Blaine Confidential

 It was recently explained to me by my member of Congress why the U.S. debt ceiling needs to be raised. While logical under the circumstances, it doesn't address why tax revenue is inadequate, which is because the rich don't pay taxes. Instead, they loan money to the government and live off the interest. 

The San Juan Islands National Monument resource management plan --Bureau of Land Management.

The 2016 film  Imperium  is based on a story by former FBI agent Michael German, who in 1996 worked undercover to arrest Christian Patriots in Whatcom County, one year after Christian Patriots blew up the Oklahoma City federal building. Initial leads used by the FBI were provided by researcher Paul de Armond and me. In 1997, the Christian Patriots were convicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle of making bombs to murder human rights activists.  In 2005, German gave an interview with Democracy Now! where he noted our contribution:  I was involved in a second case in northwest Washington in 1996 that involved...citizens who saw a problem and wanted to help law enforcement protect the community.  

It isn't often that a community has the chance to reimagine itself, but redevelopment of the Blaine civic center--adjacent to Blaine Public Library--is a golden opportunity. Located in the heart of downtown, the city-owned property formerly occupied by the demolished old city hall is now available for other public purposes. My suggestion to Blaine City Council is to combine affordable apartments with an art center where Blaine residents can take classes and attend presentations. If Blaine Police Department relocates, that property could be used for apartments and art galleries as well. To accommodate tourists, a parking garage could be built over the skate park. To move forward on its downtown revitalization plan, Blaine office of community development would benefit from hosting a visioning process--like we did for the new library plans--to gather public input on Blaine's future. Rather than having to travel to Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Lynden and La Conner to enjoy the arts, let...

My four work art exhibit Ancestors is on display at Blaine Public Library, Jan-Mar 2023. "I like art that tells a story. While doing genealogical research on my tribal ancestors in Europe, I saw a program about 25,000-year-old cave paintings in southern France that rivaled any art today. When the pandemic hit and I needed a hobby, these two interests inspired me to recreate the symbols of my ancestors found in this exhibit."

To truly revitalize downtown, Blaine needs an attraction. Fixing the sidewalks and adding plaza amenities like a crafters market shelter are important, but they don't draw tourists. An art center would. Tourism development requires investment in creating a community of artists with classes in everything from bronze casting to ceramic sculpture. An art center with the equipment and space to create engaging works is a destination for art lovers who enjoy seeing art being made as well as buying it. It is a lively production space that serves as a catalyst for arts related commerce such as galleries and framing. I am presently forming a Blaine Art Center working group of artists and arts supporters to make it a reality. Three potential properties have been identified downtown in the tourist zone. The working group will work with the city in planning redevelopment of the civic center with an eye toward the arts. 

In September, I was interviewed for a film documentary* about the Center for World Indigenous Studies (CWIS) in Olympia, Washington, where I was a contributing editor of Fourth World Journal from 2005-2017. Included in this film about overcoming bigotry to advance Indigenous sovereignty are elders from several Northwest Indian tribes. I spoke about strategic communication in confronting the Anti-Indian movement, and  talked about attending Christian Patriot meetings to gather evidence leading to the 1997 convictions of militia members in Seattle for making bombs to murder human rights activists. (In 1995, Christian Patriots murdered 168 people in the Oklahoma City bombing.) As a journalist at CWIS--a think tank established by leaders from the National Congress of American Indians and the Assembly of First Nations (Canada)--I mentored activist scholars on the art of communication. Two of my proteges received Best Presentation awards at United Nations conferences in Geneva and Nairob...