love these guys! one of my faves in the last few years - and sounds superb on vinyl.

For the voice that kills and the look that EX-TER-MI-NATEs!

My rights and privacy aside (but not behind)...

I live on San Juan Island and run a graphic design studio. Though my income and the success of my business is not directly (emphasis) effected by the tourist dollar (though some of my local clients are), this has the opportunity to severely impair our local economy.

I served four years on the board of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and my partner was President of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce in 2007 (and still sits on the board) and we've seen what a small change in the ferry schedule, a rise in the ferry fare or a bad experience of having to wait 4-6 hours (or more) in line just to get on a boat to the islands can do.

While I don't think this will stop my Mom for her yearly planned visit from Colorado (or anyone else planning a trip from out of state), it will have an impact on whether a family from Seattle or a couple from Portland (according to a survey taken last fall by the county's lodging industry, 42% of our visitors came from Washington, 12% from Oregon, 12% from California and 3% from Colorado) will decide to go somewhere else for their last minute three day weekend (that's the average length - worth the hassle? probably not).

So we stand to lose more than 50% of our potential visitors (and more importantly, their money/our island jobs). That's a pretty big hit for our specialized island economy (not to mention the loss for Anacortes - the gateway to the San Juans). We'd be back to the 1960's & 70's, when much of the traditional economy of farming, fishing and seafaring had dwindled to almost nothing (ah, those were the days). From the San Juan County Economic Development Council's 2007 Economic Almanac (http://www.islandway.org/almanac.htm)... "Tourism also drives other economic elements: real estate sales and investment, home construction, and retail sales and services for outdoor activity in the county’s natural environment (eco-tourism before it was popularly named as such)."

Not to mention the fact that we islanders like to think of our selves private people (that's why we live on a remote island) who are not happy about having to attest to their citizenship on their way to the Costo on the mainland (San Juan County's adjusted gross income is higher than the state average but most importantly, the actual wages & salaries portion has been taking a dive from about 75% of the state average in 2000 to just barely above 50% these days - so the average wage on the island is just above half of the state average) because island gas has topped $4.00/gallon and the most basic necessities have to be brought in by boat (add more $$$ to even a loaf of bread).

As one of the very few (anyone?) BoingBoing readers on the island, thanks for giving this issue attention.