Visit to Portland Oregon

[Brent pigeon]

We are visiting Portland Oregon late July early August, we understand that the town is an anarchist centre. We are socialists ourselves and we are wondering where the left bookshops are and places where we might be able to get in touch with the left element.
Other suggestions welcome, we are already planning to visit the beer festival.

[KARL]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 772303.html - aha, so you have decided to ask this question again.

[Brent pigeon]

Yes, because, would you beleive it the last version was banned! I felt morally obliged to ask it again using exactly the same wording. I think I have it up under different headings anyway and only one was banned.
Someone out there has got issues about left politics.

[sitges]

Try pdxstump.com/directory/bookstore/store

This gets you the information you are requesting.

[KARL]

Yes, pigeon, but that was my main concern: There are huge numbers of people in the US who are very touchy and see reds (or these days perhaps just as much Muslims - there is a large number of people who actually have accepted some propaganda to the effect that all Muslims are taught to hate the US, probably put out by the same people who said Obama sounded awfully like Osama, hint, hint) under the beds everywhere. Add to that that officialdom is on guard as well (note the question "Are you coming for terrorist purposes" - I wonder how many have answered "Yes"), and I fear your interest/curiosity may easily be blown out of proportion. Members of Congress hold and represent such touchy opinions and one was in the news recently when trying to put the fear of damnation into his fellow countrymen by pointing out that government bailout and part ownership of banks was socialism in disguise. The failure of these people to understand such concepts, or even to want to understand, is frightening. Simplistic thought based on knee-jerks means branding people as enemies is routine. But large numbers (hopefully more) are duly embarrassed by the ignorants among them - there lies the hope for the future. It is their country, but they have considerable effect on the rest of the world.

[Brent pigeon]

Thank you for your concern. I am not Brent Pigeon on my passport and I have visited the States many times.

American friends have warned me about these attitudes, but I am careful to avoid politics when talking with people I do to know. I have visited left bookshops in places such as Seattle and, once I have crept back on to the side walk, no one would know that I am carrying seditious literature . Indeed they would probably take me for a Churchill conservative.