Kathy Kershner voted against funding for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault services last year. And Riley Sweeny has been calling her out on this at his Political Junkie blog. Here is the link over to his site.
Kathy Kershner Responds to Voting Against Women
For the past few weeks, Riley has been double posting the same article on his and this website. It was an experiment. We have ended that - and will link over to articles of his we think are worth telling you about. We, of course, have a permanent link to his site located in the column to the right. And Riley remains a NWCitizen writer and may post more articles here in the future.
I like Riley and his writing. And over the past year I've given him what encouragement, support and links I can. The main reason is that he is young, very involved in local politics, and is not afraid to write what he thinks. I'm old, now less involved in local politics, and often feel like a very lone voice speaking out. Riley is the future.
Riley Rouses Row Over Domestic Violence
Issue is County Council member Kathy Kershner and how our social service programs are funded.
Issue is County Council member Kathy Kershner and how our social service programs are funded.
Comments by Readers
Michelle Luke
Jan 08, 2012John
I enjoy reading different points of view on different sites. I check with N.W. Citizen and your writings for civil opinions and a more full decription “bigger picture” of issues. This reader hopes you don’t pass the torch just yet. Could be that “being old” and less involved helps with the quality of the content. I can’t be the only Whatcom County citizen seeking merit based debates on our local issues. The polarization based rants from the local echo chambers don’t advance any real discussions.
Michelle Luke
Riley Sweeney
Jan 08, 2012Michelle, I enjoy John’s writings immensely and don’t worry, he isn’t turning in his keyboard just yet. I think he is just acknowledging that there are other people in town covering local politics in ways that he enjoys, and I’m very flattered by all of his support.
I hope you don’t think that my posts are all “polarization based rants from the local echo chambers”. I would like to think that first off, I take a whack at both sides pretty evenly. Dan Pike and Doug Ericksen can attest to that. Second, if I echo anyone it is unintentional. I deliberately try not to duplicate others work, and continue to conduct my own independent research on local issues.
Thank you for reading NW Ciz, and participating. Democracy is never a spectator’s sport.
Michelle Luke
Jan 08, 2012Hi Riley
Happy New Year to you and your new Bride.
My comments were about John. My take away from his remarks was that he was thinking his contributions were not reaching an audience. While I seldom blog I do read several blogs [including yours]. I am glad to hear he is not turning in his keyboard. All the political sites have their individual “products”/style and opinions to sell. When a topic spreads through most of the sites I find that I get more from John’s accounting, history and opinion than others. I agree with you about Democracy not being a spectator’s sport. I happen to appreciate “above the belt” sportsmanship. I am on the side of old as well, 60 this year, my participation in local issues is relatively recent, 2004. The history of issues is particularly interesting to me. You are lucky to have John as your mentor, there are still a few of us old broads around.
Michelle Luke