Portland's daily newspaper continues to pound away at State Treasurer Ted Wheeler for standing behind his "Masters of the Universe" investment advisors in their travel junket ethical troubles. The legal bills defending these birds and Wheeler's department over their alleged expense account misdeeds are now at $163,000 and counting.
But there's always more than meets the eye in an Oregon public corruption story. Why are the O and Wheeler behaving the way they are?
Let's start with Wheeler himself. Why does he stand up for the Masters? It's not as though he's worked with them for years, or is responsible for the system that they're abusing -- Wheeler basically just got there. So what are they so intent on hiding, and why does he go along? Maybe Wheeler himself has been in on the lush and extravagant junkets with the investment gurus, and he wants them to continue unabated. But that doesn't sound like him -- he's loaded, he doesn't need some Wall Street weasels to throw him a fat vacation once in a while. There's some other deal underneath this.
Now let's think about the O -- the sleepy O, that's never out front when the state's rich and powerful are committing unspeakably corrupt acts. Why the bee in their bonnet on this one? They've got two reporters working the story -- that leaves Peter Bhatia to have to go out for the office donuts every morning.
Maybe it's because Wheeler's on to some serious shenanigans that have been pulled by the Goldschmidt Gang, and he's keeping the option of blowing the whistle. Is it time to get him hounded out of office before he does something rash? The O could start with some muckraking articles. Kind of a warning shot. If that doesn't work, the Network could go with something darker. It's a dangerous world out there.
Comments (8)
I don't know whether you are right in the particulars but you sure are right to be asking the question. As always, it comes down to "cui bono."
Who are potential candidates against Wheeler in the next election cycle? What a coincidence if The Oregonian is silent or publishes glowing articles about them in the lead up. From what they're doing to Kroger and his staff, maybe the blossom is off that rose for the time being.
If Wheeler is loaded, sore spots could be down a layer or two -- conflicts or potential conflicts between Wheeler's personal masters and the state masters, won't look so good if there are intersections among them.
Maybe it's because Wheeler's on to some serious shenanigans that have been pulled by the Goldschmidt Gang, and he's keeping the option of blowing the whistle. Is it time to get him hounded out of office before he does something rash? The O could start with some muckraking articles. Kind of a warning shot. If that doesn't work, the Network could go with something darker. It's a dangerous world out there.
Your last paragraph - food for thought.
Have wondered about Wheeler's mix up in this.
What is with the O lately? Reporting on matters that have laid silent for years, such as the local water issue as well?
Maybe the O is getting ready to promote Earl as the next Mayor?
Are insiders planning to promote him as the "savior" of our city now?
Do not want to see bow tie Mayor for the next four years.
Has been a great disappointment in Congress.
Am not in favor of any of the familiar names the insiders might be placing to further their agenda. We simply can no longer afford the same as usual.
July 26: History Pub: “Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland”
Portland Corruption!The title of the intriguing sounding July 26th, 2010 edition of History Pub at the Kennedy School Theater (5736 NE 33rd) is Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland:
In the mid-1950s, Portland’s dirty laundry was aired for the whole nation to see, when The Oregonian broke the sensational story of organized crime rackets, Teamsters Union involvement, and corrupt law enforcement officials, using information provided by the city’s infamous crime boss, James B. Elkins. Quickly, Portland was made the debut case in the U.S. Senate Committee investigation of racketeering by union officials in cities around the country. No less than Robert F. Kennedy oversaw the proceedings.
The presenter is Robert Donnelly, Professor of History at Gonzaga University, and author of the forthcoming book, Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland, Oregon.
(Robert Donnelly’s book sounds like it visits the same topics covered by longtime Portland Journalist Phil Stanford in his entertaining book Portland Confidential: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Rose City)
Don't know if book covers current on-goings, if not, certainly material for another book.
According to link below, title will be released June 1, 2011
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
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
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
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: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
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
Comments (8)
I don't know whether you are right in the particulars but you sure are right to be asking the question. As always, it comes down to "cui bono."
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | April 4, 2011 8:57 AM
I was thinking the same thing. Something doesn't quite smell right...
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | April 4, 2011 9:03 AM
Who are potential candidates against Wheeler in the next election cycle? What a coincidence if The Oregonian is silent or publishes glowing articles about them in the lead up. From what they're doing to Kroger and his staff, maybe the blossom is off that rose for the time being.
Posted by Mike (the other one) | April 4, 2011 9:10 AM
Follow the money? Or cherchez la femme? Or both?
Posted by Allan L. | April 4, 2011 9:16 AM
If Wheeler is loaded, sore spots could be down a layer or two -- conflicts or potential conflicts between Wheeler's personal masters and the state masters, won't look so good if there are intersections among them.
Posted by Newleaf | April 4, 2011 10:22 AM
Maybe it's because Wheeler's on to some serious shenanigans that have been pulled by the Goldschmidt Gang, and he's keeping the option of blowing the whistle. Is it time to get him hounded out of office before he does something rash? The O could start with some muckraking articles. Kind of a warning shot. If that doesn't work, the Network could go with something darker. It's a dangerous world out there.
Your last paragraph - food for thought.
Have wondered about Wheeler's mix up in this.
What is with the O lately? Reporting on matters that have laid silent for years, such as the local water issue as well?
Maybe the O is getting ready to promote Earl as the next Mayor?
Are insiders planning to promote him as the "savior" of our city now?
Do not want to see bow tie Mayor for the next four years.
Has been a great disappointment in Congress.
Am not in favor of any of the familiar names the insiders might be placing to further their agenda. We simply can no longer afford the same as usual.
Posted by clinamen | April 4, 2011 10:51 AM
Wow, says in the investigation background that the people involved would not be fulfiling their duties if they did not play golf.
How exactly does one get one of those jobs?
Living in western New York State I thought we had the most corrupt government in the U. S., and now I have to rethink that position.
Posted by Sid F | April 4, 2011 1:13 PM
http://portland.daveknows.org/2010/07/24/july-26-history-pub-dark-rose-organized-crime-and-corruption-in-portland/
July 26: History Pub: “Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland”
Portland Corruption!The title of the intriguing sounding July 26th, 2010 edition of History Pub at the Kennedy School Theater (5736 NE 33rd) is Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland:
In the mid-1950s, Portland’s dirty laundry was aired for the whole nation to see, when The Oregonian broke the sensational story of organized crime rackets, Teamsters Union involvement, and corrupt law enforcement officials, using information provided by the city’s infamous crime boss, James B. Elkins. Quickly, Portland was made the debut case in the U.S. Senate Committee investigation of racketeering by union officials in cities around the country. No less than Robert F. Kennedy oversaw the proceedings.
The presenter is Robert Donnelly, Professor of History at Gonzaga University, and author of the forthcoming book, Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland, Oregon.
(Robert Donnelly’s book sounds like it visits the same topics covered by longtime Portland Journalist Phil Stanford in his entertaining book Portland Confidential: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Rose City)
Don't know if book covers current on-goings, if not, certainly material for another book.
According to link below, title will be released June 1, 2011
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Rose-Organized-Corruption-Portland/dp/0295991119
Posted by clinamen | April 4, 2011 3:27 PM