A Career Destroyed
Okay, I’ll take a crack at it. I’m back on the east coast right now, and checking the news back home even more frequently than usual. It’s been many hours since the latest sad story about State Representative Kelly Wirth broke. So far as I can tell, there hasn’t been a whisper about it on Blue Oregon.
She’s a public servant and a mother. I sincerely hope this investigation comes up with nothing, as would I hope if it were targeted at someone who I disagreed with as much politically as I agree with Wirth. This one-two punch of her recent tragedy combined with the current investigation will likely spell the end of her political career. And what a sad end it will be. Whether the allegations are true or not, it will be used against her and she will never win another election again. I’m not even going to get into the details of whether I think that’s a good thing or not.
If you have thoughts, please share them. But for once folks, let’s remember that the politicians (and bloggers and other commenters) are people too.
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October 12, 2005 |
Jesse Cornett | Comments (66 so far)
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Comments
Posted by: Don | Oct 12, 2005 1:43:19 PM
Frankly, given her record in terms of not showing up, not having a real staff, etc, I'm sorry that she had to go through this but if it means Corvallis has a full-time rep during session, the end is not too bad.
Posted by: Sometimes Truth Hurts | Oct 12, 2005 2:30:26 PM
Ok, this is a tough post under these extraordinary circumstances, but I think we will have to say good-bye to Rep. Wirth. Without calling her record or attendence as a legislator into question, recent events alone have sealed her fate.
I understand that nothing has been proven in a court of law, but in this business perception is reality and that is the framework we must operate within. I don't think there is any way for Wirth to get back in good graces with the public.
I feel bad for her situation, but that does NOT change the fact that her actions put our party in jeopardy, which at least deserves a cold shoulder from our party and I believe warrants our party's every effort to deseat her.
I know this sounds cold hearted and a little cut throat businessman, but sometimes we have to recognize a poor investment and cut our losses.
Posted by: Aaron | Oct 12, 2005 3:05:34 PM
This is truly sad, Rep. Wirth was not the worse Democrat in this session. But what of her daughters?? Yes there will be damage control for FuturePAC--but the family fallout is a higher issue!!!
Posted by: Lefty Fitzpatrick | Oct 12, 2005 3:44:15 PM
Yes, this is a real tragedy. I feel sorry for Wirth and her family. Having seen her around, it's clear that there has always been something up with her. While this story is the end of the chapter on her political career, Kelly has a golden opportunity to get herself on the path to recovery and improving her life.
She never did seem to have much fum in Salem. For the life of me, I'm not really even sure why she was there. But here's how she could write a new chapter and redeem herself: 1) admit to whatever petty personal use stuff she evidently did and PLEA to a misdemeanor, if charges are filed. 2) leave the legislature behind, but take the employee assistance benefits accrued from her legislative service before her term officially ends and check into treatment and counseling. 3) Establish a personal plan that will help her find herself and whatever it is she wants in life. 4) Spend the rest of her time with her kids.
Not a recipie for greatness, but a formula for personal and family success. It may ultimately be a sad chapter of the Kelly Wirth book, rock bottom if you will, but you can always pick yourself up and write a new chapter. This is America, after all.
Posted by: Nestle | Oct 12, 2005 3:47:58 PM
Funny how it's always Democrats with these kinds of scandals. Maybe we should get some values??
Posted by: Becky | Oct 12, 2005 3:49:08 PM
I wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions here, but I agree the political fallout is lethal. If true, it wouldn't make me think less of her as a person, but it would make me question her wisdom and ability to serve the public as a legislator.
I think this is a great opportunity to talk about the fact that the meth problem is affecting people of all kinds and to look at how we can better address it. I happen to agree with Wirth that splitting up families isn't necessarily the answer - unless the parents refuse to stop using, in which case their behavior is likely endangering their children. We have to find the funding and develop effective programs to help people overcome this drug AND we need to aggressively educate the public, especially young people, about the dangers of meth use so they will choose to stay away from it in the first place.
Posted by: Greg | Oct 12, 2005 4:04:11 PM
I never followed her political activities much.
However, I read that it was well-known she had an attedance issue.
Does anyone know why?
Posted by: Jeff Bull | Oct 12, 2005 4:05:21 PM
I touched on this same subject this morning, albeit less charitably. (What can I say? I've got a dark, dark sense of humor – if I didn't bite my tongue at least a dozen times a day, who knows what would happen).
In defense of how, well, smart-alecky my post is I'd only note one big detail omitted from a lot of what I'm seeing here: if every report now out there is true, Kelly Wirth made a series of bad decisions. IF – and I emphasize that "if" – Ms. Wirth screwed around with an attached man, that's not smart; the fallout from such "experimentation" is never predictable. And IF, Wirth dabbled with meth on any level, she should know a hell of a lot better on that as well.
Even the headline here, "A Career Destroyed," ascribes some kind of passive role to Wirth. In my mind, that's unfair to just about every human being on the planet who have done similar things and yet they get stigmatized as the "dregs of society" while Wirth gets sympathy? That ain't right.
I do feel for her kids. Really, they're hearing horrible things about their mother and it's all very public; they didn't do anything and don't deserve the grief. They have my full sympathy. Wirth…not so much.
Posted by: Don | Oct 12, 2005 4:07:05 PM
Greg,
As to the attendance issue, I honestly don't know why she missed session so much. I heard many disparate reasons.
I do want to temper my comments from earlier today though. I think she should withdraw from the race and endorse Sarah but beyond that I wish her all the best in recovery and hope she can avoid going down the hole to meth addiction as so many in our community have heartbreakingly done.
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 12, 2005 4:43:19 PM
Yeah, Jesse, I wondered why we hadn't posted anything either, until I considered posting something on it. But what? All we can do is wait and see. I do think, given the gravity of the allegations, that politics should be a secondary concern. No doubt some will try to eke out a political score (like the unsurprisingly anonymous Nestle, above), but the consequences here are far graver. Let's hope for the best--
Posted by: Aaron | Oct 12, 2005 5:00:28 PM
For the Nestle post:
Funny how it's always Democrats with these kinds of scandals. Maybe we should get some values??
Hmm let's see scandals from the Republicans---Rep Dolye getting caught with hand in his PAC money for personal use.
It is a different type of scandal--but it still a black-eye towards the general public about the "value and integerity" of the elected officals.
Posted by: Jeff Bull | Oct 12, 2005 5:04:38 PM
Quick addendum in light of some comments above: I don't see how this bleeds to the broader party. I think those suggesting that Wirth step aside to get her life in order, as opposed to running a race she'll have no chance in hell of winning are on to something. But, beyond that, and assuming any of it turns out to be true, this was an intensely personal failing. Unless someone is caught trying to cover for her, or the party appartus somehow screened her, it doesn't involve anyone else in the party.
I can't see this sticking to anyone else. There's no reason that it should.
Posted by: Tax Increase | Oct 12, 2005 5:14:40 PM
This is such a mellow, thoughtful and polite discussion of a leader's mistakes, especially when heald against the public lynching of Lou Beres and his associated idealogies a few posts down. I can't help but find it slightly hypocritical.
Kudos to Jesse for even bringing the topic to discussion.
Posted by: A Question of Jeff | Oct 12, 2005 5:41:52 PM
Jeff, that is exactly my point.
Our Party ought not defend her "alleged" actions, cover for her, or support her re-election.
IF we do any of the above, we run the risk of damage to the broader party.
My earlier comments about putting our party in jeopardy; I was referring to the big push this campaign cycle to take back Majority in the House. (this could have negative ramifications for the broader party, IF others cover for her, etc.)
I don't know, maybe her seat always goes D and we have nothing to worry about. I know she is from Corvalis, but I haven't seen a breakdown as to the demographics of her district.
By chance, does anyone know any history of her district. Is there a Democratic registration edge? How much? How long has her seat gone D? etc.
Posted by: Sid | Oct 12, 2005 6:06:22 PM
Tax Increase-
You're comparing someone with a drug problem to someone who molests underage girls in his own family? And doesn't the fact that the alleged molester is a Christian evangelical mean anything to you?
I see a broken life in Kelly Wirth. I see a broken life AND raging hypocricy in Lou Beres.
Don't compare apples to oranges. It won't get you very far.
Posted by: Jesse Cornett | Oct 12, 2005 6:11:47 PM
This was clearly the elephant in the room today. I don't even want to talk about it but it clearly needed to be discussed.
Posted by: Lefty Fitzpatrick | Oct 12, 2005 6:27:32 PM
I agree with Sid - Wirth didn't hurt anybody but herself. Obviously her kids have to go through this sorry episode, but what Beres is alleged to have done is very, very different.
Posted by: Jenni Simonis | Oct 12, 2005 6:30:27 PM
H.D. 16 information:
Other: 143
Dem: 13,880
Rep: 10,014
Con: 29
Lib: 244
Nat: 5
NA: 8,605
PAC: 467
Total: 33,387
Posted by: Becky | Oct 12, 2005 8:31:38 PM
Tax Increase -
It is so utterly appalling that you would even think to compare what Lou Beres did to what Kelly Wirth did that it made my stomach turn. Do you really have so little concern for children? In fact, that really seems to be a common thread here - in both cases, there has been a repeated expression of concern for the well-being of children. That's what you call compassion. In case you were wondering.
Posted by: Steve | Oct 12, 2005 8:35:03 PM
I have no idea why Wirth being a Democrat or Beres being a Christian has anything to do with this.
Both parties chose to engage in behavior they could have controlled or stopped. Mr Beres messed up children and Ms Wirth is lucky she did not kill someone while driving high.
Both were hypocrites for publicly condemning behavior they engaged in private and both ruined the innocent lives of anyone related to them. Using these personal actions to whitewash Christians or Democrats only betrays the biases and misrepesents the 99% of Christians/Democrats who are good citizens.
Posted by: observer | Oct 12, 2005 9:01:24 PM
Wirth isn't a hipocrite. She was the ONLY legislator to vote against the meth legislation this session. Sure, it turns out to be a self-serving series of votes, but at least she was true to her addicted self. I think she is just SUPER! Besides, meth is a totally victimless crime. I'm sure her kids were old enough to look after themselves while she was strung out in a cheap motel.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 13, 2005 1:05:57 AM
I'm a Republican to the right of probably everyone that posted above, and I would like to say:
Trying to score political points out of this is disturbing. Sure, its the business we are in, but my concern is for Kelly and her children. She allowed her personal troubles to invade her ability to represent her constituency, and should have resigned in 2003. But I will not dance on her political grave.
Rather, I will pray for her and her family that she is able to clean up her life and make things right with the people she has hurt, but with the understanding that she may have to face accountability for her actions. That is the same prayer I prayed for Rep Doyle and for Lou Beres.
Posted by: Please Marc...Honestly | Oct 13, 2005 9:54:13 AM
Marc,
Trying to score points? I believe our discussion was how to retain her seat, in other words, how to keep your side from scoring points out of this.
You find it disturbing that we are not focused on her kids and family? Apparently you never did read the posts above, because that is obviously the common thread.
You find it disturbng that we are strategizing as to how to retain the seat? Please...Do you honestly think we are going to fall for that. Awe Shucks, well don't I just feel like a donkey's ass, how calculative of me.
I find it disturbing that you think this little guilt trip of yours will have any effect. Really man, you tell us you are a Republican and then expect us to take you seriously when you say we are wrong for strategizing, and during a campaign cycle no less.
Posted by: Sid Leader | Oct 13, 2005 10:42:26 AM
NO APOLOGIES!
One of our own, so to speak, is hooked on the KILLER drug of the century and some folks are crying crocodile tears?
Puhleeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wirth's as bad as W and Rowe, maybe worse. Especially when she voted to back her DRUG DEALER instead of my schoolkids. And school kids read the paper, too, sweetie!
Posted by: OYRsDied | Oct 13, 2005 2:40:21 PM
Marc Lucca,
You are our most favorite young republican ever! You, just about single handedly, destroyed an entire republican organization for us. We didn't have to do a thing. Your lying, deceitful, and disgusting behavior drove away an entire membership base. HOORAY! You and your Sugar Daddy, Rep. Doyle, have given us enough political cover to not only weather this little personal tempest, but also take back the House! We just want to say THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU and we hereby declare you GRAND WIZARD OF THE OREGON YOUNG DEMOCRATS.
http://www.oregonyr.com
http://feministing.com/archives/000390.html
Thanks again!
Little D
Posted by: Phyllis | Oct 13, 2005 2:49:03 PM
Have you ever hit a meth head with your car? They get right back up. No way she's guilty ... she was down for the count.
In all seriousness, keep the disingenuous garbage to yourself if you're a republican tourist looking for cheap jabs on our site. If you're banging around here for kicks, take up a hobby. I hear model ship-building is a lot of fun, and doesn't require a lot of energy to be expended by fat republicans.
Posted by: Jeffersonia | Oct 13, 2005 4:26:16 PM
Sigh. So young, and yet so cynical. Well, hey, nice to know I fit right in.
Speaking as one of those obnoxious, jaded b*stards who gets paid to watch these sort of passion plays, I can throw my opinion in here as to why stuff like this always seems to happen to Democrats. I believe it's because your party pulls from a more "regular Joe" level of society. The average American who's in trouble with the law is getting popped for small-amount drug possession or maybe doing a DUII diversion program; the average upper-middle-class or upper-class American who's in trouble with the law is having strategy meetings with Jeff Skilling or maybe being paid a $4M salary while he serves in prison like that Capitol Consultants crook, Wiederhorn. So, you get Doyle action on the red side, Wirth action on the blue. It actually points to a strength of your party that, if you guys would start using it again at the national level, might lead us back into that blessed state of gridlock that I remember so fondly from the late 1990s ... back before those red idiots decided that when it came to big, reckless spending programs, they were gonna show us all how it's done.
sorry, I'm a little off topic, and a bit grumpy to boot. See ya!
Posted by: paul h | Oct 13, 2005 5:06:33 PM
This is nothing but a tragedy for Kelly and especially her kids, and I wish her the best in working everything out. However, as a constituent who basically agrees with her political views, I have to say that she had already worn out my good will before this happened (lack of attendance, lack of reliability for meetings and calls, general flakiness). I know that nothing has been proven and these are only allegations, but they did not come as a surprise to me given her past record, and she no longer has the benefit of the doubt. She owes it to her constituents to pull out of the 2006 race, at the very least, and I would suggest that she resign immediately.
Posted by: Jorge | Oct 13, 2005 5:17:42 PM
I, too, am sad that Kelly has to go. She was my butterfly, my lover, and my dealer. I will never forget when I returned that iPod, how she looked at me with those fat, cottage-cheese like thighs and said "Jorge, give me some meth...."
Oh how I long for those days. I hope she doesn't resign, where will will I get my meth?
Posted by: Jenni Simonis | Oct 13, 2005 5:39:44 PM
Wirth just put out a press release-- she has resigned. KATU's reporting it right now.
Posted by: CrimsonGOP | Oct 13, 2005 6:35:12 PM
After seeing KATU's Eric Mason, the Jerry Springer of the Oregon Legislature, report about Wirth resigning, it occurs to me that some months ago, I heard that Wirth was having an affair with Mason. So, my question is, has anybody asked Wirth or Mason if they were having an affair. Also, is it some kind of conflict of interest to report on somebody with which you had an affair?
Posted by: Sabrina | Oct 13, 2005 8:37:12 PM
Hmm...Wirth votes "no" on a very controversial bill...and THEN the coppers just happen to find the stuff in her ride? I don't know...sounds an awful lot like a "set up" or a "plant" to me...Either that, or Kelly really is a user...and therefore guilty as hell!
I'm not fully convinced of that, mind you. Yet, you gotta wonder what else is going on in her life that would cause her to turn to such a drug? Perhaps she really is more to be pitied than censured? Hard to say. With meth being so widely abused today especially by more middle to upper middle class women who are obsessed with staying thin and to achieve "perfection", it may not be too unlikely that perhaps Wirth also succumbed to the pressure to use this poison!
Is there a silver lining in all of this scandal? Yes. Now maybe more people will start waking up to the fact that meth abuse is *not* just a "trailer park trash" problem, and just quit looking the other way and start taking action to rid this state and this country of this scourage!. Meth's ugly tentacles are not only destroying the poor and working class, it's even invading the places where the powerful live, work and play, and it's beginning to destroy these lives, too.
Posted by: LT | Oct 13, 2005 8:40:04 PM
Seems to me to be more tragedy than farce.
What I did notice on the TV coverage was Gordon Anderson's
"they should have seen this coming".
Yeah, and Republicans should have seen Dan Doyle's financial problems also.
Time to stop the tit for tat.
Posted by: Dare!PDX | Oct 13, 2005 11:50:42 PM
First off the Republican side is not alone with Dan Doyle style finance issues. Having looked at a few Democracked C and E's I can attest to a few extremely unethical legislators from the Portland area (Ginny's little random computer rental pay-out to herself kind of raises eyebrows). Second, Doyle deserves what he got and should have known better given Bradbury is such a softy on the whole partisan politics thing.
As for Wirth, you should be applauding that you can get a more productive legislator. If the primary in that precint isn't packed with aggresive new candidates (being its a safe seat) I'd be surprised. As few seats as D's can win safely being actually as liberal as your are, I wouldn't be surprised if you guys don't have people getting ready to move.
Posted by: Holly | Oct 14, 2005 12:06:53 AM
Ya know, I wouldn't be surprised if the 'Pugs set her up. I mean, why would she leave meth in a car knowing the polise were likely to search it! Why are so many freepers showing up here to stoke the fires and pretend they aren't gloting?!
Posted by: tillittsu | Oct 14, 2005 12:21:27 AM
You people are all idiots! Repugs and Dems alike. Has anyone ever heard of the 4th Amendment and Due Process? Since when is the victim's property seized and searched as part of the criminal investigation, anyway. Geez!
Why are Democrats jumping all over Wirth to resign when Wirth has denied the allegations, and so far, no lab results on the substance found in her car. At least wait until there's conclusive results confirming meth before you get all giddy. Wankers!
Posted by: Jenni Simonis | Oct 14, 2005 1:11:09 AM
The story on the news tonight (straight from a cop's mouth) was that her car was actually searched a few days after the accident.
I thought it was pretty strange that the victim's car would have been searched in the first place. Now that an officer has said it was a few days later, it makes me wonder even more.
Why would her car have been searched a few days later unless some kind of tip had been sent/called in?
Posted by: Jenni Simonis | Oct 14, 2005 1:13:53 AM
tillittsu--
A lot of people are calling for her resignation not because of the meth, but because of her performance as a legislator.
There were discussions on this topic from before Wirth was even hit by that car.
Someone who has missed as many days, committee meetings, etc. as she did should at least not run again. If she does run again, hopefully the voters will remember come primary time that she wasn't there when she should have been and vote in a different person.
Posted by: Mac Diva | Oct 14, 2005 2:58:08 AM
One of the things that turns skeptical people off about liberals is their hypocrisy. The difference between what liberals say and what they do is often incredible. If Kelly Wirth does not take responsibility for her actions she will be a poster child for Oregon Democrats' hypocrisy, like it or not. Liberals with good sense should be hoping her rumored resignation is true.
As for the legal issues, the evidence suggests Wirth is a tweaker. The suggestion there should not have been a search of her car after she was assaulted is absurd. At the very least, it would have been searched before it was towed, to account for her belongings. Witnesses say that Wirth's alleged lover told police she used meth at that time. So, there was another reason to search the vehicle as well. I don't think that trying to attack the evidence of meth possession will serve here well at all.
Posted by: tillittsu | Oct 14, 2005 7:26:23 AM
Mac Diva,
Your comments are mere gossip and speculation. However, you write in such a clear, calm manner, I'm almost convinced by your illogical arguments. Or not.
Posted by: Hey Mac | Oct 14, 2005 10:42:13 AM
Mac Diva,
The difference between what liberals say and what liberals do turns people off huh. Well, If what you say is true, I guess I am surprised so many Republican donors supported Doyle, knowing he was pocketing the money. He couldn't possibly have told them one thing and then gone and done another.
You want to talk poster child. Dan Doyle is the poster child of your party. Which is worse?
How many voters can relate to an issue with substance abuse, either themselves or someone in their families? Quite a lot
How many voters can relate to an issue with embezzlement? Very very few. Unless you have some polling data I am unaware of.
Oh what fun it is to watch the other side fall on their face. You R's have fun with this while it lasts. Lord knows I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of watching you guys squirm over Doyle's embezzlement.
and to Democrats, of course R's are dancing a jig over this. When you have nothing else to latch on to, small victories are cause for celebration. And yes, they see this as one for their side. And Look whats happening to them at the national level, Delay, Rove, Frist. And who's next? I don't know, but evidence would suggest a number of other Bush cronies are coming down too.
And Mac, I don't think it would serve you well to defend them.
Posted by: hollyh | Oct 14, 2005 11:21:24 AM
Sounds like Mac Dive and Marc are the same person. Why is Marc Diva so adement about scoring political points out of this? Marc Diva is the only one trying to score political points. What's your real reason, Marc Diva? RU covering up for your crony Repugnant friends?
Posted by: No Falling Asleep, We Needed This Discussion | Oct 14, 2005 3:28:14 PM
Is it devolving? Or is it simply expanding the arguement? The Republican involvement in this post has added a new dynamic to the original conversation. They feel bad about the Dan Doyle issue and sometimes if it is too much work to make yourself look good, sometimes it is easier to make someone else look bad, in which case you have a wash.
I think Republicans know this tactic is common and I think it is helpful to us to hear the ways they see this unfortunate turn of events, and the ways they will be conveying that messege to the public.
They want to make Wirth the poster child for our party, of course, but I believe it stems from their fear that has been growing for months that we will make Doyle their poster child. In that way, these two issues are tied together and I don't really see it as devolving from the arguement.
I actually find it helpful and most of all entertaining
Posted by: Wide Awake | Oct 14, 2005 4:45:38 PM
Yawning Marc Diva doesn't want this discussion, for exactly the reasons you state. The GOP is in BIG trouble: Doyle, Berres, Frist, Delay... all that on top of Mannix being their front-runner? They are DESPERATE for distractions. I think that's why so many of us are sceptical about this whole thing. It just seems awfully convenient.
Posted by: Jenni Simonis | Oct 14, 2005 8:24:15 PM
Regarding the search...
Here's what the AP says:
"Police searched Wirth's car six days later as part of a routine follow-up on the attack..."
I can't say that I have ever heard of police searching a victim's car six days after an attack. Doing a catalog of items before a car is towed is one thing. But that's not what this was.
Searching the car six days later because she was the victim of an attack is absurd. Why would they need to search your car that many days later?
This seems to say that someone turned in a tip that there was meth in Wirth's car.
Posted by: re: tip | Oct 14, 2005 11:45:13 PM
Jenni Simonis-
You seem a bit coy regarding the search being prompted by a tip. Do you mean someone set her up? Or that the search was justified because somebody tipped the cops off? Even with the Patriot Act, a warrant is required for a legal search. Do you know that the police had a warrant? If the car was impounded for forensic evidence as part of the criminal investigation, would a search based on a tip about drugs require a separate warrant? Has anyone thought about the legality of any of this? Do people know that people are protected against unreasonable search and seizure (seizure and search in this case)? I'm not being a wise-guy. I'd genuinely like to know why people are focusing on the gossipy part of this and not on the legal issues. A little guidance here?
Posted by: askquestions1st | Oct 15, 2005 3:06:16 AM
It is truly disappointing that almost all the folks here seem much more interested in spouting than engaging in some serious questions about what at this point quite possibly is dubious police work and certainly very poor journalism. Here is some key information with cites:
1. On the 10/12/2005, the police had already leaked this story to the press. For what reason?
Oregonian
10/12/2005
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1129114912147840.xml?oregonian?lcpl&coll=7
"She is the target, and I can tell you it involves what are user amounts of methamphetamine," Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer, spokesman for the Salem Police Department, said Tuesday. "At this point we don't think she is involved in dealing drugs or anything like that."
2. Yet on 10/13/2005, they said this:
Statesman Journal
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051013/NEWS/510130342/1001
10/13/2005
"Our detectives are working on it," Okada said. "They're at a really sensitive point in the overall investigation at this point."
What were the police doing leaking this story and publicly commenting in the way they had the day before if in fact, this investigation was at a sensitive point which is normally an assertion that case could be compromised if commented upon? Particularly since the "target" had been publicly identified and the charges leaked to the press by the police.
3. Furthermore, carefully read this from 10/13/2005:
Gazette Times
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/10/13/news/community/2wirth.txt
10/13/2005
The substance in Wirth’s car has not been confirmed as methamphetamine. Scanlon expected a result back from the state crime lab in four to eight weeks, and noted how many other samples of the drug the lab gets submitted for testing.
So in fact, from an evidentiary standpoint, they did not even know it was meth but they, the press, the Governor, and the Democratic leadership were already out there saying she should resign.
4. And should you be unwise enough to say, "well the police know what it is":
Statesman Journal
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051014/UPDATE/51014003
10/14/2005
Police searched Wirth’s car six days later as part of a routine follow-up on the attack and found a small amount of what they believed to be methamphetamine. Test results have not been released.
Given what the press, police and the pols were already presenting as an open-and-shut case, each for their own selfish reasons, why have the test results not been released? Because they aren't available yet? And why is the S-J if they know that, not reporting accurately?
Now, beyond the shoddy evidentiary work and slovenly reporting, there are serious questions about search-and-seizure that the press also has failed to squarely address:
5. On 10/13/2005 the police sure sounded like they were trying to justify a search that may be of dubious legality:
Gazette-Times
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/10/13/news/community/2wirth.txt
10/13/2005
“It wasn’t a drug investigation,” Scanlon said. “We were conducting a thorough investigation of an assault, and the purported relationship with the other gentleman.”
6. At best, this statement reads ambiguously as to whether the police were legally justified in doing the search, particularly when read next to this, published one day later 10/14/2005:
Oregonian
10/14/2005
http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/oregonian/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_oregonian_news/archives/2005_10.html#087389
Wirth was at her car when she was struck. Police conducted the search six days after the incident, and say it was a routine part of the investigation. The search warrant for Wirth’s car remains sealed.
Did a warrant actually exist at the time of the search? Is there some attempt to "re-write history" going on? What are the bound of a "routine investigation", or is it whatever the police can get away with if the press doesn't hold them accountable? Lousy reporting leaves these to be quite reasonable questions.
In almost all cases, warrants have to be served on the subject at the time of the search. Why isn't the press asking the police this question and reporting that? Furthermore, warrants ordinarily are public documents, particularly after they have been executed and except in extenuating circumstances. This warrant is almost one month old --- if it existed at the time of the search --- and the police obviously leaked this story to the press before the arrest was made. Why is the press not asking and reporting the answers to these questions?
7. The final point is for all those who believe themselves to be "good Democrats". What kind of comment is this from the party leadership on 10/14/2005 AFTER she had resigned?
Gazette-Times
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/10/15/news/community/sat04.txt
10/15/2005
State Democratic leaders welcomed the action by Wirth.
“Kelley Wirth has done the right thing, and her decision is what the House Democrats had urged. By resigning her seat, she has responded properly,” said a statement by House Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley and Assistant House Democratic Leader Diane Rosenbaum.
“The people need legislators who inspire confidence and trust — legislators they can rely on to help them with problems,” the statement continued.
Obviously this statement reeks of disingenuousness, political cowardice, political incompetence, or all three. On the face it is not supportive, nor does it withhold judgement in the face of very murky facts.
They should have said simply they respect Wirth's decision. If they really had political courage that would "inspire confidence and trust", they would have said that because the facts are so unclear, and the press has utterly failed the public in reporting a clear set of facts, intellectually honesty and simple decency demands that they withhold any further judgement.
As it is, to any thinking person this statement does exactly the opposite than "inspire confidence and trust" in their judgement or integrity. They can hardly be blamed though, given the nature of the comments by most on this board, including the thread's initiator.
Of course the Repugs are even worse in this case. They are the party that professes to be more suspicious of government power, yet they haven't uttered one peep about these questions about police behavior, and the utter failure of the press to work to provide a full and fair accounting of the matter.
And before anyone hyperventilates and misrepresents this post as a defense of Wirth, spare us and re-read it carefully and recognize it to be a defense of you and your civil rights.
Posted by: PugCops? | Oct 15, 2005 7:53:07 AM
Did some sleuthing on that sanmarco@charter.net character who started the freeper invasion. According to his website http://www.gopusa.com/oregon/editor.shtml, he lives in Polk County (right next to Salem) and he's a former cop.
Let's see, VERY suspicious police work brings down a Democrat.
Freeper Mark immediately shows up to "score political points."
COINCIDENTALLY, this freeper
lives right close to Salem
is "in" with the police
is an officer in the Republican Party.
I have a hard time believing that the chairman of the Polk County Republican Party has nothing better to do than send fake prayers to Democrats out of the goodness of his heart.
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Posted by: Jesse O | Oct 12, 2005 1:32:18 PM
Apparently KOIN is reporting they found meth in her car, and are searching for her. I was never all that impressed. Sure, she had good values, but I've heard she wasn't all that effective at a legislator.
Hopefully Corvallis D's can now focus their efforts on replacing Sen. Frank Morse (yes, there's a primary still, and two candidates left, but...)