Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2012 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2012 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Matt Marshall WHICH IS WORSE? A down day in Oakland: As an Oakland resident, I followed much of the news on Monday with a profound sense of disbelief and disappointment. Our taxpayer dollars are going to pay for dozens of DEA agents, Justice Department officials, IRS agents and commandeered Oakland police offices to "smoke out" and close down Oaksterdam, when just miles away people are being gunned down in another instance of random violence and lack of control over lethal weapons. Just what is going on in our cities and our country? It sound likes the makings of an outrageous and unbelievable 21st century satire, but it is actually happening right in my home town. I voted for President Obama and was proud when he was elected, but his actions as president smell of cowardice and petty politics. What do I do in November? I'm beginning to think the only solution is to take to the streets and express my rage the way I did 40-plus years ago. It worked. We ended a war and ran a failed president out of the White House. Matt Marshall, Oakland - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom