Friday, May 30, 2008

more coast pictures

Scott posted some of his beautiful pictures from last weekend:


IMG_3720.jpg, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_4784.jpg, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_4790.jpg, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_4104, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_3390.jpg, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_4287
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

SeaLionsInNewport
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

CoastBridge
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

IMG_3730.jpg
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day weekend '08

Scott, ma, and I continued our Memorial Day weekend tradition of spending the weekend at the coast. We stayed at the Trollers Lodge in Depoe Bay.

The forecast for the weekend was grey and possible showers, so we did not have hopes of a great weather. However, the weather was beautiful when we arrived. After lunch on the Newport Bayfront, we returned to Heceta Head State Park to catch the sunset. The sky was so grey when we arrived, we had doubts the sunset would be visible. However, there was an amazing break in the horizon just fifteen minutes from sunset.

052408_20171.jpg

052408_20231.jpg 052408_20191.jpg

On Sunday, we had breakfast at the Sea Hag in Depoe Bay and then explored the tide pools at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and Strawberry Hill Wayside. On the way back, we had a great dinner at Local Ocean Seafood on the Newport Bayfront. Scott and I then hiked the Newport jetty. The jetty started-off an easy walk on a gravel trail, but the gravel gradually turned into large rocks and then boulders. Although I wanted to finish the jetty, it seemed a little too dangerous and tiring.

Scott on Newport jetty

Today, we watched the Depoe Bay Fleet of Flowers before heading back to Portland -- and the Spirit Mountain Casino buffet.

fleet of flowers

I'll post Scott's pictures as soon as they're up.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

2008 OR Primary (Update 19)


Portland Wows Obama, But Clintons Get the Bigger Picture, originally uploaded by redmonk.


Obama Rally Waterfront Park, originally uploaded by tobiascoyote.

2008 Primary Picks

Wow. I was going to post some poll numbers on the Clinton vs. Obama Oregon primary race, but I think the estimated 75 THOUSAND people who decided to spend hours standing in line on a hot, sunny day speaks for itself. I have never heard of such a large crowd in Portland before.

No, Scott and I didn't go to the rally. We thought about it, but we're not fond of the heat or the sun. Also, Scott has seen Obama a few times leaving the hotel across from his work. However, we did see the waiting lines for the park stretch all the way to the art museum -- about ten blocks from the Waterfront Park.


I certainly don't consider myself to be a political junky or political blog pundit. Most of my political decisions are dependant on organizations that share my values (Basic Rights Oregon, etc.), local print media endorsements (Willamette Week, etc.), and bloggers I occasionally read (Jack Bogdanski, BlueOregon, etc.). Posting even a small part of decision-making process has been very time consuming, but also helpful in my own way of thinking this through.

NOTE: Red text refers to a something I feel is negative such as a statement, endorsement, or organization.




OR CIRCUIT COURT, 4TH DIST., POSITION 38
LWV Portland: "Term: 6 years; Salary: $111,132"
[X] Marilyn E. Litzenberger
RE-ELECTED

98% (97K) OR Elections 05/21 16:58
Unopposed. Unless I hear of a reason not to, I always vote for the unopposed candidates. Simply getting one's name on the ballot should count for something.


OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MULTNOMAH COUNTY
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $144,000"
[X] Michael Schrunk
RE-ELECTED
98%
(117K) OR Elections 05/21 16:58
Unopposed incumbent. For such a powerful office, it would be nice if voters had an option once in a while.


MULT CO. COMMISSIONER, DIST. NO. 1
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $82,000"
[_] Wes Soderback
7% (3K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Candidate's rambling website lists PACs and lobbyists that have "contacted" him, but not necessarily have endorsed him (i.e. Oregon Right to Life, NARAL OR Green Light, Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC, The Oregon Family Council PAC).
[X] Deborah Kafoury
ELECTED

87% (43K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
WWeek, Merc, BRO Green Light, Just Out, The O; OR AFSCME Local 88 (MultCo's largest union) endorsement, MultCo Comm. Jeff Cogen, NARAL OR Green Light, Portland City Comm. Randy Leonard, Portland City Comm. Erik Sten, Metro Pres. David Bragdon, US Rep. Darlene Hooley, OR Labor Comm. Dan Gardner, Rev. Chuck Currie, Amanda Fritz, Portland Firefighters Assn, fmr US Rep. Les AuCoin, fmr OR Rep. JoAnn Bowman, fmr OR Gov. John Kitzhaber, fmr OR Gov. Barbara Roberts
[_] Mark Newey
2% (2K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
(I have not been able to find his campaign website and he apparently has not responded to Just Out's query.)
Write-In: 0.4% (0.2K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections

MultCo GOP: "no endorsement" (via BoJack)

Kafoury seemed to be the only one real option. I couldn't find anything about Newey. I recognize Soderback's picture as having been in prior election voter guides, but I didn't see a reason to vote for him.


PORTLAND MAYOR
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $113,818"
[_] Lew Humble
0.2% (0.3K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Restricting Abortion Except Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother: YES* (with qualification), Opposes Regulating Anti-Abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES* (with qualification), Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] Kyle Burris
0.2% (0.3K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Apparently, a young homeless man who is running because "Portland is fucked."
[_] David (The Ack) Ackerman
0.8% (1K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Library Internet Porn Filter: YES* (with qualification), Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES* (with qualification)
[X] Sam Adams
ELECTED

NO RUNOFF
58% (104K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12: 40%
WWeek, Merc, BRO Endorsement, Just Out, The O, Trib, OR AFSCME 189, Rev. Chuck Currie, fmr Mayor Vera Katz (and honory campaign co-chair), MultCo Comm. Jeff Cogen, MultCo Comm. Lisa Naito, MultCo Comm. Maria Rojo de Steffey, US Rep. Peter Defazio, OR Labor Comm. Dan Gardner, OR Rep. Tina Kotek, fmr OR Gov. Barbara Roberts, Multnomah County Democrats, NARAL OR Green Light, Sierra Club OR, Marc Acito, Terrence Bean, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer
[_] Patricia Stuart
2% (4K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Campaign website is her MySpace page which does not have any blog entries.;Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Regulating Anti-Abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES, Opposes Gorge Casino: YES, Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] Bob Leonard Forthan
0.1% (0.1K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES* (with qualification)
[_] Steven Entwisle
0.1% (0.2K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
[_] Sho Dozono
33% (59K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12: 25%
BRO Green Light, Mayor Tom Potter, NARAL OR Green Light, fmr OR Gov. Victor Atiyeh, US Sen. Daniel Inouye (HI), MultCo GOP: "A man of proven leadership in increasing society's wealth. ..." (via BoJack)
[_] Christopher Rich
0.5% (0.8K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
MySpace campaign website., Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Regulating Anti-Abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES, Opposes Gorge Casino: YES* (with qualification), Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES* (with qualification), Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage: YES, Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] Craig Gier
0.1% (0.2K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
MySpace campaign website., Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES, Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] Beryle Sylvia McNair
0.3% (0.5K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
MySpace campaign blog has not been updated since February.; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] Jeff Taylor
1% (2K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Campaign website is also his business website?, Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Restricting Abortion Except Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother: YES, Opposes Regulating Anti-Abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES, Opposes Gorge Casino: YES, Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES, Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage: YES, Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
[_] James Bernard Lee
0.8% (1K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Has a mac.com blog.
[_] (write-in) Sal Kadri
Write-In: 0.3% (0.5K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BoJack
05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12: Other: 8%, Don't Know: 27%

Yes, as a gay guy, I have to admit that electing the city's first openly gay mayor appeals to me. However, I also having some reservations about Adams. Like his former boss, Mayor Katz, Adams seems to push the costly, attention-getting projects such as the streetcar, aerial tram, and now the unnecessary bike bridge (Nevermind, Adams announced bridge plan is "dead and buried"). These are neat and attractive projects, but at what point is the City willing to say, 'Great idea, but we cannot afford to do that now'? That said, I do like Adams and hope he can deliver on providing the basic city services and pretty development projects too.

The only other mayoral candidate that seems remotely viable is Sho Dozono. I was hoping Sho's outsider campaign would be similar to Mayor Potter's successful challenge to 2004's assumed-next-mayor. However, Dozono's Voter-Owned Election scandal, Joint Terrorism Task Force position, and now his unpaid City rent scandal just don't work for me.


PORTLAND COMMISSIONER, POSITION NO. 1
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $95,867"
[_] John Branam
12% (17K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES, Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES* (with qualification), Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES.
[_] Jeff Bissonnette
12% (17K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Merc, BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light, Rev. Chuck Currie: "...my second choice..."
[_] Chris Smith
9% (13K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light
[_] Mike Fahey
10% (14K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Regulating anti-abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES, Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES
[X] Amanda Fritz
RUN-OFF

42% (62K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
WWeek, BRO Green Light, Just Out, The O, NARAL OR Green Light, MultCo GOP (via BoJack)
[_] Charles Lewis
RUN-OFF

12% (18K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
Rev. Chuck Currie, BoJack, BRO Green Light
Write-In: 0.4% (0.6K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections

I'm mainly voting for Amanda Fritz because I'm familiar with her blog. I like how detailed she is the great job she has done acting as a watchdog. Hopefully, as an insider, she will not lose her ability to challenge status quo.


PORTLAND COMMISSIONER, POSITION NO. 2
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $95,867"
[_] Fred Stewart
6% (10K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
2% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12
NARAL OR Green Light, Dave Lister
[X] Nick Fish
61% (90K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
ELECTED

NO RUNOFF
28% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12
WWeek, BRO Green Light, Just Out, The O, BoJack, OR AFSCME 189, NARAL OR Green Light, Portland Comm. Randy Leonard, fmr Mayor Vera Katz
[_] Edward (Ed) Garren
4% (6K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
1% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12
BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light
[_] Jim Middaugh
21% (32K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
10% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12
Merc, BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light, Portland Comm. Erik Sten, Rev. Chuck Currie, US Rep. Peter DeFazio; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Regulating anti-abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES 05/14/2008 e-mail I received from Jim Middaugh: ". . . I didn't respond to the Oregon Family Council's questionnaire because I disagree with their positions on so many issues. . . ."
[_] Harold C. Williams Two
5% (7K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
4% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12
Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES* (with qualification), Opposes Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES
0.4% (0.6K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections

Don't Know 56% 05/08-05/09 Portland Tribune-FOX 12

MultCo GOP: "no endorsement" (via BoJack)

You know, I can't really specifically identify why I'm voting for Nick Fish. All I remember was that I wanted to vote for him in a prior city election, but he was narrowly edged-out by another candidate.


PORTLAND COMMISSIONER, POSITION NO. 4
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $95,867"
[_] Edward Kill
4% (6K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
NARAL OR Green Light; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES* (with qualification), Opposes Licensing of Private School Teachers: YES* (with qualification),
[_] Emily S. Ryan
11% (16K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BRO Green Light
[X] Randy Leonard
RE-ELECTED

NO RUNOFF REQUIRED
71% (98K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
WWeek, Merc, Just Out, The O, BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light
[_] Martha Perez
10% (14K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BRO Green Light, NARAL OR Green Light; Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Regulating anti-abortion "Pregnancy Resource Centers": YES* (with qualification), Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES* (with qualification), Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES* (with qualification)
0.8% (1K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections

MultCo GOP: "withhold vote" (via BoJack)

I see no reason to vote against the incumbent -- although I regret he didn't run for mayor.


METRO COUNCILOR, 5TH DIST.
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $37,044"
[X] Rex Burkholder
RE-ELECTED

98% (40K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
NARAL OR Green Light
[_] (write-in) Jack Bogdanski
Write-In: 1% (0.4K) 05/21 15:53 MultCo Elections
BoJack
MultCo GOP: "withhold votes" (via BoJack)

Unopposed incumbent.


OR MEASURE 51 AMENDS CONSTITUTION
ENABLES CRIME VICTIMS TO ENFORCE EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN PROSECUTIONS, DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS; AUTHORIZED IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION.
[X] Yes
PASSED
75%
(724K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
WWeek, Merc, Trib, BoJack, creepy Nevada GOP donor Loren Parks (see 2002 WWeek article) gave $20K to committee (ORESTAR)
[_] No
24%
(241K) 05/21 15:21 OR Elections
ACLU OR: "Neutral"
I don't really understand what these constitutional amendments do. They don't seem controversial and I have not found anyone that argues against them. Even the Portland Mercury endorses these amendments and the ACLU is not opposing them.


OR MEASURE 52 AMENDS CONSTITUTION
ENABLES CRIME VICTIMS TO ENFORCE EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN PROSECUTIONS, DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS; AUTHORIZES IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION.
[X] Yes
PASSED
74%
(708K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
WWeek, Merc, Trib, BoJack
[_] No
25%
(237K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
ACLU OR: "Neutral"


OR MEASURE 53 AMENDS CONSTITUTION
MODIFIES PROVISIONS GOVERNING CIVIL FORFEITURES RELATED TO CRIMES; PERMITS USE OF PROCEEDS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.
[X] Yes
PASSED
50%
(471K) 05/21 15:21 OR Elections
WWeek, Merc, Trib, BoJack
[_] No
49%
(467K) 05/21 15:21 OR Elections
ACLU OR: "Neutral"


DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRIMARY NOMINATIONS


US PRESIDENT (DEM)
[_] Hillary Clinton
PLEDGED DELEGATES:
21 of 52 DPO (via BlueOregon)
19 of 52 CNN estimate
22 of 52 DemConWatch estimate
40% (251K) 05/22 08:48 OR Elections
42% 05/16-05/18 SurveyUSA
38% 05/17-05/18 PPP
34% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
OR Sen. & OR SOS candidate Vicki Walker, OR Sen. Ginny Burdick, MultCo Comm. Lonnie Roberts (!?! I assumed he was Republican.), MultCo Comm. Maria Rojo de Steffey
(I'm having trouble finding any local paper that endorsed Clinton.) Here's one: Statesman Journal (Salem)
Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES, Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage: Yes

OR SUPERDELEGATES:
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE:
[X] Barack Obama
PLEDGED DELEGATES:
31 of 52 DPO (via BlueOregon)
29 of 52 CNN estimate
30 of 52 DemConWatch estimate
58% (360K) 05/22 08:48 OR Elections
55% 05/16-05/18 SurveyUSA
56% 05/17-05/18 PPP
51% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
WWeek, Merc, The O, Trib, Rev. Chuck Currie, BoJack, OR AFSCME, ret. USAF Gen. Tony McPeak, fmr OR Gov. John Kitzhaber, fmr. OR Gov. Barbara Roberts, US Sen. candidate Steve Novick, US Sen. candidate & OR Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley, fmr. Portland Mayor Vera Katz, OR Sen. Avel Gordly, OR Treas. candidate & OR Sen.Ben Westlund, OR Rep. Tina Kotek, OR Rep. Mary Nolan, injured Trailblazer Greg Oden; Oregon "Family" Council: Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage: YES


OR SUPERDELEGATES:
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
John McCain
PLEDGED DELEGATES:

23 of 27 CNN estimate
81% (278K) 05/22 08:48 OR Elections
Write-In Votes: 0.8% (5K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
05/16-05/18 SurveyUSA: Other: 2%, Undecided: 1%
05/17-05/18 PPP: Undecided 7%

UNCOMMITTED OR SUPERDELEGATES (Democratic Convention Watch):
  • US Sen. Ron Wyden: 05/29/2008 announced he will make an endorsement by 06/13/2008. (OregonLive via Mapes On Politics)
  • OR DNC Chair Meredith Woods-Smith Endorsed Obama on 05/28/2008 (OregonLive via DemConWatch)
  • DNC Member Frank Dixon: "I’ll probably go with whomever the Oregon voters vote for." (from Merc)
  • OR DNC Committeewoman Jenny Greenleaf Endorsed Obama on 05/23/2008 (BlueOregon via DemConWatch)
  • OR DNC Committeeman Wayne Kinney Endorsed Obama on 05/28/2008 (BlueOregon)
  • DNC Member Gail Rasmussen Endorsed Obama on 05/29/2008 (OregonLive via DemConWatch)
  • DNC Member Hon. Bill Bradbury


I've previously blogged a little about my Obama decision. Basically, I love both candidates and continue to hope they will share the same ticket. However, I favor Obama because of his positive and inspiring campaign speeches. Hillary's negative attack ads and pandering just don't work for me.


US SENATOR (DEM)
LWV OR: "Represents Oregonians in U.S. Senate, Term: 6 Years, Salary: $169,300. Proposes and votes on new and revised federal laws. Votes on federal budget and taxes. Approves treaties with other nations. Confirms presidential appointments to certain offices. Helps Oregonians with problems with federal government."
[_] Pavel Goberman
2%
(11K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
1% 05/17-05/18 PPP
2% 05/01 SurveyUSA(3)
1% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE:
[_] Jeff Merkley
NOMINATED
44%
(236K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
33% 05/17-05/18 PPP
28% (Tie w/ Novick) 05/01 SurveyUSA(3)
21% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
Just Out, OR Gov. Ted Kulongoski, fmr OR Gov. Barbara Roberts, OR Attny Gen. Hardy Myers, Sierra Club OR, Humane Society Legislative Fund, OR AFSCME, Portland Comm. Sam Adams, Sho Dozono REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
Gordon Smith
RE-NOMINATED
85%
(286K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
[_] Roger S. Obrist
2%
(12K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
1% 05/17-05/18 PPP
4% 05/01 SurveyUSA(3)
1% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
[_] David Loera
1%
(5K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
1% 05/17-05/18 PPP
2% 05/01 SurveyUSA(3)
0% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
[_] Candy Neville
6%
(36K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
6% 05/17-05/18 PPP
8% 05/01/2008 SurveyUSA Poll (via BlueOregon)
3% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
[X] Steve Novick
41%
(221K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
38% 05/17-05/18 PPP
30% (Tie w/ Merkley) 05/01 SurveyUSA(3)
26% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
WWeek, Merc, The O, Trib, Rev. Chuck Currie, BoJack, fmr. Gov. John Kitzhaber, frm. US Rep. Les AuCoin, Portland Comm. Erik Sten, Portland Comm. Randy Leonard, OR Sen. Ginny Burdick, MultCo Comm. Jeff Cogen, MultCo Comm. Maria Rojo de Steffey, Metro Pres. David Bragdon, Metro Councilor Robert Liberty
0.4% (2K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
19% Undecided 05/17-05/18 PPP

(3) via BlueOregon
05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune: Don't Know 43%

I admire that Novick started his campaign so early and had the foresight that Smith would be vulnerable this year. Like Hillary Clinton's campaign, I don't get Merkley's attack campaign. Why attack someone in your own party? I also disagreed with Merkley's criticism of Novick's blog and online comments. Polite, quiet, and timid Democrat senators are what allowed the Bush Jr. Administration to get away with so much. We need Democratic leaders that are willing to speak out and risk offending.


US REPRESENTATIVE (DEM)
LWV OR: "Represents Oregonians in Congress; Term: 2 Years; Salary: $169,300; Proposes and votes on new and revised federal laws; Develops and votes on federal budget and taxes; Helps Oregonians with problems with federal government"
[_] Will Hobbs
16% (18K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
WWeek, The O, "We must . . .institute a guest worker program . . ."(1), Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES* (with qualification), Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES*
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE:
[X] David Wu
RE-NOMINATED

78% (86K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Oregon "Family" Council: Opposes Gorge Casino: YES** (position derived), Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES** (position derived)
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
Joel Haugen
NOMINATED
69%
(28K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
[_] Mark Welyczko
5% (5K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Library Internet Porn Filters: YES, Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES
Write-In: 0.2% (0.2K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections

(1) Quote from OregonLive.com (WARNING: OregonLive's neato Voter Guide froze Internet Explorer 6 and 7 on two different computers.)
Both The Oregonian and Willamette Week seem to endorse Hobbs as a protest vote against incumbent David Wu. They have some valid points. While I loved his Star Trek speech last year, he and the Democrat-controlled congress have not accomplished much or stopped the Bush, Jr. Administration. However, Hobbs' apparent endorsement of a guest worker program (i.e. non-citizen, non-invested, non-union, corporate-friendly, slave labor) doesn't work for me. I will vote for Wu and hope that he and his party can accomplish more with President Obama.


OR SECRETARY OF STATE (DEM)
LWV OR: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $72,000; Head of elections, audits, and record keeping; Supervises all state and local elections; Audits accounts of all state boards, commissions, and agencies; Keeps state records and registers corporations and trademarks; Along with Governor and Treasurer, oversees management of state lands"
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE:
[_] Kate Brown
NOMINATED

51% (266K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
42% 05/17-05/18 PPP
23% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
Merc, BRO Endorsement, Just Out, The O, NARAL OR Endorsement, Rev. Chuck Currie, fmr. OR Gov. Barbara Roberts, OR Sen. Avel Gordly, OR Rep. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Tom Potter, Portland City Comm. Sam Adams, Portland City Comm. Dan Saltzman
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
Rick Dancer
NOMINATED
98%
(244K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
[_] Rick Metsger
27% (140K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
19% 05/17-05/18 PPP
23% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
Trib, Oregon "Family" Council: Supports Personal Tax Kicker: YES** (position derived)
[X] Vicki L. Walker
17% (92K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
17% 05/17-05/18 PPP
12% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
WWeek, BoJack, OR Sen. Margaret Carter, Portland City Comm. Randy Leonard, Portland City Comm. Erik Sten

In it's endorsement, Willamette Week acknowledges that Walker tipped-off the paper about the Goldschmidt sex scandal which the paper won an Pulitzer for. If I were a conspiracy theorist, I would say her role in toppling a powerful and popular political figure may have played a role in her lack of some endorsements.

Oddly, the
Portland Mercury acknowledges Walker as "a fighter" and her "impressive" booklet about her idea for the office, but they hold these attributes against her.
[_] Paul Damian Wells
2% (13K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
1% 05/17-05/18 PPP
1% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
Apparently his website advocates something about election reform with a nifty animation, but I was too bored to figure out the point.
Write-In: 0.2% (1K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections

20% 05/17-05/18 PPP
Don't Know 41% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune

As the second highest office in the state, the Secretary of State is a surprisingly low profile office. The Portland Tribune's endorsement of Metsger mentions that Walker has a reputation as having a "zeal" and a "fiery temperament" but also admits that "She is willing to take down anyone suspected of wrongdoing." Oddly, the qualities some papers have held against Walker seem to me the very qualities the Secretary of State should have.


OR STATE TREASURER (DEM)
LWV OR: "Chief financial officer; Term: 4 years; Salary: $72,000; Manages investment of state monies; Manages the sale of state bonds; Along with Governor and Secretary of State, oversees management of state lands"
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE:
[X] Ben Westlund
NOMINATED

99% (391K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Just Out, OR Treasurer Randall Edwards, fmr OR Treasurer Jim Hill, OR Gov. Ted Kulongoski, US Sen. Ron Wyden, fmr Gov. Barbara Roberts, OR Sen. Margaret Carter, OR Sen. Avel Gordly, Portland City Comm. Sam Adams, OR AFSCME
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
Allen Alley
NOMINATED
99%
(225K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Write-In: 0.8% (3K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections

Unopposed.


OR ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEM)
LWV OR: Lawyer for the state; Term: 4 years; Salary: $77,200; Head of the Oregon Department of Justice; Provides legal services to state boards, commissions, and agencies; Leads consumer protection, crime victim compensation, and organized crime investigation programs.
[X] John R. Kroger
NOMINATED

55% (272K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
42% 05/17-05/18 PPP
22% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
Merc, BoJack, Sierra Club OR, fmr. Gov. John Kitzhaber, Portland City Comm. Randy Leonard, OR Sen. Avel Gordley
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
(Write-In)
NO NOMINATION
100%
(12K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
[_] Greg Macpherson
43% (214K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
31% 05/17-05/18 PPP
26% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune
WWeek, Just Out, The O, NARAL OR Endorsement, OR Attorney General Hardy Myers, OR Gov. & fmr OR Atty Gen. Ted Kulongoski, fmr. OR Gov. Barbara Roberts, US Rep. Darlene Hooley
Write-In: 0.2% (1K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections 28% Undecided 05/17-05/18 PPP
52% 05/08-05/10 FOX 12-Portland Tribune

Like the Secretary of State's race, this was a difficult decision to make. However, I decided to vote for the candidate the 'outsider' candidate. The Oregon AG has been a little too quiet and that Kroger is proposing shaking-up the status quo.


OR SENATOR, 18TH DIST. (DEM)
LWV Portland: "Term: 4 years; Salary: $19,884
[X] Ginny Burdick
RE-NOMINATED

98% (16K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
John Wight
NOMINATED
98%
(5K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Write-In: 1% (0.1K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections

Surprisingly unopposed. I thought she would be politically weakened by her 2006 Portland City Council loss and bad press. Apparently, no local Dems were willing to take her on.
OR AFSCME: "None"


OR REPRESENTATIVE, 36TH DIST. (DEM)
LWV Portland: "Term: 2 years; Salary: $19,884"
[X] Mary Nolan
RE-NOMINATED

99% (10K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
BRO Endorsement, NARAL OR Endorsement, OR AFSCME
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE:
Steve Oppenheim
NOMINATED
98%
(1K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections
Write-In: 0.7% (0.08K) 05/21 16:58 OR Elections

Unopposed incumbent.


OR NONPARTISAN JUDICIARY
Twenty-one positions, all unopposed incumbents.

UPDATE 19 (05/28/2008) Added Meredith Wood Smith's and Wayne Kinney's Obama endorsements.
UPDATE 18 (05/27/2008) Updated Presidential delegate and pledged delegate counts.
UPDATE 17 (05/22/2008) More Results
UPDATE 16 (05/21/2008 Results): Posted results
UPDATE 15 (05/19/2008 Election Eve): Added some poll numbers and Obama rally pics.
UPDATE 14 (05/14/2008): Added a few more notes this morning. This afternoon, I contacted Jim Middaugh regarding a position the Oregon "Family" Council said he had. Middaugh says he did not respond to OFC's questionnaire. I'm waiting for a response from the OFC.
UPDATE 13 (05/13/2008) REVISED: Added Oregon "Family" Council's voter guide results. Their right-wing voter guide doesn't endorse candidates, but lists candidates' stand on a bizarrely chosen range of issues. I added categories that the voter guide rated the candidate "Yes" or "Yes* (with qualification)".
- "LIFE: Supports Restricting Abortion Except Rape, Incest or Life of the Mother" Because a woman should only have control of her body if a male rapists, male sex-predator family member, or doctor allows it?
- "GAMBLING: Opposes Off-reservation Gorge Casino"
Somehow a Gorge Casino allowing Native American businesses off 'the res' will harm families.
-"DECENCY: Supports Library Internet Pornography Filters":
Because it's the government's job to censor internet content?
-"MARRIAGE: Supports One Man, One Woman Marriage"
Notice this vaguely worded category does not necessarily mean a candidates supports a anti-gay constitutional amendment or opposes civil unions or domestic partnerships.
- "RELIGION: Supports Religious Exemptions for Purposes of Faith & Conscience" I decided to leave out this category. It's vaguely defined and I'm not sure what the point of this category is. Isn't everyone pro-church/state seperation?
- "EDUCATION: Opposes State Licensing of Private School Teachers"
WHAT!? They WANT private school teachers to be unlicensed?
- "TAXES: Supports Reducing Taxes" or "KICKER: Supports Personal Tax Kicker"
Because deficit spending and ransacking the Social Security is moral?
UPDATE 12 (05/09/2008): Added US Rep. Defazio's Obama endorsement.
UPDATE 11: Added Multnomah County Republican Party endorsements. LOL!
UPDATE 10: DONE! Decided on last two votes: Sec. of State and AG.
UPDATE 9: Added pretty tables.
UPDATE 8: Decided in favor of unopposed and incumbent candidates.
UPDATE 7: Decided on US Rep.
UPDATE 6: Added more union and Rev. Currie endorsements and decided ballot measures.
UPDATE 5: Added The Oregonian and Jack Bogdanski endorsements
UPDATE 4: Added NARAL endorsements, candidate website links, and endorsements I find interesting.
UPDATE 3: Revised Portland Mayor.
UPDATE 2: Added Just Out's endorsements.
UPDATE 1: Revised MultCo Commissioner, Dist. No. 1.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Scott and I took mom to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden on Sunday. Here are some of Scott's pics:


IMG_3241, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_3014, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_3209, originally uploaded by sweber4507.


IMG_3145
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

IMG_3114
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

IMG_3238
Originally uploaded by sweber4507

Monday, May 19, 2008

inappropriate teddy bear?

051708_12091.jpg

Scott discovered this somewhat phallic "BJ" teddy bear light switch in the house Jason and Paula bought. The prior owners not only decorated all of this bedroom's walls in a teddy bear theme, they even carved into the 90+ year-old door frame to make room for this beautiful light switch.

Paranoid Park: B


paranoid park, originally uploaded by wweek.media.


Paranoid Park trailer
by ifcfilms

Sheena invited me to see Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park with one of her Jackies on Saturday. We saw a Saturday afternoon matinee at the old Laurelhurst Theater. We were not the only people with plans to escape the day's heat. The theater was surprisingly packed.

It was fun to see Portland featured in a movie -- although any urban area could have served as the setting. Van Sant did capture the feeling of Downtown Portland. I think many Portlander's are proud of the Burnside Skatepark's lore and yet I suspect most people (including myself) are too uncomfortable (and maybe even scared) to visit -- just like the main character in the movie.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie, but it's definitely a art house movie with mostly long scenes scenes with close-ups on faces. It did capture the city's gray mood and some of the melancholy of high school life.

Friday, May 16, 2008

update: censored Starbucks logo is a prostitute

Last month, I complained that Starbucks should not have censored the cartoon breasts in its retro-branding of their original logo. Well, apparently Starbucks was right to be concerned. At least one fringe Christianist group thinks even the censored version is inappropriate and has called for a boycot (sic):

ResistanceBoycot

. . . Starbucks has recently introduced a new version of their logo which features a topless mermaid with her legs spread, which has caused outrage from a nation wide Christian media watchdog organization. The Resistance . . . is boycotting Starbucks across the country saying their new logo is inappropriate.

“The Starbucks logo has a naked woman on it with her legs spread like a prostitute,” explains Mark Dice, founder of the group. “Need I say more? It’s extremely poor taste, and the company might as well call themselves, Slutbucks.” . . .

Apparently, the fringe group, The Resistance, is led by Mark Dice (formerly known as John Conner) who has authored and is selling a 9-11/New World Order/AntiChrist conspiracy book. Although even with all of the media attention, Dice's group doesn’t seem to be making much money off the publicity stunt. His chipin.com fundraising widget shows that $7 has been raised — far from the $1,000 goal (but enough for a Starbucks venti vanilla soy latte).

ResistanceWidget

Of course, like nearly all fringe right-wing website, their website also had an obligatory Ron Paul 2008 banner ad.

(Hat tip: City Business Church)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Oregon "Christian" Voter's Guide*

I admit it. I love looking at what "they" think. You know, the anti-gay, politically/socially conservative Christianists extremists. And yet they're a little hard to find on the internet. The infamous Oregon Citizens Alliance disappeared since its peak in the 1990s when it managed to get Sen. John McCain to speak at its fundraiser. The Oregon Christian Coalition no longer maintains its domain, coalition.org, (see: archive.org) since its leader fled the country after child sex abuse allegations.

Even active right-wing groups don't seem to maintain their websites that often. Oregon Right To Life doesn't mention anything about the 2008 election and the Multnomah County Republicans only recently figured out how to post their endorsements (after blogger BoJack posted their endorsements apparently out of pity). I was even more suprised that the Oregon Family Council which successfully passed the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment in 2004 did not have a voter's guide up when the ballots were mailed out last week. Instead, they require voters to request a copy to be mailed (?!?). Maybe they plan on selling the mailing list?.

Maybe Karl Rove is right. Maybe political and social conservatives are only motivated to vote when there is an anti-gay issue to vote for. Apparently, opposing gay people is the only issue that unites conservatives. Certainly, helping the sick, the poor, the vulnerable, and fighting for peace don't seem to motivate supposedly "Christian values" voters.

ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim1b

ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim2 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim3 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim4 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim5 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim6 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim7 ORChristianVoterGuide2008Prim8

* 05/15/2008 REVISED grammar, typos, and added a sentence.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Baby Mama: C


Film Title: Baby Mama, originally uploaded by wweek.media.

Scott and I saw Baby Mama yesterday after we were rained-out of taking mom to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

We love Tina Fey's 30 Rock and Baby Mama had many of Fey's self-depreciating humor. However, the movie's pace was slower and the laughs fewer than 30 Rock. Worse, many of the best laughs were leaked in the previews and clips. That's not to say the movie is not enjoyable. It's almost as cute and sentimental as The 40 Year Old Virgin or Juno

It's a little unfair to compare a 99-minute movie against a 20-minute sitcom in laughs-per-minute, but they have many similar themes -- especially since 30 Rock's season finale Thursday dealt with pregnancy of Fey's character. Both Tina Fey's movie and TV show are about a successful executive in a demanding career dealing with an egocentric boss and eccentric people while seemingly mismanaging her personal life.

Tina Fey seems to be this decade's Murphy Brown -- just a little less political. What's interesting is that almost 16 years since Dan Quale's infamous "Murphy Brown speech", there has not been any social conservative outcry about the "poverty of values" of unwed mothers choosing to have babies. In fact, now that paternity tests and mixed families have become so commonly seen in the media, a woman consciously choosing to have a child is almost quaint.

Friday, May 9, 2008

cat + treadmill = hilarious!

(Hat Tip: Mercury)

Like people, some cats enjoy a little exercise:



. . . and others are smarter than that . . .

Portland skyline at dusk

Scott took another beautiful Portland skyline picture last night. The colors are amazing:


IMG_2345.jpg, originally uploaded by sweber4507.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Netflix: The Passion of the Veggie

On his Netflix account, Scott discovered that Netflix thinks Mel Gibson's gory The Passion of the Christ is a great introduction to VeggieTales: Duke and the Great Pie War:

NetflixRecommendation

More surprising, Scott enjoyed crazy-Gibson's creepy movie.