Log In | Register
68 Comments
PrintHomeless 90210: Slumming time and the livin's easy
Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:07 PM EDT
Images 
(showing 1 of 4 photos)
(showing 1 of 4 photos)advertisement
BEVERLY HILLS — Being homeless in this upper crust enclave is not exactly like living on the street in other places. There are handouts of $2,000 and bottles of Dom Perignon, lucky finds of Gucci shoes and diamond-encrusted bracelets, a chance to rub shoulders with rich and famous locals such as Mark Wahlberg and Master P, even empty houses to live in.
"This is the finest place you can be," said Isaac Young, an affable 59-year-old with a wide grin and a smooth baritone voice who has been homeless in Beverly Hills since 1992.
In this manicured community of 35,000, Rolls Royces and Lamborghinis glide around city streets, movie stars live in gated mansions and Rodeo Drive price tags provoke gasps from tourists.
But the city also features about 30 rather scruffy residents who live in parks, bus shelters and alleyways.
They're an incongruous sight amid the shows of superfluous wealth, underscoring the pervasiveness of the huge homeless population in Los Angeles County. Some 74,000 people live on the streets or in shelters, making the county the nation's capital of homelessness.
"Homelessness is just all over, even Beverly Hills," said John Joel Roberts, chief executive of Path Partners, which provides street outreach services.
But the homeless in Beverly Hills have direct access to something most street dwellers do not: rich people, who can afford to be pretty generous. They pull up in Porsches and SUVs offering trays of cooked food, designer clothing still in dry-cleaner plastic and odd jobs.
"They have a sympathetic thing for us and we're grateful for it," said a man with grizzled hair pulling a train of wheeled suitcases, an office chair and a stroller piled high with a motley bunch of items found in the trash. He would only identify himself as "Bond."
Sometimes life even imitates the 1986 movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," in which a homeless man (Nick Nolte) is taken in by a hoity-toity couple (Richard Dreyfuss and Bette Midler).
At a park where homeless people congregate next to the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Young found a benefactor who is allowing him to live free for a year in an empty house in swanky Benedict Canyon.
"He said 'Here's your second chance,'" said Young, who has lived in the TWA lounge at Los Angeles International Airport and on the streets of Hollywood, where he got wrapped up in drugs and alcohol. "I couldn't believe it."
A well-off couple from Manhattan Beach who also befriended Young gave him furniture, he said.
Young, who cannot read or write but composes poetry in his head and performs it, has six more months in his Benedict Canyon abode. He still panhandles to pay for expenses — actor Wahlberg gave him new clothes — but after a lifetime as a compulsive gambler and spender, he's finally learning to save money and wants to get an apartment.
He has a good incentive. His eyes mist as he looks toward a stone park bench where he slept for a decade and promises himself it won't be another 10 years.
Those lucky breaks are one reason why George, who would not give his last name, has lived in Beverly Hills for the past 16 years. "You never know what you're going to meet," he said, noting he once got $10 from Rod Stewart.
George, a lanky man who pedals a bicycle around town and sleeps on a building roof, said paparazzi and parking valets can be a problem when he panhandles outside celebrity haunts. But being close to wealth can lead to $100 handouts, or finds such as gold jewelry, video cameras and an Armani suit.
He was so thrilled with the suit that he wore it panhandling until he noticed he wasn't doing too well.
"You have to have a certain look to get sympathy — dirty, kind of stupid, not aware," he said.
He also knows an opportunity when he sees one. For a couple months, he hung out in a vacant house, lounging by the pool drinking up the liquor he found in a cabinet until the owner walked in on him. He managed to flee.
"I was just using the facilities," George said. "I wasn't robbing no one."
That's a typical scenario, said Beverly Hills police Lt. Tony Lee, but for the most part, the homeless don't cause problems. They occasionally get arrested for petty theft or aggressive panhandling. They're usually held for 72 hours for psychiatric evaluation and fined and released if deemed harmless.
Many are mentally ill but pose no threat. The city tries to refer them to counselors, shelters or drug rehabs, but they prefer street life, city spokeswoman Cheryl Burnett said.
Bond said some homeless avoid Beverly Hills because they're turned off by the uberwealthy, who require a certain amount of deference.
"A lot of homeless don't want to be with snooty, rich people," he said. "You have to be respectful and not act like an idiot. If you're a derelict, they're going to call the cops on you. We're the upscale bums."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
43 Votes- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
Published to:
- Christina Hoag's Column, All of Newsvine
- Groups: Homeless Issues
- Regions: United States , Los Angeles
- Public Discussion (68)
- Homeless Issues
What's this?
Who's leading the conversation?
This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user
has on the current conversation.
The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd
row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera).
Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group
is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the
left, in their corresponding group.
Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the
number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative
one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their
relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.
45
10
{"commentId":2915247,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
Rewarding people for not working will only encourage them to keep on not working.
"You have to have a certain look to get sympathy — dirty, kind of stupid, not aware," he said.
The panhandlers know quite well that they're milking people's misplaced sympathies.
If you have money, give them a job instead of a handout. A sandwich instead of cash. There's a reason why all those cash "donations" don't make a difference - they go to subsidize a lifestyle choice, not a hardship.
If someone really wants to help out, donate to a shelter, or an organisation that helps the homeless.
{"commentId":2915247,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 9 votes
#1 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:46 PM EDT{"commentId":2915334,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
The panhandlers know quite well that they're milking people's misplaced sympathies.
Not every homeless person fits into your stereotypical, self righteous, Pharisaical mindset. Your first two sentences ruined your last three.
{"commentId":2915334,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 21 votes
{"commentId":2915521,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
Of course not all homeless people are like the group described in the article. That's why I suggested donating directly to shelters/organisations that help homeless folks.
By the way, there are people locally that own homes and "work" by panhandling. When I was younger, I used to know a fellow that owned a nice home in a good neighborhood who used to go out and play guitar on a streetcorner in Vancouver, and who apparently made good enough money doing it. No, I don't have sympathy for people who deliberately milk people's sympathy for handouts, none at all. I reserve my sympathy for people who actually need help, like the mentally ill and homeless, and the organisations that exist to help them are in desperate need of donations (instead of the folks described in the article).
I would say thanks for being able to disagree and bring up your in point in a polite and civil fashion, but you were unable to do that, so...
{"commentId":2915521,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":2915589,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
I just wanted to add a "thank-you" /sarcasm to Colorfulbug for taking one comment out of context and deliberately twisting it to put the most negative interpretation upon it possible.
{"commentId":2915589,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2915973,"authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
Rewarding people for not working will only encourage them to keep on not working.
I live in Los Angeles, and your comments are..to be quite frank a tad ignorant. Since Regan back in the early 80's cut funding for mental health. Alot of the people on the street, should actually be in a mental institution. Im not disagreeing that some do take advantage of the system. But again i want to emphasize I live in downtown Los Angeles, the highest concentration of homeless in the nation. You can tell me that a man sitting in his own feces with the IV bag still attached to his arm because the hospital dumped him off on the street.. if I give him money or food... he will choose to still be in his own filth. He really should be in a mental hospital where trained staff can take care of him.
It sounded a tad elitist (that's been used a lot lately) for you to assume that most of these people are just trying to take advantage of the system. These people live in my neighborhood and I can tell you from firsthand experience, there should be social mental services to help them.
They're still out American brothers and sisters...even if you don't want them in your backyard.
{"commentId":2915973,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
- 16 votes
{"commentId":2916199,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
Got to agree with this assessment. Here in Washington state, they cut funding for outpatient mental health services, and the number of homeless people grew accordingly.
I spent four years working in group homes for the mentally ill. Here's the problem: Many of them are not quite disturbed enough to require constant institutionalization. On the other hand, these same folks often can't be 'mainstreamed' into their own apartment and be expected to live a normal life.
They fall into the in-between category. The best solution has always been group homes with a supervisory staff. Then these people can often find jobs, get counseling, their meds, etc. And if they have an episode, then mental health professionals step in and do an assessment. If the person needs temporary institutionalization, then they authorize it.
The hospital staff will stabilize their meds, get them back on a more-or-less even keel, and then back to the group home they go. They can have friends there, go out in the community, have a little dignity. Some actually rise above their illness and are eventually able to mainstream, often with a roommate or two and a counselor who checks in on them from time to time and authorizes their meds.
When you cut funding these people just end up on the street.
{"commentId":2916199,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
- 12 votes
{"commentId":2916903,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
@ CFJr & Robert Blevins - AB of Seattle - obviously neither of you bothered to read #1.2 where I specifically mentioned the mentally ill and homeless, which I also specifically stated were in desperate need to donations (which I alluded to in my first comment).
Nothing like the pleasure of having a comment misunderstood. I suppose it's my fault to a degree: I should take pains to clarify my statements in the future (although I thought I had done that with my other comment).
I would like to point out that it's a CoH violation to call names as in #1.1, but don't let that stop anyone from voting for the insult. *sighs*
{"commentId":2916903,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2917275,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
I guess the truth hurts some peoples feelings, I have been interacting with the homeless population (veterans) in Orange County, CA for the past year and a half, almost all have turned up their noses at the program I am working on because " sounds like allot of work" or "your not paying anything?".
There are some though that truly want to improve their situation and those are the folks I want to help not the "givme, givme, givme" types, does that make me a bad person? Pointing out the manipulative tactics of panhandlers makes alkimija an elitist? Get over yourselves.
So you all know the help that has been turned down by homeless folks in O.C., here is a link to the homeless program I alluded to: VIL-OP
Aloha
{"commentId":2917275,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2917715,"authorDomain":"m-awari"}
Working class suffers the worst of the worst always .... shoot if anything thats more motivation to stop working
{"commentId":2917715,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"m-awari"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2917739,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
Akijima-
The person you mentioned who played guitar on the street, he was busking, something that's done in most cities (esp. Boston and NYC).
Unless they're advertising themselves as homeless, it's a legitimate way to earn a buck. The folksinger Tracy Chapman did it for years in Cambridge, MA. I also suspect it's not easy playing 6-8 hours with little rest.
If these folks are good, and some are great, I always give them a buck or two.
{"commentId":2917739,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":2917740,"authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
I was speaking more of the actual "thought process" of most people as elitist or a tad ignorant, i wasn't saying it to you directly. The problem is that we don't talk about the homeless problem at all, because (some) people feel like giving someone an handout perpetuates the problem even more. It's ok to have homeless people...just as long as they're not in my backyard, make them a problem for someone else.
So my sincerest apologies if my comments (like yours) we misconstrued. I live in downtown LA and walk by the derelict and homeless everyday. I see people sitting in filth, feces, unclean, and smelling of urine. You have hospitals dumping patients off in wheelchairs on the street, some still have IV bags on their arms. You have the police from beach communities dropping homeless people off in downtown because they don't want them in their townships. These people are treated worst than most animals. At least cats and dogs get shelter food and water.
So I'm speaking from someone that has seen first hand what happens when we forget these american people.
To say that these people are just looking for a handout is really irresponsible. SO if that's what it takes to ruffle some feather... so be it I make no apologies for seeing it first hand!
{"commentId":2917740,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2917904,"authorDomain":"everyonesacritic"}
alkimija - I happen to agree with you. The majority of these people are begging for the money to spend on alcohol.
Recently I was in a fast food restaurant with a friend. A homeless person came in asking for money. He approached me and my friend and asked for money. I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes. I got up and proceeded to the counter to purchase food for for him. He said no, no just give me the money, $5 will be good. I told him that I will buy him food, he said that he would eat later. I told him no, I will buy you the food and you can eat it later. My friend to stop an argument gave him $10. The guy left the restaurant, walked across the street straight into a liquor store, and then emerged with a bottle of alcohol.
I was at a gas station and I was approached by a guy asking for $5. He told me the he needed the money so that he could buy a canister to fill with gas because his car had ran out of gas down the road. I gave him the money and he came out of the gas station with a six pack and scurried off down the road.
I agree that some of these people are sick but, if you have two arms and legs, can move around, know how much money you need for alcohol then you have some form of intelligence to do manual labor.
There is an old saying
Craft Beats Intelligence Any Day!
{"commentId":2917904,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"everyonesacritic"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2917993,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
CF jr,
I know you were not addressing me but I have talked to some of the same homeless you have seen, most of the O.C. homeless population is from other parts of So. Cal., I believe that is due to the high 80% Latin demographic of Santa Ana and Latin families tend to support a troubled/needy family members so there is little local homelessness even though Santa Ana is not known for its wealth, also it is known that Santa Ana is a comfortable existence for someone on the street it is the county seat and there are multiple programs that perpetuate the problem IMHO.
You may see these unfortunates but have you ever stopped to converse with a few of these people? If you have you also know that some are not interested in any help other than a buck or two and they are happy living on the street. This is true for a number of reasons but the major explanation I have found for this attitude is a complete lack of a sense of personal responsibility and desire to improve themselves.
Folks like that I just scratch my head and wish them well, but they do not deserve my attention or concern, I have only so much time and will not waste it on hopeless cases.
I do hope you have a good day
Aloha
{"commentId":2917993,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2922112,"authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
You may see these unfortunates but have you ever stopped to converse with a few of these people? If you have you also know that some are not interested in any help other than a buck or two and they are happy living on the street.
Actually yes I have, again i want to reiterate in downtown los angeles it's the largest concentration of homeless in America. Why yes there will always be the ones who just want to get to their next fix. But all jokes aside until you walk down the street and see a hospital dump a homeless person onto the street with a colostomy bag in one hand and an IV you will never know what im talking about.
So seems to me different experiences, I'm not negating the fact that there are those "serial homeless" At the same time most that I have seen, should be institutionalized. And I ALWAYS give them money, what they determine to do with it is their choice... I did my deed. And yes, I do volunteer down at the local mission to give food to the homeless and even on Thanksgiving i get up at 5am to help cook food for them. They're still people.
One of the strangest things we're seeing alot of now are regular people who have jobs, homeless, and living out of their cars. Due to the housing crisis (and trust me, it is a crisis) in southern california. Regular working people are living in their cars with their dogs etc.
{"commentId":2922112,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2922329,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
CF jr,
I totally understand you point about LA downtown being a dumping ground for surrounding municipalities, the same thing happens here in Santa Ana from cities like Irvine, Fullerton, Diamond Bar, hell most of the beach cities do it almost like clock work. The way they do the deed is arrest someone in their city for some minor infraction and transport them to Orange County's main jail here in Santa Ana, then the person is in the system for 18-30 hours then released and they are stuck in downtown S.A. and meet up with fellow people in the same circumstance and they stay on for a day week or month but they always move on.
I originally was going to try and help as many folks as I could but the responses I've gotten from the general homeless population has made me reevaluate the focus of my energy to veterans living on the street and even then, their reaction has been cool to put it mildly. I believe that the program is intimidating to those who have not had to be responsible for themselves in sometime.
I have been racking my brain for a subject to write my next article about, I think that tomorrow I will do one about the folks living in the civic center area here in Santa Ana.
People have been living in their vans for awhile in the State Beaches but the guys and gals I'm thinking about are referred to as surfers. :)
The last sentence was made in a jovial voice, for the purpose of mirth.
I hope you can take a look at the program outline I linked to in post #1.7, I would like to here any feedback from folks who truly care about homelessness and the more voices I hear from the better.
Have a good night,
Aloha
{"commentId":2922329,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2929673,"authorDomain":"janilaine"}
{"commentId":2929919,"authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
These people are lazy and pathetic and worthles to society in general.
Lets just put a bullet in his head then, is this what you are saying?
{"commentId":2929919,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
{"commentId":2930482,"authorDomain":"m-awari"}
Lets just put a bullet in his head then, is this what you are saying?
some people wish it was that easy
{"commentId":2930482,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"m-awari"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2915331,"authorDomain":"chilloncastle"}
{"commentId":2915488,"authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
Lets see how fast the Neo-cons try to spin this exception into being the rule?
{"commentId":2915488,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
- 5 votes
#3 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:05 PM EDT{"commentId":2915554,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
I was thinking the same. Clipping to the CoH Militia to keep an eye on the trolls, racists and drive by one-liners as well.
{"commentId":2915554,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":2915788,"authorDomain":"djd"}
Sleeping on park benches isn't fun where ever you are. What is his life expectancy compared with his rich neighbours? What hope has he of access to health care? Don't you think living amongst all that wealth is just going to make you feel poor how ever well you're doing? A high percentage of these people were already living in LA county when they became homeless, so the gravitating to a warm state theory seems a little weak!
This article makes light of a real social problem.
{"commentId":2915788,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"djd"}
- 2 votes
#4 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:34 PM EDT{"commentId":2915881,"authorDomain":"Rixar13"}
I agree Dan Hallo and demmy and how very sad this story is. I will leave politics out of it to avoid the drive by one liners. These people need help as they are human and deserving and every bit as good as every other person on our planet.
{"commentId":2915881,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"Rixar13"}
- 5 votes
#5 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:42 PM EDT{"commentId":2929703,"authorDomain":"janilaine"}
{"commentId":2965687,"authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
and your acreage? you are an american, using a hideously disproportionate percentage of the planets resources while producing a flatulent percentantage of the worlds waste while deafeningly whinging about others being 'a waste of space'
hah hah hah. your transparent stupidity is the vehicle the rest of the world laughs at as you alone take your preschool philosophy seriously.
like you really deserve what you have because you work so hard, go walk a mile for a bucket of water and get back to me. or explain why you deserve running water when you don't own your house, your car or anything apart from xmas presents that's not soaked in debt and borrowed on your childrens or others childrens labours.
You are arrogant and ignorant and inhuman to think that you yourself are not 'taking up space'
what have you done for humanity lately? apart from purchase @!$%# you were convinced you needed to have by the glowing box in your main room.
Go on, justify yourself. A are you completely debt free and B how do you not simply take up space given your appetite and your @!$%#-stain on the planet comparatively?
{"commentId":2965687,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2915916,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
I wonder if there's a kind of right-of-passage by the city to be able to claim a spot in BH? Otherwise what would stop all of L.A.'s 88,000 homeless from seeking refuge there?
{"commentId":2915916,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:45 PM EDT{"commentId":2916638,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}
I'm a NYer and I've seen homelessness. But the homeless population I saw in San Francisco when I visited in 2000 shocked me. People are getting priced out of certain markets. I saw young, old, and middle aged, and I doubt they were all cast out mental patients.
Many folks in L.A. are likely native Angelenos who can no longer afford to live where they grew up. Others get dumped on the streets by the public hospitals, which should be criminal.
I've read that southern Florida has a massive homelessness problem to.
On a personal note, two of my three brothers were at one time homeless, and it wasn't due to drugs or alcohol, just misfortune.
{"commentId":2916638,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"caroaber"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2917685,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
I was very close to the streets in 2004. I am grateful for the assistance I received, both financial and spiritual.
{"commentId":2917685,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2916143,"authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
Another 4 more years of the GOP, & most of us bloggers just might end up on a park bench too.
{"commentId":2916143,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
- 5 votes
#7 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:06 PM EDT{"commentId":2929450,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
Nice attitude Roxanne,
But here is a link to an article that puts things in a non-partician perspective: Homelessness
From the article:
Homelessness policy researchers agree that a key to solving the problem is the creation of more affordable housing. But they also credit the strides made in the past five years in coping with the chronically homeless. From 2005 to 2007, an estimated 50,000 units of supportive housing became available – about the same number of fewer chronically homeless at shelters in the 2007 data.
and this:
There's a lot of policy innovation going on around family homelessness, and it's borrowing a page from the chronic handbook in that the focus is on permanent housing and housing-first strategies," says Dennis Culhane, a housing and homeless expert at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
The HUD report found that an estimated 130,000 families were homeless in 2007. While that number is expected to go up because of the foreclosure crisis, advocates like Mary Cunningham, director of the Homelessness Research Institute at the National Alliance on Homelessness in Washington, say that "is a solvable number."
I don't think your potshot at the GOP is relevant nor necessary in a discustion about homelessness.
Aloha
{"commentId":2929450,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2965030,"authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
The HUD report found that an estimated 130,000 families were homeless in 2007. While that number is expected to go up because of the foreclosure crisis, advocates like Mary Cunningham, director of the Homelessness Research Institute at the National Alliance on Homelessness in Washington, say that "is a solvable number."
A "solvable problem" my big fat red arse. Newsflash = thanks to the GOP's Lax oversight of the economy & it's Pet Iraq war, America is BROKE & living on foreign credit that we soon can no longer afford.
My bottomdollar is bet that the ranks of the homeless will increase under a McFailin Admin, & not decrease.
U want to put your $ where your mouth/pen is, if the GOP wins, Robertlyn?
{"commentId":2965030,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2965452,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
Roxanne,
I was pointing out that this is not a partisan issue, I personally am a libertarian and as far as your question:
U want to put your $ where your mouth/pen is, if the GOP wins, Robertlyn?
I have been spending most of my time over the past year putting together a program for homeless and disaffected veterans, all with my own money and absolutely no compensation and I am so broke currently that I can barely cover bus-fare, here is a link: VIL-OP
So what have you or your precious Dems done except cry your poor eyes out over the troubles of the homeless ?
I don't remember Clinton and company doing anything about this issue, do you?
I personally could give a rats-ass about politicians and government in general, but I really can't stand people using this issue as a political club to bash an opponent, dirty pool and not to cool.
Educate yourself about a person before you cast stones, my story is posted for all to see, as a matter of fact I've been cautioned about the level of detail about myself that I have revealed here but again I could give a rats-ass.
So have a pleasant evening
Aloha
{"commentId":2965452,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2980154,"authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
I'm doing my best to help the homeless by casting my very 1st vote against the GOP ticket. Because everytime i checked, the GOP isn't all that enthusiastic about welfare or helping those who need a helping hand.
Btw, last time i checked, anyone is free to post comments on newsvine within the boundaries of the CoH.
Which i did right b4 you jumped down my throat.
So are you sure u ain't a dictatorial GOP fanatic? I also see where u said u tried to get into Blackwater but was denied.
Do you enjoy supporting trillion dollar GOP wars that leave a whole lot less $$$ available to help the homeless here in America???
And do you also enjoy the idea of killing innocent Iraqi civilians & kids and trying to cover it up, honey? Like what the GOP-connected Blackwater is famous for doing in Iraq???
I know i sound harsh, but you were the one who started our little debate.
Aloha!
{"commentId":2980154,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"roxanne1000"}
{"commentId":2980846,"authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
Roxanne,
Firstly, I never said you could not post, I was just expressing my displeasure at your use of an issue that I care about as a political club, everyone is entitled to an opinion. That said you assume that I am a GOP fanatic, that's fine however your assumption is very wrong and based on one response to your challenge of my original response to your first post. This is a public forum and if you post something here expect to be challenged.
I am not sure how I jumped down your throat, but if that was the impression you got I will apologize, I do not actively try to fight with folks here, I do debate issues that I hold close to my being. If you review my comment history you will find I do not usually comment on political threads, and I write about myself and things that I enjoy.
I just like to believe that people can look past partisanship and find answers to problems instead of slinging crap. I gave you quotes from the article that dispel your contention that this administration has not done anything to help the homeless problem and you quote a non partisan evaluation of the big picture aspect and dismiss the ladies evaluation out of hand with no source to support you position, which you state as:
A "solvable problem" my big fat red arse. Newsflash = thanks to the GOP's Lax oversight of the economy & it's Pet Iraq war, America is BROKE & living on foreign credit that we soon can no longer afford.
Again speaking as a Libertarian I would remind you that this economy and structure were in place well before Pres. Bush took office and in reality the Pres. has very little to do with the economy. Also I would like you to review the figures and dates of the reduction of longterm homelessness.
I don't take your comments as hash, believe me I've lived through worse, you are passionate about your beliefs and I can respect your position. The level of said respect would rise considerably if you link sources for the facts that you base your passion on.
Your friends request is happily accepted
Have a good evening
{"commentId":2980846,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"robertlyn-schultz"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2916178,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
"so..."
There you go alkimija... maybe CFJr stated it more to your liking. I was stating my opinion of your opinion. Certainly not everyone thought I was being rude or sarcastic because my reply comment to yours rendered 7 approvals. I say that not pridefully but rather matter of factly.
{"commentId":2916178,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:10 PM EDT{"commentId":2916948,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
I was stating my opinion of your opinion.
No, you said I had a "stereotypical, self righteous, Pharisaical mindset." That's an outright insult. Feel free to comment upon what I've said, feel free to question me, feel free to disagree, but I draw the line at being unnecessarily insulting like that.
That other people voted for your comment is baffling... I guess they fell for your deliberate distortion of my initial comment, which is a shame. If anyone had anything to say to me, I'd appreciate them making a comment upon it instead of an anonymous vote upon an evidently malicous post.
{"commentId":2916948,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2917324,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
No, you said I had a "stereotypical, self righteous, Pharisaical mindset." -alkimija
Read again:
"Not every homeless person fits into your stereotypical, self righteous, Pharisaical mindset." -Colorfulbug
You keep leaving out the fact that I was pointing to your comments towards homeless "panhandlers" which since you asked for it I will go ahead and state looks like you were just calling them "typical moochers."
That other people voted for your comment is baffling... I guess they fell for your deliberate distortion of my initial comment, which is a shame. -alkimija
Yes; everyone fell for me... Oh please, my opinions were just as black and white as yours. Do not assume that others cannot think for themselves and cast their own votes without being duped by another person- you continue to insult many more. Your comments were just as offensive to others as mine was to you.
If you want to keep ranting on this and trying to put the focus somewhere else, go for it- I wasn't looking to keep going around with you but certainly if you so desire to hijack this thread it is your prerogative and I will respond accordingly.
{"commentId":2917324,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2919775,"authorDomain":"Nardol"}
I have to insert some sanity here- Colorfulbug, you seem to be deliberately baiting alkimija. This persons comments were based on personal observation, and, obviously, they are trying to help the homeless in the best way they know how. I do not understand the antipathy.
{"commentId":2919775,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"Nardol"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2925250,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
Nardol,
See comment #9.7- thanks for your input.
{"commentId":2925250,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
{"commentId":2916255,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
"I just wanted to add a "thank-you" /sarcasm to Colorfulbug for taking one comment out of context and deliberately twisting it to put the most negative interpretation upon it possible." --alkimija
Please tell me how I took your comment out of context??? I didn't twist anything you wrote.
Furthermore, you do not have the authority to judge my heart motive in any matter so I would suggest you just stick to the topic and lets all be mature adults even if we disagree with one another. Carry on.
{"commentId":2916255,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 2 votes
#9 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:16 PM EDT{"commentId":2916981,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
You took one comment and made it appear as if I had no sympathy for homeless persons, period, which is false. I certainly made that clear when I specifically went out of my way in that first comment to state how I believed it would be best to help out homeless folks.
That you won't even apologise for a blatant insult and that you've gone out of your way to "justify it" indicates to me just what your maturity level might be.
If you hadn't figured it out by now, I am offended.
{"commentId":2916981,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2917374,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
If you hadn't figured it out by now, I am offended. -alkimija
To receive offense creates bitterness in one's soul. Not a good thing.
It seems to me that you are OK with dishing out judgmental comments but you don't like it too much if you are called out on them.
That you won't even apologise for a blatant insult and that you've gone out of your way to "justify it" indicates to me just what your maturity level might be.
I'm sorry that you feel I need to apologize. I feel you need to rethink how your comment was perceived by many.
Oh and I'm not too concerned about your measuring stick for maturity. ;)
{"commentId":2917374,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2917519,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
I would like to point out that it's a CoH violation to call names as in #1.1 -alkimija
Of course you would. Thank you for pointing that my comments towards a stereotypical mindset on this subject was more of a violation than your "milking panhandlers" statement was. :)
{"commentId":2917519,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2917589,"authorDomain":"alkimija"}
It's interesting that you decided to reply to everything but my explanation to your question regarding how you took my comment out of context. Geez, you did it again! I'd laugh but I'm not finding it funny: I'm finding it manipulative and underhanded.
I don't know why you felt the need to sling mud instead of disagreeing with what you believed I had said... you made a fairly big (and wrong) assumption about what I wrote and I do resent that your misunderstanding might become more widespread as a result of your comment.
I do tend to take it personally when people are insulting toward me.
if you so desire to hijack this thread it is your prerogative and I will respond accordingly
I don't want to hijack the threads with personal insults, and I don't see any further reason for contact with you, so I guess I'll just be adding you to my (very short) ignore list.
It hasn't been a pleasure.
{"commentId":2917589,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"alkimija"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2917750,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
I am sorry you feel that way; I'll leave it at that.
{"commentId":2917750,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2917776,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
How about a truce guys, because you are both high-jacking this thread...
{"commentId":2917776,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2917826,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
You are correct. My last comment stated I would leave it at I was sorry she felt that way.
I apologize to anyone else who felt that I was acting inappropriately. My beliefs remain.
-I'm out.
{"commentId":2917826,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2916360,"authorDomain":"blkftsioux"}
Truth be told a good many of us are one payday away from being on the streets. Reagan did drastically cut services for the mentally ill and the disability funding as well. I have a handicapped child who is high functioning but without someone looking out for him would be a street dweller like the 80% of others with his type of problem. A nephew is Schizophrenic and without someone monitoring that he takes his medications as directed he has often lived on the streets. The group homes for people like them are sadly few and most are run by private individuals who are out to rip them off for every penny of their disability payments. the institutions of the past were bad but needed and with todays government standards and the various watchdog groups that monitor the care provided would be a better solution than what is available.
{"commentId":2916360,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"blkftsioux"}
- 4 votes
#10 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:27 PM EDT{"commentId":2916458,"authorDomain":"poemslikethis"}
This seems to be exploiting one opinion, one "lifestyle", one person. Why is it deemed a good thing to have a homeless person live in "90210" because of the kindness of others rather than their desire to get themselves on their feet. I was homeless. I know what it's like to live in your car in 100 degree weather and have your family worry constantly that you're going to die and "what about when winter comes". This article doesn't touch any real issues in regards to poverty and homelessness. It doesn't tell people how to help, it shows how rich hollywood is and how able they are to hand money over. Rod gave you 10 bucks, wow. I wish I were homeless so someone famous may pick me up as a charity case. NO! This glorifies falling back on everyone else, rather than gaining some responsibility and self respect. It was hard for me, but I knew I had to live in a car in order to keep my job and earn money to save it. This guy has a bike, he could easily get a job and earn money to support himself. While I recognize that the article is saying he wants to do this, he's had 6 months already, it should be talking about how much money he's been able to save and where he's tried to work and struggles in regards to being homeless. Not struggles in regards to panhandling from celebrities and keeping yourself on the same track as you've been for the last 16 years.
{"commentId":2916458,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"poemslikethis"}
- 2 votes
#11 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:37 PM EDT{"commentId":2916615,"authorDomain":"poemslikethis"}
Now this being said, the mentally ill living on the streets is greatly unfortunate. If we stopped fighting wars maybe we would have funding to help people rather than shove them out of centers that can care for them just because their money ran out. Insurance is made up, these services should be free to the people regardless of societal placement.
{"commentId":2916615,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"poemslikethis"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2916745,"authorDomain":"m-awari"}
Soon we will all be homeless , thats the wishes of the elitist
{"commentId":2916745,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"m-awari"}
- 2 votes
#12 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:11 PM EDT{"commentId":2917034,"authorDomain":"adsisson"}
I fear the day that my family and I become homeless. We live, thanks to low pay -our fault- and the current government, pay check to pay check. Yes, there are services that will help if needed. They are few and far between. We also make too much -yeah right- to receive these services.
It should not matter where one lives. Be it Beverly Hills or West Podunk. Homelessness is a major problem in any city. Our elected officials need to help solve this. Better and MORE funding is a start.
{"commentId":2917034,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"adsisson"}
- 3 votes
#13 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:43 PM EDT{"commentId":2917091,"authorDomain":"m-awari"}
homelessness is the most important Issue facing humanity, 90 % of all humans are considered to be living in poverty and they are all on the brink of homelessness
{"commentId":2917091,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"m-awari"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2924253,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
m-awari
do you have a source for the 90%? I ask not to be pugnacious, but if true it would be a shocking stat to squash those who think all is well.
thnks.
{"commentId":2924253,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
{"commentId":2925131,"authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
do you have a source for the 90%?
It's true.
{"commentId":2925131,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"Zoilus"}
{"commentId":2928669,"authorDomain":"charles4000"}
{"commentId":2917601,"authorDomain":"maxhousewell"}
cut mental health
The first thing Jeb Bush cut in Florida was mental heath hospitals, and long stay programs, now they send them to jail. Being homeless isn't by choice, at least not all. We had a family move in next to us 2 yrs. ago. They got stuck with a house that dropped in value by 70 thousand. They couldn't refinance, couldn't make the mortgage payments, now they live separated with 2 children. Long story short, they are hard working people that got caught in the Bush economics melt down.
{"commentId":2917601,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"maxhousewell"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:40 PM EDT{"commentId":2917704,"authorDomain":"m-awari"}
they are hard working people that got caught in the Bush economics melt down.
So many have been caught in the same melt down, now do we need someone who also thinks like Bush to continue the melt down ??? i don't think American people can handle another bush in office .
{"commentId":2917704,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"m-awari"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2917794,"authorDomain":"q-ditch"}
I have a story...it would be about me...I am homeless...but living with relatives..I am just a tad into middle age...I do not collect welfare...I pay room and board...I work around the house...if you are a hard worker you are expected to work harder and longer...if you are a "mid boomer" you are not making six figure salaries...but you're not making enough to survive...moving to 90210 would not ever interest me...because I am of the belief that guys like rod stewart ill informed, self righteous and probably think that ten dollars was going to get his soul into heaven...he should have given the guy a job...to many do gooders not doing any good
{"commentId":2917794,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"q-ditch"}
- 2 votes
#15 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:03 PM EDT{"commentId":2918227,"authorDomain":"henryminor"}
A homeowners Assn. in Beverly Hills could help the homeless by having them organize a handyman buisness. Prepare them with ID cards cleared thru the PD. This should clean up the FREELOADERS some admit being there 16 years. A shelter for showers and extra clothes preovided in the area. A Church could assist iin this effort. A firm rule should insist that all homeless not interested in this effort to assist them must leave the area. The ID cards would indicate all participants in tthe program. ,
{"commentId":2918227,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"henryminor"}
#16 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:50 PM EDT{"commentId":2918667,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
Good idea, but the problem lies with the mentally ill.
And it's an unfortunate catch-22: we can no longer warehouse them (bad, and costly for us); so many choose or more accurately don't understand, cannot process the concept of choice for something better.
ID cards have a Big Brother air about them; the ACLU would be all over it (don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger!).
{"commentId":2918667,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2918465,"authorDomain":"rob-nienburg"}
you guys may want to check those numbers. Is it 88,000 as in the photo caption, or 74,000 as in the story?
{"commentId":2918465,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"rob-nienburg"}
- 1 vote
#17 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:13 PM EDT{"commentId":2918674,"authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
Typical AP screw-up.
{"commentId":2918674,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"dwemmy"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2918880,"authorDomain":"fugitive247"}
In comment #1.10 CFJr stated:
So I'm speaking from someone that has seen first hand what happens when we forget these american people.
Now, how many 'Viners have experienced homelessness firsthand? So far out of all the replies, I've seen only one other respondent besides myself. Regardless of any individual's circumstances leading up to such a dilemma, homelessness is no picnic. Nor is fighting one's way back to having some semblance of stability and a place to call home
Over a decade has passed for my husband and me since those days of frustration, desperation and bewilderment. At the time we had each been clean and sober for several years, and were actively working with other recovering addicts in our area. He worked nights cleaning banks to keep making our car payments on time - and that car was about the only saving grace which kept us from living under bridges, or worse.
We were regulars at the soup kitchen. We dumpster dove for pawn shop-worthy items. We recycled aluminum cans when necessary to keep gas in our car, and to feed laundromat machines that ruined more clothes than they cleaned. We had to sneak around to various campgrounds so that we could shower regularly. Failing that, we learned that it is possible to maintain acceptable hygiene with only a gallon jug of water apiece, the usual toiletries, and a modicum of privacy. How many readers have ever been hassled by cops just for trying to wash their hair off of a deserted road? Or better yet, while simply trying to catch a couple hours of decent sleep? Yeah, I though so.
Most strangers didn't even know that we were homeless unless my husband or I told them.
My biggest point is this: Please don't be so quick to judge an entire social demographic based solely on what sells in the MSM. The situations of each homeless person's day-to-day struggles can be as unique as the people themselves are. Finger pointing, political posturing, and all the altruistic intentions in the world solve nothing. Change for the better requires real action. Talk is cheap. Scribbling out tax-deductible charitable donations is little more than a feel-good panacea. And ignoring the reality... Well, there's been far too much of that.
(clipped to Homeless Issues group)
{"commentId":2918880,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"fugitive247"}
- 3 votes
#18 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:53 PM EDT{"commentId":2919700,"authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
My biggest point is this: Please don't be so quick to judge an entire social demographic based solely on what sells in the MSM. The situations of each homeless person's day-to-day struggles can be as unique as the people themselves are. Finger pointing, political posturing, and all the altruistic intentions in the world solve nothing. Change for the better requires real action. Talk is cheap. Scribbling out tax-deductible charitable donations is little more than a feel-good panacea. And ignoring the reality... Well, there's been far too much of that.
Yes & Amen!
{"commentId":2919700,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"colorfulbug"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2921987,"authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
@fugitive 247 I couldn't agree with you more.
I was simply trying to get everyone on the Vine to see that not all homeless people choose to be in their situation. My heart realy goes out to the mentally ill homeless that should be taken care of. That's all I was simply trying to convey.
When you take a problem and push it over into someone else's neighborhood it is not resolved, simply just pushed aside. Some of these people are veterans of wars, drug users, prostitutes...but they're all still Americans, and we have the ability in this country to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.
thank you fugitive for you perspective, it's refreshing
{"commentId":2921987,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"carl-fordjr"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2918949,"authorDomain":"jimmym"}
When I was younger I think they had another name for people like these types. If I recall right the tag then was "Bums" . And I'm not talking about people who have fallen on hard times.That is another story.
{"commentId":2918949,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"jimmym"}
- 1 vote
#19 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:00 PM EDT{"commentId":2965709,"authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
and large investment houses who run themselves into the ground, along with thousands of investers, pensioners funds etc. They are not 'Bums?' laughable how shallow you are and how abjectly ignorant you need to be to hold your facile patheticly defensive views.
have you worked out how much debt your kids inherit from your pathetic overconfidence? Or is being a 'bum' yourself too much to swallow?
having your kids dig you out of a hole you can't manage, I can see why you'd want to pick on tramps to eclipse your own weaknesses.
{"commentId":2965709,"threadId":"357032","contentId":"1862543","authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
- 2 votes
{"canLink":false,"threadId":"357032","isPrivate":false}
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
Start Tracking
Stop TrackingCOMPANY STUFF:
LEGAL STUFF:
- © 2005-2009 Newsvine, Inc. |
- Newsvine® is a registered trademark of Newsvine, Inc. |
- Newsvine is a property of
