A humanitarian....yes...that's the ticket...

No one can say the man's not qualified to be a politician.

Mike and I sit on the same side of the aisle, but he's an idiot.

He should also take the time to familiarize himself with the "Trading with the enemy" act and it's implications.

Take, oh, Cuban products for example. These would be products that are made in Cuba; cigars, rum, clothing, etc. The trading with the enemy act says that US citizens are forbidden to consume any products of countries that are on the embargoed list, irregardless of where they are..!! You may be in Canada where Cuban cigars are perfectly legal, but as an American citizen you are specifically forbidden from partaking in same. While I don't think anyone has had the cuffs slapped on them for enjoying a Cohiba or an El Rey Del Mundo in British Columbia, as a politician I'd like to think he'd know better and not even invite the attention. As Bugs Bunny would have said; "....what a maroon....".

He also made a comment on one of the local talk radio shows that you can "get all the Cuban cigars you want in Mexico". He clearly doesn't know that the huge percentage of Cuban cigars sold in Mexico are fakes, but that's a whole different subject.

Yeah Erickson is obviously a bit of a shady guy.
So how is it not as obvious that so many sitting politicians in this state, especially Portland, are at least as bad or worse?

If the big O had his back, we wouldn't hear this stuff.

The man is the gift that keeps on giving.

I laugh to hear 'Cuba' and "trading with the enemy" in the same sentence. So their style of government doesn't jive with the Republican desire to open that country up to exploit the cigar and beach resort trade to American companies. "Bad Cuba! Bad!"

So, what should we do about Rumsfeld and his imfamous handshake deal with Saddam?

Laugh all you want, TK, it is the current law.

Didn't say it was right, just that it is what it is.

I notice in the Big O article he said he didn't go marlin fishing or dove hunting, but omitted whether he attended the cockfighting.

TL- sorry, didn't mean to sound like I was critiquing your point, only the general absurdity of our foreign policy...

He wasn't up for the cockfighting.

"Republican desire to open that country up to exploit the cigar and beach resort trade to American companies."

huh? What does Cuba have to do with being a Republican? Or Democrat for that matter?

Meaning that the definition of 'enemy' in the case of Cuba has been determined largely by conservatives... the use of the 'communism' boogeyman as a smokescreen for their real concern: unhindered annexation by American enterprise. It's always been all or nothing...

How dare Castro not allow a cheesy Sandals Resort on a picturesque beach?!? Or a Hard Rock Casino in Havana?!? The outrage!

TL your use of the "word" irregardless sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the word. "The origin of irregardless is not known for certain, but the consensus among references is that it is a blend of irrespective and regardless, both of which are commonly accepted standard English words. By blending these words, an illogical word is created. "Since the prefix ir- means 'not' (as it does with irrespective), and the suffix -less means 'without,' irregardless is a double negative."
Is the term "irregardless" actually in US code?

If you look at him next to a Darlene Hooley it really does not speak well for the offering we have from the R's. At least Kurt Shrader is running on the D's side and if I still lived in Clackamas it would be a very comfortable option for my vote.

"Is the term "irregardless" actually in US code?"

Lisa - No, not in the actual code. You'll have to forgive my early AM paraphrasing. The "Trading With The Enemy Act" and other interesting and applicable documents are available on line from OFAC - Office of Foreign Asset Control.

TK - no worries; it's all good. We probably agree more than we disagree on that point.

At least Erickson saw Cuba before it becomes a giant McDonalds.

"The trading with the enemy act says that US citizens are forbidden to consume any products of countries that are on the embargoed list, irregardless of where they are..!!"

This could be a wee bit difficult on my next trip to cuba.

TL: I believe what Bugs said was “Whadda moron!” Last I checked, “maroon” is a color. Or a fugitive slave.

Cassie
Here you go.

Right now I'm wondering if the GOP could have picked a worse candidate. Oh well all is not last maybe Erickson can teach a class on How too lose an Election.