Topic: Seattle Viaduct
Guests: Earl Bell, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington School of Architecture
Summary: John takes on the issue of the earthquake-damaged viaduct that runs through downtown Seattle, discussing Professor Bell's plan to replace the viaduct with a cable-stayed bridge out in Elliot Bay. The professor claims his idea would be quicker and cheaper to build and would have all the aesthetic benefits of a tunnel but without the massive disruption to the waterfront. Unfortunately, discussions like this always deteriorate once the callers join in and vary between "these people are so stupid and drunk" to "hey what about my great idea for a floating tunnel". In the end it proves one of the major reasons why Washington State can't get anything built: there's way to many couch-side engineers and wannabes that always think they could do it better.
Time: 01:00 - 01:30
Topic: Washington State Supreme Court Race
Guests: Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General
Summary: John discusses one of the state Supreme Court race and the issue of YAJJC (yet another judicial Johnson candidate). In this case Michael Johnson has made a late entry into the race, joining state legislator Steve Johnson. Don't forget that the court already has two other Johnsons: right-wing Jim Johnson and long-time justice Charles Johnson. Attorney General McKenna joins to discuss whether Michael Johnson could be committing a crime of conspiracy by seeking to confuse the electorate. It turns out to be difficult to convict because it requires the offending candidate to be working together with another candidate to disrupt the election. John decides he can help out by sending listeners to Steve Johnson's campaign website to volunteer and donate.
Time: 01:30 - 02:00
Topic: Washington State Supreme Court Race
Guests: Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General
Summary: John asks listeners whether Mel Gibson should be forgiven for his anti-semitic tirade after being arrested for drunk driving over the weekend.
Classic Quote 1:
CARLSON: And then he risked it all to produce and direct The Passion of the Christ, which was unfairly maligned by many critics who had never seen the movie as anti-semitic. If you saw the movie and you were left with a negative attitude toward anybody it would probably be the Romans. It is worth point out that not a single incident of anti-semitism took place as a result of this movie, which was seen by far more people than anyone ever thought. I believe it is in the top 5 highest grossing movies ever. And you know there was no continuation or relaunching of the pogroms. There was no anti-semitic backlash. You know Frank Rich and Abe Foxman of the ADL and all of these other irresponsible critics of Mel Gibson were flat out wrong about the impact of The Passion of the Christ.
Classic Quote 2:CARLSON: I hope he's going to get a break
Classic Quote 3:CARLSON: [Mel Gibson] has issued a statement. And again, his critics are not going to give him a break. Abe Foxman has said that his statement does not appear genuine. I think it appears very genuine. And he says that he disgraced himself. He says that his conduct was despicable. He apologized profusely, and he said that he can't believe and does not agree with the things he was saying, that he just basically went nuts.
Classic Quote 4:CARLSON: It wasn't really anti-semitic. It was just a vulgar obscenity-laced tirade against a lot of people and things in general. And it wasn't even, I mean here he was looking a an arresting officer that I believe was Asian and asking him if he was a Jew. This is Mel unhinged.
Classic Quote 5:CARLSON: Mel Gibson has issued what I find to be a very contrite apology. Let's hear what you have to say. We have Annie, calling from the town of Graham. You're up first, go for it.
ANNIE: I just want to say that the movie was a wonderful thing and he made a lot of enemies. And you know you feel that when you have all of that hate coming against you. And my husband used to be an alchoholic and sometimes he would have these horrible rages and things and that's like [unintelligble]. But it's not him! And we've got to forgive! I mean we've got to cast the first stone, you know what I'm saying?
CARLSON: Well you know, that's not a bad thing to say to his critics in a time like this. Whichever of you is without fault. Whichever of you has never done said anything ugly to your wife or your business partners or to a police officer.