OK, same-sex marriage bans aside, Oregon is a great place and I'm proud to call it home.

If you feel the same, then speak up because a man charged with protecting Oregon and its beauty (and standing laws!) is... how do I put this politely?... what's a polite term for rape in an uncomfortable place (no, not a Volkswagen) without lube or warning. Especially the warning part. And the rape part. You see, Gordon Smith just snuck in a last minute rider to the appropriations bill* to "authorize the largest public-lands logging in history, overriding environmental review and prohibiting judicial review. Passed for a forest in Oregon, courtesy of Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore." (Once again, Molly Ivins to the resuce. No one else has mentioned this anywhere.)

So, I urge you, write to KGW, KATU, etc and ask why this isn't being reported. And write Smith and tell him what a sneaky bastard he is. Oregon is beautiful because we respect it AND the laws governing its safe keeping. Smith would rather deal under the table and hide his disregard for our state with last minute maneuvers while no one is looking.

http://gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm
(Note that this clearly will not make his 'recent issues' list on his homepage.)

My somewhat over-the-top email to Smith:
...
It seems someone stealthily tacked on a apprpriations bill "rider to authorize the largest public-lands logging in history, overriding environmental review and prohibiting judicial review. Passed for a forest in Oregon, courtesy of Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore." (from Molly Ivins' column)

And now I have to go and hit every blog, forum, email list, letter to the editor and comments form I can find to make sure this does not pass quietly in the night as I'm sure you'd rather it did.

Unconscionable. Shameful. Deceitful. No judicial review? Is this 3rd grade? Snik-snak-no-take-backs? Not in my state...
...

* - What the hell is up with this shit? Why do we allow people to legislate inside of spending bills? If George wasn't on the side of these jerks, he'd be calling them 'activist representatives' or somesuch.