Obama is the President! Sorry, Grumpy Boehner. Obama’s inauguration speech pushes progressive values as he calls for getting to work. Speaking of Getting to Work: Globally, unemployment is projected to rise. Forty Years of Safe and Legal Abortions! It’s the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decisions and a majority of Americans want abortion […]
Sarah Shay Mirk
Sarah Shay Mirk reported on transportation, sex and gender issues, and politics at the Mercury from 2008-2013. They have gone on to make many things, including countless comics and several books.
Posted inSexual Politics
On the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, We’re All “Pro-Life”
Yesterday around 1,000 people gathered in Pioneer Square for a Right to Life rally “memorializing” 40 years since the Roe v. Wade decision. Among the crowd of people were several Portlanders holding yellow signs describing some sexual methods and resources that are proven to reduce unwanted pregnancies: This was some mischievous culture jamming on the […]
Posted inHorrors
This is the Thing I’m Always Afraid Of
That I’ll be walking down the sidewalk, with friends, just like any other night. Then, I’ll hear a crash, turn around, and a car will be driving out of control toward me. The driver will be drunk out of his mind. He’ll crash into us. Maybe I’ll survive, maybe one of my best friends will […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Pine State Biscuits & Por Que No Back City Plan Requiring Paid Sick Days for all Workers
David Reamer – Pine State Flu-free. Some of Portland’s tastiest restaurants are backing a plan that would require all local businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees. City Commissioner Amanda Fritz announced the details of her proposal this week (coincidentally, right in the midst of flu hysteria season). Labor unions rallied at city hall […]
Posted in$$$
All the Single Ladies Make $260,000
Progressive watchdog group Defend Oregon pointed me to this absurd Wall Street Journal graphic that illustrates an article about upcoming tax increases. Their idea of what constitutes a typical income are a little off. The median income of a single mother is actually $32,500.
Posted inBikes
Lance Armstrong Thinks the Worst Thing He Could Do is Call Someone Fat
If you missed the much-hyped Oprah inquisition of doper Lance Armstrong last night, the highlights are here. But here was my highlight: Lance admits to taking drugs. He admits to lying to millions of fans. He admits to suing the living daylights out of everyone who said he took drugs and lied to millions of […]
Posted inSexual Politics
Americans on Abortion: “Who Cares? Keep it Legal.”
Next week is the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision on abortion rights that, it turns out, a majority of Americans under 30 don’t know anything about. In fact, a new poll from the Pew Center on attitudes toward abortion shows that fewer Americans think abortion is a “critical” political […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Hostage Situation Explodes in Algeria: Algerian militants took 45 people hostage—including some Americans—but now some have escaped and some are likely dead. Over 100 Activists Killed in Syria: Government forces shot, stabbed, and bombed to death over 100 of its citizens in its deepening civil war. Gun Laws State by State: Hallelujah! Someone finally put […]
Posted inEthics
Is it Okay to Make Fun of Dreadlocks?
In last week’s Sexual Politics column about how a guy choking his girlfriend with his dreadlocks shouldn’t be a punchline, I made this flippant joke: “It’s tempting to laugh at this news because, of course, dreadlocks are disgusting and everyone who decides to grow dreadlocks should be publicly mocked.” This sparked a couple thoughtful responses […]
Posted inSexual Politics
States Have Jailed Hundreds of Women to Protect Fetuses
A new study details an unknown and sordid history: Hundreds of cases of states jailing pregnant women on the grounds that they’re endangering a fetus. The debate over personhood bills in several states (including Oregon) recently led researchers at the National Advocates for Pregnant Women and Fordham University to wonder whether cases exist where authorities […]
Posted inNews
What’s the Big Idea?
A Primer on the Main Issues Your Representatives Will Take On
A primer on the big issues the Oregon Legislature will take on in 2012.
Posted inPolitics
Right-Wing Group in Alaska Planned to Kill Judges
The LA Times has this riveting article today about a case in Alaska, where conservatives formed a right-wing terrorist organization that wanted to kill judges and other government workers. The gruff, hard-talking military surplus store owner in their midst helped the FBI bust the crew before any part of their plan took place. At the […]