I got an e-mail message yesterday from Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten, whom I have lambasted on numerous occasions in this blog. Sten had gotten a link here from Kari Chisholm, who runs in the same political circles as the Commish.

It was a very polite message asking me for further thoughts on my opposition to "regionalization" of the Bull Run water supply and the city's planned takeover of Portland General Electric. I was glad to provide them.

But the exchange also reminded me that this isn't just some little private diary I'm writing here. People are actually reading this stuff. Including the people whom I've been calling names.

It's not good to call people names.

I still think the city has its priorities all wrong, and that it's piling on the frills while its foundation is crumbling. And I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to say so.

But I think I'm going to stop calling people "nitwits."