Resistance is futile!

Link of the day

Now that the Dorchester write-ups are all done, I am working on the backlog of other stuff in my mailbox.

I received a nice e-mail from Tony of the Oregon Republican League.  Their mission:

Our broad-scale current project involves the publishing of the biographies of prominent early Republicans in Oregon's history (from all across the state), in hopes that it will reinforce in Republicans, and reawaken in conservative Democrats and Independents, a recognition that Republicanism was and is central to the "Oregon way of life."

It's a great website.  Go check it out.  And congratulate their team as they welcome their newest member.

Whoops!

Imagine the lawsuits if this e-mail came from Ed McMahon telling you that you were a winner...

Accidental e-mail congratulates 7,000 on admission to UC Berkeley law school

Edward Tom, director of admissions at the University of California, Berkeley, law school, was training a new office worker last week when it happened.

Tom was demonstrating the e-mail software used by the school and was highlighting several features, including how the user can filter mail and set it to send messages to one recipient or many at the same time.

That’s when he chose what happened to be a standard congratulatory message on being admitted to the university’s prestigious law school and accidentally sent it to all 7,000 students who have applied for admission to the law school. The problem, which the school quickly admitted, is that all of the applicants won’t be admitted. In fact, there’s only room for 800 to 850 of them. The e-mail congratulated the applicants on their recent “admission” to the school and invited them to an annual reception co-hosted by alumni and several student organizations.

***

After realizing what had happened, Tom sent out an apology e-mail to the applicant pool within 20 minutes. He sent another letter of apology the next day.

“I deeply regret any confusion or disappointment this error may have caused,” Tom said. “I know that many law school applicants are particularly anxious while awaiting the arrival of decision letters, and I regret that this incident may have added to that tension”

***

Tom said that about 10 applicants who received the errant e-mail informed him that were very distraught after learning that it was a mistake...

I wonder if any of these "distraught" students are distraught because they quickly notified their "back up" law schools that they are going to Berkeley instead?  Oh well, it's not like we need more lawyers anyway, is it?

Debates

I have been so busy with my own commitments that I was unable to travel out to a recent primary debate.  But fortunately, there are other fine blogs, like NW Republican, out there covering events so I don't have to.  Go read about the debate here and here.

Also, I got this actual unedited e-mail from someone who went:

Jason Atkinson himself wanted me to email you. I met him and told him your blog had started my interest in his campaign and I traveled out to see him debate the other candidates.

I was impressed by him, I thought he was saying what needs to be said by a Republican candidate for Governor, and he's the first politician I've seen quote Reagan in an adequate context.

Your posts pushed forward another voter and active Republican.  Thought I'd let you know.

Thank you for writing!  This type of feedback is an important motivator; everyone wants to know they are actually doing something positive.  I hope that in some small way I can actually help change Oregon politics for the better.

Support

Senator Jason Atkinson

for

Governor of Oregon

Hello!

I got an e-mail from reader "Rich in Springfield" filled with lots of great conservative thought.  I wrote back, encouraging Rich to start his own blog.  So he did.  Here it is.  Go say hello to Rich!

Blood stains red on the highway

Click here for all the gruesome details!

Indictments, convictions, and money

I got this in the old mail bag:

STATEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON'S PRESS RELEASE REGARDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

It is disingenuous and overtly politically motivated for the Democrat Party to "demand" that Republicans return 2004 campaign contributions from Congressman Tom Delay.

I'd like to remind the Democrat Party of Oregon of a few facts:

In our country you are innocent until proven guilty;

An indictment is not a conviction;

The precedent for not returning campaign contributions has already been set none other than the DCCC and its Chairman Rahm Emanuel who earlier went on record indicating that indictment alone is not compelling enough of a reason to return political contributions.  Mr. Emanuel is in receipt of a contribution from former Democrat Party finance director Joseph A. Cari Jr.

Mr. Cari is facing federal extortion charges.

I am proud of the fact that I raised more money than any previous Republican challenger in the 4th Congressional district and I am equally proud that my 2004 campaign caught the attention of top Republicans in Congress.

Finally, I'd like to add something my mother always told me, "people in glass houses should not throw stones," and the Democrat Party of Oregon already has a few cracked windows.

Powerful words from Jim Feldkamp, who is again seeking to dethrone Peter DeFazio.

Camp Katrina

I got this in the old mail bag:

I am a soldier in the Army National Guard and recently returned from deployment in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  We have created a blog, http://www.campkatrina.typepad.com, which shares stories and pictures from soldiers who served in operation Vigilant Relief.  I was wondering if we could exchange links on our sites.  Our blog has been getting some media interest recently and I thought it might benefit us both.  I want to let the public know what a great job our military is doing in the south.

Thanks,

Spc. Van T.
Ohio Army National Guard
JAG Corps
www.campkatrina.typepad.com

You got it, Spc. Van T!  I am especially glad to see this type of reporting, as it can counter many of the mistakes (*cough* lies *cough*) that flow from the mainstream media.

Thank you for your service.

Dear spammers

I don't own a home.  Stop asking me to refinance my mortgage.  And I don't know who's been telling you stuff, but I do NOT have erectile dysfunction.  I don't care about your father, the Nigerian diplomat.  In fact, I support the revolution that has his money tied up.  I don't have any disposable cash right now, so there is no chance that I will invest in your hot stock tip.  Your auto insurance offer is tempting, but I'm never leaving USAA.  I don't need to meet hot singles in my area; not only do I already have my own hot single, but I barely have time to fully appreciate her as it is.  I do not want to contribute money to the DNC.  I also cannot read Japanese.  Or Chinese.  Or Korean.  Or whatever the hell that is.  I have no interest in Texas hold 'em poker.  Card games are meant to be played in smoke-filled rooms, with players gauging each others' facial expressions as buxom beauties serve up alcoholic beverages.  I doubt I will find that on your website.  I already have two bachelors degrees, thank you.  And while your online graduate school sounds nice, I will graduate from this real ABA-approved law school soon anyway.  I don't need steroids; I'd just as soon stay weak and have my testicles continue to function.  Thus, I continue to not need Viagra.  I am not going to pay money for porn.  For one thing, as I said, I have no cash right now.  For another thing, if I am internet savvy enough to read your e-mail and go to your website, don't you think I can find plenty of free porn on my own?  I am not going to forward your message to anybody.  Bill Gates is not tracking it.  And if he was, the last thing I want is for him to know who is on my address list.  I do believe in angels.  I also believe that God will send angels to those in need whether or not 14 friends get a copy of your mail in the next hour.  Stop sending me quizzes.  For God's sake, I'm in law school!  Don't you think I get quizzed enough?  I am not interested in meeting Russian women.  American women are enough trouble, and they already speak English.  Nor am I interested in meeting Asian women.  Didn't you read that part above about not reading the languages?  I don't need to accept credit card payments online.  For one thing, I don't own a business.  For another thing, any idiot can already open up a PayPal account and do just that.  And I don't want the new Gold Card I'm already pre-approved for.  If you knew enough about me to pre-approve me, you'd know that I am unemployed with no income and almost a hundred grand in student loan debt.  And you think I'll qualify for ANY additional credit card with good terms?  Give me a break!  I don't use eBay.  I don't have an account with your bank.  I don't have your credit card.  So stop telling me I need to update my customer information.  And I already contributed to disaster relief.  Besides, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other legitimate charities don't send out mass e-mails begging for money.  I'm not going to give out my financial information to someone who solicits me over e-mail.  And I don't need another free credit report.  I am already painfully aware.  I am also already painfully aware of the existence of Paris Hilton.  Stop sending me e-mail.  I'm not reading it.  And if I do catch the name of your company in the subject line before I delete it, I'll make a mental note to never do business with you.  Ever.  And when I am out of law school and in a position of power, I will do everything in my power to hunt you down and put you out of business.  So to be spared of my wrath, the safe thing for you to do is make sure I never notice you.

Any questions?

Lars is on board

I just received an e-mail from Lars Larson:

I write this letter to you in support of what I believe will be one of the most significant events in Oregon's history, and I am asking for your help to make it happen. But first some background...

The last time Oregonians elected a Republican as governor in Oregon, the greatest president of the 20th century (maybe in our nation's history), Ronald Reagan, was in office. Since that time, the Oregon Republican party has nominated candidates cut from the same mold – political antiques trying desperately to hold on to their past successes.

I cannot tell you how many times people call my show or tell me in person how desperately they want the Republican party to nominate a different type of candidate.

Well my friends, Oregon Republicans have the opportunity to nominate a new type of candidate.

Oregon has a long history of political independence and rugged optimism. Oregon has strayed from its past, instead electing politicians who care about the next election, rather than the next generation.

But now you have the opportunity to change the course of Oregon's history, and take the first step in a journey that will result in the election of a Republican Governor in Oregon for the first time in 20 years by joining me in supporting State Senator Jason Atkinson.

Jason has all the qualities that Oregon Republicans have been longing for. He has conservative credentials, and moderate appeal. Although not as long in the tooth as other candidates for governor, Jason has as much legislative experience than any other candidate – Republican or Democrat – currently running for governor. He is exactly the type of person we all want representing the Oregon Republican Party in 2006.

In short, he is a common-sense Republican.

But friends, I have no doubt that he is going to need our help. And when I say help, I mean your time – and yes – your money.

Let me tell you how important this is to me. I have never used my email list to solicit funds for a candidate before. That is how much I believe in Jason Atkinson. He is the right man for the job.

So, would you please consider making a modest contribution to the "Atkinson for Governor" committee. A contribution in the amount of $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford will help Jason begin what promises to be an historic march to the Governor's office in 2006.

Please send your donation to : P.O. Box 1965, Wilsonville, OR 97070 or go to the link below where you can make a donation online. Although Jason won't turn down a large donation, Jason is focused on raising money from fellow common-sense Republicans who want to make a difference in Oregon. Any amount you can send Jason will no doubt be both appreciated and humbling.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I value you as both a listener, and a friend, and I wouldn't send you this request if I didn't know that Jason is the right man for the job.

Best regards,

Lars

www.atkinsonforgovernor.com

Now that a major media figure in Oregon has taken such a bold step in endorsing, and even fundraising for, Senator Atkinson, will the press start referring to him in the same breath as Mannix and Saxton, instead of relegating him to "also running" status at the bottom of each article?

Coming out...

The following e-mail was sent to every student at the University of Oregon School of Law:

In celebration of National Coming Out Day and in honor of every lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) student, faculty, staff, and alumni, the 11th annual “Outlist” is underway.  The “Outlist” is a list of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who wish to publicly acknowledge and celebrate that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or allies of the LGBT community. The list will appear in the form of an advertisement placed in the Oregon Daily Emerald during the week of October 11.  I would like to encourage you to participate in this project by lending your name to the list.

The primary purpose of “Outlist 2005” is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender visibility as a means of creating a safe and welcoming campus environment. It also provides a way for individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to publicly acknowledge and celebrate their identity. In recognition of the importance of allies and the need for these individuals to publicly proclaim their support, “Outlist 2005” is also a way for supporters to “come out.” The list can be a way to demonstrate in a direct and dramatic way the size and diversity of the LGBT population, and their supporters, on campus and in the UO-affiliated community at large. It can also provide support and inspiration to those among us who may not feel safe coming out publicly or who are just beginning the process of exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The goal of this project is to have a list that represents the diversity and size of the LGBT community. The more names we gather and the more areas of UO life that are represented the more effective the document will be. Each year we have over 350 people participate in this project. It is important, however, that everyone whose name appears on the list understands the purpose of the project and feels comfortable participating.

If you are a UO student, alum, faculty, or staff member, and you would like your name to be included in “Outlist 2005,” please email to [email protected]  Please be sure that you read and understand the release before emailing.

This has inspired me to come out of the closet.  Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am a white male heterosexual conservative Christian Republican!

I encourage the others like me at the U of O to stand up and be recognized.  Let's create a safe and welcoming campus environment for people like ourselves.  Acknowledge and celebrate your identity!  And let's help those who may not feel "safe" to come out publicly, and those who are just beginning to explore their political orientation to do so without the usual external pressures that might suppress freedom.

If you are a U of O student or alumn, and would like to be included as an "out" straight conservative, please sign up in the comments below.