Gordon Smith steps in some doo (Jack Bog's Blog)

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on December 19, 2007 1:27 AM. The previous post in this blog was Buck-a-Hit Day tally: $4,401.50. The next post in this blog is Reader poll: Who left the best comment?. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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« Buck-a-Hit Day tally: $4,401.50 | Main | Reader poll: Who left the best comment? »

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Gordon Smith steps in some doo

He'll be hearing about this one for a while.

Posted at 1:27 AM | Permalink

Comments (10)

I doubt it.

Posted by John Fairplay | December 19, 2007 8:17 AM

Years after his death, folks are still tiptoeing around Strom Thurmond. Having lived in South Carolina from 1996-2004, I have had the misfortune to have it all as local news (and to have local feedback on the same).

Smith's comments echo much of what was said in 2002: that Lott's awkward comments were misconstrued as he attempted to praise Thurmond's checkered political past. Its hard to explain: there were many folks in SC that found him repugnant, yet voted for him year after year because brought back money. In the same way, he was powerful and respected within the Republican party, even if those same people found his racial politics abhorrent.

It reinforces my belief that the apologies involved were damage-control and an apology for being stupid. Can you realistically say a Thurmond presidency would have been great, but for that segregation thing? That answer is the same as the answer to the question of whether you can say that Stalin was great, but for the whole Gulag/purge thing. I don't think so.

But back to the point: is this going to be an issue for Smith? Probably not. As a recent immigrant to the state, I've been surprised at how insensitive Oregon (in general) is to race. Not that its racially insensitive per se, but that racial issues don't cause the same resonations and ripples that they cause in other states (like South Carolina, where racial issues (and issues that impact race) are incredibly divisive). In South Carolina, Smith's comments would have been used as a club; in Oregon, it will be a faux pas quickly left behind because, among Oregon's undecided voters, its not going to make the same impact as other messages. Whether this difference is good or bad is unclear: Oregon will never find itself in a four year debate crippling its political process over a flag, but it may not hold someone accountable for being insensitive.

Posted by Chris Coyle | December 19, 2007 8:51 AM

A fascinating example above of two commenters saying the same thing in very (quantitatively) different ways.

Posted by Allan L. | December 19, 2007 8:57 AM

It helps, of course, that the Oregonian is firmly lodged in Gordon's pocket. They just love the guy, and love fooling themselves that he's a old-fashioned moderate in the image of Hatfield. The guy is just about as conservative as they get, yet the major media in Oregon continues to sell voters on this delusion that he's a level-headed moderate. As long as that charade continues, he's got nothing to worry about.

Posted by Dave J. | December 19, 2007 9:26 AM

Allan writes:
"A fascinating example above of two commenters saying the same thing in very (quantitatively) different ways."
-----

"I doubt it." and "Probably not." are not very quantitatively different. In fact, they are nearly identical comments.

Unless you happened to read all the other stuff too.

Posted by Harry | December 19, 2007 10:36 AM

Harry, look up "quantitatively". Your interpretation seems different than the norm.

Posted by lw | December 19, 2007 2:07 PM

What lw said.

Posted by Allan L. | December 19, 2007 2:49 PM

Stepping in doo usually means you didn't spot the danger until it was too late. Then you're left in a pissy mood and looking for like a stick to clean it off with.

I think what happened here was slightly different. More like Smith bopping down the lane, spotting a big horse poo and heading right for it.

Posted by none | December 19, 2007 5:42 PM

do you mean you can't say nigger anymore?
Lets burn all Mark Twains books.
By the way their are now two F words do you know them both, how about the C words?

Sounds alot like socialism to me and I am an african american

Posted by ace | December 19, 2007 8:15 PM

Re: The Oregonian's love of Gordon Smith,
The prevailing wisdom applies,

"He who owns the media dictates the discussion!"

Posted by jsam | December 23, 2007 12:57 AM

In Vino Veritas

Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
Cameron, Chardonnay
B.R. Cohn, Cabernet, Silver Label 2006
Graffigna, Cabernet 2005
Palo Alto, Reserve Red 2008
Menguante, Garnacha 2008
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Felsina Berardenga, Vin Santo 1997
Anne Amie, Pinot Gris 2009
McKinley Springs, Bombing Ramge Red 2007
Vieux Papes Red
Dionysius Chardonnay 2009
Haden Fig, Pinot Noir 2009
Vega Montan, Mencia 2008
Chateau la Vernede, Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
Mount Defiance, Hellfire (White) 2008
Root: 1, Cabernet 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Pinot Grigio 2009
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 White, 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 Rose, 2007
Abacela, Grenache Rose 2009
Avia Cabernet 2004
Lemelson Pinot Noir, Thea's Selection 2007
Chateau de la Roulerie, Rose d'Anjou 2009
Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde Rose
La Ferme Julien, Rose 2008
Cana's Feast, Bricco Red, 2006
Hogue, Genesis Merlot, 2008
Owen Roe, Sharecropper's Cabernet, 2008
Kim Crawford, Unoaked Chardonnay 2008
J. Scott, Pinot Noir 2008
Edmunds St. John, White, Heart of Gold 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2006
Stevenot, Cabernet, Sierra Foothills, "Stanford" 2000
Portuga, Vinho Rose 2009
Taylor Fladgate, First Estate Reserve Porto
Franciscan, Cabernet, Napa 2006
Chaparral de Vega Sindoa, Garnacha 2008
Quinta da Aveleda, Vinho Verde 2008
St. Francis, Chardonnay Sonoma 2008
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, 2007
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Noir 2008
St. Innocent, Pinot Noir 2006
Jigsaw, Pinot Noir 2007
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Indian Wells 2007
Charles Shaw, Chardonnay 2008
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Rosé 2009
Cameron, Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Il Valore, Sangiovese, Giovane, Puglia 2008
Duck Pond, Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope 2007
Kim Crawford, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Domaine du Pesquier, Cotes du Rhone 2005
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006
Domaine Matrot, Chardonnay, Bourgogne 2007
David Hill, Oregon Sparkling Wine, Brut
Chandler Reach, Monte Regalo 2006
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2008
Kirkland, Columbia Valley Merlot 2008
D'Aragon, Old Vine Garnacha 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2005
Pavin & Riley, Merlot 2006
David Hill, Estate Pinot Noir, Barrel Select 2006
Castle Rock, Paso Robles Cabernet 2006
Magnificent, Cabernet, Steak House 2008
Conundrum 2008
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
La Granja, Tempranillo 360, 2008
Santa Rita, Mendalla Real Cabernet 2006
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot 2006
Andezon, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Collegiata, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Troon, Druid's Fluid 2008
La Granja, Tempranillo 2008
Monte Antico, Toscana 2006
Vieux Papes, Blanc de Blancs

The Occasional Book

Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 26
At this date last year: 15
Total run in 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269