Will the Oregon media begin to scrutinize Brian Clem?
HT: Jeff Mapes for this story.
Jeff Mapes is breaking the news that Democrat State Representative Brian Clem is c
onsidering a run for Oregon governor, now that his mother-in-law has given his political committee $500,000 loan.
Hmmm... Ok interesting.
Not that he got a half million dollar loan from his mother-in-law. I know the liberal/progressives love to make a big deal about Republicans who use their own money to fund political campaigns, but I really don't care about that. In fact I actually like the idea of individuals self financing their campaigns.
No the interesting aspect is that his family owns an orchard in Parkdale. As we reported last September it appears his family orchard business has been hit numerous times for OSHA violations.
Were they minor? Not sure. However as the media in Portland was quick to search Sen. Gordon Smith's business violations I'm sure they will be all over Representative Clem's business to make sure that he is up to date on all of his.
It will also be interesting to see if the Portland media will camp outside the Parkdale Orchard to make sure that their business is not employing illegal aliens.
After all the Willamette Week made sure to mention, in their expose' on Smith Frozen Foods, that Gordon Smith may have been employing illegal aliens.
Perhaps we will see some great in-depth reporting and find out that indeed Democrat Rep. Brian Clem is a good clean business oriented Democrat. But the biggest question for me is just how the media itself will investigate and report on Rep. Clem.
Or will the media rectal exams stop here at the Democrat door step?
Lord knows that for far too long the left has attempted to perpetuate prurient stories of a personal nature about Republicans and that the progressive/liberals have been helped out by their friends in the media.
As someone who has been in business for myself for years I know how you make mistakes here and there and usually they are small ones. However when the left gets a hold on those mistakes and then sends the talking points around and drips them out slowly they can build a story out of a non-story. To the point of personal destruction.
It is part of their DNA. Gordon Smith was not the first (and I did not, IN THE LEAST, like Sen. Gordon Smith) nor was he the last. There was the personal attacks on Matt Lindland's profession. There have been the personal attacks on Palin's family. There was the unprecedented personal attacks on Matt Wingard.
To be quite honest it would not break my heart if that game stopped here. Yes, even if Clem is a radical left leaning Democrat.
So long as, if it does stop, it stops with regard to Republicans as well. Is that too much to ask?
But then again Clem is asking to be Oregon's next Governor. We know that he will not look kindly on property rights. So maybe it is fair (as I am thinking out loud) to consider how he and his business responds to violations. It may not be so much that they may have happened but how he and his have responded.
Twill be an interesting dance to watch. Both of Rep. Clem and the media around him.
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40 comments:
Radical left-leaning Democrat who fought the scaling back of field burning, supported increased logging, and generally didn't pass a single progressive piece of legislation through his Committee?
Clem's a Democrat, but he's got strong ties in Oregon's natural resource communities, and acts to protect those interests.
Just keep saying that.
OHSA violations? Well at least they are not ethics violations.
I seem to recall this guy saying during the tax debates that he only cares to represent public employees, since most of his constituents work for the government, and both of his parents were public employees.
This guy is part of the problem.
Well, how do we know they aren't already? If there is nothing there, then there will likely never be a story, yes?
Honestly, how many times do you see a story in the press.. "we investigated for 3 months and found nothing." Nor is the press suited, as are blogs, for starting a story, even if it dies out. They honestly probably don't have the space/time to devote to a "continuing" story... especially if it goes no where.
When somebody says "honestly" repeatedly, that means ordinarily they are not honest. So there's no need to bother reading the rest of that last 'batcrapper's comment. Fish in a barrel, RHall.
His most important piece of legislation: the dogs in restaurants bill.
Enough said.
Ouch.. and bad writing.. I should have said it only once, if at all. However, since that's evidently the ONLY thing you found fault with, I'm gonna have to go with you're having a really, really bad day. Need a hug?
It's really sad to see that the limited selection of software for many of the anonybots won't allow them to actually engage in civil discourse. Tell me Anon 7:53 - is anything in that post offensive? Was I rude (in that post, not this one)? Did I break any of the bat rules? Did you you see the bat signal in the clouds? Are these questions overheating your processor?
Or do you just strike out in programmed bitterness 'cause you found out your mommy was a TRS-80 and not a Super Cray like you had been led to believe?
Can you spell out the ownership relationship more clearly? The page you link shows the president having the surname Tambara. Was Clem's wife born a Tambara or a Suzuki? Or did her family buy it? Or are they part-owners in a partnership?
I followed up the links about the violations. OSHA classifies them as Serious, Willful, Repeat and Other which presumably means less than serious, not willful and not repeated.
Suzuki Tambara had 2 "Repeat" violations in 1999, plus 6 "Other"; 1 "Other" in August 2000; 1 "Serious" violation for which it was fined $180 plus 9 "Other" in Sept. 2000; 1 "Serious" violation for which it was fined $165 plus 1 "Other" in 2003. Then there is a gap until 2007, when there were 3 "Other" violations.
So as to your uncertainty about seriousness, they had 24 violations from 1999 to date, of which 19 occurred in 1999 and 2000, 2 in 2003, and 3 in 2007. Of the 24 violations, 20 were classified as "Other" (i.e. not serious, willful or repeat), 2 as "Serious" and 2 as "Repeat." The "Repeat" violations and one of the "Serious" were in 1999 & 2000, and the other "Serious" violation was in 2003. The only 3 violations found since 2003 apparently were minor in OSHA's eyes.
One could of course be skeptical as to how rigorous OSHA inspections are, the criteria of seriousness aren't stated on the form, and they are woefully understaffed after decades of Republican budget cuts. Also the orchard is stated to be non-union, whether there have been any organizing efforts I couldn't say.
And, of course many of the cases of undocumented workers a smith Frozen Foods were a long time ago too, some even longer ago if memory serves.
Still, seems like something that would be waved away pretty easily, unless other issues like substandard housing or personal testimonies of undetected occupational health threats to workers emerged.
Nail him to the wall! But don't sit there and tell me that what Matt Wingard did to that child was OK and shouldn't have been made part of the campaign to speak directly to his character and fitness to make good judgment calls.
Dishonest RHall'bat: Bore, yawn, snore. Frankly, honestly. Your 'batcrap comments are of zero interest. Maybe RR will add you as an actual 'poster' to his new blog www.moonbatstate.blogspot.com so you don't have to waste yourself on writing comments here that nobody will read. You could even go out for a free lunch together from time to time. May as well go for it!
anonybat 10:57,
Can you give us your address please? I would like to send some people to knock on your door. A reporter or two as well.
Perhaps haunt your ex-girlfriend and make sure to pester your children while looking for dirt on you.
I'm sure you are OK with that.
In other words Mr. Hatebat, it is not just that Wingard's past was part of the campaign it is the way his child and the child's mother was exploited by the campaign.
To the point that a letter from the child's mother had to be sent to the voters of the district.
And obviously the voters of the district found the Democrat tactics beyond the pale.
There were lies and damn lies told by the Democrats and they were of a more personal nature than maybe any campaign in history.
OK now, enough of Wingard. Back to Clem and his relationship with the press and the Democrat party.
Anonybot 2:31 --
You're inviting me for some lunch?
Naw, can't do it... don't wanna be seen with you, and you'd have to leave the basement.
Roadbat 8:32,
When you decide to remain respectful then you can reside on my blog.
You have questions of a personal nature for me you can contact me via email.
buh bye
When R's call the Democratic Party the "Democrat Party" they remind me of the dumb bully Biff
This from people who toss around terms like "Rethugnikan," "Repugnikan," "Repubes," "RepubliKKKan," etc.
Grow the hell up. You and all your demon-cRat-ick (ha ha) party members who have no valid policy arguments other than "you can't type our name write" (sic).
Roadbat,
If you have personal issues with me you can easily contact me via email.
Otherwise your lack of courage and candor can be shared on your political blog.
buh bye
yip yip
Hey Road Runner, why don't you grow a pair and put your real name down every time you throw about a real name?
And luv the personal attacks. Real cute.
It will also be interesting to see if the Portland media will camp outside the Parkdale Orchard to make sure that their business is not employing illegal aliens.
After all the Willamette Week made sure to mention, in their expose' on Smith Frozen Foods, that Gordon Smith may have been employing illegal aliens.
I think there is a huge, and significant, difference between Clem and Smith. Smith owned and operated Smith Frozen Foods. He has (and had) a voice in the operations.
The same can not be said about Clem. He owns his own business, but it is not Parkdale Orchard. He owns a computer repair and consulting business. Parkdale Orchard is owned by his mother-in-law. How can he be held accountable for actions over which he has no control?
Smith has control over what happens at Smith Frozen Foods. Clem does not have control over the operations had Parkdale Orchard.
NOW.. if you want the media to camp out in front of his Computer business, and report if he is hiring illegal aliens, I'm right there with ya.
So, if we're going to be fair, I think that if they investigated Smith's business, they should investigate Clem's business. But I don't think that holding Clem accountable for his mother-in-law's business would be fair at all. Unless you can show that he a direct hand in making business decisions for the orchard.
RHall you've been totally punk'd, dude. "There is no such thing as a free lunch." The conservative readers on this blog got the joke and the reference. Moonbats would be in the dark because the basic concept would simply make no sense to them. Of course now you will look it up and try to sound all right-minded and 'bat-reasonable. Punk'd, dude.
anon @ 3:54.
wow.
Move away from the bong
But... if I didn't get it, I didn't get it. Please feel free to enlighten me.
Oh, wait, I'm looking for conversation and discussion. My bad.
Has anyone else noticed that leftwing blogs are not invaded by malicious opponents who hi-jack threads and shout down the hosts?
It ranges from BoJack who strictly enforces the behavior allowed in his living room ... to other places where opponents may 'listen' but they simply respect the forum as one for discussion, or realize that flaming is like negative campaigning -- you call someone 'a liar' and your numbers go down, too.
But on blogs such as this, the leftwing simply invades the comment section, with anonybats blowing 'bat crap as fast and hard as possible.
The effect is to wreck the comment section as a forum for discussion. Then they 'wonder' why nobody wants to have 'a discussion.'
The outcome is the same as results from a totalitarian Speech Police Force - the silencing of those with whom you disagree.
And there's a constant stream of anonybat crappers, one handing off to the next, leading one to believe there MUST be a plan, with commenters being paid to stake out this blog.
In recent months it's ranged from that guy with the Russell Crowe icon, David Appell, Roadrunner, RHall, and many so many rude 'bats inbetween.
This behavior is objectionable because it cuts to the bone of what the United States of America is all about. It shows that the leftwing has utter disrespect for the free exchange of ideas among those with whom they disagree -- especially when it applies to pro-life, pro-gun, or pro-limited or constitutional gov't. Soldiers have died to defend the right of ANYONE to disagree with their government. Where America's enemies routinely silence their internal opposition and worse.
These 'bats must know that Congress, with Moonbats in charge, is quietly and quickly moving on a bill to codify these positions as falling under the definition of domestic terrorism. See: newswithviews. So they are guided by that dark 'light'.
This is all typical of Saul Alinsky, the iconic Chicago socialist who invented 'community organizing.' Of course, Moonbat Rules is a take on Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals.'
I suppose the 'bat crappers here have no concept of how we would regard their side, as a result of all this, as anti-American. Shame on them.
Al,
No one really cares what you think. Most certainly not I or Coyote.
If it's all the same to you, I suggest removing yourself from the blog via Sigma 9mm. Because, pretty soon, I think you are gonna be banned from the site anyways.
Free Speech is not free.
Roadcrapper: Anon 5:38, how is presenting contrary facts "silencing of those with whom you disagree"?
Newswithviews: An amendment to a bill swiftly moving through the US Congress will allow the Obama Administration's Attorney General to classify Americans as domestic terrorists if they are pro-life, pro-gun and anti-big government.
Impeached Florida judge -- now a Democrat Party member of the House of Representatives -- Rep. Alcee Hastings introduced what some claim is a disturbing piece of legislation. Hasting's amendment calls for the Attorney General to have discretion over who is called a terrorist and what groups will be treated as terrorist groups.
Last Thursday, Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) made the following remarks on the House Floor regarding Congressman Alcee Hastings’ (D-FL) amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill:
"The Hastings Amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill (which now is being considered en bloc) prohibits the recruitment, enlistment, or retention of persons with known affiliations to "groups determined by the Attorney General to be of a violent, extremist nature."
Rep. Alcee Hastings also introduced what many say is another disturbing piece of legislation. That new bill calls for the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to build at least six facilities that can be designated as "emergency centers. Hastings rationale for such facilities is to gather and "house" civilians on what are basically detention centers guarded by armed soldiers or paramilitary troops.
The House bill (HR 645) -- National Emergency Centers Establishment Act -- is not even on the radar of members of the elite media. According to critics of the plan, if passed the government will create camps or centers that by their nature restrict the activities of US citizens herded into them.
In fact, one provision -- Section 2 (b) (4) -- states: "[To] meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security."
One critic, political strategist Mike Baker claims the idea of such detention center smacks of the type of concentration camps for political dissidents, such as occurred in Nazi Germany, Americans find repugnant.
"Why aren't the news media covering this story? Could it be because they fear being the first occupants of these so-called emergency installations? Where is the outrage by our nation's Fourth Estate?" asks Baker.
Hastings bill is suspected of attempting to help expand the President Obama's military and law enforcement powers. While Hastings pushes this bill, even Republican congressmen are hesitant to remind one another and the nation that this Florida congressman was impeached while he sat on Florida's federal court bench.
Appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, he became the first African-American federal judge in the state of Florida, and served in that position for ten years. He’s still called “Judge” by some of his colleagues, but one would think he’d rather forget his days on the federal bench.
In 1989, Judge Hastings was impeached by the US House of Representatives for bribery and perjury. The Democratic-controlled Senate convicted Hastings of accepting a $150,000 bribe in 1981 in exchange for a lenient sentence and of perjury in his testimony about the case. Hastings said the charges against him smacked of racism.
Even Rep. John Conyers, who is also black, said he “found no trace of racism during the investigation.” He urged his colleagues to remove Hastings from the bench. He said, “[Hastings] is unfit to serve.”
Roadbat,
Half the time you don't want to discuss the thread topic and instead want to debate publishing policies on this blog.
Guess what? You can actually contact me via email. Anyone can.
But then again you have never done that and instead would rather discuss off topic issues here. And do so anonymously.
Over and over.
buh bye.
Oh, they are paid to do it and, at times, even admit it. It used to be sponsored by George Soros' Moveon.org but then they blew it with that h8ful "General Beytrayus" campaign. Now it's mostly under the auspices of John Podesta's "Center for American Progress" ... as in 'Progressive'.
Am I included in that.. because the check has been in the mail for waaay too long.
Roadbat,
Your 8:06 comment had nothing to do with the post. It was simply a rant about blog administration.
I'm not going to have those kinds of conversations with some anonymous crackpot who does not even have the courage of his convictions.
Want to discuss those kinds of things? Then it is simple. Email the blog administrator.
Just like dealing with your local newspaper only easier.
But then again you'd have to act like an adult and that is no in the moonbat DNA.
buh bye
yip yip
Roadbat,
Want to discuss publishing policies on this blog? Try emailing the administrator.
buh bye
Roadbat,
Your 11:35 comment has been removed. When will you get it through your head that I am not debating publishing policies.
If you sent an email then it was sent after I left one office for another this morning.
I don't check emails at my daytime office. Sorry but I don't sit around waiting with bated breath for folks like you.
Finally if you don't like the publishing guidelines you can always cancel your subscription.
yip yip
Roadbat,
Uh no... I did not "rake you over the coals" for sending an email.
I simply explained why your email has not been answered as of yet while you are sitting in your apartment blowing a gasket.
I'm fine, and laughing at your idiocy and the fact that you just cannot comprehend some simple publishing guidelines.
Want an immediate response? Pay me.
LOL
buh bye
yip yip
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