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Ed Lee Thinks San Francisco Is Worth It

San Francisco is a special place. For 22 years, Edwin Mah Lee has diligently served his city by keeping the head down, doing his job and does it well. Acting Mayor since being appointed in January, it was widely praised for his humility and practicality, and to introduce a new tone of cooperation in the chambers of City Hall.

In any other city, the image of a soft-spoken, middle-aged Chinese American bureaucrat would probably never be projected beyond the front glass plate of an anonymous office building.But in San Francisco, if recent polls are reliable, this image can directly into the mayor's office.

It will not, however, save you from the controversy.

When Lee announced his candidacy last month, there was no shortage of real and feigned surprise. Although he received his appointment and promised a few key supervisors that he would not run for mayor for some writing began to appear on the wall very quickly after taking office.

Since the spring, efforts to persuade Lee to throw his hat in the race came from areas as diverse as Senator Diane Feinstein, a former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and prominent activists Eddy Zheng Chinatown and Rose Pak. There was even a brief campaign called Run Run Ed who engage in stunts such as distribution of 20,000 whiskers in a game the Giants (a game the choice of Lee iconic facial hair).

When asked why he changed his mind, Lee answered pointedly, "I was a mayor reluctant at first. I'm not a politician."It took a lot of convincing, he says, but he felt that what he did as mayor was working. He cites among his accomplishments the closure of a gap of $ 380 million budget, bringing the America's Cup race in San Francisco, and the establishment of a zone tax exemption designed to keep big companies from leaving the city.

Moreover, the tone of civility that is often credited for bringing to the town hall, in his opinion, the practical encouragement - something that is difficult to abandon. "It is worthwhile to abandon the work of the administrator of the city.It is worthwhile to enter the political arena, "he said, adding quickly:" As a non-politician.

Little Rabbit's Planet: Day 157: Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Finally, the long-awaited trip to Mount Rushmore!  We had a great time, the National Park Service has done an excellent job on the site (except for the privatised parking scenario outside).  It was a good job we arrived in the morning because the heads of the presidents were in full sunlight, which is better for photography.  We stayed for quite a while, because Antonia had to finish her Junior Ranger book.  She now has badges from at least 8 parks and a fancy Junior Ranger jacket to put them on. I passed the time with the list of States in the park newspaper, seeing how many each of us has been to.  It turns out Mike has been to all but 8 states, whereas Antonia and I are only about half-way through. Next we went to the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is part of a far bigger mountain carving project than Rushmore, but not as far advanced.  Still, one guy told us although it has taken so long to get this far, with the new technology available, it might be done in 50 years.  The memorial is run and carved under the management of the Ziolkowski family, the wife and descendants of the original sculpture who was invited by Chief Standing Bear to carve Crazy Horse.  Since they believe in 'free enterprise' and building it entirely from donations by interested individuals, so it's a much more commercialised and expensive experience than Rushmore.  I can't honestly say I approve, and since the plan is to create a big campus for study and research on the culture and history of North American Indians, I wonder who is going to run that, how, and when and how the transfer is going to happen.  It all seems like a very important project to fund by selling overpriced junk to the passing trade from Mount Rushmore.  The carving itself is extremely impressive though, and it seems like it may go to completion, unlike Rushmore.

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