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News & ArtsTuesday, September 29, 2009
News Leave Greg Nickels Alone!
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Carrying bags of belongings and their bedding, and under the watchful eye of Seattle police officers, a few dozen homeless and advocates for the homeless showed up in front of Mayor Greg Nickels' West Seattle home about 8:30 p.m. Monday and set up temporary camp.It was one of what the group SHARE/WHEEL says will be a series of campouts at politicians' homes, according to its Web site.
Um... Greg Nickels isn't the mayor of Seattle anymore, unhappy campers, not really. He just got his ass handed to him by the voters. He's suffered enough. Leave him—and his neighbors—the fuck alone. And while we're on the subject: we're never going to "end" or "solve" homelessness, no matter what some politicians tell us 1. to get elected and 2. to placate homeless activists. Homelessness can only be managed and mitigated.
5
Good Morning Dan,
I categorically agree. This is absolute bullshit on the part of SHARE/WHEEL. Whether one voted for Nickels or not, he doesn't deserve this. And, you are right homelessness will never end. It can only be well managed.
I categorically agree. This is absolute bullshit on the part of SHARE/WHEEL. Whether one voted for Nickels or not, he doesn't deserve this. And, you are right homelessness will never end. It can only be well managed.
7
Just a thought: For Act II of Greg Nickels' political career, he should go where he has "brand recognition": the homeless camp that bears his name. They're trying to do good things there, so why not support them by Nickels' (1) establishing a 501(c)3 foundation to support it, (2) focus his political capital on integrating them into the established transition support services in the county (before they get cut!), and (3) affecting real change around this issue?
8
" Think of it as a thank you for all he did.'
Guess what. there were bums before Nickels, and they'll be bums after Nickels.
Better fire up Mallahanville...
Guess what. there were bums before Nickels, and they'll be bums after Nickels.
Better fire up Mallahanville...
10
That they're not camping out in front of Mallahan's and McGinn's homes indicates that SHARE/WHEEL knows jack about politics.
11
@4 "It has to do with bus fare."
Yes indeed. And, as is often the case, the cause of the trouble is miss-assigned to city government. These dispossessed folk ought to be camping in front of representatives of the county government (who control metro).
Yes indeed. And, as is often the case, the cause of the trouble is miss-assigned to city government. These dispossessed folk ought to be camping in front of representatives of the county government (who control metro).
12
@7, they don't want to be integrated into the established transition support services in the county. Share/WHEEL is opposed to traditional homeless services, which they think are overly restrictive and fascist. They won't have anything to do with homeless services because they won't give up their Social Security numbers, for one thing. They want unlimited free housing for everyone. If you ask me, I think they're harming the provision of homeless services.
13
Becoming homeless can happen to just about anyone usually through no fault of their own. Just as health care should be a right for all citizens so should housing. As a society we do have the resources to bulid affordable housing for all people. I would rather have my tax money go to housing our citizens than to pay for wars in the middle east.
14
I think your intention are good, Heather, but there is no way I want the Government building me a house or telling me where to live.
15
@7: Just a thought. Why would Nickels want to help out people who have worked hard to screw him over?
16
@7: Just a thought: Why would Nickels spend time helping out people who have worked hard to screw him over?
17
I don't see where the government would tell people where to live. They currently have no place to go at all. If they set up camps the nimbys come out to chase them away. I cannot relate at all to the hostility that some people have to the homeless. I will give them money or food if I have it and I don't care if thw law says i cannot do that.
There are many options including having the government buy up some abondoned motels or apartment bulidings so people can go there especially during the cold winter months.
To say we will never solve the problem shows a total lack of vision and it seems a lack of compassion. In fact it sounds like that cynical Xtian crap that "the poor will always be with us." We can end poverty and homelessness if we have the will to do it.
There are many options including having the government buy up some abondoned motels or apartment bulidings so people can go there especially during the cold winter months.
To say we will never solve the problem shows a total lack of vision and it seems a lack of compassion. In fact it sounds like that cynical Xtian crap that "the poor will always be with us." We can end poverty and homelessness if we have the will to do it.
19
Leave it to Dan "I'm irrelevant" Savage to take a perspective on an issue that completely distracts from the real issue. Dan, come off your ivory tower and make yourself a RELEVANT journalist. Thousands of homeless people in this city, including hundreds who are queer, fighting for their right simply to be alive and your response is "Nickels not mayor." Stick to santorum and pegging, please, and leave the political stuff to adults.
20
actually Dan, Nickels is still very much the mayor as far as these homeless demonstraters are concerned. The city is mandated by law to pass a budget by December 2 and this group wants it to include a bigger public hand out to them cover the increase in bus fares.
(pretty ballsy since already over half their revenue is from the city, but hey if it works, right?)
@10 camping out at the homes of either Thurston Howell III or the Cookie Monster wouldn't really get them anywhere.
(pretty ballsy since already over half their revenue is from the city, but hey if it works, right?)
@10 camping out at the homes of either Thurston Howell III or the Cookie Monster wouldn't really get them anywhere.
23
"These dispossessed folk ought to be camping in front of representatives of the county government (who control metro)."
Sounds like hard work….
"Becoming homeless can happen to just about anyone usually through no fault of their own."
Sure, if you burn every bridge you have with friends and family, add fuel to that fire with drug and alcohol abuse, failed to understand the importance of an education, and don't believe in hard work
Of course that doesn't happen to everyone…just the tiny fraction of bums we see on the streets.
And remember, what we see on the streets are bums, not homeless.
"I cannot relate at all to the hostility that some people have to the homeless."
Are you a homeowner?
"We can end poverty and homelessness if we have the will to do it."
Sure, just sprinkle some fairy dust around.
Sounds like hard work….
"Becoming homeless can happen to just about anyone usually through no fault of their own."
Sure, if you burn every bridge you have with friends and family, add fuel to that fire with drug and alcohol abuse, failed to understand the importance of an education, and don't believe in hard work
Of course that doesn't happen to everyone…just the tiny fraction of bums we see on the streets.
And remember, what we see on the streets are bums, not homeless.
"I cannot relate at all to the hostility that some people have to the homeless."
Are you a homeowner?
"We can end poverty and homelessness if we have the will to do it."
Sure, just sprinkle some fairy dust around.
24
Did Dan (or keshmeshi) actually read the story? They're seeking a solution to a specific, immediate problem, not an end to homelessness. McGinn and Mallahan can't do squat about it.
25
Seattle Times:
"The group earlier this year asked the city and the mayor's office for an additional $50,000 on top of the more than $300,000 they received this year from the city, to pay for bus vouchers. Their request was turned down.
The city, however, was willing to advance the group money as long as the group agreed not to close any of its shelters. SHARE/WHEEL refused that offer."
So shouldn't they camp outside one of the closed shelters?
"The group earlier this year asked the city and the mayor's office for an additional $50,000 on top of the more than $300,000 they received this year from the city, to pay for bus vouchers. Their request was turned down.
The city, however, was willing to advance the group money as long as the group agreed not to close any of its shelters. SHARE/WHEEL refused that offer."
So shouldn't they camp outside one of the closed shelters?
26
"McGinn and Mallahan can't do squat about it."
....and Nickels doesn't have to do anything about it. What's the worst that's gonna happen, he'll loose the primary?
Maybe these bums should learn about lame ducks.
....and Nickels doesn't have to do anything about it. What's the worst that's gonna happen, he'll loose the primary?
Maybe these bums should learn about lame ducks.
29
Yep, because his ideas have no lingering effect, McGinn is the new Nickels, The Stranger kissing the ass of a politician they endorsed. Did you guys ever fire anyone for being critical of Nickels?
30
Dan,
Is this a joke? Poor, poor Seattle Mayor because he actually has to see the lives that homeless people live every day?? This is how social change gets made.
Not being from Seattle, I can't speak to whether they are going after the right strategic target. But I firmly support the tactic of forcing the Mayor and the city to see the faces of homelessness.
Would you agree with someone who argued that homophobia should be "managed" because it can't be "solved"?
Is this a joke? Poor, poor Seattle Mayor because he actually has to see the lives that homeless people live every day?? This is how social change gets made.
Not being from Seattle, I can't speak to whether they are going after the right strategic target. But I firmly support the tactic of forcing the Mayor and the city to see the faces of homelessness.
Would you agree with someone who argued that homophobia should be "managed" because it can't be "solved"?
31
SHARE/WHEEL do not represent "the homeless". They represent a very small and atypical group of the homeless. Heather, you're right -- they could put them up in motels. And guess what? They DO. All of the things you can think of, and a thousand others, are being tried. We have a very broad anti-homeless effort in Seattle. SHARE/WHEEL enjoy nothing more than shitting all over it.
32
Wow. I knew you were an out-of-touch prick, but this is a new low for you. Wait, what's that? Oh, yeah, you don't even live in Seattle - you live on your crunchy little vegan island with your partner who you aren't even allowed to marry (you'd think that would be the hot ticket for you).
From March until June, Nickelsville set up camp directly across from my living room window in Bryn Mawr. We got to know them, brought them supplies, ferried them to the laundromat when their tents and bedding were caked with mud. We attended their evening meetings, ate with them, and made a few friends. I can understand that schmuck of a mayor that we have, but you're supposed to be waving your flag for human rights. You're worse than he is.
From March until June, Nickelsville set up camp directly across from my living room window in Bryn Mawr. We got to know them, brought them supplies, ferried them to the laundromat when their tents and bedding were caked with mud. We attended their evening meetings, ate with them, and made a few friends. I can understand that schmuck of a mayor that we have, but you're supposed to be waving your flag for human rights. You're worse than he is.
33
Seattle spends more on homelessness than all the other cities in this state combined. Let's face it- there's never going to be enough money or resources to solve the issue of homelessness. Camping out in front of Nickels' house proves what and accomplishes what other than that these guys are complete idiots? Dow Constantine lives in West Seattle, too. They would have been better off going and camping out in front of his house as he is the chair of the County Council. And besides, why should Nickels ever meet with these fools? Don't spit in his face and call it rain.
34
i'm from share what they are doing is black mailing us to camp out in front of these houses .If we tell them we won't do it , they said we will not be able to return to our shelters and this really sucks becuase i go in for major back surgery next week and i really need a place to rest
35
Heather, have you been keeping score since a few decades ago? Beirut, bombing Tripoli, Persian Gulf War, Iraq... most of your fellow citizens would rather their tax money go to that kinda stuff.
I'm not against ya, but the political will, it's not there. If we can't do health insurance for all citizens, even blue collar and middle-middle class, then the odds of this happening, eh, no.
I'm not against ya, but the political will, it's not there. If we can't do health insurance for all citizens, even blue collar and middle-middle class, then the odds of this happening, eh, no.
36
(Note to 713ygp, my understanding is that they did indeed camp out in West Seattle yesterday.) I was appalled by the reaction of some of the residents of Alki, one who joked about that these people might want to watch out for truck drivers who might "accidentally" run them over. Didn't want them marring their elite little world of trendy restaurants and million dollar homes I guess. And I used to be a West Seattle resident until economics forced me out. As a person who's gone from making a middle-range income (who would have thought a $90,000 salary put me there) to $12000 a year due to illness, I never thought I would be this close to homelessness. But I am. I can't get assistance because I get unemployment and just lost my doctor I could afford due to budget cuts at the clinic providing services to low-income people.
My daughter has worked in social services in Seattle for eight years, including work at homeless shelters. Sure, a lot of people had drug/alcohol problems; however a large number of her clients were mentally ill or families. There's just no where for these people to go. My daughter had been encouraging me to get on a list for section H housing but just found out that the list has been "frozen" - there is no housing to be had. I have to admit I am not interested in the politics of the people protesting, I'm just glad they ARE given that funding for social services up for cuts again.
My daughter has worked in social services in Seattle for eight years, including work at homeless shelters. Sure, a lot of people had drug/alcohol problems; however a large number of her clients were mentally ill or families. There's just no where for these people to go. My daughter had been encouraging me to get on a list for section H housing but just found out that the list has been "frozen" - there is no housing to be had. I have to admit I am not interested in the politics of the people protesting, I'm just glad they ARE given that funding for social services up for cuts again.
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