NationStates Jolt Archive

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.
What a fucking waste of manpower! God damn it.

They're supposed to be preventing and fighting real crime, not shuffling citizens around public property! Fucking government.

He said he became homeless a month ago because he "got tired," but did not elaborate.
That made me chuckle, though.

Yes it happens. They tend to kick the homeless away from the trainstation here in the Netherlands.

I have a question: Would you want a bunch of homeless people creating a small village in front fo where you live or work?

They're supposed to be preventing and fighting real crime, not shuffling citizens around public property! Fucking government.

Ya, they should wait until they turn from misdemenors and graduate to violent felonies (assault, rape, murder etc etc)

Ya, they should wait until they turn from misdemenors and graduate to violent felonies (assault, rape, murder etc etc)
Deal with them after the commit a crime. It isn’t a crime to be homeless and it certainly isn’t a crime to be capable of commenting a felony.

If anyone commits a misdemeanor or felony, it should be handled on an individual basis, after the fact.

I have a question: Would you want a bunch of homeless people creating a small village in front fo where you live or work?

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.

Deal with them after the commit a crime. It isn’t a crime to be homeless and it certainly isn’t a crime to be capable of commenting a felony.

If anyone commits a misdemeanor or felony, it should be handled on an individual basis, after the fact.

Handling things after the fact isn't always the greatest way of doing things.

Deal with them after the commit a crime. It isn’t a crime to be homeless and it certainly isn’t a crime to be capable of commenting a felony.

If anyone commits a misdemeanor or felony, it should be handled on an individual basis, after the fact.
I dunno. I think these people have a legitimate point. Many homeless people scare away customers.

I have no problem with the homeless. But I know my mom doesn't exactly like it when they start prodding her for money.

Handling things after the fact isn't always the greatest way of doing things.

So .... you have the potential to rob a bank ... come with us, please.

Deal with them after the commit a crime. It isn’t a crime to be homeless and it certainly isn’t a crime to be capable of commenting a felony.

If anyone commits a misdemeanor or felony, it should be handled on an individual basis, after the fact.


Loitering is a misdemenor.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.

So, how many are living with you now?

So .... you have the potential to rob a bank ... come with us, please.I hate it when I agree with the damn commies.
As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village. 0_o You let homeless people live in your house. How often do you clean?
I have no problem with the homeless. But I know my mom doesn't exactly like it when they start prodding her for money.Just say no. I do. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Just say no. I do. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Very easy to do. But not all of us are comfortable with random strangers coming up and talking to us, homeless or not.

Paraphrase of some guy on a song by Choking Victim "The function of police is not to fight crime, the function of police is social control and the protection of private property"





(I felt like a bastard-quote post)

So .... you have the potential to rob a bank ... come with us, please.

I didn't mean it that way at all, just pointing out that in some cases handling things before the fact is for the best.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.

Have you ever seen a homeless village?

I didn't mean it that way at all, just pointing out that in some cases handling things before the fact is for the best.
Sooo, as long as you aren’t personally being targeted, its fine. I can think of a few million dead Germans who felt the same way at some point.

Sooo, as long as you aren’t personally being targeted, its fine. I can think of a few million dead Germans who felt the same way at some point.

Right......

You are right, I want to round all homeless people up and send them into gas chambers. I want the police to arrest anyone who looks like a criminal too and shove them into the gas chambers too.

And I will use the fat from them for soap too!!!

Right......

You are right, I want to round all homeless people up and send them into gas chambers. I want the police to arrest anyone who looks like a criminal too and shove them into the gas chambers too.

And I will use the fat from them for soap too!!!The Nazi programs started with what seemed to the non-Jews as simple relocations for society's own good.

Have you ever seen a homeless village?

Yes. I even stayed in one for a couple of weeks just to see what it was like and how I was treated. It was not pleasant.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.
I agree.

officials removed truckloads of blankets, mattresses and other items left behind.


....so what are they going to sleep on, and what (admittedly pitiful) pretection are they going to get from the elements?

Great move.:rolleyes:

I agree.

I work with homeless people on occassion...pm me your home phone numbers and addresses and I'll forward them to the appropriate people.

Bet I never hear from either one of ya.:D

I agree.

I'll ask you the same question that Keruvalia has so far failed to answer: How many homeless have you brought in? How often do you see someone sleeping in the park and decide you will share your residence with them?

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.

Yep it happens in most countries. Here in Japan there have been several big evictions of squatting homeless communities in the last few years - the most well known were at Shinjuku station in Tokyo in 1996 (300+ evicted) and Tennoji Park and Zoo in Osaka in 2003 (similar numbers - I'm having trouble finding hard data on that one). Those two were primarily due to complaints from the public that the homeless were impeding public traffic. I know there have been a few others. Nagai Park was cleared out by the police prior to the 2002 world cups played at the stadium there and later when Osaka was trying to get the 2008 olympics. I visit that park frequently, and the homeless re-esstablish themeselves pretty quickly. Osaka Castle Park is supposed to be cleared out pretty soon, as it's supposed to be hosting a couple of big international events.

Osaka has the largest homeless population in Japan. The aforementioned parks are the three main squatter sites. The camp in Tennoji was particularly large, with several semi-perminant structures built on public throughways, and included the infamous homeless karaoke hut.

The Tennoji/Abeno station complex has a pretty large number of rough sleepers too.

Personally, I have volunteered in the past with a now defunct organization that helped feed the local homeless.

(And give ole Keruvalia a bit of a break about his failure to answer as promptly as you would like. He's offline at the moment.)

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.

I find your attitude very naive. Local residents and businesses have the right to operate and live in a safe environment. One which is free from panhandlers and vagrants. I wouldn't want my business to close because numerous homeless people harassed customers for money, and scared the crap out of everyone trying to get to and from my shop. If I owned a home or property in the area, I would find it devalued as well. I won't even go into the increase in crime rate or the public health issue.

I know you may claim that I am blind to the plight of the homeless. But the people squatting are breaking the law- they do not have the right to sleep wherever they want. There are shelters available in every major city, as well as free health care and abundant opportunites for welfare and free work education programs not to even mention the vast resources of religious charities. Help is out there. If people choose not to utilize it because of a drug or alcohol dependancy, sheer laziness, or whatever, that does not make them free of society's laws. People suffering from depression or other mental illnesses have free medical treatment available. My point is, in the US, help is availible for those who wish to get it. But if you choose to live on the street, don't expect to be able to camp out wherever you want.

Well, poor people are being moved out of sight in many places. Like Zimbabwe (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4715635.stm).

This thing in the US is probably one of the tamer cases.

Well, poor people are being moved out of sight in many places. Like Zimbabwe (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4715635.stm).

This is probably one of the tamer cases.

Tamer?

I have a question: Would you want a bunch of homeless people creating a small village in front fo where you live or work?



Ya, they should wait until they turn from misdemenors and graduate to violent felonies (assault, rape, murder etc etc)

All the homeless I've seen don't have anywhere near enough energy or motivation for violent crime. buy them a sandwich or some new gloves if you've got the chance and the change. It could be you someday.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.
Man, I'm glad YOUR not in charge of anything.

Tamer?
I meant the US case...I should probably edit that.

Man, I'm glad YOUR not in charge of anything.

Heaven forbid that people are treated decently.

Where exactly do they expect the homeless people to go once they've moved them along? Once they've walked somewhere else, they're still homeless.

Former PM Jenny shipley actually did something similar here in New Zealand (auckland, specificly) when Bill Clinton came down for an APEC meeting. Shipley was useless anyway.

Former PM Jenny shipley actually did something similar here in New Zealand (auckland, specificly) when Bill Clinton came down for an APEC meeting. Shipley was useless anyway.
Fuck yes she was.

In Wellington, Kerry Prendergast tried to get rid of them a while back.. But Tarzan will always be sprawled on the footpath (and some of the road for that matter)!

Yes, I'm sure America is the only country in the world that doesn't smile on homeless people living right on someone's house/work doorstep. :rolleyes:

This isn't anything new to me, but is the first time you knew that it's actually illegal to live on the sidewalk? You seem awful outraged for something that goes on routinely. If you're a bum it's part of life.

And I thought you'd be above taking potshots at America just for crap like this, Ker.

I'll ask you the same question that Keruvalia has so far failed to answer: How many homeless have you brought in? How often do you see someone sleeping in the park and decide you will share your residence with them?

Quite often, actually, and quite a few. They are mostly transient and don't stay very long, sometimes they find work and move on. At present, I have 4 Katrina evacuees living in my home.

Happy?

I know you may claim that I am blind to the plight of the homeless.

No, but I do think you put an unhealthy value on money. There is more to life. Money is meaningless.

Quite often, actually, and quite a few. They are mostly transient and don't stay very long, sometimes they find work and move on. At present, I have 4 Katrina evacuees living in my home.

Happy?


Thats great Keru....I hope they can get their lives back in order. I cant even imagine the hell they've been through.

Man, I'm glad YOUR not in charge of anything.

You'd be surprised of how much I am in charge. I am in charge of myself, my home, my life, and my decisions. I am also in charge of teaching others.

You know those "liberal agenda" teachers the right wing are so terrified of? I'm one of them ... and I teach young kids, not adults. Deal with it.

And I thought you'd be above taking potshots at America just for crap like this, Ker.

It's my country, I can take potshots at it for anything I like. :p

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.we don't "Hide" our homeless... we don't want them sleeping in the parks, bus stations and beaches, where alot of harm can come to them as well as from them. but we don't hide them.

Then again we don't display them on tourist brouchures either.

It's my country, I can take potshots at it for anything I like. :p
wooo hooo... and I defend your right to do so! :D

As long as no weapons are involved that is. [sidles away]

Have you ever seen a homeless village?
That's an oxymron surely!

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.

Seen in Stuttgart. Never saw a poor person until Christmas Day, when they all came out and drank on the steps of an art gallery together.

Then the police rounded them up and forced them to go back to their state-provided apartments. No eyesores allowed.

I have a question: Would you want a bunch of homeless people creating a small village in front fo where you live or work?



Ya, they should wait until they turn from misdemenors and graduate to violent felonies (assault, rape, murder etc etc)
They should get them some housing and jobs. Recycle the refuse of society into productive citizens, you know? Maybe institutionalize the ones that need it. Unfortunately it's more important to give rich folks tax cuts.

Maybe you mean American as in the continent because it happens all the time in Mexico. It's even more creative over there because there are a lot more poor people. The best tactics are used for special occasions only, for example, when the president is around for a visit, or a foreign president. If there's a summit they will just wall the entire slum and paint it a nice color (the side facing out only, of course). Or fix the streets the dignataries are going to use. It's like a movie set, all nice facades.

Quite often, actually, and quite a few. They are mostly transient and don't stay very long, sometimes they find work and move on. At present, I have 4 Katrina evacuees living in my home.

Happy?


So, these people can come in and just lie about your home until they are ready to go?

It's my country, I can take potshots at it for anything I like. :p

True enough, but that doesn't mean you *should.* And this is coming from someone who is happy to take potshots at America for being a country of largely ignorant, complacent, narrow-minded hypocritical asses.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.

Communism is evil. Socialism is the way to go.

In Atlanta, just before the 1996 Olympics, homeless were loaded onto buses and driven out of town. They weren't given a place to stay or anything like that. City officials simply didn't want them hanging around when all the people came for the Olympics.

These days, they've made even quietly holding a sign asking for money illegal in certain parts of the city - the poorest parts, of course.

For some reason I truly can't fathom, people at fast food restaurants (of all places) give me strange or even angry looks when I buy someone who was asking for money a meal.

I don't get it, but "hide them" is exactly what people seem to want to do.

Don't hear about it in the UK, but I'm sure it happens on some scale or another. I don't know of any society that hasn't been a bastard to the homeless on some level. Doesn't make it any better, but it shouldn't be a surprise.

So, these people can come in and just lie about your home until they are ready to go?
I hope there is a such a thing as reincarnation because I can make an educated guess what you're coming back as.

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.
I don't find this sad at all. A number of homeless people choose to live that way where I live(d). I don't feel sorry for the police shuffling them about publicly to more socially acceptable places.

And I thought you'd be above taking potshots at America just for crap like this, Ker.

How is it a "potshot"? He was simpy asking if this is a common tactic in other areas.

If I were to say, "Here in the US, our politicians are often corrupt assholes who seem to care nothing for the law or their constituency. Is this a uniquely American phenomenon, or does it happen in other countries too?" would that be a potshot? ((Of course, I can certainly guess what the answer would be)).

I don't find this sad at all. A number of homeless people choose to live that way where I live(d). I don't feel sorry for the police shuffling them about publicly to more socially acceptable places.

They choose to live that way? So they were offered help - a shelter over their heads - and said, "Nah, actually, I'd rather just be homeless, thanks"????

They choose to live that way? So they were offered help - a shelter over their heads - and said, "Nah, actually, I'd rather just be homeless, thanks"????
Yes. Its common where I live and we actually have winter!
Volunteered in a soup kitchen and other shelters for sometime. They'd also go back out.

As a Communist, body and soul, my home is open to all people who need a place. So much the better if they're resourceful enough to build a village.
Please, please, please, tell me where do you live? I need a place!!! :D

Edit: Nah, I hadn't read the whole thread before writing the above. I shouldn't have said it. I see Keruvalia is actually practicing what he/she preaches, which I can't say about many people. For this, Keruvalia has my respect as person (but still not my respect for the Communist ideology :)).

Most (before flaming, please note I said most, not all) homeless people are only homeless because they're too lazy to get jobs. Moreover, most of the money they're given they spend on booze and cigarettes.

Yes. Its common where I live and we actually have winter!
Volunteered in a soup kitchen and other shelters for sometime. They'd also go back out.

Where do you live that people are offered permanent homes and they refuse? I'd like to see this place.

Meanwhile, "going back out" of a shelter isn't "choosing to be homeless". Shelters are often rather dangerous places, there are never enough shelters in a city to house all the homeless, and they aren't designed to be true homes - they are places to sleep and possibly get a meal.

Most (before flaming, please note I said most, not all) homeless people are only homeless because they're too lazy to get jobs. Moreover, most of the money they're given they spend on booze and cigarettes.

Got some sort of, you know, evidence to back that up?

Meanwhile, could you please tell me, lazy or not, how exactly do you get a steady job when you have no address, no ID, and no phone number (not to mention no place to shower or wash your clothes)?

Does this sort of thing go on in other countries?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3608848.html

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away?

yes, in virtually all first-world countries this goes on. i'm an american, but when i lived in South Africa.. they had lots of international political meetings in the city i lived in (durban).. they literally bussed THOUSANDS upon thousands of homeless out into the country. every time.

Most (before flaming, please note I said most, not all) homeless people are only homeless because they're too lazy to get jobs. Moreover, most of the money they're given they spend on booze and cigarettes.

you're a little stereotypical, however, for the most part i would agree. MANY are the crazy/insane though. and just the sh*t outta luck.

I think Keru is looking for justification for his belief that the poor are only ignored and mistreated in the US - that other countries are far, far more generous and caring for their poor.

Do ya'll make sure your poor are neatly hidden away? Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet.

I find this very sad.
Yes. In Brazil I heard they treat the homeless brutally.

Vegetarianistica']yes, in virtually all first-world countries this goes on. i'm an american, but when i lived in South Africa.. they had lots of international political meetings in the city i lived in (durban).. they literally bussed THOUSANDS upon thousands of homeless out into the country. every time.

South Africa's not a First World country.

Got some sort of, you know, evidence to back that up?

Meanwhile, could you please tell me, lazy or not, how exactly do you get a steady job when you have no address, no ID, and no phone number (not to mention no place to shower or wash your clothes)?

Go to Minneapolis (where I live), San Francisco, or one of the many other cities swarming with homeless lazy people.

South Africa's not a First World country.

well, i lived there 5 years and it was definitely debatable. they called themselves first-world. living there.. i don't know -- Mixed. but they're more first-world than 3rd-world.. infrastructure, better highways than in the USA, better lots of stuff than in the USA, come to think of it. :)

Go to Minneapolis (where I live), San Francisco, or one of the many other cities swarming with homeless lazy people.

hey.. just moved up to Duluth from White Bear Lake. thought i'd share.

Vegetarianistica']well, i lived there 5 years and it was definitely debatable. they called themselves first-world. living there.. i don't know -- Mixed. but they're more first-world than 3rd-world.. infrastructure, better highways than in the USA, better lots of stuff than in the USA, come to think of it. :)

I'd call it Second World.

I'd call it Second World.

well.. call it what you want. just avoid it, that's my advice! ;)

Go to Minneapolis (where I live), San Francisco, or one of the many other cities swarming with homeless lazy people.

"I see homeless people on the street and I assume they are lazy" isn't evidence, my dear.

Meanwhile, even if most homeless are lazy, that doesn't mean they are homeless because they are lazy. Most people I know with homes are lazy.

I'd call it Second World.
AFAIK South Africa is just like Australia: In the cities, it's definitely a modern, first-world country, but out in rural areas things can look very differently.

I don't know about RSA, but in Australia the vast majority of people live in those modern cities, so that qualifies it as a first-world nation.

Go to Minneapolis (where I live), San Francisco, or one of the many other cities swarming with homeless lazy people.

Meaning what, exactly? Dempublicents1 asked if you had any evidence, and how you're supposed to get a job with no address, phone, clean clothes etc. Not 'have you seen any homeless people', or do you think they're lazy bastards?' Your post means nothing.

How is it a "potshot"? He was simpy asking if this is a common tactic in other areas.

Saying "Heaven forbid people know that there are poor and homeless people in America ... "greatest" country on the planet" is taking a potshot at America.

If I were to say, "Here in the US, our politicians are often corrupt assholes who seem to care nothing for the law or their constituency. Is this a uniquely American phenomenon, or does it happen in other countries too?" would that be a potshot? ((Of course, I can certainly guess what the answer would be)).

No it wouldn't. Talking about how America is the "greatest" (as in, not the greatest) is just as bad as someone who feels the need to talk about how America IS the greatest. Both ways are wankish indulgence in either America-licking or America-wanking, and irrelevant to the question or topic.

No it wouldn't. Talking about how America is the "greatest" (as in, not the greatest) is just as bad as someone who feels the need to talk about how America IS the greatest. Both ways are wankish indulgence in either America-licking or America-wanking, and irrelevant to the question or topic.

Actually, you'll find I put anything subjective in quotes. "Greatest", "Prettiest", "Reality" .... it's all subjective. Until there's a way to scientifically prove that America (or any other nation) is the "greatest" and move the term from subjective to objective, then it will remain in quotes.

Actually, you'll find I put anything subjective in quotes. "Greatest", "Prettiest", "Reality" .... it's all subjective. Until there's a way to scientifically prove that America (or any other nation) is the "greatest" and move the term from subjective to objective, then it will remain in quotes.

Bah. You mean you really can't think of a single way to declare that America's greater than any other country? How about number of nuclear weapons? :)

But it's simply irrelevant. And you know you were adding that bit in there to make the point about how not-great America is because of this one thing, admit it. ;)

AFAIK South Africa is just like Australia: In the cities, it's definitely a modern, first-world country, but out in rural areas things can look very differently. I don't know about RSA, but in Australia the vast majority of people live in those modern cities, so that qualifies it as a first-world nation.

thanx for that bit of intelligence. and you are correct there. and i thank you for that. i rest my case. RSA's freakin' 1st-world. we even helped them write their Constitution. ;)

I don't know about other countries with less of a social security blanket, but people in Canadian cities ho live in the streets are all drugies.

The real people in poverty in Canada are the natives (and non-natives living in native communities. Not that I beleive they should still be in our country and have auntonomy, special rights a penchant for soaking up federal funding. The real poor people aren't on the streets. The people on the streets are jsut fiends.