10 Dec 2003
Only in San Francisco

Only in San Francisco ...

In a city famous for its liberal politics, Newsom -- who is for abortion rights, gay marriage, gun control, rent control and against the death penalty -- was challenged not from the right, but from the left, by Matt Gonzalez, a member of the Green Party, who wants to let non-citizens vote in school board elections and harness tidal energy...

One issue of contention between the two was Newsom's sponsorship of a ballot initiatives that would ban aggressive panhandling and end cash assistance to the homeless. Gonzalez had charged that those initiatives show he is too conservative and too closely tied to the business community.

[from CNN: Newsom to succeed Brown in San Francisco]

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Depressed

A very depressing day ... rain, rain and more rain - kinda chilly without being cold. Trying to get the farm organized to actually turn a profit is proving to be quite a task - especially given the time of year. Oh well ... hopefully there'll be some news to comment on tomorrow. My blood pressure could use some raising.

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The Case Against Lawyers

MSNBC has an excerpt from Court TV anchor Catherine Crier's new book The Case Against Lawyers: I'm gonna hafta read this puppy! Here's a tidbit:

Take a gander at ten of my favorite examples from the annual Wacky Warning Label contest sponsored by Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch. Remember, these are all legitimate labels to protect you from yourself:

NUMBER TEN: The label on a handheld massager advises “Do not use while sleeping or unconscious.”

NUMBER NINE: A label on a public toilet reads “Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking.”

NUMBER EIGHT: A can of self-protection pepper spray warns users “May irritate eyes.”

NUMBER SEVEN: No matter how slow the print out, please heed the warning on a laser printer cartridge: “Do not eat toner.”

NUMBER SIX: A thirteen-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns “Not intended for highway use.”

NUMBER FIVE: A label on prescription sleeping pills warns that they “may cause drowsiness.”

NUMBER FOUR: A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns “Do not drive with sunshield in place.”

NUMBER THREE: Bicycle shin guards warn “Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.”

NUMBER TWO: A household iron warns “Never iron clothes while they are being worn” (and don’t steam yourself either; I’ve tried).

And finally, my favorite, and 1999’s big winner:
NUMBER ONE: Parents, please read the baby stroller label that cautions “Remove child before folding.”

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