Civic Cocktail

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson explains his rationale behind 58 lawsuits against the Trump administration. He tells host Joni Balter, "There are many times the administration does something that I think is not the right way to do something." Ferguson's challenges cover a wide range of issues including immigration, environmental protections, 3-D printed guns, the border wall, and DACA. Currently, the Attorney General's office is also investigating possible price gouging related to the coronavirus. Concerns about COVID-19 also have Secretary of State Kim Wyman urging voters not to lick the envelope on their election ballots, as a precaution. And with the state's presidential primary just around the corner, election security is top of mind. Wyman describes it as a race with no end, as security experts keep up with operatives trying new schemes to hack the system. She explains what's being done to keep this state's election firewalls secure.

Despite growing terror threats and recent conflicts with Iran, retired four-star General Barry McCaffrey tells host Joni Balter the U.S. has never been more secure. He uses historical context to justify his claim saying it's highly unlikely our naval or air forces will run into anyone who is even remotely a competitor. MCaffrey also discusses Seattle's vulnerability to a North Korean attack, plus the damage done by President Trump to our defensive alliances. Then, meet the four new members of the Seattle City Council. Tammy Morales, Alex Pedersen, Dan Strauss, and Andrew Lewis share their thoughts on the downtown crime problem, a proposed countywide tax, the Third Avenue transit corridor, and how they feel about "Seattle Kraken" as a potential name for the city's future NHL team!

The Seattle City Council will have four new faces, and possibly more, once all the ballots are counted from the Nov. 5 general election. Political consultant Heather Weiner tells host Joni Balter, "When Amazon dropped $1.5 million into our local election... politics suddenly hit home for the people of Seattle." But, Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Marilyn Strickland says money has always been a part of politics. She adds, "...declaring victory is more about the work that's going to happen after the election is over." And two men who really know their numbers also weigh in. The Seattle Times' Gene Balk, author of the popular data-centric column FYI Guy, says some of the political tension in town may be due to a growing generation gap, as 3 out of 4 people moving here are millennials. Seattle pollster Stuart Elway's latest poll on the City Council left him with this topline conclusion: those he polled want to change the people in the Council chamber and elect new people to keep doing the same work the council's already been doing!

As several U.S. House committees pursue an impeachment inquiry, Washington Congressman Adam Smith tells host Joni Balter, "Impeachment is not a good thing, it's just not." The 9th District Democrat says the process is divisive and poses some political concerns for his party heading into 2020. Still, Smith agrees President Trump's behavior is not acceptable and he needs to be held accountable. And he says what's most puzzling, the President hasn't even tried to hide his dealings with Ukraine. And just two weeks after she addressed a congressional committee on the climate crisis, 17-year-old Jamie Margolin of Seattle tells how she stood up to a house member and called him, "cowardly." The co-founder of the international nonprofit Zero Hour doesn't mince words when talking about the climate crisis, saying "Our oceans are dying, our salmon are dying... there is no gray area for survival, so it's kind of either we do survive this thing or we don't."

Deadly violence linked to white supremacy is on the rise in this country. King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg tells host Joni Balter that much of this violence involves white males who are alienated and angry. University of Washington political science professor Christopher Sebastian Parker adds, "...it removes all doubt of the fact that this is a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic country, period." In the second half, Garth Stein - best-selling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain - shares his thoughts about the book being adapted for the big screen and whether Hollywood got it right. Stein also talks about the inspiration behind the book and reveals tidbits about his next novel, A Couple of Old Birds, set in Seattle and influenced by his 89-year-old mother.

Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz says all signs point to an extremely serious wildfire season, with the state facing more risk than wildfire-prone California. "I have firefighters who've fought for 40 years who've said 'I've never seen this in my entire life,'" Franz tells Civic Cocktail host Joni Balter. For now, she's focused on fires, but we ask if she's also considering a run for governor. And, it's been 50 years since the Stonewall riots marked the start of the modern LGBTQ movement. Today, the fight for civil rights continues. Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Anne Levinson says in the past few years there's been a ceaseless, relentless attack on the LGBTQ community. And Tobi Hill-Meyer, co-executive director of the Gender Justice League says transgender women of color are especially vulnerable and frequently the target of violence.

Is Seattle dying or trying? That question - arising from a KOMO News special on the impacts of substance abuse and homelessness - sparked a lively conversation hosted by Joni Balter. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes shares some of the public's discontent, but says the documentary failed to mention effective city programs. KOMO News Director Bill Dallman says the report's nontraditional approach gave a voice to frustrated residents and police. Thea Oliphant-Wells, a public-health manager who battled addiction and homelessness, highlighted the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions and suggested a treatment option for those who refuse assistance. Then, the conversation took on a more lighthearted tone as local NPR radio personalities Bill Radke and Luke Burbank offered a humorous take on Seattle's changing culture, from the zipper merge to tech-boom tensions.

He introduces himself as "...a three-time cancer surviving, fully blind, Iranian American from a mixed religion, immigrant family." Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib shares personal stories and reveals his humorous side during a lively conversation with host Joni Balter. Habib describes his "coolest" moment serving as acting governor, a role he's assumed a lot lately! He reveals who he supports for president, whether he'll run for governor and remembers fondly the person who first taught him to advocate for himself. Plus, the region's top two law enforcement leaders discuss police reform, recruiting, the recent Lake City shooting, and the homeless crisis. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best says, "We are not going to arrest our way out of homelessness." She said responding to the crisis requires a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach. King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht - whose office is a partner in the effort - praised the many organizations, nonprofits and government agencies working to help solve the problem of homelessness.

During a wide-ranging conversation with host Joni Balter, Gov. Jay Inslee discusses renewable energy, saving the beloved orcas, a fiscal surprise for lawmakers, and, of course, climate change. He says all the reports that the planet is in trouble are NOT true. "Planet Earth is going to be okay; it's just humanity that's the problem." And, we continue to talk politics with the two state party chairs. The head of the state Democrats, Tina Podlodowski says activating the grass roots has been key to its success. She also says the people of this country are being neglected by the president. State Republican Party Chair Caleb Heimlich disagrees. But he says it's important to have a dialogue and agree to disagree, so long as we treat each other with dignity and respect. Heimlich also reveals a few GOP prospects that could someday seek higher office.

Civic Cocktail covers a lot of ground, from Rick Steves on the rise and fall of fascism in Europe to local lawmakers' take on Seattle's shifting political landscape. Three Seattle City Council members who've chosen not to seek re-election visit a variety of topics with host Joni Balter. Council President Bruce Harrell speaks his mind about district elections and remembers a life-changing trip to Japan. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw talks about a controversial issue that divided the Council and another where they worked together to make real progress. As for the City Council's low approval ratings, Councilmember Rob Johnson has an interesting take on what may be contributing to it. Then, nationally known travel expert and author Steves discusses his new PBS documentary "The Story of Fascism in Europe." He says the project is intended to wake up Americans and remind them that "great societies have lost their freedom by taking their hands off the wheel." On a lighter note, Steves reveals the "coolest" new town he's discovered in Europe! And reminds us his whole mission is to "inspire Americans to venture beyond Orlando!"