News
Ron Wyden vs. the culture of misinformation
Like you, I’m angry. Angry at being spied upon by my own government, and then lied to about it. Not exactly virgin territory for a nation with the COINTELPRO, Iran-Contra and sundry other covert operations under its belt, but this is still fresh, and it affects everyone. Ron Wyden’s angry too. The senior senator from…
Roma: A people without a land
Before coming to Street Roots in mid-August for a year of service through Jesuit Volunteer Corp Northwest, I traveled to Central and Eastern Europe to research community organizing in post-Communist European states. Although, not central to my research, I suddenly found myself trying to comprehend a difficulty reality. The Roma people are without an official…
Tackling health care and community in East Portland
It’s midway through lunchtime at the Good News Community Health Center and Dr. Bob Sayson has yet to take a bite of his sandwich. “Here, take my seat! Are you hungry? Thirsty?” Sayson asks one of the center’s board members who stopped by unexpectedly to chat. Minutes later, the routine is repeated when a patient…
Metro: Planning for Park Place
Metro, the regional government for the tri-county area, has long known that the region has a problem: Rents are soaring, there is a real lack of affordable housing and low-income families and individuals are being concentrated in pockets of poverty. A 2009 analysis from Metro forecasted that the percentage of renter households that pay more…
Opinion
Surveillance programs hit closer to home than portrayed
At a recent discussion about government surveillance hosted by the City Club of Portland, Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer were asked what role states must play in protecting Americans from the ever-increasing domestic spying activities by government authorities. While Wyden and Blumenauer deserve praise for their work to bring greater transparency to…
Is it possible that the War on Drugs is ending?
Recently, there has been quite a buzz in the criminal justice reform community across the nation. Attorney General Eric Holder, who heads our nation’s Department of Justice, announced earlier this month that the DOJ will be taking steps to reform and transform our legal system to “better advance the cause of justice for all Americans.”…
It’s time to legalize marijuana to improve quality of life in Oregon
The state of Oregon should legalize marijuana and open up the market to a wealth of opportunities for the residents of this state. It’s time for residents, the media and politicians around the state to push the envelope on the issue. It’s time to bring the conversation into the mainstream. State officials, including the attorney…
When trying is half of the battle
The past month we have seen a media frenzy surrounding homelessness. That’s why I cringed a little bit when I read the Willamette Week’s cover story on homelessness titled, “The Real World: Portland.” The author interviewed ten people living on the streets and briefly profiled their lives. The story hints that Portland’s plan to end…
Portlandia: A city with much progress yet to be made
For the majority population in the Portland area and for many around the country, Portland is known as a progressive hub for artists, avid bike riders, vegans and environmentalists. Bumper stickers bearing the slogan “Keep Portland Weird” can be seen around the city, and even popular culture has caught wind of Portland’s reputation. “Portlandia,” a…
Vendor Profiles
A poet finds his way at Street Roots
Nick Sullivan has come a long way from his first day selling Street Roots. “At first it was scary,” says Nick about the experience. “But once I get out there and I have my Street Roots shirt on and I hold up my papers, I sort of relax and it always seems to go smoothly…
Poetry & Art
Soup Can Sam: Aug. 30-Sept 12, 2013
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You are such a sloppy perfectionist. Always wanting more, more, more of people. Standards. Sheesh. Make sure to look in the mirror, seriously. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Oh, stop being so passive aggressive already. We get it. You want one thing and ask for another. Make yourself clear this month. Everyone…
