Down at City Hall, the debate over the “Made in Oregon” sign change is taking on weird Portland vs. Eugene dimensions. Commissioner Randy Leonard sees the University of Oregon’s sign makeover as a personal affront to Portland. On his blog, Leonard lashes out at University of Oregon, saying, “Changing the sign from a neutral City […]
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.
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Six Years of War: Protests over the weekend mark the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, chanting “Hey, Obama, yes, we can. Troops out of Afghanistan!” Hey buddy, you lookin’ for some hot assets? The Treasury unveils a complicated plan for private investors to buy up $500 billion of the nation’s toxic assets with […]
Posted inPolitics
Online Voter Reg. Bill Passes House
A bill aimed at expanding and modernizing voter registration by allowing Oregonians to register to vote online passed 45-9 in the House this morning. Portland representatives Ben Cannon and Jefferson Smith are the sponsors of the Bill, HB 2386, which backers say will have a major impact on young people voting. “This is going to […]
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Obama Exploits His Photogenic Nature: First, in a video appeal to the Iranian people asking them to accept a “new day” in Iranian relations with America and THEN delivering a “fireside chat” on Jay Leno… which went pretty smoothly until the “special olympics” line. Garden Jealousy: In other Obama news, the first family is tearing […]
Posted inCity Hall
12-Lane Bridge “Opposition and Alternatives” Campaign Kicks Off
The meeting to plan the first “better bridge” rally since city council approved the 12-lane Columbia River Crossing bridge was held in the living room of Joe Kurmaskie last Wednesday, March 11th. Seven veteran activists showed up and, sipping Hefewizens, discussed the best options for messaging, speakers and the protest goals. “This is the opening […]
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Going, Going, Gone!
Auctioning Homes from Portland’s Courthouse Steps
House auctions on courthouse steps offer grim glimpse of Oregon’s
foreclosure crisis.
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It’s History
Protests Mark Closure of Oregon Library
Oregon Historical Society shuts library and dissolves staff.
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“Turned Out onto the Streets.”
Portland’s Budget Crisis Will Impact Neediest
Leave town, buy a gun, or lobby to raise taxes: Portland’s budget
crisis… and you.
Posted inCats
Do You Want Taxes… or Dead Kittens?
Never has an interview made me want to buy a gun until I talked on Monday with county Department of Human Services spokesman Dave Austin about the incredibly dire budget cuts facing Portland. The city is cutting $8.8 million and the county, squeezed by falling tax revenue, increasing unemployment and an assumed state budget gap […]
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I want my money back: AIG head Edward Libby testifies today about the $165 million in taxpayer money the company used to pay bonuses. “Tar and feathers liveblog” at Wonkette US Army – Still Zero Percent Gay: The Army is still firing people for being gay but a handful of West Point grads form their […]
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Terrifying Graph Tuesday
I was getting pretty overwhelmed by the grim financial news last week so I spent Saturday night listening to the This American Life episode Bad Bank, where two economics reporters take just 39 minutes to explain the mortgage crisis in a way that actually makes sense. Saturday night doesn’t get better than that! Unless you’ve […]