New Poll on Latino Voting Confirms Obama’s Missteps
by Randy Shaw‚
Sep. 02‚ 2010
A new weekly tracking poll by Latino Decisions has troubling news for President Obama and the Democratic Party about Latino voting in November. Despite massive and nearly unanimous Republican opposition to comprehensive immigration reform, only 34% of respondents said the GOP was opposing reform; 14% said this about Democrats. And those who felt that the Democratic or Republican Party’s were ignoring reform were virtually the same (38% to 36%). While Obama’s approval numbers remain high (64%), and Latinos still prefer Democratic congressional candidates by a nearly 30% margin, voter enthusiasm among a constituency that brought Democrats their big successes in 2006 and 2008 is far down. Despite this trend, the Obama Administration continues to exclusively promote enforcement and deportations – ignoring the President’s campaign commitment to a comprehensive approach.
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If Republicans Win, Have “the Terrorists” Already Won?
by Paul Hogarth‚
Sep. 02‚ 2010
When Markos Moulitsas asked me to review his new book, (after I had reviewed his two earlierones), he said he had the most fun writing it. And it’s abundantly clear why. American Taliban hit the bookstores yesterday, and it’s a very entertaining and enjoyable read. The founder of Daily Kos is now a well-known personality, and his new book reads very much like he speaks – and blogs. My one major criticism is that it reads too much like a blog – with over-the-top rhetoric that is not appropriate for a 233-page book with a serious message. But that should not deflect from Moulitsas’ thesis – which is powerful and devastating. Despite all the ranting right-wingers make about “terrorists” and how much they accuse liberals of being “un-American,” their worldview has far more in common with Islamic fundamentalism – from a violent jingoism, to the treatment of gays and women, to a rejection of science. American Taliban is a much-needed dose of reality for the upcoming election, as Republicans magnify the non-issue of a proposed Islamic community center in Manhattan.
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School Beat: How Much Will Federal Education Dollars Cost Us?
by Lisa Schiff‚
Sep. 02‚ 2010
Since he took office, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has had a lot of cash to give out. Starting with the first American Recovery and Reconstruction Act (ARRA) funding, an unprecedented amount of money has come from Washington to schools across the country. Those dollars though, even at their current scale, haven’t been enough to stave off layoffs, bring required levels of staff back into classrooms, pay for new playgrounds and PE teachers, refurbish libraries, ensure sufficient and high quality materials at all schools, and more. The unending recession is certainly a major culprit in this, but so is the general disinterest on the part of leadership in states like Mississippi and California to adequately invest in our schools.
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From the Festival Circuit -- Interview with “Lost in the Crowd” Director Susi Graf
by Peter Wong‚
Sep. 02‚ 2010
Susi Graf’s documentary “Lost in the Crowd” had its world premiere screening at this year’s S.F. International LGBT Film Festival. A portrait of a group of homeless LGBT teens trying to survive on the streets of New York City, the film was shot over the course of seven years beginning in 2003 and ending in 2010. These teens of all races and locations came to NYC for a variety of reasons. What they have in common is a lack of resources and the need to find some way to survive. Some do, some don’t. Though the details are New York City-specific, the problems these teens face are replicated on San Francisco’s streets.
Graf talked to Beyond Chron about the making of her film ...
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Tony La Russa & Albert Pujols Go to Bat for Glenn Beck; Lifelong Fan Quits Cardinal Nation
by Irvin Muchnick‚
Sep. 01‚ 2010
When St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and his star player, Albert Pujols, decided that their participation in the revolting Glenn Beck rally in Washington last Saturday was both appropriate and “non-political,” they broke a bond with me – a native St. Louisan for whom pulling for the Redbirds from both coasts had internalized the still-flickering Midwestern populism of my adulthood.
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Nine Propositions You’ll Be Voting On – But Won’t Hear Much About
by Paul Hogarth‚
Sep. 01‚ 2010
There are 15 propositions on the San Francisco ballot this November, but only six are high-profile and will attract much attention. Yesterday, Beyond Chron analyzed the ballot arguments for those six measures. Today, we look at the nine other propositions that voters will be weighing on – even if they never hear about them until Election Day. Four are so non-controversial, that only Republican Terrence Faulkner penned (literally) the official “no” argument. Three are progressive measures with some organized opposition – but the ballot arguments still show broad support. And two measures – one that revamps the Health Service Board elections, while the other bans elected officials from serving on the DCCC – are surprisingly contentious, even if both deal with fairly obscure bodies.
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“I Heard That”: Hurricane Katrina 5th Anniversary; Giants Baseball; District 10 Politics! ...
by Rochelle Metcalfe‚
Sep. 01‚ 2010
KEEPIN’ IT LIVE! Last Sunday afternoon, Jazz Heritage Center (JHC) under the creative leadership of PETER FITZSIMMONS, Executive Director, planned the New Orleans Celebration in remembrance of the 5-years Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. August 29th was a tragic day for New Orleans and the world who watched the horrific sight on TV.
The celebration honored the resiliency of the people and culture of New Orleans. The event kicked off with the marching MJ’s BRASS BOPPERS signaled the spirit of the BIG EASY as the musicians marched on the sidewalk up Fillmore Street from Marcus Bookstore to Yoshi’s front entrance where folks had gathered.
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As Voters Focus on Economy, Obama To Give Prime-Time Speech … on Iraq
by Randy Shaw‚
Aug. 31‚ 2010
President Obama’s vacation coincided with a series of bad economic reports that left millions of Americans anxious about the future. One would think that Obama would seize upon his return with a national address calling for major new public investment, which would also put Republican opponents on the defensive. But when President Obama addresses the nation tonight, he will not be talking tonight about jobs or the economy. Instead, he will talk about Iraq. Iraq is not a kitchen-table issue, and does nothing to distinguish Democrats from Republicans. Rather than try to mobilize the Democratic base around economic issues for November, Obama will speak in bipartisan terms –causing most voters to either flip channels or not tune in at all.
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Attacks on Labor & Dueling Measures Dominate S.F. Ballot
by Paul Hogarth‚
Aug. 31‚ 2010
While San Francisco voters won’t get their handbooks for the November election for a few weeks, ballot arguments are now available for public view in the basement of City Hall – at the Department of Elections. It’s always fun for political junkies to read these now, as it shows what the hotly contested measures will be – and what groups are on each side. Today, Beyond Chron reviews the six propositions that ballot arguments show will be the most controversial. Two of them – Propositions B & G – are signature-driven measures that target City employees, each led by a prominent local politician. The other four are really just two issues – the Hotel Tax (Proposition J & K) and the Sit/Lie Ordinance (Propositions L & M), with factions on each side putting up a rival measure that opponents call a “poison pill.” Tomorrow, Beyond Chron will explore the ballot arguments of the remaining nine measures – which are more low-profile.
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Progressive Media Bolstering Republican / FOX News Agenda
by Randy Shaw‚
Aug. 30‚ 2010
September 2, 2010
