Saturday, October 22, 2005
The Mosh Pit Frenzy
By Allison Bloch, Staff Writer
Dark brown hair clings to his forehead. Sweat drips off him. He is now being chased by a security guard.
Earlier the teenage boy had been crashing into the bodies around him, his elbows slashing and bruising in time with the music. He tries to hide behind a big, black speaker that is vibrating in tune with the music playing on stage, but he is too slow.
The guard grabs him and pulls him toward the exit.
The boy escapes. He runs into the crowd, shirtless. The guard chases behind the boy, who is holding his shirt in his right hand.
It is a scene that could happen at any concert. But it's practically a necessity at punk shows, where the crowd and musicians alike have a penchant for extreme dancing.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, moshing is to engage in "uninhibited, often frenzied activities with others near the stage at a rock concert."
Moshing began as a type of dance, but has evolved into bodies crashing into one another and a sea of flailing arms, at times even leading to bruises and broken bones.
So why do it?
Since the early 1990s, moshing has been a way of life for fans who want to physically experience the music. But soon, that way of life may be lost.
Moshing enthusiasts are now left with fewer places to express themselves.
In the past couple of years, many venues in San Francisco have restricted moshing and other violent acts associated with hardcore rock/punk music. While there is no actual law in San Francisco or Oakland to restrict moshing, many clubs enforce this unwritten rule.
Larger venues, such as the Warfield, now post signs and kick people out for any signs of violence. Nationally, many venues began restricting moshing about ten years ago in response to lawsuits.
Early in the mosh scene, a young boy died in a club in New York. The family sued, and in 1996 Rockland County passed anti-moshing legislation.
Crowd Management Strategies, a Chicago-based organization that complies an annual injuries and deaths surveyed from news, police reports, lawsuits, industry sources, and public-information documents, reported 21 deaths, 4567 injuries, 2683 arrests, and about $524,000 in property damage at concerts and festivals in 2002 resulting from moshing.
I am a big music fan. Going to concerts is a way for me to relax and get lost in the music. I'm not one of the crazies who goes and beats people up in the pit, but I respect that some people like to go wild.
Being able to get crazy and lose yourself in the music is what makes the show. It is what creates the atmosphere and what keeps you coming back for more.
No moshing equals no fun. Even though I don't participate in the debauchery I still can sit back and watch, pointing and laughing with my friends. No harm is done.
Except when people take it too far.
I was talking to one of my teachers a while ago. She focuses on American culture, primarily with the trends of music. As we sat in her office, her Donnie Darko poster on the wall and her collection of CDs lining her bookcase, she just shook her head in sadness about the state of moshing.
She told me of a time when moshing wasn't about hitting and hurting people, but expressing yourself. This was true especially for the people who couldn't really dance.
It was a way to feel the music and experience what the musicians were feeling. More importantly, it was used to pump them up as well.
She let me borrow a Morrissey concert video she had, one that she treasured. She explained to me what was on the tape was hardcore moshing, the type of moshing that would get you kicked out of venues like the Warfield.
Watching tape made me laugh, just like how laugh when I watch the little 16-year-olds mosh at the punk shows.
Dark brown hair clings to his forehead. Sweat drips off him. He is now being chased by a security guard.
Earlier the teenage boy had been crashing into the bodies around him, his elbows slashing and bruising in time with the music. He tries to hide behind a big, black speaker that is vibrating in tune with the music playing on stage, but he is too slow.
The guard grabs him and pulls him toward the exit.
The boy escapes. He runs into the crowd, shirtless. The guard chases behind the boy, who is holding his shirt in his right hand.
It is a scene that could happen at any concert. But it's practically a necessity at punk shows, where the crowd and musicians alike have a penchant for extreme dancing.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, moshing is to engage in "uninhibited, often frenzied activities with others near the stage at a rock concert."
Moshing began as a type of dance, but has evolved into bodies crashing into one another and a sea of flailing arms, at times even leading to bruises and broken bones.
So why do it?
Since the early 1990s, moshing has been a way of life for fans who want to physically experience the music. But soon, that way of life may be lost.
Moshing enthusiasts are now left with fewer places to express themselves.
In the past couple of years, many venues in San Francisco have restricted moshing and other violent acts associated with hardcore rock/punk music. While there is no actual law in San Francisco or Oakland to restrict moshing, many clubs enforce this unwritten rule.
Larger venues, such as the Warfield, now post signs and kick people out for any signs of violence. Nationally, many venues began restricting moshing about ten years ago in response to lawsuits.
Early in the mosh scene, a young boy died in a club in New York. The family sued, and in 1996 Rockland County passed anti-moshing legislation.
Crowd Management Strategies, a Chicago-based organization that complies an annual injuries and deaths surveyed from news, police reports, lawsuits, industry sources, and public-information documents, reported 21 deaths, 4567 injuries, 2683 arrests, and about $524,000 in property damage at concerts and festivals in 2002 resulting from moshing.
I am a big music fan. Going to concerts is a way for me to relax and get lost in the music. I'm not one of the crazies who goes and beats people up in the pit, but I respect that some people like to go wild.
Being able to get crazy and lose yourself in the music is what makes the show. It is what creates the atmosphere and what keeps you coming back for more.
No moshing equals no fun. Even though I don't participate in the debauchery I still can sit back and watch, pointing and laughing with my friends. No harm is done.
Except when people take it too far.
I was talking to one of my teachers a while ago. She focuses on American culture, primarily with the trends of music. As we sat in her office, her Donnie Darko poster on the wall and her collection of CDs lining her bookcase, she just shook her head in sadness about the state of moshing.
She told me of a time when moshing wasn't about hitting and hurting people, but expressing yourself. This was true especially for the people who couldn't really dance.
It was a way to feel the music and experience what the musicians were feeling. More importantly, it was used to pump them up as well.
She let me borrow a Morrissey concert video she had, one that she treasured. She explained to me what was on the tape was hardcore moshing, the type of moshing that would get you kicked out of venues like the Warfield.
Watching tape made me laugh, just like how laugh when I watch the little 16-year-olds mosh at the punk shows.
The Balancing of America
By Shaun Nichols, Staff Writer
With fair taxes, fair schooling, and fair news, America seems to be caught up in a fairness craze. Everything must be balanced and weighted according to the prevailing ideas of what statement is equal to what counterstatement.
TV pundits are being brought in two at a time so that what's crazy and unrealistic on the right can be counteracted by what's crazy and unrealistic on the left. Organizations have been established as self-proclaimed "watchdog groups" to monitor and ensure that classes give balanced curriculum. Lawmakers have begun a push to make the tax system fair, ensuring all Americans are to pay the same rate in income taxes, not holding the wealthy to give a larger share of what they make than teh rest of the country.
Well if the tide in America is shifting toward fairness, I'd better start swimming before I sink like a stone. The times are changing.
I hereby suggest the following four-point plan be taken to make America more fair.
1. The fair tax of 12 percent will be imposed on all Americans, so that everyone pays the same amount of their income to taxes. This will be accompanied by fair rent, fair gas, and fair grocery rates to be adjusted according to a percentage of the person's income. Thanks for the great idea, Mr. Forves. I'll be paying that $2.50 cable bill ASAP.
2. The inherent bias in college curriculum will hereby be banished. No longer will teachers be able to discriminate against those of us that don't know the answers. Hell, it's only your opinion that an essay on J. D. Salinger's use of metaphor can't include a half-page on why I think burritos are good. You can't discriminate against me just because I don't give a rat's ass; we're living in a fair society now.
3. In order to correct a cosmetic bias on Fox's Hannity and Colmes talk show, conservative pundit Sean Hannity will have his face beaten into deformity so that his physical appearance is equal to that of left-wing counterpart Alan "Frogman" Colmes. This facial de-biasing will be carried with a perfectly balanced 2x4 over the course of several hours by a panel of politically moderate bar bouncers paying close attention to providing an equal number of blows to both the right and left side of his skull.
4. Entitlement programs, such as affirmative action, will be suspended. Furthermore, a 100 percent death tax will be imposed, with a person's entire net worth upon their death going into ensuring that funding, class density, and test-performance in inner-city schools equals that of any suburban school. Hey, thisis the new "fair" America. Nobody's entitled to anything just because of where they were born, right?
Though these are just a few suggestions, and the unbalances in our socity are many, I feel they will provide just a little more fairness to this biased society of ours. Well, that's just my fair share of input, I guess.
With fair taxes, fair schooling, and fair news, America seems to be caught up in a fairness craze. Everything must be balanced and weighted according to the prevailing ideas of what statement is equal to what counterstatement.
TV pundits are being brought in two at a time so that what's crazy and unrealistic on the right can be counteracted by what's crazy and unrealistic on the left. Organizations have been established as self-proclaimed "watchdog groups" to monitor and ensure that classes give balanced curriculum. Lawmakers have begun a push to make the tax system fair, ensuring all Americans are to pay the same rate in income taxes, not holding the wealthy to give a larger share of what they make than teh rest of the country.
Well if the tide in America is shifting toward fairness, I'd better start swimming before I sink like a stone. The times are changing.
I hereby suggest the following four-point plan be taken to make America more fair.
1. The fair tax of 12 percent will be imposed on all Americans, so that everyone pays the same amount of their income to taxes. This will be accompanied by fair rent, fair gas, and fair grocery rates to be adjusted according to a percentage of the person's income. Thanks for the great idea, Mr. Forves. I'll be paying that $2.50 cable bill ASAP.
2. The inherent bias in college curriculum will hereby be banished. No longer will teachers be able to discriminate against those of us that don't know the answers. Hell, it's only your opinion that an essay on J. D. Salinger's use of metaphor can't include a half-page on why I think burritos are good. You can't discriminate against me just because I don't give a rat's ass; we're living in a fair society now.
3. In order to correct a cosmetic bias on Fox's Hannity and Colmes talk show, conservative pundit Sean Hannity will have his face beaten into deformity so that his physical appearance is equal to that of left-wing counterpart Alan "Frogman" Colmes. This facial de-biasing will be carried with a perfectly balanced 2x4 over the course of several hours by a panel of politically moderate bar bouncers paying close attention to providing an equal number of blows to both the right and left side of his skull.
4. Entitlement programs, such as affirmative action, will be suspended. Furthermore, a 100 percent death tax will be imposed, with a person's entire net worth upon their death going into ensuring that funding, class density, and test-performance in inner-city schools equals that of any suburban school. Hey, thisis the new "fair" America. Nobody's entitled to anything just because of where they were born, right?
Though these are just a few suggestions, and the unbalances in our socity are many, I feel they will provide just a little more fairness to this biased society of ours. Well, that's just my fair share of input, I guess.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Myspace vs Real World
By Allison Bloch, Staff Writer
Okay, I’ll admit I use Myspace. But I’m not alone.
I’m currently number 33, 007, 660 in Myspace land. And there’s still more
coming. People all over the world are logging in daily to Myspace. So I’m not
the only loser out there.
But, is this really a good thing?
Myspace is taking over. From meeting new friends to interviewing people to
now meeting the “one”- all with a click of the mouse.
You now never have to leave the four walls and your comfy bed in your home to meet new people. It’s now the lazy era, live it up- or should I say, live it down?
Remember the days where we would make fun of personal ads? Similar to
the side splitting personal ads on TV- you know what I’m talking about, the 800 numbers with the scantily clad women asking for you to call them. Then there even was a “hilarious” (please note the quotation marks) movie about the subject called “Desperately Seeking Susan” (go 80s Madonna!). My friends and I would laugh at the lame personals in the newspapers.
Now, my friends are writing those ads themselves- just in Myspace.
Somehow, Myspace made blind dating “hip.” All the “cool” kids are doing it. It’s the new drug, why don’t you try it?
I have a friend who likes to go “boy shopping” through Myspace. Sadly, I must admit I got her hooked on Myspace, and I regret it to this very day.
Every day she checks her messages/account to see if someone new sent her a message.
Granted I do the same thing, but still. I’m not talking about myself. So far,
she has met her last three boyfriends, and counting, through Myspace.
You can go on Myspace and look her up there.
I did an experiment last week with Myspace dating, My friend Lina and I
were talking about hot new trend of dating through Myspace. I wondered how many responses I would get if I posted a classified on Myspace. So I did it.
Within three days I received 28 responses and over 400 new hits to my Myspace account.
Damn, I’m hot shit. Oh yeah.
What’s next? Are we going to be having sex virtually (some call this
cyber sex), falling in love online or getting married through the
net?
Nothing is safe. Nothing.
Now let me go post this link on my Myspace.
Okay, I’ll admit I use Myspace. But I’m not alone.
I’m currently number 33, 007, 660 in Myspace land. And there’s still more
coming. People all over the world are logging in daily to Myspace. So I’m not
the only loser out there.
But, is this really a good thing?
Myspace is taking over. From meeting new friends to interviewing people to
now meeting the “one”- all with a click of the mouse.
You now never have to leave the four walls and your comfy bed in your home to meet new people. It’s now the lazy era, live it up- or should I say, live it down?
Remember the days where we would make fun of personal ads? Similar to
the side splitting personal ads on TV- you know what I’m talking about, the 800 numbers with the scantily clad women asking for you to call them. Then there even was a “hilarious” (please note the quotation marks) movie about the subject called “Desperately Seeking Susan” (go 80s Madonna!). My friends and I would laugh at the lame personals in the newspapers.
Now, my friends are writing those ads themselves- just in Myspace.
Somehow, Myspace made blind dating “hip.” All the “cool” kids are doing it. It’s the new drug, why don’t you try it?
I have a friend who likes to go “boy shopping” through Myspace. Sadly, I must admit I got her hooked on Myspace, and I regret it to this very day.
Every day she checks her messages/account to see if someone new sent her a message.
Granted I do the same thing, but still. I’m not talking about myself. So far,
she has met her last three boyfriends, and counting, through Myspace.
You can go on Myspace and look her up there.
I did an experiment last week with Myspace dating, My friend Lina and I
were talking about hot new trend of dating through Myspace. I wondered how many responses I would get if I posted a classified on Myspace. So I did it.
Within three days I received 28 responses and over 400 new hits to my Myspace account.
Damn, I’m hot shit. Oh yeah.
What’s next? Are we going to be having sex virtually (some call this
cyber sex), falling in love online or getting married through the
net?
Nothing is safe. Nothing.
Now let me go post this link on my Myspace.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Don't Judge Me for Being Un-American
By Amelia Gravagno, Staff Writer
What I am about to admit will make me a pariah on campus, so if you see me walking to class, please refrain from throwing soda cans and rotten tomatoes.
I do not vote.
I have actually never voted. In the four years that I have been a legal adult and been able to make my contribution to the system whenever there has been a presidential election, a gubernatorial election, and countless propositions on the ballot, I missed every single one of them.
And when I say miss, I don't mean I forgot or was out of town that day. I made a conscious effort not to exercise my rights as an American.
Yes I am a registered member of the apathy party. How many of you out there hate my guts right now?
And let me state, remaining apathetic on this campus has been quite a chore. All day long I have to dodge members of the republicans, the democrats, the Palestinians, the Israelis, M.E.C.H.A. , the socialists, Students Against War, and about a million others.
I find it hilarious that every organization is convinced that their cause is the most valid, that their point of vciew is the one we should all subscribe to, and the guys at the table next to them shoujld just rot in hell.
I'm getting tired of being yelled at for not signing a petition, or not grabbing a flyer I know I will just throw away in two seconds.
Hey, me not taking the paper just saved a rainforest somewhere.
Contrary to popular belief, it's not that I don't care about starving children, genocide, or whether or not our president is in fact Satan incarnate. I just don't think arguing about it for hours on end is going to change the situation.
A riot in the quad certainly won't make Bush pull out of Iraq, no matter how clever the signs and chants are. It's not something I'm passionate about, and I'm not about to fake it just because a cause is trendy.
I, unlike seemlingly every other student at SF State, did not become uber political the second I stepped into Malcom X Plaza. I was apathetic when i arrived and remain so to the disgust of both liberal and conservative friends.
I guess I just don't understand the point of detesting someone just because they have a different political affiliation than me. As for not voting, maybe part of it is out of laziness. I don't feel right about putting in my two cents on an issue I know nothing about, yet I don't really do all that much to educate myself.
Now I just need to figure out how to spin the next time my parents get on my case for being "un-American."
What I am about to admit will make me a pariah on campus, so if you see me walking to class, please refrain from throwing soda cans and rotten tomatoes.
I do not vote.
I have actually never voted. In the four years that I have been a legal adult and been able to make my contribution to the system whenever there has been a presidential election, a gubernatorial election, and countless propositions on the ballot, I missed every single one of them.
And when I say miss, I don't mean I forgot or was out of town that day. I made a conscious effort not to exercise my rights as an American.
Yes I am a registered member of the apathy party. How many of you out there hate my guts right now?
And let me state, remaining apathetic on this campus has been quite a chore. All day long I have to dodge members of the republicans, the democrats, the Palestinians, the Israelis, M.E.C.H.A. , the socialists, Students Against War, and about a million others.
I find it hilarious that every organization is convinced that their cause is the most valid, that their point of vciew is the one we should all subscribe to, and the guys at the table next to them shoujld just rot in hell.
I'm getting tired of being yelled at for not signing a petition, or not grabbing a flyer I know I will just throw away in two seconds.
Hey, me not taking the paper just saved a rainforest somewhere.
Contrary to popular belief, it's not that I don't care about starving children, genocide, or whether or not our president is in fact Satan incarnate. I just don't think arguing about it for hours on end is going to change the situation.
A riot in the quad certainly won't make Bush pull out of Iraq, no matter how clever the signs and chants are. It's not something I'm passionate about, and I'm not about to fake it just because a cause is trendy.
I, unlike seemlingly every other student at SF State, did not become uber political the second I stepped into Malcom X Plaza. I was apathetic when i arrived and remain so to the disgust of both liberal and conservative friends.
I guess I just don't understand the point of detesting someone just because they have a different political affiliation than me. As for not voting, maybe part of it is out of laziness. I don't feel right about putting in my two cents on an issue I know nothing about, yet I don't really do all that much to educate myself.
Now I just need to figure out how to spin the next time my parents get on my case for being "un-American."
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Minority Views Suppressed at SF State
By Marcelina Blea, Staff Writer
Welcome to SF State University, considered one of the more liberal colleges in America. However, once arriving here, a student will find out SF State leans towards the conservative side.
Recently Champlain College in Burlington, located in Vermont, dealt with a controversy surrounding its annual “Black and White” ball. One student complained about the possibly racial slant in the name, when the name actually refers to the ball’s attire.
In response, Mike S. Adams wrote on townhall.com, a mock letter of response to the offended student, where he states “If any of this is a problem, you are free to transfer to U.C. Berkeley, Brown, Princeton, or San Francisco State University.,”
Why? Has Mr. Adams been to SF State? Where does his idea we are liberal come from? Mr. Adams himself has gone back and forth between being Democratic and Republican.
Attending SF State has been one disappointment after another. The biggest being most students are not willing to, even listen (forget about accepting), views of pro-war and pro-Bush students.
The 2004-05 academic year saw students protesting Army recruiters and the on-campus Republican club being hassled for tableing. This year, only a reported three Republicans attended the anti-war rally.
Students of minority views are being discouraged from discussing their views, myself included. Imposing on others rights and freedom of speech is not liberal at all.
The Democrats and Socialists are free to stand in the quad, to shout their ideas at me, while I get to scurry safely out of earshot.
I just ask for the SF State student body to be more open to listening the minority opinions of others. This includes ditching stereotypes of Democrats and Republicans. I would like to go one week without hearing an Anti-Bush statement.
Now 2004 has past, everyone has forgotten about John Kerry. Being anti-Bush is just another trend I can’t wait to see pass. People will continue to bash whomever is elected in 2006, no matter who it is.
I don’t consider myself to be political. I am only registered Green Party, because as supposed tree lovers they won’t send you any junk mail.
And yes, I did vote for Bush. Twice. This makes me homophobic, right? Although, I am not. I’ve attended Gay Pride for the last three years and volunteered with the Human Rights Campaign.
Thank goodness, graduation is coming soon, that is if I don’t get attack by the Socialist club first.
Welcome to SF State University, considered one of the more liberal colleges in America. However, once arriving here, a student will find out SF State leans towards the conservative side.
Recently Champlain College in Burlington, located in Vermont, dealt with a controversy surrounding its annual “Black and White” ball. One student complained about the possibly racial slant in the name, when the name actually refers to the ball’s attire.
In response, Mike S. Adams wrote on townhall.com, a mock letter of response to the offended student, where he states “If any of this is a problem, you are free to transfer to U.C. Berkeley, Brown, Princeton, or San Francisco State University.,”
Why? Has Mr. Adams been to SF State? Where does his idea we are liberal come from? Mr. Adams himself has gone back and forth between being Democratic and Republican.
Attending SF State has been one disappointment after another. The biggest being most students are not willing to, even listen (forget about accepting), views of pro-war and pro-Bush students.
The 2004-05 academic year saw students protesting Army recruiters and the on-campus Republican club being hassled for tableing. This year, only a reported three Republicans attended the anti-war rally.
Students of minority views are being discouraged from discussing their views, myself included. Imposing on others rights and freedom of speech is not liberal at all.
The Democrats and Socialists are free to stand in the quad, to shout their ideas at me, while I get to scurry safely out of earshot.
I just ask for the SF State student body to be more open to listening the minority opinions of others. This includes ditching stereotypes of Democrats and Republicans. I would like to go one week without hearing an Anti-Bush statement.
Now 2004 has past, everyone has forgotten about John Kerry. Being anti-Bush is just another trend I can’t wait to see pass. People will continue to bash whomever is elected in 2006, no matter who it is.
I don’t consider myself to be political. I am only registered Green Party, because as supposed tree lovers they won’t send you any junk mail.
And yes, I did vote for Bush. Twice. This makes me homophobic, right? Although, I am not. I’ve attended Gay Pride for the last three years and volunteered with the Human Rights Campaign.
Thank goodness, graduation is coming soon, that is if I don’t get attack by the Socialist club first.
Friday, October 07, 2005
San Francisco Used as the Golfer's Playground
By Marcelina Blea, Staff Writer
Last week San Francisco saw Johnny Mosely use the City for his birthday, holding the Icer Competition at Fillmore and Vallejo Streets.
Now, this week the whole world is here, using San Francisco as their playground.
With the backed up traffic along Sunset and Lake Merced Boulevard, it’s impossible to not notice the PGA World Golf Championship taking place across the street from SF State at Harding Golf Course, causing traffic frustration.
Monday morning, as I drove along Sunset to SF State, I got caught up in a traffic jam. The normally three lanes wide Sunset was limited down to one lane, on both sides, beginning near Quintara Street. I thought I was stuck in a funeral procession. There were about nine tour busses parked along Sunset, coincidently parked adjacent to a Church.
“Damn, who died,” I wondered.
Plenty of cops were out directing traffic. Then it dawned on me, as I came around Lake Merced to see the peaks of white tents on the golf course. The world isn’t coming to an end. It’s just coming to the PGA World Golf Championships.
A big orange sign near the Irving and Sunset displayed which items were allowed into the tournament and which items were not allowed. Driving along Sunset now feels as if I’m entering the Shoreline Amphitheatre. But this shoreline is our backyard.
I’ll admit I’m not the biggest golf fan. I’m barely tall enough to go miniature golfing. But must the PGA put SF State at an inconvenience?
Parking along Lake Merced, near the tournament entrance, is reserved for tour buses. Forget that Lake Merced Boulevard is where countless students living on campus park.
John Muir was blocked off at both ends, shutting out possible residents and through traffic. All so some big time golfers can have their tournament. These golfers get so many perks; maybe they can donate some cash to SF State.
Lot 25 is charging $25 for daily PGA parking. Kudos to SF State for quickly responding to the anticipated traffic and parking issues. They did send out a campus wide email letting students and staff know we will get parking priority in our SF State owned lots. There will be no PGA parking in Lot 20. Whew.
Even, the zoo is getting in on the act. They’re charging $20 for daily PGA parking.
However, there is one good thing to come out of the PGA tournament. The City has nicely landscaped the surrounding area of Harding Gold Course, from Great Highway (as if it’s not pretty enough), along John Muir and around Lake Merced Boulevard. I’ve never seen city workers finish a project so fast. Almost 16 years later, we’re still waiting for the Bay Bridge to be rebuilt.
Planning for the Championships began months ago, and the green signs directing attendees to parking lots were posted weeks ago.
I guess maybe next time I’ll start paying closer attention.
Last week San Francisco saw Johnny Mosely use the City for his birthday, holding the Icer Competition at Fillmore and Vallejo Streets.
Now, this week the whole world is here, using San Francisco as their playground.
With the backed up traffic along Sunset and Lake Merced Boulevard, it’s impossible to not notice the PGA World Golf Championship taking place across the street from SF State at Harding Golf Course, causing traffic frustration.
Monday morning, as I drove along Sunset to SF State, I got caught up in a traffic jam. The normally three lanes wide Sunset was limited down to one lane, on both sides, beginning near Quintara Street. I thought I was stuck in a funeral procession. There were about nine tour busses parked along Sunset, coincidently parked adjacent to a Church.
“Damn, who died,” I wondered.
Plenty of cops were out directing traffic. Then it dawned on me, as I came around Lake Merced to see the peaks of white tents on the golf course. The world isn’t coming to an end. It’s just coming to the PGA World Golf Championships.
A big orange sign near the Irving and Sunset displayed which items were allowed into the tournament and which items were not allowed. Driving along Sunset now feels as if I’m entering the Shoreline Amphitheatre. But this shoreline is our backyard.
I’ll admit I’m not the biggest golf fan. I’m barely tall enough to go miniature golfing. But must the PGA put SF State at an inconvenience?
Parking along Lake Merced, near the tournament entrance, is reserved for tour buses. Forget that Lake Merced Boulevard is where countless students living on campus park.
John Muir was blocked off at both ends, shutting out possible residents and through traffic. All so some big time golfers can have their tournament. These golfers get so many perks; maybe they can donate some cash to SF State.
Lot 25 is charging $25 for daily PGA parking. Kudos to SF State for quickly responding to the anticipated traffic and parking issues. They did send out a campus wide email letting students and staff know we will get parking priority in our SF State owned lots. There will be no PGA parking in Lot 20. Whew.
Even, the zoo is getting in on the act. They’re charging $20 for daily PGA parking.
However, there is one good thing to come out of the PGA tournament. The City has nicely landscaped the surrounding area of Harding Gold Course, from Great Highway (as if it’s not pretty enough), along John Muir and around Lake Merced Boulevard. I’ve never seen city workers finish a project so fast. Almost 16 years later, we’re still waiting for the Bay Bridge to be rebuilt.
Planning for the Championships began months ago, and the green signs directing attendees to parking lots were posted weeks ago.
I guess maybe next time I’ll start paying closer attention.
Mainstream Journalists are Chicken Shit Conformists
By Florence Brown, Staff Writer
Until today, it was eerily quiet in the United States. We held our breaths after London, Madrid and Bali wondering the same unspoken and maybe subconscious question: why not us?
At the risk of sounding morbid, I was almost relieved that there was a scare today in New York. Not because I'd ever wish harm or fear on any American citizen, but because it broke up the stillness of our collective waiting, because it proved that we really are paying attention to national security.
The relative quiet from terrorist threats in the United States might be chalked up to a few serious and not so-serious factors. Maybe some superior being decided "Damn, y'all have had enough to deal with this year". Maybe our intelligence agencies are doing their jobs properly. Maybe our finger pointing, witch-hunting and hand wringing has paid off in a roundabout way.
Or has it?
If the terrorists' goal was to disrupt our way of life, then bravisimo, you bastards. At this very moment the NYPD is scouring New York City's subway system checking strollers, purses, and backpacks one by one while I'm sure many folks are thinking "Well screw that, I'm walking my happy ass to work". And if you're of Arab descent (which could mean anything from Moroccan to Egyptian to Iraqi as far as the authorities are concerned), you're in for quite a ride if you choose to take the subway to work this week.
The intelligence report read that between 12 and 20 people are rumored to meet today, some from Iraq and others already living in New York. So basically, if you wear hijab or a galabya today (which is more likely since this happens to be Ramadan), you're fucked. And my deepest sympathy goes to you.
But you won't hear the voices of people who get "a little" extra harassment today - not from the New York Times and certainly not on broadcast media. In journalists' attempts to be "fair and balanced", we'll avoid asking people the questions that need to be addressed. We'll talk to local officials about safety precautions and we'll ask Average Joe if he feels safer riding on the subway today, but we won't ask Palestinians or Persians how their commute went this morning because we want to believe we're doing the country a service by avoiding their discomfort.
Fuck that. Give me a mike and a camera, I'll ask. I'm so tired of knowing that my friends, classmates and colleagues of Arab descent are living their lives in fear, silently, because mainstream journalists are too chicken shit to begin a discourse about that fear. Independent media is probably covering it somewhere on some magazine or radio station, but is it even fringing the consciousness of the oh-so-socially-conscious members of Delta Delta Delta at the University of Texas? Not likely, unless Kanye West has made a rap about it it.
Figure it out, media, and when you do maybe I won't have to keep defending myself in my classes
Until today, it was eerily quiet in the United States. We held our breaths after London, Madrid and Bali wondering the same unspoken and maybe subconscious question: why not us?
At the risk of sounding morbid, I was almost relieved that there was a scare today in New York. Not because I'd ever wish harm or fear on any American citizen, but because it broke up the stillness of our collective waiting, because it proved that we really are paying attention to national security.
The relative quiet from terrorist threats in the United States might be chalked up to a few serious and not so-serious factors. Maybe some superior being decided "Damn, y'all have had enough to deal with this year". Maybe our intelligence agencies are doing their jobs properly. Maybe our finger pointing, witch-hunting and hand wringing has paid off in a roundabout way.
Or has it?
If the terrorists' goal was to disrupt our way of life, then bravisimo, you bastards. At this very moment the NYPD is scouring New York City's subway system checking strollers, purses, and backpacks one by one while I'm sure many folks are thinking "Well screw that, I'm walking my happy ass to work". And if you're of Arab descent (which could mean anything from Moroccan to Egyptian to Iraqi as far as the authorities are concerned), you're in for quite a ride if you choose to take the subway to work this week.
The intelligence report read that between 12 and 20 people are rumored to meet today, some from Iraq and others already living in New York. So basically, if you wear hijab or a galabya today (which is more likely since this happens to be Ramadan), you're fucked. And my deepest sympathy goes to you.
But you won't hear the voices of people who get "a little" extra harassment today - not from the New York Times and certainly not on broadcast media. In journalists' attempts to be "fair and balanced", we'll avoid asking people the questions that need to be addressed. We'll talk to local officials about safety precautions and we'll ask Average Joe if he feels safer riding on the subway today, but we won't ask Palestinians or Persians how their commute went this morning because we want to believe we're doing the country a service by avoiding their discomfort.
Fuck that. Give me a mike and a camera, I'll ask. I'm so tired of knowing that my friends, classmates and colleagues of Arab descent are living their lives in fear, silently, because mainstream journalists are too chicken shit to begin a discourse about that fear. Independent media is probably covering it somewhere on some magazine or radio station, but is it even fringing the consciousness of the oh-so-socially-conscious members of Delta Delta Delta at the University of Texas? Not likely, unless Kanye West has made a rap about it it.
Figure it out, media, and when you do maybe I won't have to keep defending myself in my classes
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Terrorism Accepted as "Part of Life"
By Angela Generoso, Online Managing Editor
Residents and Tourists in Bali are claiming they have accepted terrorism as a 'part of life', and are trying not to live in fear of future attacks, according to SFgate.com.
I don't know what bothers me more: The fact that terrorists are targeting gorgeous tropical vacation spots in their attacks, or that the people are accepting it into their lives. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
When I was a kid I remember reading about Bali in National Geographic. The article described the island as one of the ten most beautiful places on Earth.
Reading the stories following Saturday's bombing this week has left me sad...mostly because since we are in the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim population of Indonesia finds Bali's party atmosphere offensive.
What about Vegas? Or Ibiza? Or Buenos Aires? There are tons of cities with offensive party atmospheres.
Now security is to be heightened, police control is to be stricter, and life in general will be a little bit harder for the Balinese.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I remember seeing my first bullet-proof window at Taco Bell. The first thing that went through my mind was that there isn't really a reason for bullet-proof glass to be up in a Taco Bell...it wasn't a bank. There couldn't have been more than $400 in cash in the safe.
What were they going to rob them for? Steak Gorditas?
Was that Taco Bell's way of saying violence was accepted, and we weren't going to live in fear, but now we're prepared just in case it happens?
Like the Balinese, I don't want to live in fear, and I understand times are changing...dangerous situations are far more prevalent now than they were a decade ago.
But I just cannot see terrorism as "part of life." Life is too short for that sort of idealism.
Residents and Tourists in Bali are claiming they have accepted terrorism as a 'part of life', and are trying not to live in fear of future attacks, according to SFgate.com.
I don't know what bothers me more: The fact that terrorists are targeting gorgeous tropical vacation spots in their attacks, or that the people are accepting it into their lives. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
When I was a kid I remember reading about Bali in National Geographic. The article described the island as one of the ten most beautiful places on Earth.
Reading the stories following Saturday's bombing this week has left me sad...mostly because since we are in the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim population of Indonesia finds Bali's party atmosphere offensive.
What about Vegas? Or Ibiza? Or Buenos Aires? There are tons of cities with offensive party atmospheres.
Now security is to be heightened, police control is to be stricter, and life in general will be a little bit harder for the Balinese.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I remember seeing my first bullet-proof window at Taco Bell. The first thing that went through my mind was that there isn't really a reason for bullet-proof glass to be up in a Taco Bell...it wasn't a bank. There couldn't have been more than $400 in cash in the safe.
What were they going to rob them for? Steak Gorditas?
Was that Taco Bell's way of saying violence was accepted, and we weren't going to live in fear, but now we're prepared just in case it happens?
Like the Balinese, I don't want to live in fear, and I understand times are changing...dangerous situations are far more prevalent now than they were a decade ago.
But I just cannot see terrorism as "part of life." Life is too short for that sort of idealism.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Parents at Folsom Street Fair Should Have Hired a Babysitter
By Katherine Ambellan, Staff Writer
Whatever turns you on man, that’s all I gotta say.
So when I was at the Folsom Street Fair, it wasn’t the wieners and floppy vaginas that bothered me the most.
It was the unfit parents that brought their children to the Penis Parade 2005.
The Folsom Street Fair is an inappropriate place to take your children. And fuck you if you did. What types of values are you trying to teach your kids?
I don't care how "progressive" you are. Children don't need to see that. It's sick and it's walking child porn for all the exhibitionists who are getting slapped and caressing their balls.
It wasn't the naked man in the skull mask rubbing one out for the circle that had formulated around him that made me nauseous. It was the mother that was watching with a five-year-old child in a stroller. I admit, I watched for a minute, but I wonder if she stayed to see the climax.
I just think that when you bring a child that is anywhere from four to eight years old to a sex event, it sends the wrong message. You're saying it is totally alright to whip out your genitalia in public and touch yourself. In fact in any other city doing so would be illegal. It's called indecent exposure. Let us not forget Pee Wee Herman.
Hairy asses being slapped by fat, ugly dominatrix women and skinny men being dragged on a leash like dogs sounds like a great party for my kids! Screw Disneyland and the Cole Valley Street Fair!
I am appalled by the ignorance of parents who brought their kids. Hopefully at this year's fair they picked up some free condoms and stopped having kids to corrupt.
See related story at The Golden Gate [X]Press Online
Whatever turns you on man, that’s all I gotta say.
So when I was at the Folsom Street Fair, it wasn’t the wieners and floppy vaginas that bothered me the most.
It was the unfit parents that brought their children to the Penis Parade 2005.
The Folsom Street Fair is an inappropriate place to take your children. And fuck you if you did. What types of values are you trying to teach your kids?
I don't care how "progressive" you are. Children don't need to see that. It's sick and it's walking child porn for all the exhibitionists who are getting slapped and caressing their balls.
It wasn't the naked man in the skull mask rubbing one out for the circle that had formulated around him that made me nauseous. It was the mother that was watching with a five-year-old child in a stroller. I admit, I watched for a minute, but I wonder if she stayed to see the climax.
I just think that when you bring a child that is anywhere from four to eight years old to a sex event, it sends the wrong message. You're saying it is totally alright to whip out your genitalia in public and touch yourself. In fact in any other city doing so would be illegal. It's called indecent exposure. Let us not forget Pee Wee Herman.
Hairy asses being slapped by fat, ugly dominatrix women and skinny men being dragged on a leash like dogs sounds like a great party for my kids! Screw Disneyland and the Cole Valley Street Fair!
I am appalled by the ignorance of parents who brought their kids. Hopefully at this year's fair they picked up some free condoms and stopped having kids to corrupt.
See related story at The Golden Gate [X]Press Online
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Love Parade Brings Too Many Underage Participants
By Allison Bloch, Staff Writer
Standing on the jam-packed Muni car last Saturday made me wonder where the party was. As I got off at Van Ness Station and my friend and I walked in the hot sun, we soon discovered what the commotion was all about.
It was the love parade.
I think I got a contact high just from walking around the street. And on top of that, i saw many exposed men. Not more than at the Folsom Street Fair or Halloween in the Castro, but it was still more penises than I expected to see.
The fascinating part about the Love Parade was it brought in many children and babies as well. One awesome aspect of the parade was the playground in front of City Hall in which presented a sign that read, "No Adults. Just Kids."
Playing in the playground were some children decked out in rave gear, giggling while the music played on.
I don't understand why parents bring their children to these events.
When I was growing up, my parents didn't hide sexuality from me, but then again they didn't have it put right in front of my face on a Saturday afternoon either. It makes me think what I woul ddo if I had children.
Who in their right mind would take their young child to events like the Love Parade or Folsom Street Fair? It would be one thing if parents took their children to these events to show them the diverse lifestyle San Francisco has to offer. But where does one draw the line?
Next, are parents going to take their kids to porn shops and strip clubs?
It almost makes me sad that my parents sheltered me a bit.
Maybe if they hadn’t, I could have gone to the Love Parade at age four and seen my first penis.
See related story at The Golden Gate [X]Press Online
Standing on the jam-packed Muni car last Saturday made me wonder where the party was. As I got off at Van Ness Station and my friend and I walked in the hot sun, we soon discovered what the commotion was all about.
It was the love parade.
I think I got a contact high just from walking around the street. And on top of that, i saw many exposed men. Not more than at the Folsom Street Fair or Halloween in the Castro, but it was still more penises than I expected to see.
The fascinating part about the Love Parade was it brought in many children and babies as well. One awesome aspect of the parade was the playground in front of City Hall in which presented a sign that read, "No Adults. Just Kids."
Playing in the playground were some children decked out in rave gear, giggling while the music played on.
I don't understand why parents bring their children to these events.
When I was growing up, my parents didn't hide sexuality from me, but then again they didn't have it put right in front of my face on a Saturday afternoon either. It makes me think what I woul ddo if I had children.
Who in their right mind would take their young child to events like the Love Parade or Folsom Street Fair? It would be one thing if parents took their children to these events to show them the diverse lifestyle San Francisco has to offer. But where does one draw the line?
Next, are parents going to take their kids to porn shops and strip clubs?
It almost makes me sad that my parents sheltered me a bit.
Maybe if they hadn’t, I could have gone to the Love Parade at age four and seen my first penis.
See related story at The Golden Gate [X]Press Online