Results tagged “commonsense”

On Friday, the White House released the news that Louis Caldera--the guy who authorized scaring the bejesus out New Yorkers for a photo opp of an Air Force One knock-off buzzing lower Manhattan--had "resigned." Pretty much, he got canned. Ideas for stunts like these are the reason why we use Photoshop in the first place. Hell, it would have been better than the actual photo. So, next order of business, add "Find new director of the White House Military Office" on Obama's never-ending list of things to do.

We were a little startled to see Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a new law yesterday, that will require tattoo artists and people who preform body piercings to be licensed by the state. (!!!) Ummm... you mean to tell us, that the people who were sticking us with needles--granted some are very talented--were not licensed or had strict health regulations monitoring unsanitary practices? For fuck sake people, your barber or manicurist are licensed by the state. In Oregon--considered to have strict tattoo laws--they require artists to complete 250 hours in training and pass a written a test before they get their license. Until now, Washington artists have been wielding around tattoo guns or piercing needles keeping to their own safety practices. What part of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections did the state's Health department or lawmakers not understand? All businesses will need to be in compliance by July 2010, giving the Health department ample time to start adopting rules about the sterilization of instruments, human branding and scarification.

Isn't it nice to be able to swerve down the road while gossiping on your phone? Don't you love driving behind texting teens at 70 mph across a floating bridge? Starting July 1st, that will be not just be inadvisable--it will be illegal. In just over two weeks, California and Washington will both enact laws that make it illegal to drive while talking on a handheld mobile phone. You will be able to talk and drive if you have a headset or other hands-free device. If you're caught talking or texting while driving, you could face a $101 ticket.

I love Al Gore and I was really looking forward to seeing him talk at Town Hall on Monday night, but I was under no illusions that I would get to see him announce that he was running for President. I fell for that one before. When Barack Obama came through town on a book tour I got in a blood-boiling, fist-pumping frenzy for some kind of announcement, but what I got was a tepid book tour speech that was more brains than brawn. Same thing Monday night, except this time I knew what I was getting into. Besides, no politician (or “recovering politician” as Gore referred to himself) is going to make a major announcement in the latte-sippin’, Volvo-drivin’, tree-humpin’ Pacific Northwest. Sorry, Seattle.