Why this blog?

What if there were an organization that wanted to take over a community and direct public resources towards its own aims? What if that organization seized upon a popular and credible cover issue, like an environmental cause, that protected it from serious scrutiny or even promoted widespread support? What if they got funding from mostly out-of-area wealthy donors, foundations, and grants? What if they turned on vulnerable members of the general public (the 99%), dividing and conquering with quiet but aggressive bullying tactics, but were still able to get good press all the time? What if they were able to infiltrate all areas of local government, including committees, staff, and the Council? What if they used questionable tactics and the power of the State to further their aims, including the manipulation of science and scientific credentials? What if their main tactic was to turn a laser-beam-like focus on anyone who crossed them or their donors? What if their playbook included ruthlessly "nailing" hapless victims by finding some inevitable peccadillo property violation that could be expanded into a nightmarish entanglement with unforgiving and incompetent authorities? What if they turned a blind eye to the behavior of their own well-connected donors, Board members, employees, and friends? What if they always advocated for, and received support for, stronger environmental laws, not because of environmental problems, but because it made it easier to find violations to further their tactics and overall strategy? What if they used labels, wedge language, and ad hominem assaults to discredit all opponents and divert attention from their own ongoing efforts to divide and destroy? What if most everyone in the community knew all this but were afraid to speak out for fear of being targeted? What if?

Well then you might have the San Juan Islands as they are today, and someone has to tell the story.