No evidence yet linking Sizemore to Capitol fire
Randy Leonard
As many Oregonians are now aware, there was a suspicious fire at the state capitol building late last evening.
Fortunately, no one was injured. The extent of damage has not yet been reported, but does include evidence of burn marks on the Governors Terrace. State police have launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the blaze.
In the interest of fairness, it is important to note that there is at this time NO evidence that initiative racketeer Bill Sizemore was involved in attempting to set fire to the state capitol.
Sizemore has had many previous encounters with the justice system, including:
• An outstanding $2.5 million court judgment for racketeering
• A judge declaring him guilty of “a calculated course of criminal conduct….and cynical, criminal
manipulation of the democratic process.”
• Being repeatedly held in contempt of court
• The Secretary of State finding him responsible for systematic violations of Measure 26 (the
Initiative Integrity Act)
• Formal complaints for using carbon paper to copy voter information on initiative forms
• An ongoing investigation by the Secretary of State's office for fraud in qualifying 2008 initiatives
However, it is critical to note that to date, Sizemore has absolutely no known history of arson or attempted arson. Anyone accusing him of involvement in last night’s fire would therefore be acting without respect for due process or the rule of law -- which may be similar to how Sizemore behaves, but does not make it right or accurate to suggest that he may have been involved in a failed attempt to burn down the state capitol.
And while Sizemore has a long history of having money funneled to him and laundered through sham charities, there is currently no evidence that any out-of-state, extreme rightwing millionaire such as Loren Parks paid Bill Sizemore any money to set fire to the capitol building.
Sure, his long list of ballot measures this year target teachers, police officers, nurses, and, coincidentally, the fire fighters who saved the capitol building from burning to the ground. Many of these initiatives would also lead to overcrowded schools, crumbling roads and bridges, and loss of life-saving medical services for seniors, but there is no evidence—and I’m serious here, I mean zero evidence—that Bill Sizemore’s campaign against the people and the state of Oregon includes a willingness to literally burn down the Capitol.
In sum, despite a slate of destructive ballot measures qualified based on fraud and Sizemore’s continuing and flagrant disregard for the administration of justice, we cannot assume that Bill Sizemore’s desperate plea for influence and attention has gone beyond the range of his previous illegal activity.
So, until anyone is able to provide firm evidence that Bill Sizemore set fire to the state Capitol last night, people should resist the urge to resort to baseless conjecture and simply console themselves by telling their friends to vote NO on Measures 58 to 64.
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Aug 30, '08
Great stuff. Didn't even know about the fire until now. Leave it to Randy Leonard to come up with the perfect angle to inform and entertain...
5:31 p.m.
Aug 30, '08
Yes, I was sad to hear about the fire. The KATU news story said the governor's ceremonial office was damaged, as well as offices of his staff, some first floor hearing rooms, and a third floor room above the governor's office.
I can place the governor's office in my mind as well as the hearings rooms, but I don't know what the third floor room was. I've been in those hearing rooms a few times to testify on proposed legislation.
I'm sorry the fire happened, but I guess if it is going to happen, I'm glad it happened when few people were in the building (the janitors inside the building exited safely upon hearing the fire alarm) and before all the work had been completed.
But I guess now Smith will be complaining about how the project has gone over budget, without pointing out that it was because repairs from a fire had to be made.
5:44 p.m.
Aug 30, '08
Brilliant post!
Aug 30, '08
...We need more progressives with some edge and humor. Thanks for the post, Randy!
Can't wait to hear how the real investigation into Sizemore goes. Been wondering when that man is gonna actually end up in jail.
Aug 30, '08
hTHank you Mr Leonard for protecting the poor uninformed voting public who have no idea how to make a decision and need you to tell them what to do.
At least his intiatives don't cost us 30+ years of property tax increases like the one you wrote to save the PFDR you designed.
BTW, there is no evidence that Randy Leonard set fire to the state capitol - gee, that's funny!
Aug 30, '08
Thanks, Randy --
I will be sure not to repeat any false rumors that SIZEMORE IS TRYING TO DESTROY THE STATE CAPITOL. Although he sure seems to be trying to destroy the friggin state.
Also, any update on the syphilis rumor?
I have not actually heard Sizemore deny it, so I would like to know how to responsibly handle any questions. It's important to be accurate in these matters.
Aug 30, '08
Funniest thing I've read in a long time.
Aug 30, '08
Great. Reichstag Fire Redux!
Aug 30, '08
...only Randy Leonard is really much funnier than the Nazis.
Aug 30, '08
According to usually reliable sources, Sizemore may be under investigation regarding claims that he still beats his wife and eats puppies.
Aug 30, '08
Sounds like Mickey Kaus and his goat problem.
9:37 p.m.
Aug 30, '08
"Anyone accusing him of involvement in last night’s fire would therefore be acting without respect for due process or the rule of law."
Why not stick his name on a list and target him for special treatment, regardless, Randy?
Then, when journalists ask to see the communications relating to the list, why not deny that they exist?
Then, when you get subpoena'd to appear in court on a dure process argument...
Sod it. You get where I'm going with this.
Aug 30, '08
"You get where I'm going with this."
Sorry, Matt. I have not got where you are going for some time now.
Aug 31, '08
Bravo Randy....Naseem
Aug 31, '08
Still no proof that Randy Leonard was the balding sub who blew me at the Queen of Hearts last night. But he sure looked Randy, and a woman who looked like his wife was getting drilled in the GB Room.
Whoever he was, he sure looked good in a uniform. The drycleaners going to freak!
8:14 a.m.
Aug 31, '08
Neither has the city attorney, Ellen Osinach, who now appears to be claiming, on your behalf, that you're not the custodian of any records relating to the NLCEP case.
"Commissioner Leonard is not the custodian of any NLCEP records, so the duces tecum portion of the subpoena isn't effective to produce those documents from him. The City doesn't want to obstruct your effort to get the documents you need, so if I can figure out exactly what you're looking for, I can help you get to the proper custodian."
Still. It's nice to finally get a comment from you in response to my reporting. You've gone all quiet on this over recent weeks, and you're normally so outspoken about the merits of this program.
Aug 31, '08
Oh; hyperbole.....
I get it.
Aug 31, '08
Miguel has to be Loren Parks. I mean, come on: the Sizemore defense, the borderline-psychotic sexual fantasies, the complete disregard for any manner of taste, and of course, the senile admission that he doesn't remember which guy blew him last night.
Crackerjack post, Randy.
Aug 31, '08
Pretty sleazy stuff, Randy, per usual.
12:27 p.m.
Aug 31, '08
Ick. Not funny. Come back when you're ready to discuss the merits.
Aug 31, '08
Sizemore is not someone I admire or even like, but this is not funny. Randy you dipped the brush pretty far into the slime bucket to come up with this one.
MW
Aug 31, '08
Thanks Randy, your humor is spot-on.
Grover Norquist said, and he spends every day fighting the federal government, "to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." ...
Our mini-Norquist, racketeer Bill Sizemore, could just as metaphorically "burn down the Capitol."
5:31 p.m.
Aug 31, '08
Note to the editors:
I plan to follow up on information posted here earlier under the name of "Watson and Crick." I was hoping to get an official comment from the site's editors by Tuesday, detailing why the comment has been pulled.
It's 503 502 2106, or you can reach me at [email protected].
Aug 31, '08
Michael, about this: "Sizemore is not someone I admire or even like, but this is not funny. Randy you dipped the brush pretty far into the slime bucket to come up with this one."
Please read the David Brooks take on Obama's speech in Bronco Stadium (printed recently in the Oregonian--made me laugh out loud), and then maybe you will understand satire. Didn't you have to read A Modest Proposal (Swift?) in English class? It is THE classic of the genre.
Aug 31, '08
Sorry LT I understand satire quite well and this was not satire. Yes I have read Swift and many others.
MW
Aug 31, '08
After Randy's poorly made comments about Vancouverites and the Rose Parade, I think he'd better stop with the humor.
Try the bike shorts instead.
Sep 1, '08
This was hilarious. Keep it up, Randy. Pay no attention to the humor-impaired.
Sep 1, '08
"This was hilarious. Keep it up, Randy."
Who knows maybe Randy could find some new targets for his newly-found skill besides people he disagrees with. For a guy who is scared to go face-to-face with a police chief and has to sneak around behind her back I htink potshots like this are right in character.
PS - Usually satire makes a point beyond how petty the author is.
Sep 1, '08
Whatever else Randy Leonard may have said/done in this world, this post is highly entertaining and spot on in its satire about Sizemore.
Don't let the offpoint arrows discourage you from offering up more great stuff in the future, Randy. I laughed all morning.
Sep 1, '08
So, maybe Bill Sizemore isn't an arsonist (thanks for clearing that up, Randy), but I'm having a hard time figuring out how he's still able to put crap on the ballot given that laundry list of fraud and racketeering rulings.
And honestly, arson would be a far less destructive hobby for Sizemore to take on than his current gig--loading up the ballot with measures that would devastate schools and rural communities.
Sep 1, '08
Randy Leonard, you are amazing.
Sep 3, '08
...well...the last time I saw Bill Sizemore he had the flames of Hell lickin' at his heels. Coincidence?
Sep 4, '08
Well, as someone who is right now in Klamath Falls, where Sizemore lurks...I've seen no evidence, so far, that Sizemore set the fire that destroyed part of a chinese restaurant and lounge a couple of nights ago. In fact, he's been able to keep himself from being associated with this most recent fire of suspicious origin, although I don't know how, as we've had two recent fires in places he's known to spend a lot of time.
Sep 20, '08
The fire at the capital was caused by some dumbass union roofers who ignored common-sense safety precautions. I'm glad that prevailing-wage rule is working for us. btw - Leonard was in the fire service. He knows everybody in the state in the fire service. He already knows the cause of the fire. I can't believe portland keeps reelecting this moron.