I wish the Republicans would lighten up and stop trying to blame the Democrats on the "lipstick on a pig" remark. The phrase has been around longer than the current political campaign. Even Sarah Palin used the phrase herself during the RNC. By the way, should Palin ever become vice-president or president and should she ever meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, I would like to see Ms. Merkel "bitch slap" Ms. Palin, in part because she (Palin) is such a bitch and in part because of Bush's unwanted neck massage a few years ago. Of course that wouldn't happen because Angela Merkel is too smart and dignified to do such a thing. Damn! It would be fun however.

As for a local San Francisco issue, why all the hullabaloo about a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge"? The proposed design would simply add a safety netting below the railings and would not visually destroy the bridge. As for ways to commit suicide, well, as there have been quite a number of them in recent years on the Cal Train tracks south of San Francisco and even a few on the BART system. High places, however, such as the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower have barriers which make it difficult to jump without warning and are probably more intrusive visually than what is currently proposed for the bridge. This city seems to be full of more than its share of whiners and nimbys. Oh well, this is San Francisco and after 32 years here I am thinking it is time to move on.