studies at rutgers university and author of the book islamophobia and the politics of empire and michael cohen columnist for foreign policies election two thousand and twelve channel and a fellow at the century foundation ana thank you both for joining me tonight and michael i want to start with you and we spoke about this yesterday a little bit on the show but curious to get your take on what exactly you think mitt romney's foreign policy is because if you ask me he throws in a lot of rhetoric that's a little out of date then he also has a lot of diversion tactics right now he wants to talk about national security leaks but i think that it's all just to to you know get people's eyes away from the fact that he doesn't really have that much of a foreign policy or if he does it's not that different from obama's you know i think i would be fine for. obama. and that's kind of the way people. speech today better or worse and the way you talk about it you basically attacked president obama for you but that personally in that speech it didn't really give any sense of what we do differently as states

my name is michael cohen. i live in san francisco and i am a member of the americans for safe access chapter in san francisco. as a medical cannabis patient, i use medical cannabis for a number of issues, for aids, hiv, shingles, depression, migraines, and also for pain control. i want there to be safe access to the medical community in the carter mission. why should residents in this neighborhood be denied safe access in their own neighborhood? the dispensary will be a good neighbor. it wants to follow the rules and regulations. they will be well-run and they want to be a positive part of the community. we want to work with you and we are willing to address any of your concerns. i urge the board to deny the appeal of mission organics. they will be a fine addition to the mission neighborhood. please grant the permit. president hwang: next speaker. >> i am a member of americans for safe access. i live a few blocks from the proposed location. this neighborhood would benefit for this dispensary as it would provid

michael antonini. supervisor chiu: colleagues, and the discussion? supervisor cohen: this appointment has not been an easy decision for me. i've heard from folks on both sides of the aisle in favor of the commissioner and those who would like to see him removed. additionally, just as few years after the eastern neighborhoods plan was adopted, we see that both sides are having challenges. with all of this change, it's essentially have a balance in the planning commission to ensure all our cities and neighborhoods are adequately represented. i have had the opportunity to meet with commissioner antonini and express my concern about the lack of representation from the southern waterfront in eastern neighborhoods on the planning commission and the challenges i see a rising in the southeastern neighborhood, specifically with in district 10. while i remain concerned that with the appointments before us today, that we don't include anyone who lives or works in the southeastern neighborhood, i would like to ask you consider entertaining a mission to continue this item for ano

cohen: any questions? all right. supervisor mar: thank you so much. let's open this up for public comment. public comment is closed. i want to thank michael and monica for the project. i agree with my colleagues that this will help smaller businesses and the whole city access a healthier and affordable produce for our businesses. supervisor cohen, would delight in the concluding remarks? could we move on items 1 and 24 without objection? -- one and two forward without objection? the motion is to refer item number one as a committee report to the board on june 26, 2012. for item number two, to go to the full committee on july 17. without objection, colleagues? thank you. >> item #3, ordinance approving an -- agreements, permits, and meese. supervisor cohen: this item is the culmination of significant community-based planning and efforts on behalf of the mission bay, and the city for the design of the fourth street plaza. many of you know, ucsf is constructing a health complex to provide outpatient and inpatient care to children, cancer patients, and women. the first phase is currently undergoing construction and expected to open in early 2

michael steele. >>> still ahead, syrian stalemate with william cohen. [ female announcer ] you can make macaroni & cheese without freshly-made pasta. you could also cut corners by making it without 100% real cheddar cheese. but then...it wouldn't be stouffer's mac & cheese. just one of over 70 satisfying recipes for one from stouffer's. >>> president obama has certainly set the stage for another showdown over the middle class tax cuts. against republicans demanding that all the bush tax cuts be extended. it's pitting the president against mitt romney as well as the republican leadership, who are demanding across the board cuts. former pennsylvania governor ed rendell is also an nbc news political analyst, joins us from philadelphia. michael steele is here, the former republican national chairman and msnbc analyst as well. thank you both very much. governor rendell, first to you, because on cbs this morning, you were asked about the president's and the white house's counter to the bad jobs numbers on friday and you said to keep pointing the finger of blame at someone else doesn't resonate anymore.