TOP O' THE BAY
SF Gate -- Thursday, November 13, 2003
Edited by Chad Rockwell
============================================
TODAY'S HEADLINES
For the latest updates, visit SF Gate.

ARNOLD'S LOW-KEY AFFAIR
Schwarzenegger's inauguration will be a relatively simple event. Tell that to the media.

WILLIE: NIX THE COMMISH
Mayor Brown calls supe's move to make PUC appointments unethical and part of a "conspiracy."

FALLEN HERO HONORED
1,500 cohorts attend firefighter's San Rafael memorial.

ADMIT IT, CAL
UC Berkeley to review low-scoring applicants after regent stirs controversy.

ANGST OVER TEEN TESTS
State graduation formula disputed, could lead to state takeovers.

RAPIST STAYS PUT
Jury rules Marin convict Patrick Ghilotti is still a threat.

============================================
BAY AREA WEATHER

Today: Areas of morning fog, mainly near the ocean; otherwise mostly sunny but cooler. Highs upper 50s to mid-60s. South wind to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear early, then increasing clouds. Lows 40s to lower 50s. South wind to 15 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy with a chance of rain, mainly in the afternoon. Highs upper 50s to mid-60s. South wind 10 to 20 mph. Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Lows 40s to lower 50s. West wind to 15 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs mid-50s to lower 60s. Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Lows 40s to lower 50s.

Sunday and Sunday night: Mostly clear. Highs upper 50s to mid-60s. Lows upper 30s and 40s.

Monday through Tuesday: Mostly clear and mild. Highs 60s to lower 70s. Lows upper 30s to around 50.

Tuesday night and Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Lows 40s to lower 50s. Highs upper 50s and 60s.

Customizable forecasts, 3-D views of the fog, current temperatures by microclimate, live views, forecasts, satellite pictures, more: SF Gate Weather

============================================
GATE EXCLUSIVES
Features, columns and specials you won't find anywhere else.

MARK FIORE
Bunker Buster, the friendly nuke, is back. And he's brought friends! (Flash)

NEW WAVE IN CHINESE CINEMA
Rare screenings of hot new independent films at UC Berkeley offer peek into changing nation.

WORLD VIEWS
Two-party Tsunami hits Japan; U.S. invasion most serindipitous event in Iraq's history?; Russian rock reeks; and more.

ePICKS
New Italian Cinema, Cirque du Soleil, Junior Senior, and more.

============================================
DATEBOOK & ENTERTAINMENT
Features, culture and night life at SF Gate's eGuide

McCOY'S MARINES, CHAPTER 4
Fighting and dying. Chronicle reporter John Koopman's ride toward war.
Give us your comments about the McCoy's Marines series.

(SORT OF) LIKE A ROCK STAR
Dominatrix stalkers, a major record deal, a "fluffy mullet" shrine. Yep, life's good for musician Matt Nathanson.

============================================
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Stock quotes, personal finance, market news, more at SF Gate Business & Technology

AIDS VACCINE FLOPS
Brisbane company's Thailand trial fails, as expected. Still, there's hope for the future.

AHOY, CHIPS!
Semiconductor industry set for a big turnaround.

I FLY TED
United announces new low-cost air carrier with a casual name.

============================================
SPORTS
Latest scores, live updates, news: SF Gate Sports

GANNON'S DONE
Raiders' QB out for remainder of the season with shoulder injury. Surgery ahead.

GARCIA'S NEW IRE
49ers' QB ticked about "fickleness" of fans, doubters.

SCOTT OSTLER
QB debate rates as great, so why wait to discuss fate?

GOLDEN STATE GUTS IT OUT
Warriors activate their defense mechanism in OT.

HALF DOME, MOSTLY EMPTY
Yosemite at its best -- minus the huge crowds. Paul McHugh.

============================================
YOU MISS THIS?
A diamond in the media rough from yesterday.

JEB'S JAB
Bush jokes people of San Francisco may be endangered

Jackie Hallifax, Associated Press

Gov. Jeb Bush joked during a Florida Cabinet meeting Wednesday that the people of San Francisco may be endangered and, "That's probably good news for the country."

The subject was environmental land and at the time Bush was looking at a map showing locations with a lot of different wildlife.

"It looks like the people of San Francisco are an endangered species, which may not be a bad thing. That's probably good news for the country."

People in the room broke into laughter

"Did I just say that out loud?" the governor asked.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown wasn't too worried by the comment, according to spokesman P.J. Johnston.

"When he finally stopped laughing, he said, 'I'm sure this is a tongue-in-cheek comment. I'd feel a little better if the governor would send me one of his alligators; I've got a supervisor that needs companionship,"' Johnston said.

Johnston also said he didn't think residents of San Francisco would be much disturbed by what the governor said.

"By and large San Franciscans have a good sense of humor and will not be dreadfully offended," Johnston said, adding that he wished people in politics would also "lighten up."

But the head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force didn't see anything funny in the governor's comment and believed it to be anti-gay because of San Francisco's large gay population.

"It's extremely insulting," said Matt Foreman. "But of course I would say that gay people in Florida are far more endangered than gay people in California."

Bush told reporters he was just joking and added another quip: "Don't call Willie Brown."

Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre later explained the governor's thinking: "The Cabinet was talking about endangered species and everyone knows that Republicans are an endangered species in California."

Bush has been amused by California before. In mid-August, the topic was Gary Coleman, the former child actor who jumped into the California gubernatorial recall race.

"I'm glad that Gary Coleman lives in California," Bush said. "A guy like me that believes in limited government probably would have a tough time against a fellow like that because he probably symbolizes smaller government."

Coleman took the comment in stride.

"I don't know about Jeb Bush," he said. "But if I become governor, I will represent the little guys, the people that big people tend to step on when they want to get somewhere."

=======================================

*** subscribe to the chronicle ***
Save 75% off Chronicle Home Delivery
*** subscribe to the chronicle ***

FEEDBACK
Your thoughts, comments and suggestions please, to topo@sfgate.com.