Joel Connelly on Occupy Olympia

Protesters, including Regan Bailey, center left, and Heather McKimmie, center right, both of Seattle, demonstrate against budget cuts outside the capitol in Olympia on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, on the first day of a special session of the Washington state Legislature.Photo: AP, Ted S. Warren / AP

Joel Connelly (SeattlePI.com):

The Legislature ought to be putting on the ballot a proposal to close tax loopholes enjoyed by out-of-state banks, or perhaps a modest per-barrel tax on oil companies to restore cuts in cleanup and conservation programs.

Still, sometimes, you take what you can get and come back later for more. The approach has worked -- to near perfection -- in establishing and expanding rights for same-sex couples. Marriage equality is a distinct possibility in next year's regular session of the Legislature.
MORE...

Goldy: This is "Occupy Olympia" (video)

Tube3HA, video (03:13):

After the rallies and before the state troopers wielded their Tasers, protesters peacefully occupied the Capitol Building in Olympia, WA.

"OCCUPIERS OF WASHINGTON, UNITE NOVEMBER 28TH!"

occupyolympia.com:

An especially bad legislative session is being convened to ram state budget cuts down the throats of the 99%. $2.7 billion will be cut and your representatives will pretend that they can’t do anything about it. The 99% understand that many state representatives have their arms twisted behind their backs by the big banks, corporations and 1%, while others happily go along with the corporate ruling class. We seek to recognize and free from under the dominance of corporations those state representatives who would like to stand with the 99%. For those that are happily doing the bidding of their corporate ruling class we will recognize and free you from your position as state representative.

If our state representatives won’t provide for the relative security and basic needs of the 99% during a time of increasing need then they must step aside or they will be removed directly. To the corporate lobbyist, you are no longer welcome on the capital campus, leave now and never return or we will expel you directly.

The special session is scheduled to last for 30 days. Come for a day, a week, the month, or indefinitely.

Hey Seattle: LOOK @ OCCUPY OLYMPIA! (photo)

Photo from the Occupy Olympia Flicker stream.

Howie P.S.: We were on our way to Portland to visit our daughter and stopped for some Vietnamese food. Guess what we found as we parked the car?! There were (I counted them) at least fifty tents there in Heritage Park.