STAN "STICKY" BUNN et. al.

The Department of the Interior designated 2003 "Year of the Wildlife Refuge." The nation of Sudan declared it "Year of the South." In the Chinese zodiac, which begins Feb. 1, it's known as Year of the Sheep, Goat or Ram (why can't they make up their minds?).

We have a hunch, however, that 2003 will turn out to be Year of the Rogue. Look at the procession of scoundrels who skulked across our desk in the past two weeks:

Marching at the head of the parade is STAN "STICKY" BUNN, the former state schools superintendent ousted by voters in May after ethics officials charged him with using a government car and government telephones for personal business. Bunn says he's ready to settle the 1,433 charges lodged against him by the state ethics office--so long as Oregon taxpayers pay his $25,000 fine and his $40,000 legal bill! Hey, Stan, we'd be thrilled--if you'll hook us up with your angel-dust connection.

Then drug colossus PFIZER agreed to fork over $6 million for dubious TV ads that gulled parents into believing that Pfizer's antibiotic Zithromax was more effective for toddlers' earaches than cheaper generic drugs--even though the drug won't work in many cases because of antibiotic resistance or because antibiotics--duh!--are useless against viral infections. Kudos to Oregon's attorney general for bringing the pharma-phoneys to justice.

Meanwhile, Sherwood High School principal ROB PATTON, 34, admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy he met in an online chat room. Gives a whole new shade of meaning to being sent to the principal's office. It's even more troubling given the news that the state of Oregon has--whoops!--misplaced 1,487 sex offenders who are supposed to keep authorities posted as to their whereabouts. The computerized registry is maintained by the Oregon State Police, who blame the lapse on local police departments, who are apparently too busy, uh, responding to sex crimes to keep tabs on ex-perps.

Finally, no rogues' parade would be complete without the OREGON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION. In an effort to ban underage dancers from strip clubs, the OLCC has now made it virtually impossible for underage musicians to play in bars, clubs, or anywhere alcohol is served. Ease up on the red tape, folks--can't you tell an E-string from a G-string?

WWeek 2015