Ummm...right.

Someone needs to man up here...that fellow's a ringer, ain't he? Their just letting him put that stuff out to lull Democrats and liberals into complacency, aren't they?

C'mon now...

His main point fits in with the two Republican talking points I keep encountering:

1.) The only explanation for why the Dems won in 2006 is Americans are too stupid to know better.

2.) Everything is great. The war is great; the economy is great. Americans are just too stupid to see it.

Man, 2008 is going to be a great year.

Something tells me the illegal immigration "menace" will become for the GOP the new "homosexual agenda" (remember Saxton's cynical exploitation of the issue?). What's Lon Mabon up to these days?

I love how his writings show how the author is barely literate. If Republicans "take back" the state legislature in 2008 will they promise to give our kids reading and writing skills comparable to his?

There's more goodness where that came from, specifically over on nwrepublican.blogspot.com, where he posted this as well in a discussion about Merkley vs. Smith. Read it and weep:

" Rick Hickey said...

"Gordon is favored to win in a state that approves of Bush at about 30%--- you think the Dems won't be able to hang that around Gordo's neck?"-Verisoe

DEMOCRAT controlled Congress have a LOWER approval number than Bush.

Name Recognition? Yeah I know this guy sat on many many Bills, including Mandatory Employer verification of Immigration status(Cancelled a Hearing on hb2715 even)
that would have stopped the Identity Theft(Swift foods)
Licenses/Photo ID to anyone(9-11 Terrorists')
Child KILLERS/Molesters(July 4'07 12yr. old girl Likkin)
and put American/Oregon workers to the front of the line, not the back.
Yeah I remember his name and will work hard to make sure many others do too.
Sincerely, New Vice-Chair, Marion County R's. "

Wow! I wonder if someone has already turned me in.

When I read what he writes, I sense that the R's in Marion County have been usurped by the Evangelical Right with a healthy dose of the thinking (if you can call it that) of the Libertarians.

The closer you are to the fringe, the more transparent you become.

Most of my family are Republicans, and they are not like this guy. I feel sorry, somewhat, for a party that has allowed itself to be so usurped as have the R's.

Most of my family are Republicans

As is mine. The change was subtle over the years, (or maybe it's just me), but righties like Hickey bear little resemblance to even the most conservative of my red state relatives. Although self-identification as (R) in Oregon is on the decline, it's important to remember not to demonize everyone or everything GOP. There's a political world of difference between the Hickeys and my family.

Just one more bit of evidence (not that any is needed) that today's Republiscum Party is completely out of touch with the thinking and aspirations of most Americans. These clowns are so far out of the mainstream, they're floundering around on the bank.

Frank Rich of the NY Times put it well: The Republiscum "base," he said, consists of "grumpy old white guys watching Bill O'Reilly in a bunker."

Wow, someone ought to warm up a cot for me in Cuba!

Jeez, just when you think all the fun is gone from politics, we get the Communist thing again.

-- But this sort of stuff works with a certain population. Here in Prineville, last year, I was walking to my mail box in the lobby of the post office when I heard two guys talking. One was explaining to the other that the local Democratic Party was trying to get the edge in voter registration by tracking down every new "Mexican" family that moved to town, and signing them up. -- At the time I was the Chair of the County Party. So I went over to the two guys and said, "Hey, that's just not right, where did you hear that?" A vauge link to the Republican Party was laid out, and a challenge that I didn't know what I was talking about. So, I said I would know as the Chair of the Crook Co. Democrats if it was true or not, and it was not true - and if you thought about it - could not be true. I was then called a liar, etc - But not a Communist.

So, what's up with that - is there a previously unknown Communist cell in the Marion County area?

You guys are wasting time and space commenting on the ravings of the Vice-Chair of the Marion County Republicans? How many whackjobs does this guy have any significant influence. 30-40 people tops? Kari, one is judged by the issues and arguments to which they chose to devote energy, and the competence one brings to that, I think we have a lot of evidence here on which to make some incredibly unflattering, but totally deserved, judgements.

Don your Freedom Beanies and spin those Power Propellers, oh Valiant Marion County Republicans! We've got Godless Communist Evil-Doers to quell!

... what a dork.

Sounds to me like someboy hasn't been getting enough sex lately. Or, perhaps he is withdrawing from meth?

You guys are wasting time and space commenting on the ravings of the Vice-Chair of the Marion County Republicans?

Hey, the guy's obviously one of deepest thinkers in the party, and a fair representation of the attitude and agenda of the Oregon Republican establishment, right? I think every concerned Oregon voter oughta be made aware of what they're saying.

You guys are wasting time and space commenting on the ravings

I couldn't disagree more. Shedding light on vermin is exactly what we need to do. It rallies the left and slowly chips good ol' ma and pa Republicans away from the strangle hold of the far right.

Case in point... I've been practically estranged from my big sister in Jackson County since the OCA's measure 9. Back in April i read here on BlueO how the (R)ep from my old home county had been comparing the Virginia Tech tragedy to the passage of HB 2007, the Domestic Partnership act.

I then blurbed on it at my blog. It was just a short entry. The man's bigotry spoke for itself and a backlink to the BlueO post told the rest of the story. Since then there's been an evolving discussion in my family (which has avoided talking politics since i went to college). Long story short, i got a sweet birthday card from sis last week and for the first time in her life, she might no be party line voting (R).

Keep up the exposure. It's not just whackjobs who these whackjobs influence. It's ma's and pa's and sisters and brothers who are simply lost in the dark.

56 State Solution

It's this sort of embarrassing lack of mental capacity and mindless sheep mentality on the right that absolutely prevents me from registering as a Republican. They ought to be hanging their head in shame - and they would if the condition wasn't so wide-spread.

The good news is....

Has anyone even tried to contact the Marion County Republican Party? Maybe they have an email list of a few hundred but there is basically no organization.

So yeah, this is an interesting email and all but c'mon... this guy isn't even pulling in a paycheck so give em' a little slack (not too much).

We've got bigger things ahead of us and it is not kicking the opposition when their down (in this manner at least).

Let's keep staying on our issues, talking about our issues, and getting results.

The more I think about it, the more I like Mr Hickey. I think Mr Hickey is good for Marion County. When I read what he stands for, I think I see a hickey on Senator Jackie Winter's neck, as well as Mayor Taylor and most of the City Council, and Mr. Hickey certainly clarifies the actions of the Marion County Commission.

Dear Senator Winters: Was it as good for you as it was for Rick?

Alright, so the fellow is barely literate. This is to be expected, as most intelligent, educated Republicans spend their time making money, not doing volunteer politics. I think it's good that Republicans care about freedom and independence. Perhaps someday they will understand that freedom and independence are more than not paying taxes and exploiting others at will. Perhaps someday they will notice that militarism and nationalism threaten freedom and independence more than social programs and regulations on business. Perhaps.

As for scurrilous Republican campaign tactics, as Sal Peralta describes, these folks, as worshipers at the capitalist alter, believe that winning is everything. Truth and honor don't show up in the bottom line, which in this case is winning elections. Karl Rove is not an aberration, he is an archetype.

Wow! I had no idea there were so many Martians and Venusians here. Illegally at that! And Commies too! I, and fifty-eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-two of my bros, thought we ended that menace in 'Nam.

Perhaps someday they will understand that freedom and independence are more than not paying taxes and exploiting others at will. Perhaps someday they will notice that militarism and nationalism threaten freedom and independence more than social programs and regulations on business.

Amen.

I am surprised at the amount of ink people have wasted commenting on Mr. Hickey. If he represents the Vice-Chair of their Central Committee, the Republican Party in Marion County is in deep doo doo! Were I the Chair of that group, I would make sure to confine Mr. Hickey to an undisclosed location (for security purposes a la Cheney), and happily feed him Pop Tarts and Kool Aid until the Rapture. Since I am fortunate enough to be the Chair of the Marion County Democrats, I do not have this particular problem. My very able and competent Vice Chair, Sarah White, is a wonderful spokesperson for promoting the core values of the Democratic Party and has been a tremendous help in building and organizing the party.

We have a great many challenges ahead and it always seems like there's never enough time; but one thing you can be assured of, here in Marion County we keep our eye on the prize and won't be distracted by the likes of Mr. Hickey.

Once upon a time, Oregon was ruled by liberal, thoughtful Republicans like Mark Hatfield and Tom McCall. Alas, those times seem long since gone. We are now confronted with the desperate, lunatic ravings of a right wing wacko who falsely perceives himself as a genuine Republican and the saviour of his party in this GREAT STATE OF OURS. Bring it on.

Mr. Hickey is a one issue guy...Illegal immigration (I know he spoke to other issues, but his issue is illegal immigration).

As America saw in the "comprehensive immigration reform" defeat, the issue crosses the politcal spectrum.

I suspect that issue and Mr. Hickey's willingness to consistently, vigorously agitate (activist), propelled him to the position.

While it is easy to criticize and lampoon Mr. Hickey's style and general rhetoric, the issue itself has incredble power (Congressional phone lines shutdown by crush of calls before the final vote).

Was it fun for center/left activists to snuggle up to George W. Bush on immigration, knowing all the while that about 50% of Democrats were against the "amnesty" bill?

And probably many more Democrats would've been against it, save for the support of the Senate Democratic Leadership and other national Democratic leaders?

Is it comfortable for supporters of amnesty to realize working conditions (wages and safety) and number of jobs for blue collar Americans are adversely effected by illegal aliens?

Is Mr. Hickey the most eloquent advocate? No.

Does that deminish the power of the issue with average Americans? No.

Average Oregonians? Not likely.

So, Mr. Hickey is one of the great unwashed.

O.K. Republicans could use some lunch bucket, blue collar power.

Remember, the Republican Party started as a party for the common man. I am a Lincoln Republican, "All men are entitled to the fruits of their labor."

Sometimes, Democrats forget that pearl of wisdom quoted from Abraham Lincoln.

Maybe, some of your ridicule is a mask for an understanding that Americans and Oregonians alike, embrace the rule of law, sovereignty, and equality of citizenship.

Not open borders, cheap labor, and amnesty.

Sigh. I'm old enough to remember the days when families (like mine) often had one member as a registered Republican and one member as a registered Democrat, because back in that day, you didn't get both parties in one Voter's Pamphlet. At least that was how my parents explained their registration split when they both generally voted the same way (or at least claimed they did) in the general election.

That was a long, long time ago (like the Sixties).

But then, it was also possible to be a principled moderate Republican in that day. I was an intern for Wally Priestley (D-Portland, Wally for the Revolution! who lived up to his socialist principles by banking with a worker-owned bank), and happened to be talking to Clay Myers (moderate Salem Republican) who, when he heard I was working with Wally, praised him very highly and clearly held him in high regard.

Times have changed, and not always for the best.

To torridjoe: Here's your answer:

Rasmussen poll June 4-5, 2007 23% favor current bill Survey of 800 likely voters

Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll June 5-6 Solution to illegal immigration problem is to enforce the current laws. General 58% Republicans 65% Democrats 50% Independents 62%

41% of Democrats wanted overhaul 10% of Democrats didn't know

Commentary on Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll: Fox News while conservative, demonstrated favor toward the "comprehensive immigration reform" bill because corporate power wanted the bill.

Rasmussen poll was a telephone tracking poll that trended against the Senate bill.

General comments to torridjoe:

Still calling it "so-called amnesty bill?" What happened at the end is that as more and more citizens looked at the Senate bill, it became clear it was an amnesty bill, so that's why opposition increased all the way to the morning of the final vote, culminating in that historic shut down of the Congressional phone system.

Your comment "so-called amnesty bill?" reveals that torridjoe knows amnesty is a dead loser with Americans and Oregonians.

You can't even own up to a bill that was clearly amnesty, but in good Orwellian 1984 tactics...Up was down and down was up.

torridjoe: How did it feel to cozy and snuggle up with George W. Bush? Did it taste good to go down on George's big pole? Come on, it's O.K. tell me about it.

torridjoe: Same for that big corporate power, you down with that cheap labor?

So torridjoe, you're O.K. with throwing blue collar Americans under the bus. Apparently you're willing to cut their wages, and make living wages less available to lunch bucket Americans.

Feel good about that?

Apparently nothing can get in the way of your ideology. Blue collar Americans get in the way...Well, throw them over the side.

That brain tumor must be getting bigger all the time.

Torridjoe: For your information the United States Senate today voted 89 to 1 to add 3 billion Dollars for border enforcement to the homeland security bill.

Even the Senate Democratic Leadership has got the message from the American People: Enforce the border.

You should get with the program.

Democrats... are drunk with power and can't get on the 12 step program because they hate God.

Well bless his little Republican heart!

THAT's my problem! If only I had known sooner.

<sigh>

Oh, and to everyone who's basically saying, "Don't worry about him; he's a whack-job!":

Er, have you ever hear the vile drivel that comes out of the right-wing hate-monger mouthpieces? (Rush, Hannity, Coulter, ad nauseum...) They make this guy sound down-right sensible...reasonable...thoughtful

And if you think about the millions of people who believe what those people say, over and over, every day, week after week, year after year, then I think you'd see that we'd better not dismiss this guy.

What we need to do is what the Edwards' did when Coulter spewed her bile in their direction; call them on it. Call them the hateful hate-mongers of fear, ignorance and oppression that they are.

The Republican Party; the Party of fear, ignorance, prejudice, lies, greed, hate and oppression.

That's the truth that comments like these will expose.

I'm all for border enforcement. Let's build a fence - from Eureka California to Eureka Montana.

What's that matter, anon, you afraid to put your name on it. Everyone knows, well… maybe not everyone… apparently, what the gals think when they see some yahoo driving down the street in some jacked-up de-engineered suburban assault vehicle (with a cell phone stuck up thei rear). EYup, No Dick. The chuckles of course led to the philosophical question of the week: what are we guys too think when we see said jerk-off toolin' down the street in such with a hood icon a perfect representation of the human female reproductive system?

To torridjoe: I should leave you to twist in the wind, but your tortured, distorted logic deserves a response.

I suggest my interpretation of the poll numbers make more sense, but other readers can come to their own conclusion.

But to say enforcing the present law is compatible with the defeated Senate bill is beyond stretching.

Go to the internet and check out the Rasmessen poll for yourself(follow the trend over time).

"Opposition is generally centered among xenophobes of the far right."

15 Democratic Senators voted against the bill. Do you really think the Democrats would vote against it, if opposition was only far right xenophobes?

Gordon Smith used your Dictionary definition of amnesty(while he supported the bill), until he was repeatedly hammered with the political reality. You and Smith should compare notes.

Blacks' Law dictionary has a definition of amnesty, its first example is the 1986 amnesty. The '86 amnesty provisions and the parallel provisions in the defeated bill are substantially the same.

You didn't support the bill because it was "too harsh". You do drink far left Kool-Aid.

I agree with you on the guest worker provision, that was a door to cheap labor and dangerous inequality.

I actually agree with torridjoe for once. Amazing!

I better get a checkup for a brain tumor.

To torridjoe: "pandering"? Sounds more like democracy in a representative republic to me.

OR

Gee wiz, Democrats pandering to far right xenophobes? Ya, makes sense to me. Not.

Although, when I think about it, "Democrats pandering to far-left socialists like you...See it all the time."

"too harsh", "pandering" to built the fence, seems you're down with La Raza...Wait they supported the bill.

To the left of La Raza...Quite of feat.

Your analogy suggests you are an open borders guy.

Fortunately, fringe left-wingers like you have no power...Oh, I forgot, except in the Democratic Party.

Scary!

Wow! Sounds like Hickey's lost it. I had no idea I was a Godless, Communist, mafia-loving, money robbing, illegal-alien supporter.

2008 is going to be a good year for Democrats. I can't tell who is a more compelling advocate for Republicans: Hicky or Anon. I'm just glad they're getting their message out.

Torrid Joe and the brave anon-(ha)

I had very mixed feelings about the immigraton bill as it stood, and I am not a xenophobe, and actually I am hispanic.

Mexico is a corrupt oligarchy that has the option to export their desparately poor. Like the word or not, these folks are refugees. They come to the US, are only slightly less desperately poor, and send their money back to their country of origin to support their families. This is all the direct result of the USAs economic policies in Mexico.

US corporations have a great supply of cheap and illegal labor. Remember that Del Monte plant in North Portland? Wouldn't it be great if that were a source of family wage jobs? Del Monte and their ilk will search for the cheapest labor possible- legally or illegaly, and I find that immoral.

Who do we blame for this? The refugees themselves? Our government knows that if we built that border wall, the Mexican government wouldn't last 6 months before it is overthrown. If we built that border wall, corporate profits would decline-If we arrested every illegal and sent them home, we have to deal with the children born here that are citizens AND fellow Americans- like it or not. Guest worker programs are merely imported slave labor that we get to send home when their usefulness is over. Mexicans in the US may not assimilate partly because they know that you don't want them here. I am a Democrat that was against the bill- we need a better dialogue on how to handle this, not a 30 second soundbite. Do any of us really know the particulars of that bill?

Question? I have read most of the comments and I see a lot of writing her about this guy being out there, lots of bashing, lots of “He’s to the Right” But what I don’t see is anyone writing about what he said. He is saying that Oregon Dems support Unions that are Mafia like and how they control this Oregon Government. Is this true? As a democrat of this state, do you think the Unions are two powerful? I don’t see anyone defending this? His comment “Oregon will not become a Communist State no matter how hard the Dem's keep trying to do so” is only defended once in all the responses I have read. Since nobody defended this statement I assume that Oregon dems are ok with this, that, people see this party as being more communist like, is this true? And he says “It's OK people, the responsible, keep the money YOU earned & put American workers 1st” Basically saying that if you earn your money you should keep your money instead of paying more taxes. We all know taxes are necessary but how much is too much? At what point should people have to pay more taxes so that the people not making very much money can have the same services as those who make good money? Instead of yelling at this guy and saying he is stupid and out there, I think we need to step up and identify what we believe in, otherwise we are accepting that we are ok with what he is saying. I believe the unions are too powerful in this state, what can you do? I am not a communist, this I know And taxes, I do pay and I do get services for them, do I get value for the money I pay, very little.

I think most people know the fence will be nearly useless.

I disagree that there is a majority who oppose a fence or wall on our international borders (not counting illegal aliens and their illegal employers). But accepting the premise for the moment, i am very curious to understand the belief that it wouldn't work to control the flow of undocumented immigration, assuming that's what TJ meant by "useless".

Anyone?

I thought pretty much everyone had already grasped that a 13-foot ladder rendered a 12-foot fence pretty useless.

Let's face it, we're going to spend billions building a useless fence that will make us feel better about..what exactly, I have no idea.

And let's not trot out the terrorism b.s., unless we're also going to be building a useless fence along the Canadian border.

To torridjoe: The fence does two things: One, it does act as a physical barrier(at the border next to San Diego, the fence has reduced smuggling of drugs and people 90%, and reduced crime 53% in the city of San Diego).

Two, it sends a powerful symbolic message that America won't tolerate illegal aliens.

The 12 foot fence and the 13 foot ladder sounds good as a sound bite, but in reality, a double fence (like the one at San Diego) works.

The symbolism only works with consistent, rigorous interior enforcement, and enough fencing so that going around, isn't practical.

The analogy of a fence on a horse corral isn't accurate, and does a disservice to the intelligence of the illegal aliens.

The point is to send a message in every way possible that illegal aliens won't be tolerated and that it's futile to even try to illegally cross the border.

A fence is one component or element in sending that message.

Until the word South of the border is, "No go, I can't get across and if I do, I can't get a job(money)," America will have an illegal alien problem.

But that message can be sent South of the border. It takes political will and after the fight over amnesty it appears there is the political will.

I expected most people would understand

Again, i'm not wanting to get into a discussion on what the majority opinion regarding the merits of a physical barrier supposedly is (i'm not aware of any recent surveys).

What i do want to say is that i have personal experience with physical barriers on international frontiers. It is in fact possible to hinder the free flow of people across borders. Undocumented immigration need only be, say, cut in half and the illegal employers who currently benefit from exploiting immigrants will pressure Congress (ie. make good on their campaign contributions) to pass comprehensive reform.

"Reasonable voters from the right and middle and left want a safe community, living wages to support families, public safety, good schools K-16, health and human services, health insurance and most important mutual respect in our democracy." - Paulie Brading-Democrat leader. "Public Safety"; 12 yr. old Linnick Killed via an Illegal Alien, July 4th 2007. One of thousands killed via an Illegal alien. Over 1,000 in State prisons in Oregon are Illegal aliens. Marion County has over 50, Child Molesters, Drug Dealers, Rapists, Identity thieves, that have an ICE hold because they are an Illegal alien of ALL Races/Ethnicites from all over the World, that would NOT be here if Democrats supported enforcing the law.

"Good schools"-Oregon has had over a 250% increase in non-English speaking students, now over 61,000, failing because of old fashoined Bi-lingual programs, Democrats such as Betty Komp (Chair of House Education subcommittee on "innovation") refuse to consider Immersion, even though California, Arizona and "progressive" Mass. are having great success with Structured English Immersion. Salem-Keizer schools waste over $10,000,000.00 per year on these programs that hurt ALL Students and have an 80% failure rate per 3 yr. study by Dr. Hargett. This hurts both students, Immigrants; who do not assimilate are destined for Poverty and your tax dollars for support. American students who are burdened with a class room of students that cannot communicate and slow down the class and Teachers now forced to be proficient in a foreign language or lose their job.

"Living wages"; Del Monte foods is a good example of why companies are not required to pay a Family wage, they can hire desperate "refugees" instead, because Democrats refused to pass hb 2715, to require Employers to not hire Illegals. It is called supply & demand, even my Public education taught me the greatness of Capitolism long ago. Reduce the supply of Labor and wages have to increase, hello? (ps, we allowed over 620,000 Visas last year(uscis) and for many years, we have a immigrant guest worker program already that has limits for a reason silly) DEMOCRATS continue to do nothing to STOP the flood of cheap desperate laborers, Republicans have tried.

Sticks & stones will break my... Yes, your name calling only proves how you have NO solutions and you are NOT tolerant and are very ignorant if you think I am Racist. LEGAL immigrants should not have to compete with Illegals for Jobs, Education or social services, But they are, because Democrats refuse to take away the carrott to come here (licenses, jobs, etc.)

DEMOCRATS in the U.S. Senate just stopped another Bill to fund more Border Patrol and SECURITY laws, because Republicans would not agree with AG Jobs or DREAM Act Amnesties.

<h1>1 reason for increased Gov't spending? Illegal Aliens.</h1> <h2>Jobs, Education, Health Care, Taxes, Crime, Civil Rights...Illegal immigration is NOT one issue, but keep thinking that way so us real Republicans can get control back and help Oregonians and legal Immigrants.</h2>