A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

[c1ue]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...#ixzz1tRaLGMRE

What is interesting is that this is how American politics works today, only with big donors rather than ambitious society climbers...

If San Francisco ever changes its civic seal, I have a suggestion: an open checkbook.
Your status in "society" is determined by participation in events such as the Homeless Prenatal Program or Tipping Point fundraising efforts, or the UCSF hospital building program, or your purchase of hearts at the San Francisco General Hospital luncheon.
Your second societal avenues are the cultural organizations, whether it's the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of the African Diaspora or the de Young, the California Academy of Sciences, the Opera, the Symphony, the Ballet, the Contemporary Jewish Museum or the Asian Art Museum.
Another track is to get your name on the ticket list of an Allison Speer-hosted commercial opening of a downtown jewelry palace or watering hole.
All these events are covered by The Chronicle's B. G. & Z., also known as Catherine Bigelow, Leah Garchik and Carolyne Zinko. The extent of their coverage, and your name stamped in bold, automatically elevate one to the societal status that might get you in the Nob Hill Gazette or 7x7 or on a VIP list of the Academy of Art University's graduation.
You know you're really on the A-list when a full name is not needed. When they say Denise, you know it's Hale. Say Stanlee, you know it's Gatti. And when they say Ann or Gordon, you know it's oil.
Finally there is politics - the ultimate blood sport. Just about any elected office will get you included on every one of the above lists.
So now you know why some of us run for public office.
What makes this city truly great is that you don't have to be born lucky to play the game. Just remember to bring your checkbook.

[globaleconomicollaps]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

Nobody beats Willie Brown for sheer balls. This is Willie playing a corrupt politician, begging favors from The God Father:

[reggie]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

I'm not sure why anyone would want to be on the so-called SF "A List". Ever met or hung with any of these people Willie refers to? I'd prefer to hang with the homeless, at least they still have souls.

[swgprop]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

I'm not sure why anyone would want to be on the so-called SF "A List". Ever met or hung with any of these people Willie refers to? I'd prefer to hang with the homeless, at least they still have souls.

I'd prefer to stick my head in a microwave rather than have a conversation with Willie Brown.

[c1ue]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

I'm not sure why anyone would want to be on the so-called SF "A List". Ever met or hung with any of these people Willie refers to? I'd prefer to hang with the homeless, at least they still have souls.

The comment above indicates that you don't seem to understand the nature of the system you so often rail against. I have, in fact, met some of these people (they don't "hang out" except precisely in the sense noted by Mr. Brown).

Not in any way wonderful people, but then again, the objective isn't necessarily to meet wonderful people. Some want to climb because they're social climbers. Some want to climb because they can use these people for campaign contributions/political endorsements (see: Gavin Newsome). Some want to climb because they believe they can derive financial benefit.

I'd prefer to stick my head in a microwave rather than have a conversation with Willie Brown.

I certainly don't consider Mr. Brown a fine human being, but then again, I do appreciate his willingness to talk about the dirty laundry behind local politics.

Equally so I have to respect to some extent his proven capabilities within the sausage making endeavor known as American politics.

[reggie]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

The comment above indicates that you don't seem to understand the nature of the system you so often rail against. I have, in fact, met some of these people (they don't "hang out" except precisely in the sense noted by Mr. Brown).

Of course you understand the system better than I, that is a given, is it not? But then again, Willie would not disclose, especially in a widely distributed newspaper, all the ways to hang with this crowd. The intimate time where substance is discussed is not at any of these "event" listed, but in small quaint private gatherings at someone's home or at a local restaurant. But of course, you knew this already.

Not in any way wonderful people, but then again, the objective isn't necessarily to meet wonderful people. Some want to climb because they're social climbers. Some want to climb because they can use these people for campaign contributions/political endorsements (see: Gavin Newsome). Some want to climb because they believe they can derive financial benefit.

Authoritarians clearly think this so-called A-list is comprised of wonderful people, with many who seek their mentorship.

I certainly don't consider Mr. Brown a fine human being, but then again, I do appreciate his willingness to talk about the dirty laundry behind local politics.

Equally so I have to respect to some extent his proven capabilities within the sausage making endeavor known as American politics.

Actually, Willie's is a pretty honest guy. But let's be careful here, he ain't disclosing nothin' to the public that hasn't been authorized. There was an agenda behind that piece. Now, let's see if you have the fortitude to figure it out.

[c1ue]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

Of course you understand the system better than I, that is a given, is it not? But then again, Willie would not disclose, especially in a widely distributed newspaper, all the ways to hang with this crowd. The intimate time where substance is discussed is not at any of these "event" listed, but in small quaint private gatherings at someone's home or at a local restaurant. But of course, you knew this already.

I'm not clear what your point is. Is Willie laying out the definitive what to do manual on how to get 'in', in an opinion column of 500 words or less?

I would say not.

As for your 'intimate gathering' view - it is both more and less true than you think. Unless you've actually seen firsthand how these people operate, you can't possibly even imagine what actually goes on. I don't pretend to be an expert on this either, but I have seen enough of them to at least constitute a slightly informed opinion.

Authoritarians clearly think this so-called A-list is comprised of wonderful people, with many who seek their mentorship.

I have no idea why you are injecting authoritarians into this conversation. Authoritarians have nothing to do with the social scene Willie describes. This social scene is the product of rich idle people.

Actually, Willie's is a pretty honest guy. But let's be careful here, he ain't disclosing nothin' to the public that hasn't been authorized. There was an agenda behind that piece. Now, let's see if you have the fortitude to figure it out.

You might think so. Others like myself ascribe the scene Willie describes as a simple outcome of rich idle people.

Just like banksters homed in on strip clubs and fancy cars/women to strut their stuff, so too does the 'old money' home in on ways to foment exclusivity. For that matter, elementary school children also have their ways of creating exclusivity.

So what?

[reggie]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

Others like myself ascribe the scene Willie describes as a simple outcome of rich idle people.

This system is so much smarter than what you infer.

[c1ue]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

This system is so much smarter than what you infer.

Certainly a subset of it is, but the majority of it is not.

The behavior of rich people vs. a rookery of skuas is amazing similar, but then again so is the behavior of other groups of people.

[reggie]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

Trying to throw darts at the dart board won't work if the board you need to be aiming at is not even in your neurobiological frameset.

I've grown tired of your unfair play, and therefore I am adding you to my ignore list (you should be proud, as you're the first and only member on that list).

[c1ue]

Re: A peek into 'high society': Willie Brown on how to get onto the 'A' list

I've grown tired of your unfair play, and therefore I am adding you to my ignore list (you should be proud, as you're the first and only member on that list).

From you, I consider this a great compliment.

Unlike you, and despite my numerous in-length 'discussions' with many others, I have no one on my ignore list.

I actually do desire to understand other people's views even if I don't agree with them.