Stay up to date on Portland news and politics. Looking for fun? Here are the best Things to Do in Portland today.
Good morning, Portland! Happy last full week of the decade. To commemorate the past, here is a list of the most groundbreaking memes of the 2010s. Oh, and here's some news:
Guns Up: More than 56,000 military-grade guns have been collected by New Zealand police through the mandatory firearm buyback program the country instituted after the March Christchurch massacre. But it's unknown how many semi-automatic guns are still being held on to by New Zealanders
A Legacy of Abuse: An investigation by the ultra-conservative Catholic order Legionaries of Christ has concluded that the group's renowned founder, the now-deceased Marcial Maciel, sexually abused at least 60 young children. And, it appears, his actions opened the door for 33 other priests in the order to sexually abuse at least 175 children in the past 70 years.
The Clap Back:
Recently, we received a letter from historians offering critiques of the #1619Project & requesting corrections. We welcome feedback, so today we’re publishing the letter (in print 12/29), w/ an explanation of why we disagree that corrections are warranted https://t.co/lISb3ZnbOz
— Jake Silverstein (@jakesilverstein) December 20, 2019
Justice for Jamal? A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced five men to death for the 2018 murder of reporter Jamal Khashoggi. And yet, the people who are suspected of requesting the killing (*cough*Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman*cough*) will likely be shielded from any type of prosecution.
Taking Flight: Boeing CEO is resigning in a last-ditch effort to repair the company's image after repeat crashes of its 737 Max airplane.
Dass Has Died: Baba Ram Dass, the spiritual guru who, with the his BFF Timothy Leary, popularized psychedelic drugs in the 1960s died Sunday at the age of 88. One of his sage suggestions: “Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.”
But How Many Things Will Be Happening in Space?
"We will create a brand new American military service...with my signature today you will witness the birth of the Space Force," says @POTUS. "Space. ... There'll be a lot of things happening in space." pic.twitter.com/2LClrpvPNI
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 21, 2019
In Defense of Displacement: Mayor Ted Wheeler responded to a local push to stop city's cleanups of homeless camps on Friday, claiming that, “While it is illegal to erect tents in public right-of-ways, we do not randomly go out and harass or remove people camping on the streets."
Sent to Detention: The principal of Arleta's K-8 school has been removed from her position (but not fired) after she failed to call 911 or poison control when a student ingested crack cocaine.
E-Scooter Future: Portland Bureau of Transportation has decided to extend the city's e-scooter pilot program to the end of 2020. How many scooters will end up in the Willamette River by NYE 2020? Let the betting begin.
The Wolves Get Blazed: The Blazers won their fourth straight game on Saturday night, taking down the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-106 in a hard fought game.
Mr. Robinson Returns: