Fife has never given up on her dream to abolish the Oakland Police Department. She’s tried her best for the last 3-1/2 years, ever since she’s been on the City Council, but she couldn’t quite pull it off, because the idea is really unpopular among the citizens of Oakland, and even Fife occasionally must defer to public opinion.

Fifty-four years ago, mid-winter Manhattan in the year 1970, Leonard Bernstein and his beautiful wife, Felicia, hosted a party and fund raiser in their swanky Park Avenue duplex in honor of the Black Panthers. The Bernsteins had invited several dozen of their society and show business friends, including Peter Duchin, the society band leader, and his wife Cheray, who was thrilled to attend. “I’ve never met a Panther—this is a first for me!” Mrs. Duchin breathlessly told everyone.

Why does Oakland’s Department of Race and Equity make it nearly impossible to find out their annual budget? I’m a good investigative reporter and yet I can’t dig up this information, which I have a right to know as a tax-paying citizen.

It’s interesting that Sheng Thao hasn’t yet begun to fight back against her recall, the way Pamela Price has. From almost the beginning, Price has fought with the aggressiveness of a honey badger, speaking public forums, defending herself online, and issuing misleading statements to the press. It’s clear that Price is aware of the threat the recall poses to her, and is greatly afraid it will succeed.

I’m stirring this pot again because it needs to be stirred. P. Price has done something very controversial and while the facts are still developing, we need to harden public opinion until it recognizes the truth.