Jane Tyska v. Art Michel - Michel Gets "Class Five Schmuck Alert"

There's a blog called "Schmuck Alert" that got wind of our Oakland Focus Blog posts on the way Oakland Police Chief Art Michel treated Oakland Tribune photographer Jane Tyska a few weeks back. Schmuck Alert wrote that in Michel's behavior, they've seen "calmer reactions at school bus collisions."   Today, the Alameda County, California DA elected not to file charges against Tyska. 

Prince Was Pro-Prop 8 - Rocker Turning Christian Conservative

In what has to be the shocker news item of the day, Gawker reports the famous Rocker Prince has said he's against homosexuality. He's reported to have said this:


When asked about his perspective on social issues—gay marriage, abortion—Prince tapped his Bible and said, “God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.’


Funny, because a number of people thought Prince was Gay; not me. But I'm just saying. Still Prince seems to fall in line with the majority of voting African Americans in California who supported Prop 8. I write that because Prince did not say how he voted on Prop 8.

Hate Crime Against Obama Supporter In Torrance, CA

Well, for all of the good feeling you now have some crazies coming out and making themselves known. I saw this on the Obama listserv called "Loa Angeles For Obama":

Hi Everyone,

I'm beyond upset to report that my neighbor who has been an active Obama supporter just had her house vandalized. She had put a "Yes, we did!" sign on her house and some assholes came and spray painted her car with swastikas and "88" which is a symbol of neo-nazi groups apparently.

We live in Torrance and which is a fairly conservative, but racially mixed area, but hate crimes are not something that usually rear their ugly heads here. The perpetrators are clearly idiots as well because my neighbor is white.

I feel especially bad because she had expressed some fear in putting up the sign in the first place and I told her not to be scared because I'd only gotten positive feedback from people this whole time I've been expressing my support for Obama. In any case I want to organize some way for Obama supporters to send her our support but I'm not sure what the protocol should be. I'd appreciate any guidance in the matter.

Does PG&E Want To Screw San Francisco? Opposes Clean Energy

Does PG&E wanto to screw San Francisco? If you consider that the utility doesn't back using clean energy sources and has not met State of California guidelines for renewable energy, it sure seems so. You can change that with the passage of Proposition H - "Yes on H." It's the first initiative of its kind; tell your friends around America about it and have them call friends in San Francisco and tell them to vote "Yes On H".

"YES ON H" - San Francisco's Quest For Clean Energy November 4th

On November 4th a very important vote is coming to San Francisco. It's called "Yes on H" and if it passes, this is what it will do:

Specifically, the Act directs the City to analyze, identify and pursue strategies that:

Maximize greenhouse reductions from the electricity sector at the minimum cost including the following clean energy mandates: by 2012 ensure at least 107 megawatts; by 2017 ensure 51%; and by 2030 ensure 75%. The SFPUC shall ensure that 100% or the greatest amount technologically feasible or practicable are met through clean energy by 2040. Nuclear is prohibited from being included in the definition of clean energy.

Investigate ways to improve electric service and reduce costs to customers, including through measures such as Community Choice Aggregation.

Establish an Independent Ratepayer Advocate to represent the interests of ratepayers and ensure affordable and reliable service.

Develop a Green Jobs plan providing workforce development for clean energy, construction and operations in PUC jurisdiction. Any PG&E employees who become City employees as a result of this Act will not suffer any reduction of compensation or seniority.

Evaluate the financial and environmental benefits of locally controlled electricity services, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. This includes a cost-benefit analysis of municipalizing the electric system, as well as shorter-term measures such as Community Choice Aggregation.

Seems like a no-brainer, and it is. One problem is that SF Mayor Gavin Newsom's not behind it, and no one seems to have a good reason why, including Mayor Newsom. Not a good idea for someone running for Governor of California.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants $7 Billion Loan For California

The long term impact of Proposition 13 and the changed economy have produced a situation where California finds itself in a cash and credit crunch of historic proportions. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants a $7 Billion loan for California otherwise thousands of teachers in the state will be laid off.

SF Land Deal for Transbay Terminal Gets Record Price

San Francisco is enjoying an embarrassment of riches:


Wall Street is decimated, Main Street is angry and K Street is in an outright panic over the magnitude of thenation’s financial problems.  But San Francisco’s Mission Street is in a parallel universe setting an all time record land price for the right to build San Francisco’s newest signature tower—the 1,000 ft Transbay Transit Tower being built in conjunction with the new Transbay Transit Center (transbaycenter.org)


The price is said to be over $4,900 per square foot.  At that price, who needs more than 49 square miles of land?


See the below Hines release on the deal or visit the TJPA Web site http://transbaycenter.org/TransBay/content.aspx?id=1104 for additional information:.