by Jake Erwin

In the Oct. 12 issue of The Stranger, Sarah Mirk reported on the arrest of three (or "two") Olympians at a World Can't Wait rally in Seattle. The arrests occurred after a police officer stole an anarcho-syndicalist flag under the pretense of maintaining peace and order. Mirk, described by The Stranger as being "paid to cover the news stories no one else wants to write," lived up to the description by relying solely on the police report prepared by the officer who instigated the incident for her article. Aside from getting the facts wrong and playing off stereotypes about anarchy, . . .

by Marco Rosaire Rossi

For almost a decade, the crime rate in the United States has been steadily declining. The reasons for this decline are varied, but most criminologists have pointed to the continuous increase in prisons and jail populations as the primary cause. The rationale is that we have less crime because we have fewer criminals on the street. However, something important happened in the last two years that has forced many criminologists to question this theory: in almost all major cities in the country, crime rates -- especially violent crime rates -- have gone up despite the fact . . .

by Drew Hendricks

The case against antiwar protesters arrested at the Port of Olympia just might get thrown out of court.

Paul Lower, an Olympia Police Detective, was at the main gate of the Port's marine terminal in downtown Olympia on May 30. Several dozen protesters gathered there on that day to oppose the use of our property to support the occupation of Iraq. Detective Lower was shooting videotape during the arrests of several protesters, according to eyewitnesses, photographs, and court documents. He then destroyed the videotape he shot, on or about July 30, according to his account. . . .

by Janet Jordan

Voters in Mason County have a unique opportunity to elect a pud commissioner who will set the district up to produce its own power from renewable sources spread across the county. Steve Garrison can make it happen.

The pud (Public Utilities District) is where the power choices are made for that community. When a county selects a clean, renewable energy source such as wind or solar power, it's one more step back from the brink of global climate change. In Mason County, that step can be taken.

by Jonathan Cook

A mistake too often made by those examining Israel's behavior in the Occupied Territories -- or when analyzing its treatment of Arabs in general, or interpreting its view of Iran -- is to assume that Israel is acting in good faith. Even its most trenchant critics can fall into this trap.

by Michael Abelman

Not long ago lettuce came only in heads and spinach in bunches. For a salad, someone else might do the growing, but you still did the trimming and washing. You had some control -- and responsibility -- over the process. Now salad comes prewashed and bagged. You just pour it on a plate, dress it, put it in your mouth and chew.

This convenience adds risk. You give one more job over to someone somewhere else, trusting that they are concerned as much about product quality and your health as about the bottom line on the quarterly report.

Works In Progress needs a new central coordinator!

After sixteen years of steady publication, Works In Progress has as much if not more energy and momentum than ever. And once again, one or more people are needed to step into the role of coordinating its content and production each month. The role is demanding and time consuming and thus it is not something one can do indefinitely. But it's been scientifically proven to be a profoundly gratifying experience for anyone who values the project and the community it serves.

And you couldn't hope to work with a better group of people.