The Richmond Sunset Review is a longtime neighborhood newspaper which serves an area of San Francisco which Timeout calls the 27th best neighborhood on the planet.
Sadly The Richmond Sunset Review is not keeping up with the times.
Richmond District in 1922
Feeling its primary role is to promote feel good stories. With a pronounced editorial slant towards political views better suited to the 1950’s Leave it to Beaver America.
Law and Order and strident opposition to a more pedestrian/bicycle friendly San Francisco.
“Comments” we have submitted for publication are frequently ignored and not published.
Just today the owner/publisher wrote me explaining that my “comments” are redolent with “negativity.” Firmly suggesting that we put them on our blog. http://www.leesperspective.com.
Richmond Review – Meet the Editor
We are following this advicefrom The Editor of The Richmond Review.
Michael Durand should publish his 📰 in a country w/nominal Freedom of the Press. He’s adept at censorship. He REPRESSES readers disagreeing w/his views. He PROMOTES well-known extremists like @markdietrichsf He EXILED @Dogrunner47 from @RichmondSunset News for speaking the Truth pic.twitter.com/Emob7XMzKM
Disagree with Hillary Clinton if you will. There is no doubt she has something worthwhile to say. Always.
America and the world would have been a better place had the archaic American electoral college not kept her from becoming President in January 2017.
Hillary received nearly 3M more votes than Trump in November 2016. Because the American founding fathers created the Electoral College to protect the wealthy slave owners this anachronism has been with us since 1787.
The Electoral College was settled-on as the means of electing president towards the end of the Constitutional Convention due to pressure from slave states wanting to increase their voting power (since they could count slaves as 3/5 of a person when allocating electors) and by small states who increased their power due to the minimum of three electors per state.[31] The compromise was reached after other proposals, including to get a direct election for president (as proposed by Hamilton among others), failed to get traction among slave states.[31] Levitsky and Ziblatt describe it as “not a product of constitutional theory or farsighted design. Rather, it was adopted by default, after all other alternatives had been rejected.”[31] – Excerpted from Wikipedia
I recently finished the book Hillary wrote in 2017, What Happened. It should be must reading today.
Cover The New Yorker would have published had Hillary Clinton been elected President in 2016
Excerpted from The New York Times 5.9.2024
Hillary Clinton on Thursday criticized campus protesters, saying young people “don’t know very much” about the history of the Middle East.
“I have had many conversations, as you have had, with a lot of young people over the last many months now,” she said on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” on Thursday. “They don’t know very much at all about the history of the Middle East, or frankly about history, in many areas of the world, including in our own country.”
Former Secretary of State and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton
Ms. Clinton then went on to imply that young people “don’t know” that had Yasir Arafat, the former leader of the Palestinian Authority, accepted a deal brokered by her husband, President Bill Clinton, the Palestinians would already have a state of their own. “It’s one of the great tragedies of history that he was unable to say yes,” she said.
“For Clinton to say this is really disingenuous,” Osamah F. Khalil, a professor of history and Middle East expert at Syracuse University, said in an interview. He noted that in the lead-up to the summit at Camp David in 2000, where negotiations ultimately faltered, Mr. Arafat had warned former president Bill Clinton that “the two sides were not ready.” To lay blame squarely on the Palestinians was unfair, he added, noting that there had been other missed opportunities for a solution.
“Diplomacy is not a one-time mattress sale,” Prof. Khalil said.
Ms. Clinton’s comments about the students failed to give them, or the elite institutions at which many are protesting, due credit, he said.
The comments come after students walked out of Ms. Clinton’s class in November to protest what they perceived as the school’s role in publicly shaming students who had signed a statement saying the Israeli government bore responsibility for the war. Last month, others disrupted Ms. Clinton’s visit to her alma mater, Wellesley College.
Top Photo: Undergraduate Hillary Clinton at Wellesley College – 1969
The murderous Israeli government of Bibi Netanyahu is engaged in a blatant policy of targeting journalists. Censoring them and killing them.
The repressive Israeli leader Bibi Netanyahu continues his war against all things Palestinian and Arabic. His latest target, Al Jazeera. The prestigious media conglomerate based in Qatar.
The Israeli cabinet, doing Bibi’s bidding has shutdown the Al Jazeera broadcast center in Jerusalem. Bibi doesn’t like its reporting about the Israeli atrocities being inflicted on the children, women and men of Gaza. Nearly 35,000 of whom have been slaughtered by American provided weapons of war since last October.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have murdered and maimed Al Jazeera journalists in what can only be described as wanton fashion. Most insidious was the targeted assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh by the IDF in the West Bank on May 11, 2022.
Shireen Abu Akleh murdered in cold blood by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) doing her job in the West Bank – 5.11.2022.
More than 100 journalists and media workers, the vast majority Palestinian, have been killed in the first seven months of war in Gaza, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
Gaza’s media office has the number at more than 140 killed, which averages to five journalists killed every week since October 7.
Since the start of the war, at least 34,596 Palestinians have been killed and 77,816 others injured in Gaza. More than 8,000 others are missing, buried under the rubble.
The largely compliant American media need not worry. It will never be punished by Bibi. It’s credulous reporting and cheerleading on behalf of Israel enables the continued devastation of Gaza.
Excerpted from The New York Times 5.5.2024
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said on Sunday that his cabinet had voted to shut down the Israeli operations of Al Jazeera, the Qatari-based network that is a major source of news in the Arab world and has often highlighted civilian suffering in Gaza during Israel’s war with Hamas.
Al Jazeera. Banned by Bibi
Journalism organizations denounced the closure, which had been under discussion in Israel for weeks, as a blow to press freedom. Reporters Without Borders said in a statement in Arabic that it strongly condemned the decision, which it called repressive. The Foreign Press Association said Israel had joined “a dubious club of authoritarian governments” that have banned the station.
Shireen Abu Akleh. Murdered by Israel
Mr. Netanyahu accused Al Jazeera, which has long had a tense relationship with Israel, of harming Israel’s security and inciting violence against its soldiers. Israeli officials did not immediately provide examples of Al Jazeera content it believed posed a threat.
In a statement in Arabic, Al Jazeera called the decision a “criminal act.” “Israeli’s suppression of the free press to cover up its crimes has not deterred us from performing our duty,” the network said.
The initial shutdown order is for 45 days, with an option of an extension of another 45 days, according to an official at the Ministry of Communications. The order focuses on halting Al Jazeera’s ability to transmit from and be seen within Israel; it was not immediately clear whether the closure could affect the network’s reporting in Gaza and the West Bank.
Mr. Netanyahu has previously called the network a “mouthpiece” for Hamas, the armed group that controls Gaza and that led the cross-border attacks on Oct. 7 that set off the war.
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.
Lee's Perspective 