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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on May 24, 2005 5:29 PM. The previous post in this blog was Re-entry. The next post in this blog is To arms!. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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Tuesday, May 24, 2005

That's a relief

I see that while I was away, The Oregonian ran its "definitive" story about the murder of Oregon Corrections Director Michael Francke. And I also note that, by golly, they didn't find anything to cast doubt on the official version of that tragic event. And hey, they spent a lot of time and money on it:

the deepest examination of the case since Gable's conviction in 1991. Over five months, reporters reviewed thousands of pages of documents, tracked down dozens of key figures, and spent more than eight hours interviewing Gable.

Frank Gable, the guy who's doing time for the murder, hasn't got a good alibi, so I guess he must be guilty.

Thank goodness. For a minute there, the official version sounded a little fishy. But if the hard-hitting investigators at The O say not to worry, it's a closed case as far as I'm concerned. When there's corruption in high places in Oregon, they're always all over it, and so if they're happy with the court verdict on this "affair," there's really nothing more to look at.

Comments (12)

Ah, the cesspool depths of Oregonian-style investigative reporting! My guess is that there are reporters over there who wouldn't be caught dead with their names on that story; others are more easily conned by Detzel AKA "The Pretzel" for how he twists and bakes facts to come up with "duh truth".

The Francke story is way beyond my interest and attention level. But Les Zaitz at least used to be The Oregonian's best reporter, and a respectable investigative one. I wouldn't tend to immediately dismiss his endeavor.

I consider the problem with the Oregonian's investigative reporting to be primarily an editorial one; they do have some decent investigative team members, although, personally, I haven't been impressed with Zaitz (sp?). What concerns me are the facts that are being left out-dismissed- in the Francke matter, those the Tribune pointed out. Most of what I know about this particular case is due to the diligent efforts of Phil Stanford and Jim Redden. But I have seen first hand other examples of cases where judges granted motions to limit relevant evidence (this I learned from the film), and, I believe, this should concern all of us. If we don't have legitimate courts, we don't have much at all. A memorable quote about our not-so-fair state came from a woman I met in the Honolulu airport in the 90s who ran a typing service for vacationing lawyers in Aspen Co: "Ah, Oregon; Mafia controlled courts and ubiquitous cafe latte". Imho, we should be paying more, not less, attention. No matter what the big O tells us to do.

The thing that amazed me about that article is that they didn't really seem interested in disproving the multiple allegations of corruption as much as they were intent on disproving the specific allegation that the corruption directly led to a contract hit on Franke. The big white elephant in the room is that there seems to be a catastrophic level of corruption in the state prison system, regardless of whether Franke was killed by a hit or by a small time crook ransacking his car.

It would be nice to see them investigate THAT rather than play follow-up on the Franke story.

Indeed. But my guess is that they can't focus on corruption without dismantling the machine that has been running the state for the past 30 or so years and too many of their friends are part of it.

I appreciate Jack's comments regarding the Oregonian's recent "Special Report" on this case.

It's disturbing that some feel the Francke story is way beyond their interest or attention level, and brings to mind something I recently read.

"Go to sleep America, your government has everything under control".

The positive domino effect breaking this case would bring in Oregon political circles is staggering, to say the least.

Check out my website, www.freefrankgable.com. It's the bad guy's worst nightmare!

One guy, with the help of some very good friends can make a difference. Believe that!

Disturbing that some feel the Francke story is way beyond their interest or attention level, Mr. Taylor? Well, there was one here. (Hang on, let me look around.) Perhaps you are easily disturbed or a bit fanatical. There are waaaaaay too many issues for everyone to be engaged in all.

I can see the headline now:
"THE OREGONIAN INVESTIGATES ATTORNEY GENERALS INVESTIGATION INTO DIANE GOLDSCHMIDT/ENRON/TEXAS PACIFIC/NEIL GOLDSCHMIDT CONSPIRACY"
"Just an amazing string of incredible coincidences, fully explained after Noelle Crombe and Lez Zeitz actually read Atty. Gen. Hardy Meyers' I-team's conclusion, and agreed with the state's finding. 'We are glad to be able to finally put all of these horrible, unfounded and highly inlfammable accusations behind us', state the Goldschmidt's. Combe and Zeitz spent over eight hours with the Goldschmidt's. 'They have really good taste in wine' stated Crombe. Zeitz agreed with her findings, 'The Pinot Noir had a good nose of cherries and berries, and a really smooth finish; the smoked salmon was an excellent complement.' One blockbuster noted during their investigation was a written confession by Frank Gable regarding the murder of Michael Francke, penned just hours after the time of the event. 'That really was the comfort food we needed' states Zeitz. 'We really had some doubts until that popped up in a stack of old files Neil hadn't gone through in years. Some may call it luck, I think it was good reporting.' 'Ditto', said Crombe. 'Ditto' Says the O"

Maybe good repeating? Please note they failed to name the pinot noir! Wait till the boys at the Tribune see this!

Some issues are fundamentally important and figuring those out and focusing on them conserves energy. Imho, the Francke case does address some of those fundamentally important issues and unraveling it might well resonate all over the state. I think that is part of the reason it is fashionable to diss those interested in it as "conspiracy theorists" as though there were no such thing as a conspiracy. It is a no-no to speak the unspeakable "C words": conspiracy, corruption, contrivance. But these are legitimate words that describe real concepts.

Easily disturbed or a bit fanatical Sally? Yes, there are waaay to many issues for everyone to be engaged in all, but if placing the wrongful conviction and incarceration for life without the possibility of parole for Frank Gable falls into that category, than color me easily disturbed and fanatical.

Let's not forget this horrible injustice was made possible by a level of corruption in this state that quite possibly continues to this day, and I think this case needs to at least be placed high on the priority list of issues all of us choose to address.

Michael Francke died trying to inform us all of the corruption or maybe more. This state owes him and his family justice, and that doesn't come from convicting a man with no physical evidence, and on the testimony of drug addicts. Most of which have recanted their testimony.

Please reread, Mr. Taylor. I did not say anything to disparage your interest or involvement level. I protested only when you said you were disturbed I was not equivalently so. Didn't I? I made a casual remark obscurely referencing stories I remember from the reporter in question in the past, and mentioned it only to make clear I have not even an interesting lay knowledge of this one.

I wasn't dissing anyone.

I will say now I am less interested even than I was.

Wow, I feel a cold draft going on here. Somehow, I feel if Sally was selected on the jury for Frank Gable, the poor guy still wouldn't have had a chance. Please tell me I am wrong, Sally, or am I just taking Mr. Taylor's side? Help me not to bring it down to a human level, and hear your indifference.

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In Vino Veritas

Robert Mondavi Solaire, Cabernet 2005
Castello Monaci, Liante, Salice Salentino 2006
Ricardo Santos, Malbec 2006
Quinta da Espiga, Tinto 2006
Charles Smith, Holy Cow Merlot 2006
Charles Smith, Boom Boom Syrah 2006
Charles Smith, The Honorable Pinot Gris 2007
Santa Rita, Cabernet Reserva 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2007
Gloria, Douro, Tinto 2002
Bogle, Petite Sirah Port, Clarksburg 2005
Cardwell Hill, Pinot Noir 2004
Silkwood, Red Duet Cabernet-Syrah 2004
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006, 2007
Osborne, Solaz 2004
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Reserva 2005
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2004
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Hannah Nicole, Red 2004
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2005
Protocolo, Red 2005
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2006
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1996
Kirkland, Roogle Shiraz 2004
Garda, Classico Chiaretto
A to Z, Oregon Pinot Gris 2005
I Giusti & Zanza, Nemorino 2006
Treana, Marsanne-Viognier, Central Coast 2005
Fife, Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
B.R. Cohn, Silver Label Cabernet 2005
Marques de Casa Concha, Cabernet 2005
Santi, Sortesele Pinot Grigio 2006
Al Muvedre, Tinto Joven 2006
Layer Cake, Shiraz 2006
Gritti, Ca' Andrea, Umbria red 2005
Altos de Luzon, Jumilla 2004
Thomas Leithner, Zweigelt 2004
Cain Cuvee NV 3
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot 2003
Meridian, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Paringa, Shiraz 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2005
Kris, Pinot Grigio 2006
Silvan Ridge, Pinot Gris 2006
Fife, Mendocino Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
Castle Rock, Cabernet, Paso Robles 2005
Willakenzie, Pinot Gris 2006
The Show, Cabernet 2005
Essencia Valdemar, Rioja Rose 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Beaulieu Vineyard. Napa Valley Cabernet 2004
Irony, Cabernet, Napa Valley 2003
Rosenblum, Petite Sirah, Heritage Clones 2005
Fra Guerau, Montsant 2002
Barefoot Chardonnay
Kana, Syrah 2004
Castell Salegg, Chardonnay, Alto Adige 2004
Fetish, The Watcher Shiraz 2004
Gold Note, Fair Play Zinfandel 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet 2003
Ponzi, Pinot Noir 2004
Red Diamond, Merlot 2003
Mateus, Rose
Benton Lane Pinot Noir 2004
Penya Cadiella Vins de Comtat 2003
Kamiak, Cellar Select Red 2003
Anselmi, San Vincenzo 2005
Rubrato, Aglianico dei Feudi di San Gregorio 2004
Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Cabernet-Shiraz
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2005
Los Vascos, Cabernet, Reserve 2004
Jackaroo, Shiraz 2003
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes Hermitage Syrah, "La Jalet," 2001
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Cotes du Rhone, "Parallele '45,'" 2003
Rolf Binder, Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Woodbridge Chardonnay 2005
Barnard & Griffin, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2004
Quinto do Carmo, Alentejano Red 2000
Forefathers, Alexander Valley Cabernet 2001

The Occasional Book

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: 28
At this date last year: 102
Total run in 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
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