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Homelessness Myth #4: There's Room In The Inn
Commented Dec 15, 2009 at 13:26:08 in Living
“It seems that many municipalities tend to shuffle much (not all, but much) of the responsibility for shelter space off on to non-profit groups and churches, instead of using city funding and city owned properties. The idea below of opening up unused buildings for shelter space is great - almost every city has something. Even in my small town, just down the street there's what used to be an old police station, but it's been unused and unoccupied for nearly two years now. It could easily be turned into an overnight shelter for 20-30 people, or a food bank, or something useful to the community instead of just another building falling into disrepair because of its lack of use.
Instead of seeing homelessness as a problem that everyone in the city should be helping to address, at least with a small percentage of their tax dollars, if not by directly volunteering. We have a very ego-centric society, and our government at the federal, state and municipal levels all reinforce that. The idea that we can afford to spend trillions on unnecessary foreign wars, but we can't feed, clothe and house every single one of our own citizens is disgusting and very telling where our priorities as a nation lie.”
Instead of seeing homelessness as a problem that everyone in the city should be helping to address, at least with a small percentage of their tax dollars, if not by directly volunteering. We have a very ego-centric society, and our government at the federal, state and municipal levels all reinforce that. The idea that we can afford to spend trillions on unnecessary foreign wars, but we can't feed, clothe and house every single one of our own citizens is disgusting and very telling where our priorities as a nation lie.”
The Forgotten Cost of War: Caring for Veterans
Commented Dec 02, 2009 at 13:52:55 in Politics
“Many other serious issues aside, the fact that there are any homeless vets at all is a disgusting sign that we're misplacing our priorities when it comes to funding for "national security". If we're asking these men and women to risk their lives for our country, the least we should do is make sure they have a roof over their head when they have finished their service. Ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away. Delaying what funding has been suggested is only serving to make a bad situation worse. It's time for some people in Congress to grow up and give veterans some respect.”
SteveDenver replied on Dec 02, 2009 at 17:16:59
“If you serve in the Armed Forces, you are twice as likely to become homeless.
If you serve in a war capacity, you are five times more likely to become homeless.
The "Road Home" program in Denver follows the pattern of other programs that battle homelessness by figuring out what benefits people on the street should be receiving, but aren't. Veteran's benefits and Social Security are the two top benefits not being received, because it is required that the recipient has a permanent address to which the checks can be sent. GUESS WHAT? We've figured out a way to get around it.
Mentally and psychologically impacted veterans are all over the streets and the VA Hospital requires for them to wait hours before being seen, hours before receiving medication (or they hear "Come back tomorrow."
If you serve in a war capacity, you are five times more likely to become homeless.
The "Road Home" program in Denver follows the pattern of other programs that battle homelessness by figuring out what benefits people on the street should be receiving, but aren't. Veteran's benefits and Social Security are the two top benefits not being received, because it is required that the recipient has a permanent address to which the checks can be sent. GUESS WHAT? We've figured out a way to get around it.
Mentally and psychologically impacted veterans are all over the streets and the VA Hospital requires for them to wait hours before being seen, hours before receiving medication (or they hear "Come back tomorrow."
Homelessness Myth #3: Unsheltered People Only Count At Night
Commented Dec 02, 2009 at 02:07:30 in Living
“My link didn't work right, might have to just cut and paste it: www.fronts
I find it highly unlikely that the figure of 38% is correct. If it was ~10%, maybe I could believe it, but 38% is a pretty drastic drop - and statistically speaking, it is more likely that it was a change in the way they collected their data.
I would definitely like to hear what shelter directors have to say on the issue. They are the people on the front lines. No bureaucrat could argue with the numbers of people they see going through their doors every single day.”
I find it highly unlikely that the figure of 38% is correct. If it was ~10%, maybe I could believe it, but 38% is a pretty drastic drop - and statistically speaking, it is more likely that it was a change in the way they collected their data.
I would definitely like to hear what shelter directors have to say on the issue. They are the people on the front lines. No bureaucrat could argue with the numbers of people they see going through their doors every single day.”
Homelessness Myth #3: Unsheltered People Only Count At Night
Commented Dec 02, 2009 at 02:03:38 in Living
“There are many shelters in the area, I'm not sure of an exact number, but the local resource center for the homeless http://www
Since we have fairly nice weather in central Texas, the number of people making use of shelters can vary widely from day to day. This week, we're having freeze warnings, which will open a lot of temporary cold weather shelters, to try and get as many people in out of the weather as possible. Times like this would be a good time to talk to people and do a head count. I think it would give a more realistic picture of just how bad things are. People who might otherwise tough it out on the street on a warm night, may find themselves driven to a shelter when it's simply not tolerable. I can't even imagine how more northern states handle things with bad winter weather.
I did read in one of the reports on the Austin area, that on any given night in the area there is around 4,000 people who are homeless, half of those being right down town. I highly doubt there is enough shelter space for even but a fraction of those people. The report also specifically mentioned that people staying in motels/hotels, with friends/relatives, in a boarding home, or in jail were not counted at all.”
Since we have fairly nice weather in central Texas, the number of people making use of shelters can vary widely from day to day. This week, we're having freeze warnings, which will open a lot of temporary cold weather shelters, to try and get as many people in out of the weather as possible. Times like this would be a good time to talk to people and do a head count. I think it would give a more realistic picture of just how bad things are. People who might otherwise tough it out on the street on a warm night, may find themselves driven to a shelter when it's simply not tolerable. I can't even imagine how more northern states handle things with bad winter weather.
I did read in one of the reports on the Austin area, that on any given night in the area there is around 4,000 people who are homeless, half of those being right down town. I highly doubt there is enough shelter space for even but a fraction of those people. The report also specifically mentioned that people staying in motels/hotels, with friends/relatives, in a boarding home, or in jail were not counted at all.”
hp blogger Christine Schanes replied on Dec 02, 2009 at 02:31:36
“Hi, LA Dawson,
Thank you very much for the link. I am combining my comments to your two comments since the reply button on your second comment is not visible.
I really appreciate all the information you have shared.
Yes, it would be wonderful if shelter directors would write in and tell of their experiences with the numbers of homeless people they are helping.
I invite shelter directors to please comment with their experiences.
By the way, in Los Angeles the newspapers have reported that some shelter directors have contested the 2009 Los Angeles count. However, LAHSA is standing by their count that there are 38% fewer homeless people now in Los Angeles than there were two years ago.
Last week we at Children Helping Poor and Homeless People had our annual CHPHP Thanksgiving In A Box Program which is pre-planned as to donors and recipients.
However, this year, we had many more unexpected homeless people ask for food and to whom we served thanksgiving feasts (canned and packaged foods with a grocery gift card for the main dish) than we have ever had in our 24 years.
Because of the substantial increase in surprise requests, we have already decided that next year, we will have a special section of our program dedicated to homeless people who have not contacted us in advance for thanksgiving feasts.
Sad stuff, really.
Your thoughts are appreciated. Please stay in touch,
Christine”
Thank you very much for the link. I am combining my comments to your two comments since the reply button on your second comment is not visible.
I really appreciate all the information you have shared.
Yes, it would be wonderful if shelter directors would write in and tell of their experiences with the numbers of homeless people they are helping.
I invite shelter directors to please comment with their experiences.
By the way, in Los Angeles the newspapers have reported that some shelter directors have contested the 2009 Los Angeles count. However, LAHSA is standing by their count that there are 38% fewer homeless people now in Los Angeles than there were two years ago.
Last week we at Children Helping Poor and Homeless People had our annual CHPHP Thanksgiving In A Box Program which is pre-planned as to donors and recipients.
However, this year, we had many more unexpected homeless people ask for food and to whom we served thanksgiving feasts (canned and packaged foods with a grocery gift card for the main dish) than we have ever had in our 24 years.
Because of the substantial increase in surprise requests, we have already decided that next year, we will have a special section of our program dedicated to homeless people who have not contacted us in advance for thanksgiving feasts.
Sad stuff, really.
Your thoughts are appreciated. Please stay in touch,
Christine”
LADawson replied on Dec 02, 2009 at 02:07:30
“My link didn't work right, might have to just cut and paste it: www.fronts
I find it highly unlikely that the figure of 38% is correct. If it was ~10%, maybe I could believe it, but 38% is a pretty drastic drop - and statistically speaking, it is more likely that it was a change in the way they collected their data.
I would definitely like to hear what shelter directors have to say on the issue. They are the people on the front lines. No bureaucrat could argue with the numbers of people they see going through their doors every single day.”
I find it highly unlikely that the figure of 38% is correct. If it was ~10%, maybe I could believe it, but 38% is a pretty drastic drop - and statistically speaking, it is more likely that it was a change in the way they collected their data.
I would definitely like to hear what shelter directors have to say on the issue. They are the people on the front lines. No bureaucrat could argue with the numbers of people they see going through their doors every single day.”
Homelessness Myth #3: Unsheltered People Only Count At Night
Commented Dec 01, 2009 at 14:27:07 in Living
“I am in Travis County, Texas. To be honest, I find it very hard to believe that the homeless rate is dropping, especially given the number of job lay offs, record number of bankruptcies and general state of the economy. The number of obviously homeless I've seen around this area has not really changed in many years. I think they're just finding ways to count them differently, so it seems better on paper. That, and sheltering options have improved, so not as many people are out there to be as easily seen. The shelters in this area certainly have no shortage of people needing help, neither do the food banks, and this area is probably one of the better areas, with a relatively low population of homeless compared to larger urban centers.”
hp blogger Christine Schanes replied on Dec 01, 2009 at 18:55:01
“Hi, LADawson,
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for responding to my questions. I'm not familiar with Travis County, Texas, I'll have to locate it on the map.
I agree with you in believing that it is hard to imagine that the number of homeless people has decreased in any percentage from 2 years ago.
All of the shelters I know in California are full and their waiting lists are closed. There still are many individuals and lots of families in need of a place to stay.
I think that either the numbers of homeless people counted this year was inaccurate or the number of homeless people counted in the past was inaccurate.
In any event, I believe strongly that the HUD guidelines which are supposed to set forth a recommended methodology regarding time of the day/night during which homeless people are counted should be changed.
Los Angeles saw a decline of 38% of homeless people from 2007? How likely is that?
Do you have many shelters in your County? Are they full? Do you know if their waiting lists are closed? Do you know the official homeless person count in your area? Has the number of homeless people counted in 2009 decreased/increased from 2007?
Some jurisdictions have shelter listings, do you know who would have that in Travis County?
Maybe I could start a collection of shelter listings and then call shelter directors to find out what they feel about the 2009 homeless people census.
Christine”
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for responding to my questions. I'm not familiar with Travis County, Texas, I'll have to locate it on the map.
I agree with you in believing that it is hard to imagine that the number of homeless people has decreased in any percentage from 2 years ago.
All of the shelters I know in California are full and their waiting lists are closed. There still are many individuals and lots of families in need of a place to stay.
I think that either the numbers of homeless people counted this year was inaccurate or the number of homeless people counted in the past was inaccurate.
In any event, I believe strongly that the HUD guidelines which are supposed to set forth a recommended methodology regarding time of the day/night during which homeless people are counted should be changed.
Los Angeles saw a decline of 38% of homeless people from 2007? How likely is that?
Do you have many shelters in your County? Are they full? Do you know if their waiting lists are closed? Do you know the official homeless person count in your area? Has the number of homeless people counted in 2009 decreased/increased from 2007?
Some jurisdictions have shelter listings, do you know who would have that in Travis County?
Maybe I could start a collection of shelter listings and then call shelter directors to find out what they feel about the 2009 homeless people census.
Christine”
Homelessness Myth #3: Unsheltered People Only Count At Night
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 12:23:29 in Living
“One of the problems there is with enumerating homeless is that many are hard working people, and have some place to be during the day, just to stay alive, and may be left out. Interviews with many homeless in my area found that it was around 40% who were working homeless (Texas), with a job that just simply didn't earn them enough to be in reliable housing. There are also a good number of people who are only partially homeless: They have shelters, or places they can "crash" some of the time, but other times they have nothing. For most government reports I've seen, those people are largely ignored and not really considered "homeless", because they have options available.”
hp blogger Christine Schanes replied on Nov 30, 2009 at 20:49:36
“Hi, LADawson,
Thanks for your comment.
You are so right. People living in other people's homes and sleeping on their couches or even in their garages are excluded in this counts.
It would be an interesting study to conduct to see if we could locate and count these displaced people who have no homes of their own.
I am going to ask everyone who is commenting the following questions, and I would appreciate your thoughts:
First, it appears from your name that you are from Los Angeles County. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
Q: Do you believe that the numbers of homeless people in general is going down? As I've written, LA County has counted 38% fewer homeless people than it counted in 2007. Does your experience indicate that there is a decrease in the number of homeless people in LA County? Could you give an estimate of the percentage of increase or decrease of homeless people that you know or notice?
Please keep in touch,
Christine”
Thanks for your comment.
You are so right. People living in other people's homes and sleeping on their couches or even in their garages are excluded in this counts.
It would be an interesting study to conduct to see if we could locate and count these displaced people who have no homes of their own.
I am going to ask everyone who is commenting the following questions, and I would appreciate your thoughts:
First, it appears from your name that you are from Los Angeles County. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
Q: Do you believe that the numbers of homeless people in general is going down? As I've written, LA County has counted 38% fewer homeless people than it counted in 2007. Does your experience indicate that there is a decrease in the number of homeless people in LA County? Could you give an estimate of the percentage of increase or decrease of homeless people that you know or notice?
Please keep in touch,
Christine”
Bats: The New Canary in the Coal Mine?
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 02:29:24 in Green
“Humans poison their food supply by using pesticides, killing off bats. With a reduction in the bat population, more insects are around, thus encouraging them to use more insecticides to keep the pests under control. It's a downward spiral, and is certainly not limited to bats, there are many animals that eat insects... and animals that eat them.”
Basic Truths in Hoh Resignation Letter Were True When He Took His Job
Commented Oct 29, 2009 at 15:13:48 in World
“Well, the first thing that came to my mind was that maybe Mr. Hoh thought he could make a difference when he took the job. We're all hopeful when facing a new and interesting challenge. Then, when he finally came to see the full picture of just how ridiculous us occupying Afghanistan is, he decided to cut his losses and walk away. Which is probably the smartest move at this point. I really don't see what we can hope to accomplish in the future that we couldn't have made a significant move toward in 9 years, but we've gotten pretty much nowhere. How many lessons from history are we going to fail to pay attention to before we give up wasting our money, and worst of all, our people?”
RogerHWerner replied on Oct 29, 2009 at 22:10:31
“We let this war fester because Bush/Cheney dropped the ball in favor of a higher profile target. The ultimate destiny of Afghanistan, with a tribal society is with its people not the US military. Afghan society is alien to Americans and sadly our government. We had justification for invasion--
Bill Maher is wrong about the swine flu
Commented Oct 10, 2009 at 10:44:32 in Politics
“If you are taking your medical advice from a comedian talk show host without consulting a doctor, you have bigger problems to worry about than swine flu. I agree with Bill Maher on many topics, but I don't go to him for my medical advice. Just like I don't go to Jay Leno for advice on how to fix my car, nor go to David Letterman for advice on my love life.”
mellowrant replied on Oct 10, 2009 at 12:08:51
“You took the exact words, every one of them, out of my mouth. I guess Bergthold thinks women are just plain stupid.”
elmerfude replied on Oct 10, 2009 at 11:01:49
“Right on. I like Bill also but he was in way over his head last night on this one.”
GM's New TV Commercials -- Do They Grab You?
Commented Oct 02, 2009 at 15:10:10 in Business
“A friend of mine bought an Intrigue back in the late 90s. I thought he was insane at first. Oldsmobile? Really? Turned out though, it actually was a very nice car. Lots of room inside, very comfortable. The V6 in it is torquey and all but bullet proof - never giving him a problem. He's still driving it, holding out hopes for replacing it with a Volt. It's almost a shame they spent so much money convincing earlier Olds customers that they weren't going to get the same cars they remembered, and then failed to draw many new customers. I'm sure they could have come up with a great ad campaign based on the sheer extensive history of the company.”
GM's New TV Commercials -- Do They Grab You?
Commented Sep 24, 2009 at 15:51:18 in Business
“I just don't understand what they're aiming for. Having some older gentleman stand in front of a camera and say "We're better this time. Really. No... really. Stop laughing." is not going to convince anyone to buy their cars. Especially if anyone has been paying attention and takes Mr. Whiteacre at his previous word, in that he really doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to cars. Lets hope someone gave him a crash course.
I too enjoy that they're advertising Cadillacs as something above and beyond... but are they really? I like their styling. I like the CTS, the SRX, and especially the XLR, but I'm still not convinced they're on par for quality with the vehicles they compete with from Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.
I freely admit I'm prejudiced against Buick, I think they should have been canned before Oldsmobile, but really... they'd be the last place I'd go for a GM vehicle. I just don't see the point or where they fit in the overall product structure. Their upper end pricing cuts into Cadillac territory, their lower end pricing cuts into Chevrolet, so unless for some reason you really want a Buick, there are better choices. Not to mention, I still think the last car they made worth buying was the Grand National in 1987, and LaCrosse is a silly name for a car. :)”
I too enjoy that they're advertising Cadillacs as something above and beyond... but are they really? I like their styling. I like the CTS, the SRX, and especially the XLR, but I'm still not convinced they're on par for quality with the vehicles they compete with from Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.
I freely admit I'm prejudiced against Buick, I think they should have been canned before Oldsmobile, but really... they'd be the last place I'd go for a GM vehicle. I just don't see the point or where they fit in the overall product structure. Their upper end pricing cuts into Cadillac territory, their lower end pricing cuts into Chevrolet, so unless for some reason you really want a Buick, there are better choices. Not to mention, I still think the last car they made worth buying was the Grand National in 1987, and LaCrosse is a silly name for a car. :)”
hp blogger Steve Parker replied on Oct 02, 2009 at 00:56:41
“Buick's tagline is going to be: "The new class in world class."
So what does that say about Cadillac? Doesn't that dilute the Caddy brand? Hasn't GM learned their lesson about trying to sell the same-themed cars in different stores?
I say get rid of Buick and GMC ... Cadillac as the luxury brand, Chevy trucks instead of the GMC brand. By the way, if they combined GMC and Chevy truck sales GM would have the best-selling truck in the US --- but they've given that away to Ford for over 50 years!
Oldsmobile died on its own, unfortunately. I still think their final effort, the Aurora, is one of the best-looking cars ever made. And with the V8 engine it was plenty fun to drive! But they couldn't overcome their sales slide and their desperate "This is not your father's Oldsmobile" slogan (now considered one the worst ad campaigns in history) and John Rock, the division's last general manager, almost worked himself to death trying to turn it around.
I attended Olds' 100th birthday celebration in Lansing, and met the great grandson of Ransom Eli Olds ... Ransom Eli Olds III. It was a thrill.
And my father did have an Oldsmobile. We had a brand-new 1961 Super 88 convertible, fire engine red in color, and we drove that car from NYC to southern California in 1961, still using much of the original Rt 66.
So I loved my father's Oldsmobile!
Steve”
So what does that say about Cadillac? Doesn't that dilute the Caddy brand? Hasn't GM learned their lesson about trying to sell the same-themed cars in different stores?
I say get rid of Buick and GMC ... Cadillac as the luxury brand, Chevy trucks instead of the GMC brand. By the way, if they combined GMC and Chevy truck sales GM would have the best-selling truck in the US --- but they've given that away to Ford for over 50 years!
Oldsmobile died on its own, unfortunately. I still think their final effort, the Aurora, is one of the best-looking cars ever made. And with the V8 engine it was plenty fun to drive! But they couldn't overcome their sales slide and their desperate "This is not your father's Oldsmobile" slogan (now considered one the worst ad campaigns in history) and John Rock, the division's last general manager, almost worked himself to death trying to turn it around.
I attended Olds' 100th birthday celebration in Lansing, and met the great grandson of Ransom Eli Olds ... Ransom Eli Olds III. It was a thrill.
And my father did have an Oldsmobile. We had a brand-new 1961 Super 88 convertible, fire engine red in color, and we drove that car from NYC to southern California in 1961, still using much of the original Rt 66.
So I loved my father's Oldsmobile!
Steve”
A Double Whammy for Animal Shelters
Commented Sep 16, 2009 at 12:26:14 in Green
“Thanks for mentioning this. It was the first thing that came to mind as soon as I read the first line of Mr. Markarian's post. Anything you can donate to your local shelter would be helpful. So many of them are working on shoestring budgets.
In all fairness though, lobbying efforts at the top can go a long way to helping laws be changed and funding be allocated at the federal and state level for animal control officers, spay/neute
In all fairness though, lobbying efforts at the top can go a long way to helping laws be changed and funding be allocated at the federal and state level for animal control officers, spay/neute
Post-Partisan Depression
Commented Sep 12, 2009 at 15:14:55 in Politics
“It is not just Republicans being the tools of corporations. I think you will find many of the Blue Dog Democrat's positions to be very amenable to certain corporate influences as well. It all leads me to believe that there may be no real health care reform until a comprehensive campaign finance reform package and a lobbying reform package is passed. Something needs to be done to ameliorate these undue influences - which ultimately, is founded upon representatives looking only to their own re-election, and not to the needs and wants of the people.”
maryyooch replied on Sep 12, 2009 at 15:42:02
“You are right about some of the Democrats being financed with the Health Care Industrial Complex dollars, most particularly the blue dogs.
But it is unlikely to be reformed. It will only get worse because of the hearing coming up in the Supreme Court regarding the election finance laws.”
But it is unlikely to be reformed. It will only get worse because of the hearing coming up in the Supreme Court regarding the election finance laws.”
We Can't Afford Health Care? You lie!
Commented Sep 12, 2009 at 14:53:57 in Politics
“Well, the obvious solution is that the poor, unemployed and uninsured need to join the military. Then they get a paycheck, a job, and health care - all of which that are funded. The already unhealthy.
Post-Partisan Depression
Commented Sep 12, 2009 at 14:30:06 in Politics
“Post-bipartisan? Post would imply 'behind', 'after', 'subsequen
The "Insurance Companies Support Health Care Reform" Gambit
Commented Sep 03, 2009 at 17:14:25 in Politics
“You'd think the insurance companies would be clamoring for the millions of potential new customers, with more reasonably priced supplemental insurance (on top of any public plan)... and if private insurance is so much better than any public plan could be, as they like to claim, it can only be a benefit to them, to prove their point, no?”
VIDEO: Rep. Jenkins Laughs at Uninsured Single Mother, Son
Commented Sep 01, 2009 at 14:24:54 in Politics
“You still cannot make an educated vote without reading the legislatio
RadicalRepublican replied on Sep 02, 2009 at 09:39:38
“You make some good and valid points. I was trying to point out that if one is philosophically opposed to a concept, the details become irrelevent”
Hyper-Efficient Refrigerator Uses Less Electricity than a Light Bulb
Commented Sep 01, 2009 at 14:03:00 in New York
“Pretty impressive. This is the kind of thing that should be developed and made publicly available as soon as possible to help reduce electricity use. Now someone needs to get to work on other power hungry appliances that almost everyone in the developed world makes continuous use of, like: water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, televisions, stoves, microwave ovens...”
If TARP Was So Smart, Why Are So Many Banks Failing?
Commented Sep 01, 2009 at 13:40:09 in Business
“They're still failing because you can throw all the money in the world at a failed business model, and it'll still continue to fail... plus, all that 'toxic' debt is still floating around out there. It hasn't actually gone anywhere. Some of it may have changed hands, but tossing the hot potato just means someone else gets burned. Plus, above all, the legislative problems that caused all the problems in the first place still haven't been even touched. So there is quite literally nothing stopping everything from going down the toilet all over again, in the exact same way - well, except the greed of the bank executives that don't want to lose anymore money, but seeing that they can just beg for tax payer money, even that threat isn't much.”
VIDEO: Rep. Jenkins Laughs at Uninsured Single Mother, Son
Commented Sep 01, 2009 at 13:31:24 in Politics
“I truly do not understand how any member of congress can claim to be doing their job when they won't even read the legislation they are voting on. How can they possibly be representing the interests of their constituents if they don't even take the time to do the job they were elected to do? That'd be like a teacher walking in on the first day of class and giving out grades based on what they thought the students would end up with, without actually bothering teaching the class. If anyone else made their professional decisions without actually doing the work required of them, they'd be fired. Any elected official who does not actually read the legislation that they then vote on should be completely ashamed of themselves and resign. Voting only along their party line is not an educated choice, and it isn't what any constituents, regardless of their party or ideological affiliation, elected them to do. They elected their representatives to do what the name implies, represent the needs of the majority of the people. Not the wants of their party. If they are unable to uphold their oath to represent the people, they should find another line of work. Voters need to stop falling for these people's act. They can hold town halls until they're blue in the face, if they're not actually bothering to read the legislation and make educated choices for you, the voter, you are not being represented, it's just a parade of ignorance.”
Simonsaid replied on Sep 02, 2009 at 14:11:16
“Amen!!”
RadicalRepublican replied on Sep 01, 2009 at 14:09:17
“Hi LADawson,
If I were a member of congress and we were voting on a bill to allow torture, I wouldn't need to read the details to know that I'd vote aginst it.”
If I were a member of congress and we were voting on a bill to allow torture, I wouldn't need to read the details to know that I'd vote aginst it.”
Libertarians, Conservatives, and Health Care
Commented Aug 25, 2009 at 18:07:50 in Politics
“I guess I would say I'm libertarian in most of my views, but I'm also a realist, and understand that human greed will always trump any kind of 'free market', and any kind of 'free market' will always leave behind those who don't have the opportunities others have or take the risks that others do. Health care should not be a risk. One should not have to gamble whether their insurance company will dump them or jack their rates the second they make a claim. No matter how we look at it, a healthy society is a productive society. You would think the insurance companies would be clamoring for the millions of potential new customers, if those people were actually able to afford it. With tax credits and lowered rates across the board that should result from the competition of a public option, you'd think insurance companies would have it made - if they're so sure the public plan will be a dog and private plans are so superior. They're not worried about that though, they're worried about their current bottom line and that they might have to actually do the job that people who pay their premiums expect them to do.”
While My Guitar (Hero) Gently Weeps
Commented Aug 21, 2009 at 15:15:19 in Entertainment
“Given that a good portion of their catalog is controlled by Sony, "selling out" to a video game may not have really been entirely their choice - though, I'm pretty sure George Harrison's songs were not included in that catalog, so there must have been some negotiation with his estate going on, but the game is missing a few key songs, namely early stuff, like "Love Me Do" and "Please, Please Me" and their b-sides which are controlled by Paul McCartney. Makes you wonder just how enthusiastic he was about it all... maybe they'll be available in downloadable content or something,”
PW1206 replied on Aug 21, 2009 at 16:43:59
“Interestingly, Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper's, and Rubber Soul (in their entirety) will steadily become available as downloadable content. Also, McCartney, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia Harrison have been consultants on the game (Paul and Ringo were at the unveiling event at E3 this year, and spoke enthusiastically about the project afterward). and Apple Corps has approved everything from the setlist and venues to the art design.
I don't need another plastic toy guitar or drum kit, so I won't be paying for the special edition that has replicas of John's guitar and Ringo's drums, nor will I be hunting down the McCartney bass or Harrison guitar, but they look awesome, so I wouldn't blame anyone for doing so. I will have to pick up two more USB microphones so my friends and I can perform the vocal harmonies. Or make them bring their Rock Band microphones over when we play. Whichever.
This may well be the first video game to truly bridge that gap between the generations (or the best - my folks still love Wii Sports Bowling. The only video game they've ever played)...”
I don't need another plastic toy guitar or drum kit, so I won't be paying for the special edition that has replicas of John's guitar and Ringo's drums, nor will I be hunting down the McCartney bass or Harrison guitar, but they look awesome, so I wouldn't blame anyone for doing so. I will have to pick up two more USB microphones so my friends and I can perform the vocal harmonies. Or make them bring their Rock Band microphones over when we play. Whichever.
This may well be the first video game to truly bridge that gap between the generations (or the best - my folks still love Wii Sports Bowling. The only video game they've ever played)...”
How We Can Afford Health Care Reform
Commented Aug 21, 2009 at 13:56:58 in Politics
“If we weren't fighting two foreign wars, supplying and maintaining occupying armies in countries we defeated three (or more) wars ago, we could have afforded a single payer universal health care decades ago. Negotiating for prescription prices is only a small piece of the problem pie.”
Why I Ain't About to Boycott Whole Foods
Commented Aug 15, 2009 at 16:29:58 in Green
“The movements to boycott Whole Foods have been around much longer than this newest controversy. It is just one more thing to pile on to an extended record of poor business practices and ridiculous behavior on part of their management. Their lack of (and often fake) support for farmers, their fake support for 'green' when the only green they really like is money (examples: refusal to support efforts to protect sea turtles by buying seafood caught only with specific nets or their refusal to even look into potential toxins in their products, like mercury or chemicals in plastics they sell). Not to mention, their union stomping, low wages, poor working conditions
The only real reason I see not to boycott is because some of their products are simply not available elsewhere.
The only real reason I see not to boycott is because some of their products are simply not available elsewhere.
O'Reilly, Beck, Olbermann and Maddow: Venomous Snakes?
Commented Aug 12, 2009 at 16:42:35 in Media
“I think the problem doesn't really lie in what any of these people have to say, but in the way they work very hard to blur the line between news reporting and opinion, and freely flip back and forth at will. Olbermann may be "venomous" sometimes, but in the years I've watched his program, I've never seen him verbally assault a guest, or cut off their mic - which is not something I can't say over the years I've watched O'Reilly. Olbermann generally works hard to stick to the facts, sometimes even ones that don't support his opinion. O'Reilly all too often outright lies, and openly foments ignorance over education.
I can't really watch Beck's sideshow, it's just too pathetic for my taste so really can't comment on him.
Maddow is a relative newcomer to the scene, and I've been watching her show since day one. Never once have I see the kind of "venom" that is on other shows. She often has people of differing viewpoints on, and while she obviously asks liberally-slanted questions, she has been nothing but respectful to everyone she's had on - even Pat Buchanan, who I can't fathom why anyone would give air time to. Problem is, because she follows Olbermann, and is on MSNBC, most people who label themselves as conservative are unwilling to appear on her show for fear of having to answer her questions. She's worked hard to be fair and is incredibly insightful and her research team is top notch.”
I can't really watch Beck's sideshow, it's just too pathetic for my taste so really can't comment on him.
Maddow is a relative newcomer to the scene, and I've been watching her show since day one. Never once have I see the kind of "venom" that is on other shows. She often has people of differing viewpoints on, and while she obviously asks liberally-slanted questions, she has been nothing but respectful to everyone she's had on - even Pat Buchanan, who I can't fathom why anyone would give air time to. Problem is, because she follows Olbermann, and is on MSNBC, most people who label themselves as conservative are unwilling to appear on her show for fear of having to answer her questions. She's worked hard to be fair and is incredibly insightful and her research team is top notch.”
giorgiana replied on Aug 12, 2009 at 21:52:24
“Yes, O'Reilly does foment dissention, hatred and has an ongoing partnership with the equally venomous Glenn Beck. Just read that Geico took their sponsership away from Beck's show. Maybe they will do the same for O'Reilly and wise him up. These two pairing up are the ultimate in anti-Obama, anti-everything liberal. If sponsors keep going away from Beck, then you may see a bit of a change of the hateful people on Fox News. Too many for me to name.”
Jeff Cunningham replied on Aug 12, 2009 at 20:25:43
“Maddow also makes an effort to get comments from those with opposing views, and if they decline or she never hears from them, she'll say so on-air. As a former student of journalism, that tiny bit of transparency is appreciated.”
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