These videos on Seattle just burned me up. And they have great production value.

[Maraya1969]

http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2016/07/29/24395035/take-2-minutes-and-watch-one-of-these-pop-culture-infused-viral-videos-about-local-politics

I have a longtime friend—a programmer who's a big Bernie Sanders fan—whose eyes just completely glaze over every time I talk to him about local, Seattle-level politics. He'll get worked up about national news, but he can't bring himself to engage locally even though there's so much important, often cool stuff happening right here in his own city. (He wants me to fill out his August 2 primary ballot for him.)

Maybe these videos from Matt "Spekulation" Watson—a barista, hip hop producer, and rapper—can change that. Spek came in for some well-deserved praise from our hip hop writer Larry Mizell Jr. last week:

I want to shout out the guy Spekulation for his most recent productions, his best and most effective work to date. My favorite stuff of Spek's was his Beast Mode tribute "Bout That Action," but his recent viral videos breaking down important local stories—just little things like the Seattle Police Department's secret contract negotiations with Mayor Ed Murray... have quickly taken the top spot.
Have you seen these yet? Spekulation's last video, about how North Seattle NIMBYs are making it impossible for poorer residents to afford to live in this city, has racked over 30,000 views. This time, it's arguing in favor of the mayor's policies, not slamming them, and it's attracted the ire of the NIMBY crowd in its comment section. Check it out:

https://www.facebook.com/spekulationmusic/videos/10154353006158967/

https://www.facebook.com/spekulationmusic/videos/10154343735008967/

https://www.facebook.com/spekulationmusic/videos/10154366635868967/

[liberalmuse]

1. I'm afraid to watch, but will bookmark for later.

I need to wind down now. My sister's rent was raised $500 a month in February and her place is old and run down. She's put in a lot of hard work to make it nice and livable (painting, molding, yard work, putting up a fence, etc.) while the landlord has done zero work towards the place. it was cheaper for her to stay than find another place. It's getting ridiculous in Seattle and the closer towns, so we are both planning on moving out of state even though we love it here. It's just getting too damn expensive!

[Maraya1969]

2. So sorry you have to go through all that. I hope you find a wonderful spot with helpful people

all around you!

[liberalmuse]

3. Thank you so much!

At least my landlord is reasonable. She didn't raise my rent much at all. There's no way I could buy a house here and I'd like to buy a house within the next couple years. The houses in my neighborhood start at $500k (15 miles outside of Seattle - my sister couldn't believe how "cheap" they were!).

Thanks for sharing the videos! I will watch tomorrow. Too much outrage for today - I need to avoid anything Trump.