In Praise of Salem News

May 05, 2010 | 5 Comments

Iran looks for independence, right of self-determination, non-alignment to hegemonic superpowers and opposition to injustice and inequality. The 7500-year-old civilization of Iran is matchless in the world. The frontiers of Iran would span from China to Egypt in the age of Achaemenid Dynasty. Iranians are the people of poetry, architecture, literature, painting and sculpture. When the Greeks would assign a separate deity to each natural phenomenon, Iranians would worship the unique God. Iran has been, and still is, the land of Khayyam, Rhazes, Rumi, Avicenna, Rudaki and Cyrus the Great. Iran is the land of peace and courtesy.

Posted in Opinion, Politics

Jackson Announces District 10 Candidacy

May 04, 2010 | 6 Comments

“I am proud to run to represent the diverse communities of District 10 on the Board of Supervisors,” Jackson, a Progressive, wrote in a statement released to FCJ. “It is a place my family has called home since 1966. My candidacy will focus on how we can make our neighborhoods safer and more family-friendly. Our district is in a place of transition, and we need responsible leadership that will carefully advocate for smart growth and good-paying jobs.”

Posted in News, Politics

Obama Threatens Iran With “All Options” Again

May 03, 2010 | 3 Comments

Putting the quality and quantity of these options aside, the very “table” on which the options should be placed is as well a matter of controversy. Who is in the position to decide the destiny of Iran’s nuclear program? Which table is the U.S. President referring to? What’s wrong with Iran’s nuclear program in lieu of which a 70-million nation should go on with crippling sanctions, continued threats of military strike, isolation and economic embargo? What’s the definite answer to the simple question that “why should the U.S., France and Israel possess nuclear weapons”? Which one is more offensive and violent? Iran’s nuclear program which has been demonstrated again and again that does not have anything to do with military purposes, or the adventurous, aggressive trajectory Washington and its European allies have begun to go across?

Posted in Opinion, Politics

William and the Disappearing Magic Muni Bus

May 03, 2010 | 6 Comments

The 48 Quintara is a repeat offender in this field. I quickly gave up waiting for it when I used to live on 24th Street. And the former 26 bus that used to (supposedly) run along Valencia was also a bit of a mystery. In all my attempts at waiting for and hoping to ride the 26 bus, I only ever caught one glimpse of it.

Daly: District 6 Progressive Primary to be Held in July

Daly: District 6 Progressive Primary to be Held in July

May 03, 2010 | 12 Comments

Daly announced his intention in March to hold a primary election. Since then, the Progressive candidates we have spoken to have been less than enthusiastic about running a mid-campaign election, citing limited resources needed for the run-up to November election. But they did agree Daly’s tried and tested campaign prowess could prove invaluable in holding the District 6 seat firmly in the hands of Progressives.

Posted in News, Politics

Sparks Douses D6 Withdrawal Rumor, Ignites Fuse on New Rumor

Sparks Douses D6 Withdrawal Rumor,
Ignites Fuse on New Rumor

May 03, 2010 | 9 Comments

Sparks, who is alleged to be aligning her candidacy with moderate-conservative political factions, including Plan C, took the opportunity in her response to FCJ to stir up the political pot among the front-runner Progressive candidacies of School Board President Jane Kim, Entertainment Commissioner Jim Meko, and Building Inspections Commissioner Debra Walker.

Posted in News, Politics

What Real Financial Reform Looks Like

May 03, 2010 | No Comments

Still a work in progress, the Senate bill will be as bogus as the House one, so whatever reconciliation produces will be another promise made, another broken. Business as usual will persist so don’t be fooled – on this measure or any other, including the appalling health care bill that made a dysfunctional system worse, and took a giant step toward ending Medicare, one of the main reasons it was enacted, besides enriching corporate providers.

Posted in Opinion, Politics