Freedom Tower on the Rise

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New York City is going to give terrorists one big middle finger in its skyline, via the new Freedom Tower.

Bulldozers began working today to "replace the World Trade Center in an act New York's governor said symbolized the city's comeback from the September 11 attacks," according to a Reuters report.

"We are not going to just build low in the face of a war against terror," New York Gov. George Pataki said. "We are going to soar to new heights and reclaim New York's skyline."

The design of the Freedom Tower includes symbolic significance.

According to the report, "The 82-floor building's observation deck will reach 1,362 feet with a glass parapet at 1,368 feet (415 meters) -- the heights of the original Twin Towers... Its decorative spire will top out at 1,776 feet, a figure to match the year the American colonies declared independence from Britain."

America does not back down in the face of adversity, and the Freedom Tower represents that. I join New Yorkers in saying:

"Fuck you, terrorists."

Shooting at Tacoma Mall

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It seems like just yesterday that I was typing away about the Tacoma Mall shooting. Now here I am again, covering another disturbing South Sound event, except this time we have somewhat of a happy ending: police kept a school shooting from happening.

According to the News Tribune, "A 16-year-old Rogers High School student, armed with his stepfather’s guns, planned to randomly shoot students, then kill himself at the school this week..."

The boy was arrested at his home on Sunday and he's being held at Remann Hall juvenile jail in Tacoma. He's been charged with attempted first-degree assault. Police were tipped by a school ROTC instructor who was told by an ROTC student that he had received instant messages from an angry student outlining a plan to shoot people at the school.

According to the Seattle P-I story, "The boy told authorities he planned to take a .22 caliber rifle and a handgun with 15 rounds because it was easy to conceal. He said he planned to 'take people out and save the last round for himself.'"

Investigators found two rifles, two handguns, ammunition, a homemade bomb and a copy of “The Anarchist Cookbook,” at the boy's home.

Earlier this month, three students from Key Peninsula Middle School were arrested and charged in a plot to set fire to the school and shoot selected students and staff.

What is in the water in the South Sound? Crazy juice? I'm reminded of Chris Rock's "Crazy White Kids" bit from his "Bigger and Blacker" HBO special:

"What the hell is wrong with these white kids shooting up the school? I got people telling me, 'Come on, Chris. Come up to a school. Talk to the kids.' I'm like, 'Fuck the kids! Do you got a vest? Maybe I'll think about it...' You have little white kids saying, 'I want to go to a black school where it's safe.'"

Gas Prices on the Rise

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Gas prices are going up nearly a penny a day. According to a USA Today article, "Nationwide, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.825 Thursday, up more than 2 cents from Wednesday and 31 cents higher than a month ago."

I'm paying more than $3 a gallon at some places, and I'm up here by the Cherry Point refinery!

Want to know where the cheapest gas prices are? Check out http://www.washingtongasprices.com. Today, Bellingham is ranging between $2.87 and $3.09 a gallon.

California just became the first continental state in 2006 to see average gasoline prices go above $3 a gallon. Hawaii's averaging $3.15 a gallon. Prices are jumping so fast, I feel like I'm witnessing an auction.

"$3? $3 claims the state of California! Do I hear $3.50?!"

New Music in the Mix

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Dear God,

I've been digging a lot of new rock music over the last year from the likes of James Blunt, Amos Lee, Death Cab for Cutie, etc. Yet, we both know what kind of music I find most copacetic. Thank you for bringing back Red Hot Chili Peppers, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam and Tool. I really appreciate this.

-Paolo