"I Heard That" -- Obama, Keep on Truckin'!

by Rochelle Metcalfe, 2008-01-16

Run Obama run - keep on truckin’! My vibes were wrong as stated in last week’s column that Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama would win the New Hampshire Primary! The evening was a cliff hanger! Obama may have lost but he made a darn good showing; literally scared the pants off former President Bill Clinton who panic seeing the possibility Obama could kick his wife, Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton to the curb; complained the news media showed favorable coverage to Obama and pounded on Hillary, reference their stance on the War in Iraq.

Clinton’s calculated action, manner and tone was very unbecoming! Especially when ranting about Obama, described “the whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen. Give me a break!” Hopefully, Black voters took note!

Realized he misspoke, offended some African Americans, now trying to clean up his act in hope they will still support Hillary. I have no dislike for slick Bill but he lost me, for I didn’t like his nasty tone and attack on Obama.

Regardless of poll results (which I don’t put much stock in) feel the New Hampshire Primary was misleading when showing Obama was well ahead of Clinton; scare tactics to get (Hillary) voters, who may have sat on the side lines thinking what’s the use, to the polls. Hillary’s tears and hubby Clinton’s “Fairy tale” message did it! That’s my opinion!

Obama, gracious in startling defeat, stood tall, strong, delivered a passionate message about hope, healing and unity. I Heard Martin Luther King, Jr.’s spirit throughout, as he resolved in a winning attitude “Yes We Can”!

Attended Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Inaugural Reception at de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park. Invitees included the happy couple of Heather Hiles and Karen Roye. The evening gave me the opportunity to congratulate the couple - my first acquaintance to Ms. Rove, Director, San Francisco Department of Child Support Services. Girlfriend wore a beautiful diamond cluster platinum ring - Hiles a matching band. Both are two good-looking ladies who will celebrate their first wedding anniversary January 19.

Dropping a few names: Dr. Anita Grier, Trustee, San Francisco City College Board, engaged in conversation with Dr. James Calloway; marvelous to converse with Malik Looper ( son of Tenderloin district community leader LeRoy Looper who in the mid-80s responsible for coordinating the first Sizzler Restaurant in San Francisco and located on the retail ground floor of the Cadillac Hotel which was the site of Looper’s headquarters);...former San Francisco Redevelopment Board member Benny Yee and his wife ...

Commissioner Larry Martin, President, San Francisco Parks and Recreation Commission Board; Bayview businessman Al and evangelist Jackie Norman (like that haircut); Veronica Hunnicutt, Dean, Southeast Community College ; Reverend Gary Banks and Keith Jackson (former member San Francisco School Board) - the two will soon partnership a business on Fillmore Street in the Jazz district ...

The Godfather - Labor leader and S.F. Redevelopment Board Commissioner LeRoy King introduced me to Commissioner George Yamasaki, Jr., VP San Francisco Human Services Commission, joined by his wife (such a sweet-looking couple); always nice to chat with John Casserly - he’s excited about Assemblywoman Fiona Ma running for reelection (believe she was appointed first time); charming San Francisco business woman I. Lee Murphy-Reed, member San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce; S.F. Civil Service Commissioner Linda Richardson knows how to party, that night kicking up her heels in Afro Rhythm - you go girl!

2008 promises to be hot not only on the national political front but in the City. Newsom’s first inaugural speech laid out his plans for the next four years, one “to rebuild Bayview Hunters Point by supporting the June Ballot Initiative to bring 10,000 new units of housing” and much more to the community.

The word rebuild means those residents already living in the area will have to be relocated!!! Where??? And for how long will this rebuilding take??? Gentrification of the Fillmore proved how African Americans especially were displaced, never returned to San Francisco and the Western Addition. That’s the trick bag!

Senator Dianne Feinstein, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Gavin Newsom gathered at Bayview Hunters Point Shipyard recently to announce the $82-million cleanup to forge ahead with revitalizing the area in hopes of enticing the 49ers and building a new stadium. The Bayview jobs, parks, and housing Initiative is backed by big money, big developers. A source who live in the area, pointed out via e-mail to me, the question “Why would Senator Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi and Mayor Gavin Newsom suddenly care for the Southeast Sector Now? Why focusing on families - once families leave - they leave. Thousands of families who lived in San Francisco for years are gone - gone forever!”

Reverend Amos Brown never did return my call, but curious about his request of the Mayor to call for a “Marshall Plan” to address the crisis of Black Exodus from the City? Rebuilding in the Bayview would further aggravate the problem! As in the pass, will the Black community stand by and settle for crumbs while others get a big chunk of the pie, or will we come away empty handed???

Sushi and Jazz - back on DA ‘MO Monday night to be in the mix for the opening of Jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson’s great moment and a rare appearance in the Bay area, as he always on tour. On the scene - Orrin Keepnews, Jazz producer of greats like Hutcherson, Sonny Rollins; the marvelous twosome - Jazz pianist Frank and publicist Kathy Jackson with friends Roy Sauer, Joy and Barry Thompson of Mt. View (Joy is chairman of Jackson’s fan club); Adam Garen, 1300 on Fillmore’s delightful waiter...off duty that night, there with a friend visiting from Kansas; Richard Brown, legendary bartender at the Fillmore classic nightclub known as The Scene, now doing the honors at the popular Dogpatch Saloon on Sundays (owner Michael Appicelli make the best free chili in town!). Before leaving the scene, backstage to hug Hutcherson and wife Rosemary. Bobby will celebrate another birthday January 27...Happy Birthday baby!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE...LOOK FOR ME...I’LL BE THERE...
E-mail Rochelle@earthlink.net