'Oh, yeah, they proved what could be achieved . . . Wait? Dead a year later? Is that the achievement?'
That would be a case of strange wording.
By contrast, A&E provides homophobia.
Dan White assassinated San Francisco Board Supervisor Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. The Dan White Lesson is, in fact, if you want to assassinate politicians and get away with it, be an ex-cop.
Now we didn't expect A&E to drift into the rumors that Dan White used to dress in drag and then hit the Castro District. We didn't expect to read the rumors that he was a "toilet queen" known for services performed in public bathrooms.
All we expected was the known public record and that reflects that he's a killer who killed two people in cold blood.
That truth is rather elusive on A&E's The Biography Channel page's bio on White.
In an eight paragraph bio, we are informed of his crimes in the first paragraph. The second wants us to know he was "an all-American boy" (he was not "often described" as that). It tells us about his sports and his serving in Vietnam and his police work and his being a fire fighter and then, in 1977, his election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Paragraph three insists "White was a conservative" and we're told that this representative of the "poor white working class" (that's not really the district he represented) had "to oppose Mayor George Moscone and his liberal ideas" -- what the hell is that?
White was elected (once) by one district. Moscone won the voters of San Francisco -- county! The entire county. In November 1975, he and John Barbagelata were the top two vote-getters and faced off in a December runoff. Moscone won. He was a very popular mayor with most citizens of San Francisco which is how he survived a recall attempt in 1977.
Paragraph four wants more 'understanding' for Dan White because, we're told, back then "many psychiatrists still considered homosexuality to be a mental illness" -- left unstated, never has it been considered "treatment" to shoot dead the mentally ill.
Paragraph five wants you to know that Harvey Milk "befriended gay radicals who frequented Greenwich Village." We know what free radicals are, could you explain gay radicals to us? Note that he didn't just interact with "radicals," they were "gay radicals" -- and from Greenwich Village, no less.
Paragraph six wants you to know that Harvey was called "a publicity whore by many".
Paragraph seven takes us back to the violins and Dan White. He had to give his fire fighter job!!!! Uh, yeah, and he knew that during the race. It was frequently commented on. If he won election to the Board, he would have to step down as a fire fighter. He knew that going in. The word choice of "forced to resign" as a fire fighter appears utilized to further portray White as the ultimate victim. Then, we're told, White "started a restaurant business, but it failed due to the pressures of being a councilor."
What?
He had a failed baked potato concession stand out on Fisherman's Wharf.
Among the reasons the 'bio' gives for White resigning was that failed 'restaurant,' a low salary (then and now the yearly salary of a Board of Supervisor was known) which meant "he couldn't support his family," the other members of the Board and Harvey "Milk's gay rights bill got passed".
Dan White resigns November 10, 1978 over a bill passed in April of that year?
A&E's referring to Article 33 of the San Francisco Police Code. That's what Harvey Milk introduced and what passed April of 1978 and went into effect May 11, 1978.
It took White seven months after a vote to quit . . . because of a vote?
Let's review the language A&E uses: ". . . he abruptly resigned his seat after Milk's gay rights bill got passed." Again that is Article 33 of the San Francisco Police Code, also known as Ordinance No. 178-78 and it was passed in April. Dan White resigns November 10, 1978.
Do we need to review 1978's ordinances with A&E? We can. We can go over the American Cancer Society's "Thank you for not smoking" stickers that required an ordinance for the employees at San Francisco International Airport to wear (that was the January 16, 1978 meeting, by the way). Marian Anderson receiving a Certificate of Honor from the Board presented by Supervisor Dianne Feinstein on March 13, 1978? We can go over it. We can go over all of it.*
Amazingly, this moment isn't noted online. The ordinance Harvey Milk sponsored was the first of its kind in the United States. People don't even know the dates online -- or at A&E -- to this historic measure. It was March 20th. From that Board of Supervisors' minutes:
There being no objection, on motion by Supervisor Milk, seconded by Supervisor Silver, the rules were suspended to take up out of order the following recommendation of Fire, Safety and Police Committee:
Ordinance amending Police Code, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orinentation in employment, housing and public accommodations; and providing remedies therefor.
(Supervisors Gonzales, Milk, Silver)
File 119-78, Ordinance No.
(Adds Article 33.)
Supervisor White moved that measure be rereferred to Committee. Motion to rerefer died for want of a second.
Supervisor Hutch, seconded by Supervisor Milk, moved to amend, as follows: DELETE lines 18-20.
Motion to amend refused adoption by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Hutch, Lau, Milk-- 3.
Noes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Kopp, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 8.
Passed for second reading by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver-- 10.
No: Supervisor White-- 1.
We'll include March 27, 1978 minutes for historic reasons as well, where the Board debates wording:
The following recommendation of Fire, Safety and Police Committee, heretofore considered, was taken up:
Ordinance amending Police Code, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations; and providing remedies therefor.
(Supervisors Gonzales, Milk, Silver)
File 119-78, Ordinance No.
(Adds Article 33.)
Motion to Continue Consideration Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Dolson, moved that consideration be continued one week in order that he might clarify the proposed legislation by amendment. Following discussion, Supervisor Kopp withdrew his motion to continue consideration.
Motions to Amend Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor White, moved amendment, as follows:
Page 1, line 29: DELETE "for a discriminatory reason." After "unlawful" INSERT "for any person".
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 10.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor White, moved amendment as follows: Page 1, line 30: At end of sentence DELETE ":" and ADD "of an employee or applicant for employment."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 10.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Dolson, moved amendment as follows: Page 2, lines 11 and 12: DELETE "To fail or refuse to include in"; INSERT "To exclude or expel from".
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, White-- 9.
No: Supervisor Silver-- 1.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Dolson, moved amendment as follows: Page 3, Lines 16 and 17: DELETE "an excuse for failure to hire any individual." INSERT "a pretext not to hire an individual because of his or her sexual orientation." Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 9.
No: Supervisor Gonzales-- 1.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor White, moved amendment as follows: Page 3, line 22: After "unlawful" INSERT "for any person." DELETE "for a discriminatory reason."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, White-- 9.
No: Supervisor Silver-- 1.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Motion to Amend Failed Adoption Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Dolson, moved amendment as follows:
Page 3, lines 29 and 30: DELETE "(2) To include in the terms or conditions of a transaction in real property any clause, condition or restriction;" and INSERT "(2) To prohibit any occupancy by an individual because of his or her sexual orientation." Motion to amend failed adoption by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Kopp, Pelosi, White-- 4.
Noes: Supervisors Gonzales, Hutch, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Silver-- 6.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Motions to Amend Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor White, moved amendment as follows:
Page 4, lines 15 and 16: DELETE "or attempts to indicate any unlawful"; after "discrimination" ADD "based on sexual orientation."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 9.
Absent: Supervisors Feinstein, Gonzales-- 2.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor White, moved amendment as follows: Page 4, line 27: DELETE "discriminatory practice" and INSERT "for any person;" line 28: DELETE "for a discriminatory reason;" line 29: after "orientation" DELETE ";" and ADD "of a customer:".
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 10.
Absent: Supervisor Feinstein-- 1.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Silver, moved amendment as follows: Page 5, lines 12, 13 and 14: After "violated," DELETE remainder of sentence and ADD "special and general damages, and may award in addition thereto not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200) but not more than Four Hundred Dollars ($400), together with attorneys fees and costs of action."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 9.
Absent: Supervisors Feinstein, Molinari-- 2.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Milk, moved amendment as follows:
Page 5, line 27: after "District Attorney," INSERT "by the City Attorney."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 9. Absent: Supervisors Feinstein, Molinari-- 2. Supervisor Feinstein noted present at 4:00 p.m. Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Gonzales, moved amendment as follows: Page 6, line 7: Before "Actions" INSERT "Judicial." Motion to amend adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 11.
Supervisor Kopp, seconded by Supervisor Milk, moved amendment as follows:
Page 6, line 10: Renumber Section 3309 to read Section 3310. Add a new Section 3309 to read: "Definition. The word 'person' as used in this Article shall mean any individual, person, firm, corporation, or other organization or group of persons however organized."
Motion to amend adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver, White-- 11.
Passed for second reading as amended by the following vote:
Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver-- 10.
Absent: Supervisor White-- 1.
You may have noticed that White had a lot of interest in the wording of a bill he didn't support. April 3, 1978 minutes (when the measure passes):
The following recommendations of Fire, Safety and Police Committee, heretofore considered, were taken up:
Ordinance amending Police Code, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations; and providing remedies therefor.
( Supervisors Gonzales, Milk, Silver)
File 119-78, Ordinance No. 178-78
(Adds Article 33.)
Finally passed by the following vote: Ayes: Supervisors Dolson, Feinstein, Gonzales, Hutch, Kopp, Lau, Milk, Molinari, Pelosi, Silver-- 10.
No: Supervisor White-- 1.
April 3rd, the measure passed. It takes Dan White until November to 'protest' by resigning? Point of fact, Dan White was a lousy supervisor. Except for making motions for adjournment, he did very little on the Board. April 10, he finally presented his first proposal. It was on? Bingo games. How they'd be conducted, how they'd be advertised. We're sure A&E can offer a sad story for why that was.
The final paragraph of the A&E bio has Dan White wanting the position he resigned back -- not because of himself, you understand, but because that's what "his colleagues and constituents" wanted. White would never -- in A&E's world -- put himself first. He talked to Moscone but the mayor "had already been strongly influence by Milk and other Board members to appoint another liberal, Federal Housing official Don Horanzy, instead."
Poor Dan White, "an all-American boy," A&E wants you to know, toppled by that nasty "publicity whore" Harvey Milk. A&E might want to explain why it is that two people were assassinated and A&E's bio of Dan White reads like he was the victim and not the killer?
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*Jim note: Between C.I.'s never-forget-anything memory and the bound volumes of Board of Supervisors minutes that she can flip through and show you instantly, "This is where this passed, right here is where . . ." we can school A&E on this topic, if need be.
