If these guys are so full of crap, why are you frightened?

You protest too much.

That group is not new and is nothing but a casual gathering of like minded people organized by Jason Williams. They meet over lunch for an hour once a month, usually with a prearranged presentations of interest after some updates on what people are working on and some short general discussions. A few Q&As and that's it.
There is no membership, no battle planning and nothing for you to fear but maybe your own imagination. The Oregonian's Harry Esteve wasn't invited, showed up anyway and was asked to leave. He had no news to report but managed to write a story you apparently have your panties in a bind over.

Classic Oregonian journalism and blue fabrication.

"there is nothing like it on the Left" Sure there is. The OEA and friends, COSA, Patty Wendtz, OSBA, OBC, OBA, IPEU and many more lefty coaltions too. Coalition for a livable future etc. All working in tandem with other public employees to thwart the will of Oregon voters .

But look out for that right wing boogieman group!!!!!

Yeah right. COSA is a broad spectrum.

COSA MEMBERSHIP PLAN

Excerpt:"They have met about once a month and include some representatives of several unions (OEA, OPEU, AFL-CIO) and business (OBC, OBA) and OSBA. ....., we have come to a point of preparing some packages. One has a consumption tax at its core, another has a business activity tax at its core and a third takes major swipes at exemptions, credits and deductions in current taxes"

As usual, the AFL-CIO, the teachers union, school administrators, school board association, Oregon Public Employees Union, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Business Association working against Oregon voters.

Albert, If anyone will be making Oregon like New Jersey it won't be the 60% who voter for M37. It will be you folks, the 40%, who continue to conspire against the majorityof voters on issue after issue.

Stoking fear is the job of the Bush Administration.

That these groups have been working together and wouldn't allow an Oregonian reporter into their meeting is considered news? Must have been perceived as a slow news day.

Readers here already know that for over 3, maybe 4 decades, right-wing groups/think tanks have been working together to shape the political and policy agenda; and they have been quite successful.

Progressives have been doing a yeoman's job trying to play catch-up. Nationally, and at the state level, progressive groups work together on initiative and candidate campaigns.

Cody, if what you mean by "the left" in your post includes Marxian-inspired labor, and more radical (with a positive connotation) groups fighting for social justice, then your claim about their being nothing like it on the left holds some merit....with the emphasis on "some."

However, if by "the left" you are referring to progressive organizations that represent more established organized labor, environmental, and social-issue groups, then I would disagree with the claim that "there is nothing like it on the left, either nationally or in Oregon."

Nationally, there are groups/think tanks such as the Center for Amercian Progress, Economic Policy Institute, and many others who are doing a much better job at influencing the public debate and perhaps electoral outcomes.

In Oregon, Our Oregon, is one group working to counter attempts by the right-wing groups you've mentioned in the electoral arena. Additionally, the Oregon Center for Public Policy consistently and effectively publishes research that counters the right-wing spin of Cascade Policy and others in that camp.

Finally, those on the left-progressive-liberal end of the political spectrum reacting analytically, strategically, and tactically to the political landscape will continue to make a difference. Reacting emotionally, "It's frightening"! "It's not fair what Tom Delay is doing"! "All these right-wing groups are working together AND not allowing reporters into their meetings...boo hoo"! hurts our cause.

It's about winning and gaining power. We do that by keeping a critical eye on the right, but mostly by vigorously pursuing political, cultural, and legal power in the US and Oregon.

The state's liberal leaders DO realize the "magnitude of the problem" and a roundtable has been formed. Now perhaps if we can reduce the internecine warfare and get more of the armchair quarterbacks and reclining-chair pontificators working on campaigns in earnest, we could have some real successes at both the state and national levels.

These groups were meeting monthly in strategy sessions as early as 2000. They've been working together for many more years than that. This really is nothing new, just an attempt by Norquist to increase his clout nationally ("Look at all the coalitions I'm forming around the country! I'm so important you can't go after me for my criminal activity because without me the right wing will fall apart!").

This is the strategy for Grover Norquist's group, in fact, they even made a map (http://www.atr.org/graphics/state_mtgs.jpg).

Either Rob is very, very naive or trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

In the end, I think they should admit it. "We get together all of the big money, and conservative turn out organizations in the state and talk once a month. Just like Grover encourages us to do." (I'M SHOCKED!)

Now, I just wish they wouldn't cheat on the initiative process...

I also hope Oregonians can see the connection between Right to Life, Crime Victimes United and the Anti-Taxers. They have morphed into nothing less than an extension of the far right of the Republican party. Remember that next time someone is influenced by their wedge.

Man, you scare easily. As others pointed out earlier before the server crash, this Jason Williams-led vast right-wing conspiracy has been meeting informally for some time now.

So, Harry Esteve is asked to leave a private meeting he was not invited to attend?

That's exactly what Harry's employer will do to Ben Westlund, Mary Starett, Joe Keating and Richard Morey if any or all of them manage to penetrate the Saxton-Kulo "debate" hosted by The Oregonian and other newspapers.

• Wes

Albert: But the people here seem to like the fact that they haven't succumbed to sprawl and that certain things like mass transit and livable cities are promoted. I like living in a place that reminds me a little of Europe. JK:Actually Metro’s model for us is Los Angeles, the densest urban area in the country. Mass transit is losing market share because it doesn’t save energy and costs more than cars. (look at the real cost of a trimet monthly pass - you can buy a new small car for half of that cost). European cities sprawl almost as much as we do and car use is increasing there faster than in the US. For good reason. Thanks JK

Jon - Yes, you should be afraid of that guy (Norquist) because he's smart, extremely active, entirely dedicated, willing to break the rules to do what he believes in, well protected, and impervious to attacks.

Cody,

your forgot the part about meeting in an underground, concrete "star chamber". I've been told that it is all paid for by Monsanto Corporation.

Monsanto will sponsor a bill (once those Red Devil Conservatives have dis-enfranchised all the voters and stole the elections) to ban the sale of organic produce. This will lead to higher pesticide sales & increase profits of the chemical giant (and lead to even more contributions to those conservative nut cases).

I am terrified.

Frightened doesn't even do it justice. I've decided to plant my own garden. I'll keep old, empty containers of pesticides in my garage just in case the SVP show up (Secret Vegitable Police), that I can show them to justify my garden is in compliance.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

"We get together all of the big money, and conservative turn out organizations in the state and talk once a month"

Is this a blueclown thread?

"big money"???

Who's that? What "big money" has attended any of those "frightening meetings?

Indeed I also hope Oregonians can see the connection between Right to Life, Crime Victims United, anti-Taxers and M37,M28 M30, M36, the kicker and M5. All of which passed the voters with big majorities. By all means, run out and pronounce wide and far, the Blue oppostion to these publiclly approved measures and the organizations that made them possible. While you're at it proudly ramp up your condemnation of the initiative system and continue as champions of illegal immigration like so many of your blue electeds and blue run agencies do. I'm sure you will frighten plenty of voters your way.

Unlike so many coalitions that exist out there, this "Tax Coalition" or "Center Right" coalition is purely one that exists for those of us on the right to get together and share our collective disdain for the left, and what they are doing to our state.

All you liberals shouldn't worry too much about what is said there. It's not like we conservatives are more motivated, effective, and well-funded than ever.

But wait...we are.

Albert: JK:Actually Metro’s model for us is Los Angeles, the densest urban area in the country. Mass transit is losing market share because it doesn’t save energy and costs more than cars. (look at the real cost of a trimet monthly pass - you can buy a new small car for half of that cost). European cities sprawl almost as much as we do and car use is increasing there faster than in the US. For good reason.

Jim: I'm down for more density in the urban core. JK: Of course they plan to put more density in just about every neighborhood and block in town. INCLUDING YOURS More downtown, but significant increases along ALL streets with good bus service and New York levels of density around ALL neighborhood light rail stations. Most of the downtown development is in urban renewal areas, so ALL of the property tax from the new buildings will go to pay for their shiny new streets instead of basic city services. The rest of the city either gets to pay more, or receive less services, because the occupants of the tax exempt properties still get city services, but don’t contribute towards paying for them. Right now there is about $65million in property tax revenue not making it to the general fund because of this. This is part of the price we are all paying for high density. See SavePortland.com

Albert:Mass transit seems to be gaining ridership in Portland if my morning and evening bus/MAX commute (when I don't take my bike (which also seems to be gaining in number of bikers)) is any indication JK: What matters is the actual numbers. The most reliable is the U.S. Census travel to work report. Most transit systems are losing ridership. But trimet’s market share has increased by 1% over the last decade for which there is data (1990-2000). At that rate Trimet will have ½ of us out of our cars in only 500 years (yes that is two zeros). As to your observation: there is frequently a temporary blip up in transit ridership during gas price spikes as people decide to let other taxpayers pick up 80% of their transportation cost.

Albert: I don't think you're right about European cities sprawling as much as US cities (and, to be honest, I don't see what you gain by not telling the truth in this and the previous claim). JK: I used the term ALMOST as much and am relying on Wendell Cox for this information. You can see his presentation by downloading and viewing this: http://www.portlanddocs.com/video/RM-Cox-20P-4.rm (Requires free RealMovie player)

Thanks JK

I posted this earlier but it was lost.

Cody and others: sorry to disappoint you all, but as a democrate since I could vote (40+ years), I attended some of these informational luncheon meetings that Jason Williams host. They are not "conspiracy meetings" as you fear and no different than the many "gatherings" that democrate groups have in this state to be informed and even strategize.

It is funny how Esteve made a story out of this. I'll be sure to call Esteve the next time there is a "sinister democrate secret meeting" so that he can smear a democrate candidate and this meeting process that is common and not at all illegal.

Re: Kari Chisholm

"Tim, How's that legal trouble coming?"

Kari,

Wow, it has been terrible. I haven't slept in weeks, my friends are all abandoning me, and I can't even seem to find the time to cry...

Actually, Kari, you would be glad to know that I am not personally under investigation, nor is my business, Democracy Direct Inc. All complaints your friends have been filing have been satisfied, and the result: No criminal or civil violations found.

I know it burns you to know that we don't have to pay by the signature or commit fraud to get voters to sign our initiatives, and that no matter how many complaints filed, the result of all of them will show the same thing; nothing...oh, except Brian Platt.

You think that destroying Brian Platt is some great victory? Wow, you got a judgement against him for failing to pay minimum wage (all of which was totally based on the ficticious accounts of known felons, and lazy petitioners who couldn't "keep up"..). Congratulations for your massive victory.

The Secretary of State and the Justice Dept. have been over our books, examined our contracts, and interviewed nearly a hundred petitioners to look for examples of anything that could be construed as a violation of the law, and big surprise; nothing has been found.

All I have to say, is that I'm not backing down, and you can't intimidate me with bad press and your fairy tales of election violations, so do your worst...