The Perverted Initiative Process

Posted inOpinion

The Perverted Initiative Process

Eric Flowers

Oregonians have a long and proud tradition of being ahead of the curve when it comes to social and political reforms. One of the most important of those reforms was the creation of the initiative process back in 1902. The idea was that if the legislature was too stupid, cowardly or corrupt to pass laws that the people wanted, the people could do it themselves through the ballot box.
It was a good idea at the time, and it was quickly copied by more than 20 other states. But over the past century - and especially in the last 20 years or so - the initiative process has been perverted into something its progressive creators would hardly recognize.

Posted inOpinion

Basic Fairness, Basic Rights. It’s About Time

Eric Flowers

Last March, I took my 3-year-old daughter to Salem to lobby for two laws that would increase the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the state of Oregon. Both laws - an anti discrimination law and a domestic partnership law passed during the 2007 legislative session. As the director of Human Dignity Coalition, I joined my family, friends and others in the Central Oregon progressive community, celebrating this victory in the civil rights movement for sexual and gender minority rights. Legislative successes like these lead me to be optimistic that my daughter will grow up in a society free from hatred, oppression and discrimination. But, we are not there yet and this last week proved it.

Posted inOpinion

Scanned into History

Joseph Oguiza

Much of Bend's rich history centers on its early sawmill days. Fortunately the Brooks-Scanlon company kept meticulously detailed records about its inner workings - much of which is currently on loan at the Deschutes Historical Society.
While it's here, historical society volunteers have been scanning the entire archive to creative a massive digital exhibit. The society got a big boost last week with $2,500 state grant for additional computers, scanning equipment and digital storage capacity. Museum director Kelly Cannon-Miller said she expects it will take about two years to scan the entire collection. In time, the historical society hopes to have the entire archive available online for the public.
"For us, this is priceless," said Cannon-Miller.

Posted inOpinion

Get Big Business Out of Health Care

Eric Flowers

The United States "health care" system is a national disgrace. Two changes in the current "Privatized For Profit" mess would guarantee a fair and just system of health care for everyone from womb to tomb.
First…insurance companies must be totally excluded from the health care system. Insurance companies must not be allowed to insure people capitalizing on health problems to reap enormous profits. Insurance companies must be restricted exclusively to insuring property, not people.

Posted inNews

Video & photos: Back Door Slam & Smokin’ Trainwreck

The Source Staff

Back Door Slam’s Davy Knowles, cold workin’ it.Much like Costco and Burger King, the Blender Shakycam Alliance always brings you more of what you want — bonus photos and video clips of your favorite hometown and worldwide artists rockin’ and/or rollin’ local venues. Use them to torture yourself for missing the show, or to reinforce the sweet memories if you did make it in person. Either way, you win. Everyone knows sweet memories and torture are equally awesome.

Read on for the goods. This week we bring you video and photos of Back Door Slam — plus photos of Smokin’ Trainwreck — from their January 7 performances at the Domino Room.
P.S. Leave a comment at the bottom if you think this stuff sucks, rules, or something in between. (Or if you just have a proclamation, pronouncement or poem you need to get off your chest.)

Posted inNews

Property Rights and Property Wrongs

H. Bruce Miller

As Oregon's "Big Look" task force resumes its job of re-evaluating the state's land use regulations, it might want to take a close look at a couple of new studies that seem to shoot holes in the accepted (well, accepted among conservatives) view that the state's land use regulations have depressed property values and made property owners into paupers.

Posted inNews

Bigotry’s Last Gasp?

H. Bruce Miller

Gay and lesbian couples in Oregon suffered a setback at year's end when a federal judge in Portland, in response to an appeal by an anti-gay religious coalition, delayed implementation of the state's new domestic partnership act for at least a month. Hundreds of gays and lesbians protested, but blogger Kristin Flickinger on BlueOregon saw it as a teaching opportunity.

Posted inNews

Mugged by Wal-Mart

H. Bruce Miller

Erickson's Thriftway Market is closing after 50 years of operation in downtown Redmond, and management is blaming it on the new Wal-Mart "Superstore" that opened on the edge of town in September. The news prompted some musings from Duncan McGeary, Pegasus Books proprietor, blogger and philosopher.

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