A bit of News....And why are tanned people more attractive?

by Tryan Hartill

UPDATE

Clatsop County Elections Clerk has issued an opinion on the County Charter change regarding the District Attorney pay:

Clatsop County Clerk Nicole Williams issued a letter today stating that the initiative petition to amend the county charter to provide an annual salary for the district attorney does not comply with requirements of the Oregon Constitution. Chief petitioners Hans Olsen, Myrna Patrick and Lawrence Taylor filed the proposed petition with the county clerk last Tuesday to require that the district attorney’s annual salary be not less than 90 percent of the annual salary of a Clatsop County circuit judge.

Under Oregon law, the county clerk is required to review whether a petition complies with certain procedural requirements of the Oregon Constitution within five business days.

Williams found that the prospective petition does not comply with Section 10, Article VI of the Oregon Constitution, the provision that allows counties to set up their governments under home rule. Williams retained independent legal counsel John M. Junkin of the Portland law firm Bullivant House Bailey PC, who issued a legal opinion to Williams confirming her decision. Williams noted that the Board of Commissioners was not involved nor was consulted in the process.

The constitutional provision defines what authorities the county has under home rule and set limits on what a county charter may do. The provision states that, “except as expressly provided by general law, a county charter shall not affect the selection, tenure, compensation, powers or duties prescribed by law for judges in their judicial capacity, for justices of the peace or for district attorneys.”

The proposed charter amendment would affect the district attorney’s salary by expressly providing for a minimum salary of no less than 90 percent of the annual salary of the Clatsop County Circuit judge, which would violate the Constitution, Junkin wrote in his opinion to the county clerk.

Hit the link for a full explanation along with documents…..

I have been out in the sun over the last week or so and wonder why most people view those that are slightly tanned to be more attractive?

Some may say that they prefer light skinned or dark skinned folks to be more attractive, but the overwhelming majority views people that are slightly tanned to be more attractive. With computer imaging it’s even easier to prove it. Many studies have been done and every race (black, white and whatever)points to photos of other people who just have a slight tan and say they are the most attractive.

Going back to primitive times, I can see why this would make a difference. Would you want a mate who sat in a cave all day and pasty white, or one that was out in the sun, either working (hunting, or whatever) or having fun?

Does this hold true today or is it something else?

Now for some news bites…..

Sex

This is an older article, but is worth noting. Steven Landsburg, who wrote a book titled “More Sex is Safer Sex” has a short review about his book:

Consider Martin, a charming and generally prudent young man with a limited sexual history, who has been gently flirting with his coworker Joan. As last week’s office party approached, both Joan and Martin silently and separately entertained the prospect that they just might be going home together. Unfortunately, Fate, through its agents at the Centers for Disease Control, intervened. The morning of the party, Martin happened to notice one of those CDC-sponsored subway ads touting the virtues of abstinence. Chastened, he decided to stay home. In Martin’s absence, Joan hooked up with the equally charming but considerably less prudent Maxwell – and Joan got AIDS.

When the cautious Martin withdraws from the mating game, he makes it easier for the reckless Maxwell to prey on the hapless Joan. If those subway ads are more effective against Martin than against Maxwell, they are a threat to Joan’s safety.

Steven’s whole argument is that if those that only have sex with 2 or less partners per year, had a few more, it would displace the “sluts” in the sex pool.
Not that I buy this argument, but it is still an interesting read. Here is the link to the story. (if it asks for a user ID and password, enter Dailykos for the ID and Dailykos for the password…)

DA Pay

I’m sure you have all read about the Charter Amendment that is in the works to tie the District Attorneys pay to 90% of the Circuit Judge pay.

But the $20,000 question is, is it legal?

According to Article VI Section 10 of the Oregon Constitution:

Except as expressly provided by general law, a county charter shall not affect the selection, tenure, compensation, powers or duties prescribed by law for judges in their judicial capacity, for justices of the peace or for district attorneys.

If you ask me, this statement is about as clear as mud. If the intent of this Section is to keep the Counties from dictating the State salary, then the Amendment is probably legal. If the Section was added so that the “Total pay” of the D.A.’s and Judges couldn’t be changed, then it’s unconstitutional. The only way to decide this is to take it to the Oregon Supreme Court and get a ruling.

Pot Smoking Terrorists

Not only is a admitted pot smoker still the Principle of Vernonia High School, but now he is also bankrolling terrorists around the world. Or according to our “Drug Czar” John Walters:

John P. Walters, President Bush’s drug czar, said the people who plant and tend the gardens are terrorists who wouldn’t hesitate to help other terrorists get into the country with the aim of causing mass casualties…......”Don’t buy drugs. They fund violence and terror”....... “These people are armed; they’re dangerous,” he said. He called them “violent criminal terrorists.”

Lets hope that the Vernonia Principal was not (gasp!) growing it himself…..

Other News

• Casey Harris of Astoria was killed in a car wreck near Toutle Washington.

• Oregon State police sergeants are suing the State for not recieving enough pay. One of them patrols Clatsop County.

• New York City is planning on a pilot program to charge each car $8 to enter Manhattan. And the Feds are going to pay them to do it! (Hundreds of Millions of Dollars…makes you feel good to send all that money to the Feds huh!)

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