Joel Connelly

I worked for Seattle Post-Intelligencer from 1973 until it ceased print publication in 2009, and SeattlePI.com from 2009 to 6/30/2020. During that time, I wrote about 9 presidential races, 11 Canadian and British Columbia elections‎, four doomed WPPSS nuclear plants, six Washington wilderness battles, creation of two national Monuments (Hanford Reach and San Juan Islands), a 104 million acre Alaska Lands Act, plus the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

The Motivating Power of Abortion Bans

The Dobbs abortion ruling overturning of Roe by the Supreme Court's conservative super-majority has proven a boon to progressive politicians.

Hitler’s Rise to Power and its Lessons for Today

Authoritarian governments are staging a comeback, borrowing tactics that brought Hitler to power and by which he consolidated control. Not even our own republic is safe from the manipulative, determined minority.

New Poll: Biden has Strong Leads in Oregon, Washington

In the contest for Washington’s 12 electoral votes, Biden has a 54-39 percent lead over ex-President Trump with only 7 percent undecided. Biden enjoys a 54-35 percent advantage in Oregon. Idaho remains Trump country, 2 to 1.

State GOP Convention in Chaos

“It’s insane. They want to run the state. They can’t run their own convention.”

Interior Department to Reject Road Through Arctic Preserve

Stopping the access road would undo another green light given to industry in the last days of the Trump administration.

Environmentalists Endorse Upthegrove for Lands Commissioner

Seeking an ally in managing forests and tidelands, the state's environmental lobby opted for a King County Council member who lost to Hilary Franz eight years ago.

Seattle’s Antisemitic Roots

Seattle lawyer Bridget Schuster says “there is a difference” between condemning Israel’s actions “and saying it should not exist at all.” Of late, she adds, “I feel called out and I feel my working relationships have changed.”

A Contrast in Styles: Obama and Biden

Joe Biden is an old fashioned glad-handing guy. Barack Obama was regal and somewhat aloof. Obama was from the people and for the people, but not OF the people.

The Broken (and Shrinking Fast) House GOP

These moves could have a big impact on the Washington state delegation, several of whom would assume committee chairs if Democrats flip the House. .

The National Park Service is Abandoning a North Cascades Jewel

The park’s superintendent announced recently that there will be no staffing of rangers this summer at Stehekin, at the head of Lake Chelan, and that the Golden West Visitor Center will not open.

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