Comments on: Ah, City Life

by: larryomiller

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:10:14 +0000

During the 2000 Democratic convention in Los Angeles the city was able to take care of the homeless situation downtown - temporarily. You wouldn’t know that downtown L.A. had a homeless person for that week. After the convention they all came back from their “vacations”.

You can hide these unfortunate people, you can send them to the desert but they don’t go away. Out of sight, out of mind is not operative here.

by: larryomiller

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:02:46 +0000

Sra,

The Lao Tzu poem is not about the homeless. It is a statement of his own viewpoint of the basis of compassion. Read it again but turn it 180 degrees.

Larry

by: chardonnay

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:47:17 +0000

Sra,

A significant portion of the homeless are mentally ill. In times past they were institutionalized…but the doors were opened and both dems and repubs were happy (civil liberties and saving money).So,what to do? What`s humane ? Maybe the problem is just intractable.

I`ve spent time in Frankfurt and their homeless problem(s) are Turks,Gypsies and the usual drug/booze types. German friends jokingly told me the SS could clean the place up in a day. Takes real frustration to offer that solution.

I would guess Salt Lake`s problems are minor compared to other places. Maybe the new dem administration (I hope!) can offer a comprehensive national effort. Kindness is a virtue.

by: Sra

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:59:04 +0000

I saw the Pursuit of Happyness. It was pretty good. Not as good as purported, but entertaining. The difference between Will Smith’s character and what I perceive to be most homeless people out there is that Smith actually made an effort to better his circumstances. I think most homeless people are content with lazing about in the park, main street, the library, gallivan plaza, etc., leaching dimes off people, and otherwise wasting their lives away.

by: redtazz

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:24:52 +0000

larryomiller - Love the poem.
Sra - Rent the film titled, “The Pursuit of Happyness”

by: Sra

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:31:47 +0000

I appreciate that response, larryomiller, but honestly, that’s not the impression I get of homeless people. I’m all about simple lifestyle. I hate the fervent need to consume that our society creates. I prefer to spend my money on my basic needs first, life experiences next, and material goods last. But I believe foremost in supporting myself and not being a burden on others. I only see the homeless as a burden.

by: larryomiller

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:01:31 +0000

Reply to Sra in another’s words:

Everyone says that my way of life is the way of a simpleton.
Being largely the way of a simpleton is what makes it worth while.
If it were not the way of a simpleton
It would long ago have been worthless,
These possessions of a simpleton being the three I
choose
And cherish:
To care,
To be fair,
To be humble.
When a man cares he is unafraid
When he is fair he leaves enough for others,
When he is humble he can grow;
Whereas if, like men of today, he be bold without caring,
Self-indulgent without sharing,
Self-important without shame,
He is dead.
The invincible shield
Of caring
Is a weapon from the sky
Against being dead.

Lao Tzu — circa 500 B.C.

by: redtazz

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:11:18 +0000

Holly, I would have done the same thing. It seems that women are especially vulnerable in situations like the one you described. Unfortunately, some of these people have come upon hard times. I think we need to be compassionate towards them. They are still individuals and they still have souls. We never know when we may lose everything and hope for someone to lend a hand. Also, I do feel that law enforcement should be more visible downtown.

by: Holly

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:07:40 +0000

Good question, Sra. Really. Let’s see what others might think. My rule of thumb here on Salt Lake City’s Main Street has been to live and let live among those homeless folks who are peaceful. But the scene I described above just had me enraged. And I keep thinking about the importance of keeping a presence downtown and staying involved in what’s going on around us.

I think how rarely I see the bike patrol come through here. Not so that the police can hassle people, but just to get to know everyone. Same with foot patrols. I never, ever see cops on foot in the central business district. And they closed the downtown substation that once stood on Main and 200 South.

I’d love to hear, as you would, what others think.

by: Sra

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:50:13 +0000

That question was supposed to start with “Is it…”. It’s been a long week so far…