Interesting. So Luke is pro tax? Has the AOC taken a position on the measures yet? If they don't support the tax hikes then Luke - who is conservative - will be left in a very odd position in a year in which he's running for re-election.

There's been a rumor floating around that the local planning commission members - many of whom Luke helped to appoint - see Luke as too liberal and may plan to run someone to his right. If true, this may fuel their fire.

Or... it could turn out that if AOC supports the tax hikes (the right move from a county services perspective) Luke can claim to those who say he's too liberal with his tax policies that he chose to stay in line with the counties, even if just as a matter of solidarity.

And what about Nelson? Any way you look it at, that's a dubious relationship. Maybe Deschutes County will rethink this relationship?

This is three good stories rolled into one!

And how could a "man of integrity" as Commissioner Baney puts it, continue to feel that it's okay to play both sides on this? Perhaps more importantly, how can Deschutes County feel it's okay to allow him to do so against its own interests?

On November 12th, Kari wrote: ... the fact is that there are organizations who are represented in the Capitol by lobbyists who are working against their interests. The judges, for example, already dropped Nelson. The question is: how many others will do the same?

Good question.

Hey. They're politicians and talking out of both sides of their mouths is standard operating procedure.

Carla, Just in case you haven't looked (because I didn't get back to you until today) I have accepted the terms of your counter-wager over on the 66-67 thread. Dave

Torridjoe is right, the rift is an interesting story and perhaps of much broader importance than the lobbying conflict.

Conservative county commission supports 66/67? That's a big deal. Fairly though, it's not the "commission" that's supporting it, but one commissioner giving a quote for an off-topic article on his intent to seek re-election. One wonders if this is a solid public statement of support, or an off-the-cuff statement made without really thinking. Either way, it's incredibly candid and revealing. And it's on the record for all to see.

And again it makes me wonder whether the AOC is going to back him up, counter him, or just stay silent. I hear that they're being lobbied pretty hard. If AOC supports the tax increases, that would be a big deal.

It's just such a clusterfuck--and I'm terribly fascinated to see if the people of Deschutes County are seeing what's going on here.

Agreed. Like I said in my first post, three (at least) very interesting stories in one here.

To Jack: Many, many qualified lobbyists out there besides Nelson.

And anyway, this is the operative point: An attorney doesn't work for two opposing clients at the same time. That would be unethical. Nor should lobbyists.

You've already said lobbyists are like lawyers in what they do, so how is the conflict okay for lobbyists but not lawyers? Curious.

"I know a lot of you folks want to believe that politics is primarily a morality play, but it isn't. "

Apparently, the Moral Majority and other religion-based groups since then don't share that opinion. Also, history would suggest there is something of a morality play in politics when the consequences of some political misadventures are considered. Looked at from the benefit of history World War I (initiated by a spoiled brat, Kaiser Wilhelm, and his generals who were bored with peace), World War II (initiated by a crackpot and promoted by egocentric, xenophobic and racist supporters), and the Vietnam conflict (expanded by "The Best and The Brightest) can be interpreted as morality plays.

Don't forget Korea, Bill, where we had to show will and character.

I really feel for those poor, misguided Buddhist monks that were stupid enough to see Viet Nam as a morality play, and immolated themselves.

Have to remember that empires aren't built by nice guys. The citizenry largely understands that and gets on with life. If people in Afghanistan don't want to be killed by drones, they should suck it up, pull themselves up by the bootstraps, kick out the Taliban, sell mineral rights to Western nations and get with the program! They're a "failed nation". That's like when DHS declares a family dysfunctional and pulls out the kids. No one likes doing it, but that's the govs job. Better that they act right in the first place and then we don't have to go to all that nastiness.

Definitions are nice. If someone has been drinking and has an accident, the alcohol caused it. No point in looking further. Only suborns anti-social behavior. You can't get every case right. It's the message that matters. We can't accept Afghanistan the way it is. We have to be there until it's sorted out. We are a dutiful nation, the lamp set on the hilltop. If we leave now, how are we better than the Soviets? And, make no mistake, we are better than the Soviets. Have to stay there until everyone says so. The British? The Moguls? Our empire is better. British may have been the empire the sun never sets on, but we are the empire that the sun never will set on.

Everything else is talking out of where the sun don't shine.

Didn't Nick B used to work for W. Week?

This is also fascinating, "the conservative Deschutes Commission nonetheless backs 66/67?"

Luke the legislator was not exactly a teabagger.

I believe that the petitioners are getting hit with hubris is followed by nemesis and unintended consequences.

It has about gotten to the "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" scene from Wizard of Oz. The big names behind the petition drive thought (although their "side" lost legislative and other elections the last 2 election cycles) that they ran things in Oregon.

Now they look idiotic with that "farmer" letter and other stupid moves of the campaign, and Republican elected officials have punched holes in the idea there will be no budget cuts if the taxes fail to pass?

The "brains" behind the campaign need to get out more among ordinary folks.

Clients are bailing left and right off of the Mark Nelson Lobby Ship.

Deschutes County would be smart to fire him quickly, before they get sucked down the drain with him.

Insider - other than the judges, who's let him go of late?

Lobbying "conflicts" are not an uncommon occurrence in Salem. I've never been able to figure out how a lobbyist does it when they walk into a legislator's office and advocate for an issue on behalf of one client when they have another client that has a competing interest. As I understand it: the Capitol Club, the Salem professional lobbyists organization, prohibits lobbyists from having a dual interest. However, in reality...it happens all the time. Nobody complains because legislators have to come back to the lobbyists during campaign season and ask for money for their campaigns.

When it comes down to it...Lobbyists and hookers are not all that different, they both rent their mouths for pay. And Mark Nelson is one of the best paid mouths in Salem.

When it comes down to it...Lobbyists and hookers are not all that different, they both rent their mouths for pay. And Mark Nelson is one of the best paid mouths in Salem.

How do you think Sam and "Beau" met? From the time he changed his name from Virgil Breedlove, Jr. he was on the hunt for a nice, politically connected sugar daddy. Sam may have acted like slime towards us, but people on both sides seem to miss the point about who was grooming whom.

Can we all agree that if a teen is interested in politics, and sees "chief of staff" or "lobbyist" as the best route, then we are dealing with someone that we don't need in politics?

Lobbying "conflicts" are not an uncommon occurrence in Salem. I've never been able to figure out how a lobbyist does it when they walk into a legislator's office and advocate for an issue on behalf of one client when they have another client that has a competing interest.

You know, I've wondered the same thing about prostitutes. How can they do one guy and then turn right around and give another a chew? Don't they get jealous?

The mechanics of our political system is about as awe inspiring as finding out the make and model of the scumbag Jimmy Swaggart was caught with while paying for a piece. If that is an opera, Carla, then the men's room has some pretty awesome literature you should check out!