Robert Service (x.y.1907)
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Robert Welch (1.14.07)
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
by the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
that would make your blood run cold.
But the frozen north, like the Firth of Forth,
has no lock on weather insane;
For who will forget, the recent cold-hit,
taken by County of Lane?
Deborah Frisch (2.29.08)
There are strange things done in the courtroom son
By the men who make the rules;
The gaveled blokes dress in royal cloaks
But beneath the robes are fools;
The northwest lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that day in oh eight at 9 (Ewe was late!)
Jack A. resentenced Jeff Free.
Friday, February 29, 2008
lane county circuit court's do over
Environmental activist Jeffrey Michael Luers will serve less than half of his original 22-year prison sentence under a resentencing agreement approved Thursday by Lane County Circuit Judge Jack Billings.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
misguided patriot
Statement of Jeffrey Luers to Judge Billings at Sentencing
It has been many years since I first stood in court to be sentenced for these actions. I now not only have the benefit of hindsight but also possess the knowledge and understanding that comes from leaving the naiveté of youth behind.
I can now say with all honesty that I was wrong to think that arson would inspire social change. But, my failure in understanding that does not mean I have changed my opinion of radical activism.
Mr. Hassleman has a written statement from me in which I have acknowledged being wrong. I have also committed to living the life of a law-abiding citizen and promoting my activism through legal means and channels. Understandably, the prosecutor has expressed some skepticism of my sincerity. I wish to lay those fears to rest.
I am truly excited about my future. Through the love and support of my family, friends and many people I do not even know, I have numerous options available to me. I am looking forward to furthering my education, and pursuing my goals through hard work. I am ready to share my life with my loved ones and I am dedicated to giving back to the community that has shown me so much love and support through these years of imprisonment. That is not the lip service the prosecutor may fear, but my sincere desire to move on with my life.
However, choosing to take a new path and recognizing my mistakes and failures does not make me ashamed of them. I am sorry if my actions instilled fear or the sense of victimization in the Romania family. That was never my intent.
I sought to promote change through radical struggle. I viewed the refusal of our government and corporate institutions to address the issues and dire consequences of global warming as legitimate reasons for direct action. I still believe that government and corporate inaction is a legitimate reason for direct action. Yet, I recognize that militant struggle has failed to create widespread social change for many reasons. And I’m not sure if it is even capable of creating the change we desperately need.
We are witnessing a mass extinction event taking place in our life times. The world’s top scientists are warning that by the middle of this century, 30 to 50 percent of all living species could be extinct. There are predictions of 250 million people, or more, dying for lack of water and food. Fears that melting glaciers in Alaska and Greenland could catastrophically raise global sea levels. While here at home our leading climate scientists have been censored by our government. Their reports edited by Bush appointees who now work for some of Americas biggest oil companies. We have been deceived by the very people responsible for our well-being.
Fortunately, the veil has been lifted and many Americans are now demanding that action be taken on climate change and other environmental issues. Indeed many
states are now confronting our federal government on the topic. However, so
far all legislative attempts to solve the problem have failed or have lacked
the necessary backbone to accomplish anything meaningful. The time for change
has to be now. We no longer have the luxury of passing our problems off to the
next generation. We must be vigilant in our determination to create change and
find solutions to what is arguably the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.
It is the people in this courtroom, the citizens of this country, this state
and this country that must carry the responsibility for creating change. For
if we can’t change our own lives how can we expect others to change theirs?
I’m ready and willing to change so that I can help find real solutions to our
problems. I’m ready to help find methods that aren’t limited to rhetoric.
Doomed to failure by symbolism or rendered meaningless by corruption. I choose
to take a new direction because not only is a new path sorely needed in my own
life, but a new direction is sorely needed by our country. I recognize that if
I’m not helping to create that change, I’m just standing in the way. We
are all in this together whether we are labeled radical, conservative or
liberal. And together is the only way we are going to solve this problem.
It is easy for me to say these things. I doubt that my commitment to the
environment or social change has ever been questioned. However, I am sure the
court as well as many others, question whether or not I have truly left my
militant past behind. To which all I can say is that I am ready to live my
life. I’m ready to put the needs of my family first. And I’m also ready
to find success where thus far radical struggle has failed. More than
anything, I am just ready to move on.”
To which Judge J.A. Billings responded that he has been a lawyer and a judge
for 35 years and he has never received a statement from a defendant of such
high quality. “I’m very impressed with you. I have no hesitation in
accepting this sentence. I wish you only the best.”
-------------------
2/28/08 Statement of Jeffrey Luers After Sentencing Hearing
Today I feel a great weight lifted off of me, and my loved ones. While I
believe my new sentence is still more of a reflection of my activism and my
dissent than my actual crimes; I am looking forward to my much closer release
date.
I continue to stand by my actions and have no regrets about my choices. These
last several years in prison have not deterred me from speaking my mind,
following my heart or standing up against oppression and injustice.
I am proud of the many things I have accomplished while incarcerated, including
reaching beyond oceans and borders to help raise awareness about global warming
and to help combat social injustice.
I am thankful to my family, friends and the thousands of supporters and fellow
activists from around the world who have stood by me since day one. And I’d
especially like to thank my attorneys, and friends. Lauren Regan, Misha Dunlap
and Shawn Wiley for never giving up on getting me out sooner than 22 years.
I am happy to say this journey is almost over and I’ll be coming home soon.
contempt of court
I'm very worried about how Lyle Velure feels. Screwing Jeff was probably the most satisfying sexual experience he'd had since he was an altar boy. He must be bummed about today's decision and about how the deal he settled with the Portland rapists fell through. [BTW: I love how vile Lyle was tough on the tree hugger and easy on the child molesters. He sure had his fat finger on the pulse of Lane County!]
The inbredgister guard headline refers to Jeff as an arsonist.
The AP refers to him as an environmental activist.
I can't WAIT to hear what Becky "no longer Nolan" Taylor has to say about it tomorrow! I wonder if she'll report on how Judge Jack A* Billings got the date of Jeff's incarceration wrong (2001 instead of 2000), his age wrong (36 instead of almost 30) and birthday wrong (June and not December) and how funny he was when he noted that:
a. he deserved partial credit for the birthday since June was not pure confabulation that was "made from whole cloth" but rather was confusion with the other defendant's birthdate
and
b. "adding and subtracting" weren't his forte!
It's a close race for most aptly named participant today: D.A. Hasselman, Judge Jack A* or Hugh "Ewe" Duvall which means sheep of the valley.
offensive fowls
When UCLA played at Oregon last month, star freshman center and Oregon native Kevin Love was taunted by the fans, and he responded with a big game. That is old news.
But a new account by Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated of the abuse Love and his family took before and during the game is chilling. According to Wahl, Love canceled his cell phone because Oregon fans who got his number left death threats on his voice mail. And during the game, Oregon fans hurled insults at Love's family, including calling his mom, grandmother and 13-year-old sister "whores."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
scam dunk
n a few cases, some sort of action was needed this year. By approving bonds for construction of a new basketball arena at the University of Oregon, the Legislature avoided having to find a way around a deadline attached to the $100 million gift from Phil and Penny Knight that makes the project nearly risk-free to the state. By approving an alternative to an initiative that would require prison sentences for certain property crimes, the Legislature gave voters an option that would cost less while providing treatment as well as incarceration. By allowing school districts to charge for full-day kindergarten, the Legislature removed a legal cloud over the early educations of thousands of children.
closeted stalker sinner
It sure has been a long time since I posted here. Then again Dr. Deborah Frisch hasn't plagued me or my friends in a long time.
She returned a few days ago and was told to leave. Instead she decided to search for the Real Life location one of the nicest people on the face of the earth (Gerbil Jerrie.Atrick) and manages to find someone with that name at a small church somewhere. Hilarity does not ensue.
At the moment Dr. Deborah Frisch has lowered herself to the level of calling a nun a liar and is stepping up her campaign of harassment against this nun via email and her McBlog. For some reason she has seen fit to include me in both the email list and as a target of the smear campaign.
If you are here because you followed a link from her email, please have a look around including the link at the right. I am available via email at this address and on the main site (the one we set up to leave this person behind us)
It is my considered opinion that Dr. Deborah Frisch is in need of some serious help. I think she knows it too. I hope this is her way of reaching out and a plea for help instead of what it seems to be.
She returned a few days ago and was told to leave. Instead she decided to search for the Real Life location one of the nicest people on the face of the earth (Gerbil Jerrie.Atrick) and manages to find someone with that name at a small church somewhere. Hilarity does not ensue.
At the moment Dr. Deborah Frisch has lowered herself to the level of calling a nun a liar and is stepping up her campaign of harassment against this nun via email and her McBlog. For some reason she has seen fit to include me in both the email list and as a target of the smear campaign.
If you are here because you followed a link from her email, please have a look around including the link at the right. I am available via email at this address and on the main site (the one we set up to leave this person behind us)
It is my considered opinion that Dr. Deborah Frisch is in need of some serious help. I think she knows it too. I hope this is her way of reaching out and a plea for help instead of what it seems to be.
vermin&coward
Paul F. Lewis, Sherman & Howard collaborates with Jeralyn Merritt, McVeigh's shyser and a close personal friend of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Goldstein of Denver Colorado.
Read all about how the allegedly honorable Judge Robert Crew got his tough on! Michelle Mouthful tells all!
Read all about Judge Crew's colleague at the Denver County Bar and Courthouse, Johnny "Walker Red" Barajas!
Read all about how the allegedly honorable Judge Robert Crew got his tough on! Michelle Mouthful tells all!
Read all about Judge Crew's colleague at the Denver County Bar and Courthouse, Johnny "Walker Red" Barajas!
Kirk I['m largenfirm] Hays, Portland, OR
May 17, 2007: Hello, folks. My name is Kirk Hays, and I'm a mild mannered guy who was libeled by one Dr. Deborah Ellen Frisch of Eugene, Oregon. I'm not the only "white male with children" [ed.- her particular hatred of such seems telling] she's done this to, but I am the one who's collecting her blogs as the lawyers knock them down. Most of them look something like this:Why grab them? To keep them out of her hands, to rob her of the existing hyperlinks, turning them against her, and to make sure folks know that Dr. Deborah Frisch should never, ever, EVER, be allowed to influence young minds, ever again.
epd officer ben "drop the ball" hall
(6.13.07, 6:45 a.m., DF) Has any researcher ever looked at whether the number of automobile accidents, injuries and deaths was greater in Eugene, Ann Arbor and other college towns when there was a home football or basketball game (and thus, an excuse for middle-aged white males with no lives to sit around get drunk while watching black males do things on tv?)
I know that the Frohnmeyers are deeply concerned about people whose die young. Perhaps they would be interested in this question.
(6.13.07 3:41 p.m., Kirk Hays) Deb, still working on getting traffic to your pathetic site, eh? Drunk driving has nothing to do with race, sex, age, or sports interests, and you know it, Deb. It's a crime, plain and simple, much like the stalking charges you plead guilty to, Deb. Folks, for the real story on Deb Frisch, visit http://largenfirm.blogspot.com/ or http://donthiredeb.blogspot.com/
Please do not follow her link, as she is an attention whore.
Yer Bestest Pal,
Kirk
(6.15.07, 12:29 p.m., DF)This is a story about how drunk pedestrianing can be as dangerous as drunk driving! Lemme guess..the dead duck got loaded at Taylor's, a bar owned by Eugene Police Commission member (up)chuck hare. It's a good thing O.J. Simpson doesn't live in Eugene - he'd be on the police commission too!
Nope. I was wrong. This is a story about the truly bizarre collusion between Eugene Police Officer Ben Hall and Lane County Assistant District Attorney David Gill to minimize the consequences to a man from Coos Bay (Aaron Heyer) for killing a University of Oregon student (Brian Reams).
This is a story about how Officer Ben Hall, who is an attractive blond according to Mr. Knutson, intentionally dropped the ball.
I know that the Frohnmeyers are deeply concerned about people whose die young. Perhaps they would be interested in this question.
(6.13.07 3:41 p.m., Kirk Hays) Deb, still working on getting traffic to your pathetic site, eh? Drunk driving has nothing to do with race, sex, age, or sports interests, and you know it, Deb. It's a crime, plain and simple, much like the stalking charges you plead guilty to, Deb. Folks, for the real story on Deb Frisch, visit http://largenfirm.blogspot.com/ or http://donthiredeb.blogspot.com/
Please do not follow her link, as she is an attention whore.
Yer Bestest Pal,
Kirk
(6.15.07, 12:29 p.m., DF)This is a story about how drunk pedestrianing can be as dangerous as drunk driving! Lemme guess..the dead duck got loaded at Taylor's, a bar owned by Eugene Police Commission member (up)chuck hare. It's a good thing O.J. Simpson doesn't live in Eugene - he'd be on the police commission too!
Nope. I was wrong. This is a story about the truly bizarre collusion between Eugene Police Officer Ben Hall and Lane County Assistant District Attorney David Gill to minimize the consequences to a man from Coos Bay (Aaron Heyer) for killing a University of Oregon student (Brian Reams).
This is a story about how Officer Ben Hall, who is an attractive blond according to Mr. Knutson, intentionally dropped the ball.
Monday, February 25, 2008
ducks: 22; oregon: 8
On December 7, 2007 the co-chairs of the interim Joint Ways and Means Committee (Oregon State Senator Kurt Schrader and Representative Mary Nolan) sent a memo to “Members of the 74th Legislative Assembly” with the subject Budget Requests for the February 2008 Supplemental Session.
Representative Nolan and Senator Schrader reminded their colleagues that “For budgetary purposes, the February 2008 supplemental session is to be regarded as a “tune-up” opportunity to address budgetary items where emergencies have developed or new information since sine die of the regular session clearly indicates a unique need or urgent opportunity to modify the adopted budget. The Legislature has adopted its 2007-09 balanced budget. The public, state agencies, our local partners, and our colleagues have all had a chance to influence that budget in an open, thoughtful process during our regular 2007 session. The hearings that the Ways and Means Committee and its subcommittees held in Salem and around the state led to a balanced budget, albeit with some tough choices. We believe that the supplemental session is not for “a second bite at the apple” for programs that did not pass muster during the regular session."
The December 7, 2007 memo ends by giving a deadline of January 28, 2008 for funding requests to be considered at the session that was scheduled to begin on February 4, 2008.
On January 17, 2008, 11 days before the deadline for proposals, the interim Joint Ways and Means Committee met to evaluate a subset of the funding requests for the upcoming session. Each proposal was evaluated by the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Department of Administrative Services.
Based on Steve Bender’s positive 3 page evaluation in the LFO document and Bill McGee’s lukewarm 7 page evaluation in the BAM document, the Joint Ways and Means Committee voted 17:2 in favor of proposal #7: "Establish a $200.0 million Other Funds (Article XI-F (1) bonds) Capital Construction expenditure limitation for construction of a new arena for the University of Oregon. Increase the statewide Article XI-F (1) bonds issuance authority by $200.0 million."
On February 22, 2008 the Senate voted 22:8 in favor of issuing the XI-F(1) bonds. Although the February 23 Register Guard headline described this as a “slam dunk for arena funding” the truth is that the percentage of legislators willing to speak out against the project increased from 10.5% on January 17, 2008 to 26.7% on February 22, 2008.
For example, Sen. Joanne Verger, D-Coos Bay, said that, as a basketball fan and a businesswoman, the project appealed to both her heart and her head. But she said it would be beyond her persuasive skills to convince her constituents that the project made sense. “The perception in my district of the Oregon basketball arena was going to be very difficult for me,” she said.
On February 24, David Steves wrote a recap of the 74th Legislative Session:
Take the budget in for an eight-month tuneup? Check.
Build what you’re sure is a better ballot measure? Check.
Tidy up some of the laws you rushed through last year? Check.
Bring home a few political souvenirs that will look great on your campaign-season mailers? Checkeroo.
Prove to voters that annual legislative sessions are invaluable?
Hmm ...
---
The state of Oregon loaned the University of Oregon Athletic Department $200 million for a subprime mortgage (0% down, dicey income, adjustable rate mortgage due to uncertainty of Federal tax implications) for a project that doesn't benefit the vast majority of Oregonians? Check
Any voter paying attention would probably say that “unvaluable” is closer to the truth. Hopefully Governor Kulongoski will just say no to Frohnmayer's boondoggle.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
former Program Director (2001-2003)
Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Program
National Science Foundation
Representative Nolan and Senator Schrader reminded their colleagues that “For budgetary purposes, the February 2008 supplemental session is to be regarded as a “tune-up” opportunity to address budgetary items where emergencies have developed or new information since sine die of the regular session clearly indicates a unique need or urgent opportunity to modify the adopted budget. The Legislature has adopted its 2007-09 balanced budget. The public, state agencies, our local partners, and our colleagues have all had a chance to influence that budget in an open, thoughtful process during our regular 2007 session. The hearings that the Ways and Means Committee and its subcommittees held in Salem and around the state led to a balanced budget, albeit with some tough choices. We believe that the supplemental session is not for “a second bite at the apple” for programs that did not pass muster during the regular session."
The December 7, 2007 memo ends by giving a deadline of January 28, 2008 for funding requests to be considered at the session that was scheduled to begin on February 4, 2008.
On January 17, 2008, 11 days before the deadline for proposals, the interim Joint Ways and Means Committee met to evaluate a subset of the funding requests for the upcoming session. Each proposal was evaluated by the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Department of Administrative Services.
Based on Steve Bender’s positive 3 page evaluation in the LFO document and Bill McGee’s lukewarm 7 page evaluation in the BAM document, the Joint Ways and Means Committee voted 17:2 in favor of proposal #7: "Establish a $200.0 million Other Funds (Article XI-F (1) bonds) Capital Construction expenditure limitation for construction of a new arena for the University of Oregon. Increase the statewide Article XI-F (1) bonds issuance authority by $200.0 million."
On February 22, 2008 the Senate voted 22:8 in favor of issuing the XI-F(1) bonds. Although the February 23 Register Guard headline described this as a “slam dunk for arena funding” the truth is that the percentage of legislators willing to speak out against the project increased from 10.5% on January 17, 2008 to 26.7% on February 22, 2008.
For example, Sen. Joanne Verger, D-Coos Bay, said that, as a basketball fan and a businesswoman, the project appealed to both her heart and her head. But she said it would be beyond her persuasive skills to convince her constituents that the project made sense. “The perception in my district of the Oregon basketball arena was going to be very difficult for me,” she said.
On February 24, David Steves wrote a recap of the 74th Legislative Session:
Take the budget in for an eight-month tuneup? Check.
Build what you’re sure is a better ballot measure? Check.
Tidy up some of the laws you rushed through last year? Check.
Bring home a few political souvenirs that will look great on your campaign-season mailers? Checkeroo.
Prove to voters that annual legislative sessions are invaluable?
Hmm ...
---
The state of Oregon loaned the University of Oregon Athletic Department $200 million for a subprime mortgage (0% down, dicey income, adjustable rate mortgage due to uncertainty of Federal tax implications) for a project that doesn't benefit the vast majority of Oregonians? Check
Any voter paying attention would probably say that “unvaluable” is closer to the truth. Hopefully Governor Kulongoski will just say no to Frohnmayer's boondoggle.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
former Program Director (2001-2003)
Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Program
National Science Foundation
fired up
i give up. i am going to self-immolate.
Kewl...will you be selling tickets?
ubetcha! all proceeds will go to the cody and kiva fund at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority and jeb's trust fund.
Today's inbredgister guard announced a momentous event where it would get a huge amount of publicity.
Hey...I'm getting fired up about this!
I've got a whole line of self-immolation jokes, going back to my infamous Lincoln Memorial joke. (Can you find it via google, gerbils?)
Kewl...will you be selling tickets?
ubetcha! all proceeds will go to the cody and kiva fund at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority and jeb's trust fund.
Today's inbredgister guard announced a momentous event where it would get a huge amount of publicity.
Hey...I'm getting fired up about this!
I've got a whole line of self-immolation jokes, going back to my infamous Lincoln Memorial joke. (Can you find it via google, gerbils?)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
i quit
ben fohner, stanford PHILanthropist
Stanford University Biology Department Newsletter, Spring, 2007:
Ben Fohner (HB ’06) is one of 12 Americans granted a
Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship for Australia in 2007.
During his stay, he’ll study the commercialization of Australian
biotech innovations at Monash University’s Graduate
School of Business and the Monash Asia-Pacific Center
for Science and Wealth Creation. Fohner plans to complete
a research project analyzing current barriers to innovation
and commercialization in biotechnology, as well as obtain
a Masters of Business in Commercializing Science and
Technology (CST). Fohner also won the Kirsten Frohnmayer research prize
in Human Biology in 2005 and completed an Honors thesis
in 2006. He adds, “ My decision to attend that first
class of the HumBio Core sophomore year was one of the
best decisions I made at Stanford.”
tuneup? check.
David Steves (2.24.08) SALEM — Take the budget in for an eight-month tuneup? Check.
Build what you’re sure is a better ballot measure? Check.
Tidy up some of the laws you rushed through last year? Check.
Bring home a few political souvenirs that will look great on your campaign-season mailers? Checkeroo.
Prove to voters that annual legislative sessions are invaluable?
Hmm ...Lawmakers emerged Friday night with several such marks on the to-do list they brought along to their experimental session.
It was meant to give a test drive to the kind of off-year session that could become a permanent part of the legislative process some day — provided the Legislature can get voters to amend the constitution and make Oregon the 45th state to hold annual sessions.
Build what you’re sure is a better ballot measure? Check.
Tidy up some of the laws you rushed through last year? Check.
Bring home a few political souvenirs that will look great on your campaign-season mailers? Checkeroo.
Prove to voters that annual legislative sessions are invaluable?
Hmm ...Lawmakers emerged Friday night with several such marks on the to-do list they brought along to their experimental session.
It was meant to give a test drive to the kind of off-year session that could become a permanent part of the legislative process some day — provided the Legislature can get voters to amend the constitution and make Oregon the 45th state to hold annual sessions.
Friday, February 22, 2008
swangate
Edward Russo of the inbredgister guard writes: In a letter on Monday, [Chamber of Commerce President Dave] Hauser asked Mayor Kitty Piercy and city councilors to consider “geographic diversity,” or where residents live, when deciding whom to appoint to the city’s boards and commissions.
I LOVE that "or where residents live" for all the d*cks who needed "geographical diversity" 'splained to them.
Here's an editorial by jack* wilson @ the inbredgister guard making a passionate plea for geographical diversity.
Here's the 2.19.08 editorial about the police auditor brouhaha
Here's the 2.21.08 editorial where even jack* wilson admits that Sergeant Ron Swanson's complaint was "transparently frivolous."
I LOVE that "or where residents live" for all the d*cks who needed "geographical diversity" 'splained to them.
Here's an editorial by jack* wilson @ the inbredgister guard making a passionate plea for geographical diversity.
Here's the 2.19.08 editorial about the police auditor brouhaha
Here's the 2.21.08 editorial where even jack* wilson admits that Sergeant Ron Swanson's complaint was "transparently frivolous."
tublitz, harbaugh, rothbart & tversky
To: Stanford University President John Hennessy
[insert nasty frohnmayer joke and/or limerick here]
You know, after I sent this email I thought "that wasn't very nice." You are ignoring the Stanford psych department where Jon Frohnmayer's a student and giving all the attention to biology, where Amy is earning her degree. Here's a joke for the Stanford psych dept, dedicated to UO Psych prof Myron "did I ever tell you about the time I got poison oak on my d*ck" Rothbart and his lovely wife Mary, both of whom earned their Ph.D.s at Stanford.
[insert nasty amorous amos tversky joke and/or limerick here.]
[insert nasty frohnmayer joke and/or limerick here]
You know, after I sent this email I thought "that wasn't very nice." You are ignoring the Stanford psych department where Jon Frohnmayer's a student and giving all the attention to biology, where Amy is earning her degree. Here's a joke for the Stanford psych dept, dedicated to UO Psych prof Myron "did I ever tell you about the time I got poison oak on my d*ck" Rothbart and his lovely wife Mary, both of whom earned their Ph.D.s at Stanford.
[insert nasty amorous amos tversky joke and/or limerick here.]
green can man can
Who can take a sunrise,
Sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two
The candyman, the candyman can,
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love
and makes the world taste good.
Who can take a sunrise,
Sprinkle it with poo?
Cuffer you in metal and a taser shot or two
The green can man can,
The green can man can 'cause he mixes it with fuzz
and makes the world taste good
Sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two
The candyman, the candyman can,
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love
and makes the world taste good.
Who can take a sunrise,
Sprinkle it with poo?
Cuffer you in metal and a taser shot or two
The green can man can,
The green can man can 'cause he mixes it with fuzz
and makes the world taste good
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
comedy@epd
Wow. This is the story that keeps on giving. Eugene Police Department Sergeant Swanson shouldn’t have gotten his boxers in such a knot to begin with. Eugene Police Chief Lehner should have nipped it in the bud. Lane County District Attorney Harcleroad should have vetoed it on contact. And now, unbelievably, the City Council, Mayor Piercy and Interim City Manager Jones want to keep it going. Wow.
The inbredgister guard had a four day harass-fest of Auditor Beamud. Two days of bitchslapping by Rebecca Nolan Taylor, then a day of liberal-bashing/comic relief by Edward Russo and then today’s climax – the confluence of:
a: the schizophrenic article by Russo that begins with the anti-climactic end of the Swanson/Beamud/Lehner/Harcleroad saga (at the bottom of the page, not the top like Taylor1&2 and Russo1) that segues into land use planning
and
b: the bizarre editorial admonishing eugenians to embrace geographical diversity by jackass wilson.
The perfect distraction from the unraveling of frohnmayer’s boondoggle. I think Sergeant Swanson did this for personal gain. I allege that he is a ducks fan and wanted to create a spectacle to distract attention from frohnmayer's attempted fleecing of the oregon taxpayer during the legislative session that began on February 4. February 4 is the EXACT same day Sergeant Swanson got his emile zola on and said “j’accuse!” to mademoiselle beamud on city of eugene letterhead.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Still skeptical? February 4, 2008. 2.4.08. 2x4=8.
I think this was a thinly veiled plot by Ducks fans to distract attention from the arena controversy.
Just who or whom is using her or his office for personal gain, indeed, Sergeant Swanson?
What do you hear from your buddies Magana and Buchanan these days?
Been to any strip clubs with Detective Thompson lately, Sergeant?
The inbredgister guard had a four day harass-fest of Auditor Beamud. Two days of bitchslapping by Rebecca Nolan Taylor, then a day of liberal-bashing/comic relief by Edward Russo and then today’s climax – the confluence of:
a: the schizophrenic article by Russo that begins with the anti-climactic end of the Swanson/Beamud/Lehner/Harcleroad saga (at the bottom of the page, not the top like Taylor1&2 and Russo1) that segues into land use planning
and
b: the bizarre editorial admonishing eugenians to embrace geographical diversity by jackass wilson.
The perfect distraction from the unraveling of frohnmayer’s boondoggle. I think Sergeant Swanson did this for personal gain. I allege that he is a ducks fan and wanted to create a spectacle to distract attention from frohnmayer's attempted fleecing of the oregon taxpayer during the legislative session that began on February 4. February 4 is the EXACT same day Sergeant Swanson got his emile zola on and said “j’accuse!” to mademoiselle beamud on city of eugene letterhead.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Still skeptical? February 4, 2008. 2.4.08. 2x4=8.
I think this was a thinly veiled plot by Ducks fans to distract attention from the arena controversy.
Just who or whom is using her or his office for personal gain, indeed, Sergeant Swanson?
What do you hear from your buddies Magana and Buchanan these days?
Been to any strip clubs with Detective Thompson lately, Sergeant?
2.15.08 email to local law enforcement
I sent this email to Eugene Police Chief Lehner, Sheriff Burger, D.A. Harcleroad and Oregon State Police Lieutenant Mike Bloom on Friday. They know me as an activist who attends and participates in police policy planning meetings.
Subject: advice
I am tired of being cyber harassed by Kirk Hays, a computer programmer in Portland, Oregon and Paul Lewis, a lawyer in Colorado Springs, CO but I do not know if it is more cost-effective to keep trying to ignore them or try to use the criminal justice system to encourage them to ignore me.
Subject: advice
I am tired of being cyber harassed by Kirk Hays, a computer programmer in Portland, Oregon and Paul Lewis, a lawyer in Colorado Springs, CO but I do not know if it is more cost-effective to keep trying to ignore them or try to use the criminal justice system to encourage them to ignore me.
confused
Yesterday, I traced a lead to identify one of the members of Teh Gerbil Nation who has engaged in cyber-harassment of me intended to inflict emotional and reputational harm on me, incite physical violence against me and raise money for Satchel Goldstein's college and/or legal defense fund.
I called a church in Utah in order to try to verify my hypothesis. I had traced the gerbil to this church last year but had only gotten as far as talking to a priest, I think, who worked there.
I talked to Jerrie Barrett on the phone. She immediately said something very strange. "Oh yes. You and I talked about a year ago. I told you then you had the wrong Jerrie Barrett."
When I called last year, I never got in touch with Jerrie Barrett. So it was very odd that she misremembered that she and I had spoken when I'd only gotten as far as a priest.
Now at Teh Squeaky Wheel, someone claiming to be the husband of the Jerrie Barrett at St. Olaf's Church is asking me to call him. I don't want to talk to him. My only purpose in calling was to confirm that I had linked another gerbil to a church. The gerbil community has one Baptist from georgia and one catholic from Utah.
The weird thing is, the nun (betty?) I talked to yesterday just left me a voicemail message saying she is sure that the jerrie barrett i'm looking for isn't the one at st. olaf's.
So I am totally confused. It sure looks like I found the right person from the activity at teh wheel. But sister Betty just said I had the wrong Jerrie!
So what it looks like is that I didn't just catch a gerbil, I baited sister betty of st. olaf's of bountiful, utah into lying on the telephone.
I called a church in Utah in order to try to verify my hypothesis. I had traced the gerbil to this church last year but had only gotten as far as talking to a priest, I think, who worked there.
I talked to Jerrie Barrett on the phone. She immediately said something very strange. "Oh yes. You and I talked about a year ago. I told you then you had the wrong Jerrie Barrett."
When I called last year, I never got in touch with Jerrie Barrett. So it was very odd that she misremembered that she and I had spoken when I'd only gotten as far as a priest.
Now at Teh Squeaky Wheel, someone claiming to be the husband of the Jerrie Barrett at St. Olaf's Church is asking me to call him. I don't want to talk to him. My only purpose in calling was to confirm that I had linked another gerbil to a church. The gerbil community has one Baptist from georgia and one catholic from Utah.
The weird thing is, the nun (betty?) I talked to yesterday just left me a voicemail message saying she is sure that the jerrie barrett i'm looking for isn't the one at st. olaf's.
So I am totally confused. It sure looks like I found the right person from the activity at teh wheel. But sister Betty just said I had the wrong Jerrie!
So what it looks like is that I didn't just catch a gerbil, I baited sister betty of st. olaf's of bountiful, utah into lying on the telephone.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
dan collins
By day, he's a mild-mannered employee at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. But at night, Dan gets naughty with the boys.
catholic gerbil?
I've tentatively identified yet another member of the cyber-harassment community that formed after my cyber-altercation with a self-proclaimed sissified hausfrau in Denver. Jerrie Barrett works for St. Olaf's Church in Bountiful, Utah and is a regular contributor to "Teh Squeaky Wheel" an anonymously hosted blog set up to inflict emotional and reputational harm on me, incite physical violence against me and raise money for Jeff Goldstein.
This morning, Ms. Barrett said "Greetings from sunny Bountiful. I sure hope y’all have a super day, ’cause you just know I’m gonna."
I talked to Ms. Barrett at St. Olaf's this morning and with a nun who answered the phone just now. Based on these conversations, I am 91.1% sure that the person who harasses me at "Teh Squeaky Wheel" is the Ms. Barrett at St. Olaf's. I faxed the nun some of the pictures Jerrie has posted and told her that unless she faxes me a letter saying that the pictures are not associated with the Ms. Barrett, I will assume I have found the correct Jerrie Barrett.
another nail in frohnmayer's coffin
Willamette Week, 11.2.07: I read the reference to "may the best family win" before it was changed and thought it was the best thing a politician could do to run an opponent from the race. Hats off to Dave Frohnmayer. I don't know if the best family won, but the Frohnmayer clan is pretty solid, what with Dad and high profile brother John.
The best family Frohnmayer didn't win in the end, that achievement belongs to the Roberts family. But, as best family, did Attorney General Frohnmayer discharge his duties regarding Governor Goldschmidt? Or did he cut a deal?
If a doctor has a legal and moral obligation to treat the sick and injured, does the top elected law enforcement official in the state have a moral and legal obligation to step forward if they have knowledge of a crime? When he is still in office? Are politics in Oregon so different that a Republican wouldn't jam a Democrat for raping a thirteen year old?
You don't have to be a father of daughters to answer that one. Young girls are the beautiful flowers of the earth. Their innocense and vulnerability are a bedrock of civilization. Societies that value the lives of young girls are the shining lights of mankind. Cultures and individuals that use young girls as rags to clean their pipes deserve the harsh penalties for their actions.
With that said, how does a man, a husband and father, a lawyer and state Attorney General, not come forward with the hammer of the law? How does that guy put the rape of a thirteen year old girl behind him and move on with his career without doing anything? Wasn't it important enough to gain his attention? Was he too busy doing other things? When the rot of failed duty to fellow man stinks up every room entered, others may ask "what is that smell?" Those who knew about Goldschmidt's serial rape and did nothing can point fingers and say, like Debby Kennedy, that Neil had so many rumors about him; or like Dave Frohnmayer's "may the best family win." Then ask, Did the thirteen year old's family win? Is the thirteen year old from the seventies a winner today?
The best family Frohnmayer didn't win in the end, that achievement belongs to the Roberts family. But, as best family, did Attorney General Frohnmayer discharge his duties regarding Governor Goldschmidt? Or did he cut a deal?
If a doctor has a legal and moral obligation to treat the sick and injured, does the top elected law enforcement official in the state have a moral and legal obligation to step forward if they have knowledge of a crime? When he is still in office? Are politics in Oregon so different that a Republican wouldn't jam a Democrat for raping a thirteen year old?
You don't have to be a father of daughters to answer that one. Young girls are the beautiful flowers of the earth. Their innocense and vulnerability are a bedrock of civilization. Societies that value the lives of young girls are the shining lights of mankind. Cultures and individuals that use young girls as rags to clean their pipes deserve the harsh penalties for their actions.
With that said, how does a man, a husband and father, a lawyer and state Attorney General, not come forward with the hammer of the law? How does that guy put the rape of a thirteen year old girl behind him and move on with his career without doing anything? Wasn't it important enough to gain his attention? Was he too busy doing other things? When the rot of failed duty to fellow man stinks up every room entered, others may ask "what is that smell?" Those who knew about Goldschmidt's serial rape and did nothing can point fingers and say, like Debby Kennedy, that Neil had so many rumors about him; or like Dave Frohnmayer's "may the best family win." Then ask, Did the thirteen year old's family win? Is the thirteen year old from the seventies a winner today?
Frohnmayer:2; Guisto:0
Willamette Week, 11.15.07
Compare Sheriff Guisto and Dr. Frohnmayer, and decide who you think knew better if it's proven both had Goldschmidt's rape information: One is a former state policeman with a BS from Willamette; the other is a former state Representative, a Harvard magna cum laude, Rhodes scholar with a Berkeley law degree.
Round one goes to Dr. Frohnmayer.
One is a county sheriff; the other a state attorney general, law school dean, and university president.
Round two goes to Dr. Frohnmayer.
We are in round three. I'm betting on Dr. Frohnmayer to sweep the contest if he knew as much about Goldschmidt's rape while he was the sitting attorney general as everyone else seemed to know, opposed to whatever Bernie's job description was.
I don't expect Bernie to turn away if Dr. Frohnmayer comes out with another "May the best family win" comment like his campaign manager did to make Goldschmidt leave his certain re-election in 1990.
Compare Sheriff Guisto and Dr. Frohnmayer, and decide who you think knew better if it's proven both had Goldschmidt's rape information: One is a former state policeman with a BS from Willamette; the other is a former state Representative, a Harvard magna cum laude, Rhodes scholar with a Berkeley law degree.
Round one goes to Dr. Frohnmayer.
One is a county sheriff; the other a state attorney general, law school dean, and university president.
Round two goes to Dr. Frohnmayer.
We are in round three. I'm betting on Dr. Frohnmayer to sweep the contest if he knew as much about Goldschmidt's rape while he was the sitting attorney general as everyone else seemed to know, opposed to whatever Bernie's job description was.
I don't expect Bernie to turn away if Dr. Frohnmayer comes out with another "May the best family win" comment like his campaign manager did to make Goldschmidt leave his certain re-election in 1990.
tweakers in the ER?
Eugene Chamber of Commerce President Dave Hauser has filed a formal complaint against Sacred Heart Hospital for the lack of geographical and political diversity among physicians.
“I was not necessarily surprised by what I learned,” he said in an interview. “But, at the same time, I was bothered by what I learned.”
In a letter to Sacred Heart, Hauser asked President Sister Mary Elizabeth to consider “geographic diversity,” or where residents live, when deciding whom to appoint to the hospital’s staff. He called on the hospital administrators to “develop a strategy to increase applicants from the underrepresented wards.”
Mr. Hauser also requested that Sister Mary consider "political diversity" or what people's political views are in addition to things like education and experience when hiring doctors and nurses.
Consumer activist David Oaks (MindFreedom), and professional mental health care consumer Hugh Massengill agreed, even though they usually disagree with the Chamber of Commerce on issues like this.
“Zero percent of the brain surgeons at Sacred Heart have had brain surgery. Only twelve percent of the oncologists have had cancer. And while the 23% of orthopedic surgeons who have had orthopedic surgery is good, it’s not good enough.” said Mr. Oaks.
Mr. Massengill was very upset that only 97% of the psychiatrists have a DSM diagnosis.
Hauser plans to ask the City Council to pass an ordinance requiring geographical diversity in the emergency room.
He’s got at least two yea votes. Ward 6 councilor Jennifer Solomon said “I’ve heard from constituents who live on Barger Rd. and got in a car accident. They wake up in the emergency room and EVERYONE lives in either Ward 1(Bonny Bettman) or Ward 2 (Betty Taylor). It freaks them out." And Ward 7 councilor Andrea Ortiz noted “A lot of the methamphetamine addicts in my ward feel snubbed that there are no tweakers working in the ER.” Councilor Mike Clark, who has heard similar concerns from residents of Ward 5 is still waffling on this issue.
P.S. That is a classic inbredgister guard line “geographic diversity or where residents live." Thanks for 'splaining that those Ducks fans who can't handle multisyllabic words. Great line, Ed!
P.P.S. What does the Lane County Mental Health community have in common with a California Chardonnay?
TOO MUCH OAK!
“I was not necessarily surprised by what I learned,” he said in an interview. “But, at the same time, I was bothered by what I learned.”
In a letter to Sacred Heart, Hauser asked President Sister Mary Elizabeth to consider “geographic diversity,” or where residents live, when deciding whom to appoint to the hospital’s staff. He called on the hospital administrators to “develop a strategy to increase applicants from the underrepresented wards.”
Mr. Hauser also requested that Sister Mary consider "political diversity" or what people's political views are in addition to things like education and experience when hiring doctors and nurses.
Consumer activist David Oaks (MindFreedom), and professional mental health care consumer Hugh Massengill agreed, even though they usually disagree with the Chamber of Commerce on issues like this.
“Zero percent of the brain surgeons at Sacred Heart have had brain surgery. Only twelve percent of the oncologists have had cancer. And while the 23% of orthopedic surgeons who have had orthopedic surgery is good, it’s not good enough.” said Mr. Oaks.
Mr. Massengill was very upset that only 97% of the psychiatrists have a DSM diagnosis.
Hauser plans to ask the City Council to pass an ordinance requiring geographical diversity in the emergency room.
He’s got at least two yea votes. Ward 6 councilor Jennifer Solomon said “I’ve heard from constituents who live on Barger Rd. and got in a car accident. They wake up in the emergency room and EVERYONE lives in either Ward 1(Bonny Bettman) or Ward 2 (Betty Taylor). It freaks them out." And Ward 7 councilor Andrea Ortiz noted “A lot of the methamphetamine addicts in my ward feel snubbed that there are no tweakers working in the ER.” Councilor Mike Clark, who has heard similar concerns from residents of Ward 5 is still waffling on this issue.
P.S. That is a classic inbredgister guard line “geographic diversity or where residents live." Thanks for 'splaining that those Ducks fans who can't handle multisyllabic words. Great line, Ed!
P.P.S. What does the Lane County Mental Health community have in common with a California Chardonnay?
TOO MUCH OAK!
Monday, February 18, 2008
bill harbaugh's letter to editor
University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer has said that he would be open and transparent with the public about the new arena, which will be built six blocks from my house. He just sent me and the rest of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association a lovely letter reiterating this.
But apparently he finds it much easier to make these promises than to keep them. I’ve been trying for months to get a copy of the EcoNorthwest arena report from Frohnmayer’s office. It took a petition to the Attorney General just to get UO to admit they had this report. They then said I could buy it for $36.70, but that I might be charged more.
I e-mailed Frohnmayer personally and asked him to follow through on his promises and waive this indeterminate fee. Oregon’s public records law — which he helped write — allows fee waivers when there’s a general public interest in the matter.
He ignored me.
If Frohnmayer is going to go to these lengths to try and hide public records, he should stop claiming he’s being open and honest about the arena. It’s hypocrisy. I’m not even opposed to the project, just a little worried about neighborhood parking and the peculiar financing scheme.
I have no idea if there is anything interesting in this report, but Frohnmayer has sure done a good job of making me curious! My check is in the mail, and if $36.70 won’t cover it, he can send me the bill for the rest.
Bill Harbaugh
Eugene
February 14, 2008
“I support (UO) President (Dave) Frohnmayer’s efforts to build the arena. I believe it will be a big plus for Eugene,” Harbaugh said in a e-mail message. “I oppose his efforts to hide important information about this project from the university, the public and the Legislature, while claiming that he has been open and transparent. I think this is a big negative for the cause of good government.”
UO Faculty Senate President, English professor Gordon Sayre “It is of the utmost importance to safeguard the Legacy Fund and preserve its principle with a conservative investment strategy,” Sayre wrote. “At this moment, I think we can all agree that the economic outlook is uncertain, and this project cannot afford a Legacy Fund that is depleted by market losses.”
UO Biology Prof Nathan Tublitz (2.15.08) The University of Oregon is asking the state Legislature for approval to issue $200 million in state-backed bonds to build a new basketball arena. There are many good reasons to build the arena. McArthur Court is old, a new arena would be the centerpiece of our athletic program, and its construction would be a boost to the local economy.
But apparently he finds it much easier to make these promises than to keep them. I’ve been trying for months to get a copy of the EcoNorthwest arena report from Frohnmayer’s office. It took a petition to the Attorney General just to get UO to admit they had this report. They then said I could buy it for $36.70, but that I might be charged more.
I e-mailed Frohnmayer personally and asked him to follow through on his promises and waive this indeterminate fee. Oregon’s public records law — which he helped write — allows fee waivers when there’s a general public interest in the matter.
He ignored me.
If Frohnmayer is going to go to these lengths to try and hide public records, he should stop claiming he’s being open and honest about the arena. It’s hypocrisy. I’m not even opposed to the project, just a little worried about neighborhood parking and the peculiar financing scheme.
I have no idea if there is anything interesting in this report, but Frohnmayer has sure done a good job of making me curious! My check is in the mail, and if $36.70 won’t cover it, he can send me the bill for the rest.
Bill Harbaugh
Eugene
February 14, 2008
“I support (UO) President (Dave) Frohnmayer’s efforts to build the arena. I believe it will be a big plus for Eugene,” Harbaugh said in a e-mail message. “I oppose his efforts to hide important information about this project from the university, the public and the Legislature, while claiming that he has been open and transparent. I think this is a big negative for the cause of good government.”
UO Faculty Senate President, English professor Gordon Sayre “It is of the utmost importance to safeguard the Legacy Fund and preserve its principle with a conservative investment strategy,” Sayre wrote. “At this moment, I think we can all agree that the economic outlook is uncertain, and this project cannot afford a Legacy Fund that is depleted by market losses.”
UO Biology Prof Nathan Tublitz (2.15.08) The University of Oregon is asking the state Legislature for approval to issue $200 million in state-backed bonds to build a new basketball arena. There are many good reasons to build the arena. McArthur Court is old, a new arena would be the centerpiece of our athletic program, and its construction would be a boost to the local economy.
query for becky nolan taylor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Deborah Frisch"
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 1:48 PM
Subject: query for becky nolan taylor
Becky,
Where'd you get your GED? LCC?
Deb
From: "Deborah Frisch"
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 1:48 PM
Subject: query for becky nolan taylor
Becky,
Where'd you get your GED? LCC?
Deb
deb coaty's hubby
This is John Coaty. He works for the Pissant, Numbskull and Cooties firm in Colorado. I hired to stand up to Paul F. Lewis. When Mr. Coaty told me his wife's name was Deb, I thought it meant he was going to help me.
What he really meant was "I'm going to screw you."
letter to district attorney harcleroad
To: Lane County District Attorney F. Douglass Harcleroad
From: Deborah Frisch, Ph.D. former Director, Decision, Risk and Management Sciences, National Science Foundation
Re: followup to 2/5/08 email re: EPD Detective Mel Thompson
Dear Mr. Harcleroad,
I know you are very busy following up on the allegation of criminal misconduct against Eugene Police Auditor Beamud made by EPD Sergeant Swanson on February 4,2008 and forwarded to you by Chief Lehner on February ?, 2008.
As you know, on February 5, I sent you an allegation of criminal misconduct and worse by Eugene Police Department detective Mel Thompson. I hope that the reason you followed up on the minor, meritless allegation against Auditor Beamud before following up on my serious, evidence-based one against Detective Thompson is that Sergeant Swanson's allegation was written on February 4 and mine was written on February 5.
The worst case scenario regarding Auditor Beamud is that in addition to Sergeant Swanson, other EPD officers are having their feelings hurt, even as we speak. The worst case scenario regarding Detective Thompson is that Eugene residents are still being raped, threatened and/or bullied by thugs with EPD badges. I hope that the Thompson and related allegations (e.g., Chief Lehner's repeated lies to the public regarding how his predecessors Cooke and Buchanan were metaphorical accessories to Magana's rapes) move from the on-duck circle onto your plate asap, if not sooner.
VTY,
Dr. Frisch
From: Deborah Frisch, Ph.D. former Director, Decision, Risk and Management Sciences, National Science Foundation
Re: followup to 2/5/08 email re: EPD Detective Mel Thompson
Dear Mr. Harcleroad,
I know you are very busy following up on the allegation of criminal misconduct against Eugene Police Auditor Beamud made by EPD Sergeant Swanson on February 4,2008 and forwarded to you by Chief Lehner on February ?, 2008.
As you know, on February 5, I sent you an allegation of criminal misconduct and worse by Eugene Police Department detective Mel Thompson. I hope that the reason you followed up on the minor, meritless allegation against Auditor Beamud before following up on my serious, evidence-based one against Detective Thompson is that Sergeant Swanson's allegation was written on February 4 and mine was written on February 5.
The worst case scenario regarding Auditor Beamud is that in addition to Sergeant Swanson, other EPD officers are having their feelings hurt, even as we speak. The worst case scenario regarding Detective Thompson is that Eugene residents are still being raped, threatened and/or bullied by thugs with EPD badges. I hope that the Thompson and related allegations (e.g., Chief Lehner's repeated lies to the public regarding how his predecessors Cooke and Buchanan were metaphorical accessories to Magana's rapes) move from the on-duck circle onto your plate asap, if not sooner.
VTY,
Dr. Frisch
the price is right
While walking in downtown Eugene, I was approached by a hooded stranger who handed me an envelope and ran away. The letter inside said “The room was bugged on 1.2.08 when University of Oregon benefactors Penelope and Philip Knight signed their historic 395 word agreement with University of Oregon Vice President for University Advancement Allan Price. Here is a transcription. Signed, Duck Throat."
[sound of doorbell. sound of footsteps. sound of door opening.]
Phil: Allan, it’s great to see you. Thanks for driving up on such short notice.
Allan: No problem. When I hear Phil Knight say “University of Oregon” and “$100 million” in the same sentence I am all about it.
Penny: Hello, Allan. It’s nice to see you again. Would you like some pinot noir?
Allan: Sounds great.
Penny: Glass or pint?
Allan: A pint would be great. Thanks. Now Phil, about your generous offer to donate $100 million to the University of Oregon, I’ve been thinking, maybe it would be better to donate it to Lane County for health and human services. I’m thinking about a Katie and Kirsten Frohnmayer prenatal testing and care center....
Phil: Too schmaltzy.
Allan: or maybe a Steve Prefontaine substance abuse prevention program....
Phil: Boring. Plus, I’m tired of hendrick’s hick.
Allan; Hendrick’s hick?
Phil: Yeah. Pre was a hick from Coos Bay who died near Hendricks Park. His claim to fame is that he was really good at running around in circles really fast. Big deal.
Allan: What about a Wayne Morse Center for...
Phil: Who’s Wayne Morse? Look. The reason they call it PHILanthropy is because it’s all about the Phil. And Phil doesn’t give a quack about the unborn and the too drunk. I care about the Ducks. Kapish?
Allan: I kapish, it’s just that I was thinking..
Phil: There’s your problem right there. Stop thinking!
Allan: It’s just that you gave a hundred million to the Stanford Business School in 2006 and now you want to give $100 million to the UO Athletic Department. People are starting to notice that you have an affinity for gifts that make the rich richer.
Penny: That’s true. Phil is all about making the rich richer.
Allan: The thing is, people are starting to make jokes...calling you the anti-Robin Hood. You take from the poor and give to the rich all in the name of the swoosh.
Phil: This is boring. I am going to watch the Oregon-Oklahoma football game from September 16, 2006. Would you like to join me?
Penny: I’ll pass. We watched it last night.
Allan: I’ll punt.
[sound of footsteps]
Penny: Oh, Allan.
Allan: Oh, Penny.
[sound of clothes rustling]
Allan: Oh, Penny. Who’s your donor?
Penny: You are!
Allan: Tell me again!
Penny: The Price is right!
Allan: Who’s your donor?
Penny: The Price is right!
Allan: Who’s your donor?
Penny: Phil me up!
Allan: Aaarggh! No!
Penny: I mean the Price is right!
Allan: In for a penny, in for a pound! In penny for a pound! In for a pound! In for a pound!
[sound of footsteps]
Phil: It’s halftime. Anyone up for Pizza Hut?
[sound of doorbell. sound of footsteps. sound of door opening.]
Phil: Allan, it’s great to see you. Thanks for driving up on such short notice.
Allan: No problem. When I hear Phil Knight say “University of Oregon” and “$100 million” in the same sentence I am all about it.
Penny: Hello, Allan. It’s nice to see you again. Would you like some pinot noir?
Allan: Sounds great.
Penny: Glass or pint?
Allan: A pint would be great. Thanks. Now Phil, about your generous offer to donate $100 million to the University of Oregon, I’ve been thinking, maybe it would be better to donate it to Lane County for health and human services. I’m thinking about a Katie and Kirsten Frohnmayer prenatal testing and care center....
Phil: Too schmaltzy.
Allan: or maybe a Steve Prefontaine substance abuse prevention program....
Phil: Boring. Plus, I’m tired of hendrick’s hick.
Allan; Hendrick’s hick?
Phil: Yeah. Pre was a hick from Coos Bay who died near Hendricks Park. His claim to fame is that he was really good at running around in circles really fast. Big deal.
Allan: What about a Wayne Morse Center for...
Phil: Who’s Wayne Morse? Look. The reason they call it PHILanthropy is because it’s all about the Phil. And Phil doesn’t give a quack about the unborn and the too drunk. I care about the Ducks. Kapish?
Allan: I kapish, it’s just that I was thinking..
Phil: There’s your problem right there. Stop thinking!
Allan: It’s just that you gave a hundred million to the Stanford Business School in 2006 and now you want to give $100 million to the UO Athletic Department. People are starting to notice that you have an affinity for gifts that make the rich richer.
Penny: That’s true. Phil is all about making the rich richer.
Allan: The thing is, people are starting to make jokes...calling you the anti-Robin Hood. You take from the poor and give to the rich all in the name of the swoosh.
Phil: This is boring. I am going to watch the Oregon-Oklahoma football game from September 16, 2006. Would you like to join me?
Penny: I’ll pass. We watched it last night.
Allan: I’ll punt.
[sound of footsteps]
Penny: Oh, Allan.
Allan: Oh, Penny.
[sound of clothes rustling]
Allan: Oh, Penny. Who’s your donor?
Penny: You are!
Allan: Tell me again!
Penny: The Price is right!
Allan: Who’s your donor?
Penny: The Price is right!
Allan: Who’s your donor?
Penny: Phil me up!
Allan: Aaarggh! No!
Penny: I mean the Price is right!
Allan: In for a penny, in for a pound! In penny for a pound! In for a pound! In for a pound!
[sound of footsteps]
Phil: It’s halftime. Anyone up for Pizza Hut?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
pasadena gerbil
This is Joe Morris. He alleges he is one of three triplets. Maybe he's right - they do say that bad things come in threes.
gerbil john
This is John McKay. He is a vocal member of the "Gerbil Nation" a group of Christian perverts and/or geeks who bonded in common hatred of me after I made fun of a guy on the internet for being neuronally impaired.
Mr. McKay is a typical Southern Baptist, I guess. Dehumanize thy neighbor.
Mazel tov to the First Baptist Church of Cumming, Georgia for being affiliated with the self-proclaimed John the Baptist.
advice from becky@inbredgister guard
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rebecca Taylor"
To: "Deborah Frisch"
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: mazel tov to ms. taylor
> Maybe these people can help you:
>
> Lane County Mental Health Office
> Main Line: (541) 682-3608
> Main Line: (541) 682-4085
From: "Rebecca Taylor"
To: "Deborah Frisch"
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: mazel tov to ms. taylor
> Maybe these people can help you:
>
> Lane County Mental Health Office
> Main Line: (541) 682-3608
> Main Line: (541) 682-4085
Thursday, February 14, 2008
mazel tov to ms. taylor
From: Deborah Frisch
To: rebecca.taylor@registerguard.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:26 PM
Subject: mazel tov to ms. taylor
Dear Ms. Taylor,
Let me be the first to congratulate you on the most honest thing you have ever written. On the front page of today's inbredgister guard, you write:
"The debate about whether newspaper carrier Miguel Bustamante is a “suspect” or a “person of interest” in the wreck that severely injured 20-year-old Torey Moore in November appears to be an argument of legal semantics."
You warn the reader that the rest of the article will be pointless chatter about a meaningless quibble. Usually, it takes the reader 2 or 3 paragraphs to realize that what you're offering is neuron-numbing drivel - thanks for being so upfront about it today. There's hope yet for the inbredgister guard!
I am sorry for slacking in my P(olice) A(ctivist) capacity. I've had bigger ducks to roast (see below). But your article, combined with the one by Bill Bishop about yet another drunk driver who killed a pedestrian being given a slap on the wrist by eph dug & company has inspired me to put your beat (Salisburies, Tasers and other police-related issues) in the on-duck circle. BTW: Thank you Mr. Bishop, for helping me realize that it's not the chief who's pro-rape and drunk driving and anti-free speech - it's dee aye dug.
VTY,
DF
To: rebecca.taylor@registerguard.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:26 PM
Subject: mazel tov to ms. taylor
Dear Ms. Taylor,
Let me be the first to congratulate you on the most honest thing you have ever written. On the front page of today's inbredgister guard, you write:
"The debate about whether newspaper carrier Miguel Bustamante is a “suspect” or a “person of interest” in the wreck that severely injured 20-year-old Torey Moore in November appears to be an argument of legal semantics."
You warn the reader that the rest of the article will be pointless chatter about a meaningless quibble. Usually, it takes the reader 2 or 3 paragraphs to realize that what you're offering is neuron-numbing drivel - thanks for being so upfront about it today. There's hope yet for the inbredgister guard!
I am sorry for slacking in my P(olice) A(ctivist) capacity. I've had bigger ducks to roast (see below). But your article, combined with the one by Bill Bishop about yet another drunk driver who killed a pedestrian being given a slap on the wrist by eph dug & company has inspired me to put your beat (Salisburies, Tasers and other police-related issues) in the on-duck circle. BTW: Thank you Mr. Bishop, for helping me realize that it's not the chief who's pro-rape and drunk driving and anti-free speech - it's dee aye dug.
VTY,
DF
harbaugh's heroic quest
Last night, Julia Silverman, an Associated Press reporter revealed two new details about Project PAP SMEAR (Phil/Allan/Penny’s) Scheme to Make Eugene’s Arena Reality.
1.Ways and Means co-chair Representative Mary Nolan is identified as one of the two no votes in the 17-2 vote in favor of “Big Mac Court.” [The other person who voted no was Senator Avel Gordly.]
2. Ms. Silverman also revealed that University of Oregon economics professor Bill Harbaugh is in favor of funding the arena.
These findings are very surprising. Based on their previous public comments, one would have expected that Ms. Nolan was in favor of the proposal and that Dr. Harbaugh was against it. But the truth is the exact opposite.
Steve Duin of the Portland Oregonian describes Professor Harbaugh’s heroic quest to obtain a report on “arena consulting” for which the University of Oregon Foundation paid EcoNorthwest, a Eugene-based consulting firm $123, 431 in 2004. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/1202955919293400.xml&coll=7&thispage=2
Mr. Duin writes: “On Oct. 10, Harbaugh asked Karen Kreft, the foundation president, for the report. She responded by e-mail, "As we have communicated, the EcoNorthwest report is unknown to the Foundation." Kreft told Harbaugh future requests should be directed to Grier, the university's general counsel. When Harbaugh followed those instructions, he said "it took three petitions to the attorney general's office and probably 20 e-mails to Melinda Grier and President Frohnmayer" before the report arrived. “
Mr. Duin’s article raises two questions:
1. Why didn’t University of Oregon Economics Professor Harbaugh just ask University of Oregon Economics Professor Whitelaw for a copy of the report? Why the wild duck (beaver?) chase, Bill, when your colleague Ed wrote the report?!
2. Given the questions raised by the Whitelaw report, the January 2, 2008 agreement and other information that has come out since Rachel Bachman broke the stories on February 9, why is Dr. Harbaugh in favor of the arena?
Dr. Harbaugh’s attitude doesn’t seem very rational or scientific. Indeed, Dr. Whitelaw’s disrespect for his colleagues in not immediately making this information public and Dr. Harbaugh’s curious indifference to the new information being revealed every day provide support for the adage “Whoever called economics the dismal science got it half right.”
It’s not just economists Harbaugh and Whitelaw who are in favor of the $300 million for athletics/$0 for academics proposition. The Register Guard reports that the UO Faculty Senate plans to re-affirm its support for Project PAP SMEAR today. Greg Bolt reprints an email from UO Senate President Gordon Sayre. Dr. Sayre, an English professor writes "It is of the utmost importance to safeguard the Legacy Fund and preserve its principle..." Uh, that's "principal," Professor Sayre. Sheesh. Given the quality of UO academics, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to give it all to athletics! [Mr. Bolt didn't catch the mistake either. Yikes.]
But speaking of preserving principle, perhaps the University of Oregon faculty and administration should consider the admonition of Senator Bill Morissette. The former mayor of Springfield sounded downright professorial when he told Greg Bolt (2.12.08) “It’s a pause for reflection. We have to take a look at it based on new information that was not made available at the time of our hearings.”
Dr. Harbaugh told Mr. Duin: "Now's a great time to build it. There's $100 million on the table from Phil Knight. But the terms of the gift are such that the taxpayers and the university are going to end up paying a lot for something that's really what Phil Knight wants."
The $100 million on the table goes to the UO Athletics Department if the state of Oregon issues the Ducks a $200 million mortgage. The borrower has a very dicey cash flow and wants to put 0% down. The tax implications are also murky. That is, the state of Oregon has a chance to approve a loan request from a subprime lender for a project that has no benefit to the vast majority of citizens. With all due respect to people who like to sit on their rumps and watch tall UO students dribble, pass and shoot, there may be more cost-effective ways for the state to spend $200 million.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
Disclaimer: When I directed the Decision, Risk and Management Sciences program at the National Science Foundation (2001-2003), Dr. Harbaugh was a member of my advisory panel. Back then, I thought he was a smart cookie.
1.Ways and Means co-chair Representative Mary Nolan is identified as one of the two no votes in the 17-2 vote in favor of “Big Mac Court.” [The other person who voted no was Senator Avel Gordly.]
2. Ms. Silverman also revealed that University of Oregon economics professor Bill Harbaugh is in favor of funding the arena.
These findings are very surprising. Based on their previous public comments, one would have expected that Ms. Nolan was in favor of the proposal and that Dr. Harbaugh was against it. But the truth is the exact opposite.
Steve Duin of the Portland Oregonian describes Professor Harbaugh’s heroic quest to obtain a report on “arena consulting” for which the University of Oregon Foundation paid EcoNorthwest, a Eugene-based consulting firm $123, 431 in 2004. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/1202955919293400.xml&coll=7&thispage=2
Mr. Duin writes: “On Oct. 10, Harbaugh asked Karen Kreft, the foundation president, for the report. She responded by e-mail, "As we have communicated, the EcoNorthwest report is unknown to the Foundation." Kreft told Harbaugh future requests should be directed to Grier, the university's general counsel. When Harbaugh followed those instructions, he said "it took three petitions to the attorney general's office and probably 20 e-mails to Melinda Grier and President Frohnmayer" before the report arrived. “
Mr. Duin’s article raises two questions:
1. Why didn’t University of Oregon Economics Professor Harbaugh just ask University of Oregon Economics Professor Whitelaw for a copy of the report? Why the wild duck (beaver?) chase, Bill, when your colleague Ed wrote the report?!
2. Given the questions raised by the Whitelaw report, the January 2, 2008 agreement and other information that has come out since Rachel Bachman broke the stories on February 9, why is Dr. Harbaugh in favor of the arena?
Dr. Harbaugh’s attitude doesn’t seem very rational or scientific. Indeed, Dr. Whitelaw’s disrespect for his colleagues in not immediately making this information public and Dr. Harbaugh’s curious indifference to the new information being revealed every day provide support for the adage “Whoever called economics the dismal science got it half right.”
It’s not just economists Harbaugh and Whitelaw who are in favor of the $300 million for athletics/$0 for academics proposition. The Register Guard reports that the UO Faculty Senate plans to re-affirm its support for Project PAP SMEAR today. Greg Bolt reprints an email from UO Senate President Gordon Sayre. Dr. Sayre, an English professor writes "It is of the utmost importance to safeguard the Legacy Fund and preserve its principle..." Uh, that's "principal," Professor Sayre. Sheesh. Given the quality of UO academics, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to give it all to athletics! [Mr. Bolt didn't catch the mistake either. Yikes.]
But speaking of preserving principle, perhaps the University of Oregon faculty and administration should consider the admonition of Senator Bill Morissette. The former mayor of Springfield sounded downright professorial when he told Greg Bolt (2.12.08) “It’s a pause for reflection. We have to take a look at it based on new information that was not made available at the time of our hearings.”
Dr. Harbaugh told Mr. Duin: "Now's a great time to build it. There's $100 million on the table from Phil Knight. But the terms of the gift are such that the taxpayers and the university are going to end up paying a lot for something that's really what Phil Knight wants."
The $100 million on the table goes to the UO Athletics Department if the state of Oregon issues the Ducks a $200 million mortgage. The borrower has a very dicey cash flow and wants to put 0% down. The tax implications are also murky. That is, the state of Oregon has a chance to approve a loan request from a subprime lender for a project that has no benefit to the vast majority of citizens. With all due respect to people who like to sit on their rumps and watch tall UO students dribble, pass and shoot, there may be more cost-effective ways for the state to spend $200 million.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
Disclaimer: When I directed the Decision, Risk and Management Sciences program at the National Science Foundation (2001-2003), Dr. Harbaugh was a member of my advisory panel. Back then, I thought he was a smart cookie.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
bux4dux?
On February 12, 2008 the Eugene Register Guard published a transcription of the one-page agreement co-signed on January 2, 2008 by Philip and Penelope Knight and Allan Price, University of Oregon Vice President for Advancement.
The 395 word agreement formalizes the terms of the $100 million offer from the Knights to the University of Oregon Athletics Department that was announced on August 18, 2007 “at an event held on the Nike campus in Beaverton after a closed-door scrimmage by the Oregon football team.”
This article by Greg Bolt follows up on a February 10 article by Mark Baker.
Neither Mr. Baker nor Mr. Bolt credit Rachel Bachman of the Portland Oregonian who viewed the January 2 agreement on February 8 and on February 9 was the first reporter to write about the fact that the Knights’ $100 million gift to create the “University of Oregon Athletic Department Legacy” is “contingent on the approval of the State of Oregon on or before June 1, 2008 for the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds to fund the cost of design and construction of a new basketball arena for the University of Oregon.”
Register-Guard Managing Editor Dave Baker describes the January 2, 2008 document as “a one-page agreement by Phil Knight and his wife, Penelope, to give $100 million to the University of Oregon Foundation to help the UO build a new basketball arena” and summarizes it as follows: “In essence, the agreement says the Knights will donate their money only if the UO and the state meet a number of conditions, including how the $100 million can and can’t be used, and that the state by June 1 agrees to issue bonds to raise money to build the arena.”
Mr. Baker’s summary omits the fact that although the purpose of the “$100 million [donation] to the University of Oregon Foundation [is] to help the UO build a new [$200 million] basketball arena” one of the conditions on “how the $100 million can and can’t be used,” is that the funds “shall not under any circumstances be used to directly pay any costs of planning, design or construction of a new basketball arena.”
In an article accompanying Mr. Bolt’s transcription of the agreement between Phil, Allan and Penny [Footnote 1], David Steves notes that Representatives Mary Nolan (Ways and Means co-chair) and Phil Barnhart dismissed the importance of Ms. Bachman’s February 9 revelation.
Mr. Barnhart noted that “Donors put conditions of all different kinds on the gifts they make.” Ms. Nolan said “such deadlines shouldn’t rub her fellow legislators the wrong way” and noted that they are a universal tool to ensure that others get things done according to your timetable.” Representative Nolan even gave told Mr. Steves an example to prove her point “I tell my daughter she has 10 minutes to clean her room ... deadlines are a wonderful thing.”
With all due respect to Representatives Barnhart and Nolan, the combination of the:
a. very short time interval between the January 2, 2008 agreement and the June 1, 2008 deadline (a day shy of five months) and
b. seeming contradiction between the Knights’ two constraints (“contingent on the approval of the State of Oregon on or before June 1, 2008 for the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds to fund the cost of design and construction of a new basketball arena for the University of Oregon” and “shall not under any circumstances be used to directly pay any costs of planning, design or construction of a new basketball arena.”)
suggest that the implications and intention of the agreement are worth examining in more detail.
The Knights’ deadline is very peculiar if you think about it. The longer the decision is delayed, the longer the interest on the $100 million accrues to them and not to the University of Oregon Athletic Legacy Fund. That is, the “cost” to the Knights of delaying the decision is that they make more money that they could donate to a charitable organization or spend themselves.
Phil and Penny’s June 1 deadline for “the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds” is a delicate way of saying “if the UO's request for a low-interest, 0% down $200 million loan for a new basketball arena is not approved by the Oregon Legislature during the February special session, we’re not going to donate $100 million to the University of Oregon Athletic department.”
Basically, the Knights are trying to bully the state of Oregon into fast-tracking a deal that has no benefit for the state of Oregon. Given that the details of the offer did not come out until February 9 and that there is still disagreement about the revenue projections, tax implications and other details of the financing, the prudent thing to do would be to put off this decision until the next regular session.
Indeed, one wonders if Representative Nolan and Senator Schrader have actually read the text of the December 7, 2007 memo they sent out describing the criteria for funding requests in this special session:
“the February 2008 supplemental session is to be regarded as a “tune-up” opportunity to address budgetary items where emergencies have developed or new information since sine die of the regular session clearly indicates a unique need or urgent opportunity to modify the adopted budget. The Legislature has adopted its 2007-09 balanced budget. The public, state agencies, our local partners, and our colleagues have all had a chance to influence that budget in an open, thoughtful process during our regular 2007 session.”
This is only an emergency if you think it would be a disaster if Phil and Penny Knight didn’t donate $100 million to UO Athletics Department. I can see how reasonable people can disagree about whether it is cost-effective for the state of Oregon to issue $200 million of XI F(1) bonds to the UO to build big mac court. I don’t see how anyone can argue that given the new information revealed by Ms. Bachman in the Portland Oregonian on February 9, it is possible to make an informed decision about this proposal during this special session.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
P.S. A good name for the January 2, 2008 agreement is PAP SMEAR: Phil, Allan & Penny’s Scheme to Make Eugene’s Arena a Reality
Footnote 1: The “Editor’s Note” explains that University of Oregon attorney Doug Park denied R-G reporter Greg Bolt’s request for a hard copy of the 1.2.08 agreement because “the document came to the UO from the [University of Oregon] foundation, a private, nonprofit fundraising group.
The reason the document came to the UO from the UO Foundation is that the agreement co-signed by Phil, Penny and Allan on January 2, 2008 involved a donation to the University of Foundation, earmarked for the creation of a “University of Oregon Athletic Department Legacy Fund.”
It was not a donation to the University of Oregon, as stated by Mr. Frohnmayer and Mr. Kilkenny at the 8/18 Duck party in Beaverton or the 8/20 press conference in Eugene. Since neither Doug Bonham’s article in the August 20 Oregon Daily Emerald nor Greg Bolt’s article in the August 21 Register Guard mentions the UO Foundation, it’s a good bet that neither President Frohnmayer nor Athletic Director Kilkenny mentioned that detail.
Apparently, it did not occur to:
a.UOVP Price, Reporter Bolt or Managing Editor Baker to contact the CEO (Karen E. Kreft), CFO (Gary F. Livesay) and/or CIO (Jay Namyet) of the University of Oregon Foundation to see if they’d give Mr. Price permission to provide the Register Guard with a copy of the agreement
or
b.UOVP Price that if you’re going to let a newspaper reporter copy a document word for word, you might as well be a mensch and just give him a hard copy!
The 395 word agreement formalizes the terms of the $100 million offer from the Knights to the University of Oregon Athletics Department that was announced on August 18, 2007 “at an event held on the Nike campus in Beaverton after a closed-door scrimmage by the Oregon football team.”
This article by Greg Bolt follows up on a February 10 article by Mark Baker.
Neither Mr. Baker nor Mr. Bolt credit Rachel Bachman of the Portland Oregonian who viewed the January 2 agreement on February 8 and on February 9 was the first reporter to write about the fact that the Knights’ $100 million gift to create the “University of Oregon Athletic Department Legacy” is “contingent on the approval of the State of Oregon on or before June 1, 2008 for the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds to fund the cost of design and construction of a new basketball arena for the University of Oregon.”
Register-Guard Managing Editor Dave Baker describes the January 2, 2008 document as “a one-page agreement by Phil Knight and his wife, Penelope, to give $100 million to the University of Oregon Foundation to help the UO build a new basketball arena” and summarizes it as follows: “In essence, the agreement says the Knights will donate their money only if the UO and the state meet a number of conditions, including how the $100 million can and can’t be used, and that the state by June 1 agrees to issue bonds to raise money to build the arena.”
Mr. Baker’s summary omits the fact that although the purpose of the “$100 million [donation] to the University of Oregon Foundation [is] to help the UO build a new [$200 million] basketball arena” one of the conditions on “how the $100 million can and can’t be used,” is that the funds “shall not under any circumstances be used to directly pay any costs of planning, design or construction of a new basketball arena.”
In an article accompanying Mr. Bolt’s transcription of the agreement between Phil, Allan and Penny [Footnote 1], David Steves notes that Representatives Mary Nolan (Ways and Means co-chair) and Phil Barnhart dismissed the importance of Ms. Bachman’s February 9 revelation.
Mr. Barnhart noted that “Donors put conditions of all different kinds on the gifts they make.” Ms. Nolan said “such deadlines shouldn’t rub her fellow legislators the wrong way” and noted that they are a universal tool to ensure that others get things done according to your timetable.” Representative Nolan even gave told Mr. Steves an example to prove her point “I tell my daughter she has 10 minutes to clean her room ... deadlines are a wonderful thing.”
With all due respect to Representatives Barnhart and Nolan, the combination of the:
a. very short time interval between the January 2, 2008 agreement and the June 1, 2008 deadline (a day shy of five months) and
b. seeming contradiction between the Knights’ two constraints (“contingent on the approval of the State of Oregon on or before June 1, 2008 for the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds to fund the cost of design and construction of a new basketball arena for the University of Oregon” and “shall not under any circumstances be used to directly pay any costs of planning, design or construction of a new basketball arena.”)
suggest that the implications and intention of the agreement are worth examining in more detail.
The Knights’ deadline is very peculiar if you think about it. The longer the decision is delayed, the longer the interest on the $100 million accrues to them and not to the University of Oregon Athletic Legacy Fund. That is, the “cost” to the Knights of delaying the decision is that they make more money that they could donate to a charitable organization or spend themselves.
Phil and Penny’s June 1 deadline for “the issuance by the State of XI F (1) bonds” is a delicate way of saying “if the UO's request for a low-interest, 0% down $200 million loan for a new basketball arena is not approved by the Oregon Legislature during the February special session, we’re not going to donate $100 million to the University of Oregon Athletic department.”
Basically, the Knights are trying to bully the state of Oregon into fast-tracking a deal that has no benefit for the state of Oregon. Given that the details of the offer did not come out until February 9 and that there is still disagreement about the revenue projections, tax implications and other details of the financing, the prudent thing to do would be to put off this decision until the next regular session.
Indeed, one wonders if Representative Nolan and Senator Schrader have actually read the text of the December 7, 2007 memo they sent out describing the criteria for funding requests in this special session:
“the February 2008 supplemental session is to be regarded as a “tune-up” opportunity to address budgetary items where emergencies have developed or new information since sine die of the regular session clearly indicates a unique need or urgent opportunity to modify the adopted budget. The Legislature has adopted its 2007-09 balanced budget. The public, state agencies, our local partners, and our colleagues have all had a chance to influence that budget in an open, thoughtful process during our regular 2007 session.”
This is only an emergency if you think it would be a disaster if Phil and Penny Knight didn’t donate $100 million to UO Athletics Department. I can see how reasonable people can disagree about whether it is cost-effective for the state of Oregon to issue $200 million of XI F(1) bonds to the UO to build big mac court. I don’t see how anyone can argue that given the new information revealed by Ms. Bachman in the Portland Oregonian on February 9, it is possible to make an informed decision about this proposal during this special session.
Deborah Frisch, Ph.D.
Eugene, OR
P.S. A good name for the January 2, 2008 agreement is PAP SMEAR: Phil, Allan & Penny’s Scheme to Make Eugene’s Arena a Reality
Footnote 1: The “Editor’s Note” explains that University of Oregon attorney Doug Park denied R-G reporter Greg Bolt’s request for a hard copy of the 1.2.08 agreement because “the document came to the UO from the [University of Oregon] foundation, a private, nonprofit fundraising group.
The reason the document came to the UO from the UO Foundation is that the agreement co-signed by Phil, Penny and Allan on January 2, 2008 involved a donation to the University of Foundation, earmarked for the creation of a “University of Oregon Athletic Department Legacy Fund.”
It was not a donation to the University of Oregon, as stated by Mr. Frohnmayer and Mr. Kilkenny at the 8/18 Duck party in Beaverton or the 8/20 press conference in Eugene. Since neither Doug Bonham’s article in the August 20 Oregon Daily Emerald nor Greg Bolt’s article in the August 21 Register Guard mentions the UO Foundation, it’s a good bet that neither President Frohnmayer nor Athletic Director Kilkenny mentioned that detail.
Apparently, it did not occur to:
a.UOVP Price, Reporter Bolt or Managing Editor Baker to contact the CEO (Karen E. Kreft), CFO (Gary F. Livesay) and/or CIO (Jay Namyet) of the University of Oregon Foundation to see if they’d give Mr. Price permission to provide the Register Guard with a copy of the agreement
or
b.UOVP Price that if you’re going to let a newspaper reporter copy a document word for word, you might as well be a mensch and just give him a hard copy!
Monday, February 11, 2008
frohnmayer's boondoggle
August 20, 2007: University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer and Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny announce that Nike CEO Phil Knight and his wife Penny have donated $100 million to the University of Oregon where Mr. Knight earned his bachelor’s in accounting in 1959. The donation, earmarked for an “Athletic Legacy Fund” is the largest donation in the University of Oregon’s history and just a tad less than the $105 million the Knights donated to Stanford University (earmarked for the Graduate School of Business) where Mr. Knight earned his Masters of Business Administration in 1962.
September 7, 2007: The State Board of Higher Education grants “the University a resolution of necessity: permission to utilize eminent domain laws in order to obtain three properties on which, along with the Williams' Bakery site, the University hopes to build an arena to replace 80-year-old McArthur Court.”
November 1, 2007: Ryan Knutson of the Oregon Daily Emerald notes “The funding plan for the new basketball arena has the potential to violate tax laws, but whether the plan violates the law depends on legal interpretations, and the University [general counsel Melinda Grier] insists it won't.”
November 2, 2007: (according to Ryan Knutson of the Oregon Daily Emerald) or November 16, 2007 (according to Greg Bolt of the Eugene Register Guard) the State Board of Higher Education approves the University of Oregon’s request to request $200 million in bonds from the state of Oregon to fund a new basketball arena.
December 7, 2007: Senator Kurt Schrader and Representative Mary Nolan, the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee send out a call for proposals to be considered during the special session beginning February 4, 2008. They note that “the February 2008 supplemental session is to be regarded as a “tune-up” opportunity to address budgetary items where emergencies have developed or new information since sine die of the regular session clearly indicates a unique need or urgent opportunity to modify the adopted budget” and give a deadline of January 28, 2008.
January 11, 2008: Steve Bender, a Legislative Fiscal Analyst releases a 3 page analysis recommending approval of the UO proposal.
Bill McGee of the Department of Administrative Services releases a 7 page analysis that is much more skeptical but also concludes with a recommendation for funding.
January 17, 2008 the Oregon Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee votes 17-2 in favor of funding the proposal, ten days prior to the January 28, 2008 deadline for submissions given in the December 7, 2007 letter.
February 4, 2008 the Portland Oregonian publishes an article by Rachel Bachman that is skeptical of the proposal.
February 5, 2008 the Eugene Register Guard publishes an article by David Steves about the legislative session and does not mention the UO proposal.
February 9, 2008 the Eugene Register Guard publishes an article by David Steves about the public hearing on February 8 about the arena proposal. He notes that there was only one person at the hearing (that was not announced in advance by the Register-Guard), a Ducks fan who is in favor of it.
February 9, 2008: Rachel Bachman of the Portland Oregonian reveals that the $100 million “gift” to the UO Athletic Department announced on August 20 is contingent on the state of Oregon’s approving a $200 million loan to the UO Athletic Department by June 1, 2008.
February 10, 2008 Mark Baker of the Eugene Register Guard reports on Ms. Bachman’s discovery. UO Vice President for University Advancement Allan Price justifies the Knights’ contingency as follows: “Clearly, we’ve said that the arena project is the highest priority for the athletic department. And if we can’t move forward on it, why give that money to the Legacy Fund?”
Summary:
In the 2.4.08 Oregonian article by Ms. Bachman, President Frohnmayer is quoted as saying "We looked exhaustively at every single combination: public bonds, private bonds, trying to raise the cash money to do it. And this just made the most sense to us."
While it is easy to see why UO Athletic Supporters Frohnmayer, Kilkenny and Knight prefer that the $5 million in interest a year on Phil and Penny Knight's $100 million donation goes to an “Athletic Legacy Fund” and not to the state of Oregon, it is hard to see why 17/19 members of the Ways and Means approved of this project.
Ms. Bachman notes “Lawmaker approval would create a no-money-down, 30-year mortgage that the university plans to repay with arena revenues and athletic department donations” and asks “Is it appropriate to use public debt for a posh athletics venue while the state's universities struggle to support core academic programs? “ This quote describes two big problems with the proposal.
Problem 1: It's the ultimate subprime mortgage.
1. The borrower is putting 0% down.
2. There is an adjustable interest rate because:
a. if revenues fall short and interest from the Athletic Legacy Fund is used, the Federal tax owed will be substantially higher. Department of Administrative Services Analyst McGee (1.11.08) elaborated on the concerns described by Mr. Kuntson on 11.1.07. “If the Legacy Fund were committed, or expected to be used to pay costs of the arena or debt service on the arena bonds, Federal law likely would require the state to finance the arena with taxable bonds or to restrict the earnings on the Legacy Fund. Taxable bonds, have interest rates typically 1 to 1.5 percent higher than tax-exempt bonds, increasing overall debt service costs. Restricting earnings on the Legacy Fund could cost even more...Federal law limits issuance of tax-exempt bonds to permissible government purposes, generally limited to capital projects. Use of tax-exempt proceeds to replace existing other funds that already would be available to pay costs of a project or facility is prohibited. The alternative, taxable bonds, have interest rates typically 1 to 1.5 percent higher than non-taxable, increasing overall debt service costs. If the Legacy Fund were determined to be available for the cost of construction or debt service for the Arena, the bonds would be declared “replacement proceeds” and therefore taxable. In addition, since interest earned on the Legacy Fund is expected to significantly exceed interest paid on the bonds, the Legacy Fund cannot be used as a source of debt repayment without incurring arbitrage liabilities under federal tax law. Those penalties, which would limit the return on the Fund to the interest rate paid on the bonds, would require any excess returns to be paid to the federal government.”
b. There's a good chance IRS rules on this will become harsher in the future. See October 10, 2007 hearing on Capitol Hill, “Professional Sport Stadiums: Do They Divert Public Funds From Critical Public Infrastructure?”
Assistant Treasury Secretary Eric Solomon said ”The tax policy justification for a Federal subsidy for tax-exempt bonds is weaker when State or local governments use Governmental Bonds to finance activities beyond traditional governmental functions, such as the provision of stadiums, in which the public purpose is more attenuated and private businesses receive the benefits of the subsidy.”
3. The borrower has an uncertain income. McGee notes “arena revenues are not expected to cover operational costs and debt service for at least 10 years.”
4. The borrower is “maxed out” on debt. McGee notes that “The Board adopted an upper threshold of seven percent for each campus’ debt burden ratio, which compares the current level of debt service with total expenditures... the [UO] ratio is projected to increase from 3.3 percent in 2006-07 to 7.1 percent in 2015-16.”
Problem 2: The opportunity costs have not been calculated.
1. The University of Oregon will be limited in future investment.
McGee notes “The university has tentatively identified capital projects through the 2013-15 biennium for which it would also request Article XI-F (1) bond authority. These include a major upgrade of its housing and dining facilities, additional parking, a research park, a recreation center, a new alumni center, enhanced regional library facilities, a new power plant, an upgrade of the White Stag building in Portland, and other projects. Preliminary cost estimates for these additional projects total $336.3 million.”
2. The state of Oregon will be limited in future investment.
At the 10.10.07 hearing, Dennis Kucinich noted that “The Minnesota Twins got public funding approved for a new stadium just the year before the I-35W bridge collapsed.”
More generally, it is not clear that giving a loan to the UO for a new basketball arena is the best way for Oregon taxpayers to spend $200 million.
3. This represents a transfer of wealth from the rest of the state to Eugene’s construction industry. It might be fairer and more cost-effective to distribute $200 million in construction across the state, rather than spend all of it in Eugene.
Bottom line:
Phil and Penny Knight’s offer says “If the state of Oregon loans the UO Athletic Department $200 million, we’ll give it $100 million.” That’s great for Ducks fans but bad for everyone else due to the riskiness of the loan and lack of any benefits for Oregonians (BEST case scenario is that the state will break even on this deal.)
The state of Oregon should propose a counteroffer – if you give us $100 million to use either as a down payment (a loan with a 50% down payment is super-prime while a loan with a 0% down payment is sub-prime) or to create a fund whose interest can be used for public goods such as health care, roads, etc., we’ll loan the UO $200 million.”
Now that we know the reason this was an “emergency” (Knights’ arbitrary June 1 deadline), it’s obvious that the Legislature should just say no to Frohnmayer, Knight and Kilkenny.
P.S. The Knights donated $100 million to Stanford for academics and $100 million to the UO for athletics. Too bad Phil doesn’t have as much respect for his undergraduate alma mater as he does for his graduate one!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
mel thompson: felon@epd.eugene.or?
----- Original Message -----
From: Deborah Frisch
To: Douglas Harcleroad
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:01 PM
Subject: epd detective mel thompson
On September 12, 2004, Rebecca Nolan [Taylor] alleged in the Eugene Register Guard that EPD Officer Mel Thompson had threatened one of the victims of former EPD Officer and convicted felon Roger Magana.
She wrote: The woman, an addict told [EPD Officer] Crompton that two of Magana's "buddies" showed up one day and "told her to keep her mouth shut and to stop spreading rumors about officer Magana," according to the files. The woman said officer Mel Thompson was one of the "buddies." The second man wasn't identified. Thompson also chose not to comment for this story.
On September 29, 2004 Ms. Nolan Taylor reported that Tomme Lea Allen, one of the 13 women who were Magana’s victims in his 42 felony convictions was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose at 1101 W. 6th. Ms. Nolan Taylor noted that Ms. Allen was “the plaintiff in a $2.25 million lawsuit against the city alleging that the police department was negligent in hiring and supervising Roger Magaña.”
On July 20, 2006, Detective Thompson admitted to Alan Pittman of the Eugene Weekly that “he was Magaña's "pal" and one of the officers who threatened the woman described by Ms. Nolan Taylor on September 12, 2004.
The woman, "a suspected heroin user and prostitute from Florence” was having “a romantic relationship with Magaña “ Detective Thompson said “he could not remember her name nor the name of the other officer with him. He said the two officers confronted the woman during an arrest in an alley and gave her a "spiel" about wrongly harming an officer's reputation.”
That is, on July 20, 2006, Mr. Thompson admitted that in the process of arresting a Florence resident in an alley, he and another EPD officer threatened to harm her if she spoke about her relationship with Magana.
Question 1: Didn’t Thompson confess to a misdemeanor or even a felony when he told Pittman that he’d tried to intimidate a woman he was arresting into keeping quiet about Magana? Or does the fact that Detective Thompson has endorsed Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner for D.A. in 2008 exempt him from criminal charges?
Question 2: Should someone who:
a. thinks it is a good idea to confess to a crime to a Eugene Weekly reporter and
b. is unable to remember the name of the officer who assisted him in a very memorable arrest
c. was convicted by Municipal Court Judge Alan Leiman of committing a crime while on duty with Magana (illegal search on 11.26.02 at 1103 W. 6th)
really be a detective?
From: Deborah Frisch
To: Douglas Harcleroad
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:01 PM
Subject: epd detective mel thompson
On September 12, 2004, Rebecca Nolan [Taylor] alleged in the Eugene Register Guard that EPD Officer Mel Thompson had threatened one of the victims of former EPD Officer and convicted felon Roger Magana.
She wrote: The woman, an addict told [EPD Officer] Crompton that two of Magana's "buddies" showed up one day and "told her to keep her mouth shut and to stop spreading rumors about officer Magana," according to the files. The woman said officer Mel Thompson was one of the "buddies." The second man wasn't identified. Thompson also chose not to comment for this story.
On September 29, 2004 Ms. Nolan Taylor reported that Tomme Lea Allen, one of the 13 women who were Magana’s victims in his 42 felony convictions was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose at 1101 W. 6th. Ms. Nolan Taylor noted that Ms. Allen was “the plaintiff in a $2.25 million lawsuit against the city alleging that the police department was negligent in hiring and supervising Roger Magaña.”
On July 20, 2006, Detective Thompson admitted to Alan Pittman of the Eugene Weekly that “he was Magaña's "pal" and one of the officers who threatened the woman described by Ms. Nolan Taylor on September 12, 2004.
The woman, "a suspected heroin user and prostitute from Florence” was having “a romantic relationship with Magaña “ Detective Thompson said “he could not remember her name nor the name of the other officer with him. He said the two officers confronted the woman during an arrest in an alley and gave her a "spiel" about wrongly harming an officer's reputation.”
That is, on July 20, 2006, Mr. Thompson admitted that in the process of arresting a Florence resident in an alley, he and another EPD officer threatened to harm her if she spoke about her relationship with Magana.
Question 1: Didn’t Thompson confess to a misdemeanor or even a felony when he told Pittman that he’d tried to intimidate a woman he was arresting into keeping quiet about Magana? Or does the fact that Detective Thompson has endorsed Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner for D.A. in 2008 exempt him from criminal charges?
Question 2: Should someone who:
a. thinks it is a good idea to confess to a crime to a Eugene Weekly reporter and
b. is unable to remember the name of the officer who assisted him in a very memorable arrest
c. was convicted by Municipal Court Judge Alan Leiman of committing a crime while on duty with Magana (illegal search on 11.26.02 at 1103 W. 6th)
really be a detective?
mel thompson, felon@epd.eugene.or?
----- Original Message -----
From: Deborah Frisch
To: Douglas Harcleroad
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:01 PM
Subject: epd detective mel thompson
On September 12, 2004, Rebecca Nolan [Taylor] alleged in the Eugene Register Guard that EPD Officer Mel Thompson had threatened one of the victims of former EPD Officer and convicted felon Roger Magana.
She wrote: The woman, an addict told [EPD Officer] Crompton that two of Magana's "buddies" showed up one day and "told her to keep her mouth shut and to stop spreading rumors about officer Magana," according to the files. The woman said officer Mel Thompson was one of the "buddies." The second man wasn't identified. Thompson also chose not to comment for this story.
On September 29, 2004 Ms. Nolan Taylor reported that Tomme Lea Allen, one of the 13 women who were Magana’s victims in his 42 felony convictions was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose at 1101 W. 6th. Ms. Nolan Taylor noted that Ms. Allen was “the plaintiff in a $2.25 million lawsuit against the city alleging that the police department was negligent in hiring and supervising Roger Magaña.”
On July 20, 2006, Detective Thompson admitted to Alan Pittman of the Eugene Weekly that “he was Magaña's "pal" and one of the officers who threatened the woman described by Ms. Nolan Taylor on September 12, 2004.
The woman, "a suspected heroin user and prostitute from Florence” was having “a romantic relationship with Magaña “ Detective Thompson said “he could not remember her name nor the name of the other officer with him. He said the two officers confronted the woman during an arrest in an alley and gave her a "spiel" about wrongly harming an officer's reputation.”
That is, on July 20, 2006, Mr. Thompson admitted that in the process of arresting a Florence resident in an alley, he and another EPD officer threatened to harm her if she spoke about her relationship with Magana.
Question 1: Didn’t Thompson confess to a misdemeanor or even a felony when he told Pittman that he’d tried to intimidate a woman he was arresting into keeping quiet about Magana? Or does the fact that Detective Thompson has endorsed Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner for D.A. in 2008 exempt him from criminal charges?
Question 2: Should someone who:
a. thinks it is a good idea to confess to a crime to a Eugene Weekly reporter and
b. is unable to remember the name of the officer who assisted him in a very memorable arrest
c. was convicted by Municipal Court Judge Alan Leiman of committing a crime while on duty with Magana (illegal search on 11.26.02 at 1103 W. 6th)
really be a detective?
From: Deborah Frisch
To: Douglas Harcleroad
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:01 PM
Subject: epd detective mel thompson
On September 12, 2004, Rebecca Nolan [Taylor] alleged in the Eugene Register Guard that EPD Officer Mel Thompson had threatened one of the victims of former EPD Officer and convicted felon Roger Magana.
She wrote: The woman, an addict told [EPD Officer] Crompton that two of Magana's "buddies" showed up one day and "told her to keep her mouth shut and to stop spreading rumors about officer Magana," according to the files. The woman said officer Mel Thompson was one of the "buddies." The second man wasn't identified. Thompson also chose not to comment for this story.
On September 29, 2004 Ms. Nolan Taylor reported that Tomme Lea Allen, one of the 13 women who were Magana’s victims in his 42 felony convictions was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose at 1101 W. 6th. Ms. Nolan Taylor noted that Ms. Allen was “the plaintiff in a $2.25 million lawsuit against the city alleging that the police department was negligent in hiring and supervising Roger Magaña.”
On July 20, 2006, Detective Thompson admitted to Alan Pittman of the Eugene Weekly that “he was Magaña's "pal" and one of the officers who threatened the woman described by Ms. Nolan Taylor on September 12, 2004.
The woman, "a suspected heroin user and prostitute from Florence” was having “a romantic relationship with Magaña “ Detective Thompson said “he could not remember her name nor the name of the other officer with him. He said the two officers confronted the woman during an arrest in an alley and gave her a "spiel" about wrongly harming an officer's reputation.”
That is, on July 20, 2006, Mr. Thompson admitted that in the process of arresting a Florence resident in an alley, he and another EPD officer threatened to harm her if she spoke about her relationship with Magana.
Question 1: Didn’t Thompson confess to a misdemeanor or even a felony when he told Pittman that he’d tried to intimidate a woman he was arresting into keeping quiet about Magana? Or does the fact that Detective Thompson has endorsed Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner for D.A. in 2008 exempt him from criminal charges?
Question 2: Should someone who:
a. thinks it is a good idea to confess to a crime to a Eugene Weekly reporter and
b. is unable to remember the name of the officer who assisted him in a very memorable arrest
c. was convicted by Municipal Court Judge Alan Leiman of committing a crime while on duty with Magana (illegal search on 11.26.02 at 1103 W. 6th)
really be a detective?
Saturday, February 2, 2008
peachtree kopz
Duluth (GA) Police Chief Randy Belcher
Two off-duty officers from different police departments wounded each other in a gun fight in the middle of a road in an Atlanta suburb, authorities said.
Officer Jay Daily, a five-year veteran of the Duluth Police Department, exchanged multiple gunshots with Fulton County officer Paul Phillips on Friday afternoon, police said. Daily was in custody Saturday, charged with aggravated assault, Cpl. Illana Spellman of the Gwinnett County police said.
"It's been confirmed that the Duluth police officer was the aggressor in this case," Spellman said. "It's been baffling to us why this situation even occurred," said Duluth Police Chief Randy Belcher. "It's an embarrassment to this agency."
Phillips, who was wearing his uniform and in a marked police car, was driving to his home in Gwinnett County, police said. He was flagged down by someone who had seen Daily involved in a physical altercation with a woman in a sport-utility vehicle.
Daily, who lives in the area, was off duty and in civilian clothing but was wearing a bulletproof vest, police said.
Police did not know what relationship Daily had with the woman or what started the confrontation. The woman, who was not identified, later was hospitalized for minor injuries she suffered before the shooting started, police said.
Belcher described Daily as "an outstanding officer" and said he was suspended while the investigation is under way.
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