Sorry, Georgia
As new pioneers, explorers of the uncharted world that is homelessness, we hope to see you build a team of members whose soul purpose is to reach out to those who live with no permanent address. Each and everyday, old and young alike face the challenges inherent with being homeless. It takes a dedicated, never-ending effort to help the sick, the sorry, the sad.
Considering all the plans and programs designed and implemented to ‘end homelessness’ to date, the headlines should read “PROBLEM SOLVED … Ten Years Ago.” Instead, we read today from Las Vegas, “City marshals … against homeless”.
"Last week, (Las Vegas City Mayor) Goodman said he wanted to force a (any) homeless person who didn't want to be helped to get services (hospitalized, institutionalized or incarcerated). The individual would serve as a 'test case' for the system."
Sorry, Georgia; there is no Santa Claus to bring the homeless a home in Vegas, or anywhere else. But the Grinches abound, everywhere; even among the homeless community. One such Grinch is certainly Crazy About Las Vegas. Concerning the controversial plan that allows ‘expert’ public servants to forcibly remove the homeless from the streets, he writes …
"I am very glad for this law, because there are some seriously mentally ill folks on the streets who desperately need to be hospitalized. And leaving them to wander the streets, unable to fend for themselves, is a worse evil than incarcerating them. And it is folks like these, and the perpetually intoxicated homeless, who give the label "homeless" such a negative connotation."
You would think that a perpetually homeless person would understand that bigoted, stereotypical ‘connotations’ only serve to keep the homeless, the poor and the disabled down in the gutters of society. Sweeping the streets and putting the homeless behind bars, especially as a 'test case', is a crule and unusual experiment that will do more harm than good. What the homeless really need is a helping hand up and out of their misery; even if only for a moment, or a day, at a time.
Georgia and friends: Never give up hope! There will come a day when the poor of this world will inherit the Kingdom they are promised; and they will be homeless no more.
"Now is the time for all goodmen (including the Governor of Vegas) to come to the aid of their countrymen, especially, their vulnerable and disabled countrymen."
Considering all the plans and programs designed and implemented to ‘end homelessness’ to date, the headlines should read “PROBLEM SOLVED … Ten Years Ago.” Instead, we read today from Las Vegas, “City marshals … against homeless”.
"Last week, (Las Vegas City Mayor) Goodman said he wanted to force a (any) homeless person who didn't want to be helped to get services (hospitalized, institutionalized or incarcerated). The individual would serve as a 'test case' for the system."
Sorry, Georgia; there is no Santa Claus to bring the homeless a home in Vegas, or anywhere else. But the Grinches abound, everywhere; even among the homeless community. One such Grinch is certainly Crazy About Las Vegas. Concerning the controversial plan that allows ‘expert’ public servants to forcibly remove the homeless from the streets, he writes …
"I am very glad for this law, because there are some seriously mentally ill folks on the streets who desperately need to be hospitalized. And leaving them to wander the streets, unable to fend for themselves, is a worse evil than incarcerating them. And it is folks like these, and the perpetually intoxicated homeless, who give the label "homeless" such a negative connotation."
You would think that a perpetually homeless person would understand that bigoted, stereotypical ‘connotations’ only serve to keep the homeless, the poor and the disabled down in the gutters of society. Sweeping the streets and putting the homeless behind bars, especially as a 'test case', is a crule and unusual experiment that will do more harm than good. What the homeless really need is a helping hand up and out of their misery; even if only for a moment, or a day, at a time.
Georgia and friends: Never give up hope! There will come a day when the poor of this world will inherit the Kingdom they are promised; and they will be homeless no more.
"Now is the time for all goodmen (including the Governor of Vegas) to come to the aid of their countrymen, especially, their vulnerable and disabled countrymen."
posted by Kelly at 9:00 PM
2 Comments:
I understand why Kevin feels that way. Things may have improved since the days the Kennedy girl was given a lobotomy because she was "boy crazy" and it was decided she was mentally ill. But I think aome sane people can develop mental illnesses due to the Mental Institutions treatments. When a judge can decide that anyone who questions authority is mentally ill, and send a woman to a psyche ward (Carolyn Fisher), this Las Vegas thing scares me. What will the next law be? Will all the alcoholic's be rounded up and held, perhaps in Pres Bushes new Detention Centers? I don't have any answer to the Pilgrim problem, but more inhumane treatment, surely isn't the answer.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
When I first began volunteering for HOPE, I expressed disappointment about seeing (and not understanding or being able to fix) the homeless who lived in perpetual inebriation. The founder of HOPE explained, “Kelly, there are bankers and realtors and politicians (all walks of life) that can’t start the day with out a drink.” Gee, I knew that; I was raised by a drunken bully who was a church-going, house-providing, military jerk-head. I couldn’t do anything about the violence, the beatings and the neglect (to my mother, my siblings and me) as a child. As soon as I was old enough, I left home, right into the arms of a loving, abusive minister. Go figure!
Over the years, I’ve seen that it is most often the homeless, the disabled and the vulnerable who are victims of cruel and abusive treatment in a society that doesn’t provide real help, because real help doesn’t happen without unconditional LOVE. And love just isn’t a word in some folk’s vocabulary.
As for the Pilgrims; it’s no problem. Some young (some homeless) friends approached me with an inspired desire to serve the less fortunate. I provide the team of ‘new-bes’ an email address and url as they embark on what could be a life-long journey of human service. Please remember The Mole, Georgia, and their assembling team of friends in your prayers.
And, thank you for your link to Homeless News. I have included it in my Favorites, and plan to read it often, with attention; Lord willing.
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