Anti -Suicide Barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Golden Gate Bridge is a treasure. Now comes word that the the Golden Gate Bridge District is currently soliciting public input on whether to build a "suicide barrier" between the east-side walkway on California's greatest human-made landmark and the view of America's most beautiful city. You can send your comments to bridgecomments@goldengate.org.

I have a lot of doubts about the barrier. The Bridge is an Art Deco treasure and altering the visual aspect of the bridge is unusually sensitive, both from the bridge and looking at the bridge.

I also have doubts of the efficacy of the suicide barrier. I suspect that those bent on suicide will figure something out about beating the barrier or throw themselves from the Marin Headlands or Fort Point.

We'll be arguing this for years. Both sides will have hissy fits on TV while the TV reporters cheer and watch those ratings climb. Ugly won't do for the GGB. Oh Lord, lets have a contest to name the advocacy groups for both side with portentous and pretentious names and "high emotive" acronyms.

(And as the hookah smoking caterpillar sings, 'AEIOUaeiouAEIOUaeiouAEIOUaeiouAEIOUaeiouAEIOU)

***We take you to the parking lot of the Marina Safeway on a brilliant spring day where a modest 40 mph wind through the Golden Gate carries hats and small dogs toward old Fort Mason as ernest yuppies in designer 'active wear' either run by to Marina Green or go into the store intent on more than food.

"Hi there, my name is Rolfyboy, I represent NOLEAP, I wonder if you'd like to sign this petition about the Golden Gate Bridge? It's so people won't jump off the Bridge any more. No, no one in my family ever did... Well, SAME TO YOU Buddy."

"Hi there, my name is Rolfyboy, I represent NOLEAP, I wonder if you'd like to sign this petition about the Golden Gate Bridge? It's so people won't jump off the Bridge any more. Oh yeah, NOLEAP. N.O.L.E.A.P. NOLEAP. That's New Organization Leading to Excellent Adhoc Protection. NOLEAP. Can I get your signature here? It's really important Ma'am, I mean people jump every day and we need to stop them. Yes, I know they want to die. We're just trying to help Ma'am. No, honestly, we're not making it worse. Yes, people have freedom, we're just trying to make it not so easy to jump off the bridge. No I'm not interfering with people's right to die."

It's a wonderful place and a wonderful bridge. Don't expect anything anytime soon.