There are BLM demonstrators in many cities throughout the U.S. who came out last night to commemorate and demonstrate on the anniversary of George Floyd's death and yet it would appear that Portland in the only city where there was rioting. At least this is the impression I have reading the news.
Governor Brown and even more so, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of Portland, who is also the police commissioner, should be asking themselves why this is the case. Somebody has done and continues to do something terribly wrong with regards to putting an end to the rioting in Portland.
That this has continued going on for a year now is disgusting and horrendous. Between the combination of the riots and COVID restrictions, businesses are either failing or giving up and closing throughout the downtown core of the city. High end condos aren't selling, while Real Estate sales throughout the Portland Metro area are sky-rocketing with bidding wars driving up prices. Downtown Portland is on it's way to becoming a ghost town, which is really sad. Downtown Portland thrived and even grew over the years when other cities across the country, like Detroit, MI were turning into deserted burnt out shit holes.
One more thing that is really weird is the Portland is one of the whitest cities in the country. Think about that for a minute, a city where less than 6% of the population are black or African American appears to be ground zero of the BLM violent protests.
As much as some of you like to joke about rioters coming to West Linn, the likelihood of that happening is about as remote as when the Watts riots happened L.A. that they would have spread to the Pacific Palisades or Hidden Hills in the San Fernando valley. I am not saying that it is impossible, because anything is possible. I am saying there is almost no chance of that happening.
While I may not be worried about my safety in West Linn, but I am concerned about Portland's future. Downtown Portland
is was the home of some really fine restaurants and great jazz clubs, I've enjoyed and will miss greatly when they are gone. A haberdashery, John Helmer's has been hit hard and has had to board up their windows. You might wonder why I'd mention this place.....I'm bald, great hats are a big deal to me. There is nowhere else in town that sells bowlers, real French berets and genuine Scottish driving caps, Trapper hats, etc. Powell's book store is world renown and just recently was able to open back up to the public due to the lifting of COVID restrictions.
For the past almost 50 years I've live in and near Portland, it is really great city. What a shame if a few assholes are allowed to destroy it. Come on Governor Brown, light a fire under Mayor Wheeler. Get this nonsense gone.
Just so you know, all you Google haters, not one word of this post was Googled.
