Did not Enron have a big energy trading desk in Portland? Where all those traders manipulated the energy markets, and made killer profits? And then the whole scheme crashed, and left all those pensioners holding the bag of worthless stock in their retirement accounts?

If all the Democrats are running on their records of fighting Enron, would all the Republicans be honest and run on their record supporting Enron? Do any of the Enron energy traders still live in Portland? Maybe they could run for office.

Jack, you would make a great candidate for public office. Though the pay cut might be a difficult adjustment. I'd vote for you in heartbeat. How about a Metro councilor position? Go for it man!

Watch out, Jack. That last comment qualifies as a survey so Sam Adams would take you to court for using your blog as an undeclared campaign contribution.
But then afterwards, he'd go on and on about how happy he was that you were still going to run for office because the city needs the debate.

Uh, you forgot the part where each candidate also walked across the Willamette (on days without sewage dumps) to cure someone's cancer.

Let the bloviation continue apace!

Yeah, Democratic Governor Grey Davis fought Enron so well he impaled the state in a mountain of new debt (billions of dollars worth). As western electricity prices skyrocketed in 2000/2001, what does this brilliant Demo do. He opens up his state treasury and starts tossing out billions of dollars, feeding an even greater frenzie. So, Enron did take down a significant demo with it in the end. Moral of the story: Be skeptical of government from top to bottom, no matter what their party stripes, just as you are the corporate hustlers looking for the next high stakes poker game.

p.s excuse my acidic tone.

Moral of the story: Be skeptical of government from top to bottom, no matter what their party stripes, just as you are the corporate hustlers looking for the next high stakes poker game.

That, my friend, is THE TRUTH!

I'm convinced that the average voter in Portland doesn't understand the this issue has very little to do with CoP. Same thing with the Iraq war, funding our schools, setting national energy policy, etc. - it's a popular position that costs you nothing politically, because you'll likely never face a vote on it while in office.

The Harry posting above is not the Harry Wilson who works John Kroger.

"I'm convinced that the average voter in Portland doesn't understand...."

Exactly why/how we get our current stable of buffoons in city and state government.

Another reason to hate Enron: They contributed millions to promote the global warming scare since they sold natural gas, which emits less CO2, for a given about of energy, than coal.

Latest news: dailytech.com/Temperature+Monitors+Report+Worldwide+Global+Cooling/article10866.htm

Thanks
JK

Yeah, Democratic Governor Grey Davis fought Enron so well he impaled the state in a mountain of new debt (billions of dollars worth). As western electricity prices skyrocketed in 2000/2001, what does this brilliant Demo do. He opens up his state treasury and starts tossing out billions of dollars, feeding an even greater frenzie.

Um, wow. Somehow, Bob, all the actual evidence about Enron's blatant manipulation of the energy market in California just passed you by.

So did Bissonnette lead the coalition that stopped Enron like he says or not? We know Amanda made a huge gaffe with her outsourcing flyer (thanks, Jack). Is this claim true or would Enron have gone away without this guy? It sounds like hyperbole to me (but I don't know much about "energy price deregulation").

Jack, it may not be too late to do some Enron fighting of your own.

"Fighting Enron" is almost as ridiculous as a city council candidate pitching himself as a Green Job creation machine.

Despite his prominent placement on the ballot, I don't think Bissonnette will draw more than 15% of the vote.

It will be fun to total up the VOE funds for all the also-rans and divide it by the number of votes they receive: I'm guessing they will have spent between $15 to $90 per vote received.

Vat a City!

I'm reminded of Molly Ivins's comment about how every politician plans to be "tough on crime". It's an easy promise, because nobody in his/her right mind is going to say "Gosh, you know, I want to be soft on crime!" Besides, it's all fine and good that they're claiming to have fought Enron now, with the company having been dead for six years, but what were their positions back in 2000 and 2001?

Seriously, Jack, join in and help them with fighting Enron. Better yet, buy the weapons to fight Enron with the CoP's "rainy day fund". Imaginary funds for a long-dead target: I'd vote for you in a heartbeat.

Mr. Bissonnette (and innumerable candidates for various offices) say they will bring the green jobs to Portland. Sadly, there is no such thing yet. Unless he plans on inventing new research and technology. In which case, he would be bringing research and *potential* jobs to town dependent on how said research progressed.

Valiant idea and effort, anyway. Imagine an American economy with a huge base of manufacturing new breeds of car and electric replacement products. In addition to the computer tech and business stuff. Wow!

Almost makes me forget about the last 7.5 years. Thus far though, whether by lack of funding or otherwise, not much has been able to culminate into everyday living on the green side.