Suggestions for the Occupiers
I generally support the Occupy protesters and what they are doing but not the way they are doing it ["Queers hope for more presence at Occupy SF," November 17]. Why protest in the cities and tie up their resources and add to their budget woes, which hurts everyone, including the protesters. You need the following:
1. Pick a leader, someone who is articulate, intelligent, and doesn't dress like a 1960s hippie.
2. Define your issue. Nobody I've talked to knows what your issues are. You have too many issues.
3. Keep the fringe element out of your protests if you can because if they take over and get all the media attention, the public will turn against you.
4. No violence.
5. Instead of protesting the current way, you should be protesting at Republican headquarters. They control the House of Representatives and therefore control the money. They do nothing but obstruct the president in his efforts.
6. Start recall campaigns against the corrupt politicians.
7. Put your anger where it belongs, not on the doorsteps of your city council people. The cities, counties, and states are hurting financially �" you're adding to the problem by breaking various laws.
Dean Tomich
Los Gatos, California
Sour grapes, anyone?
While I applaud former sheriff candidate Jon Gray for his support of a Jane Warner plaque, I do believe he is disillusioned [Mailstrom, November 17]. Why is it that a person has to be gay to be one of us? Do you have to be black to be a true supporter of black causes? Let's segue into the 21st century. I think that anyone who is supportive of us is one of us. The days when someone has to be gay to be with us are over. As we have seen in politics, there are many closeted politicians who, in trying to remain in the closet, actively support anti-gay legislation. Could it possibly be that at the time Gray was not the best candidate? He had to drop out because his campaign did not take off. Don't call it "back door politics" when you yourself stated you had to drop out because of lack of support from your community. Ever heard of sour grapes?
Carl Folk
San Francisco