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Time is the most important possession a human being can own, and then but briefly. Once time has been taken from a person it can NEVER be corrected. "What if...." will always linger. Missed opportunities can never be retraced. The only road availabe is what can be done from this point forward to help the unjustly convicted person and/or their family move forward. This may include more than money such as psychological help, acknowledgement and ownship of the government and people who contributed to the conviction and whether or not they could have done a better job or they did the best the could at the time.

I served 20 months in Viet Nam in the U.S. Marine Corps. Racism was both obvious and not so obvious from booth camp to completion of enlistment. I was lucky. As a Black Man I refused to accept a job as a cook and was prepared to spend my entire 4 year enlistment in the brig. I was fortunate to have a white senior officer and enlisted supervisor who gave me other options despite my refusal. A white Marine on patrol refused to participate in the rape of a vietnames girl in a village but was ordered by his senior enlisted supervisor to participate in the removal of the girl's clothing. This Marine reported the incident. He was charged with the rape alone with the others who actually participated in the rape. The Court ruled he was not obligated to follow or comply with an illegal order. Despite the fact that we 18 and 19 years olds spend three months in booth camp being brain washed that we do not question orders we obey them. What a catch 22 such young men are placed. I pray this Marine's conviction was over turned.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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Sadly, the state of medical care in this country is more a reflection of a lack of creditable leadership than a lack of resources. Access to medical care is a right not a previlege. We have universal telephone service because it is profitable for all the interest groups. There must be more than 50 ways to establish adequate rural health care which would involve some of the same principles as universal telephone service. People who make a decision to live in a rural environment must be willing to share a greater burden of providing medical care than those who live in urban environment. Since rural environments are critial to the health of our country those who live in urban areas must be willing to support health services in these areas. The question which needs to be answered is: What does it take to provide adequate health care in rural areas ? The requirements may be different for different geographical areas, but there is an answer. What do medical personnel need to dedicate their career or a portion of their career to a rural area ? If we had effective leadership with primary loyalty to the voters instead of special interest groups and concerns about their next election we would not be having this particular conversation. If we had enough voters who were more than one or two issue voters and who held interest of the country as a whole as their primary concern and elected officials accountable, perhaps we would have better leadership. I grieve for my city, my state, my geographical region, my country, and my planet. I still have hope we can somehow turn things around.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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From my perspective and experience its unfortunate that exposure to public inappropriate behaviors is significantly influenced by the environment in which we live and stronggly associated with socieconomic levels. I have lived in both poor and weathly communities. I witnessed and experience far more incidents of inappropriate public behaviors in poor communities than wealth ones. By inappropriate public behaviors I am referring to cars speeding down residential streets, dogs running free and/or pooping on other people's lawn, people on bikes violating rules of the road, etc. Its always dangerous to confront another adult regarding inappropriate behaviors as even being polite can result in bodily harm. Perhaps this may be a reason while people are willing to witness another person being physically assaulted or even killed without intervening. The American Constitution and Bill of Rights was strong on freedom but silent on individual responsibility to their community. How sad.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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According to Star Trek, "The needs of the many outweight the needs of the few" We, voters, were fooled by Measure 37 and "grandma". We supported the right of the individual land owner to develop their property - within reason. Measure 49 brought Measure 37 back to what we were originally told was its purpose. We, as a community have a right to set the boundaries by which property owners develop their property. This is true with respect to building codes, health codes, zoning codes, etc. The community and people who have adjacent property also have rights too. Measure 49 addresses the rights of others. The abuse of the "Good Faith" provision, I pray will be effectively and conclusively addressed by the court and/or voters, in favor of the "Best Interest" of the community. It is sad when a few creedy property owners give property owners in general a bad name. Shame on them.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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The political system has long since reached a point where it can only respond to a limited degree to the major concerns of the vast majority of Americans. How would and would the candidate be willing to commit to change the political system to reduce the influence of well funded special interest groups to ensure a signigicantly greater response to the needs of the vast majority of Americans. Such as increase energy efficiency in major areas of American life, plan for and fund critical infrastructure, adequate and affordable housing, secure borders, fair trade, enforcable and effective election rules which reduces the influence of money, etc.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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I served in U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam for 20 months. I never considered myself as having PTSD. I struggled with my problems and viewed them as solely related to me and my personality. I saw private therapists, group therapy, and therapeutic retreats, both religious and non-religious. When I had problems at work, I worked longer and harder. I periodically retreated from the world for several months to a couple of years. Disconnected from frients and family who wondered if they had offended me. It was only at the suggestion of a veteran friend and out of desperation I accidently went to a VA Vet Center. Once I engaged in counseling and realized the source of my problem, everything became clear. My historical struggles and problems made sense. This was so empowering and gave me such a wonderful feeling of hope. I could never understand why I would often be unable to watch a suspenseful movie without feeling overwhelming anxiety. Why I brokedown and cried like a baby watching "Saving Private Ryan". The VA Vet Center has been a life saver for me.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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I thank God I was born an American. I have travelled to 14 different countries in Europe and Asia. I served 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corps of which 1.5 years was in a combat zone. I have so many times I feel patriotic.
Once while visiting East Germany for several weeks I was attending a theatre in East Berlin. During intermission I encountered a group of American Army Officers in uniform. Although I was having a good time I felt such a strong sense of pride I almost cried.

At the end of the PBS News Hour they often show the names and pictures of servicemen killed in combat. I feel very patriotic and often cry from sorrow.

I feel least patriotic when I witness large groups of Americans behaving in ways which demonstrate an intolerance for people based on their race, ethnic origin, political and/or religious beliefs. When Americans belittle the founding principles upon which America stands. When I think about the spinless, self serving members of Congress. When large groups of Americans belittle their military, service in the military, and government service; and yet demands the government take care of them. When a tourist is harmed or mistreated in any way. When an American decries patriotism, refuses to stand for the flag, and has no understanding, awarenessness, or respect for the reason we celebrate Memorial Day other than a day off.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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As with so many things in life, there are no single or simple answers. A number of factors conspire to contribute to these problems. As with any culture, Afro-American culture makes a powerful contribution to these problems. In some ways despite the civil rights movement and progressive attitudes of some segements of the current and next generation of white Americans, we continue to struggle with the legacy of slavery. This is reflected in a sense of powerless, diet, distrust of whites and the system, poor living standards, poor health care (substantiated by research even when factors of socio-economic status is controlled), poor schools and education, etc. Nevertheless, we are to a very large extent responsible for ourselves. There are actions we can take, hostile white society notwithstanding, to address some of these problems, at least to a significant degree. We are NOT victims. We have accomplished much with very little. Unfortunately for Dr. Poussaint, we also have a history of turning on our brothers and sisters who confront us to give up attitudes of victimhood. I strongly support Dr. Poussaint's efforts and hope he knows the silent majority of our communities stand with him.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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RuthAlice I did follow through with your information and contacted the Oregon Department of Human Services, Self Sufficiency Branch in Portland. This is the office which administers, among other things, Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF) which is known as welfare, FoodStamp, and Oregan Health Plan (OHP). There are four (4) levels or classifications of documents which can be submitted to establish eligibility for programs. Birth Certificate is a level one (1) document. There are a wide range of documents, including affidavits. You may want to pass this information on to your mother. Any U.S. citizen, with few exceptions, leaves a "paper trail" of documents during the course of living their life. Let us not forget there are between twelve to twenty (12-20) million illegal aliens in this country. I do not know what your sense of "some small number" may be, but a relatively small percentage of this number represents hundreds of millions of dollars. Almost enough to make it real money. I would be happy to live on this amount (very well) for the rest of my life and that of my children, my children's children. etc.

posted 4 years, 12 months ago
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I would direct your attention to rading "The Disposal American" by Louis Uchitelle. You may find this very interesting. Also, a book which I believe may now be out of print, "America, What Went Wrong" which is based on a series of article by two Reporters at the Philly Iinquirer.

posted 5 years ago
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Your overall argument is right on the mark regarding the need for workers across the board to unite. I do, however, disagree with a couple of points. The most important is one I hear a lot. Whether or not there a real channel for immigrants to gain legal status is not relevant. There is no right for any citizen to enter another country. Whether or not a person is allowed to enter or to work in another country is up to that country. Yes, its sad what has happened in Mexico, Central America, Chad, Morocco, Yeman, and other countries. These countries deserve assistance from the entire world.

Most people are not opposed to immigration. A great many people are opposed to illegal immigration which the numbers are so vast as to overwhelm the labor market, social and educational institutions, and dramatically impact the quality of life for people. Being a janitor was once a living wage job in many urban areas. My father was one. Its gone. My school district shifted funds from programs for my daughter to address the needs of a sudden influx of undocumented middle school children who did not speak English. How was my daughter served. Since my daughter's education was so important we really did move to a smaller house in a somewhat isolated community with excellent schools. My daughter is now working her way up the academic chain to become a professor at a major Ivoy league university. Would she have gotten the education she needed to achieve this had we remained in her old school ? I do not know and I should not have been put in a position to be foreced to take such a chance. I tell you this, and its true, to let you know its not about abstract concepts for me, its personal - very personal.

posted 5 years ago
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RuthAlice a Birth Certificate is not the only document used to establish citizenship. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have establish their eligibility for welfare services without a Birth Certificate. Your information is simply wrong. You can contact any Self Sufficiency Branch in Oregon or go to the Oregon State official website. Dramatic argument but without factual substance.

Your thinking and logic was applied in the landmark Brownville Texas case before the U.S. Supreme Court case which established the right of the non U.S. born children of illegal aliens to attend public school. School in the U.S. have been overwhelmed with such children. The cost of providing a wide range of services has depleted the budget of many school districts. Money which should have gone to the education of legal children has been shifted away to meet the needs of this population. More to the point, such policies have served as a magnet to draw more and more non-U.S. born children to schools in the U.S.

This is not about racism. Most people who hold this view would hold it regardless of the ethnic group. You can rationalize all you want but its simply wrong. You may be willing to sacrific the needs of U.S. citizens in service to other non-U.S. groups but I am not.

Being anti-Illegal immigration is NOT being anti-immigration. There is an important difference. No country has the right to encourage or allow millions of its citizens to illegally enter and live in another country. I hate paying taxes but I accept it as necessary to support my country and community. I do not accept that I must support poeple who entered the country illegally. And who costs this country trillions of dollars a year which should be used to improve this country.

posted 5 years ago
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Scottmil, its not a stretch. Both have violated the law. One gets assistance from the city and the other does not. According to Carmen, enforcing federal law is not the job of the city. Unless she is saying the city can decide which federal laws it will enforce and which it will not. In this case, federal laws only apply to local governments acceptable to local governments. I didn't know that. Women engage in prostitution to feed their family and are probably as hard working as any illegal alien and yet they are prosecuted. Why ? If you have an acceptable justification for violating a law then you should not be held accountable ? If I break into your house and clean it should you be required to allow me to stay ?

posted 5 years ago
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After listening to Carmen Rubio evasive and self serving responses to the concerns of many tax paying citizens I am even more disturbed and upset. The city is an accessory to a crime and she states the its not the city's job to enforce immigration or tax laws. Neither did she address the issue that many of these workers live outside, leave trash outside, use outside as a toilet facility, and other behaviors which do not contribute to the liveability of the community in which I live. Carmen she consider just being direct and honest that enforcing such laws represents a barrier to Potter's objective of looking like a good guy at tax payer's expense. The city is an accessory to a crime. This is not debatable. Poeple rob banks to feed their family. Why does Portland Police respond to robbery of federal banks ?

posted 5 years ago
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This arrangement is illegal and wrong. We claim to be a nation of laws and that no one is above the law. This arrangement can only increase people's lack of faith in the law as they observed laws being disregarded in the name of political expediency. The law requires employers to validate the legal status of workers-period. The law requires earned income be taxed-period. The current state of the economy is a source of anxiety and fear for many citizens. To invest tax dollars and to not enforce existing laws in this regard is a slap in the face to every citizen. Perhaps more effort should be made to connect these jobs with unemployed and unskilled citizens and/or teenagers. How about ignoring the law regarding overnight camping in city parks ? If enough people camp out will this null invoid this law ? Can any officer decide to cherry pick which laws they will enforce and with whom ? Can we be given a list of laws elected officials can ignore if its deemed by them to be in their polical best interest. We can then make a better decide during their run for office.

posted 5 years ago
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Leigh, I believe the point here is that fathers are becoming more nurturing and engaging in behaviors which have traditionally been linked to mothers. Giving birth to a child does not turn a woman into a mother any more than the donation of a sperm turns a man into a father. It is the dedication to consistently and appropriately meeting the moment-to-moment and day-to-day needs of a child the makes a woman a mother and a man a father. Single mothers have been acknowledged for being both mother and father to their children.

I have worked with families for more than 30 years in a wide variety of roles. I have been a substitute father to more than half a dozen girls who are now women in their 30's who still contact me on a regular basis. I have taught parenting classes, sex abuse groups, therapy groups, etc. But thing cold have prepared me for the joys of fatherhood and being with my daughter everyday and to participate in her evolution into various developmental stages. Let fathers have their day. It taks nothing away from mothers/women.

posted 5 years ago
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I believe the focus of the conversation missed one of the most important points (Admittedly, there are several) and that is the sadness that foster care even exists. The ultimate responsibility for the existence of foster care rests with the entire community not a state agency. Equally sad is the fact that dispite repeated new coverage in both print and electronic media, both have failed to educate the public about how the system actually works, what are the conflicting elements, and why the system fails to achieve its stated purpose. And its not because of the problems of one agency. Responsiblity rests with the legislation which governs and drives the system, funding for the system, the competing interests in the drafting of the legislation and funding, lack of local and larger community responsibility, the judicial system, lack of accountability of parents and extended family members of the children, educational system, etc. Its easy to select any single entity and totally miss the real point much to the continued suffering and destructiveness to our vulnerable children. How sad that we have failed them and continue to fail them. And people wonder why incarceration continues to be a growth industry.

posted 5 years, 4 months ago
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