No News Is Sad News

17+ hours later and no word yet on Fiji, the beloved cat mentioned below. How the cat got out and away is a bizarre tale that I cannot devulge, but it does end with me taking hold of her, and almost getting her back into the apartment building when she makes up her mind she doesn’t want to go in.  She drew a little blood and wriggled herself to get free.  I though I had a good hold of her, but she slinked out of my hands anyway. And as soon as she hit the ground she bolted. Within a couple seconds she was around the corner of the building and out of site. And though we looked around for several hours after, we haven’t seen her since.

I lost my very good friend’s cat. And my friend is moving back home in just a couple days. So, you can imagine how anxious we are to get her back very soon.

On the other front – I checked in with the homeless services division of metro social services, but there’s been no change. I’m still on the waiting list for housing. I’ll have to wait another week and see again.

LOST CAT

She goes by the name of Fiji – a full grown house cat – white with light and dark brown patches. Her home is in the Lee Apartments on Hayes Street between 21st and 22nd Ave North – a block from Vandy and from Exit In, and she was last seen near there. She is often shy and hides under cars/ under bushes, etc., and doesn’t always come when called. Still, she’s a very sweet, affectionate cat, and very much loved. If you see her please email me as soon as possible. kevin.barbieux at gmail.com

Thank You

These Days

Oh, this blog isn’t what it used to be. Perhaps I’ve been blogging too long. Certainly everything I could say about homelessness in the context of a blog I’ve already said. Sure, there is more that can be said about homelessness, but this is not the right venue for it. Blogging can get boring after a while, especially when one blogs only on a single subject. I and others agree that my better posts were written earlier. You would have to find them at Archive.org and search the waybackmachine for thehomelessguy.blogspot.com.

As always, summer brings certain difficulties for the homeless. If you are wanting to do something to help the homeless you might consider addressing these needs. Proper clothing for the weather is hard to come by. People usually donate clothing to shelters at least one season behind – as they get rid of unwanted things. Shorts and shortsleve shirts and sandals are in need now. And yet the most needed clothing item, and the hardest of all to come by, is socks. It is very hard for homeless people to keep their feet healthy, especially since they are walking so much of the time, and because they rarely get the opportunity to take off their shoes to let their feet breath and heal.

Food is always good to distribute to the homeless, but try if you can to make it healthy food. There is usually enough to go around for the homeless to eat at least one meal a day, but it’s usually the cheapest and thus the worst kinds of food. Yet even more important that food, is a good supply of water. Passing out bottled water to the homeless is so important, especially now that summer weather is upon us.

From Volunteer Voters

We love the military in this country and no one ever wants to be the bad guy so we speak in vaulted tones and spout platitudes about how our soldiers defend our way of life with each and every breath they take. They are the honorable of the honorable. The holy of the holy. The sacred cow of sacred cows.

This is no doubt a reaction to the days of Vietnam when soldiers were spit on and called names for doing things they either had no hand in or were ordered to do. But just because we failed our soldiers back then does not mean we have to lie to ourselves now.

Soldiers are just that — soldiers. They are spokes on a wheel. Many, many soldiers, save those at the very top of the pyramid, are pawns. They are button men for our civilian leadership. Is this an honorable profession? Certainly. But it is also, in the end, just that — a profession. Soldiers should be proud of their service, maybe prouder than men of any other profession, but let’s not get out of control with it.

These are not saints, they are soldiers. They are men of honor for the most part but their actions are very much at the mercy of those of their superiors. We cannot continue to lie to ourselves that the military is a some semi-religious institution that can never get too much money or do no wrong.

The military is our war machine and soldiers are the cogs in that machine. The stuff we say and repeat to ourselves about the military, it is the kind of stuff you tell schoolchildren, not words you repeat to fellow adults.

There are no more good soldiers than good people in this country and there are no less bad people in a position of dominion over these soldiers than in the civilian population.

Spouting the platitudes can be useful enough to build morale and boost recruiting but at some level we must the honest with ourselves at recognize what the military is and what it isn’t — myths and fairy tales aside.
volunteer voters

War Poets

War Poets

More On What I Believe

I believe that God is perfect.

I believe that humans are imperfect.

I believe that regardless of God’s inspiration man will inevitably screw it up, due to his imperfect nature. The Bible is full of stories about people screwing up God’s inspiration.

I believe the Bible is not Holy.

I believe the Bible is an important book for Christians to study.

I believe that when Jesus said no one comes to the father but through me, he means that no one comes to the father but through love.

I believe that God is much much much bigger than the Bible.

I believe that using the Bible to define God is a bad idea.

I believe God can be just as active in people’s lives today, as He was 2000 years ago.

I believe that most people today who claim to know Jesus are only parroting what they’ve been told to say, but actually have no idea who He really is.

I believe that diligence in studying the Bible will be of no use to people who do not understand the true nature of love.

What I Believe

I Believe that there is a God that Created this incredible universe we live in.

I Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

I Believe that the writings within the Bible were inspired by God

I Believe that the creation of the Bible as we know it today was man’s idea.

I Believe the Bible can be used for God’s purposes

I Believe the Bible can be used for man’s selfish purposes.

I Believe the Bible has many errors/contradictions.

I Believe the Bible must be read very carefully and great thought must be used to discern it’s meaning and importance and foibles.

I Believe that people who think the Bible is the infallible word of God are in denial of a great many facts concerning it.

I Believe the promise of prosperity for Believers in God.

I Believe that the prosperity promised to Believers has nothing to do money or possessions or popularity.

I Believe that God is Love.

I Believe that Love is another name for God/Jesus.

I Believe that ANYONE who understands and lives out the true nature of Love will be saved from Hell in the afterlife, regardless of the name of their religion or of their personal doubts in the existence of God.

I Believe that all people sin.

I Believe that there is no degree of sin, so that there is no one person who sins more than another, no city sins more than another, no country sins more than another.

I Believe that the United States of America is as sinful as every other nation.

I Believe that the United States of America is wealthy and powerful because of it’s many greedy and selfish citizens.

I Believe that God would have prevented the attacks of 9/11 if the USA really was His favored nation.

I Believe the actions taken by President Bush prove him to be more than a sinner – they prove him to be an Evil man.

Silent Auction

I made these safety pin bracelets over the past couple days, and I’m selling them to make some money to get yet more jewelry making supplies. Eventually, I want to make wire jewelry and things, but it’s gonna take some building up to – and this is my starting at the bottom project. So, starting at 10 bucks a piece, if you’d like to help me out here, I’d appreciate the support. Just make an offer via email. Priority will be given to locals who can pay in person by cash. I’ll run this auction for about a week, or until the bids appear to have stopped (assuming that they will actually start )  The bracelets are standard size for a woman, approximately 7″ around.

Waiting For The Call Home

Ok, Well, I’m just waiting now for word from social services about an apartment. I don’t know yet what all is involved in the process, but again, it’s looking like I should have something in a couple weeks…..hoping, finger crossing.

It is a Housing First project, so a bit of services will be made a available to me as I adjust to homed life, and to help make sure I stay put, once I get into the place.

Housing First

Well, I just got back from the homeless services department of metro social services.   I filled out some paperwork regarding the Housing First pilot program.  I have to call in once a week to find out how things are going – to see if there are any vacancies.   It sounded very hopeful.  I’m thinking I should be in a place in a couple weeks.

Just Venting

Lately I’ve been reminded that as I wait for “time heals all wounds” I’m getting old. I have missed every bit of “normal” life – and, no, what I’ve experienced instead has not been an acceptable alternative. There is so much to curse about this life of mine, I don’t know where to begin. God – Darwin – Family – Genetics – Society, They’ve all worked in tandum against me. I’m beat, beat down, and down trodden. And somehow I’m supposed to be thankful?

I know there are people on my side, and for that I’m grateful. My state would be much worse without them.

Complimenting The Fish

Thanks to whoever donated the primo salmon steaks to the rescue mission, which we homeless people enjoyed yesterday evening.

Beats Me

Teens Arrested for Beating Homeless Man

By EVA KIS
The Ledger
LAKELAND — Four Lakeland teenagers, none of them older than 15, attacked a homeless man downtown early Saturday morning, according to police.

Dexter L. Davis, 15, of 818 Gary Road, Davin B. Truedell, 13, of 2429 W. Highland St., Etoy L. Love, 14, of 605 Jamestown Ave., and Wesley C. Delancy, 15, of 1907 E. Fern Road, are all charged with strong-arm robbery and aggravated assault, both second-degree felonies. Truedell also was charged with resisting arrest.

According to Lakeland police spokesman Jack Gillen, the gruesome attack on Curtis Johnson — who told police he’s been targeted before — is just the latest in a problem known to be getting worse for months. According to police reports on the incident, there have been numerous attacks and robberies in this area of city targeting the homeless.

At 840 E. Memorial Blvd. about 12:30 a.m., the boys approached Johnson, who was sleeping in the back of the Rent-A-Wheel auto shop, and began punching and yelling at him, and demanding that he get up, according to their arrest reports.

Once Johnson did get to his feet, he ran from the teens, who then threw rocks and beer bottles at him. One of the bottles hit Johnson on the right elbow so hard that it became dislocated and sustained a deep gash.

While the others accosted Johnson, one of the boys rummaged through Johnson’s backpack, which Johnson later said contained nothing of significant value.

The attack stopped only when a Lakeland police officer interrupted and the boys began to run. Three of them obeyed police officers who gave chase and told them to stop and lie down on the ground — Truedell continued to run but was chased down.

The teens were arrested. However, it is unknown whether they were taken to a juvenile facility or the Polk County Jail.

Lakeland police officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Johnson was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment. Hospital staff declined to release information about his condition Saturday night, citing patient privacy laws.

Employees of the Steak ‘n Shake restaurant across the street from where the attack took place knew of two other incidents of homeless people being beaten.

“They (beatings) happen all the time around here,” one said.

A Must Read

From ICH.Gov
DENVER, COLORADO. In its second year of implementation, Denver’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, Denver’s Road Home, continues to build on the exceptional momentum of its first year during which 423 units of housing were added, 701 homeless people secured work, 677 individuals received treatment services, 156 families received eviction assistance, and 121 families were partnered with faith based mentoring programs. City of Denver Human Services Manager Roxane White recently noted that Metro Denver can now report a new 23% decrease in its homeless census, exceeding its 2006 11% reduction.

This week, The Denver Commission to End Homelessness, which is overseeing the plan implementation, met to review second year progress and in the true spirit of 10-Year plans as “living documents” to discuss and approve modifications to the plan to allow for more strategic investments. The members also invited United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano to provide a national progress update. Director Mangano reported that Denver is one of “300 and counting” jurisdictional 10-Year Plan efforts underway in the country. These 10-Year Plans are generating unprecedented results with increasing numbers of communities able to report measurable decreases in homelessness, and unprecedented research data from more than 65 cost studies that are revealing that providing housing with support services is less costly than homeless people randomly ricocheting through expensive public health and law enforcement systems.

Denver’s Road Home is a expansive community effort. Private and foundation fundraising efforts led by the Mile High United Way have raised $33 million to fully fund Year 2 and are more than � of the way to fully funding Years 3 and 4. More than 20 foundations are helping to support the plan. Denver’s Road Home has been successful in raising public awareness and support through a variety of means including media relations, online communication, and grassroots activities. Denver has enthusiastically adopted the Project Homeless Connect innovation hosting 4 events since 2006. Project Connect 3 was led by more than 700 employee volunteers from Comcast and the most recent event was hosted by the University of Denver bringing together over 800 faculty, students, and other volunteers to assist more than 500 homeless persons.

A two year cost study completed by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless in December 2006 is contributing to community understanding of the true costs of chronic homelessness. For that study, CCH tracked costs associated with 36 long term homeless individuals who entered the city’s housing first program through which they were placed into housing and were able to receive mental health and substance abuse treatment services. The study found that after entering the program, they experienced dramatic decreases in visits to taxpayer funded expensive systems of community care including hospitals, detox facilities, and jail. Comparing the investment costs of providing housing with supportive services to the ad hoc costs to community care systems, the study suggests net cost savings from the supportive housing of $4,745 annually per person.

Support from the business community has been innovative and substantial. Comcast donated $50,000 in addition to organizing more than 700 employee volunteers for Denver’s third Project Homeless Connect. The Denver Downtown Partnership and the Leadership Denver Alumni Association collaborated with the city’s Department of Public Works to create Contribute:Change, a program that refurbished old parking meters into donation meters. Placed strategically around the city, the meters have discouraged panhandling while raising community awareness of homelessness and raising funds. Recently the King Soopers Grocery Stores raised $23,000 from a point-in-sale fundraising effort that was matched dollar for dollar by King Soopers. Shown here is King Soopers President Russ Dispense (far right) presenting the “check” to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Denver Road Home Project Manager Jamie Van Leeuwen is at far left with Ben Lewis of the Mile High United Way on his right. The second annual PJ party hosted by the Residence Inn of Denver City Center raised over $100,000 in one night. Local businesses work collaboratively with Denver’s Road Home to employ homeless persons.

Director Mangano also met with Colorado State Housing Agency Executive Director Roy Alexander and COO Chris White to discuss their participation on the Colorado state interagency council on homelessness and their work with the city to support Denver’s Road Home. At a meeting with Director Mangano last month, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter indicated his intention to revitalize and strengthen the state council.

On The Death Of Jerry Falwell

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.