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Posted inOpinion

Our Fresh Poop Is Always Straight But Never Homophobic

Our Fresh Poop Is Always Straight But Never Homophobic
Source Weekly

Monday, June 20
What could possibly go wrong? Tennessee Valley Authority, oblivious to Japan's Fukushima reactor disaster, plans six new nuclear plants in eastern Tennessee. At least there won't be a big tsunami risk … Big day for the Supremes: US Supreme Court's conservative majority strikes down massive sex discrimination class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart … Court also unanimously strikes down suit aimed at forcing cuts in greenhouse emissions from power plants … Just when we needed some good news: Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight predicts Portland will return to pre-Great Recession employment levels in 2014, but Bend won't reach that point until (gulp!) 2021 … Only in America: Richard James Varone, 57, of North Carolina, unemployed and uninsured, robs bank of $1 so he can go to jail and get medical care for various ailments.

Tuesday, June 21
Losing traction: On the heels of 16 campaign aides quitting earlier this month, Newt Gingrich's top two fundraising advisers resign; campaign reported more than $1 million in debt … Still clueless after all these years: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says he's “puzzled” as to why some folks were upset when he blamed Arizona wildfires on illegal immigrants … Scare tactics: US Food and Drug Administration unveils hideous cigarette pack images of festering sores, etc., aimed at discouraging smoking … Wrist slap: JP Morgan Chase & Co. agrees to pay $153.6 million to settle civil fraud charges. That's less than it makes in a week … Sweet music: Violin built by Antonio Stradivari in 1721 auctioned for $16 million; proceeds go to Japanese earthquake relief.

Posted inOpinion

The COCC Anti-Tobacco Nannies

COCC attempts to create a tobacco-free campus by prohibiting it everywhere on campus but it may not be teaching tolerance in a place where tolerance should be respected.
Source Weekly

Smoking and chewing tobacco are unhealthy things to do – nobody disagrees with that. And breathing secondhand smoke is unhealthy too – virtually nobody disagrees with that.
Motivated (presumably) by a noble desire to discourage students from smoking or chewing and to protect non-smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke, Central Oregon Community College appears to be on the verge of approving a “tobacco-free campus” policy. Praiseworthy as the motive may be, the policy goes way too far.
COCC already has taken strong measures to make sure non-smokers aren't subjected to unwanted tobacco fumes. Smoking isn't allowed inside any of the campus buildings at any time. People who want to light up have to do it in one of the parking lots or on the street.

Posted inOpinion

Jose Antonio Vargas is a Hero: What an illegal immigrant can teach us about America

Rory O’Connor shares his journey of researching how social media affects journalism in today’s society.
Source Weekly

I first met Jose Antonio Vargas in the fall of 2008, in the midst of the historic Obama campaign for the presidency. At the time, I was a fellow at the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where I was researching the impact of the then-emerging social media on older legacy forms of journalism, such as newspapers.
A woman named Maralee Schwartz was also at the Kennedy School when I was there. Beginning in 1979, Maralee had spent her entire professional career at The Washington Post, largely as a political reporter and political editor. As national political editor, she led the Post’s award-winning teams of reporters in coverage including three presidential elections, the last term of the Clinton White House, and the first term of the Bush White House.

Posted inCulture

Our Picks for 6/29-7/7: Ween, The Sweet Harlots, Bookplate Auction and Reception, First Friday and more

Our picks for 6/29-7/7
Source Weekly

Ween
saturday 2
Two years ago, a band came to the Les Schwab Amphitheater and played one of the most ridiculously hilarious and musically diverse sets in the history of the venue. They were called Ween and we're damn pleased to say they'll be back in town on Saturday night to rock our faces off once again. Ween – comprised of “brothers” Gene and Dean Ween – is known to hopscotch between genres, playing everything from incredibly well-done country music to lounge sounds to all out metal. Just go to the show. You'll see what we're talking about. $34, all ages. 6:30pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr.

Posted inMusic

Helms Alee: Weatherhead

Helms Alee releases an album of surprises as their second record Weatherhead, hits fans with both pleasant and violent sounds.
Source Weekly

If the cats with lasers for eyes on the cover and throughout the liner notes of Helms Alee's new record, Weatherhead, aren't enough for you, then perhaps the gravelly riffs within are. The Tacoma band's follow-up to their excellent debut, Night Terror, shows how unboxable this Tacoma trio is.

Posted inCulture

Charles Finn: Life’s Ups and Downs

Charles Finn speaks of the good times and the bad times and when they happen so closely all you can do is rely on those you love.
Source Weekly

I took a punch in the gut recently. First one in quite a few years and it hurt, hurt bad. What happened was the phone rang, I answered it, my wife told me the bad news and I made the decision not to throw up. I wanted to throw something at least, anything, and take a swing back, oh you bet I did, but I was on my bicycle down by the river and the geese had nothing to do with it. What a thing, I thought, a few words and the world turns upside down, inside out, and there’s nothing you can do but hang on for the ride. And such a physical response, a visceral reaction.
What’s ironic is that not long ago I had occasion to open a bottle of champagne. The reason is irrelevant, at least to this telling, but suffice it to say I’d received some great news and was in a celebratory mood. On that day, only champagne would do. For someone like myself, situations that warrant such excess are few and far between, so it’s best to take advantage of them when I can, not knowing when the opportunity will arrive again. Getting sucker punched so soon afterward took the shine out of life, to say the least.

Posted inCulture

We Waited 15 Years for This?: Duke Nukem Forever proves a disservice to an otherwise great franchise

Duke Nukem Forever’s 15 year release anticipation proves to be a boring disappointment.
Source Weekly

Duke Nukem Forever has finally appeared, more than 15 years after Duke Nukem 3D. And I’m not sure what annoys me more: That I waited for the game or that I paid $65 for it. Duke Nukem Forever may be the biggest disappointments I’ve ever played. It’s not that it doesn’t work. The technology functions – although barely. But Duke Nukem Forever is simply not fun. It is one of the most boring shooters I’ve ever shot my way through.
Most shooters feature battles with supreme foes – bosses – that are more difficult to defeat than other enemies. In the best games, these foes are not just bigger and stronger, but they fight more intelligently than their minions. They know all the best tactics and combine the different characteristics of the enemies I’ve been battling during the rest of the game. They’re like final exams.

Posted inCulture

Me, Patriotism and You

Steven Humphrey gives a stern lecture to all those Americans who have lacked in their recent patriotism.
Source Weekly

My Fellow Americans: Every year at this time – despite my editor's heavy sighs of exasperation – I shove aside my usual nattering about television to expound on a subject you obviously don't give two donkey plops about: PATRIOTISM!! [Warning: You're about to find yourself on the business end of a stern lecture. It's best if you just sit there attentively and take it, rather than interrupting with back sass. Seriously, that behavior will just extend my lecture by at least two hours – so shut your stupid mouth, glue your eyes on me, and LISTEN.]
While probably not a shock, your “patriotism score” is at an all time LOW, therefore forcing me to give you a grade of “UNSATISFACTORY.” In comparison, my patriotism score is through the roof (as usual), which is why I'm awarding myself with a grade of “A+++++ Awesomely Excellent!” Why are your scores so low? THREE REASONS: 1) You are lazy and ungrateful. 2) You hate America, and all she stands for. 3) You didn't eat enough breakfast, and now you're suffering from low blood sugar. Wait… there's a fourth reason! YOU'VE LOST TOUCH WITH THE PATRIOT INSIDE.

Posted inOutside

Split Personality: The two faces of the McKenzie River Trail

Mountain biking on the McKenzie River trail provides a wide range of trails in all skill levels for a refreshing day of riding.
Source Weekly

It might be Oregon's most famous trail, well, aside from the one that used to give your computer character malaria and cost you a wagon axle in the process. The McKenzie River Trail is in almost every mountain biking and hiking guidebook, yet you're not likely to run into all that much traffic while riding it. The Forest Service classifies its usage as “heavy,” but because of its length (26.5 miles) and the tendency of riders to shuttle the trail, riding only in one direction, you'll likely disagree with the classification.
Gearing up for a ride on a recent Saturday, we saw a shuttle van drop off six riders from British Columbia. They set out on the trail ahead of us along with one other pair of riders. We gave them a 15-minute head start and never saw most of them again, save the last two riders when we briefly passed them. On the entire 24-mile, roughly five-hour, stretch that we rode, we only crossed paths with two pairs of riders who were headed up the trail.

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Elk Lake under $50

Elk Lake is a favorite afternoon getaway because of it’s sandy beaches and summer concert series.
Source Weekly

Elk Lake is one of the most popular summer getaways for many reasons, including the fabulous alpine setting and relative proximity to Bend. A trip to Elk Lake is a perfect afternoon getaway for friends and families, and cost effective, too. The sand beach at the far end of the lake is one of the best in Central Oregon and totally free, even if it takes until August for the water to warm sufficiently for human exposure. Bring a picnic and/or barbeque and whittle away the afternoon while the waves calmly lap the shore.

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