http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3684409Oh my.
The parts in bold, below, are those of the dirty underwear primitive, not my own emphasis.
underpants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 09:59 AM
Original message
Dems to 'hide homeless in movie theaters' during the convention???
I read this alluded to in an op-ed this morning so I looked it up.
As usual this is not as it first appears
When thousands of delegates converge in the Mile City in August, downtown Denver won't look exactly like it does now.
Free movie tickets and passes to Denver's cultural attractions will be given out to homeless people just in time for the Democratic National Convention.
Several groups that help the homeless announced Wednesday that they are making changes during the DNC. But the plan is seen, by some, as a plan to hide the city's homeless, estimated to be roughly 3,800 the summertime.
A DNC advisory committee devoted just to handling the homeless issue has been working on a plan for the past four months with the help of Denver police, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, the Denver Rescue Mission and other shelters.
The homeless will be offered free movie passes, tickets to the Denver Zoo, museums, and other cultural facilities. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will also hand out free bus tickets so the homeless can attend events that aren't nearby.
Some shelters will open their doors during the daytime and have more cots available at night. A spokeswoman for the Denver Rescue Mission said the shelter will almost double its overnight capacity. Some shelters will also have big-screen TVs so the homeless can watch convention activities without being out on the busy streets, caught up in the chaos.
Organizers say it's not an attempt to sweep away the homeless but it's more of an effort to educate them.
"There are no plans to relocate the homeless, to keep them out of the downtown area. If anything, we're trying to educate the homeless population on what is available, what entertainment they can go to, you know, how they can be involved as well," said Denver Rescue Mission's Greta Walker.
The committee thinks this is a way to make sure the homeless aren't harassed by police or Secret Service and aren't unknowingly caught up in the activities and protests in the area. Extremely tight security is expected around the Pepsi Center, Invesco Field at Mile High and Civic Center Park, where thousands of protesters are expected.
"It's better than them doing a police sweep. What good is that going to do? It's going to clog the jails that are already clogged," said Cecil Miller, a homeless man. "I'd love to go to a movie. I'd take my wife if we could get somebody to watch our stuff."
The homeless have already been told that aggressive panhandling and asking for money near an ATM are illegal. During the week, a voter registration drive will target homeless shelters and low-cost or free health clinics.
Oh. Okay.
There's some discombobulations amongst the primitives.
One wonders why.
Enrique (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 10:10 AM
Response to Original message
2. educating them on Denver's entertainment options?
that part was pretty ridiculous.
lwfern Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 10:11 AM
Response to Original message
3. Wow, that's some serious BS.
""There are no plans to relocate the homeless, to keep them out of the downtown area. If anything, we're trying to educate the homeless population on what is available, what entertainment they can go to, you know, how they can be involved as well," said Denver Rescue Mission's Greta Walker."
They are doing this to educate the homeless about what entertainment is available - by giving them free zoo tickets while the convention is in town? Is she in training to be the next WH press secretary?
otohara Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-28-08 12:11 AM
Response to Reply #3
34. It's Been Hovering Around 95-98 Degrees Here
they would probably enjoy a nice cool theater for an few hours. You got any better ideas?
One wonders if the Otis Harris primitive has air-conditioning, and if so, one subsequently wonders if the Otis Harris primitive has invited any of the homeless to drop in, to enjoy it.
lwfern Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-28-08 12:59 AM
Response to Reply #34
37. Oh, I got no problems giving them free tickets
I just got a problem if they are doing it for one week when the media is in town and pretending it's out of concern for them.
I saw what happened when the superbowl came to detroit. The homeless were cleaned up off the street - for one week, and all of a sudden they found extra space in shelters for them. Once they were in the shelters, they sealed off the abandoned buildings they had been living in. Then the superbowl left, and they were abandoned in a worse situation than they had to start with. So I'm a bit suspicious of efforts to get the homeless off the street when it's under false pretenses.
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
5. I love this one...
"During the week, a voter registration drive will target homeless shelters and low-cost or free health clinics."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to have an address to register to vote? Somehow "the corner of Fairfax and whatever" doesn't work for me.
crikkett Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #5
8. Cynicism in overdrive! Some shelters receive mail for their clients.
I don't think you're insensitive, just needing more education. Want a movie pass? Maybe you can go talk to some of these folks and find out how they get by.
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 04:12 PM
Response to Reply #8
26. Receiving mail and being a permanent address are two different things.
Please understand, I'm not against the homeless voting. But what is the point of registering them if, in the long run, their vote wouldn't count because they don't have a legal, permanent address?
The energy could be better spent getting them a place to live... and maybe a way to earn a living. And make no mistake, homeless shelters are not a place to live. They are neither a house nor an apartment nor a permanent place to live. They are a temporary shelter.
There's some bickering between the primitives, but not worth bringing over here.
And then the gassy primitive has an idea, a splendid idea, an excellent idea.
Breeze54 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 01:12 PM
Response to Reply #6
21. When I was homeless, I would've taken those tickets and also attended any of the political events I got tickets to also. What a great weekend they'll have! Maybe the first good one, in a series of really shitty days! Big screen TV's at the shelters so they can watch the convention, out of the heat or bad weather, DURING THE DAY and not being harassed by the Denver Police! Maybe some of them will get temporary employment at the Convention Center if they're out of work? I see this as a win-win for all. Maybe some of the motivation of Denver was to keep them out of the way but it seems like the DNC added some good alternatives to that meme. Get them registered and get them to the polls. They need to know they have a voice, if they aren't aware of that and maybe they'll help get someone elected who will do something for the homeless all across the US of A! Children are homeless too and would probably love a day at the zoo!! They probably never get to go or have ever been there.
Yeah, right.
I'm sure the Leona Helmsley of DUmmieland, the "flyarm" primitive, would be delighted to be greeted at the convention by some shabby rundown unshaven guy looking very much like the wily primitive or the lying titty primitive.
And then this. Oh my.
Idealist Hippie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Sun Jul-27-08 11:50 AM
Response to Original message
15. "will also hand out free bus tickets so the homeless can attend events that aren't nearby."
Like, oh, say, an opening of a Taco John's in Fargo or an under-the-stars square dance festival in Tallahassee.
Before I accepted one of those tickets, I'd find out if it was round-trip or one-way, and how far.
