The view from our back deck near the Pacific Ocean on a rainy day in May.
Looking south from Sutro Heights Park along the Pacific Coast shoreline.
I took the opportunity to take a walk to Sutro Heights Park and ended up at the Golden Gate National Recreation Center (GGNRA) Visitor Center. Where I purchased a birthday gift for my sister in law and, unable to resist temptation, another coffee mug for our burgeoning collection.
The pathway from Sutro Heights Park leading to the Visitor Center
Beautiful Sutro Heights Park as the rain subsides.
The wilderness of San Francisco.
The iconic white house in Sutro Heights Park
The Pacific Ocean at the northwest corner of San Francisco
The Lions watch over Lands End Lookout
The guardian of the coastline
The scenic view looking west at the Pacific Ocean from inside The Visitors Center.
A birthday dish towel emblazoned with California poppies and California quail resting nearby the coffee mugs.
Sisters belong to each other.
Who can do anything but smile when standing by the Pacific Ocean after the rainstorm?
There was a lot of action in the Bay Area as the people speak out on behalf of the people of Palestine. Subjected to the Israeli onslaught in Gaza which has taken the lives of nearly 35,000 children, men and women since last October. An onslaught which has been supplied with weapons of death supplied by the American government.
Perhaps the most quiet demonstration was sponsored by Bay Area Museums for Palestine. Many of the participants in the rally at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park are employees of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) and the California Academy of Sciences.
A main speaker at the event was Dr. Aleks Liou (Phd. Columbia), currently Program Manager of Youth Action for the Planet at the California Academy of Sciences. Dr. Liou told the gathering about the devastation and death rained on the people of Gaza. He also talked about the cultural institutions of San Francisco which are major benefactors to the government of Israel which continues its murderous assault.
Dr. Aleks Liou – Pgm. Mgr. Youth Action for the Planet – California Academy of Sciences
Occupation is a Crime. Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine
Bay Area Museums for Palestine – sponsor of the May Day event in Golden Gate Park
FREE PALESTINE NOW
May Day 12 p.m.: Bay Area Museums for Palestine
May Day participants on a sun drenched day listen to Dr. LiouDON’T NORMALIZE GENOCIDEFREE GAZA70% OF GAZA’S INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN DESTROYED (BY ISRAEL SINCE OCTOBER 2023)
No rally is complete without the family dog and purple hair attired attendee
May Day kites send a message – FREE PALESTINE. THESE ROOTS RUN DEEP
A kite maker unfurls her work
FREE Palestine till it’s backwards
De Young Museum nearby the event supporting the people of Gaza
Condemning the Israeli assault on the people of Gaza. Supplied with American weapons of war. Nearly 35,000 children, men and women have have been killed since October 2023.
The Israeli ongoing leveling of Gaza. In response to the Hamas terror attack on Israel last October 7. A brutal assault which resulted in the deaths of over 1200, mostly Israelis. Over 100 of whom are still in captivity.
It will be important to see how the local mainstream media reports the burgeoning protest at San Francisco State. KTVU Fox News Channel 2 has one of the first reports.
San Francisco State students and faculty Palestine rally at Cesar Chavez Student Center – 4.29.2024
It was four years ago today in the depth of the Pandemic that San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared the vehicle thoroughfare JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park a car free area. Renaming it JFK Promenade.
JFK Promenade. The beginning 4.29.2020
In November 2022 the voters by a 63 percent majority concurred with the Mayor’s decision passing Proposition J and making the 1.5 mile thoroughfare permanently car free.
Mayor Breed’s advocacy for JFK Promenade. Signing the legislation which made it permanent on May 7, 2022. Then fighting for the passage of Proposition J will be one of her most momentous achievements.
JFK Promenade is a car free oasis. Devoid of climate killing cars and a sanctuary where people of all ages from San Francisco and around the world can enjoy peace and tranquility.
The creation of JFK Promenade was only gained after a hard fought battle. Motorists and their enablers, mainly the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), waged a pitched battle spending nearly a million dollars to destroy JFK Promenade.
I spoke with a well placed City Hall official. He told me the doyenne of the FAMSF Dede Wilsey, who opened her bank account in a futile effort to kill JFK Promenade, is still upset. Dede has now turned her sights on car free Market Street and wants cars back on that thoroughfare. Speakers at today’s event reminded people that JFK Promenade is just one victory. The struggle continues.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon a large group of people and City officials enjoyed the day and commemorated JFK Promenade.
LOVE spelled out in large letters is what JFK Promenade is all about.
David Miles the Godfather of Skate and original advocate for a car free JFK Promenade waged a 45 year battle
JFK Promenade is 4 years old TODAY! – ALL are Welcome!
The folks enjoying an afternoon in the sun on JFK Promenade
Recreation and Parks Director Phil Ginsburg give a shout out to Mayor Breed. Assisted by SFMTA Transportation boss Jeffrey Tumlin presenting Mayor Breed with a specially brewed 4 pack of beer for the occasion.
A kid goes topsy turvy celebrating JFK Promenade while Mayor London Breed shows off her special brew.
Assemblyman Phil Ting, Supervisor Dean Preston, SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin and the family dog
A converted VW Beetle converted to Pedal Power on JFK Promenade.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition tent
WALK SF. Whose advocacy and constant support made JFK Promenade a reality.
A bicycle riding Park Ranger watches over the celebration.
The crowd of all ages on JFK Promenade
Cycling on JFK PromenadeLiz checks out the art scene on JFK Promenadewith her home made sign for the occasion – CAR FREE JFK CROWNED SF’S HEALTHIEST ST.The food truck serves the visitors on JFK Promenade
Skaters galore on JFK Promenade
Jugglers on JFK PromenadePing pong players compete on JFK Promenade
JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park
Top photo: Liz Heidhues, a lifelong cyclist and advocate for JFK Promenade engages Mayor London Breed in conversation.
The events at the University of Texas, Austin are symptomatic of the events sweeping America’s campus in April 2024. In the late 1960’s it was America’s war against the people of Southeast Asia. Today it is Israel’s war against the Palestinian people of Gaza with America as the chief supplier of the weapons of destruction.Yesterday and today the future leaders have risen up to fight the insanity of their leaders.
The Troopers of the American Police State are descending on American college campuses to smash legitimate protest in support of the people of Palestine and against Israel’s continuing decimation of children, women and men of Gaza.
The campuses from New York through Texas and onto Berkeley are withstanding the onslaught of the well armed guardians of law and order. Ready to smash any dissent which becomes too burdensome for the power structure.
Excerpted from Austin American Statesman 4.24.2024
University of Texas, Austin – April 24, 2024
More than 20 people were arrested at a peaceful, pro-Palestinian protest Wednesday at the University of Texas hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Committee, a registered student group and a chapter of the national Students for Justice in Palestine, which held the rally to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.
PSC planned the protest in solidarity with students across the U.S. who have been demanding their universities to divest from Israeli businesses and for the federal government to stop backing Israel’s military as more than 30,000 people have died in Gaza amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
As students walked out of class at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday to begin protesting, state and university police descended on horse back, bikes, motorcycles, cars and on foot to meet the rally goers. Around 5:20 p.m., the university issued a dispersal order asking everyone to leave the campus South Mall area “immediately.”
State troopers on campus at the University of Texas – Austin
The big stick of the Police State at The University of Texas, Austin
Handcuffed, under arrest for protesting on behalf of Palestine at The University of Texas, Austin
Campuses are ablaze in protest over the continued Israeli assault on the children, women and men of Gaza. Which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 since last October 7.
The Israeli catastrophic payback for the horrific Hamas assault on Israel which took the lives of over 1200 Israelis. The Israeli military, in retaliation has waged a total war of devastation on the people of Gaza.
Americans who support the rights of the people of Gaza have been targeted by politicians. Who march in lock step with Israel. From the White House on down. The attack on freedom of speech has now reached college campuses. Students who stand up for Palestine and protest the Israeli slaughter of the citizens of Gaza are the subject of mass arrests.
Some politicians stand up for human rights and are rewarded for their couragedespite being targeted by billionaire Trump money men.
Rep. Summer Lee has won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, fending off a primary challenge amid frustrations over her views on the Israel-Hamas war.
During Lee’s first race, which she barely won by only a handful of votes, Democratic Majority for Israel, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its related super PAC United Democracy Project were all deeply interested in making sure Lee wasn’t elected to Congress. This cycle, however, they were not directly involved, with Jeffrey Yass instead taking a leading role in funding her opponent.
A first-term member of the Squad and a rising star within the progressive coalition, Lee will go on to compete in the blue district in the general election, having withstood Edgewood Councilmember Bhavini Patel’s primary challenge.
Lee was a top target this cycle of Democrats and Republicans alike looking to oust the congresswoman from her western Pennsylvania seat. Her positions on the Israel-Hamas war, including calling for a cease-fire throughout the conflict and expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments, made her more vulnerable than other House progressives.
This cycle, her top source of attack was Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire GOP donor who spent heavily to knock down Lee through a super PAC supporting Patel.
Yass’s involvement against Lee and link to former President Trump has defined much of the race. Some of her highest-profile surrogates including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sought to draw a contrast between Lee’s rebuke of corporate money in politics and Patel’s funding from Yass.
“Time and time again, @SummerForPA has stood up to the billionaire class,” Sanders wrote in a post on the social platform X just before Election Day. “Now billionaire Trump donors like Jeffrey Yass are spending millions to defeat her.
Today was a celebration for one of the genuine humanitarians in San Francisco.
Sister Noreen O’ Connor was feted before an adoring crowd at St. Monica’s Church. To celebrate and commemorate 70 years serving the Catholic church in San Francisco. This day has a special meaning for Liz and me. The home we have owned and lived in for the past 40 years was at one time the home of Sister Noreen’s Uncle Jack.
The large crowd dined on food provided by Original Joes in Westlake and Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant located directly across the street from St. Monica’s.
A young Sister Noreen – second from right.
A chipper Sister Noreen O’Connor with Liz
Sister Noreen was honored by Father David Schunk and presented a framed certificate from Pope Francis
The clergy and the crowd at Sister Noreen’s Jubilee celebration.
The St. Monica School Choir belted out a few tunes for the guests.
The parish hall at St. Monica’s in the outer Richmond district of San Francisco
Irish Pipers Band of San Francisco were part of the Sister Noreen Jubilee celebration
A pair of dancers from the Boyle Irish Dance Academy clothed in green performed an Irish jig
Entertainment was provided by the Youth Group of San Francisco Music Studio
Liz, Lee and longtime parishioner Marjan Phihour most definitely enjoyed Sister Noreen’s Jubilee celebration.
It doesn’t surprise me that the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins who likened legitimate protestors to Hamas terrorists last October wants to throw the proverbial book at those who blocked traffic and inconvenienced motorists on the Golden Gate Bridge last Monday.
This DA has already exhibited her bias and should recuse herself from any involvement in potential prosecutions.
This is the same Brooke Jenkins who has yet to bring charges against the 78 year old driver who plowed her Mercedes SUV into a bus stop last month and slaughtered a family of four from Brazil on their way to the San Francisco Zoo.
Aftermath of horrific death scene in San Francisco caused by a criminally negligent motorist – March 16, 2024
I’ll say it right here and loudly, too. Brooke Jenkins priorities are misguided and screwed up.
Excerpted from San Francisco Chronicle 4.17.2024
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins urged anyone delayed by protests that shut down the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday to file a report to authorities because they may be victims of false imprisonment and entitled to restitution.
Brooke Jenkins priorities – Prosecute protestors not criminal motorists.
The bridge was closed for several hours after demonstrators chained themselves to parked cars to prevent vehicles from passing, part of coordinated regional protests to oppose U.S. support for Israel that also temporarily blocked Interstate 880 in both directions. Jenkins, who is considering filing charges against the Golden Gate Bridge protesters, urged anyone detained on the bridge to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Marin Division at 415-924-1105 or chpmarin@chp.ca.gov. Commuters were asked to provide their contact information and a detailed statement about how they were impacted by the blockade, she said.
“You may be entitled to restitution and have other victims’ rights,” Jenkins said Tuesday afternoon at a news conference.
Jenkins joined Gov. Gavin Newsom and others in denouncing the protesters’ actions. The governor said he had received calls from Bay Area residents caught in traffic during the protest as they drove children to school, rushed to medical appointments or frantically tried to get to work on time.
Top photo: Family of four from Brazil run down and killed by a criminally negligent motorist. The family was waiting for a bus at the West Portal Muni station in San Francisco on Mar. 16, when an SUV smashed into them. Diego de Oliveira, a Brazilian national who worked at Apple, his wife Matilde Pinto, and their 1-year-old and 3-month-old sons all died.
“Timothy McVeigh was a tragic guy who thought our differences were more important than what we had in common.” President Bill Clinton.
Watching the film Civil War last weekend gave me a look at what might be the future of America.
I need a real life reminder about the birth of the domestic terrorism movement in America. The harsh reality of the birth of contemporary America will soon be available for all the world to view.
The bombed out Federal Building in Oklahoma City – April 1995
It’s been ongoing for nearly three decades. The bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995 was akin to the insurrectionist attack on Ft. Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina on April 12, 1861. That assault began the first American Civil War (1861-1865).
The second Civil War has been upon us since 1995 with Donald Trump as leader. Commanding violent bands of dangerous well armed insurrectionistshell bent on bringing down the American government.
Excerpted from The Guardian 4.16.2024
Civil War, director Alex Garland’s imagining of a divided states of America, appears to have touched a nerve, topping the weekend box office. For some cinemagoers, it may offer escapism. But for those who remember a spectacular act of domestic terrorism that struck the heartland a generation ago, it may feel more like destiny.
An American Bombing tells the story of the single deadliest act of homegrown terrorism against the government in American history. On 19 April 1995 Timothy McVeigh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVeigh ignited a truck bomb outside the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children.
“Our documentary will help people understand, how could we even get to a place where a commercial movie like Civil War can be released and it’s not sci-fi?” says Marc Levin, director of An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th, an HBO documentary about the growth of anti-government sentiment through the lens of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Victims of the terrorist bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City – April 19, 1995
“We’ve always kind of believed in American exceptionalism. ‘That can’t happen here. Oh, no, it could happen in Yugoslavia. It can happen in other places but not in the United States of America.’ Making this film has sobered even us up.”
Executive producer Katie Couric helped secure an interview with Bill Clinton. His previous experience as governor of Arkansas, which saw a rise in extremism, meant that unlike others who initially assumed the Oklahoma City bombing must be the work of Islamic militants, he immediately suspected domestic terrorism.
Jeffrey Toobin’s book “Homegrown. Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism” dissects the life of Timothy McVeigh
Clinton offers a chilling conclusion about McVeigh and his relevance to a bitterly divided America in 2024. “It doesn’t matter whether he was right about anything or not,” he says in the film. “What matters is he decided he should kill people he didn’t know including little kids. But the words he used, the arguments he made, literally sound like the mainstream today. Like he won.”
The law and order reactionary racist rabble, funded by the deep pocket MAGA billionaire crowd, has set its sites on a black woman Pamela Price, District Attorney in Alameda County.
Make no mistake this Recall directed at a progressive black woman is racist at its core.
These reactionaries have succeeded in placing a Recall measure on the ballot to oust the progressive DA. The Recall effort began just months after DA Price took office in January 2023.
This is the same despicable crowd which politically lynched Chesa Boudin, the progressive San Francisco DA two years ago.
The San Francisco Chronicle very directly points out who is behind this insidious effort.
Excerpted from The San Francisco Chronicle 4.15.2024
The recall campaign, with more than $2 million raised for their effort, hired the same consultant who worked on the 2022 campaign that led to the successful recall of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
Price, a former civil rights attorney, won her seat with 53% of the vote in 2022 after she promised to reduce mass incarceration, lighten sentences for defendants under age 25 and hold police accountable for misconduct. When she took office, she drew opposition from prosecutors and community members who view her policies as too lenient.
In July, less than seven months into her term, her critics formed a recall committee.
Alameda DA Pamela Price must beat back a deep pocket MAGA funded Recall.
Critics of Price who organized a campaign to remove her from office collected 74,757 valid signatures, the Registrar of Voters said in a statement. The campaign needed at least 73,195 valid signatures to trigger a recall election.
The Board of Supervisors will consider the results at a meeting April 30, the registrar’s office said. The recall campaign called on supervisors to schedule a special election within 125 days as outlined in state law.
Lee's Perspective 