The Eugene Police Union recently posted an ugly charicature of City Councilor Bonny Bettman on their union website, along with a counter until her last day in office (she will be replaced by George Brown, Kiva owner, who ran unopposed for her seat).

I won’t share it, since the union took it down once the Register Guard called them for comment, however the story in the RG includes more information for those who are interested.

I am very sad to see the police union’s misunderstanding of appropriate political involvement in the form of an ugly and mean spirited attack on outgoing city councilor Bonny Bettman. Of course unions should play a role in politics — it is our right to organize our labor and resources to elect leaders who will protect our right to organize and have fair working conditions.

While the Eugene police union broke no law in their clumsy ridicule of Ms. Bettman, they made a sad error of judgment. I, too, am a public employee, and I understand my union has to work with management at times to preserve the public trust in our work. When my union crosses the line, people lose trust in government and (1) oppose funding my agency and (2) fear they will be denied equal services because they may not agree with my union’s opinion (and get targeted for mean reprisals?). It is one thing to have an opinion and work to spread it through voter contact. It is quite another to use insulting and degrading words and pictures about one’s opponents.

The sad thing is I know many police officers who do not agree with their union’s actions. I hope the get involved and elect different leaders.

I understand the Eugene police union is not the first to engage in political mud slinging. I just hope that my political beliefs won’t result in worse service from them. And what about the domestic violence survivors who rely on the police to save their lives? What about the kids who should feel they can turn to the police when they run away or are lost?

Whatever happened to Officer Friendly? We need you now.

Let’s take a little breather after a long night of election results watching!

Harrison Ford is doing some interesting things to talk about slash and burning rain forests. What is equally disturbing is that a 65 year old man has a better upper body than I do!

PICTURES of the amazing day!

(hat tip to Garrett for his skillz. aka. The GearGreaser)

Casting a vote for the next generation
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

In 2004, Oregon and Kansas shared a last-place dishonorable mention for having the largest gap in turnout between younger and older voters. A whopping 28 percent more older voters cast ballots in Oregon that year than did younger ones. In a state with such an accomplished history of citizen involvement, that fact signaled an alarming generational shift in civic engagement. Participatory government only works with participants.

Oregon needs a plan for engaging its young citizens as voters, as volunteers, as board members and candidates for elected office. Nothing less than the future of the state is riding on it. Historically, overall voter turnout in Oregon has been a benchmark of success. And it’s no surprise that high levels of voter turnout translate into high levels of citizenship in other areas, too — from addressing flooding at Johnson Creek to passing landmark citizen legislation through the ballot initiative process.

But 2008 has been the year of the young voter across the nation, and it could be the beginning of a new trend in Oregon, as well. After two consecutive national elections with increased youth turnout, this year has seen unprecedented turnout levels in the primaries (youth turnout has doubled, tripled, even quadrupled in some states). That represents a special opportunity to engage young voters in Oregon, and for keeping them engaged beyond the election.

Oregon’s young people are poised to make a key impact in today’s primary, and it looks like they know it. So far this year, four times more young people than any other age group have registered to vote for the first time, accounting for more than half of all new registrations. As reported in a recent story in The Oregonian, this group could very well affect the state’s politics for years to come.

But the political engagement of this “millennial generation” cannot begin and end with a frenzied presidential contest. We must set our sights past November, and farther down the ballot than the presidential bubble. The cultural and institutional challenges of voter access and inadequate civic education that have for so long discouraged youth participation will persist, and they will be ours to face together.

The Bus Project is working to address these challenges through volunteer engagement and fun events such as Trick-or-Vote, young leader trainings and voter advocacy, such as support for a bill passed last year that allows teenagers to register to vote as soon as they turn 17. But as Oregonians we must also re-examine how vote-by-mail works for young voters, who move frequently. Policies to consider: same-day registration, which according to the Pew Charitable Trusts is the best way to increase participation; subsidized stamps; online registration such as in Washington state; and organized mock elections and voter drives in public schools.

And government is not the only solution. Foundations and nonprofit organizations and schools should be looking for ways to include youth engagement in their focus.

Although today’s primary will have its winners and losers, one of the winners we should be celebrating already is that more than 43,000 young Oregonians registered to vote for the first time. Regardless of the outcomes today, or for that matter in November, Oregon has an opportunity to cast a meaningful (metaphorical) vote this year — to prioritize the next generation.

We’re ready.

Caitlin Baggott is director of the Bus Project Foundation. Alex Aronson is youth vote director for the foundation.

Once again folks….we bring this super handy Ballot Drop Box Locator.

An Evening with Jenny Leis

If you are discouraged, or just looking for a kindred spirit, Jenny is here to share stories from the road she traveled as a grassroots activists. There is hope!

Wednesday, May 21st, 7:30 pm
Maitreya Eco-Village community space
1641 W. Broadway
$3-10 donation

Please join Jenny Leis in celebrating grassroots changemaking! After six years of sustainability/community organizing in Portland, Jenny took a year to explore the role of “cross-pollinator among grassroots movements,” by weaving through Portland, Tucson, and Boston; and on through East and Southern Africa.

Overflowing with inspiring stories and ideas for spicing up social change work, Jenny will introduce you to a locally-powered, globally-impactful organization of slum dwellers; permaculture education in devastated, post-dictatorship Malawi; eco-village retrofits in South African shanty towns; Tucson, Arizona’s growing sustainability community; and lessons from Zimbabwe, where they are currently facing many of the conditions that are predicted for our post-oil economy.

Jenny Leis is a community facilitator, enthusiastic speaker and spark for creative community action. Jenny has now returned to the Portland community to spark local “cross-pollination,” and dive deeper into her work with The City Repair Project and Tryon Life Community Farm. She can be contacted at jennyleis@riseup.net or 503-548-8459.

Also, check out: http://journeydejenny.blogspot.com.

Check out footage from the Candidates Gone Wild event!

And in a completely random, straight out of “Colbert” style interview, Randy Hammond, Portland City Commissioner sings, accuses Sam Adams of things and yells at the interviewer.

Playback Theater is a community theater practice that let’s you tell the story, then see actors play it out on stage. Allen Hancock rode the bus up to Rebooting Democracy back in January, and is a seriously inspiring a dedicated guy. Plus, he’s found the secret to unlock the pocketbooks of our counter culture community. Last time Playback did a fundraiser for measure 49, they raised more money than most of the houseparties I knew of.

Emerald Valley Playback Theater presents
a benefit evening of improvisational theater and desserts to

Re-elect Kitty Piercy
A Mayor for ALL Eugene

Come see your stories of Mayor Piercy and life in Eugene performed on the spot

Friday, May 16th, 7 PM
Tsunami Books
2585 Willamette St.

Further questions — call Allen at 343-1926

Wow…I don’t even know which direction to go with a comment on this…other than…consider the source. The female FOX anchor is blatantly going for shock value and how is a Seattle correspondent an expert on the matter?

I would love to hear people’s reactions to this! Comment below!

If you are able to give some time in these last days to put her over the top and let her continue building the Eugene we all want to live in, see the times and places below!

In my opinion the most important race for this May 20 election is the one for Mayor of Eugene.  Just for the fact that the two candidates come from two very different sides of the political landscape.  If you didn’t know the Lane Bus Project supports Kitty Piercy for this post!

Monday, May 12th:

Sign waving-
Ferry St Bridge and 18th & Chambers - 4-5:45pm
Phoning-
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Tuesday, May 13th - Thursday, May 15th:

Phoning-
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Friday, May 16th:

Sign waving-
Morning-Ferry St Bridge- 7:30-9am
Afternoon-Ferry St Bridge and 18th & Chambers - 4-5:45pm

Saturday, May 17th:
Bus Project GOTV Canvass! Monroe Park (10th and Monroe)
10am - Meet Up 11am - Canvass

Sunday, May 18th:
Final GOTV Canvass- University Park (24th and University) - 1pm

Monday, May 19th:
Last Night of Phoning!
SEIU Office (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union, corner of 11th and Ferry) - 6-9pm

Let me know if you can help! Contact Ashley at 541-968-8269 or ashley@kittypiercy.com.