Leaving Omelas

By Mad Dog
Published: Dec 12, 2011

In the short story, "Omelas" is a word made from the reverse of Salem, Oregon. So it’s at least ironic to hear from Fred Leonhardt about it: “Your mention of Omelas struck a nerve: Here in laid-back, hip Portland, the elites of the city — the proverbial pillars of the community — once covered up for the mayor, Neil Goldschmidt, as he repeatedly raped and sodomized a young girl for years, beginning when she was 13. He went on to serve in Jimmy Carter’s cabinet and as governor of Oregon. I was his speechwriter.”

Fred wrote an op-ed for the Portland Register-Guard, using the LeGuin story as the spine. It is..well, just read it.