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September Ideas

Tuesday: September 16th 2008

Better late than never, here's a new thread for your show ideas for September. And here are a few of the ideas from last month that we're thinking about:

• Krista's suggestion about student mock elections.
• John Hunter on Woodburn Public Library's big read.
  
• Jess W's question about the switch to digital television.
• EthanPDX (again!) on the degree to which we're ready -- or not -- for a Cascadia earthquake. (One of these days, EthanPDX, we'll do it. And hopefully before such an earthquake.)

Keep those suggestions coming. We're reading them all!

Photo credit: Artiii / Flickr

Oregon Minimum Wage - $8.40 Effective 1.1.09
1/1/09 Oregon?s minimum wage will rise to $8.40 per hour. We will probably be the second highest in the nation, just behind Washington State. With the current economic climate, is the automatic annual increases approved by the voters still a good idea? While is it empathetic to those at the low pay scale, does it make economic sense for Oregon's hopes for economic growth. Small businesses suffering reduced revenues because of the drop in consumer spending does not lend itself to paying more wages for the same or less business growth. It is an ongoing issue that is socially sketchy and business volatile. Does it make Oregonians really look like, ?Dreamers?, as the state slogan says?
Paul Paz www.WaitersWorld.com

waitersworld — Fri Sept. 19th 2:35a.m.

Paul, thanks for this idea. I think it may have legs, and I'll bring it up at our next story meeting.

David Miller — Mon Oct. 13th 4:27p.m.

I'd like to hear a story about mayor elect Sam Adams. We often hear that he's got a quick temper and he's gay, but that's about all the insight we get. I'd enjoy a show about Sam, to get to know him in a non-campaign atmosphere and hear more about what his plans for Portland are over the next four years.

JeremyL — Fri Sept. 19th 12:29p.m.

Peak oil and how it affects our food source.

cassandra2 — Fri Sept. 19th 4:40p.m.

The projected major population increase for Oregon in the next 20 years, land use planning and the ability to continue produce food for the Oregon population (food security). I'd like to hear about innovative, forward thinking city planning that addresses water allocation and use, energy reduction and maintenance of livability and open spaces within cities and towns on both sides of the Cascades; that is, including but not limited to, metro Portland.

Mall sprawl attitudes need to be revised.

Maybe this is, or should be, part of the Big Look. How can we/do we want to live sustainably in our livable cities and towns of the future?

Julie T. — Mon Sept. 22nd 12:45p.m.

Re: EthanPDX, excellent topic.
How many people have really thought about what they would do if they had no water to drink, wash or flush toilets, no electricity to heat a home, cook or keep food safely stored, no available auto fuel, roads and bridges impassable making access to food, medical care or evacuation to a safer area difficult if not impossible and communications spotty at best.

What about the many people who financially cannot afford to store food? Who do not have personal transportation? What survival skills can be taught to people/families, who, of necessity, must shelter in place? Survival strategies change with the time of year and the weather. We do not need to be another New Orleans.

Julie T. — Mon Sept. 22nd 1:11p.m.

I would like to see a show about the pay raises that are being proposed for elected officials and executive state employees. Examples:

Governor Kulongoski, despite the economic downturn, is getting a proposed pay raise of over 30%, even though he already gets free housing and meals, a monthly stipend of 1,000 dollars a month, plus per diem payments.

John Kroger, DA candidate, (despite being my overall favorite candidate this election season) is also getting an undeserved pay raise of almost 30%, before he even steps foot in office.

The main justification that the Public Pay Commission is offering is that 'we need to get the most qualified people to be writing our laws'. The problem with that is EVERY person that is getting a raise was elected at the current pay scales. So it begs the question 'either these people are not the most qualified people for the job, and don't deserve raises, or we do have the best people writing our laws already, and don't need to raise the pay.' Either way you look at it, in addition to the OBVIOUS economic downturn, these raises are a slap in the face to even the most liberal Oregonian.

There are also pay raises in place for the top executive state employees, totalling 33% percent for each person from 2007-2009. Average Oregonian state employees get 4%, if anything at all. A lot of people are getting layed off or their salaries frozen due to the economic situation we are in. The same is true in the private sector These are positions that pay as much as 170,000 a year already, why do they need more???

I think this would be an excellent topic to do a show on, as it affects ALL Oregonians and is guaranteed to start a great academic conversation. I am an expert on Oregon public compensation and am willing to provide more information if needed.

textchampion — Tue Sept. 23rd 12:08p.m.

Good one.

Will Perkinson — Wed Sept. 24th 12:58a.m.

I would really like to hear a show about the possible involvement of the Bilderburgs, the Trilateral Commission, and/or George Soros (and associates) in our current economic crisis. I have never been a conspiracy theorist, but recently a lot of information has been presented to me that proves their involvement in it. Not a lot of people know about these groups, or at least MUCH about them, and I think it would be EXTREMELY interesting and informative to discuss this issue. As incredibly SECRET societies, they sure do have a lot of pull when it comes to world policies and economic issues. The public has a right to know. Thanks for the consideration.

Katie Grone — Tue Sept. 23rd 7:42p.m.

Since all we are hearing about right now is Wall Street's mess. It had me thinking, what would the world be like if the U.S. paid of it's multi-trillon dollar national debt? To be more specific, what does any of that even mean? (Multi-Trillion Dollar National Debt???)

mydaughterisbeautiful — Fri Sept. 26th 3:36p.m.

Idea #1: Lack of quality medical care=gross mistakes=patient injury/death=LAW SUITS
Please investigate youselves and use power of OPB to chip away at the old______! I even visited Salem (which is more than the state employees will do) 2 times to lobby legislators and to meet with DHS. The result? The 20 min. online 'course'
finally passed.
Idea #2 and your Bend visit:
The cultural divide perpetuated in last legis. session is disgusting and further keeps OR stuck. This has led to the native/longtime central state citizens to create their own laws...one doctor told me that 'they don't have to do something just 'cuz Portland says to'....the corruption I've observed here is astounding:
1) with 28 golf courses already here sucking up ground water, the city keeps raising water fees for homeowners
2) I'd like the Feds to do an audit of city/county $$$...these gov'ts received at least 18-20% extra income, in addition to taxes we already pay, and it's GONE...
3) While the state gov't is hampered by crony-ism,nepotism,
(Please, Healy as a 'consumer health care advocate'--hah),
the local gov't is worse: several housing subdivisions built and the city/county didn't know about'em until people moved in and tried to have utilities connected.
OR the people sent on a 'bus buying trip', not thinking to ask even other OR cities who might have done so for advice, and wasting more tax $$ on lemons.
No one disciplined 'cuz supervisor 'didn't want to hurt feelings' (all of these reported in media, but never followed up)
****And the worst outrage of all: all of Central OR Hospitals, outpt surgery centers, labs, and most clinics are controlled by: A for-profit corporation composed of the local doctors and a group of private investors(legacy logging co.,land owners, big developers) who ANSWER TO NO ONE, and break laws and endanger patients with no consequences. As the largest employer in the region (and the only one for employees), they are protected.
Up until 2000 a source has told me, nursing staff had instructions to re-use medical equipment intended for single use only--'cuz plastic can't be sterilized! When she tried chain of command reports she was told to shut up or never work in area again. Finally one day she was told to re-use contaminated equip. (from an HIV+/Hep C pt.) in a 2 yr old child...she walked out.
2 yrs ago workers at the local landfill found hazardous waste garbage(red bag--law requires incineration) in the landfill...no followup so don't know if these illegal things still happening.
****I retired after over 30 yrs as a dental health professional/then a certified medical educator. Medicine has been my passion since I was 6 yrs old/I was married for long time to a Fed'l GAO investigator, then to a doctor....
I've worked in Calif with local,county,state and federal reps to make policy, create programs, and craft legislation.......
I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT and that makes being stuck here, in Bend ('cuz houses aren't selling), even worse!



Please check my comments posted on 9/29 in regard to topic
of medical malpractice and the Bad consumer protection for patients in OR as well as the lack of REQUIRED CME for doctors, pa's and nurses. When I moved to Bend in 2001 I was shocked by the medical incompetence and ignorance I found when I tried to find a new MD.
My research led me to the Oregon Practice Acts and the reason for the majority of ignorant MDs. The OHSU medical/dental schools are also a cause as they are, in some areas, 30 yrs behind the times!
My letters and phone calls to the Medical Board, OR Med Assoc, Governor's office, and to my state 'representatives' went unanswered. My persistence finally got me phone calls from the Med.Bd.Exec Dir and the doc in 'charge' of board...after ONE years. Both of these are political appointees, including the doc, Parshley ,an OLD friend from OHSU of the previous governor/doctor. The Dir. told me "...if I didn't like the way they did things in OR I should go back to where I came from..."
Now that's why Central Or and OR in general are stuck in 19th-20th century and, given these attitudes, where even the Chief Just of State Sup Ct and Portland city club pres think of the 1970's oregon as the pinnicale of achievment?
Oh, and by the way, I called your radio station after my failure to turn on a light or brain in the 'state powers that be" and met with the same attitude and the question, "How do you know that doctors don't have to keep educated?" I explained how anyone could do the same thing I did...check your OWN STATE LAW and how thing really operate for pete's sake!!!!

benditis — Mon Sept. 29th 2:08p.m.

I am a mental health counselor with a private practice in the area. I have enjoyed your series - As We Are. I think there is great value in exploring show ideas for people experiencing miscarriage/still born. Such a taboo subject in our society but, effects many, many women (and men). What it is, means for others, inappropriate responses, etc. There is a local group - Brief Encounters that does some education. I would love to be involved in this discussion.

Additionally, postpartum issues would be a sure fire topic. Many only know if the extreme cases (i.e. Andrea Yates, Tom Cruise - ranting) but, there is so much more to be learned by the general public. The various kinds, the anxiety, the help available. I volunteer with a local group called Baby Blues Connections. We run groups and a 'warm line' for moms. I would love to be involved in this one as well.

Let's get a dialogue going about these two important yet, overlooked areas!

Thanks, Audrianna J. Gurr

ajoygurr — Thu Oct. 9th 2:50p.m.

Why don't you use an answering machine on your 1-888 line to let callers know that it is after hours and that the show they are hearing on the radio is a re-broadcast?

Not all of us listen to you every day or know when the show is live and when it isn't. I heard your show while driving home last night, and I spent lots of time listening to your phone ringing, and nobody picking up. I figured it was ringing because there were so many callers.

The on-air broadcast finally said this was a re-broadcast only at the very end of the show. Why couldn't you have said that during the break in the middle? Or, better yet, why don't you invest in an answering machine to pick up when you are not there?

Emilio2000 — Fri Oct. 10th 6:57a.m.

Good question, and I wish I could give you a satisfying answer!

We just looked into this -- we, too, would like to put up a message when we're not live -- and it turns out that because of the funny particulars of our phone system, we can't automatically hang up on callers following the outgoing message. This means that if you called up when we're not live, you'd hear that we're not live, then you'd be switched to a feed of whatever was on the radio at that time. And you could listen. For hours. From Madagascar. And we'd be left with the bill. Apparently something like this has happened before.

So the short answer is that we're all stuck with the ringing, no answer system.

David Miller — Mon Oct. 13th 4:19p.m.

Like Julie T. I would also like to see a show on food security. I think that we need to think innovatively to solve this future problem.

So let?s bring a urban agriculture system to our city to address the region?s population growth. One which efficiently utilizes land and water and produces year-round like like a multi-story hydroponic greenhouse (http://www.verticalfarm.com).

Justin Davidson — Sat Oct. 11th 5:55p.m.

Hello. I've been listening to your show for a while now and I really enjoy it. I listen to it on podcast after the broadcast or you might hear from me more. I hear through the grapevine that you might be running thin on ideas for new shows. Although it certainly doesn't seem like that from a "content consumer's" perspective, I thought I could help out with some ideas of shows I'd like to hear. I hesitated a long time before sending this email because a lot of these ideas are half-baked and not fully researched but as it doesn't appear that I'm going to get around to more research any time soon, I decided to send them off, maybe they'll be useful anyway.

I have a couple of ideas for follow-ups to shows you've already done, things I didn't hear that I'd like to. Formatting in this forum is an issue so I'll post each idea in its own reply

danielmiles — Thu Oct. 16th 7:29p.m.

Follow up to open source show:

I'm an open source developer and I advocate the model but I keep hearing about an anti-open source viewpoint that I've had trouble wrapping my mind around. For example, Microsoft's Jim Allchin says that the low purchase price of open source software could chill R&D spending and slow innovation in the industry. Jaron Lanier of Discover magazine says (http://discovermagazine.com/2007/dec/long-live-closed-source-software) a couple of different things.
[list]Because of the lack of funding for OSS (open source software), it will always be copies of dull, old technology like Unix. He admits that Linux is a very polished copy, but a copy none the less.[/list]
[list]There is inherent value in encapsulation & secrecy. He makes this argument based on a thought experiment he runs which, in turn, is based on a Synthetic Biology paper by Freeman Dyson. The argument comes down to an organizational smear that OSS efforts are too diverse; that there are too many possibilities to possibly try them all out so the only way to make big advances is to "tie down" a bunch of variables together and advance in chunks. The free sharing of information will result in too much fragmentation and not enough effort on any one avenue. Fir example, there is only one iPhone but hundreds of Linux releases.[/list]

danielmiles — Thu Oct. 16th 7:36p.m.

Follow up to "public confrontation" show.
Your philosopher panelist had a lot to say about when it's worthwhile and when it isn't to confront someone in public and how to make that calculation. On the whole, she advocated a very light-touch approach to public confrontation that involved avoiding it except in the most severe cases. I bristled a lot at that because I thought she was urging me to "roll over" and accept abuse. However, the more I think about it, the more I've come to agree with her because a public confrontation puts people on the defensive and it's not likely anything positive will come out. However, that leaves me wondering about how to affect social change. For example, how might I start a campaign to convince people not to let their dogs drink out of public water fountains so I didn't have to bring a water bottle on my run?
[list]What are Portlanders doing to affect change?[/list]
[list]What are Portlanders trying to change?[/list]
[list]What works and what doesn't?[/list]

danielmiles — Thu Oct. 16th 7:37p.m.

Green show:
[list]What are Portlanders doing to "go green?"[/list]
[list]What are our options for doing it? Is it all about buying better light bulbs and more fuel efficient cars? Are there behavioral changes that make a difference?[/list]
[list]How can we estimate our own energy use, carbon footprint, trash footprint, etc?[/list]

danielmiles — Thu Oct. 16th 7:38p.m.

"Deep-dives" into different political or social ideologies (maybe this blends with or extends your "as we are" series?).

To give a little background in this, I recently decided that it was going to be important for me to understand the religious right as a philosophy because they're such an important voting block. I did a lot of research and so far I've not seen the value, but it's my hope that greater understanding leads to greater empathy and a greater ability to negotiate and compromise. A good jumping-off point for learning about the religious right is a study by Penny Edgell found here: http://www.boulderatheists.org/resources/AtheistAsOther.pdf Here are a couple of ideas for groups that it might be interesting to explore:
[list]Religious right[/list]
[list]Libertarians[/list]
[list]hard-line capitalists/free-market-ists[/list]
[list]socialists (specifically, how have the multiple failures of national socialism in recent history changed the philosophy and belief structure)?[/list]
[list]Religious left[/list]
[list]Atheists/non-religious[/list]
[list]Anarchists (from personal experience, this is a *really* interesting group and not at all what most people think they are)[/list]
[list]Environmentalists[/list]
[list]Rapture-ists (Tim LaHay's, Left Behind, etc.)[/list]

danielmiles — Thu Oct. 16th 7:40p.m.

Comments are now closed.