If San Francisco is indeed a city of leaders, then I think we should lead, and if we don't want a chain store, then we should say so loudly.
Chicken JohnHigh-end boutiques aren't putting small staple stores out of business. What's putting small staple stores out of business is formula retail.
Chicken JohnI do not agree that NIMBYism is wrong morally. I believe that NIMBYism is wrong ethically. It's a personal choice.
Chicken JohnI respect your right to worship Satan, or to worship a tea kettle, or to be a NIMBY, or to be an asshole. There's no law against being an asshole.
Chicken JohnWe all have to pick our battles. You've got to draw a line in the sand and stand firm. And it's this squishiness that's really the enemy, like, "Well, I don't know, it's kind of OK but I kind of feel guilty, and I kind of want a bran muffin, I don't know, and I'm wearing a vest; it's crocheted." Shut up. Just pick your battle and just stand there, and whatever you are going to do, own it.
Chicken John