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OPINION 4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016 GOP has only itself to blame 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 CMH has come a long way in 25 years Collaboration with OHSU yields a new cancer center olumbia Memorial Hospital not that long ago was a troubled institution. Twenty-ive years ago, an irrespon- sible administrator was running the hospital into the ground. And the Dr. Timothy Patrick case — ultimately settled by the U.S. Supreme Court — had the practical effect of decimating Astoria’s physician community. The hospital’s next CEO, appropriate collaborator than Terry Finklein, and his chief Oregon Health & Science inancial oficer, Dave Petrie, University. The partnership began the process of rebuild- has reaped beneits also in the ing the hospital’s inances and Casey Eye Institute, cardiol- credibility. Slowly Finklein ogy and the emergency room. had success in recruiting phy- The Knight Cancer Center sicians. When Erik Thorsen is taking a leap in coming became Finklein’s successor here, as well. This will be its in 2010 doctor recruitment irst such venture of its kind in remained a pressing task, the state. In the context of that lir- The great beneit is that tation with death and ulti- cancer patients in this region mate resurrection, the hospi- will not have to travel to tal’s architect’s appearance Longview, Washington, or before the city Design Review Portland for radiation treat- Committee last week seems ment. CMH estimates that miraculous. The committee 6,700 people will be treated approved plans for a new can- in the new center during its cer center, which is an off- irst year. The interior con- shoot of the Knight Cancer cept for the new center is that Center at Oregon Health and “it will feel less like a hospi- Science University. tal and more like a hotel,” said All public projects these Thorsen. days are based on partner- Health care is a community ships and leveraging. Our asset, and this new center will hospital could not ind a more raise that value geometrically C Obama revives a bad Park Service proposal I t made national news a dozen years ago when the George W. Bush administra- tion tried to raise money for the National Park Service by marrying it to corporate mar- keting. A very different admin- istration is now in power, but it is resurrecting the same idea. The latest iteration would “give corporate donors expanded naming rights, use of National Park symbols in advertising and much greater inluence over park manag- ers and National Park Service (NPS) decisions,” accord- ing to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. The Obama version has a distinctly problematic spin: according to PEER, it requires “park superintendents to spend large amounts of oficial time on private fundraising. The plan makes ‘philanthropic success’ a core requirement to serve in an NPS leadership position.” It’s easy to envision an argu- ment that equates park super- intendents with the executive directors of private nonproit groups. Every executive who leads one of the nation’s tens of thousands of “good causes” knows he or she will spend much time cultivating con- nections with company bosses and wealthy individuals capa- ble of writing large checks. However, as we editorial- ized in 2006, “Conservation must be the fundamental man- agement principle not only of key historical assets, but of the national park system as a whole. Our parks are for all time, not just today, and for all Americans, not just those who can igure out some means to proit from them.” Hustling for sponsorships and dona- tions should never be a funda- mental part of the job descrip- tions for local national park superintendents. There’s no question that parks need Congress to pro- vide enough money. NPS faces a $11.5 billion mainte- nance backlog. There are places to ind this money. For example, buying 1,585 new F-35 ighter jets instead of the currently planned total of 1,700 would supply all the money NPS needs. The National Park Service plan on “philanthropic partner- ships” is open for public com- ment through May 16. ness in Cleveland, many of inable — and elect Trump us will look elsewhere for a to our highest ofice — is credible candidate to oppose severely unsettling. Even the president, he Republican Party is trapped both Trump and Clinton,” Erickson told CNN. speaking of Trump at a between a rock and huckster. If you didn’t already news conference on Friday, Now that all of their other pres- believe that whoever wins had to impress upon every- idential candidates have dropped the Democratic nomination one how serious it is that the out of the race, Donald Trump is the would be a huge favorite to country is lirting with disas- ter: “I just want to empha- last demagogue standing. He is their win in November, a third- size the degree to which we presumptive nominee. Their party party conservative candidate Charles would seal the deal. are in serious times and this Blow belongs to him. It’s a YUUGE … But please, shed not a sin- is a really serious job. This disaster. gle tear for this conservative calamity. is not entertainment. This is not a real- Now the few remaining serious They brought it on themselves. They ity show. This is a contest for the presi- folks in that party have to make a deci- allowed their unhinged contempt for dency of the United States. “ sion: support this man who, if current — and in some cases, even hatred of — Sure, there are some prominent trends in polling hold, is likely to lose Obama drive them insane, into the arms Republicans tucking their tails, biting the general election by an overwhelm- of a walking absurdity who catered to their tongues and swallowing hard as ing margin (and likely do even more their rage. they begrudgingly announce their sup- damage to the party brand and hurt the Now, that man — simultaneously port for the presumptive Republican chances of down-ballot candidates), or an unbelievable joke and an undeni- nominee. they can … wait, they don’t really have able threat — is on the verge of ripping But they no doubt see what the Pew another option other than to sit out this the party, and indeed the country, apart Research Center reported last month: cycle and pretend that their party hasn’t (even as he insists that he’s “very much “Unfavorable opinions of the G.O.P. gone stark raving mad. a uniier”). are now as high as at any point since The House speaker, Paul Ryan, It’s not that Trump’s chances of 1992.” They know that Trump will told CNN last week that he is “just not winning in November are particularly send that number sinking, as if tied to ready” to support Trump. good. According to The Upshot, “If a brick. Jeb Bush posted today’s general elec- Trump has used a toxic mix of bully- on Facebook, “I will tion polling holds true, ing and bluster, xenophobia and nation- But please, Hillary Clinton will alism, misogyny and racism, to appeal not vote for Donald Trump.” His brother defeat Donald to the darker nature of the Republican shed not a easily and father are both Trump.” Party and secure his place as the unlike- refusing to endorse The Los Angeles liest presidential nominee in recent single tear Trump. Times put it in even American history. for this Mitt Romney, the starker terms: “To That paved his path, coupled with Republicans’ last pres- reach the 270 elec- what Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO at conservative toral votes it takes, the Gallup, called earlier this year “a stag- idential nominee, has also said that he won’t businessman and real- gering” three-fourths of Americans calamity. support Trump. ity TV star will have believing “corruption is ‘widespread’ Lindsey Graham said last week that to carry a number of states that have not in the U.S. government.” As Clifton he “cannot in good conscience” support voted Republican in well over a gener- emphasized: “Not incompetence, but Trump. ation, while prevailing in several bat- corruption.” Many prominent Republicans have tlegrounds where, polls show, he starts There is real pain in America, and also indicated that they will skip the behind.” where you sit along the ideological party’s convention. No, the threat is not that he will spectrum dictates whom you see as CNN reported last week that Erick necessarily win, but that he will fur- your Satan and whom as your savior. It Erickson, a conservative blogger, radio ther poison our national dialogue in the appears that enough Republican voters host and leader of the #NeverTrump six months between now and Election have opted for the combo package, for movement, has “had a number of con- Day, and the off chance that maybe, which the party is likely to pay a hefty versations about laying the groundwork just maybe, a September surprise could price. for a third-party candidate to oppose turn his sliver of a chance into an actual Congratulations, Republicans, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in victory. you’ve hitched yourselves to the mad- the general election.” This what-if, worst-case possibil- man-driven carriage, and it’s heading “If the delegates ratify this mad- ity that America might do the unimag- for the cliff. By CHARLES M. BLOW New York Times News Service T Trump or Ryan: Who’s king of the hill? By MAUREEN DOWD New York Times News Service ASHINGTON — Paul Ryan and Donald Trump sit down at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill to hash out a couple little things, like who is running the party and who is the actual Republican. W “Welcome to Washington, Donald,” Ryan says, shak- ing hands with the presumptu- ous nominee. “Reince says you’re far more gracious in pri- vate than in pub- lic and I sure hope that’s true.” AP Photo/Evan Vucci House Speaker Paul Ryan Maureen Dowd Trump smirks and pulls out his bottle of industrial-strength sanitizer, squirting a prodigious amount on his hands. Trying to thaw the chill, the House speaker displays his best ingratiating Irish undertaker air. “Hey,” he says, “thanks for not calling me Lyin’ Ryan.” “I never use the same adjective twice,” Trump replies coolly. “As you know, I do have killer instincts. That’s how I knocked out 16 losers. So let’s try a few names for kicks. Pious Paul? Pompous Paul? Phony Paul? Back-Stab- bing, Blindsiding Paul who hung me out to dry to protect his own presidential ambitions for 2020?” Ryan blanches, protesting: “No, no, I just want us to come together with a pos- itive vision.” “I am positive,” Trump says, manspreading as party aides cower in the corners. “I’m positive that what you did was terrible. You’re just giving cover to more traitors, like that reject Lind- sey Graham, who I beat like a toy drum. Now Nasty Lindsey’s on TV spewing hate and saying my convention should be held in Area 51. The only number he needs to remember is zero — the num- ber of votes he got.” Ryan puts on his best altar-boy demeanor, which annoys Trump. “Look at that face!” the billionaire mocks. “Or should I say two? Two-Faced Paul. You’re just mad because you and Mitt wanted to lead white male Amer- ica and instead I’m going to. Romney choked. And what about that time you lied about how fast you ran a marathon? Cheatin’ Ryan. A choker and a cheater.” “Now Donald, be reasonable,” Ryan says. “I’m just trying to igure out how to endorse you and not put my own major- ity at risk. We can’t be a bigoted, angry party. You just make our problem with AP Photo/Steve Helber Donald Trump Hispanics worse when you tweet a pic- hate each other always pretend not to ture of yourself eating a taco bowl on once the nomination has been clinched. Cinco de Mayo.” Jeez, the Bushes are boycotting your “No way, José,” Trump says. “That convention.” got 80,000 retweets and 100,000 likes. Trump harrumphs. “Well, I have Muy bueno. I have 8 million Twitter fol- Four-Eyes Rick Perry doing a grov- lowers. You have, like, 1 million and eling about-face to support me. Who need two accounts to get there.” wants the Bushes, that pathetic dynasty? Ryan rolls his eyes. “Thousands Sour grapes because I called out W. on of those retweets were by people you his horrible war and Jeb on his terrible offended,” he says. “You campaign. No low energy in can’t judge everything by Cleveland! My convention ‘There is going to rock with celeb- numbers. We have to main- tain American values. Ban- and hot women. We’re can be rities ning Muslims is not what we going to have Mike Tyson stand for. Try to be more like and that tiger. We’re going only Reagan.” to have Bobby Knight and “Fine,” Trump shoots one No. Miss Aruba M.C.-ing. We back. “I’ll start my campaign might even have a beauty in Mississippi Klan terri- 1, Two- pageant with Gary Busey tory like Reagan. You estab- Carly won’t be in it. Face.’ judging. lishment guys are such pho- But your wife——” nies. You wanna use race as Ryan interrupts quickly, Donald a wedge issue but be subtle “Donald, you have to stop Trump about it. I AM NOT SUB- insulting women. You’re TLE. I have brought millions starting to make Todd Akin of people into the party and you have sound like Lena Dunham.” been unbelievably unfair to me. I am the “Women love me!” Trump objects. greatest political phenomenon in history.” “Didn’t you see that famous New York “Donald, you need to rein it in,” Post headline quoting Marla, my second Ryan persists. “Your volatility scares wife, saying, ‘Best Sex I’ve Ever Had’? people. Everyone is shuddering at the I love the women who vote for me — thought that you are about to get clas- even the poorly educated, lat-chested siied intelligence brieings and at your ones.” bromance with Putin. No one believes Ryan, beaten down and late for his that you’re a genuine conservative. You P90X workout in the House gym, gives support Planned Parenthood, raising the it one last shot. minimum wage and some higher taxes “Donald, you need to stop quoting on the wealthy, our people. You’re Ber- The National Enquirer and do some nie Sanders with even weirder hair.” homework,” he pleads. “You can’t sug- “Well, Two-Face,” Trump retorts, gest we are going to slough off our debt, “if you’re such a big-deal conserva- even though that’s what you did with tive, why did you push for that budget your creditors when you kept going increasing spending by billions, funding bankrupt. And you should remember Obama’s executive amnesty program, that I’m the senior elected Republican in relocation of terrorist refugees and sanc- the country.” tuaries cities — but somehow no money “For now,” Trump murmurs, taking for the border fence? You’re a white out his hair spray for a spritz before he Obama. Bad! Sad!! The nuns said your walks past the press octopus. “What I budgets were so mean and un-Christian will remember is that you sabotaged me they wanted to beat erasers around your when I should have been savoring my success. And you should remember the head.” “Donald, the party is off the rails,” No. 1 rule from “The Art of the Deal”: Ryan says. “Ordinarily, people who There can be only one No. 1, Two-Face.”