May 29, 2019

Several weeks ago there was a Pro-Trump rally in San Francisco.

Now an incendiary virulently anti-semitic Nazi like letter  (see attached) has been sent to residents in The City who live near the Holocaust Memorial in the northwest corner of San Francisco . It is very disconcerting and a warning sign of where things are headed in this country.

The San Francisco Police detention and interrogation of a journalist on May 10 is just another Marker on how Trumpism is infecting the body politic.

Even in “Progressive” San Francisco.

The letter from Barnes Review follows.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier in the year I Blogged about the courageous journalist Anabel Hernandez She has been awarded a Freedom of Speech Award. Whether its journalists being handcuffed by police for six hours in San Francisco for refusing to reveal a source or being murdered in Mexico the threat to journalists is real and ongoing.

Excerpted from Deutsche Welle 5.28.2019

The exiled Mexican journalist has received Deutsche Welle’s Freedom of Speech Award at the Global Media Forum. In her acceptance speech, she issued a warning against organized crime and a plea for truth.

“For months I contemplated the bulletproof vest that the government of Mexico gave me in 2016, shortly before publishing my last book on the case of the 43 students who disappeared in Iguala in the state of Guerrero in September 2014.

“It was a way of warning me: ‘you have gone too far’ in your investigations. But even with the vest in front of me I refused to think about myself and the risk. There has always been something more important: truth and justice.”

Anabel Hernandez’s work as a journalist had put her in the firing line. Following that direct threat to her personal safety, she took action. Today she lives in exile and incognito. For twenty years now, she has reported tirelessly about corruption, the drug trade, sexual exploitation and injustice. DW honored this work with its Freedom of Speech Award, presented to Hernandez during the Global Media Forum in Bonn.

‘Why do they kill us?’

Hernandez survived — in contrast to more than 100 journalists, who have been killed in Mexico during the past decade. Mexico has the highest murder rate for journalists in the world.

“But why are they killing us?” Hernandez asks. “Why are they threatening us? Why are they imprisoning us? Why do they want to silence us?”

https://www.dw.com/en/dw-freedom-of-speech-award-presented-to-anabel-hernandez/a-48909099

This should come as no surprise to anyone.

Excerpted from Deutsche Welle 5.27.2019

The World Health Organization (WHO) for the first time put burnout on its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) list, which is used globally as a benchmark for health diagnosis.

“Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life,” according to the classification.

The international body reached the decision to categorize burnout as a medical condition during its recently concluded World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Following recommendations from health experts around the world, the updated ICD list was drafted in 2018 and was approved on Saturday.

The WHO has now classified burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

The global health organization said the burnout syndrome is characterized by three dimensions: “1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; 2) increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 3) reduced professional efficacy.”

https://www.dw.com/en/who-recognizes-burnout-as-a-disease/a-48908837

 

 

May 26, 2019

In 1995 I saw the wildly intense, futuristic film “Strange Days” starring Ralph Fiennes (shown above) and Angela Bassett, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. In its time the film was generally overlooked and panned by critics, though Roger Ebert gave it four stars. Perhaps because of its violence and mind boggling plot line the critics and viewing public took a pass on this film.

Nearly 25 years later “Strange Days” deserves another look, if for nothing else to see Juliette Lewis (above) do an incredible cover of the PJ Harvey song “Hardly Wait.”

Make no mistake there are very disturbing scenes in this film.

Nonetheless, the use of technology in “Strange Days” in the form of “Clips” is thought provoking and intense. Considering that Director Kathryn Bigelow put this in the public arena a quarter century ago is amazing.

The film ranks right up there with the original 1982 “Blade Runner.” It, too, was generally overlooked at the time. Now it is considered a cult classic.

Attached is the Wikipedia article on “Strange Days.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Days_(film)

May 26, 2019

Every Picture Tells a Story – Ongoing Series

These pictures were taken Friday afternoon in busy downtown San Francisco. The scene was disrupted by the sudden appearance of several police cars careening down Market Street enroute to a crime scene.

Photos by Lee Heidhues

May 25, 2019

By – Lee Heidhues

“Progressive” San Francisco  must hit  hard at the POA for a shameful, dangerous intervention in the political process. The Mayor and Board of Supervisors cannot allow themselves to be intimidated by a Police State.

The POA was not satisfied with trashing Jeff Adachi  after his death.  The release of a Police Report compiled the night of his death on February 22, by as yet unnamed cops, was illegal and unethical.

The May 10 detention and brutalization of a local freelance journalist  by a squadron of local cops and FBI agents raised the hackles and set off  the alarm bells of Press Freedom advocates.

Chief of Police William Scott (pictured above), local elected officials and the Judiciary have been villilfied for their  generally silent reaction to what can  be described as a Police State action in conducting the raid on a Journalist.

Finally, the Chief has apologized for the actions of his department.

This apology is too much for the POA. It published a strident Statement blasting the Chief, ridiculing him in the most abusive manner and calling for his immediate resignation.

The POA is engaging in an act of shameful behavior which can be described as “eating its own.”

San Francisco Chronicle 5.25.2019 News Story

https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Adachi-leak-SF-police-union-calls-on-police-13896795.php

I should not be stunned at the obtuseness of the cops.  The good news, after receiving a total pounding the past two weeks the San Francisco Chief of Police is acknowledging the obvious. He screwed up!!!

Excerpted from San Francisco Examiner 5.24.2019

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott conceded Friday that a raid on a journalist’s home during an investigation into a leaked police report last month may have violated state laws and called for an independent investigation into the matter.

In a statement released Friday, Scott said that a “top-to-bottom” review of the criminal investigation into the unauthorized release of the police report on Public Defender Jeff Adachi’s death has raised concerns over a “lack of due diligence by department investigators” in seeking search warrants for freelance stringer Bryan Carmody.

Scott said the investigators also may not have properly addressed Carmody’s “status as a member of the news media.”

On May 10, police and FBI officials executed two search warrants on Carmody’s home and office. Officers showed up with a sledgehammer to force entry into his home, and confiscated over 100 of his personal items, including tablets and thumb drives.

“This has raised important questions about our handling of this case and whether the California shield law was violated,” said Scott.

https://www.sfexaminer.com/the-city/chief-scott-says-raid-on-journalists-home-may-have-violated-state-laws/

The threat to journalists is worldwide. Two weeks ago in my home town, “Progressive” San Francisco, a freelance reporter had his home and office broken into, was handcuffed and terrorized for several hours by a squadron of cops. It is well chronicled in this Blog. This brutality by law enforcement is not isolated. It is a behavior of renegade cops everywhere.

Committee to Protect Journalists 5.24.2019

Berlin, May 24, 2019 — Italian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the police beating of La Repubblicareporter Stefano Origone and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Yesterday, a group of riot police officers beat Origone with batons and kicked him while the journalist was covering clashes among demonstrators near a rally staged by far-right party CasaPound in Genoa, according to a video of the incident published by his employer, Italian daily La Repubblica, and as Origone recounted in a report published today in the paper.

Police officers beat Origone while he curled in the fetal position, breaking two of his fingers and one of his ribs, according to his report in La Repubblica. He shouted that he was a journalist, but police only stopped beating him when one officer recognized him, Origone wrote.

“Italian authorities should hold to account the officers responsible for beating La Repubblica reporter Stefano Origone,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. “Journalists should be able to carry out their duty to report on demonstrations without being harassed or attacked; authorities should ensure their safety, not endanger it.”

In his report today, Origone wrote that he remained hospitalized in Genoa with heavy bruising and head trauma.

Riot police began beating demonstrators after CasaPound supporters and opponents clashed near the party’s rally, according to news reports.

“The journalist, Origone, was in the piazza to do his job in a peaceful manner as a reporter. I don’t know how he could have been mistaken for a rioter,” said Genoa’s chief prosecutor, Francesco Cozzi, according to German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into Origone’s beating, according to the broadcaster.

In an interview published by La Repubblica, Genoa Police Superintendent Vincenzo Ciarambino apologized for the officers’ attack on the journalist.

CPJ emailed the Genoa police for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.

https://cpj.org/2019/05/italian-riot-police-beat-la-repubblica-reporter-st.php

Bay City News Service 5.23.2019

The California State University Board of Trustees on Wednesday appointed Lynn Mahoney to serve as the president of San Francisco State University, the first woman to serve in that role. 

Mahoney, currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University, Los Angeles, will be the 14th president of SFSU when she officially takes over in July.

She is replacing Leslie Wong, who is retiring after seven years as SFSU president.

“San Francisco State is the city’s vibrant and diverse nexus for academics, culture and advocacy,” Mahoney said in a news release. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, community members and campus administrators to ensure a welcome and inclusive environment for our students as is befitting one of the most socially conscious cities in the country.”

Mahoney previously held various roles at CSU Long Beach before going to CSU Los Angeles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in American studies at Stanford University and a doctorate in history from Rutgers University.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/Csu-Trustees-Appoint-Lynn-Mahoney-As-First-Woman-13872228.php

 

Let’s hope that this Con artist who self promoted his way into the White House is FINALLY being given the treatment that egomaniacs and serial liars deserve.

Excerpted from Deutsche Welle 5.22.2019

US President Donald Trump has failed in his legal attempt to stop Congress subpoenas to force Deutsche Bank to release his financial details. The German bank reportedly lent Trump over $2 billion in the last 20 years.

US President Donald Trump has lost a legal battle to block Congress from subpoenaing his financial records from two banks. The president also said he would not work with the House unless it stopped investigating him or his finances.

New York District Judge Edgardo Ramos ruled on Wednesday that Trump, his family, and his company were “highly unlikely” to succeed in a lawsuit claiming that the subpoenas by Democratic lawmakers were unconstitutional. Ramos said the subpoenas have “a legitimate legislative purpose.”

The move could mean that Deutsche Bank and Capital One, two banks that Trump has borrowed millions of dollars from, may be forced to release their documents on the president.

A 2017 disclosure form showed that Trump had had at least $130 million (€116 million) of liabilities to Deutsche Bank alone, with the new subpoena seeking more records of accounts, transactions and investments linked to Trump, his immediate family and their various businesses.

The New York Times has reported that Trump owed Deutsche Bank some $300 million when he was inaugurated in 2017. The bank has said it would comply with subpoenas.

The lawyers for the Congress’ House Financial Services and Intelligence committees said they needed access to documents from the banks to investigate possible “foreign influence in the US political process” and possible money laundering from abroad.

https://www.dw.com/en/court-deutsche-bank-may-release-files-on-donald-trump/a-48840492