diff --git a/bin/subcomposer b/bin/subcomposer
--- a/bin/subcomposer
+++ b/bin/subcomposer
@@ -109,9 +109,9 @@ class Subcomposer(tk.Frame):
             graph.patchObject(self.session,
                               self.session, L9['currentSub'], newSub.uri)
 
-            with graph.currentState() as current:
-                
-                if newSub and (newSub.uri, RDF.type, L9['LocalSubmaster']) in current:
+            localStmt = (newSub.uri, RDF.type, L9['LocalSubmaster'])
+            with graph.currentState(tripleFilter=localStmt) as current:
+                if newSub and localStmt in current:
                     self._currentChoice(Local)
                 else:
                     # i think right here is the point that the last local
@@ -196,9 +196,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser = OptionParser(usage="%prog [suburi]")
     parser.add_option('--no-geometry', action='store_true',
                       help="don't save/restore window geometry")
+    parser.add_option('-v', action='store_true', help="log debug level")
+
     clientsession.add_option(parser)
     opts, args = parser.parse_args()
 
+    log.setLevel(logging.DEBUG if opts.v else logging.INFO)
+    
     root=tk.Tk()
     root.config(bg='black')
     root.tk_setPalette("#004633")
diff --git a/light9/Submaster.py b/light9/Submaster.py
--- a/light9/Submaster.py
+++ b/light9/Submaster.py
@@ -148,11 +148,11 @@ class PersistentSubmaster(Submaster):
         self.name = self.graph.label(self.uri)
 
     def setLevels(self):
-        log.info("sub update levels")
+        log.debug("sub update levels")
         oldLevels = getattr(self, 'levels', {}).copy()
         self.setLevelsFromGraph()
         if oldLevels != self.levels:
-            log.info("sub %s changed" % self.name)
+            log.debug("sub %s changed" % self.name)
             # dispatcher too? this would help subcomposer
             dispatcher.send("sub levels changed", sub=self)
 
diff --git a/light9/rdfdb/patchsender.py b/light9/rdfdb/patchsender.py
--- a/light9/rdfdb/patchsender.py
+++ b/light9/rdfdb/patchsender.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class PatchSender(object):
         if not self._patchesToSend or self._currentSendPatchRequest:
             return
         if len(self._patchesToSend) > 1:
-            log.info("%s patches left to send", len(self._patchesToSend))
+            log.debug("%s patches left to send", len(self._patchesToSend))
             # this is where we could concatenate little patches into a
             # bigger one. Often, many statements will cancel each
             # other out. not working yet:
diff --git a/light9/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py b/light9/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py
--- a/light9/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py
+++ b/light9/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class SyncedGraph(CurrentStateGraphApi, 
         # these could fail if we're out of sync. One approach:
         # Rerequest the full state from the server, try the patch
         # again after that, then give up.
-        log.info("del %s add %s", [q[2] for q in p.delQuads], [q[2] for q in  p.addQuads])
+        log.debug("del %s add %s", [q[2] for q in p.delQuads], [q[2] for q in  p.addQuads])
         try:
             patchQuads(self._graph, p.delQuads, p.addQuads, perfect=True)
         except ValueError: