The March On Washington Letter From Birmingham Inspiration

I rehearsed a bit, just to be clear about the words. The clarity of the words is amazing.

My part in the Letter From Birmingham reading, at Linn Benton Community College on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, was late in the address, but it was powerful:

18. RON BORST

It is true that the police have exercised a degree of discipline in handling the demonstrators. In this sense they have conducted themselves rather "nonviolently" in public. But for what purpose? To preserve the evil system of segregation. Over the past few years I have consistently preached that nonviolence demands that the means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek. I have tried to make clear that it is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends. But now I must affirm that it is just as wrong, or perhaps even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends. Perhaps Mr. Connor and his policemen have been rather nonviolent in public, as was Chief Pritchett in Albany, Georgia, but they have used the moral means of nonviolence to maintain the immoral end of racial injustice. As T. S. Eliot has said: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason."

I wish you had commended the Negro sit inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes. They will be the James Merediths, with the noble sense of purpose that enables them to face jeering and hostile mobs, and with the agonizing loneliness that characterizes the life of the pioneer. They will be old, oppressed, battered Negro women, symbolized in a seventy two year old woman in Montgomery, Alabama, who rose up with a sense of dignity and with her people decided not to ride segregated buses, and who responded with ungrammatical profundity to one who inquired about her weariness: "My feets is tired, but my soul is at rest." They will be the young high school and college students, the young ministers of the gospel and a host of their elders, courageously and nonviolently sitting in at lunch counters and willingly going to jail for conscience' sake. One day the South will know that when these disinherited children of God sat down at lunch counters, they were in reality standing up for what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values in our Judaeo Christian heritage, thereby bringing our nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the founding fathers in their formulation of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Bobber Down, A Beginner's Guide To Catching Steelhead

Although many would prefer to teach a beginning steelheader(or salmoner) the "drift-fishing" tactic of bouncing lead and lure along the bottom of the river, as it flows downstream and into the waiting jaws of upriver-moving searun rainbow, I prefer to teach the beginner a less used but absolutely effective tactic called "Bobber Down."

Wow, that was one long run-on sentence. And the tactic is actually just called "bobber fishing." But effective it is, for any fisherman, on an any stream.

The bobber itself is a large float, available in many different sizes and shapes. I tend to use a longish, just larger than an index finger, styrofoam floats. Generally, I buy West Coast Floats or wooden Thill bobbers, in the 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce range.

I also purchase the "bobber stop-knots" in packages that come with appropriate beads. The knot is fixed to your mainline, and the bead stops at the stopper-knot point, and in turn, the bobber stops at the bead. This occurs as the weight sinks to the set depth, of the stopper knot.

The first step, to tie the bobber rig, depends on situation and tactical gear. At first, let's examine the "bobber and jig," a mostly summer used approach, but equally deadly in winter. First, we slide the stopper-knot onto our mainline, remove the tube and cinch the knot about 3/4 tight, so we can move it later.

Slide the bead on, and then slide the bobber on. Because the jig is weighted, it is important we match the correct jig to the bobber(or vise versa), for example, a 1/4 ounce jig will load a 1/4 ounce bobber correctly. Tie the mainline to the "eye" of the jighead.

Now, the rig is almost tied completely. We can, at this time, cinch our stopper-knot. Generally, a four-foot depth is adequate for most fishing, and "reading" water is another lesson. Fish will rise to the jig, as I have seen it personally, so before adjusting the depth, learn to cast the oddly weighted rig.

I crimp two smallish splitshot on the line approximately 36 and 30 inches from the jig. This presents the jig a bit downriver of the bobber.

As one learns to cast the bobber and jig, experimenting with different depths, will help induce strikes. Hang on, the hook-up is fantastickly acrobatic.

As you see, I make up words.

The bobber also can be set up as a drift rig, albeit suspended. The rig is tied exactly like a drift rig, except when an inline sinker is used.

As we discussed earlier, the stopper-knot and bead are attached first, for all bobber applications. When tying a sinker style set-up, tie the snap-swivel on backwards(reduces twist), and attach weight and leader. This is particularly effective for bobber fishing with bait, such as shrimp or roe(eggs), and can be ultraproductive.

Another new word.

I've included photos of the tying process:

To fish the floating rig effectively(successfully) means fishing any water that is five to ten feet deep. Perfect conditions are six to eight foot water that is moving at about walking speed. Fish the seams, where water transitions from fast to slow, and fish the pools and deep runs.

The physics of the bobber, will show in the way it rides. Vertical is optimal. If the bobber leans, then one of two things is happening. The depth is incorrect, and the bobber is either dragging the lure along the riverbottom, or the weight is not heavy enough, causing it to float, and pull the float with it. Adjust accordingly.

Fish a "10 to 2" pattern(2 to 10 if the river is right to left) and keep your line off the water. A long, 10 foot pole is good for this, and enables the fisherman to keep a tight line. That directly leads to more successful hooksets.

"How do you know when you get a bite?" It is by far, my number one asked fishing question. When the bobber goes down, I reply.

Bobber Down!

Post any questions, and refer to Grog's Knots for knot-tying information.

Use 8-10 pound test for steelhead and 15-20 for salmon.

Thanks for reading, and thank-you for not littering!

Two Keys For One Door

A lot has been said about the "war on drugs," and much has been said about America's "mass incarceration."

Finally, a few are starting to realize the the darkness of prior policies. The dark ages are still among us, in some ways. So to continue Pinker's quest, and to solve two enormous headaches, embracing reform and education as keys to success will bring the "Better Angels Of Our Nature" to the masses.

Dick Nixon coined the "War On Drugs" in the 1970s, and ever since, America has been embroiled in an attack on  addiction and the criminal aspects of it.

The so-called war on drugs has directly led to the United States' massive jail population. But not only the crackdown on drugs is at fault. Ideology in America's approach to policing and judging certain "criminals" is bankrupting the system. Police advocates say they "need" unrestricted access to question anybody. Courts have disagreed, ruling "stop and frisk" tactics as unconstitutional.

Homeless advocates have long said that money spent on mental health is potentially more successful than the current status quo of criminalizing homelessness and literally entering them into a system of fines and jail, resulting in high cost to taxpayers.

The war on drugs, now being discussed at the federal level of United States government as a money pit, deserves review. The government's Attorney General, Eric Holder, has been quoted as being concerned with disparities in arrest, in regard to race. And Holder has expressed distaste for the money spent on "minorish" crime, saying, "Harsh mandatory minimums are the U.S. Attorneys Office discretion, and they aren't using it." The money spent on prisons, jails, prosecutions, and the like, are helping to bankrupt the American bankroll. A bankroll that is already in shambles.

"The public's confidence in police has been fading," a website for police ideology, Lines Of Defense states. To restore that confidence, if possible, is to legislate. Less minimum sentences, more "community service" and laws that demand respect for citizens' rights. Laws that protect children's rights, including a review of police access and of "no-parole" sentences, can accompany funding that rehabilitates the underage "criminal" and helps to facilitate community health, by helping to build a citizen that is a community resource. Conveying these desires, is up to you. Contact your legislature, your local politicians, and advocates such as the ACLU.

In positions of power, judges have "judiciary discretion," as prosecutors have the same. Police have the power to make educated arrests, not biased ones. And these are public employees. Getting active in producing change, will lead to change. Solicit your friends, your brother, your neighbor, and your doctor.

As Steven Pinker has told us, "rights movements are led by educated people." What this means, if America wants to solve two huge problems, is to educate our youth. Raising kids to believe in equality for all, and to exercise that equality, are the keys to the future. Creating equal playing fields, first by our lawmakers, and then by government, will help reduce wasteful spending on mass incarceration, and will interject more money into the government's education budget.

When the government's monopoly on arbitrary tactics for its own biased purposes is questioned, lawmakers are forced to respond. Which is why voting is so important, as an unsatisfied petitioner can vote to change lawmakers. Educating America means an educated voter base of more than 20% of the registered voters(turnout average). Funding for education in my home state, "progressive" Oregon, has declined for a decade, every consecutive year. And because of this, a look at reform is needed. Restoring a better understanding of the value of education, and funding the education sector, will lead to a human rights future, one where taxpayers are not burdened by overpaid politicians and under funded courts and poorly compensated educators.

It starts with the war on drugs, as that program's death will immediately save money for the government. Changing the laws regarding incarceration can lead to less money wasted on prisons and jails, and more money spent on educating troubled youth and helping uneducated petty criminal adults.

Solve these two problems and you solve a huge money problem. Two keys for one stubborn door, as the deficit has been paid off only once. Not all of the money problem, but a large portion of it. And when our politicians have fixed those things, then we can move on to more important issues like healthcare for our sick, especially our elderly. We can work on jobs and technology. Whatever you like.

Two points, education and reform, are the building blocks for the two keys to solving America's massive money pit. The War On Drugs and America's Mass Incarceration are the keys. Unlock the people's money...

America and her white picket fence.

Stop And Frisk In Oregon

Indeed, the tactic has caught criminals, if unconstitutionally. In Oregon, the definition of criminal is as much a question as the civil rights questions about New York City's aggressive tactic, Stop & Frisk.

 

Since the 1990s, aggressive laws targeting petty behavior and the existing discrimination that comes with the job of policing America, have combined to create a system of profiling, of over-aggressive detective work, and mediocre or poor reporting of crime. The system is not entirely affected, one would assume, as many good folks exist in law enforcement. But the facts are that the system is sometimes oppressive and often illegal.

If we examine the City of Portland's response to over-policing, it may encourage reform in areas where it is needed. Equating a badge with ethics or truthfulness, is plain insanity. The simple fact is this, civil lawsuits are won. In that respect, and in similar response to solving homeless issues, Portland is trying to "protect all of its citizens' legal and civil rights."

And that of course, is the goal. Society in an even somewhat "free" country, expects civil rights to be equal. The citizens of our communities that do not want equality and egalitarian ideologies, are the minority. In Albany, Stop & Frisk isn't the same as New York's, where illegal searches are being conducted. No, here in the 50,000 people strong, the city of Albany, the stop is executed with the same disregard the NSA has for privacy, without any initial physical contact. The frisk part follows, in conversation and intimidation, and sometimes ends in arrest.

In Portland, a decade of severe police brutality has led to a revamped set of conduct rules, and an active approach to "sensitivity training." Picking your battles, as the old saying implies, is a skill that will help police interact with the public in a more respectful manner. Critical thought will lead police to "common sense" decisions, decisions that the public not only deserves, the public demands it. And refresher courses in civil rights will lead to more productive relations with the public.

A city prosecutor said, "We have citations that are described as "contempt of cop." Meaning, the power to arrest leads to some illegal arrests. Some of those end in violent arrest. But in many cases, simple abuse of power translates to poor police work. To balance this, in respect to officers who do a superb job, is to demand better of racist and discriminatory officers. Portland has addressed the problem, as has the ACLU and other rights advocates. Albany would benefit from such a curriculum for its officers. In 2008, Graem Hromas went to prison on multiple sex-offender convictions. Albany Police initially declined to interview Hromas, based on a lack of respect for the person who reported the crime. 

This sort of disregard for citizens and safety, is unacceptable. In their homepage summary of litigating these transgressions against citizens, Kafoury & McDougal are quoted: "Even officers found by juries to have abused citizens routinely suffer absolutely no consequences, while costing the city’s taxpayers substantial money," which is typical for the arena in which cops and taxpayers interact.

In a report that studied  police use of excessive force, and its underlying statistics, researchers found that "the ability to use unrestricted coercive force was at the core, a problem." To address these problems, and to respond effectively, is to accept the problem as real, and to have the passion to solve it.

Efficiency and non-bias are the goals, community safety the ideology.

There are many in law enforcement who deserve applause, and it simply isn't fair that they go unrecognized, but such is life. There is no glory in ethics and morals, only satisfaction.

Albany Looks To Limit Impact Of Problem Homeless

Somebody told the Albany City Council, the plan wouldn't solve much.

Hopefully, the new city ordinances do work, as the problems they are designed to remedy, are indeed real problems for the citizens in Albany.

There are two ordinances, one for open containers of alcohol on public property, and another for relieving one's self in public. The reason for the ordinances, are the 5% of homeless that cause 95% of the problems. The public intoxication, excessive littering, fights, and trespassing, have become such a nuisance for citizens, that the city and its police are trying to be proactive in the approach to solve such problems.

Through public education and enforcing the ordinances aggressively, the city hopes to limits the impact of street alcoholism. This approach is entirely better than the last effort, which was anchored by lime treatments, designed to "move" homeless to another neighborhood.

The new ordinances, will have an initial impact, but down the road is an issue. The future holds a huge public expense for this approach, in the way of a "hotel jail" and fines that can never be paid. In order to create real and sustained impact, creativity will be needed. Long-term investment in a detox center, with medical staff, should be considered. Possible coordinated efforts with lawmakers, will bring funding and residential treatment that is "required." A look at food stamp funding might prove an incentive for treatment. The best approach, is that communicated effort with legislators.

The ordinances went into effect August 15 and will show an immediate impact. The public intoxication that has been running rampant throughout the neighborhood between the two shelters in Albany, should be less visible. The initial assault on the trespassing and urinating, will limit the worst offenders from simply disposing of all their trash in that neighborhood. And it should lower numbers of visible "bathroom breaks" that have happened in yards, driveways, and landscaping of private citizens.

In addition to the two ordinances, the Albany Police are beginning to enforce an Oregon state law concerning "impeding traffic," and the hazards that impeding traffic brings. A higher risk of rear-end collisions is among the obvious, as motorists impede traffic while providing charity to the panhandler. It is not illegal to give the charity, but the citizens and the law ask that you park first.

And for the record, money to most of the panhandlers in this area, goes to fueling alcoholism. Donate to a respected charity, or buy the homeless a meal, but giving cash actually costs more than it is worth.

This is a polar opposite to earlier writing, but in this case is correct. In some instances, of course the money is good. Not at 7th and Baker, however.

A homeless camper at a private residence that is unoccupied.

By this time next year, I think we will see the same recurring issues, with the same(as now) impact to local neighborhoods. The trash and peeing in public, will be similar to now, and the courts may get overwhelmed with no end result, other than cost to the taxpayers of Oregon.

In the end, a long-term plan to provide housing and medical attention to the mental and alcohol problems within the homeless community, will be the most beneficial to society.



 

Bikerides In Town, Camera In Tow

Some started with 1980s Shwinns, and some with 1960s Raleighs, and today in Oregon, bicycles are more utilized than anywhere in the nation.

In Albany, enough trails to keep one busy all summer, exist in good numbers and high quality. Merely "Google" any of the following, or click the link, and you will find a trail, dirt and paved, that will suit your style and need:

Bryant Park
Bryant Wayside
Dave Clark Bikepath
Takena Landing Trail
Simpson Mill Trail & Simpson Mill Park
Talking Waters Garden Park
Periwinkle Bikepath
Montieth Park Trails
Timber-Linn Park



As much of my riding is urban, I have a few rules to follow, mostly for safety:

No headphones. I like to hear and see what is going on around me.
Wear sunglasses. I hate bugs in my eyes(breathe with your nose...).
Always look when maneuvering in traffic or roadways without traffic.

On a hot August evening, Melanie, Heather, and I, stopped at the Albany Skatepark. The young BMXer did some tricks, and then moved the praying mantis to the safety of an adjacent field. The large and totally green predator bug had dropped into the shallow halfpipe, a few feet from us, as I was shooting the action on wheels.

Loose gravel can be a knee-scarring, tire-gritting, teeth-clenching experience. Wet pavement can be equally brutal. Blackberrie bramble, and other thorny plants, can tear skin and rubber alike. Be prepared to administer first aid while changing a tube.

Well, hopefully not, but just be prepared. Other bike additions should include a pump, lock, allen wrench set, and spare tubes.

In rougher weather, typical for nine months of the Oregon year, good raingear is worth gold. Other pleasantries and necessities are face gear, gloves, reflective tape, ankle cinches, and fogless goggles.

The east entry to the Dave Clark Riverfront Path.

Even Mel and Heather like the skatepark, as does Alexandrea. We stop often, usually on the way home from riding the trails along the Willamette River.

Things to be aware of when riding the trails are people and dogs, other riders, wildlife such as rabbits, and obstacles like down tree branches. It helps to know the trail, especially one that has sand or tree roots, sharp corners and low-hanging tree limbs.

Watch out for cats and cars, people crossing streets, and driveways, when you are riding in town. A watchful, eagle-like eye, can save your life. Pay attention!

Safety is of the utmost importance, and equipping your bike with lights is crucial to riding during half-light hours safely. Maintaining legal boundaries when riding, can also increase safety, and substantially increases your odds of a safe ride.

Proper bike maintenance is another topic that makes riding more enjoyable. Keep tires inflated properly, be sure to monitor brakes for efficiency and wear, and lube gears and hubs to reach peak performance.

Heather, and the clean-white, new, Specialized bike with skinny tires, have both gotten a workout, riding along with me. The middle bike is Melanie's Giant, it too has been getting dusty from the trail.