Quick Hits: A little high-fructose news
Kari Chisholm
Some tidbits for your mid-week consumption:
- Susan Castillo is running for a third term as state Superintendent of Public Instruction, according to OPB.
- A legislative committee has released draft language for the ballot titles for Measures 66 (pdf) and 67 (pdf) - the revenue measures passed by the 2009 Legislature and referred to the ballot by a coalition of large corporations. Predictably, the opponents are squawking, even though the language is accurate.
- Rep. Nick Kahl has endorsed Karol Collymore for the appointment in HD-43. From his statement:
“All three candidates for House District 43 bring a wide array of experience to the table, but Karol is the only candidate with a tangible record of success in public policy,” said Kahl. “We can all probably tell someone what is wrong in our community. The more important question is: who can identify and implement real solutions at the state level? Karol's skills, experience, and drive would be an excellent addition to the Legislature.”
Representative Kahl also commended the Multnomah County Democratic Party (MCDP) for nominating three strong candidates, “The Multnomah County Democrats have faithfully fulfilled their obligation to put forward a field of excellent candidates that best represents the values of our party and House District 43. Now that their job is done, the Commission must decide who will accomplish the most for the people of the district,”said Kahl.
- Strobe Talbott was Bill Clinton's deputy Secretary of State, where he was tasked with managing the U.S. response to the breakup of the Soviet Union. He's now the president of the Brookings Institution. He'll be speaking at the World Affairs Council of Oregon on Thursday about President Obama's foreign policy. Learn more here.
- Congressman Greg Walden is the first member of Congress diagnosed with the H1N1 swine flu. He announced the ailment via Twitter. More from the Hill. Feel better soon, Congressman.
- Governor Ted Kulongoski goes fly-fishing and talks renewable energy.
- WW's Jonathan Crowl reports that Oregon resident Lynn Bradach has been named the U.S. spokeswoman for the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines. Her son, Travis Bradach-Nall, was killed by a cluster bomb in Iraq.
- Here's the rundown on the Medford gubernatorial forum, from the Mail-Tribune's Paris Achen.
- Who knew? Apparently, high-fructose corn syrup is going to take center stage in the governor's race.
- The Corvallis Gazette-Times has some tough words for Chris Dudley and Steve Shields, two guys who want to make Governor their first elected office:
As election season heats up, we're starting to hear variations on a theme that is becoming depressingly common across our political landscape: The idea that candidates with limited or no political experience will find that to be an asset when (or, more likely, if) they are elected.
Let us be blunt: It is not.
...[W]e can't help wondering what Shields' reaction was to those job applicants who appeared before him with no direct qualifications, confidently declaring that freed them to be independent thinkers.
...Don't misunderstand us: We're not saying that Steve Shields or Chris Dudley couldn't become successful governors; we don't know enough yet about either man. But if that success happens, it will be despite their lack of political experience, not because of it.
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4:58 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
“All three candidates for House District 43 bring a wide array of experience to the table, but Karol is the only candidate with a tangible record of success in public policy,” - Nick Kahl
HA HA HA.. oh wait.. he is serious?
And to think I phone banked for the guy.
5:06 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
I know both Lynn and John, and they work tirelessly for this cause, one which is critical and just. I hope everyone here is motivated by the ongoing horror and carnage against civilians (and even our own military forces) long after conflicts end and look into how they can help the campaign to end landmine and cluster bomb usage.
Oct 20, '09
Thank you Rep. Kahl. I think Karol really understands one of the most important issues facing the people in HD 43 (funding for crucial services). The cash-poor county is hamstrung by state preemption laws that restrict their ability to raise the revenue needed for valuable services. Those services are vital and Karol will fight for their proper funding.
5:29 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
Posted by: seth | Oct 20, 2009 5:19:59 PM
Really?
Advocating setting up a poor farm out in East county is one of the most important issues facing the people in HD 43?
or
So wanting to eliminate charter schools, and override local school boards from Salem is another one of the most important issues facing the people in HD 43?
Who knew?
5:50 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
Mitch: We can argue whether or not Karol is the only one who has a tangible record of success in public policy. But Karol DEFINITELY has it.
I've said before that I think Lew would be a very good fit for this district. But frankly, I think Karol would be very good, too. You have expressed a lot of strong opinions on these threads with this appointment. I understand that you believe that Lew is the superior candidate. But your dismissal of Karol demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of Karol's talent and ability for this position, which are formidable.
I'm not especially convinced to take a second look at Lew when his supporters are defacto disparaging of Karol in these threads.
6:05 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
I note, from the Mail Tribune article, that Shields said: "We need to create more businesses that compete nationally and internationally… The reason we need to do that is we are a small state, and we need to bring income in from outside of Oregon." He’s right. He did not, but should have, further said that to sell more internationally we need to improve substantially our foreign language programs in our public schools.
Shields, in Kari’s live blog, also said “We need to move forward in schools on technology” and spoke of joint classes between Corvallis and Burns. He did not call, nor have the other candidates, including Susan Castillo, for a statewide virtual school. For more on this, see my blog post “Why don’t we have a statewide virtual school?” (here)
Oct 20, '09
All three candidates for HD43 have much to offer--a record as progressive Democrats and a desire to serve their communities. The question comes down to who will be the most EFFECTIVE at the state level over the long term. Where Karol stands out is her depth of knowledge of state and county issues, her drive and determination to see projects through to completion, and her ability to find solutions to complex problems through her level-headed collaborative approach. Karol will be more capable of navigating the complicated and often stormy waters in Salem while delivering results to the citizens of HD43 and Oregonians overall. She also has an exceptional track record of innovative solutions to environmental issues while working for Jeff Cogen, and a finger on the pulse of the younger generations of Oregonians. Karol is a rising political star, and now is the opportunity for the Board of Multnomah County Commissioners to seize the moment and put her to work for the future of our state.
Oct 20, '09
I've known Karol for many years and have worked side by side with her on a number of causes. She's a tireless public servant with terrific skills at crafting and moving public policy. Not only has she worked hard in all the positions she's held here in Oregon, her past work as a policy analyst for the New Mexico legislature will serve her well as a state legislator. She's super smart and keeps up with a multitude of issues that she's passionate about.
Karol would not only represent her district with fierce determination, she would represent our county and Progressives across the state. And she's a wonderful person who walks the talk in terms of her values and beliefs.
I never understand that vitriolic tone of some of the anonymous posts on this blog, and especially on an issue like this where I think anyone who runs for public office deserves respect and thanks. Certainly all the candidates for this position deserve that. They are all worthy, but in my book, Karol is the best choice for her experience, fresh perspective, and smart, determined approach.
Oct 20, '09
I have a question about the goal of education. Is it to train students to solve problems, think for themselves, and aspire to careers where they can become successful professionals?
Or is the goal for students to learn subject matter content in a setting which saves taxpayers money?
Some education is labor intensive--SMART volunteers help young students with reading, some schools have tutorial programs for secondary students.
Some subjects involve adult feedback: proofreading and rewriting multiparagraph essays or letters, or teaching concepts like corresponding angles, alternate angles, and their relation to parallel lines would be 2 examples. Anyone who has ever been involved (parent, classroom volunteer or tutor, teacher, etc.) in helping students achieve the "aha! now I understand!" moment with such learning has the right to ask if a statewide virtual school is the ultimate answer for such students.
It may well be that virtual schools have many good ideas, may help many students, may be the future of education.
In 1999 I took a graduate class titled "Emerging Informational Technologies". At the end of the term, we had a class discussion about whether the class could have been as effectively taught online.
The first half of the class was taught by the prof, the 2nd half by students presenting their 2 term projects: 1 about a particular new technology (using multiple forms of technology to present the information) 1 as part of a panel discussion ---each person chose a particular famous person in technology, these famous people were grouped in panel discussions of folks likely to have presented panel discussions together themselves. We then presented the topic assigned through the eyes of the person we had selected, and then answered questions from the class.
I happen to believe that teamwork, proofreading and rewriting assignments, and learning basic concepts in math are important parts of a current secondary education.
If someone wants to explain why online education does a good job in such circumstances, I am willing to listen. I'm sure it works well for people in rural areas trying to learn a language or for AP classes.
We deserve to have intelligent debates about education. "Why doesn't Oregon have a statewide virtual school?" does not alone provide such an intelligent debate.
Oct 20, '09
"...[W]e can't help wondering what Shields' reaction was to those job applicants who appeared before him with no direct qualifications, confidently declaring that freed them to be independent thinkers."
There was a rather disgusted GOP pollster/consultant on a CSPAN after-election panel discussion late last year. She went into some detail about the interview process with her firm--takes half a day at least. She said maybe it is time for Republicans to take the same approach to their candidates--"why are you qualified for this position?". Sounds like good general advice.
Oct 20, '09
Travis John written by Kate Power, performed by Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry at The Kennedy Center.
The story how it was written. You can listen to Kate's recording at the link.
Why the US has not signed the treaty is a an indication of how fucked up we are.
7:57 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
"Mitch: We can argue whether or not Karol is the only one who has a tangible record of success in public policy. But Karol DEFINITELY has it."
On this I must fully support Carla. It's not giving Karol her due to decline to even truly consider her fitness for the job. She's got what it takes--the decision is over everyone's personal preference for style, what qualities are most important, and any issues that are deal-makers or -breakers for some folks. Reccanize!
8:26 p.m.
Oct 20, '09
@LT, I think I agree with about 90% of what you say. I especially agree that there should be an intelligent debate about the role of online education and the desirability of creating a statewide virtual school. My call, in my post "Why don't we have a statewide virtual school" (here, again), is really for the legislature, not me and you, to have that debate. If they know that some students can be educated online for 25-75% less than brick-and-mortar students, why are we not pursuing appropriate online uses more aggressively. Why, when we are trying to pass tax measures to get more money for schools, are we not pursuing every educational cost savings possible?
Oct 22, '09
Rep Walden may have the swine flu, but he'll be OK since he has the benefit of belonging to a public health care program that all members of Congress enjoy. Lucky bastard!
Oct 23, '09
thanks for all admin very good
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