SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 1.1.2024

Bibi Netanyahu is paying the price for his corruption and war crimes against the The People of Gaza. The Israeli Supreme Court has smacked down his attempt to delegate more power to himself and his extremist ruling coalition.

Even while the Israeli continues to lay waste to Gaza the judiciary has sent a message. Enough of your abuse of power. While this ruling will not stop the IDF assault on Gaza it certainly sends a message to Bibi Netanyahu. Your days in power are numbered.

Excerpted from The New York Times 1.1.2024

In a momentous ruling that could ignite a constitutional crisis, Israel’s Supreme Court on Monday struck down a law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government that was meant to limit the court’s own powers, by a majority of eight judges to seven.

The decision is likely to rekindle the grave domestic crisis that began a year ago over the right-wing government’s judicial overhaul plan — which sparked mass protests that brought the country to a near standstill at times — even as Israel is at war in Gaza.

The court, sitting with a full panel of all 15 of its justices for the first time in its history, rejected a law passed by Parliament in July. The law barred judges from using a particular legal standard to overrule decisions made by government ministers.

The court’s decision heralds a potential showdown between the top judicial authority and the ruling coalition, and could fundamentally reshape Israeli democracy, pitting the power of the government against that of the court.

Mr. Netanyahu’s governing coalition, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in Israel’s history, has argued that the Supreme Court has overreached its authority and subverted the will of the voters and the function of the elected government.

They argue that the legal concept of “reasonableness” — which the court used a year ago to strike down Mr. Netanyahu’s appointment as finance minister of a political ally who had been convicted of tax fraud — is ill defined and subjective.

But in a country that has one house of Parliament, no formal written constitution and a largely ceremonial president, many defenders of Israel’s liberal democracy view the Supreme Court as the only bulwark against government power, and the standard of reasonableness to be one of the primary tools at the judges’ disposal.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.31.2023

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/drug-market-tenderloin-soma-18579159.php

The final day of frankly miserable 2023 found the San Francisco Chronicle graphically displaying what this year, when all is said and done, was all about.

Misery. Whether it be the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Hamas terror attack against Israel. The Israeli murderous response, bordering on war crimes, against the People of Gaza.

Locally the failed war on drugs in San Francisco which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 800 people from overdoses.

Kudos to the Chronicle for giving its Sunday morning hard copy readers something to think about when they see the front page photo and read the detailed reporting (see link above) as they sip their coffee.

Photos: San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.30.2023

I was shaken to learn that film star Tom Wilkinson has died. Suddenly at age 75.

The reporting on his life emphasizes his role in “The Full Monty.” I think there are other films in which Tom Wilkinson stood out as a top notch performer.

I watched him in several films. The most compelling of which is his role in the 2007 film Michael Clayton. Wilkinson portrayed Arthur Edens who is the lead counsel in corporate defense. His job. Defending a chemical company in a massive lawsuit. There is not one courtroom scene in the film. The story. The story is a portrayal of moral and ethical dilemmas in the world of law.

Tom Wilkinson. George Clooney. Tilda Swinton, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress, lead the cast.

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

I also watched Tom Wilkinson perform in “In the Name of the Father” and “The Ghost Writer”. He was marvelous in both films.

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

Top photo: Tom Wilkinson and George Clooney meet in jail in “Michael Clayton.”

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.28.2023

I just finished watching the 85 minute Frontline documentary, “Netanyahu, America and the Road to War in Gaza.”

I can’t help but feeling while watching this riveting, disturbing contemporary history lesson, that the spin is too much the American/Israeli perspective.

Still, the documentary is something which deserves careful viewing. It is illuminating as a snapshot of history happening in the moment.

The history of the past 30 years in the volatile middle east, as interpreted by PBS in the documentary, provided me with a certain degree of historical context. As long as I kept reminding myself this is an American/Israeli perspective I maintained an open mind throughout the 85 minutes.

The interviews and the historical footage kept me glued to the screen.

Top photo: Destruction by Israeli military has resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 Palestinian children, women and men since October 7, 2023.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.27.2023 – photo art by Liz

The world is going to hell in a hand basket. War in Ukraine. The Israel assault on Gaza continues unabated. But in San Francisco it’s possible to find some unity and happiness.

Liz spent a post Christmas afternoon in San Francisco’s historic Japantown. Walking through the only mall in our part of the city. And enjoying “Bibimbop” at her favorite Korean restaurant, Doobu. Liz has known the owner since she first went there nearly 15 years ago. Portions are lavish and the food is excellent.

On a Wednesday afternoon the east and west Japantown mall was hoppin’ with people of all ages enjoying the atmosphere and the multi-cultural delights of San Francisco.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japantown,_San_Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.25.2023

On Christmas day I should take a day off from politics. 

However that is not possible.

Particularly when I read the spot on the letter to the editor in the San Francisco Chronicle. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Letter to the Editor – 12.25.2023 – Catherine Cusic, San Francisco

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins recently told us homeless people needed to be made to feel “uncomfortable” (S.F. DA Brooke Jenkins faces blowback after saying homeless people should be made ‘uncomfortable’,” San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 13). Now she wants to prosecute young activists trying to stop an immoral and illegal war on civilians in Gaza. 

She (DA Brooke Jenkins) has filed preposterous charges of “false imprisonment” against Bay Bridge demonstrators (“Eighty will be charged for shutting down Bay Bridge in protest calling for Gaza cease fire,” San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 15). Perhaps she has missed the long and proud history of nonviolent protest against unjust policies in this country (Jim Crow laws, the exploitation of farm workers, Vietnam War) and abroad (El Salvador, Nicaragua and now Gaza).

I can’t speak for all San Franciscans, but I do think that most of us support humane policies for those living on the sidewalks, and we support, even take pride, in those who protest against the mass killings of civilians.

As the descendent of a German Jewish family that was nearly eradicated by the Nazis, I admire and support those demonstrators and am disgusted, once again, by our district attorney. 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/letterstotheeditor/article/bay-bridge-protesters-israel-gaza-18571344.php

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.24.2023

Last week I was studying the San Francisco Symphony schedule and was riveted by the program for May 22 and 23, 2024. The 2000 Ridley Scott directed film “Gladiator”, winner of five Academy Awards, will be shown at Davies Hall.

The Hans Zimmer soundtrack will be played by the San Francisco Symphony orchestra.

https://www.sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/GLADIATOR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_(2000_film)

We immediately purchased tickets. Having seen this film on the big screen in 2000 and watched it several times at home since then. This will be an entirely different experience.

There are many great scenes. Not the least of which is the violent chariot scene and the classic follow up face off between Maximus (Russell Crowe) and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

We have listened to the soundtrack too many times to count. So, we are looking to this cinema musical extravaganza next May.

Even though the event is not for five months I was surprised to learn, when I went on line to purchase tickets, Davies Hall is filling up quickly. Today I learned the possible reason.

Next November Gladiator 2, also directed by Ridley Scott, will hit the big screen. Only this time the star of the film is Denzel Washington. The initial trailer is already available for viewing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_2

Top photo: Gladiator – Maximus (Russell Crowe) confronts Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix)

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.23.2023

Israel military might has killed 20,000 children, women and men in Gaza since launching its offensive, bordering on war crimes, against the people of Gaza.

In retaliation for the murderous Hamas terror attack against Israel on October 7. An attack which took the lives of 1200 people. An attack which the Israelis knew was in the planning and, as has been well documented, did not take adequate security measures to prevent. (Link to New York Times article below).

Now, eleven weeks of barbarity by the Israelis has resulted in barbarity which has appalled the world. In Gaza the people are not only under murderous assault by American supplied weapons.

The people of Gaza are starving. The result of Israeli calculated action to continue to kill and starve the People of Gaza.

Deutsche Welle 12.23.2023

https://www.dw.com/en/un-says-half-a-million-people-starving-in-gaza/video-67803329

[Video transcript]

Signs of starvation are not hard to find in Gaza.

Here in Rafah, crowds jostle for what little food is available. 

The despair is evident.

(Displaced Person)
“This war brought an unbearable level of humiliation. We struggle so much just to provide lunch. Life has become so expensive it’s unbearable. We do not eat, drink or sleep properly. And nothing is available.”

A United-Nations-backed report says more than 90 percent of people in Gaza are facing crisis levels of hunger.

A critical situation amid Israel’s relentless bombardment in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

UN agencies say Gazans are getting just 10 percent of the food deliveries they would usually receive. 

People struggle to find water, medicine and fuel.

(Arif Husain, Chief Economist, World Food Program)
“What is happening in Gaza is unprecedented. Both in terms of its scale but also how quickly it has happened. You know, in the world right now, there are about 130,000 people who are in catastrophic levels of hunger, meaning they are starving. In Gaza, more than half a million. That is four times more. And that is what makes this totally unprecedented.”

Israel did briefly allow aid through its Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza this week.

But an Israeli airstrike that hit the Palestinian side forced UN staff to stop its pick-ups there.

(Arif Husain, Chief Economist, World Food Program)
“We can still avoid this famine. But we need to make sure that people have food, people have water, they have shelter, they have sanitation. And for all of those things to happen, we need border crossings open so these commodities can come in.”

The growing desperation for food also means that the limited supplies that do make it into Gaza are often seized upon before being handed out.

And the UN says it’s not just access to aid that is vital, but also its safe distribution across the strip.

Without it, they warn, the risk of famine in Gaza is increasing every day.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.22.2023

Mine is just a personal story. I only have to look at the local media to read endless stories of the mayhem, violence and state of abhorrent human behavior and societal disrepair with which I am surrounded.

San Francisco is an angry place. Liz and I confronted it this week with two disturbing events. Illustrative of the mood inflicting this city. 

Anger is something notably missing in Berlin where we spent three weeks in November. The people in Germany seem to enjoy life.

We did not notice the obvious systemic unhappiness, hostility and anger which casts a fog like pall over America in general and San Francisco in particular.

On Monday Liz and I had an appearance in San Francisco Superior Court pursuing an elder abuse restraining order against a 34 year old. He appeared via phone. When the Judge put him on speaker phone the respondent, with no preliminary comments, launched into a tirade called us “crazy” and “insane.” Despite being admonished that such personal attacks are inappropriate he continued on, shouting sometimes, this abusive rhetoric. We just sat impassively while this verbal fusillade went on despite efforts by the Judge to maintain order in the court.

That was Monday.

This afternoon, Friday three days before Christmas, I brought back a defective item to our outer Richmond District neighborhood hardware store one hour after purchasing it. The clerk refused to consider a return. I asked to speak with the “boss” who eventually appeared.

The packaging clearly stated my consumer rights. The owner yelled at me. He threw the defective item on the floor. His employees looked on. Mouths agape. “Give him back his money. You’re a fucking asshole. Never set foot in this store again!!” My wife and I are legacy customers. We have done business with previous owners since 1978. Never, again.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 12.19.2023

Our fraught German excursion whose hi-lights were being laid low by a vicious virus and Liz suffering an ankle fracture riding the dangerous Deutsche Bahn is now officially over.

This rainy morning our faithful USPS postal carrier delivered two parcels totaling 44 pounds. Containing a number of gifts and mementos from what may be our last German experience.

It certainly has been good to return to our quiet San Francisco neighborhood. Drink the quality Hetch Hetchy water. Have our own home brewed coffee and read the newspapers each morning.