Urban Planner Says Occupy Philly “Glamorizes Homelessness” at City Hall

[struggle4progress]

... PW: Dozens of tents are sprinkled around City Hall, which you tweeted was “glamorizing homelessness.” What did you mean?

JPK: It’s not following the message they’re trying to send. When they’re trying to make a statement, why are they not reducing their dependence of corporations to match their message? They have projectors for movies, charging stations for cell phones, all these things—corporations, they make them. They should be reducing their dependence on corporations if they wanna send that message. It costs Philly <almost $33,000> a day to maintain police. That’s pennies compared to the bailout. But if all these people are volunteering or reducing crime or investing in social programs, they could re-route funds to something else that could benefit the city.

PW: But it’s a movement. Why would they give their stuff away?

JPK: They’re asking for jams, individually wrapped foods, honey. All these weird foods when they could be providing food where it’s really in need. These are things that could be marked for social welfare programs … I think it’s one thing to go there doing during day, protest and do their thing. But for people who have a home, go home, eat there. You’re literally asking to take food out of others people’s mouths for your own, when they have none. There are so many great nonprofits in the city ...

http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2011/10/12/urban-planner-says-occupy-philly-glamorizes-homelessness-at-city-hall/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=urban-planner-says-occupy-philly-glamorizes-homelessness-at-city-hall

[Warpy]

1. What an elitist ass!

Some of the people who are protesting ARE homeless, living in temporary living situations, couch surfing with friends, because they're out of work, evicted or foreclosed out of their homes for lack of ability to pay, and a lot of them have known real hunger over the last few years.

I suppose he thinks hot dogs and beans would be more appropriate for protestors. However, that "weird food" has been donated both by supporters across the country chipping in money and by local restauranteurs.

I wish I could unemploy people like this doofus so he could get some experience of what living on the bottom is like before he "city plans" blocks of affordable housing out of existence in favor of higher tax revenue generating luxury towers.

Asshole!

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. Words fail.

It is called playing the hand you are dealt. What does this moron want them to do, erect hives to collect honey and start growing vegetables on city grounds?

[kestrel91316]

3. I have no words (other than recommend that he go to the head of the guillotine line).