Nerds For Words
Monday, June 11, 2007
Critical Mass
After 8 years in San Francisco, I finally had a run-in with the famous "Critical Mass" bicycle gang. These are devoted environmentalists who, once a month, ride roughshod through the city streets, which draws attention to their cause by snarling up traffic. It's a mild form of civil disobedience that we tolerate during one rush hour per month (a few months ago it became more than mild when these guys violently attacked a minivan with children inside).
Broadly speaking, I believe in their message that we Americans need to control our fossil fuel consumption, be more responsible stewards of the environment, etc., but I was unprepared for just how politically charged these folks are. There were anti-G8 signs. One gentleman at the front of the pack was belting out "we all live in a fascist state" to the tune of Yellow Submarine, complete with profanity (a real class act, this guy). Since I was on foot and they were going bicycle speeds, I didn't get an opportunity to ask anyone for a definition of "Fascist State" in this context. I wanted to express my astonishment of a fascist state that provides taxpayer-funded police escorts for public protests against the government. ¶ 9:45 PM 0 comments
After 8 years in San Francisco, I finally had a run-in with the famous "Critical Mass" bicycle gang. These are devoted environmentalists who, once a month, ride roughshod through the city streets, which draws attention to their cause by snarling up traffic. It's a mild form of civil disobedience that we tolerate during one rush hour per month (a few months ago it became more than mild when these guys violently attacked a minivan with children inside).
Broadly speaking, I believe in their message that we Americans need to control our fossil fuel consumption, be more responsible stewards of the environment, etc., but I was unprepared for just how politically charged these folks are. There were anti-G8 signs. One gentleman at the front of the pack was belting out "we all live in a fascist state" to the tune of Yellow Submarine, complete with profanity (a real class act, this guy). Since I was on foot and they were going bicycle speeds, I didn't get an opportunity to ask anyone for a definition of "Fascist State" in this context. I wanted to express my astonishment of a fascist state that provides taxpayer-funded police escorts for public protests against the government. ¶ 9:45 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Easter Bunny Came to Town
This is our nephew Finny. He's a boy of my own heart, one who knows the value of chocolate. ¶ 12:07 AM 0 comments
This is our nephew Finny. He's a boy of my own heart, one who knows the value of chocolate. ¶ 12:07 AM 0 comments
