The story was what journalism’s old-timers call a “coffee spitter.” We imagine readers choking at the news that politicians in San Francisco were poking their noses into the Coos Bay area’s liquefied natural gas issue.

But the story really isn’t so outlandish if you look more closely.

Opponents of a North Spit LNG terminal have failed to enlist hometown councils and boards in their cause. Oregon requires neutrality on land-use planning issues, and besides, local electees don’t need a fracas.

Thwarted at home, the LNG foes found willing ears in San Francisco. And such ears! The San Fran has a notorious fondness for crusades both large and small. It has battled the National Rifle Association over banning handguns, lectured China about human rights, and cleansed the city of non-biodegradable grocery bags. Declawing of cats reportedly may be the next target.

Jody McCaffree, leader of the anti-LNG forces, lobbied Chris Daly, the board’s firebrand di tutti firebrands. (Daly once tried to ban the Navy’s Blue Angels performing jets. Too warlike.) Daly sponsored a resolution against the Coos Bay terminal and pipeline, and he carried the day.

Some people around here may see the resolution as out-of-state meddling. But San Francisco draws much of its power from Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., a partner in the pipeline project. So the supervisors had a reasonable excuse to weigh in. And McCaffree had a perfect right to enlist San Francisco’s aid in her cause. All’s fair in politics.

The resolution contains some factual flaws that could undermine its authority — if it had any authority. But it has none. PG&E shrugged it off, and neither federal nor Oregon authorities are likely to be influenced.

Mostly, San Francisco’s statement was an exercise of political wind power — an infinitely renewable resource.