Quick Hits and Deep Thoughts: Warm Napa Cabbage & Goat Cheese Salad Edition

Kari Chisholm

• It's Election Day! OK, OK... only in Washington State. But it's of interest to those of us in Oregon because they're using the Top Two primary system - which will be coming to Oregon in 2009 and beyond, if the sponsors of Measure 65 have their way. From the Register-Guard:

  Both Washington’s new voting system and the one Oregonians will consider in November give all voters the same ballot, regardless of their party affiliation. The two top vote-getters will move on to the general election, even if they both happen to be Republicans, Democrats or one of each.

• Gordon Smith continues to weasel and waffle. This time, it's on off-shore oil drilling. John McCain says he wants to lift the offshore oil drilling moratorium - but let states opt-out. Smith would like us to believe he disagrees with McCain. But Gordon says he wants to lift the offshore oil drilling moratorium - but only for states that want to opt in.

  I don't think there's even a little difference between Smith's and McCain's position on offshore oil drilling. Either way, we're lifting the moratorium - and moving the drill/no-drill decision to the states. And once again, Gordon Smith is in bed with the oil companies - and right in line with his good buddy John McCain.

• Gordon Smith puts Mike Erickson on the short bus.

• I was going to ask, "Is this really the kind of guy we want in the Oregon Legislature?" But, you know, compared to Matt Lindland, the Rev. Dr. Chef Tony Marino doesn't seem so bad... At least he's only biting veggies, not ears:

By Kari Chisholm Aug. 19, 2008