DC's homeless rousted for inauguration. No change there.

[bushmeister0]

Newsmax:

"Up to 1,200 people live rough in the security zone, including Pennsylvania Avenue, the grand boulevard which the inaugural parade will march down, said Michael O'Neill of the National Coalition for the Homeless.

The effort to clear Washington streets of the district's homeless population was unlike anything that former homeless man David Pirtle has witnessed.

'I was on the streets when George W. Bush had his second inauguration in 2005 and it was nothing like this. There were no large-scale sweeps. I slept on Pennsylvania Avenue the night before and the night after the inauguration,' said the 34-year-old who now works for the National Coalition for the Homeless.

'But as hard as the administration is going to try to make this look sanitary, the homeless are not going to be invisible. You can't make 6,000-12,000 people disappear,' he said, citing official figures for homelessness in Washington proper and the greater metropolitan area, including suburbs in Virginia and Maryland."

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/homeless_obama/2009/01/15/171793.html

When I lived DC I thought every city just had tons of homeless people, it wasn't until I moved to Philly and then went back that I suddenly noticed the insane number of homeless people in DC, particularly in the Federal District. Most of them seem to be vets, so I guess they figure the government owes them something.

This sweep kind of reminds me of the Simpson's episode called "You Only Move Twice," in which a promotional video for the Globex Corporation shows, as an example of the good they've done, a homeless man disolving into a mailbox.

[Deja Q]

1. Right wing news source. No shock or surprise.

Given homelessness being an issue Dems actually acknowledge, repubes take every opportunity, warranted and otherwise, to make cheap shots. (it'd be nice if the Dems get tired of being dignified and start doing the same in return. Of course, there's an old Biblical message that starts with "Do unto others" - seems pertinent and should be raising a point, Perhaps more people, especially in the Bible Belt where it's so red it's bloody, should get the nail varnish remover to unstick all that superglue from their eyelids and see which party is truer to Christ and His ways of living. It's not the Republicans.)

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. No shock or surprise that particular posters here

(who would have preferred it if Obama dropped out of the race in November 2007) glom on to right wing news sources either. Bitter, ya know?

[Donnachaidh]

5. taking lessons from FR?

namecalling is their forte. But some here seem to revel in the same actions, when the people in question don't lockstep. :eyes:

[alcibiades_mystery]

38. Wuh wuh wuh

Arguments to avoid if you want to sound original:

1) That sounds exactly like what a freeper would say blah blah blah...
2) I feel really sorry for you/your family/your friends/etc.

You can do it!

[bushmeister0]

39. Whahhh? Honestly, that's kind of incomprehensible, I must be stupid.

Arguements 1)that sounds exactly like ...?

Grammar much?

Arguements 2)I feel really sorry for you/your family/your friends/etc.

Huh?

It amazes me how many of you all are just sooooo angry about everything all the time. But, oh, so snarky and clever!

Seriously!

Maybe, this is a subject for another thread, but really!

God forbid anyone should come in and explain to you how freeper-like you sound.

Just to clarify (for about the fourth time) to anyone who jumped the gun at the title of my OP and didn't actually read it before they blew a gasket, which, apparently, many did.

I've already explained that I did not know newsmax was a right wing source. I'm sorry!!!! My bad, I'm obviously not as hip as you all.

I just have to say right here that I have way over a 1000 posts (reached that point in October last). If I was such a rabid right winger, then why haven't I been tomb stoned after three years of posting here?

I have been blogging against this past administration on my own at two blogs for five years and have numerous LTTEs published in the: NYT, WaPo (twice), Washington Times (twice), LA Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Hartford Courant, Wilimington Star News and Miami Herald (five times), to name the ones I can recall right at the moment.

Yet the level of common respect for your fellow traveler is very underwhelming, to say the least.

OK, I used a source that was satanic, but the point I made, and backed up with sources other than satanic, was that there are people freezing to death, many of them U.S. vets, in Washington DC, even as Obama hits the Gala Ball circuit.

I'm not blaming him, I'm sure he's aware of the the problem, more so than * ever could be, but that doesn't mean I should be insulted and raked over the coals for pointing this out.

I thought this was the anti-Freeper forum.

And as a few of your fellow DUers have noted, many of these comments directed at me are very un-DU and most Freeper-like.

Please, someone let me know what you self-oppointed DU-commissars charged to protect Obama from any negativity have decreed is the proper subject matter that we're allowed to discuss and I'll be sure to post accordingly from now on.

God, it's like democratic animal farm here!

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. First of all

People who don't know how to spell "argument" shouldn't mistakenly comment on the grammar of others.

Second, why you think "arguements" should be distributed to the list is a mystery. The "that" does not refer to "arguements." It is, rather, the argument itself: "that post sounds like, etc."

As for the rest of your nonsense, I don't read pointless rants.

[bushmeister0]

41. Attack the typo, ignore the entire point of the post. You just destroyed me.

[alcibiades_mystery]

43. Well

If you hadn't - mistakenly, I might add - attacked my grammar, you would have received different treatment. It's also odd that you would commit the same "typo" in each case of the word. Just sayin'...

[bushmeister0]

44. Erg! The point of the OP is that they're rousting the homeless

to keep the tourists from seeing them.

I took a lot of heat for using a source that reported this, which I didn't realize was a right wing "mouthpiece."

Therefore, I noted the mistake and found other more liberal sources that said the same thing.

Ever since then I've been accused (even after mentioning this about five times now) of being some sort of freeper, or an Obama hater -- and now a bad speller, to boot.

And on top of that there are people who seem to think bringing up the homeless is in bad taste (who are BTW, happily enjoying their stay in shelters -- lucky them! -- while Obama gets inaugurated).

I wasn't ranting, I was simply saying that there are a few folks here who seem to thrive on attacking other posters rather than furthering the discussion by putting in their two cents.

The other bit was about basically saying I didn't just appear here yesterday to hit and run.

Look at all the 40 or so posts to this OP. There are two or three defending me, a couple actually mentioning the homeless situation and the rest are attacks on me and me trying to explain the bit about sources.

That's my freaking' point.

[Leopolds Ghost]

9. No shock or surprise that some of DU's more affluent posters can take or leave DC homeless threads

[alcibiades_mystery]

37. Oooo! Could you introduce me to some of those affluent DUers?

I'd like to hit them up for some cash, son.

:rofl:

[Donnachaidh]

4. so reporting the rousting of the homeless because someone has scheduled a party is a cheap shot?

REALLY? :sarcasm:

I'll bet those homeless folks are happy that SOMEONE has done something other than *acknowledge* them at the point of a stick. :sarcasm:

[bushmeister0]

6. So, are you saying the homeless aren't being rousted?

And even if they are it's OK because the Repukes wouldn't do any different?

I'm just pointing out that they do this every time there's a large number of "regular" Americans expected in DC.

The homeless situation in DC is just appalling, regardless of who's in office. Hiding them for special occasstions, espeically an inauguration of the first black president, in Chocolate City, no less, just seems . . . really fucked up.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

2. I'm sure it's Obama's fault.

Obama hates poor people. Glory be to Newsmax. Wake me when this shit is over.

[bushmeister0]

8. Listen, I'm sorry I didn't realize newsmax is a right wing source.

Is nationalhomeless.org acceptable?

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

Is the WaPo?

"From the steam grates of Pennsylvania Avenue to the porticoes of the city's grand buildings, homeless Washingtonians who live inside the nation's tightest security zone are being encouraged to decamp during the inauguration for shelters in the city's outer neighborhoods.

The security sweeps will probably begin Monday. Buses will make one-way trips to two of the District's largest shelters, which will remain open round-the-clock, said D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6).

'Everyone has to be out of the perimeter by then,' Wells said.

Although everyone is required to be out, homeless people, like all residents, could line up to watch the festivities on the Mall or the parade route. They must, however, follow the bans on large duffel bags and suitcases.

The issue is how to avoid making people feel like they are being 'carted off,' Wells said."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/14/AR2009011403533_pf.html

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

10. Oh my God, they're being sent to shelters.

That's almost the same as being sent to the gas chambers.

[bushmeister0]

11. Funny. As soon as this is over, they're right back on to the streets.

Sleeping on the heating grates at Metro Center is almost as good as a trip to Miami. Sice they've got it so easy, why don't you give the lifestyle a chance?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

12. I'm still trying to find out what I'm supposed to be outraged about.

Homeless people being sent to homeless shelters is now unacceptable? Really, give me a clear description of what I'm supposed to be upset about and why I'm supposed to be upset about it.

[bushmeister0]

13. 12,000 homeless people living rough in the nation's Capital doesn't

upset you? And you're accusing me of being a right winger? Wow!

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

15. I've never accused you of being anything.

Stop putting words in my mouth, and stop pretending to be shocked that things like this happen.

[bushmeister0]

17. "Obama hates poor people. Glory be to Newsmax" isn't

putting words in my mouth?

I'm not shocked this happens, I lived in DC, I saw it everyday. It doesn't mean I just shrug my shoulders and act like it's no big deal. When I see vets sleeping in the entrance of Metro Center station on the heating grates I freel absolutly sick about it, especially when you see all those stupid yellow ribbons on every other car. The hypocracy is stunning.

Geez, sorry I even mentioned it. Enjoy Obama's inauguration! Ignorance is bliss.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

21. Seriously, what do you expect for posting links to a right-wing propoganda mouthpiece?

A medal?

[bushmeister0]

23. Again, I noted my mistake and found others. Can you move on?

I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition.

[bushmeister0]

14. The joys of homeless shelters for homeless vets. How can I get in?

WaPo (non-right wing source)

"Sharon Claudio, a homeless veteran who served in the Army from 1978 to 1982, came in off the streets more than a year ago, finding shelter at Ignatia House, a rundown building on the grounds of the U.S. Armed Forces Retirement Home near North Capitol Street.

But conditions at the shelter, which is run by the charity U.S. Vets, quickly became hard to tolerate. Claudio is one of only two women in the facility. She must share a bathroom with a hallway full of men, and she lives in a room with spotty or no heat. The elevator is out for weeks on end. In her basement hallway, only one bank of lights is working, leaving most of the passageway dark. Rat traps reveal the infestation in the building's lower level. The laundry room is locked up, closed after allegations that asbestos flakes were falling from the ceiling.

In a few weeks, when U.S. Vets' lease ends, Ignatia House is scheduled to be vacated. As of now, its 50 residents have nowhere to go. Claudio and other residents don't know whether to be angry that they are being put out or glad they are escaping from a building some consider barely better than living on the street."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021102750.html?tid=informbox

Well, nothing here to be upset about. Maybe, the can live in their Cadillacs.

[terisan]

22. Rich at Inaugural Balls, poor swept off streets so as not to disturb rich Democrats-no change.

meanwhile Dems in Congress pass 2nd half of no strings attached bailout for banks with...no strings attached.

[bushmeister0]

25. What would the homeless do with that money anyway?Just spend it.

Now, these banker-types know how to make money from money. And then lose it.

[Horse with no Name]

16. Because the shelters can impose regulations and structure that some of these people

cannot deal with. You are aware that there is a large amount of homeless people that are not mentally stable and therefore structure is virtually impossible?
And are you aware that in their simplicity...homeless people do build networks with each other to assure their safety?
In one felt swoop their entire network is gone...all in the name of sanitizing.
What about their makeshift shelters? It's cold in DC. After the inauguration hoopla is over and these people are released from the makeshift "shelters"...what do they do then?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

30. Are you seriously suggesting that all of the homeless people in DC are retards and that moving...

...them for twenty-four hours is going to break their brains?

[Horse with no Name]

32. No. Only someone such as yourself would suggest that. n/t

[alarimer]

27. I am outraged that there are homeless at all.

I am outraged that, in this extremely wealthy country, there is even a need for homeless shelters. The Democrats in Congress need to help cities and states eradicate homelessness once and for all. We need: 1. Universal health care and 2. A large social safety net such that people do not fall through the cracks like this anymore.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

31. Outraged? So what have you done about it? n/t

[originalpckelly]

7. They did the same thing in Denver for the DNC.

It was pretty shameful, after that week, nothing surprises me. Then again, when you're surrounded by people carrying machine guns, that does shock the conscience a tad. It's not like armed thugs could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.

[WI_DEM]

18. Nice source and nice dig at Obama too. Are you on the right site?

[bushmeister0]

19. Umm . . . did you see the correction I made?

The WaPo and nationalhomeless.org covered this as well. And Newsday, too.

I'm not saying anything against Obama in the least. I never mentioned him. It's the Inaugural organization with the city doing this.

Would you prefer not to be reminded of how many people are living on the streets of Obama's new home?

I thought it was the only the freepers who liked agreeing with eachother in their cozy echo chamber.

I'll work on my goosestep, if that'll make you happier.

[WI_DEM]

26. your dig is "no change there" I consider it an indirect dig at Obama.

[bushmeister0]

29. Well, it's not. Obama isn't even president yet, what can he do about it

beside the community work he's already done in Chi-town, that is.

And what's with all this kneejerk 'you hate Obama!' stuff going on here?

Now that democracy has been restored is the new motto at DU: The nail that sticks up gets pounded down?

[bushmeister0]

20. Obama visits homeless shelter for teens.

AP:

"Accompanied by Martin Luther King III, Obama went to the Sasha Bruce House, touring the facility and introducing himself to workers. The outing came on the holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

At point, Obama took off his jacket, grabbed a paint roller and pitched in as workers were painting a wall.

Obama once was immersed in such work as a community organizer in Chicago."

http://www.startribune.com/politics/37821474.html

I'm sure W. will there later.

[terisan]

24. GW did the the same at start of his first administration-loved being photo'd at social programs

[devilgrrl]

28. NewsMax..... uh huh, yep, right, sure....

Nice to see that the righties are finally concerned about the plight of the homeless. :eyes:

[bushmeister0]

34. Maybe, Obama has opened their eyes!

Seriously, though, if their intention was to make a digg at Obama, it should take about 3 seconds for even a five year-old to figure out who's been in power for the past 8 years.

[AZ Criminal JD]

35. Way to stick your head in the sand

If you read the posts the sources come from the Washington Post, Newsday and national homeless organizations. But you wouldn't want to let those spoil your bliss would you?

[devilgrrl]

36. Nice to see that the right finally cares about the homeless!

:hi:

[Swamp Rat]

33. Now that you have been given the red-ass for posting Newsmax propaganda,

:spank: this is, nevertheless, a good opportunity to remind ourselves that many of our brothers and sisters are cold, starving, and homeless right now. :hi:

[anonymous171]

42. Suddenly RWers care about homeless people. nt