Occupy Groups Converge on San Quentin
in Support of Prisoners, Protest Prison Conditions

February 21, 2012 | 4 Comments

Speakers, including some who have been incarcerated, talked about reform of the California’s three-strikes sentencing law, the mental punishment of solitary confinement and support for prisoners undertaking hunger strikes to protest conditions inside prisons. They included members of the San Quentin Six, prisoners who faced charges after the 1971 shootings that killed Black Panther George Jackson along with guards and other prisoners. Shane Bauer, one of the three Americans captured in Iran in 2009, talked about the hunger strikes and denial of family letters in his time there.

Posted in Events, Politics

Depleting the Seas of Fish

February 19, 2012 | 2 Comments

Researchers studied fish populations, catch records, and ocean ecosystems for four years. By 2003, 29% of all species collapsed. It means they’re at least “90% below their historic maximum catch levels.”

Posted in News

Gascón Won’t Seek Death Penalty, Nor Prosecute Eliana Lopez

Gascón Won’t Seek Death Penalty,
Nor Prosecute Eliana Lopez

February 17, 2012 | 5 Comments

Gascón also stated that he will not seek the death penalty “in any case” when discussing a previously-cold 1983 murder case.

Posted in News, Politics

Time to Protect Kid’s Privacy Online

February 17, 2012 | No Comments

COPPA, effective April 21, 2000, was passed before browser cookies and other tracking technologies were being used, and doesn’t cover teens, who frequently use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. COPPA applies to the online collection of personal information from children under 13. COPPA spells out what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children’s privacy and safety online. COPPA is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has promulgated regulations to enforce COPPA. (For more information on COPPA, see the FTC’s Frequently Asked Questions about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule).

Posted in Opinion, Politics

Lackluster Finish to Case that Made Serious Political Charges

February 16, 2012 | 10 Comments

In CCSF vs. Cobra Solutions, the jury found that both the city and Cobra Solutions failed in their responsibilities to prevent a former Department of Building Inspection information technology manager, Marcus Armstrong, from fraudulently bilking the city out of at least $482,000 between 1999 and 2001.

Posted in News, Politics

Carolyn Tyler Honored by Board of Supervisors

Carolyn Tyler Honored by Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2012 | No Comments

District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell stated that he was “honored to recognize a great district 2 resident who has been part of our lives for many years at ABC.” Farrell presented Tyler with a commendation signed by the Board.

Posted in News, Politics

‘Round the Rotunda: Bennett’s “Heart” Song Wins Key to San Francisco

‘Round the Rotunda: Bennett’s “Heart” Song
Wins Key to San Francisco

February 15, 2012 | No Comments

The rotunda was festooned with pink balloons and red roses. Citizen guests excitedly took seats under the dome and gathered at all the balcony rails. Dignitaries were ushered to their reserved seating at the foot of the grand staircase.