Mayor HAL 9000

“I keep coming back to the love thing, because I love you. . . . You’re married, but you don’t love your spouse. You don’t love your spouse, because your spouse doesn’t ... Read More

Downtown is more than just a dense area of offices and stores; it is a cultural center fed by the coming together of people, businesses, artists, ideas, and activities. Photo: John Zipperer

Politics as Usual

Downtown’s up and down

By John Zipperer

As someone who grew up in small cities, I’ve always had a fascination with big cities, and particularly their downtowns. Tall buildings, lots of people, the energy of hundreds o... Read More

Politics as Usual

Ho-ho-who?

What a justice-involved Santa taught me about the real meaning of democracy

By John Zipperer

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the townNot a creature was stirring, as voting wound down.The people cast ballots with caution and care,In hopes of results th... Read More

Politics as Usual

Who asked you?

Ballot measures give you the illusion of being in charge

By John Zipperer

When Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer got sick of whitewashing a fence, he came up with the great idea of tricking other kids into doing the work for him. Problem solved! When special... Read More

Politics as Usual

The jig is up

The state puts San Francisco under the microscope

By John Zipperer

California officials have announced that San Francisco has the dishonor of being the first city in the state to be subject to a review of its housing policies and practices. The s... Read More

Politics as Usual

A NIMBY intervention: We’re really just beginning

By John Zipperer

Perhaps if you sell a bunch of those Google shares you’ve been sitting on, take out a loan against your 401K, and put off that major dental surgery you promised your dentist y... Read More

Running this city requires constant physical and mental conditioning. Photo: SpartyZag

Politics as Usual

Centering oneself in spirit and politics

A little political coaching for the mayor

By John Zipperer

It’s 6 a.m. in the mayor’s office. The lights come on; the mayor enters, sits on her exercise bike, and turns on its screen. O.K., people! Let’s have a great workout toda... Read More

Politics as Usual

Giving up on free speech

They say ‘talk is cheap,’ but increasingly, it’ll cost you

By John Zipperer

Somewhere between Elon Musk bullying Twitter into submission, the Biden administration launching a “misinformation board,” and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bullying Disney and ga... Read More

It’s a great market for job seekers. PHOTO: Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash

Politics as Usual

Someone hire this man

Chesa Boudin’s career transition

By John Zipperer

Hi, Chesa, So great to hear from you after all these years. I know things have been a bit bumpy in your neck of the woods lately, so I totally understand your request for a let... Read More

Politics as Usual

The lieutenant, a panda, and the abominable snowman

Finding a hill to defend

By John Zipperer

In 1974, Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda finally ended World War II. It had lasted about 30 years for him, because he refused to believe that Japan had actually surrendered in 1945. ... Read More

Politics as Usual

What to expect in our brave new world

Your questions answered about the next stage of the pandemic

By John Zipperer

With the delta variant on the wane at last, our elected leaders and public health officials are finally starting to relax the restrictions we’ve lived under for the past two yea... Read More

Dianne Feinstein’s political career didn’t seem to be much hindered by a failed recall attempt in 1983. Photo: SFPL/Public Domain

Politics as Usual

A lesson plan for the school board recall

Pay attention when you vote

By John Zipperer

School board elections are important, but they’re usually of low interest to the general voter, who probably can’t remember whom they voted for one week later. But when the el... Read More

Governor Newson is already generating talk of his succeeding President Biden in the White House. Photo: The White House

Politics as Usual

Regaining their mojo

Newsom and Breed get early starts on their New Year’s resolutions

By John Zipperer

Several months ago, I received a press release from one of the candidates in the gubernatorial recall, in which she bragged about her performance. Most politicians brag; what made... Read More

Gov. Gavin Newsom moved quickly to help local governments respond to the looting spree. Photo: Office of the Governor of California

Politics as Usual

The No Sympathy for the Devil tour

Or, The Grinch Who Looted Christmas

By John Zipperer

“We just installed our expensive new home security system. I thought the vats of hot oil & the machine gun turrets were excessive, but after the raids on the Nordstroms in W... Read More

The fast food insurrection began at Fisherman's Wharf’s In-n-Out Burger. Photo: Allenlai7/Wikipedia

Politics as Usual

Over and out for In-n-Out

By John Zipperer

In mid-October, General Colin Powell passed away at the age of 84. A man who defined leadership and who worked across the broad middle of American politics died at a time when lea... Read More

Politics as Usual

Mayor HAL 9000

Downtown’s up and down

Ho-ho-who?

Who asked you?

The jig is up

A NIMBY intervention: We’re really just beginning

Centering oneself in spirit and politics

Giving up on free speech

Someone hire this man

The lieutenant, a panda, and the abominable snowman

What to expect in our brave new world

A lesson plan for the school board recall

Regaining their mojo

The No Sympathy for the Devil tour

Over and out for In-n-Out

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