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October 27, 2005

The sneaky efforts to recall Judge James

For nonNorthwest readers, Measure 37 is a ballot iniative passed in Oregon in November. In a nutshell, 37 requires government to compensate landowners if the government passes a law that devalues their property.

The passage of 37 has caused major problems for the State of Oregon. It's confusing, vague and often inequitable wording was throwing the various local governments into a mess.

Recently, Judge Mary James overturned Measure 37 based on a laundry list of reasons. A great summary of the Measure and the reasons cited by Judge James for overturning it can be found here at BlueOregon.

In what is turning out to be typical for conservatives nowadays, the rightwing fringe of Oregon politics is rattling it's sabers against James.

Yesterday I came across a blog kept by local radio talk show host Victoria Taft. Taft's show runs as part of a lineup of dubious rightwing talkers such as Sean Hannity and Larry Elder. I've not listened to Ms Taft's radio show, so I have no idea the views she espouses on air. If her blog is any indication however, she's pushing the regular hardcore rightwing fringe views that continue to be out of step with most Oregonians.

Taft is using her blog to pimp the recall of Judge James. What Taft neglects to mention on her recall post are the hard right Constitution Party connections to the recall. The main perp behind the effort appears to be Constitution Party candidate Bob Ekstrom.

Ekstrom is one of the big fish of the western Constitution Party movement as well as one of it's more prominent national leaders. Here's a little taste of Ekstrom's apparently deep seated political views:

Today, few Americans are prepared to strike out in a radically different political direction as part of a small band even if they recognize the ultimate rightness of the project. However, the number of those few is steadily increasing. The Constitution Party stakes its future on that trend.

What fuels that trend? Moral degradation, unsustainable economic practices, cultural upheaval, the continued shedding of innocent blood at America’s abortuaries, the spiritual hypocrisy of wanting a God blessed America while we boot Him from every public venue, the erasure of our borders, the shrinking of anything private, the expansion of all things bureaucratic, the bankruptcy of public education, the loss of private property rights, the growing sense that the two big parties aren’t the answer to the problem – that they are the problem, and more.

Who are the people who make up this small but growing band of political pioneers? Homeschoolers, those who worship God and do not worship the state, those who visualize abortionists on trial, constitutionalists, people who have to be free, sound money advocates, and gun owners. These are dedicated people who fit the “Live Free Or Die” and the “Don’t Tread On Me” pattern. The Constitution Party can go somewhere with these kind of folks. The Republican Party has abused this constituency for a long time thinking that “They have no where else to go.” We will see.

Perhaps Taft is unaware of her the political leanings of the people who's efforts she's pimping. Putting doctors on trial for performing legal abortions? Allowing religion to permeate our government institutions? Or maybe this is sort of antichoice, anti-freedom thing Ms. Taft envisions for the State of Oregon.

James' recall effort thus far appears to be little more than a rightwing conservative attempt to threaten judges who won't do their job. And make no mistake, overturning inappropriate and illegal laws is one of the main reasons we have judges. The rigthwing tends to forget that government is intentionally set up to have checks and balances. They don't get to push laws that go against the basic legal framework of the State. Even if the majority of voters passed it.

Posted by Carla at October 27, 2005 10:59 AM