OPINION
4A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015
Democrats being Democrats
STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher
LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor
BETTY SMITH, Advertising Manager
CARL EARL, Systems Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN, Production Manager
DEBRA BLOOM, Business Manager
HEATHER RAMSDELL, Circulation Manager
Get set as new law on
marijuana kicks in
T
Liquor commission publicizes rules,
works on commercial sales issues
he 2014 vote to legalize recreational marijuana use in Oregon
divided residents, but state authorities are working in a pro-
active manner to hone the details of how the new law will work.
With issues occurring else-
where where recreational mar-
ijuana has been made legal,
the commendable strategy of
the Oregon Liquor Control
Commission is to try to answer
questions — and head off poten-
tial problems — before the law
and accompanying rules takes
effect July 1.
For those of you intending to
smoke pot, be aware of several
key components of the law:
• It will be legal for Oregon
residents aged 21 and older to
grow up to four plants per house-
hold on their property. Adults may
possess up to 8 ounces of usable
marijuana in the home and carry
up to 1 ounce when out. The limit
of four plants is regardless of the
number of occupants in the home.
It does not mean, for example,
that four adults in a residence can
grow 16 plants.
• Smoking marijuana in public
remains illegal. The OLCC has
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• Minors cannot possess or use
marijuana, even where they live.
• Driving while impaired re-
mains a criminal offense.
Measure 91 did not make any
changes to employment law. As
a result, your employer could
GLVFLSOLQHRU¿UH\RXIRUWHVWLQJ
positive at your place of work.
And because marijuana remains
in your system for days or a week
after smoking, be aware that a
SRW¿OOHG ZHHNHQG RU YDFDWLRQ
could still land you in trouble
with your boss.
Also, Measure 91 was specif-
ically written to have no impact
attract swing voters is a
paign contributions, but
also because of the belief
mug’s game, because such
that they really know how
voters don’t exist. Most
the world works.
n Friday, House Democrats supposed independents
As it turns out, how-
are
in
fact
strongly
aligned
shocked almost everyone
ever, they don’t. In the
with one party or the other,
by rejecting key provisions need- and the handful who aren’t
1990s the purported wise
HGWRFRPSOHWHWKH7UDQV3DFL¿F are mainly just confused.
men blithely assured us
that we had nothing to
So
you
might
as
well
take
Partnership, an agreement the
IHDUIURP¿QDQFLDOGHUHJ-
a
stand
for
what
you
be-
White House wants but much of
ulation; we did. After cri-
lieve in.
Paul
the party doesn’t. On Saturday
sis struck, thanks in large
But the party’s change
Krugman
Hillary Clinton formally began isn’t just about politics, it’s
part to that very deregula-
tion,
they
warned us that we should
also
about
policy.
her campaign for president, and
On one side, the success of be very afraid of bond investors, who
surprised most observers with Obamacare and related policies — would punish America for its budget
an unapologetically liberal and millions covered for substantially GH¿FLWVWKH\GLGQ¶W6RZK\EHOLHYH
less than expected, surprisingly ef- them when they insist that we must
populist speech.
These are, of course, related fective cost control for Medicare approve an unpopular trade deal?
And this loss of credibility means
events. The Democratic Party is be- - have helped to inoculate the party
against blanket assertions that gov- that if Clinton makes it to the White
coming more assertive about its tra- ernment programs never work. And House she’ll govern very differently
ditional values, a point driven home on the other side, the Davos Demo- from the way her husband did in the
by Clinton’s decision to speak on crats who used to be a powerful force 1990s.
As I said, you can describe all of
Roosevelt Island. You could say that arguing against progressive policies
this
as a move to the left, but there’s
have
lost
much
of
their
credibility.
Democrats are moving left. But the
more to it than that - and it’s not at
story is more complicated and inter-
all symmetric to the Republican
esting than this simple statement can
You could
move right. Democrats are adopting
convey.
ideas that work and rejecting ideas
say that
You see, ever since Ronald Rea-
that don’t, whereas Republicans are
gan’s election in 1980, Democrats
doing the opposite.
Democrats
have been on the ideological defen-
And no, I’m not being unfair.
VLYH(YHQZKHQWKH\ZRQHOHFWLRQV
Obamacare, which was once a con-
are moving
they seemed afraid to endorse clear-
servative idea, is working better than
left. But the
ly progressive positions, eager to
even supporters expected; so Demo-
demonstrate their centrism by sup-
crats are committed to defending its
story is more
porting policies like cuts to Social
achievements, while Republicans
Security that their base hated. But
are more fanatical than ever in their
complicated
efforts to destroy it. Modestly high-
that era appears to be over. Why?
and
er taxes on the wealthy haven’t hurt
Part of the answer is that Dem-
the economy, while promises that tax
ocrats, despite defeats in midterm
interesting
cuts will have magical effects have
elections, believe — rightly or
proved disastrously wrong; so Demo-
wrongly — that the political wind
than this
crats have become more comfortable
is at their backs. Growing ethnic
with a modest tax-and-spend agenda,
diversity is producing what should
simple
ZKLOH 5HSXEOLFDQV DUH PRUH ¿UPO\
be a more favorable electorate;
statement can
in the grip of tax-cutting cranks than
growing tolerance is turning social
ever. And so on down the line.
issues, once a source of Republican
convey.
Of course, changes in ideology
strength, into a Democratic advan-
matter only to the extent that they
tage instead. Reagan was elected by
a nation in which half the public still
I’m referring to the kind of peo- FDQ LQÀXHQFH SROLF\$QG ZKLOH WKH
disapproved of interracial marriage; ple — many, though not all, from electoral odds probably favor Clin-
Clinton is running to lead a nation in Wall Street — who go to lots of in- ton, and Democrats could retake the
which 60 percent support same-sex ternational meetings where they as- Senate, they have very little chance
marriage.
sure each other that prosperity is all of retaking the House. So changes
At the same time, Democrats about competing in the global econ- in the Democratic Party may take a
VHHP¿QDOO\WRKDYHWDNHQRQERDUG omy, and that this means supporting while to change America as a whole.
something political scientists have trade agreements and cutting social But something important is happen-
been telling us for years: adopting VSHQGLQJ 6XFK SHRSOH KDYH LQÀX- ing, and in the long run it will matter
“centrist” positions in an attempt to ence in part because of their cam- a great deal.
By PAUL KRUGMAN
New York Times News Service
Founded in 1873
MORE ONLINE
• For more details and a list
of FAQ, go to www.whatsleg-
aloregon.com
• Email marijuana@oregon.
gov or call 800-452-6522
with questions.
• For information about med-
ical marijuana, go to www.
mmj.oregon.gov
on existing medical marijuana
regulations, which came into ef-
fect after that was legalized by a
ballot measure in 1998.
In conjunction with a public
awareness campaign about per-
sonal possession and use, the
OLCC is drawing up regulations
to tax and license marijuana sold
commercially. Tax revenue —
estimated at $18 million over a
two-year period — would be al-
located to schools, local govern-
ments, police and drug services.
The OLCC will begin accept-
ing applications from growers,
wholesalers and processors on
Jan. 4, 2016, with residents able
to buy their drug from a retail
outlet once rules are in place in
fall 2016. Public input is still
being sought on these rules and
now is the time to comment.
The way the new law was
written, the ability of local gov-
ernments to regulate or restrict
WKH SRWHQWLDO LQÀX[ RI FRPPHU-
cial vendors is minimal. Law
enforcement agencies and local
leaders would do well to accept
the inevitability that Oregon’s
social landscape is about to make
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cordingly.
O
Baseball and black history
ghosts of those girls.
when professional base-
“I do feel really bad,
ball was segregated. Jackie
because they could have
Robinson was its star.
, ¿UVW ZURWH DERXW WKH
ast summer, a 13-year-old changed the world,” she
said.
“And
for
them
to
lose
team
in August, and about
named Mo’ne Davis landed
Bandura, who ditched a
their lives at such a young
on the cover of Sports Illustrated, age? You never know what
better-paying career in sales
a national sensation after she they could have done.”
and marketing to devote
himself to a sports program
You never know what
pitched a shutout in the Little
aimed at instilling pride,
they
could
have
done.
League World Series, where al-
purpose and discipline in
That’s true not just of chil-
Frank
most all of the other players are dren who don’t get to grow
disadvantaged kids.
Bruni
boys. She’s believed to be the up. It applies to millions
He reasons that if they
only black girl ever to participate more — too many of them minori- appreciate how the road was paved
ties — who are denied a real chance, for them, they’ll be more likely to take
in the competition.
maybe because there’s no one to guide full advantage of it. If they see what
This summer, she plans to do them, maybe because no one ever African-Americans endured and ac-
something else surprising: visit spots and heralds their gifts.
complished, they’ll understand their
Mo’ne was 7 years old when the own strength and abilities. They’ll also
the 16th Street Baptist Church in
Birmingham, Ala., where four black team’s coach, Steve Bandura, hap- understand their obligation, which isn’t
girls were killed in a 1963 bombing. pened to see her throwing a football. MXVWWREHQH¿WIURPSURJUHVVEXWWRSHU-
He convinced her mother, who was petuate it, for the kids who come next.
Three of them were 14. Mo’ne will skeptical, that she had serious athletic
Bandura is white and grew up in a
turn that age on the day she shows up talent, then mentored her, even helping Philadelphia neighborhood where he
at the landmark.
to secure a scholarship for her at a pri- often recoiled at the racism he saw.
For Mo’ne, who grew up in a poor vate school.
His wife, Robin, a physical therapist,
neighborhood in Philadelphia, life
She has performed well there and is black, and one of their two children,
since her Sports Illustrated coronation her goal is within reach: to go to the Scott, 13, plays on the Monarchs,
has been electric: a meeting with the University of Connecticut and graduate which they have turned into an extend-
Obamas at the White House, a quickie into a career in the Women’s National ed family.
memoir, an appearance in a Chevrolet %DVNHWEDOO$VVRFLDWLRQ6KH¶VDV¿HUFH
The kids and their parents describe
commercial directed by Spike Lee, on the court as she is on the mound.
the team as a lifeline and a ladder.
even a line of sneakers named for her.
The kids aren’t encouraged to aim
But over three weeks in late June
for higher education. They’re informed
The kids aren’t
that they’re going to college, period.
and early July, she and 13 other kids
istoric preservation has be- the Guy Boyington Building and on her team — the rest of them boys,
This is hammered into them by the
encouraged to
fence around their South Philly baseball
most of them black, all roughly her
come Astoria’s hallmark. the Commodore Hotel.
diamond. It’s bedecked with banners
aim
for
higher
Clatsop Community College
Honored by the Astoria City age — have a schedule of exhibition
signaling the alma maters of former
games across the country that mixes
even has a program that teaches Council Monday, Justin Power’s exhilarating notes with somber ones.
Monarchs: Temple University, Penn
education.
the basic skills of this craft. But restoration of the Thompson
State, the University of Pennsylvania.
They’re not just hitting the road.
They’re
The kids are also instructed that
conserving Astoria’s building and house in Uppertown is a double They’re taking it south, into history: the
they’re
ambassadors of the inner city
church
in
Birmingham,
the
bridge
in
housing stock was not always the victory. Power has accomplished Selma. They’ll play ball, then visit Lit-
informed that
and that in baseball, as in life, a cer-
town’s goal.
something of note. And prior to his tle Rock Central High School, a battle-
tain conduct engenders respect. Ban-
they’re going
dura insists that their shirts always
7KH VLJQL¿FDQFH RI (GZDUG intervention, the home was a city JURXQGLQWKH¿JKWWRLQWHJUDWHVFKRROV
to
college,
be tucked in. There’s no taunting of
They’ll
swing
for
the
fences,
then
bow
Harvey — whose name is given code enforcement problem.
opponents, no roughhousing with one
their heads at the house in Jackson,
to the city’s award Monday night
Doing a restoration such as 0LVVZKHUH0HGJDU(YHUVOLYHG
period.
another when they’re supposed to be
— was a prod to preserving and the Thompson house is a long
concentrating.
In a country still lurching toward
“You’ve got to see the world,”
Bandura, 54, has intervened in a
designating the town’s historic slog. Such projects demand deep racial harmony and looking to give
Mo’ne
explained, adding that she and
underprivileged
kids
more
grounding,
similar
fashion
for
hundreds
of
oth-
homes, before that became a na- NQRZOHGJHGHGLFDWLRQRI¿QDQFLDO
grit and hope, it’s a compelling itiner- er kids who were or are members of her teammates can’t do that if they’re
tional ambition.
resources and patience.
ary. And at a time when corruption and his team, the Anderson Monarchs. He looking down, into gadgets, and not
Most preservationists peg their
This year has also hatched criminal behavior have cast a pall over started it two decades ago and runs it up. “You have to see it with your own
movement’s national kick-start what will become the ultimate soccer, football, boxing and more, it’s out of the Philadelphia Department of eyes.”
WR WKH KLJKSUR¿OH GULYH WR VDYH restoration. That would be Greg a feel-good reminder of the positive Parks and Recreation, which employs of it. She’s getting a big, heady glimpse
impact athletics can have on young him.
Grand Central Station in 1975. That Newenhof’s purchase of the Flavel people — on the way in which sports,
And we’ll know exactly what she
The Monarchs play basketball,
roughly coincided with the decade home at 15th Street and Franklin too, can be a bridge.
soccer and baseball, depending on the could have done with her life, because
Mo’ne told me that she relished the season, and the kids are together year- she’s positioned to do it. She’s primed
of Dr. Harvey’s activity in Astoria. Avenue.
trip as a tribute to trailblazers who “put round. The team is named for Marian WR IXO¿OO WKDW SRWHQWLDO 6KH DQG KHU
Some 20 years later, the Liberty
Bravo to Monday’s honoree. their lives out there and got beaten so Anderson, who in 1955 became the teammates have been given more than
Theater would have its restoration, And bravo to all who take on these that we could have the freedom we ¿UVW EODFN VLQJHU WR SHUIRUP DW WKH bats, cleats and the promise of an epic
Metropolitan Opera in New York City, summer.
and a number of others would fol- epic projects. Their completion have.”
They’ve been given a sense of mis-
But she’s also braced for sadness, and for the Kansas City Monarchs, a
ORZ LQFOXGLQJ WKH +RWHO (OOLRWW makes Astoria a better place.
particularly in that church, with the standout in the Negro Leagues back sion and a set of wings.
History is our
high card
H
Restoration a long slog, but
makes Astoria a better place
By FRANK BRUNI
New York Times News Service
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