You may have heard this morning about the “hill bomb” skateboarding event that was busted by SFPD over the weekend. Cops arrested more than 100 people for such crimes as vandalism and resisting arrest. Cops were assaulted and spat upon by an unruly crowd, and MUNI vehicles were trashed in the ensuing riot.

In 1931, Sigmund Freud, in response to a query from a friend concerning whether he [Freud] was in favor of “criminal justice reform,” replied: “And if, miraculously, the conviction were suddenly to arise that the reform of the criminal-justice system was to be our civilization’s next and most urgent task, what other result would ensue but that our capitalistic society would not have the means to pay for this reform’s requisite expenditures!”

I had my checkup yesterday at the dentist’s, and while I was paying the bill afterwards, my dentist—whom I’ve been with for nearly 30 years—told me he’s seriously contemplating leaving his Oakland premises and moving elsewhere.

There’s always been a schizophrenic quality to the City Council’s attitude towards homelessness. When they passed their Encampment Management Policy, in December, 2020, much was made of the fact that it appeared to declare encampments illegal. Many of us, including myself, were thrilled that, finally, the City Council, under intense pressure from citizens, was prepared to get tough with campers.

Going through social media, especially Twitter, I’m convinced that no issue in America is more unpopular than reparations. People are truly horrified by the idea. They’re taking it personally—as well they should. In fact, so contentious is the idea that, if it goes much further, it could destabilize our country in unpredictable ways and lead to a permanent realignment of politics.