April 2007 newsletter

The Polk County Democrat

News. Views and Events: the monthly newsletter of the Polk County, Oregon Democrats

4 years after Iraq invasion:

Oregonians Observe Somber Vigils, Call for Troop Withdrawal

by Wendy Brokaw, photographs by Abby Brokaw

They lit candles in a cold, soaking rain March 19 at the State Capitol in
Salem at a vigil marking the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion. Polk County
Democrat Bonnie Ross and her 79-year-old friend drove 40 miles to attend the
event but to Bonnie, who commutes 400 miles per week, it was no sacrifice.
"It's a heart kind of thing," she told us. "It is nothing compared to what
our troops and their families give to serve in this needless conflict."
Her friend almost didn't go, but then heard a mother who had lost her son
in military action in Iraq speaking on a news broadcast. Bonnie said, "She
could no longer be quiet about this deadly, destructive war."

In Salem, Steve Weiss, father of an 18-year-old headed for Iraq agonized
over his son's choice at a prayer vigil the night before at First
Congregational Church sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR),
an inter-faith alliance founded in 1914 which co-sponsored the nationwide
events with demonstrations and vigils held all over the country.

"He said his son is proud of his uniform, proud to be one of 'the select few'
who can be a Marine," said FOR local director Paul LaRue. "He feels that he
is fulfilling a patriotic duty to his country. His parents believe that the
war was started on false pretenses."

Because of President Bush's troop "surge" plans, Weiss told FOR members,
his son will leave for Iraq April 11, 3 months before his training is
completed. "This father is really grieving at what his son is being
called to do," LaRue said, "and fears his experience in Iraq will have
an emotional toll."

A retired Methodist minister and long-time peace activist, LaRue joined
50 FOR members at the Marion Street Bridge that evening. Their hand-lettered
signs with messages like "Peace is Patriotic" and "End the U.S. Occupation"
got mostly approving honks from commuters. Weiss held a sign
reading, "Father of a Marine FOR PEACE." For these activists, the troops
would be best honored by bringing them home.

"A collaborative process"

It was a week-end of vigils and protests, capped by a Portland rally
March 18 in which an estimated 15,000 anti-war protesters called for
Congress to bring the troops home. Opposition to the Iraq conflict crosses
borders of party and religion, says Janet Brown, national board member of
FOR, who organized the Salem event. "People from various perspectives are
saying this has gone too far, we're all losing."

For more information contact Janet at (503) 585-5436 or email brown@open.org

Oregon House and Senate Vote an Iraq Timetable

A Bush Veto Threatens Polk County Budget

Peace activists, military families and anti-war protestors packed Oregon's
House chambers March 21, listening to emotionally charged debate. Lawmakers
voted 33-25 in favor of a non-binding resolution calling for President Bush
to set a timetable for troop withdrawal. The vote was largely along party
lines. Three Republicans, Brian Boquist of Dallas, Vicki Berger of Salem and
John Lim of Gresham voted with the Democrats. In her newsletter following the
vote Berger said, "...it is time for the Iraqis to come to grips with their
own religious/civil war…Our soldiers are warriors, not policemen, and it is
time for the Iraqis to provide for their own security." According to a list
maintained at the Governor's office, 84 soldiers from Oregon or with close
Oregon ties have been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Iraq timetable tied to county payments

Late last month the U.S. House narrowly voted for a timetable for troop
withdrawal as part of its supplemental appropriations bill. Days later the
U.S. Senate passed its own emergency supplemental appropriations bill for
Iraq that contains an extension of a program that directs hundreds of
millions of dollars a year to rural counties, the largest amount going to
Oregon.

Sen. Ron Wyden successfully attached an amendment extending the Secure
Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act, also known as the
"timber bill" through 2011. President Bush has threatened to veto the
bill because it sets a schedule for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. If
the veto is sustained, Oregon counties will suffer moderate to severe
cutbacks. Polk County would lose almost 2 and a half million dollars, about a
quarter of its budget.

The bill barely passed, in a 51-47 vote. Sen. Gordon Smith was one of two
Republicans voting for passage.

The Legislature Mid-Term Results:

Historic Wins, Time Left for More

The first Democratic controlled legislature in 16 years sits atop wins it
fought for and more it thinks achievable, but with time running out. At
mid-term, they have made impressive gains on a packed legislative agenda.
After hammering out sharp party differences, Democrats got bi-partisan
support for one of its key 2007 goals, last month. Governor Kulongoski
signed into law an historic "rainy day fund", the first general reserve
fund in Oregon's 148-year state history. At a signing ceremony for House
Bills 2707 and 2031, he said "today we have built a roof over our heads
and when the next economic storm comes, we'll be ready." In 2002 voters
created an education-stability fund with lottery proceeds, but Democrats
made it a campaign pledge to provide full protection for not only education
but human services and public safety during inevitable economic downturns.

Also signed into law: legislation to create a common health insurance pool
for Oregon's 198 school districts. Lawmakers and advocates said it would
reduce overhead costs and preserve quality health benefits for educators.

Annual Sessions Next?

With just three months left for action before the Legislature's June 29
adjournment, agreement has yet to be found on key issues: a Measure 37
fix, a cigarette tax increase to pay for expanding children's health
insurance, or a beer tax to pay for more state troopers. But it appears
likely lawmakers will get legislation out, sticking to their timetable, the
House and Senate having decided to move toward annual sessions with a fixed
adjournment to avoid the bitterly-deadlocked extended sessions of prior
years. House Speaker Jeff Merkley began the session with a promise to work
with Republican lawmakers to achieve bipartisan agreement on issues like
predatory lending, replacing dilapidated state psychiatric hospitals and
passing anti-discrimination laws.
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