Despite lots of lip service and some actual action from the titular head of the party, Republicans in the California Legislature continue to vote in lock-step against pro-environment measures. Leading me to wonder, why doesn't Schwarzenegger have … [Read more...] about Why Ain’t Schwarzenegger Got No Environmental Coattails in his Party?
SF’s De Young Museum and Green’s Restaurant on the Luckiest Day of the Year
(:)(:)(:)(:) for Golden Gate Park's newly refurbished De Young Museum. Gorgeous building, eclectic but huge collection. Admission is expensive, spring for the audio tour and plan to stay a while. Don't miss the Bay Area Beat room or the post … [Read more...] about SF’s De Young Museum and Green’s Restaurant on the Luckiest Day of the Year
Three Snouts up for Frisco Institution–“Beach Blanket Babylon”
(:)(:)(:) for "Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon" at Club Fugazi in San Francisco's North Beach. The best part about this play is eating at Il Pollaio, a North Beach long time hole-in-the-wall around the corner from the play at 555 Columbus … [Read more...] about Three Snouts up for Frisco Institution–“Beach Blanket Babylon”
A health care advocate’s take on Sicko
(:)(:)(:)(:) for Sicko directed by Michael Moore now playing in theaters everywhere (I hope). Even though Ralph and Mike are at odds, I consider this another great Nader date movie--Bill and I and the two or three other couples who both worked for … [Read more...] about A health care advocate’s take on Sicko
Three and a Half Snouts Up for Evan Almighty
(:)(:)(:)(: for Evan Almighty directed by Tom Shadyac, starring Steve Carell playing in theaters now. I loved this movie, yet I give it only 3 1/2 snouts out of a possible five. Why? Because I can tell that not everyone is the target demographic: … [Read more...] about Three and a Half Snouts Up for Evan Almighty
Health care quagmire screams for public financing of elections
Here's that Cliff's Notes version of an old joke: a U.S. Senator spends his whole life fighting for single-payer (Medicare for all) health care. He loses a lot of battles. Towards the end of his life, people ask the Senator, "will the U.S. ever … [Read more...] about Health care quagmire screams for public financing of elections
Public Outcry: “Garamendi, Name the Smelt!”
Delta--With the number of smelt in the California Delta dwindling daily, the public is an uproar calling for Lt. Governor John Garamendi to name the remaining smelt."Let's get real," said Gloria Gussmacher, a petite resident of the Delta region, … [Read more...] about Public Outcry: “Garamendi, Name the Smelt!”
I love you, Chuck Calderon
I'm here to impart some shocking news. After 15 years of examining Congressmen and California state legislators at close range, I've determined that they are human beings. In fact, I think a mistake that many public interest advocates make (and … [Read more...] about I love you, Chuck Calderon
Craig’s List is God
I have determined that's Craig's List is God--not figuratively, and not in the sense that we're all, like, God, but, literally, Craig's List is God. Craig's List has all the qualities of God:It is ever present, all-knowing, all powerful.It is free … [Read more...] about Craig’s List is God
Elizabeth Edwards is Inspiring
You need to watch Elizabeth Edwards' inspiring speech captured by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights at their recent annual "Rage for Justice" Awards Dinner. I believe her when she says that she and John Edwards are running for … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Edwards is Inspiring
4 Snouts Up for The House of the Scorpion
(:)(:)(:)(:) for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. This is the best "children's" book I have read in years. Anyone who likes good fiction should read it.Written from the perspective of a brilliant, inquisitive growing boy who is painfully … [Read more...] about 4 Snouts Up for The House of the Scorpion
Mark Leno Ends the Suspense on Clean Money
Having written before how the Assembly Appropriations Committee was keeping me in suspense, I am remiss in not stating precisely that Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, ended the suspense last … [Read more...] about Mark Leno Ends the Suspense on Clean Money