ACORN flap distracts from real election shenanigans

As near as I can tell, only a small percentage of the voter registrations turned in by ACORN were fraudulent. Most of those were already flagged as suspect by ACORN, which is required by law to turn in all signatures collected, so I hardly see how this is a great burden upon elections officials or a threat to "the fabric of democracy" as Republicans like to put it.

No, what really scares the Republicans is that ACORN has signed up millions of legitimate new voters who are unlikely to vote for them. Given that ACORN disproportionately represents poor black people, this seems like a last-ditch appeal to latent racism.Worse still, these attacks are a distraction from Republicans' own attempts to suppress the vote. Indiscriminate purging of voter rolls and a systematic failure to properly staff and equip Democratic-leaning polling places have stolen the vote from millions in the last two elections, and the damage done by overtly partisan voting machine vendors simply cannot be measured.

These problems will be even worse this year, and the Republicans are simply trying to make enough noise to drown out this important news.

What's wrong with spreading the wealth?

Class warfare is nothing new. The rich have been winning for a few years now, as our tax system increasingly rewards investment over work. To quote a popular phrase from Wednesday's debate, what's wrong with "spreading the wealth around" a little?

Thanks to economic changes I make less money than I used to. When I made more back in the Clinton era I paid higher taxes, and that's exactly as it should be. Historically, progressive taxation corresponds with greater economic growth and lower taxes. Those who benefit the most from our capitalistic system, and are struggling less to feed and house their families, should pay more to help run it. It's fair, and it works.

John McCain originally opposed George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, and now he supports keeping them in place. This flip-flop is one of the biggest reasons I cannot support him for President.

Don't be fooled! [Initial] Bailout plan is a scam

It was investors who speculatively drove up housing prices for years, forcing millions of homeowners to pay inflated prices simply to shelter their families. It was investors who later bailed, trapping millions in upside-down mortgages. It was bankers who failed to screen mortgage applicants properly, misled them about the terms in countless instances, and built a financial house of cards on top of them.

Now the American taxpayers are supposed to spend Trillions - with a T - to bail out the bankers and investors who got us into this mess, without even gaining us an equity stake in return? And while failing to protect the homeowners whose bad mortgages are at the core of the problem?

This bill, if passed, will be by far the biggest scam ever perpetrated upon the American people. It will leave the middle class enslaved to debt for decades, furthering the Republican's grand scheme to divert more and more tax dollars into their buddies' pockets and away from programs that actually help improve ordinary Americans' quality of life.

Bush is right that "the world is watching." They're watching to see just how gullible we are.

McCain lies about Palin's earmarks

John McCain has just gone on a talk show claiming that Sarah Palin never requested earmarks as governor of Alaska. In fact, she has requested over $200 million as governor, and McCain should know it. Are we dumb enough to elect yet another liar President?

No surprise MAX is unsafe

As a regular MAX rider, I am sad to say that I am not at all surprised that the trains have a crime problem. A recent incident opened my eyes to the fact that there is no effective law enforcement on the trains.

The incident itself was minor: a woman sat next to me on a 6-foot bench at the Beaverton Transit Center and lit up a cigarette. When she refused to put it out, I asked an off-duty (but uniformed) TriMet driver to ask her to do so. He refused, saying he did not have the authority, and he wouldn't have time anyway with all the serious crime he has to deal with. A call toTriMet confirmed that this is their policy: Only police officers have the ability to enforce rules and laws.

And then it occurred to me that I rarely if ever see actual police officers on the trains. The system is wide open for anyone to get away with anything they want at any time. Now I'm not going to stop commuting on MAX, nor will I stop riding it to the zoo with my toddler. But I am going to be more careful, knowing that if something goes wrong there is a good chance there will be no one to help.

Governor Kulongoski: A liberal urges you not to fire George Taylor

Dear [Oregon] Governor Kulongoski:

Like most sensible people, I believe that human-caused climate change is a grave threat, but I urge you not to move [state Climatologist] George Taylor's office to a state agency and replace him. This would be ethically wrong, and would cause tremendous political damage.

• It's a violation of his academic freedom. If he's wrong, better to just let him turn into a laughingstock as evidence piles up against him.
• Firing an academician for political reasons will make him into a political martyr.
• It will backfire on us liberals more broadly. Conservative bloggers are drooling over the chance to prove us "hypocrites" for preaching tolerance and freedom of thought while persecuting those with a different viewpoint. Please don't prove them right!
• It plays right into the key claims of the skeptics: that the science cannot be trusted because scientists are biased, promoting climate theory to get more research dollars, and that dissenters would lose their jobs. Again, please don't prove them right!

Toy Terrorism

I'm glad Boston moved quickly to neutralize the terror threat posed by Lite-Brites stashed around town. But just to be on the safe side, I hope we deploy our G.I. Joes and Milton-Bradley Battleships to guard the city for a while.

Democrats finally show their backbone

Senator Jim Webb, responding to the President's Speech, made bold claims that "the President took us into war recklessly," that the resulting disarray was "predictable and predicted," that it "damaged our reputation around the world" and that it cost us "opportunities to defeat the forces of international terrorism."The only thing outrageous about these statements is that we've been waiting nearly five years for the Democratic leadership to make them.

Rove is the reason for the buildup

Why is George Bush proposing a buildup of troops in Iraq when he knows he won't get it? Even many Republicans oppose the move, with Congress looking likely block funding for the proposal.

The reason can be seen in the domestic agenda of the new Democratic Congress. On the docket are ethics and lobbying reform, a minimum wage increase, immigration reform, medicare drug price negotiation, enhanced port security, student loan relief, a shift from Big Oil subsidies to alternative energy, voter rights protections and increased stem cell research.

All of these reforms will make America stronger. All are supported by large majorities of Americans. All have the potential to pass within the first 100 days. And all are opposed by the Bush administration.

Gee, what better way to obstruct the will of the people than by tying up Congress for weeks in a pointless debate over an ill-advised policy that won't happen? Even more critically for Bush's allies, a hamstrung Congress will have less chance to take on big reforms like universal healthcare and campaign finance reform. Looks to me like Karl Rove is back on the job.

Senator Smith: Sign on to Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act

Dear Senator Smith:

I urge you to co-sponsor Senator Wyden's Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act, S. 2635. As an Oregonian who has been commuting by bike for 6 years (usually 3-4 days per week), I have learned the benefits of bicycle commuting: I have lost weight, I have gotten in better shape, I get sick less often (yes, even riding inOregon rain!), I am more refreshed and productive at work, I use much less fuel and I contribute less to both traffic congestion and to the environmental downsides to driving.

For most people, there are still substantial barriersto bicycle commuting, but stronger incentives would encourage many to try it out. Although there is a cost associated with this program, we must remember that driving is enormously subsidized in our society, far beyond the contributions of fuel taxes. A tiny bike subsidy is only fair! Besides, every person who gets out of their car and on a bike is reducing congestion and wear and tear on the roads, not to mention using less fuel. Thus, bike commuting incentives actually pay for themselves in reduced operating costs for our transportation system as a whole. Again, I urge youto sign on to S. 2635.

SD Governor Mike Rounds: Veto the abortion ban

Dear [South Dakota] Governor Rounds:

I am writing to urge you to veto the abortion ban now upon your desk. By not allowing exceptions for rape or incest victims, the bill simply goes too far.

I am particularly appalled at the invocation of Christianity to justify such a brutal prohibition. My mother is a native South Dakotan (from Vienna) and a Lutheran minister. Three of my grandparents are also from South Dakota (Britton, Willow Lake and Watertown). They raised me to believe that Jesus stood for compassion. Forcing a young girl to bear the child of her rapist is such an act of cruelty that the Christ I worship would certainly condemn it.

What has South Dakota come to, that such a bill could gain passage? I hope you will send this bill back to the Legislature and tell them to get it right.

South Dakota abortion ban is un-Christian

South Dakota's proposed new abortion ban exposes the un-Christian nature of the so-called "Christian" Right.

This new law bans abortions even in cases of rape or incest. A girl who is molested by her father will be forced to bear her father's child. A rape victim will be forced to deliver the offspring of her rapist.

I cannot think of anything more cruel or lacking in compassion. Jesus Christ stood for love and compassion, and he would not stand for this.

Those who celebrate this legislation in Christ's name make a mockery of Christianity, and are hypocrites of the worst order.

South Dakota's new law is anti-Christian

South Dakota's strict new abortion law, intended to challenge Roe v. Wade, prohibits abortions even when the pregnancy endangers the mother's life, and even when she has been molested by a family member or raped.

Some so-called "Christians" hail this as a success, but I was raised to believe that Christ stood for love, peace and compassion. Forcing a woman to bear the child of her rapist is neither loving, peaceful nor compassionate. It is cruel not only to the mother but also to her child.

I can see how a fellow Christian might come to oppose most abortions, but South Dakota's new law is patently anti-Christian. I am sick and tired of watching the forces of evil take over our country in the name of my Lord and Savior.

Defenders of spying deserve deportation

Beverly Ann Sharpf says she is "thrilled that our president is doing everything possible to keep me safe" -- including spying on citizens for which he may or may not have probable cause to do so. And he may not, since he refuses even to notify a secret rubber-stamp court of his surveillance of American citizens.

This is a direct challenge by the administration to the other two branches of government. Left unchecked, it will illegally expand the president's power and set a frightening precedent. Bush may not have set out to accumulate ever more power, but power corrupts. Without the Founders' checks and balances, even the most ethical president can continue expanding his power and become a despot and eventually even a dictator.

Benjamin Franklin cautioned that those who would give up essential liberties for a little temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security. Ms. Sharpf and the many others who have written similar letters certainly deserve neither. Their encouragement of attacks of American citizenship proves them to be unworthy of it.

Irresponsible cycling doesn't justify physical violence

Randy Albright might have been out of line by riding outside the bike lane. He was certainly out of line when he blocked the path of a TriMet bus in attempting to engage the driver.

But the subsequent physical attack on him was even more out of line. Committing an act of violence against another person is never, ever justified except in the defense of oneself or others. It is disturbing to observe so many of my fellow citizens celebrating this unidentified assailant. Some have even said Albright should have been murdered for his actions.

It is disturbing, but it is not really surprising. After all, we live in a culture of violence that celebrates gory video games, unprovoked war and "collateral damage."

I do agree with the letter writers who advocate mandatory safety education for cyclists. Given the current atmosphere, though, we need to include self-defense training in the curriculum.

Cyclist conflicts highlight need for better enforcement

Sadly, I'm not surprised by the open hostility between some drivers and cyclists exposed in the Oregonian's recent series. Our streets have become increasingly lawless in recent years as traffic enforcement has evaporated. Twenty years ago I could not have imagined writing this: we need more police enforcing order on the streets.

Many cyclists run red lights with impunity, or ride after dark without lighting. But as a cyclist, I've stopped trying to talk rogue bikers into behaving, having been physically threatened on a number of occasions for doing so. I now limit my efforts to making myself lawful, predictable and visible. Those who pay attention to their surroundings may notice there are more cyclists like myself than they realized.

Many drivers are just as irresponsible as the cyclists they condemn. As a motorist, I've been injured twice in recent years by inattentive drivers. It seems far too many people pay less attention to the road than to their phone conversations, meals, maps, DVDs and navigation systems. Not have we become less attentive, but we're driving faster and more aggressively, with less patience than ever for time-wasting annoyances such as red lights and pedestrians.

So now everyone is mad at everyone else. We could wipe this problem out by recognizing the need for more enforcement, starting with the worst offenders. It won't do much good to carry out "stings" of cyclists who creep through stop signs when no one is around or drivers who go 25 mph in a school zone on a Sunday. But we'd make real progress if we tried to nail drivers and cyclists who run red lights, bikers who don't use lights at night, and road-ragers who tailgate and cut everyone else off.

If we all knew there was a chance of actually getting caught, maybe we'd all behave.

PUBLISHED: Evangelical Christians misguided

The most stunning result of Tuesday’s election was the tremendous role of "moral values." This so-called morality seems to consist of intolerance for gays, federal funding of religious schools, opposition to abortion, an obsession with others’ sexuality, and a new crusade in the Islamic world.

My moral values are a little different: equal education for all, tolerance of gays, reproductive freedom, and restraint in war. What am I, some kind of crazy secular humanist? No! I’m a Lutheran. The son of a minister, I was raised in a religious household where Sunday services were not optional. But I was taught that Jesus stood for peace, love and compassion, and my political views are informed by these beliefs.

The "Christianity" that seems to have motivated half of this country to the polls is unrecognizable to this Christian.

PUBLISHED: Closed Bush event speaks volumes

[Link to published letter]

The Tribune’s coverage of the recent campaign visits by George Bush and John Kerry failed to note a critical difference between the two events. As usual, Kerry’s rally was open to everyone, protesters included.

But like all of his rallies, Bush’s was open only to those who have pledged to vote for him. Also as usual, dissenters were confined to a small barbed-wire enclosure (perversely known as a “free speech zone”), far out of Bush’s sight. At other rallies, including places like Pittsburgh, Texas, and South Carolina, peaceful protesters who turned up at Bush’s private rallies have even been arrested and jailed - for the crime of waving the wrong sign in a sea of signs.

If Bush treats the American people with such contempt when he is up for re-election, how will he treat us when he doesn’t have to worry about that anymore?

PUBLISHED: Bush enabled Enron's scheme

[actual published text in bold]

The outright malice revealed in the new Enron tapes is exceeded only by the outright corruption of a Bush administration that enabled and prolonged the 2001 Western power crisis.

Bush actively campaigned in 2000 against the price controls then in place, arguing for "open markets." But the only market ever opened was the segment already dominated by Texas companies like Enron and Dynegy, leaving the rest of the industry hamstrung.

Enron then ran prices up by shutting down plants, overloading transmission lines and flooding the market with bogus transactions. When Western senators threatened to reimpose price caps, Dick Cheney consulted head crook Kenneth Lay and testified against caps the following day. He even had the nerve to blame the "shortage" on environmentalists.

It is no coincidence that "the Crooked E" was Bush/Cheney's biggest contributor in the 2000 campaign. The tapes reveal that it expected a big payback, openly gunning for "Kenny Boy" to be named energy secretary and for its chance to shaft those socialist California grandmothers.

Enron engineered an illegal transfer of billions in wealth from the West Coast to Texas with the administration's blessing, displaying a level of corruption that makes me sick to my stomach. The least we can do is throw the Enron crooks in prison and the Bush administration crooks out of office.

PUBLISHED: Case shows dangers of power

[Link to published letter]

The federal government recently argued before the Supreme Court that it can be trusted not to abuse its new, unchecked powers to investigate and detain citizens. At about the same time, it began conducting secret searches of Brandon Mayfield’s home. Then it arrested him and held him without charges for two weeks, his property (and even his child’s homework) was seized, his business was left to flounder, and his mouth was gagged while the government publicly stated its "case" against him.

I can’t think of a more vivid example of why we need to restrain the government’s power: not only to guard against its becoming oppressive, but also because sometimes it simply makes mistakes.