Bad situation at the gig this afternoon...

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

Played an outddor show in Rosslyn VA with an R&B/girl group band (my bandleader and her boyfriend's other band). Anyway, when we got there to set up several Arlington County patrol cars, ambulance, and lotsa cops and yellow police tape were in eviudence.

Turned out that a homeless guy who had been staying in the park had been found on one of the benches, dead. What's worse, the rumor is that someone had attempted to wake him earler in the afternoon and he was alive at he time. They came back a second time to try to get him to move and he was gone.

God rest his soul, whoever he was.

[acmavm]

1. Does anyone know what killed him? Heat, lack of food, both? Because

there is going to be more and more of this. With the finances of cities and states being hit so hard, homeless shelters and places where these people can get a meal are without the funds to help. (They are being arrested in sweeps here in Hooterville.) That wonderful upper 1% of the population that are getting millions back in tax kickbacks do not support any facilities or organizations that take care of the poor. Sometimes you see them chair some committee, but that just gets their name in the paper. The financial help is raised from donations from working people. (Like the United Way.) And the working people are running out of money to give.

The economy. These are the issues that, if played properly, could really hurt the Bush Administration. Really. 40% of the homeless are children. Children are becoming homeless at an alarming rate, they are the fastest growing segment of the homeless. Instead of letting the administration hide them, we should show them to the country and ask what god it is exactly that they pray to each Sunday.

[northofdenali]

2. We are so fortunate here. We have a 1%er who really does contribute.

He bought the land and paid for the building of a nice shelter for men/women and families - then he bought the land and paid for the building of our new Food Bank.

The Food Bank is an ongoing charity, and most occasions, including the State Fair, will collect cans and other nonperishables for admission. We have a FoodStock every year with many local bands contributing their time, and the participants contributing either food or an admission - all of which goes to the Food Bank.

Homelessness is a serious problem everywhere, and in the * "economy" (read, depression) it will get worse. I hope everyone keeps their eyes open and gives an assist to the various charities that try to help.

Very sad, bassplayer - and I echo your RIP.