Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Netanyahu is a Douchebag

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Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, featured above.

Josh insists that part of my responsibility as PubliCola’s CorrOspondent is to post about foreign affairs. It really cuts into my reality TV time, but what the hell? He’s the editor.

Netanyahu is a douche. He’s douching on the two-state solution, which many of his top officials say is part of the road map to peace. Nevermind that.  When you are hardliner, you get to reneg on deals. Yesterday, Madame Secretary Clinton (I still love the sounds of that) reiterated the US position that expanding settlements in the West Bank was not looked upon favorably by the US.  Immediately after Clinton pressed the point, Netanyahu reneged. Thanks, douche.

Today, Palestinian President Abbas and President Obama are sitting down to rehash the 2002 Saudi Peace Plan and affirm that the two-state solution (which requires handing over unsettled land in the West Bank to Palestine) would in turn lead to normalized relations with the Arab world.  Everyone was on board, or so we thought.  Yesterday’s Israeli government announcement shits on that plan to move forward in the peace negotiations.  Two things going in favor of peace plan:  an ‘onboard’, although politically weak Palestinian leader, and the fact that Iran freaks the fuck out of everyone in the Arab world.

Look to the June 4th speech that Obama plans to deliver to the Muslim world in Cairo for indications of how to deal with this new obstacle in the road to Middle East peace.

There, that should satisfy my monthly foreign affairs posting.  May I go back to Daisy of Love now?


  • swatter

    Nerd, getting paid for this gig? Douchebag? You sure? Your discussions certainly didn’t lend itself for that conclusion.

    I suspect the middle east is a little more complicated than what you project. Obama is finding that out. Your country is close to getting annihilated if you believe the written word and the words spoken in Arabic; wouldn’t you be a little protective? Wouldn’t you be skeptical about yet another peace process in which you will again get screwed like during Clinton?

    On the other hand, you have to start somewhere. Since you are the writer and I am only a listener, I would like your thoughts.

    But, then again, perhaps it better you immerse yourself in reality TV. But, isn’t foreign affairs reality TV? Oh, I get so confused.

  • swatter

    Nerd, getting paid for this gig? Douchebag? You sure? Your discussions certainly didn’t lend itself for that conclusion.

    I suspect the middle east is a little more complicated than what you project. Obama is finding that out. Your country is close to getting annihilated if you believe the written word and the words spoken in Arabic; wouldn’t you be a little protective? Wouldn’t you be skeptical about yet another peace process in which you will again get screwed like during Clinton?

    On the other hand, you have to start somewhere. Since you are the writer and I am only a listener, I would like your thoughts.

    But, then again, perhaps it better you immerse yourself in reality TV. But, isn’t foreign affairs reality TV? Oh, I get so confused.

  • obamanerd

    The middle east is a lot more complicated than I project. No shit.
    But this isn’t a middle east blog. My name is obamanerd.
    My writings are thru the lens of an obama synchophant.
    It’s entertainment, not a harvard periodical. Enjoy.

  • obamanerd

    The middle east is a lot more complicated than I project. No shit.
    But this isn’t a middle east blog. My name is obamanerd.
    My writings are thru the lens of an obama synchophant.
    It’s entertainment, not a harvard periodical. Enjoy.

  • Sarah

    OK, I’ll be moderate.

    Netanyahu has done and is not doing anything other than what he is known to do for his whole political career. We knew what he would (not) do when he was elected. He’s a very, very known factor.

    Douchebag perhaps, but he’s not reneging. He’s simply being Bibi.

  • Sarah

    OK, I’ll be moderate.

    Netanyahu has done and is not doing anything other than what he is known to do for his whole political career. We knew what he would (not) do when he was elected. He’s a very, very known factor.

    Douchebag perhaps, but he’s not reneging. He’s simply being Bibi.

  • CD5381

    Dear Josh,

    Please don’t force Obama Nerd to do any more foreign reporting. That’s why there’s the Economist. I want my OTV.

    Love!

  • CD5381

    Dear Josh,

    Please don’t force Obama Nerd to do any more foreign reporting. That’s why there’s the Economist. I want my OTV.

    Love!

  • Anonymous

    Funny that ObamaNerd has a picture of a douchebag so readily available. I guess he has to wash the sand out with something.

  • Anonymous

    Funny that ObamaNerd has a picture of a douchebag so readily available. I guess he has to wash the sand out with something.