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coastalview's comments:

on Green Buildings

Perhaps Mr. Ribeiro should give a "hard-hat" tour to one of your journalists instead.  Having lived through the beginning stages of this project and visited the area since, I have a pretty strong bias.  It's only an hour from Portland, Mr. Miller should take a drive down there, go on the tour, then interview a few neighbors.  See what they have to say about the five+ year "green" overpriced project they have lived with-- of which no current pictures are featured on the project website.

By the way, I am firmly in the green camp.  I grew organic produce for that market, own a full-electric vehicle, etc etc.  I follow all the alternative-technology progress and fully support it.  Just can't stand hearing greenwashing in order to sell their product, whether it's the never-to-be-sold Chevy Volt or Independence Station.  Thanks for listening.

posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on Green Buildings

I am amazed that the developer of Independence Station is on the air with all these claims.  We sold our produce at the Independence farmers market across the street from this project and our final year was when the "project" started... if I remember correctly around 2003.  In a small, historic, agriculturally-based town, this project which resembles something that belongs in downtown Portland tore down an old business and created a giant hole followed by industrial-scale construction complete with steel framing and tons of concrete.  And it still sits there in basically the same condition it was in a few years ago.  Is this the developer's latest PR move to sell overpriced (300's to 600's) condos in a small farm town?  Where the same money would buy a modest house and several acres of land on which a person could grow their own produce?  Geez, do some research on your guests before you believe the story they are selling.  300's to 600's is not realistic or sustainable in a town like Independence.

posted 3 years, 12 months ago
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on The Race Has Just Begun

Good to hear your point of view since you didn't get on the air. You have some interesting arguments, but can I ask what would "speak to (your) interests" as far as issues are concerned. I was wondering for instance, what drew you to Kucinich, I have supported him previously in the last 2 elections, but I find no common ground between him and McCain. You might also look into the change of VP role that has recently evolved during the Bush/Cheney period-- it is far more involved and activist than in previous administrations, like their definition of executive power, and their is no evidence the VP will have this kind of power regardless of who is elected.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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on The Race Has Just Begun

There is only one thing to consider-- Supreme Court. And it's not just about abortion rights. If you want a complete set of Scalia-Roberts-Alito-Thomas, then withhold your vote from the only check on this progression.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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on The Race Has Just Begun

I understand this point of view; my democratic family is split evenly between Obama and Clinton, with a couple Edwards voters eventually going for Obama. However I would urge you and other Clinton supporters to reconsider-- on one issue only, the Supreme Court. The next president will appoint 3 or 4 judges to the court, and this will have impacts not only on abortion but so many other issues. Labor rights, affirmative action, corporate power, and on and on. Please think about the Supreme Court when you decide whether to vote on the presidency and for whom. Thanks

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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on The Race Has Just Begun

Clinton on the ticket might make her supporters feel validated, but in the long run (both campaigning and governing) she presents a greater liability than asset. It will appear as a co-presidency, with Obama handicapped by another overly activist vice president (ala Cheney). Only this time the VP would come with a loose-cannon spouse to add to the mix. She would offer the strongest asset in her current Senate seat, with greater authority.

Obama represents "NEW, and smart" in the words of my Republican brother (and Obama supporter) to many people-- selecting Clinton as VP would defeat that potential. A good summary of the Clinton years is at Huffington Post, see Nancy Cohen's "post-mortem of Clintonism."

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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on Columbia Congestion

How is the demand for various uses established? I have a sister who lives in SE Portland and works in Vancouver, a brother who lives in Vancouver whose wife works in Portland, and a friend who lives in SE Portland and works in Vancouver. All daily commuters, all would prefer mass transit options but find a quadrupled (or more) length of commute on transit compared with car. How are these folks to be heard and enumerated? Seems like decisions are made based on current behaviors and not based on what the silent citizens may actually want as an outcome.

posted 4 years, 12 months ago
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on Stranded in Oregon

When my husband & I were camping at Tumalo State Park near Bend several years ago, we met a boy aged about 12 who was with his family (mom, dad, couple other kids) and he told us openly that they would be looking for a new place to "camp." Seems they had been staying with some other family but had to leave, it was summer so they had been moving from campground to campground until they were at the maximum time allowed (usually 2 wks). He didn't realize what he was telling us was that they were homeless.

One of the unnoticed parts of the homeless issue is the kids. Our local high school newspaper (Taft High, Lincoln City) recently published a series of articles highlighting the numerous students who were living a homeless life, unknown to others at school except trusted counselors and teachers. Most had intact families but not the money to stay housed, clothed and fed. The families stay with friends or camp, do whatever they can to get by. The kids have to try and get enough sleep and look presentable for school without letting their peers catch on, while attempting to get an education. We all need to remember it takes so little strife to land where these citizens have. In our town filled with million-dollar vacant homes, more than half the elementary school children qualify for free lunches. That's what a tourist economy provides for family-wage jobs.

Thanks octavia for your story. It is heartbreaking to think what your mom must have faced in that summer to provide for you and your brother.

posted 5 years ago
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on Primary Conversations: 5th Congressional District (D)

I would like to know how each of them as rep for the district that includes coastal fishing communities, envisions assisting these areas facing the current crisis with the fishing closure-- in a broader way than the usual "we'll get them disaster loan funding." What future steps do they see to help these communities in transitioning to a new approach that will prevent future closures-- marine reserves, improvements to river conditions, more research, other ideas? Or should we just accept the future holds a different outcome for this industry and move toward a different economic base, and how would they encourage such a change.

This closure, along with the reduction of timber payments, signals a major shift in the non-tourism economy of our coastal communities and deserves attention from the candidates. I have yet to hear of them coming to the central coast for open forum/debate to present their ideas.

posted 5 years ago
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on McCain and the Veteran Vote

I revisited this forum after a long day of work, to see if your host had found the time/effort to correct her guest's false statement about Sen. Barack Obama. I find it interesting that Ms. Harris found the time to respond in other forums on topics like healthcare, yet on this simple topic of integrity in journalism she is silent. This morning we were discussing donating to the pledge drive, but the failure to correct this falsehood has convinced us to place those dollars with another deserving media source, Free Speech TV. I am dismayed that after at least 10 separate online posts during the show, neither of the show hosts could follow up and challenge the stated false statement while still on the air.

posted 5 years ago
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on McCain and the Veteran Vote

Thanks for mentioning IVAW. There was virtually zero coverage of the Winter Soldier hearings earlier this spring, including by our "public" radio stations. What is truly missing from this discussion is a representative from Veterans for Peace, a chapter of which is active in Portland. Too bad the staff of this show didn't think to include that point of view.

posted 5 years ago
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on McCain and the Veteran Vote

I believe it's the responsibility of the moderator to correct the "facts" presented by Mr. Neuman. Barack Obama frequently LEADS his Senate colleagues in the Pledge of Allegiance. He has not only introduced but passed important legislation; for one, on ethics and campaign reform. If Mr. Neuman wishes to state that he will only vote for a veteran, that is a valid opinion-- which of course would mean that he certainly voted for Mr. Kerry in 2004 over Bush.

posted 5 years ago
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on What's Slipping Through the Cracks?

WHYS is one of my favorite programs... maybe the speakers are not perfectly selected or expert, but at least we are able to hear views from every corner of the world, including (for once) the developing nations in Africa and Asia. It is so unique that it should be retained despite its failings.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on What's Slipping Through the Cracks?

Clearly this is a "shill" post designed to malign a candidate. A few seconds research will show that this candidate is not and has never been Muslim, was raised by Christian grandparents & mother, and has belonged to the same Christian church for many years before his elected service. It would be helpful if the moderator would ferret out some of these supposed topics suggested by those who don't wish to further knowledge but slander others.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on The Future of Oregon's Coastal Waters

I am a coastal resident with a keen interest in creating a sustainable economy on the coast that will support natural resources and residents alike. Most who live here would agree this requires a thoughtful blend of industry including fisheries, tourism, and potential future sources like renewable energy. The key is for us to start the conversation and keep talking until we can get to solutions that will support us all, and that includes "inland" Oregonians who depend on our stewardship of the coast. A new report that should be considered on Oregon ocean conditions was just referenced on the NOAA site at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080215_lowoxygen.html. We all need to start informing ourselves with research like this, and carefully work toward shared solutions. Fishers aren't the only ones responsible for degraded ocean conditions-- what kind of lawn fertilizer do you apply?

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a... Secretary of State?

Listening to Darlene Hooley's response on this question the other day, I was struck by her statement that she would stick with her support of Sen. Clinton unless she was "released" by her to vote otherwise. Does Rep. Blumenauer see this as representative of how the superdelegates feel they must act-- at the behest of the person they have endorsed?

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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on District Five is Alive

As a superdelegate from Oregon, please address your decision to pledge your vote to Hillary Clinton months in advance of our state primary, rather than waiting for the outcome of Oregon Democratic voters. Thank you.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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