IRS, Benghazi “Scandals” Won’t Hurt Dems in 2014
by Randy Shaw‚
May. 20‚ 2013
According to conventional wisdom, the IRS and Benghazi “scandals,” coupled with a difficult roll out of Obamacare, have energized Republicans and spell problems for Democrats in the 2014 midterm elections. FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver, whose words are gospel for millions, suggested last week that, while the impact of most scandals is less than many think, the IRS targeting of Tea Party groups “has the potential to harm Democrats’ performance in next year’s midterm elections, partly by motivating a strong turnout from the Republican base.” But as Silver knows, Democratic losses in midterm elections are primarily caused not by a galvanized GOP base but by a demoralized and/or unenergized Democratic one. This means that Democratic success in 2014 hinges not on the impact of the IRS and other “scandals” but on passing comprehensive immigration reform, rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline, and avoiding a budget deal that undermines Social Security. Success on these issues will get young people and others who back Democrats in presidential election cycles to go to the polls in 2014, proving again that good policies are the best politics.
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Emulating Malcolm X
by Bill Fletcher Jr.‚
May. 20‚ 2013
On or around May 19th and February 21st, many Black activists reflect upon the life and work of Malcolm X, with the former his birthday and the latter the day that he was assassinated. Two years ago the publication of the late Manning Marable’s biography Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention had been a Moment that many of us had hoped would be an opportunity for a larger movement reflection on the life and work of Malcolm X. Instead, a campaign of vilification of Marable ensued accompanied by an almost canonization of Malcolm X by many critics of Marable, neither helping us to get a better understanding of Malcolm’s contributions.
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Public Rallies Against FEMA/UC Berkeley Tree Clear-Cutting Plan
by Randy Shaw‚
May. 20‚ 2013
Hundreds concerned about the future of Strawberry and Claremont Canyons came out to the last public hearing on May 18 to voice opposition and cheer those testifying against the destructive plan. Many expressed surprise over the lack of earlier notice about the project, with my May 16 story--- “FEMA Plans Clear-Cutting of 85,000 Berkeley and Oakland Trees” ---the first news many got of this potential environmental outrage. Of the many arguments made against the plan, the greatest concern involves the proposed use of over 1000 gallons of herbicide, including the notoriously toxic Roundup. Many also offered a powerful challenge to the idea of destroying “non-native” plants, arguing that its logic ---typically associated with rapidly burning non-native eucalyptus trees---ignores other fire hazards including those caused by the clear-cutting.
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Talking Spirituality: Boundless Bliss
by Natalie Grigson‚
May. 20‚ 2013
Isn’t it strange how I can write this to you at one point in time, but the message won’t get to you for days, weeks, or even months? It’s like a star so far away; its light won’t reach us for billions of years.
Okay, that might be a stretch. What I’m getting at here is how much things can change in just a week, month, or year. As I write this, I am sitting in my living room in Austin, Texas—surrounded by boxes. Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May 14, I move to San Francisco. So by the time this gets to you, dear reader, I’ll be your new neighbor.
Why isn't New Orleans Mother's Day parade shooting a 'national tragedy'?
by David Dennis‚
May. 17‚ 2013
The media seems to forget about New Orleans and any place that the middle class can't easily relate to
On 3 September 2005 – less than a week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast – I began to understand that America cared little about what was happening in New Orleans. I was an undergraduate at Davidson College in North Carolina at the time, worried out of my mind because my family in Mississippi was still without electricity and friends and family in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast were still missing. The images of families stranded on rooftops were trickling in via news outlets, but it was obvious that the response from the government would be slow. But it really hit me on 3 September. I was driving around and noticed all the American flags at half-mast. Because Supreme court chief justice William Rehnquist died.
At the time, the Gulf Coast death toll was rumored to be in the thousands with nobody knowing for sure. But flags stayed at full mast until a chief justice died. To me, this was a slap in the face to what was going on in New Orleans and a sign that the city just didn't matter to the overall fabric of the country.
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SRO Tenants Push CPUC for Improved Lifeline Phone Service
by Karin Drucker‚
May. 17‚ 2013
On May 15, California Public Utilities Commissioner Catherine Sandoval heard testimony from clients of the low-cost phone service Lifeline and from individuals who are invested in its improvement. Beyond Chron reported on the issue a few days ago, and the hearing was a success. Sandoval held the hearing as part of the process of updating the California Lifeline program, which until now has been for land lines only. (The Federal Lifeline program allows for either a wireless or landline service.) The Central City SRO Collaborative, which helps individuals to sign up for Lifeline services, turned out many of its members and Lifeline clients to speak about the importance of this program and to advocate for reforms. [more]->
The Orange Peels Come to Cafe Du Nord
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
May. 17‚ 2013
This Friday night, The Orange Peels return to Cafe Du Nord for 2 shows, (10:00 pm is sold out), to celebrate the release of their latest album, "Sun Moon". Led by the Sunnyvale pop-smith Allen Clapp, and his partner-in-crime, bassist Jill Pries, this new album also features longtime member John Moremen on guitar, and drummer Gabriel Coen, "Sun Moon" is the band's first collaborative effort. Clapp and his cohorts have kept true to their wonderful sound on this new material, plus they've also added a few songs only heard at their live performances, like the rollicking "Aether Tide", a crowd favorite. The Peels website provides a bit of insight into the making of Sun Moon, stating that, "Sometimes plans can be overrated. Sure they can help focus a group toward a common goal, but overdo it and you can end up with an album that sounds and feels more like a corporate quarterly report than art…"
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DEVILISHLY CLEVER SMUIN AND HIS VISION
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 17‚ 2013
I HAVE SEEN MANY SMUIN BALLETS -- AND THIS ONE AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS THE MOST AUDACIOUS AND ORIGINAL BALLET MOVES THAT I HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS.
The production at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco is an event of divine madness and full of comedy, opera and romance. If you want to see Thrills, chills and excitement then you will want to enjoy this glittering evening. You know you want to go. It's the perfect place for magic.
The program is Sensual, funny and outlandish at times. The direction has it -- and the performers have it all. Talent is all over the place. Believe me - this Smuin Dance Series at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts keeps Smuin's talent alive with "Bouquet", "Chants d' Auvergne" and "Jazzin". [more]->
FEMA Plans Clear-Cutting of 85,000 Berkeley and Oakland Trees
by Randy Shaw‚
May. 16‚ 2013
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is moving to chop down 22,000 trees in Berkeley’s historic Strawberry and Claremont Canyons and over 60,000 more in Oakland. This destructive plan is rapidly moving forward with little publicity, and FEMA cleverly scheduled its three public meetings for mid and late May while UC Berkeley students were in finals or gone for the summer. UC Berkeley has applied for the grant to destroy the bucolic Strawberry and Claremont Canyon areas, claiming that trees pose a fire hazard. The school has no plans to replant, and instead will cover 20% of the area in wood chips two feet deep. And it will pour between 700 and 1400 gallons of herbicide to prevent resprouting, Including the highly toxic herbicide, Roundup. People are mobilizing against this outrageous proposal, which UC Berkeley has done its best tokeep secret.
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School Beat: Cultural Proficiency is at the Core of Transforming Public Education
by Lisa Schiff‚
May. 16‚ 2013
May 20, 2013
