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First Hoovervilles, Now Bush Tent Cities
Thanks to the wonderful 43rd POTUS, there is a new phenomenon to acknowledge in the USA. Bush tent cities are popping up all over the country and what a shame.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/us/26tents.html?_r=1&hp
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/us/26tents.html?_r=1&hp
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/us/26tents.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1238041643-GkNmA9DBHvWZdd2ba4ImCg
March 26, 2009 12:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Luckily we have a new FDR with a new deal. It will take time, but....time is all a lot of people have left, now.
March 26, 2009 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus (crosses himself) that is quite a pic Lisb.
March 26, 2009 12:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
You have Prof B to thank for the picture, Dickon.
I just corrected his original link.
March 26, 2009 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't see the whole photo series there when I first read it.
Like this guy, an engineer.
March 26, 2009 12:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, this version of the American Dream needs much more coverage. (The NYTimes has been quite slow to acknowledge it.)
Thanks for posting.
March 26, 2009 1:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Times online, UK published similar story on a Sacramento tent city two weeks ago. I've been wondering when we'll be reading reports of an increasing rate of suicide, to provide the other bookend for the g. w. bush legacy.
March 26, 2009 2:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
This post needs a hell of a lot more recommends, peeps.
March 26, 2009 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
There's not much we can do for the homeless. But with these growing numbers there's plenty that the homeless can do for America. What's so important is that THEY don't keep silent or out of site. It was Bush City. Now it's Obama City. It's Congress City. Let's not allow the homeless to be seen only on the internet. Let's encourage them to set up tents where the government says they can't.
March 26, 2009 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed Doomer visibility and public awareness.
As to what we can do:
Food, clothing, shelter, recognition as a fellow human being worthy of respect, hugs, waves, head nods, assistance to fix the busted car, find medical care or a dentist, fuel, employment opportunities, tax advice, family counciling, legal assistance, guidance to community resources, telephone cards, or a bus ticket home come to mind.
The problems homeless people face trying to get out of their plight are huge. We could very easily join them when the bush E-bomb finally goes off. They don't want to deal drugs and prostitute themselves, but it takes money to be homeless too. They don't want to be alcoholics, but booze works for a little while, and frequent use leads to frequent use. I see 200 men show up at labor-ready at 5AM where there are 3 jobs for that day. There were plenty of alcoholics, druggies, veterans, and street people before w broke the world. Now there are more. Donations are down, transportation costs are up, and kitchens and shelters are running low. Money is nice. Your professional skill would be wonderful. Volunteers are rewarded by being needed.
Peace
March 26, 2009 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps I do my part. Peace to you, tao.
March 26, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Homelessness is surging in NYC too (even though it's not as in your face visible as it was in the 1980s:
http://www.villagevoice.com/content/printVersion/956099
March 26, 2009 1:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
The tent is good but the bushes help me keep out the wind. Use what you can and recycle too.
March 26, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, the ultimate efficiency achievement of the Bush years: disaster areas without the expense of an actual disaster and requiring no intervention from a gummint agency such as FEMA. Heckuva job, Bushie.
March 26, 2009 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Are any of you aware there are homeless people living in state parks all over the country? They are not jobless, they just don't make enough to pay rent, but they make too much to qualify for assistance. The working homeless have enough money to pay the few dollars every day to pitch a tent in a park so that's what they do....that bit of money provides them with good drinking water, toilets, sometimes even shower houses and, most importantly, SAFETY. Park employees patrol regularly.
I know this because this is how one nephew, his wife and two boys lived for six months. I did not know it at the time it was happening. I would have helped, but then again, he possibly might have been too proud to accept the help. All is good with them, now.
March 26, 2009 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Having spent some time in poor and unsafe neighborhoods I can appreciate the safety of the parks. More power to 'em, I say.
March 26, 2009 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Bushvilles" or "Reagan Ranches".
March 26, 2009 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I must say that the Reagan connection is sensible since the Bush economic "philosophy" was Reaganomics but I'm not sure most of the general public will immediately get the connection though Reagan Ranches is more alliterative.
March 26, 2009 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink