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Imagine you are in a store and the salesclerk leaves the counter for some reason. No one is watching you so you steal something. Does the fact that the sales clerk was absent ,or was otherwise incapacitated, mean that it is not stealing? It is still a crime for which you can be prosecuted if you are caught. The same is true with raping an incapacitated person. A crime is still a crime. Just because someone is drunk and passed out does not mean they have given you permission to take advantage of them. The person has also not given you permission to steal their wallet, their car, all of which would be seen as crimes. I agree with the first comment that this is a no-brainer. It is sad to learn that legislation is needed to make the Oregon judicial system acknowledge that this is indeed a crime.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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Would there be objections of inappropriateness if the child had chosen to wear a George W. Bush mask or a Bill Clinton mask? Is this about the mask being too close to black face? Oregon is a very white state, lacking experience in dealing with such issues. Residents here are very uncomfortable with race issues and sometimes overreact. The fact that school children in Georgia did a similar thing shows that people in this state have a lot to learn about being comfortable with race.

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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I was the first on-air caller his morning and wanted to clarify that I DO have chains for my car, but only for one, not for both. However, due to the poor quality of the streets in town, I chose not to drive at all to avoid having an accident for the sake of a loaf of bread. I did walk to a local grocery store, about a mile from my home, and found the going treacherous. The city has limited resources for snow removal, since it's not a typical weather condition. However, sanding more roads and requiring residents to clear the sidewalks in front of their houses is not an unreasonable expectation. Personal responsibility extends to all citizens and the municipality. I mentioned the possibility of lawsuits resulting from personal injuries when streets and sidewalks are not cleared of ice and snow. Can the city afford the legal ramifications if someone is hurt due to a lack of maintenance?

The financial losses suffered by local businesses because driving was impossible affect the city as well as its residents. Albany is participating in the Main Street program, an effort to encourage the revitalization of the downtown core. How can we support our local businesses if we can't get there? When any business closes, tax revenue suffers, and there isn't sufficient money to support public works. It's a vicious cycle, but one that needs to be addressed with forethought and planning. Being ready for the occasional snow storm is one of those situations. The economy of small businesses depends largely on the holiday rush and snow usually comes at the holiday season. Therefore, it can be expected that inclement weather may be a factor in the success of these small establishments.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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