This Week in the Mercury
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
City Hall / News / Politics / Portland The Adams Protesters Keep Coming
Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 10:47 AM
The Mercury grabbed his notes after he was done speaking. They're after the picture, for your interest. 
JOHN ACREE: Was also carrying a copy of Trader Magazine...
My name is John Acree and I ahve been a Portland resident for the past 15 years. I would like to thank the City Council for the opportunity to be here this morning and speak to all of you. Thomas Jefferson once said, "He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and a third time till at length it becomes habitual."In many situations where someone has chosen to lie, like you, subsequent lies must be told in order to cover up the initial lie. And most often, like yourself, you entangle others around you who have no idea that they have become embroiled in your deceitful ways. For the validation of this you only need to ask your fellow council member, Mr.Leonard how he feels about being a part of this. Or if that does not make you feel comfortable, ask your past spokesperson, Mr.Nkrumah.
While it is true that most of us have at some point told a lie in our lifetime, I myself learned that lying was an unacceptable behavior from my mother when I was 7 years old. Apparently those same life lessons were not being doled out at the Adams family househould when you were growing up.
While many say that your love of Portland is quite evident by your hard effort and dogged work ethic, I would submit that you hold one love higher than that. That would be your love of the Sam Adams political machine. From the moment this story surfaced you have done everything in your power to try and save your own skin and ensure your ascent into the office of the mayor. There is no doubt that the election would have been dramatically different if we all had known about the level of your dishonesty.
I for one have grown tired of our society's tolerance of unacceptable behavior. The sexual grooming of a 17 year old, regardless of yours or their orientation would not be accepted if you were Mr.Adams the math professor or Father Adams the priest. But apparently having "mayor" in front of your name gets you a free pass.
As a side note, in the month of December 2008, the City of Portland's unemployment rate stood at 9%. This was the same month that you hired Amy Ruiz with absolutely no experience as your "strategic planning and sustainability policy adviser." She has gone on record to admit that she has no experience for the position albeit for one very important skill set, she was a reporter writing a story about you. Maybe I am being over presumptuous, but with the City of Portland having a population of close to 600,000 people and the unemployment rate at 9%, I would think out of the 54,000 unemployed people, someone out there had to have had "sustainability and planning" experience and wanted to work.
You have lost my trust and the trust of countless others. My choice for mayor is someone whose first instinct is not to tell lies and then engage others unknowingly to cover it up. You can rest assured your time in this building will be very short lived. If need be, I will gather every signature myself required to recall you and ensure that the only thing you will be doing in this building is watching city council meetings."
2
There's this from John Acree:
"I could care less that our mayor had an affair with someone much younger than him."
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ss…
And then there's this, from above:
"I for one have grown tired of our society's tolerance of unacceptable behavior. The sexual grooming of a 17 year old, regardless of yours or their orientation would not be accepted if you were Mr.Adams the math professor or Father Adams the priest. But apparently having "mayor" in front of your name gets you a free pass."
"I could care less that our mayor had an affair with someone much younger than him."
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ss…
And then there's this, from above:
"I for one have grown tired of our society's tolerance of unacceptable behavior. The sexual grooming of a 17 year old, regardless of yours or their orientation would not be accepted if you were Mr.Adams the math professor or Father Adams the priest. But apparently having "mayor" in front of your name gets you a free pass."
3
"Sexual Groomers - making pedophilia a household name since 2009"
WTF. Sexual Grooming. Bullshit. BULLSHIT.
WTF. Sexual Grooming. Bullshit. BULLSHIT.
5
"She has gone on record to admit that she has no experience for the position albeit for one very important skill set, she was a reporter writing a story about you."
She has said no such thing on the record. That's at best a very incorrect interpretation of the record on Mr. Acree's part, at worst, a lie of the likes of which he claims to have abandoned at 7-years-old.
"Apparently those same life lessons were not being doled out at the Adams family househould when you were growing up."
Classy... insult his parents while you're at it.
She has said no such thing on the record. That's at best a very incorrect interpretation of the record on Mr. Acree's part, at worst, a lie of the likes of which he claims to have abandoned at 7-years-old.
"Apparently those same life lessons were not being doled out at the Adams family househould when you were growing up."
Classy... insult his parents while you're at it.
6
And they're going to keep coming. Along with Adam's numerous instancing of removing himself from city educational and ethics events/associations how can anyone be blind enough to ignore his complete ineffectiveness?
7
Bob R.,
"That's at best a very incorrect interpretation of the record on Mr. Acree's part": No, it's just a lie. Like saying he didn't care about the affair with a younger person.
Ninety percent of the people calling for resignation/removal are lying about their motives. I'm sure of it. People who say "it's about the lie" would much prefer to say "it's about the sex" but feel socially constrained from doing so. Or they hated Adams from the get-go. Too bad, because the 10 percent who really are offended by the lie & the coverup deserve to have a voice, even if it gets them nowhere.
Politics makes strange & sometimes unpleasant bedfellows.
"That's at best a very incorrect interpretation of the record on Mr. Acree's part": No, it's just a lie. Like saying he didn't care about the affair with a younger person.
Ninety percent of the people calling for resignation/removal are lying about their motives. I'm sure of it. People who say "it's about the lie" would much prefer to say "it's about the sex" but feel socially constrained from doing so. Or they hated Adams from the get-go. Too bad, because the 10 percent who really are offended by the lie & the coverup deserve to have a voice, even if it gets them nowhere.
Politics makes strange & sometimes unpleasant bedfellows.
8
This dude is dumb and can not fact check.
The December 2008 unemployment rate for the Portland Metro Area was 8.1%. There are 1,037,000 people employed in that same area. So that means that there are 1,152,000 people in the work force and that 115,000 people are unemployed.
Facts are your friend, but I guess that's not a lesson taught in the Acree family.
The December 2008 unemployment rate for the Portland Metro Area was 8.1%. There are 1,037,000 people employed in that same area. So that means that there are 1,152,000 people in the work force and that 115,000 people are unemployed.
Facts are your friend, but I guess that's not a lesson taught in the Acree family.
9
I wish idiots like this would quit wasting our elected reps' time with this crap. Our democracy permits you to gather all the signatures all by yourself and do your recall, but don't impede my democratic right to have them do their job without distractions because of your moralistic attitude.
11
He sounded pretty rational to me, and like he was trying to keep it respectful (not always succeeding).
But I guess he's not entitled to an opinion though, if it doesn't agree with yours.
That's "tolerant" Portland for you.
"We're tolerant. We're tolerant."
"I don't like streetcars."
"Shut the fuck up you Nazi!!!"
But I guess he's not entitled to an opinion though, if it doesn't agree with yours.
That's "tolerant" Portland for you.
"We're tolerant. We're tolerant."
"I don't like streetcars."
"Shut the fuck up you Nazi!!!"
12
"The sexual grooming of a 17 year old, regardless of yours or their orientation would not be accepted if you were Mr.Adams the math professor or Father Adams the priest. But apparently having "mayor" in front of your name gets you a free pass."
Or maybe not actually being in a position of direct authority over Beau.
Or maybe not actually being in a position of direct authority over Beau.
13
I agree with Paul Cone! Our City Council meetings would go much smoother if the public never had any chance to comment on anything. We should probably ban them from the building too.
Back on the sidewalk! City Council is at work, peons!
Back on the sidewalk! City Council is at work, peons!
15
Blabby, he was rational and sometimes respectful except for all the places where he was factually wrong and insulted Sam Adams parents. I guess that makes for a good dialogue.
But I guess your arguments usually follow the same style, so it's right up your alley.
But I guess your arguments usually follow the same style, so it's right up your alley.
16
How is that a strawman? You guys are actively attacking the man for expressing his opinion. Paul Cone says he shouldn't even be able to do that.
"Ninety percent of the people calling for resignation/removal are lying about their motives. I'm sure of it."
Talk about strawmen.
"Ninety percent of the people calling for resignation/removal are lying about their motives. I'm sure of it."
Talk about strawmen.
18
'Ninety percent of the people calling for resignation/removal are lying about their motives. I'm sure of it.'
Well I guess it's settled then.
And if you mean people disturbed by a 42-year-old skeezing on a 17-year-old you're right then.
It's creepy.
Well I guess it's settled then.
And if you mean people disturbed by a 42-year-old skeezing on a 17-year-old you're right then.
It's creepy.
20
Cone's asking for them to quit wasting the Council's time, not that he shouldn't be able to express their opinion. Ergo, straw man. Red herring, if you like.
21
"And if you mean people disturbed by a 42-year-old skeezing on a 17-year-old you're right then": Thanks, Blabby, for coming out & saying that it's about the sex. I wish the others were as honest.
22
He got the unemployment rate wrong? Is that your big GOTCHA? How will he ever show his face again?
25
@Graham "This dude is dumb and can not fact check."
I guess teaching kids how to spell "cannot" was not a lesson taught in the Graham family.
I guess teaching kids how to spell "cannot" was not a lesson taught in the Graham family.
26
Oh I'll admit the reasons he should resign are definitely based on the lies, deception and election fraud.
The skeeziness is just the icing on the character cake.
The skeeziness is just the icing on the character cake.
27
Y'all should read the Slate article about Adams. Basically making the argument that if he were straight, he'd already be gone. There's a double standard alright, but it's not the one you think it is.
28
Q: How do you "sexually groom" a seventeen year-old?
A: Part them in the middle!
Ba Dum Dum!
Thanks folks! Come back for the 6:30 show! I'll be here all week!
A: Part them in the middle!
Ba Dum Dum!
Thanks folks! Come back for the 6:30 show! I'll be here all week!
29
@Alan Cordle
I guess understanding language useage wasn't a skill taught in the Cordle family
http://www.bartleby.com/68/4/1104.html
In the future, don't take your copy editing advice from Microsoft Word.
I guess understanding language useage wasn't a skill taught in the Cordle family
http://www.bartleby.com/68/4/1104.html
In the future, don't take your copy editing advice from Microsoft Word.
30
So, the election would have gone differently because Captain Morality would have instead voted for Dozono, the guy who stole money from a child's trust fund?
34
John Acree: thank you for your willingness to stand up for what is right and your comments were dead on. For everyone who would like to "fact check" a citizen getting up before City Council, thats hillarious. Lets fact check Mayor Adams...yep still a liar!
35
"For everyone who would like to "fact check" a citizen getting up before City Council, thats hillarious."
Why? I've been before City Council and other governmental bodies before and have had my facts checked (and my opinions countered) by others, both in attendance and via the media -- even on blogs. Such things happen all the time.
Oh, and since folks are on a grammar/spelling campaign, the word is spelled "Hilarious", and there is an apostrophe in "that's".
Why? I've been before City Council and other governmental bodies before and have had my facts checked (and my opinions countered) by others, both in attendance and via the media -- even on blogs. Such things happen all the time.
Oh, and since folks are on a grammar/spelling campaign, the word is spelled "Hilarious", and there is an apostrophe in "that's".
36
Dear Graham,
I'm sure you were thinking of Bartleby when you wrote your post using "can not" (incorrectly). Now show me a modern book with the word split in two and I'll think of you as less of a dumbass. (BTW, is that two words?)
I'm sure you were thinking of Bartleby when you wrote your post using "can not" (incorrectly). Now show me a modern book with the word split in two and I'll think of you as less of a dumbass. (BTW, is that two words?)
37
We've devolved to hunting for typos. This is a play pen.
Where's the guy who does the momma jokes?
Where's the guy who does the momma jokes?
38
Alan,
"Cannot" is occasionally split in spoken English as a way of emphasizing "not." I'm sure Graham intended it that way. So blow it out your ass. If grammar is all you bring to the discussion, you're an utter waste of bandwidth.
Bob R.,
I've been reading your stuff. You're good. The grammar thing is beneath you. Leave it to losers like Alan.
"Cannot" is occasionally split in spoken English as a way of emphasizing "not." I'm sure Graham intended it that way. So blow it out your ass. If grammar is all you bring to the discussion, you're an utter waste of bandwidth.
Bob R.,
I've been reading your stuff. You're good. The grammar thing is beneath you. Leave it to losers like Alan.
39
Alan -
How about Webster's, Random House, and American Heritage? Those three dictionaries all agree that "can not" is an acceptable form.
You can see the online summary entries at these two links:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/can…
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=c…
How about Webster's, Random House, and American Heritage? Those three dictionaries all agree that "can not" is an acceptable form.
You can see the online summary entries at these two links:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/can…
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=c…
41
Blabby,
Advice taken.
Yo mamma's so fat she was attacked by Japanese military, they thought she was Godzillas wife.
Advice taken.
Yo mamma's so fat she was attacked by Japanese military, they thought she was Godzillas wife.
42
"Both cannot and can not are acceptable spellings, but the first is much more usual. You would use can not when the 'not' forms part of another construction such as 'not only'." -- Oxford -- http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq…
Bring me the example from a book (novel or nonfiction) and I'll agree with any of you.
And my critique of his usage was not a commentary on his usage as much as it was criticism of his righteousness directed at another poster's family.
Bring me the example from a book (novel or nonfiction) and I'll agree with any of you.
And my critique of his usage was not a commentary on his usage as much as it was criticism of his righteousness directed at another poster's family.
44
@alan
My ridicule of his family was parodying Cordee's insulting the Adams family.
"Apparently those same life lessons were not being doled out at the Adams family househould when you were growing up."
It wasn't a direct ad hominum attack, it was fair use.
But... I will agree that my phrasing was unartful and could have been better written.
My ridicule of his family was parodying Cordee's insulting the Adams family.
"Apparently those same life lessons were not being doled out at the Adams family househould when you were growing up."
It wasn't a direct ad hominum attack, it was fair use.
But... I will agree that my phrasing was unartful and could have been better written.
48
tk: As I believe I said before, please show me a MODERN book with "can not." And no, a google book search producing results from Shakespeare and Sweden doesn't count.
Graham: didn't realize the parody. We cool.
Graham: didn't realize the parody. We cool.
50
You idiots are making professional trolls like me redundant. Please go back to whatever you were going before Samgate.
51
Just add a 2008 to the search. Alternatively, go put the phrase into Amazon and see modern books that use it in the title. It's not rocket surgery.
54
C'mon everyone fucks the intern. It is a historic and very much respected part of any organization that upon entry of a new and perty temp. employee boning the fuck outta em is understood as guilt free and fun for all.
55
P.s. I believe the word you were looking for is spelt "paid", you whitebread poltroon. (amidoinitrite???)
56
Actually... I was talking about the ropes you use when you're trolling. I can cite references that are non-sensicle and do a google search that proves nothing.
57
(this sort of thing is time-consuming and totally not worth the effort to satirize. i think i might go on saccatical for a week or so while blogtown regains it's former semi-acceptable equilibrium. i might pop in for caturday, however. Kiala, Graham, other old timers: hold down the fort. i love you all.)
60
If Sam goes away, then who gets appointed mayor? I'm not a big fan of Sam, but I voted for him because the alternative was even worse. Anyone remember how uncoordinated the Sho Dozono campaign was? All last minute and uninformed about the rules. Is there really someone that Portland would rather have in office? Who? I'm down with someone with some competence over my gut reaction to the whole NAMBLA scene, but damn it's crunch time and I still don't see a better alternative.
This reminds me of how Portland ran Rasheed Wallace out of town when we needed him most. Fucking Portland.
This reminds me of how Portland ran Rasheed Wallace out of town when we needed him most. Fucking Portland.
61
Garrett, that was weak, but nice try. It needs to be on topic, something about Blabby's mom trying to testify in city hall, you know, something like how they let her have 9 minutes, but only because she sat in all three seats at the same time. Or how her testimony was about the last time she slept with a 17 year old, she crushed their pelvis and got charged with murder.
Of course, those aren't jokes, those are true stories. Have you seen Blabby's mom?
Of course, those aren't jokes, those are true stories. Have you seen Blabby's mom?
63
I love you Portland and I'll be your motherfucking mayor, as long as your mothers are of the age of consent.
You want honesty? You'll get it. We'll have council meetings at Magic Gardens and everyone will have their say.
Free chicken wings during Hannukah and drag queens on Segways, Portland, I'm your #1!!!!
You want honesty? You'll get it. We'll have council meetings at Magic Gardens and everyone will have their say.
Free chicken wings during Hannukah and drag queens on Segways, Portland, I'm your #1!!!!
64
Matthew, you have a very good point. I have taken it under advisement and it is true that Blabby's mother is very fat. I will try and come up with something better once I get the memory of seeing Leonard, Saltzman, Fish and Fritz with a strap on running a train on her in the 2nd story bathroom of city hall.
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