On the farm Most of Dan Thackaberry's acreage is dedicated to the sheep, but it also includes timber and some fields leased to a grass-seed farmer. His father starting farming this land south of Scio in 1962. (Photos by Graham Kislingbury)  When lambing season is over, Thackaberry estimates there will be 1,000 mouths to feed..  It's grazing time, as sheep rush into a pasture. In addition to the grass, they receive a supplement of alfalfa.  Dan buzzes around the 400-acre farm on an ATV. Republicans turn their backs on OregoniansDemocratic Party of Oregon statement on Senate Republicans' latest walkout (Feb. 25)
By Carla "K.C." Hanson, Democratic Party of Oregon chair “Today, Oregon Republicans walked off the job and refused to show up to work — again. This marks the third consecutive year that Senate Republicans have walked out. “Let’s be clear: When Republicans walk out of the Legislature, they are walking out and turning their backs on Oregonians. At an urgent moment when Oregonians are looking to our elected officials to lead, Republicans have chosen once again to bring our democracy to a grinding halt. “This refrain is all too familiar for Oregonians. But it has unfortunately become the sad reality for an Oregon GOP that now sees obstruction and sabotage as their preferred tactics, rather than working with their Democratic colleagues to solve the problems we all face as Oregonians. “There is no shortage of critical and important work before the Oregon Legislature this session. Oregon Democrats have and will continue to show up and do the work to address the crises our state faces. But as we’ve seen time and time again over the last three years, Oregon Republicans would rather skip town and subvert our democracy than do the jobs they were elected to do. “Enough. Oregonians are tired of this. These Republicans must be held responsible for their actions, and we will work tirelessly to hold them accountable at the ballot box." Majority Leader Rob Wagner statement on Senate Republicans walking out SALEM – Today the Oregon Senate Republicans and Senator Brian Boquist (I-Dallas) walked out on their responsibility to serve their constituents when they refused to show up to work for today’s floor session. Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) released the following statement in response. “Senate Republicans continue to sabotage Oregon’s democracy and undermine the will of voters. They have abdicated the oaths of office many of them took just weeks ago. They continue to accept pay, benefits and daily expenses from Oregon taxpayers all while completely obstructing the business before the Legislature – the people’s work. “We have tremendously important work this session. Lives are at stake as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and yet the Senate Republicans continue their anti-democratic walkout tactics. “Senate Republicans walked out in 2019, again in 2020, and now they are walking out on 2021. Oregonians are exhausted by Senate Republicans’ irresponsible actions against democracy. The Senate Republicans are denying their constituents the representation they deserve to have in the Senate. “This must stop. Oregonians will hold Senate Republicans accountable and responsible for walking off the job. There will be consequences for their breach of the public trust. We will advance new rules and laws that will deter future walkouts and provide accountability for all elected officials who refuse to show up for Oregonians.” Testimony sought on universal health care amendment, billHealth Care for All Oregon (HCAO), for which the Linn County Democratic Central Committee is a member organization, is calling for written testimony on two critical bills.
The HOPE amendment (SJR 12) will establish the right (in principle) of all Oregonians to have access to health care regardless of finances. The other bill, SB 438, will allow the Task Force on Universal Healthcare to continue its critical work on designing such a system for another year. "HCAO wants each of us to take a few minutes to briefly describe our experiences with the health care system that compel us to support universal health care, said Rick Staggenforg, chair of HCAO Albany. Testimony will go to members of the committee that will decide whether these bills advance to the floor in this legislative session. Click here for testimony submission forms. Testimony is due before the Senate Committee on Health Care hearings, which start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. Click here for Zoom access to the hearings. For more information, call or text Staggenborg, 541-217-8044. Walk-through scheduled Feb. 20 on Zoom |
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IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
Acquittal but not an embrace
Day 5: Saturday, Feb. 13
Analysis: Even after acquittal, Democratic managers and GOP senators
hope rebuke of Trump has lasting impact (CNN)
Seven Republicans cross party lines in 57-43 vote (CNN)
• Video: Day 5 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Hear Schumer's full remarks after Trump's acquittal (CNN)
• McConnell blames Trump, but votes not guilty anyway (CNN)
• Pelosi calls out McConnell on his reasoning (CNN)
Day 4: Friday, Feb. 12
Key GOP senators push lawyers to explain
ex-president's actions as Pence was endangered (CNN)
• Five takeaways from Day 4 of the impeachment trial (CNN)
• New details about shouting match show Trump refused to call off rioters (CNN)
• Video: Day 4 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Nikki Haley criticizes Trump and says he has no future in the GOP (CNN)
Day 3: Thursday, Feb. 11
• House impeachment managers rest their case (CNN)
• Video: Day 3 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 10
• Key moments from the second day of Trump's impeachment trial (CNN)
• Ellen Rosenblum: We can't ignore or ever forget what happened on Jan. 6
• Video: Day 2 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Day 1: Tuesday, Feb. 9
• Senators, including six Republicans, vote that trial is constitutional (CNN)
• Video: Day 1 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Raskin makes emotional appeal on Day 1 of impeachment trial (CNN)
• Opinion: This impeachment trial could surprise us (CNN)
Analysis: Even after acquittal, Democratic managers and GOP senators
hope rebuke of Trump has lasting impact (CNN)
Seven Republicans cross party lines in 57-43 vote (CNN)
• Video: Day 5 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Hear Schumer's full remarks after Trump's acquittal (CNN)
• McConnell blames Trump, but votes not guilty anyway (CNN)
• Pelosi calls out McConnell on his reasoning (CNN)
Day 4: Friday, Feb. 12
Key GOP senators push lawyers to explain
ex-president's actions as Pence was endangered (CNN)
• Five takeaways from Day 4 of the impeachment trial (CNN)
• New details about shouting match show Trump refused to call off rioters (CNN)
• Video: Day 4 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Nikki Haley criticizes Trump and says he has no future in the GOP (CNN)
Day 3: Thursday, Feb. 11
• House impeachment managers rest their case (CNN)
• Video: Day 3 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 10
• Key moments from the second day of Trump's impeachment trial (CNN)
• Ellen Rosenblum: We can't ignore or ever forget what happened on Jan. 6
• Video: Day 2 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
Day 1: Tuesday, Feb. 9
• Senators, including six Republicans, vote that trial is constitutional (CNN)
• Video: Day 1 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump (PBS NewsHour)
• Raskin makes emotional appeal on Day 1 of impeachment trial (CNN)
• Opinion: This impeachment trial could surprise us (CNN)
Ellen Rosenblum: 'We can't ignore
or ever forget what happened Jan. 6'
The substance of this week’s impeachment trial began this morning.
I feel a powerful need to weigh in — to support the House in having voted to impeach and to hope more Senators will realize the crucial nature of this moment.
Here’s why:
Throughout my life and career I have been all about believing in and supporting the Rule of Law — in Oregon, our country, and the world.
For much of last year, the now-former president sowed the seeds of revolt in this country — in interviews, in speeches and rallies, and on social media, particularly Twitter. After losing the election in November — decisively, by millions and millions of votes — he amped up his charges of a rigged election with incredible false claims and frivolous, time-wasting, lawsuits. In the process he whipped some of his supporters into a frenzy, so that when he called for a rally on the Ellipse (a beautiful park just south of the White House) on January 6, thousands joined him and his family and his most rabid supporters as they furthered the false claim of a “rigged” and “stolen” election and then directed the mob they’d assembled to attack the U.S. Capitol — which they did.
Worse, the president said he would be with them in this attack on our democracy, as he egged them on. (And surely they believed he was good for his word.)
In the intervening weeks, it has become apparent just how serious a threat this insurrection posed to our democracy — and how truly violent and unhinged it was. I suspect we’ll learn even more chilling details in the weeks and months ahead. Five died as a direct result of the insurrection. Numerous others were seriously injured. The damage to our Capitol was significant. Not to mention the harm to our country as a model for democracy. Then there is the cost in dollars of the ex-President’s seditious conduct. (The Washington Post’s tally is at $519 million — and still counting.)
The evidence is abundantly clear: For months Donald Trump whipped up a frenzy based on outrageous and false claims and then, on January 6, he used those passions to launch an insurrection against the government of the United States — at the very moment Congress was meeting to certify the outcome of the election. This was nothing if not an impeachable offense.
Now, we’re in the midst of an all-important national civics lesson. The peaceful transfer of power is the hallmark of democracy. What happened on January 6 was the culmination of the most undemocratic, crowd-sourced rebellion in modern American history. Every American should know what happened — and, more important, understand to the depths of our being how outrageous and criminal a then-sitting president's conduct was.
It is part of my role as the Attorney General of Oregon to protect our democratic institutions against all threats. I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. So, too, have the members of the United States Senate. More than forty of them, it appears, are about to abandon that oath — in the face of incontrovertible evidence of treasonous and seditious behavior on the part of a president.
We as a nation deserve better than Trumpism and the hateful mobs it inspires.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we must replace those in public office who won't condemn these attacks on our nation—our democracy.
Better times are on the way, but we simply cannot ignore -- or ever forget-- what happened on January 6 — and the massive campaign of disinformation that preceded it.
I’m sure you feel the same sense of outrage and commitment.
Stay strong.
I feel a powerful need to weigh in — to support the House in having voted to impeach and to hope more Senators will realize the crucial nature of this moment.
Here’s why:
Throughout my life and career I have been all about believing in and supporting the Rule of Law — in Oregon, our country, and the world.
For much of last year, the now-former president sowed the seeds of revolt in this country — in interviews, in speeches and rallies, and on social media, particularly Twitter. After losing the election in November — decisively, by millions and millions of votes — he amped up his charges of a rigged election with incredible false claims and frivolous, time-wasting, lawsuits. In the process he whipped some of his supporters into a frenzy, so that when he called for a rally on the Ellipse (a beautiful park just south of the White House) on January 6, thousands joined him and his family and his most rabid supporters as they furthered the false claim of a “rigged” and “stolen” election and then directed the mob they’d assembled to attack the U.S. Capitol — which they did.
Worse, the president said he would be with them in this attack on our democracy, as he egged them on. (And surely they believed he was good for his word.)
In the intervening weeks, it has become apparent just how serious a threat this insurrection posed to our democracy — and how truly violent and unhinged it was. I suspect we’ll learn even more chilling details in the weeks and months ahead. Five died as a direct result of the insurrection. Numerous others were seriously injured. The damage to our Capitol was significant. Not to mention the harm to our country as a model for democracy. Then there is the cost in dollars of the ex-President’s seditious conduct. (The Washington Post’s tally is at $519 million — and still counting.)
The evidence is abundantly clear: For months Donald Trump whipped up a frenzy based on outrageous and false claims and then, on January 6, he used those passions to launch an insurrection against the government of the United States — at the very moment Congress was meeting to certify the outcome of the election. This was nothing if not an impeachable offense.
Now, we’re in the midst of an all-important national civics lesson. The peaceful transfer of power is the hallmark of democracy. What happened on January 6 was the culmination of the most undemocratic, crowd-sourced rebellion in modern American history. Every American should know what happened — and, more important, understand to the depths of our being how outrageous and criminal a then-sitting president's conduct was.
It is part of my role as the Attorney General of Oregon to protect our democratic institutions against all threats. I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. So, too, have the members of the United States Senate. More than forty of them, it appears, are about to abandon that oath — in the face of incontrovertible evidence of treasonous and seditious behavior on the part of a president.
We as a nation deserve better than Trumpism and the hateful mobs it inspires.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we must replace those in public office who won't condemn these attacks on our nation—our democracy.
Better times are on the way, but we simply cannot ignore -- or ever forget-- what happened on January 6 — and the massive campaign of disinformation that preceded it.
I’m sure you feel the same sense of outrage and commitment.
Stay strong.
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