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The Nose [WW, Feb. 5, 2002] asserted that my speech to the Portland Roast Festival and The Oregonian's position on Arianna Huffington are analogous, and that I have crossed a journalistic ethical line in stating my opinion from a lectern. I disagree.
In my case, my remarks were simply a restatement of my long-expressed beliefs as stated in my published work in The Oregonian. Furthermore, my views as expressed were entirely consistent with The Oregonian's editorial position: that the defeat of Measure 28 is a disaster for our state. Ms. Huffington, in contrast, has headed a committee to raise money that expresses a point of view. If Ms. Huffington expresses herself as a columnist and not as the head of an advocacy group, that is one thing. As she is actively engaged in fundraising for a specific political cause while writing a column, that is an entirely different matter.
I am aware, of course, that the Roast Festival raises money for Portland Public Schools. I am not on the organizing committee. However, I am committed to stating my views as a citizen in the community and as an editorialist, and I will continue to express them, in my work and on a podium. Finally, I note that Willamette Week runs the work of my friend John Callahan, a former G.O.P. Oregon House candidate and conservative political activist.
Jack Ohman
The Oregonian
TAKE THIS CITY AND SHOVE IT
That's it--we're moving!
Just what the hell is going on here in my beloved Oregon?
Katz and Co. can't run the city but have more than enough time to ramrod big baseball down our throats. Has she forgotten that we have no economy?
The Oregonian shitcans Arianna Huffington because she's gone all "anti-SUV" on our asses, and God help you if you stand in the way of the almighty dollar.
The police chief could have gone out to Hillsboro to really find out what ills affect the Hispanic populace (learning some Spanish along the way) yet decides to spend two weeks in Puerto Vacation sipping Coronas.
Portland Public Schools has proposed closing Rieke Elementary--its best.
The citizenry cans M28, thus telling the poor, the elderly, our kids and the State Police, to name but a few, that they are nothing more than dog crap on our shoes.
OHSU is getting that fancy-schmancy tram--neighbors be damned.
Jim Francesconi wants so much to serve his own selfish goal of having "Mayor" before his name that he (and the City Council) cans the resolution of telling Bush and Co. that killing Iraqi children is not the best thing, claiming that the world has little to do with what happens at the local level.
Huh? What a fuckstick.
I could go on and on--but why? No one cares. No one listens.
Futility. We have had enough bullshit. I cannot express my profound sadness. Truly, this is one of our darkest hours.
Brian Toye
(formerly of) Southwest 41st Avenue
WWeek 2015