Newspapers Call for Adams' Resignation [Archive]

Sekkle

01-21-2009, 04:21 PM

Editorial boards of The Oregonian, Portland Tribune to Sam Adams: Resign
Posted by Noelle Crombie, The Oregonian January 21, 2009 07:55AM
The editorial boards of The Oregonian and The Portland Tribune have advice for Portland Mayor Sam Adams, whose new administration is being engulfed in a sex scandal: Resign. The mayor met with editors of both newspapers Tuesday.

From this morning's editorial in The Oregonian:

You'd think, listening to Portland Mayor Sam Adams' apologies for his poor judgment in having sex with a teenager, that the whole thing was a passing mistake. A misjudgment, maybe, covered up by a pro forma lie in the heat of a campaign.

When pressed, Adams on Monday reversed that long-standing lie about his 2005 relationship with a young man named Beau Breedlove and admitted that it was sexual, not platonic or mentoring. Adams apologized Tuesday for lying and for pressuring Breedlove into lying, too, when the rumors about them first arose in 2007, early in the mayoral campaign.

Adams acknowledged the obvious problems that all of this creates for his ability to be effective in the mayor's job that he assumed less than a month ago. Yet, he argued, it was "an error in judgment. An anomaly, not a trend." He suggested that Portlanders need to weigh this behavioral blip against his two decades of public service and good judgment.

We don't think it's as easy as all that.

The Portland Tribune is urging Adams to resign quickly so the city can move forward.

We don't believe the public makes much of a distinction when it comes to a man over 40 having sex with either a 17-year-old or an 18-year-old. And it makes no difference if the teenager is male or female - it's sexual opportunism, pure and simple.

When he met with the Portland Tribune editorial board on Tuesday evening, Adams said he would remain in office because he believed it was in the best interest of the city. But he also promised to resign if he became convinced that his departure would be best for Portland.

Adams doesn't need to wait for such proof. His own dishonesty led to him being elected under false pretenses, and his behavior now threatens to shatter his effectiveness at a time when Portland is in desperate need of dynamic and credible leadership. The sooner Adams leaves office, the faster Portland can begin the process of finding a mayor who still has the ability to inspire - not depress and distract - us.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/editorial_boards_of_the_oregon.html

Unfortunate that this is how things are starting out for him.

dkealoha

01-21-2009, 05:25 PM

Being a gay man myself, I'm disappointed that Sam lied about this. Although I don't think his sex life is any of our business, I also think that being a public figure and a representative for both Portland and the gay community, he should have known better.

Now, every time I hear someone start talking about Sam I wait for an ignorant slam on gay people to come out of their mouth. Thankfully, I haven't heard such comments from people yet, but it just seems like any moment now.

pdxman

01-21-2009, 06:05 PM

Though I am not gay myself, I feel the same way--he should not have lied. That being said I voted for him and want him to stay. He apologized and set things straight and hopefully the people of the city of portland can forgive him and move on.

pdxf

01-21-2009, 06:17 PM

The Sam Adams issue is really disappointing. I could care less that he was in a relationship (every other source has said he was 18, so the relationship was between two consenting adults - non issue), but to lie as much as he did to cover it is a good reason for someone to have to step down (would he have been elected had he fully disclosed during the election?).

That being said, I am ready for a mayor that will help make Portland great, and Adams is the guy to do this (I'm tired of a mayor who doesn't do anything (Potter), and miss for a Katz style mayor who helped with the eastbank, streetcar, pearl, etc...). For this reason , I personally can let the lie go, knowing there are better things coming down the road for the city as a whole.

360Rich

01-21-2009, 06:31 PM

I wonder why he adamantly denied it, if Beau was really 18 at the time. Like pdxf said, if he's 18, they're both consenting adults.

It makes me think that Beau was 17, hence to need to cover it up.

Either way, I don't think that Sam will be the mayor for much longer.

Really, really disappointing.

2oh1

01-21-2009, 06:32 PM

I voted for a mayor, and a mayor is what I got. I want him to stay. I'm very disappointed in this particular example of how he conducts himself personally, but it's none of my business. I had similar feelings about Clinton's affair. I thought he was a fantastic president, but if he were my friend and single, I wouldn't set him up with anybody!

nobody

01-21-2009, 07:08 PM

This is disappointing but what he does in the bedroom is his business, if it involves two consenting adults then I really don't see a problem. I understand why he lied but it doesn't really excuse it.

That being said I am still a huge fan of his public policy and think he'll do a great job as mayor, I hope this doesn't force him out. Huge bummer that he's being called to resign.

PacificNW

01-21-2009, 07:40 PM

If the other young man involved was 18 the sexual relationship was between 2 consenting adults. If the questions asked prior to the election were if they had a past sexual relationship, Mr. Adams should have stated it was none of our business and not lied. BUT if the questions asked were if his sexual relationship involved a minor...now that is different matter. This issue is going to be investigated by the state Attorney General. I hope Sam is telling the truth and the legalities can be resolved. I know that some people have a problem with the age difference of the parties involved (regardless if all concerned were of legal age) because of the "power of age/position vs youth". I sure don't hear the "outrage" about the "older men/younger women" events we see and read about daily. Was there a huge uproar when a married John McCain had a sexual relationship with a much younger Cindy (18 year difference), for example? Maybe there is an underlying homophobia going on here. BTW, I have met, in my long life, some pretty aggressive (knowing what they want) younger/older (and vice versa) men and women when it came to matters such as sex and career/life advancement. I don't know in what context (professional, personal, or both) Sam defined his mentoring, or if the philosophy of "mentoring" was compromised by Sam (morally or legally). I don't know the legal issues regarding mentoring. I am just guessing but, in the moral sense, sex should probably not be part of the relationship...or if it does become sexual the "mentoring" ceases and the two adults involved become more of "equals". The morality of the issue of mentoring I am not in the position to judge since I am just a mortal, not perfect, being. I am, too, disappointed, but not being a citizen of Portland, my feelings really don't matter. I do hope everyone who lives in the city can have some patience until this all plays out. I wish the best for Sam, Beau??, and the people of Portland. Sam can accomplish some amazing things for the city.

dkealoha

01-21-2009, 08:11 PM

I also want Sam to stay in office. Regardless of this whole mess, he would be an amazing Mayor. I mean, in his first few weeks in office he already has a whole plan about stimulating the economy in Portland as well as attracting new business (Vestas). Hopefully everyone can get over this scandal and move on. I think feelings are pretty mixed among voters and other politicians though.

rsbear

01-21-2009, 09:24 PM

If the other young man involved was 18 the sexual relationship was between 2 consenting adults. If the questions asked prior to the election were if they had a past sexual relationship, Mr. Adams should have stated it was none of our business and not lied. BUT if the questions asked were if his sexual relationship involved a minor...now that is different matter. This issue is going to be investigated by the state Attorney General. I hope Sam is telling the truth and the legalities can be resolved. I know that some people have a problem with the age difference of the parties involved (regardless if all concerned were of legal age) because of the "power of age vs youth". I sure don't hear the uproar about the "older man/younger woman" events we see and read about daily. Was there a huge uproar when John McCain had a sexual relationship with a much younger Cindy (18 year difference), for example? Maybe there is an underlying homophobia going on here. BTW, I have met, in my long life, some pretty aggressive (knowing what they want) young men and women (and vice versa) when it came to matters such as sex and career/life advancement. I don't know in what context (professional, personal, or both) Sam defined his mentoring, or if the philosophy of "mentoring" was compromised by Sam (morally or legally). I don't know the legal issues regarding mentoring. I am just guessing but, in the moral sense, sex should probably not be part of the relationship...or if it does become sexual the "mentoring" ceases and the two adults involved become more of "equals". The morality of the issue of mentoring I am not in the position to judge since I am just a mortal, not perfect, being. I am, too, disappointed, but not being a citizen of Portland, my feelings really don't matter. I do hope everyone who lives in the city can have some patience until this all plays out. I wish the best for Sam, Beau??, and the people of Portland. Sam can accomplish some amazing things for the city.

So wonderfully put - I agree with everything you wrote.

tworivers

01-21-2009, 09:26 PM

^^^ I agree. He should stay and weather it out. Within a few months, the media being what it is, the fuss should die down. Totally boneheaded move, though -- on the one hand, I understand the impulse to lie in the context of being a gay man running for office, knowing that your opponents, not to mention the media, will pounce on a story like this. On the other hand, you would think someone in his position would do everything possible to avoid ANY possible appearance of impropriety in the first place, which might include dating an adolescent legislative intern. I'm pretty surprised, honestly.
If the "investigation" by the AG reveals that the kid was 17 at the time of their dating, well, his career is over. What a depressing turn of events that would be.
BTW, regarding the mentoring question, Adams is claiming that that whole supposed aspect of their relationship was actually part of the lie.

tworivers

01-21-2009, 09:43 PM

http://samisstillmymayor.blogspot.com/

maccoinnich

01-22-2009, 01:52 AM

Got to feel for Beau Breedlove. I mean, really, the surname is bad enough, but for his parents to have added alliteration to it is child cruelty.

I think the Clinton comparison is the best one. Clinton lied, then admitted, ro relations with a much younger woman. Granted, Lewinsky was in her early to mid 20s, but the age difference between her and Clinton was still 27 years. Clinton was also in a very strong position of power, being, you know, President of the United States. Oh, and he was married.

I'm pretty disappointed to read about this, but surely the same principles should apply for everyone. Did the Oregonian call on Clinton to resign?

Brandon716

01-22-2009, 02:01 AM

I left Portland just as Sam Adams was elected and taking power. Unfortunate to hear he is now being asked to resign from the major newspapers.

Personally I think the world needs to lighten up, realize that even public figures have sex lives, and that if it was consensual, just let it go. Period. Newspapers should stop asking for resignations unless its a serious issue.

PacificNW

01-22-2009, 02:10 AM

↑ Good points......

pdxf

01-22-2009, 03:59 AM

Personally I think the world needs to lighten up, realize that even public figures have sex lives, and that if it was consensual, just let it go.

Unfortunately this isn't really a sex issue or gay issue. The issue is that he lied about it, vehemently denying the accusation. You could rephrase this to say that public figures lie, and we should just let it go, but that wouldn't work quite as well!

I'm just stating what the issue really is (that he lied)...again, I'm hoping Sam can stick around and I personally can let the lie go (perhaps it says more about our society that he felt he had to lie about having a relationship with a consenting 18 year old male).

urbanlife

01-22-2009, 06:24 AM

I get a kick out of the whole, I have no problem with it except that he lied about it, my question would be who is willing to talk to everyone about every aspect of their sexual life. When he was asked about it and lied, maybe it was something he didnt feel like talking about as well as felt that it was a non issue in the first place and didnt need it to be used as a political weapon against him.

So I ask everyone here who is upset that he lied, tell us everyone you have slept with...or better yet, go to your work and tell everyone there who you slept with throughout your entire history and see how many details you choose to leave out.

65MAX

01-22-2009, 07:12 AM

First off, Sam should absolutely NOT resign. What Clinton did was far worse than anything Sam did in two ways. And Clinton stayed in office.

One.... Clinton was answering questions under oath and therefore perjured himself. Sam's answers were only given to some nosy voters and reporters who were just looking to dig up dirt for a juicy story that homophobes would have eaten up. Not to mention the whole issue was instigated by one of Sam's enemies and (at the time) potential mayoral candidate Bob Ball, another gay man in his forties who dates men half his age. Should Sam have told reporters to go F themselves, it's none of their god damned business? Probably. Instead he lied to get them off his back. I think a lot of smart people would have done the same thing.

Two.... Clinton was, and is, married. Sam is a single man and he was sleeping with another single man. What's the big deal?

This will blow over. Give it a couple of weeks and the press will be onto the next fabricated scandal.

philopdx

01-22-2009, 07:29 AM

I think Sam should stay as well. I mean, who was the alternative - Sho Dozono? The guy who can't even manage his own restaurant? Please. I was proud of my vote last week and I'm still proud of my vote today. Sure, when he lied about about the relationship, he had his own best-interest at heart. Don't we all? :shrug:

Sam seems to achieve a good middle-ground between promoting transit and sustainability as well as driving business growth in the city. I hope he fights and stays.

Looking back, wanting to escape from the puritanical fixation on other people's genitalia is one of the myriad reasons why I left the deep south.

Trust me, even in the heart of guns-and-jesus Dixie, community leaders occasionally get caught in compromising positions, so to speak:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/1008072scuba1.html

The last two bullet points on page 4 say it all.

Cheers.

RED_PDXer

01-22-2009, 08:09 AM

I'm with Sam 100% on this. I have no doubt that the same people calling for his resignation have made serious errors in their life and I suspect the vast majority of them are the same ones that voted against Sam in the first place. Haven't we come to understand that politicians shouldn't be venerated so highly? They are public servants and real people - not saints. This has nothing to do with the job he voted into office for. It's an absolute shame that he had to leave DC because of this "story" and not be able to testify in front of Congress on transportation issues. I will never pick up an Oregonian, Tribune or Willamette Week again. I had essentially nixed them all years ago, but I would occasionally pick one up if it was sitting in front of me and I was bored. Now I'll probably crumple up the paper if I see it (and recycle it).

tworivers

01-22-2009, 10:30 AM

I will never pick up an Oregonian, Tribune or Willamette Week again. I had essentially nixed them all years ago, but I would occasionally pick one up if it was sitting in front of me and I was bored. Now I'll probably crumple up the paper if I see it (and recycle it).

I have had much the same feeling. "Public interest", my ass.

zilfondel

01-22-2009, 11:48 AM

Adams had also said that he and a friend drove down to Salem for Breedlove’s 18th birthday party on June 25, 2005.

Adams, now 45, also acknowledged then that his encounters with Breedlove distressed his staff, because they looked inappropriate.

“We made it clear that Sam should be careful,” Adams’ chief of staff, Tom Miller, told WW in 2007.

so it appears that Sam... got horny. You know, if I was 40, single, and I met a hot 18 year old... well I think my point is that sex is pretty normal, but I don't exactly want to know the detailed sex lives of public figures. Or my friends. Or my parents/family/relatives.

I'm giving Sam a pass on this one, but I would say he didn't handle it in the best of ways. Course, he plays hardball, so I expect it of him.

“People got this story wrong,” says Mark Merkle, 39, Breedlove’s boyfriend for two years ending in August 2008. “Beau lied. And Sam, not Ball, was the bad guy.”

It also appears the Mr. Breedlove has a thing for older men. With names as bad as his... ;)

zilfondel

01-22-2009, 12:00 PM

One other thing - the Willamette Week article (http://wweek.com/editorial/3511/12113/) is alleging that Adams hired Amy Ruiz because she didn't say anything when investigating the relationship deal. This... would be a bit of a problem, in my mind. Why hire someone with NO experience in such an important department (Portland-wise)? There are many experts in this field. She isn't:

Ruiz, 28, acknowledged in a Jan. 15 interview that she has no experience in sustainability, planning or government.

“This town has a million and a half urban planners, and I’m not one of them,” she says.

Ruiz’s new salary—$55,000—is substantially more than she made at The Mercury.

Mayors and city commissioners frequently hire people whose enthusiasm exceeds their experience. But it was what Ruiz had done as a reporter—or more specifically, what she had not done—that brought into question Adams’ decision to hire her.

In 2007, Ruiz was one of two Mercury reporters who covered the Breedlove story. The other was Scott Moore.

Besides the scandal, tts almost like Adams doesn't like urban planners. He replaced one of the most well respected urban planners for a two-bit reporter? Thats a bit fishy, if one would to ask me.

Brandon716

01-22-2009, 03:36 PM

He lied about personal sex, not an issue of importance. I believe we should give a pass to people lying about acts of consensual sex.

That simple. Period.

alexjon

01-22-2009, 04:46 PM

I think he should fire Amy and get it over with. She's a nice gal, but it's painfully clear that he wanted not just a gag, but a better in with the alt press that has long dismissed him as an insider.

People need to realize right here and now that the Willy Week has an axe to grind over the Amy Ruiz thing and wants a sequel to "writer wins pulitzer", the Tribune is owned by a jealous-that-Sho-lost man who created Bibleman(!!) and the Big Zero is a right wing paper wearing a mask.

If Breedlove was 18, Adams should stay.

2oh1

01-22-2009, 06:48 PM

"Public interest", my ass.

Not exactly the best way to phrase it, given the situation. I'm just sayin'...
:haha:

2oh1

01-22-2009, 06:55 PM

If Breedlove was 18, Adams should stay.

...or whatever the legal age for consent is here in Oregon. Being that I wouldn't even flirt with a woman who isn't even old enough to drink, I have no idea what that age is. Is it 18 here? I think it's 17 in some states and even younger in a few others.

I'm so extremely disappointed in Sam as a person... but it's what he can do for the city that earned him my vote, so I really hope this just blows over... wait... that's not the best way to phrase it either. How about: I really hope he gets to stay in office and be an effective mayor.

pdxf

01-22-2009, 07:23 PM

I think the main threat right now is Adams giving in and resigning. I've heard that there actually can't be a repeal (if thats the right word) within 6 months of a an incoming mayor (KGW), so hopefully that is enough time for this to blow over.

The more and more I think and learn more about it, the more frustrating it is. He lied about something that shouldn't have even been brought up (his personal sex life with another consenting adult). It's unfortunate that during the election he couldn't just reply that it's none of the public's business, but I guess that would probably have hurt his campaign as well.

pdxtraveler

01-22-2009, 07:26 PM

It is such a relief to see some supportive posts for him. All I have seen elsewhere is a lynch mob. I was waiting for see people try to burn him at the stake. Even the gay paper Just Out asked him to resign. But seriously we have all made mistakes. He shouldn't have lied, agree. He apologized. Let's move on and let him be the great mayor I have every hope he will be!

65MAX

01-22-2009, 07:45 PM

That "gay" publication is just one person; Marty Davis. She is the owner and editor of that paper and believe me, she does NOT represent the gay community AT ALL. She is a repressed, man-hating lesbian who never liked Sam in the first place. In fact, she has a visceral hate of anyone who is sexually active. She no more represents the gay community than Bush represented the American middle class.

tworivers

01-22-2009, 07:52 PM

Rally planned to support embattled Portland Mayor Sam Adams
by Noelle Crombie, The Oregonian
Thursday January 22, 2009, 9:15 AM

Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini's frontman, this morning is trying to organize a rally to support Mayor Sam Adams and encourage Portland to "calm down" in the wake of a sex scandal threatening to engulf Adams' administration.

"It's been a feeding frenzy," said Lauderdale who lives in Portland. "It's all happened so fast and for some reason, Portlanders feel really hungry for blood."

City Hall appeared calm and normal this morning, with receptionists and staffers staying busy.

By 9 a.m., Commissioner Amanda Fritz was the only member of the City Council in her office. She declined to comment on the mayor's situation.

In Commissioner Randy Leonard's office, staff assistant Lisa Leddy said it had been a rough couple of days. "I'm almost afraid to answer the phone," she said. "We're getting hammered."

Reached by phone, Leonard was somber.

"The investigation is really his only hope," Leonard said. He's broken a lot of trust. But if this investigation ends up confirming what he's already stated, if it's the lie we know about and nothing else, that's his only hope."

Wade Nkrumah, Adams' spokesman, said the mayor had been scheduled to be Washington, D.C., through today, so he has no activities on his calendar. Nkrumah has not spoken to Adams, but does not expect the mayor to come to City Hall, or to appear at the council meeting this afternoon.

"He is still reaching out to stakeholders, reaching out to people he feels he needs to reach out to," Nkrumah said.

Meanwhile, a couple new sites have cropped up supporting Adams, including this Facebook group, "Support Sam Adams," which has about 300 members this morning. A pro-Adams site - "Samisstillmymayor" - is up and running, and there's also a site dedicated to recalling Adams.

Lauderdale said he has not pinned down a time for the rally, which is to be held on the steps of City Hall.

This morning, he plans to talk with Adams or members or his staff before moving ahead with plans for the event.

He said director Gus Van Sant, who like Lauderdale is openly gay and lives in Portland, said he, too, would attend a rally in support of Adams.

Lauderdale said calls for Adams to resign -- The Oregonian, The Portland Tribune and Just Out, a leading gay publication -- are rushed to judgment.

"When it comes to sex, this country is just so crazy," Lauderdale said. "Ultimately, I think that what needs to happen is the city needs to calm down. The city needs to calm down and we need to concentrate on the heavy agenda, which is before us as a city. These sex scandals are a huge, colossal waste of time and resources."

Lauderdale, an openly gay man and friend of Adams,' said he has not spoken with the mayor since the scandal broke but he has sent him text messages supporting him. He said he brought cupcakes to Adams' staff Wednesday night to cheer them up.

He said he's spoken with a lot of people who have supported the mayor. He's hoping Portlanders will come to the rally to encourage "the city to move on and move ahead and not behave rashly and irrationally."

"The thing is: people lie about sex. I mean it's the one thing that people lie about. He is not going to make this kind of mistake ever again in his life."

"I don't see this as a character problem. It was a huge lesson that unfortunately he had to learn in a very public way."

Adams has admitted that he had a sexual relationship with Beau Breedlove an 18-year-old Oregon legislative intern in the summer of 2005, that he repeatedly lied about the relationship and asked the young man to lie to help him get elected mayor.

At the request of local authorities, the state attorney general's office will investigate the case for possible wrongdoing.

Commissioner Leonard said he wouldn't participate in the rally planned for today to support Adams, saying it would be "inappropriate for council members right now to participate in that kind of thing."

He also says he refused a request from Sam's staff to let him sign onto the letter to Oregon Attorney General John Kroger.

"I had these two young men from his office looking at me like I'm a traitor," Leonard said. "But we can't do that. It can't look like a compromise. We all talk about being collegial, but this goes beyond that. We are not going to huddle together and protect Sam if he's done something wrong."

-- Anna Griffin and James Mayer contributed to this report.

-- Noelle Crombie; noellecrombie@news.oregonian.com

And a heartwarming example of one of the comments under the story:

Posted by SAGERAT on 01/22/09 at 10:14AM

Sam Adams may in fact represent the young Portland "metrosexuals". But the REAL Portland includes all the suburbs, the married couples with children who work in and around the Portland area and thus are affected by its policies, decisions and taxes. He most certainly does NOT represent these people. Get yourself a real mayor with a normal lifestyle and get this loser out of office.

I hope that, ultimately, there are a lot more of us than them.

maccoinnich

01-22-2009, 08:02 PM

In Commissioner Randy Leonard's office, staff assistant Lisa Leddy said it had been a rough couple of days. "I'm almost afraid to answer the phone," she said. "We're getting hammered."

Reached by phone, Leonard was somber.

Is 'getting hammered' used to mean 'getting drunk' in the States? Cause that's how I read it; then misread the last word of the next line as 'sober'. Which made the whole story a lot more interesting.

PacificNW

01-22-2009, 08:26 PM

I hope this rally will be huge. I hope Mayor Adams can hold on and see, first hand, that he still has a large base of support.

urbanlife

01-22-2009, 09:04 PM

Now I'll probably crumple up the paper if I see it (and recycle it).

how very Portland of you. :haha:

alexjon

01-22-2009, 10:07 PM

Blogtown has a poll up, go vote!

PacificNW

01-22-2009, 11:08 PM

Brian Libby has an excellent piece in his column today:

http://portlandarchitecture.com/

pdxman

01-22-2009, 11:28 PM

I read on the "Support Sam Adams" page on Facebook that there will be a major rally tomorrow at 530 in front of city hall. Spread the word!

alexjon

01-23-2009, 12:29 AM

If Breedlove was 18, it should be dropped. Erica Barnett and Matt Davis at the Stranger/Mercury should be sacked as well given their conflict and accusations for the sake of creating a story.

If Breedlove was 17, then obviously I stand corrected, but until we have proof, I'm not going to be "that guy" who screams "Pedo" whenever Adams walks by, especially given the fact that he's run the city for longer than he's been mayor.

nobody

01-23-2009, 12:55 AM

Strongly considering going to the rally. Though I imagine it will just be a bit of shouting and standing around in the cold.

PacificNW

01-23-2009, 01:20 AM

↑ If only a few supporters show up because of the shouting, standing and the cold how will the media report the event? No doubt the headlines will be: "Few people gather to show support for Mayor Adams." Please, if you support this man show up and be prepared to confront the screams of the unforgiving and intolerant. I think his opponents are using his problems as political opportunities to advance their agenda...

pdxf

01-23-2009, 04:07 AM

I'll be there. The facebook group now has 108 confirmed people for the rally....we need more!

zilfondel

01-23-2009, 04:35 AM

I think I might go to the rally. I mean, its not like I have anything else to do then.

And I did have the opportunity to meet Sam in person last year.

PacificNW

01-23-2009, 05:28 AM

BTW, I just read the following on the WW web site: "According to Oregon law, if an adult male has sex with a minor older than 16, the act is considered contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor."

If Sam and Beau did have sex prior to Beau turning 18 the charge against Sam would not be a felony, but, with the present political climate, I think his political career will be finished if the timing of these events prove to be true. I certainly hope they aren't.

nobody

01-23-2009, 05:52 AM

I intend on going, just curious to see how it plays out is all.

alexjon

01-23-2009, 06:32 AM

See, even the fact that he wouldn't be shackled to the floor hasn't dragged anything salacious out. No, it's a Class A Misdemeanor, so it's not going to get him blacklisted which is why it's incredibly telling that the fact hasn't gotten him to run off and make a bargain (which with a Class A Misdemeanor, would mean no jail time and a larger fine, I believe).

Portland is a lot more liberal than people care to admit, everyone is just afraid he'll be thrown in jail for 10 years and get a little sign in front of house so they're apprehensive. Nope.

And do they really want another Potter? The f*cker spent his first 6 months in a power grab and made one last grab toward the end because he saw that Adams has long called the shots-- Adams has been taking care of the city for years and people know this. They just don't want to see him shuffling off to jail. That's the fear.

65MAX

01-23-2009, 08:22 AM

Hell yeah I'm going. I don't care if it's 5 or 5000 people there. I know Sam personally and he's a good man.... he doesn't deserve this sh*t. I guarantee the protesters are either....

A) People who never liked Sam to begin with,

B) People who don't even live in the city of Portland,

C) Homophobes who are too chickensh*t to admit it out loud, but finally have an excuse to publicly hate Sam, or

D) All of the above

RED_PDXer

01-23-2009, 08:33 AM

I've got a party to host tomorrow night, but I'll try and stop by the event early on as well.. My heart goes out to Sam for dealing with this petty sh*t and dramatization..

pdxtraveler

01-23-2009, 04:33 PM

I am definitely going to be there. I heard Dan Savage is coming down from Seattle for it. Also there is talk of Thomas Lauderdale (Pink Martini), Storm Large, and Gus Van Sant.

pdxf

01-23-2009, 05:14 PM

I've got a party to host tomorrow night...

Just move the party location to city hall!

dkealoha

01-23-2009, 05:26 PM

I might go too. We should just have an SSP meet up there lol.

alexjon

01-23-2009, 07:15 PM

I get into town tomorrow morning, so no rally for me :(

urbanlife

01-23-2009, 07:29 PM

I was planning on stopping by, I wanna give my support to someone who didnt do much wrong other than lie to a paper...and a mediocre paper at best.

Eagle rock

01-23-2009, 08:22 PM

I do not think Adams should resign simply because I think he could be an incredible mayor. However I think what he did was monumentally stupid and showed incredibly poor judgment. The thing that gets me however is not his poor choice of sexual companion, but the fact that he hired a reporter with no background or expertise in urban planning for a job that required someone with a master’s degree in planning or a related field.

Portland is not Phoenix, this is a city that is defined by its planning and also probably has more planners and planning experts then any place per capita in the US. The fact that he would hire a reporter for a job that she is not qualified for just to put a gag on her following up on the Breedlove story reeks of corruption. It also hints at the fact that there might be something more to this story that he was desperately trying to cover up.

The other thing I think people have to remember is that if he stays in office will he have the political capital to lead or will no one want to be associated with this guy?

Most of all, I am really disappointed in Adams.

River Rat

01-23-2009, 11:57 PM

Not that this will change your minds on whether you support the Mayor or not but I ran into this on the WW website. Supposedly it is an email that the President of the Portland Police Association sent to the Mayor yesterday. Interesting take. The Mayor has been accussed of violating severeral rules in the City's Code of Ethics. What might the punishment be?

RR

Subject: Apology
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:09:00 -0800

From: Scott Westerman

Organization: Portland Police Association

To: Adams, Sam

CC: tomm@ci.portland.or.us

Sam,

I am writing to you to apologize for immediately calling for your resignation without first attempting to have a conversation with you. The PPA's approach was a reaction to the press conference. I actually expected you to take that opportunity to step down for the benefit of Portland. When that didn't occur, we became vocal in our position. Having said that, I want to reiterate that this apology is only for not attempting to contact you first and in no way diminishes our opinion that you need to resign immediately for the benefit of Portland.

The PPA's position is based on a number of factors that I think you need to seriously consider in making your decision. As a sitting commissioner, mayoral candidate, and sitting mayor, you violated several rules in the City's code of ethics which were adopted while you were Mayor Katz's chief of staff. Specifically, from the City's web page:

1.03.020 (1) The City's powers and resources are to be used for the benefit of the public rather than any official's personal benefit. To function effectively, the City needs the public's respect and confidence that its power will be used on behalf of the community as a whole. In this context, improper acts are doubly wrong: a selfish decision is not only wrong in itself, but also wrong because it violates the public's trust in government.

By likely utilizing either city funds, or campaign funds, you have acknowledged that you employed Mark Weiner to assist you in the cover up of your relationship and your continuous lies to the citizens and employees of Portland.

1.03.020 (2) Ensure public respect by avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. Public service requires a continual effort to overcome cynical attitudes and suspicions about the people in government. For example, conduct which could appear dishonest to a reasonable observer will undermine the public trust even if the conduct is not illegal.

In this case, by trying to cover up your involvement, you acknowledge the impropriety (and appearance of it). In addition, your lies to the citizens and employees of Portland were dishonest, and have undermined the public trust even if the conduct is deemed not to have been illegal.

1.03.040 (3) Campaigns for election allow the voters to make an informed choice on appropriate criteria. Elections offer the ultimate accountability for City officials. Therefore, candidates should strive for respectful and accurate discourse on important issues. To protect freedom of speech and of the press, Oregon law does not prohibit ethically questionable actions such as untrue statements, unkept promises, or deliberate deception. Nevertheless, such actions are unethical. It is also not ethical to focus a campaign on trivial matters or on the kind of negative exchanges that make voters conclude, "A plague on both your houses.

You readily acknowledge that you covered up your inappropriate relationship to fool the voters so they would not consider the issue of an alleged inappropriate relationship in casting their vote. Moreover, you didn't have the faith in Portlanders to trust you, and deliberately deceived the voters in order to win the election.

1.03.050 (D) Officials avoid discreditable personal conduct and are personally honest.

Not only were you personally dishonest, you were professionally dishonest as well when you sent out an official letter to the citizens and employees of Portland denying any inappropriate relationship, yet acknowledged during your press conference that it was in fact inappropriate.

As the mayor of Portland, you are responsible for all serious discipline. Even if you delegate that responsibility to someone else, it is still you that sets the example. There is no way for you to get around the glaring double standard you present when you discipline any employee that has accepted their responsibility, and seeks forgiveness rather than discipline. This is not a precedent anyone wants. Yet, if you stay, that is exactly the precedent you will be setting.

Finally, in imposing discipline on then Chief Derrick Foxworth, you are quoted as saying something to the effect of, "When the situation deteriorates to being the subject of jokes, it's time to step down." While I won't repeat the ever growing number of jokes out there that make a mockery of you personally and your mayoral position, I will ask that you follow your own advice in this matter. It has deteriorated to being the subject of jokes.

On a personal note, and something I have mentioned in every press conference I have given, I was looking forward to working with you. When you named Commissioner Saltzman the commissioner in charge of the Police Bureau, I thought that was a bold move and one that gave me inspiration and respect for your leadership. If this was a matter of ability, I do in fact believe you had the potential to be a good mayor. However, I don't believe you are being realistic in your ability to restore the public trust. Your actions in 2007 and your adamant denials to the other commissioners, the public, and every city employee combined with your continuing lies all the way through the end of last week have shattered any ability to garner trust.

With protests mounting on both sides of this issue, I think you can see that there is a division being created here that is not in the best interest of Portland. Please, for the benefit of Portland, consider resigning immediately. Don't drag this issue on for months.

--

Scott Westerman

President

NewUrbanist

01-24-2009, 12:18 AM

Sigh - I am already ill at the thought of Sam resigning. I checked out his website, and he had some ambitious goals for his first 100 days.

http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=49369

I don't need a saint in office, I need a bulldog. Get back to work Sam. Portland needs you more than you know.

If anyone in this forum believes that we need a mayor now, and not a mayor in 6 months time, then join me and countless others in support of Sam at city hall at 5:30 pm. We have way too much riding on the next few months, and I am not ready to swear in Randy Leonard as our interim mayor, nor am I willing to let naysayers help put some conservative bottom feeder in office.

PacificNW

01-24-2009, 01:01 AM

Let try to understand this: Lies were told to get us into a war; thousands of people have lost their lives or been injured because of a unjust war; the possibility of war crime charges against members of the former U.S. administration; a deepening recession bordering on a depression; no health care for many; bank officials misspending federal bailout money; a crumbling national infrastructure; NSA spying on U.S. citizens. The outrage seems to be focused on elected officials (at all levels of government) when it comes to their sexual appetites. Many are slapped on their hands but not forced to leave their office. Former U.S. Presidents and their sexual exploits with interns and/or Hollywood stars also come to mind; (Conservative "family values" congressmen being forgiven, or a pass, by their spouses and electorate for frequenting the services of prostitutes SIMPLY because they are professed Christians, or believers); etc., etc., etc, etc, on and on. This issue, as sad as it is, ranks as a top concern for the citizens of Portland? Can't we get real? I think the focus of our outrage is misdirected. Why do we, at times, hold our elected officials to different level of standards than those of our family and friends? Why are we so concerned about the private sex lies of anyone other than our own? Seriously, how should we express our outrage? Should we ignore the national situations and mainly focus our unhappiness with our local officials regardless of the seriousness of their mistakes or dishonesty when it only involves their private lives? Should our media be held to a standard of decency? Just what is our, the citizens, rights to know what goes on in a persons bedroom? How about directing a little of that concern towards our neighbors who are striving to survive in todays realities? The agenda that Sam has laid out for the future betterment of Portland, I feel, far out weighs, a "small, stupid action" on his part. I didn't realize there were so many non-sinners, and those who have never lied, living in Portland. I guess I should be impressed. It appears that it is pretty easy to cast stones when you are a perfect being and the person being stoned is down for the moment. I doubt I, or anyone else, as ever met a person who hasn't lied about something....especially if it pertains to sexual matters. As a non believer, and defined by many a sinner and a confessed liar, I am insulted, and angered, by the rhetoric of the self righteous who continually try to dictate how we are to lead/live our lives. I hope Sam, and his supporters, fight this with every ounce of strength and legal means they have available. As it has been stated by some this issue(s) probably has been a huge learning lesson for Sam which could actually help him be a better mayor, but if he steps down I couldn't blame him. I wonder if I am the only one who is disappointed by this distraction when I wanted to focus on the inauguration of our new President? This local coverage (not the alleged incident) has actually made me sick to my stomach....I admit it...I am a Drama Queen. :cheers:

MarkDaMan

01-24-2009, 03:43 AM

why is Scott Westerman of the PPA being so vocal and adamant?

Crime stats show we have an uncomfortable and increasingly out of control gang problem on our hands. The chief wants to reduce the five police precincts to three. Budget cuts will reduce policing services, petty crime generally goes up, there has been no plan developed since the last downturn to stop the jails from re-installing the revolving doors, community services are going to get cut so treatment, and hope, no longer will be able to pinpoint and break the pattern offenders...

just to mention a few issues that affect ALL Portlanders EVERY day

We know his/their opinion, now give this same vigor and dedication to help find solutions to the real issues the police union should be concerned with.

Let Sam make his decision, and then let Portlanders protest, be upset, support, cry about, or clap about whatever that decision is.

Personally, I can't believe we are even discussing this. It seems to be suburban sensationalism. I live, work, shop, and commune in Portland. I haven't meet many Portlanders that even care.

I also am disappointed in the bOregonian, as well as other media outlets. Calling for the guy to step down when they are literally dedicating PAGES of print on the story seems biased and unfair to Sam and Portlanders trying to figure out the true story, and whether this evening matters. It is also a knee-jerk reaction. Of course they are the people that endorsed Bush...

alexjon

01-24-2009, 03:44 AM

The letter from the PPA is speculative at best and further makes me believe he should stay on. It makes forced assumptions and implies something that requires a legal judgment or full admission.

It also assumes that the inappropriate relationship Adams denied was the sex he admitted to, ignoring, again, that the actual rumor was sex with a 17 year old.

If Breedlove was 18, Adams should stick around until he gets a full investigation.

tworivers

01-24-2009, 04:45 AM

I got so worked up reading the piss-poor excuse for an article (http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123258051828980400) that the Clackamas Tribune has posted right now that I sent this letter to Jim Redden, the author. Call me crazy, but rolling that huge rally into barely a paragraph in an already-existing article is ridiculous. You would think that it would be plastered all over every media outlet in town...

Hi Jim,

Don't you think that the size of the pro-Adams rally tonight demands an article in and of itself? Particularly when compared to the small size of the rallies demanding his resignation?

Also, describing the crowd as "mostly young" is an overstatement that seems designed to de-legitimize the effort in the eyes of your readership. I personally witnessed a multi-generational crowd out there tonight. Unless, that is, you consider people in their 40's, 50's, and 60's to be "young". Though your journalistic credibility is already in question due to the pathetic nature of the paper you work for (and believe me, it is difficult to look pathetic next to the Oregonian), I beg you to choose your words more accurately.

Lastly, there are a few embarrassing typos in the article that you may want to fix.

Thank you for your time,

Andrew

nobody

01-24-2009, 04:53 AM

There were certainly a good mix of people there tonight, old, young, gay, straight, male, female, hipster, well-off, it doesn't matter. It was a short rally but I was glad to be there and it's nauseating to see it dismissed so readily. Also it was damn cold.

Joeplayer19

01-24-2009, 06:20 AM

http://www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=324913&shu=1

The only use I have ever found for the Trib. is cleaning glass.

zilfondel

01-24-2009, 10:44 AM

I just read that Washington state law's age of consent is 16.

Wow!

tworivers

01-24-2009, 10:51 AM

Wow!

Are you going to move up there now?!

zilfondel

01-24-2009, 11:11 AM

^^^ what the

I was noting the difference between Oregon and Washington law, in the context that many people who are anti-Sam are accusing him of raping a child and are calling him a pedophile. Jump to the 'Couv, Seattle, and points north, and adults are legally allowed to have sex with high schoolers. (eww)

Of course, it appears from the information released by the news media and individuals involved in the whole debacle that Breedlove was 18, and I am going to take it at their word.

maccoinnich

01-24-2009, 01:37 PM

16 is pretty common actually - it's the age of the consent in much of the US, Canada (though its 18 for anal sex there), the UK, Russia, most of Australia, South Africa, India, Belgium, Norway. Much of Europe has an age of consent of 14/15, while Spain's is 13 [!]

Oregon's is at the higher end of the scale.

RED_PDXer

01-24-2009, 02:05 PM

The rally was indeed short, but it was great to see people stick around and rally throughout the evening in support of Sam and that there was a multi-generational and otherwise diverse set of people there in support. It was particularly telling to notice that the couple people counter-protesting were reading from a Bible, as if to suggest that would sway either Sam or people who actually live in the City of Portland in their favor. Portland is already Sodom and Gomorah in their narrow eyes.. isn't it appropriate we have a "Sodomite" as our Mayor?

tworivers

01-24-2009, 07:59 PM

^^^ what the

I was totally kidding around, sorry. It was 3am.

That rally made me extremely happy. I assume that will be a big shot in the arm for Adams sticking with it as mayor. I think we may live in the coolest city in the world.

Reading the comments on this thread has also been refreshing.

dkealoha

01-24-2009, 08:22 PM

I had to stop reading some of the comments on the KGW story because I was getting pissed. I ALMOST wrote something nasty back but managed to talk myself out of it.

I really hope that Sam sees the support he got last night and I hope that helps him to decide to stay in office. The facebook group in support of Sam now has almost 2,900 members. That's 1,000 more than yesterday. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46090272767

Joeplayer19

01-24-2009, 08:38 PM

when is the next rally i really want to go

dkealoha

01-24-2009, 08:48 PM

Love this sign from the rally last night...

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/keal2312/n1562403786_30153408_4311.jpg

65MAX

01-24-2009, 09:17 PM

The facebook group in support of Sam now has almost 2,900 members. That's 1,000 more than yesterday. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46090272767

Thanks for posting the link dkealoha. Just signed up.... my first time on Facebook. I guess I'm no longer a Facebook virgin, glad to lose my virginity for Sam.

tworivers

01-24-2009, 09:20 PM

Welcome to Portland. This is the picture that the NYT chose to represent us for their Adams story (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/us/24portland.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss) today. The WW must be gloating right now, seeing their Pulitzer mentioned in the newspaper of record like that. Their behavior of the last week has merely been embarrassing.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/24/us/24portland_span.jpg

zilfondel

01-24-2009, 09:57 PM

I was totally kidding around, sorry. It was 3am.

don't worry, I knew you were kidding ;)

I had to stop reading some of the comments on the KGW story because I was getting pissed. I ALMOST wrote something nasty back but managed to talk myself out of it.

I really hope that Sam sees the support he got last night and I hope that helps him to decide to stay in office. The facebook group in support of Sam now has almost 2,900 members. That's 1,000 more than yesterday. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46090272767

I admit to writing a few nasty comments here and there... damn skurvy knaves! :whip: :whip: :whip:

[http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/24/us/24portland_span.jpg

Oh my god its time to move out of Portland now! Is that our cities' image?!?!?!?!!

65MAX

01-24-2009, 10:18 PM

:previous:

I guarantee you, those are not Portlanders. They look like they're right-wing, fundamentalist, homophobic, holier-than-thou a-holes who were bussed in from some mega-church in the 'burbs. Of course, these hypocrites had no problem with the "Lies, Corruption and Abuse of Power" of the Bush administration. Fortunately, people like this are an ever-shrinking minority.

bvpcvm

01-24-2009, 11:32 PM

bvpcvm

01-25-2009, 09:37 PM

the web sites of both katu and kgw are reporting that adams has decided to stay.

65MAX

01-26-2009, 01:20 AM

Yeah, I knew he wouldn't resign. Not his style. He's a master of spinning things to his political advantage. I'm sure this whole "deliberation" process was his way of showing remorse for what he did and that he has learned his lesson..... but now it's time to move on with real business and stop the Victorian-era witch hunts.

Now we just have to wait till July for the angry and repressed few to file their petition for a repeal (you know it's coming).

philopdx

01-26-2009, 02:12 AM

Glad he's going to stick around and fight. We need to worry about things like replacing those 1,000 jobs we just lost on the west side rather than worry about what someone did with their genitalia. Just my 2c.

alexjon

01-26-2009, 04:36 PM

Breedlove says that he and Adams kissed, then later clarified on Blogtown that it was one of those face-mashing man-kisses. I think that settles the idea of inappropriate conduct, anything more is just hassling and pushing it.

zilfondel

01-27-2009, 06:53 AM

Saw this post on the stranger. Thought it was awesome:

@8: "Fucking offensive stereotype"? He had sex with an adult. End of story. You may wish to question his wisdom in doing so, and/or Breedlove's wisdom in doing so, but by both their accounts they both wanted it. Nobody was raped; nobody was used. If someone had cried "rape!" or "manipulation!" there would be a story here. As it was, an adult lied to cover up an aspect of his private life that was nobody's fucking business. I don't have a problem with that. In a world where politicians' lies can get people killed and they get to keep their jobs, Sam Adams is a fucking saint.

Posted by breklor on January 26, 2009 at 12:10 PM

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/01/26/re_lying_about_sex_is_never_o

urbanlife

01-27-2009, 10:07 AM

with the short attention span Americans have, I dont see this holding enough steam to last till July so that it then can start gaining signatures to get a vote for impeachment. I am guessing alot will happen in the next 6 months and we will all get very sidetracked.

Of course now might be the time to say "if you want to make me happy, how about a stronger push for more streetcar lines?" What? I am just thinking about the possibilities.

smendesPDX

01-27-2009, 06:18 PM

Why is this topic on this forum??? Can't everyone discuss this on Oregonlive?

pdxtraveler

01-27-2009, 06:20 PM

Why is this topic on this forum??? Can't everyone discuss this on Oregonlive?

Yeah, if I want to be called names and join in a totally closed minded rant fest.

dkealoha

01-27-2009, 06:42 PM

Why is this topic on this forum??? Can't everyone discuss this on Oregonlive?

This forum section is called "Business, the Economy and POLITICS" isn't it?

alexjon

01-27-2009, 06:46 PM

So, no decision on lanes for the CRC? WTF.

PacificNW

01-27-2009, 07:02 PM

"Yeah, if I want to be called names and join in a totally closed minded rant fest."

Just because you "may" have differing views doesn't mean those opposing yours are "close minded and are participating in a "rant fest". I, for one, look forward to the debate of differing opinions. This section of the forum allows this kind of discussion. You have the choice not to read the posts or to contribute.

ethirtysex

01-27-2009, 07:13 PM

dkealoha

01-27-2009, 07:16 PM

The Oregon Live comments really are just a rant fest. Every single comment is "Resign now, Sam. Just get it done." or some close variant. It's nice to see posts that say something else on the topic for a change.

I agree. Just go check it out. A lot of the comments are just plain ignorant and after reading 1200+ posts like that it's not even worth posting anything in reply.

dkealoha

01-27-2009, 07:22 PM

Here is a snippet from the Oregon Live blogs and the reason why some of us chose to stay out of it:

This guy wants to boycott Portland businesses because of Sam. Does that make sense?
sameric on 01/26/09 at 11:08AM
Now it should be plain to all where Sam's priority lies - with Sam. The hell with truth, trust, integrity and all those other inconvenient things that support good government. It's all about Sam.

Unless the other commissioners give him the same treatment that they gave Potter, he'll stay on and on with the confidence that the public memory is relatively short. And his ego is bigger than any sustainable collective outrage needed to drive a recall.

But let's proceed with the recall and, in the meantime, maybe it's time to send a message to the business community which, out of fear, is either supporting Sam or keeping quiet. It's time for for a BOYCOTT of Portland businesses. Maybe then the other commissioners will get the message that Sam is poison for the community.

If even for one day a week: Boycott Portland businesses!

And another saying we are all whack jobs and he is also "boycotting Portland"
wch on 01/26/09 at 11:11AM
I am done with Portland until the whack-job supporters decide to hold this guy accountable for his actions. If you don't hold him accountable, I boycott your crap city. That is all.

Sam a sociopath?
Sophlady on 01/26/09 at 12:51PM
I don't know the state of Sam Adam's soul, but his behavior does paint a picture of a narcissist, possibly a sociopath.