OPINION
4A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
Pretending to do a heckuva job
Founded in 1873
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
America’s past is
this man’s future
Clatsop Community College’s historic
preservation program changed a life
C
ollege changes lives. If you didn’t believe that, the
story of Chris Gustafson will give you an entirely new
perspective.
The essence of Gustafson’s sto-
ry — which Edward Stratton told
in last Thursday’s edition – is about
two ingredients: the man’s person-
al resourcefulness and the value of
Clatsop Community College’s6-
year-old program in historic pres-
ervation and restoration.
Having lost his job in log-
ging, Gustafson’s family lived, in
Stratton’s words, on the charity of
the community. In his search for
a new career, Gustafson found the
CCC program.
By graduation, window resto-
ration became Gustafson’s spe-
cialty. In Albany, he has founded a
business that’s doing restorations
in Astoria, Burns, Bandon and
Cottage Grove.
In the life of Clatsop Community
College, there have been many life
turnaround stories. This newspaper
writes annually about the successes
in the Lives in Transition program.
Gustafson’s story is especially
powerful, because it also involves
an evolution in how communities
regard their historic buildings. In
other words, CCC responded to a
megatrend by starting a new pro-
gram that is unique among north-
west post-secondary schools. The
program’s enrollment is typically
about 15 students.
The Liberty Theater’s res-
toration, 2000-2006, sparked a
succession of preservation sto-
ries, such as the Hotel Elliott, the
Chinook School and, most recent-
ly, the Odd Fellows Building in
Clatskanie, which was unveiled
last weekend.
Restoration has gained a na-
tional ethos. It has created jobs
and businesses in our region and
across the country. Rickenbach
Construction gained regional vis-
ibility from its central role in the
Liberty Theater restoration.
In Stratton’s story about Chris
Gustafson, there is a touching
detail. He now takes on students.
More than most people, Gustafson
understands the power of mentor-
ing, education and a fresh start.
Stay alive, take
storms seriously
L
Saturday’s storm was a
reminder of what’s to come
ast Saturday’s storm was bush
league compared to some past
events. It topped out at about 85 mph
and only cut power for a few hours,
instead of days.
There’s never been consensus on
what to call the furious typhoon of
'ecember 200 — the Great 3aci¿c
Gale is one favorite — but whatev-
er label you apply, that storm was a
doozy, lasting two days and topping
out at 140 mph.
In the aftermath of the 2007
storm, we observed, “In much the
same way people of the mid-20th
century always simply refer to
World War II as ‘The War,’ we who
lived through it may come to think
of last week’s raging sea monster as
‘The Storm.’”
This Saturday’s storm was cer-
tainly not a “raging sea monster,” but
ought to serve as a reminder for in-
dividuals, agencies and companies to
get set for the coming storm season,
while reviewing emergency-pre-
paredness plans in general.
Electricity providers — 3aci¿c
Power in Clatsop County and
Public Utility District No. 2 of
Paci¿c County — generally de-
serve kudos for line maintenance
and outage response, despite the
lights going out for up to a half a
dozen hours in some locations.
There was much tree trimming
in the wake of the 2007 storm —
some of it controversial at the time
— and it has proven effective at
avoiding most long outages. But
a serious wind storm while leaves
are still on deciduous trees was
bound to cause unusual problems.
Without getting too carried away
with branch and tree removal, the
aftermath of Saturday’s storm may
reveal addressable weaknesses in
our electricity-delivery systems.
It’s also evident that most local
people respond well to weather in-
formation. There were storm-relat-
ed fatalities elsewhere in the Paci¿c
Northwest, but not here. Helped by
a still-new Doppler radar station on
the Washington coast, the National
Weather Service issued timely ad-
visories and warnings that local
news providers and social media
widely shared. This allowed time to
reinforce scaffolding at the Astoria
Column restoration project. Hood
to Coast organizers hoped for the
best and were caught somewhat
Àatfooted, but the event succeeded.
Boaters stayed off the water,
mostly, and individual impacts on
land amounted to inconveniences in-
stead of life-and-death struggles.
For future purposes, here are
some reminders about storm and di-
saster preparedness on this coast:
• When disaster strikes, we can
be on our own for hours or days. Try
to keep up to 10 days of ready-to-
eat meal supplies on hand, drinking
water, batteries, vital prescriptions,
blankets and pet food. Be as stocked
up as you can afford to be; even a
day or two of supplies will be helpful
and give some peace of mind.
• When serious weather warnings
are issued, fuel up vehicles and get
some cash. The 2007 storm knocked
out ATMs, ¿lling stations and store
credit card readers.
• Residents owe it to ourselves and
our families to have battery-powered
radios on hand. Watch for commu-
nity events where free or low-cost
NOAA radios are provided.
• Storms are no time for close-up
sightseeing. Stay away from trees —
even small falling branches can be
deadly. Stay off beaches and jetties,
where storm surge can pull people
out to sea or cause drift logs to trap
unsuspecting walkers. Don’t try to
drive through Àooded areas.
Most residents love a good storm.
They make us feel more alive. But
staying alive and well means taking
storms seriously.
By PAUL KRUGMAN
New York Times News Service
T
here are many things we
should remember about the
events of late August and early
September 2005, and the politi-
cal fallout shouldn’t be near the
top of the list.
Still, the disaster in New Orleans
did the Bush administration a great
deal of damage — and conservatives
have never stopped trying to take
their revenge.
Every time something has gone
Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo
wrong on President Barack Obama’s Former President George W. Bush tells the audience to lessen the
watch, critics have been quick to de- applause as he salutes the first responders to the Mississippi Gulf
clare the event “Obama’s Katrina.” Coast, Aug. 28, 2015, in Gulfport, Miss.
How many Katrinas has
Obama had so far? By one
with the people of New Jer- most notably, an unprecedented drop
count, 23.
sey. But he has, in fact, been in the number of Americans without
Somehow,
however,
a terrible governor, who health insurance. And Hillary Clinton
these putative Katrinas nev-
has presided over repeat- is the subject of a sort of anti-cult of
er end up having the politi-
ed credit downgrades, and personality, whose most ordinary ac-
cal impact of the lethal de-
who compromised New tions are portrayed as nefarious. (No,
bacle that unfolded a decade
Jersey’s economic future the email thing doesn’t rise to the level
ago. Partly that’s because
by killing a much-needed of a “scandal.”)
Which brings us back to Trump.
many of the alleged disas-
rail tunnel project.
Both the Republican establish-
ters weren’t disasters after
Now Christie looks
all. For example, the teeth-
pathetic — did you hear ment and the punditocracy have been
Paul
ing problems of Healthcare.
the one about his plan to shocked by Trump’s continuing appeal
Krugman
gov were embarrassing, but
track immigrants as if they to the party’s base. He’s a ludicrous
they were eventually resolved — with- were FedEx packages? But he hasn’t ¿gure, they complain. His policy pro-
posals, such as they are, are unwork-
out anyone dying in the process — and changed; he’s just come into focus.
at this point Obamacare looks like a
Or consider Jeb Bush, once hailed able, and anyway, don’t people realize
huge success.
on the right as “the best governor in the difference between actual leader-
ship and being a star
Beyond that, Katrina was special America,” when in
on reality TV?
in political terms because it revealed fact all he did was have
But Trump isn’t
such a huge gap between image and the good luck to hold
Trump
alone in talking policy
reality. Ever since 9/11, former Presi- of¿ce during a huge
nonsense. Trying to de-
dent George W. Bush had been posing housing bubble. Many isn’t alone
port all 11 million ille-
as a strong, effective leader keeping people now seem baf-
gal immigrants would
America safe. He wasn’t. But as long Àed by Bush’s inability
in talking
be a logistical and hu-
as he was talking tough about terror- to come up with coher-
policy
man rights nightmare,
ists, it was hard for the public to see ent policy proposals, or
might conceivably
what a lousy job he was doing. It took any good rationale for
nonsense. but
be possible; doubling
a domestic disaster, which made his his campaign. What
America’s rate of eco-
administration’s cronyism and incom- happened to Jeb the
petence obvious to anyone with a TV smart, effective leader? He never ex- nomic growth, as Jeb Bush has prom-
ised he would, is a complete fantasy.
set, to burst his bubble.
isted.
And while Trump doesn’t exude
What we should have learned from
And there’s more. Remember
Katrina, in other words, was that po- when Scott Walker was the man to presidential dignity, he’s seeking the
litical poseurs with nothing much to watch? Remember when Bobby Jindal nomination of a party that once con-
sidered it a great idea to put George W.
offer besides bluster can nonetheless was brilliant?
fool many people into believing that
I know, now I’m supposed to be Bush in a Àight suit and have him land
they’re strong leaders. And that’s a les- evenhanded, and point out equiva- on an aircraft carrier.
The point is that those predicting
son we’re learning all over again as the lent ¿gures on the Democratic side.
2016 presidential race unfolds.
But there really aren’t any; in modern Trump’s imminent political demise are
You probably think I’m talking America, cults of personality built ignoring the lessons of recent history,
about Donald Trump, and I am. But around undeserving politicians seem which tell us that poseurs with a knack
for public relations can con the public
he’s not the only one.
to be a Republican thing.
Consider, if you will, the case of
True, some liberals were star- for a very long time. Someday The
Chris Christie. Not that long ago he ry-eyed about Obama way back when, Donald will have his Katrina moment,
was regarded as a strong contender for but the glitter faded fast, and what was when voters see him for who he really
the presidency, in part because for a left was a competent leader with some is. But don’t count on it happening any
while his tough-guy act played so well big achievements under his belt — time soon.
Bush, Clinton dynasties hit Trump bump
situation.”
then stuck it out with Bill
It’s deeply weird, but
through an anachronistic
the jeering billionaire real-
¿rst lady job and Monica;
because she was a team
ASHINGTON — Pity ity star seems authentic to
many
Americans.
Trump
is
player and bided her time in
Poppy.
a manifestation of national
the Senate and as secretary
When I went down to Houston a disgust — with the money
of state; because a whip-
few years ago to eat pizza with the that consumed politics, with
persnapper named Barack
former president, he was his usual the dysfunctional, arti¿cial
sneaked in and snatched the
presidency that should have
gracious self, speaking fondly about status quo and with the tur-
been hers.
President Barack Obama and his gid return to a Bush-Clinton
Maureen
Funnily enough, the big-
race,
with
a
less
adept
Bush
Dowd
new pal Bill Clinton.
gest narcissist in the race —
and Clinton.
But there was one person who got
“The prospect of Hillary and Jeb as and possibly the universe — has the
dismissed with a brusque obscenity: the nominees created a huge opening one slogan that refers to the desires of
Donald Trump.
for something like this,” said former voters: “Make America Great Again!”
It was at the height of Trump’s W. strategist Matthew Dowd. “The Hillary has “Hillary” with an arrow
birther madness and Bush was dis- American public looked at it and said, pointing at it. And Jeb has “Jeb!” with
an exclamation point that represents
gusted by it.
‘I do not want that.’”
So I can only imagine 41’s dismay
Dowd said Friday that everyone the only ¿zz in his campaign.
Each one of this trio has a dilemma.
and disbelief — and acid Àashbacks to should stop being in denial and start
Because she is seen as domineering
spoiler Ross Perot — now that Trump accepting that Trump could be the
and distant, Hillary is most popular —
has popped up to block the path of nominee.
the son who Poppy
“Do I think that and becomes most human — when she
desperately wants
Trump should be is brushed back. When she is pushed
Trump is a
to see as 45, restor-
president?” Dowd against the wall, she gets better. But
ing the family name
asked. “No. Do how can she win if she can only con-
manifestation
after 43’s spiral.
I think he can be vey authenticity when she is losing?
She is so coiled about losing again
The New York
the badly needed
of national
wheeler-dealer,
match that burns — carrying her front-runner status
disgust.
who held a fund-
down the status around like a Fabergé egg — that she
raiser at his Trump
quo? Yes. Do I screws up and starts losing. Her server,
Tower apartment
think he could pre- meant to shield her image and protect
for gubernatorial candidate Jeb at Pop- cipitate an advent of a real third party? her from investigation, ends up spark-
ing an investigation and damaging her
py’s request back in 1997, has had a Yes.”
devastating and disorienting effect on
He thinks the other candidates image.
Jeb has to avoid the towel-snapping
Jeb’s presidential candidacy.
don’t know how to deal with Trump.
The Trumpster has suckered Jeb! “They should treat him like an alien tone of his brother, because that over-
into scraps that have ended up back- visitor,” he said, “and, like judo, use compensating testosterone led to trag-
¿ring on Jeb and elevating Trump. his own weight — in this case, his edy. But how does he convey strength
And he has trumpeted a lethargic, in- self-absorption and hair-trigger reac- to voters fretting that America is weak
substantial image of Jeb that is at odds tions — against him. He doesn’t care and prevent Trump from painting him
with the perky red “Jeb!” campaign if you say he’s not a real conservative.” as a milquetoast?
Trump knows he has a dilemma as
logo.
Trump’s “gusto,” as he likes to call
In a Washington Post story last it, has thrown into sharper relief the well. His hyperbolic style and instinct
week about the fractious relationship, grinding-it-out, impatient entitlement, for the jugular have propelled him to
Trump ridiculed Jeb’s investment the overthinking and overcorrecting of the front of the pack — a fact that has
stunned even him. But how does he
banking work at Lehman Bros. and Jeb and Hillary.
later Barclays. Trump suggested that
Both campaign like they are owed, keep the colored lights going while
the millions Jeb was paid were a re- not because of their great national conveying requisite dignity?
Even Joe Biden, padding around
ward for steering Florida state funds to achievements, but because of their
the edge of the campaign, has a di-
Lehman.
byzantine family dynamics.
“Why would you pay a man $1.3
Jeb feels he is owed because his lemma: How does he honor the wish
million a year for a no-show job at brother sneaked in and snatched the of his late son, Beau, to run when the
Lehman Bros. — which, when it presidency that his parents had desig- death of Beau has left him so depleted
failed, almost took the world with it?” nated for the Good Son, and because he may not be able to run?
Matt Dowd thinks Biden would do
Trump asked.
he was pressured to help W. purloin
well in this ¿eld: “Trump’s the only
In a bank shot, Trump dragged in Florida in 2000.
the Democratic front-runner, noting,
And Hillary feels she is owed be- one who can make Biden seem disci-
“That’s a Hillary Clinton kind of cause she moved to Arkansas and plined.”
By MAUREEN DOWD
New York Times News Service
W