Happy Birthday! Birthers gone wild, a new gal on the bench and something about banks

Posted inOpinion

Happy Birthday! Birthers gone wild, a new gal on the bench and something about banks

Source Weekly

The author is listening to Al Green far too much, mourning a lost love, watching a guy with a zoom lens sitting outside of 900 Wall take pictures of young girls at Hot Box Betty, wondering if he's an uncle or a character from “Dexter.”
So You Say It's Your Birthday
Happy 49th to the 44th president, as Obama celebrated the weekend with BBQ and b-ball, joined by Magic Johnson and Lebron James, sans his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia (who were busy writing foreign policy in Spain). Of course, this birthday was all a ruse because Obama was never actually born, according to “birthers” who continue to confuse only themselves. In related news, Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, a decorated Army doctor and 18-year veteran, faced a military judge on charges of disobeying a lawful order, missing movement, and dereliction of duty for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan. Lakin believes that contrary to Bush-Cheney's ignorance of Afghanistan while invading Iraq, our current Commander in Chief's orders are illegitimate (according to Lakin and other “birthers”) because he wasn't really born in Hawaii, despite at least two newspapers announcing his birth 49 years ago and Republican governor Linda Lingle certifying Obama's birth certificate (yep, one exists). But that isn't good enough for those who would rather have a fossil formerly known as John McCain and the GOP's language challenged pitbull, Sarah Palin, in the White House.

Posted inOpinion

SDC Deferral: Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest

Source Weekly

Well, they went and did it again.
Two years ago, following the calamitous bust of the real estate bubble, the Bend City Council voted to give local builders and developers a break on their SDCs. SDCs – Systems Development Charges – are fees paid to help cover the cost of improvements to roads, sewer systems and other stuff made necessary by development.
Under the resolution the council passed, a builder doesn't have to pay SDCs up front. Instead he can wait nine months or until an occupancy permit for the new structure is issued, whichever comes first. The city gets a lien on the property in case the builder doesn't pay up. The deal essentially amounts to a nine-month, interest-free loan for the builder.

Posted inOpinion

Can't We All Just Ride Along?

Source Weekly

Today, I'm a disgruntled cyclist making the case for peace on the road. The epic saga of car vs. bike has raged on for centuries (right?) and has left in its wake unnecessary stress, turmoil, dented bumpers, cracked frames, injury, death and sadness.
Recently, I've been markedly endangered by a car while riding my bicycle and am disappointed to say that one incident was clearly intentional. But I'm not writing to proclaim the inherent evil of driving. I drive a car, too, on occasion. I would rather disclose my faults in the two situations, and thus make the case for empathy for our fellow commuter.

Posted inOpinion

Uncle Phil's Playhouse

Source Weekly

Nike founder Phil Knight's generosity to his alma mater has been well documented. The sometimes Redmond-area resident has donated tens of millions of dollars to the University of Oregon in the form of new facilities for its athletic department, primarily its football and basketball teams. And his mark on the University is undeniable, just look at the way his company has turned the Duck's football uniforms into a testing ground for Nike's bizarre apparel experiments. But Knight's latest gift, the roughly $42-million John E. Jaqua Center, is perhaps his most lavish.

Posted inNews

Lunker Quest: Gorgeous waters yield few fish

The Source Staff

In his self-published book The Meanderings of A Fisherman, the late financier Dean Witter mused how one very popular Oregon stream looked like a flyfisher’s paradise when, in fact, it was quite the opposite.
Now I know the “looks good but isn't” Witter spoke of, as this past Sunday's flyfishing expedition turned out to be one of beautiful but unproductive waters.

Posted inNews

Tea Partier Warns Against Commie Bike Conspiracy

The Source Staff

File this one under “How Wacky Can Those Tea Partiers Get?”: Dan Maes, the Tea Party candidate for governor of Colorado, says that a Denver program to encourage people to ride bikes is part of a United Nations / one-worlder / socialist / communist conspiracy.
It seems that back in 1992, Denver became part of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, an organization that promotes sustainable development and transportation alternatives.

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