The Queen: Grade A

Scott, Sheena, and I joined the gray and gay and watched a non-documentary movie, The Queen, on Saturday. I really enjoyed the movie. I was going to write one of my self-indulgent movie reviews, but I realize that I can't recall anything particularly bothersome about the movie or revolutionary. Helen Mirren is outstanding as Queen Elizabeth II and I liked Michael Sheen's young, optimistic, Clintonesque, pre-war Tony Blair.

As an 'merican outsider, I have no idea how accurate the film's portrayal of the Princess Diana funeral events were. My memory of that week is from 'merican cable news coverage. On the day of her death I remember the new MSNBC cutting into regular broadcasting to say that Princess Diana had been in a serious automobile accident. There was speculation as to how serious the accident was, but the network returned to regular broadcasting after it was reported that Diana had been seen walking. Shortly thereafter, maybe 15 minutes, the network broke-in again to announce her death. (I also remember the embarrassment that CBS News failed to report the breaking news. Oops.)

2006 General Elections - Measures

UPDATE: There's an interesting blog regarding the state measures: www.ORmeasures.org.

OR MEASURE 39: PROHIBITS PUBLIC BODY FROM CONDEMNING PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY IF INTENDS TO CONVEY TO PRIVATE PARTY
[X] Yes
[_] No

This seems like a common sense measure. Condemnation should only be used by governments for public works projects. WWeek makes an almost convincing argument that economic development can be a legitimate use of public condemnation such Hillsboro creating a campus for the state's largest private employer, Intel. However, the idea that governments would condemn small property owners' land just to develop it for a larger company just doesn't seem right to me. It's simply unfair for the governments to give large corporations special rights.

UPDATE: Interestingly the Pacific Green Party of Oregon supports this measure.

OR MEASURE 40: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: REQUIRES OREGON SUPREME COURT JUDGES AND COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES TO BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT
[_] Yes
[X] No

This is basically a conservative/rural attempt to grab power from the progressive/urban Portland metro area. The premise of this measure is that judges should interpret and apply state-wide laws differently depending on where the judge happens to reside.

OR MEASURE 41: ALLOWS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION EQUAL TO FEDERAL EXEMPTIONS DEDUCTION TO SUBSTITUTE FOR STATE EXEMPTION CREDIT
[_] Yes
[X] No

This anti-tax measure panders to the thought all Oregonians have when filing our tax returns: Why is the federal exemption better than the state exemption? Of course state and federal income taxes are completely different, so this law is completely arbitrary. More disturbing, this law would cede Oregonians' control of their taxes to the wacky and incompetent US Congress. Sure, federal exemptions are generous now, but what about in the future?

OR MEASURE 42: PROHIBITS INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM USING CREDIT SCORE OR "CREDIT WORTHINESS" IN CALCULATING RATES OR PREMIUMS
[X] Yes
[_] No

What does a person's credit report have to do with being a safe driver or safe homeowner? There may or may not be a correlation. The use of credit reports in judging people needs to be reigned-in.

OR MEASURE 43: REQUIRES 48-HOUR NOTICE TO UNEMANCIPATED MINOR'S PARENT BEFORE PROVIDING ABORTION; AUTHORIZES LAWSUITS, PHYSICIAN DISCIPLINE
[_] Yes
[X] No

Yes, I'm pro-choice. This law is an obvious attempt to chip-away at abortion rights by restricting the rights of girls. This law claims to protect underage girls, but it's provisions for girls who are the victims of incest or rape are too restrictive.

I really do wish so-called "Pro-Lifers" were really pro-life and support universal healthcare, oppose unnecessary wars, and oppose the death penalty. At the very least, they should support universal healthcare for pregnant women and children. Unfortunately, their anti-government politics overrules any supposed pro-life sentiments.

OR MEASURE 44: ALLOWS ANY OREGON RESIDENT WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TO PARTICIPATE IN OREGON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM
[X] Yes
[_] No

Common sense measure that expands the buying power of the growing number of uninsured. What's sad is that this measure couldn't get passed the Republican-controlled legislature that has been heavily paid-off by the pharma industry. Even Jack Bog supports this measure.

OR MEASURE 45: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: LIMITS STATE LEGISLATORS: SIX YEARS AS REPRESENTATIVE, EIGHT YEARS AS SENATOR, FOURTEEN YEARS IN LEGISLATURE
[_] Yes
[X] No

This measure further restricts the existing limits. Terms limits have been a disaster. The state legislature only puts-off problems until the next session in two years. Inexperienced legislatures are relying on lobbyists for advice and perspective on how to run the state government.

OR MEASURE 46: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: ALLOWS LAWS REGULATING ELECTION CONTRIBUTIONS, EXPENDITURES ADOPTED BY INITIATIVE OR 3/4 OF BOTH LEGISLATIVE HOUSES
[X] Yes
[_] No
MEASURE 47: REVISES CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS: LIMITS OR PROHIBITS CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; ADDS DISCLOSURE, NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
[X] Yes
[_] No

My only hesitancy about voting for this pair of contribution limits is that progressive and conservative political organizations oppose these limits. I am sympathetic to the argument that money is free speech. Ultimately, I'm more concerned about corporate money having too much influence in elections. Of course there are loop holes in all campaign finance laws, but I think it's still worth a chance.

OR MEASURE 48: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: LIMITS BIENNIAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING TO PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE POPULATION, PLUS INFLATION
[_] Yes
[X] No

While this law does appeal to flat tax sensibilities, the reality is that the state's expenses are not constant. This is the whole point of having a legislature and chief executive to set the budget every two years and continually adjust for the needs. If this law passes, disaster will result.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY MEASURE 26-81: RENEW FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION LEVY TO CONTINUE LIBRARY SERVICES
[X] Yes
[_] No

We all love the library -- although I haven't been there in years.

METRO MEASURE 26-80: BONDS TO PRESERVE NATURAL AREAS, CLEAN WATER, PROTECT FISH, WILDLIFE
[X] Yes
[_] No

We all love green space. WWeek actually opposes this measure. Something about it's too soon and it should be a protest vote against Metro's leadership. I don't believe in protest voting because it's not effective and bad democracy.

WEST MULTNOMAH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT MEASURE 26-82: WEST MULTNOMAH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT PERMANENT RATE LIMIT
[X] Yes
[_] No

The WMSWCD wants a little money. There were no arguments in the voters pamphlet against it, so sure -- why not.

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS MEASURE 26-84 PORTLAND SCHOOLS LEVY FOR TEACHERS, CLASSROOMS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LEARNING MATERIALS
[X] Yes
[_] No

Schools need money. I know, I know, PPS still needs to close more schools and become more efficient, but they seem to be making an effort to reform.

CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE 26-86 AMENDS CHARTER: CHANGES FIRE AND POLICE DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT SYSTEM
[X] Yes
[_] No

Seems like a good a start at reforming the retirement system the city cannot afford and has been mismanaged. Preferrably, the fire and police retirement system needs to be self-funded or absorbed into a larger system.

2006 General Election - Candidates

I received my 2006 voters ballot in the mail the other day. I think I have most of the votes decided, but there are few votes I still need to think about.

UPDATE: I finished the reviewing the candidates next will be the measures.

US REPRESENTATIVE, OR 1ST DISTRICT
[X] David Wu (Dem) (incumbent)
[_] Derrick Kitts (Rep)
[_] Dean Wolf (Constitution)
[_] Drake Davis (Libertarian)

Wu had no serious competition this year.

OR GOVERNOR
[X] Ted Kulongoski (Dem) (incumbent)
[_] Ron Saxton (Rep)
[_] Joe Keating (Green)
[_] Richard Morley (Libertarian)
[_] Mary Starrett (Constitutional)

This is going to be a tough race for Kulongoski to win. He's the best choice of the available candidates, but he's squandered his first term in office and hasn't defined what he's about. Worst case, if Saxton wins, the legislature will go Democratic and hold off Saxton.

On a side note, I have to admit that I've enjoyed the three third party candidates' attempts to be relevant. Starrett's Right-wing, anti-choice, pro-Christism, anti-government candidacy contrasts with Saxton's "moderate" flip-flop Republican credentials.

OR REPRESENTATIVE, 36TH DISTRICT
[X] Mary Nolan (Dem) (incumbent)
[_] Frank Dane (Libertarian)

The Republicans didn't even bother trying to find a candidate for SW Portland.

OR SUPREME COURT, POSITION 6
[X] Virginia L. Linder
[_] Jack Roberts

I'm still leaning towards Linder. I'm surprised Willamette Week changed their endorsement from Linder to Roberts since the primary. WWeek argued that since a woman has been appointed to the court since the primary, gender diversity is now a lower priority. They argue that Roberts moderate conservatism and outsider perspective are not more important.

I'm still leaning toward Linder because I don't buy the 'one woman is enough' argument. If gender diversity was important enough to be a deciding factor in the primary, then shouldn't there be at least four or five women on the highest court? I'm also weary of having even a moderate conservative on the court, but I'll try to keep an open mind and do more research.

UPDATE: I'm sticking with Linder. I see no reason to change my primary vote. She was also endorsed by former OR Circuit Court, 4th Dist., Pos. 31 Candidate Trung Tu; Attorney General Hardy Meyers; Portland Mercury

OR COURT OF APPEALS, POSITION 9
[X] Ellen F Rosenblum

Since she's the only candidate on the ballot, there's no real alternative.

UPDATE: According to the state's voters' guide, she is the incumbent.

OR CIRCUIT COURT, 4TH DISTRICT, POSITION 28
[_] Mark K. Kramer (markkramerforjudge.com)
[_] Charles L. Best (charleslbest.com)
[_] Ulanda L Watkins (ulandawatkins.com)
[_] Christopher D. Wright
[_] James E. Leuenberger
[X] Judith Hudson Matarazzo
[_] Mary Overgaard (maryovergaardforjudge.com)
[_] James J. McIntyre
[_] Theodore E Sims

I have no idea. I remember hearing some judicial candidate endorsements somewhere, but I'll need to do some research.

UPDATE: For whatever reason, Trung Tu doesn't "endorse" any of the candidates, but does "recommend" Matarazzo because he met her once and she is endorsed by people he respects. Heck, if a practicing lawyer doesn't know the judicial candidates well enough to endorse, then how should voters know? Isn't democracy great?!

UPDATE 2: WWeek and former Gov. Kitzhaber also endorse Matarazzo. However, Merc endorses Kramer, but I can't find any explanation for their endorsement.

It's amazing to me that the state's judiciary seems to be a popularity contest within the Oregon legal community. I don't know why, but whenever I see a judge in a courtroom (on TV), somehow I just assume the judge has ascended to the bench through government bureaucracy -- not through a little noticed elections process.

UPDATE 3: Wow, apparently whichever of the nine candidates receives the most votes becomes judge -- a majority vote is NOT required and there will NOT be a run-off. According to the Tribune, conceiveably someone could receive only 1/9th of the vote plus one and become a judge.

OR CIRCUIT COURT, 4TH DISTRICT, POSITION 31
[_] Kathleen Payne
[X] Cheryl Albrecht
Same thing. More research needed.

UPDATE: Albrecht is endorsed by Trung Tu who I voted for in the primary.

OR CIRCUIT COURT, 4TH DISTRICT, POSITION 4
[X] Adrienne C. Nelson

UPDATE: According to the state voters' guide, she is the incumbent.

OR CIRCUIT COURT, 4TH DISTRICT, POSITION 37
[_] Leslie Roberts
[X] WRITE-IN: Charles Henderson

UPDATE: According to WWeek, Roberts unethically withheld a residential eligibility complaint against the incumbent, Youlee Yo, until the last day to file so she could guarantee that her own name would be the only name on the ballot. It is alleged that Roberts' tactic was underhanded and unethical -- especially for a judge. Roberts should have filed her complaint regarding Yo not meeting the position's residential requirements as soon as she was aware of it -- especially since she was Yo's neighbor.

Henderson's long-shot write-in campaign is endorsed by WWeek, Merc, Tu, and blogger Jack Bogdanski.

WEST MULTNOMAH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
AT LARGE 2:
[X] William R. Goode
[_] Richard W Sanders

UPDATE: Goode was endorsed by the Merc, but I'm not sure why.

UPDATE 2: The position is a four-year term and is unpaid. Goode is a lawyer (J.D.) and Sanders is a business owner and owns 360 cattle. Goode obviously has more credentials, but Sanders appears to have the rural background. I'll probably vote for Goode, but will do some more research.

DIRECTOR, ZONE 2:
[X] Jeff Joslin

DIRECTOR, ZONE 4:
[X] Brian Wm. Lightcap

DIRECTOR, ZONE 5:
[_] NO CANDIDATE FILED

WHAT!?! I have no idea what this agency does or what the candidates are running for. It seems like an office for a Green Party candidate.

UPDATE: According to the League of Women Voters' Multnomah County Election Guide:

The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District have a common mission, “to conserve, protect and enhance soil, water, air, and other natural resources to achieve a healthy environment for the people, fish, and wildlife of Multnomah County.” The Districts work with landowners, natural resource agencies, watershed councils, and other interested parties in a voluntary, non-regulatory manner. Current programs include Naturescaping for Clean Rivers, Conservation Planning and Implementation, Invasive Species Control, and Agricultural Water Quality Management. Each district is managed by a board of directors elected by the voters. They operate under the administrative oversight of the Natural Resources Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture."

Best. Episode. Ever.

nuff said.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon: Grade B

Glossier version of VH1's Behind the Music

It's not surprising that VH1 Rock Docs was one of the production companies behind this documentary. The U.S. vs. John Lennon reminded me of an episode of VH1's Behind the Music -- and I don't mean that in a bad way. I liked VH1's Behind the Music series and I like the similar approach this film takes. The documentary traces John Lennon's evolution from rock star to activist to family man.

It's tempting to criticize Yoko Ono's interviews as self-serving. However, I can't imagine a widow doing anything different than protecting and promoting her late-husband's vision. The filmmakers go out of their way to back-up Lennon's story with numerous interviews. Amazingly, G. Gordon Liddy and former FBI agents also contributed to the film and admitted to the Nixon administration's fear of Lennon's influence.

What was new and interesting, to me at least, was John Lennon's own awareness of his media influence. The clips of his news conferences and interviews in the documentary showed how media savvy he was and well he handled the media. I can't think of any contemporaries today who can work the media as well as Lennon did.

The only glaring omission was any mention or involvement of the other members of The Beatles. While it's true that most of the film takes place after The Beatles break-up, it seems odd to include interviews and archival footage of nearly everyone except the members of his band. It would have been interesting to hear what his fellow band members thought of his activism.

---

For all the reminiscing about the Vietnam anti-war protests, I can't help but wonder about its complete failure. The Vietnam and Iraq anti-war protests have not disuaded military action and, in fact, pro-war presidents have been re-elected during both unpopular and unjust conflicts.

Jesus Camp: Grade C or D

Several movies are out that I want to see like Infamous, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, that I felt the need to drag Scott out to the theater Sunday. He reluctantly saw the much talked about Jesus Camp with me.

I've previously complained about two recent documentaries, Who Killed the Electric Car and This Film Is Not Yet Rated, that were too lop-sided in advocating one argument. However, Jesus Camp was a little too middle of the road to have a point or to be entertaining.

The movie's overall theme is about how evangelical Christians indoctrinate their children through insane youth groups. It takes an almost patronizing approach as if all viewers know nothing about white American suburban/rural culture or the religious right. As someone who grew-up going to conservative Christian summer camps and dabbled in Pentecostal Christianity, I can't say I learned anything new from the film. It basically confirmed my worst fears and stereotypes of mid-west, rural/suburban conservative Christians.

Over half of the movie focuses on an obese Pentecostal youth minister, Becky Fischer, and her relatively small summer camp ministry in North Dakota (there appeared to be less than 100 kids in the summer camp wide shots). Fischer's sermon, personality, and beliefs are interesting and entertaining, but the filmmakers don't really explain who she is, how she got into this business, or even basic biographical information such as whether she is married with kids. Instead, without explanation or transition, the movie leaves Fischer and follows a young camper, Levi, to a Colorado Springs mega-church and then to Washington, D.C., at a pro-life vigil in front of the US Supreme Court during the Samuel Alito confirmation.

I suppose what really irked me was how anonymous the filmmakers were. Instead of actively narrating the film, the filmmakers chose to have a radio talk show host from an Air America affiliate break-in with dire commentary about the religious right's indoctrination programs. Also, they tried to maintain the unbelievable premise that their film crew's presence did not have an affect on the subjects. This premise was broken in Colorado Springs when a prominent mega-church pastor spoke directly into the documentary's camera and addressed what he seemed to know would be a non-believing, skeptical, Left-leaning audience.

I was mainly disappointed that the filmmakers didn't bring new information. For example, who are these people who base their careers on indoctrinating kids? (The youth group leaders featured seemed to be interesting characters). Also, what is the REAL result of these youth camps? Do most kids actually follow-through in high school and after? Statistics tend to show Christian youth are not noticeably different than non-Christian youth -- at least in sexual abstinence. An interesting sequel to this documentary would be a five or ten year follow-up like the Up series to see whether the youth camp really affected these children's lives.

11/03/2006 UPDATE: The prominent mega-church pastor featured in the movie is Ted Haggard who is now making headlines for a gay sex scandal. So far, Haggard has resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals and is on leave from his mega-church, New Life Church. Last night, his church says that he has admitted to some of the allegations.

Haggard previously responded to Jesus Camp:

"You can expect to learn as much about the Catholic Church from Nacho Libre as you can learn about evangelicalism from Jesus Camp. This movie manipulates facts like a Michael Moore film and works the camera like The Blair Witch Project. It's one more 'documentary' that seems to miss the point intentionally."

I found the quote on a Google-cached version of the page. New Life's website appears to have been overloaded since the gay sex scandal broke.

end of the music store business?

I accompanied Scott to Portland's Tower Records store during its going-out-of-business sale. The store seemed a little busier than usual, but the liquidation sale only offered a 10% discount so the store wasn't packed. Although Scott was a little excited about the potential bargains, the visit was bittersweet since he was saying goodbye to one of his favorite record shops. Before he discovered Classical Millenium, Tower was one of his favorite stores for classical music.

I'm not a big music consumer, in fact, I was more sorry when Tower closed its neighboring bookstore years ago, but I was also a little sad to see the store getting ready to close. I do remember Tower's original Portland store at the cheezy Eastport Plaza mall in the 1980s. I believe it was the first store I saw a compact disc.

Somewhat ironically, right after we left the store we went next door to buy something that is contributing to Tower's closure: an iPod. It was Sheena's birthday gift. Although Scott hates to hear me say it, I think this is the end of the music store business in general.

end of an embarassing gay landmark?

The PortlandTribune's columnist Phil Stanford reported last week that the building that houses the Club Portland bathhouse and the Silverado bar has been sold to a downtown developer, Greg Goodman. His plans for the building are not yet known. There were previous efforts to formally designate the area surrounding the triangular block as Portland's gay district, but the plan seems to have stalled years ago. Who knows if Goodman's plan will incorporate gay-oriented tenants.

I have to admit that I'm glad Club Portland may be closing (or at least moving). First, the building is simply an eye sore. The boarded-up windows, which Stanford explains were in response to a neighboring restaurant's complaints about "free shows", make the building and neighborhood look condemned. Secondly, if the area ever does become a gay district, it's inappropriate for the most prominent building to be an anonymous sex club -- especially as the fight for gay marriage/partnership continues.

Contrary to what George Michael proclaimed about the supposed gay lifestyle, anonymous sex is not the gay ideal -- at least what I and my gay friends think. While I'm sure there will probably always be a demand for bathhouses / sex clubs, I suspect/hope that they are becoming relics of the gay dark ages.

UPDATE: Just Out reports that Club Portland owner Dick Lawson confirms that an offer has been made on the building, but specifics are restricted to a confidentiality agreement. Lawson denies the Trib columnists claim that the building was sold to Goodman.

I should mention that one of my main interests in this story is that I live and work just a few blocks away, so I am interested in what happens to this property. Downtown Portland is in the midst of a condo conversion boom and Club Portland's block across from the Pearl District is an attractive location. I hope the new owner keeps and restores the old building.

Muse

Sheena and I just got back from the Muse concert and my ears are still ringing. I knew the concert was going to be loud, but I didn't realize how LOUD.

The concert was at the Roseland Theater which is a relatively small venue. However, Muse crammed their stage and speakers into this tiny space. It was quite an overwhelming audio/visual experience. Although I risk sounding like an old fuddy-duddy, if the audience can't hear the lead vocals, then the volume is too high.

However, I will say Muse's lead singer, Matt Bellamy, gave a great performance and seemed to put all his energy into the concert. Also, the all-girl opening act, The Likes (?), was also fun.

Next I'll remember to bring my ear plugs and walker.

BTW, happy birthday, Sheena!