http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14854074

Or, "posts promoting the lynching of homeless people aren't funny."

I would like to see a separate Shelter, more structured, more monitored, for people on parole or probation. While the Shelter doesn't ask names, PO's can MAKE their clients stay wherever they tell them to. Once someone has "paid their debt to society" I believe in giving them a second chance, but I also think they'll have a better chance if they are supervised by people trained in dealing with criminal's specific issues. This is better for the ex-con and better for the people of Boulder. And I'll repeat that people should be able to get mental health and substance abuse treatment anytime.

I hope you'll use your experience at being homless, and your communication skills, to help other homeless people survive better. More positive, less negative. Although you owe no one anything, I personally feel a kinship with other homeless people. We are a family, albeit a REAL dysfunctional one. I don't slam my brothers and sisters around "normal" people.

Homeless people don't need to be told they're worthless human dirt, it's because they feel that way that they are homeless. They need to hear peace and love and hope and encouragement.

8). The economy is messed up big time, but most homeless people are unemployed because of mental health and substance abuse issues. And yes, they lie about it, even to themselves, because it's a painful thing.

The chauvinism/xenophobia/jingoism is often just plain ol' ordinary racist stupidity. It's common even among highly paid white collar workers. OTOH, this often happens because managers and executives say things like "Tata in Bangalore can give us software developers for half what we pay you, so you're all fired. Go flip burgers or deliver pizza or something."

9). I've never panhandled, but with rare, possibly apocryphal execptions (Yuppies handing out $100 bills), it seems to pay less than minimum wage. From conversations (granted not a scientific survey), the guys flying signs seem to make between $11 and $60 a day, on average.

10). Since you've negatively mentioned people at the Shelter, some by name, I have to read your blog to see if and when you're going to slam me or my friends personally.

6). The rules ARE often stupid at the Shelter. Especially in First Step/Transition. Most of the rules are common sense, though, designed to keep destructive people from harming themselves or others. The rules regarding no substances in the Shelter are broken by addicts, because, well, if they could control their intake, they wouldn't be addicts.

7). People don't neglect to bathe and shower because they think they're attractive. They do it because of extremely low self-esteem. I always know when my mental illness is kicking back in, because I start neglecting personal hygiene.

4). Law and Order is greatly overrated, and we all know that Mr. Policeman is NOT your friend. They don't want to "catch the bad guy," they want to "close the case," and those are two entirely different things. I've been offered deals if I'd confess to crimes I didn't commit, because the cops wanted them off the books. In a fair world, those cops would go to jail. In the real world, they get promoted.

Snitching involves gaining someone's trust and then betraying it, and it's low no matter what the situation. Cops despise rats and the CIA hates traitors, though they both encourage and use them. I go to staff only when people are in danger, and I make no secret to anyone that I'm doing it.

5). SSDI/SSI are a lot harder to get than you make out. Harder than they should be. Many people who need benefits don't receive them, because the process is so time-consuming and insanely bureaucratic.

1). Anyone who's been involved with the criminal justice system from the wrong side knows that many times right and wrong, good and evil, guilt or innocence, logic vs. madness, mean exactly zero to those running things. But yeah, many people who are guilty rationalize their acts. It's a common human trait. Last time I went to jail it was a DUI, I was guilty as charged, and my actions were idiotic because I could have hurt someone. I did my time and thought I got off easy.

2). I'm in a program, I got kicked out once for not complying with their terms, again my own fault. The case managers aren't stupid, nor are they easily conned. They try whenever possible to cut people slack because they sincerely want to help.

3). Everyone thinks the world revolves around them, and everyone puts their own needs first. It's not pathological.

Let me get some input from you. Here's my take on it. Advice/corrections/suggestions welcome.

There is no one answer to the "homeless problem." You have the temporary economic homeless, who dip into homelessness and quickly bounce back out. These folks need a bed and a meal for a bit. You have people who like being homeless, hippies, hoboes, etc. They just need a bed and a meal. Then you have the substance abusers and mental cases. Many of these will fail forever. It's sad, but they will. All you can do for them is harm reduction, get them to jail, to the bughouse, to the ARC. Others who want help should get it, free, no questions asked, right then, inpatient substance abuse and mental.

Kicking them out to freeze and starve is not an option for any decent person. Even for the ones who just keep screwing up.

Inpatient treatment at the ARC (Addiction recovery Center) is frozen, no $$$ for it. Boulder County Mental Health isn't taking any new patients, same reason. Shelter case managers seem to take anyone that's willing to try, and I applaud them for that. Most people fail at 1st Step/Transition, which to me means that there is a major weeding-out going on. Yes, the staff tend to be forgiving, because they genuinely want their clients to suceed, not fail. People try, some suceed, most fail, because of the problems that have caused them to fail in the past. It's sad, and I hope they all find more chances in the future.

I see people getting kicked out every night for booze/dope/arguing. I think the staff is doing a great job. Why not just refuse to allow ANYONE in? Or just force them onto a bus to Denver.