We're Still Not Going Back -- November 15, 2024

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We're still not going back.

I Am Discouraged -- November 6, 2024

I am discouraged. How could so many people vote for that creep?

We have to carry on and resist.

I Voted -- October 28, 2024

I went to the gym at Saint Peter's church and submitted my absentee ballot. 

I Voted -- November 7, 2022

I submitted my absentee ballot. 

I Voted/End of School -- June 7, 2022

I like the design of this sticker. 

Today was the last day of the school year at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. I wanted to go to the moving up ceremony, but I had to go to Kaiser for two tests. I got invited to the faculty lunch at the Mezza Luna in Princeton. People were happy and the food was good. I had chicken saltimbocca. I dropped off my ballot on the way home and then took a nap.

I Voted No on the Useless Recall Election/Giants in Playoffs -- September 13, 2021

 

Today I left my ballot in the drop box at the Pacifica Recreation Center. I voted no on the stupid, useless election to recall Governor Gavin Newsom.  

And later in the evening, the Giants beat the Padres 9-1 to secure a spot in the playoffs at the earliest date ever. The Giants are 94-50. 

Time -- Person(s) of the Year -- December 12, 2020

 

Good choice. This should also upset our current so-called president. 

They Won/We Won -- November 7, 2020

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 It took a lot of counting, made slower by the great flood of absentee ballots, but the networks have finally called the election for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. He has always seemed to be a good guy and she will be the first female vice president and the first of African or Asian descent. Great crowds of people are celebrating in the streets of many cities. 

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Don't Forget to Vote -- November 3, 2020

 

If you haven't done it already, please vote. The future of our nation depends on it.

I Voted -- November 3, 2020

California usually has its primary in June, too late to make a difference.  This year we joined the many states on Super Tuesday. I voted by mail.

Election Day 2012 -- November 6, 2012

 

I worked from home today so I could leave at 4 and walk down to the polling place.  It was so warm that I didn't wear a jacket.  There was a good crowd, but I had to wait just a few minutes for a machine at my precinct.  

Update 9pm Pacific: It looks as if President Obama has been reelected.  I hope the Republicans don't pull some ugly trick as they did in 2000.  Governor Romney is slightly ahead in the popular vote, but that could change as more western states finish counting.  I hope racists and reactionaries don't take the popular vote as an excuse to make more trouble. 

Are you better off than you were four years ago? -- September 4, 2012

The Republicans dredged up an old quote from Ronald Reagan: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" 

Short answer: Yes, of course.

Longer answer: From Elizabeth Warren, on ABC's Good Morning America:
"You know, I remember what was happening four years ago. The markets were crashing. The financial system was threatening to seize up. The auto industry was about to plunge over the edge. And there was a real question among most economists whether or not this country was headed into a full-fledged depression. But the real issue now in the election is who has got the best plan going forward?"

I enjoyed the convention speeches from Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio and Michelle Obama.  

Firehouse #56 -- June 5, 2012

I voted for President Barack Obama in today's primary.  I'm worried about the new open primary system.  I can't imagine who is going to be running against Senator Feinstein.  There was a long list of mouth breathers and low brows. 

I took the photo of Station One today.  My polling place is in a former school. 

Firehouse #37 -- November 2, 2010

These lucky people get to vote at Station One, on Howard near Third. This station will get torn down soon for an extension of the Museum of Modern Art. I took the photo today.

I voted on the way home. Several poll workers and fellow voters agreed that they had never seen our polling place so crowded.

I took a walk at lunch time and saw people selling Giants merchandise on many corners.

New Era -- January 20, 2009

God bless America. Guide our new President in wisdom.

Update:

When I got off the bus, I noticed that the sidewalk on Mission across from Saint Patrick's was blocked off and that there were two large television screens. There was already a crowd of people waiting for the inauguration. I went back at lunch time and there was still a good crowd of people waiting to see the parade.

"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Election Day -- November 4, 2008

Senator Obama has won. I pray for him to succeed. Senator McKane made a gracious concession speech.

I caught the first bus home. I had to park way up the street from the polling place. The gym at the school had a lot of people in it, with long lines at some of the precinct tables. There were no voters at my precinct. I was happy to see that two of the workers were young people. They said they were very busy today. I used the electronic machine again.

Almost There -- November 3, 2008

People keep saying they wish the election would be over. I'd like that, too, but I hope the Republicans don't steal it this time. Senator Obama's grandmother died today. I'm sorry she didn't live to see the results. I understand the California State Republicans chose today to file a complaint to FEC about his recent trip to visit her. Shameless. It rained hard in the afternoon. Traffic was horrible on the way home. The driver called the dispatcher to tell him we were tied up on the 280 Extension. John Fell died. I took a film class from him at SF State. I saw many movies, like "The Adventures of Dollie," for the first time.

"It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else" -- October 17, 2008

So I was driving home from the park and ride yesterday and I heard an interesting story on NPR, about a Southern California Republican Women's group that had reproduced this image in its monthly newsletter. I had to look it up and see if the radio story was correct. The newsletter's introduction to the image read "Obama talks about all those presidents that got their names on bills. If elected, what bill would he be on????? Food Stamps, what else!" When reporters asked the writer about this, she is quoted as saying it was "strictly an attempt to point out the outrageousness of his statement. I really don't want to go into it any further. I absolutely apologize to anyone who was offended. That clearly wasn't my attempt. I didn't see it the way that it's being taken. I never connected. It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else." I can see why she doesn't want to go into it any further. I worry that we're going to see more crap like this before the election.

Culture Bus -- October 7, 2008

Muni's latest novelty is the 74X Culture Bus, a line that runs from Howard and New Montgomery to Golden Gate Park by way of Civic Center, connecting many of the museums in the city. I guess the biggest one they missed is the Legion of Honor. The seven dollar (!) fare allows one day of unlimited rides on the Culture Bus and other Muni lines except the cable cars.

I took the photo of bus at Howard and New Montgomery on 03-October-2008.

I'm sorry to see the presidential campaign descend into lies and name-calling. The Republicans must be really worried to claim that Senator Obama pals around with terrorists and to bring up his pastor again. I thought Senator McCain was going to behave with honor.

The town hall format of tonight's debate kept the presidential candidates more on track than the vice presidential candidates. I liked the last question: "What don't you know and how will you find out?" I didn't like Senator McCain calling Senator Obama "That one."

The stock market keeps falling.

Firehouse #12 -- October 3, 2008

Station 14 is on 26th Avenue between Geary and Anza. This structure, built in the 1970s, iir, replaced a pre-1906 firehouse. I remember visiting that firehouse for a school field trip. The Vice Presidential debate was polite. People were surprised to see Governor Palin avoid crashing and burning. Senator Biden spoke clearly and to the point. Governor kept winking and exagerrating her accent. My wife said she couldn't stand four years of that voice. My daughter moaned every time she said "new-kew-lure". My mother likes her smile. I wish she wouldn't use the baby as a stage prop. I was worried when she didn't seem to understand the question about Dick Cheney and vice presidential power. She tap danced around most of the questions.

Wells Fargo has made an offer for Wachovia. Citibank is complaining that they had a deal first. But Wells Fargo offerred to buy the whole company, debts and all, with no government bailout. I hope Wachovia goes for the Wells Fargo offer.