My first reaction is that San Francisco's bumbling idiocy continues unabated!

Because they weren't  able to control the crowds last year, there going to take it away from everyone.   Ultimately, with the size of troop support they put on the ground, they could have been proactive, and actually had a great Halloween!   

Maybe Mr. Dufty was too busy this year to plan for it.   But he is an entire book of issues that I could comment about (Oh and I will in other posts).

My feelings are rather strong on this one, especially after just returning from New Orleans for it's celebration of Halloween.   I walked around without fear or trepidation.   Funny, isn't New Orleans supposed to be so unsafe?  (For full disclosure; I still retain my residence in New Orleans)

I have spent many Halloweens here in San Francisco and have usually been in the Castro with my friends.   However, because of the militant stance that the I felt the police were taking, I found somewhere else to be!   I also suggested to my friends to be away from it.  To be away from the cities anger.  

Unlike the officers in New Orleans, while stern, will shoo you away from trouble, rather than arrest you if they can.   Instead I saw hoards of officers, huddled together like packs of ravenous Hyenas.   They were so amped up, ready to start something.   The energy was angry, not frightening!   That phrase; "Don't taze me bro, Don't taze me!" kept echoing through my mind.   They were not here to help, they were here to dominate, intimidate and terrorize.  There were more troops on the ground then civilians!

My deepest sympathies go out to all the businesses in the Castro.  They are the ones that suffered the most!  Though I don't believe they were officially told to close, it certainly appeared that they were coerced to do it!  Brings you back to the days of prohibition doesn't  it?  You have to wonder how much money they lost because of it?   Hell, they should be allowed to sue the city for it!  But then again, can you be insured against a cities incompetence?  I would certainly encourage every business owner in the Castro to look into it!

The day of the dead truly was Castro's day of it's death!   May it not lay in peace, but come back to life!  To bring the frivolity and laughter back.   It was sorely missed!

And a reminder to Mr. Dufty, you have about 1 year to plan it!   Please set yourself a reminder on a To-Do list this year, so you don't embarrass the city and yourself again!   To bad they can't just fire you for your gross incompetence!