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Oregon Opened But Not Free Yet | The Politics of Not Normal. Oregon's restaurants, hotels, and politics.
Oregon Opened But Not Free Yet | The Politics of Not Normal

Oregon Opened But Not Free Yet | The Politics of Not Normal

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Show Summary: Politics, not “science” drove Oregon’s shut down. And its reopening. As restaurants and lodging businesses struggle back in Oregon, there is a twisted road ahead through a minefield of politics. Worse, business’s usual ally, Republicans, aren’t up for the fight.

Yet.

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Six Different Times, on Eight Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

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Mondays
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Original Air Dates: July 10, 2021 | Jason Brandt & Mike Nearman

We just finished celebrating Independence Day. But we’re not free from tyranny in Oregon. Not as long as there are big-government types who want to—and believe it is their right to—control every facet of your life. And businesses. All must be in line with the great gods of government.

While it’s nice of the Dear Leader to give us our God-given rights back, there’s the aftermath of all that destruction. And there is no light switch to just switch things back on again.

Oregon Restaurants and Lodging

That’s perhaps nowhere more true than in Oregon’s hospitality industry. Apart from churches, these were among the first to bear the brunt of Oregon’s abuse of power. Churches can (mostly) reopen and pick things up again. (Hopefully wiser and less trusting of Big Government.)

But that’s not true for small businesses that have now complicated supply chains. Or hiring part- and full-time workers. Or back rents and leases to pay. Not to mention paying taxes on the little money they did earn. Talk about rubbing salt in their wounds.

Jason Brandt on the Getting Back to Normal

Let’s be clear. There is no “normal” any more. Not when the governor of Oregon (or any other state) retains ultimate power that is unchallenged by a weak legislature. One held for decades by democrats who were all too happy to play along with the power grab. And be their own little dictator, shutting down access to the People’s House. So much for democracy, eh democrats?

But Jason Brandt is the President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association. And despite the wreckage caused by the governor’s abuse of power, his job is to help his members try to pick up the pieces of their lives and businesses.

We talk with Jason about the complications and navigating the minefield in the road ahead. Faced with labor shortages and rehiring in the face of ongoing uncertainty, how do restaurants and hotels pick up and move forward. All that and more in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

Because here’s the thing. What happens if she just shuts it all down again?

Mike Nearman: Et tu Brute?

With the democrats power grab, you would think that republicans would stand up to it. But, sadly, this current crop of republicans did their best doormat impression. Sure, they talked. But did very little. And most of what they did do appeared to be cowering in the corner or make backroom deals for cash that bypassed the normal budget oversight.

Basically, they were the camp guards at the concentration camps. Hey. Don’t blame them for just doing their jobs, right?

Did they use the one power they had—walkout and deny quorum—to stop a single bill? No. But they did manage to negotiate a deal with democrats to get millions of taxpayer dollars for their districts in exchange for not stopping bills or even slowing them down. They also got a token “equal” seat at the table on redistricting.

Sure. Because the democrats actually gave up the final say on redistricting, right? Do these self-proclaimed “strategic thinkers” honestly believe they’ll have the final say on a sixth congressional seat?

The Current Crop of Republicans

Perhaps all one needs to see the level of thinking of the current crop of republicans is to see how they managed Representative Mike Nearman.

Let’s review. The democrats shut down the capitol building and protesters showed up, not liking it. They were locked out. And Oregon and Salem police surrounded the building — straight out of Cold War era Soviet Bloc.

Video captured Mike Nearman opening a side door, and walking out, which allowed protesters to enter the building. Democrats then acted horrified that protesters (compare Antifa’s and BLM’s 100+ days of violent rioting against the Federal Building in Portland) had entered their building. And so they demanded Mike be shot. Politically speaking.

And the republicans went along with it. The House resolution to expel Mike needed two-thirds. Which meant at least 3 republicans needed to vote with democrats.

Except they all did.

Political Fallout? In Oregon?

Rep Bill Post, claimed they had no choice. Imagine if the democrats had let Antifa into the building. What then.

Yeah, that’s good excuse making for voting like a democrat. They could have voted to sanction. They could have done all sorts of things. But expelling a sitting member over a misdemeanor in an acting “uniting” with democrats (who let slide misdemeanors and even sexual assault slide by with nary a whisper) was a stupid move.

The problem with politics in Oregon, or any state for that matter, is voters as a group have short memories.

It’s why bread and circuses have such power. Voters will forget that the democrat governor destroyed their businesses. Or their friends’ businesses. As long as voters get a few tidbits (that they’re paying for), they’re fine with status quo.

Will republicans who voted against Mike pay a price? It would be nice if they did. No incumbent is SO vital that they can’t or shouldn’t be replaced.

None.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Links Mentioned

Jason Brant (Segments 1–3)

  • Find out more at Oregon Restaurants and Lodging Association (ORLA): OregonRLA.org
  • The June 26th news release, “Oregon Hospitality Freed from Restrictions No Later than June 30: There is no light switch. It will take years to build back what was lost.” (ORLA Blog, Jun 25,  2021)
  • The data article: Staffing Woes & Technological Solutions (ORLA Blog, July 2, 2021)
    • “Simply put, are there tasks that technology can do (perhaps better than humans) that can be easily and inexpensively implemented? The answer is a resounding yes – with machine learning and artificial intelligence.”
    • “In the end, what I believe will come out of the pandemic is not necessarily higher wages, but a greater reliance on technology as an interface between management and staff as well as restaurants and their customers.”
  • Oregon restaurants push for fewer COVID-19 restrictions (KVDR, Jan 28, 2021)
    • Jason Brandt, the CEO of ORLA says the group is calling on the state to ease restrictions adding the science isn’t there to keep restaurants restricted to take out and delivery only.
    • “The vast majority of the states in our country have indoor dining open right now and they are finding ways to really manage the virus in a multifaceted way,” Brandt said.
    • He says the Oregon food service industry accounts for less than 1% of all workplace outbreaks in the state and 4.7% of Oregon’s overall outbreaks, but operations remain shut down.
  • The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Is Suing the State Over the Recent Dining Room Shutdown (Eater, November 20, 2020)

Mike Nearman (Segments 4–6)

  • Oregon state lawmaker charged (Statesman Journal, Apr 30, 2021)
  • House Republicans call on Rep. Nearman to resign after new details of Oregon Capitol riot (Statesman-Journal, June 7, 2021)
    • “Ousting Nearman via House Resolution 3 would require two-thirds support. Democrats hold a majority with 37 seats, meaning three Republicans would have to join them in voting in support of the resolution.”
  • One republican’s explanation for voting against fellow republican Mike Nearman (Facebook, June 10)
    • “How would you vote? What if a House Democrat had allowed Antifa into the Capitol? Would you vote to expel him or her? That is what we face. That is why we call for Mike to resign.”
  • Republican PCPs favor expelled lawmaker (OPB, June 26, 2021)
    • Mike Nearman got the most votes from the PCPs who voted for his successor
  • SB 865:  Prohibits person from simultaneously serving as holder of state office and as officer of state central committee of political party. Had it passed, recently elected to the ORP chair and treasurer, Senators Heard and Linthicum, would have had to step down. 
  • Anna Scharf Appointed to fill Mike Nearman’s Seat (Statesman Journal, July 6, 2021)
    • Nearman received the most votes from precinct committee people in HD 23 during the nominating convention heading into this week’s selection.
Flynn Goes Free. Plus Worrisome News on America's Reopening
Flynn Goes Free. Plus Worrisome News on America’s Reopening

Flynn Goes Free. Plus Worrisome News on America’s Reopening

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Show Summary: Remember how everyone used to celebrate when an innocent man was freed? So why are the Democrats so upset about Flynn? On today’s show, we’ll be talking both about the virus, COVID 19, and the other virus—elected Democrats.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
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Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: May 9 & 10, 2020 | Dr. Cecil Staton & Dr. Jerome Corsi

This Week: It feels like a bit of celebration. Almost a holiday. General Michael Flynn has been exonerated and all of us who KNEW the Left was conspiring have been validated. The new documents have proved this beyond any reasonable doubt. Not to mention the DOJ’s own filing, which showed Flynn never should have been investigated in the first place.

Michael Flynn: Free at Last, Free at Last

When Trump entered office, many American citizens were not just walking away from, but running away from President Obama’s socialists policy and economy.  We were in a slow, ho-hum world where just getting by was good enough.  GDP sputtered, as Obamacare had brought its own problems to medical systems versus citizens’ rights to not be forced to buy something.

But under all of it there was an unknown group of angry, bitter people who thought — like all good socialists think — the “unwashed masses” just couldn’t manage their wn lives without them. In power. And boy did their reality balloon pop when Trump got elected to clean out the swamp. But the swamp doubled down and thought nothing of destroying careers, financially bankrupting their enemies, attempting to force them to take plea deals. Papadopoulos, K.T. MacFarlen, General Flynn, and Jerome Corsi were in their sights as they would stop at nothing until Trump was either forced from office. Or so politically damaged, he couldn’t get anything done and therefore wouldn’t get re-elected.

With the news of the DOJ tossing Flynn’s case, a lot of things have suddenly changed.  In one part celebratory, one part reflective, and another part analytical interview, Dr. Corsi takes us through the experience of being targeted and what he thinks will happen next. And the vindication this brings to him and the other men and women who been facing the proverbial firing squad, as Trump continues to fight to clean out the swamp. Because as new documents are released, with more on the way, the answer of who was in on the cabal is coming to light.

Slowly, Trump is exposing the Left for who they are: power-hungry and vicious, who will lie as easily as breathe, and stop at nothing to destroy anyone who gets in their way.

Warning: Reopening America won’t Happen without the Lodging Industry

To start our show we begin with Dr. Cecil Staton, President & CEO of Asian-American Hotel Owners Association, the world’s largest hotel owners association. AAHOA members own about one in two hotels in the United States.  When it comes to the effect of COVID19, perhaps no industry has felt the pain more than the hotel industry. Going from an 80% average occupancy rate during the economic boom (was that really only 3 months ago?)  and now occupancy rates average in the single digits.

We talk with Dr. Staton about the damage to our hotel industry and how it points to economic indicator of how well an economy is prospering.  Dr. Staton gives us the inside look at what’s happening, why government solutions aren’t helping, and what hotel owners are facing past the shut down.

Jerome Corsi

General Michael Flynn is exonerated. The FBI had been withholding evidence that proved Flynn was innocent for more than 3 years. Finally, AG Barr stepped in and made FBI Director Wray and the dirty prosecutor hand over the evidence. When they did, the case fell apart. That dirty prosecutor was not only removed from the Flynn case but others as well.

Just think of what’s been exposed in the course of a week. They knew there was nothing wrong with Flynn’s phone call but wanted to “question him” any way. A complete perjury trap in an attempt to either remove President Trump or damage him so much politically that he would be unable to implement his agenda. Like undo the Obama administration. Or reveal Obama’s plots.

Join us as we talk with Jerome Corsi, who, like Flynn, was a target of the FBI’s abusive prosecution. Or, as we like to call it, the FBI’s “guilt engineering.”

His latest book, Coup D’Etat, just released in March 2020, looks very prescient indeed.

Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—the podcast version will be right here after the show airs.

Links & Info

Dr. Cecil Staton’s Segments (1–3)

  • Read Dr. Staton’s article, “Small Business Funding not Enough to Stem Bleeding“
  • Limited to take-out, new Salem-area restaurants open in midst of COVID-19 (Statesman Journal, May 5, 2020)
  • No Need for Recall at National Foods (Democrat Herald, May 4, 2020)
  • Federal loans won’t save American restaurants, Portland chefs say (OregonLive, May 3, 2020)
    • “The loan program, a centerpiece of the CARES Act, was designed to provide an eight-week payroll bridge that small businesses could use to get through the pandemic. With an interest rate of 1%, the loan requires no collateral or payments for the first six months and is forgiven completely if businesses follow certain strict terms, including returning staff to pre-coronavirus levels, paying employees at least 75% of their earlier wages and spending no more than 25% of the funds on rent, utilities or other non-payroll costs.”
    • The PPP “acts as a kind of Catch 22. For 26 years I’ve been paying into unemployment insurance, and now when my employees need it, they’re asking me to take out a loan?””

Dr. Jerome Corsi’s Segments (4–6)

  • Dr Corsi’s website is www.corsination.com
  • Trump calls Flynn ‘innocent man’ after DOJ drops case (Fox News, May 8. 2020)
  • Justice Department dropping criminal case against Flynn – DOJ is dropping the criminal case against the former national security adviser (Just the News, May 7, 2020)
  • His YouTube – “Dr. Corsi DEEP DIVE Investigation 05-04-20: How Deep State Operatives Planned to Destroy Trump” (YouTube, May 4 2020)

Related Links

  • Rosenstein Scope Memo For Mueller Peddled Steele Dossier, Logan Act Conspiracy Theories (The Federalist, May 6 2020)
    • A newly declassified memorandum from Rod Rosenstein shows that the former deputy attorney general used bogus claims from discredited Clinton campaign operative Christopher Steele to justify Robert Mueller’s investigation of the Trump campaign.
    • The Mueller probe, after nearly two years and tens of millions of dollars, unearthed no evidence of collusion by any Trump campaign officials. However, a sprawling investigation by the DOJ Office of Inspector General found that Rosenstein’s DOJ fabricated evidence and falsified documents to justify an illegal federal spy warrant against Page.
    • “[I]t’s clear that false allegations from the Steele dossier played a major role not only in the FISA warrant application on Page, but in the appointment of the Special Counsel as well,” Nunes said in a statement after a lengthy report detailing Mueller’s investigation was released in 2019. Until now, those facts had been hidden behind redactions in the Rosenstein document.
  • For every Oregon virus death 3,320 lost their jobs (OregonWatchdog.com, May 5, 2020)
  • Oregon sheriff says county will reopen amid coronavirus, won’t punish nonessential businesses (Fox News, May 5, 2020)
  • More than 100 medically vulnerable unsheltered homeless placed in Salem hotels (Statesman Journal, April 12, 2020)
  • Oregon hotels lay off workers, question futures after wave of coronavirus cancellations (OregonLive, March 18, 2020)
    • “Some hotels in Oregon have seen occupancy rates drop from between 70% and 80% to single digits in the last week, according to Jason Brandt, the president of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.”
    • Things the state can and should do: “Watkins called on the state to implement property and corporate activity tax breaks for hotels, so properties can avoid shutting their doors permanently and can hopefully hire back workers once the crisis subsides.”
    • The hotel sector alone employs 25,000 people in Oregon, according to state employment figures for February.
    • Even though revenue isn’t coming in, the hotel’s expenses remain.
    • “The U.S. Travel Association, the national organization that advocates for the travel industry, is estimating that decreased travel due to the coronavirus will lead to the elimination of 4.6 million travel-related American jobs this year and that total spending on travel will drop by $355 billion, or 31 percent, for the year.”
  • Oregon restaurants may be asked to consider keeping patrons’ names for coronavirus reopening (Oregonian, Apr 29, 2020)
    • “Oregon restaurants may be asked to consider keeping the names, contact information and dates of visits for patrons as part of the state’s effort to reopen parts of the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a draft version of the plan… But there is no suggestion such businesses would be required to track customers’ personal information.”
      • Uh, say there idiot, what do you think name and contact info is?