Monday, January 24, 2011

Time Out

One of the missions of the Carton Family is community building.  I intend to take the first step and demand some sanity. It is so easy to form an opinion and stick to it. This site among other local sites have taken their respective high grounds, planted their flags and fought tooth and nail for what they believe is right, shooting across the bows of the opposition. Editorial pot-shots are fun to write, but with every form of media taking pot-shots we find it is the public is caught in the crossfire. Nothing good comes from it, ever.

After the shooting in Arizona the nation seems to demand an end to the overly zealous rhetoric. I agree and see a desperate need for some calming on a local level. The Daily Astorian, Hipfish and North Coast Oregon are all guilty of fueling this flame and it is time they all step back, take a breath, calm down and become responsible sources for news that is reported objectively without bias. May the best outlet succeed and reap the rewards of satisfied readers and advertisers. Better yet, may they all succeed providing an atmosphere of objectivity.

There has been a lot of polarization over candidates past and present; those who have been in office and removed from office justly, or unjustly. It is history and it must be placed on a shelf and we need to move ahead.

We have new County Commissioners that have been elected by a majority of the citizens. If they have their own agendas, fine. Most voters were aware of their baggage and voted for them maybe because of their baggage and maybe just for “change.” Future history will expose them as heroes or villains of our time. They need the opportunity to fail or succeed on their own merits and accomplishments. It isn’t fair for the media to prop them up or tear them down, yet. If these elected servants do well they will get the chance to seek subsequent terms. If not they may be shunned or worse yet, recalled by the voters.

This is not a promotion of complacency, but rather one of understanding, compassion, fairness and perhaps forgiveness. We all need a fresh perspective and a fresh start. This becomes more of a task for everyone. If the people demand it, the media outlets will take notice and adapt their editorial platforms into one based in respect and tolerance for all opinions while raising the bar on objective and fair journalism.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Welcome 2011 - The Year of the Fly?


We hear a new batch of larvae are about to hatch and just in time for the next batch of excrement to be shoveled by the new "transparent" board of county commissioners. 2011 should be a very interesting year.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Clatsop Co's Darkest Day Since 1980: Voter Apathy


The Day The County Died

THEY CAME FIRST for the Industrialists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an Industrialist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Loggers,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Logger.

THEN THEY CAME for the Gill Netters,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Gill Netter.

THEN THEY CAME for the Dairy Farmers,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Dairy Farmer.

THEN THEY CAME for the Longshoremen,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Longshoreman.

THEN THEY CAME for the land owners,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a land owner.

THEN THEY CAME for the business owners,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a business owner.

THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Transparency For All? AKA: What is the Daily Astorian hiding now?


Another opportunity for Clatsop County citizens to show their political savvy and flout the self serving advice dripping from the jowls of the Astorian's arrogant editors has descended on us with the upcoming elections. Ballots are due May 18th, and while the Cartons have remained politically silent for quite a while now, it has come to our attention that a movement is afoot that we should bring to our fellow Dried Salmon County inhabitants' attention.

Many people have taken to the habit of writing in names of various Disney characters, or an in-law they have no particular love for, in opposition to someone they perceive as a shady character on a ballot. The problem with doing this is that no one sees the clever name that has been penned in except a tired ballot counter who has seen it all and no longer finds any amusement in it.

You want to truly hurt someone who is running unopposed? Don't vote for ANYONE, do NOT write in anyone, especially in the primaries when they have to run again in the regular elections in November. This is called an UNDERVOTE. If the UNDERVOTES are anywhere close to the number that actually vote for the person running unopposed it is HUMILIATING for that person. It tells their party that they are not bankable. It also tells others that they can run a successful write-in campaign against the person and that the person's political party isn't going to expend any money on him keep him in his seat.

So, say, for instance, a certain district attorney was perceived as being selfish, self serving, egotistical, criminally inclined, ethically challenged, vengeance bound, neurotic and bent on destroying all those who have ever opposed him on any issue thereby making it difficult to find anyone to run against him. One way to show that the public was done with a tyrant like this would be to give the public the knowledge of the UNDERVOTE.

It would be clearly understood that with a good showing of the UNDERVOTE a certain group of people would take that tally and be able to convince an attorney (even one from another area of Oregon) that beating such a publicly reviled creature is doable and there is monetary backing for such a venture.

Not that the Cartons are advocating that each person reading now, print this out and share with all your friends and neighbors this information, imploring them to leave the box next to the district attorney blank. We are not politically inclined these days. We are not advocating that you tell everyone to do this immediately, before it is too late and they waste their ballot.

Nor do we wish to remind everyone that the three one-trick-ponies, running against incumbent commissioners, who no longer have LNG to oppose, meet together often with Taylor and "chain" it all the way to Hood River, getting their marching orders for our area from people far removed from us and what profits those of us who have families and need wages here and now.

Far be it from us to remind everyone that while perhaps Bradwood may have left a $180,000 bill behind it was the groups these three come from who chased them away with what is finally being investigated as illegal activities by, so far: the IRS, the Oregon State Bar and the Marion County District Attorney's office.

And far be it from us to remind everyone that while there may be a small bill left behind 1) The commissioners have little to do with the day to day operations of running the county, bills collected and paid are the Manager's and Planning department's headache. Ask Ed Wagner why he allowed the bill to go so high 2) We still are waaaay ahead of 33 other counties in the state of Oregon in terms of being in the black rather than the red and that is due entirely to the practices set in place by the Commissioners four years ago.

The grapevine says the red team will be gathering their herd of retirees, trust fund babies and ssi disability retainers to attack the County Commission meeting on Wednesday morning while all the rest of us are at work. We don't see how the working class can be expected to take an early lunch at 10 am to get to the meeting and make our voices heard.

There is the option of writing a note telling the BOCC how we feel about the illegal maneuvers used to oust Bradwood out of the permitting process and asking if any of the three contenders or Rohne knew of Foster's involvement. Were they present at any meeting with political overtones where this state employee (Foster) was present? All four say they are all about OPEN TRANSPARENCY! Depending on how they avoid the question will show how they will avoid transparency once they are in office.

When emailing the BOCC with our letters, sending a copy of it to KAST, NorthCoastOregon, the Seaside Signal, Canon Beach Gazette, and the Daily Astorian is also something that we do not want to be accused of encouraging everyone to do.

So, in brief, the Cartons are still staying pretty quiet on the political front. We are not advocating for anything. Not us saying that you should UNDERVOTE in regards to the District Attorney, nor question Dirk Rohne, Scott Lee, Peter Huhtala, or Debra Birkby about how much they knew regarding Brent Foster's activities last year, nor email any media outlet to share your outrage. And definitely don't print this blog page out and share it with your neighbors, co-workers, family, friends, or plaster the town and coffee houses with it.


Clatsop County BOCC administrator@co.clatsop.or.us
Dirk Rohne drohne@co.clatsop.or.us
Scott Lee Scottleecommissioner@gmail.com
Peter Huhtala peterhuhtala@gmail.com
Debra Birkby birkby@charter.net
John Dunzer johndunzer@msn.com
KAST News Director Michael Desmond michael.desmond@nnbproduction.com
Seaside Signal Editor signaleditor@seasidesignal.com
NorthCoastOregon.com Editor editor@northcoastoregon.com
Cannon Beach Gazette news@cannonbeachgazette.com
Daily Astorian Editor editor@dailyastorian.com

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Misogyne of Steve Forrester

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

She was an amazing woman, you would think that a grown man would celebrate having a mother like her...be proud...instead of what he does...and he has a friend that does the same...this post is incredibly well done, hard to read because of the emotions it emits, but well done.

Anonymous said...

You may have a point.
He endorsed Richard Lee over Cindy Price.

Anonymous said...

I just wish that more people would see this post - I know that I will definitely be linking to it everywhere I blog, and I hope everyone else will too! I cancelled my subscription to the Daily Astorian last year when I just couldn't stand his lies and made up news any longer, and I've encouraged many of my business friends to cease their advertising.

Money really IS all he cares about - and I sincerely think that especially in this last year, the man has lost a few marbles.

Anonymous said...

He certainly has squandered the reservoir of goodwill built up by his predecessors.

Anonymous said...

And let's not forget his comrad, Josh Marquis.

Anonymous said...

The editor does favor Marquis . I would love to see Marquis leave our County, but I feel for the people of Oregon. Our County has been worse off since he has been here, ask your neighbors or read "The smoking gun"!

Paul said...

Yes, he does. And now it makes sense as to why he endorsed Lee for the commissioner seat only to immediately turn on him. Forrester just couldn't bring himself to endorse as strong willed of person as Cindy Price. Since he owed Marquis, big time, for not endorsing his wife, he paid him back by then going after Lee with both barrels. Sick man, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

Could it be that Marquis sort'a used some leverage to lean on Forrester--some sort'a blackmail to get Stevearino to play ball? Being Marquis is the top cop in the county, he wouldn't have any trouble digging up some dirt on anyone. That's Marquis style-playing dirty to get what he wants.

Anonymous said...

Isn't freedom of the press wonderful?

Anonymous said...

Yes, freedom of the press is a wonderful thing, except when one uses it to make up news...in order to sway a vote, for example. Making up the news against a county commissioner.

Forrester should be brought up on ethics charges by whatever board oversees the press...he's a horrible, horrible man

Anonymous said...

Steve Forrester: Minister Of Disinformation.

Anonymous said...

Steve Forrester: Minister Of Disinformation.

Anonymous said...

My take, Marquis loves the media, he knows the best way to go over the head of everybody else is to milk the media and as someone said and I paraphrase, Josh Marquis would walk over a bed of hot coals barefoot to get to a reporter with a camera and a microphone. In Clatsop county the Daily Astorian is the main media source. It's so much easier to prosecute someone in the press in this situation. Josh and Steve may not be two peas in a pod but put them together with a few political stratigerists who think they have something to gain.remember Josh did indicate in an email that he would teach the commissioners who voted to withhold his stipend a lesson. All that could equal big time shenanigans. -That and a $1.75 will get you a cup of coffee most places.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
And let's not forget his comrad, Josh Marquis.


In the sometimes glorified Hollywoodized history of incoruptible District Attorneys committed to cleaning up a city of organized or rampant crime, a crusading fearless newspaper editor is often portrayed as the crime fighter's closest ally in rallying to rid society of its least desirable elements. What it seems we have here now, is quite the opposite. The District Attorney and the newspaper editor are the undesirable elements-joining forces to decieve the public with their lies and underhanded tactics to smear honest people, cause polarization among the people and create havoc in local government by sowing the seeds of mistrust and despair. To create a political and social climate of fear based on inimidation and greed. This marriage of Marquis and Forrester is detestable and evil. As long as we let it continue there will be no harmony or prosperity in our beloved county-only fear and chaos created by these men for their own selfish gains who care not for justice nor good will. It's time for the good people of the county to do something.

Anonymous said...

I looked back and Marquis said the KKK incident / editorial on Samuelson was "political"...so what does he do as our DA? protect us, or prosecute and hold accountable those that are really hurting our community, or play politics with the lives of those who have given to make this community a better place? I'd say after watching this last work of he and Forrester and their helpers he hurts much more than he helps.

Anonymous said...

And Josh Marquis actually THOUGHT he had what it takes to be a US Atty? That's rich. Josh's cohort, Forrester, is a sad, petty, mean little man with an embarrassing yet wildly evident "big fish, small peni$" complex. I guess they both are.

But let's also give a WTH to the Clatsop County "Dems." Let's give chair Larry Taylor and his bump-stumbling chowderhead followers a big hand for trying to toss a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED FEMALE COMMISSIONER. Got something against women in office in Clatsop or no?

It would all be laughable if the colossal waste of money didn't make it border-line criminal1

Anonymous said...

Marquis didn't care that he was taking County money and refusing to account for it, as asked. USA does performance based budgeting. Wonder how Marquis got through the interview process on how he would manage the US attorney office w/o doing transparent performance based budgeting?
Marquis doesn't care about costing Clatsop Co a ton of money with his special ballot to get himself a clatsop co taxpayer financed fat salary package based on a judge's salary! Judge's total salary packages now $186,000+ marquis wanted, what, 90%? State only pays him $87,000 and the county tax payers would have to pay close to another $80,000 to make up the difference!
Marquis said he would take each of the commissioners who voted to make him accountable for his stipend down and when the electors in the county voted against his pay raise he vowed to make us pay as well. He will not stop until he has cost us all of the money he thinks we owe him.
The FACT that Wyden recommended him for the US Attorney job shows what Wyden thinks of people who use their office for revenge and political gain. Its A-OKAY! If Obama appoints him, it shows Obama thinks the same.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Liar, liar, community on fire



Tomorrow evening a little over 8,000 voters make a decision for the rest of the county. Two commissioners who have committed no crime are in an election for a recall.

What are they charged with? The main complaint: "Not listening to the majority of their constituents" based on a broad, interpretive, statistical, reading of last year's referendum on a land use decision. The County Board voted 4-1 on a conditional land use decision permitting a pipeline to cross an acre of a private landowner's property that had been zoned OPR, which previously didn't permit pipelines.

Clatsop County's land use law permits pipelines through wetlands, through forests, through farmlands, but does not mention (or didn't until last year) OPR lands. Based on the fact that pipelines were allowed, conditionally, through such fragile systems as wetlands, the Board felt that conditionally allowing it through any other lands would be acceptable. The key word in this is "conditional".

Those opposing LNG howled. It is completely fine that they howled their disagreement. Disagreement is acceptable, it is even needed in order to maintain a balanced society. What isn't fine, what isn't balanced, is when lies are told that damage communities.

The lies started with telling people that pipelines could and would be put in parks where children played and people camped. Allowing conditional permits in certain zones would not allow that, and the person orchestrating the campaign knew it well enough since he had sat on the planning commission and currently sits on the recreational lands board. Auerbach's deliberate lies earn him nothing but disdain in the eyes of any honorable person in this debate.

They continued to lie to the voters by telling them that the issue had nothing to do with the Bradwood Project nor would it have any impact on the project adding, "Even people for LNG are against pipelines in parks." Within 10 days of the referendum being defeated Columbia Riverkeepers was writing to Federal and State departments demanding that the project be shut down because of the referendum vote, stating that the project would have to be altered now that an alternative pipeline route would have to be found. They wanted the permitting process to completely start over.

They lied to the voters when LUBA returned its decision. They promised voters that the Board was committing illegal or unethical acts in approving multiple land use decisions for the property owner's development. Columbia Riverkeepers challenged 23 of the decisions, another entity challenged 8 decisions for a total of 31 decisions that were asked to be overturned. On the day LUBA made its decision, upholding 29 of the decisions in favor of the Board, these people published a press release stating they had won and LUBA had overturned the Board's land use decision! A blatant lie. The newspaper refused to publish the truth that LUBA had merely remanded two decisions. A remand is for clarification. 50,000 pages of documentation had been done over a four year process and these people continue to say that the process was rushed through and decisions made were sloppy and without due process. Lies.

They continue to lie when they tell people that 67% of the county is against LNG, or even when they say 67% of the voters are against it. In reality, barely 39% of the voting population cast a ballot against the referendum and many of them thought it was merely about pipelines in parks, just as was shoved at them.

What makes these liars truly despicable is the total disregard they have for their fellow citizens. It would be different if these people were to give the voter the truth so that they could make up their own minds as to whether or not they want to sacrifice their money, their livelihoods, or their homes for the ideals that these people hold, but they don't give them that choice to freely make.

If the voter wants to pay higher prices for energy (and all that energy provides), now, in the hopes that everyone, including the renewables themselves, are wrong and that solar, wind and wave is a mere five years away (instead of a minimum 15 years for a mere 15% -or less- of the energy needs, as predicted) then that should be their choice. All of our choice. They should know the truth. We all deserve the truth. LNG isn't dangerous, dangerous pipelines will never be placed in children's playgrounds. Simply, in some people's opinions using LNG will delay people investing in renewable energy development.

But these people parading in red, wearing fish on their heads and shaking green signs have little respect for the intelligence of the average voter. They have been taught in their seminars that the average voter is too stupid to understand the "implications" of each land use decision. Too ignorant to comprehend the long term effect of a "bridge" to renewable energy. That the only way to make them understand is through emotion and the strongest emotion to hit them with at the ballot box is fear. Through fear mongering they want to pressure investors to pour money into renewable energy technology. They want their way and the end justifies the means.

If that is true then what the "average" voter should fear in this election is proving to these people that they are right. If these two commissioners are recalled these people will be coming for Warrenton City Council next and after that the Port. With each entity they will use fear and intimidation and pretty soon one group of people will be completely satisfied with life in Clatsop County. A fraction of 39% will be living the life they knew they could, they knew they deserved, when they moved here.

And the rest of us will be serving them.

Monday morning breaks with the knowledge that 8,403 people decide the fate of Clatsop County, tomorrow, whether they voted or not. More in this election then at any other time in the history of Clatsop County, every vote counts. Don't throw that ballot in the garbage. If you live in District 1 or 5 and go to work on Wednesday, don't be the one that says you didn't care to vote. This one IS relying on you. In last year's November elections two people won with a difference of under 5 votes. Think about it. Scrape the potato peelings off the ballot, slip it into an envelope (or go down to the election office at 820 Exchange St for a new one) and vote.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Der Kampf In Klatsop

Ludwig Richter – Fight with the Dragon


While many are defined by what they support, there are a few that are known, almost exclusively, by what they oppose.


Fascist: noun, defined by what s/he opposes, namely individualism, rationalism, capitalism, criticism and conservatism.

Opposes: corporations, industries, individual endeavor.

Supports: significant government control over business, labor, media, individual liberties.

Strives for: the common good, the greater good, as defined by them.

Watching it in action: on the steps of public building and in the classroom, where Fascists accost one and all with a litany of lies, speaking to press they can control, savagely attacking opposing ideas.

When in the middle of a "war" the theory is to make the "other" subhuman. By doing so it becomes "okay" to viciously attack those who are not as "human" as you are. After all, they "deserve" to be attacked, they aren't human.

Fascists are humans. They do not deserve to be viciously attacked. They deserve to be identified. The public deserves to be fully informed and deserves to know information is being kept from them. No allusions to conspiracies, nor vague hints of scandal or gossip. Proof of actual information illegally kept from the public eye.

One local paper has done its utmost to turn public servants into subhumans, leading the charge of allusions. It is okay to viciously attack public servants at any level because, after all, they are not really human. It is okay to allude to a vague something, fill in the blank spots with whatever heinous crime a public official may have ever committed, because they aren't like you and I. They aren't really "human".

With a dearth of evidence "shenanigans" is repeatedly screeched across headlines and in news stories. Retracted later, small print, page 15. Fascist point made, who reads page 15?

Don't fascist support government? Why are they attacking these people? Fascist love only their own. All else must be destroyed or controlled. This is for the common good, the greater good. The good that only they have the capacity to understand and through their leadership it will save us all.

Saved to live in their world. Heaven or hell? No worries, Fascists will also tell you how you should feel about it.