The week that followed the protest was saddled with its aftermath.
The press initially covered the event, but played up the rowdy nature of the protesters and focused less attention on the actions of the police. Two television stations managed to get their staff maced while covering the event, but little protest was heard from the either editorial staff. Even when tape surfaced of police intentionally macing a news cameraman, nothing was followed up on.

Tape of protesters climbing on a police car was paraded around the local and national media as justification for the non-lethal, but violent police response.

Missing from the headlines were the poor police tactics that instigated that violent interaction between police and protesters.

The greater, uglier truth was glossed over.

Also strangely absent from the report on the Bush's Oregon visit were the protesters in Medford. Those who carried protest signs in that Southern Oregon city were herded into a parking lot surrounded by police, while Bush supporters were allowed to line the Presidents car route.

As for the police, not all were guilty of violent actions. Most of Portland's finest were well disciplined - using only their presence as ammunition. In any event, the Thin Blue Line looked out of its element - uncomfortable with the task of controlling the masses....something they will have to be doing more of as the demonstrations grow larger and louder.

More protests are in the works. On Friday the 30th, a group will be gathering at Terry Shrunk plaza to protest the potential war with Iraq. Also, if the U.S. does commit to an official incursion into Iraq, there will be a gathering at the same location on the day that war is initiated.

In other news...

Aside from all the buzz that the protest created, we saw the Oregon City abduction case draw to a sickening climax. The killer stood nearby all along and sucked up media attention for close to three months (and garnered a rape accusation) before the FBI discovered his darker secret.

Now the families can bury their children and hopefully begin the process of justice.

PROTEST IN PORTLAND

George W. Bush was in town yesterday and the people came out to meet him.

Alexis and I joined over 2000 protestors to voice our opinions regarding the Presidents' agendas and policies - on the streets of downtown Portland.

In all, the protest was a strong reminder that our civil liberties and rights are at stake. At the same time I felt great solidarity with some Americans, I could feel the oppressive sentiment of tyranny in the air - one that marginaized democracy and served a ruling class.

Why couldn't we voice our opinions and be heard? He is our leader....why is he only available to those willing to pay $1000 a head? Are their opinions more patriotic? Are our constitutional opinions and associated rights that less valuable? Why are we ignored and labeled "fringe groups" when our ranks comprise Americans of all age groups, beliefs and colors?

Whatever you've heard about it, know this. Police were largely the instigators of violence and exercised needless tactical behavior to confront the protesters. There were some who resisted - and they were maced, shot with rubber bullets or shoved to the ground.

Thankfully, there were few injuries, but the damage had been done.

Many realized that day that their government was not for them, but for those who broker in power.

They realized that a patriot must jealously defend the Constitution and Bill of Rights from those who would seek to erode our liberty.

And they realized the truth.

That we have been lied to as a nation - and things must change.

Curious George is coming to Oregon tomorrow to spread his views on forest management and global alienation.

I'm looking forward to the reception Portland will give.

Only in Florida....

Monday again....

Weekend was uneventful for the most part. Ended up going out Friday evening to see the great Frank Cassano bully the ears of the assembled. Gathering was at the Guild theatre and featured the finale to the Mercury Summer Movie Megathon.

Get this.....Battle Royale.

Never seen or heard of this Japanese (?) flick before, but I guess this was the Portland premiere. Premise places 40 Japanese high school students on an island to play a game that is a cross between 'The Running Man' and 'Lord of the Flies'. Last one surviving three days of battle royale - gets to go home. Or do they?

Weird comic/graphic violence - much along the lines of Hard Boiled - although slightly more controversial based on the age of the combatants.

U.S. parent groups would flip out over this film. Truly. Trust our neighbors to the East to deliver (once again) in the sick and wrong category.

The rest of the weekend was leftovers and nonsuch. The car is due for service at some point this week. The part is making its way up the West coast via Los Angeles. Why VW doesn't keep a sufficient parts department in the Northwest, I don't know.

Making dinner all this week. Good to cook every once in a while.
Hopefully won't blow anything up.

In other news....

Curious George speaks at Ohio State while the wheels of cryptofacism turn. Check out this action.

Friday already? Feels like my brain needs a good beer-soaking....and it's about time.

This week my car rejected one of its radiator hoses, and has since been leaking like a stuck hog. Until I can get it fixed next Monday, I'm carrying around a jug of antifreeze and a couple gallons of bottled water. Kind of like a vehicle IV....or coolant colostomy bag. It bleeds wherever I park and yells if I drive more than a couple miles.

In short, I can't drive....except to work, which plugs my weekend plans.

Bah.

More proof that John Ashcroft is evil.

Looks like someone forgot to carry the 3.....as in 3.3 billion more in fraud at WorldCom.

Economic terrorism anyone? I'm telling you....send them all to Cuba to keep the other suspects company. And then there's Bush, who has the audacity to express "disillusionment" with corporate America in front of actual taxpayers. All the while, Tricky Dick Cheney brushes off critics of his Halliburton dealings like the teflon governmental CEO he aspires to be.

In other news...

Props to the crew at Wednesday night geocaching.
The most fun I've had with a group in a long while.

Here's to pickled beans and dancing nuns....

Went night geocaching with group of Westsiders last night. Felt like a coal miner with my headlamp - tromping around through Forest Park with a half dozen others.

Gotta say, It makes me appreciate the solitary joys of the sport. Still.....the game evolves. I'm attending a night-geocaching team competition up near the Zoo tonight. Must be a glutton for punishment.

In other news....

No surprise....the Saudis are reacting to the Pentagon leak. No dice on staging U.S. troops on Saudi soil.

So.....who else is there? Jordan? Kuwait? Turkey?

Perhaps Mr. Rumsfelds' precious ground offensive may have to wait...

Back to reality....

Word has it that there is strong anti-Saudi sentiment boiling over in some of the more conservative arenas of the GOP. The Defense Policy Board - an advisory council to the Pentagon (the board features Dan Quayle, Henry Kissinger and Newt Gingrich - among other conservative voices) have advised that "Saudi Arabia supports our enemies and attacks our allies" and that the U.S. should target Saudi oil fields and overseas financial assets if the Saudis refuse to comply in the "war on terrorism".

Pentagon officials have denied that the DPB reflects the Bush administrations' stance - and that Saudis have been supportive allies.

Right.

Relations with business allies in the Middle East are strained at best - and our continual support of Israel has placed this relationship in precarious position. Will Saudi Muslims sell out their fundementalist neighbors to the Infidel? Not likely. And if they appear to do so....we had best be on our guard.

Regardless of what Pentagon officials say, loyalties are likely to be tested. Expect the terrorism card to be played - at some point - in an attempt to pressure the Saudis into supporting our impending offensive in Iraq. I'm betting the screws will turn in late August - with a subsequent war cry on Iraq in September. Just in time coincide with a certain infamous anniversary.

Here's another opinion regarding our Middle Eastern tactics.

While I don't think the Bush administration would be so foolish as to participate in an outright "land grab" for oil interests, the fact remains that corporate machinations are a major factor driving our foreign policy.

In similar news...

More indications that corporate interests are driving this so-called "war".

Surgery went off without a hitch today....Alexis in good shape and staying with her folks this week. Amazing what can be done. Major surgery and then home to rest. Same day.

Looks like I'll be attending a couple geocaching get-togethers this week. I'll be out night-caching on one and most likely meet up for a drink with the other. I feel like I've found a geek niche....again.

Should be an interesting week...

What a fine rollercoaster....

Wednesday was a wash for Alexis' appointment with the knife. After getting prepped for the procedure, the surgeon called and cancelled due to an emergency he was called in on. Sigh....

So, it's been rescheduled, but it's still a bit of an emotional letdown. Both of our internal clocks are a little skewed due to poor sleep and having to prepare again for the event. Guess we have to take it on faith that yesterday wasn't the day.

Stayed up late last night watching John Wayne and Jack Nicholson....trying to get my eyes to close.