Eyes on the Prize, People, Eyes on the Prize
Kristin Teigen
There was a fair amount of uh, discussion this weekend between well-meaning (hopefully) and spirited Democrats who support either Steve Novick or Jeff Merkley. Just to make sure we stay focused on what the true fight is all about, I thought I would post a few reminders about Gordon Smith.
In 2005, the National Forest Protection Alliance listed the eastern Oregon Malheur Forest as one of the most endangered in the nation. Despite all of this, Gordon Smith continues to push for timber sales in the area, refusing to heed evidence about decimated salmon runs and over-grazed, over-logged lands.
While he has worked his hypocritical fingers to the bone to earn Human Rights Campaign endorsements in the past, he has supported judicial nominees who have long histories of enforcing legalized homophobia, and he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act.
He voted for the two men, John Roberts and Sam Alito, who were instrumental in a ruling (Ledbetter v. Goodyear) that effectively struck down a woman’s right to equal pay. Many in Congress are seeking to correct this ruling with the Fair Pay Restoration Act, but it sits languishing while our supposedly “moderate” senator does nothing.
Even though the United States stands perched on the edge of another recession, Gordon Smith has unwaveringly supported George W. Bush’s economic policies. As Bush contemplates another budget-busting “stimulus” package, I am afraid, very afraid.
While Smith lists seniors as a key priority on his web site, saying “Seniors should be cared for in their golden years,” he has voted, time and again, against important senior health care and service programs. Considering that many of his contributors include the PACS of pharmaceutical companies, it’s clear to see where his true loyalties lie.
He has consistently voted against a woman’s right to choose. This includes his support of the Federal Abortion Ban, outlawing so-called late term abortions even if a woman’s life is in danger.
OK, what else?
Just a few more quickies. He voted to drill in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. He voted to cut funding to clean up Superfund sites (Willamette River, anyone?). And don’t even get me started on Iraq – I’ve used “hypocritical” once already.
So, as we continue our advocacy for our preferred Democratic nominee, let’s make sure we save enough energy for the really important fight.
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3:33 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
What is this? A reasonable post? Horrors!
3:49 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
This is something I think is good about where Jeff Merkely is on the connection between rural economic development, green-collar jobs, environmental conservation and how that all is tied into the seriously off-track foreign policy (most specifically in the middle east).
Investing in bio-fuel research (with an emphasis on cellulosic ethanol) production instead continuing down the dead-end of reliance on of foreign oil, can bring real and sustainable economic rejuvenation in timbered rural areas, and will better preserve forrest than the call for resuming logging. Our dependence on foreign oil as grossly perverted our foreign policy, and it is also a far more dirty fuel source than the types of bio-fuels we can generate from undergrowth thinning instead of timber harvesting by shifting our forest policy which is currently a mess. The needed thinning which doesn't currently yield much in actual timber products but will lead healthier forests, is a possible win-win for both conservation and lower sustainable timber production and bring life back to rural communities and reduce the dependence on Federal timber payments to barely keep form becoming ghost towns.
Jan 22, '08
Kristin brings up just a few of Gordon Smith's classic flip flops and his rampant political posturing. Whoever wins the nomination will be a better advocate for Oregon.
Check out Smith vs. Smith for more Smith flip flops.
4:48 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
Thanks Kristin. Very much.
Jan 22, '08
Smith has not been forthcoming regarding his role in the Klamath Basin salmon-kill, and his efforts to surreptitiously gut the Endangered Species Act ("sound science" baloney).
He also refused to be a co-sponsor of legislation that would have required Senators to electronically (not just paper) file their campaign contributor data. John Ensign (chair of the RSCC) used a poison pill to kill this legislation (even though the House does files electronically and has for years). Wyden was a co-sponsor - but not Smith. Smith wants to try to hide who his contributors are.
5:43 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
I'd feel guilty about interrupting this kumbaya moment but NO WORRIES! lestatdelc has already done that for me to slide in a moment of primary partisanship! Thanks for that, Mitch! It's all about what's good for Jeff Merkley!
Because we just haven't had enough of that lately.
Gordon Smith is a bad senator and needs to be replaced. Novick and Merkley would both be highly qualified and excellent replacements, although for ideological and stylistic reasons some of us have preferences between them. Let's not dwell on that part of it for the next 15 minutes please, so we can all take a deep breath.
5:55 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
Actually it is about what is good for Oregon and the nation, and I think those ideas which Jeff has put forward are good for Oregon and the nation. If you disagree then by all means post away. I have literally hundreds of posts stating that Novick or Merkley would be anything but vast improvements over Smith (and still hold to that). Because I point positive ideas that Merkely is putting forward ideas to address numerous interrelated issues which this particular post by Kristin Teigen is not a slam against Steve Novick or anyone else, nor should it elicit a pavlovian need to slam someone posting something that is both on topic, and positive about one of our highly qualified candidates. Not sure why that is so problematic for you Stephanie.
5:57 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
Correction:
Jan 22, '08
I liked Kirsten's post. I had a negative reaction to lestatdelc's postings. I am not a political junkie or a rabid partisan supporter of anyone. I only came to this site on the suggestion of a friend and have been reading (lurking?) for several weeks. The meanness, partisanship and bickering is quite....discouraging, I guess. I don't mean lestadelc's posting only, but others as well. I want to be informed on progressive issues, but I may not have the stomach for some of the hostility here. Can anyone suggest a "kinder and gentler" site where there is still informed discussion? Or is this it? Some of the people reading at this site may not be as politically polarized as some of the writers. Do you want "normal" people to read or is this site only for the rabid? I am sure I will take a lot of shit for this post, so have at it. I will go have another beer.
11:07 p.m.
Jan 22, '08
So did I.
Sorry you felt that way.
1:32 a.m.
Jan 23, '08
Lurker, I'll be surprised if anyone gives you grief. A lot of other people feel the same way. I suspect even some of those most responsible do. There seem to be some very strong motives at work to have the last word, leading to endless repetitions.
2:26 a.m.
Jan 23, '08
Lurker... Hang in there with us. We're in a primary season, which tends to draw out the nastiest intra-family squabbles. (And I include myself in that critique.) It'll all get much nicer around here when we turn our fire on the right wingers.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for informed and polite discussion, you might try Democracy Talking.
Jan 23, '08
Hey Kristin,
Who is this Gordon Smith guy? He sounds awful!! :)
I linked to your post over at WMD.
Thanks
Jan 23, '08
Clearly Gordon Smith is infinitely preferable to those sleazeballs inventing phony endorsements from nonexistent organizations, and I expect Blue Oregon to issue an official endorsement of Smith forthwith.
Jan 23, '08
I hereby endorse Gordon Smith as the best candidate to be returned to the fields of Oregon to grow veggies. Go Gordon, but don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.
3:20 p.m.
Jan 23, '08