Health Options Digest
October 17, 2004
Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES)
In This Issue
From the Editor
Week In Review
For the second time in two weeks, PeaceHealth has lost a bid to undo the anti-trust verdict against it.
Springfield is talking about pulling out of the Metro Plan, the comprehensive plan adopted jointly by Eugene, Springfield and Lane County that guides development in the metropolitan area -- the governmental equivalent of Springfield seeking a divorce from Eugene due to irreconcilable differences.
A state committee is recommending designating many state highways as truck freight routes, including Highway 126 east up the McKenzie.
Lane County decided that while it may want the state to build the West Eugene Parkway, Lane County isn't interested in owning and maintaining part of the bypass after it is built.
It appears that Dave Barry and Arnold Schwarzenegger have competition in the satire department. Indeed, it appears that you can't always believe what you read. Some clever folks have placed arguments in the state Voters' Guide that pretend to argue for the opposite of what they truly believe. CHOICES is glad to know that satire, which has a long and distinguished history as a tool for political criticism, is alive and well in Oregon. Besides, a good laugh is always welcome.
Looking Ahead
On Tuesday, the Springfield Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a Glenwood urban renewal. If PeaceHealth's plans to move to the Gateway area fall through, Glenwood may be the second best choice.
On Wednesday in Portland, members of the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) and the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) will begin discussing if and how to change rules that require there to be adequate transportation facilities whenever a plan amendment allows new development. The effort is a direct response to PeaceHealth's loss at the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and Court of Appeals. PeaceHealth's attorneys have been lobbying the state to "fix" to rules to allow it to build a hospital even if there aren't yet adequate roads to serve the hospital.
We are still waiting for a decision from the Court of Appeals in the Eugene hospital zoning case. The court will decide when it is good and ready to do so.
Springfield's only public hearing on the revised PeaceHealth plan amendments is scheduled in two weeks on November 1. The attorneys are already going through the documents with a fine-toothed comb.
So we understand PeaceHealth is planning to improve its facilities at its existing Hilyard location, move some activities to the former Sony site, and open a new hospital at RiverBend in 2008. Springfield is doing all they can to facilitate the moves to Springfield. Meanwhile, McKenzie-Willamette and Eugene are moving towards a new hospital on the current EWEB site. If only EWEB can agree to sell its land. So is that it? Are we in the end game of musical hospitals? Eugene and Springfield swap hospitals? Or we about due for another surprise move in the game that takes it in a different direction? Stay tuned...
And whatever else you do, make sure to vote.
Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org
Calendar
Tuesday, October 19 -- Springfield Planning Commission
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3753
6:00 pm, Work Session, Jesse Maine Room
1. Vacation Right-of-Way -- Hammer
2. Glenwood Urban Renewal
7:00 pm, Public Hearing, City Council Chambers
1. Vacation Right-of-Way -- Hammer
2. Glenwood Urban Renewal
Wednesday, October 20 -- Joint OTC and LCDC Subcommittee
10:30 a.m., Work Session, Vancouver Room, Portland International Airport
A joint subcommittee of the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Land Conservation and Development Commission will begin reviewing options for improving how transportation and land use planning are coordinated. Their effort is a response to the court decisions in the case of Jaqua v. City of Springfield.
Contact: Bob Cortright, DLCD, (503) 373-0050 x241, bob.cortright@state.or.us
Monday, November 1 -- Springfield City Council & Springfield Planning Commission
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
Public Hearing
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
Tuesday, November 23 -- Springfield Planning Commission
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3753
Regular Meeting
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
Monday, December 6 -- Springfield City Council
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
Regular Meeting
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
PeaceHealth
Hospital Appeal
EUGENE -- The latest round of legal maneuvering between PeaceHealth and McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center delivers a victory to McKenzie-Willamette. PeaceHealth operates Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene and McKenzie-Willamette is located in Springfield. (more...)
PeaceHealth loses attempt to overturn antitrust verdict
By Tim Christie
The Register-Guard | October 15, 2004 |
For the second time in two weeks, a judge has rebuffed PeaceHealth's request to scuttle a jury's decision last year that the Bellevue-based hospital corporation engaged in anti-competitive behavior that harmed rival McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
U.S. District Judge Ancer Haggerty, in a ruling late Wednesday in Portland, rejected a PeaceHealth motion that he set aside the jury's verdict. Two weeks ago, he rejected PeaceHealth's motion for a new trial.
PeaceHealth officials have now exhausted their legal maneuvers in U.S. District Court, and must turn to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals if they choose to continue fighting the October 2003 verdict, representatives of both hospitals said. (more...)
PeaceHealth denied again
| The Springfield News | October 15, 2004 |
On Thursday, Judge Ancer Haggerty denied PeaceHealth's request that he set aside the jury verdict in McKenzie-Willamette's federal antitrust lawsuit.
Just two weeks ago, Haggerty denied PeaceHealth's motion for a new trial, upholding a Portland jury's decision reached last October. The effect of the two rulings is that PeaceHealth must now appeal to a higher court if the hospital wants to dispute the jury verdict.
The jury found that PeaceHealth had engaged in anti-competitive behavior -- including price discrimination and trying to monopolize the area's health care market -- which harmed Springfield's McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. (more...)
Judge Refuses to Throw Out Jury Verdict Against PeaceHealth
By Rosie Pryor
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center | October 14, 2004 |
Yesterday, Judge Ancer Haggerty denied PeaceHealth's request that he set aside the jury verdict in McKenzie-Willamette's federal antitrust lawsuit. Just two weeks ago, Judge Haggerty denied PeaceHealth's motion for a new trial. The effect of the two rulings is that PeaceHealth must now appeal to a higher court if it intends to continue to dispute the October 2003 jury verdict.
One year ago, PeaceHealth was found guilty by a Portland jury of attempting to monopolize provision of healthcare and harming market-wide competition in the relevant market (Lane County), unlawfully discriminating in price of services, and unlawfully interfering with McKenzie-Willamette's prospective relations with others. The jury awarded McKenzie-Willamette damages of $5.4 million for each of these three claims, as well as $9.2 million as a result of the interference claim.
Judge Haggerty could have rendered a judgment in favor of PeaceHealth if he concluded that McKenzie-Willamette did not present adequate, substantial evidence of its complaints against PeaceHealth. Instead, he denied PeaceHealth's contention that no reasonable person would have reached the same conclusion as the jury. In doing so, he said, "The task at hand is to determine whether there was substantial evidence... sufficient to support the jury's conclusion..." PeaceHealth based its motion on a variety of points and in each case, Judge Haggerty found there was substantial evidence from which the jury could properly find for McKenzie-Willamette.
At the conclusion of the trial a year ago, McKenzie-Willamette asked Regence BlueCross/BlueShield for "preferred" status on its Preferred Provider Plan -- but was told no changes could be made to the plan until the lawsuit is resolved. McKenzie-Willamette continues barred from "preferred provider" status to this day. More recently, PeaceHealth representatives have repeatedly described their Eugene hospital as overcrowded and unable to respond to "demand." McKenzie-Willamette continues to stand by with capacity to immediately and safely serve Lane County residents.
McKenzie-Willamette asked Judge Haggerty to grant injunctive relief to end this continuing unsafe and predatory business conduct by PeaceHealth, going forward. We now await his ruling on our request.
None of the money PeaceHealth now owes in damages will come to the hospital. PeaceHealth must pay financial damages to the community. These funds will go to Willamette Community Health Solutions, the non-profit community owner of 20% of McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Questions? Feel free to give me a call at 726-4789 or send me an e-mail at rospry@mckweb.com.
Rosie Pryor
Director, Marketing and Planning
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
1460 G Street
Springfield, OR 97477-4197
744-6164
rospry@mckweb.com
Health Care
Many Americans must work just to keep health insurance
By L.M. Sixel
Houston Chronicle | October 17, 2004 |
When Sen. John Kerry was asked about health insurance affordability during the second presidential debate Oct. 8, he said he'd like to extend Medicare coverage to people ages 55 to 64.
It was only one proposal in a long sentence about health insurance, and if you opened a can of soda right then, you probably missed it. But allowing older workers a chance to buy into a reasonably priced group insurance plan could solve one of the biggest problems affecting many older workers.
Right now, many older people are working just for employer-provided health insurance.
They've got pensions or retirement savings built up, and they've dreamt about leaving the 9-to-5 world behind.
But they can't afford to buy individual insurance policies -- or even find them because of pre-existing medical conditions.
Consequently, many folks are forced to wait until they reach the golden age of 65 to retire when they're eligible for Medicare or at least keep their spouse working. (more...)
Bush Health Savings Accounts Slow to Gain Acceptance
By Milt Freudenheim
The New York Times | October 13, 2004 |
President Bush has made health savings accounts one of his central campaign remedies for the nation's health care problems, but so far employers and workers have been slow to accept the accounts as an alternative to conventional health insurance.
People around the nation are now taking part in the annual enrollment season for health care plans, but only a tiny fraction of employers are offering the new plans. The plans let workers create tax-free savings accounts to use for medical costs, combined with lower-cost, high-deductible insurance to cover major medical care. Most employees who already have health benefits said in an insurance industry survey that they would be reluctant to switch even if they were offered one of the new plans. (more...)
American diet attitudes improve
| The Associated Press | October 14, 2004 |
Americans are more calorie-conscious and holding the line on weight gain after years of expanding waistlines, according to a market survey released Wednesday, but nutrition experts were wary of the findings.
The NPD Group's annual survey on eating habits found the portion of overweight Americans holding at 62 percent for a second year. The percentage had increased every year since 1995, when the Long Island, N.Y.-based market research firm began tracking weight trends.
While the results seemed promising, academic researchers said the company's figures should be approached with caution. (more...)
Nearby Developments
Springfield May Drop Metro Plan
| KEZI | October 11, 2004, 11:15 p.m. |
Springfield may pull out of the Metro Plan.
It's a partnership between Springfield, Eugene and Lane County.
The three jurisdictions have been part of the Metro Plan for years.
Its their regulatory way of making sure growth in the metro area is smart, well-thought out and agreed upon by all entites.
Basically not letting one area -- like Springfield -- go in one direction and Eugene go in the opposite.
As it stands right now, any amendment -- wheteher big or small -- has to be approved by all three jurisdictions.
Meaning 2 city councils, 1 board of commisioners and 3 planning commisions have to find a time to meet and agree on everything before changes can be made.
And at anywhere from 3 to 5-thousand dollars a metting, making the littlest change has proved quite costly and time-consuming.
Tonight Springfield city officials looked at different options for their future with the metropolitan plan.
one of which, is to step away completely.
Lane County Board of Commissioners say they while they should look at changes, to get out of the plan wouldn't be good for the region overall.
Three other options Springfield looked at tonight were just that.
One -- to possibly streamline the process.
Another option -- create a 'home rule' to eliminate issues that are not regional.
Or third -- don't change a thing.
Again tonight was just a work session, no final decisions were made about springfields future with the metro plan.
Lane County commissioners did make it clear that if Springfield did decide to step away, it wasn't going to easy.
Council considers canning Metro
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | October 13, 2004 |
It's cumbersome, time-consuming and costly. But for now, the Metropolitan Area General Plan is how three jurisdictions work together.
At a joint meeting between the Springfield City Council and the Springfield Planning Commission, members of both groups questioned the viability of the Metro Plan, which provides guidance on how land use, natural resources, public facilities, and the local economy should be developed, designed and/or conserved.
The Metro Plan planning process is an inter-jurisdictional effort among the cities of Springfield, Eugene and Lane County, but Springfield leaders are considering pulling out of the pact. (more...)
Divided council rejects plan to limit tax breaks
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | October 12, 2004 |
A closely divided Eugene City Council on Monday decided that broader is better when it comes to resuscitating an idea for property tax breaks to businesses.
With Mayor Jim Torrey breaking a 4-4 tie, councilors rejected Council President Bonny Bettman's idea to limit property tax breaks to companies that build only on existing or former, unused industrial sites. Instead, councilors endorsed an approach to include those sites plus empty fields.
The council's vote during a work session is not the last word on the subject. City staff members must return to the council next year with a formal proposal to ask for state approval of an enterprise zone. By then, the council will have two new members, and a new mayor. (more...)
Chambers Construction in market for new home
By Sherri Buri McDonald
The Register-Guard | October 12, 2004 |
Chambers Construction Inc. of Eugene soon may become Chambers Construction Inc. of Glenwood.
Come next year, Chambers Construction would like all of its offices and warehouses under one roof. To consolidate, Chambers is looking at several sites in Eugene-Springfield, including Pepsi's vacant former warehouse in Glenwood, Chambers president Dave Hilles said.
The company wants to choose a site in about 30 days, he said. (more...)
River Road subdivision proposed
By Sherri Buri McDonald
The Register-Guard | October 14, 2004 |
A Portland-based developer is proposing a subdivision of several large new stores plus compact houses on land about two miles north of the Belt Line Road/River Road intersection in Santa Clara. (more...)
Preparing for takeoff: Work progresses on new runway at Eugene Airport
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard | October 17, 2004 |
Progress on the Eugene Airport's new runway is cruising along at a rapid clip -- enough so that project manager Gale Mills no longer cares about the impending rain. (more...)
Transportation
Highway 126 may become big truck route
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | October 15, 2004 |
Residents along the scenic McKenzie Highway are worried about the proposal to include Highway 126, from Springfield to just south of the Santiam Pass, as an addition to the Statewide Freight Route system in Oregon.
Several concerned community members spoke up before the Lane County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to voice opposition to McKenzie Highway's inclusion in the proposal that would add an additional 919 miles to the Statewide Freight Route system -- increasing the total number of miles by 43 percent. (more...)
Board steers clear of parkway obligation
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | October 15, 2004 |
Thanks but no thanks, the county commissioners said to the state Department of Transportation this week. The commissioners don't want to get involved in discussions about who will ultimately pay to maintain the first leg of the controversial West Eugene Parkway -- assuming it ever gets built at all.
By a 3-to-2 vote, the commissioners said they won't sign a memorandum of understanding, along with the city of Eugene and ODOT, to begin talking about who eventually might take jurisdiction over the the first phase of the long-proposed highway. Plans have been in the works since the 1970s for a road to bypass Eugene's West 11th Avenue and connect to Highway 126 west of the city. (more...)
Letter -- Parkway idea may be obsolete
By Gary Rondeau, Eugene
The Register-Guard | October 12, 2004 |
Debate over the West Eugene Parkway continues to drag on as the Oregon Department of Transportation, the city of Eugene, the Bureau of Land Management and concerned citizens wrestle with concocting a reasonable and affordable plan. But in the decades since the parkway was first proposed, the world has changed.
The United States is no longer the only nation vying for cheap Middle Eastern oil. Japan and Western Europe import more oil than we do, and China is requiring more imports to support its phenomenal growth.
Recently, we have seen oil prices spike as supplies tighten. OPEC, hoping to calm fears, promises to open spigots on its estimated 1 million barrels per day spare production capacity. Such reassurances should give us little reason for optimism.
China's oil imports grew by 40 percent this year to maintain a 9 percent annual growth. At this pace, China will need another 1 million barrels per day by next year. The rest of the world, with nominal 2 percent growth, will also need another 1 million barrels per day of imports. So OPEC's spare capacity is gone in less than a year, while even now gas and heating oil inventories are at historically low levels.
Every year more supplies run dry than come on line. Certainly, before the parkway is completed, the crunch will begin to impact all of us. Rather than planning for more traffic, we should concentrate on creating a community that can get along without automobiles. Better to turn the parkway into a bike path.
Letter -- Parkway needed more than ever
By Dick Taylor, Eugene
The Register-Guard | October 16, 2004 |
Gary Rondeau proposes that we forget building the West Eugene Parkway and opt for a bike path (letters, Oct. 12). I agree with Rondeau that the cost of the parkway has risen tremen- dously.
Credit for that increase must go to the concerned citizens who for decades have stood in the way of building it.
I also agree that world oil consumption is skyrocketing. It is in our best interest to develop alternative energy sources and make the best possible use of existing oil supplies.
Unlike Rondeau, I believe the parkway is needed more today than ever before. Eugene is expanding westward and will continue to do so.
West 11th Avenue is jammed and will only get worse. Cars burn more precious fuel and pollute more in stop-and-go traffic, so there are adverse environmental and economic impacts.
Unfortunately, the longer we wait, the more the much-needed parkway will cost.
Elections
Editorial -- Ward 6 -- Pishioneri: Public safety experience gives candidate an edge
| The Register-Guard | October 11, 2004 |
Anyone looking for political pyrotechnics will be sorely disappointed by the contest for the Ward 6 seat on the Springfield City Council in the Nov. 2 general election.
The race features two candidates, both of whom have only positive things to say about the current council and administration. They can't find much to criticize about each other, either.
Both candidates, Debi Baker, who works for a consortium of academic libraries, and Joe Pishioneri, a veteran Lane County deputy sheriff, agree on the key issues confronting the city. (more...)
Editorial -- Community center -- Yes: Willamalane has a plan to fill a need
| The Register-Guard | October 11, 2004 |
The Willamalane Park and Recreation District has made do with second-rate recreation and meeting space for more than 50 years. The old Memorial Building, donated to the district in 1949, was designed as office space, except for its gymnasium. But the building houses Willamalane's recreation, fitness and social programs for preschoolers, adults and seniors. The district has a solid plan to obtain a bigger, more functional community center, and voters should approve it. (more...)
Blake Hastings -- Voters should give green light for new park center
By Blake Hastings
The Springfield News | October 15, 2004 |
On Election Day, the citizens of Springfield will have the opportunity to approve a $4.5 million bond measure and build a new community center at Willamalane Park Swim Center.
This new, 24,000-square-foot center would replace the 53-year-old Memorial Building, which has long outgrown its usefulness to Willamalane. The Memorial Building is expensive to operate, lacks adequate parking, and is literally "worn out."
In my view, this measure is prudent and reasonable. It makes good sense, not only for the expanded amenities, but also for the cost-effectiveness and timing. (more...)
Letter -- Town needs the new community center
By John Lively, Co-Chair, Citizens for The Community Center, Springfield
The Springfield News | October 13, 2004 |
On behalf of the Citizens for the Community Center I am writing to encourage all voters living in the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to vote YES on Measure 20-100.
The measure, referred to the voters by the Willamalane Board of Directors, is asking for approval to issue bonds in the amount of $4.5 million to construct a new 24,000-square-foot community center. We wholeheartedly support this measure and are working throughout the district to answer questions and secure a positive vote.
Tammy Fitch -- Springfield needs a new jail; vote yes
By Tammy Fitch, President, Springfield City Council
The Springfield News | October 15, 2004 |
A Yes vote on Springfield Measure 20-91 will provide for a new Public Safety Facility. Let me tell you why a YES vote is the right vote for our city.
My name is Tammy Fitch and I have served as a councilor for the City of Springfield for approximately five years -- the last two years as council president. During my time on the Council, we have taken a "no nonsense" approach to governing while at the same time striving to improve the lives of all of our citizens. We are guided in this effort by very specific council goals and we are clear that a new public safety facility is a necessary step in achieving those goals. (more...)
Opinion -- Springfield can't afford not to build a new jail
| The Springfield News | October 13, 2004 |
Shortly after the man accused of lighting 19 arson fires in Springfield over the past year was arrested and hauled off to the county jail, Springfield police officials got word that the county was considering "matrixing" him out due to overcrowding.
Yup, it's that bad. Overcrowding at the county jail has gotten so bad that a man who's been arrested more than 90 times over the past 10 years, against whom the district attorney is contemplating pressing attempted-murder charges after two of his fires forced elderly residents to run for their lives from their burning homes, is eligible for a matrix release.
One would think the county would be aware enough of the seriousness of this problem to at least float a bond proposal of its own. But no -- so far, the closest to coming to grips with the jail issue the county has come is a proposal to ask the voters to approve a law-enforcement district in 2006. (more...)
Steve Moe -- Vote yes on Glenwood renewal
By Steve Moe
The Register-Guard | October 13, 2004 |
Glenwood has been a diamond in the rough for years. Where else in Oregon do you find so much underdeveloped beautiful waterfront property as exists along the Willamette River in Glenwood? Where else in our metropolitan area can you find property close to Interstate 5 that is better suited for private investment than the stretch along Franklin Boulevard between Eugene and Springfield?
This is the Glenwood I grew up in and have called home for over 62 years.
Yet Glenwood has yet to see significant private investment that would create new jobs, increase the tax base needed to support public safety and other critical public services demanded by citizens, and eliminate the blight and failing septic systems that pollute and reflect poorly on all of us. (more...)
Buying Lane County
Timber barons and developers fight unions and environmentalists with campaign cash.
By Alan Pittman
Eugene Weekly | October 14, 2004 |
Timber barons and developers are battling unions and environmentalists in a high-cost bid to pocket county government so they can cash in on environmental destruction and urban sprawl.
The prize is the East Lane County Commission seat held by Democrat Don Hampton. Replacing Hampton, a political moderate, with Republican timber heir Faye Stewart would provide a key swing vote for a potential pro-sprawl, anti-environmental majority on the commission. The race is officially non-partisan, but has divided along party lines following the May primary when neither of the top candidates won a majority. (more...)
Third Vote Monty
Police try to sneak huge new offices past voters.
By Alan Pittman
Eugene Weekly | October 14, 2004 |
Eugene voters have twice rejected a big new police station. But this third time, with the police department gripped by officer sex crime and racial profiling scandals, the city is hoping to sneak in a yes vote.
The ballot title and question for Measure 20-88 refer to $6.8 million in bonds for some vague "civic center vision project" that most voters have never heard of. Not until 150 words into the text of the measure does the word "police" appear. Many voters may not realize that they're voting on spending $36 million of taxpayer money for a new police station.
And that may be exactly the idea. The controversial police station has already failed twice at the polls. With the scandals this year, far more citizens are calling for police reform than for an expensive new police station. (more...)
Mayor, councilor debate merit of police station bond
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | October 16, 2004 |
Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey describes the $6.79 million bond issue as a needed first step to replace city offices in downtown Eugene. City Councilor David Kelly calls it fiscally irresponsible.
Eugene voters will decide on Nov. 2 which description best fits Measure 20-88, the bond issue to pay for extra space and features in and around a new police station.
Torrey and Kelly on Friday sparred over the financing proposal during a debate at the City Club of Eugene. The bond issue is an "incremental first step" that eventually will lead to construction of a new City Hall, but Kelly argued that the city would be wiser to wait and ask voters for a larger bond issue to replace both the police department and the rest of City Hall all at once. (more...)
Pros and cons
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | October 17, 2004 |
If you want to catch a scowl-free debate, you're in luck.
On Friday, Mayor Jim Torrey and City Councilor David Kelly squared off politely before the City Club of Eugene over the city's $6.79 million bond issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. Torrey favors it; Kelly doesn't.
Metro Television will broadcast the debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Comcast channel 21.
Eugene city employee and City Club member Richie Weinman emceed the event. Torrey and Kelly were followed by Dr. Raymond Englander of Eugene and Dr. Tom Saddoris of Portland, who debated state Measure 35, the proposed constitutional amendment to limit pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice cases. Proponents say it is needed to curb large jury awards in malpractice cases, which affect the cost and availability of health care.
While introducing the doctors, Weinman quipped that if anybody had a medical problem during the debate "the good news is that we have two doctors in the house. The bad news is that they may be afraid to treat you."
Slant -- Voters' Guide
| Eugene Weekly | October 14, 2004 |
The Voters' Guide on ballot measures can be deadly reading, but for laughs check out the first three arguments in favor of Measure 36, the constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages. M. Dennis Moore paid $500 each for three outrageous arguments, and they make about as much sense as the serious, righteous statements that follow. Moore carries some of the religious and moral arguments to their illogical conclusions. "Sex is for procreation, not recreation," he writes. "And marriage is for breeding purposes. Therefore, it should be Oregon public policy that: Homosexuals may not marry. Infertile persons may not marry. Men with vasectomies may not marry. Post-menopausal women may not marry É and couples who fail to conceive within two years ought to have their marriage licenses revoked." Also, was it a mistake on page 82 or did House Majority Leader Wayne Scott of Canby really mean to say "marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one man"? We asked him about that, and he claims it's a typo.
Voters' Pamphlet turns satirical
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | October 17, 2004 |
If your eyes glaze over at the thought of plowing through the dry passages of the official Voters' Pamphlet to educate yourself about the ballot measures in the Nov. 2 election, you're in for an amazing surprise.
This year's edition reads in spots like the National Enquirer or the rollicking satire of Jonathan Swift -- with a little snake-oil advertising thrown in for good measure. (more...)