Dear Governor Kulongoski:

Please direct the Oregon Department of Forestry to increase logging by 25% on state owned lands through an Executive Order to benefit schools and roads in Oregon's timber dependent counties.

Also, direct the Oregon Department of Revenue to put forth a legislative proposal to dedicate this total increased logging amount to schools and roads in those identified timber dependent counties.

Yes, once again the failed ideology of the socialist planners rears it's ugly head in the Portland Metro area. You see, Metro, a one of a kind un necessary level of government that covers all of the cities near the Portland area has been captured by the most extreme of the left wingers.

The entry of former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr is going to be a real challenge to John McCain's ability to win the Presidency. In fact, I think it causes him to lose ultimately because of the dilemma it creates with disaffected Republicans like me. While I believe that the Republican Party's basic core values relflect my own values, our party's nominee doesnt. So hence the dilemma. Do I vote for a third party candidate like Bob Barr, thereby ensuring that our nation gets a President that is virtually the opposite of my values, or hold my nose and vote for John McCain?

The story today about school based health clinics being privately funded illustrates what is wrong with polticially correct public education today and actually adds to the other story out there regarding the increase in high school drop out rates. Schools are spending too much time, energy and resources (money) on issues like primary care clinics instead of focusing on what their core mission is, educating children. The predictable result is the other story today about an increase in dropout rates.

The story today about school based health clinics being privately funded illustrates what is wrong with polticially correct public education today and actually adds to the other story out there regarding the increase in high school drop out rates. Schools are spending too much time, energy and resources (money) on issues like primary care clinics instead of focusing on what their core mission is, educating children. The predictable result is the other story today about an increase in dropout rates.

An interesting opportunity has presented itself in Oregon’s largest city, Portland, namely the possible revisions of contracting policies that have led to very expensive, no bid contracts apparently costing the tax and ratepayers extra money.