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nwestrell's comments:

on Questioning Police Policy

I worked for 25 years in community mental health, and had several opportunities to observe brilliant and compassionate interventions by police officers with young men who were mentally ill and potentially dangerous.  These officers used negotiation and calming skills to talk these people out of dangerous situations.   These were each officers in small towns, rural areas, or suburban commununities.  Unfortunately, big city police departments seem to take a different approach to these situations, resulting in tragedies like this one. Suicidal people generally want someone to care about them and talk them out of their impulses, or else they'd already have killed themselves.  They aren't "decided" as long as they're still alive, folks!

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Paper Mills

I still get the Oregonian daily, and carefully recycle my newspaper, magazines, boxes, other paper I discard.  I try to bring my own bags to stores, but ask for paper bags when I forget.  But I'm probably using fewer paper grocery bags than I used to, because of using cloth bags.  We probably should demand paper bags and BAN plastic bags, for other ecological reasons!

Nancy Westrell - The Far Southeast, Portland

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on Measure 67

I'm without reservations here - going to vote in favor of Measure 67!  I don't think that passing these measures prevent a longer-range look at fiscal responsibility.  I would also be in favor of a limited and small sales tax on certain kinds of items, that would sunset in - say 5 years.  Maybe 2% for non-necessity items.  Necessity items would be food and clothing. This sales tax would be used to help fill out city and county budgets.

Nancy - Portland

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on Hoarders

One of my friends has hoarded and filled her home.  She still has all the clothes of her children, their toys, schoolwork - plus her own possessions.  It's nearly impossible to walk into her house, there's no chair for a guest to sit in, and she only has half a bed to sleep in because the other half is full of books and other things. There's a smell of mold that she doesn't seem to notice.

However, I think from her perspective this is a positive way to live, and it gives her a sense of safety and security.  It preserves her memories of better times, when her children were home.  I think it keeps out the hurtful world, too.  It's a bit like an emotional fortress or oasis, that keeps the world at bay, and secures the things and memories she cares about.

Viewing her situation from the outside, it seems horrible.  But when I understand her perspective, I can see it helps her survive. 

Nancy in Portland

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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on Sam Scandal

A question for clarification: Has Mr. Adams actually used city money - to pay for a consultant, public relations, or to hire a reporter to a city position - for the purpose of cover up? Use of public funds to promote a lie seems like a good reason for resigning or being impeached, regardless of whether criminal behavior occurred.

Nancy Westrell, Portland

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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on Sam Scandal

Mr. Adams has admitted lying once. Why should we believe his assertions that he waited till the young man was 18? Why should we believe him when he says he didn't break a law? Is he going to be entangled in criminal investigations for having sex with a minor? I think Mr. Adams should resign immediately.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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