In a ritual spanning decades and generations, San Francisco's baseball franchise held their season opener at AT&T Park yesterday in blazing sunlight. A full house enjoyed the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitcher Tim Hudson, the 38 year old former A's player, put in a solid performance that delighted the crowd. The Giants played long ball, hitting home runs and winning in fine fashion, 7-3.
Friends of the Mayor sat in a special section: Corona Beer sponsored a "Creative beach" section, complete with beach sand. The first pitch was thrown by a 5 year old boy dressed in a Batman costume and has endeared himself to members of the team.
The Giants have been winning with style already this season, coming into the game with an impressive 12-3 record. A good start for a season that runs for 6 months all the way to October. Where will the Giants be in October? Time will tell.
GO GIANTS!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Book Review: The Rule of Nobody by Phillip K. Howard
Stalemate in Congress read headlines. Politicians can't agree reads another. Local pols constrained by federal and state laws. Sound familiar? Of course. For those who have lived just a bit lately, the themes in Mr. Howard's book are plain as day. We are a nation of laws, and we as citizens know this. We depend on this democratic axiom: the rule of law governs our lives. ' But have we gone too far?' is the question raised in this timely book by a distinguished writer and big time lawyer who heads the group known as the coalition Common Good.
He attacks the complexity of rules that constrain politicians who can no longer rely on common sense to govern the people who elected them. This is followed by a lack of accountability for results. We have all read stories of what is necessary to discipline school children: endless paperwork for even minor infractions.
He champions the cause of simplification and a wholesale rewriting of laws so that we can get things done. An obvious case involves permitting construction projects. One project can generate 5000 pages of study impact statements on the environment. Mr. Howard serves up a number of anecdotes that support what we all know: trying to get things done today is an arduous process that consumes many dollars and much time for all involved.
He points to history and noted philosophers and politicians who warned about making laws "so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood"(James Madison). He quotes from Aristotle, Isaiah Berlin, Roscoe Pound, and Madison. Berlin warned against "monstrous bureaucratic machines" that ignore the teeming variety of the living world, the untidy and asymmetrical inner lives of men, and crush them into conformity. Roscoe Pound, the harvard law professor warned of mechanical jurisprudence and championed broad official discretion.
I would advise readers to consider some European states that have created monstrous bureaucratic institutions that have stymied growth and restrained the productivity of whole populations. Italy cannot get out of its own way. Youth unemployment is in the 3-40% range and is getting worse. Why is that? because employers(businesses) do not want to confront the bureaucratic morass that surrounds hiring even the most unskilled of the worker pool.
This book is a must read for those who embrace change. Maybe our president, the supreme embracer of change could learn something from this book.
5 stars
for a complete review see WSJ, April 8, pg. A13.
He attacks the complexity of rules that constrain politicians who can no longer rely on common sense to govern the people who elected them. This is followed by a lack of accountability for results. We have all read stories of what is necessary to discipline school children: endless paperwork for even minor infractions.
He champions the cause of simplification and a wholesale rewriting of laws so that we can get things done. An obvious case involves permitting construction projects. One project can generate 5000 pages of study impact statements on the environment. Mr. Howard serves up a number of anecdotes that support what we all know: trying to get things done today is an arduous process that consumes many dollars and much time for all involved.
He points to history and noted philosophers and politicians who warned about making laws "so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood"(James Madison). He quotes from Aristotle, Isaiah Berlin, Roscoe Pound, and Madison. Berlin warned against "monstrous bureaucratic machines" that ignore the teeming variety of the living world, the untidy and asymmetrical inner lives of men, and crush them into conformity. Roscoe Pound, the harvard law professor warned of mechanical jurisprudence and championed broad official discretion.
I would advise readers to consider some European states that have created monstrous bureaucratic institutions that have stymied growth and restrained the productivity of whole populations. Italy cannot get out of its own way. Youth unemployment is in the 3-40% range and is getting worse. Why is that? because employers(businesses) do not want to confront the bureaucratic morass that surrounds hiring even the most unskilled of the worker pool.
This book is a must read for those who embrace change. Maybe our president, the supreme embracer of change could learn something from this book.
5 stars
for a complete review see WSJ, April 8, pg. A13.
Silverado Trail: Napa
The Mayor and deputy did an inspection of the upper reaches of the Napa River over the weekend. It was a beautiful, sunny, spring day. Despite an event at the Sonoma Raceway, traffic was manageable on Highways 121 and 37.
We took the northern route, 101 to Santa Rosa then over the hill on the Calistoga Road. This road twists and turns over the hills and trough the little valleys as one approaches the napa Valley's northern border. Calistoga(pop. 5000) is the town north of St. Helena, it's much larger neighbor 10 miles south.
We had lunch on Lincoln Blvd at a locals place, burgers and sweet potato fries. We looked around town, people watched the visitors who joined the small groups ambling about the shops and restaurants. We then headed south along the Silverado Trail which borders the east side of the valley. This route is a 2 laned road used more by locals than tourists. It is the sunny side of the napa Valley, basking in the hot afternoon sun as the valley floor cooks. Yes, it cooks here, especially during the long summer months when vintners watch their vines absorb the moisture in the ground and the "terroir" aspects of locale.
Zinfandel Lane is one of many cross roads than afford access from east to west. This name alone says it all.
Heading south to the city of Napa, one can see morros, those volcanic remnants that dot the landscape of various locations in California. here they are small, seldom higher than 300'. They are prominent features, usually covered in trees with occasional house peeking from the forest. And of course, the entire landscape is covered in grapevines. Those vines, like cherished children, have brought fame and fortune to all who live nearby. Realtors marvel at prices which now approach the stratosphere at $350K/acre. Who can build on ground that is made of gold. Not many.
Geographers make great hay when they examine the politics and economics of wine; the maps produced are inherently story tellers with treasured AVA's delineated and place names recognized as international favorites. And it's all relatively close to the bay Area and its famous child, Silicon Valley.
We took the northern route, 101 to Santa Rosa then over the hill on the Calistoga Road. This road twists and turns over the hills and trough the little valleys as one approaches the napa Valley's northern border. Calistoga(pop. 5000) is the town north of St. Helena, it's much larger neighbor 10 miles south.
We had lunch on Lincoln Blvd at a locals place, burgers and sweet potato fries. We looked around town, people watched the visitors who joined the small groups ambling about the shops and restaurants. We then headed south along the Silverado Trail which borders the east side of the valley. This route is a 2 laned road used more by locals than tourists. It is the sunny side of the napa Valley, basking in the hot afternoon sun as the valley floor cooks. Yes, it cooks here, especially during the long summer months when vintners watch their vines absorb the moisture in the ground and the "terroir" aspects of locale.
Zinfandel Lane is one of many cross roads than afford access from east to west. This name alone says it all.
Heading south to the city of Napa, one can see morros, those volcanic remnants that dot the landscape of various locations in California. here they are small, seldom higher than 300'. They are prominent features, usually covered in trees with occasional house peeking from the forest. And of course, the entire landscape is covered in grapevines. Those vines, like cherished children, have brought fame and fortune to all who live nearby. Realtors marvel at prices which now approach the stratosphere at $350K/acre. Who can build on ground that is made of gold. Not many.
Geographers make great hay when they examine the politics and economics of wine; the maps produced are inherently story tellers with treasured AVA's delineated and place names recognized as international favorites. And it's all relatively close to the bay Area and its famous child, Silicon Valley.
Mission to Rio D.
Well, the Minister of Latin American Affairs has sent a preliminary report back to the office and it appears that the situation in Colombia has similar traits to our own USA situation with the C.I.A. and Congress. Who is watching whom? That is the question on everybody's lips. Sen. Dianne Feinstein(D-Ca) lambasted the CIA for snooping through the US Senate's computers looking for a "leak" that describes intrusions into the network, hoping to find a source of leaks. All pols want to identify leakers. Few expose themselves like Edward Snowden.'
The Minister is off from Bogata to Rio, to look into similar matters in Pres. Dilma Rousseff's government as Brazil approaches the FIFA World Cup calender and the Summer Olympics. Word on the street is: stay away from Brazil this summer. Chaos is the operative word for conditions in the major venue cities throughout the country.
Our minister will be in Rio for the rest of the week. Then, he will return to Washington to adjust to the request from Sec. of State John Kerry to join the team at State. No doubt our minister's reputation has gone beyond international boundaries and his many talents are now recognized by diplomats at the highest levels. Kudos to him.
It only serves to enhance the reputation of Tahoma. If he chooses to join the Team State, he will continue to be our voice in Washington, DC.
A conference is scheduled in DC in 2 weeks to discuss his future plans and to answer questions regarding his role for Tahoma. The weather should be spring like in all respects.
The Minister is off from Bogata to Rio, to look into similar matters in Pres. Dilma Rousseff's government as Brazil approaches the FIFA World Cup calender and the Summer Olympics. Word on the street is: stay away from Brazil this summer. Chaos is the operative word for conditions in the major venue cities throughout the country.
Our minister will be in Rio for the rest of the week. Then, he will return to Washington to adjust to the request from Sec. of State John Kerry to join the team at State. No doubt our minister's reputation has gone beyond international boundaries and his many talents are now recognized by diplomats at the highest levels. Kudos to him.
It only serves to enhance the reputation of Tahoma. If he chooses to join the Team State, he will continue to be our voice in Washington, DC.
A conference is scheduled in DC in 2 weeks to discuss his future plans and to answer questions regarding his role for Tahoma. The weather should be spring like in all respects.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Movie review: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Occasionally Hollywood can produce a light hearted farce that has broad appeal across the movie going spectrum. The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of those films. With an all star cast lead by Ray Fiennes, the story is told in flashback as the storyteller recounts his long association with the now declining monument to a long gone era- '20's and '30's.
It's all very tongue-in-cheek as the characters come and go with the grand old lady hovering in the background and foreground. The plot revolves around the student-teacher motif: the hotel concierge and his youthful acolyte lobby boy. He is the recipient of the wisdom of his mentor's years of service to the stream of guests who arrive with seasonal regularity to enjoy the comforts of the "Grand Hotel".
Well worth the effort and the $$.
Rated ****
Enjoy
It's all very tongue-in-cheek as the characters come and go with the grand old lady hovering in the background and foreground. The plot revolves around the student-teacher motif: the hotel concierge and his youthful acolyte lobby boy. He is the recipient of the wisdom of his mentor's years of service to the stream of guests who arrive with seasonal regularity to enjoy the comforts of the "Grand Hotel".
Well worth the effort and the $$.
Rated ****
Enjoy
Le Mons: 2014 at Sonoma raceway
The Le MOns National Series returned to Sonoma last weekend and enjoyed a perfect 2 day weather feast. Over 165 entries completed the field that began promptly at 8:30 am Saturday morning. Our Minister of Industry and Manufacturing with his Porsche team, had their dependable 944 ready to go.
Afterthe 1st hour or so, they were in the top 20. At the 1st driver change around noon, they had moved into 9th place. When the day's racing finished at 4:30pm, the team and Porsche had moved into 2nd place. The newly installed rebuilt engine, with more horsepower, was serving them well.
Sunday would confirm the quality of the install and the team's improved performance overall.
Sunday's start was at 9:00 am and the car was gassed and ready to go. During Saturday's run, the car was bumped and 1 rear wheel was damaged, requiring replacement. They only gave up a couple of minutes and were able to hold their spot. The team captain, Sean, decided to replace both rear wheels at that time for stability and consistency. Good move. They could hit the track Sunday with confidence.
Having driven well on Saturday, our Minister was part of the Pit Crew on Sunday. In constant communication by 2-way radio, advice was given to the current driver as he monitored gauges through the hours.
Sunday was hot in Sonoma and more than a few vehicles lost time refueling and changing tires. Porch Racing was in 1st place most of the day. At 4:30 pm when the checkered flag came out and was waved at the victor, the 944 Porsche was the 2nd consecutive winner in the series at Sonoma Raceway. The team basked in the Winners Circle as family and friends joined in the celebration. Organizers welcomed the team into the special category of multiple winners.
Afterthe 1st hour or so, they were in the top 20. At the 1st driver change around noon, they had moved into 9th place. When the day's racing finished at 4:30pm, the team and Porsche had moved into 2nd place. The newly installed rebuilt engine, with more horsepower, was serving them well.
Sunday would confirm the quality of the install and the team's improved performance overall.
Sunday's start was at 9:00 am and the car was gassed and ready to go. During Saturday's run, the car was bumped and 1 rear wheel was damaged, requiring replacement. They only gave up a couple of minutes and were able to hold their spot. The team captain, Sean, decided to replace both rear wheels at that time for stability and consistency. Good move. They could hit the track Sunday with confidence.
Having driven well on Saturday, our Minister was part of the Pit Crew on Sunday. In constant communication by 2-way radio, advice was given to the current driver as he monitored gauges through the hours.
Sunday was hot in Sonoma and more than a few vehicles lost time refueling and changing tires. Porch Racing was in 1st place most of the day. At 4:30 pm when the checkered flag came out and was waved at the victor, the 944 Porsche was the 2nd consecutive winner in the series at Sonoma Raceway. The team basked in the Winners Circle as family and friends joined in the celebration. Organizers welcomed the team into the special category of multiple winners.
Giants: 2014 Season
After a long, cold winter with record lows and numerous icy storms all over the north east, the regular 2014 MLB baseball season began yesterday with a full calendar of games. Our Giants, who have brought back many familiar names and faces, including Matt Cain, Pablo Sandoval, Hunter Pence, Buster Posey, Sergio Romo, and Mad Bum Bumgardner, are ready to provide 161 more games of delicious entertainment. After last night's game, 2014 promises to have lots of thrills and chills.
Bumgardner started on the mound, and was rolling along, allowing no runs going into the 4th inning. Then his defense seemed to disappear. Routine ground balls went through without much effort. Infielders looked lost. Soon the bases were loaded w/ none out. Then another ground ball went through and scored 2. With 2 out and bases still loaded, another through ball scored 2 more.
Boch pulled Mad Bum for a pinch hitter in the 5th after the Giants got 1 run back. The Snakes added 2 more in the 5th and 1 more in the 6th, making the score 6-2. AZ added another in the 7th; now 7-2. Then the sleeping Giant woke up.
They added a 4 spot in the top of the 7th, now tied 7-7. Then in the 9th, Buster Posey laced a shot into the stands, now Giants 9, AZ 7.
Diamondbacks added one in the bottom of the 9th, but Romo retired the rest of the batters: Giants win their opener, 9-8.
Welcome to 2014. Go Giants.
Obama and the Sox
Following a White House tradition, Pres. Obama welcomed World Series winner the Boston Red Sox to Washington to congratulate the team on their impressive victory. Dressed in blue blazers and red ties, the 'Sox looked good. Obama appeared to enjoy the moment despite the various issues, international and domestic, that are swirling around the hallways of American power.
Bumgardner started on the mound, and was rolling along, allowing no runs going into the 4th inning. Then his defense seemed to disappear. Routine ground balls went through without much effort. Infielders looked lost. Soon the bases were loaded w/ none out. Then another ground ball went through and scored 2. With 2 out and bases still loaded, another through ball scored 2 more.
Boch pulled Mad Bum for a pinch hitter in the 5th after the Giants got 1 run back. The Snakes added 2 more in the 5th and 1 more in the 6th, making the score 6-2. AZ added another in the 7th; now 7-2. Then the sleeping Giant woke up.
They added a 4 spot in the top of the 7th, now tied 7-7. Then in the 9th, Buster Posey laced a shot into the stands, now Giants 9, AZ 7.
Diamondbacks added one in the bottom of the 9th, but Romo retired the rest of the batters: Giants win their opener, 9-8.
Welcome to 2014. Go Giants.
Obama and the Sox
Following a White House tradition, Pres. Obama welcomed World Series winner the Boston Red Sox to Washington to congratulate the team on their impressive victory. Dressed in blue blazers and red ties, the 'Sox looked good. Obama appeared to enjoy the moment despite the various issues, international and domestic, that are swirling around the hallways of American power.
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