Op-Ed: Fascism Feeds
On Fear, Failure
To Democratize

Angry feudalists still seek reversal of progress.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - WHY is it we continue to face unreasonable and irrational, sometimes even threatening, reaction to all forward progress worldwide by those determined to “reverse-the-world back to the Middle Ages”? ARE there, even today, those who would prefer the social, cultural and --for sure-- the predominant ruling class economy/culture then in place?

You better believe it: Check out Comments received whenever any statement of “progressive” --much less “radical”-- political philosophy appears, anywhere.

You’ll recall that Middle Age image of castle-on the-hill --occupied by you-know-who-- and that bitter/cottage village-below for you, me and all others.

Coast Guard Rescues Injured Crewman Near Umpqua River (VIDEO)

A man was medically evacuated from a fishing vessel near Umpqua River, Oregon, Saturday.

(NORTH BEND, Ore.) - The U.S. Coast Guard has released video of a rescue operation over the weekend near the Umpqua River on the Pacific Ocean off Oregon.

Coast Guard Group Air Station in North Bend, Oregon was notified around 11:00 PM Saturday, that a man aboard the 50-foot crabbing vessel Rose Marie, had a serious hand injury.

A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched to evacuate the man from the vessel.

Iraq War Coverage Tim King, Reporting

PTSD - Medical Marijuana Toxicology - Pharmacology

Medical Marijuana; The Oregonian and the Safest Medicine Ever Discovered (Part Two)

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Pharmacologist, Toxicologist and Physician.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - I thank the Oregonian Newspaper for reports about dangerous drugs and more dangerous combinations in their story of December 24th, 2008.

The story points out that 50 million Americans are at risk. This is true because about 100 thousand patients die each year from medical misadventures which strangely enough are caused by their doctors.

Doctors aren’t supposed to know everything and Pharmacology or the science of the action of drugs usually doesn’t have a concurrent course of Therapeutics which is specific for which drug for THE specific disease.

Salem Restaurant Dining Critic!

Salem's Cartoon Strip Only on Salem-News.com

Party Interests Drive China

RFA says Civil Rights movement holds the key.

(HONG KONG) - China's ruling Communist Party is a highly efficient political machine that drives the country's 1.3 billion people with scant regard for their welfare, a former top official has said in a series of essays broadcast by Radio Free Asia (RFA).

In a blistering conclusion to a series of essays for RFA’s Mandarin service to mark the 30th anniversary of China's economic reforms, Bao Tong, former aide to the late ousted premier Zhao Ziyang, said the main hope for political reform now lies with the country's civil rights movement, as its citizens increasingly begin to invoke rights already enshrined in law to protect themselves against abuse.

Are There a Hundred More Coal Ash Spill Sites Across U.S.?

15 states appear to have three or more Tennessee-like unlined “Surface Impoundment” sites For toxic coal-fired power plant waste.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Could another major coal disaster happen at one of the many Tennessee-like power plant coal pollution dumping sites across the United States?

How much toxic arsenic, lead and other heavy metals that endanger drinking water are being dumped into those unlined “surface impoundment” sites each year?

How did federal regulation of coal pollution break down to allow these threats to exist … and what needs to happen if the public and environment are to be protected against future Tennessee-like disasters, as well as the “slow-motion” leaching of toxic metals into drinking water, rivers and streams?

The World Should Stop Israel's Killing Machine (VIDEO)

The country that the United States has shown decades of blind support for while contributing billions in U.S. taxpayer revenue, has a seriously checkered past when it comes to military restraint.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Today's Israel began its existence as a terrorist nation. That is a hard fact for many people to accept, but it is true.

Great Britain and the United States were complicit in the formation of the Jewish state, and both nations are also presently aware that Israel has undeclared nuclear weapons pointing at its neighbors, as it lies to the world and claims to be a non-nuclear entity.

Today Israel is a country that kills large numbers of Palestinian people in retaliation for the loss of a few of their own. Today, it is a country despised by its neighbors over its lack of lethal restraint in resolving its affairs.

Ambulances Unable to Reach Gaza Wounded as Israel Presses Attack

The UN estimates that Palestinian deaths have reached 500 and are rising, and some 2,500 have been injured in the offensive which Israel says it launched to end Hamas rocket attacks against its southern cities and towns.

(NEW YORK) - Ambulances and medical workers in Gaza are facing increasing difficulty in reaching the wounded, some are being killed in doing so, and a “humanitarian breathing space” is vital to ensure that food and medical supplies reach those in need as Israel’s offensive entered its 10th day, the top United Nations relief official in the area said today.

“Large numbers of people including many children are hungry, they are cold, they are without ready access to medical facilities, they are without access to electricity and running water, above all they are terrified. That by any measure is a humanitarian crisis,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory Maxwell Gaylard told a news briefing in Jerusalem.

Police Release Preliminary Post-New Year's Holiday Statistics‏

Oregon State Police troopers noted five fatal crashes and 85 DUII drivers arrests during this year's holiday period,

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Preliminary information gathered by Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation, reflect an increase in fatalities during the 102-hour New Year's holiday period between 6:00 PM, Wednesday, December 31st, 2008, and 11:59 PM, Sunday, January 4th, 2009.

ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reports information received from Oregon law enforcement agencies indicates 7 people were killed in five separate fatal crashes.

Doctor Shopping Can Frustrate New Medicare Enrollees

We are entitled to much more; items such as the doctor's continuing medical education courses over the last five years so we can gauge how updated that MD elects to be.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Sometimes who your doctor happens to be can spell the literal difference between life and death, so that decision should never be taken lightly.

However, those newly enrolled in the Medicare system may find their former physicians do not accept Meduicare. For one reason or another, they may be forced to switch.

Doctor shopping is never a fun process. The way things are set up, it is not a consumer's market.

Art Mimics, Mocks, The Economic Downturn

Over the past few months, in sync with growing bad news about the economy, a number of artworks related to tight credit, high unemployment, corporate greed and Washington politics are showing up in artists' galleries.

(CHICAGO, Ill.) - Internet art gallery DiscoveredArtists.com reports that the adage, art mimics life holds true, and also reports that some art mocks life, especially art related to the recent economic downturn.

A growing number of paintings and fine art photos posted to the online art gallery are themed around current woes related to the financial crisis. The artworks range in temper from sympathetic, empathetic reflections on the plight of the common man, to critical commentary on corporate greed, and mockery of leadership responsible for the worsening economic outlook.

Truck Crashes Halt Traffic on Interstate 84 for 3 Hours (PHOTOS)

Jackknife crashes affect Interstate 84 eastbound traffic for 3 hours east of Mosier.

(MOSIER, Ore.) - Police say Interstate 84 eastbound lanes were closed about three hours Monday morning east of Mosier following multiple ice-related commercial truck crashes including a jackknifed set of double trailers at the Memaloose Rest Area.

Highway conditions were icy; state troopers say this was caused by freezing rain on top of packed snow.

A commercial truck pulling two semi-trailers was eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 72 when the rear trailer started sliding on ice, according to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Michael Holloran.

Obama's Plan for American Healthcare

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan could bring sweeping change to the American healthcare industry.

(SALEM, Ore.) - President-elect Barack Obama says that when it comes to health care reform, the American people are too often offered two extremes - government-run health care with higher taxes or letting the insurance companies operate without rules.

Obama says he and Joe Biden believe both of these extremes are wrong, and they say that’s why they’ve proposed a plan to strengthens employer coverage, makes insurance companies accountable, and ensure patient choice of doctor and care without government interference.

The Obama-Biden team says their plan provides affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan.

Bail Out Consumers Now: Economist Condemns Bank Bailouts, Calls For Homeowner Rescue

Homeowners and consumers need a Special Victims Unit, because the government is bailing out criminals.

(CLEARWATER, Fla.) - According to Dr. Ravi Batra, economics professor and author of The New Golden Age: A Revolution Against Political Corruption and Economic Chaos, bailing out banks is like bailing out criminals while victims are left to suffer.

The only difference here is that the victims, homeowners and consumers, are the foundation of the economy, and they are hurting because their wages have not kept pace with rising prices.

The celebrated economist Milton Friedman once said that the true test of a theory is its forecasting ability. Batra’s theories easily pass this sterling test.

Man Dies in Crash on Highway 30 near Knappa‏

OSP troopers from the Astoria Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into a single vehicle traffic crash that resulted in the death of an Astoria-area man shortly after midnight on Highway 30 in the Knappa area.

According to OSP Lieutenant Duane Stanton, police, fire and medical agencies were notified early this morning at 12:03 AM of a single vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 82.

Their preliminary investigation indicates a 2009 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by 21-year old Robert James Rankin of Astoria, was eastbound on Hillcrest Loop when it failed to negotiate a curve.

Pressure Mounts For Gaza Ceasefire

Forecast from David Hartwell, Jane’s Country Risk Middle East Analyst.

(LONDON) - David Hartwell, Jane’s Country Risk Middle East Analyst, forecasts, “Israel probably judges that it has another week to 10 days to complete its operations in Gaza, given the time it has taken for international pressure to reach a point where engagement is deemed necessary."

Israel has received harsh criticism for its military action in Gaza. Protests have been organized in many countries calling for a cessation of the hostilities.

"Nevertheless, it will need to show tangible results to justify the expense of lives and money to the Israeli public. Thus, while calls for a truce will grow louder, until Israel feels it has achieved its objectives or the United States begins to voice public concern at the diplomatic cost of the operation - an unlikely prospect in the immediate term given the situation with the Bush administration - the fighting in Gaza will continue.”

Secretary General Says UN Has Key Role in Ending Gaza Conflict

Israel has cited rocket and other attacks by militants in Gaza against Israeli civilians as the reason for its military offensive and closing crossings into Gaza for much of the previous two months.

(NEW YORK) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that the United Nations has an important role to play in halting the violence in Gaza, expressing regret that the Security Council did not reach agreement yesterday evening on how to end the conflict.

Despite the 15-member body's lack of concurrence during its emergency session which took place hours after Israel launched a ground offensive into Gaza.

Mr. Ban, who is scheduled to meet with Arab leaders tomorrow at UN Headquarters, said that he is pressing ahead with diplomatic efforts.

Multiple Highways Close in Northeast Oregon

ODOT Region 5: Multiple highway closures in NE Oregon

(LA GRANDE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police say several state highways in north east Oregon are closed due to high winds, blowing snow with limited visibility and hazardous driving conditions.

Oregon's Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande, Oregon Highway 11 between I-84 and Milton-Freewater, and Oregon Highway 204 between Weston and mile point 10.

They advise motorists to stay home until the storm passes.

Sheriff Releases Name Of Deceased Woman In Clackamas River‏

Debra Bennett was last seen departing her place of employment in Eagle Creek on Saturday morning at 1:00 AM and was believed to be en route to her home.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - The body of a woman recovered around noon today in the Clackamas River, has been identified as 46-year old Debra Mae Bennett, who resided with her mother on SE Kitzmiller Road, in Eagle Creek.

Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office, says members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Portland Mountain Search and Rescue located the deceased female approximately one-half mile down river from where her vehicle is believed to have entered the river from SE Kitzmiller Road, in Eagle Fern Park.

Op Ed: Why Willing Workers,
Dedicated Teachers,
Became Neocon Targets

“Easy-Hit” role hides unavoidable economic truths.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Ever wonder why millions of hardworking Americans and faithful school teachers are constant targets of neocon attack, always accused of strong union-stance vs “honest taxpayers”?

These continued charges “falsely vilify working people” and “stem from a superficial understanding” of the realities involved, a number of national authorities now contend.

Simple reason: those two groups have always been among the most dedicated, solidly-contributing, child-rearing/occupied; and, always, most cooperative; of ALL American citizens.

Police Believe Same Man is Responsible for Two Washington County Armed Robberies (PHOTOS)

One of the clerks robbed Saturday, said the man was between five foot ten and six feet tall, he had a gruff voice, blue or hazel eyes, a scruffy beard, and a gun with a black and silver handle.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Police say the Dollar Tree store located at NW Murray Boulevard and NW Cornell Road was robbed at gunpoint Saturday night, by a white male suspect in his mid thirties.

Richards Deli, located at SW !85th Avenue and SW Farmington Road, was robbed about three hours later by a suspect who matched the description in the first robbery.

No one was injured in either robbery; the suspect is still at large.

One Person Dies in Fiery Crash East of Scottsburg (PHOTO UPDATE)

The vehicle that caught fire was extensively damaged and its unidentified operator was deceased at the scene.

(SCOTTSBURG, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a Saturday afternoon four-vehicle fatal traffic crash that left one person dead and six others injured on Highway 38 east of Scottsburg in Douglas County.

The victim's vehicle caught fire and has not been identified, Oregon State Police Spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings said.

Saturday at 2:49 PM, OSP received a report of a multi-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 38 near milepost 20, Hastings said.

Top Stories of 2008 on Salem-News.com

A roundup of our most visited stories in 2008.

(SALEM, Ore.) - 2008 has been an interesting year, to say the least. The United States elected a new President, and we saw a number of tragic, amazing and sometimes amusing stories, unfold.

There are many ways to gauge our most visited stories of 2008. In the literal sense, nothing beats a top ten list. We assembled our top ten stories from each month to give our viewers an interesting and candid look at what gets the big page views at Salem-News.com. Some of the figures are what you would expect, but some probably are not.

The statistics seem to point to politics, military events and drug laws as our visitor's prime areas of interest. Each story published on Salem-News.com has the ability to rank in more than one month.

Marijuana Legalization: Retired Seattle Police Chief Says Obama Should Listen to Voters

We understand Mr. Obama has a full plate. Our economic crisis and the threat of terrorism are only two examples. However, we know that ending the drug war will offer a partial fix to both of these issues.

(SEATTLE) - In early December, Barack Obama invited Americans to participate in an unprecedented, bottom-up approach to government. Visitors to the President-elect’s official website, Change.gov, were able to submit questions and vote on which questions should take priority for the new administration.

More than a dozen of the top 50 questions called for amending America’s drug policies, with inquiries ranging from availability of doctor-recommended medical marijuana to the economic impact of continuing to arrest and incarcerate millions of people for drug offenses.

What a Hot Air Balloon Teaches Us About Management

This is the third in a series of Management Moments by Doug Dickerson, a weekly column designed to bring inspiration to those in the workplace and beyond.

(Charleston, SC) - The story is told of a man flying in a hot air balloon who realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon and shouts, “Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?” The man below says, “Yes, you’re in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field.”

“You must work in Information Technology,” says the balloonist. “I do,” replies the man. “How did you know?”

“Well” says the balloonist, “everything you have told me is technically correct, but it’s no use to anyone.”

Medical Marijuana Bad?: Oregonian Newspaper Good? PART ONE

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Pharmacologist, Toxicologist and Physician.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - The Oregonian newspaper seemingly has NOT been able to print even a neutral article about medical marijuana users or the whole shebang even though they know that over 22 thousand Oregon patients have permits approved by 3 thousand doctors.

I have been their target of abuse even though I was completely cooperative with them for a dozen or more stories. The final straw was when The Oregonian printed that “(Dr. Leveque) is a danger to all of his patients and the public in general”.

If they had an ounce of veracity claimed by journalists they knew this was totally false. They can’t find one person of my 4 thousand patients whom I have harmed. There wasn't one.

Reverend Benny & Mister Sid's At Your Service #26

The latest version of Salem's original cartoon series: Reverend Benny & Mister Sid's At Your Service.

(Salem) - The year draws to an end. Time to reflect on the past year. It was the worst of times.

It was the best of times. Bush is on his way out. Obama is on his way in. Barack Obama said all the right things during the campaign, but who knows how he will govern. He has formed his team. Most of his choices appear to be good ones, but a couple of clinkers may spoil his efforts.

Human Remains Recovered From the Clackamas River‏

A Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner was called to the scene after an unidentified human body was discovered.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies say they received a report Saturday morning about a missing 46-year old Eagle Creek woman.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office says later Saturday afternoon, at 2:30 PM, a pick-up truck similar to the vehicle described as being operated by the missing female was discovered crashed in the Clackamas River, located an estimated 100 yards upriver from the entrance of Eagle Fern Park, on SE Kitzmiller Road, in Eagle Creek.

"Clackamas County Sheriff's Patrol personnel responded and met with the reporting Eagle Fern Park Ranger who discovered the crashed and partially submerged pick-up truck in the Clackamas River," Strovink said.

Amber Alert Canceled for 7-Month Old South Carolina Boy Abducted at Gunpoint

The suspect vehicle is a a 2003 silver Ford Explorer with the South Carolina license number 516 VTY.

(WEST COLUMBIA, S.C.) - The State of South Carolina issued an Amber Alert Sunday morning after a small boy was abducted at gunpoint in West Columbia.

The boy's mother, Eva Arce-Perez, 29 years old, was also abducted. Police say the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

7-month old Allim David Dietz is a Hispanic male with brown eyes and weighs 20 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and brown pants.

Portland Police Arrest Person Of Interest in Longview Homicide

The victim, Jeremy M. McLean of Longview, was reported missing around 11:30 PM Monday night, December 29th, by his parents, after he did not return home that evening.

(LONGVIEW, Wash ) - Portland Police officers arrested a man today wanted in connection with a Murder in Washington December 29th. They also took the suspect's girlfriend into custody.

Cowlitz County detectives investigating the late December 2008 Murder case of 26-year old Jeremy McLean, say they identified 51-year old William Vance Reagan of Longview as a person of interest in the case.

Sheriff's Office Spokesman Charlie Rosenzweig, says a Portland Police Bureau Officer found the vehicle at a motel on N.E. Sandy Blvd near 112th at about 7:45 AM today. "Portland PB S.E.R.T. responded to the scene and took Reagan and Gatti in to custody without any resistance."