Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York remained defiant after a state investigation found he had sexually harassed 11 women and calls grew for him to step down. 

Is this something we should be talking about?

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Most people think of zoning as a tool to protect residents from the toxic byproducts of industry and other dangerous nuisances. And, indeed, so-called “modern zoning” was imported here from Europe around the turn of the 20th century largely to do just that in response to the Industrial Revolution. American zoning is mostly modeled on the German idea of separation of use.

Single-family zoning, however, is something distinct; Germany has nothing like it. Nor does the rest of Europe. That’s because it’s a unique product of American racism. More specifically, it’s a product of Bay Area racism.

The concept of single-family zoning was born in Berkeley in 1916 — and its intentions were segregationist. The idea was conceived largely as a tool for white homeowners to eject Asian laundries from an otherwise segregated neighborhood, and to stop a “negro dance hall” from setting up shop on “a prominent corner.”

You may ask: What do single-family homes have to do with any of this? Why would planners not just ban Black dance halls or Asian laundries outright if their intent was outwardly discriminatory?

Well, planners across the Bay Area, especially in San Francisco, had been trying to do just that for decades. Courts wouldn’t let them.

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A top White House aide defended President Joe Biden’s decision not to extend the federal Covid-19 eviction moratorium on Monday, two days after nearly a yearlong nationwide halt on rental evictions expired.

“Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declared on June 29 that the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] could not grant such an extension without clear and specific congressional authorization,” said economist Gene Sperling, who leads the White House effort to distribute Covid relief funds.

The White House’s argument that it lacks the legal authority to extend the eviction ban has not gone over well with the progressive wing of the Democratic party, which has been pressuring both Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for weeks to extend the moratorium by any means necessary.

“This court order came down on the White House a month ago, and the White House waited until the day before the House adjourned to release a statement asking Congress to extend the moratorium,” progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, N.Y. said Sunday.

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Masks are mandated

Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant.

The new mandate - which applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status - will take effect on Tuesday in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma counties and in the city of Berkeley. Solano and Napa counties did not join their neighbors in the new mask mandate.

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For tonights movies with Jan Wahl theme: "Hellraisers in Hollywood!"

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Should subpoenas be issued and enforced to the members of Congress that were present during the January 6th insurrection?

 

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The Eviction moritorium will likely not get extended. National eviction protection expires tonight at midnight. California protection will expire on September 30th. Your thoughts!

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Today's San Francisco Chronicle Headline read: "Variant worse than thought." Your thoughts and concerns!

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Melting from Greenland is expecting to raise Global Sea Levels between 2-10 centimeters by the end of the century. Do you believe the scientists who say: "...Unless emissions are curbed, such extreme events will continue to occurr more frequently?" Your thoughts!

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The Justice Department told the Treasury Department that it must turn over six years of former President Donald J. Trump's tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee. Your thoughts!

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