A great philosopher – Eddie Vedder – said, I change by not changing at all.
I ride this big ball like always and just remain amazed.
THIS WEEK. Original title: Jack Advises Portland. May 17, 1989.
Generally, I am not a fan of politicians. Period. I’d like to see them worry less about raising money and getting re-elected and more about solving problems which confront us in such areas as education, public safety, economic development, and the environment.
We have too many politicians and too few LEADERS.
Recently, I was particularly impressed by Rep. Judy Bauman (D-Portland).
The House was voting to approve a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overturning State Supreme Court decisions which say nude dancing is a form of freedom of expression that can’t be controlled by state or local governments. Whether you like nude dancing or not, it is clearly – in my mind and the minds of other conservatives – protected by both the Bill Of Rights and the Oregon State Constitution.
It is clearly a moral issue and not a legal issue. It is certainly not a political issue.
That’s why the Bill Of Rights exists: to protect the freedom of the minority from the morality of the majority.
Fifty-three (53) Representatives voted for the constitutional amendment. Six LEADERS did not. And I admire that.
We all know what the prevailing mood is. We all know what the people want. We all know what the “smart” way to vote would’ve been.
Yet six (6) LEADERS chose to vote to protect our rights as individuals.
Rep. Bauman didn’t say she supported nude dancing. What she said was, she didn’t want to “put the Constitution to a vote.”
That takes guts. That’s leadership. That’s my kind of politician.
