I continue to try to press Inslee on his view of our proposed oil terminal. (Natalie Behring/ The Columbian)
I was flying over Houston — hey, it happens — earlier this week, and as I saw the oil-filled landscape, I said to myself, “Hey, this could be Vancouver!”
For those of you not following along, the Port of Vancouver has approved building an oil terminal approximately the size of state Sen. Don Benton’s appetite. (OK, I’m sorry to include Benton’s name here. He has absolutely nothing to do with the port’s stupid decision. Although he does have a rather large appetite.)
But wait! The port — thank goodness — doesn’t have the final say on this monstrosity. Our beautiful city still has a shot at redemption.
That’s because even though our port sold out to big money, our thoughtful Gov. Jay Inslee has the last word. At least, I’m pretty sure he’s thoughtful. I say pretty sure, because he ain’t saying much. Not yet, anyway.
So folks in these parts are very anxious about his decision. His mumness isn’t helping. The governor will tell you it’s a legal thing. He needs to get all the facts first, listen to all the arguments, be impartial, blah, blah, blah.
I get it.
But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try to get an answer from him.
Why, back in 2014 at our editorial board meeting, I had this exchange with Inslee:
Me:“Suspend yourself for a second from being governor, and you’re living here in Vancouver and you know the topic, now you’re a resident, you’re not the governor … what do you think about this thing?”
Inslee:“That sounds like the kind of question Woodward and Bernstein would ask during Watergate. Tap three times. … This is very inhibiting to be governor, because I literally cannot answer those kinds of questions even though they’re artfully and eloquently placed.”
I read that as a “no” back then, even though he didn’t say “no.” I can do that in an opinion column because I can draw conclusions from just about anything.
• • •
Fast forward to this week, and there I was again, sitting with Inslee and asking him about the proposed oil terminal. First the set-up question:
“Name three things that you want the state of Washington to be known for.”
He rattled off job creation, education and the ability to retain our values that make Washington a special place to live, like our environmental ethic.
But then came my follow-up question which — in my view — is always the most important question.
“Now, I noticed that being the home of the world’s largest oil terminal didn’t make it onto that list.” (Technically, it would only be the country’s largest oil terminal, but I like saying “world” for emphasis.)
Inslee was cautious. “I have to be very careful on what I say.”
I pushed forward. If it were approved … “That wouldn’t end up on a brochure, ‘Come live in Washington, home of the world’s largest oil terminal.’ ”
Inslee:“We probably would find some other things to talk about.”
Boom!
If that isn’t a “no,” I don’t know what is. OK, OK, I get he never said no. Again. The guy is too smart to say no.
But if I were a betting man I’m saying the smart money is on the no answer.
I get that lots of folks won’t be comfortable until he actually says it. I get that former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard is still all jittery and will continue to rally the troops to keep the pressure on.
Me? I’m gonna sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Because I know the answer is no.
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