"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
OTJ! Occupy Tam Junction! Now!
So, CalTrans comes into OUR community, builds a traffic light in Tam Junction, and causes an instant traffic crisis? Helloooo! Governor Brown? Are you even listening to the people? Your CalTrans got off the leash again and left a big steaming pile of bumper-to-bumper in Mill Valley! Now it's messing up our lives! Last time I checked, you don't go through Tam Junction on your way to Sacramento! So, why does Sacramento suddenly know what's best for Mill Valley traffic? Can you even SEE Mill Valley from Sacramento? No! So, CalTrans, this is me, talking to you here, and I'm about to pour me a nice cold glass of civil disobedience.
Last time I checked, punishment was the job of the Department of Corrections, not the Department of Transportation.
I'm seeing a lot of outrage about the new traffic light in Tam Junction. I'm seeing a lot of fists shaking, a lot of heated comment forums. I'm seeing too many red tail-lights. I'm seeing too many red STOP lights. I'm seeing a lot of red, if you know what I mean. It's got me riled up in that I-want-change kinda way.
This traffic light problem has to STOP. It's called Tam Junction, not Tam I-won't-make-it-to-work-until-Luncheon.
I'm seeing people just trying to get to work so they can support their families, powerless and immobilized in their cars, thinking "What are the consequences of this going to be? Why is this happening? What happened to my rights?"
I'm seeing a lot of local pride and activism, though, and I'm liking what I see. I'm likin' it a lot. The outpouring of concern over CalTrans's new we-don't-care-about-your-civil-liberties-or-your-commute Tam Junction traffic light has got people coming together, proving that Mill Valley isn't just a place where people live, but a place where people organize, gather, and speak up. And if you're on Patch, IJ, SFGate, or out in the street protesting this new stop light, you are BEING the change you want to see in the world. And I like that. I like that a lot.
I'm getting pretty pumped about this civic pride I'm seeing. I really like how we are coming together around this issue. Mill Valley could use more of this type of empathy-based indignation! Whoo! We will not stand by while the government ignores our rights, comes into our community, and asserts itself where it is not wanted. Hello, founding fathers, I'm talking to you. It starts with traffic lights, then whole roads change, then before you know it the traffic patterns of the whole Bay Area will systematically segregate us from each other and isolate and marginalize people. Why isn't there a BART line or any form of light rail to Marin? It's almost like the government wants to keep us from getting to SF or the East Bay. Commuting to San Francisco is getting harder and harder… and harder. But it doesn't have to be that way.
I've got one word that will solve this overextension of state power and its called OCCUPY. Mark your calendars, people! Monday, October 21st, 8:30am, @ Tam Junction. Save the date! I've got about 20 people and counting who will definitely be at Tam Junction so far, so... we're on! We're calling it Junction Justice Initiative (JJI), but if you have any other name ideas we're still open. JJI was just the name I used for soliciting coffee and food donations from local businesses (which came through, so, AWEsome!) We've got a few great signs made by some local artists. More importantly, we've got a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens (thank you Margaret Mead, you rock!).
Anyway, if you're interested in attending, post here or write me at obligatory.obloquy@gmail.com! If you attend but don't RSVP, then please occupy respectfully, stay out of Tam Junction's roadways (i.e. on the sidewalk or shoulder), and keep the noise level low enough not to disturb residents.
Thank you and we hope to see you there! OTJ! Occupy Tam Junction!
