BANKRUPTCY

Submitted By: dixiegainer@icloud.com – Click to email about this post
Did you know that countries can go bankrupt? A state bankruptcy means the government fails to make debt and interest payments when due.  Can the US go bankrupt?

“Excessive Federal Spending Puts America On Collision Course With Insolvency,” says Forbes magazine.
“Most understand that the federal government spends much more than it collects. If this overspending continues, at some point, America will likely face bankruptcy. Exactly when is hard to say, but it will happen unless Congress gets a handle on its excessive spending.” Forbes mag.

AND THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW – GETTING A HANDLE ON EXCESSIVE SPENDING. THAT IS WHAT TRUMP IS DOING NOW – GETTING A HANDLE ON EXCESSIVE SPENDING . THANK GOD FOR THAT. IF WE GO BANKRUPT, SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID WILL BE DUMPED AS AMERICA TRIES TO BECOME SOLVENT AGAIN.

“Congressional members use the power of the purse to remain in office. This power includes financial promises to constituents and the self-enrichment program whereby members of Congress amass wealth at the expense of the American taxpayer. Corruption in Congress is well documented and includes both Democrats and Republicans” Forbes.

Not only will we be bankrupt, but we certainly cannot fight our enemies without cash – so think about that. In fact our enemies will be watching for weakness!

“Eliminating the U.S. government’s debt is a Herculean task that could take decades. In addition to obvious steps, such as hiking taxes and slashing spending, the government could take a number of other approaches, some of them unorthodox and even controversial.” Forbes”

Thats why? thats why this is happening fast – to avoid disaster. Elon Musk is providing this service for FREE. It is legal. The courts have ruled that this is legal. And we should be grateful.
Both CNN and MSNBC are pushing a paid narrative – paid by the persons who have stolen the most taxpayer dollars. Many states are stealing medicaid funds. That is why an audit is necessary for medicaid.

SO – my advice is to stop watching MSNBC, CNN, They push a very untrue and negative narrative that scares people. Since you can’t do anything about it – watch fun stuff, write a letter about excessive taxes to the governor of Oregon. Write a letter about failing schools to the governor of Oregon. Ask her where the F, our tax dollars are going! Suggest to her that the color red is looking better everyday – those are just suggestions…..

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

Submitted By: babbles@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
to bbq-land readers,

this brief information from the NYT daily online news is HORRENDOUS AND FRIGHTENING.

there is a picture of a large table with cabinet members sitting next to trump. elon musk is standing in the background.

my comments inserted in CAPITAL LETTERS.

om peace namaste
lucy brook
nehalem resident
U.S. citizen

At the first cabinet meeting of his second term, President Trump praised Elon Musk’s cost-cutting efforts and refused to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
Musk, who is not part of the cabinet, attended the meeting and spoke more than anyone except Trump. SINCE WHEN DOES AN “ORDINARY” CITIZEN GET TO PARTICIPATE IN A U.S. CABINET MEETING, LET ALONE DOMINATE THE CONVERSATION. CLEARLY, ELON MUSK IS NOT “ORDINARY.”
In the meeting, Trump said that the head of the E.P.A. intended to fire 65 percent of its staff.

More on the Trump Administration
European countries have tried versions of Trump’s proposed “gold card” visa, which would offer permanent residency for a fee of about $5 million. The outcomes are mixed. NOW ONE CAN BUY ANYTHING FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT?

At a confirmation hearing, Justice Department appointees suggested some court orders can be ignored. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!

X has given prominent online conservatives a direct line to Musk’s team. They appear to be influencing policy.

The U.S. is talking with several countries that could export more eggs to reduce prices.

Trump’s efforts to pressure the news media and punish political opponents evoke the early days of Vladimir Putin’s reign in Russia.

CLEARLY, THOSE OF YOU WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP HAD NO IDEA THAT HE IS INTENT ON DISMANTLING OUR DEMOCRACY. THIS IS ONLY THE EARLY DAYS. WHAT WILL WE LOSE NEXT? WHAT WILL THE LATER DAYS BE LIKE?

DO ANY OF YOU KNOW THAT HITLER DESTROYED GERMANY’S DEMOCRACY WITHIN SIX MONTHS?

WILL I AT SOME POINT HAVE MY CITIZEN’S FREE SPEECH WRITE TAKEN AWAY? BE INTERNED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP FOR WRITING MESSAGES LIKE THIS ONE?

Israel leading us to war(s)

Submitted By: runnawaytrain1@gmx.com – Click to email about this post
Anyone else getting quite sick of Israel leading us to war?

rumble.com/v6p9qkx-jeffrey-sachs-just-exposed-the-truth-they-dont-want-you-to-hear.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp

and

Why the rise of the AfD?

Most Germans know the Biden Admin blew up the Nordstream pipeline, which plummeted their country into economic turmoil. But the pro-Biden Merkel gov’t refused to acknowledge we (Biden/CIA/Norwegian special forces) blew up the pipeline, and instead continues to blame Russia while seeking war with Russia. The AfD does NOT want war with Russia.

And this is the CURRENT fascist government in Germany:

nypost.com/2025/02/21/world-news/germans-cant-insult-politicians-which-is-why-we-need-to-protect-free-speech-in-the-us/

Famed Vietnam-era Mi Lai Massacre journalist Seymour Hersh explains the Biden Admins special operation that blew-up Russia’s Nordstream pipeline, which was key to Germany’s economy:

rumble.com/v29wgr8-we-arent-so-innocent-seymour-hersh-first-exclusive-interview.html

Economic Blackout February 28

Submitted By: k.r.yurka@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
As a citizen, I have a sacred duty to stand up in defense of my country. One way to stand up is to vote in every election, from school board, to soil & water district to president. Until the next election, we also have first amendment rights to speak, peaceably assemble and petition for redress of grievances. I’m grateful to my fellow citizens who stood up and questioned Sen. Merkeley and Rep. Bonamici last weekend.

One other way we can stand up for our country is to choose to whom, why and when we ‘vote’ with our dollars. This is a right we exercise daily. I will be withholding my dollars on Friday, February 28, along with millions of other Americans who are concerned that their civil votes and public comments aren’t being heard. The only message the corporations hear is $$$.

I encourage you to join me in not spending a penny (except for emergencies, and only with locally owned businesses) for only one day.

To our beloved local business owners:
I do and will continue to support you, but not on Friday. I encourage you also to withhold your dollars for one day. No orders, no payments to vendors for one day. It’s one way we can stand together against the oligarchy that we all can see has invaded our national government. Stand up for your government OF the PEOPLE, BY the PEOPLE, FOR the PEOPLE.

Regardless of what the Supreme Court and Mitt Romney say, corporations are not people.

Windstorm help…

Submitted By: hiway53guy@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
Chainsaw and operator for hire. Very reasonable rates- determined upon inspection of cutting required… I can cut your downed trees into firewood lengths. 44 yrs experience.
Internet is out at our house till ??
I will check mssgs periodically at location where I can get service.
Txt or call- leave mssg
503 341 0450

miraculous win

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Brian Campbell, a 31 year old pro golfer, won the Mexico Open on Sunday with a little help from a miracle. Campbell, the shortest hitter on tour, was in a playoff with a 20 year old who is now the longest hitter on tour. They were playing the par-5 18th hole for the 3rd time when Campbell’s drive sliced right into the OB forest. His ball hit a tree (sounded more like the huge bamboo out there) and bounced back into play, which gave him a shot some 100 yards behind his opponent.

Campbell then managed a birdie to win the match. He has played on the Korn Ferry tour for most of his career where he has never won a tournament, and he was ranked #222 on the PGA tour. Over beside the 18th green, when his final putt dropped, his girlfriend fell to her knees and sobbed.

This was one of the most moving wins I have ever watched, and I think stories like this are desperately needed currently. Here are a couple links to coverage:

apnews.com/article/brian-campbell-mexico-open-aldrich-potgieter-pga-tour-84c740948aa9eb4abe8f7d702d5d8c6c

www.newsweek.com/sports/golf/pga-tour-world-no-222-gets-insane-lucky-bounce-win-mexico-open-playoff-2035072

-Dave

Breaking Down This Vertigo

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
How does a King forfeit his authority? Let us remember.

Meeting at Hot Creek

An unusual moment of confluence,

a pair of hawks circling at twilight

held up on the winds of a storm

and the fractal light of the setting

sun, an image of timeless buoyancy.

They were soaring high and free,

as if summoned from the still warm

cliffs. In deep silence, bathed

in a hot spring creek and the light

of the descending sun, I met

their buoyancy with my own.

Are you asking,

Submitted By: babbles@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
hello to all in BBQ-land who are dismayed at the changes being made at the national level in our country.

someone named John–sorry, i can’t find the original email so i don’t even know his last name–has started an organization called The People’s Union. Described below is their first effort to send a message to Trump, Musk and the spineless Republicans in Congress who are kowtowing to them.

I encourage EVERYONE to participate in this 24-hour economic blackout. what follows below is The Peoples Union description. Below that is another message i received just a few minutes ago from their founder John. ONE person is working to make a difference. Let’s join and support him. This is the future of our democracy that is at stake.

om peace namaste
lucy brook
nehalem resident
U.S. citizen

The 24 hour Economic Blackout
Corporations have billions. Politicians have lobbyists. We have each other.
As our first initial act, we turn it off.
For one day we show them who really holds the power.

WHEN:
Thursday February 27th from Midnight till Friday February 28th Midnight
(A full 24 hours of the 28th)

WHAT NOT TO DO:
~Do not make any purchases.
~Do not shop online, or in-store.
~No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy.
NOWHERE!
~Do not spend money on:
Fast Food
Gas
Major Retailers
~Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non-essential spending

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
~Buy ONLY essentials of absolutely necessity
(food, medicine, emergency supplies)
~Support ONLY small, local businesses.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE
Talk about it, post about it, and document your actions that day!

WHY THIS MATTERS!
~ Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.
~ If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.
~ If they don’t listen (they won’t), then we make the next blackout longer (We will)

This is our first action.
This is how we make history.
February 28th the 24 Hour Economic Black Out Begins.

We are now just five days away from the February 28th Economic Blackout. This is not about stopping every person from shopping. 340 million people live in this country, and of course, some will still spend. This is about sending a message. It’s about showing that when we decide to stand together, we have the power to shake the system. This is the first shot, the warning sign that we are here, we are organizing, and we are ready to demand real change. We will make an impact, and that impact will grow.

Many exciting things are in motion. This week, I expect to have the first proposal for the new website, a space built specifically for us, where we can truly organize, communicate, and grow this movement. For now, keep spreading the word. Thank you again for your support, your belief in this, and for standing in unity with me and so many others who know that real change only happens when the people demand it. We are just getting started. With gratitude, John.

leak roof hack

Submitted By: yuiqwe1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
When I first moved in to my Nehalem house it had a couple roof leaks. There is no attic and I couldn’t figure out how water was getting in. Then I noticed a leak in my shop which does have an attic and found that the sink vent pipe was not securely joined together. I placed u-joint pipes over all my vents and no more leaks. Over one hundred inches of water going down an 1.5 inch diameter pipe adds up. I forced some hardware cloth into the opening to prevent rodents from entering or cavity nesting birds from thinking it might be a good opportunity. Maybe this will help someone.

United Paws’ Kittens of the Week

Submitted By: coastbbqfree@protonmail.com – Click to email about this post
You can learn more about these kittens and others available for adoption at unitedpaws.wordress.com. Complete an adoption application to get pre-approved, and once pre-approved, you can schedule a “Meet & Greet.” Please email unitedpawsapps@gmail.com or call United Paws at 503-842-5663 for more information.

Magazines needed for our group art project, please!

Submitted By: kseaton@pdx.edu – Click to email about this post
Do you have any spare magazines laying around that you could donate/upcycle to our group art project? We would appreciate any amount that you can give!

Drop off at NCRD Fitness center labeled “For: K. Seaton” or I can pick them up anywhere around town (Nehalem/Manzanita/Wheeler) this week. We are collecting as many as possible before Saturday evening – 2/23/25.

Email to reach me- kseaton@pdx.edu or text me @ 503-553-9875.

Thank you so much!

Good fences…

Submitted By: Karmatenfol@aol.com – Click to email about this post
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
‘Stay where you are until our backs are turned!’
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
‘Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.’ I could say ‘Elves’ to him,
But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’

Read EVCNB’s Latest eBrief – Learn About Emergency Food Stocks and More

Submitted By: info@evcnb.org – Click to email about this post
mailchi.mp/evcnb.org/evcnb-ebrief-february-14-2025-learn-about-emergency-food-stocks?e=[UNIQID] Read our latest eBrief by clicking the link above.
Learn more about Emergency Food Stocks.
Check out the results of our second annual Top Chef emergency food cooking contest. Winner details and contestants’ recipes are included.
Do you need a GoBag, WaSH or GoBag supplies?
Take advantage of several learning opportunities:
WaSH Class: Multiple class dates offered in 2025: From 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM February 22 April 26 May 31
Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication: This is a two day class in Astoria: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday March 5 and Thursday March 6
Take Our Yellow Radio Class: Saturday, March 22, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Class is via zoom.
Get CERT-ified! Earn your CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certification. Classes start on April 3

Now We Choose

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Dear Community,

Now We Choose

In time we come to know, welcome in our daily lives the understanding that there is no saving grace in misleading or being misled. Deep and real differences may define our families and friendships but we realize there will be no lasting peace in lies and being misled.

Anchoring these times and spaces of our lives, 
we can carefully listen to the voices of ancestors
and the integrity of friends, “Through love alone
will hate be healed.” 

We all know that we have awakened many times before, left behind a season’s ignorance, the restless, uneasy ways of wanting, hate, and fear.

Slowly, we are abandoning the belief that a man or woman can own another, assume or create a relation that does not recognize the inherent rights and dignity of the other.

At work, as in marriage, our communities, and civic relations, this entitlement is now a birthright, an achievement of what is best in all of us. We are awakening, slowly reaching the understanding that war is not sustainable.

The war in Vietnam, the war in Iraq, Gaza, wherever conflict appears, we are coming to know that war profits a very small minority. For too long we have listened to all their lies, the reasons why our sons and daughters must continue to be sacrificed for profit. 

Why it is that those who have had the most for so long, generation after generation, merit further privileges to accumulate more.

There is no saving grace in being misled. We are also awakening to the precious and fragile gift of our freedom, how our voice and how we choose is equal to any other. 

Will it ever be easy to recognize, accept, and release how we have been deceived? Each of us knows a deeply visceral answer to this question.

But as the typhoons come and the tornadoes grow stronger, as species extinction accelerates, and our divorce rates incline, as our coastal cities submerge and our mothers and fathers die of unrelenting heat, we can awaken, recognize 
how we have been used.

What comes to mind when we hear deceitful and barren platforms full of hateful intentions? It is claimed that we should deport millions of men and women, persons who are seeking, as we have sought, a better life, or listening to their insatiable urge for ever deeper extraction with no respect for those who follow.

What comes to mind and must be remembered is a lost and wounded child, a little boy, stepping down from a broken bus, “They just let you do it.” 

May we all be granted the integrity to awaken, resist, and create a new union. Now we choose.

United Paws’ Kittens of the Week

Submitted By: Coastbbqfree@protonmail.com – Click to email about this post
United Paws’ Kittens of the Week: Gemma, Ruby and Trina
Let me introduce you to three of the fabulous kittens currently being fostered at United Paws while they await their forever homes.
Gemma has a luxurious coat. She may come off as shy at first, but the minute she feels your soft touch, she leans in for more. Gemma is very affectionate and talkative — if you return her meows she will keep telling you her secrets. You can watch Gemma in action on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe3xY_E-Uj2b_PZIOJkTESC9b4lJKbRAt.
Ruby is the first to investigate everything! She wants to know what is behind every corner as well as the unique nature of each and every toy. Ruby loves gazing out the window at the great big world, and the feather toy is never safe in her midst. Watch Ruby in action here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe3xY_E-Uj2b_PZIOJkTESC9b4lJKbRAt.
Trina is a sweet, golden Tortie who was formerly the beloved pet of autistic boy until she had to be surrendered when his family lost their housing. Trina is very playful and just adores her feather wand toy. In fact, she will sit by her wand toy and stare at her foster until play commences. Schedule a Meet & Greet to see if you can resist!
You can learn more about these kittens and others available for adoption at unitedpaws.wordress.com. Complete an adoption application to get pre-approved, and once pre-approved, you can schedule a “Meet & Greet.” Please email unitedpawsapps@gmail.com or call United Paws at 503-842-5663 for more information.

AI, what are we doing?

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
3 paragraphs at the end of an article titled “I met the ‘godfathers of AI’ in Paris – here’s what they told me to really worry about” by Alexander Hurst

[Stuart Russell is one of the “godfathers of AI”]

“There’s the science budget of the world, and there’s the money we’re spending on AI,” says Russell. “We could have done something useful, and instead we’re pouring resources into this race to go off the edge of a cliff.” He didn’t specify what alternatives, but just two months into the year, roughly $1tn in AI investments have been announced, all while the world is still falling far short of what is needed to stay even within 2C of heating, much less 1.5C.

It seems as if we have a shrinking opportunity to lay down the incentives for companies to create the kind of AI that actually benefits our individual and collective lives: sustainable, inclusive, democracy-compatible, controlled. And beyond regulation, “to make sure there is a culture of participation embedded in AI development in general”, as Eloïse Gabadou, a consultant to the OECD on technology and democracy, put it.

At the close of the conference, I said to Russell that we seemed to be using an incredible amount of energy and other natural resources to race headlong into something we probably shouldn’t be creating in the first place, and which the relatively benign versions of are already, in many ways, misaligned with the kinds of societies that we actually want to live in.

“Yup,” he replied.

Frankly I’m beginning to not care because the world will be better off without the human race. That’s an awful way to feel. -Dave

Manzanita lawsuit

Submitted By: judysugg@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Laura Swanson’s lengthy post on the Pioneer (“Frivolous” Manzanita Lawsuit) on Tuesday left me wondering.

Let me see if I have the facts straight. Laura had a good friend who was briefly the mayor of Manzanita. There was a city staff complaint during her friend’s tenure. The friend resigned as mayor, at least partially because she no longer lived in Manzanita. Laura was unhappy. Laura went to court to gain access to the city staff complaint in 2023. The court heard from her and her attorneys and then turned her down and dismissed the case. Laura appealed. Again, the court and a different judge said no.

Laura’s post was accusatory and hinted of conspiracy. The facts and the courts’ decisions are simple and clear. I have to wonder which view is frivolous.

Please see the City of Manzanita website for the court judgment on Page 13 of FAQs: ci.manzanita.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-01-17-Often-Asked-Questions.pdf

Two BIG GORILLAS in the Trump Admin

Submitted By: nehalemfreespeech@gmx.com – Click to email about this post
And they are BIG!

For me, (finally!) cutting the CIA-front USAID and (finally!) closing the border to the cartel human traffickers (children and adults) and the cartel drug traffickers (fentanyl/liquid heroin/cocaine), the appointment of Tulsi as DNI, RFK’s appointment and MAHA, ending the war in Ukraine, and signaling that the new admin WILL NOT be starting a war with Iran, are all great things.

In my view, the Biden admin (obviously, Joe was NOT running the executive branch, it was Barak and Blinken sending Israel the child-killing Gaza bombs, anointing Kamala, etc.) was even worse than the war war war Bush/Cheney Crime Family admins of the early 2000s.

And I am so happy that corrupt crew of war-loving top-level dems are out of power.

But will I be happy for long?

Here are the two BIG GORILLAS that I see, both are addressed in detail by the excellent journalists linked below.

The first gorilla: The siliCON valley totalitarian technocrats, have jumped the Democrat ship, after a most fruitful ride, and are now on the MAGA ship. After spending four years terrorizing the American people using Democrat power, Bezos/Zuckerberg/Thiel/Musk were all onstage with Trump at the inauguration! Could these technofascist billionaires be anymore shameless and transparent?

The second gorilla: The Zionists, who had a field day killing Palestinian children while Zionist Blinken was running State, also have a friend in Trump.

Below are some smart folks detailing the serious dangers within the Trump admin, dangers you won’t hear about on the likes of CNN/MSNBC/NYT/NPR/OPB.

Kim’s interview at 22:00 starts an interesting minute…but it’s all great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7787k0UWkC4

and

rumble.com/v6k3okd-whitney-webbs-take-on-doge-elon-musk-deepseek-ai-and-the-elites.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp

minutes 3:30 and 6:00 and 9:00 are all very interesting, as is Whitney’s entire interview.

Andy, Wheeler
🙂

“Frivolous” Manzanita Lawsuit … It’s Not Really About the Report

 

Submitted By: rkinor@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Reprinted by permission of author Laura Swanson

Now, given my profession and how long I’ve been doing this, don’t do the math (over 40 years – most in this community) I’m usually unconcerned about the gossip and rumor mill. In fact, I don’t listen to that mis-information much at all. But when it does get back to me that a few individuals in a north county city consider me to be “persona non-grata” based upon legal action that’s been taken, and that perhaps it’s impacting my reputation and business, then, I think it’s time to come clean and divulge the real reason behind the pursuit of legal action, because I believe in transparency, honesty and the truth. I’ve had many people ask me about the Manzanita lawsuit because of rumors and misinformation. I usually start out by explaining that the former mayor Deb Simmons and I are personal friends and I didn’t like how she was bullied out of town, investigated (she didn’t even know what exactly for) and then, she wasn’t even given a copy of the investigation. What!? That’s why I was a party to the lawsuit asking the courts to release the investigation. How can the person who was investigated not be told what she was being investigated for – she later learned it was for creating a hostile work environment – “improper conduct” (more on that later.) The report according to the courts and the lawyers is “protected” by client attorney privilege. What is in the report that the city doesn’t want revealed? It’s been suggested that the former mayor would be “embarrassed” by what the report contains – Simmons has asked for the report to be released. Because she resigned before the report was released, the city’s lawyer decided that since she was no longer on council she didn’t get a copy. So the person who was investigated and hasn’t seen the report would like to have it released. There have been indications that releasing the report could lead to more lawsuits against the city, but the city would have saved all these attorney fees by simply releasing the report when requested …. Hmmm. The spin doctors would have you believe that the plaintiffs that brought the “frivolous” lawsuit were “responsible for costing the city thousands of dollars.” Oh wait – if the city had just released the report ….
But the city had already invested thousands of dollars in lawyers “investigating” the anonymous city employee’s complaint against the former mayor. Another factor besides the unfairness of how Deb Simmons was treated – bullied – in this situation because she was asking questions. We all should be asking LOTS of questions, let’s start with the “investigation.” Simmons gave the investigator 20 names, but only ONE of those people were interviewed. There were people mentioned dozens of time in the investigation, yet those individuals were not interviewed. What kind of investigation is this? My reporter senses were tingling big time. There is nothing to prohibit the City from releasing the report produced by the investigator. Vague claims by the City that release of the report may trigger a lawsuit by someone involved with the investigation should details be released. The former mayor has always stated that she fully supports the release of the report and that all of the findings be released for public review. Are we to believe that Simmons wishes to be exposed for misconduct and then would attempt to sue the City for her misconduct? Are we to believe that individuals who were interviewed by the investigator and told what they saw and heard the Mayor do would sue the City if their identities were revealed for making truthful statements? How much did the city spend on the “investigation”? The City doesn’t want that report to ever see the light of day, but that just leads to more questions, what else could they be hiding? Another main purpose of pursuing the report was to bring the attention of the citizenry to what’s going on in their town. Don’t believe what you read on social media from this side or that side, and believe me there are more than just “two sides” to every story. The lesson here is to pay attention to how your tax dollars are being spent, who is making the decisions, and that goes for every community, county, state and our nation right now. Pay attention, city government and elected officials, please serve your constituents in a transparent manner. I’d like to think that the “good ol’ boy” network ended decades ago, but we are seeing it play out before our eyes with the destruction of our democracy by billionaires, and our national government as we’ve known it disintegrating. Focus locally. Be sure that you hold our elected officials accountable. Be sure of your sources and your facts. And if you ever want to know “Why did the Pioneer do that?” You can just ask me – editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net. We abide by our tenets – the truth, fairness, and benefit to the community; we are also mindful and thoughtful about the stories we do. In the case of the “frivolous” Manzanita lawsuit, the burden of proof and transparency remains with the city and they continue to pay the price to cover up the costly choices that have been made – just raising more questions – Who or what are they protecting? And at what cost?

 

A quick resistance task:

Submitted By: diwax54@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
A quick resistance task:

1. Google Gulf of Mexico.
2. “Gulf of America” will be at the head of Google’s answer.
3. Click on the three little dots to the right of “Gulf of America”.
4. Select “Send Feedback”
5. Click on “Gulf Of America” text.
6. Select “Inaccurate content”.
7. Select “Incorrect” and type in whatever text you want such as “The correct name of this body of water is GULF OF MEXICO!

I wrote this review, posted on Google’s map website:
“Mislabeled. This is the Gulf of Mexico. Too bad Google went along with a racist jab and the underlying purpose of allowing oil drilling, prohibited in the ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ American territory only extends 12 miles off shore, so only a strip of water can be called American. Perhaps Google should rename it the Gulf Strip of America instead, as we do not own or have any territorial rights to the rest of the Gulf.”

Act while you still can

Submitted By: genedieken@yahoo.com – Click to email about this post
February 13-15 is the 80th anniversary of the firebombing of Dresden in 1945 as World War Two was nearing its close. British and American bombers rained down 650,000 incendiary bombs that destroyed most of the city and killed 25,000. The operation remains controversial to this day.

On the 12th and 13th, the Staatskapella Dresden, the symphony orchestra of Dresden since 1548 and one of Germany’s finest, will be performing Giuseppi Verdi’s Requiem Mass, in memory of the destruction of Dresden. A requiem is a Catholic mass said for the repose of the souls of the dead.

I’m noting this occasion not to add more darkness to our already dark times but simply as a reminder that it’s much less costly in all respects to prevent an illiberal, autocratic dictatorship than it is to get rid of it once power has been captured and protest made illegal.

Here’s a piece that caused me to begin to move beyond my “what can I do?” thinking. An interview of Erica Chenoweth, author of Civil Resistance, What Everyone Needs to Know:
https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/the-nature-of-our-power-a-conversation-with-political-scientist-erica-chenoweth/

The book by Rebecca Chenoweth:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/civil-resistance-9780190244408?lang=en&cc=us

Staatskapella Dresden web site:
www.staatskapelle-dresden.de/en/

I found this account of the Service of Prayer for the Nation, held at the National Cathedral in DC on January 21 to be a reminder how enlivening spiritual and moral clarity can be:
www.emptywheel.net/2025/01/22/herod-goes-to-the-national-cathedral-and-is-disappointed/

Pictures below:

The Dresden Semperoper, home to the Staatskapella, destroyed in 1945 & reopened in 1985

The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington DC

I swore by an oath I took 42 years ago.

Submitted By: diwax54@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
I swore by an oath I took 42 years ago…

These days, that oath means nothing to those in charge…
It saddens me of what will become of the future missions of the military….
We now no longer have a leadership to defend and keep our country safe and prosperous.
I fear that past history is rapidly repeating the horrific acts of WWII.
Our country has taken a downfall that is so damaging with the over abundance of fascism, hate, racism and divisiveness.

42 years ago yesterday, I raised my right hand and took my first oath (of a total of 6) for enlistment in the US Army at a Recruiting Station in Bishop CA. I was on a 90 day Delayed Entry (or Enlistment) Program (DEP). On May 9th 1983, I left the Military Entrance Processing Station in Los Angeles CA for BASIC TRAINING, FT MCCLELLAN, AL.

The Oath of Enlistment (for enlistees):
“I, Diane Weatherwax, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

I know in my heart and my love for this country my oath should never expire … But, unfortunately this country no longer abides by a constitution to defend. Today obeying the current president is unconstitutional. Additionally, the regulations I guarantee are no longer under any Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Gardeners Take Warning COLD NIGHTS

Submitted By: mkuestner10@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Gardeners protect your cold-tender plants.
The next three nights are to be in the mid to upper 20s, so if you have any plants that won’t survive, push against your house, put in your garage, shed, porch or inside your house.
If in the ground cover with a box. If you use a plastic cover be sure the plant leaves aren’t touching the plastic as the cold will transfer to them directly through the plastic.
Be warm!
Spring is coming.
More tips: yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-protect-plants-frost-and-freeze

Civic Saturday Sermon Except

Submitted By: codger817@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
I find Eric Liu’s sermons from his book, “Become America” inspiring. I have been hosting “Civic Saturdays” to listen to his sermons with anyone who is interested. It’s a 10AM zoom, but sessions are recorded and are available by e-mailing codger817@gmail.com.
They are 8 years old, but they mirror the present day perfectly because the same grifter is in office again, even though 68% of the electorate did not vote for him.
Here’s the conclusion of today’s sermon
…..”We who believe in inclusion and integrity can’t out-cynicism the likes of Bannon and Trump. We can out-believe them. We can out-love them, out-trust them, out-mobilize them, out-imagine them. Out joy them. Have you seen Donald J. Trump smile with joy? He cannot. We must. We must do that at home. With our neighbors. With strangers we encounter face to face. And with strangers we can’t see or touch but can imagine.
Trump is weak, not strong, That’s why he has to use a strategy of chaos creation. The people are strong, not weak. That’s why we mustn’t panic. Persist, believe, organize. Do so with love, and with joy. In our laws, our acts, and our hearts this land is our land.”