Comments

TP - Appreciate the LOYALTY - spew the same venom though of "Main Stream" Media ... clearly MSM is in it for $$$ 1st and foremost - so they EMOTE to the MAX to attract more viewers ... MSM plays to 10th grade education level - tweaks my brain too!

Posted by sean_new_liberal at November 8, 2006 9:53 AM

What a great post! Nothing more profound that that, the brain is fried after listening to too much inane TV commentary last night.

Posted by Cathy at November 8, 2006 10:03 AM

Tom....the answer to your question.."Will Pelosi be ultra liberal?" YES!!!! Hold on to your stem cell, this is going to be interesting / scary / frightening / frustrating / "out of bounds" / entertaining...

Posted by J D Duncan at November 8, 2006 10:41 AM

Brilliant! I love the passion and frankly the EMPATHY! From a SF Neighbor to the North: Portland (The Second Wierdest (Insanely Cool) place on Earth)!

Posted by Mike at November 8, 2006 10:43 AM

At the risk of sounding like another mindless supporter - Yeah!

I, too, am tired of listening to the drivel and mindless "insults" (she will be 'San Francisco') that constitute political commentaries and the like. The sad thing is that many people will buy into what is said simply because it is in the media. Hearing it on the news is bad enough; hearing it parroted elsewhere by someone that doesn't take the time to think it through is worse.

Could these points that Tom is making work their way into the main stream media? Or are they too far above the "10th grade education level?" I wish I didn't know the answer.

Posted by Nick Adams at November 8, 2006 11:08 AM

Just a minor correction: at least according to her online bio (http://www.cantwell.com/about/), Maria Cantwell earned her money at RealNetworks, not Microsoft.

Posted by Bill Harris at November 8, 2006 11:30 AM

Hear! Hear! Although I did find it amusing when the GOP tried to scare people with Nancy Pelosi..."Who's Nancy Pelosi?"

And, I think some of the rust belt cities would be thrilled to have "San Francisco values" Hey, money! jobs! A vibrant economy! What a concept.

Posted by Mary Schmidt at November 8, 2006 11:34 AM

What a great post. Of course, I am an ultra liberal San Franciscan who yesterday voted Republican (Arnold) for the first time in my life... and when I went to watch the returns my TV satellite was dead (a message from above). Watching on computer not nearly as much fun in an evening of triumph!

Posted by Robin Wolaner at November 8, 2006 12:07 PM

Ms. Cantwell born 10/13/58 it seems ... fabulous if SF INNOVATES a way to succeed in terror war, balance budgets, stop illegals - YES it CAN vs. PIPE DREAM?

Posted by sean_san_francisco at November 8, 2006 12:20 PM

In-te-res-ting. Ve-ry in-te-res-ting!

Posted by Leonard Klaatu at November 8, 2006 12:59 PM

It's the day after the election, and few took my advice to not vote. Record turnouts must mean that Americans did their homework and went to the polls armed with information and opinions. Way to go!

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, Democrats gained a majority in the House and the Senate is deadlocked at 49, with two seats too close to call. No matter how the Senate turns, we must ask ourselves, where do we go from here?

Already pundits are telling us what the election means. Since none have any voter research available other than the results and exit polls that ask broad general questions, it is safe to say these pundits don't have a clue.

But our concern should not be for what talking heads write and say but for what our elected officials think the messages are that Americans sent yesterday. Usually, those who win think they have a mandate and those who lose think voters missed their key points. Neither is true, of course.

As a marketer I am biased toward research. But wouldn't it be great if elected officials got together in a bi-partisan fashion and asked non-leading questions to learn what Americans want their lives to look like?

One can dream.

Posted by Lewis Green at November 8, 2006 1:51 PM

No, Lewis, it would be great if they ignored us and left us alone. It isn't and shouldn't be government's role to do more than the bare minimum and get out of the way of the private sector to do the real work of life enhancement.

Posted by Mike at November 8, 2006 2:17 PM

Lewis - here's another way of looking at it. Wouldn't it be great if for once a politician was to stand up and say, "Hey, we're not going to agree about every single issue. Furthermore, I'm not going to insult your intelligence or mine by disguising or hiding my opinion on sensitive issues so as not to upset a section of the electorate. So I'll tell you what I think and why. All I ask is for you to decide whether you think I'm usually on your wavelength. If I am, then vote for me. If I'm not, vote for the other guy. Just be sure he's being as straight with you as I am."

And I agree with Mike: once you get elected, your job ought to be getting government out of the way. The problem with legislatures, of course, is the people you send to them feel obliged to legislate. Perhaps we should have a rule: for every new page of legislation they bring in, they must repeal two.

Posted by Mark JF at November 8, 2006 3:18 PM

Mark: how about this rule for legislators:
"Every new page of legislation must be read out loud at talking speed to all the legislators assembled (quorum of 90%)."

Posted by Mike L at November 8, 2006 3:30 PM

Yea, Tom!

Nothing I can add that you don't already know (or that maybe I learned from you).
Entrepreneurs are IT.
Women RULE.
CHANGE. (Fail. Forward. Fast.)

Simple one word political party labels just don't flex enough to fit everyone.

You go ahead, Tom. Get pissed off. Revel in it.

Posted by Becky McCray at November 8, 2006 4:15 PM

Great Posting!! While watching the election returns last night I was amazed by the number of women now in the Senate and in the House. In 1976 when I ran Northeastern PA N.O.W. this was a mere dream. We had a PAC for women candidates back then. We couldn't even imagine a women speaker of the house. I am thrilled that we have a women speaker and she is a liberal democrat from SF. With the current autocratic conservative administration whipping everyone into sameness it would seem that congress is hungry for diversity of thought and point of view- Nancy embodies that. Tom when I was working with you, you had the vision and foresight to see the importance of women economically and culturaly. It is now our time! Women do roar!!!

Posted by Ilene Fischer at November 8, 2006 6:23 PM

Shut up? Just shut up? Niiiice. Me thinks you protest too much. Yup. SF is beautiful. Creative people make money and people with money like to live in pretty places. They can also afford insane taxes. So yup, lots of creative rich people live there. But, most Americans DO FIND its culture to be troubling. The list is too long: anti-military activism (hell, hatred), take God out of the pledge, damn what Californians voted for - marry same sex couples, its pubic parks have become unseemly at best and dangerous at worst with an aggressive, entitled homeless population, kick Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts for God's sake!) out of public properties because they dare to attempt to protect young men from the same dangers SF liberals bash the Catholic church for not doing!, on and on and on. Hey, all that stuff may be fine with you, but don't accuse others of being stupid for calling a spade a spade. Well, ya girl Nancy gets center stage. The sleep-walking American population (50% don't even know who she is) are gonna know her now. Game on.

Posted by Dave at November 8, 2006 9:04 PM

The Democratic victory yesterday was not the result of the brilliance of their new ideas - the diversity of thought one responder mentions. Why? The Democrats had no new ideas. The Republicans beat themselves by leaving their fiscally conservative roots and becoming the same corrupt, money grubbing fatcats that they threw out of office in the 1994 midterms landslide. And, the fact that they could not plan for a plausible victory strategy and articulate the story of "why Iraq" doomed them. And then the failures with Immigration, Energy, etc. The fact that Nancy Pelosi is the first female speaker is noteworthy, but that point pales before the enormity of the task before her and the majority party. Kim Il Sung has nukes and is flaunting them before our faces. Ahmadinejad threatens to destroy Israel, and postulates about a world without America,while defying UN & IAEA rules and standards. Russia and China continue to undermine our interests everywhere possible. Castro understudy and "Smells like suphur" Hugo now has a friend in Managua. The possibility of consensus with our European allies is dubious at best, for as we learned with the UN Oil for Medicine/Food scandal, they ally according to interest not principal. And, most alarmingly, Europe does not seem to have the courage to stand up against a growing threat right within its borders, let alone the globe. Only America and a handful of allies have been resolute against terror. At the end of the day, Pelosi and company have an awfully tough job ahead of them. Remember they got here because republicans blew it. All the fault finding, name calling, bellicose commentary, barbs, quips, sound bites, Bush lied, Bush is stupid, of the last two years did pay off for them. They have yet to offer any viable alternatives. Let's see if they deserve the chance they've been given.

PS: I would have waxed sad and misty eyed at the condition of our political process had it not been for a little note from the American President website about what was said of Thomas Jefferson by opponents in the election of 1800: "With Jefferson as President, so warned one newspaper, "Murder, robbery, rape, adultery, and incest will be openly taught and practiced, the air will be rent with the cries of the distressed, the soil will be soaked with blood, and the nation black with crimes;"

Whew, so I guess it's just politics, baby.

PSS: The highest concentration of USA millionaires by location per Kiplinger's Report May 2006: 1)Los Alamos NM, 2)Naples/Marco Island FL, 3)Fairfield County CT, 4)Vero Beach FL, 5)Hilton Head Beaufort SC, 6)San Jose/ Sunnyvale/Santa Clara CA, 7)Easton MD, 8)Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice FL, 9)Washington DC Metro, 10)Honolulu HI

Posted by Rich Chiero at November 8, 2006 9:34 PM

Tom,
Great post! I make no secret that I am thrilled we are going to have "Speaker Pelosi." That said, I agree it is strange that the places in this country which seem to best exemplify "The American Dream" tend to be the ones most vilified by the right.

Maybe it's just a case of open minds allowing people to dream up better things. Who knows?

Posted by Andrew Hayden at November 8, 2006 11:58 PM

I've never heard you so pissed off Tom.. We need some more of your fire and brimstone here, along with your stellar insights!

Great going..

Respectfully signed

An ultra-liberal capitalist pig in the Netherlands,

Posted by Arun Sadhashivan at November 9, 2006 3:56 AM

Wow. Never thought I see you blow up. You must be really pissed off. :)

If liberal is a disease, then conversative is the cancer.

Posted by James Seng at November 9, 2006 4:11 AM

While Politics isn’t my thing, I will try to add my two cents worth. The republicans deserved a good kick in the butt. With the “Contract with America” they promised smaller government, controlled spending, improved education, and power to the people. Instead, they doubled the size of government, increased spending, and fell victim to the Washington power scene. As far as education goes, Georgia ranks 49th in a country that doesn’t even rank in the top 10 even though they doubled the spend in the education department. In the immortal words of Donald trump: Your Fired. You have two years to get back on track.

Posted by RTodd at November 9, 2006 6:56 AM

Dave: Have you ever BEEN to San Francisco? If so, did you ever visit our wonderful USF/University of San Francisco? I got an honorary Doctorate there; and Bill Russell won an NCAA championship or two there. It's a leading Jesuit school. Ever been to Grace Cathedral? To call SF "anti-religious" is a "Top 10 Stupid" remark. If you do harbor such thoughts, and do visit SF, for God's sake, and yours, keep them to yourself if you are stopped by an SF cop of Italian, strict Catholic upbringing (which is pretty much all of them).

BTB I was born in Baltimore. Our mayor for much of my youth was Tommy D'Allesandro, a tough, street-smart, real-politik, religious, Catholic guy if you ever saw one--his little daughter just became Speaker of the House.

BTB You'd also be well counselled not to keep your "Godless SF" stuff constrained when you are among our huge, vital, Latin, cathedral-attending community.

BTB: also wisdom would dictate keeping your "liberal SF" stuff under wraps around our enormous, productive, entreprepreneurial working-their-buns-off-for 125-years Chinese community.

BTB: Did you realize that the "wee SF area" is home to THIRTY PERCENT ot the WORLD's top 10 research universities (I think that's more than any other nation), UCSF, UCB and Stanford? S'pose you've heard of wussy Stanford, winner of the Sear's Cup for best collegiate athletic program results (NCAA, Division 1A) for about a dozen years running. Thinking of wusses, I once went 6 years without missing a single home game of the Oakland Wusses (whoops, Raiders.)

BTB: I am among the many, many, many, many, many SF area folks who came here on the way to or from a war--Vietnam for me; most who fought in the Pacific in WW2 went to and, if lucky, from by passing under the Golden Gate. Calling the SF area "anti military" is an hilarious exhibit of willful, cruel stupidity. (South of the City you'll find one of our largest National Cemetaries--I think ony Arlington is bigger.) Only a few years ago Santa Clara County was, as I recall, the American county that produced the most armaments--with huge Lockheed and Philco Ford (defense) plants among others; red-in-the-claw capitalism drove them out when the electronics boom drove land prices through the roof. Today, I suspect, 40% of the new software code that underpins the War on Terror is probably written in SF and Santa Clara counties--there are probably more Classified projects going on in the Bay Area than anywher else in the country.

(You mentioned Immigration as I recall. I love our SF area Immigration Policy: "Bring 'em all, legal or illegal, here, please, quickly!" Speaking of immigration, there used to be a local joke that if the Indian engineers all went home, the last one would have to turn out the last Silicon Valley light.)

I could go on ...

(The totally unfair-untrue riposte that keeps going through my mind is: "We could live without you; you couldn't live without us.")

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 8:04 AM

Great comment. As a Canadian I am still profoundly amazed at three things.

You elected Bush once
He proved himself incompetent at best
You elected him again
You just seem to be waking up to the fact he and his cronies are idiots and have made the world a far more dangerous place than it was 6 years ago.

Perhpas if the US was more like the communities TP describes in his article the US and the world would be a far better and safer place.

Posted by Craig Robson at November 9, 2006 8:33 AM

Performance results pressure is pretty much all on the Democrats & perhaps women in politics now.

There will always be Democrats and women that fail - as they have in the past over and over. USA women in combat is a must - Israel has real women.

Optimistic for Democrats' and USA womens' success though.

Success of the USA & Free World hopefully is a "San Francisco model" focus. It really is WWIII & a war on terror - Islam Fascism mainly.

Besides the horrific loss of life in terror events - the Trillions lost in capital may alter the balance of Free World vs. Fascism & Communism.

And the food & fashion & customer service under Fascism is lousy - lets please try to continue radical-liberal Free Worldism - a fine steak is a wonderful thing.

Posted by sean_women_roar at November 9, 2006 8:41 AM

Great to watch your internal discussion and as a Brit I don't feel qualified to express opinion other than to say if politicians showed HALF as much passion as TP we may get more than 30-40% turnout for polls. Oh yes and next time Tom – don’t hold back quite so much :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 9, 2006 9:18 AM

It seems to me that one fundamental problem is that politics is about getting elected and getting elected is about not pissing off people. So, we have a political culture that's about focus groups and opinion polls and lo! our politicians (like so many consultants) parrot back to us whatever it is we've just told them. And this usually ends up in a Dutch auction with candidates bragging about how much money they'll spend, with no targets for measurable improvements! Like throwing money at a problem automatically cures it...

How do you get to the situation where you can elect someone with radical ideas, conviction, energy and, "I have an idea - follow me" spirit?

BTW, here in the UK (where we have no limit to the number of terms a Prime Minister can serve) the US result has been seen as a direct consequence of Iraq. Prime Minister Blair has already said he'll quit in 2007, in large part, I suspect, because he knew the issue had made him personally unelectable. A new face at the helm might just have a chance of winning it for his New Labour party.

Posted by Mark JF at November 9, 2006 10:04 AM

Re Sean's latest. I am a huge fan of GRIDLOCK IN D.C. Dem in the White House, GOP on Cpitol Hill; GOP in the WH, Dems on Capitol Hill. The net result is: Not much happens. Pols take the Hippocrati Oath? "First, do no harm."

To me, Sean, the election has already done a lot of what, as I see it, needed doing. I saw James Madison wandering the streets in Vegas yesterday. He was chortling. I snuck up close (I don't like to bother celebs) and discovered he was reciting an old Yankee favorite, titled "The Ode to Checks and Balance." The Exec Branch rolled over Congress of late, dangerously so as I see it. I'm not looking for genius legislation; I'm looking to both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue muddling through with each other, as is usually the case in D.C.

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 10:20 AM

As a pretty good student of U.S. history, I can say for sure that Politics has ALWAYS trumped Substance--even, say, in the middle of World War II. That's okay with me--as I said, "concerted action" in D.C. is what scares the hell out of me.

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 10:27 AM

Exit polls indeed showed Iraq - Mark - AND corruption in government as key for USA voters.

The USA has the BEST politicians money can buy.

The USA political model needs a radical tuneup. As we know House of Representative members must run EVERY 2 years.

It is estimated they must raise north of $10M to run every 2 years ... about $1M to raise every 2 months.

Meanwhile Congress in '06 will convene just 100 days total ... the rest of the days to travel and raise money.

Senator Clinton spent $30M this time to run basically unopposed - a Ms. Pelosi new SF Model need here perhaps?

Time Magazine has an interesting story this week about PARTITIONing IRAQ - interesting historical perspective back to British rule and Ottoman days too.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1555130,00.html

Posted by sean_SF_model_lovemark at November 9, 2006 10:30 AM

Tom-
Looks like "Catholic" set you off. Read the post again. Are there "good Christians" (Buddhists, Muslims, and other religions in SF?) Absolutely. Do the people SF elects to public office have a progressive, anti-religion bias? Uh... you tell me. Same for the military. Glad you love them. SF elected officials don't. Can't dock a ship there.. can we?
You want to talk about the people and biz of SF. Great. What the rest of us have a problem with is the PEOPLE THEY ELECT to represent them, their views, and their actions.
And yes, I have visited SF often for business and pleasure. Maybe the prettiest city in America. I've also been terribly troubled with what appears to be happening there over the past 15 years or so. (And MANY biz travelers have shared the same views with me.)
Gotta tell you, I'm stumped with your college athletics rant. Do you associate "liberal" and "anti-military" with "wuss"? I didn't... but you apparently did.
And, yeah, give up on the "we could survive without you" thoughts. That's an elitist view that values people with money and power. The rest of the country may have a few ideas about that as well. You gonna invent a potato or a steak? How about a barrel of oil?

Posted by Dave at November 9, 2006 10:35 AM

TP - 100% agree on "1st do no harm and Gridlock" - except for Terror Defense/Offense ... Free Enterprise [even with politicians] I'm always confident of.

Posted by sean_1st_do_no at November 9, 2006 10:36 AM

Sean, difficult mess. War has always been a (slightly) legitimate excuse to mess with the unique set of rights we fought to establish in the first place. This particularly tough with terrorim. Since it's a-war-and-not-a-war-and-may-be-here-forever-and-snooping-is-the-best-way-to-deal-with-it, do we suspend certain rights "forever"? Tough decisions, need wisdom of Solomon (good luck on that).

More troubling: Travelin' all the time as I do, mostly outside U.S., we are making a mess of our "matchless beacon of Liberty" reputation"--and that is unquestionably our Weapon of Mass Attraction when it comes to getting others' help with all this shit.

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 11:20 AM

Tom,

That's easily your best post so far. One gets from it the passion that made you as successful as you have been in your life and your career; it's very inspiring for a 26 year old recent MBA grad like me to read, so thanks!

The problem with the media is that they are not very well trained in any one discipline, particularly when it comes to business. So instead of writing about it with a sense of meaning, they wrap both the financial and political economy up into one great chewable sound-bite. Hence Pelosi and SF myths. Unfortunately, the bate may be chewable, but it doesn't taste that good.

Posted by Daniel M. Harrison at November 9, 2006 11:31 AM

"Do you associate "liberal" and "anti-military" with "wuss"? I didn't... but you apparently did." You're joking of course. Behind the liberal-bashing is a clear "you don't like cockfighting and Schlitz" implication. Frankly, wussiness (and women) are the only things that will save us--the American boy population is majoring in dropping out of school, bad move in these competitive times.

"And, yeah, give up on the "we could survive without you" thoughts. That's an elitist view that values people with money and power. The rest of the country may have a few ideas about that as well. You gonna invent a potato or a steak? How about a barrel of oil?" Okay, I was extreme. I told you when I began this that I'm pissed as hell that San Francisco (and San Jose and Walnut Creek and LA and California) are treated as oddball weirdos who play tiddly winks and hate guns when in fact we invent guns, pay for guns with our high share of tax dollars,use guns on bad guys, invent and finance and build a ridiculous share of the value-added stuff that keeps America barely competitive.

God, I'm no liberal. My wife thinks I'm a right wing cretin. I despise "my" new Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, and may re-register to vote in, yes, Northern California so I'll not have to go to bed knowing I'm represented by Sanders in The Holy Place--the US Senate. Do I love SF's diversity on EVERY dimension? Ab-so-loute-ly. It is tthe Clear #1 Begrock of Sustained Creativity which is now THE Bedrock of Economic Survival. Bingo.

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 11:36 AM

TP - this weeks Time Magazine had China executing [the ones they announce anyway] almost 1,200 this year - 3 to 4 per day - 68 capital crimes there including tax evasion.

We are Saints in the Free World compared to that perhaps. Albeit, I prefer erroring on the side of "Too Much" surveillance if it keeps the macro horror of WMD terror at bay.

Posted by sean at November 9, 2006 11:36 AM

Sean, I may agree with "too much," but my reading of history suggests the repeated problem of noses in the tent and slippery slopes, etc, etc. Clear conclusion: governance among large groups of humans is a royal pain in the ass.

What I really believe is that on Friday (?) of the First Week some super-God should have laid a heavenly paw on the real God's shoulder and said, "I like those apes you made, but enough is enough. How about stopping now? That 'humans' bit you were thinking about adding is a rotten idea. The notion of 'free will' is enchanting, but you know what the say about the value of free stuff."

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 12:07 PM

Here! Here! to Tom, Sean, Dave, and many others for engaging in spirited debate on very touchy subjects. Totally refreshing to get past pundit driven sound bites, and dig a little into what drives some of the maxims out there. And, even better, responders have demonstrated the ability to stay within bounds and show mutual respect. Cool stuff.

Posted by Rich Chiero at November 9, 2006 12:08 PM

TP - yes indeed the Human Element - like many I've been blessed - however it seems wise to store gold coins AND keep safety firearms on hand AND have enough land to grow on and hunt on [National Forest if need be] - because the Human Element is far too risky to depend on - & women may sense this best.

Maybe the SF Model & New Speaker are part of the solution set - Intelligence so precise it mitigates evil.

Posted by sean at November 9, 2006 12:24 PM

"Intelligence so precise it mitigates evil" Surely you jest. Remember Newton: Every action generates an equal and opposite reaction (or some such)

In my speechifying my comment about "last word" business models (Microsoft, Dell, Wal*Mart, Montgomery Ward's, Ford's mass-production scheme, IBM's System 360, etc, etc): "The 'last word' is: There are no last words.'"

Posted by tom peters at November 9, 2006 12:34 PM

Last words. 101st Airborne Dad is @ 118 lbs. - soon he may Screaming Eagle speak his "last words" - maybe not though.

C'est la vie - maybe later I'll recite:

I AM ALIVE
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the fast uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I AM ALIVE. I did not die.

Draft version now - can't remember the original author - may be able to get "golf course" and "tennis court" in there.

Posted by sean at November 9, 2006 1:09 PM

Tom -

Wow! So nice to hear SF defended after the last couple of days and really frustrating to watch/listen to Pelosi get skewered by FOX News and conservative radio. What a bunch of adolescent morons. Nancy Pelosi, has come out of the gate saying ‘let’s work together and really accomplish something important’. Yeah, she’s really evil, isn’t she?? If Bush-43 and his cronnies had done that over the last 6 impossibly long years, we probably wouldn‘t have witnessed such a Democratic Tsunami.

I could write paragraphs, as so many others already have, but I simply haven‘t got time. I’m a former Northern Californian transplanted to Madison, WI. No one told me this whole ‘communing with satan’ thing was going to be such a schedule hog.

Posted by Lissa S. at November 9, 2006 2:39 PM

That's the most earthly blog post I have ever read.

Posted by Harry Joiner at November 9, 2006 2:46 PM

Way To Go Tom!!!!!!!!!

Never...NEVER...Let the facts get in the way of a good story.....One poster opted to actually research where the real wealth was located in our country.....But it is true that facts can sometimes just be just a pain in the a_ _

Posted by Jay at November 9, 2006 6:36 PM

Tom

"San Francisco". What a brilliant tagline to live with in politics - she must truly love it!!! If she brings to the US government process a very small fraction of the energy, ideas, social tolerance, capacity for invention & innovation, political nous, etc found around SF and within Silicon Valley then America will be blessed for decades.

I am currently planning a visit with my 13 year son to SF in January 2007. I want him to experience, as I have many times, the sheer joy of SF. I want him to share a cup of coffee with me at University Cafe in downtown Palo Alto. I want to stroll around Stanford Campus with him. I want him to come visit IDEO with me. I want him to "soak up" the vibe of being around some very smart people who are already playing around with the building block of his future.

He already thinks of "San Francisco" as that very special place where he will be further inspired to do whatever he chooses to do with his life to the very best of his abilities.

Cheers
Richard

viagra overnight order Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 9, 2006 7:15 PM

I am a republican .. i livein massachusets .. not a good place to be a republican. I do not like the the far side of either party. Most american are in the middle on issues. whatever pelosi's sanfransico values are suppose to mean for the country ..the democrats know they can snub the middle .. they have to work..with the president to fix Iraq .( i like the idea of giveing the iraqui people the vote of weather we should still be there or not . The american people just voted we shouldn't )

Posted by Ken at November 10, 2006 1:53 AM

Tom,

Greetings from Busan, Korea. Great rant, no, best ever! I must admit, you are at your best when "Fed Up and Pissed Off." Why not a new book titled as such?

I had a glorious decade in California (SF & LA) and only wish I could afford to move back. Oh, and long live gridlock!

Posted by michael at November 10, 2006 3:01 AM

As another former Bay Area resident...thank you!!
The garbage I have had to hear about San Fransisco over the years, like the lady who thought she could get AIDS just by changing planes at SFO up to the "San Fransisco values" ad my congressman ran has been nothing but blatant ignorance...and ignorance is the breeding ground of hate.

Posted by Jim at November 10, 2006 4:27 AM

I think you guys need an impartial 'Brit view' about SF. I therefore have a constructive suggestion. For a very small fee Mark JF and I will come across and 'experience' San Fancisco and report back, purely in the interest of research you understand :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 10, 2006 5:45 AM

I'm a little late to this commment party, but this is a great post and conversation. I live in one of the bluest precincts in the state - Massachusetts - that's right up there on the ridicule and scorn list with SF. And, yes, I'm as blue as they come. But the problems the US is facing now are so significant, we have to get beyond the instant (and lazy) automatic categorizing (and polarizing). You can believe that Iraq is a fiasco, without being "cut and run." You can believe in the estate tax without being a socialist. And, in the other corner, you can oppose gay marriage without hating homosexuals. But it's much more convenient to portray issues, individuals, and politicians on the extremes. I really hope that the Democrats don't do much payback, and really do look for bipartisan solutions. As Ken said a comment or so back, most people are in the middle - and, let's face it, most of the solutions are there, too.

Posted by Maureen Rogers at November 10, 2006 9:03 AM

If it's any consolation, the "San Francisco issue" is not restricted to the US. In the UK, we have similar issues. The ruling New Labour party is made up of Members of Parliament mainly from Scotland and the North of England; the opposition Conservatives come mainly from the south. Being Britain, of course, we also complicate it with class: Labour is traditionally seen as the party for the working class / manual labour voter while Conservatives are middle class / professional and management.

I'm far from his biggest fan but give credit to Prime Minister Blair for breaking these perceptions and trying to be more inclusive. Mind you, he nicked the idea from former PM John Major who on taking power called for our society to be a meritocracy.

The big problem we have with our inclusive PM, however, is that he's a lousy implementor. But if you can find someone who's got both skills, back 'em.

Posted by Mark JF at November 10, 2006 9:24 AM

Hi Mark – ‘Lousy implementer’ Tony Blair?

That will be the same Tony Blair who has delivered the following since 1997.

*Lowest inflation since the 1960s
*Introduced the National Minimum Wage
*Lowest unemployment for 29 years
*Biggest ever investment in the NHS
*Written off up to 100 per cent of debt owed by poorest countries
*New Deal - helped over a million people into work
*Local government funding has increased by a third in real terms
*Child benefit up 25 per cent since 1997
*Created Sure Start to help children from low income households
*£200 winter fuel payment to pensioners & extra £100 for over-80s
*All workers now have a right to 4 weeks’ paid holiday
*Record rises in the state pension
*700,000 children lifted out of relative poverty
*Introduced child tax credit giving more money to parents
*Cut long-term youth unemployment by 75 per cent
*Free TV licence for over-75s
*Free local bus travel for over-60s

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 10, 2006 11:00 AM

Perhaps Trevor & Mark - a $$$ Fund to keep you OUT of San Francisco/USA-land - payable to your Swiss account? :>] Thanks for the PM Blair update.

Posted by sean at November 10, 2006 11:13 AM

Trevor - 4 weeks of paid vacation????? makes me wonder if the revolution was a good idea :)

Posted by Mike Neiss at November 10, 2006 11:15 AM

"*Cut long-term youth unemployment by 75 per cent" ... also known as: professional football hooliganism youth groups :>] ...

Posted by sean at November 10, 2006 11:37 AM

Trevor - too much to go into detail and this isn't the right forum but for the sake of balance and then we ought to drop it: this is also the same Tony Blair who has increased the state sector to the point where it accounts for a record 63% of GDP (which is truly scary) and increased stealth taxation so that the tax take is at a record high. Whilst immigration is a hot topic in the moment, have you seen the latest stats about a) emigration; and b) companies moving their domicile away from Britain? Politicians really shouldn't be judged until after they've left office and their impact has worked it's way through: I'll bet you in 10 years time you'll have a much lower opinion of Mr. Blair. Maybe we'll have a drink on it in a bar in SF?!

Posted by Mark JF at November 10, 2006 11:40 AM

Mark - The drink in SF Bar is the best idea I've heard for years :-) ... Great Banter ...

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 10, 2006 11:48 AM

Amen! And Thank You.

Posted by Troy Worman at November 10, 2006 11:50 AM

I am definitely biased in response to this as I was born in San Francisco and lived much of my life as a (liberal Democrat) there. My family grew up with the Boxers (as in Barbara), and I remember having oyster barbeque fundraisers for her on the beach when she was running for county supervisor.

That said, I do have a hard time understanding how so many people could have such a violently negative reaction to the place, given the:

-creative environment
-stunning natural beauty
-tolerance for great diversity
-excellent food

I suffered similar "she's so San Francisco" bashing when a group of anti-Castro cubans vigorously disagreed with my use of Che Guevarra's picture in a post I wrote (which you featured here - thanks!) called "Open Letter to CXOs." Instead of taking me to task with a detailed explanation of why they felt uncomfortable with me using the image in a way that I could learn from, they took to attacking the place I grew up in.

It certainly isn't San Francisco's fault that I pissed off some people, nor will it be its fault what Nancy Pelosi does in her role as Speaker of the House. With all my unhappiness at some decisions of our current President, I certainly don't blame his actions on Crawford, Texas.

Posted by Pamela Slim at November 10, 2006 3:01 PM

Tom,

I have benefited greatly from your writing over the years. Thank you. I also appreciate all the resources you make available here.

I can understand your reaction to foolish comments that people have made about San Francisco. But I am a little puzzled by your defense of "liberal" politics.

I agree that the Republicans have made a mess of things. But I certainly don't think that a philosophy (which is at best uncomfortable with the concept of a free market) is the answer. This is a tradition that has been cozy with socialism and even applauded communism.

I'm not saying the world is coming to an end because "liberals" have gained power. I just don't think they are going to lead us to the "promised land."

Keep up the good work.

Rod

Posted by Rod at November 10, 2006 3:26 PM

Someone early on in these comments mentioned a fact error. Thanks for letting us know; my fact-checking broke down there, sorry.

On the subject, let's hope the Democrats do their constitutional job of providing checks-and-balances for the executive branch of the government with: more intelligence than they've demonstrated over the last twelve years, a great sense of responsibility that they've been given a mandate/chance, a great deal of compassion for our troops and the people of Iraq.

Writing from Cambridge, MA, respectfully, Cathy.

Posted by cathy mosca at November 10, 2006 6:35 PM

I enjoyed the post by Mr. Peters. It was good to read him protecting his house and its foundation.
Sadly, much of our public conversations today can be titled "Us vs. Them." I doubt Mr. Peters (sorry, I'm old-school. We've never met, so I'm formal) tried to start an "Us vs. Them" conversation. But, it happened. Is it possible anymore to discuss a subject where there is no "them," just "us?"
Pun intended...

Posted by Doug at November 10, 2006 7:00 PM

I can't resist comment anymore. Politics often makes for very spirited discussion, hopefully remaining civil and respectful. But all to often, those two criteria get lost quickly. I come from a long family history of political activism. i was raised with political discussions being one of the mainstays of dinner discussions (do any families still sit down to dinner together?) This liberal versus conservative debate drives me crazy. It seems for many, strong beliefs have morphed into "fact", which of course, they are not.

As I watched this election and the behavior of our elected "representatives", I think there are some emerging trends that we need to be mindful of:

Democracy may be in the process of being trumped by capitalism. The two obviously are intimately connected, but all too often I sense decision making being driven by a profit motive rather than democratic principle.

Representative government in the US is in trouble. Lobbyist and special interest groups have a greater voice than individual citizens. Scary. By the way, this is not a Republican problem..Harry Reid's sons lobbying firm scares me just as much.

The values argument is particularly concerning. We are losing sight of the fact that your "family values" may not be mine. I understood our founding fathers were creating religious freedom, which also includes freedom from religion. We rail when other cultures insist their women must wear clothing that conforms with beliefs we dont understand, yet have no problem wanting to insert intelligent design into our schools or judeo christian values on marriage. Stay out of my life and get back to limited government.

Too many Americans read People Magazine and too few read real news. Democracy is somewhat dependent on an informed public. Last I checked Britney wasn't running for office.

We, the public, don't fight back much anymore. I miss consumer activism...If we don't like the lobbying efforts of a certain group, stop buying their product. If you don't like the negative campaign ads, don't vote for the candidate that used them.

Liberal? Conservative? I don't care which label you choose. And I promise I won't label you. We have got huge problems in this nation that need to be solved if the next generation is to have the same opportunities as we. How about making the solutions our focus, not some dogma that just creates gridlock.

Posted by Mike Neiss at November 11, 2006 6:58 AM

ABC. Thanks Mike for the "activist" vote. I agree 100% more of US MUST make time to get the Designer governance we deserve, pay for and have earned.

It might be as simple as comparing notes with your neighbor about how things are going - I called my neighbor recently - he happens to be the new County sheriff-elect.

I caught him at home at noon - and asked him why he had NOT answered my 4 e-mails [over 1 month time] to his Inbox "... I diplomatically offered that that e-mail account may not have been working for him ...".

He agreed but the tone of his voice told me otherwise - his mistake - my benefit - he owes me and he knows it - some day I may need a favor ... c'est la vie - seems to be how activism and politics works.

'07 for me means get more diplomatically radical - LBJ: once you have them by the balls, their heart and minds will follow. Always be closing [ABC].

Posted by sean_activist at November 11, 2006 12:20 PM

Rod, I re-read the Post, and for the likes of me I can't find my defense of so-called "liberals," whatever that word means. (In fact I thought I went way out of my way to evade the topic.)

My joy from Tuesday is, one hopes/I hope, restoration of checks-and-balances. Even that does not mean "taking sides"--I'm not at all sure how things ought to turn out. I'd just like two sides to issues; among other things, concerning the evaporation of Privacy (always capital P. And to say that sure as hell--despite what Rove has tried to feed us--does nothing to suggest "soft on terrorism." I'm a defense hard-liner, perhaps Joe Lieberman flavor; AND a Privacy fanatic. (All my liberal, whatever that means, friends shudder at myy hawkishness.)

While I personally love every aspect of SF's diversity (eg woman fire chief and woman top cop), that is not the point. If SF is "liberal" (whatever that means), I was mainly pointing out it's a helluva lot more than "liberal." EG home to matchless capitalist-pigism (wealth, financing, entrepreneurs, innovation, research universities). Now I happen to think--as do Florida, Enriquez cited above--that the evidence clearly suggests that Diversity (capital "D") is an invariable correlate of off-the-charts innovation.

canada viagra mastercard

I am hardly endorsing unfettered Pelosi-ism. I am HORRIFIED at her anti-China bias since I believe that open, friendly, minimum trade restrictions between the USA and China are at least as important as sorting out Iraq. And Charles Rangel heading the de-facto free-trade committee makes me quake.

Like most sane people--typically called "the all-important independents"--I feel free to chose from Column A and Column B as I see fit. I surely "admit" to being left of center on so-called "social issues" such as "choice", but near-looney "right" (whatever that means) on any and all economic-trade stuff. Absurdly free trade (starting immeidiately with CAFTA)! Balanced budget! Welcome most every immigrant! (Is that "left" or "right"? Not sure.) Just enough protection of intellectual property to encourage innovation, but not so much as to stifle innovation. Etc. Etc.

Good God, could we lighten up on the bullshit labels, acknowledge that all sane people are mixed bags, and get down to work!

Posted by tom peters at November 11, 2006 4:31 PM

Tom

"Speaker elect" Ms Nancy Pelosi or "San Francisco" as I now know and love her sure has her hands full... Wish I was her campaign manager/political adviser though because I could use her New Brand to great effect... Taglines as good as that do not come along everyday.... Especially ones offered up by your opposition... I know nothing about her but I wish her well.. She will have her hands full reuniting the House if this blog is any guide to just how "divided and disturbed" American politics is right now... Tom "Is it any wonder you are pissed off"? America has to unite and start building for a future that is not dominated by endless wars, civil fear, "name calling", generational/racial/socio-economic based "intolerance", bigotary, etc.. As an "outsider" looking in on America's affairs I see a "long hard road ahead" for all of you. It will take a huge effort to arrest the decline of America... It will take imagination, ideals, a steadfast purpose, generational commitment, and unwavering persistence to build a new America...

Stay well and stay "pissed off" Tom
Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 11, 2006 4:46 PM

Richard - "decline" thinking is easily mistaken - like assuming all Australians MUST be convict descendants. $4B / week for Iraq - stop that & USA is @ fiscal surplus. 20 Million beautiful homogenous bystanders to govern down under is simple & fun in comparison - AND you enforce strategic immigration law - what a concept.

Posted by sean_surplus at November 11, 2006 7:28 PM

Sean

Point taken... Governing the colonies is fun and it is relatively easy... Nevertheless we find ways to be repressive - as you obviously know - and to stuff things up!!!

I also agree with your "stop doing list" for America... Top of list has to be Iraq - already the agenda has shifted in favour of that course of action (given the changing position in the White House) because the American people have voted to end it... Also I agree simplistic comments, generalisations, and stereotyping is worse than useless - I am guilty as charged!!!

But from where I sit I see a very long "stop doing list" for America - the list goes well beyond the fiscal matters you mention... I may be simplistic in my thinking but I suggest to you that if you or your country has a long "stop doing list" and you show little or no real signs of crossing items off the list THEN you and/or your country are definitely in DECLINE...

Thankfully I grew up in, and was fortunate to serve in a very small way, a country that is truly lucky not to have some of the "big issues" America has on its plate... I thank my parents for that..

Thanks for your observations - I will do better in future!!

Cheers
Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 11, 2006 8:29 PM

Thanks Richard - USA issues are so complex/diverse/perverse - remedies escape me - hopefully though '07 is a lucky year for all of us. Defending [Defense Department & Homeland Security Department] the Free World [Free Ride for Australia] Mega Costs tend to marginalize so many USA goals [and values].

And it is no wonder Australia is 3rd best place to live in latest UN evaluation - [Norway #1]. Greg Norman, Nicole Kidman, Elle, Naomi Watts, et al.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228399,00.html

Posted by sean_white_shark at November 12, 2006 11:43 AM

Tom: Living well is the best revenge. When people put down the "granola" state (nothing but nuts, fruits and flakes)smile and say: Opinions vary. If California were to secede from the Union, it would become the 7th (or was it the 5th) most prosperous nation in the world. Chill, Dude. When the fools rant, smile. That means that the SF Bay Area must be doing something RIGHT!
Peace, bro, inside and out! ;-)

Posted by Alex Thomas at November 12, 2006 7:21 PM

This Brit has literally just got back from his first visit to SF (conference last week). I loved it! The people were great. The City is great (one of the few US cities you can actually walk around in) - SF gets my vote

Posted by PaulH at November 13, 2006 4:57 AM