Blogtown, PDX

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Election 2008 Sho Gets… Smacked Around

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Sat, May 17 at 12:02 AM

Jonathan Maus at BikePortland.org put up a side-by-side comparison of Sam Adams and Sho Dozono on bike issues, after he’d had a chance to sit down with Dozono to ask him how bike friendly he’d be as mayor, and how he’d show leadership on the issue (as transportation commissioner, Adams has already had tons of play on BikePortland). Maus doesn’t make an endorsement; Instead, he puts the info out there to inform voters, and he asks his readers for their thoughts.

The interview is astounding. Dozono, for starters, tells the city’s premier bike publication—hello, it’s called BikePortland—that there are more important things than riding a bike. While this may technically be true—and pandering in the opposite direction is just as pathetic—it’s a terribly dismissive statement.

Another excerpt:

I asked for one concrete thing he would do but he steered his answer to a subject knows well — tourism. Dozono said he knows how to make a city attractive to international visitors [like Amsterdam is known for bicycling for instance].
He mentioned how bike-friendly China is and how all the train stations there are full of bikes. I interjected that now, many Chinese are moving away from riding bikes and that to keep them riding would take bold leadership — much like Adams has shown — in order to withstand the car companies moving into the market.

When I mentioned Adams, Dozono was quick to remind me that Portland’s commitment to bicycling was started long before he Adams took office, saying that other leaders like Tom McCall and Earl Blumenauer “get a lot of credit”.

Dozono then gave himself credit for leading some junket that thought about “how do we really market Oregon as a bike-friendly destination.” (Nevermind the people who live and bike here every day, apparently.)

And the comments—25 so far—spell big trouble for Dozono. Except for the occasional “he’s a nice guy, but…” there’s not a single positive thing said about Dozono.

This one dissecting the “Sho Get It. Sho Gets It Done.” slogan is my favorite:

The part “Sho gets it,” is intended to mean that Show understands big business’ frustration with Sam’s willingness to represent the will of the people, rather than just the people with the money, and to do creative things that enhance the uniqueness and safety of Portland for everyone. Sho, if elected, will reverse that and ensure that business interests get what they want - an opportunity to make more profit at the expense of the public good.
The part “Sho gets it done” is purely ironic. It’s a reference to the fact that he has never, ever accomplished a single thing in public service. Also, in his chosen field, Sho has succeeded chiefly in defrauding children, bankrupting his businesses, and, of course, tax delinquency to make a political point. He can’t tout any of those things, so he refers simply to “it.”

Great slogan, huh?

Also… Ultra PDX, a fashion/design/culture blog, just put up a post with similar sentiments. Saying “we’re going to talk politics because this is an emergency,” Ultra urges a vote for Adams.

We’re about to elect a new mayor. This is simple, electing Sam Adams will ensure a strong voice for arts and culture funding as well as a continued commitment to expanding the creative capacity of our beloved Portland. The alternative is the candidate endorsed by Potter, Sho Dozono, who has no stated arts and culture policy. It’s not even mentioned on his website. Yikes.
If you haven’t cast your ballot, please do it. If you have time to help elect Adams, now is the time.

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Comments

Seriously. Sho spells bad news for portland. Vote for Sam. Really.

Posted by zac | May 17, 2008 2:01 AM

To be fair, Sho does have a section on his website about Arts and Culture. It's little more than boilerplate, though...

Posted by Matthew | May 17, 2008 7:56 AM

I thoroughly expect Sam to do the same thing that Vera did - cater to the people profiled in Stuff White People Like, but ignore roid-raging brutal cops, bridges (except the ones linking Trendy-First to the Pearl), and people other than cultural creatives.

Posted by Aaron V. | May 18, 2008 6:59 PM

As the bllaots are due tommorow, this may be a little late, but here goes anyway...
First off, in response to Amy's last printed article in the Mercury Hall Monitor.
What she terms as 'political prudence' seems to neglect the fact that the bridge issue just wasn't a winner with the voters. It would be naive to think that Sams people haven't done any polling on it, and took notice of Sho's position, and thus CHANGED their position.
I understand Sam is also re-considering his street tax too now. He SUDDENLY is noticing what many others have noted about the state of the economy... something Sho had picked up on already. Hmmm, a good quality for a Mayorial candidate, huh?
More troubling however, and extremely DISHONEST is Amy's reporting on Sho being endorsed by the Republican Party
(the lesser of two evils for them)...
whille NOT NOTING that Sho is a life-long registered DEMOCRAT.
As a Democrat, I know that equating anyone in this town with the Republicans is about the same as calling someone a commie during the 50's.
Your readers, Amy, deserved better work from you on that. Or, at least fair reporting.
As far as J. Maus article, and excerpts, he obviously is ignorant or being dishonest to state that Sho hasn't accomplished anything in public service.
I mean, I guess being a High School Educator doesn't count, right? Or, in some small way trying to heal the wounds of 9/11 by organising for Oregonians to show some support,
etc etc etc.
It is unfortunete that Sho doesn't have the practiced oratory skills of Adams, but having met the man several times, he can be articulate and thoughtful out of the bright lights.
But supporting Adams is one thing.
Intellectual dishonesty is another Amy, and I'm calling BULLSHIT on you.

Posted by frank | May 19, 2008 10:16 AM

I am not comfortable have a clone of Vera Katz as Mayor. First it is obvious that Adams likes to operate without much public opinion. The only reason why millions were not spent on the bikes project was because Sho is in the race and holds him accountable.

Secondly, as a Queer activist, Adams is on the Q center board, Governors Task Force, Basic Rights Oregon, all three of these hard working organizations are insulary. These organizations are run without any other voices except for them without any public input.

Then they have Just Out newspaper who strokes them and does not challenge their behavior and write about the groups behaving in a clickish way and not representing all of us. This is a fact.

Sho has won the Martin Luther King award this last Spring. What humanitarian awards has Adams won?

The gay rights movement in Portland has been and still ran by a few that Sam supports. Sho Dozono used to be a teacher. Is this not a public service position? The bottom line is Jobs, jobs, jobs and if Sho gets into office, Adams might get a clue of the job market.

Not a Good Queer on Google

Posted by Lee Iacuzzi | May 19, 2008 3:49 PM

Although I understand some of the last writers objections, I think he is turning this race, and his argument, into too much of a sexuality issue.
Byron Becks last article in Wilamette Week exposed Sho has a gay son, but chooses not to flaunt this - out of what I believe - respect for the privacy of his son and a unwillingness to pander to the gay vote.
That having been said, if Sho were to be having dinners with a young girl with the excuse of 'mentoring' he would have been crucified. It is funny that this revalation also came from within Adams own camp.

Posted by frank | May 19, 2008 5:38 PM

Amy, what have you to say to this?

Posted by frank | May 19, 2008 5:47 PM