SAN FRANCISCO 2.4.2024

What’s a law and order crime stopper political animal gonna do when she realizes, but refuses to admit, her draconian lock ’em up policies are a total failure?

Close her eyes and pretend it’s all good while drug users are dropping dead in the streets of San Francisco.

Over 800 in San Francisco during 2023.

The San Francisco Chronicle editorial 2.4.2024

San Francisco suffered a record 806 “accidental” drug overdose deaths in 2023.

But the misery we see on San Francisco’s streets is anything but happenstance. It’s a policy choice.

The scourge of fentanyl has largely yet to land on European shores. Its arrival has the potential to collapse systems of care. But fentanyl’s presence in San Francisco is even more reason to stop arguing and get on the same page.

The only inevitable consequence of continued squabbling is more death.

San Francisco has had a comprehensive overdose prevention plan since 2022. Part of that plan is opening overdose prevention sites, which were thrown into legal limbo after Gov. Newsom vetoed a 2022 bill that would have given the city authorization to run such facilities.

The editorial board has highlighted the efficacy of Portugal’s approach to problematic drug use, decriminalizing possession with a focus on treatment. But it’s also worth mentioning Europe’s most deadly region for drug overdoses: Scotland. 

After a record 1,339 overdose deaths in 2020, Scotland moved away from a focus on punitive measures for drug use and began pivoting toward Portugal’s approach. Overdose prevention centers opened in the deadliest cities. Conservatives pushed for a universal right to treatment.

Yet providing treatment on demand for substance abuse — an essential component of our plan — is fully within our power to achieve. San Francisco has not. Instead, evidence-based policy pursuits have become mired in debates over crime and punishment.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/sf-drug-overdose-deaths-18642537.php

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 2.2.2024

San Francisco is sinking into a political sinkhole of intolerance and name calling. Garry Tan has led the charge. Mayor Breed, her allies and groups like Grow SF are coming away unscathed.

In the uproar surrounding Garry Tan and his January 27, 2024 violent Tweet wishing violence on San Francisco’s Progressive supervisors there has been total silence from Mayor London Breed.

A silence which has been copied by those in her political circle and San Franciscans who believe the unhinged behavior of Garry Tan is acceptable election year rhetoric.

It is not.

Garry Tan is on the Board of Directors of GrowSF and a financial contributor to this advocacy organization.

We have heard not a word from GrowSF which is leading the charge to further upend the political order in San Francisco. GrowSF is currently pushing hard to defeat Progressives in this years’ election cycle. https://growsf.org/

GrowSF is actively promoting Mayor Breed’s March 2024 ballot measure ‘E’. If passed by the voters it will give more power to the San Francisco Police Department and weaken Police Commission oversight of the cops.

This is a crew lacking any ethical moorings which accepted Garry Tan’s money and worked for the 2022 Recalls of three members of the San Francisco School Board and District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

They have just begun their destruction derby of the political order in a town which likes to think itself progressive.

Artwork: Liz Heidhues

SAN FRANCISCO 2.1.2024

Garry Tan’s violent tweet advocating violence clearly advocates. Get rid of the Progressives. That’s the opening salvo in his campaign to further upend the political landscape of San Francisco.

Elected and unelected officials are his target.

Money and political intimidation are the linchpins of his agenda.

The fallout from Garry Tan’s threat to Progressive elected officials continues to percolate is just the start in this election year.

The San Francisco Standard ran dueling op eds. On one side is Christopher Cook who unsheathed his pen and continues to lacerate Garry Tan. The most interesting, and disturbing, part of his piece follows.

In a rather Orwellian video, Tan told the Network State conference in 2023, “We need our own parallel media, we need our own machine … We have a parallel media now, with Elon’s Twitter or X. Getting a parallel media was a key piece, and it wasn’t done through voting, it was done by building.”

Tan went on to say, “Voting is important, but it just replaces the elected officials … we need to replace the unelected parts as well.” He proposed a network of “parallel media and businesses” as “a possible recipe for reforming San Francisco and building the alternative tech political machine. And if it works in SF, it will work everywhere. And the cool part about it is, this is just getting started.”

When Garry Tan writes, “Voting is important, but….“

What Garry is really saying is that the voters can’t be trusted. He is advocating for a media and business community sympathetic to his vision of San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 1.31.2024 UPDATE

A contact within the San Francisco Police Department, with no documentation provided, has alleged that Left leaning individuals may be responsible for the threatening letters being sent to Progressives on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at their home addresses.

I learned of the SFPD allegation from someone who has solid connections with San Francisco media.

The SFPD Alice in Wonderland version of this dangerous affair strains credulity.

The Left sent these letters. As a way to further embarrass Garry Tan. He is on the hot seat for his Tweets threatening several Progressive supervisors with violence.

The explanation for the ‘false flag’ SFPD allegation, aimed at the Left, is obvious to those familiar with the easily excitable Police Officers Association (POA). Deflect attention away from the firestorm consuming Garry Tan following his incendiary Tweets, by holding the Left accountable.

It fits right in with the POA playbook on handling its adversaries. Smear then destroy by any means necessary.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Lee Heidhues 1.30.2024

Politicians who are associated with Garry Tan in the current election cycle need to think seriously. Do they want to be associated with a wealthy, reprehensible, toxic reactionary rabble rouser? It is a Faustian bargain which will not serve them well.

This vile creature Garry Tan can make all the disavowals he wants.

The fact is he put in the public arena social media posts encouraging violence against Progressive elected officials. Garry Tan’s toxic politics have now come full circle. San Franciscans are being reminded that rhetoric like this can result in violence. The November 1978 assassinations at City Hall of Mayor George Moscone and gay icon Supervisor Harvey Milk come to mind for those who lived through the traumatic event.

Excerpted from The San Francisco Chronicle 1.30.2024

Two San Francisco supervisors said they received disturbing mailers to their homes Tuesday afternoon wishing “a slow and painful death for you and your loved ones,” referencing the profanity-laced social media post by Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan that led to police reports and calls for heightened security. 

Progressive Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Dean Preston both told the Chronicle they received the threatening piece of mail at their residences.

After attacking progressive supervisors on the board, Tan said in the post over the weekend, “Die slow motherfuckers. ”  

Tan apologized for the remarks, which he appeared to delete from X, in a later tweet saying that “die slow” came from rapper Tupac Shakur’s iconic dis track “Hit ‘Em Up,” adding that it “wasn’t a good call.” He then issued a more thorough apology. 

Peskin and Supervisor Connie Chan filed police reports in response to Tan’s post, saying they took it as a threat of violence even before the mailers arrived. After the mailers arrived Tuesday, Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Ahsha Safaí also indicated they would file reports with the police department as well about Tan’s post. 

Peskin told the Chronicle the Police Department said they are “actively investigating” Tan’s post, but police were not immediately available to comment. 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-garry-tan-x-threatening-peskin-police-report-18637813.php

Top photo: Body of Supervisor Harvey Milk being carried from City Hall after he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Supervisor Dan White. November 27, 1978.

SAN FRANCISCO – VIA LEVI’S STADIUM SANTA CLARA

January 28, 2024

Excerpted from The San Francisco Chronicle 1.28.2024

The San Francisco 49ers are going back to the Super Bowl to face the Kansas City Chiefs.

This is not a sentence you would have expected to read after the first half of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, as the Detroit Lions, fueled by a surging ground attack, built a 24-7 halftime lead. No matter, the 49ers mounted a furious comeback to win 34-31 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

DEFLECTION OFF THE FACE. WILD.

📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/C4jf3b3clo

— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024

https://www.sfchronicle.com/

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 1.26.2024

A good friend well versed in San Francisco City Hall matters told me, when discussing DA Brooke Jenkins, “What do you expect she’s from Union City?”

The made for the tabloids incident resulted in DA Jenkins firing an employee for sending her an admittedly not politically correct email which reads,  ‘What Color Panties You Have On’.

So, what?

If DA Brooke Jenkins had any sense of perspective she would have summoned the employee to her office. Closed the door and asked, “What the fuck were you thinking?” and sent him home for a couple of days to think about it.

Remember this is the same Brooke Jenkins who called herself a “Volunteer” while working for the Recall of her one time boss DA Chesa Boudin. Only to admit after the Recall she had been paid over 150K for her “Volunteer” political dirty work.

Now the non-story ‘What Color Panties You Have On’ has become an immediate drama in a town which thrives on scandal. There are reports that DA Brooke is engaged in a romantic liaison with the employee. More grist for the political gossip mill.

The San Francisco Standard reports that an assistant DA has told employees to delete any emails containing the offending language. A legally questionable action. Particularly when the now fired employee may sue for wrongful termination.

“The email chain posted online ends with a note from Chief Assistant District Attorney Ana Gonzalez that reads: “Dear all, we are aware that an inappropriate email was sent out. This matter is being handled by the administration. If you have opened the email please delete it, do not forward, copy or otherwise disseminate this email. Please be reminded city issued email is for business purposes only.” – excerpted from San Francisco Standard.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/brooke-jenkins-email-18631542.php

Top photo: The Union City skyline.

SAN FRANCISCO – SUTRO HEIGHTS PARK

Lee Heidhues 1.26.2024

When I sent this week’s earlier blog: https://leesperspective.com/2024/01/24/are-the-feds-about-to-ruin-sutro-heights-park-close-by-the-pacific/ Are the Feds about to Ruin Sutro Heights Park Close by the Pacific my good friend Charly wrote back, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

The last two days I have made my way around the work site and documented what is happening.

Judge for yourself.

SAN FRANCISCO – SUTRO HEIGHTS PARK

Lee Heidhues -1.24.2024

It was a rainy morning in Sutro Heights Park. The historic landmark at the northwest corner of San Francisco. Part of the Federal Golden Gate Recreation Area which stretches from San Francisco all the way north across the bay deep into Marin County to the north.

I came upon the sign posted on the pathway announcing that a major renovation project is soon to begin. Most distressing is Number 3-VIEWSHED which will “Selectively prune and/or remove trees to restore or maintain historic views of Ocean Beach.” I walk by this spot on an almost daily basis. There is absolutely no need to touch this spot. It is beautiful in its current status.

The already small tree canopy in San Francisco is dwindling. The Feds should not be contributing to the diminution of a declining environmental asset.

Sutro Heights Park with its beautiful canopy of trees is an urban treasure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Heights_Park

The gardeners who spend their time maintaining the massive Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) could make better use of their time and the taxpayers dollars.

Top Photo: A Sutro Heights Park Viewshed regular casts a skeptical eye on the changes about to disrupt a native resident’s life.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 1.24.2024

Liz received a very kind message in today’s mail from The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco “Thank you for supporting the Fine Arts Museums.”

Ironically this positive message from the Fine Arts Museums, to which Liz has been a member for well over a decade, came on the same day the SF Chronicle published a letter decrying JFK Promenade. The car free oasis in Golden Gate Park.

A political brawl for which Liz and I were at the front lines battling for its permanent status. A long sought goal which we could only have dreamed about until it actually happened. When the voters overwhelmingly approved JFK Promenade in November 2022 despite fierce opposition led by Supervisor Connie Chan, entitled motorists and certain advocacy groups. Funded by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to the tune of nearly 1M.

I wrote a letter to the editor of the Chronicle expressing my dismay. The Chronicle is unwittingly relitigating a legal and political battle which has ended. Hopefully my letter is published. Here it is.

My wife and I are seniors. In response to Carl Nolte, Mr. Cardoza’s letter complaining about JFK Promenade is unrepresentative of  many seniors. The only “difficult option” confronting some seniors is that they may have to walk a small distance. There is an 800 space parking garage underneath the DeYoung Museum in the “center of the park.” There is a free shuttle service on JFK Promenade. The unfounded contention that 90 percent of those using JFK Promenade are under age 50 is unsupported with any statistics.  We advocated vigorously for the creation of this car free oasis. Many seniors and people with disabilities worked to see JFK Promenade become a reality. Proposition J was approved by the voters with a 63 percent majority. Overcoming a nearly 1M campaign to defeat it. My wife and I cycle regularly on JFK Promenade. It is hardly “underutilized” on weekdays.  At all times, weekdays and weekends, we see  seniors and  mobility impaired people enjoying JFK Promenade. It is one place in San Francisco where we can escape the noise and pollution caused by motorists and their vehicles.

Here is the letter to the editor which drew my ire.

Top photo: Liz holding her homemade “GRANNY LOVES CAR FREE JFK” sign at the May 7, 2022 celebration for JFK Promenade after Mayor Breed signed legislation passed by the Board of Supervisors making the car free oasis permanent. Little did we know at the time opponents were already preparing a ballot measure to bring back cars. The People United Will Never be Defeated. The Board of Supervisors put JFK Promenade on the November 2022 ballot as Proposition J. The well funded attempt by the De Young Museum to defeat Proposition J was crushed. Proposition J got a 63 percent YES vote.

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 1.23.2024

Israel continues to destroy the infrastructure of Gaza as it continues its campaign against the children, women and men of Palestine.

Over 25,000 have been killed so far by the American supplied Israeli Defense Forces.

Attached is a clip of Associated Press reporter Matt Lee putting the tough questions to a State Department spokesperson. Who completely evades and dissembles. Regarding the Israeli destruction of Gaza University.

Excerpted from Al Jazeera 1.23.2024

Israeli officials have suggested that the 21 Israeli soldiers killed in a single attack yesterday were demolishing buildings to secure a “buffer zone” in central Gaza that would push Palestinian residents away from Israeli communities.

“They fell in battle near the border fence, during a defence operation in the buffer zone between the Israeli communities and Gaza. This is a task whose entire purpose is to create the security conditions for the safe return of [Israeli] residents to their homes,” said Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi.

There is ample footage online of Israeli soldiers blowing up buildings in Gaza in apparent controlled demolitions.

If Israel is trying to raze Palestinian neighbourhoods in vacant areas of Gaza in the name of safety, the effort would defy US policy and may be in violation of international law.

Washington says it opposes the permanent displacement of Palestinians as well as any “reduction in the territory of Gaza”.

Moreover, the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits “any destruction” of property by the occupying power except when it’s deemed “absolutely necessary by military operations”.