Yes, black lives matter

By Will Newman of Canby, Oregon. Will is a retired organic farmer & small business consultant, and a non-retired advocate for justice and equality.

There I was, sitting in my parked car at 3:45 am, waiting for 4:00 am to begin my job: 3 days a week I drove a 3-hour route through Portland and Gresham, recording and reporting gasoline prices. I had been doing just that for 3 years.

There was a knock on my window, and a flashlight shining in my eyes.

I rolled down my window and heard, “I’m Deputy (something). Show me your license and registration.”

“May I see some ID please?”

A tap of the flashlight on what may have been a badge, and “This is all the identification you need to see.”

Since I could see little in the dark, particularly with a flashlight in my face, and had no particular reason, nor any obligation, to deal with a security guard or the like, I rolled up the window.

He went away.

At 4:00 am I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. At the first corner flashing red and blue lights appeared in my rear view mirror. I pulled over and a person appeared at my window. I rolled it down. “I’m Deputy Sheriff (something). May I see your license and registration, please?” “May I see some ID, Please?” He showed me his ID. I showed him my license, registration and insurance papers.

He said, “I don’t know what has happened with you in the past, but why didn’t you give these to my partner?” “Because he refused to show me his ID.” After a short conversation I was free to go.

So, what’s the point? You probably found that incident boring, or maybe figured I was kind of snotty, or the first deputy was an arrogant bully. But if you are white you may have missed the core or the story: I ignored a deputy sheriff and “got away with it.”

I am a white male born into middle-class America in the mid-twentieth century. I am a fat old white guy, steeped in privilege, including the privilege of not responding to an officer of the law and “getting away with it.” Simply because we don’t recognize our privilege does not mean it is not there.

How do you think that conversation would have gone if I was black (and male)? Worse yet, black and male and young?

And that is why we need to be reminded that black lives matter: Not because they matter more than others’, but because they are more at risk.

As Karol Collymore said in this space some years ago, “I'm here to tell you, no one should wait their turn for equality.” My vision is clouded by privilege, but I am learning.

Donald Trump's con job

By Carl Wolfson of Portland, Oregon. Carl is a comedian and political commentator that hosted a progressive talk radio show for many years in Portland.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Sunday that there would be no investigations of Hillary Clinton.

Interesting that in the run-up to the election and during the campaign, congressional Republicans continually investigated Hillary, finding no evidence of wrongdoing. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump repeatedly said, “She’s guilty, folks” and Republicans such as Chris Christie and John Sununu led crowds in chants of “Lock her up!” Might all of this have been political? One of my Facebook friends wrote, “Hillary is guilty of crimes while running for office.”

McCarthy also said that Republicans would concentrate on job creation and funding infrastructure.

Interesting that for nearly eight years, Republicans blocked or refused to consider scores of President Obama’s proposals for more clean-energy jobs and modernizing our infrastructure.

During President Obama’s tenure, the unemployment rate was reduced from 10% to 4.9%. We have had 73 consecutive months of private sector job growth. Real GDP increased at an annual rate of nearly 3% in the third quarter of 2016. In 2015, household income was up 5.2% from the previous year – the largest single-year increase since record keeping began in 1967. The stock market has seen record highs while interest rates have been kept at historic lows. The federal budget deficit has been cut by two-thirds.

Imagine how much stronger our economy would be if Republicans had not blocked Democratic proposals for infrastructure spending or a minimum wage increase. Higher wages are the missing ingredient to move our economy into hyper-drive. Imagine how we could have begun to excise the cancer eroding the middle class – income and wealth inequality – if Republicans had joined Democrats in fashioning a more progressive tax code.

There are pockets in America where economic recovery has yet to fully take hold and where anxiety is real. Donald Trump blamed this on “Washington” and on “both parties.” He neglected to mention that one party (his) obstructed full recovery.

And here’s the sad part. Working-class Americans who voted for Trump got conned.

I have no doubt President Trump will work hand-in-hand with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell and slide easily into Republican orthodoxy. We will again see tax cuts for the wealthy, more weakening of unions and workers rights, and attempts to privatize Medicare and Social Security – plus obliteration of consumer protection, environmental safeguards and Wall Street regulation.

Gerritt for Chair, Wash Co Dems

T.A. Barnhart

Gerritt Rosenthal

(i am posting this on behalf of my friend, Gerritt. TA)

I am Gerritt Rosenthal, and I am running for Chair of the Washington County Democrats.

Every two years, shortly after the General Election, county political parties in Oregon conduct “Organization” meetings. Elected Precinct Committee People (PCPs) elect (or re-elect) party officers and other party positions. In many cases, these elections are mundane affairs; sometimes, however, they reprise the recently held election. In 2016, here in Washington County, this is what we’re seeing in the race for Chair of the Washington County Democrats: multiple candidates, campaigns, and some serious disagreements as to the way forward for our party.

When the Washington County Democrats meet to elect officers on November 19th, there will be contests for many of the positions. Of greatest signficance is the race for Chair with three candidates for the position. One is Rosa Colquitt, the current Chair, who is seeking a second term. Louise Curran, a long-time activist and former educator, is the second.

I am the third.

This will be a friendly contest between the three of us. I have a great deal of respect for both Ms. Colquitt and Ms. Curran. Our differences are, in the main, about our approach to the position, not our values. This difference, while collegial, is important to the future of our party.

Here is why I am running to be the Chair of the Washington County Democrats.

I want to capitalize on the waves of optimism and energy released during the Primary campaign. While I am now a strong supporter of Hillary and am awed by her lifelong history of service and commitment, I was a Bernie supporter during the primary. I feel he captured what many Dems believe is a need for fundamental change, including within our party.

To be more specific:

I want our Democratic party to engage and support the optimism, energy, and idealism of the younger generation.

I want to push for more grassroots activism, more openness, and more internal democracy.

I want to expand the use of modern media and educational tools.

I want to merge the experience and knowledge of our established “old guard” Democrats with the energy of newly engaged activists.

Our party is strong because of our values and because of the continuing commitment these “old guard” members have made. This includes, of course, me.

By T.A. Barnhart Nov. 17, 2016

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Gratitude In These Times

Joseph Santos-Lyons

Oregon's demographics are shifting significantly, with more than 22% of Oregonians identifying as People of Color and growing. White voters handed down major defeats for progressive values, empowered by a culturally exclusionary vision of America. Tarso Ramos writes, "Trump and others effectively mobilized White racial solidarity across class and gender—with unprecedented success." See more at Public Research Associates, We cannot be certain how the new balance of power will affect our communities, but if the incoming leadership bears any reflection of their past actions, will govern, but if the coming administration bears any relation to their lived history, our human and Constitutional rights are in serious jeopardy.

That feeling of 'oh shit' doesn't seem to be going away. For too many, this election will bring real pain and suffering to those we love. We've got much to process, and more to organize for. Yet in these moments, there are powerful signs of our progress. As I stood in a nearly empty ballroom at the Convention Center, and listened to one of the very last speakers, Chrissy Erguiza, the new Chair of the new Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, I felt deep gratitude in these times. Gratitude for:

-Chrissy and other emerging leaders of color within the Democratic Party whose vision, tenacity and gifts are central to our future. (Asian Pacific Islanders - join her caucus!)

-Electing powerful new voices from communities of color including Diego Hernandez, Teresa Alonso Leon, Janelle Bynum to the Oregon House, Jessica Vega Pederson to MultCo (joined by Lori Stegmann, who doesn't identify as a Democrat, but is the first Asian American on the commission, will make up a POC majority).

-A growing pipeline of progressive young leaders from communities of color, organizers who are putting their gifts in service with communities of color even when our orgs are young, challenging and complicated. The number of field organizers, communications and campaign managers of color in Oregon has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. There is a new cohort who are trained, sharp and connected.

-An emerging cohort of organizations of color that are grounded in clear strategies of change, accountable, and are applying power more consistently and strategically. Groups like Causa, Unite Oregon, PCUN, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, APANO and more who are increasingly leading major campaigns.

-Stronger, broader, and strategic alliances cemented through Measure 97, Our Oregon, and DPO leadership who are more present and making long term commitments to communities of color. The terrific leadership of Reyna Lopez, Emma Kallaway and so many organizers with roots in our movement building values who create trust and space for real partnership.

-Democratic political leaders who understand how race and gender are playing out, and are deeply conscious and active in linking with multiracial alliances for racial justice. Leaders who show up, who call us in, and who are committed to a shared vision for the future.

Curious your thoughts.

By Joseph Santos-Lyons Nov. 09, 2016

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Punditology 2016: Our collective, conventional wisdom

Kari Chisholm

Our long national nightmare is almost over. And by that, I mean, that the toxic orange menace is finally going to achieve his lifelong dream -- and get his very own streaming video service ($7.99 a month and no commercials!) that we'll all be able to ignore. (Irony alert: He'll make more money than he's ever made before.)

Anyway, as promised, here's the conventional wisdom from 218 people who think they're smart enough to call 'em all in 2016. Our participants include lobbyists, campaign hacks, political consultants, journalists, elected officials, formers of all sorts, and a whole lot of political junkies and activists.

An important caveat: In years past, we've learned that the Punditology conventional wisdom is usually right -- but when we're wrong, we are spectacularly wrong. See 2014, 2012, 2010, and 2008. It is certainly possible for everyone to be surprised. (And if your favorite campaign is on the wrong side of the C.W., get to work today, and prove us all wrong!)

Also, note that these percentages say nothing about the expected vote totals. If 100% of us think that a candidate is going to win 51% to 49%, the number you'll see here will be 100%.

To the predictions!

By Kari Chisholm Nov. 08, 2016

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