National Politics

Oregon’s Big Tent: The Battle Over the State’s Political Mainstream
Local News / Local Politics / National Politics / State Politics

Oregon’s Big Tent: The Battle Over the State’s Political Mainstream

A political “big tent” wins elections by aggregating diverse voter blocs into a governing majority. But in Oregon, where metro progressives heavily influence the state’s Democratic supermajorities, the tent has stretched to its absolute limits. What began as electoral pragmatism has triggered a severe friction point between urban ideological experimentation and traditional community standards. At what point does a political party cross the line from adhering to the standards and integrity it is known for,…

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August 20, 2026
Enabling the Homeless Crisis: How State Laws Undermine Local Enforcement in Oregon
City Politics / County Politics / Homeless / Local News / Local Politics / National Politics / State Politics

Enabling the Homeless Crisis: How State Laws Undermine Local Enforcement in Oregon

Two recent articles at Oregon Capital Chronicle entitled, “2 years after Grants Pass, 14 states, 350 cities have tougher laws on street homelessness” and “Year-over-year homelessness declines”. The first article points out two years after the landmark Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling originated from Oregon, over 350 cities and 14 states nationwide have utilized the decision to implement aggressive public camping bans and crackdowns on street homelessness. The other article points out while nationwide homelessness…

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June 26, 2026
The Rule of Law vs. Oregon: Federal Authority in the Oregon Sanctuary Dispute
Local News / National Politics / State Politics

The Rule of Law vs. Oregon: Federal Authority in the Oregon Sanctuary Dispute

In a recent formal letter, Governor Tina Kotek and 31 Oregon mayors demanded an immediate moratorium on all federal immigration enforcement within the state until recent lethal-force incidents in Portland and Minneapolis are fully investigated. The leaders argued that aggressive federal tactics have created a "moral opposition" and a climate of fear that destabilizes local economies and prevents residents from accessing healthcare and education. By reaffirming Oregon’s sanctuary laws, the letter delivers an ultimatum: federal…

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February 6, 2026
A Day We Won’t Forget: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Local News / National Politics

A Day We Won’t Forget: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Wednesday, September 10, 2025, won’t be a day we forget — it was a painfully horrible day. A very beloved person was assassinated. I’m not sure there’s any meaning to what I’m about to write, but it still baffles me. I get chills when I think about it, and it’s hard to explain exactly how I feel. That Wednesday I won’t forget for a long time. My wife and I decided to hike at Fish…

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September 23, 2025
How Media Slant’s Stories to Their Preferred Outcomes
Local News / Local Politics / media / National Politics / State Politics

How Media Slant’s Stories to Their Preferred Outcomes

Using AI like ChatGPT, I provided a few basic facts and asked it to write a news story based on those facts. Then, I asked it to rewrite the same story, but with a slant that made the criminal appear to be the hero. This exercise clearly demonstrates how easily stories can be framed or “slanted” to fit a desired narrative. It also highlights just how simple it is today to create the appearance of…

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June 23, 2025
What Does It Truly Mean to Be a Republican?
City Politics / County Politics / Local News / Local Politics / National Politics / State Politics

What Does It Truly Mean to Be a Republican?

In today’s complex political climate, we must ask: what truly defines someone as a Republican or a Democrat? Is it simply party registration, or is it a matter of values, convictions, and consistent support for a party’s principles? This is strictly my own observations and my own opinions. I raise this question because, in our own Josephine County, I’ve observed individuals who publicly identify as Republicans, some even seeking leadership roles, yet consistently promote Democratic…

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June 8, 2025