The Post Record's take on the latest Russell debacle: What makes a qualified candidate?

The PR nails it by asking, and answering the question: What makes a qualified candidate?

Failed candidate Jon Russell's continuing hypocrisy in having ever opposed to Mike Briggs for planning commission is inexplicable in the face of his horrific, underhanded, despicable political campaigns, first for Congress and then for state representative in the 18th District as he does anything and everything he can to ditch Washougal and move up "To da BIIIG House."

This blog is replete with his bogus efforts to portray himself as some sort of Christian conservative, as he struggled to put distance between his lies concerning his education and his wife's profession, his history of getting paid to run a campaign designed to jack up takes to the stratosphere for the Vancouver Port Commission; his fake identities so he can attack others while keeping his own skirts clean, his signing off on Stacy Seller's expense account and getting his buddy hired... as an unbondable city finance director, lying to the 18th district PCO's... his asking ME for a political opponent's social security number, and a large number of other foibles... documented on this blog.

So, when Russell came out swinging against Briggs, I nearly blew chunks.

This was so obviously a political ploy... so totally and completely pay back to a political opponent, that a blind squirrel could see it in a minute.

The PR addresses those issues with their take on Russell's idiocy:

What makes a qualified candidate?

By Heather Acheson

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What should make a candidate qualified for appointment to a position on a local government body? This question will be up for discussion during Monday night’s Washougal City Council meeting. The topic is a result of councilman Jon Russell’s opposition to the recommendation by a panel that Mike Briggs be appointed to the city’s Planning Commission. That panel included a current planning commissioner, city councilman and city department head.

As recounted in an article in today’s Post-Record, Russell said he questions the appointment because Briggs has made “disparaging remarks” and “personal attacks” against Mayor Sean Guard, the City Council, and developers on local blogs and in the media. Although no specific examples of this were mentioned that evening, the issue is expected to be part of Monday’s agenda.

An informal survey of Briggs’ public comments reveals that he has leveled strong criticism against some decisions of the Washougal City Council, and some actions of specific members, including Russell, Michael Delavar and Dave Shoemaker. However, Briggs has also voiced his support of other council actions.

It’s not a secret that Briggs does not agree with Russell’s support of issues including having red light cameras in Washougal city limits and the Arizona immigration law, among other things. In fact Briggs has accused Russell, a 2010 Primary Election candidate for the 18th Legislative District representative seat, of using these issues to “grab media attention to further his own political ambitions.”

Those kinds of comments have not portrayed the City of Washougal in a positive light. But, isn’t this kind of criticism and critical thinking about the decisions made by our leaders an essential part of the public process? Shouldn’t citizens feel free to publicly, and even vehemently, disagree with the actions, comments or opinions of its city officials without fear that it will lead to a backlash later on?

The answer to all of these questions is most definitely “yes.”

More:

Before he shot off his mouth, if Russell had any concept of service to the people instead of using them as tools for the greater glory of Russell, he would have ran his opposition to Briggs through the filter listed in this editorial.

But he doesn't. For Russell, it's all about him. And this time, it blew up in his face.

Cross posted on Clark County Politics.
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Failed Candidate Jon Russell puts his hypocrisy aside: now says he'll support Briggs on Washougal Planning Commission.

Was it just a week ago that I nailed Russell by the shwantz for his rank hypocrisy in publicly attacking Mike Briggs?

Russell set new boundaries of hypocrisy by claiming that Briggs had "...made 'disparaging remarks' toward the mayor, City Council and developers in local blogs and media."

Russell's horrific state representative campaign, which followed his equally horrific congressional campaign, clearly showing that he would take ANY political job to get out of Washougal, was replete with lies, exaggerations, insults and everything sleazy about politics.

How HE could accuse anyone ELSE of something he, himself was so over-the-top guilty of is simply beyond belief.

And this is one of Russell's MANY problems: he refuses to hold himself to the same standard he applies to everyone else. And it's this kind of megalomaniacal narcissism that makes him unsuitable for any elected position, anywhere.

So, imagine my surprise when I read the following:

Washougal councilman changes opposition to potential planning commission appointee

Council decision is expected during Monday meeting

By Dawn Feldhaus

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Washougal City Councilman Jon Russell has announced a change of heart regarding the potential appointment of Mike Briggs to the Planning Commission.

Russell mentioned by email late Monday night he plans to drop his opposition and vote to confirm Briggs at the council meeting next week.

Leave it to Russell to publicly pummel a political opponent, just to respond to the obvious pressure heaped on him by many, including myself... so he can have yet another opportunity to scam some earned media holding himself out as some sort of heroic figure.

Of course, the presence of Mike's wife at the workshop, a lawyer, may have been sobering enough to slap some sense into Russell's head... and cause him to reconsider his opposition.

Russell went on, leading with that nonsensical "person of faith" dodge, that he whips out whenever the mood strikes or whenever he wants to fool people who don't know any better.

“As a person of faith, it is important for me to practice what I preach and bless those who curse me,” Russell said. “I believe Mike has written untrue personal attacks in the paper about me and other council members. I also disagree with most of his politically progressive views on development."

What makes this sheer, unadulterated garbage is that, presumably, Russell was this same faux "person of faith" when he trashed Briggs in the first place.

One has to wonder.

If Russell is such a "person of faith," then why did he feel the need to trash Briggs last week? Why was it OK then... but not so OK now?

His fake "person of faith" shtick is just one of the reasons why he's so objectionable to me as a politico.

There's much more in the article, but you get the gist of it: this brouhaha was Russell being Russell.

And that's not a great place to be.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.

Failed congressional/state representative candidate Jon Russell reinforces his rank hypocrisy.

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Haven't heard much about Russell lately since his utterly abysmal twin jokes of a failed-from-the-start congressional campaign and an equally and embarrassingly inept state representative campaign replete with his typical lies, exaggerations and false claims concerning his education and his wife's status as a "doctor."

So, in response to those who keep asking me about this twit, I stumbled across this tidbit, where some of the most rank hypocrisy I've ever seen in politics was presented with this twit's usual failure to apply the same standards to himself.

Washougal Council delays appointment of planning commissioner

Interview panel had recommended Mike Briggs

By Dawn Feldhaus

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The appointment of a new Washougal Planning Commissioner was anything but routine during a recent City Council meeting.

Council member Jon Russell made a motion on Nov. 15 that the appointment of Mike Briggs be tabled.

Russell said Briggs had made “disparaging remarks” toward the mayor, City Council and developers in local blogs and media.

“There have been personal attacks,” Russell said.

Councilman Dave Shoemaker said planning commissioners have varying opinions. He said he enjoyed talking with Larry Wagoner when they served on the planning commission.

“Those were valuable, civil discussions,” Shoemaker said.

However, he would not be able to support Briggs’ appointment to the Planning Commission due to “personal attacks.”

Councilman Rod Morris spoke in favor of talking about concerns during the next council workshop.

“This should be out in the open Monday, and have Briggs hear it,” Morris said.

More:

Now, it takes a special kind of snake like Russell to attack one of his myriad of political opponents for the exact same conduct that was the hallmark of his campaign.

Russell is lying scum. His campaign showed that he was, beyond any doubt, the absolute worst that politics has to offer. "Disparaging remarks" is the least of the despicable conduct this clown engaged in on a regular basis, conduct that included making up fake facebook and Columbian identities (Teacher Judy Banks) so they could post to each other about how badly I was smacking the crap out of the little creep.

He lied about his education. Lied about his wife's status as a doctor. Lied about opening up a second clinic. Assisted Keath Huff and others in their character assassination of myself and others.

Used fake identities on the Columbian web sites and other locations to attack me and others he's opposed, including on the ubiquitous CW Watch, where, using his punk identity of "The Black Hand, he would attack anyone and everyone wise enough to oppose him or his agenda.

The rank hypocrisy of his complaints over Mike Briggs making "disparaging remarks" about a scum bag like Russell, when Russell has done the exact same thing to Briggs cannot be overstated.

That someone like Russell hasn't been forced off the city council for repeatedly lying about his education is an absolute mystery to me. In fact, had he been a city councilor in Oregon, he likely would have faced arrest for his lies.

For Russell to object to Briggs is unspeakable arrogance and hypocrisy. And if the people of Washougal don't act to get rid of that punk, then they truly do deserve the government they elect.

Yes, it takes a genuine scummy little worm like Russell to do something like this. Why am I not surprised?

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.

Impressions on an election night.

First some awards.

Slimiest creatures to show up at the GOP Victory Party?

1. Keath Huff.

Huff was the gutless scumbag behind my namesake blog. In coming after me because I was constantly bitch-slapping Ridgefield Barbie for being a complete waste of political skin, that little worm decided he could attack and repeatedly trash Ann Rivers.

Huff is scum.

And then after all that, what does that slimeball do? He leaves this on Ann's FaceBook page:


It takes a genuine asshole to try and make nice after doing so much deliberate damage and engaging in an effort to politically destroy someone, particularly when that someone wasn't even in your district.

A grade A, number one anal orifice.

"Congrats?"

I understand your attraction to a complete empty suit like Barbie. But I will never forget the playground bullshit you ran in a genuine effort to destroy Ann's candidacy as if that would somehow shut me up about that clown in your picture... when all it did was to make me even more determined to see her out of politics, an effort I will literally spend the rest of my life engaged in thanks in large part to your work.

I can't speak for Ann. But she ought to kick you in what's left of your miniature testicles until you can't see straight.

2. Jon Russell.

Russell's lies and support of the Huffer's blogging efforts are well known. His support and work with the democrat Rivers destroyed in the election are even better known.

The political Russell's of the world are what give politics a bad name. Lying about his education to everyone, how much money he raised to the PCO's, and his wife being a doctor should have made him ashamed to show his face.

3. Nansen Malin.

Malin is the elected chair of the Pacific County GOP, a county something on the order of 100 miles from the victory party in Clark County. I wondered what the hell she would be doing HERE instead of her OWN county on an election night, until I remembered that because of her stellar efforts as a county GOP Chair, not a single Republican ran for anything anywhere in her entire county for this election.

Not one candidate.

Anywhere.

For any position.

In all of Pacific County.

Best known for sending out a lying, scum-filled, vitriolic letter filled with false accusations and lies against a sitting state senator, Nan is all about using her position to be THE GOP social butterfly, working SO hard, EVERYWHERE in Washington State, except where she NEEDS to work: Pacific County.

Don't need to work there if, after all, you're such a failure that you can't even find someone to run for ANYTHING.

So, of course, if you're an abysmal, colossal, utter failure as a GOP County Chair and you're applying for the full time position of toady to an empty suit, why would you actually spend time in the county you were elected to run on an election night?

Silly me.

2. Biggest surprise.

a. I am surprised that Allen Svehaug appears to be the winner for the county commission seat. While the campaign wasn't anything to brag about, Alan only has to make up 2.1% plus one vote to take out Steve Stuart. With hard-right breaking votes to be counted in the next 31,000, I think he may just get it done. We'll sure know more by COB tomorrow.

Considering that alleged Republican Marc Boldt ENDORSED Steve "Easy Money" Stuart for re-election (Getting that quid pro quo thing all lined out) it could be just the tiniest bit awkward in the county commission chamber should Svehaug get this done.

b. That Peck didn't do better.

I thought it was going to be close, but I was reasonably sure that Peck would win. After all, the fact is that electing any democrat in the legislature for anything is yet another vote for the fringe left leadership that led to the horrific $800,000,000 tax increase on all of us from the last session, and Candy Man Moeller's moronic "is it candy or ain't it?" tax that the people slaughtered in the guise of I-1107.

c. That I-1100 didn't win overwhelmingly.

The slimy, nonsensical and moronic ad campaign the unions ran were a crock, start to finish. I was surprised that the people would actually buy into their lies and nonsense and overlook the obvious advantages of getting the state out of any retail liquor sales... or any other retail sales.

I-1100, which I supported, may still win. But I was sure it would be stronger.

3. Biggest disappointment.

That the people elected a worthless nit to a position of importance when she lacked the education, experience and integrity of a picket fence.

Never forget: Without Cathy McMorris-Rogers interfering in our local politics and making a deal with alleged Republican Marc Boldt, there is no way this scarecrow would have been appointed to anything, given the fact that she'd been gone for the ten prior years before McMorris hand-fed her the appointment because of her connection to Boldt.

Herrera accomplished absolutely nothing in the legislature, and she will accomplish absolutely nothing in DC that CMR doesn't order her to do, providing CMR's 5th District with a defacto second member of Congress.... except once again become a legend on the DC party circuit while we're paying her $175K to boogie.

Clearly, people like Huff and Barnett lost their minds about Babbling Barbie. And now we all have to suffer as a result.

Other thoughts as they occur.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics and Jaime Herrera Watch.

Jon Russell buddy Bivens facing 5 years in Club Fed.

Russell, a Washougal City Councilman and failed Congressional/state representative candidate, was in large part responsible for the hiring of Jeffery Bivens to the position of City Finance director, only to have $100,000 vaporize while discovering that Bivens wasn't bondable.

Russell, a friend of Bivens, is responsible in part for the sweetheart deal Bivens got to leave Washougal.

You remember, right? $45,000 to leave a job he never should have got in the first place? Since the city council, including Russell, hired Bivens KNOWING he had been suspended by the Bar for 18 months as a result of "charging unreasonable fees, conflicts of interest, failure to preserve the identity of clients’ property and dishonest conduct."

Now, Bivens seems to have bigger fish to fry... though the $100,000 seems to be remaining invisible.

Washougal City Government. You get something out of it whether you go there or not.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.

Gee... who knew that Dennis Kampe was such a slime ball? Jon Russell, working on the Kampe Campaign, knew it.

Look, I get that Kampe is a democrat and all that, which shows questionable judgment to begin with.

I get that he supports a state income tax... opposes any form or privatization... and that he wants to saddle us with billions of dollars of debt so his union thug buddies can screw the taxpayers to build a bridge we don't need and loot rail we don't need OR want.

I get that his party is about as popular as the attendees of a NAMBLA convention. I totally get that even in the best of years (2008) let alone the WORST of years for a democrat, that they have no chance in the 18th, as deep and dark a red as you can find in the country today. I get that he coerced subordinates and students into "volunteering" to hold a fund raiser for him at the Skills Center, that taxpayer owned facility that he runs.

I get all of that. But up until now, I had no idea that Jon Russell had such a slimy influence on Kampe... or that he'd engage in gutter politics.

Of course, given Russell's involvement in support of Kampe's campaign, maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

A mailer went out to some in the 18th District. It has Russell's fingerprints all over it, given that Russell is a Kampe supporter. Instead of a comparison on the issues, it attacks Ann personally.

And I understand that. Because, like Russell, Kampe can't win on the issues. So personal attacks, lies and distortions are all he's got left.

It's also the kind of false character assassination that Russell and his winged monkeys revel in... and tried to use to get Russell elected.

Instead of addressing the issues... issues.... you remember, Dennis? ISSUES?

Like Dennis supporting a state income tax?

Like Dennis supporting the enslavement of 65,000 commuters to put his fellow union thugs to work on a bridge we don't want or need?

Like Dennis opposing privatization? Like that?

You know.... issues?

It attacked Ann Rivers because she represented a special interest as a lobbyist in Olympia.

That "special interest" that slime ball babbles about?

The Battle Ground School District.

It attacked Ann because she had a business client that provides hundreds of jobs...

Storedahl.

It attacked Ann because she works with several "big money clients..."

Like the American Cancer Association, where she donates time as the publicity chair for the West Clark County Relay for Life.

I had the opportunity to observe Dennis during the past several months on the campaign trail.

He seemed personable enough... given that he knows he can't win, since he's a leftist democrat and all.

I get that he's upset that he can't raise any money because he's going to lose and everyone knows it.

I get that he's pissed because Ann gets $800 checks while he struggles to get $50's. I get that he's desperate.

But still, this slop of a hit piece was so despicable, such a gross exaggeration, such a deliberate attempt to run away from the issues HE supports that I was stunned at it's ineffectiveness and shortsightedness. And it has Russell's fingerprints all over it.

And I really, really wish him good luck when he tries to get funding for the Skills Center next legislative session.

I really do.

Retirement, anyone?

So, uh.... what ever happened to that second clinic?

It was part of the Russell mantra:

Let's see, a brief google tells us that he's told the world that "coming in September 2010" is the Grass Valley Medical Clinic at the corner of 192nd and 20th in Vancouver."

Well? Where is it? Or, as I suspect, is it just another of Russell's many lies and exaggerations?

You know... like his fake doctor wife or his fake college degree.

Now, maybe he's went ahead and opened it. But oddly, neither the Secretary of State nor the Department of Licensing are aware of it.

Maybe I'll just mosey out that way in a day or two and see if it exists.

Course, it could be that since Russell and his wife are under investigation for his many mentions of his wife being either a "doctor" or a "physician," that, well, maybe they aren't going to let him open up another one.

Of course, I'm sure there's just some delay. Or hell, maybe it's up and running and the state has screwed up their paperwork.

Or.... maybe.... the whole thing was a con. Time will tell.... won't it?