Manuel Jimenez For District 6 Supervisor

Congradulations!!!! Uh,mmmm, I mean Congratulations...

2006-11-08T02:25:00.000-01:00

(I am a terrible speller)...Congradulations Supervisor Daly!! I wish you well in the next four years. District 6 is a diverse district; economically, racially and politically. I hope you will go on to represent the entire district.

It has been my pleasure to participate in this election cycle. I enjoyed meeting you and all the other candidates. I enjoyed debating each of you during the last few months. I have had the privilege of meeting many residents of D6, and am better off for it.

Thank you Lorena (a photo journalism student at SFSU), for choosing me as the subject of your photo journalism assignment, inspite of the fact that I was not a major candidate. I was flattered. It was fun working with you at KPOO radio, while I campaigned on the street, and lastly when I voted at the ballot box.

Since I mentioned it...

2006-11-05T02:54:00.000-01:00

Since I posted on my blog below that people ask me why I have a Hispanic surname, a couple people have e-mailed me the same question. I've posted this picture of my baptism. The red headed lady is my mother, the man to her left (your right) is my father (Manuel, Sr.) My God parents are on the left. It is strange that it is an issue, but it is:

From The Wall:

"A Latino brother and former Marine! Semper Fi! You know the lefties won't vote for you, because they don't like either of the above. They only like submissive latinos who neeed the guidance and help of the enlighted white left. As far as the military, don't be surprised if they call you a baby killer. But you're a jarhead and a brother, with a brother's name to boot. You're alright with me."

"Jimenez is Latino the same way I'm British, that is, not at all."

BTW Rita: Now I'm not only the first candidate to have my picture up on my web site with that of a kid (my own), now I'm the first to actually put up my own... And what does "imitating his stray cat style" mean?

Was My Campaign Irrelevant?

2006-11-01T17:09:00.000-01:00

I started my campaign with a presentation at an Alliance for a Better District 6 forum held in late 2005, or early 2006. At that time, I stated that I would run a "symbolic campaign," to highlight issues that I thought needed to be debated. Is a "symbolic campaign" an irrelevant one? The answer is obviously "No." Not only have my ideas influenced the debate, the presentation of my ideas have been borrowed by other candidates and other political organizations supporting particluar candidates.

For instance, there has been some news coverage in the the Chronicle and other places that the candidates are using online video. There is no question that I was the first candidate, back in July, that put up videos on my website. The first video is of me taking a bicycle ride through SoMa, with the message that the streets are fast-moving, inner-city freeways to accomondate commuters. A fellow candidate has a video (and television commercial) of him riding a bicycle. One of the videos shows me having a conversation with Frank Chu about buying the space on the back of his sign for my campaign literature (which I never followed up on). This was back in July of this year. I click on Sfist.com today and see a picture of Frank Chu with another candidates campaign literature on his sign.

Another example: Back in late 2005, I put up my position paper on homelessness. Above the paper is a picture of a sleeping homeless man with the phrase, "He deserves better. Together, we can do better." This language is borrowed almost verbatim and used on a flyer I received, supporting Rob Black, with a picture of a different homeless man.

One thing I am amazed about is how consistent I have been with my campaign message. Another thing I am amazed about is how consistently my positions, language and all have appeared on other people's campaign literature. I'm not the only one. Friends of mine who are following the campaign often call me with a horrified tone and state, "They're stealing your stuff." I have to assure them that I ran a symbolic campaign for the express purpose if influencing the debate. I think I've done that.

Republicans are stupid on terrorism.

2006-10-23T01:33:00.000-01:00

Watching "Frontline's" expose about the Bush Administration's utter incompetance in Iraq, one can only come to the conclusion that this collection of chicken-hawks should be impeached.

I'm going to vote "Yes" on Proposition "J" (put on the ballot by Supervisors Ammiaiano, Daly, McGoldrick and Mirkarimi's). I hope you will to.

Whoa!

2006-10-20T05:39:00.000-01:00

Whoa! You know that the D6 candidates hold a wide diversity of perspectives when one candidate runs on the issue of "jobs," another on his record as a housing advocate, another as the well financed un-Daly, and one running as the candidate against terrorism (seems kind of presumptuous to assume, without proffering any evidence, that there are "Islamic extremeist cells in the Tenderloin Muslim Community," but that's what one candidate is doing (link below):

"WAKE UP CALL!
PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL SERVICES FROM ISLAMIC EXTREMIST CELLS IN THE TENDERLOIN MUSLIM COMMUNITY!
I pledge to support a program of prevention, intervention and enforcement against terrorist cells from another 911 disaster which will affect tourism (7 billion dollars per year) and essential services such as HIV/AIDS funding, mental social services."

Questions about running?

2006-10-19T23:13:00.000-01:00

When I first thought about running for supervisor, I e-mailed a few people to trying to get some information about the process...for instance, I e-mailed Matt Gonzalez on June 6, 2005, asking for advice:

"By way of introduction, my name is Manuel Jimenez. I am a resident of San Francisco. I am thinking of running for the Board of Supervisors. Do you have any advice?"

Needless to say, he never e-mailed me back. Anyway, if you are thinking of running, and are not part of the San Francisco cultural class (you know...the one's that start off the conversation with "My family has been here for eight generations.") or are not part of the progressive caucus, nor part of the all cash, no class monied interests, and want some basic information about running, please feel free to contact me. I am not a political professional, but do have some basic information to get you started.

Manuel Jimenez

BeyondChron Blues

2006-10-19T17:47:00.000-01:00

Here is a letter I wrote in response to an article in BeyondChron. They haven't posted it, so I thought I would:

Dear Editor (Paul Hogarth):

Looking at BeyondChron's mission statement (quoted in part below), I think you did a disservice to the site with your October 16, 2006 piece ["Daly and the Seven Dwarves"]. Not only did you offer insults to the candidates collectively (with the exception of Daly), but also to some of the candidates personally (" George Dias is "Dopey" because he looks a bit dopey."; "But with his diminutive stature, stocky build (he's a former boxer) and advanced age, Robert Jordan is clearly 'Doc.'"), you also seemed to misrepresent the what was said in the debate.

As a political puff piece, the article represents the kind of political piece Daly himself stated he denounced. For instance, you take out of context my statements, and basically conjured up your own quote when you write, "[Manuel said that] what the street needed was a real diversity of housing that will attract "young urban professionals." The insinuation is in direct contradiction with my statements that the diversity of district 6 is being sold out by having high end condos dominate new construction and that we need to bring working class and middle class families into San Francisco. I invite your readers to judge for them selves my positions, as articulated in a prior debate with the League of Women Voters available here: http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=51&clip_id=2590

Let me conclude that in EVERY debate I've had with the other candidates, without exception, green bead wearng Daly supporters have approached me and stated that they approved not only my presentation in the debates, but the content. I think the piece represents a kind of FOX news journalism ethic, which is not journalism at all. If I had not consistently stated that my campaign was a symbolic campaign, that I would not take contributions, nor seek endorsements, I would find insulting the comments you made, not only about me, but to your own stated Mission:

"Welcome to Beyond Chron, the Voice of the Rest. We provide coverage of political and cultural issues often distorted or ignored by the Bay Area's largest newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle...

[BeyondChron is a] daily internet newspaper will help restore some integrity to the news business in San Francisco..."

Independent Expenditures

2006-10-18T20:11:00.000-01:00

As a candidate for the District 6 seat on the Board of Supervisors I am taking the position requested by the Democratic Party and the Incumbent Supervisor, and thereby DENOUNCING the independent expenditures (>$100,000) for negative/attack mailings against Supervisor Daly, or any future independent expenditures used to attack any candidate.

Week of Debates

2006-10-18T04:28:00.000-01:00

October 13, 2006: Debate at Hastings College of the Law.

October 10, 2006: League of Women Voters District 6 Candidate Forum in partnership with Alliance for A Better District 6 will host a live panel discussion with Cheryl Jennings, KGO TV personality as moderator. This event will also be aired on SFGTV, Access SF, and EATV on a latter date. San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium. (Streaming Video Here)

TAC Forum, September 6th.

2006-10-15T08:06:00.000-01:00

This is the first forum I participated in. It included all candidates. It was the TAC forums on September 6, 2006.

The San Francisco Chronicle did a story about it (link) which pretty much ignored all the candidates except Daly and Black. But, the last two paragraphs were good:

"Joseph Sierra, an artist who has lived in the Tenderloin for 10 years, listened to Daly and the other candidates for several hours. Afterward, he said he will vote for candidate Manuel Jimenez Jr., a lawyer running a low-budget, grassroots-style campaign, instead of Daly.

'I don't feel really that he understands the situation going on," Sierra said, saying that living conditions in his neighborhood four blocks from City Hall have gone from "bad to worse" in the past decade. "Nothing is being done.'"

Campaign Break - Emigrant Wilderness

2006-10-11T17:10:00.000-01:00

Campaign Break in Emigrant Wilderness. September 29 - October 1, 2006.
(Photos by Hade and Sal)

Godspeed

2006-09-04T01:46:00.000-01:00

Here I am with Lynn Breedlove, author of Godspeed. I met her while a volunteering as movie extra on her short film being filmed now of the same title.

Vicioustwist for District 6

2006-09-01T01:57:00.000-01:00

Manuel Jimenez - A Common Sense Progressive for District 6
Safe Streets - Smart Growth - For the Public Interest

"Because a city without edge...is dead."

Know what this is?

2006-08-29T03:41:00.000-01:00

If you are lucky, you don't have any idea. I found this on Rizal Street, right behind the Whole Foods, near my place. This is a piece of spark plug tied with a string. This is what the professional smash and grab thieves that patrol my neighborhood use to smash the windows of cars as they ride by on their bicycles. After the car alarm dies, they return to steal the contents. Needless to say, I found this one in a pile of shattered saftey glass. The car had been parked behind my mobile campaign headquarters, i.e. my 1973 VW bus. I've found spark plugs on the inside of my own vehicle after discovering a smashed window.

Access Politics. The Democratic way of San Francisco

2006-08-11T20:52:00.000-01:00

I get an e-mail on July 27th, inviting me (and all District 6 candidates) to the Community Leadership Alliance's "CLA/CHCAC BUSINESS MEETING And MEET ROB BLACK 4 D-6 Supervisor." The first agenda item is to "Meet Mr. Rob Black 4 D-6 SUPERVISOR, 10 Minutes, Comments/Questions By Candidates 2min. Each."

Then on August 8, 2006 I get an e-mail, stating in part, "'IN THE NAME OF FAIRNESS & DEMOCRACY' Using a candidates contact list provided by the SF-DCCC- -All Qualified D-6 Supervisor Candidates were invited but only one RSVP ed." What this e-mail failed to state was that the July 27th e-mail did not request RSVP's.

So, on August 9, I reply to the e-mail, informing the "director/founder" that I would attend. I get no reply...but I show up anyway on the 10th.

Well, it turns out that the meeting was pretty much just a political rally for Rob Black. Although there were two other candidates in the room, no one acknowleged them, except Jordanna Thigpen, who was very gracious.

Rob Black spoke for about 10 minutes. Although an attorney (since 12/31/2002), he obviously has never been a trial attorney (Which is neither good, nor bad). Trial attorney's learn to communicate their message and persuade. Rob, on the other hand, gave an eloqent, yet wonky, and thoroughly forgetable presentation of political-ese.

Before Rob spoke, Gavin Newsom's "news" man, the rather eccentric Pat Murphy, wearing his trade-mark bow-tie, put down a tape recorder. The next day he wrote a blurb, puzzlingly titled "My Game Too", in his "news" website, "Rob Black, current favorite to make Daly bustle, visited a Tenderloin improvement gathering last night... Reminding all that a bone crushing random bullet days ago killed an innocent dude looking for a pizza... Popular street security cameras popularly wanted at O'Farrell and Jones, Black noted... Daly opposes street security cameras, Black arched an eyebrow, lowered a tone..." Needless to say, the fact that there were two other candidates in the room seemed to have slipped his mind.

Now, we all know that Newsom endorsed Rob. We also know that Murphy is a Newsom apologist. But I still am interested in knowing the basis for the statement that Rob is the "current favorite..."

But alas, this is the lesson of "Access Politics."

All Systems Go.

2006-08-08T17:58:00.000-01:00

My nomination documents were submitted on August 7th. By the 8th, they had been approved by the Department of Elections. My signatures were confirmed valid. All systems go.

Jetta Vandalized - 05August2006

2006-08-06T21:36:00.000-01:00

Here are some pictures of the smashed front passenger window on my Jetta. This happened on August 5, 2006 between 4pm and 8pm, a strange time for this to happen. This is the eighth time in the last two years that my car has been damaged (several times within the last few months). No other vehicle on the block was damaged. Nothing was in the car (I leave the glove box and center consol empty and open). I believe my car is being targeted.

I Found My '73 Bus Vandalized on 8-1-2006

2006-08-03T20:44:00.000-01:00

Frank and me!

2006-08-02T20:49:00.001-01:00

See my conversation with San Francisco eccentric Frank Chu

On a different note, my 73 vw camper bus was broken into. People say to me. "Dude! You live in the city. What do you expect?" Bullshit. That's a cop out. I grew up in Los Angeles, and lived in Manhattan for 7 1/2 years. I've never before seen the level of petty street crime that is tolerated in San Francisco. It's a result of the abdication of our representatives.

Vicioustwist Takes a Wild Ride...in SoMa

2006-07-16T06:26:00.000-01:00

Click Here for Video!

Vicioustwist Takes a Wild Ride...in SoMa

2006-07-12T21:57:00.000-01:00

Look for my short, self-made video, on www.vicioustwist.com, which demonstrates the dangers of driving in SoMa, the East Bay and Peninsula's gateway to the financial district.

For other vicioustwist adventures, (click here)

Crime in the City

2006-05-30T18:50:00.000-01:00

I've made no secret of my contempt for the way the city has handled the crime problem. Many people who have lived in the Bay Area all of their lives think that the crime in San Francisco can be equated to any other city. Wrong! Go to Manhattan. Go to Seattle. You will not see what has been allowed to happen here.

To personalize the situation, my car has been broken into and vandalized seven times. The bill for this is now over $2,000. I had a bicycle stripped, and then stolen (the frame was actually inside of my car). I had a self made surfboard stolen from my car as it was parked directly in front of my place (when I lived in the sunset). There is an undergound black market for stolen goods that is allowed to thrive in the City.

Of course, it is violent crime that most concerns the residents of San Francisco. The Examiner came out with the results of a poll today that show that crime is the number one issue on the minds of the City's residents. Two of the three neighborhoods that are most concerned are the Mission and the Tenderloin. Both of these neighborhoods are represented by the Honorable Chris Daly. When the murder rate in the City spiked a little while ago, Supervisor Daly didn't push for more and better policing. Instead, he proposed that the City spend tens of millions of dollars on an 11 member panel of people to study the issue.

Mr. Daly take the wrong approach with crime in this city. Allowing criminals to thrive in the city is not a responsible "progressive" position. It is an abdication of responsibility by our government. Help me tell our government to stop pandering to the monied interests and political issue junkies that dominate their agenda.

Keeping busy this May.

2006-05-26T05:19:00.000-01:00

Memorial day is upon us. Please take some time to recognize the sacrifice of those that have served. It is imperative that we give thanks to those that did not make it back from the battle field. Now more than ever, we have to push our crooked President and the bobble-head Republicans to bring out service members home. (This photo is of me, circa 1988).

Here I am with the Honorable Chris Daly, at the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club 30th anniversary dinner. Mr. Daly was very gracious in allowing me to take this picture.

Good Times, Good Times

2006-05-13T22:11:00.000-01:00

Here I am with my vandalized car. This happened on May 13, 2006 at approximtely 2:15 a.m. This last one is of another car that was vandalized on the same date.

Customized Car II, the Sequel.

2006-05-08T03:24:00.000-01:00

Wow! Me and this guy had the same custom body work done. Snapped this picture today.

My New Customized Car

2006-05-03T03:32:00.000-01:00

Thanx to the local roving car customizer, I now have this new lowered passenger side mirrow. Thanx!

Third Smashed Window in a Month.

2006-04-22T04:17:00.000-01:00

I've been leaving my car empty, with the glove box and center console open so that anyone who looks inside can see it is empty.

Well, as I go to my car to go to Cal so that I can sit on an alumni panel, I find my car's window smashed, for the sixth time.

This is the fourth time in the last four months, three times in the a month, to the day. Nothing was taken because the car was empty. I'm starting to wonder if someone is targeting my car.

And The Hits Just Keep On Coming...

2006-03-20T18:18:00.000-01:00

As you can see, by the receipt on the left here, my car has been broken into again. This time on 3-15-06. That was broken window number 4. I still can't figure out what they stole.

The shocking part of my story is that, as I write this, my car is in the glass shop to repair broken windown number 5. Yup, just three days after broken window number 4, someone smashed my window again. As I spoke to the guy in the glass shop, I stated, "I've lived in NYC and grew up in L.A., and I've never before experienced the amount of crime as I have here in S.F." He responded knowingly, without hesitation, "San Francisco is the worst."

That is outrageous. I don't know who our officials are representing, but it ain't me. The tolerance for the level of street crime committed in San Francisco is unacceptable. All the excuses in the world don't justify the environment that those of use who chose to live here, including those of use that have invested in the city, are living in.

I'm Coming for you Chris....

2006-03-06T20:13:00.000-01:00

He Deserves Better

2006-03-01T00:56:00.001-01:00

Together, we can do better.

I'm asking for your support in my bid for the District 6 seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Impeach Bush?

2006-02-18T00:52:00.000-01:00

Supervisor Chris Daly put a resolution on the consent calendar of the Board of Supervisors calling for a "full investigation, impeachment or resignation'' of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney."

In response to SFist.com 's question, "Any position on impeaching Bush, Mr. Jimenez?" let me say that my position is well stated in a letter by Carolyn Klepser, to the editor of The Nation in response to Elizabeth Holtzman's article The Impeachment of George W. Bush [Jan. 30].

"At last, a Nation cover that cheers me up! But Elizabeth Holtzman leaves out one crucial point: Yes, the nation felt relieved when Nixon stepped down, but we were then left with President Ford, an altogether decent guy. If Bush leaves office, we get... President Cheney. If he serves less than two years of an unfinished term, he can run for election twice. New battle cry: 'Impeach Cheney First!'" - Carolyn Klepser (Miami Beach, Fla.)

Daly Takes The Wrong Approach To Our Safety.

2006-02-15T19:18:00.000-01:00

Recently the Honorable Chris Daly (San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 6) proposed a charter amendment that INCLUDED NO MONEY for police or law enforcement activities to combat an ever escalating tide of violence that has resulted in a 10 year high murder rate. His proposal, originally an 80 million dollar set aside, subsequently reduced to 30 million dollars, would create an 11 member homicide task force.

This is exactly the wrong direction from which to approach the problem. It is a wasteful expenditure of resources for a program that would do little, or nothing, to acutally stop violence. Violence in cities is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been studied and tackled, successfully before. Why do we need 11 people to sit around and think about this problem, instead of doing what we all ready know works.

"Latest figures show New York's violent crime rate dropped by 2.8 per cent in 2005, almost six times the national average. In Manhattan the annual murder rate has dipped below 100 for the first time since the 19th century. New York is now the safest of America's 25 largest cities, ahead of places such as San Diego and Dallas. Out of America's 227 cities with a population of at least 100,000, New York's crime rate ranks 211.

Many experts believe the strongest reason for the transformation is also the most obvious: better policing. Dubbed 'zero tolerance' by the media and politicians, police embarked on a strategy in the Nineties aimed at cutting big crime by stamping out small crime. It was a theory summed up in the idea that, if you refused to tolerate vandalism and breaking windows, you could improve a neighbourhood and discourage more serious criminals from operating. By the end of the decade this concept was being mimicked across America and the rest of the world, including parts of Britain." - Guardian Unlimitted (January 15, 2006)

We need intelligent, effective progressive solutions to our city's problems. Unfortunately, Supervisor Daly isn't traveling that path.

Jordanna Thigpen Will Run For Democratic County Central Committee

2006-02-03T18:53:00.000-01:00

San Francisco Sentinel

Thigpen Announces Candidacy for San Francisco DCCC
By Luke Thomas

February 3, 2006, 11:15 a.m.
Ending months of speculation, Jordanna Thigpen will file to run as a candidate for the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

It was widely rumored Thigpen would run in District 6 against Supervisor Chris Daly.

Speculation abound, Thigpen, in a telephone interview with the Sentinel today, extinguished those rumors for good and explained her intentions.

"I want to focus my energy this year on taking back our country from the bloodied hands of the Bush theocratic regime, and mobilizing that effort through the local efforts of the DCCC. It's too frustrating to watch a morally bankrupt party control the national dialogue."

Candidate Position Paper: Pledge to Run a Positive Campaign

2006-01-31T21:47:00.000-01:00

Manuel Jimenez – The Quality of Life Candidate for District 6

Candidate Position Paper: Candidate Pledge to Run a Positive Campaign.

January 31, 2006

I pledge to run a positive campaign. That means I will not take cheap shots at my competition. Furthermore, the tone of my campaign will be civil, respectful and professional.

- Things I believe to be valid issues about a candidate are their credentials for office; issues and political positions, who is supporting the candidate; the amount and source of financial donations; nepotistic relationships that benefit the candidate, and whether the candidate has lived in District 6.

- Things I believe to be off limits are using rhetorical polemics, smears, innuendo, a candidate’s personal life, and the candidates family.

This is not to suggest that I will to return fire if attacked. This pledge will not preclude me from defending myself, my positions or my message. As a former Marine and trial attorney, I know how to hit back, and hit back hard.

I understand that the Honorable Supervisor Chris Daly has been criticized for his combative behavior. Let me state my position, and reasoning, for not joining the criticism leveled at Mr. Daly. I believe Mr. Daly is a passionate advocate for the positions he stakes out. Those issues include, amongst others, affordable housing and homelessness. When a person advocates for a disenfranchised and underserved constituency, and is then confronted by powerful economic interests that twist truth, usurp political power from doing the people’s business, and use political tactics designed to confuse and deceive, anyone should react passionately. I believe that reports of Mr. Daly’s combative manner have been spread and over-reported by a complicit corporate media, which allow the utilization of two political tactics refined by the conservative movement.

The first is to take a misstatement of fact, or an insignificant event, and focus in on it, repeat the message with great repetition, and thereby divert the political debate away from issues and policy, and into name calling characterizations (The “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” campaign against John Kerry is a good example). That is why we all know Mr. Daly as combative, but less so his policies and objectives. By way of example, during the 2004 Presidential cycle, Howard Dean’s “I Have a Scream” speech was repeated escessively by his polical opponents. He was demonized as an arrogant madman, even though his political positions were well thought out, and for the most part main stream.

The second political tactic being utilized is for the politically powerful to make accusations about an opponent or his transgressions of which they themselves are guilty. The utilization of a type of Orwellian new speak, i.e. the political tool of "imaging,” allows them to say one thing, while doing the opposite. Common terms and concepts are twisted and redefined so that they can argue the absurd and make seemingly logical conclusions from unsupportable concepts. Therefore, Chris Daly is overwhelmed by accusations of profanity or incivility, while the political powerful do the bidding of powerful economic interests and subvert the business of the people.

The result is that “Daly's tenure on the Board has been "Chronicled" in more than two dozen editorials with headlines ranging from "Daly's Incivility," "A Walking Embarrassment," "City Hall Civility" to "City Hall Incivility." In some 40 op-ed page columns, the Chronicles' right-wing propagandist Ken Garcia has excoriated Daly as a fool and a court jester, dangerous and unbalanced, a child of privilege, a so-called radical, a Bolshevik and the poster child for the downside of district elections. Whew! Speaking of civility ...” – (SFbayview.com)

Therefore, I will make my campaign about issues. It is on the issues that I will cross swords with my competition, and it is through the issues that I will succeed.

Politics and the Media

2006-01-27T02:59:00.000-01:00

It should be troubling to all San Franciscans that a person who has expressed no interest in running for the District 6 seat on the Board of Supervisors, who has lived in Washington D.C. for over ten years (and does so presently), and eventually had to affirmatively state that she's not running for the seat, gets more attention about her non-candidacy than do residents of San Francisco who've actually expressed an interest in running. For example:

"Christina Pelosi Announces She Won't Run in District 6
by Casey Mills‚ Jan. 26‚ 2006

On January 18, Beyond Chron reported that Nancy Pelosi's daughter Christina was being encouraged by downtown to run for Supervisor against Chris Daly in District 6 this November. In their column yesterday, Mattier and Ross confirmed our account, and revealed that Pelosi had decided not to enter the race. The Mayor and downtown clearly remain dissatisfied with the current challengers to Daly, and are likely to continue search their candidate search."

In both the above indicated stories, none of the other potential candidates who actually filed their intent to run are mentioned. This phenomenon represents two of our society's growing ills, (1) the growing prevalence of nepotistic politics, which in California is eroding the progressive policy reforms made during the progressive era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and (2) the replacement of investigative journalists, and journalism as a profession, with "access reporting" and the stenographic discipline of "balanced news" in which the media (not to be confused with a journalist - but more akin to a blogger) restate what other people have said in a "competing view" format, then presents the transaction as news. For instance, in our present corporate media, a Democrat could say "White is White," and a Republican can say, "Black is White" and the media then presents both views as deserving equal weight of consideration (this example is not my own, but I forgot where I got it, so I can’t site the source). I recommend to anyone interested in the fiasco that is our current media system, pick up a copy of Tragedy and Farce: How the American Media Sell Wars, Spin Elections, and Destroy Democracy by John Nichols and Robert W. McChesney.

Candidate Position Paper on City Traffic

2006-01-24T20:34:00.000-01:00

Manuel Jimenez – The Quality of Live Candidate

Candidate Position Paper on City Traffic
www.vicioustwist.com
January 24, 2006

Most people riding bicycles in San Francisco, live in San Francisco. Yet, San Francisco's streets in and around the financial district, are laid out to accommodate commercial vehicles and commuters, at the expense of the quality of life of San Franciscans. Commuters drive their SUV's from faraway suburbs, to aggressively travel at dangerous speeds in and out of the city. This means a lot of one-way streets that act as dangerous inner city freeways. The liberal use of one-way streets means that persons utilizing alternative forms of transportation, such as bicyclists have to travel twice the distance to get to a road going the right direction. This may not mean much for a car, but for cyclists it means a lot.

Because the roads are set up to facilitate commercial and commuter traffic to move fast on surface streets, drivers resent bicyclists as slow moving obstacles. The irony is that people from far away places believe that San Franciscan bicyclists are out of place and in "their" way.

I can't count the number of times some indignant, self-righteous, irrationally frustrated driver (invariably on his way home to Petaluma or Alamo or somewhere) has tried to force me out of the way by positioning his urban tank dangerously close to me. Even the most diminutive person in a SUV becomes an aggressive and dangerous driver on the city streets.

Think I'm exaggerating? Sarah Tucker was killed on January 12, 2006 when she was a victim of hit and run. A black Honda CRV SUV hit Sarah at the intersection of Polk and Geary Streets. The vehicle ran red light as she was bicycling and she slammed into the Honda. The driver failed to stop, turned off his exterior lights, and sped away.

On November 17, 2000, in San Francisco, Christopher Robertson, a bicycle messenger, was riding with 15 friends in a funeral procession for fellow bike messenger Joseph Woods. The procession was riding down 4th Street in the South of Market area of San Francisco. A tractor-trailer came up behind the procession. Enraged that the group was occupying the lane, the driver began weaving his tractor-trailer side-to-side, and blowing his horn. He pulled alongside the group and shouted, before swerving into the group and crushing Chris under his rig. Christopher Robertson died on the streets of San Francisco. (DeMocker, Judy, When Good Drivers Go Bad@, San Francisco Examiner, December 11, 2000). One need only go observe the Messenger Memorial Board maintained by the San Francisco Bike Messenger Association to see the casualties of San Francisco’s poor traffic planning.

One solution that organizations like the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has been pushing for are bicycle lanes. Unfortunately, many drivers think that these lanes transform into "double park" spaces when they put on their emergency lights. Bicyclist then must veer out into the fast moving traffic.

Another traffic disaster for bicyclist is Market Street. For much of Market Street there are no bicycle lanes. Traffic on market is heavy, with automobiles, commercial trucks, streetcars and buses squeezed together. The tight fit is exacerbated by bus drop off islands. The center two lanes of Market have streetcar tracks running down them. At various points there are metal grates that look like shredders, allowing for the circulation of air for the subway that runs under the street. Not just one subway mind you, but two subways systems run under Market; Muni and Bart.

Streets north of Market form a "V" as they intersect Market at a 45 degree angle. The streets to the south are perpendicular. At any given intersection you have upward of four streets coming together at different angles. The intersections are dangerous and unpredictable, as is Market Street itself. In other words, Market Street makes accommodations for all forms of traffic, with the exception of bicycles.

I propose:
1. All roads with traffic lane demarcation in San Francisco have bicycle lanes.
2. That Enforcement of laws requiring people not to park or obstruct bicycle lanes be a priority, and fines be significantly increased.
3. Accommodation of bicycles on ALL public transit, including MUNI.
4. Synchronized lights on all one-way streets to keep traffic flowing at or below the speed limit.
5. Conduct a study for a program that would close all streets to motor-vehicle traffic on which MUNI trains run.
6. Conduct a study for a program that restricts large commercial traffic on city streets during rush hours.
7. Double the fines for speeding or dangerous driving during rush hours.

Should I Be Insulted?

2006-01-24T03:15:00.000-01:00

"The floating of a name as big as Pelosi’s proves the current District 6 Supervisor represents a major thorn in the side of the current administration, necessitating a formidable candidate to unseat him. It also proves that those who already announced their plans to run do not meet downtown’s requirements for such a candidate." - Casey Mills (Jan. 18, 2006, BeyondChron.org)

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Candidate Position : People's Access to the People's Business

2006-01-23T01:21:00.000-01:00

Manuel Jimenez – The Quality of Life Candidate for District 6

Candidate Statement: People’s Access to the People’s Business

January 22, 2006

Having the Board of Supervisors meet on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. prevents the public’s right of participation to working and middle class residents of San Francisco, allowing undue influence of the moneyed interests that conduct business in the city. What will you be doing on Tuesday, at 2:00 p.m. If you are like most residents of San Francisco, you will be at work, and will be unable to attend the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled weekly meetings. That is because those meetings are held at on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m., inconveniently scheduled for a weekday, after the standard lunch hour.

What this effectively does is keep working class and middle class residents of San Francisco from attending board meetings. While it is true that the meetings are telecasts, and that the board accepts written public comments, that is no substitute for personal, face-to-face public participation.

Although you may not be attending these meetings, the moneyed interests that conduct business in the city, and unduly influence public policy, will be attending either in person or through their lawyers, lobbyists and representatives. They can afford to attend, and they know it’s important to attend.

For example, say you are a dyed in the wool 49ers fan, and have an objection to the Honorable Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval’s resolution, File No. 060072, recommending that San Francisco adopt the Seattle Seahawks as its official football team during the off-season for the duration of 2006, you probably won’t be there to tell the Board of Supervisors your opinion.

- This is what I propose: All Board of Supervisor meetings should be held in the evening, no earlier than 5:30 p.m. This would allow the people who vote, pay taxes, and live here to face and inform the Board of Supervisors about how they want the people’s business conducted. After all, the Board of Supervisors work for us.

Candidate Position: Homelessness

2006-01-20T20:07:00.000-01:00

Manuel Jimenez – The Quality of Life Candidate

Candidate Statement on Homelessness
January 16, 2006

I’m going to start off my candidacy for the District 6 seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors by touching the third rail of San Francisco politics. It’s time to stop jerking around about the homeless problem in San Francisco. When the disenfranchised get here they are confronted with a criminal underclass that introduces them to self destruction through exploitation, dependency through self medication with narcotics such as methamphetamine, and hopelessness. San Francisco is a progressive city. We have historically, and will continue to do right by the homeless. Unfortunately, some of what we’ve done has been counter productive.

San Francisco provides unparalleled resources to the homeless. The disenfranchised make their way to San Francisco because of our generosity. It is society’s responsibility to provide for the disenfranchised. That is, after all, what community is about, supporting each other. At the same time, we as a community cannot provide the circumstance, or facilitate the exploitation of both the truly needy and the community as a whole by resident and outside criminal elements.

The disenfranchised come here because of San Francisco’s compassionate policies. Our abdication of responsibility toward the homeless creates an environment that encourages violent crime. What I am saying is not new. In New York, it was called the Broken Windows theory. “[I]f the first broken window in a building is not repaired, the people who like breaking windows will assume that no one cares about the building and more windows will be broken. Soon the building will have no windows.” (Wilson and Kelling, 1982). The theory suggests that more serious crimes evolve from minor infractions. In some instances, San Francisco’s compassion has served to make permanent a life of dependency that should have been only temporary.

This phenomenon affects the people who have chosen to make San Francisco their home. Let me talk about this situation from my perspective. My car has been broken into three times within two years. I’ve had a bicycle stolen. I’ve witnessed criminals trolling my neighborhood, looking into cars for valuables to steal. People defecate on the side walks. Addicts smoke crack on the streets. Shattered safety glass litters the streets where I live.

Let us not confuse compassion with the abdication of responsibility. It’s time to take responsibility for our city. This is what I propose:

1. Respect the disenfranchised. The homeless are people that deserve basic human dignity. Encourage both theoretical and practical solutions to deal with the chronically homeless. This includes aggressively tackling the root problems of homelessness, mental illness and addiction.

2. Safe Streets through Quality of Life Enforcement. Allow and encourage the SFPD to arrest minor offenders. This allows the police to conduct searches for outstanding bench/arrest warrants. It also communicates that San Francisco does not tolerate crime. If drugs are involved in criminal activity, the arrest of the offender may allow a period to detox. Most importantly, it allows San Francisco to get jurisdiction over the individual, and encourage treatment for the root causes of homelessness (mental illness and addiction).

3. Back the SFPD. As a community we should discourage politicians from using the SFPD as a whipping boy to accomplish self-interested political goals, at the expense of our first responders. Can you imagine working for a boss that treats you the way San Francisco treats it police department? Backing the SFPD will increase moral and productivity, which will result in good police work. The police officers of the SFPD put themselves on the line every day. They confront persons exhibiting the worst behaviors. At the end of the day, police officers are human beings, who make mistakes. Even so, the department should not be allowed to become punching bags for politicians to score cheap political points.

4. Aggressively helping the disenfranchised and attacking the roots of homelessness will help to improve blighted areas, encourage business to invest, increased tax revenue, and thereby help fund more services for the disenfranchised.

If I Have This Guys Support, Shouldn't I Have Yours?

2006-01-19T05:36:00.000-01:00

Here is my old man, on his 65th birthday, wishing for my electoral success. Or is he?

The Street Crimes of San Francisco (Not Starring Karl Malden -- Though I suspect Quinn Martin May Be Involved).

2006-01-19T05:26:00.000-01:00

It cost me $166 to replace the smashed window of my car on Monday. This is the third window I've replaced within the last two years. On Sunday, January 15th some jackass smashed the window of my car. I made the mistake of leaving the fold-down backseat down. That was invitation enough to break in. The only thing the guy got was my fastpass transponder. This is ridiculous. I lived in New York for 7 1/2 years, and never had a crime committed against me or my property. During my stint in San Francisco I've had my car broken into three times, a bike ravaged for parts (while locked), and the frame stolen from the inside of another car. I see people smoking crack on the sidewalk, and human waste in plain sight. I was safer in New York than in San Francisco. That is a tragedy.

What? Me Run For Supervisor?

2006-01-18T15:13:00.000-01:00

San Francisco Sentinel
December 19, 2005, 7:30 p.m.

District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly will run for re-election, Daly disclosed last week in a televised interview.

"Daly also said he expects the race to get 'ugly,' but says he's going to run a 100% positive campaign," SFist reported. The interview appeared on The Bruce Petit Report.

The San Francisco Elections Departments lists seven other District 6 contenders on the department's potential candidate list for the November 2006 election.

They include Nadia S. Cabezas, Matthew Drake, Rodney Hauge, Manuel Jimenez, Bobby Jordan, Andrew Rucker, and William Stewart...

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