TresSugar

Briefing Book! SF Mayor Newsom Twitters Pregnancy News

LibertySugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:30:04 -0800

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom is excited/proud about his wife's pregnancy. - Twitter
Would you like a vibrator with your Vermont cheddar? Vermont General Store sexes up its inventory. - Lemondrop
Utah state senator on gays: “They’re mean. They want to talk about being nice. They’re the meanest buggers I have ever seen. . . . It’s just like the Muslims.” - Wonkette
Selling plastic surgery? Writer goes undercover to find out if doctors will try to sell her something she doesn't need. - The Frisky
$8 billion question: Where is Sir Allen Stanford? - newsblog

San Francisco Delays Controversial Immigrant ID Cards

CitizenSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:00:36 -0700

Can I see some ID? For immigrants in San Francisco, the answer to that is "not quite yet." Plans to roll out a controversial program providing identification for all residents regardless of legal status is on hold for the moment. The plan is suspended pending a "thorough review" of its legality, and cities that were set to watch the rollout for plans of their own are put off for the moment.

Based on a similar ID plan in New Haven, CT, Mayor Gavin Newsom says he sees it as a practical move that will ease receipt of local services and make it easier for city government workers to determine who is eligible to get them. The delay has caused detractors to question the real motive - is it accounting or ambition? Supervisor Tom Ammiano accused Newsom of backtracking on the issue because of his possible 2010 gubernatorial bid. Ammiano said, "the perception in the community is that this is alarmist, and it's more about the mayor's ambitions to become governor."

Is giving out an ID card to all residents to qualify them for city services a good idea - or another loosening of laws in the proud sanctuary city?

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Marriage Maverick Mayor Weds Mad Men Actress Siebel

CitizenSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:49 -0700

San Francisco's marriage-equality lightening rod, Gavin Newsom tied the knot himself over the weekend. In a Montana ranch ceremony he married actress Jennifer Siebel. If you watched last night's Mad Men premiere, you'll know her as Betty's old roommate and pricey prostitute, Juanita.

Guests of honor included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and former Mayor Willie Brown. The golden and beautiful affair was the second set of "I dos" for Newsom. He and former wife Kimberly Guilfoyle (of Fox News fame) split shortly after he began issuing maverick same-sex wedding certificates in 2004.

On top of her one-time Mad Men performance (or not!, she does have Don's business card), the bride has appeared recently on the NBC show, Life. The groom just filed exploratory papers to run against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the office in 2011. The couple will honeymoon in Africa.

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Should the Military Program JROTC Be in High Schools?

LibertySugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:00:40 -0700

As JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) enters its last (and ninetieth) year in San Francisco, a non-binding measure intended to show support for the program has qualified for the November ballot. Mayor Gavin Newsom backs the efforts to save the high school program. In 2006 the SF school board decided to stop JROTC, even though there were no complaints, mostly because they disagreed with the military's policy on gay and lesbian soldiers.

The stated purpose of JROTC is "to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment." Many students across the country take the course as their physical education (PE) credit.

For arguments on both sides of the debate, read more.

Arguable benefits of the program include self-discipline, teamwork, and confidence in young people who might need a boost. Critics, worried that JROTC could limit career opportunities, don't want underprivileged youth put on track for the military. But a very low number of JROTC students go into the military.

Since the program is voluntary and successful, I hope the school board reconsiders and allows parents and students to decide whether to participate. Also - JROTC gives young people who might never consider joining the military a chance to experience the benefits of civic duty at no risk. By taking away this choice, the "progressive" members of the school board betray their principles of openness.

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Exclusive! We Talk to SF Mayor, Mastermind of Gay Marriage

CitizenSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:12 -0700

Last night at the San Francisco premiere of the short movie The Butler's in Love (directed by David Arquette) Pop shimmied up to Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco and instrumental force in the brand new rights for all to marry in the state of California, and popped a couple of questions of our own.

Since we've been closely following the burst of new weddings, we had to ask the political trailblazer:

What’s next after the gay marriage victory?

The biggest most important thing is to defeat the initiative this November. It is absolutely critical we not allow this extraordinary moment in time where the Supreme Court has stepped up and adjudicated that the Constitution did not allow us to discriminate against same-sex couples for the public to then just a few months later write discrimination into the Constitution - so that’s the most important thing then, is to defeat it. And then to continue our efforts to expand rights and to expand opportunities for everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, or their gender, or their sexual orientation and then to continue to build upon these efforts and to continue to address the issues of racial injustice and gender injustice that continue to this day - so there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Newsom supported Hillary Clinton during her campaign - now that Obama's the candidate, we asked the big unity question. To find out what he had to say, read more.

As a former Hillary supporter, do you think the Democratic party can unite behind Barack Obama?

I was just with him two days ago in Miami - wildly enthusiastic. . . Look, at the end of the day we’re going to be united, at the end of the day there's no question in my mind that Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States and there’s no question that the overwhelming majority of Hilary Clinton supporters will enthusiastically support Barack Obama. There is so much at stake and one of the most important things at stake is the next US Supreme Court - and if people care about the issue of choice, particularly women that say, ‘Well I just loved Hillary and what she represented and I’m just not ready to support Barack’ – just think about the alternative and think about the constitutional consequences of having a Supreme Court with all but one or two judges appointed by conservative Republican presidents, and the impact that will have on a generation. I mean beyond any other issue that should be an issue that should drive those that are unsure - particularly women - to the polls enthusiastically in support of Barack Obama. And let's just dispense with the issue of the war and the economy, education and health care and the environment - all fundamental issues to our party - that we have a real champion, and someone we can be proud of to support and endorse and again, I was one of her national co-chairs, I traveled across the country for Hillary Clinton. I appreciate her, and I admire her, and I can say as a Clinton supporter and I am an enthusiastic Barack Obama supporter and if I can come on this easily and readily as I have, still maintaining my admiration for Hillary Clinton I think so many others certainly can and I hope and expect they will.

He's definitely young, but . . . do you think he could be a contender in the Democratic Veepstakes? Obama/Newsom '08? It could be a wildly welcome change - in scenery at the very least - and maybe what the White House needs? What do you think?

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Thirsty For Change? US Mayors Tap Tap Water, Ban the Bottle

LibertySugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:15:18 -0700

The US Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami, banned bottled water this week. The cities will no longer use municipal funds to purchase water bottles.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who proposed the resolution along with 17 other big-city mayors, said:

"Cities are sending the wrong message about the quality of public water when we spend taxpayer dollars on water in disposable containers from a private corporation."

But Newsom isn't exactly the first person on the tap-water train. Sixty American mayors have already canceled their hydration contracts, and some places in Canada have also banned the bottle.

Rejecting plastic water bottles is more environmentally and financially sustainable. Millions of bottles a day do not get recycled, and the plastic takes at least 1,000 years to biodegrade.

The American Beverage Association feels betrayed. In a statement, the association reminded those ready to turn on the bottle that private companies come to the rescue during emergencies that compromise public water systems. The statement also notes that plastic bottles are 100 percent recyclable.

Should thirsty city workers be subjected to tap water? First plastic bags, now plastic water bottles, whatever will we do?! Well, here are some great alternatives to the plastic water bottle.

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Who's More Trashy: Naples vs. San Francisco

LibertySugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:00:14 -0700

The European Commission (EC) has filed a suit against Italy in the European Court of Justice. The EC thinks a lawsuit will clean up Naples, Italy, which has been enveloped in piles of trash and a toxic stench, as seen in the pictures below. The EC hopes that potential harsh fines will prompt politicians to take more serious action to end the massive years-long garbage crisis, brought on by organized crime.

Meanwhile in San Francisco, residents recycle 70 percent of their waste. Recycling-obsessed Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to give city residents an incentive to take their recycling prowess to the next level - either they recycle, or they don't get their trash picked up.

Mayor Newsom is proposing legislation that would make it mandatory to recycle cans, bottles, paper, yard waste, and food scraps. So it looks like recycling may no longer be something you do to feel good about yourself - it will be the law. Newsom told the New York Times what's behind his plan:

It’s purposefulness that could otherwise be construed as ego. You want to be the greatest city. You want to be the leading city. You want to be on the cutting edge. I’m very intense about it.

Should recycling be mandatory? Will the Newsom's proposal make San Francisco the next Naples, if residents get lazy about recycling? Can a lawsuit clean up Naples, or is it just a waste of time?

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California Supreme Court Hears Gay Marriage Arguments

CitizenSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:00:23 -0800

The California Supreme Court heard over three hours of oral arguments for and against same-sex marriage, yesterday.

In 2004, the Supreme Court of California invalidated over 4,000 same-sex marriages authorized by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Citing Proposition 22, a 2000 state initiative which legally defined marriage as between a man and a woman, the Court said the same-sex marriages violated state law. Twelve couples, along with the City of San Francisco sued the state of California, arguing that the law is unconstitutional.

For some of the arguments presented during oral arguments read more.

Defending the current definition of marriage, the State of California argued that is up to the legislature to successfully change the definition of marriage. (Note that two bills removing the opposite-sex requirement have been vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.) In addition, the state argued that the Domestic Partnership Act makes sure that same-sex partners receive the same state benefits granted under marriage, therefore preventing discrimination. Conservative groups, also argued that marriage is meant for pro-creation.

The same-sex couples, along with the city likened the prohibition on same-sex marriage to laws banning interracial marriage. And they said that the domestic partnership is akin to the legacy of "separate but equal."

Do you agree with that argument?

Click here for a comprehensive chronicle of the long battle.

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Headline: Nader Chooses a Running Mate

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:52 -0800

With Bloomberg solidly out of the picture, third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has upped his campaign-cred by naming his number two. Matt Gonzalez, the shaggy Green Party, former San Francisco Supervisor is most popularly know for giving Gavin Newsom a run for his money in the 2003 mayoral race.

Nader, the first presidential candidate to round out his slate, tapped Texas-born, California-resident Gonzalez, giving him a winning electoral college recipe, should Nader's campaign make it to November's general election. Gonzalez was President of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors during Ralph Nader's last Green run for the White House, and is the only San Francisco politician who has mounted a serious challenge to Newsom.

What do you think? Is this a match made in heaven?

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Check This: Barack Has No Love For Gavin

LibertySugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:02:24 -0800

An interaction, or lack of interaction, that took place four years ago between Barack Obama and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, still bothers the San Francisco politician. While Newsom was in the center of national outrage over his authorization of same-sex marriage in San Francisco, Obama allegedly declined to have his picture taken with the pro gay-rights mayor.

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown told the SF Chronicle:

I gave a fundraiser, at his (Obama's) request at the Waterfront restaurant. And he said to me, he would really appreciate it if he didn't get his photo taken with my mayor.

Willie Brown continued to say that he doesn't blame Barack, who was in a Senate race in a somewhat conservative Illinois. Wilie just wishes Barack's camp would fess up to the snub. As for Gavin, who continues to stump for Hillary Clinton, aids say he's still cool on Barack.

Was Barack simply being cautious and practical - predicting attack ads linking him to controversial Gavin? Or did Barack let close-minded people dictate the conversation, while gay citizens were, and are, being denied rights?

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