San Francisco values
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
San Francisco values is a pejorative term used to refer to the cultural, social, and moral attributes commonly associated with the city of San Francisco, California in the United States, particularly in reference to the city's left-wing politics and pervasive secularism.[1]
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[edit] Meaning
While no single definition exists of "San Francisco values," it is often used to describe elements of a secular progressive culture commonly associated with San Francisco. Among other things, the term has been associated with same-sex marriage, anti-war activism, pro-choice philosophy, marijuana decriminalization, secularism, anti-Americanism, open-door immigration policies, and a more socialist government.[1] "San Francisco values" is primarily used in a pejorative sense, employed by conservative members of the media.
[edit] Media usage
The term "San Francisco values" was used by right-wing pundits during the conservative movement of the mid-1990s, and has since been popularized by Bill O'Reilly and Newt Gingrich. It is possibly a successor to then Democrat Jean Kirkpatrick's condemnation of "San Francisco Democrats" for a "blame America first" mentality" at the 1984 Republican National Convention. Bill O'Reilly claims to have coined the term 'San Francisco Values'[2], but the term dates back at least to 1996, when Rep. Frank Riggs attacked his Democratic challenger Michela Alioto over her "San Francisco values."[2]
With the ascendancy of San Francisco representative Nancy Pelosi to Speaker of the House, the term experienced a surge in popularity following the 2006 midterm elections. Newt Gingrich, for example, sent a fundraising letter to supporters, saying, "Will everything you've worked so hard to accomplish be lost to the San Francisco values of would-be Speaker Nancy Pelosi?"[1] Meanwhile, the Augusta Chronicle, a Georgia newspaper, warned readers that "Pelosi will be speaker and her far-left San Francisco values -- gay marriage, cutting and running from Iraq, coddling terrorists, raising taxes, amnesty for illegals -- will become the House agenda."[1]
In addition to being used by the right-wing media, the term has appeared in and around San Francisco itself. The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco's largest daily newspaper, discussed the term in its 2006 article, "Three Dirty Words: San Francisco Values."[1] The next week, the San Francisco Bay Guardian responded with a similarly titled article, "San Francisco Values,"[3] calling the Chronicle's editorial positions into question. "San Francisco values" has been discussed by local bloggers as well, including SFist and Metroblog, among many others.
[edit] Push-back
The Peter B. Collins Show, a syndicated liberal talk show bills itself as a talk show "infused with dangerous San Francisco values like compassion, justice, and a living wage".[4]
[edit] See also
- Massachusetts liberal
- Liberal elite
- Limousine liberal
- Modern liberalism in the United States
- Propaganda
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Garofoli, Joe. "Three Dirty Words: San Francisco Values", San Francisco Chronicle, 2006-11-03. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
- ^ a b M., J.. "O'Reilly falsely claimed to have "coined the term 'San Francisco values'", Media Matters for America, 2006-11-27. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
- ^ Jones, Steven T. "San Francisco Values", San Francisco Bay Guardian, 2006-01-09. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
- ^ The Peter B. Collins Show archive (evidence of intro blurb). Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
