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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.

God's Mandate

The campaign against Referendum 71, which would preserve domestic partnership rights for gay couples, has a new video out and it’s … um … well, just check it out. (Protect Marriage Washington, the group that produced the video, has restricted the rights to share it, so you’ll have to go to the link). But just for kicks, here’s a sample screen shot:

Picture 6

Transcript follows.

Image: Moon and earth, tumbling through space

Man’s voice: In the beginning, GOD created the heaven and the earth, and formed man.

Image: Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve featuring oddly ’80s hairstyles.

Narrator: And he made a woman and brought her unto the man.

Image: Jesus and followers.

Narrator: Thus GOD established, and defined marriage, between a man and a woman.

Image: Smiling white couple in wedding attire.

Narrator: What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

Image: Capitol dome.

Narrator: Senate Bill 5688 violates GOD’s mandate.

Image: White family tossing leaves in the air and smiling.

Narrator: On November 3, vote to preserve marriage and protect our children. Vote no on Referendum 71. Reject Senate Bill 5688.

Protect Marriage Washington apparently paid around $700 for the ad.


  • LaborGoon

    That’s not a man, baby!

  • LaborGoon

    That’s not a man, baby!

  • J.R.

    Do Ken and Barbie realize there’s a big ol’ tiger right behind them?

  • J.R.

    Do Ken and Barbie realize there’s a big ol’ tiger right behind them?

  • Dino “The Meano” Rossi

    You guys should have a contest to make the most awesomest “anti” R-71 video.

    You know, “First the gays took our pleated slacks and sweater vests, but I stayed silent, because I wore suits. Then they came for our facial scrubs and small dogs, but I stayed silent, because I was a cat-owner. Then they came for our state-sanctioned visitation rights…” ect. ect.

    C’mon!

  • http://www.calitics.com Robert Cruickshank

    Is this ad actually airing on TV, or is this just a web video designed to crank their base? My guess is it’s the latter, but I’d really love them to air this. It would be a boon for the Approve R-71 campaign.

    Bans on equal marriage – or in this case, on domestic partnership – only pass when they are sold as protecting children, when the religious elements are downplayed. This ad would instead foreground the religious elements, which would push voters into the Approve camp.

  • Dino “The Meano” Rossi

    You guys should have a contest to make the most awesomest “anti” R-71 video.

    You know, “First the gays took our pleated slacks and sweater vests, but I stayed silent, because I wore suits. Then they came for our facial scrubs and small dogs, but I stayed silent, because I was a cat-owner. Then they came for our state-sanctioned visitation rights…” ect. ect.

    C’mon!

  • http://unclevinny.wordpress.com/ Uncle Vinny

    Just once I’d like to see an Adam and Eve where they looked Persian, or even Israeli…

  • http://unclevinny.wordpress.com/ Uncle Vinny

    Just once I’d like to see an Adam and Eve where they looked Persian, or even Israeli…

  • Anonymous

    Why is Matthew Broderick’s 1983 twin in this picture? Further, why is he wearing a satin dress with a SASH? Ohhhh, he’s gay! smfh.

    I like @4′s idea.

  • http://www.sableverity.com Sable Verity

    Why is Matthew Broderick’s 1983 twin in this picture? Further, why is he wearing a satin dress with a SASH? Ohhhh, he’s gay! smfh.

    I like @4′s idea.

  • Jessy Bagshaw

    @5:Uncle Vinny

    or Ardipithecus ramiduses(eses…) just to mess with minds of folks that have that whole 4004BC Bishop Ussher thing going.

  • Jessy Bagshaw

    @5:Uncle Vinny

    or Ardipithecus ramiduses(eses…) just to mess with minds of folks that have that whole 4004BC Bishop Ussher thing going.

  • nmjkl

    The tiger looks jealous of her.

    Rawr! Protect the man-cat love!

  • nmjkl

    The tiger looks jealous of her.

    Rawr! Protect the man-cat love!

  • Mikos

    This is the type of ad that has the ability to mobilize two bases at once. It’s awesome. We can only hope it airs on commercial TV but don’t hold your breath. Where cna I order one of those man-dresses anyway?

  • Mikos

    This is the type of ad that has the ability to mobilize two bases at once. It’s awesome. We can only hope it airs on commercial TV but don’t hold your breath. Where cna I order one of those man-dresses anyway?

  • CCSea

    BTW, this picture is copyrighted by the Mormon Church. This means that the Mormons must be behind this ad.

    It appears that the Mormon Church is conducting a stealth campaign against Ref 71. They are being very quiet about it, though. Despicable.

  • CCSea

    BTW, this picture is copyrighted by the Mormon Church. This means that the Mormons must be behind this ad.

    It appears that the Mormon Church is conducting a stealth campaign against Ref 71. They are being very quiet about it, though. Despicable.

  • curlingriver

    According to genetic testing, Eve was African.

  • curlingriver

    According to genetic testing, Eve was African.

  • Thea

    I had the following exchange with a friend regarding this ad that sums up the current situation pretty well:

    Me: “Frankly, it’s rather scary that they even got this thing on the air. Hopefully most people will realise that loosely associated statements = not a logical argument = FAIL.”

    Friend: “…this is the American viewing audience we’re talking about.”

  • Thea

    I had the following exchange with a friend regarding this ad that sums up the current situation pretty well:

    Me: “Frankly, it’s rather scary that they even got this thing on the air. Hopefully most people will realise that loosely associated statements = not a logical argument = FAIL.”

    Friend: “…this is the American viewing audience we’re talking about.”

  • http://www.calitics.com/ Robert Cruickshank

    Is this ad actually airing on TV, or is this just a web video designed to crank their base? My guess is it's the latter, but I'd really love them to air this. It would be a boon for the Approve R-71 campaign.

    Bans on equal marriage – or in this case, on domestic partnership – only pass when they are sold as protecting children, when the religious elements are downplayed. This ad would instead foreground the religious elements, which would push voters into the Approve camp.