News Aug 13, 2009 at 4:00 am

Signature Gatherers' Criminal Histories Exposed

Illustration by Hoof Hearted

Comments

1
So what does Blue Oregon suggest convicted criminals do once they're out of prison? Stand in a corral so we can express our contempt as we pass by? How dare they hold a clipboard and stand outside earning money! It's really hard to imagine employment for these people that would be less controversial than this. Blue Oregon should stick to educating people on how shitty the initiatives are and the backgrounds and motivations of the people behind them. Demonizing the signature collectors is cheap, mean and petty.

This pretty much disqualifies Blue Oregon from ever hiring anyone with a conviction. What does that say about their attitude toward rehabilitation for those who, for whatever reason, have been caught up in the criminal justice system and are trying to re-integrate themselves into society?

The whole thing smacks of desperation.
2
My apologies to Blue Oregon. Make that Our Oregon. (Not my Oregon).
3
Blue Oregon was involved after all, after another re-read. Okay, screw them too.
4
stryrofoamcup: Yes, they need jobs. No question. Maybe they'd better integrate into society if instead of spending a long time in prison they could get treatment and training or something. (I mean, signature gathering isn't exactly skilled labor.) In any case, I'm almost positive that the worst thing we could do to these people is to lock them up in jail for even longer. Yet if you read the 4th sentence of the story, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO! This isn't about Ross Day giving these guys a second chance, Ross Day's true motives are to lock these people up for even longer!

Maybe you should read the story again.
5
Beat up on the ridiculous initiatives themselves, not the signature gatherers. Picking on these people just makes the already strong side look weak, desperate and mean.
6
Understand, that in several of the cases we're talking about people convicted of FORGERY, and IDENTITY THEFT. They may have done their jail time, but ask yourself if you're really comfortable with giving them your personal information or trusting that the signatures they turn in are valid. There are plenty of jobs which they could work that don't carry the same risks, and to imply that this is beating up on the poor ex-cons, rather than a legitimate concern about personal safety and the legitimacy of our legislative process is ridiculous.

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