Hooverville

Intel closed declared they were closing a plant just down the street from where I work in Hillsboro, Oregon later this year.  Over one thousand people are expected to lose their jobs.

Portland's new mayor has already found himself in the midst of a major scandal.  Portland made some news for itself last year when it became the largest city in the United States to ever elect an openly gay mayor.  The city had suffered from bad leadership for years.  Adams was looked upon as a way out of the cycle.  He was a master politician who had worked his way up through the ranks and dominated the city council.  

During the campaign one of Adams' competitors repeatedly brought up allegations that he was sleeping with an underage boy.  Sam Adam's repeatedly denied these claims.  

Earlier this weekly the local publication, The Willamette Week, broke the story.  It was true.  Sort of.

Sam Adams meet the intern when he was just 17.  According to Adams they talked about having sex but did not act.  They waited until the boy was 18.  Having sex with a 17 year old is illegal in Oregon.

Adams hired coaches to teach the boy to lie about the affair.  There are allegations that he gave the editor of a local newspaper a cushy job in exchange for her silence.  Many in the city are calling for his resignation

Whether the boy was 17 or 18 at the time, it is clear that Sam Adams used his considerable power and prestige over a very impressionable and vulnerable young man.  It is a terrible abuse of power.  Forcing the boy to go through "coaching" to convince and teach him to lie is sad.  Potentially buying the presses silence is disturbing.

I am trying to imagine how the response would be if it were a young female he were having an affair with.  I am trying to imagine if my response would be any different.  I am not even sure what my response is or should be.  Can this, in some part, be excused because of the incredibly anti-gay climate and movements in the country?  Did this make Adams more nervous and cautious in the cover up?  Even if it did, is it excusable?  It does not get rid of the fact that he abused his power to gain sexual favor with a young intern.

It is sad that politicians are expected to be perfect.  People everywhere are broken.  People everywhere sin.  People everywhere are in need of grace.  But we expect different from our politicians.  They are not allowed to have dirty laundry.  They can not make mistakes.  One wrong step can completely ruin a political career.  It stifles and debate and handcuffs the men and women that become involved.

The economy is not doing well out here.  Unemmployment in the state is over 9%.  A majority of that is coming from the timber industry.   Oregon is the country's largest supplier of timber and the house bust has hurt.  But the tough times are certainly making their way into the city.  Over 1,000 more are being added to the unemployment rolls from Intel later this year.

Adams does have what it takes to lead Portland in these times.  He has the experience and the track record.  Up until this week he was widely respected by his supporters and opponents alike.

His biggest competitor was a grumpy little businessman that run on nothing morre than "Portland liberals".  His big campaign promise was to bring Wal-Mart to downtown.

I am not sure if Adams should step down.  I am not sure if I want him to.  I do not know who would lead the city.  People make mistakes.  But taking advantage of a young man and using your position of power for sex is clearly not acceptable.

I am thankful that I have a job.