Why?
Why are we still allowing ourselves to by hypnotized by terror? In Chicago yesterday the latest ‘celebrity suspect’, David Coleman Headley pleaded guilty to setting up the massacre in Mumbai and performing similar surveillance in anticipation of an attack on a Danish newspaper. 'Jihad Jane' is still tickling Tube-heads with her high-stakes stunts.
Meanwhile, back in Cascadia...Portland and Vancouver political leaders let reporters and the public know they were not welcome at yesterday’s Columbia River Crossing meeting. Behind closed doors the project’s sponsors, lawyers and legislators worked out their differences without the inconvenience of public input. Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart speaks for us all, “It is an important discussion, and the public has a right to be in on it.”
And the real authority of the Independent Police Review Division has been a cause for laughter, tears and outrage since its inception. But the outrage was at the forefront when the City Council aired an ordinance drafted to potentially strengthen Portland police oversight by broadening the authority of the gutless Review Board. Until the power of the Portland Police Union is seriously challenged, no citizen has a say; no citizen is safe.
We try to hit the high notes and move on to music and inspiration. Tre Arrow is back celebrating the triumph of the Soul over 'The Hole' and singing us into the Solstice...
- KBOO