Oh, I have never been one to get sappy on our national holiday, mainly because I am bitchy anyway, and I really don’t know what to think of our country anymore. As I lurked into M.B. Haskett’s for an adult cider before the parade today, I asked Michael, “What the Hell are you doing open today?” He replied, “I’m practicing my true patriotism by capitalizing on the holiday.” Or something like that. To which I had an ironic response to a woman a couple of hours later when she asked me if they were charging on the DT parking meters, “Ah, no, it’s a national holiday.” She seemed to have forgotten as her American Flag kerchief waved in the wind. Gawd, some people are f’kg stupid.
So here’s the deal, I just planned on riding my bike to the parade, then going home, but I saw so many strange things, I just had to blog about it.
My first observation was that almost every 3rd vehicle in the parade was a SF Public Works vehicle or SF Fire vehicle. My first issue with this is that public service employees deserve to have a day with their families, especially on the 4th. They are the ones that turn the screws in our city every day, and if there is one day they deserve to have off, it is the 4th. Obvisously, PD and FD is another story. So I ask the question, were they volunteering their time, or were they getting paid OT on the taxpayers dime to drive in the parade? Who is paying for the fuel? I would guess if there would not have been public vehicles in the parade, it would have been half the size.
Speaking of the size of the parade, when I thought it was over I decided I would ride to Falls Park on my cranky old bike, peeps thot I was part of the bullshit. So I started waiving, and at one point I yelled out, “God Bless America!” as I gave them the devil horns. Who doesn’t love R & R?
Two funny entries in the parade that really made me chuckle. The Rounds/Daugaard/Noem shit mobile, ah, I mean campaign vehicle, with none of them in tow was a Prius. I have never laughed so hard. But what gets better is that the Daughters of the American Revolution were riding in two Volkswagens. Heil to the chief!
But now for the pictures. Larry forgot to take off his black socks;
Oh this is a gem, the Horsebarn Arts center being used as a storage shed for SF Parks and Rec while we discuss the city’s cultural plan. Nice.
Me enjoying an Abita Turbo Dog at the Overlook Cafe, I will have to admit, a nice addition to Falls Park, even if the only adult on staff was overwhelmed by the laziness of her fellow teenage co-workers that were more concerned about picking their zits then helping her. Thank You spiked hair lady, you are a true American.
Speaking of the Cafe, I saw a strange encounter (besides the fact that Rick Knobe was ignoring me) he decided to share some lemonade, or something with Larry Pressler.
Here’s some fine pictures of our mayor shaking hands in the endless line for free pork sandwiches. Hopefully the E-Coli blowing off the Big Poo won’t land on your bun. Great part was Mikey was wearing the same shirt from last year (it was featured in the ads for the parade). I wonder what safe he made Cindy put this in? What an anal perfectionist. Oh, but nothing beats councilors Rolfing and Kiley riding in a brand new orange Camaro. how does that song go? Bitching Camaro . . .
Highlights of the parade was my former co-worker and man about town driving his daughter, Miss South Dakota, Meridith Gould down Phillips. Jeff is an amazing man and it is no wonder he has an amazing daughter, I have no doubt in my mind she is a great contender. Good Luck!
I want to finish with something, very un-American. Our country is made up of riffraff, no doubt, but if there is one thing we at least expect out of public servants, is that they do their jobs. Not today I guess.
As I was sitting on the patio of the Overlook Cafe, I saw a couple of kids playing on the rocks, close to the water by the main falls. Other people noticed to, and some officers quickly walked down there, but they didn’t even get close, in fact they walked away. As the kids kept playing, I got concerned, and with all the people down there, I thought, “Maybe they are safe, someone would have said something by now.” So I went to check it out. Not the case. I approached them and could tell the older kid was mentally challenged. I politely told them, “Please come back here guys, it is not safe to be that close to the falls.” Neither one of them argued with me and came back.
As I was leaving, I saw a large group of Fire Department vehicles and officers standing up by the parking lot, I went over and told them what I had witnessed and that maybe they should check it out. One of the fire officers said, “That’s the parents responsibility.”
Wow!
To serve and protect?