4 responses to “Happy Washington’s Birthday”

1. Bruce Dickinson

   February 19, 2015

   Joe, Joe, Joe, the fisherman extra-ordinare, casts a line with bait, but the bait is cast in a farmed trout pond! We know why you selected those great quotes of leadership, as they were in fact a loaded question guised as a commentary on the current leadership of Burlingame. And yes, you are right again, so Bruce Dickinson will play along. The catch is (no pun intended), you’ll have to listen to be pontificate, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say that many seem to enjoy my use of the BV pulpit!
   I also would mention one great George Washington quote that you will never hear uttered by our city council. “Gentlemen, you will allow me to put on my spectacles, as I have not only grown old and gray, but also blind by my service to Burlingame” Of course, the actual quote was “…service to my Country”, but still applies in this case.
   Guys, the problem with this city, its council, planning commission, etc, is very similar to Anytown, USA The public “servants” are using the public office to serve themselves. Yes, they are middle to upper middle class people who are doing nothing but trying to move up in the world, like any corporate monkey, and will do what it takes to get there. In the corporate world, you ruffle a few feathers, piss off some people, be the ape in the corner office, and maybe you get ahead instead of 1-2 other people or maybe you don’t. In local public service however, that any decision of self-interest can have ramifications for hundreds or thousands of other people, namely residents of your town. Because of this responsibility, it would behoove that decisions be made not in self interest but for the betterment of the community.
   Sadly, developing real estate, architecture, construction, flipping houses, mortgage underwriting, plan-to-build, etc etc, all have these self-interests that helps them all in a viscous cycle and the result is usually one of three outcomes: 1) build 2) build and 3) build. Almost every decision will likely favor on the side of development. Bruce Dickinson believes what we truly need are people who are willing to make tough decisions, not have any conflicts of interest, nor be the beneficiary of a yea or nay….the decision would only take the public’s interest in mind. Hence you will never hear another quote by our leaders, “I cannot tell a lie, it was me who chopped down the cherry tree”. This time around, elect leaders who are unconflicted and are genuinely public servants. Not doing so will be further fuel for the fodder of all the complaints, disillusionment, demoralization, and disenfranchisement, the symptoms of which are manifested in blogs like the BV.
   Guys, we’ve got a fever! and the only prescription is regime change!

2. J

   February 20, 2015

   The George Washington plaque in the park is an embarrassment–it’s smaller than the plaques for people who who had trees planted in their memory! Can’t someone donate a bust or carve something out of marble (hello, Colma?).

3. hillsider

   February 22, 2015

   Happy real Washington’s Birthday. May we see his type again in the White House very soon.

4. Respect for others, by respecting individual rights.

   February 24, 2015

   For once I agree with Hillsider…regarding The White House.
   Sons of Liberty has been a great reminder of the spirit of The American government as the human race’s best attempt to Stand Up To The Bullies without becoming one yourself.
   It IS scary to do what’s right, to recognize inhumanity and tyrannical leadership and to work to influence your community towards what you know is good vs evil and kindness vs hate.
   One of my ancestors was a close colleague of George Washington’s, a Captain in the army and GW’s body guard in addition to his farming at home.
   I see some of my friends from Northwestern now at the top level of leadership of The DCCC in SF, and I wonder if they’re aware of what the major driving force is behind their party. I joked with one recently over lunch talking about Burning Man (as she’s on that executive board too) about the meaning of Burning Man, and how She’s become The Man!
   Don’t be The Man.
   It is funny how most people can’t resist bullying those that are different than them or those that hold different views. It’s especially ironic in our land of innovation whose real diversity is in its diversity of perspectives vs the establishment beliefs.
   It seems that our country’s spirit wants to be about encouraging individual rights and individual responsibility along with love thy neighbor ethics. What do you think?