I think there needs to be a real discussion taking place on this website (and in our real lives) as to where to put our energy and intelligence as activists. The recent discourse on the indynewswire surrounding the farmer's market drum circle debate is a cause that only a bored, privileged (dare i say bourgie?) few find relevant.

If you are looking for things in your own backyard that actually warrant the attention of serious, intelligent, hard working people i can give you a few (and I will, below). But first I would like to offer my personal thoughts on the attacks on Santa Cruz mayor Ryan Coonerty that I've read over the last few weeks.

The majority of the people on this forum who have attacked Ryan's character likely have never had a conversation with him. As former co-workers I engaged in many political conversations with the now Mayor in years past about issues local, national, and global. He is by far NOT the evil dictator that ringleaders like Robert Norse and his cronies have portrayed him to be. I would venture to say that Ryan has not had a conversation with Robert aside from across the room at city council meetings, simply because Robert is embodies the persona of an argumenative narrow-sighted individual who is impossible to reason with. (I know, as I have had and witnessed many conversations with him over the last several years). Robert will find a reason to fight any person in a position of power simply for the reasons of their success and intelligence.

On a different thread someone noted that continuing this fight in such a glorified fashion could result in the closing of the farmer's market and the withdrawal of permits to sellers. It disheartens me to see that there is an apathy toward this notion. The acts of the few have become very selfish in motive. There are many adults, children, and senior citizens who don't find comfort around the farmer's market with these actions taking place and are less likely to come as time goes on.

If you are out there, thinking about joining the drum circle protests may I humbly suggest a few other avenues in which to expend your energy.

1) Work against the deportation of illegal immigrants. An elementary school in Soquel recently saw a family deported to Mexico after following the legal path of working here and applying for citizenship. When their application was denied by the INS, the government decided to force the mother and father to move back to Mexico even though they've lived and worked in this country for decades. Few came out to support them. There are other families in this county that could face the same fate if we remain complacent.

2)Join the protest at UCSC of service workers demanding better pay and benefits. Put your energy into improving the lives of working class people, even if you are not one of them.

There are many other things to choose from. Please choose wisely.