Doesn't Quintin Mecke's mom, who's in town for a visit, look just like Dame Judy Dench?!?

Where was our "Green Mayor"? What would it look like if Gavin Newsom lived up to his endless environmental rhetoric and actually took some action? Will we ever know?

The answer to that, of course, is no. Even with no opposition and $2 million in the bank, Newsom's team of greenwashers is so drunk on republican money that Gavin can't risk crossing Don Fisher. Even if that means sitting on the sidelines, and watching Prop H unravel decades of pro-transit policy.

Prop H defines a Hummer as a low-emission vehicle. Gavin Newsom defines himself as an environmentalist. No amount of spin will make either fact true if Prop H passes on Gavin's watch.

Where was Newsom? Hopefully performing his duties as Mayor instead of parading around with a bunch of unemployed "activists". Probably feels, as do many of us, that throwing more money at Muni is precisely the wrong thing to do. How about this: No on A, No on H, and some sound management practices at our little money-pit called Muni.

Don't worry folks. No matter which way Proposition H gets voted, there are sure to be lawsuits filed in order to counter whatever the will of the people is.

Viva Democracy!

Oh, Dear Ted S., I looked through the Voter Information Pamphlet (in PDF format), which has the legal text of Proposal H.

On Page 132 of this file (page 140 of the printed version you got in the mail) you'll see the proposed redefined Section 155 (t). Nowhere in there does it say a Hummer will be classed as a low-emission vehicle. There are five categories of vehicles listed, and 4 out of five appear to comply with state of California defintions of low-emissions vehicles and the fifth one is called "Federal Inherently Low Emission Vehicle Standard". I just checked Google, there aren't any production versions of hybrid Hummers, either.

I also looked for your favorite evil buzzwords of "Republican" and "Don Fisher" in that PDF file and that language doesn't appear anywhere in Proposition H section.

Anyways... I am not supporting Proposition H but I really only wanted to point out that hysterics and finger pointing aren't going to help your socialist pinko causes.

But, being San Francisco, anything can happen.

Well said.

Moreover, Mr. Mecke has his own carbon footprint problems.

http://p209.ezboard.com/fabledartsbathroomwallfrm21.showMessage?topicID=3271.topic

The real problem is that the fight over A and H has become over symbols, not real policy. Everyone is supposed to vote for A because Don Fisher is a jerk and Alix Rosenthal is cool and rides a scooter. And if all of tha makes you mad, then you're supposed to reflexively vote for H.

Problem is both A and H are horrible public policy.

Hi Malcove

First let me say I am not a pinko. Remember, I agree with Mayor Newsom that Prop H is bad policy. Secondly, I agree with Mayor Newsom on most of what he says in his press releases. My issue is soley, specifically, with his persistant lack of action on his stated values. Things are not good in SF: homicides are skyrocketing, MUNI sucks, families are leaving, housing is expensive. Newsom says all the right words, does all the right photo-ops but when it comes down to doing his job as SF Mayor.... forget it. He'd rather spend his time in NY or LA raising money.

Prop H is no different. They Mayor says he opposes it but he wont attend one fundraiser or press conference or make one phone call that would consume one ounce of his political capital. Does agreeing with Newsom's values and wishing he would follow through for once really make me a pinko?

Anyway, of course Prop H doesnt say the words "Hummers are low emmission vehicles". Don Fishers attorneys are smarter than that. What Prop H does is provide an exemption from planning code for all vehicles that meet the standards it defines as "low emmissons". The way Prop H defines the exemption, it will exempt ALL CARS SOLD IN CALIFORNIA... including suburbans and hummers. Ironically, it will destroy all planning code downtown parking limits in the name of "low emmissions"

Don Fisher is a bad guy. He made his billions from 14 year olds working in sweat shops when he didn't have to. Today, he uses this money to keep republicans in power in Washington. Gavin Newsom chooses his allies.... make no mistake that SF environmentalists would rather work with Mayor than against him.

Prop H is just one more tired example of our "Green Mayor" choosing to pander to republican money at the expense of his own stated values.

Thanks for responding, Ted.

So is your problem with Proposal H (which I think has a snowballs chance in heck of passing, to begin with) or with Republican-in-disguise Newsom (really good disguise, what with the universal health care, the "marriage equality" thing and attracting stem cell research)?

I read through Proposal H again and I just can't see where the proposition defines all cars sold in California as being low-emissions. Does the Hummer fall under one of those five standards listed in Section 155 (t)? Could you point me to which other lawyer-esque weasly word section in the legal text of Prop H. that qualifies behemoth gas guzzlers as low-emissions?

As for Newsom (who I'm not voting for, either), this is a liberal & Democrat dominated city. How come progressives weren't able to commit to a viable, personable & potentially electable candidate like Gonzales or McDreamy? And why can't progressives work with (or influence, or coerce) the Democratic machine here to force Gavin's actions (and not just his words) to the extreme left? It's not like Gavin has anything to lose (except the support of the people he ultimately answers to -- the Democratic machine that apparently owns S.F. politics).

As for all the other issues you cited -- MUNI sucking, homicides skyrocketing, housing expen$ive -- all that stuff is debated ad naseum on SFist and other blogs. Politics is just so abysmally corrupt and frustrating these days. I wish other voters would join with me in voting for candidate "none of the above (incumbents)".

To read about how Hummers, Escalades and Expedition's are low emission vehicles, please see the Planning Dept's analysis of Prop H here.

Hold on Greg, are you saying Quintin _shouldn't_ support Yes on A, No on H because his resume isn't up to snuff (according to you) on previous Muni issues? Do you want transit improved or not? This notion of people not being pure or religious enough to support a cause is fubar. Grow up and get real. People come to and support rallies for all sorts of reasons. I don't give a rat's ass if Quintin stopped by the rally because it just happened to be at the end of his cable car ride. He was there. Which is a lot more than can be said for oh, say Gavin Newsom.