This Week in the Mercury
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
News / Politics Today In Recall Land: Leonard's "Forgiveness"
Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Recall spokesman Jasun Wurster addressed council in a shirt and tie (YES!) this morning, asking for Mayor Sam Adams' assurance that city employees will not face political retaliation for signing the recall petition. "Of course," Adams responded. Wurster said he was "deeply concerned that signing sites in small businesses across our city are reporting that people are coming in claiming that they are from the recall campaign here to pick up signed petitions. Let's just stop that, alright?"
Afterwards, Wurster told the Mercury that a site at Fix My Dead PC had been visited yesterday afternoon by a young man claiming to be from the recall campaign to collect petitions. This is the only example of the problem he could cite, so far.
Wurster also asked City Commissioner Randy Leonard to "stop being Sam's mouthpiece" this morning. "Do we really want to involve state elections on this?" he asked. I'm not sure what he meant by that part, but I think he may have been referring to state elections law that prohibits Adams' own employees from fighting the recall on the city clock. Still, how it refers to Leonard, who is an elected official, I'm not sure. Any insight out there? I'm stuck in council and can't make any phone calls on the subject for at least an hour.
LEONARD: GOT SPIRITUAL...
"I am not Sam's mouthpiece," Leonard responded. "I have my hands full controlling my own mouth."
"I don't want to get spiritual," he continued. "But my grandmother started the church of spirituality in Salem and her blood flow in my veins. And she always recited the saying judge not lest ye be judged. There but for the grace of God go I."
"Sam asked me for my forgiveness, and I gave that to him," Leonard said. "In his heart I know he is an honorable, hard-working, good man."
"I don't have friends that lie, I don't have friends that cheat, I don't have friends that steal," he said. "I don't have any friends that have not tested the bounds of my friendship."
Leonard got a round of applause slightly louder than the one afforded Wurster, at the conclusion of his speech.
In other recall news, Oregonian columnist Anna Griffin has urged former mayor Tom Potter to "put away his lightsaber" in this morning's paper. Can we quit the political Star Wars metaphors already?! Still, I agree with her conclusion:
Given their history, Potter does not look like the unvarnished good guy in this fight, like he's truly judging his former colleague solely on the lies about Breedlove.He looks cranky and even vengeful, both decidedly un-Jedi-like traits.
Feel free to suggest an alternate labored metaphor for Potter's recent behavior in the comments.
1
"I don't have friends that lie"
Actually Leonard, you have at least one. By his own admission. Merritt Paulson seems pretty full of sh*t sometimes too.
Just saying.
Actually Leonard, you have at least one. By his own admission. Merritt Paulson seems pretty full of sh*t sometimes too.
Just saying.
2
Making accusations of intimidation and foul play already? Getting excuses in early? Let me guess, the number of signatures Jasun's collected isn't going well...
(FWIW, my prediction is still that he'll get enough signatures fairly easily but Sam will win the recall vote just as easily. But if there aren't enough signatures collected it'll save the city money, with the same eventual outcome, so that's fine by me...)
(FWIW, my prediction is still that he'll get enough signatures fairly easily but Sam will win the recall vote just as easily. But if there aren't enough signatures collected it'll save the city money, with the same eventual outcome, so that's fine by me...)
4
I made a funny in the Oregonian comments section, it makes more sense if you read the recall's press release first but I can't find it on their website. It appears way down in the comments on this Oregonian story -
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/07/sam_adams_put_portland_first_d.html#preview
The Community to Recall Sam Adams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July, 29 2009
WURSTER TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THREATS TO DANCE PARTY AND PARTY ATTENDEES
(Portland, OR) Chief partier Jasun Wurster will address Portland City Council during the communications period, 9:30 AM at Council Chambers, 1221 SW Fourth Ave., to specifically request the Mayor and certain members of Council eliminate fears of retaliation against attendees of recent dance parties held in Jasun Wurster’s basement.
Wurster has held numerous dance parties in his basement in recent months all of which have been attended by only three to five people, including Wurster. Wurster has received several reports from people who said they would have liked to attend his parties but did not because they feared retaliation or losing face with the City for attending.
"City Council must understand that when citizens fear to participate in these dance parties, with even a perceived fear of retribution or shame from their neighbors, we no longer have an environment conducive to dance parties. Council must show leadership to the people who work for them and with them by making it clear that it is everyone's right to come hang out in my basement on their own time."
One of those who did not attend said parties was interviewed but asked not to be named. “Jasun is a nice guy and everything, but hanging out in his basement is not my idea of a good time.” He continued, “Yeah I may have told him that I feared Sam Adams would hurt me if I went, but I really just didn’t have the heart to tell him that his parties are kinda lame."
More...
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/07/sam_adams_put_portland_first_d.html#preview
The Community to Recall Sam Adams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July, 29 2009
WURSTER TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THREATS TO DANCE PARTY AND PARTY ATTENDEES
(Portland, OR) Chief partier Jasun Wurster will address Portland City Council during the communications period, 9:30 AM at Council Chambers, 1221 SW Fourth Ave., to specifically request the Mayor and certain members of Council eliminate fears of retaliation against attendees of recent dance parties held in Jasun Wurster’s basement.
Wurster has held numerous dance parties in his basement in recent months all of which have been attended by only three to five people, including Wurster. Wurster has received several reports from people who said they would have liked to attend his parties but did not because they feared retaliation or losing face with the City for attending.
"City Council must understand that when citizens fear to participate in these dance parties, with even a perceived fear of retribution or shame from their neighbors, we no longer have an environment conducive to dance parties. Council must show leadership to the people who work for them and with them by making it clear that it is everyone's right to come hang out in my basement on their own time."
One of those who did not attend said parties was interviewed but asked not to be named. “Jasun is a nice guy and everything, but hanging out in his basement is not my idea of a good time.” He continued, “Yeah I may have told him that I feared Sam Adams would hurt me if I went, but I really just didn’t have the heart to tell him that his parties are kinda lame."
7
Wurster told the Oregonian he's collected 4,000 of the 50,000 signatures he needs by September 25.
11
Yep. And they only claimed 2000 at last count, but predicted "exponential" growth in the number over the coming weeks.
13
I saw a signature gatherer at the most recent Sunday Parkways while we were near the food tents in a park -- she had one or two people chatting, but I didn't see if the chatters signed the clipboard or not. I wouldn't characterize the signature gathering attempt as unpopular, but it was the least-attended attraction in the park that day.
As we were departing that area I politely asked the signature gatherer if she knew whose office facilitated bringing Sunday Parkways to Portland -- all I got in return was a blank stare.
As we were departing that area I politely asked the signature gatherer if she knew whose office facilitated bringing Sunday Parkways to Portland -- all I got in return was a blank stare.
16
Is the entire city council on something?!! Amanda and gang look completely dazed and then Randy starts spouting off religious jargon that makes no fricken sense at all. Davis mercifully left out the entire “my great granny say’s he who casts the first stone…lest he be judged…forgive Sam ” mumbo jumbo that Randy prattled on an on about.
Hey Randy, no one has a problem with forgiveness but forgiveness does not absolve Sam of the consequences of his actions. Letting the voters decide one whether or not they want to keep him around is a direct consequence of Sam Adams poor choices and has little to do with personal forgiveness. I am sure there are good things about Sam Adams the person but Sam Adams the Mayor has done a lot of harm to a lot of people and has shown little remorse. This is why there is a recall campaign against him, period.
Since its grandma’s favorite quote morning at City Hall I will leave you with my nana’s favorite quote:
"Forgiveness has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has everything to do with relieving oneself of the burden of being a victim--letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to survivor."
— C R Strahan
Sign the Recall Petition, please.
Hey Randy, no one has a problem with forgiveness but forgiveness does not absolve Sam of the consequences of his actions. Letting the voters decide one whether or not they want to keep him around is a direct consequence of Sam Adams poor choices and has little to do with personal forgiveness. I am sure there are good things about Sam Adams the person but Sam Adams the Mayor has done a lot of harm to a lot of people and has shown little remorse. This is why there is a recall campaign against him, period.
Since its grandma’s favorite quote morning at City Hall I will leave you with my nana’s favorite quote:
"Forgiveness has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has everything to do with relieving oneself of the burden of being a victim--letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to survivor."
— C R Strahan
Sign the Recall Petition, please.
17
This was a funny post from the Oregonian, it comes after the third time they posted list of where you can sign -
Posted by General360 on 07/29/09 at 12:23PM
"Your Home: You set the date You set the time Jasun Wurster will come to your home, if you can get five friends together who want to sign the petition. Call Jasun at 503-799-7919 to schedule a time."
Haha. Or call Dominoes Pizza and order a large pie. Jasun Wurster will also show up at your house in 30 minutes or less or the pizza is free.
That kid seriously needs a hobby or a girlfriend.
Posted by General360 on 07/29/09 at 12:23PM
"Your Home: You set the date You set the time Jasun Wurster will come to your home, if you can get five friends together who want to sign the petition. Call Jasun at 503-799-7919 to schedule a time."
Haha. Or call Dominoes Pizza and order a large pie. Jasun Wurster will also show up at your house in 30 minutes or less or the pizza is free.
That kid seriously needs a hobby or a girlfriend.
19
@blownspeakers:
Let me name a few. Beau Breedlove and family, Wade Nikrumah, Portland voters, Bob Ball, fellow commissioners (by their own admission Nick Fish and Randy Leonard), Carolyn Becic, John Venzina (its sucks to be accused of a henious crime like rape, imagine how you would feel) Sho Dozono...need more?
Let me name a few. Beau Breedlove and family, Wade Nikrumah, Portland voters, Bob Ball, fellow commissioners (by their own admission Nick Fish and Randy Leonard), Carolyn Becic, John Venzina (its sucks to be accused of a henious crime like rape, imagine how you would feel) Sho Dozono...need more?
20
WWeek Murmurs is reporting that former Oregon governor Dr. John Kitzhaber will put further gubernatorial aspirations on hold to endorse Jason Wurster for Governor of Oregon in the 2010 election cycle.
21
@Bob R you erroneously corrected your own grammar. Please now chastise yourself for the mistake.
"Whose turds are those on my yard, Rex?!? They're YOURS. Bad dog!"
"Whose turds are those on my yard, Rex?!? They're YOURS. Bad dog!"
24
So there are 2,000 signature (per Matt Davis above) or 4,000 (per BlackedOut above)? I've seen about 5 different figures so far - does anyone know what the number of signatures really is?
25
Sunday parkways has been a labor of many hands and to suggest that without Saint Samuel we would not be enjoying the event today smacks of partisanship, which I thought you absolutley incapable of, Rob.
Tsk.
Best recall experience ever:
I pass a group at a table, call out in a brisk, nonchalant way, "I'm circulating a petition to recall the mayor, are you interested?"
Man replies "can you tell me why would I would wan't to do THAT?"
Smiling, I apologize, sorry, afraid i don't have time to debate...
Response..."Well I BET you didn't vote for OBAMA, either, did you???!!!!..."
The fuck? What is the median mental age of Portland hipsters, anyway? 10?
Something about this place has their brains softened, like the underbellies of whelks...
...but wait, do whelks have underbellies?
PS funnest place to get signatures is in NOPO bars, around 11 pm.
Not a hipster to be found.
Tsk.
Best recall experience ever:
I pass a group at a table, call out in a brisk, nonchalant way, "I'm circulating a petition to recall the mayor, are you interested?"
Man replies "can you tell me why would I would wan't to do THAT?"
Smiling, I apologize, sorry, afraid i don't have time to debate...
Response..."Well I BET you didn't vote for OBAMA, either, did you???!!!!..."
The fuck? What is the median mental age of Portland hipsters, anyway? 10?
Something about this place has their brains softened, like the underbellies of whelks...
...but wait, do whelks have underbellies?
PS funnest place to get signatures is in NOPO bars, around 11 pm.
Not a hipster to be found.
26
"Smiling, I apologize, sorry, afraid i don't have time to debate..."
"Sign this."
"Can you tell me why?"
"Nope."
I PREDICT SUCCESS.
"Sign this."
"Can you tell me why?"
"Nope."
I PREDICT SUCCESS.
27
This comment thread is pretty disappointing so far; the real action is over at the Oregonian. Here you got pussies like Blabby talking about lying (boring!), over there they're going straight to the killing fields of Cambodia and the TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF PORTLAND! That's the kind of otherworldly insanity I expect from recall nutjobs, not quibbling about signature counts or whatever.
Come on you Blogtown assholes, let's see some froth!
Come on you Blogtown assholes, let's see some froth!
28
"Something about this place has their brains softened" It's all the beer and weed the smoke all day while not working.
29
gonetorio is the Birther equivelant of PDX politics. According to this wonderful human being, "Adams wasn't properly and democratically elected, because he wouldn't have been elected at all without lying".
Therefore accoring to gonetorio, we don't need a recall campaign. We need a criminal investigation into the great fraud being perpetrated by the City of Portland and the Elections Commision to foist this fake mayor upon our population.
Other wonderful statements from gonetorio:
"Sam Adams has single handedly launched a culture war"
"Time for a WTO in Seattle fucking explosion!!!"
"Jasun, passionate, warm, brimming with a good vibe, and like a minor god striking at the heart of cynicism and apathy...and, fashionable, by Portland eclectia standards..."
Therefore accoring to gonetorio, we don't need a recall campaign. We need a criminal investigation into the great fraud being perpetrated by the City of Portland and the Elections Commision to foist this fake mayor upon our population.
Other wonderful statements from gonetorio:
"Sam Adams has single handedly launched a culture war"
"Time for a WTO in Seattle fucking explosion!!!"
"Jasun, passionate, warm, brimming with a good vibe, and like a minor god striking at the heart of cynicism and apathy...and, fashionable, by Portland eclectia standards..."
30
I would just like to point out my comment on this from several weeks ago when they had 2,000 signatures. Then they needed to be gathering at a rate of 675 a day to make it to 50K. 14 days later they are at 4,000. That is 142 signatures a day.
See how this works folks? Every day on a signature gathering campaign you don't hit your target you fall exponentially farther behind.
IF these numbers are true they are fucked and I suspect Jason's excuse making/plea for attention gambit today belies that.
See how this works folks? Every day on a signature gathering campaign you don't hit your target you fall exponentially farther behind.
IF these numbers are true they are fucked and I suspect Jason's excuse making/plea for attention gambit today belies that.
31
So, basically, what Randy Leonard-Adams is telling us is that we can get out of any citation in the city of Portland by reminding the officer on scene that he should "judge not lest ye be judged"?
Furthermore, why is the city of Portland the ONLY city in the nation with this non-representative form of city government with all council members elected at-large rather than from districts around the city?
Furthermore, why is the city of Portland the ONLY city in the nation with this non-representative form of city government with all council members elected at-large rather than from districts around the city?
32
So, basically, what Randy Leonard-Adams is telling us is that we can get out of any citation in the city of Portland by reminding the officer on scene that he should "judge not lest ye be judged"?
No.
Thanks for asking.
No.
Thanks for asking.
33
PS funnest place to get signatures is in NOPO bars, around 11 pm.
I hope you're having a great time. At least you're getting something out of it. Funnest is not a word.
xoxo
I hope you're having a great time. At least you're getting something out of it. Funnest is not a word.
xoxo
34
Wil, you're just a dirty fucking hipster who wouldn't be expected to be aware of the continual devolution of the English language. Steve Jobs can say funnest and so can stupid Recall people. It just lets us know that we shouldn't get within five feet of them lest we contract their incurable case of stupid.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is-fu…
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is-fu…
35
Now gonetorio, I was disappointed to see you making jokes about Sam and Randy being gay over on the WWeek, we both know you are not a homophobe. This has nothing to do with Sam’s orientation. This is displaced anger that should be directed at Jon Edwards for cheating on his poor wife, and making a sex tape with that evil whore Rielle Hunter. Two wasted years campaigning for that bastard and that is how he repays you. Now sadly, you have jumped over to the sinking ship that is the USS Recall.
You have done your part. Cut your losses, walk away and enjoy the rest of your summer. With all this experience at being told no you may even be ready to try dating again.
You have done your part. Cut your losses, walk away and enjoy the rest of your summer. With all this experience at being told no you may even be ready to try dating again.
36
@Rondine: "Portland Voters"? Speak for yourself, you are not my mouthpiece.
Also, while you're at it: The melting glaciers, the spotted owl, old growth forests, the Palouse earthworm, polar bears, Hurricane fucking Katrina, stem cell research, Darfur, Al Qaeda, and Sanjaya. SAM IS TO BLAME FOR THE WORLD'S HURT. RECALL THEM ALL!#!$$!@ *froth*
Also, while you're at it: The melting glaciers, the spotted owl, old growth forests, the Palouse earthworm, polar bears, Hurricane fucking Katrina, stem cell research, Darfur, Al Qaeda, and Sanjaya. SAM IS TO BLAME FOR THE WORLD'S HURT. RECALL THEM ALL!#!$$!@ *froth*
37
Why is everyine in such a bad mood over here?
Is there some grim unspoken recognition that actually, local politics is a great way to confront the greater world's problems, and that maybe sitting on a keboard whipping up a frenzy of support for the status quo, may not, actually....be so fun/satisfying/meaningful?
And sorry, commenting on the obvious ahem, emotional bond, (read, folie a deux) between Sam and Randy is not homophobic, although interpreting it that way might be...
Is there some grim unspoken recognition that actually, local politics is a great way to confront the greater world's problems, and that maybe sitting on a keboard whipping up a frenzy of support for the status quo, may not, actually....be so fun/satisfying/meaningful?
And sorry, commenting on the obvious ahem, emotional bond, (read, folie a deux) between Sam and Randy is not homophobic, although interpreting it that way might be...
38
back @ Rondine:
Your list may have included people who Adams has displeased, but no one that he has *harmed.*
Though, I really don't get why Sho Dozono is on your list. All the fervor over the recall has nothing to do with Portland city government, so as it stands the majority didn't want Dozono in office in the first place. Otherwise he would have won the election.
And as for Breedlove...after all of the false claims, different stories, and crass opportunism, I'm pretty hard pressed to see where Adams stands in any "harm" that has come to Breedlove.
Your list may have included people who Adams has displeased, but no one that he has *harmed.*
Though, I really don't get why Sho Dozono is on your list. All the fervor over the recall has nothing to do with Portland city government, so as it stands the majority didn't want Dozono in office in the first place. Otherwise he would have won the election.
And as for Breedlove...after all of the false claims, different stories, and crass opportunism, I'm pretty hard pressed to see where Adams stands in any "harm" that has come to Breedlove.
39
Why the bad mood? I don't know. Maybe it is the heat, maybe the obnoxious post you threw up yesterday afternoon, or perhaps the cumulative effect of all your obnoxious posts. You have said you want to create a post-Obama internet revolution; but I think the tactic of that campaign was to get supporters to go to his website, not annoy the fuck out of the rest of the internets with a cabal of quasi-official trolls.
If Sam Adams defines the status quo in your world, you have it worse that I thought.
You say 'emotional bond' and leave it to the rest of the chuckleheads to fill in the blanks, typical.
I am done with this. It is not fun anymore, it is eating up too much of my free time, and I really don't think you guys have a chance at getting the signatures. I am going to take my own advice and 'walk away and enjoy the rest of my summer'. I feel like I did my part. If Jasun starts posting on here again I may change my mind, but I am finished playing with the Junior Varsity squad.
If Sam Adams defines the status quo in your world, you have it worse that I thought.
You say 'emotional bond' and leave it to the rest of the chuckleheads to fill in the blanks, typical.
I am done with this. It is not fun anymore, it is eating up too much of my free time, and I really don't think you guys have a chance at getting the signatures. I am going to take my own advice and 'walk away and enjoy the rest of my summer'. I feel like I did my part. If Jasun starts posting on here again I may change my mind, but I am finished playing with the Junior Varsity squad.
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