insure that, if is alive, he is present for trial. The only way to do that is to keep him incarcerated. While Roberson is entitled to compassion, it is not unlimited. His girlfriend's family deserves unlimited compassion. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:04:46 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Ken-Schram-Judges-compassion-totally-misplaced-148545895.html#IDComment346031111 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Schrammie-Sartain-needs-to-reconcile-his-political-motives-with-his-religious-beliefs-147965935.html#IDComment343869510 In our form of government, the majority of legislators, or voters, determines the outcome of most contested issues. That is as as it should be in a representative form of government. There is one big exception however. That exception deals with individual human rights. The majority should NEVER have the privalege to determine the rights or lack of rights of the minority. Time and again the bigoted majority has tried to limit the right of minorities. The issue is so strong we fought a civil war over it, added some amendments to guarantee rights for African Americans, and witnessed vilonce as a minority continued to fight for their rights. Disabled folks have had to do the same thing, and so have GLBT folks. Like other minorities we will continue to fight to have the same rights straight people have but we shouldn't need to do that. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:17:48 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Schrammie-Sartain-needs-to-reconcile-his-political-motives-with-his-religious-beliefs-147965935.html#IDComment343869510 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Schrammie-Sartain-needs-to-reconcile-his-political-motives-with-his-religious-beliefs-147965935.html#IDComment343071566 The Catholic Church, by its own teaching, does not have the right or authority to deem anything as by any particular. Only God determines that. If you are a Catholic, return to your Baltimore Catechism. The Catholic Church only has the authority to determine if a particular believer is or is not in communion with it. Reproduction (and by the way, I am pro life) and sexual matters seem to attract most of their attention and corporate and individual acts against charity, which Jesus did condemn seem to get very little attention. I researched Archbishop Sartain when he was selected and saw a reincarnation of Bishop Wuerl of unhappy memory. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:58:29 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/Schrammie-Sartain-needs-to-reconcile-his-political-motives-with-his-religious-beliefs-147965935.html#IDComment343071566 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Future-of-Judah-Maccabee-film-uncertain-147409135.html#IDComment340676531 "Who cares what he thinks personally?" Actually, I for one do. I am not Israel's biggest fan as I believe the West Bank should be Palestinean but I think any reading of contemporary or ancient Jewish history should tell all of us why we should care personally. We are only a generation or two away from the Holocaust and anti-semiticism continues to be alive and dangerous. I think it would be such a slap in the face of every Jew and should be for every Christian for an anti-semite to be involved in such a project. There are better folks in the business than Gibson who could produce this story. The story of the Maccabees is inspirational and significant because its feast falls around Christmas but there are certainly more important stories from Jewish history to portray on screen such as the Jewish exile in 587 BCE and their later return to Israel. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:48:43 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/Future-of-Judah-Maccabee-film-uncertain-147409135.html#IDComment340676531 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Mike-Cameron-says-hes-retiring-as-Mariner-147397395.html#IDComment338542211 I'm glad Cammie is retiring as a Mariner. He is a great player and a great guy. I got to know him when I worked with him on an outreach program for the State of Washington and he is as good as Gold. I remember when his diamond earrings were reflecting so brightly an umpire asked him to remove them. Thanks for the memories Mike! Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:30:01 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Mike-Cameron-says-hes-retiring-as-Mariner-147397395.html#IDComment338542211 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Vin-Scully-to-miss-home-opener-146860335.html#IDComment336776604 I grew up with Vin Scully and the Dodgers in the 50s and 60s. I think he is the best announcer MLB has ever had. Get well Vin, the game needs you. I remember he apprenticed with another one of MLBs top announcers, Red Barber. Unfortunately for Vin, he was a Dodgers announcer, when baseball's most remembered words were uttered and he didn't get to say them (with some correction of course): "The Giants win the series, the Giants win the series, the Giants win the series!!" I remember many other great Dodger moments even before the came to LA. The Dodgers were always on the radio at our house. Dad and Mack Robinson were on the same track team in Pasadena so Jackie was one of Dad's closest friend's little brother who hung out with the team. Vin has seen it all. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:19:47 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Vin-Scully-to-miss-home-opener-146860335.html#IDComment336776604 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Small-plane-crashes-into-Fla-shopping-center-145860865.html#IDComment330546730 ese priWhat has irritated me most has been the poor judgement of the bishops and their staffs in assigning these priests to assignments where there are temptions and then covering it up. Additionally they should have reported the information to proper civil authorities. I agree that the seal of the confessional is to be kept unto death. However the news is out long before the priest goes to confession. As a social worker, I carried a child sex abuse caseload and saw first hand for years how abuse destroyed those kids. I also worked with their abusers. Later as a priest I ministered to the sexual abusers on Mc Neil Island. They deserve compassion as all humans do but they should never be allowed to return to society. Sexual abusers are never cured. At best they may be able to have better control of their impulses. They need to be isolated from the community. As an aside, sexual abusers become experts in manipulation all its forms. To watch these guys as McNeil try to manipulate each other is a trip. They are loners by nature and being put in a group of like people is really mind blowing. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 06:07:22 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Small-plane-crashes-into-Fla-shopping-center-145860865.html#IDComment330546730 http://www.komonews.com/sports/49-year-old-Moyer-earns-spot-in-Rockies-rotation-145277875.html#IDComment329304643 I think Jamie will always be a Nariner. He remains a Mariner home town hero to fans. I would love for him to retire as a Mariner but who knows what MLB will be like 50 years from now. Sun, 1 Apr 2012 15:29:55 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/49-year-old-Moyer-earns-spot-in-Rockies-rotation-145277875.html#IDComment329304643 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Dodgers-reach-deal-with-Magic-Johnson-group-144497595.html?clmob=y#IDComment326423598 I've been a Dodger fan since they were in Brooklyn and Dad was a friend of Jackie Robinson's big brother Mack.. Whil3 I was in high school, a dream was fulfilled when I met and talked to Sandy Koufax. Their last few years have been horrible as you would expect an owner's private finances and problems get mixed up with a business. I am happy about the sale and look foreward to Magic being a public face for management. I am looking forward to big things from this storied team. I hope the Dodgers and Mariners don't meet in a World Series because I honestly don't know who I'd root for, probably the Ms. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:04:59 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/sports/Dodgers-reach-deal-with-Magic-Johnson-group-144497595.html?clmob=y#IDComment326423598 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Openly-gay-students-suicide--144328015.html#IDComment325732932 Folks, it doesn't just happen in New York, New Jersey, and Wyoming. It happense in Washington too, a lot. Even our capitol city isn't immune. I hated junior and senior high because I was in constant fear. I wasn't out yet but students thought I was gay. I never mentioned it to my parents and when I came home bruised and bloody it was because I fell. Teen suicides grieve me greatly and anger me even more. I'm retired now and I want to do what ever I can to prevent teen suicide. Any suggestions/ Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:29:18 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Openly-gay-students-suicide--144328015.html#IDComment325732932