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

I live in Irvington and love to walk in my neighborhood.  I also bike as much as I can.  But I also drive and am increasingly concerned by both runners and walkers (including those with baby strollers) who have decided that they are entitled to use the roads without regard to cars.  While pedestrians bear ultimate responsibility, there is a reason why so many pedestrians have taken to the roadways.  Many homeowners have not maintained their sidewalks, making them tripping hazards--especially when covered by leaves.  Not all curbs are wheelchair accessible, making them difficult to maneuver for those with strollers and walkers.  We need to recognize the increased diversity of those who are using our streets and sidewalks.  Both government and homeowners have a role in making them safe and all users have a role in using them safely.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
view in context

Wouldn't it be simpler and more effective to just suspend and/or revoke someone's driver's license after two convictions for drunk driving?  Driving is a privilege.  If people can prove they've successfully completed an addiction treatment program and maintained a drug-free state for a set period of time, then give them back a provisional license.  If they drive without a license, then put them in jail.

posted 2 years, 8 months ago
view in context

I am 58 and on my third career.  I was first a graduate student in French, aiming to be a college professor.  Even though I was at at the top-ranked program in the country, the job market started falling through the floor.  After talking with many people in many jobs, I decided to go to law school.  After practicing law and enjoying it greatly for 20 years, I realized that I had to withdraw from lawyering to support my son, who has autism.  Now I am an "intelligence at large."  I care for my family and spend many hours a work in unpaid collaborative efforts to improve services for people with autism.  In a real way, I continue to use the knowledge and skills I developed from both of my prior careers.  In each of them I have defined myself by what I did & do, because each has involved my exploring and developing a part of myself, as well as accomplishing other goals (money, respect, social interaction). 

I think being defined by your work is bad when it crowds out all other relationships and when you are separated from it against your will. Otherwise, it is a healthy reflection of being passionate about what you do.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
view in context