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Lunacee_2013

(529 posts)

125. God, the way we treat our homeless sisters and brothers is horrible.

Fri Jun 13, 2014, 09:43 PM

Jun 2014

There are some homeless guys who live in-and-out of the downtown homeless shelter, the local VFW place and a few rundown motels that I talk to from time to time and the shit they have to put up with just to survive is crazy.

People threaten them, spit on them, even steal what little money they have left. All of them are either old vets (probably with PTSD, just based on how they act) or people who had homes at one point, but either got physically sick or developed a mental illness, and since our mental health care system is even worse than the regular one, they lost everything. A lot of them have turned to booze and/or drugs to dull their pain, and I can't blame them.

Most of us don't realize just how close we are to being in their shoes. For those "lazy 47%" of us who only voted for Obama for the free swag, to paraphrase Mitt, a heart attack, a car accident, a job loss is all that's between us and the poor house.

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Activists poured concrete all over some "anti-homeless spikes" this morning [View all] KamaAina Jun 2014 OP

Some are also removing them with sledgehammers. nt redqueen Jun 2014 #1

Good! The whole idea behind those spikes.... daleanime Jun 2014 #4

There are more people than jobs. Too many jobs barely pay enough to live on. redqueen Jun 2014 #8

Amen.... daleanime Jun 2014 #12

never thought of that part of it... BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2014 #73

That doesn't seem to be ethical to me. aikoaiko Jun 2014 #2

But putting out spikes is? KamaAina Jun 2014 #3

Fuck that Duer 157099 Jun 2014 #100

Check this out redqueen Jun 2014 #6

Where they're being used is also interesting Warpy Jun 2014 #33

great post Rider3 Jun 2014 #82

WTF Omaha Steve Jun 2014 #28

Many countries, including the US, have whale hunts. ZombieHorde Jun 2014 #101

ONLY US Native population can hunt whales in the USA Omaha Steve Jun 2014 #111

Ha! ZombieHorde Jun 2014 #134

Got some links? Omaha Steve Jun 2014 #136

Links to what? ZombieHorde Jun 2014 #142

Never mind Omaha Steve Jun 2014 #143

Looking at my reply, ZombieHorde Jun 2014 #144

Some times unethical actions are necessary. davidthegnome Jun 2014 #30

Maybe so, but this was on private property yes? aikoaiko Jun 2014 #41

There are better ways. davidthegnome Jun 2014 #43

everywhere belongs to someone jberryhill Jun 2014 #85

Or simply provide public accomodations. aikoaiko Jun 2014 #86

Wait...What?...WHAT???? Ken Burch Jun 2014 #106

Yes, Ken, that's exactly what I said jberryhill Jun 2014 #112

If you were being ironic, it wasn't obvious. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #118

I thought that the ludicrous idea of mythology Jun 2014 #127

Yes. But it is the moral thing to do. Individuals acting to give the homeless a sheltered place to s Luminous Animal Jun 2014 #53

excellent. daleanime Jun 2014 #5

Destroying property is not the solution. dilby Jun 2014 #7

But.. it's easy and many find it satisfying Bonx Jun 2014 #11

Activism like this is meant to make a statement. Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #15

You are so right.... daleanime Jun 2014 #16

For some of us, reconnecting with our compassionate humanity, Aristus Jun 2014 #20

Thank you. I am reminded of Scuba's post: "8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back," woo me with science Jun 2014 #32

I wrote an essay about this a year ago. davidthegnome Jun 2014 #51

I home schooled my daughter. When she was 9, she thought she might like to Luminous Animal Jun 2014 #54

I love that. davidthegnome Jun 2014 #58

Now there's a smart person. woo me with science Jun 2014 #84

I wish I could rec individual posts. woo me with science Jun 2014 #83

the protests have worked. Voice for Peace Jun 2014 #23

Well if the sidewalk is public property, pennylane100 Jun 2014 #24

Fuck "property rights". We should be concerned with HUMAN RIGHTS. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #25

Thank you. woo me with science Jun 2014 #34

Yeah, I agree with you......... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #63

Another one is when they want to go to war to protect profits. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #71

As in every war in the era of imperialism...... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #78

Hitler invaded Poland to "free it's people" and to get control of it's vast coal fields. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #88

take the locks off your doors and let those that "need" partake in what you have. NM_Birder Jun 2014 #90

That last sentence is such bullshit.......... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #113

How utterly convenient... Antler Jun 2014 #129

And ANOTHER right wing talking point heard from...... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #133

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2014 #137

I can just hear Maggie saying..... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #138

What is funny is that someone like that believes that this is what the majority Dems believe. Puzzledtraveller Jun 2014 #126

So what is the difference blueridge3210 Jun 2014 #130

because of "fucking property taxes" ...... think it all the way through. NM_Birder Jun 2014 #81

Property taxes are a joke compared to rent.... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #89

So long as I have to PAY tax to OWN my property, YOU don't get NM_Birder Jun 2014 #91

Ever hear of prop 13? BTW: NOBODY is dictating to you who is allowed on your property. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #97

Cry me a river LOL Go pay your rent .... to the landowner that pays property tax NM_Birder Jun 2014 #92

I suppose we should all bow down to worship the landowner class. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #98

Why of COURSE we should Spitfire........ socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #114

Ya know, I doubt an advanced alien civilization is into wealth worship. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #120

Sure it is. I would rather Destroy Property than Destroy People johnlucas Jun 2014 #50

It's not meant to be the solution in and of itself. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #107

GOOD Mr Dixon Jun 2014 #9

I'm sure property destruction will result in a happy outcome... Antler Jun 2014 #10

Really? What would be your suggestion for these spikes? MineralMan Jun 2014 #13

a mattress snooper2 Jun 2014 #18

Leave them alone... Antler Jun 2014 #22

Would doing that make you feel all warm and fuzzy in side? Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #35

Fuck that shit. I say TAKE the goddam "store" and turn...... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #65

Unrealistic and childishly simplistic.. Antler Jun 2014 #76

"Store" was in quotes because I didn't know exactly what kind of store it was..... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #80

Post removed Post removed Jun 2014 #95

LOL,....I'm glad nobody listens to you. NM_Birder Jun 2014 #93

You know nothing about me ...... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #116

Property damage(not destruction)is not worse than persecuting the homeless. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #108

And that is the essence of neo-liberalism and the overall capitalist system..... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #117

As I've mentioned nilesobek Jun 2014 #139

I can understand the differences in EMPHASIS and enforcement..... socialist_n_TN Jun 2014 #140

We arrived in Maine in October, 2009 nilesobek Jun 2014 #141

What does that even mean? Antler Jun 2014 #119

Homeless people sleeping in front of your property doesn't equate to theft. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #121

That's obviously untrue... Antler Jun 2014 #128

The homeless were sleeping, not stealing. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #131

You base that on what exactly? Antler Jun 2014 #132

I base it on the information presented in the links I've seen so far. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #135

Wow, that window ledge will now be so nice and comfortable for homeless people to sleep on. Nye Bevan Jun 2014 #14

You're missing the point. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #109

That due has obviously NEVER poured concrete before LOL snooper2 Jun 2014 #17

Ever mix from portland cement? Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #31

huh? Bucket? snooper2 Jun 2014 #36

You know, laying brick and dry filling the mortar lines with PC, sand and gravel.... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #49

Do you embrace vandalism for all causes, or just the ones YOU agree with ? NM_Birder Jun 2014 #94

It certainly sends a message to the people who only care about property. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2014 #96

it's a trivial offense, compared to putting in the spikes in the first place n/t. Ken Burch Jun 2014 #122

This comment from the link in post six is worth sharing here. redqueen Jun 2014 #19

"Radical criminal action." Otherwise known as vandalism, I suppose. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2014 #21

Not all ethical or necessary actions are legally sanctioned. Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #37

I'm not too upset about it. In fact, I kind of like it. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2014 #42

Good. jwirr Jun 2014 #26

The correct response to "we don't really care" is "fair enough, here's your punishment, then". N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Jun 2014 #27

I hate those things for any species. Peregrine Took Jun 2014 #29

They're used for other species? KamaAina Jun 2014 #38

I think they use a similar technique to stop pigeons from perching where people don't want them n/t DotGone Jun 2014 #44

A google search for pigeon spikes Sentath Jun 2014 #46

I think you misinterpreted his name whopis01 Jun 2014 #99

DUzy!! KamaAina Jun 2014 #104

this would be considered terrorism here Enrique Jun 2014 #39

I'm surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit filed against the spikes. blogslut Jun 2014 #40

K&R n/t Joe Shlabotnik Jun 2014 #45

Making the homeless invisible doesn't end homelessness. The homeless need to be seen to be helped. marble falls Jun 2014 #47

GOOD!! Teach these snobs to get to root of why homelessness exists! johnlucas Jun 2014 #48

kick Liberal_in_LA Jun 2014 #52

As cool as it was to cover those horrible spikes with concrete MrScorpio Jun 2014 #55

+1 gollygee Jun 2014 #56

Good! Raksha Jun 2014 #57

This is one time where the "What would Jesus do?" question, gives the correct answer. Hoppy Jun 2014 #59

Looking at the pics. VScott Jun 2014 #60

Indeed. Because laying on uneven cement is HOT HOT HOT Luminous Animal Jun 2014 #61

If they want them removed have one little old lady trip, impale herself on one McCamy Taylor Jun 2014 #62

Sweet! KamaAina Jun 2014 #67

Oh, and if anyone has mattresses to spare, those spikes would hold the mattress down so it would not McCamy Taylor Jun 2014 #64

Even sweeter! KamaAina Jun 2014 #68

, blkmusclmachine Jun 2014 #66

Well done! nt. polly7 Jun 2014 #69

LOL at i****s calling this "vandalism" and "destruction of property" flvegan Jun 2014 #70

I have not read the responses to this thread. Jenoch Jun 2014 #72

Nice. If they have a hardware store account, could send 'em some concrete money. jtuck004 Jun 2014 #74

Good for them! And to hell with the REAL vandals and criminals who put up the spikes! LeftishBrit Jun 2014 #75

They're using spikes against the homeless now?! Lunacee_2013 Jun 2014 #77

Nothing new - read "City Of Quartz" by Mike Davis - it's a history of LA . . . hatrack Jun 2014 #79

God, the way we treat our homeless sisters and brothers is horrible. Lunacee_2013 Jun 2014 #125

Compassion trumps law every time. L0oniX Jun 2014 #87

Wow. I can't believe no one has hurt themselves and sued. Inkfreak Jun 2014 #102

Why don't they just strew broken glass and concertina wire around their establishments? Generic Other Jun 2014 #103

DUzy!! KamaAina Jun 2014 #124

Awesome. nt ZombieHorde Jun 2014 #105

Kudos for humanitarian minded Brits! loyalsister Jun 2014 #110

Anti-homeless spikes...Jesus approved! Rex Jun 2014 #115

GOOD FOR THEM! nt LiberalElite Jun 2014 #123