Reply #11: I have to credit Ron Kovic for this insight but he pointed out that, as

[coalition_unwilling]

messy as the consensus process is, the General Assembly actually passes measures with little of the bitter acrimony one associates with the professional political class in D.C. or Sacramento. Indeed, the Facilitation Committee meeting my wife and I stumbled upon was considering the question of how to prevent certain individuals from hijacking the GA but still preserving their right to speak their peice. Fascinating stuff and, while perhaps not at the level just yet of the Founding Fathers, it is getting there.

Not just cooperation, but self government and a certain amount of self sufficiency. In addition to a food tent (currently limited to serving only pre-packaged food due to Health Dept issues), there's a lending library (no food and drink), a medical tent (no smoking, please!) and even security (or 'peacekeepers' as they changed their name to on October 16.)

It's really worth a visit or stay by anyone who can make it.