On the campaign trail close by the Pacific – Door to door for Aaron

SAN FRANCISCO – OUTER RICHMOND DISTRICT

Liz and Lee Heidhues – 7.20.2024

**The view overlooking the Pacific Ocean high atop the outer Richmond District** – **over 200 feet above sea level** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_District,_San_Francisco

It’s another day on the campaign trail close by the Pacific Ocean in the quietly Progressive outer Richmond District. Going door to door on the steep hills for Aaron Peskin where we have lived for most of the last 55 years.

**An old funky shingled home set off the street on a steep hill in the outer Richmond district**

This is definitely potential Peskin territory. The Richmond District has elected quasi progressive Supervisors for the past 24 years. Things were different in the days of our Ancestors over a half century ago.

**Liz comes down one of the many steep staircases she navigated on hot and dry Saturday afternoon**

Lee canvassed the outer Richmond in 1972 during George McGovern’s ill fated presidential run against Richard Nixon. He talked with voters who described themselves as “Democrats for Nixon.”

**Things were different in the days of our Ancestors over a half century ago** – **McGovern 72**

**Sign of the times in the outer Richmond District**

**A welcome sign in the outer Richmond district**

Today, nearly 52 years later, it was hot and dry as we climbed the hills with our sack full of literature in Chinese and English. Lee didn’t bring any water and made a detour to Walgreens.

**Lee holds water and clipboard aloft on a summer day canvassing for Mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin**

Liz took the blowback quietly she received from an occasional white voter; quick to be rid of her, “Naw, you can keep that (literature). Aaron is the last person I would vote for.” Liz took the slight with aplomb. Knowing she would soon catch up with Asian neighbors who made sure to thank her for giving them election material. In their mother tongue there seemed a stark difference in the standoffish reception Liz received from her white neighbors. No warmth or graciousness.

**The Pride flag flies in the outer Richmond district of San Francisco**

There were many steep hills. Liz climbed many flights of stairs to distribute Aaron Peskin literature. Armed with a precinct map Liz made sure to correctly distribute the literature in either Chinese or English in this predominantly Chinese speaking neighborhood.

**A little cat nap in the window on Saturday afternoon**

**Taking a ride in the outer Richmond district**

**Aaron for Mayor – in the countryside of San Francisco**

During our campaign walk we took a break and met a friendly dog named Koji or “Ocean” who is half poodle and half labrador.

**Liz with Aaron literature close by a neighborly house sign on the steep hills of the outer Richmond district**

There were so many flights of stairs for Liz to climb and so many steep hills to challenge our endurance, we called it quits after 3 1/2 hours on the campaign trail.

Liz said, “Let’s go home and finish tomorrow.”

**A blast from the past cruises through the outer Richmond district**

“YOU’RE IN AHWASTE ON OHLONE LAND!” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohlone Our late companion Jack at the Anza Branch Library in the outer Richmond. Someone had painted a reminder of who were the original inhabitants of the neighborhood

“Journalism is not a crime.” 16 years in Russian Gulag for WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.19.2024

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS OBSCENE PROSECUTION EXCEPT TO QUOTE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, “JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME.”

Evan Gershkovich’s former colleague at The Moscow Times, Pjtor Sauer, who currently reports for The Guardian, reacted to the sentencing on Friday by writing on X (formerly Twitter): “I have no words to describe this farce. Let’s get Evan out of there.”

Excerpted from The Moscow Times 7.19.2024

A judge in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region on Friday sentenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on spying charges, a forgone conclusion in a closed trial that has been condemned as a sham by Washington and the journalist’s employer.

The Wall Street Journal slammed the verdict against Gershkovich after it was announced on Friday.

“This disgraceful, sham conviction comes after Evan has spent 478 days in prison, wrongfully detained, away from his family and friends, prevented from reporting, all for doing his job as a journalist,” Almar Latour, the chief executive of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal, and Wall Street Journal Editor in Chief Emma Tucker said in a statement.

“We will continue to do everything possible to press for Evan’s release and to support his family,” the two said. “Journalism is not a crime, and we will not rest until he’s released. This must end now.”

“The court finds Evan Gershkovich guilty of committing the crime [of espionage]… and sentences him to 16 years imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony,” the judge said, delivering the verdict as the U.S. reporter listened from inside a glass defendant’s cage in the courtroom.

The judge added that the nearly 500 days Gershkovich spent in pre-trial detention would count toward his prison sentence, which the reporter’s defense team can appeal in the coming days, though it was not immediately clear if they plan to do so.

“Gershkovich, do you understand the sentence?” the judge asked, in response to which the American journalist nodded. After that, the judge adjourned the court and Gershkovich was removed by law enforcement officers.

State prosecutors had asked the judge to impose an 18-year sentence for Gershkovich on the spying charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The U.S. reporter, who was arrested while on a reporting trip in March 2023, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On Friday, the Sverdlovsk Regional Court heard closing arguments in the brief trial after resuming hearings the previous day following a request from Gershkovich’s defense team to move the hearing date — originally set for Aug. 13. The trial, which has been closed to the media, began in late June, some 15 months after the reporter’s detention.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/07/19/russia-sentences-evan-gershkovich-to-16-years-in-prison-on-spying-charges-a85762

‘A Night at the Garden’ 2024 Trump Fascism in Milwaukee

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.18.2024

Tonight Donald Trump, convicted felon; insurrectionist who tried to overthrow the 2020 election; abuser of women; master mind behind the draconian Project 2025 was anointed by the shameless craven Republicans as candidate for President a third time.

Trump supporters give the Nazi salute

As a reminder of that Fascism is a constant in American life and part of what Donald Trump promotes, I reprise the blog post of February 2019. ‘A Night at the Garden’. The American Nazi rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden on February 20, 1939.

A Night at the Garden. American Nazi Rally. February 20, 1939

‘A Night at the Garden’ February 20, 1939

**Hands together in Fascist solidarity**

**The future of America**: **Trump and Project 2025**

‘Civil War’- Fiction became hard reality in 2024 presidential politics

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.17.2024

Last Saturday I walked to the neighborhood Anza Branch library to check out the dystopian film ‘Civil War’ with its not so subtle reincarnated President Donald Trump storyline.

‘Civil War’- Fiction became a harsh reality in 2024 presidential politics. Eight minutes after I checked out the film, America was upended.

Four days following an attempt on the life of Donald Trump the world knows the perpetrator was 20 year old registered Pennsylvania Republican Thomas Crooks. Chilling reality to realize that a young Republican turned on its leader with nearly lethal results for the ex President.

Top photo – Insert of Thomas Crooks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Matthew_Crooks

**CIVIL WAR photo taken at The San Francisco Public Library – 3:49PM – July 13, 2024**

Just eight Minutes after borrowing ‘Civil War’ – the following headlines showed up on my App at 3:57PM San Francisco time.

“I really wanted England to win. England, birthplace of soccer.”

LIZ HEIDHUES – EUROCUP 2024 WRAP UP – JULY 14, 2024

**British fans cheer wildly when Cole Palmer tied the game. Their joy was short lived.**

https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-arstp1msiedlhxjy – Final agonizing 5 minutes of EuroCup 24 final in Berlin as Spain edges England 2-1

**The action was intense at the Berlin Olympic stadium in the EuroCup 2024 final – July 14, 2024**

Is the Euro Cup beginning to look like Copa America that has just a few teams dominating the competition — as Spain makes history becoming the first team to win four European championships?

**Spain scores the winning goal in the 83rd minute of the EuroCup 2024 final in Berlin**

I really wanted England to win. England, birthplace of soccer, where my father’s family tree has deep roots.

**Here I am at a tube station in London** **where my family tree has deep roots**

The underdog of this championship duel, not having won a soccer trophy since 1966, when England won the World Cup. When Cole Palmer scored the only goal for England, I forgot that I was on a lonely barstool in my kitchen watching the shootout match on a tiny TV a continent away, with no backs of fellow fans to pound on.

I listened as the British announcer on Fox TV Ian Darke exulted, “Pure bedlam among the tens of thousands of England’s fans who have made their way to Berlin!!” I imagined I was back in Berlin.

**The Spanish team exults in its victory**

Then I flashed back to my favorite movie of all time “Gladiator” when the announcer said, “There’s gonna be a lot of English kids pretending they’re Cole Palmer now.” This evoked the scene in Gladiator where Lucillus’ son Lucius is sparring with the guards, feinting with his sword and Commodus assumes Lucius is playing a Roman soldier. But the kid brags he’s a Gladiator, he’s Maximus. Arousing an ominous foreshadowing of what’s to befall his hero.

**The intense action in the final minutes of the EuroCup 2024 final**

The announcer yelled dramatically, “That was out of nowhere…the foot stretching…” and I watched the ball hit the net over and over in a score of TV replays, believing this game would be concluded with England as the victors. It was not to be.

**The Spanish team fends off a last minute assault by England**

The sensation of the match, the teenager on the Spanish team, was everywhere. Kicking balls like there was no such thing as fatigue on the 94 degree Pitch at the historic Berlin Olympic Stadium. Trying to whiz one past the English Jordan Pickford goalkeeper who did an amazing job of defense. “There’s another great save against the teenager,” the announcer intoned.

**The English team picked up itself over and over. But in the end it was not enough.**

“What kinda game is this?” I asked myself. A teenager who turned 17 the day before the match beating up on a bunch of older, more experienced players? Lamine Yamal, on the Spanish team, was indefatigable.

**Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente in his team’s moment of historic victory**

The announcer admitted, “The 17-year-old. He’s something we’ve never seen before”

**Team England in despair as its hopes of winning it first championship in 58 years go a glimmering**

In the end, England fell asleep at the switch. Spain scored a goal that at first was discounted. But announcer Ian Darke hollered, “The goal stands!!!” to my chagrin. I had to agree with the announcer, even though I was crushed. “They (Spain) have been the best team in the tournament. They won it in style!”

**English striker Cole Palmer tied the match in the 74th minute giving his team hope the Brits would end their 58 year drought**

Berlin put on quite a show, too. The fireworks and the blizzard of confetti were amazing in Berlin when the Spanish team hoisted the EuroCup2024 trophy high above their heads. “Spain 4X Champion team: 1964, 2008, 2012, 2024.”

**The Olympic Stadium in Berlin explodes in Spanish colors as its team win its record fourth EuroCup championship**

Top photo – English fans in despair as its team goes down to defeat.

Text and photos by Liz Heidhues with editorial assistance – Lee Heidhues

The Orb. All Eyes on Worldcoin Digital Identity ID goes Global

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.9.2024

The Orb is looking at you. https://worldcoin.org/find-orb

I was transfixed by this article in the Wall Street Journal.

The controversial world of cryptocurrency, digital identity and eye scans is reality for six million users in 160 countries. The company which developed this, some would say Orwellian technology, is called Tools for Humanity. https://www.toolsforhumanity.com/ Based in San Francisco.

Tools for Humanity. An Orwellian company title to be sure. For a 21st century venture which has developed invasive and impersonal technology.

Wall Street Journal 7.2.2024

Tools for Humanity named a former X executive as its first head of privacy as the tech startup founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman faces growing regulatory scrutiny over its Worldcoin https://worldcoin.org/ venture that scans people’s eyes in exchange for cryptocurrency tokens.

The San Francisco-based company appointed Damien Kieran as chief privacy officer in a newly created position that brings together several privacy-focused roles across the organization under one function. Kieran spent seven years at what was formally Twitter, leaving his job as chief privacy officer there following Elon Musk’s takeover of the social-media platform.

Now, he faces the task of liaising with regulators globally and addressing their concerns over how Worldcoin handles biometric data.

“We’ll always look to work constructively with regulators in any country in which we operate,” Kieran said.

Worldcoin lets users download a wallet app that supports a digital identity known as World ID. To get their identity verified, users stand in front of a physical imaging device known as the orb that relies on sensors to scan their eyes “to verify humanness and uniqueness.” Worldcoin tokens are then distributed out to users in countries where they are legally available.

Nearly 6 million users across more than 160 countries signed up for World ID, with orb verifications taking place in 39 countries, according to Worldcoin’s website.

Tools for Humanity oversaw Worldcoin’s launch last year, promising to create a public financial network and tools that would help distinguish humans from artificial intelligence online while preserving their privacy.

“Worldcoin enables people to prove humanness at scale, which is becoming increasingly important in the age of AI. The technology ensures individuals cannot be identified personally based on any information used to create their World ID,” Kieran said.

However, the processing of biometric data raised eyebrows in countries such as Spain and Germany, where Tools for Humanity has a subsidiary. The Bavarian State Ofﬁce for Data Protection Supervision last year launched a review of Worldcoin, citing the high sensitivity of the biometric data it processes.

Earlier this year, Worldcoin said it would give users the option to have their biometric data deleted permanently after Spain’s data-protection watchdog temporarily banned Worldcoin from operating in the country, citing the need to safeguard the right to the protection of personal data and prevent possible data transfers to third parties.

Tools for Humanity is a separate entity from OpenAI, which has a content-licensing partnership with Wall Street Journal owner News Corp.

https://www.wsj.com/tech/sam-altmans-startup-names-former-x-executive-as-first-head-of-privacy-1d2dbfd8?st=mj8phc2crb02jo7&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

“Turkey has set up its own version of the Berlin Wall. Let’s see if you can get through it.”-EuroCup 2024

BERLIN OLYMPIC STADIUM via SAN FRANCISCO

Text, transcriptions and photos – Liz Heidhues – 7.6.2024

Liz sat transfixed watching the EuroCup match at the historic Berlin Olympic Stadium 5000 miles from San Francisco. Turkey and Holland battled to the final moment as the huge Turkish contingent cheered on its guys until the end. There are nearly 3 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_national_football_team

**Liz at the Turm Bistro in Moabit clutching a poinsettia** **plant** **given her by a fellow Turkish diner** – **November 2023**

During our trips to Berlin we stay in Moabit, the largely Turkish neighborhood. It is a very welcoming and friendly place. The local residents are in mourning tonight as the Dutch team destroyed their hopes of moving on in EuroCup 2024.

**Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert exults in the victory over Turkey**

Following is Liz comment about the Turkey v Holland match. The Dutch prevailed 2-1.

The din in the Olympic Stadium was coming from the supporters of Turkey.

It was a violent game, leave no doubt.

The announcer said, “It makes me tired just watching it.”

https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-set81dr4jzmka32l – Turkey scores to take 1-0 lead

FOX SPORTS running commentary transcribed by Liz.

**A Dutch goal goes into the net past Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir**

Turkey has set up its own version of the Berlin Wall. Let’s see if you can get through it.

They do it their way and when the chances come, they take them. Ferdi Kadioglu. He’s brilliant. Abdul Kerim Bardakci, too.

They’re really a very old school team (Turkey), aren’t they?

There’s really only one ball, you’ve got to defend it.

**Turkey makes its last gasp try as the clock winds down in Berlin**

If you can rattle Virgil VanDijk (Dutch centre-back and team captain), you know you’ve done something right. The big Dutch captain got rattled!

This is where the Turks can be dangerous. Turkey so close to its second goal.

It’s not the kind of night where you can leave anything to chance. What a header! No chance for the defender’ (Stefan de Vris header header giving Holland its first goal in the 70th minute).

Just like that, the Turks have fallen silent. Turkey has gotten a taste of its own medicine.

**The second and winning goal for Holland which hit a Turkish player and was ruled to be an “own goal”.**

https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-jtraw9vv8u4dkdrw – Netherlands score to take 2-1 lead

England waits for the winners!

Berlin has gone ORANGE !!

Dutch goalie blocks Turkey’s goal. Let’s see what Turkey is made of.

It’s gone from Turkish Delight to Dutch Delight inside this stadium with 10 minutes to go.

They (Turkey) need a big finish! They just can’t continue to bleed.

There’s a real spring in the Dutch stride.

**The referee, Frenchman Clement Turpin, assessed a Red Card to someone on the Turkish bench as the game neared its end**

This has been a total turn around.

The Turk is only 19 (Arda Guler attacking midfielder).

I’ve really enjoyed this game. There’s only 70,000 fans inside this stadium in Berlin.

The Turks played so well. If they just had a little more firepower.

The players have given so much. The fans have given so much.

Some very brilliant goal keepers here in Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_national_football_team

It must have felt like Christmas when Turkey scored in the first half, but it was double Dutch at the end when The Netherlands scored two goals.

**Joyous Dutch fans celebrate their teams victory over Turkey at the historic Olympic Stadium.**

Editorial assistance: Lee Heidhues

DEDICATED TO OUR DEAR SWISS-ITALIAN FRIEND ED BEYELER WHO, 30 YEARS AGO, INTRODUCED US TO THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF FOOTBALL

Why won’t Joe Biden walk away from all of this gracefully??

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.2.2024

Why won’t President Biden walk away from all this gracefully and let a younger person who would totally destroy Trump on election day step up? Instead, Biden with an arrogance and sense of entitlement is bringing down democracy in America as we know it.

Doing Nothing About Biden Is the Riskiest Plan of All

You don’t need another pundit telling you that Mr. Biden should quit the race, although I’m among those who emphatically think he should – Nate Silver in New York Times – 7.3.2024

Is this awful or what?

The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Trump’s criminal activities are immune from prosecution. Which means his Federal and State criminal prosecutions will stop dead in their tracks. Given Biden’s abysmal performance last Thursday night and, with many Democrats beseeching him to drop out of the presidential race, Trump will probably win the election.

Liz was quite right when she said a couple of months ago that America wants a guy like Trump. It’s the stupid American people that makes a guy like this possible. Much of the world is now turning hard right Fascist.

**Joe Biden on inauguration day – January 20, 2021**

A month ago the right wing did very well in the European parliament elections. This past weekend the far right in France did very well in parliamentary elections. And, in Russia you have a brutal thug like Putin. With few exceptions Trump is symptomatic of the global malaise.

Here, even in San Francisco, the Fascist vibe is becoming fashionable.

There’s nothing else to say when you realize the Supreme Court decision criminalizing homelessness came about in large part because of the Brief filed by San Francisco. Which is cited eight times in the Opinion. This is so fucked up.

Trump was in San Francisco a month ago and raised a lot of money.

I just do not understand how anyone can vote for Trump. He’s a racist through and through. Speaks ill of every immigrant and is threatening retribution on his opponents. And now the Supreme Court has handed the keys of the Imperial Presidency to Trump.

I just so much don’t want to be here on election day. The whole notion is too revolting and, yes, scary. I’m almost 77. Something that is almost impossible to decipher. I think about 81 year old Biden and I think of myself. I certainly don’t have the full on energy I used to possess. The presidency is a total 24/7 job without respite. Athletes know when it’s time exit. Biden needs to realize the game is over for him.

**THE HILL: Initial Post Debate Polls Show Biden Losing Ground to Trump** 7.2.2024

Mark Farrell. Ethically overfed wannabe Mayor Pyle’s on again

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 7.1.2024

Last April 6th a crowd of anti-democratic rowdies disrupted the campaign kickoff for Mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin in Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. Leading the charge was Mark Farrell’s campaign manager Jade Tu. Her tool of harassment was a PYLE megaphone.

At the June 30th Pride Parade, Mark Farrell could be seen brandishing this very same PYLE megaphone used by his campaign enforcer to disrupt an opponent. (See photo above).

Mark Farrell should have fired or, at the very least, condemned his campaign manager Jade Tu’s antics.

**Mark Farrell’s campaign manager brandishes her PYLE megaphone to disrupt Aaron Peskin’s campaign kickoff – April 6, 2024**

Megaphones – Bullhorns

PYLE MEGAPHONES SITE

Once and future San Francisco Mayor’s dubious ethics are further evident as evidenced by The SF Standard dive into his ethically dubious entertainment expenditures. No wonder Mark looks so physically robust. That’s why many of his campaign events have him parading with a loose fitting shirt hanging over his ample frame.

Exclusive: Mark Farrell lived large on campaign cash while mayor, supervisor

Mark Farrell’s last stint as a public official concluded with a victory lap fit for a king.

During his final year as a supervisor, Farrell spent thousands of dollars in campaign donors’ cash to frequent some of San Francisco’s swankiest bars and restaurants, treating money raised for an already-concluded Democratic Party race in a manner that ethics experts likened to a slush fund. Farrell also appears to have used a legal loophole while interim mayor to accept large chunks of money from special interest groups that would have been otherwise barred.

**Mark Farrell in loose fitting garment followed by his enforcer Jade Tu**

The SF Standard provides considerable elaboration in its July 1, 2024 investigative piece.

Several active members of the DCCC told The Standard that leftover campaign funds for a seat on the local party are generally used to help pay off debts to staff, fund travel for Democratic Party functions and pay for civic events and organizations.

In contrast, from late 2016 through March 2018, Farrell’s DCCC campaign picked up more than $7,400 in tabs for meals and drinks at Spruce, Swig, Bix, Novela, Balboa Cafe, The Beer Hall, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Izzy’s Steak & Chop House, Fat Angel Food & Libation—the list goes on for more than three-dozen meetings with “DCCC constituents” whom Farrell has declined to identify.