July-August 1999

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY

Thurs., July 1 10:003:00 p.m.
Board meeting at the office. All welcome!
Sun., July 4 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco Opera.
Sat., Sun., Mon., Music starts 1:30 p.m.
July 3, 4, 5 Show starts at 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco Mime Troupe, Dolores Park.
Sun., July 11 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, Diana Krall.
Tues., July 13 1:15 p.m.
AARP meeting. Old First Presbyterian
Church. 1751 Sacramento St. at Van Ness.
Sat., July 17 Music, 1:30; Show 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco Mime Troupe, Glen Park.
Sun., July 18 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, Oumou Sagare, Janis Ian, Mary Jane Lamond.
Sat., July 24 Music, 1:30; Show, 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco Mime Troupe, Mosswood Park.
Sun., July 25 12:30. Show starts at 2:00 p.m.
General meeting to enjoy the San Francisco Mime Troupe and picnic with friends.
Washington Square Park (Union and Columbus Streets).
Bring the family!
Sun., July 25 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, Tower of Power.
Sat., July 31 Music, 1:30; Show, 2:00 p.m.

August Calendar
Sun., Aug. 1 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco Ballet.
Sun., Aug. 1 Music, 1:30; show, 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco Mime Troupe, Yerba Buena Gardens, 3rd and Mission.
Thurs., Aug. 5 1:003:00 p.m.
Board meeting at the office. All welcome!
Fri., Aug. 6 2:30 p.m.
Hiroshima Commemoration. Abolition 2000 End the Nuclear Threat! Livermore Nuclear
Weapons Labs. Info 510/832-4347.
Sun., Aug. 8 2:00 p.m.
Stern Grove Festival, Merola Opera,
TheItalian Girl in Algiers.
Sat., Aug. 28 Music, 1:30; show, 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco Mime Troupe, Pioneer East
Golden Gate Park , behind deYoung Museum.

Home CARES Recyclers Needs Your NoLongerNeeded
Health Care Equipment
Home CARES accepts donations of reusable home healthcare equipment and, in turn, gives these
items to individuals who otherwise would have difficulty obtaining them.
Canes, walkers, shower chairs, portable commodes, crutches, wheelchairs, chucks, briefs,
ostomy supplies, bandages, liquid nutrition, urinary suppliesall are available free to those needing them.
(Cash donations cheerfully accepted.) Call 415/487-5405 for questions, pickup and info for drop-off.

Whither Muni?
Two very persuasive gentlemen were the
speakers at out June meeting: Andrew Sullivan of Rescue Muni and John Hirten from SPUR and
the Mayor's Task force. Both favored an independent commission to be appointed by the
Mayor for fixed terms and to be held accountable
for fixing Muni's scheduling, safety, courtesy and maintenance problems.
Both men opposed any move
toward privatization and both supported some
contracting out. The chief difference between them
centered on how to handle the labor forcewhether the unions will negotiate with and be under
city contracts or be a separate unit for Muni
negotiating with the new commission, whether there
will be merit pay, who will be included in the bargaining units (middle management?) and
what happens with "miss-outs."
Unfortunately the other invited speakers
expected to offer different perspectives than
these, failed to show up or send replacementsrepresentatives of the Transport Workers Union and

Southern Alameda Hosts Regional
Four Gray Panther Networks were the guests
of the southern

Alameda network at the Northern Gray Panthers Regional

Meeting in May.
Topics discussed for joint action
included proposed laws in Washington and
Sacramento, the status of Social Security and Medicare,
and the upcoming Gray Panthers national convention in October. The agenda included a
report and critique of the Senior Rally in
Sacramento and a hearty thank-you to the Sacramento
network for coordinating Gray Panthers lobbying.
Doris Copperman of Contra Costa,
secretary-treasurer of the National Board, reported
on national activities, particularly plans for
revitalizing the campaign for single payer universal
health care on a state-by-state basis, and preparations
for the convention.
As usual among Gray Panthers there
was general agreement on all issues, although not necessarily any unanimity on what to do
and what to emphasizeuntil someone raised the bombing of Yugoslavia. Suddenly a lively
argument broke out about of what was going on
there, reflecting the widespread confusion and
disagreement in the country. Nor was it ever
resolved, again mirroring society.
The next regional meeting will be in
August in Marin. Anyone who wants to come is welcome. Info at office, 415/552-8800.

the San Francisco Neighborhood Alliance
for Political Awareness. Presumably they were at Mayor Brown's mayoral re-election kick-off rally.
The audience in attendance reacted
favorable to both speakers. More accurately, most of
thse who spoke were not so much in agreement with the speakers as angry and frustrated with Muni.
Since our meeting, the parties involved
in negotiations in the Mayor's office have agreed
on a single ballot proposal for the Fall
elections. According to press reports, Rescue Muni
got most of their demands, including the
bargaining unit and merit pay. Now the public will have
to study what that proposal says and decide
whether to pass it or pass on it!

Snail's PaceProgress on SB 480 Health Care Coverage
Universal health care (in California) is being debated, berated
and obfuscated by our legislators in Sacramento.

Though the Senate Appropriations Committee finally voted in
favor of Senate Bill 480, the purpose of which is to report to the
Legislature concerning "options for achieving universal health care coverage"
and to declare that it is the intent of the Legislature to develop legislation
to "implement universal health care coverage," there's still a long
road ahead.
The next stumbling block will be the Assembly. The Assembly
Appropriations Committee may hear the bill in August and it could get to
the floor of the Assembly in September. NOW, now is the time to
start lobbying the Assembly members.
Carole Migden Kevin Shelley
Phone 415/673-5560 Phone 415/885/1212
e-mail: carole.migden@asm.ca.gov kevin.shelley@asm.ca.gov

To Our Alienated Kids
What is the answer to feeling despised?
Where's the example of those who survived?
Look to your parents who blamed the Commies
Or the blacks or the whites or the Jews or the Tommies.

Look to the Prez who sends bombs to end genocide;
Look to the fuzz who shoot migras on sight.
Look to the right who kill gays and abortionists;
Look to the wealthy who'd like more matrixes.

Going postal is quite the rage.
Staying the course is middle age.
Youth will have its say
And those who survive will pray for/prey on
the rest of us. Astrid

The Newsletter of the San Francisco Gray Panthers is published each month, and distributed free of charge to members and friends of this nonprofit organization.

Editorial Board: Rebecca Hirshleifer, Mitzi Raas; Publisher, Astrid M. Spector; Art Director, Fannie Biderman; Proof, Lurilla Harris; Circulation: Harold Greenblatt and Mary Francis Smith. Printed by Graffik Natwicks; Webpage design: Barry Simpkins



	CALENDAR OF EVENTS
	JULY Thurs., July 1 10:003:00 p.m. Board meeting at the office. All welcome! Sun., July 4 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco Opera. Sat., Sun., Mon., Music starts 1:30 p.m. July 3, 4, 5 Show starts at 2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe, Dolores Park. Sun., July 11 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, Diana Krall. Tues., July 13 1:15 p.m. AARP meeting. Old First Presbyterian Church. 1751 Sacramento St. at Van Ness. Sat., July 17 Music, 1:30; Show 2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe, Glen Park. Sun., July 18 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, Oumou Sagare, Janis Ian, Mary Jane Lamond. Sat., July 24 Music, 1:30; Show, 2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe, Mosswood Park. Sun., July 25 12:30. Show starts at 2:00 p.m. General meeting to enjoy the San Francisco Mime Troupe and picnic with friends. Washington Square Park (Union and Columbus Streets). *Bring the family!* Sun., July 25 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, Tower of Power. Sat., July 31 Music, 1:30; Show, 2:00 p.m.
	August Calendar Sun., Aug. 1 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco Ballet. Sun., Aug. 1 Music, 1:30; show, 2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe, Yerba Buena Gardens, 3rd and Mission. Thurs., Aug. 5 1:003:00 p.m. Board meeting at the office. All welcome! Fri., Aug. 6 2:30 p.m. Hiroshima Commemoration. Abolition 2000 End the Nuclear Threat! Livermore Nuclear Weapons Labs. Info 510/832-4347. Sun., Aug. 8 2:00 p.m. Stern Grove Festival, Merola Opera, TheItalian Girl in Algiers. Sat., Aug. 28 Music, 1:30; show, 2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe, Pioneer East Golden Gate Park , behind deYoung Museum.
	Home CARES Recyclers Needs Your NoLongerNeeded Health Care Equipment Home CARES accepts donations of reusable home healthcare equipment and, in turn, gives these items to individuals who otherwise would have difficulty obtaining them. Canes, walkers, shower chairs, portable commodes, crutches, wheelchairs, chucks, briefs, ostomy supplies, bandages, liquid nutrition, urinary suppliesall are available free to those needing them. (Cash donations cheerfully accepted.) Call 415/487-5405 for questions, pickup and info for drop-off.



	Whither Muni? Two very persuasive gentlemen were the speakers at out June meeting: Andrew Sullivan of Rescue Muni and John Hirten from SPUR and the Mayor's Task force. Both favored an independent commission to be appointed by the Mayor for fixed terms and to be held accountable for fixing Muni's scheduling, safety, courtesy and maintenance problems. Both men opposed any move toward privatization and both supported some contracting out. The chief difference between them centered on how to handle the labor forcewhether the unions will negotiate with and be under city contracts or be a separate unit for Muni negotiating with the new commission, whether there will be merit pay, who will be included in the bargaining units (middle management?) and what happens with "miss-outs." Unfortunately the other invited speakers expected to offer different perspectives than these, failed to show up or send replacementsrepresentatives of the Transport Workers Union and
				Southern Alameda Hosts Regional Four Gray Panther Networks were the guests of the southern Alameda network at the Northern Gray Panthers Regional Meeting in May. Topics discussed for joint action included proposed laws in Washington and Sacramento, the status of Social Security and Medicare, and the upcoming Gray Panthers national convention in October. The agenda included a report and critique of the Senior Rally in Sacramento and a hearty thank-you to the Sacramento network for coordinating Gray Panthers lobbying. Doris Copperman of Contra Costa, secretary-treasurer of the National Board, reported on national activities, particularly plans for revitalizing the campaign for single payer universal health care on a state-by-state basis, and preparations for the convention. As usual among Gray Panthers there was general agreement on all issues, although not necessarily any unanimity on what to do and what to emphasizeuntil someone raised the bombing of Yugoslavia. Suddenly a lively argument broke out about of what was going on there, reflecting the widespread confusion and disagreement in the country. Nor was it ever resolved, again mirroring society. The next regional meeting will be in August in Marin. Anyone who wants to come is welcome. Info at office, 415/552-8800.
	the San Francisco Neighborhood Alliance for Political Awareness. Presumably they were at Mayor Brown's mayoral re-election kick-off rally. The audience in attendance reacted favorable to both speakers. More accurately, most of thse who spoke were not so much in agreement with the speakers as angry and frustrated with Muni. Since our meeting, the parties involved in negotiations in the Mayor's office have agreed on a single ballot proposal for the Fall elections. According to press reports, Rescue Muni got most of their demands, including the bargaining unit and merit pay. Now the public will have to study what that proposal says and decide whether to pass it or pass on it!



	Snail's PaceProgress on SB 480 Health Care Coverage Universal health care (in California) is being debated, berated and obfuscated by our legislators in Sacramento. Though the Senate Appropriations Committee finally voted in favor of Senate Bill 480, the purpose of which is to report to the Legislature concerning "options for achieving universal health care coverage" and to declare that it is the intent of the Legislature to develop legislation to "implement universal health care coverage," there's still a long road ahead. The next stumbling block will be the Assembly. The Assembly Appropriations Committee may hear the bill in August and it could get to the floor of the Assembly in September. NOW, now is the time to start lobbying the Assembly members. Carole Migden Kevin Shelley Phone 415/673-5560 Phone 415/885/1212 e-mail: carole.migden@asm.ca.gov kevin.shelley@asm.ca.gov

		To Our Alienated Kids What is the answer to feeling despised? Where's the example of those who survived? Look to your parents who blamed the Commies Or the blacks or the whites or the Jews or the Tommies. Look to the Prez who sends bombs to end genocide; Look to the fuzz who shoot migras on sight. Look to the right who kill gays and abortionists; Look to the wealthy who'd like more matrixes. Going postal is quite the rage. Staying the course is middle age. Youth will have its say And those who survive will pray for/prey on the rest of us. Astrid