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The Governator bought a life-size bronze of a Grizzly bear on vacation and put it in front of his office in Sacramento.

Real grizzly bears have not been seen in California since the early 1920s. Chris Servheen, a grizzly bear expert with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, said he liked the idea of a bronze version in the Capitol, “particularly since the state put bears on the state flag and proceeded to eliminate them all.”

(from the Times)

Can’t just cross my fingers: Prop 8

I sent this email to as many California voters as I could think of. I encourage you to do likewise.

Hello Friends,

Many of you have not heard from/seen me in years, and I hope this letter finds all safe and sound. As I try to keep up with California news from my Harlem apartment, I have followed the prospects of Proposition 8 - the ballot initiative to revoke equal marriage rights for gay couples - with some interest. I wasn’t much worried, though, counting on a fundamental sense of justice in the California people. But as polls continue to narrow, I can no longer conscience silence. I’m doing something I have never done: writing a bulk email.

This not a political matter, and this is not a choice which has any bearing on the love, sanctity, and meaning embodied in so many heterosexual marriages. Marriage is a civil right. If you have married, I’d imagine you believe it to be a fundamental one. Anything less than marriage - including a “separate but equal” pact under another name - is a profound injustice.

I urge you to vote NO on Prop 8 to preserve basic civil rights for all California citizens. If you identify as heterosexual, the need to stand up for our brothers and sisters even without our own stake in this fight is of particular ethical import. If you already plan on voting NO, I encourage you to read up on the state of the race and see if you, too, feel compelled to write as many people as you can.

In 1948, California was the first state to rule racist anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional. That decision sparked a fire culminating in the landmark Loving v. Virgina almost two decades later. Our parents or grandparents never had the privilege to vote in support of civil rights on that issue, but on this occasion we do. While we pray that this struggle for a basic equality moves more speedily, we must not forsake the opportunity to make our voices heard on November 4th. Vote NO on Prop 8.

Much warmth,
Steve McFarland

My coworkers! Sad slash relieved to not be at the store for this launch. (via someToast)

Mayhem last night in front of my former place of employment in anticipation of the iPhone release fifty minutes from right now. (via someToast)

Sympath for the Devil at the Altamont Free Concert - a few songs later, the Hells Angels would infamously murder Meredith Hunter, a black concert-goer, after he pulled out a pistol. Rock and Roll history here, blood, acid, and all. (via YouTube)

"So, why not step even further out. Just split. Leave the nest. 50 - 49 = 1. Face it, they don’t like us. And we don’t need them. We got the food. We got the wine country to wash it down with. We got the movies, the Disneyland, the Yosemite, the Death Valley, the Sierras, the otters, the Humboldt County. We could use a flag and some money, but otherwise, we’re set"

— The Case for California Secession

Frank Chu is on Google Street View! [via Laughing Squid]

SFist finds Mexican Coke at Costco! Dios mio! SFist

From Scott:

Let’s Green This City is a viral educational campaign promoting to goal of making San Francisco the greenist city in the US. It’s partnership between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and over 40 organizations, including Friends of the Urban Forest, EcoGeek, City CarShare, sustainablog and many others.

Awesome!

starting spring break: just trying to get home (via presta)