The day with a name-coincidence to everybody’s favorite “irrational number” brings to mind why rationality matters. Also on this day: saving what little film incentives WA’s got; Daniel Ramirez Medina speaks; a snag for an Af-Am community group that wants to take over a big block in the CD; and the UW and Gonzaga b-ball women both start their NCAA tourney runs right here.

An Italian band was supposed to start a US tour at KEXP. Instead, it got handcuffed, interrogated, searched, and jailed by immigration cops, then shoved on a plane back. Not a happy tune. Further e-missive subjects include a war of spray-painted slogans; a “compromise” about the (really wide) new Alaskan Way; a revolution in comics distribution to match the revolution in the works themselves; and the precarious state of some sewage-eatin’ microbes.

“Singing pink scallops” are a thing, albeit a damn rare thing. But thanks to “sustainable harvest” methods, they’re back. Further subjects of inquiry this day include WA vs. Travel Ban 2.0; a dangerous plan to track the homeless; a beloved indie bookstore on the verge; and the death of a local hiphop giant.

International Women’s Day, and the call for a “Day Without a Woman” strike, have caused disunity and charges of “white privilege.” I also turn my eye to the White House’s war against Planet Earth; anti-Sikh violence a century ago and now; the city “sweeping” the homeless from a site the city had originally encouraged; and an impasse over the “levy cliff.”

Meet the new travel ban, almost as stupid as the old travel ban. Also, meet the clever promoters who booked the nascent Ramones into the stolid Olympic Hotel; the IT guy who allegedly tried to steal data from Columbia Sportswear; the commentator who doesn’t approve of Nathan Hale High’s basketball recruiting tactics; and the Colfax boy who became a classic-film legend.

As car-free humans get a chance to walk through the Battery Street Tunnel, we wonder what will become of the ol’ thing. We also think about Girl Scout cookie-inspired apparel; the truth of that supposedly “Hawaiian” beer; more fears of a post-ACA nation; and the human failing behind Amazon Web Service’s temporary meltdown.

For a big season O’ atonement, I’m not sure what we’re all supposed to atone for. But I do know, and relate, a little about municipal-income-tax proponents; Sound Transit opponents; a final victory for Alaskan Air baggage handlers; and an upside down, abstract rendering of Mt. Rainier.

David Schmader responds to the current madness with the power of negative thinking. Paul Constant, in contrast, wants us to proclaim ourselves “proud patriots” out to preserve and extend all that is positive (and, yes, there are many positive things) about this nation. Back in more here-n’-now stuff, there’s an unofficial Seattle population landmark; workers’ comp systems vs. sick Hanford workers; what happens to “swept” encampment residents; and Amazon Web Services going kablooey.

Combine freakishly weird weather and a single accident that snarls car traffic all over town all day long, and you get just the thing to convince folk not to move here. We also talk about more anti-Semitic scare tactics; Gov. Inslee’s less-than-satisfactory day in DC; the twists n’ turns of a real-estate deal; and a squatted motel getting erased.

The big Carnival-celebratin’ places have faced horrible times, but always found some good times to let roll. So should we. Also in our biggest-yet e-missive: Rep. Reichert hides from his constituents; renters will get a voice at City Hall; divers keep searching for long-sunken ships; and the remains of Apollo 11 coming to town.

I’m sure Ed Murray’s new speechwriter knew what he was doing when he wrote that we in Seattle are “on our own” these days. And I like to think I know what I’m doing when I talk about the state’s decaying bridges; Daniel Ramirez Medina’s latest legal tactic; a lost opportunity for affordable housing on east Capitol Hill; and Stephen Colbert’s fun with KCPQ’s “exposé” of teen emoji use.

It’s a post-Monday-holiday day but we’ve still got a full e-missive, with stuff about a local author’s dystopia novel rediscovered; the least-“Made in USA” plane Boeing’s ever made; employers who really didn’t like “A Day Without Immigrants”; and the Seattle rock roots of a late jazz legend.

Another weekend of protests included a rally by the extended family that is the Pike Place Market, along with a commemoration of the WWII internments. Our Monday e-missive also delves into a plan to save part of the Ramps to Nowhere; small towns suffering under Tim Eyman’s tax limits; a tragedy in my ol’ hometown; and the snarky heroism of Mark Cuban.

Mudslides knocked roads out of commission all over the area. Some might not be fully reopened until later today. Which might not matter if you’re participating in that general strike thang. We’re also observing a WA gay-rights victory; a black cop with words for black youth; the first court date for “dreamer” Daniel Ramirez Medina; and a credit union for the “financially abused.” And we’ve got dozens of weekend event choices as usual.

In my approaching dotage, I approach at least a slightly less snarky attitude toward Valentine’s Day. And I today discuss the economic clout of “sanctuary cities;” a victory for family-leave advocates; a potential new anti-fossil-fuel initiative; and Mercer Islanders’ sense of transportation privilege.