Letters to the Editor

Letters are selected representative of a viewpoint.
Fog City Journal will publish no more than two point-counter points
on the same issue from the same writers.

Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.
Please include the city and state where you live.

Email letters to: editor@fogcityjournal.com

Open letter to the Mayor of the City of Berkeley

Mr. Mayor,

You and your City Council do not deserve to live in the United States of America. Millions of good men and women have fought and died throughout our history so the likes of you and your city government are free to speak out against the United States Marine Corps and uninvite them from your city.

For 233 years the United States Marine Corps has been the greatest, most effective military organization our country has ever had and they, along with the other services have protected and defended the thoughtless, thankless and ungrateful people in your city.

Since our Declaration of Independence over 42 million Americans have claimed the honor of having served this nation in its military forces. Since that time over a million have lost their lives serving the colors, and millions have been wounded.

Think about that for a moment. Is it right for you and your city council to try to run the United States Marines Corps recruiting station from your city? The 10 "wereas's" and two "be it further resolved" statements in your city council resolution are the most disrespectful statements you and your council could have written. They are an absolute disgrace, you all ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Have you no pride or respect for those who keep you free?

The United States Marines are not going to leave. They are our hero's. They have earned the right to be wherever they like. When their turn comes, the recruiters will once again, put their life on the line for our country including the low life's in your city.

I am sending this also to my Senators and requesting they do all in their power to curtail all federal funding provided to your city and county for any purpose. And to do it now!.

Ronald Johnson
Warner Robins, Georgia
February 5, 2008

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Linus Black

Dear Editor,

I never knew Linus Black, but I was really touched by the account of his life in Fog City. Every detail of this life I'd known so little about spoke worlds to me.

Though I never knew him personally I'm now taking a moment to mourn the passing of Linus Black.

Ann Garrison
San Francisco
January 30, 2008

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Re the loss of the UC Extension Annex

Dear Editor,

I have no idea how much Ross Mirkarimi had to do with this or whether he could have stopped it, but the loss of the UC Extension Annex for adult education, mourned angrily by Rob Anderson, is a tragedy for this city.

I graduated from Stanford, which sounds like a way bigger deal than it is, but just to make my point here, I graduated from Stanford and I have benefitted immensely from many courses taken at the UC Extension Annex, either because I needed to know something or simply because I wanted to know something. Knowledge is not just power; knowledge is pleasure.

And what are we getting as $8 billion-endowed UC cashes in on "its" property, which was our adult educational resource? More real estate.

Is this town about anything else besides real estate, like maybe education, including adult education?

Ann Garrison
San Francisco
January 26, 2008

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Mirkarimi and UC/Evans

Editor:

It was helpful of Sue Vaughn to cram every single SF progressive political delusion into one article, but I had to laugh at her estimate of Supervisor Mirkarimi: "Mirkarimi has taken on the police union, the plastic bag industry, and the UC Berkeley and a private developer (A.F. Evans)..."

In fact Mirkarimi is leading the city's complete surrender to UC/Evans at the old extension site on lower Haight Street. Mirkarimi and the mayor led the negotiations to allow a greedy UC---which has an endowment of more than $8 billion---to take that property out of "public use" zoning to allow a massive, for-profit housing development on the site where it used to provide working people with college courses.

Mirkarimi likes to talk about "revolution" when addressing leftist audiences, but how is he going to lead a revolution when he can't even stand up to a single institution of the wicked capitalist system?

Regards,

Rob Anderson
San Francisco
January 26, 2008

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Kerry's letter

Dear Editor,

So Kerry talks about truth in the letter you just published!

One key truth about Barack Obama (and Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards) is that he subscribes to the option that the use of nuclear weapons should always be on the table.

Now we learn from yesterday's Guardian that General John Shalikashvili the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Bill Clinton, and an advisor to John Kerry in 2004 is a co-author of a manifesto that promotes the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons.

Kerry does not want "small, divisive politics." Loud and clear.

But when will people learn that on the biggest issues, such as insuring American hegemony and rule by brute force, Democrats and Republicans are virtually united?

I plan to vote for either Ralph Nader or Cynthia McKinney -- preferably both.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Livingston
San Francisco
January 23, 2008

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Carmen Chu

Dear Editor,

I note you report that the Mayor says there was an "outpouring of support" to appoint Carmen Chu the District 4 supervisor. That is my district.

Who are these people who would support a 2-year resident of San Francisco? Let's see. She moves here two years ago, works in the budget office and then is appointed a City Supervisor.

What does she know of the City? What does she know of the Sunset? Well, absolutely nothing, so she is the perfect Gavin, Rose Pak et al pawn. She is praised because she is naive. Since when do we want a supervisor who is naive, knows nothing of the City's history, knows nothing of who runs the City, and has no political know-how at all? Of course those who will lead her and get her support because of her lack of knowledge about the City are happy.

I have spoken to many of my neighbors in the Sunset and we are not happy. Would you move to LA, from where she came, and expect to be running LA in two years? Well, we in the Sunset should not have such an unqualified person representing us. Again, she is just a pawn!!!!

Peggy Hanson
San Francisco
January 15, 2008

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Letter in response to h. brown

Dear h.,

First of all, FYI, Robert Haaland is my friend, and as such, we have the freedom to disagree with each other, just so you know that I don't automatically agree with everything he says, or does.

Just because you were right about your suspicions regarding "medical cannabis dispensaries"(please call them that from now on - it lifts things to another level) does not mean you are correct about Robert. Are you friends with the guy from Columbus Ave.or something? Things may have gone a lot better for him if he hadn't done an interview with the New York Times saying that he was clearing $47,000 per day at his "club."

You didn't "out" Robert for killing "another" pot club (which was the other?). I guess you just want the Commissioners from all departments to just rubber stamp these places without investigating or holding hearings, etc. YOU should do a little more investigating before you start running your mouth.

And to say to Shona that she "clearly didn't watch the hearing at the Board of Appeals," shows just how up on things you are. We were THERE, unlike some others who watched it on their computerm or on cable without showing up for it and then sit back and critique it like they are the all knowing one.

And Matt Stewart had no business threatening your grandchildren. I sure would like to see a copy of that email.

Sometimes you get it right h., but you're dead wrong on this.

Peace,

Terrrie Frye
San Francisco
January 15, 2008

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Bullets fly in Hayes Valley Lower Haight

Dear Editor,

This incident did not happen in Hayes Valley. This incident happened in the Lower Haight. I live in the Lower Haight.

As a matter of fact, one of those bullets came through the wall of my home, whizzed past my elbow and landed on my floor.

I want people to know what’s going on here in the Lower Haight. I have lived here for 17-years and the amount of violence in this neighborhood is out of control and under reported.

Thank you for your consideration,

Wendy T. King
San Francisco, Page & Fillmore
January 15, 2008

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Different Shades of Green

Dear Editor,

Thank you for Elaine Santore's great coverage of the Green Party's presidential debate. Although I appreciated the questions that clearly distinguished the Green Party candidates' positions from those of the Democrat and Republican frontrunners, there were few questions on which the candidates disagreed with each other. If you have a chance to follow up with the candidates, please ask:

1) If a Green activist in San Francisco were deciding how to divide 10 hours of volunteer time and $100 between the campaigns of Mark Sanchez, Cindy Sheehan, and your campaign, how would you advise her and why?

2) If Ralph Nader asked you to drop out of the race to support an independent ticket led by him, would you? Would you ask your delegates to support an endorsement of Mr. Nader at the nominating convention rather than running a separate Green Party ticket?

John-Marc Chandonia
San Francisco
January 14, 2008

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Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary

Dear Editor,

I, too, saw the Board of Appeals hearing on the North Beach MCD. Absent any expression of community concern, Board member Albright presumed that there would be a conflict and Board member Haaland supported her in leveraging those apparently baseless concerns to delay a decision.

As one who has lived amidst a handful of MCDs within spitting distance of home, most of which are now closed, I've not seen measurable impacts on the community from them, especially when compared to liquor stores and hard-drugs dealing on the streets. The latter are highly regulated and merely occasionally annoying, while the former are unregulated, ignored by the cops, and pose dangers to the community.

Unless this level of scrutiny has been applied by these Board members to other commercial ventures which have caused conflicts with neighbors, it follows that special rules are being applied to MCDs that would not be applied to any other health care use.

Further, by granting more time on this matter in the absence of the kind of demonstrated community concern as the Castro expressed for the homeless queer youth center, the Board of Appeals has opened the door to anti-MCD forces to spark a NIMBY panic to fabricate community concern.

If no community concern was cause for delay, than a handful or more of neighbors who have been rustled up to oppose this might sink it. It is always desirable to seek unanimity, there are times when there is 80% support to move forward and you need to take a vote and have the cards fall where they may.

Marc Salomon
San Francisco
January 14, 2008

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h. brown's attack on Robert Haaland

Dear Editor,

I watched the Appeals Board Commission meeting related to 722 Columbus and cannot reconcile h. brown's claim. What I did see was a reason to not continue the appeals hearing based on the evidence presented from the planning commission, thus placing the burden of proof on the club.

I just don't see a basis for h. brown's attack on commissioner Haaland.

Jerry Jarvis
San Francisco
January 13, 2008

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Read 'em and weep

Dear Editor,

I rest my case with the tape of Haaland maneuvering the Board of Appeals to delay
approval of 722 Columbus. Don't listen to his crap. Tune in and watch what he
did. Watch Haaland defer to Albright who clearly hates anything that smacks of SF values and then make your own decision.

Robert is not your friend. This club will die because he jumped in to oppose Hallinan.

h. brown
San Francisco
January 12, 2008

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h. brown, dead wrong again

Dear Editor,

Again, h. brown has it dead wrong. His ongoing hatred/grudge blinds him and taints his perspective. Since he seems unwilling to let go of it, I can only correct the record as we go along.

His most recent allegation is that I have asked other people to attack him for his column in which he wrongly accused me of opposing a medical marijuana dispensary in North Beach.

Not true. I had no conversation with Matt Stewart or Shona Gochenauer from the Axis of Love about contacting him on my behalf. I did seek advice from Shona and from Terrrie Frye about my previous letter. I have worked closely with both of them over the last year on a number of policy efforts to support medical marijuana dispensaries and will continue to do so. I seek Shona's counsel on this and other issues as she is a leader on safe access to medical marijuana.

Frankly, it wouldn’t occur to me as a useful strategy to ask others to speak to him. Some offered, including one of my fellow Commissioners, Randy Knox, but I didn't think it was worth the time and energy. Put simply, I don’t expect a fair analysis from him.

That said, I will continue to support medical marijuana, but will also continue to expect that medical marijuana dispensaries make good faith attempts to be good neighbors so as not to make it more difficult for future applicants. That is not only good public policy, it is progressive public policy.

Finally, h. brown challenges me to address him personally. Ironically, I have no ill feelings towards him nor do I wish to personalize this policy debate. When someone is so clearly wrong in their attack, it doesn't really bother me. I do suspect there will be more allegations, and again, I will simply correct the record as we move forward.

All my best,

Robert Haaland
Commissioner, Board of Appeals
January 12, 2008

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Reply to Haaland

Dear Editor,

I stand by my story. Anyone who watches the hearing will agree with me. 722 Columbus has been a pot club for 7 years without a single complaint to the cops. Haaland 'raised the bar' (his own words) for approval there to play up to commissioner Albright. Hopefully, the club will be approved in March which is the delay he caused.

Also, within hours of Robert's reply to Fog City, I had letters of insult and threats to myself and my grandchildren from Haaland supporter, Matt Stewart. Hours later I received a long letter of praise about Haaland from the Axis of Love which I love right back. Will I be receiving a visit from Harold Darling next? Face me yourself if you have an argument with me, Robert.

Haaland's attempt to deny trying to kill a pot club doesn't fly.

h. brown
San Francisco
January 12, 2008

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Letter of Correction

To the editor,

Thanks for FCJ's ongoing coverage of local politics. Even when it is completely wrong, I get a kick out of it. Today was no exception.

h. brown wrongly suggests that I opposed a medical marijuana club in North Beach that came before me at the Board of Appeals. The Planning Commission had rejected the club’s permit, and the case was before us on appeal.

At that meeting, I expressed my strong support for medical marijuana clubs. In the past I have also expressed my concern the new permitting process makes it virtually impossible for clubs to open outside of poor neighborhoods, and that we should have clubs in every neighborhood so that those who need safe access can find it wherever they live.

Brown's assertions about my position also fly in the face of other positions I have taken on the issue including working on policy efforts in the past for pot clubs to make available medical marijuana for those who cannot afford it. Currently, I am co-sponsoring a resolution at the Democratic County Central Committee to fight the DEA’s efforts to close the pot clubs.

That said, it is important that medical marijuana clubs, like any business, be good neighbors. Concerns were expressed that the club in question had not been a good neighbor, but no solid evidence was presented that supported this allegation. The Board of Appeals rightly demanded that the Planning Department provide evidence to support these allegations that provided the basis for the Planning Commission’s decision to deny the appeal. Our Board continued these items.

San Francisco is creating a national model of how to create safe access to medical marijuana. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. We need to do it right, and if that also means being a good neighbor, then we must do so.

Years ago when I was advocating for a queer youth homeless shelter in the Castro, we created a community advisory board in order to have a venue to discuss neighborhood issues for community stakeholders. I suggested that this might be a better route for resolving problems between the medical marijuana club and the neighbors, and indicated I would most likely support the permit if the medical marijuana club and the neighbors made an effort to find common ground.

Robert Haaland
SF Commissioner, Board of Appeals
January 11, 2008

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Mitt Romney is Our Next President!

I will bet $100 to anyone reading this letter that Hillary Clinton will secure the nomination for President on the Democratic ticket. I will bet another $100 that Mitt Romney will win the Republican ticket.

And finally, I'll bet another $100 that Mitt Romney will be our next President. I am as serious as a heart attack and any takers should be, too. The first wager to my bets will be the only wager.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
January 11, 2008

Editor's Note: Mr. Stewart is serious. Email editor@fogcityjournal.com to request his email address.

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Let the Slumbering Giant Sleep

Dear Editor,

While many of us might rejoice in the prospect of Obama standing as a bulwark against another breakout of Klintonia (The Slumbering Giant has Finally Awakened by Jill Chapin), let us not deceive ourselves that the US empire is pure and good if only absent George W. Bush, nor that the empire as constituted (and our standard of living for that matter) is ecologically or equitably sustainable.

The truth is that consensus Democrat and Republican policies have brought us to the point where neoconservative greed and hubris have conspired to undermine the underpinnings of the US empire, and that is a beneficial development to the rest of the world.

The prestige of the superpower was traded at a premium, resulting in the alienation of much of the world from the US due to the consequences of our ruthless extraction of raw materials from the non-industrial world.

The rest of the world has responded by forming alternative economic and political blocs which compete against the US for raw materials and unite in little else than a general resentment of US entitlement. The Russians, Chinese, Indians, Islamic world and Latin America have all coalesced into resource rich power centers with goals not necessarily coincident with those of the US. The EU now stands as what passes the remnant imperial moral conscience of the modernist era.

Through greed and hubris, neoconservatives have delivered a more fatal blow to the empire than any gaggle of ineffective leftists could have hoped for. The implosion of the FIRE economy, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, due to mutual self reliance on baseless speculative investments weakens the ability of the US to effectively project the military power required to procure raw materials.

The decline of the dollar is a direct consequence of deficit spending on profligate military expenditures of diminishing political returns.

Economic development in the global south has led to greater competition for raw materials, everything from steel to petroleum, and has driven up commodity prices.

The risk that the domestic economy will contract while the declining dollar will lead to the replacement of the dollar as the reserve currency is great. If the dollar is replaced as the reserve currency by the Euro or the Ruble, then the US can no longer write debt checks that get covered by magic. The downsizing of the American dream in this scenario would be significant.

So perhaps we should recognize and celebrate the emergence of a multipolar world where we don't get to take what we want from others.

Our talk on how Green we are would take on a whole new dimension under this probable scenario. The Imperial giant should be given lethal injection, put to sleep, and we should consider a more humane, egaltarian posture in relation to the rest of the world. Given our current weak economic and political predicament, we might not have much of a choice.

Marc Salomon
San Francisco
January 10, 2008

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No Kidding

Dear Editor,

Ann Garrison is citing a paragraph from a letter by the ultra-left Matt Stewart, not me. I'm a middle-of-the-road extremist, not a lefty like Stewart. Speaking of lefties/progressives: H. Brown's notion that the city's progressives are the "smartest hit men in town," if it means anything at all, is dubious. Can he really be referring to Chris Daly? Daly is now embracing "change," which barely qualifies as a slogan, let alone an idea.

Regards,

Rob Anderson
San Francisco
January 9, 2008

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Chris Daly's Opinion of Barack Obama vs. Reality

Dear Editor,

I think that Chris Daly's opinion of Barack Obama is well-intentioned but, ultimately misguided. I'm the first to admit that Obama is inspiring sectors of the public that are eager for change. The same can be said for people who voted for Mike "Psycho Eyes" Huckabee in Iowa and John "I Was a P.O.W., You Know" McCain in New Hampshire.

However, Chris seems content to pump up Obama into something that he is not -- perhaps even dangerously so. The truth of the matter is that many people are happy to give Obama a free pass simply because 1) he's not a Republican, 2) he's not Hillary Clinton and 3), they are ecstatic with the concept that we might get a black President and, therefore, we should all give ourselves a hearty pat on the back for our ability to not be racist.

When forced to deal with the annoying chore of focusing on the issues that Obama supports (the REAL issues and not the vague but universally appealing rhetoric of "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN"), people seem less concerned.

Let's give ourselves a brutal slap in the face and an ice-cold splash of water and realize that the best we can hope for at this point is to maintain the same passion for change after the election that we have during. Obama is far from a panacea and we will learn this soon enough if he gets elected President.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
January 8, 2008

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Daly's best piece

Dear Editor,

Progressives have always had the smartest hit men with the lowest slung guns. Daly is 'Top Gun' now and richly deserves it. Outspent 10 or 15 or 20 times over, we still win 70% of the races for offices and initiatives.

Daly has shown us eloquence in a moving epistle. Watch the nature of the response this reasoned discourse will bring from the Newsom people. Dem dere foks just can't write worth poop.

We don't need to stage a come-back. We just have to stay the course. We have all the brains, humor and ideals. 2008 looks like a boner year.

Use it or lose it,

h. brown
San Francisco
January 8, 2008

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Re: "Chris Daly, let's not kid ourselves, shall we?"

Dear Editor,

I am more than aggravated by the imprecision and fascistic emotionalism of the currentAmerican political lexicon myself. Hence, I have my own reaction to this paragraph in Rob Anderson's letter to the editor (January 3, 2008) , although I imagine that, if he and I ever have a chance to talk, we would most likely agree about many things:

"Chris Daly -- a very intelligent person -- has even fallen for it. He distinguishes himself and six other Supervisors of the Board as being "progressive". I would agree with that part. But when he refers to the rest of the Supervisors, he calls them "moderates". This is a total falsehood. With the possible exception of Bevan Dufty, let's give these politicians the disreepect they deserve and call them what they are: "CONSERVATIVE."

First of all, anyone who calls me a liberal is picking a fight, if I have the energy for it, though I can't say I have much of that left of late.

Liberalism is a term I associate with the late 18th century philosophy of economic individualism, which deeply conflicts with the best definition of my own politics that I've ever been able to come to: a shared commitment to shared survival, dignity, and purpose.

And, as for the term "conservative," although I believe I know what Rob Anderson means when he uses it, I have no use for this term at all. Those he calls conservative, including Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, and the Bush dynasty, have no interest in conserving anything decent, humane, or beautiful that I can see.

These people conserve nothing. Their motive is to destroy, take the money, and run. As far as I am concerned, these people are the destructivists, and, sad to say, their approach to life, and their sole deity, the maximum rate of return on investment capital, have overwhelmed American "culture," which is difficult to call "culture" at all, because it cultivates not life or anything that sustains life, but death and the death of the planet's ability to sustain life.

Ann Garrison
San Francsco
January 7, 2008

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Will $82million really help the Bayview?

Dear Editor,

In your recent report of the City receiving $82million for the Shipyard cleanup, a little more detail of the facts in the reporting could be very helpful for new readers to the issue. A statement from the leadership of the Bayview community is certainly in order since it seems that all the credit is going to politicians that have been negligent of the issue for well over a decade. It would also help when the Mayor makes a wide-sweeping statement about his now 'new' interest in the health and well-being of the Bayview community, that his record on the issue be also printed especially when there is obvious contradiction and hypocrisy apparent.

Bruce Wolfe
The Fog City
January 5, 2008

Editor's Note: The big question remains, when will the BVHP community file a class-action lawsuit against the federal goverment for criminal negligence? The goverment has been on notice about the shipyard link to ashtma and cancer rates in the BVHP community for decades.

Where's Erin Brockovich?

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The Progressive Agenda

Dear Editor,

Chris Daly brags about how city progressives "elevate the issues...above our own political advancement and personal self-interest" and then tells us that his decision to not run for mayor "was the right decision for my family and for me personally."

Nor is his boast that he and his prog colleagues passed 93 ordinances while the so-called moderates passed a mere 35 particularly impressive.

What the city needs more than a lot of new legislation is some sound judgment on public policy. Daly didn't mention some notable "progressive" fiascos created and in-the-making by the Board of Supervisors: the Bicycle Plan, the Rincon Hill highrises and the green light for many more city highrises, the impending roll-over for UC's rip-off of the old extension property, and the court defeat for their aggressively pro-development Housing Element.

After eight years in office, it's good that Daly and his prog colleagues are finally getting around to a serious initiative on affordable housing, long after they pushed through thousands of luxury condos on Rincon Hill.

Regards,

Rob Anderson
San Francisco
January 3, 2008

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Chris Daly, let's not kid ourselves, shall we?

Dear Editor,

I'm amazed at how over the past 35 years, institutional Democrats associated with the Democratic Leadership Council have been able to frame the political debate and introduce powerful Orwellian terms into our common lexicon.

Chris Daly -- a very intelligent person -- has even fallen for it. He distinguishes himself and six other Supervisors of the Board as being "progressive". I would agree with that part. But when he refers to the rest of the Supervisors, he calls them "moderates". This is a total falsehood. With the possible exception of Bevan Dufty, let's give these politicians the disrepsect they deserve and call them what they are: "CONSERVATIVE".

It will be a cold day in hell before you EVER convince me that Sean Elsbernd, Michela Alioto-Pier and Gavin Newsom (in spite of his culturally open-minded gestures) are even close to being REAL moderates. And the same thing can be said for "San Francisco Liberals" (a term they despise instead of embrace) Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein.

To say that Republicans are the real conservatives is just a cop out. Afterall, let's not forget that Dianne Feinstein and Republican, Dan White, were ideological twins when they were both Supervisors.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
December 31, 2007

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On Zoo's in general

Don't get me wrong, I love animals. I gave one a get-of-jail-card-free and a loving home, a job to do that he loves and the ability to be with me 24/7/365.

But, zoo's are not great places for wild animals who are designed by nature to be roaming in environments designed for them by nature. Zoo's are unnatural places. While I hear the call for some animals that cannot be returned to the wild to be held in captivity, there are better places like preserves that are more conducive for a more healthier lifestyle and longer, less stressful life. If anything, animal parks are far better places, though I'd rather see them returned from whence they came.

My heart goes out to the families and spirits that are affected by this incident and the incredulous reactions by the zoo and other officials. If zoo workers were allowed to carry tranquilizer devices to subdue these events, maybe, just maybe there would be a life spared here. No animal should be put to death for being just what they are innately after having been placed in such contrivances as a zoo for all to gawk at.

We can garner far better insight by folks who do far less harm to animals on film in the wild, in their own habitats than we can through the bars of a cage. Also, are these animals really getting the exercise they need to stay in optimum health? I know on days that Charlie (my dog) doesn't get to go and play with his friends, it affects his health and well being. While we all spend gobs of dollars at gyms and health clubs, too, a little exercise each day at maximum ability for any animal goes a long way at preserving their health, happiness and longevity.

We have enough jails in this world. While we get to walk around aimlessly through a contrived park, animals are caged in less than ample quarters relieved or muted of their natural instincts until they snap back like a rubber band. Think about that on myriad, mezzo and micro levels in all corners of life.

This tiger was acting as it should, like a tiger, like any animal caged and prohibited of its natural habitat and instincts. Do you think this tiger's innate being likes SF weather? I doubt it unless he/she came from the Himalayas. Why should we force a wild animal to live in an unnatural place with a concrete walls and bars among a few shrubberies?

So, instead of us spending time gawking at animals behind bars, let's help them live and be free in the wild, and work to preserve their species and natural habitats by *closing this zoo* and returning these animals to places more conducive to their natual existeence, where they may live their lives in peace and tranquility with proper protection so they are not used as trophies or food.

There are so few left.

Bruce Wolfe
San Francisco
December 30, 2007

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Bhutto vs. the SF Zoo

Dear Editor,

Though very tragic and deplorable, I think that the fact that a zoo's negligence is receiving about as much press coverage as the assasination of Benazir Bhutto, suggests that some peoples' priorities are out of whack.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
December 30, 2007

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Carlos Sousa Jr.

Dear Editor,

No, a "rotting dead tiger" is not what this story is all about. It is about the tragic, untimely death of a 17-year-old on Christmas Day. I do not think FCJ or any other media outlet is covering the story to an unwarranted excess.

As a parent, I cannot stop thinking about this tragedy and how outrageous it is that the zoo did not take effective measures to prevent this attack from occurring.

My deepest sympathies are with the Sousa family and I think this is an important story!

Thank you for your coverage. For San Francisco families, who want to take their children to a zoo, this is an important story.

Tami Bryant
San Francisco
December 30, 2007

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A Rotting Dead Tiger is Still News?

Dear Editor,

ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! ENOUGH WITH THE DEAD TIGER STORIES ALREADY!!! The mainstream press has pretty much got this sensationalist non-issue saturated and that is to be expected from trash like them. But COME ON, Luke, the recycled BCN news releases on this topic are getting pretty old right about now.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
December 29, 2007

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Fog City's cheesecake photos

Fog City's daily cheesecake photos of Elaine Santore just keep getting better and better. Keep 'em coming.

She's hot stuff. I enjoy them myself.

Ann Garrison
San Francisco
December 24, 2007

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Health insurance companies are getting away with murder

Dear Editor,

I noticed the Chronicle forgot this story maybe because it happened too far away to cover it. Maybe, shopping was more important for their reporters.

Nataline Sarkiysan was a 17 year-old young woman who had leukemia in Los Angeles. Having worked at UCSF on the 11Th floor of a cancer ward that did bone marrow transplants, I can tell you how minutes, not hours nor weeks, can mean a patient's life if a doctor or a nurse doesn't do their job. Between the lack of platelets that control bleeding, red blood cells that give nourishing oxygen and finally, the white cells that prevent infection, patient's and their families go through hell to survive and win over this nasty, god-awful disease. A bone-marrow transplant saved Nataline's life before, now it was her liver that was failing. She had a good chance of surviving with a new liver.

Last week, I got an e-mail to call CIGNA, the health insurance giant. Her doctors wrote a letter to CIGNA on December 11th and a week later, had denied it as "experimental". That's a common excuse used by insurers to not give you care. Not taking no for an answer, her nurses of CNA/NNOC organized a protest.

The community and Nataline's family did these protests on line, on the phone and as a last resort, outside UCLA last Thursday to pressure CIGNA to change its mind on the denial. You can see the You-tube video on line on the CNA website.

It worked and CIGNA reversed course and authorized the transplant. But for Nataline, it was a little too late and she passed in her sleep at 6 pm the same day.

I am not trying to ruin people's holiday season with this sad story. Nataline could have been save, but not by our current system that allows health insurance companies to get away with murder. If Nataline's death has any meaning it will be that bills, like the one hastily passed by our so-called leaders in the Assembly on Monday, never see the light of day. The Nunez-Schwarzenegger bill isn't Medicare for all, single-payer. It forces people who have no money to buy health insurance like CIGNA and will be paid for by taxes including at least 1 billion dollars from the public sector. It's a gift to the health insurance industry who will see their profits rise and our lives put on the line like Nataline.

Next year, I am told, will be the year of health care reform in California and our nation. I hope for the next Nataline, they will be right. Maybe, we can finally have a system that allows doctors, nurses and above all patient's and their families the ability to make their own medical decisions without insurance companies eying their bottom lines first. Anything less is unacceptable, ethically challenged and down right wrong.

Thank you,

Nancy Lewis, RN FNP
San Francisco
December 23, 2007

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Holiday Treat Throwdown

Dear Editor,

Thanks so much for including our little soiree in FCJ. The pictures are fantastic and the captions are hilarious!

Thanks for coming!

Cammy Blackstone
Legislative Aide, Office of Supervisor Sean Elsbernd
December 20, 2007

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Pat Guintos passed away after last stand in support of HR 676

Dear Editor,

My name is James Keys and I am the new Health Program Director for Senior Action Network. The rally held at the Federal Building, on December 13, 2007, was organized by me and the SAN Health Committee.

Your comprehensive coverage of our event and the full amount of information printed regarding “House Resolution Bill 676” provides a clear and concise “snapshot” of what millions of people are crying out for, less expensive and quality healthcare.

We invited a representative from Congresswoman Nancy Peolsi’s office to listen to our speakers, yet the “cool” response I received on the phone did not assure me anyone from that office would be in attendance.

Many people, seniors, disabled, healthy, young, etcetera have worked and fought very hard for a “single-payer” universal healthcare plan. Too much of the money spent on healthcare goes to administrative costs. People are paying 31 cents of every dollar to have an administrative person shuffle papers around. That money could be put to better use. Single-payer would eliminate the “excess” steps and direct monies to providing better healthcare. Yet that would make a lot of insurance companies angry.

And finally, if you look at the photograph of Kay McVay, President Emeritus of the California Nurses Association, you will see Barbara Blong, Executive Director of Senior Action Network and behind her is Ms. Pat Guintos. Ms. Guintos told Barbara that she “was cold, yet she would stay with her at the rally because healthcare was so important.”

Ms. Guintos passed away Saturday night. She will always be remembered and loved. She left us standing up for what she believed in.

Thank you for the article and photographs.

James Keys
Health Program Director
Senior Action Network
December 18, 2007

Editor's Note: We are sorry to read your news of Ms. Guintos' passing. Ms. Guintos' memory will now be inextricably linked to the final stand she took in support of the very health care legislation that may have saved her life, and the lives of millions of Americans who cannot wait until January 2009 to receive the health care they need today.

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The Bicycle Plan

Dear Editor,

The reason the environmental impact report on the Bicycle Plan is being delayed is that those responsible for actually writing the report understand what we have been saying for almost three years: The 460-page Bicycle Plan is a huge project that affects hundreds of city streets, which means the EIR must also be a comprehensive document that does justice to the scope of the Plan. If, as we urged at the time, the city had done an EIR in the first place, the city's bike people wouldn't be facing this problem. On the other hand, if the city had done an EIR in the beginning---instead of trying to sneak it through the process---the people of the city would have learned even sooner what the cycling community and its many enablers in City Hall planned to do to their neighborhoods: take away street parking and traffic lanes to make bike lanes.

The bike people like to cite the David Binder survey, but he should also have asked city residents this question: Do you want the city to take away street parking and traffic lanes in your neighborhood to make bike lanes? I bet the positive response would have been a lot smaller than 75%.

Regards,

Rob Anderson
San Francisco
December 12, 2007

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Harassing CNA/NNOC Nurses for our Advocacy:
Why We Strike Part II

It was no accident, nor a concern for patient safety,that a memo from the Chief Nursing Executive, Ms. Vicki Ardito to management staff, surfaced last month. Unit by Unit, Sutter nurses are being targeted for those with the "worst attitudes" by supervisors for disciplinary action. From simple write ups to termination, nurses are being targeted throughout the Sutter system. Everything, from not answering the phone in a timely manner to not saying a scripted message to their patients every shift is being documented.

But the real reason, the Sutter RN's are being targeted for their attitudes is their dogged determination to fight for their profession, a decent contract and most importatly, their patient's right to a safely staffed hospital by the RN's who over-see their care.

Last week, these determined nurses had the audacity,to vote for another strike, beginning next Thursday at 7am until Saturday at 7am at "all" 13 Sutter facilities in Northern California. Once again, nurses,from Sutter Delta near Sac town,to Alta Bates in Berkeley, to Peninsula in Burlingame and lastly, CPMC and old St. Luke's in San Francisco, will be walking the picket line for two days. In addition, despite their every effort to fore-stall the closure of St. Luke's at the Board of Supervisors, Health Commission and multiple community rallies, Sutter is threatening a wall to wall lock out of all nurses who walk the picket line next week and close the adult Medical-Surgical units in the new year.

I hope as many people can join the CNA/NNOC nurses on the picket line next week. I will be there to help the nurses win this fight for themselves and their patients. As a nurse for over 17 years, a member of CNA/NNOC for the same length of time, I can tell you how important the bedside nurse is to keeping patients alive and well during a hospital stay. They are fighting as though a life depends on them. I think it does.

It is not the nurses who are expressing the "worst" attitude and need an attitude re adjustment, it is Sutter management.

Sincerely,

Nancy E. Lewis, RN FNP
San Francisco
December 6, 2007

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Empowering Crackpotism

Dear Editor,

What exactly are the progressive "gains" Christina Olague is referring to? What does Sue Vaughn think the political difference is between the city's progressive men and progressive women in the city? Don't all male and female prog leaders in SF support the Bicycle Plan, Critical Mass, and the ongoing city jihad against the wicked automobile? And don't all male and female prog leaders in SF support the Rincon Hill highrises, the Market/Octavia Plan, and UC's land-grab on lower Haight Street? And didn't all male and female prog leaders in SF support Josh Wolf, ignoring the fact that city cop Peter Shields had his head fractured by Wolf's comrades during that demo? And, by the way, when is the SF Green Party going to take the anti-American tirade by convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu Jamal off of its website? What makes anyone think the Green Party's Ross Mirkarimi, who supported Josh Wolf and likes to prattle about revolution, could ever be elected mayor of SF? And when are city progs going to step up with a sensible approach to homelessness in SF instead of knee-jerk opposition to whatever Mayor Newsom is doing?

Regards,

Rob Anderson
San Francisco
December 6, 2007

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Women empowerment

Dear Editor,

Sitting in on a conversation with Matt Gonzalez and Ross Mirkarimi as they discuss furniture is hardly my idea of empowering women in local politics. I walked by Matt's office a couple of times that evening as he engaged in meetings with Jazzie Collins and Jane Kim, so it seems that many meetings and conversations were taking place in his office that evening. And honestly for all the grief Matt has taken over the years, he has encouraged leadership among women locally. It is common knowledge that Gonzalez encouraged Sarah Lipson and Jane Kim to run for School Board. He was one of the first electeds to support Renee Saucedo in her District 9 Supervisors race and the list goes on. When he was President of the Board of Supervisors he didn't hesitate to appoint some of us to key commissions ranging from planning to immigrant rights and he continues to work with the Mayor of Richmond and other women who are in key decision making roles in a support capacity.

There is a time and a place and sometimes at these events people want private time to talk about any number of issues and we should respect that. That Mirkarimi and Gonzalez are talking is a good thing as we are all going to have to come together in November of 2008 to preserve the gains we have made as progressives. Preserving and increasing those gains is a conversation we should all be engaged in regardless of gender.

Still, Sue makes many valid points but from my standpoint and at the risk of coming off as too "60's" I still feel more empowered as a women activist after sitting around in room talking with other women like Alix Rosenthal, Renee Saucedo or Misha Irizarry or Sue Vaughan or Susan King. Progressives have alot of work to do in this area this fall we are still absent progressive women in many races but where we can support progressive women we should like Sonya Mehta's run for Community College Board. There are many ways to empower ourselves as women activists but if a private conversation is taking place let's respect it, there are many avenues and places we can continue to engage in that have a greater reach than this.

Sincerely,

Christina Olague, San Francisco Planning Commissioner
December 5, 2007

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Mark Sanchez, etc.

Dear Editor,

I think that the first and most fitting pieces of legislation that Mark Sanchez can introduce if he becomes a Supervisor is to make the position of School Board member a full-time, full pay, job so that the rich (i.e. Heather Hiles), old (i.e. Dan Kelly), and/or well connected/conflicted interest (i.e. Hydra Mendoza and Heather Hiles) aren't the only ones who have a better chance at winning a seat. Who knows? Sarah Lipson might still be on the School Board if such basic necessities were a part of the game.

In addition, he might want to further level the playing field in that sector by making School Board positions elected by district instead of city-wide, as well as instituting campaign matching funds for the honest and well-intentioned candidates.

As a semi-non-sequitor, the District 9 (and 3) race for Supervisor is just screaming for reform with regard to IRV. As things stand, the IRV, exclusively 1-2-3 process is entirely un democratic, as the voter can only rate 3 out of God knows how many candidates that are running. This is especially important for the next mayoral election since at least 20 people will be vying for that Brass Ring. I say that voters should be able to rate as many candidates as they want. This is especially important now that The City is in the process of getting their new voting machines.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
November 5, 2007

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A revolution in gender and politics, please

Dear Editor:

Perhaps some context is necessary to understand the events of Friday night. Perhaps it's true that three men behind the glass walls of an office at a fundraiser being hosted by one of them could have been talking about anything, and I would have none of it -- even if they had been talking about furniture, as an informant later told me they were. In fact, most likely it IS true, as I believe there are few things in the world that are more important than (and excuse me, Ross, for appropriating one of your favorite words) a "revolution" in gender and politics. Certainly, a discussion about the revolution in gender and politics -- with women in the mix -- takes precedence over a discussion of furniture, and at a political event, no less.

That revolution is not happening quickly enough in San Francisco. Besides the fact that women are underrepresented in elected office in San Francisco, over the past year there have been numerous supposedly progressive events in which women have not been included as speakers, in which women invitees have not been listed on the promotional literature, or in which women have not been acknowledged in the news coverage of those events. While I can list the specific events during this past year, the frustration with the failure of our male colleagues to include women in "their" events goes back many years.

And yet women have been on the ground, central to the campaigns of ballot measures and our male colleagues. As we are all responsible for mitigating global climate change and resisting natural resource wars, we are also all responsible for participating in that revolution in gender and politics. To be silent when we witness the perpetuation of the old paradigm of male political hegemony is to be a participant in that perpetuation.

So I rocked the boat the other night. Not the first time and you can wager big bucks that it will not be the last time. Luke, have your camera ever at the ready, Elaine your pen. It was a great party and a great evening, and we'll all survive our seasickness and get over this -- and hopefully move forward with a greater sensitivity to the issues of gender and ethnic diversity in our all too white, all too male progressive community. And hey, I like and appreciate all of our male colleagues and allies.

Sue Vaughan
San Francisco Green Party
December 4, 2007

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"Out" in the fog in the middle of the Road!

Dear Editor,

I have a Google Harvey Milk alert and your "Mayor of Castro" Memorial edition popped up and it made me think of hopping on the reversible light-year train, to take me back to what "Chuck" Dickens called "The best of times, the worst of times," but in San Francisco in the 60's and 1970's.

I'm now here in Chicago, the city I left in the early 60's because then it was taboo to know anyone or be "queer"!

I went west, a young man and discovered Utopia in the making. Most people think San Francisco has always been a liberal city. However when I arrived, there were laws still on the books, that if you wanted to dress in drag (not my forte), you had to wear a name like tag saying "I am a boy" or you could be arrested, even on Halloween! However, it was courageous drag queens who helped to change anti-gay laws by being arrested many times. I was lucky to have seen José Sarria at the fabled Black Cat bar, and when he ran for City Supervisor and received over 6,000 votes that begat gay politics, over a decade before Harvey Milk. The city was a great small city back then and you did not have to file for bankruptcy just to pay your rent, or rent a small storefront in most parts of the city. A lid of pot cost $7 and Zig Zag papers sold for a nickel!

The gay area was mostly on Polk Street and muni cost 15 cents. Aquatic Park had a gay beach and the smell of chocolate filled the air from Ghiardelli Square before it was turned into a shopping center. Most of the wharf area were still warehouses. I also discovered, like myself, many people migrated from their hometowns to San Francisco just to be ourselves. I bought a cheap Kodak Instamatic camera to send tourist like images back to friends and family in Chicago, but images of leftover beatniks, hippies, flower children, Golden Gate Park, "summer of love", peace mongers and war protesters, found their way into my lens by the end of the decade.

I began the 70's by moving on a small street called Alpine Terrace, located between the Haight-Ashbury and Castro-Eureka neighborhoods. I rented a 2 bedroom house with a front and back yard, an in-law apartment with two parking garage spaces for $250 a month. I bought a better camera and became a freelance photographer and publicist. I specialized in gay clients, bars and businesses, at a time when it was not yet fashionable to be openly gay, and by osmosis became involved in early San Francisco gay politics, sports and media.

I used to display my photographs in a Castro Street storefront window of Georgeanna's Bakery, just a few steps from today's Harvey Milk Plaza. I made lots of friends including Harvey, Mayor Moscone, Dr.Tom Waddell and lots of enemies as well, including many I did not even know! President Eisenhour said "taking a political stance in the middle of the road will open you up to the extremes of both sides of a political issue" and it did for me, especially when I supported Terry Hallinan when he ran against Harvey Milk for Supervisor in the 5th District. The gay rag Bay Area Reporter labeled me "Gays for Homophobia!"

Hey, I didn't mean to rant and rave when I started this letter... I really just wanted to congratulate you on your fine site. I keep in touch and once in a while contribute some tales to BeyondChron.com and a few of my images can be found at Uncle Don's, but from now on I'll add your site to stay in touch, too.

Like I said I was lucky to have been in San Francisco at a time when the fog horn sounded like a real fog horn, to know people before they discovered themselves and others, and to have a treasure trove of memories, one of a kind memorabilia and thousands of images to remind me just how lucky I was.

Thanks for being there and for your site.

Cheers,

Jerry Pritikin
Chicago
December 2, 2007

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Responding to Alex Dollery...

Dear Alex,

You must be a liberal to even suggest that the USCG was responsible for the oil spill that was caused by an outbound ship. Research the subject before spouting off about people that serve and protect this wonderful country of ours. You are probably just as much to blame for the oil spill.

I enjoyed the article very much, and yes I am proud of all military personnel serving our country. Also Jessica's last name is spelled Shafer, she is my daughter and I am proud of her too!

Judy Lewis
November 20, 2007

Editor's Note: Thank you for your letter of correction. Jessica's last name now corrected.

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What's with the puff piece on the Coast Guard?

Dear Editor,

Hadn't you noticed that the Coast Guard is responsible for one of the worst oil spills in the history of the San Francisco Bay? Or did you think they should be given an award for their incompetence?

Given the suck-up tone of that "article," I'm surprised you didn't suggest that the 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel was an environmental friendly additive that would restore wildlife health and act as a soothing emollient for swimmers and fishermen.

Alex Dollery
November 19, 2007

Editor's Note: The Coast Guard feature story was undertaken in mid-October, weeks before the oil spill travesty occured on Novemer 7. Despite the somewhat awkward timing of the story, it was scheduled for publishing today.

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Enabling Torture

Dear Editor,

The Gulf War vets in your article are to be commended for their efforts to publicize the fact that the technique cutely named "waterboarding" by the media (isn't it fun - its like snowboarding!) is in fact a form of torture.

Some clarification is in order, though. Unlike the mere simulation enacted by these activitists, the technique used by US forces does not include a barrier to keep water from entering the lungs of its victims. The whole point of the technique is to give the victim the experience of drowning until they break, hopefully short of death. Thus, even referring to this torture as "simulated drowning" is not accurate. It IS drowning. If someone fell into a pond and was drowning, but was saved before death, we would not call that "simulated drowning." And that term should never be used in connection with this torture method, as it makes it sound less horrible than it is.

Knowing this, and knowing that our government signed treaties declaring this technique to be torture, how can ANY person support an Attorney General nominee who refuses to say this technique is torture? Such a nominee is declaring up front that they will NOT uphold the law.

Senator Feinstein, who broke ranks and announced her early support of Mukaskey, should be ASHAMED. But of course it has become clear that she is without shame and does not deserve to serve the people of California.

Jerry Threet
San Francisco
November 15, 2007

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Latest CrackBerry Chronicle

Dear Editor,

I have this to say about the latest installment of the CrackBerry Chronicles:

Supervisor Aaron Peskin waiting to take a bus from the Yes on A/ No on H party, was the best thing I saw all night (and I saw a lot).

I'd like to see more supervisors taking the bus or streetcar more often. Didn't we ask them to take transit at least once a week at some point (if possible), or is that just the Municipal Transportation Agency board?

For those supervisors, other electeds, city staff, commissioners, etc. wanting to take transit but concerned they might miss a meeting because of a late bus or streetcar, I have this advice: always always wear flats.

Karen Babbitt
San Francisco
November 12, 2007

Editor's Note: Good ole Pesker's, he knows how to walk the walk, especially after a few jars at the local watering hole!

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Eric Quezada is the best progressive candidate for District 9 Supervisor

Dear Editor,

Our district system provides the opportunity for genuine neighborhood leaders to win Supervisor elections, making endorsements, citywide stature, and even fundraising much less important. So while Mark Sanchez has done yeoman's work for progressives at the School Board and David Campos has earned my respect as Police Commissioner, Eric Quezada is by far the best choice for District 9 Supervisor.

Eric Quezada has spent the better part of 2 decades working on District 9 neighborhood issues with PODER, Mission Housing, the Mission Anti-displacement Coalition, the Mission Economic Development Association and now Dolores Street Community Services. He's also a long-time board member with the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.

Eric took the lead on challenging live/work development in the Mission in the 90's and has worked since on stopping the gentrification of the neighborhood. Eric's been at the forefront of the District's most pressing issues -- affordable housing, immigrant rights, family services, economic development, and environmental justice.

Eric Quezada is not only a good progressive, he's a neighborhood leader with deep grounding in the issues of San Francisco's most progressive district. He may not be the best-known candidate and he probably won't have the biggest endorsements and war chest, but Eric Quezada is the best progressive candidate for District 9.

Supervisor Chris Daly
November 11, 2007

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When is Progressive voter apathy ever justified?

Dear Editor,

I'm a bit curious. If four years ago, 119,323 San Franciscans came out “on a rainy day in December," to quote Supervisor Chris Daly from his blog, and voted for Supervisor Matt Gonzalez in his run-off against Supervisor Gavin Newsom, what happened to these people Tuesday?

An anticipated low turn-out would have been an excellent opportunity to unseat an incumbent mayor. Plus, this was the first year we had rank-choice voting for Mayor that the Green Party fought tooth-and-nail for. Rank-choice voting was supposed to increase voter turnout and give the little guy a chance.

Add up the just number of people who voted for Supervisors Tom Ammiano, Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi the last time they ran and ask yourself where that number appears in the election result tables. Why didn’t these same, exact Progressives vote for Quintin Mecke? Was his platform all that different? Regardless of how much money Newsom’s campaign spent, these voters were well aware of Quintin Mecke. His name was on the ballot along with all the others.

Besides rank-choice voting, you can now sign up for permanent absentee voting in which the ballot is sent right to your home. So all you have to do is take out a black-ink pen, connect the arrow feathers to the arrowhead and mail in your vote. How difficult is that? Are pens now too heavy to lift?

When is Progressive voter apathy ever justified?

Brian Wallace
San Francisco
November 7, 2007

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Burma story

Dear Editor,

Thanks very much for covering this important story. Many people in the Bay Area still don't know where Burma is and thanks to your coverage, some are beginning to realize the horror that is happening over there.

With thanks,

Ruth Goode
San Francisco
October 27, 2007

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David Campos

Dear Editor,

I cannot believe that in the short time since I last read FCJ, as in yesterday, as I had just read the inspiring piece on Peter Lauterborn, Eric Mar and Chris Jackson running for office, there has been such a rush of heated exchanges involving David Campos.

I think I have solid progressive credentials and will not support anyone that I do not consider solidly progressive, and I have, at least in my heart, if not yet publicly, declared my support and endorsement for David Campos in District 9 and I have to take exception with Marc Salomon's characterization of progressives supporting David just because he is a "nice guy."

I think Michael Goldstein did a fine job with the facts surrounding David Campos' politics and credentials, so I do not need to go there.

I first came into contact with David when he was SFUSD counsel and I was an SFUSD parent compelled to attend SFUSD board meetings to stand up for the children that kept getting a raw deal from certain BoE members. And I was the parent plaintiff to oppose the contract Dan Kelly crafted for Arlene Ackerman.

It would be fair to say that initially I did not have a favorable opinion of an attorney for the SFUSD that I was always at odds with. But as I realized who David was and what his values were, I also knew that even if I disagreed with his legal opinions at times, that was his job, to represent the SFUSD.Just because I disagreed with some of his legal opinions, that did not make him, as a person, any less progressive. I work for the State of California, just because Arnie is my boss, doesn't mean I like or agree with him. As for David being an attorney for the SUSD, I certainly do not have a law degree and I have no reason to think David ever interpreted the law incorrectly just because I disagreed with his opinion. Simply because something may be legal, does not make it politically right in my world view but it is also no reflection on David's personal values or politics. I am sure for every time I disagreed with an opinion he rendered, there was a time that he gave legal expertise that was a victory for the children and employees of the SFUSD. David could have went into private practice and earned a lot more money, instead, he was counsel to a public school district.

The reasons I am supporting David Campos are many:

Because I know my district supervisor, Ross Mirkarimi needs a good ally on the Board when Tom Ammiano is termed out.. No, I am not currently a resident of the Mission, but I have lived in the Mission and Bernal Heights growing up. I also worked in the Mission doing interviews for the Census Bureau, and one of the most pressing issues of injustice facing my district and the Mission, is the odious gang injunction. And the issues I care about:

- Black and Latino children and the achievement gap in the SFUSD
- Jobs and opportunities for these youth, ex-offenders, etc.
- Immigrant rights, stopping the ICE raids
- Affordable Housing
- Healthcare
- Police Accountability
- Responsible and responsive government
- Crime prevention from a humane and social justice perspective

These are all issues I trust David with.

I think for someone to immigrate to this country, from a humble background and go on to attend some of the finest universities and become an attorney, is a remarkable asset to District 9.

Do you realize what a role model he is for the community he is running to represent? How many Latino, immigrant youth will be inspired by him?

David will bring the unique perspective of growing up a working-class immigrant in a racist, xenophobic culture, where he had to learn a new language; achieving a law degree which gives him crucial skills and knowledge to work in city government, but has the background to fight for the rights of those who been disenfranchised.

This is why, as a die-hard progressive, I am proud to support David Campos. And given what an outspoken critic I have been of the politicians in San Francisco, he would not want me associated with him if he was not truly a progressive.

Tami Bryant
SEIU 1000
October 26, 2007

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This Progressive sets the record straight

Dear Editor,

I just read Mark Salomon's response to my letter and it's clear from it that given Salomon's obsession with attacking David Campos, facts are no longer important to him. Since that is the case, it would be futile for me to engage Salomon at this point. I will simply say that progressives are behind Campos not because he's our friend and he's a nice guy, but because of his solid progressive record, including his work on the Democratic County Central Committee and the Police Commission. Finally, in light of Salomon's many inaccuracies, let me set the record straight about the following:

- It wasn't Louise Renne or Arlene Ackerman that actually hired Campos, ultimately, it was the Board of Education - Mark Sanchez included - that unanimously hired Campos as the School District's Chief Counsel.

- As far as Ackerman's contract is concerned, Campos was not even the attorney present at the meeting in question. What Campos did say is that while he would never have given Ackerman the golden parachute she received, unfortunately, the law allowed the lame duck Board to do what it did.

- As far as Campos and open government is concerned, I don't know what Salomon is talking about. Salomon should ask Sanchez about the fact that it was Campos who helped the Board of Education pass their version of the Sunshine Ordinance. It was also Campos who said that the Bay Guardian was entitled to get copies of Ackerman's expense reports even though Ackerman tried to block their release.

- And as far as Campos and public power is concerned, Salomon's attack totally missed the mark. Campos actually spent more than two years of his life fighting PG&E in court, including successfully fighting PG&E's efforts to keep the City from providing public power to City facilities like the Ferry Building. And Campos was the City's lead counsel in the lawsuit against PG&E's parent company over money stolen from ratepayers during the Energy Crisis.

Finally, last Tuesday's Milk Club meeting is evidence that "Malice" no longer exists.

Michael Goldstein
30 year San Francisco renter
October 25, 2007

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Some of my best friends are Progressives..

Dear Editor,

The point of my editorial was to reflect on the Leno/Migden contest as one where races based on friendships and personalities distract scarce progressive resources from pressing tasks at hand. This is critical because the challenges facing residents of D9 are anything but academic and progressive leadership is required to make real changes that make real people's lives better.

But Michael Goldstein makes my case and then some with his letter. Michael states that since David Campos and Mark Sanchez are friends, that any concerns over Campos' lack of progressive record and credentials are dismissable. I believe that the only way that one might consider Campos to be a progressive, by Michael's measure, is if he were one's friend and one considered themselves to be a progressive; call it Michael's Law of Inverse Cooties.

My comments were not on the substance of the D9 race, rather on the pattern of squandering scarce resources and opportunities that occurs when political campaigns are run based on friendship networks and cliques rather than on what moves the progressive agenda forward most expeditiously.

As things stand now, the clock is running down on the progressive project--how many Mission residents will be displaced by the march of the luxury condos between now and when the next D9 supervisor is sworn in--and few would wind that clock to buy some more time.

On the substance, however, I find it difficult to construe a "solid progressive record" from recent history as observed:

- Campos was Louise Renne and Arlene Ackerman's choice to counsel the SFUSD. Louise Renne was PG&E's City Attorney and Arlene Ackerman found common cause with corporate attack dogs like Wade Randlett and Republican homophobes like Donald Fisher,

- Campos was the SFUSD attorney who okayed a special meeting with a 22 hour (not 24 per law) notice on a federal holiday which allowed a lame duck, defeated incumbent Heather Hiles to provide the swing vote approving a contract that gave Ackerman $375K that came straight out of the beleagured classroom.

- Campos obstructed the provision of access as required under state law to Statements of Economic Interest that were allegedly filed under threat of perjury by his boss, disgraced superintendent Ackerman, but never produced on demand as required by state law.

- Campos gave money to to downtown user-friendly Susan Leal, who has blocked public power as General Manager of the PUC, instead of acknowledged progressives Ammiano or Gonzalez, but this was before David decided to reposition himself as a progressive running in the most progressive district in San Francisco.

- Campos has no grassroots experience on the issues of the day of import to the Mission, including housing, land use and planning, education, healthcare, or the environment and transportation.

David Campos is a nice guy and I can see why he has friends who will bend their political principles to support him, but he is only progressive under the logical framework of Michael's Law of Inverse Cooties, where since David is Michael's friend, and Michael is a progressive, therefore David is a progressive.

There are two candidates in D9 with long records of grassroots progressive activism, and for Malice to insert a moderate like Campos in the race, to masquerade him as a progressive, while progressives are defending and working to upgrade in D1, 3 and 11, smacks of valuing cliques over moving a progressive agenda and does a great deal of downtown's work for them.

Shame on Malice for parachuting their moderate candidate into D9 over qualified progressives.

Marc Salomon
Eighteen-year Mission District resident
October 25, 2007

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Responding to Marc Salomon's editorial

Dear Editor,

I just read Marc Salomon's editorial where, among other things, he refers to David Campos as a "moderate" running against progressives like Mark Sanchez. While I can understand that Salomon likes Sanchez and wants to help him get elected, I cannot understand why he would do so by once again distorting Campos' solid progressive record.

As Salomon knows, Campos and Sanchez are friends who like and respect each other. As progressive candidates running for the same position in District 9, Campos and Sanchez have promised to each other to run positive campaigns.

All of us would be wise to follow their example.

Michael Goldstein
San Francisco
October 25, 2007

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Dennis Kucinich: Emasculated Diva

Dear Editor,

I'm bewildered as to why liberal Democrats are so infatuated with perenial candidate, Dennis Kucinich. He's a man who is known to turn his back on his supporters at the last second and tell them to throw their support to whichever candidate that is most likely win the primary -- however repugnant that preordained candidate might be. This just proves that, underneath it all, he swims in the same water as the Democratic Leadership Council.

He is merely a diva that is running for president to "raise the level of debate" and "offer people an alternative." Instead of grandstanding in an impotent fashion, he should push the powers that be out of their comfort zone by running as an independent or third-party candidate. He may draw some heat and offend some people (i.e. his hypocritical liberal Democratic supporters), but at least he would be doing the right thing by furthering a growing cause as opposed to diluting it.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
October 23, 2007

Editor's Note: You may be pleasantly suprised to know there's a rumor floating around suggesting Kucinich will run as an independent should he not win the Democratic Party nomination for president.

####

Green Party Endorsements

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your story on the Mayoral candidates. One correction: the SF Green Party did not endorse a candidate. Instead, we recommend four candidates who agree with us on most of the important issues that are key to running the City. Our complete endorsements and a discussion of the issues on this November's ballot are given on our web site.

John-Marc Chandonia, SF Green Party
October 18, 2007

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Jim Rivaldo

Dear Editor,

I just wanted to clarify that Jim passed away from AIDS/Hep C complications. People with AIDS are dying from liver cancer and heart attacks caused by the virus and our medications. In fact, people with HIV/AIDS are 22 times as likely to get cancer. This is only worsened when we have Hep C co-infection.

AIDS is still the #1 cause of premature death of all men in San Francisco, ages 15-54. It is important that public perception is accurate. Not reporting AIDS as a cause of death does a disservice. Especially when San Francisco continues to receives outrageous cuts to our HIV/AIDS funding. The losses to AIDS housing have been staggering. Fortunately, AIDS Housing Alliance/SF was able to help Jim enjoy a more peaceful place for him to die in. Others are not so lucky.

Regards,

Brian Basinger
Director, AIDS Housing Alliance/SF
October 17, 2007

Editor's Note: Thank you for your letter of clarification.

####

Jim Rivaldo will be remembered for his friendship,
generosity and humor

Dear Editor,

I have never made a secret of the fact that I wouldn't have been elected City Attorney were it not for the creativity, savvy and intellect of Jim Rivaldo. Far more than what he accomplished politically, however, Jim will be remembered by those of us who loved him for his friendship, generosity and humor.

It would be impossible to chronicle the political empowerment of the LGBT community and others over the last three decades without acknowledging the extent to which Jim's extraordinary talent made it possible. I think we all hope that the work of our lives will leave the world a better place. With Jim Rivaldo, we know his did.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera
October 17, 2007

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The wonderful Jim Rivaldo

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your tribute to Jim Rivaldo. Jim was an extraordinary person with a passion for San Francisco, its governance and its politics. He and his partner, Dick Pabich, created an amazing and positive political consulting business in the 1970's which propelled many, often rather ordinary, individuals into leadership positions in California.

While more than thrilled to work for gay and lesbian candidates, Jim and Dick helped a broad spectrum of candidates. Both men were charming and funny guys who loved mixing it up for a good cause. My first campaign manager, Jack Davis, often used their talents to create campaign literature, signs and buttons. I still cherish my first campaign button, designed by Jim, finalized only after heated debates about which colors could be seen most clearly across a crowded room. Jim's color schemes ruled the day.

Jim worked on my current campaign right up until a couple of weeks ago, correcting copy from his computer and warning me about everything from hubris to the use of capital letters. He was a constant friend and trusted adviser to many, both during campaigns and during those long stretches in between.

Jim Rivaldo: A great guy who gave so much.

San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey
October 17, 2007

####

Local 87

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the stories that the "mainstream" media constantly ignores. I work a full time day job so I frequently have to miss the protests and rallies for issues that I consider crucial.

But thanks to your web site, there are photos and information about what I've missed. I really appreciate the coverage of the rally to support the janitors from my sister local, SEIU 87. I think ICE, all the way up the chain to George Bush, are the real terrorists and intimidating janitors, who work very hard, is unconscionable.

I stand in solidarity with the janitors and their righteous struggle to get their jobs back! San Francisco is a Sanctuary City.

It is our federal policy that causes the conditions of poverty and hopelessness, that propels people to immigrate to the U.S. in the first place. NAFTA, CAFTA. We exploit the people of their nations and support/instill their corrupt governments, and then self-righteously persecute them when they come here to make an honest living and take care of their families.

They deserve their jobs back so they can support their families.

I am appalled at the Feds' actions, including violating San Francisco law. Was Newsom there to demand their reinstatement? I certainly hope so.

Tami Bryant
San Francisco, SEIU 1000
October 13, 2007

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Nurses strike

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your coverage of what is turning out to be the largest strike of RN's in over a decade. The SF Chronicle thought it was more important to place concerns over "Halloween" and "pets puttin on the ritz" on this morning's edition than the walk out all over northern California of over 5500 RN's of CNA/NNOC. They chose to put it in the "Business section" which I guess is where I guess they think healthcare should be. I can't believe the shallowness of our major media outlets and applaud the Fog City Journal for covering this strike.

I attended the press conference on Monday in Oakland and was appalled at the un-safe staffing levels in Sutter St. Lukes' and their master plan to turn the hospital into clinics rather than acute care beds that this city badly needs. I am all for clinics but San Francisco has seen more than its share of hospitals close their ER and lose acute care beds, like, Mt. Zion hospital did, after a disastrous but predictably bad merger with Stanford Hospital. SFGH will be the last refuge of SF's neediest if Sutter Health gets away doing what they are planning to do and are doing with regard to patient care issues at St. Luke's.

The picket line began this morning at 7am and it was spirited and well attended by Sutter St. Luke's RN's who seem determined to hold Sutter's feet to the fire for the next 48 hours, and beyond if necessary.

Nancy Lewis, RN FNP, CNA/NNOC.
San Francisco
October 10, 2007

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Quakes and Highrises

Dear Editor,

BOMA honcho Ken Cleaveland unwittingly stipulates to the perils of our nascent high rise boom, and in so doing, makes the argument for a moratorium on high rises in the shaky South of Market until seismic and fire safety issues can be fully aired, solutions vetted and addressed.

When he says '"How can you trust a piping system in an earthquake?" he asked. "It's all about scare tactics.",' as he supports a new kind of wonder-elevator that is supposedly immune to fire, he admits that any system to provide a safe environment for firefighters is compromised by seismic issues.

BOMA and developers are scared of having to take eventual responsibility for the human consequences of their highly profitable megaprojects, and we are being bullied into entitling projects that are demonstrably dangerous under conditions historically certain to occur.

Further, the glass skins of these high rises are liable to collapse during a seismic event. How might we expect firefighters to enter a building if there is a substantial pile of broken plate glass blocking the entrances? Whole plate glass sheets can act as an airfoil and travel for blocks as deadly sharp wings as well.

As developers around the world traditionally do, Ken Cleaveland's BOMA constituents want to take their entitlement and the profits they generate and evade responsibility for what happens after they've been paid, in a disaster that we will have to deal with.

Marc Salomon
San Francisco
October 4, 2007

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No, Julian, h. is the ARCHETYPE of integrity

Dear Editor,

Julian -- I disagree with you about h. being a liar. I think that (to him at least) he is preaching the god's honest truth. However, I do believe that -- like the Chronicle -- his opinions are lazy, sloppy, and, therefore, grossly misinformed.

In addition, his opinions are influenced and generously-peppered with cruel vitriol for no other purpose than his own perverted personal entertainment, which -- more importantly -- allows him to confirm to himself that he actually exists.

In other words, he's a sadist who feeds off of tormenting others and, out of a mixture of arbitrariness and necessity, he's temporarily filling his sense of emptiness with your existence. After he is done with you, he'll move on to his next hapless victim. It's kind of like self-mutilation, only, unfortunately, he is inflicting it on others instead of a well-deserving self.

You can save yourself from excruciating frustration and torment by knowing that h. is merely the radioactive byproduct of countless lost and gluttinous years of boozing, reefering (on the public's dime, mind you) and inner-turmoil -- things that he is unwilling to resolve maturely. Try to take solace in the fact that he'll eventually exhaust himself.

Matt Stewart
Palo Alto
October 1, 2007

####

Thank you for FCJ's beautiful coverage

Dear Editor,

You captured the heart and soul of the Sheriff's Women's Reentry Center!

Thank you for the beautiful coverage!

All the best,

Sunny Schwartz
Program Administrator, Women's Reentry Center
September 29, 2007

####

h. brown ruffles some feathers

Dear Editor,

Those familiar with the 'journalism' of h brown are probably aware of his utter lack of integrity. Readers of his SF Bulldog column have become more and more aware of his dishonesty over the years. For those who are not aware, it should be made abundantly clear that h. brown's column is all too often a fountain of spurious and libelous drivel.

Though a self-described lefty, h brown has taken to shamelessly publishing abject lies about members of the progressive community in San Francisco. Freedom of the press is a right that is no less abused by h brown's false and aggressive personal attacks than by the pundits of the Fox News Network.

Though it is broadly understood that h brown's invectives are based in complete fantasy, thus almost nullifying the need for this letter, truth-loving people ought not to allow such pathetically invalid machinations to be disseminated in the name of progressive journalism.

Righteous victories have never been won nor just ends ever obtained by spinning destructive and belligerent lies about those peacefully advancing honorable causes. This unfortunately has become h brown's M.O. and pitiful legacy. Those who remember his witty and perceptive commentary of yesteryear are even more saddened by his fall from respectability.

This letter is a call for all those of sound mind and honest bearing to disregard h brown's published articles and to remove his slander from your list-serves and inboxes.

P.S. Thank you to Fog City Journal for screening h. brown's articles before posting them and for refusing to publish articles containing baseless personal attacks.

Julian Davis
San Francisco
September 29, 2007

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Great coverage of the Women's Reentry Center grand opening

Dear Editor,

Love the Women's Reentry story in today's edition, although there were not nearly enough pictures of me. Other than that, it's great!

Thanks for covering the event so well!

San Francisco County Sheriff Mike Hennessey
September 28, 2007

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Grasshopper

Dear Editor,

Too bad about Grasshopper - shows you how stressful taxi driving can be, given double and triple parked trucks, illegal limos, tourists driving like they are in Disneyland, bicycles, skateboards, wheelchairs, rollerbladers, shooting gangbangers, every locomotion a loco has a notion to motion, and last, but by no means least, our fair taxi commission with nothing better to waste their eight-hour meetings on than taking away his livelihood (scheduled for the night he was arrested) for refusing to give up his right to stick an "Impeach Bush" sticker on his taxi bumper, instead of focusing their authority on the fake taxis pervading San Francisco, driven by unlicensed operators who, for all we know, could be convicted rapists and worse ( I won't say the t word).

Sean O'Neil
San Francisco
September 21, 2007

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Murder and Suicide the American Way

Dear Editor,

Hurrah to Jill Chapin for her excellent guest editorial "Murder and Suicide the American Way" and hurrah to Luke Thomas and the Fog City Journal for having the balls to publish it!

See www.cchr.org for more on how psychiatric drugs alone are taking a devastating toll on our society.

Jeff Quiros
San Francisco
September 16, 2007

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Bring on the chicken suits

Dear Editor,

Mayor Newsom's request that all of his appointees submit their resignations is not an act of "vision" as he would have you believe. It's an act of complete cowardice.

As a manager for 20 years I would never ask ALL of my key people to tender letters of resignation to make me look "better." It's not a motivational tool to tell all your staff that you're potentially tired of them. This shows a continued lack of leadership from Mayor Newsom. He is asking HUNDREDS of employees, most of whom are are doing remarkable jobs (especially commission appointees who are nominally paid for an extraordinary amount of work) to offer letters of resignation so he can pick the few that he really wants to let go

Why doesn't he have the guts to just fire the people he has a problem with? He is too much of a coward and thinks it will get much less scrutiny this way.

But, he is WRONG. His actions will garner much scrutiny as he has exposed his administration. If he is asking for massive resignations then he is admitting that his administration is a complete failure, a rare point on which i agree.

Donna Linden
San Francisco
September 12, 2007

####

Grasshopper's antics

Dear Editor,

Regarding your 9/9 piece titled, "Mayoral candidate arrested for stalking Supervisor Ed Jew" my only thought is that Grasshopper is a nut. Total loon. Batshit crazy.

Grasshopper's antics make a great argument for paying the filing fee not being enough to join the debates.

Yet in spite of Grasshopper, I enjoyed Friday's debate and look forward to attending another.

-Bob Brigham
San Francisco
September 10, 2007

####

Correction

Dear Editor,

In the article (Court Jester reviews third 2007 mayoral debate), you run a series of pictures capturing what happened during and after the mayoral debate on Friday, August 31st.

One of the picture's caption reads: "The spies who love Newsom."

I happen to be in that picture and I resent being labeled with any candidate, campaign, or affiliation.

This becomes even more disturbing because I will be hosting a candidate forum on Wednesday, September 5th and have invited all 13 ballot qualified candidates to attend.

So far in this election cycle I have remained neutral and have not offered the use of my name for anything on the November ballot. I want to thank some of your readers for calling this error to my attention.

Michael Nulty
Tenant Associations Coalition of San Francisco
San Francisco
September 3, 2007

Editor's Note: Thank you for your letter of correction. We have replaced the photo and look forward to attending the 4th Mayoral Debate you are hosting.

####

Tony Hall Bows out of Mayor's race

Dear Editor,

Though I'm not a big fan of Tony Hall's politics, I have always respected his honesty.

It is a shame that Hall, as one of two candidates to pre-qualify for public financing, is dropping out of the race because of pressure from the Newsom gangsters. Matt Gonzalez seemed to rise above this. I would have hoped Hall would.

'Newsom Campaign Manager Eric Jaye told Fog City: 'It's unfortunate that Supervisor Hall chose to leave the race. He was the last candidate left that wasn't named after a barnyard animal.'"

This is a disgusting comment and speaks to the low level that Gavin's campaign always reaches to. Eric Jaye is a disgrace, and Newsom should be horrified to be affiliated with him.

There are two candidates with serious platforms that address the myriad problems in San Francisco. They are Ahimsa Sumchai Porter and Quintin Mecke. We should not be dismissing these less high-profile candidates during this critical election.

Donna Linden
San Francisco
August 30, 2007

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Facts Are Not Inconvenient for Me

Dear Editor,

In response to Barbara Meskunas' response to my email, I apologize to all for making a typographic mistake in my Letter to the Editor (8/23/7). I meant to say Supervisor Ed Jew voted for censure against an Asian journalist who attacked the African American community and outraged the Asian American community.

Ms. Meskunas' arguments are empty. Hate speech is hate speech in whatever form. And, yes, that is a progressive value, Barbara. Yes, Michael Savage has a right as an American citizen to say whatever he likes, but we, as a civilized citizenry, also have every right to ask corporations that he not be permitted to spew such venom on our public airwaves.

Jew's stance shows cowardice not independence.

Ms. Meskunas' also stated in an earlier email that his so-called independence is why "he [Jew] has been targeted for removal." Pleeeeze. Jew has been targeted for removal because he has no respect for the spirit, and perhaps the letter, of San Francisco elections law that requires candidates to live in the district they represent.

It is clear to me, and anyone that reads the basic facts of the case, that Jew lives in Burlingame, which is in San Mateo County the last time I checked.

Meskunas' defense of Jew appears to be motivated by fear of losing her job when Jew is convicted and removed from office.

When you're ready for a "mature" discussion, Barbara, you may contact me and all of Ed Jew's critics, of which there are many!

Donna Linden
San Francisco
August 30, 2007

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Open letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi - Petition for action

Dear Madam Speaker,

The Constitutional violations of this administration have been so flagrant and so serious that if not checked, some future President may find on taking office a handy tool box of tyranny in precedent just waiting to be dusted off and used again.

I very strongly urge and respectfully petition you to task the House Committee on Rules with serious and open examination of whether the House Judiciary Committee and Congress should consider articles of impeachment against President George Walker Bush and Vice President Richard Bruce Cheney.

I write this letter following discussions with many friends, some of them Republicans and at least one who voted for George Bush. My private poll has been mirrored all across this country in responses to wider and more professionally organized polls. Americans are already forming a sizeable minority considering impeachment [33% - 45%, depending on the poll] and the raw numbers have reached a majority for investigation [51% - 56%]. America is well ahead of you.

This is not an issue of party; it is not an issue of failures in Iraq; at issue is not the short remainder of this President's term. At issue are high crimes, in the sense used by the Founders and by Blackstone, against the Constitution of the United States. These include violations of separation of powers, usurping to the President and Vice President powers expressly forbidden by the Constitution; and, repeated violations of Amendments I, IV, V, VI, and XIV of the Bill of Rights.

Most serious of these violations has been Contempt of Congress and repeated violation of Amendments IV and VI, to the damage of American freedoms at home and American policy abroad. We have an increasingly serious Constitutional crisis; the cure for this crisis is impeachment.

Madam Speaker, you hold the highest legislative office under the Constitution. All of the threatened rights of this Constitution reside under your protection. Your oath of office is not to party, but to preserve, protect, and defend the instrument of these rights. George Bush and Richard Cheney made the same oath in a much more public and solemn ceremony. We have seen them violate their vows and express contempt for Congress examining their violations.

I am writing to you because if I fail to act I become not a free citizen, but only a subject under an Imperial Presidency that tramples on the precepts the Framers held so dear, and for which generations of Americans gave "that last full measure of devotion" to defend. Madam Speaker, I call upon you to act now so that future generations will not look back on our collective failure.

Wayne B. Lanier, PhD
San Francisco
August 29, 2007

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Code Pink action at Federal Building

Dear Editor,

Thanks for your comprehensive and interesting report on the Code Pink action at the SF Federal Building on August 23. Your words and photos captured the spirit of the action, as well as showing the unprofessional conduct of the police, who preferred to push and drag peaceful protestors rather than proceed properly.

Code Pink Local Groups coordinator Rae Abileah was hurt in the back when an overzealous and incommunicative policewoman brutally shoved a heavy door against her; Rae had to go to the emergency room for medical care.

Your journalistic witnessing is an important part of our (barely functioning) democracy. I have forwarded the link to your article all over the country.

Janet Weil
San Francisco
August 25, 2007

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Facts may be inconvenient

Donna Linden condemns Ed Jew's defense of the First Amendment on the basis of false assumptions perpetuated by censorship proponents:

"He voted for censure against an Asian journalist who attacked the Asian American community, yet voted against censure of a white man who attacked minority communities."

In reality, he voted for censure of an Asian columnist who attacked the African-American community with a column entitled "Why I hate Blacks," contained in an Asian-owned newspaper that receives city advertising dollars, (a condition that warrants Board of Supervisors oversight, in Ed Jew's opinion).

In the case of the "white man," Supervisor Jew voted against government censure of a radio talk show host who was mocking a behavior, not the race of those who were so behaving, in an attempt to get him fired. Is media censorship the goal of "progressive" San Francisco?

Facts may be inconvenient, but they are relevant to a mature discussion.

Barbara Meskunas, aide to Supervisor Ed Jew
San Francisco
August 24, 2007

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Correction - Ed Jew is a Democrat

In response to Barbara Meskunas' email, it is insignificant whether Ed Jew is a Republican [his former affiliation] or a Democrat. He is a hypocrite. He voted for censure against an Asian journalist who attacked the Asian African American community, yet voted against censure of a white man who attacked minority communities.

Ed Jew is a hypocrite, a criminal (as far as I can tell as he lives in Burlingame), and a joke. For Barbara Meskunas to be defending him is laughable. He is not an Independent in the best sense of the word. He is a fraud!

Donna Linden
San Francisco
August 23, 2007

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Censureship is a load of bullocks

Dear Editor,

Is Mr. Gramly claiming that if the Board of Supervisors does not attend to everything then it cannot attend to anything? If Gramly had empathy for folks worse off or different than him, then he would realize that such attacks effects us all.

If Gramly truly thought political action should be limited to policies that effect us all, then he would have called the bicycle advocates on their unHealthy Saturdays monomania and demanded that they focus on keeping the other 1,000 miles of city streets safe, well paved and traffic calmed under a viable bike plan, for those of us who rely exclusively on bicycles for our transportation every day.

The truth is that amidst some gems, much of progressive policy is in shambles while our opponents are advancing. Progressives can only succeed if we work together in coalition and learn from our mistakes. People may make strategic mistakes but cannot be allowed to blame the messenger for pointing this out or worse, to deny them.

There are reasons why Matt Gonzalez could not put together a campaign this year and there are reasons why Cat Rauschuber is lashing out at me, and those reasons are related. There are reasons why the bike plan is in court and why unHealthy Saturdays made McGoldrick vulnerable, and those reasons are related.

It takes more than healthy middle class white guys on bikes like Matt Gramly and myself to build a majoritarian progressive coalition. It takes people who are willing to put their immediate self interests aside for a time in favor of creating the conditions where those who are less fortunate and less able then we, as the direct flipside of our privilege, can speak for themselves and actualize their political aspirations along with us.

"Stepford husbands, Stepford wives
With longer scissors, sharper knives
So sugar-sweet, they spend their time
As censors, working overtime."

As far as censoring censures because of fears of censorship, it looks like someone in San Diego just fears free speech with which he disagrees so he censures us for censuring hate.

Marc Salomon
San Francisco
August 17, 2007

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Counter regarding free speech

It is not illegal nor irresponsible for Michael Savage to refer to gays as sodomites or to joke about illegal aliens dying while hunger striking. Free speech is about the right to say things that others disagree with, especially when the speech is critical or offensive. This whole idea of "hate-speech" is silly and quite unamerican. Americans are free to hate whoever, whatever they want to.

Michal Savage hates illegal alien invasion. Big deal, so do millions of people, which was made perfectly clear when the folks angrily demanded that the Senate abandon its amnesty plans.

The real story here is that a government representative, Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval, tried to censure and economically impede Savage simply because he disagreed with Savage's comments. That is stunning, although I'm not surprised that the intolerant PC enforcers would rally against Savage on this issue.

Don't like Savage? You're free not to listen to him.

Kevin Parkhouse
San Diego
August 17, 2007

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Free speech (reprised)

To answer Mr. Salomon’s letter responding to mine; where are the weekly resolutions from the Supes condemning the hate-speech of Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity? Where is the resolution condemning Michelle Malkin’s book advocating for the internment of Islamic-Americans and justifying the WWII internment of Japanese-Americans? Where is the resolution condemning Alberto Gonzalez’ assault on the Constitution? Aren’t these “worthy” of being "confronted" too?

My point is that government needs to be focused on solutions to problems that affect us all; to keep Muni running on time, to make the streets safe for bicyclists and pedestrians, to bring murder rates down, to get guns off the streets, etc. Does anyone really believe that there is anyone in City Hall who heard the comments of Michael Savage and contemplatively pondered to themselves, “Wow, this guy makes a really good point. These protestors really SHOULD starve themselves to death!”? Do we really need to use precious resources every time someone utters such nonsensical and obvious idiocy? There are far too many better uses of those resources.

Now, on another note, I read Cat Rauschuber’s letter a few days ago explaining why she very reluctantly left the Green Party and I think Mr. Salomon’s letter demonstrates these reasons in spades. Going off on a tangent and telling me that, because I, being a “white liberal,” like to ride my bicycle in Golden Gate Park without fear of being run over by an SUV I am somehow responsible for the deplorable and inequitable conditions suffered by minorities and imimigrants still to this day and that I am also responsible for the continued asbestos poisoning of African Americans is so incredibly patently absurd that I really don’t know what to say. Other than the fact that statements like those, made in that tone, make it essentially insurmountably difficult for people who are otherwise decent and who want to have a positive impact on our society from actually doing so. And who knew that Jake McGoldrick was my own personal puppet?

I expect the next round to include allegations of my complete responsibility for the lack of a credible challenger to the Mayor because I occasionally like to go to Ocean Beach and look at the waves.

Matt Gramly, Evil Puppet Master & Bike Lover
San Francisco
August 17, 2007

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And the difference is?

Dear Editor,

"Is Supervisor Ed Jew a hypocrite?", thank you for asking the question because at first glance and without a logical explanation on the difference between his position on the AsianWeek resolution and his vote on the resolution authored by Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval, seems to be contradictory.

Perhaps miss Barbara Meskunas, as aide to Supervisor Jew, can explain to us how voting against the resolution condemning hate speech against Latinos on the airwaves by Michael Savage it is defending free speech and voting for the resolution condemning "using stereotypes by race, religion and ethnicity" in the Asian Week resolution "makes him an Independent in the best sense of the word"? (Barbara Meskunas, aide to Supervisor Jew)

"For the record, Supervisor Ed Jew is not a Republican. He is a Democrat. But his vote in defense of the First Amendment makes him an Independent in the best sense of the word, and that is why he has been targeted for removal."
(Barbara Meskunas, aide to Supervisor Jew)

Furthermore, is miss Meskunas suggesting that the legal problems that Supervisor Jew faces it is because he is an independent?

Aurora Grajeda
San Francisco
August 17, 2007

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Shame on Jew!!

Dear Editor,

Excellent article, Mr. Thomas on Supervisor Ed Jew's hipocracy against his Hispanic constituents. Hispanic and Hispanic immigrants are experiencing a daily 24/7 tsunami of racism, prejudice and xenophobic hate that has been initiated by talk-radio host like Michael Savage.

This insance racism is spreading like fire thanks to people like Ed Jew who condones that type of behavior and hateful language - as long as it is not in his "neigborhood."

Cynthia Ibarra
San Francisco
August 16, 2007

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Free speech

Dear Editor,

Just as Michael Savage (nee: Michael Alan Weiner) has the right to free speech on government owned airwaves, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has the right and duty to confront hate speech against Latinos on behalf of their constituents.

The only reason why this resolution is taking any measurable amount of time is because Supervisor Ed Jew, as is his right, called the item on the "adoption without committee reference" calendar to committee for a hearing. Of course, Jew did not exercise this right when a Chinese American writer opined on hating black people.

It is desirable that speech, even hate speech, is exempt from regulation, because one person's hate speech is another's free speech. But let's not make the mistake of equating official condemnation of what our community standards determine to be ethnically offensive speech via flimsy resolution with an official attempt to regulate speech by law.

Such condemnations are the only antidote available under the first amendment.

Perhaps had counselor Gramly's friends over at the San Francisco Party Party not gone Ahab on Saturday Golden Gate Park road closure, the supervisor who sponsored that would not be facing a recall, would not be voting with the conservatives to stave off that recall, would not have taken money from developers, apparently buying a vote, and would still be a nominal part of a progressive coalition capable of sustaining a challenge to the Mayor's worst instincts.

But it is so much easier for white liberals to blame Latinos demanding equity for distracting from the "greater progressive project" than for them to admit a massive selfish strategic blunder in one's own house which has lead to significant consequences, most notably green lighting a Latino-displacing wave of market rate housing in the Mission and African Americans being continually poisoned by asbestos in Hunters Point.

Marc Salomon
San Francisco
August 16, 2007

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Michael Savage and the Supes

Dear Editor,

Sounds like a band name, huh?

While I profoundly disagree with what other people tell me Michael Savage says on a daily basis, I'm likewise not that excited that the Supes spent as much time and resources as they did on this issue.

Michael Savage does indeed have a right under the First Amendment to say what he wants to say, and we have the right not to listen to him. I've never personally heard the man's voice but have heard enough anecdotal information about him and his views to believe that he is not the kind of person who could really add to my intellectual development. I left the Midwest for many reasons, small-minded racist banter being just one of them. Supression of free speech, by whomever, being another.

But I hear that in SF gun violence is out of control. I hear that Muni's service record and on-time record are crap. I hear (and see) that the streets need a lot of work. I hear that there are problems with some of the police officers patrolling our streets. I hear that gangs are active throughout the city. I hear that there are almost as many chronically homeless people in the city as when The Boy Wonder first became mayor. I hear there are too many cars in the city and not enough bike lanes. I hear that not everyone in the city gets a free trip to rehab when they need it. I hear there's going to be no more Halloween in the city and that street fairs are all but extinct. I hear that you can't raise a kid in the city and that you have to move to the East Bay if you happen to procreate. I've heard about an intersection at Market and Octavia where pedestrians and bicyclists routinely get run over by trucks. And I also heard that it's really fun to do a massive pile of blow in the back of a chauffered Town Car, cruising around the city, screwing your best friend's wife in the backseat - I don't know if that's true, but that's what I heard...

These are the issues the Supes should be focusing on. Not Michael Savage. That ain't what I pay taxes for.

I believe in the First Amendment. I believe in the Constitution (what's left of it). I believe in enforcing the law equally for and against all. I will fight to the death to protect Michael Savage's right to call me a pinko commie left-wing liberal unpatriotic pussy rat bastard traitor Al-Qaeda-sympathizer. And I will fight even harder against those who want to silence him.

Matthew D. Gramly, Esq.
Mentally Deranged Liberal
San Francisco, CA by way of rural Ohio, land of God, Guns and Guts (in that order)
August 15, 2007

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Savage

Your article about the illegal aliens protesting Michael Savage is more proof that Liberalism is a Mental Disorder.

Michael Savage is 100% right, you are so far out in left field that you and most in your ridiculous "sanctuary city" are a lost cause.

The Dream Act is crazy. Deporation of all illegal aliens is the only legal and right thing to do.

Borders, Language, Culture.

Clint Janson
Spokane, WA
August 15, 2007

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Correction - Ed Jew is a Democrat

Dear Editor,

For the record, Supervisor Ed Jew is not a Republican. He is a Democrat. But his vote in defense of the First Amendment makes him an Independent in the best sense of the word, and that is why he has been targeted for removal.

Barbara Meskunas, aide to Supervisor Jew
San Francisco
August 15, 2007

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Ed Jew is a racist

Dear Editor,

Regarding Supervisor Ed Jew's vote, how is it that a resident of Burlingame is even allowed to vote on issues that are to be voted on by San Franciscans for San Franciscans?

His vote does not surprise me. He is a racist, a term that I do not use lightly since when I majored in La Raza studies, I was taught only institutions are racist. But in this case, Ed Jew is a racist because he uses his institutional power to perpetrate oppression against people of color.

I do not agree with Supervisor Sandoval's votes and views all of the time, but he was right about condemning Michael Savage's vile and racist comments. Just as one does not have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater when there is no fire, there is no protection of hate speech that incites violence against a group of people.

As for writer Brian Wallace's analogy of comparing the statement that Savage hopes the immigrant activists starve to death to some cartoon logo of a tenant's fist hitting a landlord on the head... please! That logo is more analogous to the union cartoon of a school of small fish devouring one large fish. That logo obviously is not literal but a figurative representation of tenants exercising their power.

I think Ed Jew is pathetic, a racist ever since I watched him at school board meetings.

Tami Bryant
San Francisco
August 15, 2007

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Double Standard for Hate Speech? It's perfectly okay to bash
San Francisco landlords

Dear Editor,

Regarding the recent protests against radio talk-show host Michael Savage's comments about the undocumented workers' hunger strike, I wonder if the Board of Supervisors aren't guilty of a double standard?

Supervisors Gerardo Sandoval and Tom Ammiano tell us that we should not be fooled by Savage's cartoonish comments, that even a "clown" can utter hateful and violent-provoking language.

However, they seem to be painfully silent when it comes to the San Francisco Tenants Union's logo which depicts a greedy, top-hatted landlord being struck on the head by an angry tenant's fist.

Brian Wallace
San Francisco
August 14, 2007

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Justmann does not speak for the medical marijuana community

Dear Editor,

In reference to Savannah Blackwell's article, "Why Chis Daly Should Run and How We Got Here," Wayne Justmann does not speak for the medical marijuana community, he only likes to say that he does. He is a legend in his own mind. He certainly doesn't speak for me or for any medical cannabis patients that I know. He does speak for one dispensary owner who testified twice in federal court against Ed Rosenthal, gaining immunity after his first testimony and opening a second dispensary immediately afterwards.

The regulations they tried to stop Ross from enacting had to do with compassionate care for low-income patients, especially AIDS patients. The financial viability of the "club" to which he refers is not in danger by offering compassionate care, the only thing in danger is the snitch owner's pocketbook. Just ask any of the number of dispensaries that already offer compassionate services. They are doing just fine, paying their bills and employees' salaries, but they are not getting rich, and that is what worries the unscrupulous dispensary owner(s).

Guess what the dispensary that Mr. Justmann is involved with offers for compassionate services? Peanut butter sandwiches!!! And folks with less $$ have come back with reports of being treated with disdain and contempt.

There are so many others who speak for patients and compassionate dispensaries in this community, why not interview at least one of them before quoting Wayne Justmann, who seems to be just pissed off that they found out Ross could not be bought with their campaign donations.

Ross has done another great thing for SF Medical Cannabis patients by introducing a "doctor's verifiable recommendation" into the legislation, as was stated in the original Prop 215. This will give people in SF a choice. Why should the state be making money off of poor sick people? Why should they be keeping a database on us? Why have people been suspiciously evicted from Public Housing only after obtaining a state card? Thanks to Ross, if this legislation passes and I don't see why not, many people who can be harmed in housing, employment, etc., by revealing that they are medical cannabis patients to the state government will have the choice of being able to go to a SF dispensary with only their doctor's recommendation. Since the legislation requires that all dispensaries become co-ops, this means that the members verifiable recommendations will only have to be checked on I believe a yearly basis (this may be 6 months, I'm not sure).

Respectfully,

Terrrie Frye
San Francisco
August 13, 2007

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Open letter to the San Francisco Chronicle - Re: 'Newsom lacks serious challengers, but lineup is full of characters'

Dear Editor,

I read the 'news' article' 'Newsom lacks serious challengers, but lineup is full of characters' by Cecilia M. Vega in today's Chronicle. From reading the article it could have been dictated to Ms Vega or The Chronicle, by Gavin Newsom. The front page article gives the impression that Newsome has no serious opposition -- just a "lineup full of characters".

Sometimes an article is important to read for what it excludes in its black and white pages. It makes no mention of Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai, the only Black person running for Mayor! She already has the support of the Peace and Freedom Party and the San Francisco BayView Newspaper, but according to the articles's purposeful omission, she is a non-person.

She is one of the leaders of the fight against the gentrification of the BayView Hunters Point, the last Black Community in San Francisco. She has led the opposition to Lennar Corporation's gobbling up San Francisco, with the aid of the Democratic Party led by Newsom and Pelosi. An issue covered by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, but not the San Francisco Chronicle.

Currently, the City of San Francisco, is putting school children at risk, by allowing Lennar to continue to dustify, with dust containing asbestos, a Nation of Islam school near the construction and the nearby residents of San Francisco. (The dust will eventually get spread to other parts of San Francisco.) There have been weekly community meetings, of over two hundred people, at the Grace Tabernacle Church on this issue -- another newsworthy event not found in the papers of the Chronicle.

The Chronicle has been in lock step with this gentrification (Black and Poor Removal) process in San Francisco. And now with your mayoral election campaign coverage excluding Ahimsa Sumchai.

She is running to bring these serious issues to the people of San Francisco and to make them aware of the City's current anti-social priorities.

Sincerely Yours,

Roland Sheppard
San Francisco
August 11, 2007

Editor's Note: Follow the money. The Chronicle has received thousands of dollars in advertising from the Newsom campaign. One hand washes the other.

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Correction

Dear Editor,

I want to clarify that I definitely never said Matt Gonzalez is leaving the Green Party, although Elaine's column today states that.

The part about me is true, as I have been considering changing my party designation for a long time now and have decided to finally do so. It makes me truly sad because I have been proud to be a Green for over ten years now, but the pathological meanness and divisiveness of some individuals in the local party finally tipped the scales for me. If some people spent half the energy currently wasted attacking their own on constructive things, progressives might not be in such disarray.

I will still vote for Green candidates because those are my values, but I guess I've lost interest in the rest of it.

I am asking if you would please correct the part about Matt, for whom I certainly do not speak.

Thanks,

Cat Rauschuber
San Francisco
August 7, 2007

Editor's Note: Perhaps you were misunderstood. Thank you for your letter of correction.

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Supervisor Alioto-Pier’s Attendance Record

Dear Editor,

In a recent blog, Supervisor Chris Daly criticized Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier’s attendance record, especially as it compares to his. So I sent an email to Alioto-Pier’s office and received the following reply from Gene Eplett, a volunteer in her office.

Turns out, Alioto-Pier has missed a few committee meetings but (in most cases) this was due to a conflict with another meeting where her attendance was even more important. In one case, Michela passed on attending a meeting so that she could witness her eldest daughter’s dance performance. Apparently, Supervisor Daly has missed committee meetings of his own for similar reasons.

Because Michela recently gave birth to her daughter, Valentina, she has found it necessary to “phone herself in” to several of the regular Tuesday Board meetings.

Alioto-Pier attends fewer public events than some of the other Supervisors as a consequence of her being confined to a wheelchair.

Brian Wallace
San Francisco
July 31, 2007

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