I’m passionate about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 45 exquisite words that ensure near infinite expression:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
If I ever get a tattoo, this will be it. On my tongue. (Thankfully, I have no intention of getting a tattoo.)
Say it loud, say it proud
As a free speech advocate, I will never tell anyone to mute or denounce the beliefs. No forced or coerced apologies. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Speak up. Tell everyone what you're thinking, who you admire, what motivates you. We all deserve to know who we are interacting with. It's the opposite of censorship; of cancellation. When we understand each other, we can make accurate decisions.
This includes how people feel about Hamas’ recent attack on Israel. If you think their actions are fine or justified, don’t be shy. You will certainly have company. Crowds of supporters came to San Francisco (many seemed to be from out of town) on Sunday, October 8 to celebrate the massacre. So did plenty who opposed it.
Like it or not, opinions will be formed
Of course, this doesn't mean observers won’t form an opinion. We’re all judged by our words and actions. And yes, sometimes the absence of them.
Over the past few days, I have been impressed some people in positions of San Francisco leadership. As soon as the news broke, what appeared to be sincere fury and mourning began.
Notables such as Mayor London Breed and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended San Francisco’s Congregation Sherith Israel to publicly express their sorrow and support for the people of Israel.
Reports of the atrocities committed against innocent civilians were so horrific that condemning them was a moral and political slam dunk. Pretty much everyone can agree that slaughtering babies and raping women then parading their dead, bloody bodies though the streets as trophies is a very bad thing.
But where were the sitting and hopeful political leaders who are also members of the Democratic Socialist Association of San Francisco (DSA-SF)? The organization itself swiftly issued a notice on social media channels:
Good to know. Yet two key members of the DSA-SF, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston and Jackie Fielder, who is running for Supervisor of district 9, stood in the shadows.
Eventually Preston released a statement, on his Instagram account (not X/Twitter):
His allegiance is clear.
Fielder has still made no public statement.
DSA members told to hide their faces
When I attended the rally/protest at the Israeli embassy, I took as many photos as I could, as both sides raged.
Interestingly, very few of the people on the Israeli side we're wearing masks, but many on the Palestinian side were:
As I was recording those cheering the attack, a few stepped in my way, trying to block my camera. One man in particular waved a poster in my face, in an attempt to stop me. Strange, because these people were deliberately demonstrating in public.
Doesn’t believing in something so passionately that you would take to the streets show pride?
Perhaps not. Here is the call-to-action by the DSA-NYC.
San Francisco rejects the radicals
This is a time of serious reflection in San Francisco. Just what have we accepted in our communities? Who have we elected? Where do we want to go from here? I think we know.
As for the local media, a deathly absence of sentiment has emerged. The San Francisco Chronicle published stories about the war, but no staff opinion writer - not Nuala Bishari, Soleil Ho, Justin Phillips - has come forward. Nor has the Chronicle Editorial Board issued a statement. Zero outrage among those so easily outraged.
Instead people like Richie Greenberg, a San Francisco political commentator and journalist for the California Globe has covered the issue. His latest piece, Denouncing San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston: The Jewish Democratic Socialist faces the music, pulled no punches.
City residents who may been uncertain about the Democratic Socialists perspective on justice have now been graced with perfect vision. Masks have been ripped off, whether the wearers like it or not.
As the progressive mantra goes, “we see you.”
For that I’m glad. Keep expressing yourself. Never stop.
Many sick minds prefer to have things both ways = virtue signaling how heart broken they are while blaming the victims for the disgusting attacks against them. Where mindlessness meets hardened ideology, innocence apparently just doesn't matter!
They've told US who they are. And they've shown us over and over. When will we believe them?
All good people have an obligation to stop the terrorists.