Court Jester Rates Class of 2011

Court Jester Rates Class of 2011

March 27, 2011 | 12 Comments

And, given it’s getting ready to be the beginning of baseball season and we’re cutting players and making them feel miserable and making others feel great … I want to rate the value of the present members of the BOS individually on a scale of 1 to 10. Again, this is only my own humble opinion. Not being a religious man, I don’t claim that these are actually the choices of God. Passed down through me, as it were. Not that at all. No sir.

Save The Rave: Electronic Dance Music Community
Speaks Out

March 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

Public comment afforded many people, young and old, the chance to say how important EDM, rave culture and its values were to them. They spoke of acceptance, hope, and celebration of life. One young woman pleaded, “This is like my family. If you take this away from me, I don’t know where else to go.”

A Walk Down Twitter Lane

March 23, 2011 | 5 Comments

And up the street is the old Furniture Mart which Doug Shorenstein just bought for $110 million, so he can take advantage of the Twitter-inspired corporate welfare project that the current Board of Stupes is about to ram down our throats.

Posted in Opinion, Politics

Zionist Extremist Hate Crime Against Rabbi Lerner: Third Attack on His Home

Zionist Extremist Hate Crime Against Rabbi Lerner:
Third Attack on His Home

March 16, 2011 | 3 Comments

This is the 3rd assault on his home since Lerner announced the award to Justice Goldstone whose report on Israel’s human rights violations during the Israeli assault on Gaza in Dec. 2008 and Jan.2009 was denounced by the State of Israel and by the AIPAC-dominated House of Representatives last year. You would not have known about the 2nd attack, which was reported to the police but not to the media because Lerner had been advised that not giving the attackers attention might make future attacks less likely. That strategy failed.

Posted in News, Politics

Mid-Market Payroll Tax Exemption: Downtown’s Latest Land Grab

Mid-Market Payroll Tax Exemption:
Downtown’s Latest Land Grab

March 15, 2011 | 56 Comments

For decades, the stretch of Market Street between 5th Street and Van Ness Avenue has been a primary target for downtown special interests and their political allies. The slot between the Tenderloin and South of Market’s 6th Street had grown to be more alike its hardscrabble, adjoining neighborhoods than its past as a commercial destination. However, downtown’s plan to renew Market Street was always driven by their desire to line their pockets. With the needs of the neighborhoods not even a consideration, their grand plans to gentrify the area failed to take off.

Posted in Opinion, Politics

Media Complaints Triggers SFPD Press Pass Revocations

Media Complaints Triggers SFPD Press Pass Revocations

March 15, 2011 | 2 Comments

While police policy specifically states press passes are reserved for outlets that regularly cover breaking news about fire and police events, a SFPD-issued press passes also provides access to press facilities at City Hall including the press box in Board chambers.

Posted in News

Why Progressives Should Support Pension Reform

March 14, 2011 | 10 Comments

Shortly, I will introduce a new ballot initiative that will help reduce costs while ensuring that the pension and health benefit system is protected for future generations of workers. And the initiative will do so in a manner that is fair and equitable. The highest-earning workers, including elected officials, will be asked to contribute more, while the lowest-earning workers will be entirely exempt, a lesson learned from the last pension reform effort. The reforms will help eliminate the abuses of the pension system that benefit a few workers at the expense of others. Residents, elected officials, city employees and labor leaders are invited to review the proposals at www.sfpensionreform.com and provide any comments or ideas.

Posted in Opinion, Politics