en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/310627 Comments by Eastside_Tom http://www.katu.com/news/business/Longshore-union-Were-not-slowing-down-Port-of-Portland-ILWU-159467935.html?clmob=y#IDComment384791637 Too many unions today are out of touch and don't work closely enough with employers to ensure their overall success. Unfortunately there are even more companies that are out of touch with the middle class and don't offer wages and benefits that allow families to live and keep the economy moving. The country cannot have a thriving economy without a healthy middle class and over the last thirty years the middle class has systematically lost wages and benefits through numerous pieces of legislation initiated by corporations. Without some serious changes we will continue to see our standard of living diminish. Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:28:39 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/business/Longshore-union-Were-not-slowing-down-Port-of-Portland-ILWU-159467935.html?clmob=y#IDComment384791637 http://www.katu.com/sports/Ducks-eliminate-Vols-at-WCWS-156854965.html#IDComment372880792 Great job girls! Hope you keep the hot streak going. Sun, 3 Jun 2012 01:43:54 +0000 http://www.katu.com/sports/Ducks-eliminate-Vols-at-WCWS-156854965.html#IDComment372880792 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Two-hospitalized-after-head-on-crash-near-Bend-156811445.html#IDComment372878309 Wow, what was going on for the young lady to drift so far into the opposite lane for them to collide on the passenger side. May have been a good thing as it's probably the reason they both survived. Sun, 3 Jun 2012 01:38:00 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Two-hospitalized-after-head-on-crash-near-Bend-156811445.html#IDComment372878309 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Police-arrest-teen-in-connection-with-gang-shooting-156813025.html#IDComment372875096 We've heard about the high dropout rate in the same parts of Portland were the gang activity is highest. Make dropping out of school a crime and selectively place those involved in gangs into camps where they'll learn some manners and how to move their lives ahead in a positive manner. It would be very expensive but even the shortened life of a gang member is expense to the community in so many ways. Sun, 3 Jun 2012 01:29:56 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Police-arrest-teen-in-connection-with-gang-shooting-156813025.html#IDComment372875096 http://www.katu.com/news/entertainment/Man-pulls-off-complicated-musical-marriage-proposal-154199285.html#IDComment367248365 That was awesome! Always great to see something so heartwarming. Fri, 25 May 2012 20:48:34 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/entertainment/Man-pulls-off-complicated-musical-marriage-proposal-154199285.html#IDComment367248365 http://www.katu.com/politics/Oregon-police-will-accept-Mexican-consular-cards-149763475.html?clmob=y#IDComment354120914 You are right on and we absolutely need to wait for the Supreme Court decision on the Arizona law. If it is upheld then numerous other States will follow and Oregon could become a destination of choice for many illegals fleeing their current state of residence. That would become a monumental catastrophe for the real Oregonians. Fri, 4 May 2012 17:29:29 +0000 http://www.katu.com/politics/Oregon-police-will-accept-Mexican-consular-cards-149763475.html?clmob=y#IDComment354120914 http://www.katu.com/politics/Oregon-police-will-accept-Mexican-consular-cards-149763475.html?clmob=y#IDComment354115417 Thanks for the link, sent him a message this morning. Fri, 4 May 2012 17:19:31 +0000 http://www.katu.com/politics/Oregon-police-will-accept-Mexican-consular-cards-149763475.html?clmob=y#IDComment354115417 http://www.katu.com/living/food-wine/Pot-infused-herb-dinners-start-turning-up-in-Oregon-eateries-150159505.html?clmob=y#IDComment354082397 (if you partake even a tiny bit and then drive - you should be held accountable for breaking the "under the influence" law) Would you apply that same logic to all prescription drugs as well, including anti-depressants, or do you think it should be based on a specific measurable level of the substance and the presumed impairment as with alcohol? Fri, 4 May 2012 16:19:50 +0000 http://www.katu.com/living/food-wine/Pot-infused-herb-dinners-start-turning-up-in-Oregon-eateries-150159505.html?clmob=y#IDComment354082397 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Obama-administration-puts-19-billion-behind-Oregon-health-plan-150034865.html#IDComment353497260 There probably will be some migration of homeless and illegal’s in search of healthcare since Oregon obviously has a sanctuary state mentality. However, a plan to reduce the overall cost of medical care is desperately needed. It seems that some people don't realize that those of us who have health insurance today are already paying for those that don't and generally at Emergency room rates. I realize everyone wants to keep what's theirs and not help out the deadbeats but at the same time don't mind (or realize) they are feathering the nest of corporations and the well-to-do through their tax breaks and our reduced wages and benefits. At the rate we're going it won't be long until the US is made up of the rich, government workers and the poor. Sadly most of us will fall in the bottom sector. Thu, 3 May 2012 19:36:41 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Obama-administration-puts-19-billion-behind-Oregon-health-plan-150034865.html#IDComment353497260 http://www.katu.com/news/national/Marine-to-be-discharged-for-Obama-post-on-Facebook-149056475.html?clmob=y#IDComment348653274 Even outside of the military the right of free speech doesn't come with any guarantee that there will be no consequences as the result of our free speech. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:27:34 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/national/Marine-to-be-discharged-for-Obama-post-on-Facebook-149056475.html?clmob=y#IDComment348653274 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Parkrose-teachers-district-reach-tentative-agreement-to-avert-strike-148269505.html#IDComment343625414 Especially if you enjoy working for less wage and little or no benefits. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:14:53 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Parkrose-teachers-district-reach-tentative-agreement-to-avert-strike-148269505.html#IDComment343625414 http://www.katu.com/sports/Ducks-react-to-report-of-marijuana-usage-148183765.html#IDComment343457751 It's no more surprising that half the team is smoking pot than their performance isn't being negatively affected. Many successful people smoke it regularly with the same result. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:12:33 +0000 http://www.katu.com/sports/Ducks-react-to-report-of-marijuana-usage-148183765.html#IDComment343457751 http://www.katu.com/news/weird/SD-mans-lawsuit-says-circumcision-robbed-him-147647435.html#IDComment340507874 I'm sure he'll have plenty of sensitivity after they restore his foreskin but not the type he's thinking of..... ouch! Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:49:42 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/weird/SD-mans-lawsuit-says-circumcision-robbed-him-147647435.html#IDComment340507874 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Studded-tire-deadline-for-Wash-state-is-Monday-147320695.html#IDComment338340207 Sure would like to see Oregon and Washington implement a tax on studded snow tires to help offset the massive damage they cause to our roads. I'm so sick of driving in the ruts and hearing them being used when there's absolutely no need. Maybe a healthy tax would encourge people to not run them five months out of the year for the few days they are needed in the Portland area. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:55:05 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Studded-tire-deadline-for-Wash-state-is-Monday-147320695.html#IDComment338340207 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Gresham-teachers-overwhelmingly-vote-to-strike-147086785.html?clmob=y#IDComment337587080 I'm not a teacher or a union member but I find it interesting how those who bad mouth liberals and unions are apparently so content to work for less while supporting tax cuts for the rich. If it weren't for organized labor we'd all be living in mud shacks with no medical or retirement benefits. The conservative sound bites make great sense until you realize that it is your lifestyle that is being negatively affected. As far as the schools are concerned, don't blame the teachers for the poorly run public education system. The blame belongs with federal mandates, extreme political correctness and a lack of will to expect and enforce discipline of the students. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:28:07 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Gresham-teachers-overwhelmingly-vote-to-strike-147086785.html?clmob=y#IDComment337587080 http://www.katu.com/news/national/Painkiller-sales-soar-fueling-addiction-146275045.html#IDComment332392009 Does anyone think the manufactures of these drugs oppose the legalization of pot? Thu, 5 Apr 2012 16:11:45 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/national/Painkiller-sales-soar-fueling-addiction-146275045.html#IDComment332392009 http://www.katu.com/news/local/23-acre-plot-in-Rockwood-slated-for-new-public-safety-facility-140198943.html#IDComment300087350 When the Rockwood Fred Meyer closed shop, due to excessive shoplifting, was a good indication that things were going down hill fast. We used to live close to that area but left nearly 20 years ago. Once they allowed all the apartment complexes to be built it was obvious what would happen. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:52:50 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/23-acre-plot-in-Rockwood-slated-for-new-public-safety-facility-140198943.html#IDComment300087350 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Wash-faith-healing-couple-charged-with-murder-in-sons-death-139095739.html#IDComment288950528 Ignorance runs deep in the ranks of the Church of the First Born. Please do society a favor and stop having children. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:25:08 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/Wash-faith-healing-couple-charged-with-murder-in-sons-death-139095739.html#IDComment288950528 http://www.katu.com/news/local/It-makes-it-worse-that-hes-a-judge-138450349.html#IDComment281001706 After reading this article you will recognize me as the driver wearing the ski mask. Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:47:28 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/local/It-makes-it-worse-that-hes-a-judge-138450349.html#IDComment281001706 http://www.katu.com/news/entertainment/Actress-claim-to-be-gay-by-choice-riles-activists--138217929.html#IDComment276220061 How dare she! Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:50:22 +0000 http://www.katu.com/news/entertainment/Actress-claim-to-be-gay-by-choice-riles-activists--138217929.html#IDComment276220061