2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology television terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

For Senator-elect Merkley:

Senator Smith's campaign spoke a lot about how Oregon needs a Senator who represents rural Oregon. Rural Oregonians are really feeling the squeeze. How can the government assist Oregonians outside the urban regions--especially since County Timber Payments are unlikely to continue in the long term?

Can the Senator-elect also offer some words to assure rural Oregon that he will be there for them, too?

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
view in context

I've heard a lot about how Gordon Smith is a Senator that represents interests outside of Portland, because he's got a home and a business in Pendleton. I'd like to hear from Jeff Merkley about what he thinks are the important issues for all of Oregon, not just Portland. And how he plans to represent the interests of our state as a whole, should he become Senator.

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
view in context

Disclosures are at risk from traditional journalists too, Kari. Having all attendees sign an appropriate nondisclosure form is one way to go about this.

And what if the attendee in question IS a blogger who started a site a few days ago, and still wants in? That person should have to be subject to the same rules as everyone else, even if they are a jackass. Sign the agreement, pay the fine, whatever, if they improperly disclose information.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context

I disagree that 'after the fact' won't work. It would be no different than if a reporter had an axe to grind and made the decision to write up an exec session. You're working off the assumption that a blogger can be foaming up an agenda, but a traditional reporter can't. I think a hefty fine and a signed agreement that's binding work in both cases.

The "damage" could be done by either person, should they choose to reveal privileged information. While a blogger may only choose to attend one session--if they know that they'll incur a heavy fine if they reveal privileged information, it makes it pretty tough for the cost/benefit to iron itself out. Very few bloggers that I know could afford even a small fine, much less a hefty one.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context

The point of allowing journalists into an executive session is to demonstrate transparency. At least that's how I understand it. To forbid an individual from attending the session because they aren't a traditional journalist is antithetical to that transparency.

As a blogger who engages in a journalistic style of writing, I believe that I do a lot of the same work that a traditional reporter does. To be denied access because I don't actually work for a paper or traditional news outlet seems highly problematic, at best. I've worked hard to develop a good reputation for my efforts--and that includes keeping "on background" information confidential.

Perhaps the answer is, as has been discussed, a fine for those who breach that trust. Perhaps those reporters in attendance could also sign an agreement that they'll not be reporting on information learned at executive session.

Not all bloggers are journalists. But *some* of us are. And we shouldn't be kept out because we aren't working for a traditional outlet.

Carla Axtman
Blue Oregon

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context