Saturday, March 23, 2002

 
Oh Yeah...BTW

Is it really that easy to forget?

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:28 PM

 
Nothing happening today...

but that only means that I found this piece over on A Voyage To Arcturus and really got a chance to read this piece from Megan McArdle.

Oh well...Saturday Night...off to Sam's

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 7:47 PM

Friday, March 22, 2002

 
A note on City Planning

A part from the last peice got me thinking. My grandfather and Aunt are City Planners. My Grandfather was a Urban Planning Professor and my Aunt is now a Director of Community Development in SoCal. I grew up around this stuff, and one thing you never, ever do is open up zoning calls to a public ballot initiative. There is so much to this, and you usually have to have an entire city/county view in mind when you do anything. This is what mayors and city planners are for. To take the will of the people and the long term view for the path of the city, look at it all in the big picture, and make decisions from there...it's a big job, with about 3million variables to take into account. To open the fine grained, what should this block do details up to mob rule, NIMBY postering is a big mistake.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:52 PM

 
ok...back to Marin...

well, I've decided to take a crack at this one, fresh MarinIJ hapnins':

The Marin Town and Country Club property - one of the largest remaining open spaces within the boundaries of any Marin municipality - is changing hands.

There aren't a lot of Marin municipalities, and the ones that are here are small, and everything that isn't a "Marin municipality" is pretty much... Open Space!

Smith said the prospective buyer has no immediate plans to develop the land and intends to continue managing the property's 38 rental units. News of the sale was a blow to community leaders who had been seeking a way to purchase the property and convert it into a public park.

The buyer has no immediate plans, so maybe you still can...

"I'm very disappointed," Fairfax Mayor Lew Tremaine said. "I knew we were on a time clock with this thing and this could happen."I was hoping that the communities would be able to get it together and be the ones to buy it."

The town of Fairfax had recently contracted to have the property appraised. This was a preliminary step in a scenario in which officials envisioned the towns of Fairfax and San Anselmo forming a joint powers authority to purchase the property.

yet another example of why private initiative will always win...too slow bubba!

A poll of 300 Fairfax and San Anselmo residents last year found that 83 percent would support a public park on the sprawling parcel, just south of Center Boulevard behind the Fair-Anselm Plaza.

oh my! 300 people...that's scientific...wher these people who were polled at the park around the corner at the time? Anyway, 83% of 300 is 249. It's estimated that the property sold for $5.5 million ($230K per acre). So let's see..that's works out to be about $22K per person if they just wanted to create a private co-op and buy it themselves. Add another 750, and it would be about $5K a pop.
San Anselmo is 12,000 people, Fairfax is >7000.

Various proposals for developing the property have been rejected by Fairfax residents over the past three decades. Voters approved a ballot measure in the 1970s that rezoned the land commercial residential - effectively barring residential development.

Smooth move...now there are dozens of ballot initiative to create "affordable housing" in all the precious "open space" areas. Jesus H. Christ people, think these things through for once!

Tremaine expressed skepticism that - given the property's asking price - the buyer intends to maintain the status quo.

"Nobody would do that," Tremaine asserted. "You'd have to have some vision, some plan."

That's right! Don't you wish you were in on it... ;)

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:09 PM

 
Dirth of Leftist Blogs

A while ago, Nick Denton posited the question "Where are the liberal weblogs?". I didn't give it much thought at the time because, well, I really don't care. But today was kinda slow, so I decided to go Wabbit Hunting™. Anyway, I came across one, as was going to rip through it, but discovered I was beaten to the punch.

Anyway, Nick had four possible ideas for the why:

I think there are four main reasons why liberal weblogs are hard to find. First, the American right feels shut out of mainstream media, and has embraced weblogs with more enthusiasm. Second, conservative opinions tend to be punchier, whether offline or online, and lend themselves to a format founded on brevity; the conservative weblogs are just more readable. Third, liberals are wusses: there are plenty of well-written liberal weblogs out there, but the authors avoid politics, fearing flames from nasty neo-cons. Finally, the conservatives were the first to reach critical mass, and they keep the business within the circle, like any sensible establishment.

I'd like to add another:

Liberals, inasmuch as I think he's placing them, tend toward using groups to advance their causes. Unions, non-profits, coalitions, all of which have a goal or set of actions that are reached by concensus which may or may not use a figurehead be vocal. Blogs do not lend to this thought process or worldview. Blogs are all about this is me and this is what I think, Liberals live in a collectivist world of the "we".

And any that are out there tend to reguritate vague ideologies, without a whole lot of substantive thought backing them up.

That's my view, anyway.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 6:03 PM

 
Local Gossip

I took my wife out to dinner at Cafe Milano last night, and who should we get a table next to? Why, I do believe a certain Maynard Willms, who was having dinner with an unidentifed woman, possibly a MarinIJ reporter.

At this time, I'm purely speculating, but look for an article soon over there as Mr. Willms is jockying for a Council Seat, and there's also quite a bit going on the affordable housing front these days, which seems to be a strong issue for Mr. Willms. The possibly Mr. Willms had a lot to say on this topic, as well as "Lexus driving Mommies blocking traffic to drop the kiddies off at the bus stop" and repeated use of the phrase "long haired liberals".

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 1:23 PM

Thursday, March 21, 2002

 
Two steps forward, Two Steps back (and to the left)

ahhh...more Cali Electricty goodness, with the most contradictory headline I've read this week, California power regulators continue electricity competition.

What this means is that the PUC has graciously allowed companies who are buying power from someone besided the big, bad, failing PG&E can continue to do so, but will probably end up having to pay an "exit tax".

This, of course, is to blame on California's "failed experiment with deregulation", as NPR put it on the ride in this morning.

Of course, it wasn't really deregulation now, was it?

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 1:18 PM

 
More STAR testing

but this time more from the slant of this article in the Contra Costa Times. Essentially it's about the big question about when to more a "non-English" speaker into the "English speaking" category.

The testing is actually broken up into two categories, mandated for students you have been "non-English speaking" for less that 12 months, and non-mandated for those in the program over 12 months.

This seems like a tester piece to get some reference material published...this will probably be used by Gray Davis to offer more support for his education record (even through a lot of this stems from the effects of Proposition 227, approved in 1998...the same year Davis was elected...which he opposed) and to take the wind out of Simon's sails on the bilingual education issue.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:26 PM

 
Marin IJ

now 99% Fact-Free!

ok, so there's this little story about school testing and all that, which really has nothing substanstive, just some quote like there:

They have raised questions about the use of the tests and the fairness of the tests," said Derr, after listening to presentations by Raznikov and Anderson.

"The inherent problem with standardized tests is it standardizes education," Raznikov said. "Somebody somewhere decided there are specific things to learn - something that can be tested and run through a machine and graded that way."

the general gist of the article makes you go "What the Fuck?"...but with a little research, it comes together:

try this piece from Joanne Jacobs

then read this from Alex Caputo-Pearl

get the gist? the discussion at the panel probably closely resembled the Caputo-Pearl piece, and Henry Derr backed down, straight from a chapter from Bias.

Now, I'm not really a fan of standardized testing, but when Moonbeam Raznikov, a Marin District trustee, starts questioning whether or not you can truly quantify what, like, knowledge is, man...then I start siding with Jacobs. Remember, it's all about picking your battles.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:18 AM

 
ahhh....Marin

yes, you see...articles about 40 cats is major news....

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:05 AM

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

 
Yeah, but chicks dig Clinton

One thing Rand Simberg is maybe missing in this piece, is that the folks who are libertarians at heart, but feel culturally aligned with Democrats are probably mainly guys. And it's a lot easier to get laid talking about "caring about the blah blah blah" while aligning yourself with Mr. Empathy. No one ever got laid supporting Bob Dole (not even Bob Dole)

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 6:47 PM

 
The Comical

This is a great quickie analysis of the status of the SF Chronical (via Matt Welch).

I have noticed a mixed bag coming out of there, and I wonder how it'll shake out over the long haul. It would be nice if some of the better reporters/columnists abandoned ship to do some L.A. Examiner-type stylin's.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:04 PM

 
A Twofur

this page has two articles on it...one reports on an econimists POV/Speech that rising housing cost will force Marin businesses out of the area, the second talks of affordable housing going in at Point Reyes...

I'll hit the second part first with this map...Pont Reyes is about an hour from the largest city in Marin...it's a curvey, Highway 1, two-lane, scenic road...this really isn't the place for "affordable housing"

1st part last:

ok...well, there's this peice from Cato that pretty niftily explains how rent control actually raises overall rent in an area...there are a lot of towns up here that institute rent control, which I can say from simple observation is a big contributor to the hyper-inflation of housing costs here.

The article is mainly talking about those who work in services type industries, but really the aggrivated rise in housing prices is caused by two factors: that big piece of water out there called the San Francisco Bay with only 5 bridges that caues absolute bottleneck for getting to any job, and the mis-planning, rent-control driven arrangement of the various cities south of here.

Add to that the absolute isolationist nature of Marin (BART does not come up here...think that's an accident?) and the self-propelled cachet of just "living" here, and of course housing is going to be more expensive.

Marin has already basically exclusionaried themself out of the real world, and the Bay has only helped to create additional obstacles for keeping the rif-raf that would fill these jobs on the other side. Starbuck's pays $9+ per hour to just get ANYONE in...without a city/county/state mandated minimum wage.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 1:15 AM

Tuesday, March 19, 2002

 
The Rabbi's packing heat...

If this wasn't so sad, I'd say it belongs in a Mel Brooks film...

The Religious Affairs ministry agreed to a request by security officials that four people in each synagogue be given weapons and cell phones. Orthodox Jews are banned from operating mechanical devices on holidays and the Sabbath, except in emergencies.

"Synagogues are not normally the place for guns and cellular phones, but these are special arrangements for this holiday because of the situation," ministry spokesman Uri Revach said.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:56 PM

 
Boxer's latest:

Thanks Barbara...but maybe...ummm.. you think he's trying to get illegal immigrants deported instead of put in storage in the California desert...

...just a thought

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:42 PM

 
Horoscopes from around the Bay

San Francisco
Cool it with the barbs. Though meant in jest, they're beginning to take on an edge. Things are tense with a sparring partner so ask what's up.

Wazzzup!!!

Oakland
An unknown benefactor will bring you offers, intrigue and ultimately friendship. In your business life, utilize the resources that outside periodicals can provide to help increase your present occupational aims. Lively discussions can yield new information. Try to take disagreements in stride and move on. Your fortunate astrological number for today is 379. Your financial outlook for today is weak. Your compatible sign for today is Taurus.

My portfolio is up for the day.

Marin
Learning is the key to future success. Long-distance communication may hit a snag, but everything will work out in the end. Prioritize your social obligations. Stretch your budget to meet unexpected family demands in the future.

Either the Internet is going to crach or the in-laws are moving in.

East Bay
Whether in a romance or because someone sets your heart into a flurry, you want to get to know another better. Whatever excuse you use, a St. Patty's party or a drive into the country **** works. Let Cupid romp away, and you might make this a most memorable few days.

Looks like thier program hit a snag, all the 'scopes have the little astrisks, meaning something should be there :(

San Jose
Focus on organization, recognition of priorities. Keep health resolutions that include exercise, diet. Relationship intensifies; you could get more than can be handled!

I don't exercise or diet, so I'll focus on resolutions that include smoking and drinking.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:24 PM

 
Jerry Brown keeps swingin'...

OK this is cool, and relates strangly back to my previous post.

The piece ends off by mentioning that CalTrans could save $30 million dollars by using the waterfront land as a staging area, but fail to include how much revenue the proposed Hotel/Casino will generate...not only in some additional short-trem construction revenue, but also additional long-term jobs. This is also close to the areas on the fringes that were claimed as being left behind in the previous SF Chron article.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 7:59 PM

 
more goodness

wow! A decent piece in the SF Chron against politcal influence and bad city planning and it's effects on the big picture...more of these please, less of these...

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 8:58 AM

 
and now some good news

things, overall, aren't that bad...

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:30 AM

Monday, March 18, 2002

 
Social Justice Center: Continued

Well...I was going to continue posting each item, but then I finally came accross this, which is the complete list of 10 reasons as part of a campain by GlobalExchange.org, who seem to be closely aligned with IndyMedia up here.

UPDATE: More Top 10 action from GlobalExchange:

Number 1: New Terrorists Made; US disreard for collateral damamge
Number 2: More refugees; no food; brutal Afgan winter;
Number 3: Northern Alliance as bad as Taliban
Number 4: More drugs (I would think they'd be in favor of this one)
Number 5: Wrong target; hijackers Egyptian/Saudi; funded by Gama'at al-Islamiyya
Number 6: Destablizes Pakistan (do they need our help?)
Number 7: "Turning bin Laden into a media superstar"
Number 8: <Too mind bogglingly dumb to try to paraphrase>
Number 9: Trap; Quagmire; Soviet Union mentioned
Number 10: long-term impact not concidered; "Lots of smart, experienced people..." don't agree with it

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 11:43 PM

 
the way of the horse

Caught the end of an interview with the author of this on public radio last night...KQED, I think....it was late, and St. Patrick's Day...

The Tao of Equus...

One reviewer says:

I initially thought that surely she must be joking and that this is a putdown on new age pop psychology. Not so. This is the belly of the beast...

I know this is outside of my neighborhood, I think the author is from Tucson, AZ...and I havn't actually read it, but she seemed pretty flighty at best...my wife managed to grab the digital voice recorder device I keep in the car, so maybe later this eve I'll update the post with some special quotes if they came through...

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 2:06 PM

 
Social Engineering, Bay Area Stylin'

Actually, this isn't too bad. It's a private development, people can move their of their own choice, and they even had to go up against some city ordinances,

Of course, I don't think Virgina Postrel would agree with this part:

The Serpas wanted a shop in Redbridge so people wouldn't need to use a car to fetch paper towels or milk. To guarantee foot traffic, they hatched the idea of locating all post office boxes for the community in the same building.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 11:14 AM

Sunday, March 17, 2002

 
Jerry Brown under...fire, I guess

Our favorite, the SF Chronicle has this piece on Jerry Brown as mayor of Oakland.

Overall, to me it seems that he's doing a great job revitalizing downtown Oakland. Mayor Brown seems to understand the concept of building a sustainable core and then structuring everything off of that over time. If you look at the crime statistics, Oakland has managed to push a lot of its crime from the center out to perifery, which would indicate a good trend. Also, homicide is down since Mayor Brown took office four years ago, yet another positive sign.

A Lot of this is reminiscent of the fire Mayor Giuliani started to take in New York, although Mayor Brown hasn't instituted as much of a police state as Giuliani did...probably largely because of the fire Giuliani drew back then.

Reeves said Brown has failed to ensure that progress and development benefit blacks. The mayor could, for example, work to make sure black residents get jobs on the new Bay Bridge construction, he said.

Unfortunatly, the bridge is a one time project, and when it's over, that's it...and I doubt there will be another bridge project for a while. Mayor Brown is taking the right path for rebuidling Oakland with a long term strategy, and is gaining a lot of support where his programs are making a positive effect. It would be a shame if the Chron managed to motivate opposition against Mayor Brown because they're upset that thier Democratic Socialist pals could only manage to kill the city in the first place (see also that hub of economic acheivment, Berkeley).


Change doesn't happen over night...and when it does, it's usually a bad thing.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 3:41 PM

 
School bans playing cops and robbers

From the Contra Costa Times

BARSTOW - Lewis Elementary School officials have banned students from playing "cops and robbers" on school grounds.

The temporary ban was set on the game, in which kids shape imaginary guns out of their fingers and pretend to be officers of the law and criminals, while school officials decide whether it is dangerous.

Silver Valley School District Superintendent Gary Thomas said officials just want to establish guidelines for the game.

Dan Pecaro has removed his 9-year-old son, Justin, from the school after Principal Brian Soukup said last month he might expel the third-grader if the boy did not stop playing the game.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 2:48 PM

 
More on Junk Food Tax:

This time from the LATimes. This one at least calling the finding of the study "anecdotal", but also mentioning a plan from Sen. Deborah Ortiz to tax soft drinks. There are no opposition quotes.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 2:45 PM

 
Oh No! What a conundrum...

What happens when Berkely is faced with three opposing forces: health, recycling, and coffee.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 2:32 PM

 
Social Justice Center: Reason 1

Israel Systematically Violates the Human Rights of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories
Everyday, Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza violate articles of the 4th Geneva Convention on Human Rights. Palestinian homes and agriculture fields are routinely demolished to make way for illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli solders also regularly arrest and detain---often for years---Palestinians without due process. According to Amnest International, Israel is the only country in the world that legalizes torture.

Here's the Amnesty International take on it. At the very end, ti gives a little wrist slap to Palestine, as well:

Amnesty International has also raised its concern at abuses by Palestinian armed groups, including Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The prohibition against the wilful killing of civilians in the Geneva Convention should also be respected by all armed groups and individuals. Through shootings and suicide bombs Palestinian armed groups have deliberately killed more than 230 Israelis including more than 170 civilians. At least 35 of those killed were children.

Of course, there's also this take on it.

Overall, I'd say there are violations coming from both parties, but AI seems to have a slight bent towrd chastizing Isreal, and it seems irresponsible of the Justice Center to use this slant when Palestinian organizations are guilty of thier own set of violations .

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:34 PM

 
More NIMBY

So, they want to put a radio tower in Tiburon to complete a multi-agency emergency communications network (Police, Fire, Ambulance, etc.), but Tiburon ain't going for it. This should come to no surprise...I can't believe anyone thought this would be a slam dunk.

So here's my question, if we can put up a satelite to watch the Earth's Aurora, why can't we put up a big, national communications satelite for every agancy to use, that could offer communications with every other agency? This is 2002, people...let's use some technology besides 80 foot microwave antenna towers (suceptible to earthquake, terrorism, vandalism, lawsuits) with some big ol' space birds.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 10:57 AM

 
1993: Jerry Brown interviews Noam Chomsky

Interesting reading, especially in historical perspective.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 10:35 AM

 
Matt Welch kicks ass

well, not only does Matt Welch kick ass in LA, he's also doing a great job sticking it to SF (the Chronicle, that is).

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:35 AM

 
more signage



and if they're going to protest, they could at least try to get things right.

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:16 AM

 
*spit*

ok, so I went to the "Social" "Justice" "Center"s little car caravan. Notice the cats driving around in the SUV, burning foreign oil at 20 MPG if they're lucky. There were about 10 cars...mainly Volvo's and SUV...pretty much everyone was an aging hippie over 40...most past sixty. These folks just havn't realized that they're a self-paraody.



I got a flyer, and would like to properly refute it line by line, but in the meantime, I give you this link.

Happy St. Patrick's...

posted by Marin Hot-Tubber 12:04 AM