Portland, OR

Waiting for the bus today, I noticed my first Sam Adams for Mayor sign in someone’s yard. I have noticed the Sho Dozono signs for weeks. Does this mean that my neighborhood is mostly Sho fans, and this one lone ranger has dared to put up a pro-Adams yard sign? Or does it mean that Sam Adams and his campaigners have only now made these signs available for those who want to show their support in paper and metal?

However, it matters not to me, as if I had to vote tomorrow, solely based on the yards signs for each candidate, my vote would go for Sho. Get it? Fo’ Sho.

Actually, the first time I saw the Sho Dozono sign, I said that he missed a great idea of just having that on the signs. FO’ SHO! But then again maybe not all the constituents would get that, but still, that would have been awesome.

The Sam Adams signs look like they are selling yard work or a new discount store. Seriously, Sam, whoever did your graphic design made a mistake. Red and yellow are clownish, whereas the calming blue of the Sho signs put people at ease. Sorry, but color has so much to do with it, and the font on your sign looks more like a McDonald’s franchise in a Sam’s Club warehouse store.

Here is a picture of what the graphic looks like. I cropped it from his website, so the actual sign doesn’t look quite like this. Instead, it is a white sign with this graphic aligned more left and up. Sorry, I didn’t get a picture of the sign itself. I am too lazy right now to walk down the street. It’s been a long day.

Ah, I kid, Sam. I vote on issues, not graphic designs choices. Besides, you get props in my book because you went on PDX 49 to show us your favorite Simpsons episode. Unfortunately, I cannot recall which episode he picked. I remember not being overly impressed with it being his so-called favorite, but it was a better choice than many of the so-called local celebrities.

By the way, my favorite episode is a toss-up between “Deep Space Homer” and “Homer at Bat” and “Bart Gets an Elephant.” I would rather choose a favorite per season. Whatever! I do what I want!

Sam Adams, Portland, Mayor, Sho Dozono, Simpsons, graphic design, PDX 49, Homer, Bart

This Sunday, you can.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2008, at the Friends Meeting House at 4312 SE Stark from 6-8 pm.

Sure, I know, you have gone to a couple of the war protests downtown, and maybe even the vigil last month to commemorate the lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. A citizen in a democracy should attend meetings and protests to add their voice and support to the causes in which they believe. It will be a sad day when there are no more protests or dissent.

Although, maybe you are one of those who would rather just stay home, and that is your prerogative, too. Long live apathy, right? Ah, it would be nice to not care, but highly unlikely — and dangerous. Some people don’t appreciate their rights until they are gone.

That said, the town hall meeting is an opportunity to voice your own dissent for the War in Iraq and Afghanistan…or you could go and support the additional need for funding the military. Just because all those around you say one thing, it doesn’t mean that you should subvert your own feelings. Maybe you don’t support the war, but you see the need for additional funds to help protect our troops and make their jobs easier (or Halliburton is a major percentage of your stock portfolio). Either way, join others for the town hall Sunday night.

Upon moving to Portland, I attended a town hall with ol’ what’s-his-name, Earl Blumenauer, and let me say this: Even if you have no desire to offer your opinion in a town hall meeting, the event can provide some entertainment, and free entertainment at that (I have filed this under cheap dates for those hardcore politicos among you). Some very interesting characters attend these kind of meetings, and the people watching is priceless.

Portland, town hall, Iraq, War, Afghanistan, democracy, protest, troops, Halliburton

Just because Hillary is concentrating her efforts in Pennsylvania right now, anticipating the “win or drop out” primary in the last of the big, industrial states that carry a lot of delegates, that doesn’t mean that Oregon won’t get our fill of the Democratic candidate.

I woke up to the email from the Clinton campaign announcing that Chelsea Clinton will be at Portland State tomorrow, Saturday, April 12 from 6:15 to 7:45 pm. The “event” is called “Our Economy, Our Future” and I have no idea what this event entails, and the email tells me nothing more that where, who, when, and how to rsvp for the event. You can go to the Clinton website if you’d like to check this out and officially rsvp.

Again, and I am starting to feel repetitious, this post is not an endorsement for Ms. Clinton. I am simply passing along any and all info that I receive from both the Clinton and Obama campaigns. If you have not read any of my earlier posts regarding the democratic race, I was worried that Oregon would not be much of a factor when it came to the democratic run-off (and it may still not be), so I am hoping that presidential politics will come to Portland.

And yes, I would be remiss if I did not mention that on Wednesday, I received an email from the Obama campaign asking me to become a “community organizer” for Obama, which entails getting people to register to vote. Obama started out as a community organizer, the email reminds me, so does that mean that I too can run for President some day? No, thank you. I have waaaay too many skeletons in my closet. Besides, I don’t like answering the phone at 3 pm, much less 3 am.

Chelsea Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Portland, State University, campaign, democrats, Oregon, Portland, Pennsylvania

It has been twelve, count’ em, twelve days since I got my first email asking me to volunteer for a democratic candidate for President, and that first call came from Barack Obama. Why has it taken Hillary Clinton almost two weeks before she started stumping for volunteers here in Portland? And allow me to mention that the email informs me that tonight is the “grand opening” of her Portland-based statewide office. Way to give people some advance warning there, Hil.**

**Please do not construe my good-natured ribbing of Ms. Clinton as an endorsement for Barack Obama. I am woefully undecided between the two candidates, as I see very little differentiation between them. I am resigned to the fact that I will be voting for one of them come November, whether I like them or not. I am resigned to the fact that I will not be voting for someone, but rather against someone.

Oh, that is sad, isn’t it? I am voting against someone. I really do want to vote for someone. I have since I was a young idealistic kid watching Reagan’s long-winded speeches and seemingly constant television addresses. But alas, not in my lifetime as of yet. I wish I could believe the hype of Obama, or think that Hillary Clinton is the answer to my lifelong quest to vote for a woman for president.

Ah, another day for me and all the little girls who want to believe that we can be equal with men. But before I start getting too serious, check out what I found. This picture is AWESOME. I found it on Snarkybehaviour.com. Don’t know where they found it, but it’s freakin’ sweet.

Anyhoo, Hillary Clinton is opening her office at NW 5th and Burnside, in case you feel like stopping by tonight for the opening ceremonies (for a campaign office — anything to attract volunteers, I guess). Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (OR-District 5, which includes Multnomah, but just a little) will be in attendance. Hmm, I wonder where Earl Blumenauer will be?

Hillary was in Eugene and Hillsboro over the weekend, and I expect we will be seeing more of her, but not too much yet, as she is campaigning heavily in Pennsylvania and its 158 delegates, whereas Oregon only has 52. Although Clinton opening an Oregon office is rather hopeful on her part that she will do well in Pennsylvania. If she doesn’t, she will most likely have to concede the nomination, but I am sure there will be the caveat that delegates can always change their minds at the democratic convention. Ah, politics, even elected delegates can flip-flop.

You can rsvp for tonight by visiting the Hillary for President website here. Not that I am urging you to, but I do like a good fight, so I would like to see Hillary stay in the race a bit longer. At least until the Oregon Primary.

democratic, candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, volunteer, campaign, Oregon, Portland, Pennsylvania, Darlene Hooley, Earl Blumenauer

Bill Clinton has come to Oregon, stumping for Hillary. My question is, Where’s Hillary? I’d rather see her at this point, but then again, Bill has always been entertaining to say the least.

According to MSNBC via the AP:

Campaign spokesman Isaac Baker said Hillary Clinton “will be campaigning aggressively all over Oregon, including campaigning aggressively in Southern Oregon.” No dates have been announced.

Nice tie, Bill.

According to Bill’s published schedule, he was in Medford yesterday, and spent this morning having way too much fun at Mary’s, I mean OSHU for a “Solutions for the Economy” event (at a hospital?). He then followed that good time up with a short stint listening to the old folks in SE Portland. Right about now, he is probably en route from Salem to Bend, which is a very pretty drive, where he will be speaking at Bend Senior High, where he will be holding a “Solutions for America” event. Oh, I see the pattern now.

Still, I am awaiting an email requesting me to make good on my checked box indicating that I am willing to volunteer.

If I were to volunteer for Hillary Clinton (and as of today, I have no real inclination other than out of curiosity or maybe that whole underdog thing), it would be the second time volunteering for a Clinton. I also worked on Bill’s campaign way back in high school, before I could actually vote. I was so young and idealistic back then…memories. Anyway, it was a lame experience with a bunch of older douchebags telling me what to do, like phoning people during dinner and making posters for a rally I was then denied entrance to, but hey, I could be part of the group of losers who couldn’t get inside the rally that stood outside and “welcomed” the candidate. And then Bill showed up, and made his way down the line of welcomers, including a snooty little me, who asked him as she shook his hand why she could not attend the rally despite the fact she had spent three hours the night before calling people in support of said candidate. Oh, and Slick Willy, he had a response. “If it were up to me, you’d all be inside.” Nice. Nice.

Bill, Hillary, Clinton, campaigning, Portland, Medford, Salem, Bend, Oregon

Here is a little secret about me. Once a presidential candidate announces their throwing of the proverbial hat in the ring, I go to their official campaign website and sign up, for the updates and newsletters, the endless emails pandering for contributions, and yes, even volunteer work.

And I do it for both parties. Not that I am particularly on board full on supporting any one candidate per se, it is more out of nosiness. I love politics. And the machinery behind it, and the rhetoric and how campaigns communicate with supporters. I know I am a nerd. But more so lately it seems this election is, I hate to say it, exciting…and interminable. Seriously, have the elections always stretched on and on for two whole years. C’mon. But still, I think the more controversial the media makes this race out to be, hopefully the more people become involved in this so-called democracy. Although when you go the lowest blow in politics, you can also bring out the apathy (more so).

Anyhoo, there is a point to this. I have finally just received my first official email from a candidate asking me to follow through on that ol’ volunteer work. And it was Obama. I figured I would have heard from Hillary first, but no. Does this mean that Obama is fearing a loss in this state? Or just forward-thinking? Hitting up volunteers before Hil to subvert her own late efforts? He was just here last week, rallying up support both media-wise and fundraising-wise no doubt.

I wonder how long ’til I get the same email from the Clinton campaign. Any bets?

I was actually a little bummed about moving to Oregon once I learned that Oregon holds its primary so late in May, but it looks like Oregon may have a say in the race for the race for the president.

Here’s a little bit of Obama from the Oregonian. It’s long, so I don’t blame you for not wanting to watch it. I switched to a different window while I watched it, honestly.

1. I hate the song. I really wish he wouldn’t use it.

2. I don’t know how I feel about Richardson endorsing Obama. Feels like he’s vying for a VP invite.

Portland, Oregon, Barack Obama, Obama, Hillary, Richardson, volunteer, politics, campaign, Oregonian

Maybe you marched this last weekend through downtown protesting the ongoing (and seemingly neverending) conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan…maybe you have been marching before, and many times throughout the last five years. Today marks the FIVE year anniversary of the official beginning of the US War in Iraq. Oh, sorry, I mean the allied coalition forces’ war in Iraq…or maybe it would be more accurate to write that it is the Halliburton-Parsons-CACI-Titan war in Iraq.

Either way you look at it, either the sunny Dubya optimistic (or just glaringly stupid) or the rational “this war was immoral and opportunistic” way, rabblerousers Moveon.org and local groups are calling for a national “New Priorities” vigil this evening.

You can go to the Moveon.org’s website to find a vigil near you, if you cannot find one listed below (or you don’t actually lilve in Portland). The vigils are taking place all over the country, so don’t think this is just a Portland, Oregon thing.

There is a vigil set for Pioneer Square, downtown, at Broadway and Morrison (720 SW Broadway to be exact), and as this is more centralized, it may turn out being the biggest. This description is included for this particular site/vigil.

This is a peace rally. Like Mother Teresa said: “I will never attend an anti-war rally. But you hold a peace rally, and I’ll be there.” So we will hold a peaceful candlelight vigil to end the War in Iraq and pull all troops out of the country. This war must end now! Are we going to wait around for another troop escalation by a desparate Republican war machine? No, we’re going to show ourselves and the world what it means to work toward a more peaceful world.

Other Portland vigils (I put my zipcode into the “vigil finder” and had it search for vigils within 30 miles of Portland Proper) are listed below.

NE 47th Ave and NE Multnomah, otherwise known as the overpass at NE 47th ave and I-84.

Jamison Square Park in the Pearl District

Outside Portland:

In Beaverton at SW 5th and Hall across from the Beaverton Library

In Vancouver at Ester Short Park at 555 W 8th Street

In Carlton at the Upper Park/Downtown (Carlton is quite small, so you cannot miss this one, despite only 8 people rsvp’ing)

Check out the Moveon.org website if you have any more questions. Most vigils are starting at 7pm, with the Vancouver and Carlton vigils starting an hour earlier at 6pm, and the Beaverton vigil will start at 5:30pm. If you didn’t “rsvp”, don’t worry about that, just go out and show your support for ending this war/occupation/new world order.

Iraq, Afghanistan, War, 5 year anniversary, Halliburton, Parsons, Caci, Titan, Iraq for Sale, Bush, Portland, Pioneer Square, Beaverton, Vancouver, Carlton, vigil, moveon.org

If you can hop online in time to register and print out a ticket, you can attend the Focus the Nation Teach-In tonight (January 31) at the Chiles Center at the University of Portland. The Teach-In is part of a larger national movement to draw attention to and discuss global climate change.

Here’s a little more official explanation from a U of Portland press release:

The day will culminate at 5 p.m. with the cornerstone event, Focus the Nation: Live at the Chiles Center! - a candid global warming discussion between students and lawmakers that is expected to be one of the Focus the Nation movement’s largest single-site gatherings. The “green democracy” roundtable discussion will feature students from several Oregon colleges and universities asking elected officials environmental and climate change-centered questions. Those officials include Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski, Congressman Earl Blumenauer in a live feed from WashingtonD.C., and state house member Jackie Dingfelder (D-Salem), Chair of the Oregon House Energy and Environment Committee.

In addition to a free evening of global warming and sustainability, the band Stars of Track and Field will finish out the night.

This might be a good excuse for a cheap date that can also impress on someone that you care deeply about the Earth. Just an idea.

Then again, you can just listen in to the event on OPB radio from 6-7pm…and drink. Although, you could always drink and then go. It might be worth it just for the people watching. My experiences with most things “political” in Portland is always a good time. Add environmentalism to the agenda and watch out.

Besides, the season premiere of Lost is on tonight. For anyone desperate for new episodes of something, anything, well, you could do a lot worse than Lost.

Ooh, and another idea for a cheap date. Thirst Wine Bar is having a free wine tasting tonight from 5 to 8pm. Well, you get two free samples and after they get you hooked, they jack up the price. It’s at the Riverside location, so that usually translates to romantic, right? This deal only lasts through February, so if not tonight, maybe take advantage next week.

Focus the Nation, University of Portland, climate change, OPB, Thirst Wine Bar, cheap dates, Lost