Glad I missed Bellingham awol sancturay city debate

It would have been crowded and stuffy, that day in the municipal court building. Heated community debate drew lots of fanfare. May have needed more fans of the "air circulation" kind.

Not that I don't have some sympathy for the plight of soldiers who made the commitment, but face multiple deployments and other hardships. Yes, people should think about these things before making commitment, but many of the people are quite young at the time.

It's like marriage.

Debate on foreign policy and sanctuary status at the city level seems largely symbolic. Federal government supersedes anyway, if nothing else by just threatening to pull some grant monies. Still it's part of democracy to have debate.

Some say the city needs to tend to local matters rather than try to get into foreign policy.

OK, as long as people stay dependent on cars and foreign oil, we've got problems. The city can do it's "local" job figuring out how to help people wean themselves from so much oil dependency. Transit, sidewalks, bike paths, zoning, housing density, affordable neighborhoods. Idealistically, being able to walk to work. Less worry about security of overseas oil supply. Less petrodollars going to the pockets of oil dictators.

During that debate, I was out biking around. Enjoying the fresh air.

Speaking of marriage and commitment to things like the military, it's interesting that the two front burner issues for the gay movement are, the right to serve in the military and the right to get married. Why are these the front burner issues?

While I support both rights, I also say, "be careful what you get yourself into." Look before you leap.