My post on why I am voting to re-elect Bevan Dufty for supervisor wondered about why self-proclaimed environmentalists were backing another candidate.  I said I couldn't figure out why they took their position from reading the campaign materials I'd seen. Today's mail answered my question. Here's the reason they're voting for Bevan's opponent: I am not inventive enough to make this up. Yes, who could support a City Supervisor who focuses on everyday issues like potholes and the dull job of running the city?  I don't know what "me-too votes" are, but they probably are for things like approving the [...]

Unless there is a burning, divisive issue, I don't choose my elected officials on the basis of a specific issue or a select picking of votes.  I want someone in office who is thoughtful, will sort though the pros and cons of particular bills, come up with a vision for the city (state, nation), tell me about that vision, and do the work of making detailed policy. I will vote for men and women whose vision is in concert with mine and whose feelings on what government should be doing are relatively in tune with my own. I like public officials [...]

 My church's minister, Rev. Gregory Stewart, and his partner Stillman White were featured Tuesday in a nationally broadcast News and Notes segment focusing on the adoption of Afro-American children by white gay couples.The NPR reporter, Nancy Mullane, interviewed the family at their home in October. The 5 1/2-minute story is available on the National Public Radio website.  Nancy says they'll add a picture we gave them and maybe add a link to the church's site.  We'll see! Listen to Greg and Stillman  

This week two years ago was the high point of the political year.  The polls, the pundits, and the political articles all talked about the coming Democratic tide that would sweep the true Evil Doers out of office. I couldn't get enough of the feature stories that spotlighted the coming comeuppance facing one sanctimonious, flag-wrapped, terrorism-threatening office holder after another.  Finally, after four years of an Apocalypse-blinded President and a torture-supporting Congressional majority, the American people were going to throw out the self-dealing fear mongers and return to true American values.  This week in 2006 the stories are similar.  Visions of ex-Senator [...]

From the candidates' statements in the sample ballot for next month's election. Running for school board: Yes, Dan.  I can hardly wait to join "I" in this exciting education journey.  I am especially thrilled about this prospect considering that you are an incumbent.  I think you are or have been president of the school board. Such leadership! Would me hold a bad pronoun choice against Dan?  Yous bet I would.

Okay, maybe it's not for the Lone Star den dwellers, but I have just helped a Teddy Bear Book site go live. Playing with the graphics and text was a lot more fun than some other of my business sites.  I was able to wipe the dust from a couple of stuffed kids on the shelf and put them in front of the camera.  It's always nice to show pictures of the children. I also used the pages as tests of my ability to adapt to the latest HTML and CSS standards (which, I am convinced, only nerd and nerd [...]

After my frequent entries about church, plays not to miss, and other indirect prescriptions for living your life, I hesitate to make more suggestions for how you should use your time. I hesitate, but I cannot stop myself from the small nudge that an hour a week watching Battlestar Galactica  is well spent. We find it amazing drama with captivating acting and a storyline that comments on today's issues without being obviously preachy -- this is no cheesy Star Trek with half-white-half-black aliens stupidly facing off against half-black-half-white aliens. Instead, we are immersed in murky situations of unclear morality. The good-guy major characters [...]

You scored as Alison. You're Alison! You are very sweet and pretty, but you don't mind being in the background. You are very well-liked and people want to be on your team. Which Project Runway [3] Designer Are You? created with QuizFarm.com Alison! Alison?? I feel so vanilla!  (And, besides, I said I wasn't pretty!)

redozdachs and I celebrated our 16th anniversary yesterday.  I couldn't find a 1990 picture of us, but this 1991 one is pretty good for a time machine photo: It doesn't feel like 16 years -- that sounds a lot longer than it really has been!

Sunday at 4 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Society (1187 Franklin Street at Geary) The ceremonial start of our new minister's tenure will be celebrated Sunday at 4 pm at our church. California Assembly Member Mark Leno (D - San Francisco) will deliver the Welcome at the installation service. Democratic Candidate for California Secretary of State,  Senator Debra Bowen (D - Redondo Beach), will also publicly greet our minister. A&E and the Chron have said they'll be sending reporters. Special music, pomp and ceremony will round out the fun. A free reception featuring a jazz band, hot and cold hors  [...]