The Dog of Bethlehem

Francis, who loved the animalsMade the first manger scene,With ox and donkey, cow and lambbut not a dog was seen. Perhaps he knew in his saint’s heartthat some are called awayto guard the others through the nightIn old times, and today. There was a dog …

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Baby Jesus Caper

In 1988, Mary and I purchased a little nativity scene at a market in Mexico City.  The figurines are all about an inch tall, and the set has become something we absolutely need to put out every year.  It contains the usual shepherds, sheep, cow …

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Official Seal of Portland Oregon

Proposed Portland Charter Reform is Confusing and Un-democratic

Portland certainly needs a new system of governance, but adoption of the Charter Commission’s proposals would make a bad system worse. One problem is the complicated and untried combination of ranked-choice voting with multi-member districts to choose the members of the City Council. Should the …

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