Commissioner Nick Fish voices the same thought many of us have had lately, as he honored the Oregon Food Bank at city council today.

"I've waited eight years to quote our president," Fish said. He then recited a paragraph from President-elect Obama's election night speech. (Apparently the eight years really wore on him; this isn't the first time he's quoted Obama.)

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, its that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Then the council members each tossed a few items into a bin for the food bank. Fish put in baked beans, as far as I could tell, while Commissioner Randy Leonard contributed Tuna Helper, and Mayor Tom Potter pitched in some Rice-a-roni.