Everything is Fine in SWWA: Recent Episodes
Everything is Fine in SWWA
Everything is Fine in SWWA is a political podcast where we recognize that everything is NOT AT ALL FINE and discuss what we can do about it.
Karissa deep dives even further into the Clark County Council District 1 race, touches on some other local elections, and goes on several side rants---including covering the intra-left drama between the Portland Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter and Dusti Arab.You can become a Patron for as little as $5 a month which gives you early access to episodes while supporting independent journalism and the sustainability of this project. If you don’t want to commit, but appreciate the work, you can always send a tip via Venmo @Karissa-Halstrompatreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa runs the gamut with Dusti Arab, candidate challenging incumbent Glen Yung for Clark County Council, District 1!Thanks to Dusti for coming on the show! You can learn more about Dusti's platform, make contact, and find out how you can help the campaign on Arab's website: https://dustiforclarkcounty.com/
by LT Page:@eltee-pageJim Mains' Michael Jackson performance at Children's Center 2014 Fundraiser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E4-HRIm1IQ
Karissa reads her article written for Current Affairs magazine, “The US War Machine is Earth’s Greatest Enemy”, and calls on listeners to bring this most important film to Vancouver for a showing!Calls to Action:-(Most important). Email info@kigginstheatre.com and request that they show Earth’s Greatest Enemy this April for Earth Day.-Go to Abby Martin’s @empirefiles account on Instagram. Share out one of their recent posts about Earth' s Greatest Enemy while tagging Kiggins Theatre with the same message: play the film in April for Earth Day!-Talk to the local orgs (DSA, Sierra Club, etc.) you’re involved in about hosting a private screening of the film. Those interested in private screening can email TheEmpireFiles@gmail.com.-Students or faculty (Washington State University’s Collective for Social and Environmental Justice, WSU Students for Palestine) that have a venue available at a college campus, email the TheEmpireFiles@gmail.com.-If all else fails, there is another screening on April 19th in Portland that listeners could attend, but let’s do everything thing we can to try and get it shown in Vancouver first! Tickets at EarthsGreatestEnemy.com.You can become a Patron for as little as $5 a month which gives you early access to episodes. If you don’t want to commit, but appreciate the work, you can always send a tip via Venmo @Karissa-Halstrompatreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWAMusic and production assistance by LT Page
Karissa discusses a recent incident involving 3 Clark County women who observed and confronted ICE agents in our community and were threatened by the Clark County Sheriff's Office for felony stalking, as well as the Clark County Council's most recent discussion about their statement on federal immigration enforcement. She then explores where we might go from here.
Karissa platforms the testimony of the people of Clark County speaking out about ICE and about the Clark County Council's complicity in allowing the FBI (who are full-blown ICE collaborators, with one quarter of the FBI assisting ICE with operations, protecting immigrant detention facilities, violating protesters' civil liberties on the ground, covering up for the crimes committed by ICE, targeting activists as domestic terrorists via the NSPM-7 directive, and more) continued use of our public conservation property, Camp Bonneville, on January 28th. We then hear the Council's discussion, some analysis, and talk next steps. Right now, we must continue to flood the Clark County Council with the reporting showing clearly that the FBI IS doing federal immigration policy. You could also share any reporting of other outrageous activities the FBI is involved in, such as its complicity in the Epstein file cover-up to protect pedophiles (redacting the names of powerful people while not redacting the names of victims, for example) the FBI's seizure of voting records from an election center in Fulton County, Georgia, anything more on the NSPM-7 directive, etc. Email: glen.yung@clark.wa.gov matt.little@clark.wa.gov You can always CC sue.marshall@clark.wa.gov and wil.fuentes@clark.wa.gov to ensure they are also getting the latest reporting on the FBI working as a blatant arm of fascism, even though they already oppose the FBI's use of Camp Bonneville. Follow Everything is Fine in SWWA on IG and FB for updates on opportunities to act on this issue and mark your calendars for February 17th at 6pm where there will be open public comment at the Clark County Council.
---targeting essentially anyone to the left of Donald Trump. Given the latest news about Renee Nicole Good (that the FBI will not be investigating her murder but has now opened an inquiry into her connection to activist groups) and other reporting, there is no denying that the FBI is hard at work carrying out the NSPM-7 directive. Karissa breaks this all down and more---and comes with the receipts. Do you feel comfortable with our Clark County Council voluntarily enabling a federal agency that is currently covering up for rich and powerful pedophiles as it drops balls left and right, wastes our resources hunting an Antifa boogeyman, and hunts us while assisting ICE in its deadly and lawless endeavors? The FBI’s use of Camp Bonneville is merely a favor that Clark County has been doing for the FBI for decades. It’s our property, we have no obligation to support them, and we don’t even have a contract with the FBI---YET. We have the opportunity to materially oppose the Trump administration right here in Clark County, to strike a blow to this clan of federal agency thugs terrorizing, assaulting, and murdering people in our streets. If enough people show up to a council meeting to inform and to pressure our representatives on this, WE WILL WIN. It is literally just a matter of whether listeners will take this information, run with it, and get to organizing. At 6pm on Tuesday, January 20th, you can speak for up to 3 minutes (in person, virtually, or over the phone) in opposition to the FBI’s continued use of Camp Bonneville on the basis of ICE collaboration and the NSPM-7 directive at Open Public Comment to the Clark County Council. The next day, January 21st, at 1pm, you can do the same by speaking to the Camp Bonneville agenda item. You can also SHOW UP to support the speakers by bringing a small sign that says “FBI are ICE collaborators,” “Feds out of our forests,” or another similar sentiment. Meeting information here: https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetingsYou can submit written comment to the Council using this simple comment form here: https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/public-commentNews clips used from Breaking Points, Breakthrough News, Democracy Now!, and Status Coup.Show your appreciation by supporting the work for as little as $5 a month: patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa breaks down the last year or so of shenanigans re: Camp Bonneville by various actors in Clark County government and law enforcement, as well as the state of the cleanup---ending with the latest vote by the Clark County Council to flip-flop and bring the FBI back to Camp Bonneville against clear, widespread opposition by the residents they're there to serve.This will set you up for Part 5, where we will review extensive reporting on the FBI's recent actions re: collaboration with ICE and more.
by LT Page:https://soundcloud.com/eltee-pageBecome a Patron for as little as $5 a month to support the work and get early access to episodes: patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
utm_campaign=social_sharingLeah Perkel's campaign site: https://leahperkel.com/Support my work for as little as $5 a month and get early access to episodes here: patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa explores the recent complaint lodged by random dude and related developments as Kim Harless' re-election campaign heats up.Let’s not just lay down and let the establishment railroad us, shall we? Let's make the Columbian Editorial Board's endorsements even more irrelevant by SHOWING UP for Harless in the coming days. Sign up here: https://votekimharless.com/get-involved (They even have phone banking! You can do that shit in your PJ's---no excuse!)If you appreciate this podcast, consider supporting the work on Patreon for as little as $5 a month! patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWAMusic by LT Page: https://soundcloud.com/eltee-page/sets/onewhoplantsagarden
It's been a long time coming! Karissa and Phillip got a chance to sit down with Vancouver City Councilmember Kim Harless, who is running for re-election---with the primary election being THIS Tuesday, August 5th!We ran the gamut of topics, including the climate crisis and the environment, housing and homelessness (root causes, real solutions, and what the city has done), equity (including the promising utility of the City of Vancouver's recently passed equity statement), policing, wealth inequality/affordability, campaign finance, tribal knowledge, Kim's primary opposition, Karissa's pet peeve (the city's Visit Vancouver tourism industry expansion efforts), annexation, how to organize and advocate to the Vancouver City Council, local defenses against fascism---AND MORE!This might be the most refreshing and substantive conversation we've ever had here on the podcast. Not only did we get to understand Kim's positions on basically everything, but they gave us some serious insight into what material policies we can win for the working class via the City of Vancouver---IF we get organized.We cannot lose this gem of a councilmember! First and foremost, get your ballots in by 8pm on Tuesday, August 5th, or if you’re voting by mail make sure your ballot is postmarked and in the mailbox by August 5th BEFORE your mail carrier comes, tell your friends and family to do the same, sign up for final GOTV efforts, and don’t forget to ALSO vote YES on the library levy lid lift, Proposition 1, while you are at it!We need ALL HANDS ON DECK for the final days of the primary campaign to get Kim coming out strong and on to win the general! Sign up to volunteer at https://votekimharless.com/get-involved OR email info@votekimharless.com with the volunteer option you're interested in and they'll set you up!If you're not a Patron but your appreciate this effort, please consider becoming one for as little as $5/month for early access to episodes and to support all the hard work that goes into this advocacy journalism project for SWWA! Go to patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA to sign up!
You likely watched in horror as Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passed Congress just before the Fourth of July, with only 2 Republicans voting against it, and have been trying to wrap your mind around everything that’s in it since then. This is being called the largest EVER upward transfer of wealth from the working class to the rich, with huge tax cuts for the wealthy paired with the slashing of Medicaid---which will gravely cut Apple Health in Washington--- and food stamps that are relied upon by the poorest Americans, higher Affordable Care Act insurance premiums, and a truly terrifying boost to mass surveillance and ICE (the ICE funding, by the way, is set to increase to heights greater than many of the world’s militaries, including Israel), as well as a massive assault on clean energy.So guys, what are we going to do about it? Better yet, what are our local electeds going to do about it? Karissa offers a call to action for listeners.If you appreciate this effort, PLEASE HELP by sharing to spread this call to action far and wide, and by sharing contact information for local elected officials in the comments on the podcast's social media post. Democrats, especially Ferguson, will need their arms twisted to act here, so it's up to us to amp up the pressure. BIG SHOUT OUT to Hannah Krieg of the Burner's citizen journalism work up in Seattle that inspired this call to action. Check out the article covered here: https://www.theburnerseattle.com/post/no-call-for-celebration-this-july-4-60-wa-elected-officials-and-candidates-commit-to-immediate-a
utm_campaign=social_sharingPlease consider becoming a Patron for as little as $5 a month to help sustain this podcast: patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa covers a controversial new decision made by Vancouver Pride Block Party organizers this year to hire the Vancouver Police Department for security, rather than using the combination of community defense and BIPOC private security used in previous years. We talk a little history, detail the criticism coming from the local queer community (many of whom were very close to the Pride Block Party organizing), explore the conflicting claims from the new non-profit who is running the show this year (Queer Community Network) about how the decision was come to, discuss QCN’s response to the backlash, and dig deeper to discover how all this really came about---which appears to be an intentional, corporate pivot made by QCN to turn Vancouver Pride Block Party into a commercial tourist attraction.Please consider becoming a Patron for $5/month (higher tiers are available) to support the work and for early access to episodes! You can also support by sharing the podcast among your networks to help us gain new local listeners and comrades!patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Hey guys! This little snip should explain everything. It's not exactly a podcast episode; rather, it's an urgent action alert. Here is the link to the free Patreon video clip version of the call to action:https://www.patreon.com/posts/action-alert-for-128061872?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkBelow is a link to the Clark County meeting agenda where you can find the meeting information. The agenda item is 4.2 Comprehensive Plan Update under Old Business. If you can't make it in person or online, you could at least write Councilor Yung and/or Little urging them to ensure the Clark County Comprehensive Plan Update passes on time. However, I seriously question whether they adequately read public comment and their behavior thus far as been so shameful that I think the pressure of a full room and lots of testimony is the only thing that could move them. Yung is the weakest link for turning in our favor IMO.https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetingsEmails: glen.yung@clark.wa.gov matt.little@clark.wa.gov
- The Betrayals of Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Part 2Karissa and Phillip team up again to talk about the day they (and hundreds of others) met up in the flesh to join the protest at Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's Vancouver town hall at the Leupke Center.
Karissa returns solo from a long hiatus to talk about Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot's recent rogue behavior at the CTran Board to stop light rail on the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project, her ouster by fellow councilmembers, and the backlash. Karissa also uncovers through hard research another Belkot scandal that was long rumored but never proven, and discusses the skewed presentation of public sentiment the Council experiences thanks to corporate interests and the loud voices of the privileged.Please use this rundown as a launchpad for action when a hearing about light rail (but not really about light rail) comes before the Council! We need mass local mobilization to protect light rail as climate action and accountability for those in power.
Karissa interviews John Saulie-Rohman, Independent Candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, spanning the spectrum of topics, from foreign policy and the US war machine, environment, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, campaign financing, education, healthcare, economy, free speech, national debt, and immigration! This is a comprehensive deep dive into John's positions focused on facts and honesty, which is what he wants to keep at the forefront of this race that has sadly devolved into partisan show politics and special interest corruption. The 3rd CD deserves better! Important to note: John is the only pro-Palestine candidate in this race against Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, Joe Kent, and Leslie Lewallen and is foregoing PAC donations of ANY kind---opting for only individual donations. Learn more at John's website:https://www.saulierohmanforcongress.com/ Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnnySR6288
Karissa uncovers some oddities around Joe Kent's FEC filings, rants about campaign finance, and briefly discusses the only anti-genocide candidate in the 3rd Congressional District race.
Karissa and Phillip dig into some of the evidence that proves that the FBI has not been a “good tenant” at Camp Bonneville---that they have routinely been violating the terms of their agreement for years, contaminating the property, detonating explosives, and putting law enforcement at risk, and that the county knows about it. They also review more false information provided by 2 members of Parks staff over the last few months regarding Camp Bonneville and identify the biggest lie along with the smokiest gun…Action item: SHOW UP May 22nd at 1pm to or attend virtually to Clark County government discussion on Camp Bonneville items. You can write in public comment, provide testimony, or just show up to keep the pressure on the county. We are trying to crank these episodes as quickly as we can for you to get you the full lowdown! If you are willing to provide public testimony, we will help you in crafting your remarks. PM us on socials! Let’s speak out against this abuse of power, protect this carbon-sequestering forest from wildfire, and oppose this secret Cop City right here in Clark County, WA!As always, please consider becoming a Patron for as little as $5 a month (other tier options available) to support this work. We would like to build something more sustainable and avoid burnout as we try to bring you more deep dives on issues and efforts that are timely, to continue filling the void in honest perspectives in southwest Washington, and to shine a light on the actions of local government for accountability and meaningful change.https://www.patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa and Phillip continue the journey into the story of Camp Bonneville by diving into the current process that is underway to review the environmental cleanup by Clark County with the Camp Bonneville Community Advisory Group (CAG) and discussing misinformation provided by staff about CB today and over the years. We uncover many shenanigans, more falsehoods, and question whether CAG members---or anyone in the community, for that matter—should suspend all logic and “assume positive intent” given what we know at this point.Action item: Mark your calendars for May 22nd 1pm to SHOW UP or attend virtually to Clark County government discussion on Camp Bonneville items. We are trying to crank out these episodes as quick as we can for you to get you the full lowdown! If you are willing to provide public testimony, we will help you in crafting your remarks. Just reach out via social media!As always, please consider becoming a Patron for as little as $5 a month (other tier options available) to support this work. We would like to build something more sustainable and avoid burnout as we try to bring you more deep dives on issues and efforts that are timely, to continue filling the void in honest perspectives in southwest Washington, and to shine a light on the actions of local government for accountability and meaningful change.Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
- Camp Bonneville, Part 1: The Army, the FBI, and the Dirty TransferKarissa and Phillip join forces once again to talk about Camp Bonneville, an old 3,800-acre forested piece of Clark County property located 5 miles from the Vancouver city limits, bordering both sides of Lacamas Creek and about seven miles north of the Columbia River, that was once owned by the United States Department of Defense. Camp Bonneville was used and abused for its 85 years as a US military base before it was closed in 1995. It was transferred to Clark County in 2011 before the environmental cleanup was finished, and the safety status of the site remains credibly in question to this very day. On top of this, the FBI---yes, the FBI---has been squatting here since it was owned by the Army, and we have done our homework showing that years of mismanagement, covering up of fundamental facts about this property, and rampant misinformation about all aspects of Camp Bonneville---as well as FBI and Clark County Sheriff’s Office activities at the site---have gone on for years and continue to this very day, with HUGE implications for public health and safety, as well as liability that will cost Clark County taxpayers. This is the most complex, convoluted, and outrageous story we have ever covered…and we’re just getting started. Part 1 is a scratch of the surface.Action item: Mark your calendars for May 22nd 1pm to SHOW UP or attend virtually to Clark County government discussion on Camp Bonneville items. We are trying to crank these episodes as quick as we can for you to get you the full lowdown! More details to come.As always, please consider becoming a Patron for as little as $5 a month (other tier options available) to support this work. We would like to build something more sustainable and avoid burnout as we try to bring you more deep dives on issues and efforts that are timely, to continue filling the void in honest perspectives in southwest Washington, and to shine a light on the actions of local government for accountability and meaningful change.https://www.patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA
Karissa was fortunate enough to be joined by a panel of amazing experts and advocates who have been leading the charge against the Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU) mining expansion and industrial railroad plan in Clark County that is STILL being supported by the majority of the Clark County Council despite vast and growing opposition by its citizens.First things first: Everyone participating in this episode spoke on their own behalf, not on behalf of any organizations we cited that have been working on this issue.John Nanney is a resident of Chelatchie who lives at ground zero of Eric Temple/PVJR’s illegal destruction which is currently being investigated by multiple state and federal agencies, and which is also ground zero for the Chelatchie Bluff Mine and other mining expansion plans that have cropped up in response to Clark County opening the floodgates for industrial landowners with an illegal Surface Mining Overlay (SMO) and their dogged pursuit to implement the FRDU at all costs.You can listen to our coverage in the previous 6 episodes of this series where we covered all different aspects of this story, including Temple’s behavior and county corruption. But, this episode is the definitive case against the FRDU and mining expansion plan, where John, Jim Byrne (fish biologist), Dick Dyrland (hydrologist), and Teresa Hardy (Friends of Clark County and Sierra Club) present the irrefutable facts and the dire reality we face as a community should this project go through, including devastation of nearly 1000 acres of carbon sequestering forest (probably with more to come), contamination of the Troutdale aquifer where we get our drinking water, fish and wildlife, and of course, human health, safety, and well-being---impacts that will reverberate for generations.Be sure to access the photos and maps provided from John’s presentation on our social media pages as you’re listening along, and we will be uploading the video version of the podcast to YouTube at a later date, so stay tuned for announcements on socials for that!The panel also debunks the outrageous talking points we are hearing spouted from industry shills in the community and on the council like Chair Gary Medvigy, such as lines about the dire need for rock, jobs, and the greenwashing of this plan as a climate solution. We also discuss how the county can ACT NOW in several ways, despite their feigned impotence, and how we’ve got two very important seats on the council up this election year.This episode is meant to be your ultimate resource that can be easily shared via a simple link, whether it is the audio podcast version or the YouTube link. We need YOUR help sharing this episode (and series, for that matter) with elected officials and this year’s election candidates, friends, family, and neighbors so that we can give this issue an extra boost to force the county to ACT NOW!Additional Resources:Email John Nanney: jnanney56@gmail.comYou can find John’s report (and more write-ups about the FRDU) on the Friends of Clark County (FOCC) website here: https://friendsofclarkcounty.org/consolidated-report-chelatchie-bluff-mine-and-surrounding-industrial-plan/Follow Friends of Clark County for FRDU, mining, and other environmental issue updates on Facebook and IG. You can also PM to plug in to volunteer!Follow the Chelatchie Bluff Mine Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StopCBMLocal Sierra Club Loowit Chapter: https://www.facebook.com/loowit.groupLink up with Friends of Central Vancouver (FOCV)’s monthly forums here:https://www.focv.info/Coalition for Sustainable Land Management: https://cslm.us/
Today, we cover the public outrage over budget cut proposals being made by the Evergreen School District. It was revealed at the last school board meeting that the overpaid district administrators were paid EVEN MORE in the form of supplemental contracts during the teacher’s strike at the beginning of the year, raising the question of whether they were incentivized to negotiate with the union in bad faith.First, we’ll provide you a rundown of just how many hundreds of thousands of dollars these district administrators make, and demonstrate how their salaries have been increasing every year at the same time they’ve been cutting vital roles and activities at the district---all while claiming to be underfunded.We then turn the mic on the community, where you’ll hear from the badass parents, educators, and students standing up for the kids and against the district’s greed.Video of March 12th Evergreen School Board Meeting:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NDCMseL6kwEvergreen School Board Meeting and Public Comment Info: https://www.evergreenps.org/school-board
This is a short episode with a special and urgent call-to-action asking listeners to support Kim Harless by taking some time to write or testify to the Charter Review Commission, demanding a charter amendment to make changes to the Salary Review Commission to RAISE THE PAY for Vancouver City Councilmembers and make this a full-time position so that people who want to serve are no longer locked out on the basis of class and race. Listen to learn more, realize how crucial this issue is for advancing progressive policy, and use the talking points we’ve laid out for you. Email Aaron Lande, liaison for the Charter Review Commission, your comments and/or plan on attending the next Charter Review Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 19th from 5-7pm. Let’s get those comments in before then as well! More info on the Charter Review Committee meeting: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/government/calendar/ Email Aaron Lande: aaron.lande@cityofvancouver.us Karissa also makes a big pitch about supporting the Everything is Fine in SWWA Patreon and all the work that gets done to make this podcast happen! You can become a Patron at $5/month here: patreon.com/EverythingisFineinSWWA On top of this, we provide some updates on upcoming episodes and share a very special shout out from the Railroad Advisory Board, so stay tuned to the end to enjoy the exquisite sound of the powerful quivering in fear at the prospect of an informed public thanks to our work covering the FRDU!
TRIGGER WARNING: This intro includes public testimony about suicide and housing insecurity trauma.Speakers from intro (by order of appearance): Fatima Abarta (spoken through interpreter), Kerri Burnside, Monica Zazueta, and Boyd West.Karissa and Phillip come together again for a discussion about State Senator Annette Cleveland’s recent death blow to rent stabilization in the legislature. We deep dive into Senator Cleveland’s OBSCENE campaign finance corruption and discuss how this is obviously integral to the story, and to every story involving local politics. To ignore this influential element is journalistic malpractice, yet you will not get the full story from the Columbian and Karissa will tell you why.We also talk about the Columbian’s complicity in what went down with rent stabilization, as the Editorial Board provided a convenient off ramp for Annette the day of her vote when she was clearly feeling some pressure from constituents about this very popular and reasonable bill. (NO SHADE to the Columbian’s reporters, who have been doing great work covering the housing crisis in particular! This is wholly a criticism of the Columbian’s Editorial Board).Finally, Karissa and Phillip consider the merits of putting most eggs in the basket of electoralism versus organizing for a grassroots initiative or other direct policy pushes of our local elected officials as part of a broader, multiple front strategy to address the crises our community faces.THANK YOU to the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and Council for the Homeless for sticking up for all the human beings in Washington who are being rent-gouged!CALL-TO-ACTION: It is important to note that while Cleveland singlehandedly killed the bill on the senate side, rent stabilization is NOT DEAD, although it has a difficult path forward. We need to up the pressure. Here is a convenient form from Futurewise that will connect you to writing a letter to your reps on rent stabilization and other great legislation to address living costs as well as climate and environment:futurewise.salsalabs.org/floorvote202…fbcb87fe9990If you want to give Annette Cleveland hell for her shameful sociopathic vote, here is a link to her contact info:senatedemocrats.wa.gov/cleveland/contact/
Karissa talks with Tiffani of House Our Neighbors, the organization that spearheaded the social housing initiative in Seattle. We dug into the state of the housing crisis, the truth about the affordable housing solutions always offered by developers and decision makers which never seem to solve the problem permanently and at scale, the fundamental issue with housing as a profit-making venture instead of a right for all, the nitty gritty on how social housing works, addressing the climate crisis with social housing, how to start our own initiative, and so much more! This was SUCH an incredible breath of fresh air to break free from this narrow box our conversations about affordable housing solutions are confined to here in southwest Washington and to imagine something so much better. De-commodified housing is an internationally proven model for TRULY affordable housing in perpetuity and needs a local movement to force it into the policy discussion. PLEASE share this episode with everyone you know who cares about homelessness and the housing crisis, including local officials! Tiffani and House Our Neighbors consults with groups trying to achieve de-commodified housing all around the country. You can reach her at tiffani@houseourneighbors.org. Check out the House Our Neighbors website here: https://www.houseourneighbors.org/Another artist showcase from local artist the Messy Jacksons!Here are some links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dEqqFXABX0https://themessyjacksons.bandcamp.com/music
Karissa had the pleasure of sitting down with Zorah Oppenheimer, who is Executive Director of Clark Conservation District and member of the Steering Committee for the Heritage Farm Sustainability Plan. Now, when you hear the word “sustainability” you probably envision we’re talking about regenerative farming or something of that nature. NOPE! This is a plan for financial sustainability of the nearly 80-acre Heritage Farm, a historic urban poor farm right off of 78th street in Hazel Dell that is used for many community educational agriculture projects.This Steering Committee and Sustainability Plan was put in motion by a previous iteration of the Clark County Council over concerns about the cost of this public asset to the general fund. There has been controversy and anxiety over the fate of Heritage Farm for years by those who appreciate the value of something as special as a large urban farm in a county that is undergoing severe loss of farmland and whose residents are experiencing extreme development fatigue. On top of this, adapting to the climate crisis means expanding local food production to prepare for the breakdown of the global industrial food system.Zorah brings us up to speed on the Sustainability Plan and what is likely in store for Heritage Farm. There is some good news, some legitimate concerns about the plan thus far, and more work ahead if we want to protect Heritage Farm FOR GOOD! We also discuss the larger issue of the undervaluing of agricultural land and the need for smart population growth planning that reduces sprawl and preserves nature. It was wonderful to have Zorah on the show and to hear about the good work of Clark Conservation District. You can learn more here:https://www.clarkcd.org/about-usMore information about the Heritage Farm Sustainability Plan from the county website (including information about the public open house taking place on Jan 24th):https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/heritage-farm-sustainability-planFollowing this process is a priority of the local environmental group Friends of Clark County! Follow them on FB and IG @friendsofclarkcounty and look out for updates on the draft coming out on January 17th, after which the public commentary period will begin.The music showcase for this episode comes from none other than our sound engineer/producer, LT Page’s new eclectic and collaborative outfit called Faces in the Wood! The song is called “Solstice”. Here is their Bandcamp link:https://facesinthewood.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR1OTwdpH47qoZDH0SYltQgUjf2W1d2CgxtWvmhCHqf4QkApT6_tcQlT7es
Karissa is joined by a panel of interfaith leaders, including Shirin Elkoshairi, Dexter Kearny, and Zemirah Willow Higgins (all of SWWA) who have taken up the much-needed task of organizing for a ceasefire in Gaza IN VANCOUVER! Willow discusses how the Jewish community in SWWA and across the US is responding to the genocide in Gaza, and Dexter similarly shares about the Christian community’s response, as well as explains the insidious motives of Christian Zionism. We talk about how there are powerful interests profiting off of this genocide, and the group discusses how bogus claims of antisemitism are weaponized against anyone trying to seek justice for Palestinians, as well as attempts to muddy the waters by claims that this is a complicated war of a religious nature. Finally, we consider how our representative, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, has been on this issue (spoiler alert---NOT FINE) and the need to push her to represent us in Congress and support a CEASEFIRE NOW, with NO MORE funding and weapons for Israel to carry out this genocide with the complicity of the United States! THANK YOU to those who joined this discussion and for stepping up to organize in our community. Be sure to SHOW UP for the teach-in taking place in downtown Vancouver on Sunday, January 14th from 2 – 4pm.Go to https://ceasefirecd3.org/event/ to sign up for notifications and updates, and follow @ceasefirecd3 on IG and FB. This is a fitting episode for an artist showcase from local band, Sorrows, whose recent shows have been benefits for Doctors Without Borders and the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund raising nearly a thousand dollars! The song is called “Shape”. Be sure to stick around for that shoegazy garagey goodness at the end of the episode and here is a link to their music:https://linktr.ee/sorrows.cool?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=860fef31-b76d-41d2-8f6d-1abb1b77503e***CORRECTION: Karissa misspoke, mentioning the event is recommending masks but they are actually required and some will be provided.
Here is a wonderful interview with Pete Dubois of Clark County Composts! We talked all things food waste and compost, including common misconceptions and all of the ways you can save your food waste from the landfill with little effort and without even having to have your own home composting system. Pete also expresses the importance of following the food waste hierarchy and ways to reduce your grocery bill while tackling food waste. Make sure you listen to the end, as Pete performed an original song for us LIVE!This was a fascinating conversation that will empower you to connect with the cycle of life and do your part in combatting the climate crisis on a daily basis, which FEELS GOOD.You can find more info, connect with Pete, and sign up for the workshops we discussed here:https://clarkcountycomposts.org/Here is the Kindred Homestead Supply event Pete spoke about happening on December 6th!https://clarkgreenbiz.com/news-and-events/events/morning-blend/end-of-the-year-morning-blend
Karissa shares her thoughts on Palestine.Journalists/groups recommended in the episode:Abby Martin/Media Roots RadioRania KhalekKatie HalperJewish Voice for PeaceGreat breakdown about Israel's lies thoroughly explored and released today by journalist Briahna Joy Gray:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS6lVAa1mfIDonate for Gaza emergency relief:Palestine Children's Relief Fund:https://www.pcrf.netMedical Aid for Palestinians:http://ww.map.org.ukAnera:https://www.anera.orgFollow our IG and FB stories where we'll be sharing local actions calling for an end to US aid to Israel, ceasefire, and the freedom and liberation of Palestine.
(Part 6) A continued investigation into the recent shenanigans of the railroad baron, Eric Temple. This is an additional 3-parter of the "Power and Money in Clark County" series about a county-sanctioned planned environmental disaster (on the scale of thousands of acres) along OUR PUBLIC RAILROAD, an irresponsible partnership with a lawless corporate bully, and a call-to-action for listeners to stand up against those who are currently running the show for the future of Clark County.This is an urgent ongoing story that needs to make its way out to all residents of Clark County as soon as possible, so we will be releasing one episode per day over the weekend and need YOUR help activating your friends and neighbors against this massive assault on everything we love about this region---an assault that is happening in real time as PVJR continues construction out in Chelatchie against the explicit direction from Clark County to stop.There is no other option: It is time for the county to part ways with Eric Temple! TERMINATE, REMEDIATE, REPEAL!
(Part 5) A continued investigation into the recent shenanigans of the railroad baron, Eric Temple. This is an additional 3-parter of the "Power and Money in Clark County" series about a county-sanctioned planned environmental disaster (on the scale of thousands of acres) along OUR PUBLIC RAILROAD, an irresponsible partnership with a lawless corporate bully, and a call-to-action for listeners to stand up against those who are currently running the show for the future of Clark County.This is an urgent ongoing story that needs to make its way out to all residents of Clark County as soon as possible, so we will be releasing one episode per day over the weekend and need YOUR help activating your friends and neighbors against this massive assault on everything we love about this region---an assault that is happening in real time as PVJR continues construction out in Chelatchie against the explicit direction from Clark County to stop.There is no other option: It is time for the county to part ways with Eric Temple! TERMINATE, REMEDIATE, REPEAL!
A continued investigation into the recent shenanigans of the railroad baron, Eric Temple. This is an additional 3-parter of the "Power and Money in Clark County" series about a county-sanctioned planned environmental disaster (on the scale of thousands of acres) along OUR PUBLIC RAILROAD, an irresponsible partnership with a lawless corporate bully, and a call-to-action for listeners to stand up against those who are currently running the show for the future of Clark County.This is an urgent ongoing story that needs to make its way out to all residents of Clark County as soon as possible, so we will be releasing one episode per day over the weekend and need YOUR help activating your friends and neighbors against this massive assault on everything we love about this region---an assault that is happening in real time as PVJR continues construction out in Chelatchie against the explicit direction from Clark County to stop.There is no other option: It is time for the county to part ways with Eric Temple! TERMINATE, REMEDIATE, REPEAL!
Karissa and Phillip wrap up their conversation about how we might go about surfing this shitty apocalypse by discussing a group called Climate Defiance, who are doing the great civil disobedience work that this moment calls for to save our collective futures. They lay out a framework of priorities to help you assess where you can allocate your time and efforts to be the most effective in your climate activism. Be sure to stick around for the outro, where Karissa also calls for a new gathering of local “climate realists” for building up a political outside game to push the local climate deniers and delayers in power to act, as well as for doing the work of building dual power for climate resiliency, climate mitigation, and having strong, parallel institutions in place to meet people’s needs through community as the system inevitably breaks down. We hope this series has helped listeners understand the science, the urgency, and how best to realize your role in this movement to save the planet. We aim to empower you to connect with your community in a time that community is needed most.If you want to hear more of Karissa and Phillip’s thoughts on the state and tactics of the local environmental movement, consider becoming a patron for $5/month on Patreon to support our work and access the extended cut of this episode with exclusive content.Show Plugs:Learn more and support Climate Defiance in their important work:https://www.climatedefiance.org/Find your Buy Nothing Project neighborhood group: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1UUkRz8r0KBYwkabItdSAC0bMjck&ll=45.59365842064566%2C-122.63149901951837&z=11&fbclid=IwAR30a7pu4Eekyl_eVI6q59kqZpawjosf5qxUtguPMmSno-G6iZtfayvFSGcCheck out Urban Abundance:https://www.urbanabundance.org/Check out the Vancouver Free Fridge Project:https://vancouverfreefridgeproject.weebly.com/Message the Everything is Fine in SWWA Facebook or Instagram to share any thoughts, ideas, or your interest in the “Climate Realists” idea!
For this episode, Karissa and Phillip look at the big picture of what and who the biggest greenhouse gas emitters are so that we can position ourselves to most effectively target our climate activism, which we will discuss further in Part 4 as we bring it back through the local lens.We discuss biggest emitters by institution, sector, nation, and class, beginning with revealing the top institutional polluter in the world: the US military. We look at the bipartisan consensus that exists to allow the US war machine to rage on with impunity and to continue increasing funding year after year, as well as the disturbing lack of prioritization the climate movement gives this life-destroying mass consumer of fossil fuels. Next, we look at the top two emitters by sector. Some may know that fossil fuels from the energy sector are number one but may be unfamiliar with the widespread rapid deforestation and methane emissions associated with the animal agriculture industry that is the second-most source of global GHG emissions, and something we theoretically could stop tomorrow if we boycotted that industry. Additionally, Karissa tells a related story about the Colorado River, beef, and water use in Arizona that keeps her up at night!Next, we talk about carbon inequality among nations and most importantly, by class. Studies show us the jaw-dropping disparity in emissions between the billionaire class and the rest of us, and we make the case that going after the capitalist class IS climate activism based on this information. We talk the disgusting and obscene high emissions behaviors of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, as well as certain wealthy celebrities, who some continue to idolize and carry water for despite them being absolute, unequivocal climate criminals.So, now that we’ve laid the groundwork analyzing the worst offenders threatening the Earth and all its inhabitants, we will be ready to analyze and rank tactics to most effectively upend the system on Part 4, the final episode of the “Surfing the Apocalypse” series!(Photo Credit: Amelia Bates, "The US Air Force Want to Burn Toxic Military Waste on a Beach in Guam." from Grist)
Intro by NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus.
Shout out to LT Page, as always, for providing original music for the pod & for production assistance!
Intro by NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus.
Shout out to LT Page, as always, for providing original music for the pod & for production assistance!
Karissa does a quick update and reflection on happy developments in the Rey Reynold's story, and what is coming up next for Everything is Fine in SWWA.
More quality content coming up soon now that we've got more free time. Thank you so much for sticking around despite the inconsistent output from your working class comrades!
See you soon!
Phillip and Karissa had the pleasure of speaking with local dogged activist for all that is good, Leah Perkel, who is now taking the next step to advocate for Vancouver via a city council seat. We speak about her allyship with progressive indigenous millennial, Kim Harless, who won her election in 2021 despite many odds and a big money opponent through the power of the grassroots, and the moment that Leah decided it was time to take on conservative councilmember Sarah Fox.
We discuss so many issues, including the lack of conversation around raising the wage for Vancouver workers when our cost-of-living has skyrocketed, current compensation for city councilmembers that ensures working class and diverse voices rarely have a shot, addressing the root causes of homelessness, the political opportunity to implement a CAHOOTS program in Vancouver, the warehouse moratorium, the Building Industry Association’s undemocratic influence, and the frightening lack of urgency in implementation of Vancouver’s Climate Action Framework.
We also discuss Leah’s yearslong advocacy for single payer healthcare and her personal story about being crushed by medical debt in order to save her husband’s life after a heart attack.
There is SO much good stuff here. This is absolutely a campaign to get involved in that needs all hands on deck to win a Vancouver City Council that is TRULY for the people!
Get involved with Leah’s campaign here: https://www.leahperkel.com/contact-us
RSVP to Leah’s campaign kickoff event at Loowit on Wednesday, June 14th : https://fb.me/e/XCnNDGLW
Vancouver City Council Community Forum on June 12th: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/citycouncil/page/city-council-community-forum-housing
“Healing Us” Documentary by Kenny Ballentine featuring Leah and her husband, Steve Perkel: https://www.healingusnetwork.com/
Music contribution by Karissa covering Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin’.”
Karissa and Phillip come clean with their thoughts about Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of the 3rd US Congressional District in light of several disturbing votes she has cast in Congress, including her vote for the Resolution Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism, the vote to “Unleash American Energy”---aka unleash more oil and gas, and the vote to repeal the Biden administration’s cancellation of student debt (which is currently advancing in the Senate). We discuss whether her behavior lines up with her promise to fight for working people and uncover the truth about whether she fulfilled her pledge not to take corporate money, which was a central tenet of her campaign. We also discuss the company she is keeping in Congress following her recent kickoff of the Congressional Blue Dog Caucus.We share memories of her campaign and the things that we liked about her, as well as the betrayal and disappointment we are feeling now. We also talk about the incestuous nature of Democratic fundraising that makes sure everyone ultimately falls in line---unless you buck the party from the right. We question the discourse that is highly protective of Marie given the alternative being MAGA fascist Joe Kent who we were all happy to see defeated---but is sticking with Marie our only option in the 3rd? Is kicking young people, working people, and our strong environmental movement in the face with the hopes of appeasing a handful of never-Trump Republicans an effective campaign strategy? Is being in a “red/purple district” a legitimate excuse for these recent betrayals? We also go deeper to question the notion that she has other opinions but must behave as a right-winger to stay in office. There were many red flags during her campaign that revealed her contempt for educated people and government that may explain her recent student debt vote, even when she herself received an education as well as debt forgiveness from the government. “Rules for thee, but not for me!”Special shoutout to our sound engineer, LT Page, who received his AA (back in the day) after completing a CTE program for Audio Engineering from Lower Columbia College in Longview. 😉Correction: Karissa and Phillip mistakenly referred to the the House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the Speaker of the House.
Karissa sits down separately with two amazing LGBTQ+ advocates, David and Emily, to discuss two different local developments involving more queer targeting and hate speech. TRIGGER WARNING for the intro, as we play clips of hate speech from multiple Independent Fundamentalist Movement pastors who will be attending Aaron Thompson's Sure Foundation Church on Memorial Day weekend.There are multiple action items for this episode: 1) Attend the Big Gay Wedding event that will be held outside the Sure Foundation Church during their hate convention. The episode art is the flyer for this event.2) Attend the La Center School District board meeting on May 23rd in support of LGBTQ+ students' safety and protection by speaking out against their gender policy. 3) Join the FVRL Libraries Drag Queen Story Hour defenders FB group and plan for the June 20th Goldendale Community Library meeting!4) SHARE this episode far and wide to raise awareness and get the biggest showing for these action items!
This is the third episode of the “Money and Power in Clark County” series, where Karissa and Phillip finally discuss the third candidate who was running against John Blom and Karen Bowerman for Clark County Council District 3, Jesse James. James, even though he ultimately didn’t win, is a shining example of people power versus corporate power because he finished just shy of Bowerman by under 3 percent of the vote while opting for a more ethical campaign donation structure and having less than half of the finances that Bowerman had with the likes of Eric Temple backing her. We also contemplate the uncomfortable unanswered questions of why all the other councilors ultimately signed the settlement with Pioneer Industrial when the county had previously been willing to take on Eric Temple. As always, we finish by discussing the need for expanded engagement in local politics and the reminder that WE CAN WIN if enough of us are willing to put ourselves out there. This is underscored by Karissa’s outro and call-to-action so stay tuned for it, and then PM us to join our People’s Clark County Discord server!
This is the second episode of the "Money and Power in Clark County" series, where Karissa and Phillip continue their conversation relating to the concrete batch plant saga by investigating how corporate interests have an obscene level of influence in our local government through the lens of the 2020 Clark County Council elections, particularly in the Karen Bowerman campaign. We detail our extensive research and analysis of campaign finance disclosures and news reports from the 2020 Clark County Council elections, uncovering a trail of conflicts of interest, indication of campaign finance violations, and overall, a concerningly oversized influence and interference in our local democracy by the railroad baron who doesn’t even live here. Based on a multitude of facts, we speculate and let listeners draw conclusions about Eric Temple’s shenanigans surrounding this election and about the state of our democracy as a whole.
Today Phillip and Karissa partner together once again to discuss the saga of the concrete batch plant, which is the perfect case to use as a vehicle to evaluate our broken political system, detail by detail. In our previous episode, we talked about what happened, but in this series of episodes we discuss the disturbing answers to how and why it happened. This story goes FAR beyond this one incident and helps us understand what we are up against going forward as the county makes decisions for its Comprehensive Plan Update that will impact all of us, especially young people.We discover the existence of a railroad baron from Bellevue who has been influencing our politics and the decisions that get made in the county for years, tell the story of the shenanigans surrounding the 2020 Clark County Council elections, and lament over the issue of campaign finance that everyone wants to ignore.A LOT of research went into this series, so we hope that you will SHARE, LIKE, RATE, and REVIEW everywhere you can. We believe this is a story everyone needs to hear in order to reignite their righteous outrage, become activated, and band together to make our county finally work for the PEOPLE.Also, apologies and a heads-up for the copious profanities on this one…
For this episode, Karissa and Phillip interviewed Jan Kelly about the story of the proposed concrete batch plant and her work with Friends of Central Vancouver, a group who formed to mobilize against it.Friends of Central Vancouver is holding a Fund Raising Event on April 12th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Ghost Runner Brewery and is holding their next meeting on Friday, April 28th at 6pm at Cascades Presbyterian Church.Go to the Friends of Central Vancouver website to learn more and to get involved: https://www.focv.info/
Today Karissa spoke with Alex Brennan, the Executive Director of Futurewise, an organization from Washington that believes the elements of a strong, resilient community are the same no matter its size. You should have a healthy home you can afford; be able to walk, bike, roll, and take transit where you need to go; have access to food from local farms; and enjoy stunning natural spaces and wildlife habitats.We talk all about the Growth Management Act and the climate element amendment working through the legislature, as well as how to get the most out of the Clark County Comprehensive Plan Update, which is in the early but very important stages of being developed.This bill has NOT YET PASSED, which is why we need your help to make sure it moves through. Here are your action items for this episode:HB1181 state leg page: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1181&year=2023Futurewise legislative priorities:https://www.futurewise.org/projects/legislativeSign up to get updates and calls to action from Futurewise:https://futurewise.salsalabs.org/legupdates/index.htmlArtist Showcase: "The Earthly Vessel Wants to Show Me More." LT Page (our sound engineer) https://soundcloud.com/eltee-page/the-earthly-vessel-wants-to-show-me-more
Today Karissa speaks with Kristin Edmark, a local climate ally who specializes in the movement to divest from fossil fuels. We discuss the Third Act effort to stop American banks from investing in environmental destruction. We also discuss how Washington state is still INSANELY investing peoples’ pensions (amounting to BILLIONS OF $) in fossil fuels, and the effort to change that being lead by a group called Divest Washington.Action Items: 1)3/21/23: Dis-Credit the Dirty Banks Day of Action in Downtown Vancouver! March 21, 2023, Third Act https://thirdact.org/ along with other organizations are having a nationwide day of action. We will draw attention to how Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank have invested one trillion dollars since the 2015 Paris Climate Accord in dirty fossil fuel projects and companies, slowing a transition to clean energy. Please join us March 21, 3:30 to 5:30, on the sidewalk near Chase Bank, Broadway and E 12th Street for a fun time with possible chalk art, posters, songs, and street theater. 2) Whether or not you can make the event, MAKE A POINT to close your accounts at these banks to send a message of disapproval and to threaten their bottom line! 3) JOIN Divest Washington in their efforts to write and speak to the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB): https://wadivest.org/Check this out: https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/
Today’s episode is our second installment of our Legislative Session Series. We talk about the replacement levies that will be on your special election ballot if you are in the city. Ballots are out now and need turned in by February 14th! Spread some love on Valentine’s Day with your YES vote on both Prop 6 to fund Vancouver Public Schools and Prop 3 for the Affordable Housing Fund. We also discuss the crew behind the “Vote No” campaign against Prop 3, whose tacky signs you may have noticed around town, and their confusing arguments against funding our schools. Shoutout to community member, mother, and activist Monica Zazueta for sharing a statement with us about how the Affordable Housing Fund has helped her and her family, which is why she wants to see it continue being a lifeline for our neighbors and to prevent houselessness.Info on the Props:https://www.cityofvancouver.us/citycouncil/page/vancouver-city-council-votes-endorse-proposition-3https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/Local%20Voters%27%20Pamphlet%20for%20all%20Participating%20Jurisdictions%20-%20Revised.pdf
Welcome to the first episode of our Legislative Session Series, which will be an ongoing series on bills and hearings with very specific and timely calls-to-action for testimony, whether in the Washington State Legislature or closer to home! On this episode, we speak with Treasure Mackley, executive director of Invest in Washington Now, a movement of educators, working families, and everyday Washingtonians who have worked to implement a capital gains tax in our state, about the upcoming hearing at the Washington Supreme Court on whether to uphold this tax. Treasure gives us the rundown on the capital gains tax, who is subject to it (NOT YOU but THE RICH), who it will benefit, and how to support!Action Items:1) You can attend the Support Capital Gains Rally on January 26th on the capitol steps in Olympia at 11:30am, more info here: https://investwanow.org/rsvp-jan-26-capital-gains-tax-rally/2) You can write a letter-to-the-editor of the Columbian in support of the capital gains tax ahead of the hearing: https://www.columbian.com/lettertotheeditor/3) Talk about and share this episode in your inner circles to spread the word and garner public support for upholding the capital gains tax.
Today’s episode is all about universal healthcare! Andre Stackhouse, campaign director of Whole Washington, graciously joins us to answer all your questions about the universal healthcare effort in Washington state! Karissa also shares a story in the intro about a chance encounter, a remarkable coincidence, and where she learned about our state senator representing Washington’s 49th legislative district, Annette Cleveland, and her role in blocking the universal healthcare effort. As noted in the episode, we have some action items for you:1) SIGN THE PETITION for Vancouver City Council to pass a resolution in support of universal healthcare:https://chng.it/KBzMk2r9mb2) Email the Vancouver City Council in support of single-payer resolution: cmo@cityofvancouver.us3) Call Annette Cleveland and CALL HER OUT: 360-786-7696 Follow the Red Berets on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedBeretsM4AllAnnette Cleveland’s political contributions: https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/candidates/93180/contributionsHealing Us trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcmcub3NQaALt Page’s Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/eltee-page
We were ELATED to speak with Rebecca Small, senior policy analyst and neighborhood liaison for the City of Vancouver, who gave us the rundown on all things to do with the Climate Action Framework that just passed Vancouver City Council earlier this month. This included everything from what to expect, most exciting aspects, listener concerns, how to protect this framework to ensure it is implemented in its entirety, & most importantly how it's going to make your life better!In our correspondence before the interview, Rebecca made it clear that she was a coordinator, not an architect, of this framework, and that it was the people of Vancouver who brought this plan to fruition through their activism. Vancouver is now a the trailblazer on climate thanks to the organizing of regular people advocating for their interests in the community. What an outstanding way to end the year---truly a thing to celebrate!Looking forward, what can we accomplish in 2023? Is this the year we challenge ourselves like never before? How can we show up for those community members who are under attack, advocate for a progressive vision on the Clark County Council, & demand even more action on climate, healthcare, houselessness, labor, etc.? The sky is the limit, and we believe that this Climate Action Framework is just a taste of what we can accomplish if we mobilize from the grassroots.One of our goals with this podcast is to bring together a cohesive movement that operates in lockstep, recognizes the intersectionality & root causes in all of our efforts, & achieves goals through smart, creative organizing. We intend to do so by continuing to look at issues through the local lens, speaking with community members, & highlighting cool, revolutionary shit for you to get involved in!Correction on IntroductionRebecca brought it to our attention that during the development of this Climate Action Framework, many other cities came out with similarly ambitious climate action plans around the U.S. So, we are not the leaders in the nation---just one of them! To have rivals in this arena is only a good thing!You can find links to the full Climate Action Framework and the Priority Resolution document here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/cmo/page/climate-actionAs the year progresses, the city will be adding links to upcoming events, announcements, and quarterly reports.Sign up for Rebecca's newsletter: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1976916/1731530/Be sure to LIKE, SHARE, RATE, & REVIEW wherever you are listening!
We were so pleased to be joined by Tina Barrows, a local climate activist who partakes in civil disobedience and disruptive action, specializing in OUTSTANDING artistic props and organizing with groups such as Extinction Rebellion PDX and Declare Emergency. She details all the different actions she’s been involved in, and we discuss the controversy that surrounds certain actions as well as the historical precedence for civil disobedience. Listen to Tina, get off your ass, and do something!Please be sure to SHARE, RATE, LIKE, and REVIEW wherever you are listening! Happy holidays!Links:Extinction Rebellion PDX: https://xrpdx.org/Declare Emergency: https://www.declareemergency.us/Red Rebel Brigade video: THE SEA IS RISING AND SO ARE WE - Porthmeor Beach - YouTubeSome of Tina’s work:Earth is Dying Day - Portland - April 24th, 2021 - YouTubePortland Boat Drop - March 27th, 2021 - YouTubeScientist Rebellion Chase Bank LA action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMwc-ZDkCk
A climate change primer for you! We explain the warming potential, half-lives, and sources of the main greenhouse gases, as well as the greenhouse gas effect itself. Knowledge is power, and knowing the basics helps us understand that climate change is 1) anthropogenic, and 2) an issue we can actually do something about---we are not helpless! We also hope to boost your confidence in talking about climate change to others.We discuss the current disparity in most Americans' understanding of climate change and what the science is actually telling us. Finally, we discuss the impacts in the United States and, of course, through the local lens!
TRIGGER WARNING: Violence, Hate Speech, (Extra) ProfanityKarissa and Sydney sit down again for another unfortunate fascism update. We talk how hateful rhetoric has produced hateful action in recent instances, go deeper into the insidious spread of groomer theory under the guise of media figures “just asking questions” and how it’s gone under the radar of well-meaning locals, parallels to Nazi tactics, and discuss a new local character in our homegrown fascist movement. We also deep-dive into the Q nightclub shooting in Colorado Springs, so be prepared for some tears. We revisit the Rey Reynolds investigation and discuss how we think we can take some important steps effectively and safely in protecting our LGBTQ+ community right here at home against some very real threats. However, we are not the leaders of any such movement and are open and supportive of any organic calls-to-action that arise.We finish out with another local artist song showcase by Sidewalk Slam, called “Fuck Nazis”. You can find them anywhere you stream your music!Info on John Brown Gun Club if you’re interested in starting a local chapter: https://www.counterextremism.com/supremacy/john-brown-gun-clubIRS Complaint Process on Tax-Exempt Organizations for the Sure Foundation Church in Vancouver, Washington: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizationsTax Guide for Churches and Religious Orgs: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdfFinish the Job on Rey Reynolds! Email the City telling him to REMOVE HIM from the Vancouver Police Department for transphobic comments & false allegations against the local LGBTQ+ community: cmo@cityofvancouver.us. Cross Politic podcast video link for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XuBIJXeSkAs always, please SHARE, LIKE, RATE, and REVIEW wherever you are listening (and especially on Apple Podcasts).
Introducing our Climate Change Series! This is a quick & dirty convo where we myth-bust some of the common misconceptions about all things climate change and explain how to use the Socratic Method to help you in those fun conversations with family over holiday dinner.
Later in the series, we will be deep-diving further into many issues we merely touch on here in this episode, but this will be a nice little taster to freshen you up on some of the key misunderstandings and points to be made about the climate crisis.
Also, in the event that anyone cites people like Ben Shapiro or Mike Lindell when sharing their viewpoints, remember to mention that you learned this info from an actual climate scientist (Sydney)!
As always, please do us a HUUUGE favor and SHARE, RATE, & REVIEW---review especially on Apple Podcasts.
Ashley Blose, mutual aid organizer for the Vancouver Free Fridge Project, joins the podcast to walk us through the stark realities of houselessness, speaking from both her personal and organizing experience. Those who have not been through this experience will never fully understand the day-to-day struggles, but Ashley gets us very close with her descriptions.
We talk about how just one single domino (medical emergency, lay-off, inadequate paycheck, etc.) can send anyone into a spiral in this society of rugged individualism. We discuss how quickly lack of food, safety, and shelter can bring anyone to their knees both physically and mentally, exacerbating their predicament. Furthermore, we talk about how capitalism is a system that makes us so unhappy that we are pit against one another, convinced that others aren’t suffering enough or trying as hard as we are. Existing in our collective subconscious is the underlying fear, or knowledge, that anyone---no matter how hard they try---can end up at the bottom of the food chain, cast out and stigmatized in their lowest moment.
Of course, we deliver this topic through the local lens, which means we talk about the futility and short-sightedness of local candidates who advocate for street-sweeping. We also explain the SafeStay communities, address people’s concerns about them, and attest to the success stories as we are coming up on more installments of SafeStay housing here in Vancouver.
If you think your mind is made up about this subject, then we challenge you to give this episode a listen and see what you walk away with.
As Karissa mentioned in the foreword, the end of this episode includes our first ever PNW artist showcase from singer-songwriter the Messy Jacksons (the song featured is “What the Hell is Wrong With You?!”), whose music can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/themessyjacksons https://themessyjacksons.bandcamp.com/
Please feel free to send us your sound creations to be considered for inclusion in future episodes, and listeners are always welcome to send us thoughts, news tips, or ideas for subject matter to cover and we’ll consider it. We are ready to TURN UP the listener engagement and support our local artists who are vital to and so much needed in the movement.
PLEASE EMAIL THE VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED NEW SAFESTAY COMMUNITIES: cmo@cityofvancouver.us
Visit Ashley Blose’s (as well as Karissa's and Evelyn’s) favorite local mutual aid group, Vancouver Free Fridge Project, at: https://linktr.ee/Vancouverfreefridge
As always, make sure to SHARE, RATE, and REVIEW wherever you are listening.
Special thanks to LT Page, our AMAZING sound engineer and creator of our theme song!
Everything is Fine in SWWA went DEEP on this one! From press passes to the second debate between Marie & Joe to a Joe Kent town hall, we immersed ourselves in the frenzy surrounding & rhetoric of the Joe Kent campaign. We talk of the theme of persecution expressed by Joe Kent's supporters, Kent's spin on reality to provoke the fear response, & analyzing who his policies are actually in service of. At the end, we remind you of who to vote for all down the line, to follow us on IG & FB, & to share our voter's guide! Please help us expand listenership, especially in these crucial last days before the election. We put a ton of effort into investigating Kent as well as interviewing the best candidates in the Clark County races. Some extra content we found helpful:
The original America First movement from 1940: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGAqYNFQdZ4
Conversation with independent journalist Benjamin Norton of Multipolarista on how the far-right co-opts "anti-war" rhetoric to push imperialism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH_8lQTijjg
Daily Beast article about Kent's mysterious (or non-existent) employer: https://www.thedailybeast.com/mystery-surrounds-company-paying-maga-republican-candidate-joe-kents-salary-as-he-runs-in-washington
Hector Hinojosa, candidate for County Council District 1, sits down to talk with us about the issues. Climate change was on all of our minds given that it was 85 degrees in mid-October and with the burgeoning Nakia Creek Fire in the news. Hector is the only one in any of the CC Council races to explicitly state that a Climate Action Framework similar to the Vancouver City Council’s would be a top goal for him if he is elected to the Council. Hector is also a leader in addressing affordable housing, having built a neighborhood of tiny homes equipped with solar panels for low-income residents. Hector has been an advocate for many, many years and shared with us his involvement with groups like LULAC and Slow Foods SWWA---just to name a few! Hector is a straight-shooting problem solver, and we appreciated his candidness when discussing the Sheriff’s race while other candidates were not willing to go there. He is endorsed by everyone we love, including the Sierra Club, Washington Environmental Council, Washington Conservation Voters, LULAC, the Vancouver Free Fridge Project, and Sunrise SWWA. Hector doesn’t just attend meetings; he lives his values through his advocacy work and speaks for those who don’t usually get a seat at the table in our community. That’s exactly the voice we need on Clark County Council. Stay tuned after the interview for an afterword from Karissa about Glen Yung, who is running a flashy campaign against Hector, and hear why we believe Hector is a far superior choice for District 1.
Follow us on IG @everything.fine.in.swwa and FB @Everything is Fine in SWWA
Support Hector: https://hector4countycouncil.com/
Some of you here in Clark County might not realize the importance of this election for Clark Public Utilities Commissioner. Let Don Steinke tell you why we need to get rid of 30-year incumbent Nancy Barnes, whose greatest achievement is a coal-fired power plant from the 90's that she won't let go of. Moreover, let Don demonstrate through both his talk and actions why he is the most experienced, qualified, and practical actor to move us into the future with conservation and solar at Clark Public Utilities while BRINGING YOUR COSTS DOWN.
Sue Marshall drops by for a lovely chat, elaborating on her lonnggggg list of experience in public service and conservation before becoming a farmer 7 years ago here locally. She easily demonstrates her knowledge of the needs of the rural community because she herself is a part of that community. One of Sue's passions is ensuring that agriculture remains appreciated and protected in Clark County for years to come. She also talks about transparency and accountability on the Council, as well as strategizing for community outreach to engage those whose voices matter but don't normally engage---something she has done successfully on the campaign trail. We also touch on Sue's thoughts about improving the Clark County Jail and the public shocker switch from oversight of the jail to the County manager. All in all, Sue Marshall is more than qualified to be a councilor and we are so grateful that she is stepping up for the community! Stay tuned for the short afterword by Karissa for a little history on Sue's opponent, Don Benton. As always, please don't forget to SHARE, LIKE, RATE, and REVIEW wherever you can! ❤
We were so happy to be able to sit down with working-class candidate Chartisha Roberts, who we are supporting for the position of Clark County Councilor, District 2! We talk all the top issues, such as population growth, affordable housing, transportation, climate action, homelessness, and public safety. What we love about Chartisha is that she wears her heart on her sleeve, and it gets a bit emotional when we discuss why she is running, as well as the hate and intimidation she has had to endure from Michelle Belkot’s supporters. Chartisha is determined to lead with love and light on the Clark County Council so that the community can be served like it never has before. Thanks so much to Chartisha for carving out time away from her busy schedule to talk to us!
To volunteer with Chartisha or donate, go to her website: https://www.electchartisha.com/ As always, please make sure to like, share, and leave a comment or review on our platforms!
This minisode is a quick and timely update in recent developments related to the campaigns of Joe Kent for Congress and Rey Reynolds for Clark County Sheriff. Us at Everything is Fine in SWAA broke this story that was completely overlooked by our local media outlets about Joe Kent and Rey Reynolds joining up for a live taping in Battleground of a Christian Nationalist Podcast called Cross Politic out of Boise, ID. In this conversation, the podcasters, Reynolds, and Joe Kent spout a Qanon-originated theory about Democrats/the LGBTQ+ community grooming children for sexual activity and using “the trans push” as a vehicle for “sexualizing young children”. Reynolds goes as far as to claim that sex acts in front of children and nudity has happened at our local Pride events right here in Vancouver---and guess what? He intends to target drag queens and trans folks for arrest, promising to send local prosecutors “test cases” once he is sheriff. This interview is a study in how dangerous rhetoric turns into dangerous action. We provide a montage of audio clips from the interview, but we encourage everyone to check this out for themselves on YouTube to confirm that nothing is taken out of context, and to hear all of the other batshit things they say that we did not cover in this minisode, such as their disbelief of basic science like evolution and Kent’s promise to “starve our public schools” out of existence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XuBIJXeSk
This episode is all about FASCISM! For those who questioned whether we appropriately used the F-word to describe Joe Kent in our pilot episode, we are here with the RECEIPTS---detailing the definition and elements of fascism laid out by scholars and those who lived under fascist dictatorships, such as Umberto Eco who lived in fascist Italy. We also make sure to define some other misunderstood words in today’s discourse, such as domestic terrorism and Antifa (aka anti-fascist). Phillip tells us some scary stories about local domestic terrorist groups Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, and we discuss how we are seeing these fascist elements play out in nearly every local election, from our Senate and Congressional races to the Clark County Council, the sheriff’s race---and yes, even the PUD race! We also talk about how to defeat fascism. The answer is really quite simple: we need to outnumber them. We must SHOW UP to defeat them in all these local elections, which means getting out of our comfort zones to volunteer with Chartisha Roberts, Sue Marshall, and Don Steinke. Hector Hinojosa needs help as well! While the Marie Perez vs. Joe Kent Congressional race is attracting all the attention and volunteer energy, other local fascists are hoping to slip through unnoticed in these races that often get ignored but are so crucial to policy and our well-being right here in Clark County! We are in close contact with most of these campaigns, and we can assure you that they need A LOT more help in overcoming this unfortunately well-coordinated and energetic fascist movement right here at home.
Umberto Eco Ur Fascism: https://web.archive.org/web/20170131155837/http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1995/06/22/ur-fascism/ Lawrence Britt's 14 characteristics: https://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.pdf David Paxton's Anatomy of Fascism: https://archive.org/details/anatomyoffascism00paxt_05 stages: https://archive.org/details/paxtonfivestagesoffascism Podcast about Portland activists: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-fault-line-dying-for-a-fight/id1531812209 Article about the PB being shut down for a summer: https://www.anarchistagency.com/critical-voices/robert-evans-how-portland-stopped-the-proud-boys/
Evelyn is on a well-deserved vacation for this episode, and she is missed! Fortunately, we arranged for our first ever interview with the rogue Sara Schmit---avid biker, street equity advocate, MA in Behavioral Health, Washington State licensed Substance Use Disorder Professional, and self-described average person to speak on a range of issues. Active transportation and infrastructure design are Sara’s passions! We also talk psychology and how it permeates our abilities as humans dealing with issues as huge and daunting as climate change, as well as the types of personalities that run for office. We delve into navigating the labyrinth of co-governance between the county and the city, and Schmit weighs in on the Clark County Council and PUD races with us. It was a pleasure for you to join us, Schmitty!
Show Notes: Dangerous by Design 2022 – Presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kDDqGyVYxk Cyclists are better drivers than drivers https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2018/10/09/cyclists-are-better-drivers-than-motorists-finds-study/?sh=7f3cfa186f6c Cycling and neuroscience https://www.bicycling.com/training/a20029339/how-cycling-makes-you-smarter-and-happier/ Not Just Bikes You Tube Channel https://www.bicycling.com/training/a20029339/how-cycling-makes-you-smarter-and-happier/ Strong Towns Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_SXXTBypIg Gateway to Offering feedback on Vancouver infrastructure projects https://www.beheardvancouver.org/