Meanwhile, In Portland

when your fav city is problematic

[bobcronkphotography]

WTF - Oregon. On the way from Portland to the Coast there is a red, white and blue car in a tree. All I know is that it was put there on purpose. I don’t know why. I have been wanting to take this photo for years. Thank goodness I did this before it fell out.

[thebelmontgoats]

So this is happening. #belmontgoats #goats #pdxtst #rainbow (at The Belmont Goats)

[class-struggle-anarchism]

[uwmspeccoll]

This One’s For You ~

… .  @multcolib! and @statelibraryor!

Today we recognize two of our favorite Oregon followers. @multcolib is the Tumblr blog of the John Wilson Special Collections at the Multnomah County Library in Portland. Their collections remind us a lot of our own, as we share many of the same collecting areas: book arts; children’s books; Native American literature; natural history; regional history. @statelibraryor is the Tumblr blog for the State Library of Oregon in Salem. They are, of course, the host of the weekly #Feathursday Name That Bird puzzler that we follow with great enthusiasm. In fact, if it weren’t for the prospect of participating in their weekly challenge, we’re not sure we’d be able to make it through the week. We’re not sure how we survived before Name That Bird, but know, @statelibraryor, that if you discontinue the series you risk multiple breakdowns here in Milwaukee. No pressure, or anything.

In their honor, we present images from the Oregon chapters of Emma Hildreth Adams’s To and Fro, Up and Down in Southern California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, with Sketches in Arizona, New Mexico and British Columbia, published in Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis by Cranston & Stowe in 1888. We know very little about either the author or the publisher, except that Adams wrote other travel books and some religious biographies, and may be identified with Emma Hildreth Drake Adams who was born in New York state in 1827 and died in Los Angeles in 1917; the publisher appears to have produced children’s books and religious literature throughout the 19th century. We are charmed by the lovely wood engravings and the color-stamped trade cloth cover, however. We hope you will be too!

So for all you do, @multcolib and @statelibraryor, this travelogue of the West Coast, and especially Oregon, is for you!! 

View some of our other followers we have recognized.

[wocinsolidarity]

Oregon Becomes the First State to Make Abortion Accessible to All Women

Oregon just passed a law requiring insurance providers cover the full cost of abortion with no exceptions. The landmark move ensures that all Oregonians—documented or not—have full access to reproductive health care for the first time in history. By Leila Ettachfini

AUG 16 2017

Under a landmark new health care law, women in Oregon will be able to access all reproductive health services—including abortion—at no personal cost. On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB 3391) into law, effectively requiring all insurance companies to cover abortion for Oregon citizens and undocumented residents alike. HB 3391 also allocates tax money to provide reproductive health care to those who are uninsured.

The bill was introduced earlier this year as a direct response to the Trump administration’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. By design, it ensures that abortion and other reproductive health services will remain both legal and affordable in the state of Oregon, even if the ACA or Roe v. Wade were overturned. The law also addresses high deductibles and existing loopholes in the ACA that prevent full access to reproductive health care.

The Reproductive Health Equity Act is effective immediately and extends beyond abortion: birth control, STI and pregnancy testing, voluntary sterilization, postpartum care, and a long list of other reproductive health care–related drugs, devices, and services will be available at no additional cost to the patient. Vasectomies are also covered under the new legislation. Governor Brown has set aside a $10.2 million fund, which will cover these services for uninsured residents through 2019.

The initial bill was developed by the Pro-Choice Coalition of Oregon, which consists of members from the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and various other organizations. In a press release on Tuesday, the Pro-Choice Coalition of Oregon thanked Governor Brown for signing “the first legislation in the United States to comprehensively address systemic barriers to accessing reproductive health care.” Additionally, they pointed out the importance of a reproductive health care law that does not discriminate against citizenship status and “stand[s] up to the Trump administration and congressional Republicans.”

“Our members in Oregon know that without abortion access, women cannot be truly equal partners in society,” said Ilyse Hogue, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “That’s why they’ve been rallying in support of this historic legislation.”

HB 3391—which has been hailed as the “most progressive abortion legislation in history"—was passed during an otherwise dismal period for reproductive health access in American history. On the same day that the Reproductive Health Equity Act became law in Oregon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law prohibitingall insurance companies in the state from covering abortion except in life-threatening cases, forcing women to purchase outside coverage for abortion care—even in instances of rape or incest.

“Individual rights and freedom go to the heart of who we are as Oregonians,” said Kimberly McCullough, the legislative director for ACLU of Oregon. “The vast majority of Oregonians support access to safe and legal abortion, which is now safeguarded by the Reproductive Health Equity Act.”

[nevercertain]

Oregon. ❤️

[feralcatcoalition]

Oregon eclipse tourists greeted by anti-Semitic banners on overpass

A family driving north from California to see Monday's solar eclipse from Oregon found hatred on the freeway once they entered the northwestern state.

[meanwhileinpdx]

Portland police chief suspends Capt. Mark Kruger for erecting a shrine on Rocky Butte to five Nazi-era soldiers

Portland Police Chief Mike Reese said he considered terminating or demoting Kruger, and might have had the conduct occurred more recently. Kruger waived his right to any arbitration challenging the discipline.

Finally, some good news...

Hours after firing a cop, Portland police Chief Mike Reese Tuesday suspended Capt. Mark Kruger for 80 hours without pay and ordered him to take "Tools for Tolerance" training because he erected a public tribute to five Nazi-era German soldiers at a city park while employed by the Police Bureau.

An internal affairs investigation found Kruger brought "discredit and disgrace upon the Bureau and the City," when Kruger nailed "memorial plaques" of five Nazi soldiers to a tree on the east side of Rocky Butte Park sometime between 1999 and 2001.

Kruger was a Portland officer at the time, but was not on duty when he erected the plaques as a shrine. Kruger called the memorial "Ehrenbaum" or "Honor Tree."

Kruger had taken the plaques down while he was facing federal lawsuits between 2002 and 2005 alleging excessive force during downtown anti-war protests. He gave them to the city attorney's office, which stashed them away for years, until an internal affairs investigator recently located them.

The chief found Kruger violated a bureau directive on professional conduct, and Portland city code, which says no person shall attach anything to property in a city park. The investigation also found that Kruger placed the plaques on a tree at Rocky Butte so they were visible from Interstate 205, and even returned to inspect and clean the plaques.

"Your conduct, the publicity surrounding it, and negative perceptions about its nature raise legitimate questions about your ability to be effective in your job," Reese wrote in his disciplinary letter to Kruger.

[meanwhileinpdx]

[meanwhileinpdx]

Debate over police sweeps of homeless campers roils Montavilla neighborhood

The Montavilla Neighborhood Association passed a symbolic resolution asking the city to stop sweeping homeless people in the neighborhood. The city declined, but it sparked a debate among the NIMBYs and Housing advocates.

After nearly an hour of allowing a critic to speak for one minute and then a supporter to speak for a minute, back and forth, Shaver wrapped up the meeting with an admonition that this isn't a new issue for the board.

Board members organized a warming shelter that held 160 people during this year's brutally cold winter, have held food drives and formed a neighborhood committee months ago focused on housing and homelessness issues, Shaver said.

He said he has spoken with City Hall and Multnomah County to figure out how to get better needle disposal and bathrooms for homeless people, reached out to Central City Concern for trash pickup in the neighborhood through the nonprofit's Clean and Safe program and volunteered to start a dialogue between homeless people and homeowners.

"We have to work on the issues, and I'm trying to do that," Shaver said. "I'm sorry the resolution came as a surprise to some folks but I haven't been working on this in private."

The Montavilla resolution comes at a time when many neighborhoods are asking for more sweeps and patrols. Wheeler directed $1.5 million in his current budget toward livability issues of health, safety and hygiene in areas with large populations of people sleeping outdoors.

The resolution disputes that moving people off streets and sidewalks and out of parks – sometimes causing people to lose their belongings and identification cards and making it harder for outreach workers to find them -- significantly reduces crime and trash.

"We believe this waste of taxpayer dollars could be better spent by investing in long-term solutions to reducing the homeless population through increased shelter beds, transitional housing, and mental health and substance abuse treatment," the resolutions says.

"Finally, we point to the recent 10 percent increase in the homeless population based on a count performed by the city of Portland and Multnomah County which demonstrates the ineffectiveness of sweeps," the resolution says. "We also point out that as a neighborhood association we represent all members of our neighborhood association regardless of their housing status including the homeless living within our neighborhood boundaries."

[meanwhileinpdx]

Man Accused of Tormenting Muslim Couple For 20 Blocks Cries After Being Charged With a Hate Crime

People who attack other people for their race, gender, or religion know what they’re doing the majority of the time (children, perhaps, might not fully grasp the gravity of their words). So, adults who are arrested for such vicious assaults oughtn’t be surprised when they are charged with hate crimes—nor should they think tears will evoke sympathy.

Such is the case, though, with a Portland, OR, man who was charged with second-degree intimidation after following a black Muslim couple in his car while hurling threats through the window. Frederick Nolan Sorrell, 49, wept crocodile tears while being interviewed by KGW Portland after his arraignment on July 10.

Sorrell is accused of tailing a Muslim couple for more than 20 blocks and repeatedly attempting to ram their car in May. According to The Oregon Committee of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sorrell yelled at the woman: “Take off your fucking burka, this is America, go back to your fucking country.” CAIR said he also mimicked “pulling the trigger of a handgun.”

Despite pleading guilty to the crime, Sorrell appeared to feign innocence (while weeping) during and interview with KGW.

“I never tried to run into them. I was just going to work,” Sorell said. “I never tried to follow them. I never tried to make contact with them after the fact.”

Twenty blocks is a long time, but sure. Sorrell did acknowledge shouting at the couple, but again, attempted to deflect blame.

“I guess my fear and paranoia, I just yelled out,” he told KGW. “I don’t go on social media looking to hate on people. I guess my ignorance and my stupidity is why I opened my mouth, and I shouldn’t have and I claim full responsibility.”

Sorrell was banned from Facebook by the presiding judge for “writing discriminatory things” on the website.

Here’s the thing: Sorrell probably would continue to be afraid of Muslims and attack them if he hadn’t been caught. But he seemed to acknowledge that and actually made one good point during his pity party interview.

“All I know is fear based information,” he said after claiming his lack of education. Sorrell is right. All he knows is fear based information and the only way to change that is through human interaction, which he also admitted.

“I would love to sit down and have an open conversation with them and have an open mind and apologize,” he said. Maybe just start with that conversation instead of trying to ram someone with your ca

[feralcatcoalition]

a very niche pair of bumper stickers

[meanwhileinpdx]

[cartographerswithoutborders]

Portland without all the human-made bits.  River confluence, scenic volcano, and flatness for farming/biking.  I’d build a town there.

[wellthisishappening]

Recipe for beating the heat: Tea, flowers, shade 🌿💞 . . . . #gardens #landscape #lansuchinesegarden #walledgarden #architecture #pdx #portland #oregon #pond #watergarden (at Lan Su Chinese Garden)

[feralcatcoalition]

Multnomah County Republicans Formally Allow Militia Groups to Run Security

The Multnomah County Republican Party (MCRP) has formally decided to pair up with right-wing militia groups to run security at local events. The formal resolution was passed on on Monday and its text was leaked to the Mercury Friday morning. MCRP Chairman James Buchal, despite being displeased with the leak, confirmed his group approved pairing up with the Oregon Three Percenters and Oath Keepers via a resolution earlier this week: Proposed Resolution of Chairman Buchal:...

[powells]

Pride is for kids!

[meanwhileinpdx]

How a hipster reputation masked my hometown’s white hate for decades

Only Portland can decide whether it will work to stamp out extremism and white supremacy—even after the national media attention fades away.

I was born and raised in Portland’s Hollywood District, a relatively unremarkable neighborhood nestled into the city’s northeast quadrant. It’s where I wandered to the library, watched local parades, ordered comics and coffees and, when I got old enough, craft brews. Aside from the sparkling marquee of the Hollywood Theatre, there’s little to separate the area from the other parts of residential Portland—and there’s little of the Portlandia­-style quirk that has inundated other parts of the city over the past few years.

With its McDonald’s and Baskin Robbins, with its bank branches and bike shops, the neighborhood was a home base, an oasis of safety for my family and I as we weathered hardships and celebrated accomplishments. And then, last month, that peace cracked. A man, screaming profanities at a pair of teenagers who, to him, didn’t fit his definition of an “American,” shattered the image of the progressiveness that has come to define my hometown in the popular imagination.

The murders have upended the narrative that Portland is a bastion of tolerance, and drawn much-needed attention to an insidious problem.

That’s not to say that Portland, or Oregon, hasn’t made great strides on the issue of progressive developments. Just look at its urban infrastructure, its local leadership, or its voter-registration drives. The people and the policies are there.

But while Portland has attempted to implement the types of socio-economic models other cities have been eager to adopt elsewhere, it’s done so while maintaining the most monochromatic makeup of any major city in the US.

At this point, Portland’s status as the whitest major metropole in the US is well-known. So, too, are Oregon’s lash laws, its willingness to cater to the KKK, and its status as the lone state founded with a constitution barring black Americans from living in the state. As The Guardian’s Jason Wilson recently wrote, “Portland’s very whiteness has attracted far-right groups to attempt to make inroads in the city for more than 30 years.” These contingents remain the kinds of groups who, no matter Portland’s progressiveness, still place a threat of retribution over minority populations attempting to live, to speak, and to spread their own experiences.

Until recently, this deeply racist history is remained largely hidden, even from its residents. But, clearly, my home state can no longer afford to ignore its past—or the way its past could yet shape its future. We cannot forget what happened to Ricky Best and Taliesin Myddrin Namkai-Meche, just as we cannot forget what happened to Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian immigrant targeted by a trio of neo-Nazis in 1998.

We cannot forget why our town was once referred to Skinhead City.

Jeremy Christian, the man accused of killing Best and Namkai-Meche, as well as hurling Islamaphobic taunts, cannot be viewed as an aberration. He is, rather, the continuation of a pattern.

The details that have trickled out about Christian suggest a jumbled life of unbalanced hatred. He doesn’t fit any neat political box, despite what our partisan society might wish. A proponent of weed legalization and former supporter of Bernie Sanders, Christian espoused hatred for monotheistic religion. A man who was a known figure in the local white supremacist community, Christian claimed that these killings is “what liberalism gets you.” On the ride to the police station, he declared himself a patriot.

Portland’s far-right groups, even with Christian’s arrest, aren’t going anywhere. And no amount of hipster shops or pop culture memes is going to change the reality of our city, either. Only Portland can decide whether or not it will honor the legacy of a new trio of heroes by working to stamp out extremism and white supremacy—or whether it will do little more than wait for the next tragedy to arrive on its doorstep.