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News & ArtsThursday, July 30, 2009
City The Annual Blue Angels Gripefest
Posted by Brendan Kiley on Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Every year, Slog wonders why God took away the Sonics but left us the Blue Angels—and we remember this sign, made by the sweet little children of Capitol Hill:
Kids say the darndest things.
3
The Kid can't even draw the plane correctly, therefore their opinion has no credibility, whatsoever.
Blue Angels RULE!
Blue Angels RULE!
5
I hope the plane falls out of the sky and obliterates that treasonous kid and his terrible parents. Where is this house? I think we should call the state. This sign is awful, I can't believe anyone would ever write something so terrible, so awful and so disturbing.
This sign is the most disturbing thing to EVER appear on Slog.
This sign is the most disturbing thing to EVER appear on Slog.
7
If the Blue Angels crashed and all die during their show we all in Seattle can enjoy the declaration of millitary law that would ensue. I mean a sign of America's Imperial Piggishness being destroyed in liberal Seattle? Come on do the math!!
8
To be fair, there was a kid to the left who's sign read "Please defund a costly program that disrupts the peace for an entire week and is the result of decades of over-spending and over-emphasis on military might instead of education, health and infrastructure" but does HIS sign ever get attention in the media? Nooooooooo!
9
No way this conversation will beat last year's gripefest. But it's sure to be better than next year's.
Some people like the Angels, some don't. Lather, rinse, repeat and we'll see you next year.
Some people like the Angels, some don't. Lather, rinse, repeat and we'll see you next year.
11
The Blue Angels have crashed twenty-two (22) times during shows and practice, and the job has a 10% fatality rate for their aerial monster truck drivers.
Most of the Blue Angels shows and crashes are in the middle of nowhere (rural areas or military bases). Ours is over a densely populated city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Angels…
We are paying hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money for these aerial monster truck shows, but we're the only first world country that "can't afford" to provide health care to the needy.
I will donate $100 and campaign for any city council/mayoral/KC candidate who comes up with a plan to ban the Blue Angels from our city (as long as they aren't any of the conservatives).
Most of the Blue Angels shows and crashes are in the middle of nowhere (rural areas or military bases). Ours is over a densely populated city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Angels…
We are paying hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money for these aerial monster truck shows, but we're the only first world country that "can't afford" to provide health care to the needy.
I will donate $100 and campaign for any city council/mayoral/KC candidate who comes up with a plan to ban the Blue Angels from our city (as long as they aren't any of the conservatives).
12
that sign is hilarious. that sign is hilarious because i assume that it was made by children young enough that they don't fully comprehend death. therefore, the sentiment is not the same as if it came from an adult, or even a teenager. it's funny because it captures the anger/distaste of the adults, because it's an exaggeration, and it's innocent because it was made by hands that don't know the weight of the words. children say all sorts of horrible things, and sometimes it's JUST funny- not a conspiracy theory, not a telling sign of a budding sociopath.
13
Yay! The Blue Angels just flew over our office during a particularly tense staff meeting and we all smiled like little kids...
14
I agree with Lizzie AND the kids. I think they should be banned, but until that happens I'm down with "Die Die Crash."
15
Shouldn't the parents have said: maybe you shouldn't wish death upon these men.
And then maybe not put the sign up?
The kids may be exaggerating as children do, but I'm sure there are parents somewhere, as children normally can't afford houses on Capitol Hill all on their own.
And then maybe not put the sign up?
The kids may be exaggerating as children do, but I'm sure there are parents somewhere, as children normally can't afford houses on Capitol Hill all on their own.
16
Oh, God's sake. Why do I bother to comment on this every year?
I live under the flight path (beautiful North Beacon Hill) and have four dogs that go absolutely crazy because of the noise. Further, I think the military is basically a big welfare program for corporations that can't support themselves by making legitimate products, and people who either have no options, or very little imagination. I also believe that the defense budget is nothing but a rathole that we've been pouring money down since 1948 or thereabouts, with very little to show for it.
But I like the Blue Angels. I like them much more than I like children - Particularly precocious children who make cutesy signs that undoubtedly say whatever their parents told them to say.
I live under the flight path (beautiful North Beacon Hill) and have four dogs that go absolutely crazy because of the noise. Further, I think the military is basically a big welfare program for corporations that can't support themselves by making legitimate products, and people who either have no options, or very little imagination. I also believe that the defense budget is nothing but a rathole that we've been pouring money down since 1948 or thereabouts, with very little to show for it.
But I like the Blue Angels. I like them much more than I like children - Particularly precocious children who make cutesy signs that undoubtedly say whatever their parents told them to say.
17
I love the Blue Angels. I'm sad I can't see or hear them practice from my office. I can hear a faint roar from the parking lot but it's not the same-- the sea planes are louder here today.
18
I'm a fan of the Blue Angels, the hydro races, the tugboat races, the SeaFair Pirates, and the parades. They are all fun. I miss them.
People who don't like them can plan their out-of-town vacations for this time of year, just like my family did with the Omak Stampede and Suicide Race when I was growing up.
People who don't like them can plan their out-of-town vacations for this time of year, just like my family did with the Omak Stampede and Suicide Race when I was growing up.
19
@12, more like this sign was made by the hands of children who parrot the sentiments of their parents. What kids really don't like cool jets and noise?
20
@ 15 & 16: The mother of the bloody-minded children said she knew nothing about the sign until she saw them marching outside.
22
I love the Blue Angels. They are costly and loud but thrilling and spirited and make my heart race, much like the old Sonics used to (and the Mariner's did yesterday). It's 3 hours for 3 days out of 365 days a year: big whoop.
23
What a loser.
I hope he goes through life being called names that destroys his confidence and ultimatly leaves him as one of subbys to Dan's most recent column.
I hope he goes through life being called names that destroys his confidence and ultimatly leaves him as one of subbys to Dan's most recent column.
24
Also, I can afford health care. I will never need the government for that.
What I do need the government to provide for me is expensive forms of entertainment. The BA's are a perfect example. Sports arenas are another.
I'll take care of all the other shit.
What I do need the government to provide for me is expensive forms of entertainment. The BA's are a perfect example. Sports arenas are another.
I'll take care of all the other shit.
25
@21, all because Christopher isn't interested in you doesn't mean you should be a bitter old hag.
26
I think it is taxpayer money well spent. Sadly, all those vets left to rot living under I-5 don't get very good views of the blue pride as they fly by, as it is a pain in the ass to scoot their wheelchairs out from under the overpass.
27
I've lived here for all of my 26 years, and I really feel indifferent about the Blue Angels more than anything else. I do, however, think it's hilarious how angry the anti-military crowd gets when they're in town, especially when they act like the Blue Angels are somehow forced upon us in deliberate opposition to our collective will (as if it's impossible that people would actually enjoy a free air show). The one time I made a point of going somewhere to watch them, a few years back at Madrona Beach, it was fucking incredible, so I definitely understand why people like them so much.
But beyond that, I'm just happy that we Sloggers have something new to bitch about for a few days.
But beyond that, I'm just happy that we Sloggers have something new to bitch about for a few days.
30
Sometimes extreme liberalism can be as nutty as extreme conservativism.
I'm not fond of overblown military spending either, but protesting the blue angels seems like a weird way to voice one's unhappiness... kinda like the uselessness of the tea-bag parties.
I'm not fond of overblown military spending either, but protesting the blue angels seems like a weird way to voice one's unhappiness... kinda like the uselessness of the tea-bag parties.
31
If you had the Sounders and the Blue Angels at an outdoor BBQ ... that would be really really cool!
32
Maybe it's just that I know that children are not the most articulate when it comes to describing their reasons against something, but something tells me if you asked the little kid to explain the "Die Die Crash" part, he or she would explain NOT that he or she WANTED the Blue Angels to crash and the pilots to die, but rather that they were illustrating that there was a crash and a lot of people died because a fucking plane crashed in the middle of a heavily-populated area during an unnecessary and costly flyover.
I mean, seriously, have you ever seen kids draw? They narrate what they're drawing/writing to anyone who's listening. "Here's me picking the flowers and here's my brother and he's sad because he had a shot because he stepped on a nail. And here's my mom giving us muffins. Here's my dog. He's funny. He wants to eat a muffin...."
I mean, seriously, have you ever seen kids draw? They narrate what they're drawing/writing to anyone who's listening. "Here's me picking the flowers and here's my brother and he's sad because he had a shot because he stepped on a nail. And here's my mom giving us muffins. Here's my dog. He's funny. He wants to eat a muffin...."
33
I love watching them but I know they are a big ass waste of money. I think there should be a tax that pays for them directly. Then we would see who among us is still in favor of watching them.
34
#18 is correct. The rest of you are little babies who deserve to have your little baby naps interrupted.
35
I like these comments that directly attack the kids who drew the sign. Give me a fucking break! They're kids, and kids do wacky shit. True, the parents should correct the behaviour, but for christ's sakes #1, and #5....
And as for as the overall debate going on in here regarding the Blue Angels, I've lived here 14 years and EVERY year, the Blue Angels can fuck off. I have never liked the idea of a 25,000 lb aircraft traveling at 1,400 mph over a dense, urban environment. Air shows should be at air fields. Just wait until one of those fuckers comes apart over downtown Bellevue, then the attitude about them will change real fast.
And as for as the overall debate going on in here regarding the Blue Angels, I've lived here 14 years and EVERY year, the Blue Angels can fuck off. I have never liked the idea of a 25,000 lb aircraft traveling at 1,400 mph over a dense, urban environment. Air shows should be at air fields. Just wait until one of those fuckers comes apart over downtown Bellevue, then the attitude about them will change real fast.
36
@31
I'll do you one better - How about the Sounders using the Blue Angel's jets to play soccer at an outdoor BBQ!
I'll do you one better - How about the Sounders using the Blue Angel's jets to play soccer at an outdoor BBQ!
37
at least we get a peek at what we're paying most of our taxes for. the MIC is why we can't afford single payer. though of course they all get health care.
38
@27 "Free" Air show?
I guess didn't realize jet fuel was made from sunshine and happy thoughts.
Don't fool yourself - we're paying for fighter jets to spew exhaust with some of the heaviest air-pollution of the year; whether it's as taxpayers or consumers.
I guess didn't realize jet fuel was made from sunshine and happy thoughts.
Don't fool yourself - we're paying for fighter jets to spew exhaust with some of the heaviest air-pollution of the year; whether it's as taxpayers or consumers.
40
At @35. Firstly, the Blue Angels don't travel at 1400 mph as part of their display. That's the top speed for the plane at altitude.
Secondly, a military plane taking part in an air display crashed a killed two people in Seattle in 1962 so that's has already happened.
Secondly, a military plane taking part in an air display crashed a killed two people in Seattle in 1962 so that's has already happened.
42
@19, virtually all of the kids at the Volunteer Park wading pool just now covered their ears and made terrified faces. 1/4 of them started to cry.
44
@41 So predictable. Lizzie is the female version of this guy...
http://vvoice.vo.llnwd.net/e16/790322.40…
http://vvoice.vo.llnwd.net/e16/790322.40…
45
@38 "free air show" as in "don't have to pay for admission" - I only made the distinction because I did go to a few airshows when I was a kid that charged admission. Obviously, just like everything else the military does, this whole enterprise is taxpayer-funded.
46
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower
I would like to see the world disarmed and at peace, but I fear it's a dream we are incapable of realizing. Until then I think demonstrations such as the Blue Angels flyover are a helpful reminder of where so much of our tax money goes.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower
I would like to see the world disarmed and at peace, but I fear it's a dream we are incapable of realizing. Until then I think demonstrations such as the Blue Angels flyover are a helpful reminder of where so much of our tax money goes.
47
I'd like them fine if they were SILENT. I want precision glider airshows. I don't like ANYTHING that makes that much noise.
48
I wonder how many of you assholes complaining about all the awful noise were posting defenses of that shitty dance club on Capitol Hill against the noise complaints from neighboring miserable apartment dwellers?
49
Be amazed at the thundering noise and precision flying, or shut yourself in and complain on blogs. I prefer the former.
50
It's a complete waste of money. Even if you're for the war machine, the money would be better off spent on armor for our troops...or better aftercare when they come back with PTSD. Especially in this economy, there are so many better things to blow millions on. Save the warplanes for actual wars. Go to Tacoma and watch monster trucks if you need to see big powerful manly metal things.
51
We've demonstrated our air power for many years. Now can't we demonstrate the power of our anti-aircraft weapons?
52
I think #51 has good point, but why not take it one step further....
Arm the Blue Angles with the full F-18 armarments and have them dive bomb and blow up the Kalakala, or the viaduct, or the S.L.U.T., or those goddamn 1 million dollar automated public restrooms.
Arm the Blue Angles with the full F-18 armarments and have them dive bomb and blow up the Kalakala, or the viaduct, or the S.L.U.T., or those goddamn 1 million dollar automated public restrooms.
53
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's Critical Mass posting. I hope Frizzelle recycles old photos from old posts too. It's the only way to generate controversy on Slog anymore.
54
It's loud, invasive, and a little too much like being in a warzone. After living in New York in the months during and after 9/11, it just brings me back to things I'd rather not remember.
55
The Blue Angels fly shows at 34 sites a year, and they have had 2 fatal crashes at air show sites in the past 10 years (a rate that has held about steady since their inception).
That means there's about a 0.6% chance the Blue Angels will have a fatal crash in Seattle this year, and a 6% chance over the next 10 years.
Those percentages don't account for the fact that the Blue Angels do 4 shows (2 practice, 2 full) a year in Seattle, compared to two at most sites. Or that Seattle has unique geography and buildings compared to the flat airstrips surrounding almost all of their shows.
That means there's about a 0.6% chance the Blue Angels will have a fatal crash in Seattle this year, and a 6% chance over the next 10 years.
Those percentages don't account for the fact that the Blue Angels do 4 shows (2 practice, 2 full) a year in Seattle, compared to two at most sites. Or that Seattle has unique geography and buildings compared to the flat airstrips surrounding almost all of their shows.
56
There's this thing that happens every so often that I find sort of annoying, but then it goes away and I forget about it until it happens again a year or so later, when I get annoyed again for a little while, and then it stops, and I forget about it again.
Oh, the humanity.
Oh, the humanity.
57
I've known several Navy and Air Force pilots, and to a man (and one woman) there were the most polite, enthusiastic, intelligent, selfless people I have ever met. Give me them as neighbors over the self absorbed bed wetters like Lizzie here.
58
I love military aircraft and fully support the BA. Someone should teach those kids some respect for life and common sense. I highly doubt any of the pilots would think its funny considering their loss of life two summers ago: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18248797/
60
Cheers to Catalina Vel-DuRay and Hernandez (and others who spoke up in favour of having fun) for well-thought out words on loving the Blue Angels.
I'm pretty liberal, and I wish that taxpayers favoured government spending less on our military and more towards basic human rights such as health care, education, and housing. I get the whole cult-of-military, I get that our nation has grossly misused the military and we could stand to exercise a little humility.
But I also understand the performance is different than the issues. Awareness is key. We don't have to condemn the whole goddamned thing simply because governments across history have warped its purpose. Enjoy the show, but don't forget there is a good side to everything.
I'm pretty liberal, and I wish that taxpayers favoured government spending less on our military and more towards basic human rights such as health care, education, and housing. I get the whole cult-of-military, I get that our nation has grossly misused the military and we could stand to exercise a little humility.
But I also understand the performance is different than the issues. Awareness is key. We don't have to condemn the whole goddamned thing simply because governments across history have warped its purpose. Enjoy the show, but don't forget there is a good side to everything.
61
Respect for life and common sense?
The Blue Angels have a 6% chance of crashing their military jet planes in a 9/11-style attack on the city of Seattle over the next 10 years. How is that respect for life and common sense?
The Blue Angels have a 6% chance of crashing their military jet planes in a 9/11-style attack on the city of Seattle over the next 10 years. How is that respect for life and common sense?
62
I think the Blue Angels are cool enough, but do they have to fly over the ENTIRE god damn weekend!
63
I think the Blue Angels are cool enough, but do they have to fly over the ENTIRE god damn weekend!
64
If I had my way they would have to release the smell of rotting corpses from their engines as they flew over. And the city could show speeded-up films of decaying bodies on the I-90 bridge as they "performed." That way we could really appreciate the glory of the military!
66
Man, what a bunch of hippies and nervous Nellie's we have here. Remember this: without the aerospace industry, there wouldn't nearly be as many houses in Seattle to crash into.
These miracles of technology are made by Boeing. Show some home-town pride.
These miracles of technology are made by Boeing. Show some home-town pride.
67
Well the way I see it, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so I'm just going to set aside my frustrations about what a drain on resources they are and what messages they convey about US military might, etc. and enjoy the mind-blowing technology and skill that are involved.
Anyone who refuses to be impressed by the pilots and/or the machines is missing out. I'm much less preoccupied with my own coolness or my own ideologies these days to refuse to be impressed.
Anyone who refuses to be impressed by the pilots and/or the machines is missing out. I'm much less preoccupied with my own coolness or my own ideologies these days to refuse to be impressed.
68
@ 66, McDonnell Douglas developed and made the F-18. It's Boeing's only through acquisition. Now, if they were doing an airshow with 747s then you'd have something to be proud of.
69
Lizzie is not a self absorbed bed wetter, SWM. Her heavy duty sheets do all the absorbing for her.
71
Thanks for bringing back last year's sign. Can we have the gripe fest in October or January when it might do some good? What would it take to actually get rid of this horrible waste of money and public display of "my cock is THIS big" jingo-ism?
Seriously--can we make them go away?
Seriously--can we make them go away?
73
Personally, I find the noise from the mopeds that regularly cruise by outside a lot more annoying.
74
The blue angels are cool to watch fly around at 2 in the afternoon when I am sitting outside at work having a smoke break.
The blue angels can eat the shit out of my ass when they sonic boom by my apartment at 10 am and jolt me out of sleep thinking that there is a plane about to smash into my buidling.
The blue angels can eat the shit out of my ass when they sonic boom by my apartment at 10 am and jolt me out of sleep thinking that there is a plane about to smash into my buidling.
75
The blue angels can eat the shit out of my ass when they sonic boom by my apartment at 10 am and jolt me out of sleep thinking that there is a plane about to smash into my buidling
The Blue Angels have never broken the sound barrier over Seattle. Those things are just really loud at sub-sonic speeds.
The Blue Angels have never broken the sound barrier over Seattle. Those things are just really loud at sub-sonic speeds.
76
My cat ran with her tail puffed and her ears back, terrorized by the Angels.
The other one flattened his ears, enlarged his pupils and raised his head, too comfortable on our bed to flee. My cats are not Blue Angels fans.
The other one flattened his ears, enlarged his pupils and raised his head, too comfortable on our bed to flee. My cats are not Blue Angels fans.
77
How to keep the Angels from coming back next year? The mayor's office sent me this info on the approval process for bringing the Blue Angels to Seattle each year. Presumably, if enough people showed up to the public special events permit review and spoke against bringing them back, the city might reject the application.
Bringing the Blue Angels to Seattle is a lengthy process that begins in September of each year when Seafair applies to the Department of Defense to have the Blue Angels perform. The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation also signs the application. In December, the Blue Angels' Events Coordinator, along with Navy and Department of Defense officials, meet at a scheduling conference in Washington, D.C. for final consideration and approval of the Blue Angels' schedule.
Seafair then applies to the City of Seattle for a Special Events Permit. The Special Events Committee reviews the application in an open public meeting. This meeting is usually held in early spring. For the specific meeting date, time and location, please call 206-684-8017.
Bringing the Blue Angels to Seattle is a lengthy process that begins in September of each year when Seafair applies to the Department of Defense to have the Blue Angels perform. The City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation also signs the application. In December, the Blue Angels' Events Coordinator, along with Navy and Department of Defense officials, meet at a scheduling conference in Washington, D.C. for final consideration and approval of the Blue Angels' schedule.
Seafair then applies to the City of Seattle for a Special Events Permit. The Special Events Committee reviews the application in an open public meeting. This meeting is usually held in early spring. For the specific meeting date, time and location, please call 206-684-8017.
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