Soundgarden Reunion Confirmed

After 12 years Chris Cornell finally rejoins his old band so they can, like, eat and stuff.

Ken Griffey Jr Going to the Braves... no wait... the Mariners... maybe.

The Seattle Times and eight bazillion other places are reporting that Ken Griffey Jr. will return to the Seattle Mariners for the 2009 season, which is a huge surprise given that yesterday it was reported that he was going to the Braves. So, you know, take it all with a grain of salt.

Oregon Legislation Would Ban Aftermarket Parts

Oregon House Bill 2186 would allegedly ban aftermarket parts when "greener" alternatives are available. Primarily aimed at tires, it would keep enthusiasts from making their cars all fast and furious in the name of better fuel efficiency. Of course, it will be okay to keep driving your Hummer H1, but if you dare wish to add a little better handling to your Civic Hybrid, you're out of luck.

Check out SEMA Action Network (probably not the most unbiased source) for more.

Gregoire to Save $20 Million by Eliminating Adult Care Program

Old and crazy people will have to fend for themselves if Christine Gregoire's plan to cut the budget is approved. The state's Adult Health program costs the state around $20 million annually.

Apparently Ms. Gregoire could not find any better places to cut costs. And I think we can all agree that there are more important things than old and crazy people! Like a $4.2 billion tunnel underneath downtown Seattle. Or the $22 billion social engineering project known as Sound Transit 2. I mean, that's a LOT more important.

Burgerville to Start Serving Beer and Wine... Maybe.

KOMO News reports that Portland/Vancouver institution Burgerville has applied for a liquor license for their new Salmon Creek store. If approved, you would be able to enjoy a local brew with your burger and fries.

Drive-Thru Customer: "I'd like a Tillamook Cheeseburger, and one beer to go, please!"

It's a Tunnel After All! No, Wait! Maybe Not.

Props to me for calling it like I see it.

An agreement has been made, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be replaced by a $4.25 billion tunnel, even though the tunnel was ruled out just one month ago. The tunnel option will allow for the viaduct to remain standing while it's replacement is under construction. Also, they'll probably change their minds again. I don't have any proof or anything... it's just what they do.

That was 12 days ago. Today in the Times...

Gov. Chris Gregoire's plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel is already running into trouble.

The coalition backing the $4.2 billion project appears fragile. And some legislative leaders doubt a key element of the proposal — allowing King County to pass a motor-vehicle excise tax to support increased public transit — will pass this session.

Finally, check out this gem:

House leaders are particularly concerned about the fact the state is responsible for any cost overruns with the proposed 54-foot-wide tunnel.

Kessler said she met recently with Gregoire to discuss the project.

"I said, 'Governor, I don't think the taxpayers of this state want to be on the hook for unknown cost overruns. The Big Dig comes to mind in Boston,' " she said, referring to a tunnel project where costs exceeded $14 billion.

Kessler said the governor told her the state was only responsible for overruns related to the state's portion of the project. "And I said, 'Well, that's the tunnel. The big unknown.' "

Why do we keep re-electing these people? My only theory is that we do so to keep them out of the private sector so we don't have to deal with them.

Wazzu Professor Makes $245,000 to Teach One Class

A professor at Washington State University is now making $245,000 for teaching one class, ironically about Karl Marx. Apparently Mr. Steven Hoch was hired as the WSU Provost, but was demoted after acting like a complete baby; getting into a physical fight with a WSU Vice President. Unfortunately, his contract with WSU states that he still must be paid 80% of his original salary, while other WSU history professors make less than $80,000 on average.

Despite the discrepancy, Hoch's colleagues seem to be full of praise for him. "He has a Ph.D. from Princeton, and he is a quite accomplished Russian historian, even though he has not been active for a time because he's been an administrator," Steve Kale, the interim chair of the history department told the AP.

Meanwhile colleges are having a hard time maintaining funding in the current economy. The UW, for example, is not accepting most new students for Spring Quarter. Someone needs to man up, stop hiding behind his contract, and take a paycut. Or better yet, quit.