Just to be clear: The fact that at least one Seattle reporter is finding the daily drum-beat from the tunnel antagonists to be increasingly soporific is probably a good sign (for the tunnel antagonists).

Why do I say that? Because that reporter's statement today reminded me of something I learned about message repetition while writing about Barack Obama's 2008 Democratic primary campaign in Iowa:

Even when you think it's working for the good, to watch this repetition in action, from behind the curtain, is nauseating. Political consultant David Axelrod, Obama's top campaign strategist, once told a reporter: "Here is the rule we follow with our clients—when the campaign staff and the reporters become physically ill over the repetition of the message, only then have you begun to penetrate the public consciousness."

Both Councilmember Mike O'Brien and Mayor Mike McGinn (whose message-repeater Aaron Pickus was spotted outside the O'Brien press conference today) benefit from having a very simple message, which is actually a very simple question: How are we going to pay for this thing?

No one has a good answer. But now that McGinn and O'Brien have asked it enough times—and in enough different ways—the public consciousness seems to have been penetrated. The proof is not just in the polling. It's in the reporters reaching for the NoDoz.

Posted by news intern Galen Weber.

Thursday:

Transit planning expert Jarrett Walker will be presenting "A Field Guide to Transit Quarrels," which examines common confusions and disagreements that come with launching transit projects. While that might sound boring as shit, Walker's talk is timely and probably essential to understanding the scope of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the tunnel project, so go educate yourself. (GGLO Space At The Steps, 1301 First Avenue, Level A, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.)

JOE FITZGIBBON JOE FITZGIBBON JOE FITZGIBBON: Tonight presents another opportunity to toast the dreamy 34th District challenger (he's even hotter with whiskey breath). Go see him, maybe even listen to what he's saying, but definitely see him. (Moe Bar, 925 E Pike Street, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., 21+)

Streets for All Seattle is hosting a kickoff party for its campaign to make transportation in Seattle more efficient and friendly for pedestrians and bikers. The event will feature Mayor McGinn and members of the City Council, who will play some rounds of "Streets for All Jeopardy". Three bands will also be featured. (Nectar Lounge, 412 North 36th Street, 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.)

Friday:

Spend a quiet evening at home recovering from this, IF YOU CAN:

• JOE FITZGIBBON

Saturday:

The 43rd District Democrats are hosting their Summer BBQ and Silent Auction. The guest list includes names like McDermott, DelBene, Chopp, McGinn, and Conlin—a veritable who's who of local Democratic politicians, if you're into that sort of thing. For everyone else, there's pork. (Ravenna Park, 2000 NE 58th Street, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

"This whole thing is an unfortunate misunderstanding," says Sgt. Sean Whitcomb, spokesman for the Seattle Police Department. "We have absolutely no authority to influence what art stays or goes—especially private art on private property." The unfortunate misunderstanding Whitcomb is referring to involves a year-old art project called "The Corner" located on the vacant corner of 23rd Avenue and Union Street. The Corner, which features portraits of residents, was removed after an officer contacted the project's creator and the property owner on behalf of residents about removing one particular portrait. Instead, the whole art project was dismantled.

Whitcomb says that certain residents were offended by the portrait of "Savior Knowledge" aka Anthony Knowles, a convicted felon who was arrested for allegedly selling crack across the street from his portrait just last month.

"They contacted a [Community Police Team] officer about that particular portrait," explains Whitcomb. "He was simply relaying their concerns. We shared information. We talked to both the property owner and the artist, through none of that correspondence was there the request that the entire thing be removed."

But "that's not the role of the police," says ACLU Communications Director Doug Honig. "It's improper of them to relay such concerns. If laws aren’t being broken, if people are complaining about public art or stories in the news, what the police should do is tell people who have issues to communicate with each other. They shouldn’t insert themselves in the situation."

Honig, who has seen the email exchange between SPD and the property owner and art project creator, says that the inclusion of the SPD logo on the emails, along with the officer's rank and signature, make it uncomfortable for citizens to assert their rights. "The typical person hearing from a police officer acting officially are going to feel a bit of pressure to do what they say," explains Honig.

Whitcomb disagrees. "It’s definitely not our place to judge art but if someone has a concern or information that they want passed on, we would hope they’d contact us. That's part of our job."