State senator Gary George (R - Newberg) and state representative Terry Thompson (D - Newport), have expressed greatly differing opinions about the character of the legislative session just ended. Mr. Thompson has called it rancorous and partisan; George has talked about the integrity and cordiality he observed (News-Times 8/20/99).
The Oregonian and various commentators have had much to say also, but I thought to add the following words from long ago, written by H.L. Mencken:
"Let this be said for the Legislature just hauled to the dump: It might have been worse. And that, perhaps, is the highest praise that can ever be given to a General Assembly of Maryland. It is also the highest praise that can ever be given to a dead cat." (Disturber of the Peace: The Life of H.L.Mencken, Wm. Manchester, 1950, p.60)
Bear in mind that the particular Maryland legislative session (circa 1911) referred to by Mencken was being hailed as a success - a considerably more favorable review than that being given to the 1999 Oregon Legislature. One can hardly imagine Mencken's response to the Salem debacle that recently victimized working class voters who thought they were participating in a democracy.