Cities Deal With Surge In Shantytowns

New York Times:

FRESNO, Calif. -- As the operations manager of a outreach center for the homeless here, Paul Stack is used to seeing people down on their luck. What he had never seen before was people living in tents and lean-tos on the railroad lot across from the center.

"They just popped up about 18 months ago," Mr. Stack said. "One day it was empty. The next day, there were people living there."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[taratata2009]

The is a growing need to be careful that the conservatives and Limbaugh sheeple don't call this shantytowns Omabatowns or Obamaville, or Obamaslums, or Obamatents, or Obamapolis, or whatever....

[ssmack]

Thanks for the idea...

[k6007]

Lord knows you're incapable of forming your own..

[gwhizz]

True, but my city, mentioned in the NYT article has been dealing with these tent cities for at least 2 years. At first, I thought the photo was of tent city near my office right now. They are clearly Bush Villas.

[Midnightrain]

Soon you will see big trucks and banners with the words "Jesus Saves" all over the place, heh, if you don't already.

[Badwater]

The Bush Brush Ranch would be the perfect place for a shantytown.

[AbeMartin]

And there is plenty of space for tents on Georgie's and Laura's mini-estate in Dallas, not to mention Kennebunkport. I am fully in favor of letting those who precipitated this mess with their bs voodoo economics provide for those who have lost their jobs, houses and security.

[dems08]

gw and baba bush think the homeless have it pretty cushy...

[moonflowerjewelry]

i love it, these comments are a window into the american psyche! more of the posts seem to be conservative angry ranting about democrats, liberals, etc
the liberals giving warm hugs and compassion and urges to go out and help hands on...
i've been homeless due to illness. it took a lot to get back on my feet - the churches in san francisco that feed the homeless are not megachurches with rock star pastors - poorer inner city churches and catholics doing quiet non proselytizing service to the poor.
if you want a place to volunteer, go to the catholics and small neighborhood congregations
not to the crystal cathedrals or television ministries or other places where the pastors drive hummers and live in mansions - that is where the 10% tithes are going

[k6007]

Amen.

[MajorKong]

What's this eye of a needle doing here and why won't my camel fit through it?

[helonias]

Well Jesus said there would be a lot of false prophets.

Maybe we need a gov agency to point them out.
for everyone's benefit.

[faretheewell]

Send in photos of your local Bushvilles. History repeating itself, albeit with slightly better shelter with new tents than the cardboard boxes of old.

[opines]

When Obama came to office he believed correctly that his goals of replacing trickle-down with bottom-up economics and shrinking Pentagon budgets could not be accomplished by a frontal assault. By continuing Gates as Secretary of Defense and appointing Geithner and Summers to lead his economic team he sought to evade an immediate clash with long established vested interests.

But on the economic front, the speed of the descent has skewed his timetable and he finds himself a prisoner of those he hoped he could outmaneuver. Bailing out fat-cats while growing numbers of former workers become homeless was not his mandate.

[melponeme k]

Yes, I believe he thought he would be able to outfox them by keeping them insight. But the balance of power has been badly tipped in the past few years.

Our president still has the power to throw them out, but it would be exceedingly dangerous. Those richie rich criminals aren't going to sit back and take it like they did with FDR.

[somsoc]

They fought FDR tooth and nail, don't kid yourself. Why did it take 10 yrs?

[gladys46]

"a prisoner of those he hoped he could outmaneuver ..." Oh no, President Obama is winning ... his message will always win ... it's THE message of hope and HIS work is reflective of that !

[RickyPoo]

The Choice (and remember, death is not an option)

Which is more disgraceful to America?

The existence of these tent cities or the trolls who inevitably smear and ridicule the inhabitants.

[hortonhearsawho2]

multiple choice, C, both A and B ....

[helonias]

THe obscenely wealthy who will not pay a little more in taxes to help the least among us

[Balancement]

All of the above.

[BlueStateMan]

This situation will get MUCH worse before it gets better.

So long as our JOBS are being offshored... so long as our HEALTH CARE is relegated to "for profit" institutions.. this will gain momentum.

The NUMBER ONE cause of personal bankruptcy is a catastrophic illness...

The focus MUST be kept in that arena.... & "bonusgate" is only a diversion from those goals.

FIRST... we must HELP these people OURSELVES through a grassroot effort.

GO to these tent cities... bring FOOD... bring clean WATER... CLOTHING... bring BOOKS & toys for the children.... bring HOPE to them.

LOBBY your LOCAL governments to provide clean SANITATION facilities, toilets, showers.... convince local contractors to PROVIDE these things to take advantage of these "501's"

....as "formerprosecutor" mentioned...their donation would bring them a tax deduction while providing a much needed CRITICAL service.

In addition, it makes them a local hero, great publicity, & encourages other businesses to step up.

The embattled people get basic human dignity.

Win win win all the way around.

If there isn't a local outreach that can coordinate the "gift" try a local LODGE or a progressive house of worship.

This CAN be done.. &, just like the President has said.. it is US that will do it.

[gladys46]

As a card carrying, life long member of the Daughters of Fine Lineage, we do these things everyday here in Philly ... the suffering is not confined in CA as we all know !

[BlueStateMan]

Yep!

YOU are what it's ALL about :)

[ssmack]

In all this, I don't see anywhere where you make a plea for one person to help another.... It's always GOVERNMENT must do it! That's the difference between Conservatives and Liberals. Liberals TALK about action, and TALK about the need to have the government help the poor. Conservatives actually help. Have you, yourself, actually helped the poor?....

VERY transparent...

"when you look at the data, it turns out the conservatives give about 30 percent more." He adds, "And incidentally, conservative-headed families make slightly less money."

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2682730&page=1

[BlueStateMan]

WE are the government, lightweight.. in case you forgot (or slept through the first 9 years of your "schooling"...

I'e helped MANY people one on one... & all of your obfuscation & bluster won't hide the fact that you're just another bitter, shollow, kittle insect that is unable to admit that everything you believe in was relegated to the cesspool of history last November.

You're in our rearview mirror now, shrimp..... where you'll STAY.

"Transparent"?

If ou were any more "transparent".. you'd by phuquing INVISIBLE.

[hortonhearsawho2]

smac.k on cra.ck...

[loria]

How much of that goes to their churches? I would bet a lot. So, they donate to their church to keep the church going. There is nothing wrong with that, and churches certainly do a lot of good in their communities. But, it's not as if giving to ones own church means they get nothing back from it. So, I ask you this, if you give 10% of your income to your church and they spend 99% insuring that the church continues to exist, are you really helping the poor?

[ldavis24]

were you also aware that the US gives approx 3% of their income to charitable contributions and Iceland it is I believe gives approximately 30% of their income to charitable contributions.

lack of source, looking up the article I read yesterday so someone doesn't blast me as a making stuff up.

[hjfraser2002]

You are so full of sh/t. You hate liberals and you would say anything to make them look bad. If you know anything about the mental sets between liberals and conservatives, you would know that liberals have the mind set to care about their fellow man. Cons may help but they are more concerned about them selves.

We are the government, what is so wrong about using that avenue to pool resources. More can get done with alot less.

[formerprosecutor]

I have to go and see If I can negotiate a electric service disconnect for out of work single mother
I don't have high hopes; but one can try

Everybody go do something to help another human being today.

[EllisWyatt]

Now see. This is the kind of spirit that makes America great: the willingness to take your own time to help out your neighbor .

Good luck. Hope you are successful.

[gladys46]

This spirit is mostly unsung ... it simply does not make for MSM sensationalism !

[BlueStateMan]

We can do it COLLECTIVELY as well... using OUR Government as a conduit.

THIS is what our tax dollars are for.

[peacekitten]

it is a great spirit, ellis, but the fact that he is having to do it in the first place is what's wrong. that's what you don't seem to get here.

[DodgeCounty]

Unfortunately, not everyone feels that spirit. That's why we'll be taking money out of their paychecks and giving it to poor people.

[BlueStateMan]

^^^MENSCH^^^

[peacekitten]

good luck. and bless your little cotton socks for being so decent.

[gotalifepost]

Trolls want their party back in power to destroy our economy again.

[ContraEgoiste]

They have declared class warfare, and unless we start fighting back, we are all headed to the ranks of serfdom.

Start fighting back now!

Start calling you representatives at all levels and demand, at the threat of their being re-elected again, to start placing strict regulations on the markets and corporate greed.
Demand the return of the Glass-Steagall Act. Demand that corporations "too big to fail" are broken into smaller ones since they represent a danger to the country as it is now well proven.

You can sit there and try to educate tro//s, good luck with that, or make a difference.

"They came for them, and I did nothing. They came for my neighbor and I did nothing. They came for me......"

[DodgeCounty]

Fanned.

[ssmack]

ssmack See Profile I'm a Fan of ssmack I'm a fan of this user permalink

You're going to have a major shock in 2010 if you think this is going to happen. Your "blame the Republicans" slogan is wearing thin already. THOUSANDS are showing up to "tea parties" all over the country, and we're only 60 days into this administration.

--------------------
BlueStateMan See Profile I'm a Fan of BlueStateMan I'm a fan of this user permalink

LINK?

--------------------

Here's a few for you....

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/03/the-tea-parties-crickets-chirp-in-newsrooms-nationwide.html

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/15/huge-thousands-converge-for-cincinnati-tea-party/

http://newamericanteaparty.com/

[EllisWyatt]

Thanks for the links man. I'll be sending them out to my network of professionals.

[ContraEgoiste]

Thought the sewers were too dim to read.

[BlueStateMan]

You... your mommy, & who else?

[bluessss82]

Those little fellows at the mall kiosks selling sunglasses have laptops and are called 'professionals'?
Riiiiiiiiiight.

[hortonhearsawho2]

mirrordot com, ehh...

[BlueStateMan]

AYN RAND??????

Are you phuquing KIDDING with this $#!T?

I asked for EVIDENCE, lightweight... not CONJECTURE.

Man... you're a PUSHOVER.

[formerprosecutor]

Ayn Rand; the top supporter of "disposable people"
"some people count and some don't"

[ContraEgoiste]

ahh yes, leave it to the cons to formulate a standard for living out of a very absolutist and simple work of fiction.

[ssmack]

Did you see the pictures? Or, are you physically blind as well as mentally...?

[ContraEgoiste]

THOUSANDS!

lol

There are over 300 million in the country, the majority solidly behind the Presiddent.

Besides, who's to say that the "tea partiers" are not blaming the party of NO.

[NatteringNabob]

You 20%-ers certainly are full of yourselves! LOL!

[loria]

Instead of these useless tea parties why don't you all go out and voluntee and make a diffence? That's how we improve this country. Throwing tea bags into a river means little. Instead of buying tea, buy some peanut butter and donate it to an organization that feeds the homeless. Instead of gathering to rant about how unfair the tax system is, why not volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, battered women's shelter, etc.?

[EllisWyatt]

Is Obama incapable of picking honorable nominees?

(Washington, D.C. – March 25, 2009) Jon Cannon, nominee for Deputy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, released the following statement:

“Today I am voluntarily removing my name from consideration to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. It has come to my attention that America’s Clean Water Foundation, where I once served on the board of directors, has become the subject of scrutiny. While my service on the board of that now-dissolved organization is not the subject of the scrutiny, I believe the energy and environmental challenges facing our nation are too great to delay confirmation for this position, and I do not wish to present any distraction to the agency.”

[bluessss82]

Off topic copy & paste talking-points Rethug tr0ll drivel.

[DodgeCounty]

Just think about it. President Barack Hussein Obama. Our president. THE President of the United States of America. Just think.

[bluessss82]

rotfl.....Ellie can't wrap his tiny little mind around that....His head would explode.
Ahhh....what a great visual!

[Jond0]

I know! And he's only 3/5s of a person -- it's unconstitutional!!!

[formerprosecutor]

It is very difficult to "do thing"; be invloved in government or business administrtion and not have ANYTHING AT ALL in your closet.

Think about it this way.
A young law enforcement rookie takes his pre screen polygraph; passes.
Fast forward 2 years; give hime the same comprehensive polygraph
the results would be quite different; just from "being involved"

Maybe nothing"illegal" but there will be some work baggage. I am not defending, just explaining.

[RickyPoo]

I'm sure you were just as outraged at the people Bush had using the Justice Department as the GOP's goon squad for the past 8 years.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Dude, ur not supposed to drink the bong water...

[helonias]

These folks better thank their lucky stars that they are not gay also.

Then the conservative Christians would really not do anything to help them.

[EllisWyatt]

Conservative Christians would indeed help their gay brothers and sisters. Where do you come up with the idea they would not?

As a matter of fact, Conservative Christians give more to charity than any other demographic group.

[NatteringNabob]

As long as there's a tax deduction in it for them.

[BlueStateMan]

Consevative Christians think gay people are ABOMINATIONS... just like YOU.

They've NEVER given a PENNY without strings attached.

[formerprosecutor]

They give to Gay Rights charities? really? got proof?

[helonias]

Like the Mormons in CA/gay marriage

[helonias]

Pssssssssssssst

There is not such thing as a Conservative Christian.

Jesus was the ultimate liberal, he said " You treat me as you treat the least of you"

How well are we treating the least of us?

Read you bible instead of waving it at folks.

[ssmack]

Ha_te the sin, love the sinner.

[loria]

What is that supposed to mean? That is just fundamentalist homophobic Christian speak. They can say it and make themselves feel better about hating those that are gay.

[DodgeCounty]

Sure gotta like President Barack Obama. What a great president. Glad he'll be President of the United States for some time to come.

[hjfraser2002]

Only a sin to the person who thinks like that.

[helonias]

So when will the rich conservative christians accept a higher tax rate so the least among us could have health insurance?

[Tabasco]

The Tent Cities are all Obama's fault. And if they're not, then it's Clinton's fault..... and Carter.... and Jefferson's.

Sorry. I'm already hearing this from friends and family who can't get it around their heads that we all are better off if we pitch in.

I took an extra 1 1/2 days of unpaid time per week to help keep other employees on the payroll. Been doing more volunteer work again too. And I could do more. But those measures are the last things on the minds of the so-called 'Conservatives' who would rather blame someone else than actually DO SOMETHING.

An adaptation from General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's memoirs (Civil War).

Crisis makes bad citizens worse and good citizens better.

[JHancock]

The Republicans just can't understand that it was 8 years of having a complete diIdo running our country that destroyed it.

Kudos to you for doing something to help the mess they left us.

[MajorKong]

Too bad it's not Iraq or we'd be pumping billions into it.

[trollslayer]

There's no defense contract money in it.