Starlink is No Star
The Why Over the years I have written over 30 articles, mostly here, on the issues of public broadband. I have given countless presentations, engaged hundreds of people individually and at [...]
Citizen Journalist • Bellingham • Member since May 23, 2017
Jon Humphrey is currently a music educator in Bellingham and very active in the community. He also has decades of professional IT experience including everything from support to development. He considers Bellingham to be the best place he has ever lived and has been here for over 8 years now. He has been interested in technology, music, and science since he was very young and holds a degree in Music Production/Technology from the prestigious Hartt School. He started writing for his high school newspaper and has even published a sci-fi novel on Amazon. Aside from his above interests, Jon spends his time repairing electronics, cars, hiking, diving, and motorcycling. He is a well known figure in the Open Source and Retro Gaming communities and does what he can to support them. He also cares very much about the environment, homelessness, and digital divide issues and does what he can on those fronts too.
The Why Over the years I have written over 30 articles, mostly here, on the issues of public broadband. I have given countless presentations, engaged hundreds of people individually and at [...]
This is an update on the selection of the Broadband Advisory Group. A few days ago, I was informed by Public Works Director Eric Johnston that selection of this group, [...]
As I write this article I am reminded of two songs. The first being, “The Room Where It Happens,” from Hamilton. Which describes how meetings actually happen among our leaders, [...]
"The better solution is to build public infrastructure to prevent private monopolies and territories like we have now. WAVE/Astound are terrible companies with lots of complaints just like all [...]
"As Commissioner Deshmane and I have pointed out many times the mid-mile connections are another area where governments can and should help out. WAVE/Astound has a virtual monopoly, but [...]
"So some historical points here. In one of my articles I dug up a video clip where Inslee himself talks about, “honoring the telecoms” when talking about broadband [...]
"This is where the Mount Vernon Open Access model is worth looking at. Private and public entities can lease public fiber from them.
"Thanks guys, you are confusing a lot of issues. The $900/month is for gigabit backhaul services used for community projects, etc. The obsolete services you are referring to, that [...]
[Our Guest Writer, Scott Jones, is a Bellingham resident along with his family. He is President of ...
7 comments, most recent 1 year agoThe President of the American Red Cross has come out in support of the Gold Medal for the Dollies who served in Vietnam
We reprint the 2014 speech she gave upon accepting the Paul deArmond Award.
6 comments, most recent 1 year ago$3.5 million Point Roberts Broadband project: is it worth it?
1 comment, most recent 11 months agoThis legislation calls for a $5 trillion National Infrastructure Bank that will finance the nation’s infrastructure needs without involving the budget or adding to the national debt.
4 comments, most recent 1 year agoWhatcom County Council District 4 position is voted for only by those living in the 4th District, the center of the county including Lynden.
1 comment, most recent 1 year agoWhatcom County Executive election, voted on by all residents of our county
Whatcom County Council At Large position, voted on by all residents of the county.
Experience counts.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoThe developer, who bought the property to build the private student dormitory, CityView, now has a very, very large white elephant on his hands.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoThe Port contends it is mandated to increase revenue and jobs for the Port. But just what does that mean?
18 comments, most recent 1 year agoBellingham City Council, At Large position, voted on by all residents of Bellingham.
Meridian School Board election, position 5
They died in Vietnam supporting and entertaining the troops. Memorial Day is for them too. So is a Congressional Gold Medal.
Anika Sirois comments on the idea of a new jail for Whatcom County
The state of Washington has much to gain by the passage of a bill that will provide for $5 trillion to finance infrastructure nationwide.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoThis is not a new phenomenon in our city.
[The following is reprinted from The Retiree Advocate, monthly newsletter of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA). &...
1 comment, most recent 1 year agoToxic waste, scrap recycling, jarring noise, and dubious processes on the waterfront: How did this happen?
10 comments, most recent 1 year agoA review and update of Bellingham’s rental registration and inspection program is long overdue.
10 comments, most recent 1 year agoMoreover, is a new jail of any size necessary?
2 comments, most recent 1 year agoIn 2020, there were 464.29 abortions per 1,000 pregnancies among women aged 15-19 in Whatcom County.
3 comments, most recent 8 months agoDavid Netboy contends “business as usual” is no longer acceptable, and here’s why.
15 comments, most recent 1 year agoLong-time Port watcher, Doug Karlberg, suggests a different point of view on the waterfront scrap pile.
5 comments, most recent 1 year agoBan them all. Forever. Every single, solitary firearm in the U.S.
18 comments, most recent 1 year agoIncluding others when developing solutions is a hallmark of leadership. It was not evident at the March 13th City Council meeting regarding new drug use sanctions.
7 comments, most recent 1 year agoDavid Netboy writes: So how, exactly, does ABC Scrap Metal “restore the health of the land and water” on our waterfront?
11 comments, most recent 1 year agoGarrett O’Brien guest writes. And just how do we get out of this housing mess?
21 comments, most recent 1 year agoThe Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade failed to vote the bill out of committee, but it can be revived in the second year of the biennium.
The program appears to be dying of self-inflicted wounds that were long predicted. Supporters stiffened their spines instead, ignoring the obvious blood loss.
11 comments, most recent 1 year agoMillions of Medicare recipients have already been schnookered into Medicare Advantage. Don’t be a victim. Fight back.
6 comments, most recent 1 year agoIf we do not speak out NOW on the privatization of Medicare, the system will effectively be eaten alive from within.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoStoney Bird, local writer and activist, was severely injured in a fall at this home. He has helped many. Now it is our time to return the support.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoAt least with a real joke, you get to laugh. Here, the government seem to laugh at you.
7 comments, most recent 1 year agoAtul Deshmane explains his dissenting vote on the new jail recommendation report of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to the County Council
9 comments, most recent 1 year agoWith the loss of Michael Gan, TAGNW has become a puppet organization of big telecom that is aggressively working against the public interest.
4 comments, most recent 1 year agoGene Marx is a Vietnam Veteran and past National Board of Directors Secretary of Veterans for Peace. A retired Federal Administration employee, Gene lives in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife Victoria.
17 comments, most recent 1 year agoActually, it is Exploitation Day all around.
3 comments, most recent 1 year agoThis is a quote from President Biden during his State of the Union address on February 7th, 2023. Your bullshit meter ought to be in the red now.
7 comments, most recent 1 year agoHow Democratic Party Leaders and Elected Officials Are Abusing “Signal” to Have Secret Conversations about Public Topics
5 comments, most recent 1 year agoExcellent and succinct overview of Traditional Medicare, now under a very real threat. People are now waking up!
4 comments, most recent 1 year agoPublic funds belong to all the residents of Washington state. Why give that money to private banks so they can make a fortune for themselves?
5 comments, most recent 1 year agoPublic Works successfully gave the impression of progress, without actually having to bother
Hillsboro Oregon’s higher median income and lower cost of living could be ours if we push our public officials into public fiber internet.
Holiday Greetings to the troops. A middle finger.
10 comments, most recent 1 year agoThe tab created by the risibly-named Oath Keepers was stolen from the U.S. Army. It is an insult to every Army veteran, especially those qualified as Ranger or Airborne.
2 comments, most recent 1 year agoIs the passing of Prop 5 a genuine reflection of the will of the people of Whatcom County? John Marshall guest writes.
9 comments, most recent 1 year agoPart C is really for sh*t but that word does not start with a “C.”
2 comments, most recent 1 year agoA running Record of the Zero Transparency Policies of the PUD, Port, County and City Councils From 1/12/2022 Onward
6 comments, most recent 1 year agoA must-read for anyone who knows a war veteran… and anyone who never met one.
10 comments, most recent 1 year ago