THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
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An abundance of incaution
by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
“Well, as you know, I always felt we tried to go a bridge too far.”
— Dirk Bogarde as General Browning, reciting the final line in the Richard Attenborough film A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far, released in 1977 and based on the book by Cornelius Ryan, was one of the last — and probably the best — of the “war epic” films made in the 1960s and ’70s. It depicts the historically controversial Operation Market Garden, an Allied move to end the Second World War in Europe by the end of 1944 by creating a northern invasion route into Germany through the Netherlands.
Originally envisioned as part of a straight thrust into Berlin by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, his direct superior and Supreme Allied Commander (and future U.S. president) Dwight Eisenhower thought it was crazy, but allowed the operation only as part of the “broad front” strategy he favored.
Another U.S. General, Omar Bradley, deemed it “one of the most imaginative operations of the war,” but ultimately a failure. Montgomery and the British dubbed it a qualified success. In the end, Allied casualties outnumbered German losses, and the battle contributed to a famine that persisted in the Netherlands until VE-Day. Prince Bernhard of the refugee Dutch royal family commented “My country can never again afford the luxury of another Montgomery success.”
It’s in this context that Susan Dyer Reynolds‘ newest expose on the campaign to close the Great Highway to vehicles, “Great Highway Robbery,” and how it jumps over established plans for the future of Ocean Beach, can be seen. In the context of those preceding plans and laws, Reynolds asks, “Why would the city follow a different approval process for closing the Upper Great Highway from Lincoln to Sloat than they did for the recent and previously successful closing of the Great Highway from Sloat to Skyline?”
The political blowback from the battle over the Great Highway is another matter. As we discussed in our latest Sunday Brunch Space, the crusade to close the road, despite backing from local big wheels, has led to lost allies and may have long-lasting consequences in other political races.
Check out the story, along with our other latest stories below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
DRUGS
San Francisco’s radical harm reductionists must swallow a bitter pill
Mayor announces new plan to reassess distribution of fentanyl supplies and to refocus on evidence-based treatment and recovery.
by Erica Sandberg
For decades San Francisco’s harm reductionists were considered the good guys. Certainly on the surface they appeared to be the saviors, distributing an endless supply of clean needles to the city’s down-and-out intravenous drug users. By doing so they could mitigate the spread of such devastating diseases as HIV and Hepatitis C.
EDUCATION
In budget crisis, San Francisco school district can’t afford to lose parent support
Progress on budget front is at risk if parents leave
by John Trasviña
TRANSPORTATION
San Francisco transit officials favor summer Muni service cuts that shorten bus routes heading downtown
The 5-, 6-, 9-, 21-, and 31-Muni routes would be impacted by service cuts.
by Jerold Chinn
Quote of the week
“Locally and nationally, people have lost faith in institutions due to gaslighting and the race to the bottom. The parents who waited four hours and then were denied the opportunity to speak are clearly not part of the community the school district cares about. If we aren’t heard or don’t get answers, parents who have choices will leave.”
— An unnamed parent who tried to testify at the March 11 San Francisco Board of Education meeting, in “In budget crisis, San Francisco school district can’t afford to lose parent support.”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
TRANSIT
SFMTA introduces Chinese characters on 30-Stockton buses destination signs
New signage on buses aims to improve navigation for the Chinese community.
by Jerold Chinn
EDUCATION
Transitional kindergarten is counting on us
SFUSD can learn from Boston’s track record of excellence in early childhood mathematics.
by Elizabeth Statmore
HOUSING
Housing briefs: Wall Street carnage
Plus: A by-the-numbers look at local real estate.
by John Zipperer
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EVENTS
Out and about March 20–26, 2025
What to do this week and into the next.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
So we’re winding down to the weekend, which is always a collective ahh, right? Here are my picks from music and dance, to caviar, flowers, and more to help you enjoy the next several days.
Thursday, March 20
The Caviar Co. is celebrating International Women’s Month with a Handbag Happy Hour. If you’re iffy about caviar, go be curious. And I’d bet you’re all-in on all proceeds going to Dress for Success, which supports women entering the workforce with career counseling, job search, interview preparation, wardrobe items, and more. And I’d also bet you’ve got a purse or tote, or other carryall to donate as well. I sure do. Includes wine and nibbles. Tickets $50.
Friday, March 21
Acclaimed Bay Area jazz vocalist Kenny Washington has performed with Wynton Marsalis and lots of others. See him tonight at Keys Jazz Bistro with his quartet. Through Saturday. Tickets from $40.
See more weekend events online.
Listen to our podcasts
- All eyes are on Mayor Daniel Lurie
- What should happen to downtown S.F. as more changes are taking place?
- Mayor Lurie has a vision … we hope he succeeds!
- Beds alone will not solve the continuing homeless crisis
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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