I should have known it. But I just didn't expect it, although Oakland is no stranger to racist maniacs like the guy who raged at me the othe night because I would not print that Dellums is — in his words — a rotten, dirty n—–.  (I don't even know if one capitalizes the n-word. It's not exactly in the AP Stylebook.)  I was on a mission at B Restaurant to find a patron to bother with one of those necessary but annoying questions: Did the string of recent robberies make you think twice about coming out at night to dine? (BTW, one guy caught Friday and OPD looking for the other two geniuses.) I thought I had hit paydirt because he had great quotes etc until he starts talking about what he really thought. Read the rest of this entry »

I don't get to write politics much on this beat but the past Friday I got some material from comedian Paul Rodriguez that gives me just the excuse.
At the fundraiser for the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, Rodriguez said he has met the gov (Schwarzenegger) and talked with him a few times – through an interpreter.  Talk about English as a second language...
About the presidential race: Iraqis will surrender if Obama is elected, according to Rodriguez. They'll say "We want to stop now. A brother's in office."
The White House has been two white for too long, he continued. "I'd like to see some color in there. That means we're just a shade away." 
Hoots and hollers rang out when Rodriguez mentioned the news last week that Republican candidate John McCain was born in Panama. "We just found out McCain is illegal." Close call. He was born on a military base in Panama,  technically U.S. soil. Sorry Aahnie.
I bet you can't guess the direction of my political winds... 
Speaking of comedy, I missed the comedy show last night at Simone's Jazz and Soul Cabaret on Second Street. But tonight is "Pizza and Love Comedy Showcase" at Spud's Pizza and Brew over on Telegraph in Berkeley. I could use more of both in these very unfunny times.  Admission is $7. 
OTOH, Sunday is the benefit for Babatunde Lea's Educultural Foundation at Yoshi's in Oakland. No comedy that I know of but there should be some fine music to be heard. Who is Babtunde Lea? His MySpace page probably says it best.
Okay, here is the last of the jokes I am swiping for you from Rodriguez:
"Tequila — another thing Mexican Americans have gifted to us. It's Viagra for the unattractive. You drink enough and everything looks good."
Cheers and happy weekend.

...Poetry, that is. Sorry to disappoint you. Perverts Put Out is actually the name of an erotic poetry reading series in San Francisco. This Saturday (Jan 5) is the post-New Year Hangover Edition featuring such artists as "horehound stillpoint" 7:30 p.m. at CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission St. (415) 435-7552.   Tickets $10-$15.
Penance is available via the Reduced Shakespeare Company's "The Bible: The complete word of God, abridged." Amen! Confess your sins and get answers to such questions as "Did Adam and Eve have navels?" and "Did Moses really look like Charlton Heston?" (and did Moses carry a gun?) Go quick bc the show ends Jan. 6 at the Marines Memorial Threatre, 609 Sutter St., SF. The phone# is (415) 771-6900. Tickets ($45-$49) at www.ticketmaster.com.