This morning I took the first step on an exciting journey for a better future for Oregon. I filed papers with the Secretary of the Senate to formally begin my campaign for the United States Senate.

I'm running for U.S. Senate because I believe we need to make some big changes in our country. And I believe George Bush and Gordon Smith are leading us in the wrong direction.
I'll be traveling around Oregon to officially announce my candidacy in a few weeks. But until then, let me tell you a little about myself.

E-UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Dear Friends, I haven't stopped smiling since election night. In addition to putting Democrats in the control of the Oregon House for the first time in years, voters defeated the anti-government Measures 48 and 41; voters supported expanding the Oregon Prescription Drug Pool to give more citizens access to low-cost medications; and they re-elected Governor Ted Kulongoski who will work for adequacy and stability in education funding, health care for all kids, and strong renewable energy standards. With these changes at hand, we have been extremely busy this last week. House Democrats have selected Rep. Jeff Merkley (Portland) as their choice for Speaker of the House. Other leadership positions have gone to Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (Portland), Rep. Dave Hunt (Milwaukie), Rep. Phil Barnhart (Eugene), Rep. Arnie Roblans (Coos Bay), Rep. Sara Gelser (Corvallis), and Rep. Peter Buckley (Ashland). I am pleased to see representation from throughout the state in our leadership team. We all remain committed to working across party lines to bridge the so-called urban/rural divide.

Former President Jimmy Carter has just published in important new book called "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" wherein he lays out a blueprint for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. " The overriding problem is that, for more than a quarter century, the actions of some Israeli leaders have been in direct conflict with the official policies of the United States, the international community, and their own negotiated agreements.Israel's continued control and colonization of Palestinian land have been the primary obstacles to a comprehensive peace agreement in the Holy Land. In order to perpetuate the occupation, Israeli forces have deprived their unwilling subjects of basic human rights. No objective person could personally observe existing conditions in the West Bank and dispute these statements. (pp. 207-9)" He was interviewed in Forward, you can see his interview at: http://www.forward.com/articles/carter-discusses-new-book-on-israel-and-...

Before he passed away, Bob Ross, the frizzy-haired host of the PBS painting show, "The Joy of Painting,” became a somewhat iconic figure for his soothing, sedate voice and repeated references to "happy little trees.” Ross didn't believe in errors, often stating "we don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents." Ross would often tell his audience that they could have as many trees as they wished in their world but that he preferred a lot of trees in his.