At Horse's Ass, David Goldstein has a lengthy investigative story detailing a case of sexual harassment at the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). According to a 62-page document obtained from public records, a young woman who worked at the DNR quit her job after being harassed by 68-year-old Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland. The story goes on to say:
This was no minor incident, the victim's complaint throwing DNR into a frenzy of damage control. Meetings were held, testimony taken, statements given, memos written, supervisors reassigned, counseling given, and reminders on appropriate workplace behavior sent department wide. According to notes from a January 24 meeting, it was determined that the incident was a violation of DNR policy, that disciplinary action was warranted, and that it was in fact sexual harassment ... but that due to the fact that it was "isolated," "not hostile," and involved no "quid pro quo," it did not rise to the level of "illegal" sexual harassment.
Whatever his intent, Doug Sutherland sexually harassed a young female employee, creating a work environment so hostile that she quit a few weeks later. That is a fact. And it is a fact that voters have the right to know.
Meanwhile, the pundits have responded to the Obama-as-a-Muslim controversy surrounding the recent cover of The New Yorker. Here's a rundown of the coverage, and a humorous take on the news day. ...
Funny guy: A classic re-interpretation of the cover by Seattle Post-Intelligencer cartoonist and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Horsey. ...
Funny girl: Seattle Times columnist Lynne Varner argues the controversial magazine cover hurts Obama and is offensive. ...
Not funny: The New York Times reports no one can figure out how to make fun of Barack Obama. ...
Fine and dandy: Jeff Alworth at BlueOregon says it's a satirical cartoon, for god's sake. ...
Beat-up Dandy: The Nation offers another cartoon redesign, this one depicting The New Yorker's famous "Dandy" after a round in the Oval Office with Obama.
Crowd-pleaser: Meanwhile, supporters of the "assisted suicide" measure, Initiative 1000, have a 12-to-1 fundraising advantage over the measure's opponents.
Coming attractions: You can remodel Pike Place market — all for a cool $75 million.
Not coming soon: Charles Pope at The Oregonian says President Bush's offshore drilling proposal has hit a dry spot in Oregon's Legislature, while the folks at NW Republican point out that talk of drilling has driven down oil prices. ...
Upright Citizen's Brigade: The News-Tribune has the list of independent candidates on the Washington ballot this November. And, yes — Nader's on it.
Upright Incumbent's Brigade: Jim Camden at the Spokesman-Review gives a candidate-by-candidate rundown of Eastern Washington's wide-open congressional race. ...
Uptight Governor's Brigade: Gov. Chris Gregoire has set aside $1.4 million to build an 8-foot suicide prevention fence on Seattle's Aurora Bridge. ...Potty humor: Need a high-tech toilet? The city of Seattle is selling some for $89,000 per stall. ...
Swapping seats: Jeff Mapes at The Oregonian lists his picks for the top 10 Oregon legislative seats most likely to change party hands. ...
Who will get the last laugh? The University of Washington Board of Regents continues its bid to get taxpayers to finance the renovation of Husky Stadium, while the state's Legislature continues to shut them down. ...
And finally, I just can't get enough of Whacky Nation blogger comedian Lou Guzzo. Today, the nearly fossilized former P-I editor calls for "an end to the miserable Elvis impersonators." Harkening back to the age of Ed Sullivan, Guzzo blames the King's impersonators for their "bedroom leer" and "swinging, sex-ridden hips," adding that he's "sure [Elvis] considered his guitar a phallic symbol." Lou is right. If we don't do something soon about rock 'n' roll, it could lead to technicolor television programming featuring hip-gyrating singers and regular worship of sex-crazed pop stars — all before you can say M-T-V. (Coming next week: Guzzo calls for a reexamination of the lyrics to "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen and federal indictments for anyone caught harboring tattoos or other rock 'n' roll paraphernalia.)
