January 31, 2008
The Trumpification of Aaron "Payback Is a Bitch" Peskin
Aaron, what's going on? Things okay at home? You can tell us, man. Because:
San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin has been on a bit of a roll lately. In addition to threatening to have Newsom's director of climate protection initiatives, Wade Crowfoot, canned out of mere spite, Peskin has also reportedly bullied Port of San Francisco employees for disagreeing "with him over building-height limits on the city's waterfront."
Last August, the Port Executive Director, Monique Moyer, sent a letter to both the city human resources department and Mayor Newsom. In it she claims Peskin intimidated her with job loss and funding cuts. According the Gate:
Moyer said Peskin's actions - which included a late-evening phone call to her house in which the supervisor said he would be "going after" her - violate a city law that prohibits members of the board from interfering in the business of city departments and qualify as official misconduct.
Peskin has denied this, claiming that he does "not threaten peoples' jobs." Okay?
By the way, this was the same month, if you recall, Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier accused Aaron of childishly switching his vote in order to kill "a piece of legislation she sponsored because she went public with her opposition to a Muni overhaul measure spearheaded by Peskin." Hence: "Payback is a bitch," etcetera, etcetera, and so forth. Jesus.
This, if it's all true, is inexcusable. If only for the fact that the job of Board of Supervisors President should require someone who doesn't take things so personally. We'd hate to think Peskin is basing his civic duty responsibility on hurt feelings rather than reasonable logic for the greater good.
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Time to do away completely with district supervisors. Our city's infrastructure is crumbling, and these (mostly) inept supervisors are only concerned about power for themselves and jobs for their friends.
It's not district elections that are the problem. As a reminder, the at-large system gave us Gavin Newsom and Dianne Feinstein. Cronyism is a part of the political system, but at least with district representation local residents get a little more something out of the deal.
Actually, I need to correct myself: Newsom was a political appointee, and it looks like Feinstein came in during a time in the 70s when district elections were still happening.
However, we had at-large Supervisors from 1980-2000, we voted to change it during the mid-90s due to a number of issues, including ineffective local representation and cronyism. I don't see how switching back to that model would cure anything.
Gee, what a coincidence. Newsom gets lots of bad press from diverting money away from Muni to pay for his bloated staff and his office is now diverting attention by suddenly claiming that Peskin is a bully for threatening to cut city government positions. And to compound the irony, Newsom threatened and successfully booted Susan Leal from her job as head of the PUC for no real reason at a cost to the city of $500k. This is about as funny as Newsom's spokesperson saying that Peskin was spending money like a "drunken sailor" when Newsom is the drunk and the one wasting the cities money.
Next up: Tom Ammiano is mean to puppies!
I might as well go for a triple comment blockbuster: However, as a resident of his district I would agree that Peskin needs to be replaced; his ego seems to be a bit out of control. I doubt it will happen, though, and even if we did get back to at-large elections he probably has enough influence and popularity to retain his seat.
cruelty to puppies is no laughing matter.
Yes, we DO need to get rid of district elections. They are a big part of the problem, with these stupid, petty supervisors looking out for their narrow self-interests.
Peskin, Daly and Ammiano are abominable. Luckily, Ammiano is getting termed out, and here's to hoping he will never get elected to higher office. The sooner he disappears, the better.
Peskin is also termed out this autumn, and with his thuggish behaviour, this is the end of the road for him.
Unfortunately, we're stuck with Daly, the granddaddy of all assholes for a few more years.
How will at-large elections cure those problems?
At-large elections are best for the city, if for no other reason than the SF Bay Guardian is against them. Anything that Bruce Brugmann and Tim Redmond support is never good for most of the citizens of San Francisco.
Everyone should always remember to take their voter guide into the booth, and choose the opposite of whatever they say.
I remember the at-large system we had in the 90s where the power was consolidated into the hands of the moneyed classes and the "let them eat cake" attitude was not quite as subtle as it is today. That was the elected body so far removed from the people it once eliminated all transfers on MUNI and made every non-pass holder pay $1 every time they boarded a transit vehicle.
I'm always willing to try a new experiment with our government, but I hope we keep in mind past experiences, too.
I live in Peskin's district and I think he does a good job representing our interests: keeping chain stores out, setting height limits, calling out Newsom on his George Bush-esque, let them eat cake attitude, etc.
I think it's highly suspicious that this almost six month old letter just got released. It looks like Newsom's office is up to dirty tricks, trying to take the heat off himself for raping MTA to pay the salaries of a few unqualified political cronies who are no doubt being put in place to help with his gubernatorial bid.
As far as Alioto-Pier's bellyaching and whining about the "tone" of SF politics and Peskin's politican maneuverings, it sounds like she needs to get herself a history book. This IS SF politics, and if she can't handle it, she should get her bony ass back to Napa, or where ever the hell she lives.
Moreover, district elections are ridiculous, in that a worthless supervisor like Chris Daly can get elected with a few thousand votes, and then has an impact on the entire city.
We need to bring back at-large elections, where people must compete throughout the city.
It's obvious that deep-pocketed, career politicians who would win in city-wide elections couldn't possibly be worse than the majority of people currently serving.
We need to, once and for all, rid ourselves of these "progressives" and their lame-brained ideas and petty, vindictive behaviour.
ok, how about this: anybody out there think they can do a great job at City Hall? then run! the way things work around here, where even Ed Jew can muster enough votes to win (8,388), you've got a shot with or without hair gel.
http://www.sfgov.org/site/elections_index.asp?id=61583
"bony ass!" Working Girl FTW.
I also live in Aaron Peskin's district, and despite what bluecanary says above, he does a terrible job. Keeping out chain stores and fighting height limits only serve to keep an area permanently in statis with no hope of moving forward.
Moreover, to say that Gavin Newsom is behind this is completely stupid. We've been hearing about Peskin and his harassment for months now. It's nothing new.
Lastly, insulting Alioto-Pier because she can't handle SF "politics" only shows you are one of the minority who's happy with the status quo. Politics doesn't have to be like this, with the President of the Board threatening people.
It's obvious that deep-pocketed, career politicians who would win in city-wide elections couldn't possibly be worse than the majority of people currently serving.
They were, and they would be again. While the forceful personalities and ego-tripping of certain Supervisors can be off-putting, there is at least a sense that the buck stops somewhere. That doesn't mean that every single thing gets handled in the timeframe or manner than I like, but it does seem like more attention is paid on matters that previously received an indifferent shrug, if indeed they received any response at all.
If you don't like your Supervisor, find someone who you do like and help them campaign. With district elections, grassroot campaigns have a chance of competing. That's a lot harder in citywide elections where you need big bucks to pay for citywide mailers to have a shot.
I agree Peskin's temper is nothing new. But it sure is convenient that the Chronicle just happened to obtain that 6 month old letter right now, when Gavin is getting hammered for his shady funding for his aides.
This all looks very very familiar. Caged animal (supervisor), taunting, next thing ya know, someone is getting mauled! The Supervisor or The Tiger?
Come on, Peskin is an evil little dwarf. When he doesn't get his way he throws temper tantrums, drunk-dials city employees threatening their jobs, and changes votes to spite people. As for Newsom, the bottom line is that he is funding staff positions the same way every other Mayor of this city has done before him. If you don't like it work to have the law changed, don't use it as justification for Peskin's Napoleonic,psychotic behaviour. Besides, I live in Peskin's district and unless you are a bazillionaire who doesn't want his views blocked or suds and music in the park, he is completely useless. And bluecanary, it is Peskin who can't handle the heat as evidenced by his unbalanced antics.
Recall Gavin immediately.
He backed Measure A then gave a $38,000 raise to his new director of the SFMTA (MUNI) before the guy did anything to fix it. And then? He took the money that the voters VOTED FOR MUNI upgrades and fixes and STOLE it to give high paying, meaningless positions to his cronies. I would like to see where in the city charter that a mayor can get all rah rah about a ballot initiative, get it passed then STEAL THE GODDAMN MONEY right from under our noses. Where is that in the city bylaws? I'm sure one of Newsom's Getty-funded attorneys gave him the green light.
If his head doesn't roll for this blatant disregard of the people of San Francisco then we deserve his sorry ass for 20 more years.
RECALL NEWSOM NOW!
This is so silly. As a person who has a pretty high up position in city government, I can report that the notion that somehow the board, the mayor, or their innumerable minions should not, or typically do not, "influence" the goings-on of just about any city agency is ridiculous. This is run of the mill politics people, and something they all do (temper tantrums, threats, etc.) The only thing I find surprising about this article is, in my opinion, the lack of judgement shown by the Port director in that she is guaranteeing herself a totally uncooperative legislative branch meaning that nothing she wants done will get done. Any effective agency head knows they have to balance all the various governement players, both big and small, to get anything moved forward.
RobinSF needs to calm down. She was on a message board at SFGate, ranting and raving like a lunatic.
I am now, and always have been a Newsom supporter. No, I do not work for him, nor do I even know him. I just realize he's good for our city, much better than Peskin and people of his ilk.
And guess what? Newsom won the election, and a recall would be a great waste of time, and a failure. He's a good mayor and is doing what's best for the city.
If only these lunatic nut-jobs would realize THEY are the ones who are bringing our city down, not Newsom.
Who's bringing our city down? Peskin worked his ass off to pass Prop A to get more money for MUNI. Gavin refused to campaign for A because he needed to raise big money to defeat Question Time. And now that Prop A has passed, Gavin's spending that money on political hacks.
Yeah RobinSF, please lighten up and stop just hating on newsom at all times.
If only these lunatic nut-jobs would realize THEY are the ones who are bringing our city down, not Newsom.
Oh come now, there's enough vindictive and cynical hackery to go around.
can you imagine how tough it was for peskin in high school with a name like that?
i'm sure it stuck once anyone saw him the showers
he's just taking it out on the world now
sadly there may be some truth to that. i know that personally i'm bitter toward anybody who reminds me of junior high. if pee skin is the same as me it may be magnified by his success.
If I wanted friggin' starbucks and other shitty chains in my neighborhood, I could move back to my crappy red state, where a 3 BR goes for about $98K. And I suggest anyone who thinks chain stores adds to a neighborhood's character and progresses it in any way should do just that.
A. RobInSF is a guy - My name is Robert, I live in North Beach and I am pissed off about the sad state of affairs in my city. If you live here and you think that Newsom is doing a job - let alone a good job, you need to get back to the TL and refill your crack pipe. You don't know jack about what a good job is. How do you quantify this supposed "good job?" Curious to hear what you geniuses think.
B. I was actually attempting to make a point about how one person can shape the discourse if they yell loud enough. Go back over to SFGATE and read the comments. People are debating some of the merits of what I wrote instead of allowing Team Newsom to run amok with their basket of numerous trolls poking fun at Peskin for being short. I guess the St Mary's Prep JV debate squad took the day off.
C. Newsom is a pathetic, cheating, womanizing despicable liar and now he can add stealing from the people of SF to the list. He is a rank amateur in both his personal and professional lives. You do NOT bang your best friend and campaign managers wife then trollop off with a 20 year old girl and feed her booze on camera ESPECIALLY in an election year. The gullibility of you people amazes me. "He's SOOO dreamy" and "he looks good in a suit" are not acceptable adult responses. Now go to your room - no dessert!
D. Newsom - as the supposed leader of SF - did not get that additional money to hire a bunch of political hacks to tell us what is wrong with MUNI - why not just ask the people of San Francisco. Have we not been yelling about it loud enough and long enough.
E. If you think you actually voted for "Newsom The Annointed" then you are a bigger fool than you think. This is new politics. The Republican party didn't even have a candidate in the race. Why do you think that is?
F. I voted a write in for Santa Claus as Mayor of SF because I voted with my conscience and felt that a fictitious character who visits San Francisco only once a year would do less damage than some empty headed jackass who sits on his throne in city hall whenever he gets around to it. He's a socialite, not a politician. Maybe we can elect Paris Hilton next time or the fluffy headed Ms. Siebel. All they would need is a good slogan writing team - you know, like "Care not Cash" or "Acting Locally"
G. I will stop "hating on Newsom" when he does something that actually benefits the people of San Francisco. Name one good thing that he has done in the 4 years he has already, um, served?
"Now go to your room - no dessert!"
hee!
I hear ya, Robin. The "stop hating on Newsom" line I quoted above was from Peter Ragone (former Newsom press secretary) commenting on SFist and complaining about how Rita wasn't fawning all over Gavin. I meant to imply that MDW was doing a similar thing in trying to paint you as the "raving lunatic." I guess I was being a little too subtle. Subtlety is tricky in blog comment . . . . Anyway. that's it. Nothing to see here.
God! you IDIOTS who think district elections are the problem need to learn your f$%^ing history and retake your high school civics class!
i am so fed up with dumb ass americans who don't give a f&*% about democracy. seriously if you don't like district elections get the hell out of san francisco because you don't deserve to live here. just leave.
you are probably the same people who will willingly give up your ciivil liberties to be "protected" from terrorists.
yes i'm pissed off!
sagitta100
and these (mostly) inept supervisors are only concerned about power for themselves and jobs for their friends.
how in the hell would at large elections change this? and aren't you exactly describing the mayor here? did you miss all the stories about newsom raiding the MTA budget to give jobs to his friends!?
people who want to abolish district elections simply don't like democracy and probably voted for bush at least once.
admit it sagitta, you voted for bush didn't you?
1. Viva Blue Canary
2. RobinSF thx for the gender clarification. I never pictured you other than with big hairy
arms.
3. Warsux, remember, limit your daily coffee intake to avoid sudden cerebral vascular damages. Blue Canary has you staked out at all Starbucks.
4. Suckafree remember that very short men often have LARGE peskins that others stare at in public showers. Maybe he's just flexing his muscle...???
damn, warsux, who peed in your cornflakes today?
District elections or at large elections, we get jerks either way. Remember Michael Yaki and Barbara Kaufman?
Warsux sounds a little cranky, but the points he makes are valid. Goddamn, I'm not even from here and I know more SF history than a lot of posters who claim to be born and bred here. I agree with Warsux, anyone who thinks banishing district elections really needs to catch a clue AND an SF history course (and there are plenty of books on that subject available). Go read up on who was running this city when the elections were city-wide. It certainly would not benefit a majority of this board, whom I can only assume do not all live in Pacific Heights mansions.
SFRobin may lace his points with inflammatory rhetoric, but his points are valid as well. Newsom IS a screw-up, both politically and personally.
Yes, robbing one agency to pay for the mayor's political hacks IS common. However, no one has done it with less finesse than Newsom. Taking from MTA?? MTA, after we just voted for more funding? Taking from one of the most vital, yet cash-strapped agencies to pay for some Orwellian Dept of Greening or whatever? Come on. Did he really expect not to get called out on this?
and now we're supposed to vote for more money for the parks, while a news article today trumpets that he's going to start slashing gardner and park maintenance jobs?
The guy is a total empty suit. He's like a slightly more liberal GWB. A completely mindless fool with zero political skills.
And count me as a nutjob radical, but I think if Newsom doesn't get recalled over his ridiculous shenanigans, we have failed as an electorate. WTF is wrong with us? Can someone please point out one thing this guy has accomplished, besides 1. sitting on his ass while the murder rate goes through the roof (even though he promised to resign if that happened)
2. try to show his liberal creds by enacting gay marriage (yeah, I'd give him props for that but whatever, a mayor in upstate NY did it first);
3. further bolster his liberal cred by appointing a bunch of women to various posts in this city -- posts for which these women are glaringly unqualified for, which does women in general no favors and makes us all look incompetent.
Bluecanary - Inflammatory rhetoric is fun! Especially with a target the size of Newsome. How can you not crap on the guy? Bold ideas I like, brazen disregard is offensive to our collective intelligence.
Maricon - they are hairy arms, but not very big - not much of a jock - more brain than muscle mass. Raised on a steady diet of New England politics where people get in politicians faces and speak their minds.
Give me 10 minutes in a room with a camera and a mike and I'll make that empty suit Newsom soil his silk Spiderman underoos.
Isn't asking everyone in the city government for their resignation letter before even winning the election, then hand picking those you are going to fire - not based on any specific performance evaluation - a bit heavy handed as well? Just saying...you know, continuity and all.
i'm going to get a t-shirt made that says
peskin - the angry inch!
;)
The prevailing pro-at-large sentiment seems to be "we might as well since we'll get the same sort of jerks." No. I'm not going to support change that doesn't deliver change because the backers appear to be tantrumming over their inability cast a vote for [fill in this week's most despised Supervisor name here]'s opponent. Grow up.
If only these lunatic nut-jobs would realize THEY are the ones who are bringing our city down, not Newsom.
No, it is the big money downtown interests, which you are a perfect example of, who are bringing this City down. District supervisors do a good job representing their districts and keeping the neighborhood character.
All we had when we had city-wide elected supervisors was corruption on a grander scale. Do you forget the Willie Brown years so quickly?
We are much better off with a diversity of voices on the board, then a bunch of Newsom clones.
my favorite part about this whole bitch fest, aaron claiming he was on a 22 mile hike with no cell phone coverage when one of the more nasty late night drunk dials happened
that is priceless
the butler did it with a candlestick!
;)