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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 2006)
The Clackamas Print DeLay hits bottom Tom DeLay announces he will not run for reelection, to the joy of many David Stark i The Clackamas Print Tom DeLay’s decision to drop out of the electoral race is truly unsurprising due to his stunningly fast fall from grace. past, I’ve got to say, that worries of the First Amendment to the me a little. Constitution of the United States But I have digressed, where was of America says, quite concisely, I? Ah yes, coward runs away. -“no.” And to change that, we’d need When asked what he planned an amendment. Now where in the to do in the future, DeLay vowed government can we find a religious to pursue aggressive speaking and fanatic with no idea what’s good organizing campaigns aimed at for the country? Correct me if I’m promoting foster care, Republican wrong, but wasn’t one of those candidates and a closer connection elected to the presidency? between religion and government. With a future rife with problems Hmmm, a closer connection and a political history we all hope is between religion and the govern truly over, I have only this to say to ment. My recollection is telling DeLay, don’t let the door hit you on me that the Establishment Clause the way out. His announcement to leave was full of confusing statements that seemed tonotonly contradict each other, but also certain portioris of the constitution. When asked if he had ever «one anything illegal or unethi cal while in office, DeLay curtly replied “no.” But when asked if h’d done anything immoral he &id that “we’re all sinners.” Now, in my book, immoral and unethical pretty much mean the same thing. So I’m forced to wonder which among his rather long lists of sins Recommitted. I Of course, given the fact that two of his aides have plead guilty to committing crimes while being members of his staff, one need not wonder too hard. Can anyone else lay “aiding and abetting?” I When the celebrations of his departure were over, the press ¡finally asked why we got some ¡interesting answers. , ITm a realist. I’ve been around while. I can evaluate political situ ions,” DeLay said. “I feel that I ould have won the race. I just felt ke I didn’t want to risk the seat and lat I can do more on the outside f the House (of Representatives) lan I caiyontljeinside jight now.” Comingfrom £ with his Commentary 3 Wednesday, April 19, 2006 A few facts about? marijuana According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal and Dr. Peter Fried, marijuana does not contribute to a decreased IQ. The Center for Medical Cannabis Research at UC San Diego School of Medicine says long term and daily use does not cause permanent brain damage. An Israeli study suggests cannabandids help humans recover from physical brain injuries. “The therapeutic potential of cannabis” raises the pos sibility that many, schizophrenics may be using marijuana to self-medicate because recent evidence suggests that cannabanoids help regulate dopamine according to Lancet Neurology. The American Nurses Association has adopted a reso lution calling for safe access to medicinal marijuana for patients under appropriate supervision. A German study published in Nature suggests that canna binoids may be usefiil in extinguishing traumatic memories. Studies at the Center for Medical Cannabis Research, University of California (San Diego), found that long-term and daily use of marijuana does not cause permanent brain damage. Compiled by Sam Krause, The Clackamas Print Schools sue state over fundinQ blues The Oregon Legislature is being sued by six school districts and three families for failing to adequately fund Oregon schools. Well, it’s about bloody time1 As I have stated before in this paper, the massive bud get shortfalls routinely faced by our schools are squarely the fault of the Legislature. When Multnomah County passed the I-Tax back in 2002, we were promised that it was just to tide schools over while the Legislature worked out the school funding problem. Three years later the tax ran out as planned, and the Legislature hadn’t done a single damn thing, leav ing Oregon schools in even worse straights than they’d been in before. Now, it appears that our incompetent Legislature is getting its just desserts. The lawsuit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court in mid-March, hinges on the passage of Measure 1 back in 2000. Measure 1 was a constitutional amend ment requiring legislators to adequately fund a sweeping program aimed at improv ing education. Known as the Quality Education Model, it pro jected a cost of $7.1 billion over a two-year period to pay for the smaller class es, better technology and extra training for teachers that .the State wanted. That is $1.86 billion less than the Legislature slated for schools for 2005-2007. It would appear that our dear, Republican-controlled Legislature has forgotten that they are bound by the Oregon Constitution just like the rest of us. As they will now be learning in court, they cannot pick and choose which amend ments to obey and which to ignore. I wonder how the vari ous legislators coming up for re-election this year will spin this lawsuit in their campaign ads? After all their talk about supporting schools the last time we voted the bums in, it is now painfully clear that it was nothing more than that: talk. Perhaps this lawsuit will force them to get off their lazy butts and do more than just talk. You hear that, Oregon legislators? That’s the sound of responsibility stepping up and slapping you in the face. P roduction A ssistants : Tayö Stalnaker, Adam J. Manley, Kim Maier, Elizabeth Hitz, Chris Anderson, Scott Risvold P hotographers : Adam J. Manley, Lara Hedbor, Elizabeth Hitz, Matt Olson, N. P. Delzell D epartment A dvisor : Linda Vogt D epartment A ssistant : Chris Hennel G oals : The C lackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the stu dent body, college administration, its faculty or The Print. E-mail comments to chiefed@dackamas. edu. Blame for school budget problems finally falls to the . responsible party, Photo illustration by Jeff Sorensen Clackamas Print • Laura Cameron 11 Commentary Editor Canadian bill would limit speech Elizabeth Hitz The Clackamas Print I Hate speech: the new hot ppic. There is an ongoing attle between zealous reli- ious groups and the far left in Canada over whether or not a ew amendment to the Canadian toman Rights Act impedes the ree speech of those who are nti-homosexual. On one hand the bill basi- ally states that no one can be reated differently due to age, ex, minority, sexual orienta- ion, etc. No problem. The U.S. ¡as similar laws, as do many ¡ountries with human rights ills. However/ -the Canadian bill Iso states that, “It is „a discrimi- latory practice to publi^tyor dis- ilay before the public or to cause? o be published or displayed lefore the public any notice, Ign, symbol, emblem or other presentation that (a) expresses |r implies discrimination or an itention to discriminate, or (b) icites or is calculated to incite 'tas to discriminate.” Clackamas Print 19600 S. Molalla Ave. Oregon City OR 97045 (503) 657-6958 ex. 2309 The C lackamas Print is a weekly student publication and is distributed every Wednesday except finals week. This statement seems so completely general that it could be applied to almost anything. Where is the line drawn if you put that kind of broad limitation on speech? I’m not saying Canada is headed for “1984,” but the lack of boundaries scream ‘abuse’ just waiting to happen. Nevertheless, the idea has merit. No more mobs picket ing in the streets, no more class room drama due to “religious persecution.” The U.S. Constitution has no limitations when it comes to hate speech. All speech in gen eral is labeled free speech. So which is better: total free dom of speech, with free rein abuse of the liberty, or limita tions with the chance of sup pressing the religious views erf some minorities?., As an American; I have« been raised with the idea of free speech as an American tradition and the concept that all men are equal and therefore have the right to free speech, no matter their religious or moral views. I believe I can back that concept with a reasonable idea of why free speech is not an outdated thread in the weave of society’s fiber. Somehow the concept of free speech seems more realis tic (sorry left-wing Canadians). Free speech is more realistic because it better reflects the nature of humanity, which is this: no one sees things the same way. That diversity, for better or worse, is the foundation of civi lization - a series of checks and balances. Extremes balance each other out. In politics, lib erals balance or cancel out the conservatives when it comes to the issues of either side. The same idea could be applied to society. Those who are anti-homosexual balance or cancel the effect that homosexu als as a ihinbrity have the poten- tial to wield. I do not personally condone hate speech, but I do feel it is a necessary evil. However dis tasteful one side may find the other, they both serve a higher purpose in our society - that of checks and balances. E ditor - in -C hief : Ben Maras C opy EprtoRs: Katie Weinberg, E. E. West N ews E ditor : Katie Wilson C ommentary E ditor : Laura Cameron F eature E ditor : C.J. Ciaramella S ports E ditor : Mike Guidice A&E E ditor : Tayo Stalnaker P hoto E ditor : Jeff Sorensen A d M anager : Sam Krause A d A ssistant : Helen Conley S taff W riters : Alexander Case, Derek Erickson, Justin Goe, Elizabeth Hitz, Frank Jordan, Mike Kimberling, Megan Koler, Adam J. Manley Matthew Olson, Kim Schiewe, Kyle Steele, David Stark, N. P. Delzell, Helen Conley
