Quick Hits: Three Days Left
Kari Chisholm
Bill Moyers is one of America's leading commentators. From his perch at PBS's acclaimed Bill Moyers Journal, he reflects on major issues of national consequence.
And yet, when he decided to weigh in on a local election matter in little ol' Portland, Oregon, apparently the Oregonian didn't think his comments worthy of publication. They buried 'em deep in the impossible-to-navigate OregonLive.com.
Here's what Moyers had to say about voter-owned elections:
Portland voters have the chance, right now, to speak with a loud voice on one of the most fundamental challenges facing our democracy – how to survive the tidal wave of cash dumping into our elections, from private, wealthy and often unnamed interests. Your answer is called "voter-owned elections," it's on the ballot now in Portland as Measure 26-108, and true to your roots, it's a solution that's positive and hopeful, practical and path-breaking. ... The only way to defeat organized money is with organized people. Now it's your turn.
Now, to the quick hits:
-
In direct mail, the tribal casinos are warning people that the proposed taxable casino offered by Measure 75 would "attract drinking, gambling, and worse..." That's right, folks. A casino will attract gambling -- paging Captain Obvious!
-
Jeff Mapes brings the trivia. The closest gubernatorial election in the last century was in 1956, when Robert Holmes (D) defeated Governor Elmo Smith (R) by just 8599 votes -- or just over one percentage point.
-
Down in Eugene, Rep. Val Hoyle has been getting blistered with last-minute direct mail attack ads -- most of which seem to be filled with typos, missing words, etc. Go figure. But this one is kind of hilarious. Her opponent promises to "stop the early release of violet criminals". Talk about purple prose!
-
Also from Jeff Mapes -- an unintentional "ewwwww" moment. Just in case you were starting to buy into the idea that Chris Dudley will be a fresh face with new ideas, well, there's this reminder: "[Dudley's] campaign is thick with old Gordon Smith advisers." Yeah, that guy.
-
And now that you're done reading, turn off your computer already.
 |
More Recent Posts | |
Albert Kaufman |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
Kari Chisholm |
Final pre-census estimate: Oregon's getting a sixth congressional seat |
Albert Kaufman |
Polluted by Money - How corporate cash corrupted one of the greenest states in America |
Guest Column |
|
Albert Kaufman |
Our Democrat Representatives in Action - What's on your wish list? |
Kari Chisholm |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
connect with blueoregon
5:56 p.m.
Oct 30, '10
A couple of points...
The proposed Casino would be devastating to the economies in this part of the valley and the Central Oregon Coast. More importantly, if this measure passes, and if the legal arguments put forward by its proponents are upheld in state court, Oregon will turn into another Nevada since they are basically making the case that no constitutional amendment is needed to site a casino off of tribal lands.
Hey Portlanders: Is Las Vegas really the model you want for economic development for your city?
Also, regarding Dean Coons... WORST. TOUPEE. EVER.
9:06 a.m.
Nov 1, '10
I know that hundreds of letters to the editor were sent to the Oregonian in support of Voter Owned Elections. More than were sent to the Portland Tribune, I am sure. The Tribune printed several last week. I believe there were zero? one? that the O printed in the last 2 months.
hmmmm.
11:08 a.m.
Nov 1, '10
Kari, please point out that you are a big $$$ consultant for the Yes on 75 campaign.
https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/transactionPubDetail.do?tranRsn=923312
https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/transactionPubDetail.do?tranRsn=908885
1:00 p.m.
Nov 1, '10
Actually, with Gordon Smith's advisors being involved in Dudley's campaign, I would expect that he would at least SEEM like he knew what THE HELL he was talking about. It seems even with very experienced people, he can't find, well, you know.