In the War Against the Homeless - Where Do You Stand?

[laserhaas]

Last edited Tue Dec 17, 2013, 02:34 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm watching with great anxiety, the trial of the Fullerton Police who brutally beat and murdered homeless man Kelly Thomas. Because we fought a battle against the cops bad faith from the beginning (see articles here & here) - many a person send me updates and suggestions to work with the Kelly Thomas Foundation for the Homeless.

Laser - the homeless guy.

Just a few months ago, I spoke to Ron Thomas, the retired Los Angeles County Sheriff who was the father of Kelly Thomas. Previously, Ron Thomas has held many rallies in Fullerton, CA - seeking justice. He also created the Kelly Thomas Memorial Foundation for the Homeless, in honor of his son Kelly Thomas. Ron and I had discussed having a special event to raise $20,000.00 or so for the charity. Ron Thomas wanted to do so; but the on coming trial just put too much anxiety in the air. Sadly, the event will have to wait till some time next year.

Ron Thomas didn't know my real name, until recently. Even when I presented to him, during the 1st Kelly Thomas fund-raiser, with a hundred brand new women's Harley Davidson blue jeans. That is because he has enough to deal with and my debacle with others need not bother him further. But I did tell him, as we spoke about the charity event - that I had a surprise for him.

That surprise - is that yours truly - is also a homeless man.

Now, granted, I'm in the state of flux because of a real bizarre set of circumstances far different than most. The truth of the matter is, I choose to be homeless. Now those of you who are smirking and saying "just another bum" - to you I say No Way besmirches - I've got good reason; as do most other homeless people.

Like a Afghan war vet with special circumstances making it hard to function in society; I've got things just as bizarre. People are dead in the particular battle I'm in (Racketeering Romney case); and I simply can't put others in harms way.

My brother and many, many people, like Sybil from NY and Mr. Ellenike (a Greek Historian extraordinary) have all offered me their place to stay. But the eToys shareholder who joined with me - had to shoot & kill an assailant - and my daughter was abducted. It is just real simple. Either I give up and let Romney & his RICO Gang win - where I can get on with a normal life. Or I stay away from the normal state of being. It is wrong to burden others with my struggles, simply because of society's need to keep U.S. all conform.

No business owner wants me and my baggage; and I don't blame them. Nor can I promise any company long term utilization of my talents as an executive who managed thousands. This is because my quest to arrest Mitt Romney is a mandate - paramount. (You may think it impossible, but all things big are never easy).

Besides, being homeless and existing like an easy target has made me free. I face each day with the tasks of the battle at hand (more legal brief draftings, studying the law, making friends in the battles against tyranny, cronyism and corruption like Horace Boothroyd III - who provided me the picture below). Spending 18 hours a day at the quest and such is my life's work. Unfortunately, until I defeat the enemy - the pay sucks. Meanwhile, each day, I face the need of getting two meals and my $1 shower at the rec center - usually with great success. Often, I'm even able to feed others

Every homeless person has just as solid a story and/or reason for being where they are.
[br][hr][br]

Beating, Stabbing and Setting Homeless Sleepers on Fire!

Our dear Kelly Thomas saga and its extreme acts of violence upon the homeless, is not as seldom as you'd think. There are vigilantes who go after the homeless under some perverted sense of justice that they are higher up on the evolutionary ladder; and must rid society of the less fortunate ilk. One guy went around stabbing homeless people in the back while they slept and left a "death warrant" written by his own hand - as justification (see the N.Y. Daily News story - here). In Van Nuys, California, one woman was horrifically set on fire while sleeping on a bench (see story - here).

How serious would the war on homeless be, if the homeless - in turn - went to war on those who had homes?

There's a civil war out here, against those who are down trodden. That is because none of the U.S. wishes to see skid row outside our front door. It makes one feel extremely uncomfortable. Common sense tells U.S. that such does not bode well for safety. Be that as it may, does our desire for comfort, in combination with our apathy for others plight, give U.S. grounds to make a war upon the homeless?

What does such say about who we are as a people, nation and planet?

We all struggle to get through life's viscous and never ending costs on one level or another. Student loans never-ending, taxes and gas prices on the rise. Veterans returning and finding it hard to cope. Single mom and/or dads. Losing your home to storm, fire, sink hole. Not many of U.S. can even begin to guess how many in the Philippines are still suffering and may never, ever see a home again. The lists goes on and on.

When devastating dynamics hit hard, some reach out to family, friends and their strength of will to struggle back. Others simply can't seem to get their neck above water. Those with no where and/or no one to go to - become homeless. It simply is a fact of life.

For such - what is to be done? --------- What is society to do - about homeless persons?
[br][hr][br]

Homelessness and Sleeping in Your Car is a Crime - Worldwide!

It is not only happening here in the U.S. - in England a reporter was fined for sleeping in his car (story - here). Just this week there was an article in the SoCal papers about how Venice, California was cracking down on homeless people in their vehicles by giving them fines for sleeping in their cars.

The police are allowed to be detainer and jury if they find you with a blanket in your car, and/or with cans of food or drink. If you are caught with a pee bottle - you are subject to being hauled into the jail house and getting your car confiscated (because diabetics don't exist in Venice). A Judge reviewed the Laws on such as too broad and unconstitutional. It did not slip by the court that what Venice Beach seeks to do, is slap the arse's of the homeless in such a fashion that they'll move over to L.A. County or elsewhere.

In other words - Not In My Back Yard!
[br][hr][br]

Poverty Is - As Poverty Does!

--------- - Living on Minimum Wage is Homelessness!

We are in a country where our elected officials don't want a minimum wage that makes sense. Even when Australia, with its $15 minimum wage - is the only country that dodge the recent worldwide financial debacles; our elected officials continue to fight over making it just $10 per hour here in America.

This, from guys who get $150,000 per year the rest of their lives - for voting down $10 per hour.

------------------------------------------ Now That's a Crime!

McDonalds put out a false report and got slammed, when it tried to make it appear that anyone working for its minimum wage could (easily) make ends meet. The fact of the matter is, the number one thing that costs U.S. all too much money is rent. A one bedroom apartment here in Los Angeles is $1000 per month plus. Even if you made $10 per hour that equates to $1700 per month. Minus taxes - if you are lucky - you'll take home around $1350. That leaves (again - if you are lucky) - $350 per month for food, clothes, insurance, cell phone.

And forget about gas or car (G-d forbid you should get caught sleeping in it).

Zoning laws MUST change

. --- There's one new towering building in the heart of Los Angeles that charges $750 per month for studios. In New York City, people are finding re-zoned areas where they are living in an entire apartment that would have been just 1/2 the size of the bedroom I had in 2001. We can make it easier on all of U.S. if the wealthy didn't make all the damn rules.

After all - no homeless could EVER get away with sleeping in front of a Beverley Hills home!
[br][hr][br]

What About a Bruce Willis 5th Element Styled - 1 Room Apartment?

We can have a Bruce Willis type pad such as he had in 5th Element. No one REALLY needs a full size refrigerator. No one REALLY needs a queen/king bed. Couches that serve as a put away bed - no longer have to be back breakers of steel rods with 1/2 inch mattresses made of foam. They call them lounge chairs and such now.

We simply MUST adapt to the reality that wage supply has not kept up with the fact there's less and less rooms to go around!

Back last year, a good Orange County Register Columnist (David Whiting) hit the nail on the proverbial head with his March 2012 article titled "Dumb laws? Cities ban sleeping in cars". It is a real short article on the first page - I suggest you read it.

Meanwhile, here's nearly 1/2 of it with David Whiting's conclusion apropos;

I bought a car specifically to sleep in.

I didn't buy it to nap in the office parking lot. If I were the napping type, I'd do that at my desk.

And I didn't get my car as a substitute for The Couch where men supposedly go when domestic trouble arises. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Before I met my lovely wife, Sue, I lived with a woman in a mobile home on a dirt road near some railroad tracks.

[br][hr][br]

If You Beat Up on & Oppress the Homeless - Won't They will simply Go AWAY!

The greater Los Angeles Food Coalition is feeding the homeless at night; and that's pissing off the homeowners who don't want it happening in their neighborhood. After all - it might encourage more homeless to get in line for the free meal (damn those bums). There are instances all over the place - of evictions of the homeless. See the story of that and other tales of homeless people being evicted at te La.curbed.com website (here).

As for me, I like the church in Oregon doing their thingy

!

Her, in his own words by Horace Boothroyd III (whom I lovingly call Mr. III) - is what the picture below is all about;

When Portland police arrest houseless people for sleeping publicly, cops throw away the blankets, clothes, and sleeping bags they find. In protest of this police theft policy during cold nights, at 2pm today, Fight Church dumped the contents of an overflowing 2-ton trailer onto W. Burnside & 6th: all in plastic bags: blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, earmuffs, hats, scarves, and clothes, all collected through the Efryting Drive, in front of Downtown Chapel. Clothes were then sorted on the street and brought inside the Downtown Chapel for distribution to the houseless. KOIN 6, FOX 12, and The Oregonian covered the event so that Fight Church could deliver the message regarding police harassment of the houseless. No one was arrested!

[br]


[br][hr][br]

In the War Against the Homeless - What Side Are You On?

So tonight, because security is now beefed up for shopping during Christmas, there's a bored security guy who knows we park our car from 1 am till 5 am by Starbucks. I will need to avoid his police wannabe'ness. When he first banged on our hood of the car (actually put a dent in it and deliberately bent our radio antenna) - and scared/forced U.S. to go elsewhere; the Starbucks manager heard about it and told him to leave the regular customers alone. (Where I get my 2 free meals - most often - is word around SB's that I'll do blogs & websites - etc., for the business entrepreneurs who come to SB and meet clients. In turn - they feed me. Isn't that "working&quot .

But the Security guy told me he hates homeless people - so he beeps his horn around us every 10 mins., until 5 am.

Therefore, I will sneak into my storage locker after the cleaning girls leave at 10 pm. The gate doesn't close until midnight and the office closed at 9 pm. I go into my locker (which I learned how to make it appear like it is locked from the outside). Then I weigh down the doors with weights of 150 lbs. So - even if someone were to come by and check - they couldn't lift the doors. (If they could, being that the locks ARE on there - would such be "unlawful" entry)? I will remain until the gate re-opens at 6 am. Then I'll scurry off to the bathroom and back to Starbucks (my online haven heaven).

Did you know there's laws too - about sleeping in storage lockers?


--------------------------------------------------------------------Merry Christmas!
[br][hr][br]

[laserhaas]

1. More stories on other cities cracking down on the homeless problem.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-homeless-pkg,0,6136007.special#axzz2nhUOh5t6

[SCVDem]

2. I'm checking out places

Without the unemployment extension I will be broke in a few weeks.

This is the problem having a 2 seat car. It's too small to live in.

I seriously am getting too old for this shit.

On the bright side, I'm an organ donor.

[laserhaas]

3. lol Ive always worried that being a donor was an invitation for

Expediency

You know like a Richard Pryor routine

Ambulance arrives on scene an guy hit by car in hos twenties has no insurance

Meanwhile there,s a billionaire needing new heart n lungs

Richard pryor says to tbedriver we can file bankrjptcy or sacrifice the white boy and get new cadillacs

Thrn the other guy says pull down his pants n see if he is redneck. With supremist tatoos

Guy is screwed becaise his girlfriend is named karen kelly kinders and the tatoo special was only for i luv with initials

[dougolat]

4. McDonalds - over 1,000,000 serfed! ...nt

[laserhaas]

5. your joke is much shorter than mines

[Left Coast2020]

6. A moverment is needed NOW. The problem will not go away

[Recursion]

7. Homelessness is way, way down from 10 years ago, BUT....

... the structural changes that brought that about may be making the remaining homeless people's problems harder to solve.

Credit where it's due: the "housing first" policies that I and a lot of others were against 8 years ago have done an enormous amount of good for an large number of people, but, the fact remains that those same policies (by necessity) pulled the rug out from under the remaining homeless population.

I'm not sure where to go from here.

[laserhaas]

8. I concur that more positive movements must be done

I plan to assist to end fiscal disparity and oppression of the less fortunate as best thay O can.

If I can get back wha Romney and hos gang stole from me, then - hopefully - I can do such with better funding.

It woulf. be great if I can do so via Kelly Thomas Memorial Fund.

[chervilant]

9. Really, Recursion?

" Homelessness is way, way down from 10 years ago, BUT...."

A Google search I just did turned up a plethora of articles about increased homelessness globally.

Why did you feel the need to begin your post with this assertion? Do you have defensible research supporting your claim?

Our species seems to be increasingly calloused about the difficulties of the poorest among us. As someone who has faced homelessness three times in the recent past, I encourage you -- and everyone else -- to find ways to help those of us who struggle with poverty and homelessness.

[Recursion]

12. Homelessness in the US

Yes, in the world it's up, in no small part due to our ill advised wars.

In the US, it's down rather dramatically.

http://m.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-astonishing-decline-of-homelessness-in-america/279050/

[chervilant]

24. Ironically, the intro paragraph to the article you linked:

The State of Homelessness in America 2013 examines trends in homelessness between 2011 and 2012 as well as the economic, housing, and demographic context in which homelessness changes over time. The report shows that, overall, the homeless population decreased by less than 1 percent, but this is not the full story. While the number of people experiencing homelessness as part of a family increased slightly, the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and those identifying as veterans decreased significantly.

gives a different picture. "Down rather dramatically" might be useful for a news agency with a specific agenda (e.g., a 'hook' to create more interest in the story), but the grim reality is that homelessness remains a significant issue in this nation.

[laserhaas]

26. I concur chervilant. As the post #25 does point out

Science is not somebody desiring a certain result going to a "source" that concludes the same;
and then cementing such in stone as pure fact.

That is what RWNJ parties do when they want to impeach a man who is a U.S. Citizen;
who ran against a man whose father also ran for POTUS

and George Romney definitely was NOT born a U.S. Citizen!

[laserhaas]

13. Concur cervilant.

I believe that prudence mandates adaptation to the realities. You cant have cost of living on the rise and stagnant wages too. Such creates an imppverished state of affairs and roo great a divide.

[laserhaas]

10. do you have the empirical evidence link

Which shoes that it is "way way down"?

[Recursion]

15. You really didn't know that?

http://m.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-astonishing-decline-of-homelessness-in-america/279050/

Homelessness is down by almost as startling an amount as violent crime. The number of homeless veterans is down too.

But long term homelessnessis stubbornly not moving. And homelessness among school students is up, though that may have a lot to do with better ways of keeping homeless students registered; fewer simply fall out of the system like they used to.

[laserhaas]

16. hey one article banter does not make empirical evidence

Ive lived a homeless life - off and on - since my daughter was abducted on my birthday in 2004.


Ive traveled the country from Occupy WS all the way bavk to Occupy Los Angeles

I did not see AND don,t see it asyou say.

We jumped to 9% unemployed for the first time in devades and veterans many Without homes

[Recursion]

17. It's not a question of perspective

Homelessness is down, period.

You can't have your own facts; that's how conservatives argue.

Now, the policies that have gotten homelessness down have made it worse for the remaining homeless. That's something we need to work on.

[laserhaas]

18. your banter is disigenuous. The proffer of your article isfar from dispositive

I will look at other sources more pure of intent and see what tbey have to sau on the matter.

BTW your perspective sucks!

I am not asking for your sympathy or assist. I am simply pointi.g kut several examples - including my own experience apropos - that there IS a war on the homeless; and ask which side you are on.

You offer no solution and infer the "problems" are already being address: which is obtuse and unkind.

[oldhippie]

21. "... other sources more pure of intent ..."

That is certainly an interesting phrase. I may have to save that to use myself some day.

[laserhaas]

25. Hometown papers saying homelessness is down (hence less fund and less programs needed)

Along with the purported Alliance saying it is down by 6% (except for families) and 17% overall;
while its research arm seeks funding for

http://b.3cdn.net/naeh/bb34a7e4cd84ee985c_3vm6r7cjh.pdf

The HomelessNess reseArcH iNstitute (HRI), the research and education arm of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, works to end homelessness by building and disseminating knowledge that drives policy change. The goals of HRI are to build the intellectual capital around solutions to homelessness; to advance data and research to ensure that policymakers, practitioners, and the caring public have the best information about trends in homelessness and emerging solutions; and to engage the media to ensure intelligent reporting on homelessness

It is a source - quoting a source to justify - the original sources conclusions.

Far from empirical evidence that would be consider "beyond all reasonable doubt" conclusive.

And (the original quote by the above comment party) it is stipulated that homelessness is "way way down".

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

As for me - I need to know how many less are being fed by homeless feeding workers;
and or how many fewer blankets etc., are being handed out.

The REAL numbers.

[br][hr][br]

In my case against Romney - I have the quotes, federal filings and such - that provide proof of my allegations;
and he (and his gang) simply flip flop them away.

I'd be much less cavalier about flip flopping away programs and funding for homeless;
when the campaigns to fine, arrest and upset them are growing across the country

and the world!

[Scuba]

11. K&R

[laserhaas]

14. thanks Scuba

[seveneyes]

19. I'm having trouble following and locating this story

Regarding this section. . .

"My brother and many, many people, like Sybil from NY and Mr. Ellenike (a Greek Historian extraordinary) have all offered me their place to stay. But the eToys shareholder who joined with me - had to shoot & kill an assailant - and my daughter was abducted. It is just real simple. Either I give up and let Romney & his RICO Gang win - where I can get on with a normal life. Or I stay away from the normal state of being. It is wrong to burden others with my struggles, simply because of society's need to keep U.S. all conform."
...

Is there a link to this story somewhere? Who is this person and why does some rich guy like Romney hold any sway to someone being homeless?

[laserhaas]

22. Click on my threads, Google/Bing my name and Pitten's - add eToys etc.

Or you can go to stories I'm the source of - to get a "Bigger Picture" view.

Wall Street Journal July 2005 - eToys investors claim conflict
http://www.post-gazette.com/businessnews/2005/07/25/EToys-investors-claim-conflict-at-law-firm/stories/200507250210

Rolling Stone - September 2012 - Matt Taibbi "Greed and Debt"
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/greed-and-debt-the-true-story-of-mitt-romney-and-bain-capital-20120829

NY Times "Rigging the IPO Game"
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/opinion/sunday/nocera-rigging-the-ipo-game.html?_r=0

And - for the REALITY checker -eToys shareholder Robert Alber had to shoot/kill Michael Sesseyoff
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/other/kingman-man-shot-dead-during-argument-over-locked-gate

they are all part of a much bigger puzzle - that includes Paul Traub = Romney
and Paul Traub also was partners with Fraudster Marc Dreier
while being "controller" of Tom Petters Ponzi
http://www.petters-fraud.com

But Paul Traub has not done one day in jail;
because Romney (Capone) does let his Traub (Nitti)
go to jail!

[laserhaas]

23. Now -those are not the only issues of mayhem and homicide.

Among several purported "accidental deaths" and some "shot gun" ways out;
there's also a drowning in a pool by rich men, a brother of an assistant U.S. Attorney hanging himself

and the venerate John "Jack" Wheeler winding up dead in a dump.

All connected to our case.

[br][hr][br]

With those things easy to find (when you are intent on searching out stuff on your new employee);
who do you think desires to hire the guy who is also silly enough to sue Mitt Romney?

Who - by the way - is the owner of Bain Capital; which owns Clear Channel Communications.

Clear Channel was founded by Red McCombs.

Do you know what Mr. McCombs also owns?

------- Blackwater!

http://academi.com/pages/about-us/board-of-directors/red-mccombs-chairman


So - what do you say oh inquisitive doubting Thomas;
are you ready to have me move in tomorrow?

[laserhaas]

20. My programs (should I ever be blessed to get back what was stolen) - is to do feasibility and

implemented programs.

For many years, my kids and I, on each Christmas day, would place money in envelopes from $10 to $100. Then we would go out and have a committee discussion on who looks to be in need and why we should give more to this on or that. I would ask them questions to stimulate their minds and make bets with them on the professions of the persons. They quickly learned assumptions are ass-u-me's.

It was a joy to see them get joy in the task and how they looked forward to doing it again next year.

There was a time or two - where we could afford to do it during the year;
and once did it for people on the bus routes in Cleveland.

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

We need a collective strategy tank of people dedicated to coming up with solutions to stem the tide.

For one, we need a better educated populace - which, in turn - creates better paid poplulace.

Secondly, cost of goods will continue to rise;
wages MUST match - or adjustments need be made.

The Bruce Willis/5th Element home/apt idea is a great one;
as amount of space doesn't guarantee piece of mind - But making ends meet creates disposable income.

[Bennyboy]

27. I think almost every homeless person could get out of it for 10K or so....

And that we spend TEN TIMES that every year to take care of the homeless in services, sheltering, food closets, etc.. Not to mention the constant arrests, hospitalizations, etc.

I think there needs to be some kind of grant or something so these people can get out from under stuff. Perhaps one of the Tech Titans (they like it when you call them that) in SF could set up a fund and administer it for SF's homeless. (The "Take care of their shit program&quot

Probation. Fines, Drivers licenses, fines, liens, child support (a huge reason) all are real reasons why someone would be homeless. Get a guys drivers license cleared up and he is now employable. Get someone off probation and that person is employable. Get his child support manageable so he can have a drivers license. Or his trade license.

Sure there are those that are mentally unstable and may never become employable, but I guess they got some stuff that needs to be taken care of as well.

Seems we spend a lot of money that really does nothing but keep people homeless. I admire them and know they are trying to do what they can with what they have, but the thing is, if you don't have a driver's license no one will hire you to do nothing. You have to get to the core of why they are homeless and I am guessing that most of them became that way due to money. A good number of them due to criminal behavior, probation etc....

[laserhaas]

30. i look fotward to oneday (hope fully) trying such solutions

[nilesobek]

28. The 1% got the world they cultivated

and created angry people like me. I admit my 8 years homeless has made me angry. Suffering a devastating ankle injury I lost my place to live in the spring of 2005.
I had a small pension of $500 a month and after looking at my choices I decided to be fed instead of living in a slum. It was like being homeless on steroids. I went to the woods and the first month bought a chain saw and a nice axe. The following months I managed to purchase a used generator, a propane heater, and some dry storage containers to keep the ground squirrels out of my food. I created my own utopia/dystopia in those woods until that idea came crashing down when federal marshalls showed up one day to roust me. You see, I was on National Forest land. Thou shall not partake or hunt the King's meat.
To be fair, the marshalls did not harm me physically. But then I was just like the typical homeless, drifting from town to town, limping down the street, panhandling when I could and doing lots of drinking. Plenty of drinking. It became my medicine. I crossed the USA ten times, finding jobs here and there and even managing to rent a trailer for a while in California.
Now I am renting a room in an apartment and work 3 minimum wage part time jobs. I have rehabilitated my ankle with no medical care. I think it healed crooked and I have to wear size 14 shoes. Frequently I thought about suicide or committing a crime just to get a score but I managed to keep my dignity, what good in me overcame the bad. Acceptance. One dark night I wrote this poem on the cardboard of my six pack of malt liquor....

emptying my mind of conventional thought
throwing away the things that I bought
I travel and leave this city behind
chasing a truth, as yet undefined
and I shall not fall
for I have nothing
which is all

[laserhaas]

29. kudos to you for resisting temptation

Lord k.owz there was a time or two many. Bad tbouvbrz flew o er my head; but I too refused to let them build a nest there


And your poem is a piece of art extraordinary

Make sure you mail it to someonr by registered mail so that it is then your. Copyright