Voting dilemma. We have a top two primary system, and the primaries are past. Lt. Gov - we have a Republican who I am thinking of voting for - pro-choice, pro-mariage equality, pro-legalize marijuana, pro-election reform in terms of weaking the power of lobbyist.

Democrat who I probably will vote against is anti-choice, anti-marriage equality, and is right wind on tax issues as well. The only thing the Democrat is decent on is union rights. The Republican is awful on Union rights. However even on economics the Democrat is awful on tax issues, and the Republican actually supports an occasional tax or two.

So if it was just issues the Republican is the lesser of two lessers. But - Lt Governor has a lot to say on procedural issues, and a Republican Lt. Governor will vote with the Republicans on procedural issues. (And there is evidence on this particular candidates.) That means that on a lot of issues where Owen is awful and Finkbeiner is great, Finkbeiner will end up making procedural rulings that will help reactionaries and anti-choicers, while anti-choice anti-gay Owen will (as has in the past) make procedural rulings that help women and gays. (Though he has used this power to help Eyeman push through tax nonsense, while Finkbeiner has promised to rule against it.) So when I look at actual consequences, it looks like the truly awful Democrat will be better than the less awful Republican.

So if that is the case then I should vote for the Democrat. Only if I do I would really feel like I'm throwing women and gays and fellow environmentalists under the bus. I guess the question is how sure I am about the consequences,

Dang, Typo, that's a tough one. And it reminds me that I need to do some cramming this weekend on local politics, I'm so out of touch here compared to NC.

OMG I just finished a thing I was doing for Strix as part of her services and it was like homework and it was very tough (and taxing on my memory) but it is DONE! So excited.

WOO NORA. Way to go, chica.

I guess the question is how sure I am about the consequences

That is really the question.

I can't really tell if either of them have a history of voting their beliefs over their party but since they both seem to be in the wrong party, it's the important question.

Voting should not come with a cheery, "Good luck!" but I wish you well in choosing.

There are certainly things I voted for that I hope I had the facts correct. I checked and at least my ballot is officially received. So I've Voted.

Not a question of voting but of procedure rulings. As President of the Senate only one vote which is normally exercised in cases of ties. But in terms of procedural decisions which decide what will be voted on and under what rules - a lot power .Owen has a history of making procedural decisions that favor Democrats,with the exception of tax policy where he sides on procedural issues with Republicans. Finkbeiner will probably vote with Democrats when he chooses to votes. But in deciding what will come to a vote, deciding on various rules and so on, he will almost certain make decisions favoring Republicans. And the Republican establishment must agree. Because they are supporting him in spite of his maverick issue stands.

So looking into the how much power the Lt Gov has in practice, the consequences are real and I think odds are overwhelming that the procedural choices will be made as I said by both. But I wonder if it is that simple. Because the legislative consequences are not the only consequences. If Owen gets in gays and women and environmentalists will do better in legislative battles in Wa State. But they will also face a prominent Democratic voice against marriage equality and women's control over their own bodies and the for environmental destruction. And that is a consequence too.

Ugh Typo, I don't envy your choice.

Random pooch cuteness: a surfer and her shark (taken at school on Halloween).

Kaylee was remarkably good about her costume.

Aside from random cuteness, this has been a hell of a week. If I didn't have four classes to teach tomorrow, I'd take the day off. I'm seriously burning out at my school right now. I'm not going to last another year like this.

I hear ya, Pix. I very nearly called up my boss today to say "talk me down from a ledge". Managed to hold on, but we WILL be having a talk soon.

Typo, it's a tough choice. And if I knew who would win governor is feel better about it. I mean, I hope I know, but...

Why? Why do people move things that have lots of cables going into it? Ya know, little things, like:

• Power to half the speakers for the show
  
• feed to the dressing rooms
  
• the hearing assist system to comply with ADA laws
  

Little things. Nothing major. @@ Ugg. Looks like my morning will be interesting trying to figure out which cable is which. and find a way to re route them for this show. Ugg.

I totally missed out on a perfect opportunity to write-in Clovis the Devilbunny. One of our local Land Management districts had no one running at all so I wrote in my second choice for the other Land Management district. I bet Clovis would have some excellent ideas on managing a district in Portland.

I woke up at 3 AM with horrible back pain, which is annoying enough, but now I can't stop sneezing. I was just sick; I don't want to be sick again.