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Saving Private Bergdahl

The one thing we all have to hope is that the Taliban treat him better than our own country has been treating its captives.

(BROOKLYN, N.Y.) - Let me say from the outset that I have the greatest sympathy for 23-year-old Bowe R. Bergdahl, the US soldier in Afghanistan who was captured and is being held by Taliban forces, and for his family, who must be going through a living hell worrying about what is going to happen to him.

But I’m willing to bet you that all of them are wishing, right now, that the US had not decided back in 2001 to begin a campaign of torture and murder against the Taliban fighters that it was capturing in Afghanistan, and against others that it has rounded up in the so-called War on Terror.

Governor Signs Sen. Metsger`s Bill Restoring Voting Rights to 430,000 Oregonians

“It’s been a long and difficult road, but I am gratified my colleagues realized that democracy was not being served by such an unjust law” -? Senator Rick Metsger

(SALEM, Ore.) - Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches) said today, “A major injustice has been rectified.” Metsger is the chief sponsor and advocate for Senate Bill 326 which the Governor signed into law today.

Will Health Reform Bill Create an Incentive to Discriminate?

"Creating an incentive to discriminate on the basis of economic status, as the “free rider” provision threatens to do, would leave an open wound on health reform legislation."

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - A provision in the health care reform legislation being developed by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee would give certain employers an incentive to discriminate against job applicants from lower-income families.

For employers who do not provide affordable health coverage for their employees, the bill's "free-rider" provision would impose a fee for each worker receiving a federal subsidy to help pay for health coverage.

Two Adults Arrested in Salem on Multiple Counts of Child Abuse

They are accused of crimes against their 7 children, by the children themselves.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A mother and father accused of child abuse by their own kids, were arrested Sunday in Salem.

Lt. Sheila Lorance with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, says it began with deputy response to a 9-1-1 call from Pet Smart on Lancaster Drive regarding a report of child abuse.

Reverend Benny & Mister Sid`s At Your Service #54

(Salem) - Well, I suppose it never hurt anyone to believe in the Easter bunny, and if you want to believe that Criss Angel can walk on the surface of a swimming pool, then knock yourself out (but don't watch the Masked Magician). There are times when we willingly suspend our belief system for entertainment. There are times, for example, when it's fun to speculate about the possibility of ghosts. (I've experienced phenomena for which no one has yet provided a reasonable explanation.)

But the science which puts airplanes in the sky (not the Bernoulli effect, by the way) or sends digital images to your high def television has a pretty good track record in getting results. Science really doesn't ask anyone to believe anything. It only has explanations which best fit the evidence. When the evidence changes the theory may have to change as well or be discarded. That's what I like about science. No idea is so sacred that it can't be dropped if it proves to be wrong.

Peaceful Protest Against Oregon Senate Bill Banning Religious Freedom in Schools

A "peaceful protest against Oregon's Ban on teachers headcoverings" takes place Wednesday, July 22nd at 4:00 p.m.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A protest this afternoon in Portland will address Oregon's ban on religious dress among teachers in the state's schools. An interfaith group will hold the peaceful protest to draw attention to a law that could have, but ultimately failed to... allow teachers religious freedom on the job.

The protest over SB 786 will be held in Pioneer Square, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

86-Year Old Beaverton Man Reported Missing

The Beaverton Police Department is asking anyone who sees Mr. Nordness or his car to call 911.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Beaverton Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating 84 year old Elmer Wallace Nordness: "Wally" to his friends and family. He was last seen at this evening at approximately 8:30 pm.

Mr. Nordness has taken his car and is believed to be driving around the Beaverton area. His car is described as a light tan, four door 1993 Buick LaSabre with Oregon license plate ZLG860.

My Kids Aren`t Me, in Spite of Sharing the Same DNA

Parenting is about allowing your children to discover their own passions rather than mimicking yours.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - I think the hardest lesson for me in becoming a parent was learning to let go of my expectations for my sons. Okay, I’ll be completely honest; I’ve only been able to partially let go of them.

I think it’s impossible not to have some wishes for our kids, but the focus here is really on how we have specific things we hope they’ll like or do that often mirror our own interests or fantasies.

Wyden Fights `Wasteful` F-22 Spending

"Madam President, I am not voting against the F-22; I am voting for the soldier" - Senator Ron Wyden

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Keeping his focus on protecting American troops and taxpayer funds, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) spoke on the Senate floor against spending $1.75 billion to purchase seven more F-22 fighter jets that the Air Force has specifically said it does not want.

The Pentagon has already purchased 187 of the jets. The speech was in advance of the senator’s vote today in support of the Levin-McCain F-22 amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, S. 1390. The amendment was approved by a vote of 58 to 40.

EPA Awards Portland Over $1.6 million to Reduce Diesel Emissions and Create Jobs

In addition, under the Act’s State Clean Diesel Grant program, a total of $88.2 million has been provided to States for clean diesel projects through a noncompetitive allocation process.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment for the people of Oregon, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded over $1.6 million to reduce emissions from Portland municipal fleet vehicles and construction contractor equipment.

This clean diesel project will create jobs while protecting Portland and Multnomah County’s air quality.