Comments on: Hobo Homunculus http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:59:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Lilorfnannie http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5350 Lilorfnannie Wed, 31 May 2006 17:44:56 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5350 I lived in the Seattle area for about 11 years. They have a huge homeless problem also. They have tons of programs and handouts for the Homeless. I have seen many Homeless that make it a lifestyle- they go from shelter to shelter, critiqueing the handouts at each. I was in a shelter at one point for six months- it was a renovated hotel. You had to have a job, and prove that you were saving money in an account, and you could stay only a certain amount of time. In my experience, there is a combination of things. There is a definate "welfare" gimme-gimme freebies mentality going on, and that is despicable. There is also a large portion of mentally ill homeless, who cannot function well enough to have a job, and cannot adjust mentally to the concept of not being homeless. They are just well enough to not be hospitalized, but sick enough to where they cannot function in normal society. Being homeless definately provides a person with a certain "group" to hang with, a family of sorts, an earthy, real, raw identity. That is often lacking in our society, where we drive our cars to and from the office and live meaningless lives, from paycheck to paycheck. Some of them prefer to be homeless for this reason. Others are drug/alcohol addicts. The fact remains that for much of the time, the Programs end up enabling the people who just want to remain homeless, and refuse to work for a living like the rest of us. The ones who are truly physically or mentally disabled need to be taken care of- but unfortunately, those places are no longer around. They closed down many mental institutions years and years ago. So what is the answer? I think it has to do with having a lot less touchy-feely "compassionate" enabling of just plain bad behavior, and getting them working, period. That, and re-open the mental institutions, so the mentally ill homeless are no longer on the streets. It's a very complicated situation however, and I don't pretend to have the answer. I lived in the Seattle area for about 11 years. They have a huge homeless problem also. They have tons of programs and handouts for the Homeless. I have seen many Homeless that make it a lifestyle- they go from shelter to shelter, critiqueing the handouts at each. I was in a shelter at one point for six months- it was a renovated hotel. You had to have a job, and prove that you were saving money in an account, and you could stay only a certain amount of time. In my experience, there is a combination of things. There is a definate “welfare” gimme-gimme freebies mentality going on, and that is despicable. There is also a large portion of mentally ill homeless, who cannot function well enough to have a job, and cannot adjust mentally to the concept of not being homeless. They are just well enough to not be hospitalized, but sick enough to where they cannot function in normal society. Being homeless definately provides a person with a certain “group” to hang with, a family of sorts, an earthy, real, raw identity. That is often lacking in our society, where we drive our cars to and from the office and live meaningless lives, from paycheck to paycheck. Some of them prefer to be homeless for this reason. Others are drug/alcohol addicts. The fact remains that for much of the time, the Programs end up enabling the people who just want to remain homeless, and refuse to work for a living like the rest of us. The ones who are truly physically or mentally disabled need to be taken care of- but unfortunately, those places are no longer around. They closed down many mental institutions years and years ago. So what is the answer? I think it has to do with having a lot less touchy-feely “compassionate” enabling of just plain bad behavior, and getting them working, period. That, and re-open the mental institutions, so the mentally ill homeless are no longer on the streets. It’s a very complicated situation however, and I don’t pretend to have the answer.

]]> By: RLM http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5292 RLM Wed, 31 May 2006 01:40:06 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5292 Will the $500 fine for illegally eating and drinking all worth?? The WMATA police is well known for their no-tolerance policy (rough arrests without asking any questions)! RLM Will the $500 fine for illegally eating and drinking all worth??

The WMATA police is well known for their no-tolerance policy (rough arrests without asking any questions)!

RLM

]]> By: Liz http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5277 Liz Tue, 30 May 2006 21:33:56 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/bobby-cox/2006-05-30/hobo-homunculus/#comment-5277 Sure, if you only pay attention to those grayer seats while riding the metro. Homeless folks are in plain sight all over DC---just take a walk through McPhearson Square after your Whole Foods Dupont excursion (just walk on 14th straight into downtown and you'll see the metro stop and park right in front of ya). Or take a bus ride on 8th St in SE/NE area. It's a, "Welcome to Hobo Homunculus World" bus. What you saw is quite tame, I'm afraid. According to Idealist.org, approximately 140 non-profit organizations in DC area serve the homeless community. That's nothing to sneeze at. But, I agree, it's a huge problem. And not to mention unsettling at times to see. Every year, Fannie Mae Foundation hosts this massive walkathon to raise money and awareness on battling homelessness. It's a great event to participate. They might give you a free gift that's far better than a t-shirt (that'd eventually end up as a toliet rag). I got a free fuzzy red scarf when I participated in the walkathon a few years back. I still have it, I think! http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/ Sure, if you only pay attention to those grayer seats while riding the metro. Homeless folks are in plain sight all over DC—just take a walk through McPhearson Square after your Whole Foods Dupont excursion (just walk on 14th straight into downtown and you’ll see the metro stop and park right in front of ya). Or take a bus ride on 8th St in SE/NE area. It’s a, “Welcome to Hobo Homunculus World” bus. What you saw is quite tame, I’m afraid. According to Idealist.org, approximately 140 non-profit organizations in DC area serve the homeless community. That’s nothing to sneeze at. But, I agree, it’s a huge problem. And not to mention unsettling at times to see. Every year, Fannie Mae Foundation hosts this massive walkathon to raise money and awareness on battling homelessness. It’s a great event to participate. They might give you a free gift that’s far better than a t-shirt (that’d eventually end up as a toliet rag). I got a free fuzzy red scarf when I participated in the walkathon a few years back. I still have it, I think!

http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/

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