It's been too long since anyone in Oakland wrote an open letter, don't you think? I watched the City Council meeting last night - it was better than almost anything on television - and was inspired to write to you, Councilwomen. I'm leaving the guys out of this, because I have little faith that they will listen at all. I do have faith that you will, and did last night, even if you didn't quite hear. And I am here to tell you that I listened to you as well.Councilmembers Brooks, Brunner, Kaplan, Kernighan, Nadel and Schaaf: I hear that you are frustrated with Occupy Oakland. Trust me, I hear you. I consider myself a PART of Occupy Oakland, and I am frustrated with it. We spend almost all our time arguing! We are trying to create a future while living in a messy, globalized, hyper-interconnected, and massively technological present. We argue all day! We are trying to find a way to create new, more flexible, organic, porous structures. We are trying to GROW a society from our very cells instead of making a blueprint and building one. It's frustrating, and exhilarating, and intense. We enjoy each other's passion. It's a love affair, or like parenting. It's a loving argument.
Some of you keep reminding us that yes, yes, you once had a love affair with a movement too. And that was great, but now we need to work TOGETHER. And you're hurt when we say no. You agree with us about so much! What is wrong with us? Why can't we just talk?
If you were alive in the sixties or even if you just read about them, you remember "Don't trust anyone over 30." I wonder if you're wondering if that's what's going on here. That would hurt anyone's feelings!
But that is not what this is about. As you know, the Occupy movement has people of all ages. This is not about the sixties, this is not about whether you were in a sit-in or are a nice person who wants to do good things. I wholeheartedly believe that you are, and were, and you do.
But your negotiating position at the moment is such that I don't have a choice.
I don't need to tell you what has happened with wealth and power in this country and globally in the last 40 years. I don't have to tell you about executive salaries, the environment, banks, how nobody has been held truly accountable. I don't need to tell you about the powerful interests influencing politicians - in fact, last night you kept telling me. (Thank you, Councilmember Nadel.)
Your position in all this as a politician is clear: different interests try to sway you, and you try to get what you need in return. You need money and votes, the rest of us need influence. You're not a victim, you are a player. You are an influence saleswoman. And so am I.
When you say you're frustrated, and you want what I want, and you too protested, you are negotiating. You are trying to convince me that if I enter into a negotiation with you, you will make it worth my time. Unfortunately we are now at such a juncture in history that I can't believe you - not because I think you are dishonest, but because of the nature of the game we are playing.
I am sorry if it hurts your feelings, but entering into the negotiation would ratify the process. The process is not acceptable to me. You are a professional negotiator, so you know that the way to change the process is to refuse to enter the negotiation, and continue being difficult. I am certain you've done it many times yourself.
It's not personal. It's all in the game.
Right now, it's time to change the rules of the game - before we start a new round.






