Since I'm here for the Pride parade this year and we don't have a Libertarian parade contingent, I'm going to march with supporters of imprisoned WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning tomorrow. Sorry for the late notice, but if anyone else is interested, the group is meeting at 930am at the corner of Main and Howard streets before marching in the parade (I think it doesn't actually start moving until around 11am??). Here's a link with the info:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/22/18713944.php
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
Sorry to have missed you; I marched with the Bradley Manning contingent myself. An encouragingly large contingent, maybe 100 people. Lots of people still don't know who Manning is, amazingly enough.
(Attachment image001.jpg is missing)
(Attachment image002.jpg is missing)
Yesterday was a somewhat frustrating day. I didn't make the parade. I had been hoping to ride down there early with someone or at least have them pick up some of the gear I was bringing since I didn't want to march with it, so I made some more buttons while waiting to hear back. Then I got a client call, which didn't pan out, but took some more time. By the time I finally headed down there it was way too late for the parade. Then I twisted my ankle trying to ride my bike with high heels on while over-loaded, and fell off & twisted my ankle. I'd also misplaced my key for my U-lock, so ended up coming with just a chain to lock it up. After working a while at the booth and then having dinner with Aubrey, Dan, and Aubrey's friend Brent, my ankle which I'd been able to walk on okay earlier was hurting something fierce and I was in no condition to walk or bike, so I ended up going home and putting some ice on it.
By the time I got down there later by cab to pick the bicycle up, the lock had been cut and the bike stolen. 
I will report it to 311 (apparently that's an alternative option to going to a station and filling out a form, or reporting it to the SFPD online, and one that I like a little better since 311 is not part of the SFPD which means another agency in government will have the record of a bike theft reported and not just the cops. Don't fully trust them to accurately report the numbers on such things, since it could make them look bad.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear there was a large group marching for Bradley Manning, and that you were able to take part. Did you see any libertarians? I heard you stopped by the booth, would've been cool to say hello.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
Gee, if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all.
I didn't see any libertarians, or anyone I recognized in the Manning contingent. There were a number of different constituencies represented: most prominently World Won't Wait, but also Courage to Resist, Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, and I forget what else. Many of them, especially World Won't Wait, were openly critical of Obama, which was a pleasant surprise. The crowd was about as encouraging as I'm accustomed to seeing in the LP contingent.
This was my first parade attendance in a few years, and I was quite surprised at the change in the vendors. There were fewer booths (more blank spaces), and it looked as though 90% of them were food. Twenty years ago there were vendors with some classy merchandise; I bought a nice wallet with a rainbow triangle, and a tuxedo shirt. Nothing like that now. Is it the recession, or something else?
Gee, Starchild, sorry to hear you did not fare too well on Sunday (even worse than having your clothes stolen). Hope you got some medical help with your ankle. I heard your telephone message only when I got home, since I left here with Aubrey at 7:30 am.
Marcy