Tuesday, December 04, 2012
SHANNON WEST-REDWINE
Coroner's Inquest - STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT
TO KNOW.
The Clark County Commission will be
discussing the coroner’s inquest process for officer-involved homicides on
December 4, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. We need the
Commission to pass a simple housekeeping measure to allow the inquests to proceed.
The Commission needs to understand that the public does not want it to abandon
or water down the coroner’s inquests for officer-involved homicides. The LVMPD
has a very high rate of officer-involved homicides, and the public deserves to
know the facts when a member of the community is killed.
Meet outside the County Commission building at 9:15 a.m. on December 4, 2012. We will have free t-shirts so you can tell the Commission: “Start the Inquests. We deserve to know.”
What is the inquest process?
In December of 2010, the coroner’s inquest process was reformed
into a transparent, public airing of the facts when the LVMPD kills a member of
the public. The 2010 reforms did not make the process adversarial. They replaced
the jury and verdict with a panel and neutral factual findings. To help get at
the truth and ensure fairness, they also provided for participation by the
officers, family members, and the public. The reforms were responsive to
widespread concerns from citizens and the product of a democratic process and
public input. The Sheriff supported the reforms and they also had broad public
support (including from PLAN, the Las Vegas NAACP, NACJ, and the ACLU).
Why haven’t we had any inquests
since reforms were passed?
Unfortunately, the Police Protective Association (PPA) has fought
the implementation of the new inquest process, trying to avoid transparency.
The Nevada Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court of Nevada have both
rejected the PPA’s arguments that the process violated their rights, finding
that the coroner’s inquest is a fair process. The Nevada Legislature also
refused to abolish the inquest.
How can we fix the
inquests?
The Nevada Supreme Court recently held that justices of the peace
cannot preside over the inquests under current law. The Clark County Commission
can easily fix this technical, procedural issue if it has the political will to
stand up to the PPA. The issue regarding who should oversee inquests was not
part of the 2010 changes. The pre-2007 had hearing master, oversee inquests. Just
like justices of the peace, hearing masters are attorneys. They already oversee
non-officer homicide inquests and are qualified to preside over inquests into
officer-involved homicides.
Why should the inquest be
fixed?
The public deserves to know what happens when the LVMPD kills a
member of the community, and transparency is needed to restore the trust
between the LVMPD and the public. The County has spent significant sums of
money and time on the 2010 reform process, to defend the inquest in court, and
to lobby at the legislature. That money should not go to waste.
Most
importantly, since the 2010 changes were passed, there have been 22
officer-involved homicides. This means that a total of twenty two families now stand
in line waiting to learn the facts about how their loved ones were killed. Without
an inquest, there is no way for families to get direct access to information
about their family members’ deaths. The families and the public that employs
police officers want and deserve an open and transparent process in place so
they can assess the facts surrounding office-involved homicides themselves.
Is there any reason to wait?
There is no reason to keep delaying. While the PPA has appealed
the case it lost in federal court to the Ninth Circuit, there is no stay or
injunction in place and nothing stopping the inquest from moving forward. In
fact, both the Nevada Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court have already
determined that the process adequately protects the rights of officers. Even if the PPA continues to improperly refuse to allow
officers to participate regardless of whether the officers have any right to
the protection of the Fifth Amendment claim, the inquests can move forward.
Enough other evidence—evidence such as dispatch records, other witnesses,
reports, and even video in some cases—can tell the story of what happened.
No more excuses. Start the inquests. We
deserve to know.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mission Statement, Occupy Las Vegas, English/Spanish
http://occupylasvegas.org/
10/13/2011
Mission Statement: Occupy Las Vegas
The first questions that come out of anyone's mouth whenever a new political movement arises are, “Who are they?” and “What do they want?”
They are good questions that should be answered.
WHO are we?
We are the 99% of Americans who have not benefited from the various financial bailouts, tax breaks, and other subsidies that the dominant 1% of the population have gained over the past several years.
We are students, veterans, homemakers, workers, the unemployed, those on Social Security benefits, those whose savings and investments were either wiped out or greatly diminished by the economic fluctuations starting in 2007.
We are those who have had our homes foreclosed upon, those whose homes are about to be foreclosed, those whose homes are now worth a fraction of what we paid for them, and those who have never owned a home and don’t expect to ever be able to.
We are the newly poor who wonder how everything for which we worked hard vanished so quickly and how we and our families are going to survive.
We are the long-time poor, who have never had much of a chance, let alone a voice, to make our own way in our current social and economic system.
We come from all backgrounds, races, and religions.
We are concerned about and more than a bit scared by the directions in which we see our lives, and the lives of our families, friends, neighbors going, the directions in which we see our nation and the whole planet going, and we are angry with those who have taken us in those directions.
We are part of a much larger global and national movement that wants real changes in how the world is run.
In short, we're you, and you are one of us.
WHAT do we want?
We want an end to corporate money's influence in politics, whether through campaign donations, PACs, or other groups. Money is not speech.
We want truly effective campaign finance reform, so that corporations and other interests have no overwhelming advantage over the rest of us in any part of American politics.
We want far greater legal accountability for public officials and corporate executives, and we demand that, if found guilty of committing crimes while in office, they are made to pay for those crimes in full, like anyone else.
We want our justice system to treat everyone equally regardless of origins or social class, at all levels and at every stage, from investigations to trials and sentencing.
We want an end to the continual attacks on our social safety net and on the rights of workers to organize themselves and, if need be, to strike to get better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
We want secure and sustainable investments and improvements in our social infrastructure, like schools and libraries, and to create an America where everyone may actually live in a decent and dignified manner, an America where everyone's rights count and are respected by all.
This is who we are and what we want. We ask for no more and shall take no less.
We are the 99% and we will not be silenced.
Spanish Version:
¿Quiénes somos?
Somos el 99% de los estadounidenses que no se han beneficiado de los rescates financieros diversos, exenciones fiscales y otros subsidios que el discurso dominante del 1% de la población ha adquirido en los últimos años.
Somos estudiantes, trabajadores, desempleados, y los que benefician de la Seguridad Social, aquellos cuyos ahorros e inversiones fueron eliminados ya sea con o reducido en gran medida por las fluctuaciones económicas a partir de 2007.
Nosotros somos los que hemos tenido nuestras casas en ejecución hipotecaria, están a punto de tener que hacer a nosotros, o cuyas casas ahora valen una fracción de lo que pagamos por ellos.
Somos los nuevos pobres, que se preguntan cómo todo lo que hemos trabajado duro desapareció tan rápidamente, y cómo nosotros y nuestras familias van a sobrevivir.
Somos los pobres desde hace mucho tiempo, que nunca han tenido mucha oportunidad, mucho menos una voz, para hacer nuestro propio camino en nuestro actual sistema social y económico.
Venimos de todas las procedencias, razas y religiones.
Nos preocupa, y mucho más que un poco de miedo por las direcciones en que vemos nuestras vidas, las de nuestras familias, amigos, vecinos, nuestra nación y el planeta entero se va, y estamos enfadados con ellos, como todos nos han sido tratados en el pasado, y están siendo tratados ahora.
En resumen, usted, y usted es uno de nosotros.
¿Qué queremos?
Queremos poner fin a la influencia del dinero corporativo en la política, ya sea a través de donaciones de campaña, los PAC y otros grupos.
Queremos una reforma de financiamiento de campaña realmente efectiva, por lo que las corporaciones y otros intereses no tienen ninguna ventaja abrumadora sobre el resto de nosotros en cada parte de la política estadounidense.
Queremos que la rendición de cuentas mucho mayor seguridad jurídica para los funcionarios públicos y ejecutivos de empresas, y exigimos que, si son hallados culpables de cometer crímenes durante su mandato, se les hace pagar por ellos en su totalidad, como cualquier otra persona.
Queremos igualdad de trato de nuestro sistema de justicia en todos los niveles y en todas las etapas de las investigaciones, a través de juicios y condenas para todos, independientemente del origen o clase social.
Queremos poner fin a los continuos ataques a nuestra red de seguridad social, y sobre los derechos de los trabajadores a organizarse y, si fuera necesario, a la huelga para conseguir mejores salarios, beneficios y condiciones de trabajo.
Queremos inversiones seguras y sostenibles y la mejora de nuestra infraestructura social, como escuelas y bibliotecas, y para crear un país donde todo el mundo realmente puede vivir de una manera decente y digna, y contar con sus derechos y sean respetados por todos.
Esto es lo que somos y lo que queremos. Pedimos nada más, y no tomará menos. Somos el 99%, y que no será silenciada. "
10/13/2011
Mission Statement: Occupy Las Vegas
The first questions that come out of anyone's mouth whenever a new political movement arises are, “Who are they?” and “What do they want?”
They are good questions that should be answered.
WHO are we?
We are the 99% of Americans who have not benefited from the various financial bailouts, tax breaks, and other subsidies that the dominant 1% of the population have gained over the past several years.
We are students, veterans, homemakers, workers, the unemployed, those on Social Security benefits, those whose savings and investments were either wiped out or greatly diminished by the economic fluctuations starting in 2007.
We are those who have had our homes foreclosed upon, those whose homes are about to be foreclosed, those whose homes are now worth a fraction of what we paid for them, and those who have never owned a home and don’t expect to ever be able to.
We are the newly poor who wonder how everything for which we worked hard vanished so quickly and how we and our families are going to survive.
We are the long-time poor, who have never had much of a chance, let alone a voice, to make our own way in our current social and economic system.
We come from all backgrounds, races, and religions.
We are concerned about and more than a bit scared by the directions in which we see our lives, and the lives of our families, friends, neighbors going, the directions in which we see our nation and the whole planet going, and we are angry with those who have taken us in those directions.
We are part of a much larger global and national movement that wants real changes in how the world is run.
In short, we're you, and you are one of us.
WHAT do we want?
We want an end to corporate money's influence in politics, whether through campaign donations, PACs, or other groups. Money is not speech.
We want truly effective campaign finance reform, so that corporations and other interests have no overwhelming advantage over the rest of us in any part of American politics.
We want far greater legal accountability for public officials and corporate executives, and we demand that, if found guilty of committing crimes while in office, they are made to pay for those crimes in full, like anyone else.
We want our justice system to treat everyone equally regardless of origins or social class, at all levels and at every stage, from investigations to trials and sentencing.
We want an end to the continual attacks on our social safety net and on the rights of workers to organize themselves and, if need be, to strike to get better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
We want secure and sustainable investments and improvements in our social infrastructure, like schools and libraries, and to create an America where everyone may actually live in a decent and dignified manner, an America where everyone's rights count and are respected by all.
This is who we are and what we want. We ask for no more and shall take no less.
We are the 99% and we will not be silenced.
Spanish Version:
¿Quiénes somos?
Somos el 99% de los estadounidenses que no se han beneficiado de los rescates financieros diversos, exenciones fiscales y otros subsidios que el discurso dominante del 1% de la población ha adquirido en los últimos años.
Somos estudiantes, trabajadores, desempleados, y los que benefician de la Seguridad Social, aquellos cuyos ahorros e inversiones fueron eliminados ya sea con o reducido en gran medida por las fluctuaciones económicas a partir de 2007.
Nosotros somos los que hemos tenido nuestras casas en ejecución hipotecaria, están a punto de tener que hacer a nosotros, o cuyas casas ahora valen una fracción de lo que pagamos por ellos.
Somos los nuevos pobres, que se preguntan cómo todo lo que hemos trabajado duro desapareció tan rápidamente, y cómo nosotros y nuestras familias van a sobrevivir.
Somos los pobres desde hace mucho tiempo, que nunca han tenido mucha oportunidad, mucho menos una voz, para hacer nuestro propio camino en nuestro actual sistema social y económico.
Venimos de todas las procedencias, razas y religiones.
Nos preocupa, y mucho más que un poco de miedo por las direcciones en que vemos nuestras vidas, las de nuestras familias, amigos, vecinos, nuestra nación y el planeta entero se va, y estamos enfadados con ellos, como todos nos han sido tratados en el pasado, y están siendo tratados ahora.
En resumen, usted, y usted es uno de nosotros.
¿Qué queremos?
Queremos poner fin a la influencia del dinero corporativo en la política, ya sea a través de donaciones de campaña, los PAC y otros grupos.
Queremos una reforma de financiamiento de campaña realmente efectiva, por lo que las corporaciones y otros intereses no tienen ninguna ventaja abrumadora sobre el resto de nosotros en cada parte de la política estadounidense.
Queremos que la rendición de cuentas mucho mayor seguridad jurídica para los funcionarios públicos y ejecutivos de empresas, y exigimos que, si son hallados culpables de cometer crímenes durante su mandato, se les hace pagar por ellos en su totalidad, como cualquier otra persona.
Queremos igualdad de trato de nuestro sistema de justicia en todos los niveles y en todas las etapas de las investigaciones, a través de juicios y condenas para todos, independientemente del origen o clase social.
Queremos poner fin a los continuos ataques a nuestra red de seguridad social, y sobre los derechos de los trabajadores a organizarse y, si fuera necesario, a la huelga para conseguir mejores salarios, beneficios y condiciones de trabajo.
Queremos inversiones seguras y sostenibles y la mejora de nuestra infraestructura social, como escuelas y bibliotecas, y para crear un país donde todo el mundo realmente puede vivir de una manera decente y digna, y contar con sus derechos y sean respetados por todos.
Esto es lo que somos y lo que queremos. Pedimos nada más, y no tomará menos. Somos el 99%, y que no será silenciada. "
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Gail's Veggie Chili Beans
Gail's Veggie Chili Beans - No meat
I do not soak the beans over night. And, I do not bring them to a boil and let them soak, etc.
Total prep and cooking takes about 4 hours.
1 1/2 gallons of water in a large pot.
Put stove on high heat.
Rinse 1/2 gallon of pinto beans in strainer, add to pot of water. Stir.
Do not cover.
Cook on high, lower heat to medium high when necessary so the water and beans do not boil over the pot.
Add about 4-5 onions, chopped. Stir.
Add water to pot if necessary. Stir beans occasionally throughout the 4 hours.
When beans start to soften (this takes about 3 hours) add fresh diced tomatoes or one or two large cans of Crushed diced or crush peeled tomatoes with tomato puree or tomato paste to the pot of beans.
Alternative to the tomatoes is about 3 cups of spaghetti sauce.
Cook until beans are soft.
Add seasoning to pot of beans. I add the seasoning by eye. About 2-3 tablespoons.
I make a large batch of chili seasoning to last for a few servings. I use an empty spice bottle to put all the ingredients in. Then shake well to mix all the ingredients.
Seasoning:
12 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. cumin
4 tsp. oregano
4 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. onion salt
I do not soak the beans over night. And, I do not bring them to a boil and let them soak, etc.
Total prep and cooking takes about 4 hours.
1 1/2 gallons of water in a large pot.
Put stove on high heat.
Rinse 1/2 gallon of pinto beans in strainer, add to pot of water. Stir.
Do not cover.
Cook on high, lower heat to medium high when necessary so the water and beans do not boil over the pot.
Add about 4-5 onions, chopped. Stir.
Add water to pot if necessary. Stir beans occasionally throughout the 4 hours.
When beans start to soften (this takes about 3 hours) add fresh diced tomatoes or one or two large cans of Crushed diced or crush peeled tomatoes with tomato puree or tomato paste to the pot of beans.
Alternative to the tomatoes is about 3 cups of spaghetti sauce.
Cook until beans are soft.
Add seasoning to pot of beans. I add the seasoning by eye. About 2-3 tablespoons.
I make a large batch of chili seasoning to last for a few servings. I use an empty spice bottle to put all the ingredients in. Then shake well to mix all the ingredients.
Seasoning:
12 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. cumin
4 tsp. oregano
4 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. onion salt
Sharing Food - Soup
Vegetable Soup
In a large pot add water and put stove on high. Lower heat to medium if/when necessary.
ALL ingredients are optional.
Add:
2 onions, chopped
5-6 stalks celery, chopped
5-6 carrots, chopped
6-8 large potatoes, cubed
Optional, any other vegetable, fresh or frozen, ie. broccoli, mixed vegetables, green beans, peas, corn.
Optional, one or two cups of mixed lentil beans, raw split peas.
When vegetables are cooked or almost cooked, add to boiling water about 16 ounces of uncooked elbow macaroni or cut up spaghetti or any other macaroni.
Add seasoning. Seasoning can consist of a "touch" of salt, garlic, onion salt, oregano, and basil. Optional, if I have extra spaghetti sauce, I add 2-4 cups of sauce to this pot.
In a large pot add water and put stove on high. Lower heat to medium if/when necessary.
ALL ingredients are optional.
Add:
2 onions, chopped
5-6 stalks celery, chopped
5-6 carrots, chopped
6-8 large potatoes, cubed
Optional, any other vegetable, fresh or frozen, ie. broccoli, mixed vegetables, green beans, peas, corn.
Optional, one or two cups of mixed lentil beans, raw split peas.
When vegetables are cooked or almost cooked, add to boiling water about 16 ounces of uncooked elbow macaroni or cut up spaghetti or any other macaroni.
Add seasoning. Seasoning can consist of a "touch" of salt, garlic, onion salt, oregano, and basil. Optional, if I have extra spaghetti sauce, I add 2-4 cups of sauce to this pot.
Sharing Food - Rice
When sharing food at the park, I never use meat or meat base, fish or dairy products - when I prepare the food.
In the past, when we received already prepared products - donations from the stores - meat, fish, cheese, etc., we would immediately distribute the food to the needy rather than having it all go to waste.
Long grain brown rice when we have it, white rice if brown rice not available.
Optional - add chopped onion to water before adding rice.
1/2 gallon of water in large pot
Add a little vegetable oil to water
High heat until boiling
Add 1/4 gallon of rice and stir thoroughly for vegetable oil to prevent rice from sticking
Lower heat to a low, cover pot.
Rice is usually done when all water in the pot is gone.
White rice takes 15-20 minutes to cook.
Brown rice takes about 45-50 minutes to cook.
Seasoning for rice is optional, ie. salt.
If rice is done cooking for "awhile" and you need to get it hot again:
In a small pot, boil water, chopped onion, and seasoning to taste. Seasoning can consist of a "touch" of salt, garlic, onion salt, oregano, and basil. Optional, if I have extra spaghetti sauce, I add that to this pot and heat, reducing the amount of water.
In the past, when we received already prepared products - donations from the stores - meat, fish, cheese, etc., we would immediately distribute the food to the needy rather than having it all go to waste.
Long grain brown rice when we have it, white rice if brown rice not available.
Optional - add chopped onion to water before adding rice.
1/2 gallon of water in large pot
Add a little vegetable oil to water
High heat until boiling
Add 1/4 gallon of rice and stir thoroughly for vegetable oil to prevent rice from sticking
Lower heat to a low, cover pot.
Rice is usually done when all water in the pot is gone.
White rice takes 15-20 minutes to cook.
Brown rice takes about 45-50 minutes to cook.
Seasoning for rice is optional, ie. salt.
If rice is done cooking for "awhile" and you need to get it hot again:
In a small pot, boil water, chopped onion, and seasoning to taste. Seasoning can consist of a "touch" of salt, garlic, onion salt, oregano, and basil. Optional, if I have extra spaghetti sauce, I add that to this pot and heat, reducing the amount of water.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
THREE MORE ARRESTED FOR SHARING...
THREE MORE ARRESTED FOR SHARING FREE VEGAN MEALS WITH THE HUNGRY IN ORLANDO
by Keith McHenry on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 4:44pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2011
CONTACT:
Food Not Bombs
Keith McHenry - cofounder
575-770-3377
menu@foodnotbombs.net
www.foodnotbombs.net
Orlando Food Not Bombs
Benjamin Markeson
407-252-1379
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
"I'm always willing to talk, but we've offered them alternative sites to feed," Dyer said.
Thanks Buddy, then lets talk but we aren't going to accept an alternative site where it would be impossible to reach the public and seek a change in priorities so no American is forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen.
THREE MORE ARRESTED FOR SHARING FREE VEGAN MEALS WITH THE HUNGRY IN ORLANDO
FOOD NOT BOMBS PLANS TO SHARE DINNER AT LAKE EOLA PARK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, AT 5:30 PM
The City of Orlando has made a total of 15 arrested this June. Orlando Food Not Bombs offers once again to meet with the mayor. Buddy Dyer claims everyone has enough to eat in Orlando yet food providers claim otherwise. Food Not Bombs should have as much right as the corporations that just won Citizens United to reach as many people as possible with the message that in the world's wealthiest country that spends over 50 cents of every federal tax dollar no one should be forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen.
More arrests for homeless activists at Lake Eola in Orlando Florida
Pat Fitzpatrick, active with the No Meal Limit Campaign in Gainesville was arrested along with two local members of the group Orlando Food Not Bombs, Ashley Albinson, and Palmer Harrell. Orlando Food Not Bombs also hand delivered a letter to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting a meeting. The city failed to send anyone to the mediation ordered by the federal district judge and ignored other requests to talk with Food Not Bombs.
Mayor Buddy Dyer is telling the public that there isn't a problem with hunger in Orlando and that it is unnecessary to seek public support for changes in federal and local policies. Yet Second Harvest reports people are being turned away from the facilities Mayor Dyer claims are able to provide for everyone. Food Not Bombs invited everyone to attend the meals and talk with the people coming to eat to find out for themselves the true face of hunger in America.
Second Harvest in Orlando reported that over 55,000 people required food through their central Florida program. They also reported that 20.7% of the pantries, 10.1% of the kitchens and 33.0% of the shelters responded that they turned away clients during the past year. Their website also shows that 49% of the Central Florida Second Harvest clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for their rent or mortgage. This morning Orlando Regional Realtor Association announced that housing sales for May 2011 were 14.99 percent below May 2010. The people eating with Food Not Bombs eat with us because they need food. Many must choose between food or housing. Mayor Buddy Dyer and other officials must come to terms with the fact that we are in a crisis and hiding the problem of hunger is not a solution.
Nearly 1 billion people go without food every day world wide even though there is enough to feed everyone. Over 25,000 people die each day because they do not have enough to eat. Many of those going hungry live right here in cities like Orlando. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that over 15 percent of Americans were going with out food each month in 2009. That number has increased. Federal authorities also report that 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program in March 2011. Over 44 million Americans rely on food stamps to feed their families and the number continues to grow. Efforts to organize to end hunger should be supported not arrested. These staggering and painful statistics reflect the failure of priorities. No one should hungry in the world's wealthiest country.
###
Orlando Food Not Bombs delivers letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting meeting.
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/letter_to_mayor_received.pdf
Weapons of Mass Dining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgQDwtq16Es
More arrests for homeless activists at Lake Eola
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-homeless-feeding-demands-20110613,0,602586.story
Group issues demands as more activists arrested at Lake Eola
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-homeless-feeding-demands-20110613,0,602586.story
by Keith McHenry on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 4:44pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2011
CONTACT:
Food Not Bombs
Keith McHenry - cofounder
575-770-3377
menu@foodnotbombs.net
www.foodnotbombs.net
Orlando Food Not Bombs
Benjamin Markeson
407-252-1379
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
"I'm always willing to talk, but we've offered them alternative sites to feed," Dyer said.
Thanks Buddy, then lets talk but we aren't going to accept an alternative site where it would be impossible to reach the public and seek a change in priorities so no American is forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen.
THREE MORE ARRESTED FOR SHARING FREE VEGAN MEALS WITH THE HUNGRY IN ORLANDO
FOOD NOT BOMBS PLANS TO SHARE DINNER AT LAKE EOLA PARK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, AT 5:30 PM
The City of Orlando has made a total of 15 arrested this June. Orlando Food Not Bombs offers once again to meet with the mayor. Buddy Dyer claims everyone has enough to eat in Orlando yet food providers claim otherwise. Food Not Bombs should have as much right as the corporations that just won Citizens United to reach as many people as possible with the message that in the world's wealthiest country that spends over 50 cents of every federal tax dollar no one should be forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen.
More arrests for homeless activists at Lake Eola in Orlando Florida
Pat Fitzpatrick, active with the No Meal Limit Campaign in Gainesville was arrested along with two local members of the group Orlando Food Not Bombs, Ashley Albinson, and Palmer Harrell. Orlando Food Not Bombs also hand delivered a letter to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting a meeting. The city failed to send anyone to the mediation ordered by the federal district judge and ignored other requests to talk with Food Not Bombs.
Mayor Buddy Dyer is telling the public that there isn't a problem with hunger in Orlando and that it is unnecessary to seek public support for changes in federal and local policies. Yet Second Harvest reports people are being turned away from the facilities Mayor Dyer claims are able to provide for everyone. Food Not Bombs invited everyone to attend the meals and talk with the people coming to eat to find out for themselves the true face of hunger in America.
Second Harvest in Orlando reported that over 55,000 people required food through their central Florida program. They also reported that 20.7% of the pantries, 10.1% of the kitchens and 33.0% of the shelters responded that they turned away clients during the past year. Their website also shows that 49% of the Central Florida Second Harvest clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for their rent or mortgage. This morning Orlando Regional Realtor Association announced that housing sales for May 2011 were 14.99 percent below May 2010. The people eating with Food Not Bombs eat with us because they need food. Many must choose between food or housing. Mayor Buddy Dyer and other officials must come to terms with the fact that we are in a crisis and hiding the problem of hunger is not a solution.
Nearly 1 billion people go without food every day world wide even though there is enough to feed everyone. Over 25,000 people die each day because they do not have enough to eat. Many of those going hungry live right here in cities like Orlando. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that over 15 percent of Americans were going with out food each month in 2009. That number has increased. Federal authorities also report that 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program in March 2011. Over 44 million Americans rely on food stamps to feed their families and the number continues to grow. Efforts to organize to end hunger should be supported not arrested. These staggering and painful statistics reflect the failure of priorities. No one should hungry in the world's wealthiest country.
###
Orlando Food Not Bombs delivers letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting meeting.
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/letter_to_mayor_received.pdf
Weapons of Mass Dining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgQDwtq16Es
More arrests for homeless activists at Lake Eola
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-homeless-feeding-demands-20110613,0,602586.story
Group issues demands as more activists arrested at Lake Eola
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-homeless-feeding-demands-20110613,0,602586.story
Monday, June 13, 2011
Food Not Bombs - Public Service Announcement
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2011
CONTACT:
Food Not Bombs
Keith McHenry - cofounder
575-770-3377
menu@foodnotbombs.net
www.foodnotbombs.net
Orlando Food Not Bombs
Benjamin Markeson
407-252-1379
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
FOOD NOT BOMBS TO SHARE BREAKFAST AND PRESENT ORLANDO BUDDY DYER WITH A LETTER REQUESTING A MEETING.
Orlando Food Not Bombs also announces several events including A Day WIthout Food on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 and the Black Out Arrests Speak Out at City Hall on Monday, June 27, 2011.
More arrests possible during the June 13th Breakfast at Lake Eola Park. The meal starts at 9:30 AM and everyone is welcome. After the arrests everyone is invited to march to City Hall to deliver the group's letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting a meeting. Copies of the letter adopted at the June 10th Food Not Bombs meeting will be provided to the media outside city hall.
The Orlando police may arrest more volunteers at Lake Eola Park for sharing breakfast with more then 24 people. Support from all over the world is still pouring in. A group of friends emailed to say they would be driving down from Georgia to share food at Lake Eola Park on July 4th. The on-line petition started in Japan passed 1,000 signatures yesterday. People are making Youtube videos and sending them around the internet. A second online petition was started yesterday.
Local support is also building. A group of local home owners came out from their condominiums to express their support at Wednesday's dinner. Members of the Orlando Police, jailers and inmates have all told us that they think Buddy Dyer is wrong to arrest us. Everyone from the unions, churches, punk bands, and grocery store clerks to the guy at the copy shop and a woman waiting for her husband near Winn Dixie have offered help. Suggestions of every kind are being emailed or called in. The Detroit Underground gave out 150 sandwiches in solidarity and many other people have organized events in their cities in support.
I walked through the Parramore district of Orlando this afternoon talking with families on their porches and the community living under the 408 bridge. Parramore is on "the other side of the tracks" where many homes and business are owned by the African American community and the area of town where Mayor Buddy Dyer and his business associates intend to move their "homeless problem." Everyone I meet in Parramore was friendly, welcoming and once they realized I was with Food Not Bombs I was greeted with enthusiasm. A man that introduced himself as Tyler or "The Professor" called over to me as I left my van eager to talk with me. He told me he had been living on the streets of Orlando for years. He knew the important dates in the history Orlando Food Not Bombs from the early meals to the day when Eric was arrested to the announcement that we had lost the case in Atlanta. His friend took a photo of both of us with his cell phone. The staff at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission helped out giving flyers announcing our meals to everyone staying for the evening. The message we are hearing from Russia and Italy to Parramore was don't give up, keep on sharing food, we are behind you all the way.
And we wont give up!
###
CALENDAR OF FOOD NOT BOMBS ACTIONS IN ORLANDO
MONDAY, JUNE 13TH at 9:30 AM Risking arrest sharing breakfast at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
Presentation of the letter requesting a meeting with Mayor Buddy Dyer.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15h at 5:30 PM - Risking arrest sharing dinner at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
MONDAY, JUNE 20th at 9:30 AM Risking arrest sharing breakfast at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd at 5:30 PM - Risking arrest sharing dinner at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
MONDAY, JUNE 27th Breakfast at 9:30 AM and Black Out Arrests Speak Out at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 2:00 PM - 2nd floor, 400 S. Orange Ave. Wear black and come to speak at the city council meeting to ask for an end to the arrests.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29th at 5:30 PM - A Day Without Food at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
FRIDAY, JULY 1st at NOON - Free meal, cultural events and over night vigil outside Orlando City Hall
A DAY WITHOUT FOOD
FOR ONE BILLION PEOPLE JUNE 29th WILL BE A DAY WITHOUT FOOD
Join our fast, join us at Lake Eola Park and call Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at 407.246.2221
Nearly 1 billion people face a day without food every day. Over 25,000 die each day from hunger. Hunger is not limited to less developed countries, with over 15 percent of Americans going with out food each month. Federal authorities report that 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program in March 2011. Over 44 million Americans rely on food stamps to feed their families. Second Harvest in Orlando reported that over 55,000 people required food through their central Florida program. They also reported that 20.7% of the pantries, 10.1% of the kitchens and 33.0% of the shelters responded that they turned away clients during the past year. Their website also shows that 49% of the Central Florida Second Harvest clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for their rent or mortgage. These staggering and painful statistics reflect the failure of priorities. No one should hungry in the world's wealthiest country.
The City of Orlando started arresting people for sharing meals with the hungry on June 1, 2011. The city had arrested 12 volunteers by June 8th. The 11th Circuit Court ruled that the city could restrict Food Not Bombs to sharing only twice a year per park. The law is not limited to Orlando. Cities like Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Petersburg, and other Florida cities are also introducing laws restricting the sharing of food with the hungry. We encourage you to participate in these three actions in Orlando. If we defend the right to share food in protest to war and poverty in Orlando other cities will withdraw their anti-feeding laws.
(This campaign and letter to the mayor adopted at the Orlando Food Not Bombs meeting June 10, 2011)
FOOD NOT BOMBS
1-800-884-1136
Human Needs Not Corporate Greed vigil July 1, 2011 at your local city hall!
www.foodnotbombs.net/resist.html
I'm Going to Disney World…to get arrested sharing food with the hungry
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/im_going_to_disney_world.html
Orlando Food Not Bombs
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2011
CONTACT:
Food Not Bombs
Keith McHenry - cofounder
575-770-3377
menu@foodnotbombs.net
www.foodnotbombs.net
Orlando Food Not Bombs
Benjamin Markeson
407-252-1379
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
FOOD NOT BOMBS TO SHARE BREAKFAST AND PRESENT ORLANDO BUDDY DYER WITH A LETTER REQUESTING A MEETING.
Orlando Food Not Bombs also announces several events including A Day WIthout Food on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 and the Black Out Arrests Speak Out at City Hall on Monday, June 27, 2011.
More arrests possible during the June 13th Breakfast at Lake Eola Park. The meal starts at 9:30 AM and everyone is welcome. After the arrests everyone is invited to march to City Hall to deliver the group's letter to Mayor Buddy Dyer requesting a meeting. Copies of the letter adopted at the June 10th Food Not Bombs meeting will be provided to the media outside city hall.
The Orlando police may arrest more volunteers at Lake Eola Park for sharing breakfast with more then 24 people. Support from all over the world is still pouring in. A group of friends emailed to say they would be driving down from Georgia to share food at Lake Eola Park on July 4th. The on-line petition started in Japan passed 1,000 signatures yesterday. People are making Youtube videos and sending them around the internet. A second online petition was started yesterday.
Local support is also building. A group of local home owners came out from their condominiums to express their support at Wednesday's dinner. Members of the Orlando Police, jailers and inmates have all told us that they think Buddy Dyer is wrong to arrest us. Everyone from the unions, churches, punk bands, and grocery store clerks to the guy at the copy shop and a woman waiting for her husband near Winn Dixie have offered help. Suggestions of every kind are being emailed or called in. The Detroit Underground gave out 150 sandwiches in solidarity and many other people have organized events in their cities in support.
I walked through the Parramore district of Orlando this afternoon talking with families on their porches and the community living under the 408 bridge. Parramore is on "the other side of the tracks" where many homes and business are owned by the African American community and the area of town where Mayor Buddy Dyer and his business associates intend to move their "homeless problem." Everyone I meet in Parramore was friendly, welcoming and once they realized I was with Food Not Bombs I was greeted with enthusiasm. A man that introduced himself as Tyler or "The Professor" called over to me as I left my van eager to talk with me. He told me he had been living on the streets of Orlando for years. He knew the important dates in the history Orlando Food Not Bombs from the early meals to the day when Eric was arrested to the announcement that we had lost the case in Atlanta. His friend took a photo of both of us with his cell phone. The staff at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission helped out giving flyers announcing our meals to everyone staying for the evening. The message we are hearing from Russia and Italy to Parramore was don't give up, keep on sharing food, we are behind you all the way.
And we wont give up!
###
CALENDAR OF FOOD NOT BOMBS ACTIONS IN ORLANDO
MONDAY, JUNE 13TH at 9:30 AM Risking arrest sharing breakfast at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
Presentation of the letter requesting a meeting with Mayor Buddy Dyer.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15h at 5:30 PM - Risking arrest sharing dinner at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
MONDAY, JUNE 20th at 9:30 AM Risking arrest sharing breakfast at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd at 5:30 PM - Risking arrest sharing dinner at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
MONDAY, JUNE 27th Breakfast at 9:30 AM and Black Out Arrests Speak Out at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 2:00 PM - 2nd floor, 400 S. Orange Ave. Wear black and come to speak at the city council meeting to ask for an end to the arrests.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29th at 5:30 PM - A Day Without Food at Lake Eola Park, corner of Central and Osceola, Orlando
FRIDAY, JULY 1st at NOON - Free meal, cultural events and over night vigil outside Orlando City Hall
A DAY WITHOUT FOOD
FOR ONE BILLION PEOPLE JUNE 29th WILL BE A DAY WITHOUT FOOD
Join our fast, join us at Lake Eola Park and call Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at 407.246.2221
Nearly 1 billion people face a day without food every day. Over 25,000 die each day from hunger. Hunger is not limited to less developed countries, with over 15 percent of Americans going with out food each month. Federal authorities report that 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program in March 2011. Over 44 million Americans rely on food stamps to feed their families. Second Harvest in Orlando reported that over 55,000 people required food through their central Florida program. They also reported that 20.7% of the pantries, 10.1% of the kitchens and 33.0% of the shelters responded that they turned away clients during the past year. Their website also shows that 49% of the Central Florida Second Harvest clients had to choose between paying for food and paying for their rent or mortgage. These staggering and painful statistics reflect the failure of priorities. No one should hungry in the world's wealthiest country.
The City of Orlando started arresting people for sharing meals with the hungry on June 1, 2011. The city had arrested 12 volunteers by June 8th. The 11th Circuit Court ruled that the city could restrict Food Not Bombs to sharing only twice a year per park. The law is not limited to Orlando. Cities like Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Petersburg, and other Florida cities are also introducing laws restricting the sharing of food with the hungry. We encourage you to participate in these three actions in Orlando. If we defend the right to share food in protest to war and poverty in Orlando other cities will withdraw their anti-feeding laws.
(This campaign and letter to the mayor adopted at the Orlando Food Not Bombs meeting June 10, 2011)
FOOD NOT BOMBS
1-800-884-1136
Human Needs Not Corporate Greed vigil July 1, 2011 at your local city hall!
www.foodnotbombs.net/resist.html
I'm Going to Disney World…to get arrested sharing food with the hungry
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/im_going_to_disney_world.html
Orlando Food Not Bombs
www.orlandofoodnotbombs.org
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Chris Giunchigliani Speaks About Homelessness in Las Vegas
Posted by Cliff Harrison
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Chris Giunchigliani Speaks About Homelessness in Las Vegas
I took this photo during my last week of homelessness in June 2010
Tired Eyes
By Cliff Harrison
The following is a statement from Las Vegas mayoral candidate, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, in response to my communication with her.
I had sent her this message:
Chris;
Oscar Goodman and his administration was hostile toward the homeless and in many cases abusive and even illegal. How do you intend to treat the homeless and poor citizens of Las Vegas if you become mayor? What exactly would you do? --Cliff Harrison
She replied with this eloquent response:
Hi Cliff,
Thanks for your question. First, we should not lump all homeless into the same category. I’ve taught homeless children who were part of an entire family sleeping in one small car. I’ve known elderly whose apartments were torn down and converted and they lacked the money for a new deposit and the transportation to get there. I’ve met with homeless veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and I’ve gone out after midnight to assist in taking a census of the homeless. I know that some have mental disorders, are unable or unwilling to take their medications, and sometimes self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Some simply just don’t want to be a part of “regular” society. And others are just like some of your neighbors—one paycheck away from economic collapse.
These different groups must be approached differently. But I believe each person must be treated as compassionately as possible. I do know that forcing homeless out of one area only forces them into another—it doesn’t solve the problem. For some, there may be no “solution.” For others, shelter, showers, and durable footwear make the difference. Working with the County Administrator to handle Social Security checks can help. Medical and psychological assistance is needed. We can’t allow people to use homeowners’ lawns as their toilets, but throwing the homeless into jail doesn’t solve the problem either—and it’s very costly to taxpayers.
We have to break this into parts, and coordinate activities to reduce duplication and increase coverage. I strongly believe that charitable groups can show us the way, and in this case government should often follow instead of lead. Government can fill a function by providing humane shelters from the stifling heat of summer, the cold of winter, and spread them out instead of clustering all of the homeless into a single area. I know it isn’t always popular, but as Mayor I will not bulldoze down a homeless encampment until there is an alternative available to the human beings who live there.
Hope that answers your question. Early voting is now underway, would love to have your vote.
Thanks for reaching out,
Chris
I appreciate Commissioner Giunchigliani's prompt reply. As evident she applied careful thought and time in her response and I thought an accurate description of the homeless situation which means she could, as mayor, deliver an end to the atrocities of the homeless in the Las Vegas Valley.
Until election day we'll be discussing this issue but for now let's absorb this statement and judge what alternative we have if we do not elect Chris Giunchigliani as mayor. What do we have to look forward to with a Goodman win? Another 12 years of human rights violations? You've got the conch. It's your turn to speak.
Posted by Cliff Harrison
http://riverorganization.blogspot.com/2011/0http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif5/chris-giunchigliani-speaks-about.html
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Chris Giunchigliani Speaks About Homelessness in Las Vegas
I took this photo during my last week of homelessness in June 2010
Tired Eyes
By Cliff Harrison
The following is a statement from Las Vegas mayoral candidate, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, in response to my communication with her.
I had sent her this message:
Chris;
Oscar Goodman and his administration was hostile toward the homeless and in many cases abusive and even illegal. How do you intend to treat the homeless and poor citizens of Las Vegas if you become mayor? What exactly would you do? --Cliff Harrison
She replied with this eloquent response:
Hi Cliff,
Thanks for your question. First, we should not lump all homeless into the same category. I’ve taught homeless children who were part of an entire family sleeping in one small car. I’ve known elderly whose apartments were torn down and converted and they lacked the money for a new deposit and the transportation to get there. I’ve met with homeless veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and I’ve gone out after midnight to assist in taking a census of the homeless. I know that some have mental disorders, are unable or unwilling to take their medications, and sometimes self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Some simply just don’t want to be a part of “regular” society. And others are just like some of your neighbors—one paycheck away from economic collapse.
These different groups must be approached differently. But I believe each person must be treated as compassionately as possible. I do know that forcing homeless out of one area only forces them into another—it doesn’t solve the problem. For some, there may be no “solution.” For others, shelter, showers, and durable footwear make the difference. Working with the County Administrator to handle Social Security checks can help. Medical and psychological assistance is needed. We can’t allow people to use homeowners’ lawns as their toilets, but throwing the homeless into jail doesn’t solve the problem either—and it’s very costly to taxpayers.
We have to break this into parts, and coordinate activities to reduce duplication and increase coverage. I strongly believe that charitable groups can show us the way, and in this case government should often follow instead of lead. Government can fill a function by providing humane shelters from the stifling heat of summer, the cold of winter, and spread them out instead of clustering all of the homeless into a single area. I know it isn’t always popular, but as Mayor I will not bulldoze down a homeless encampment until there is an alternative available to the human beings who live there.
Hope that answers your question. Early voting is now underway, would love to have your vote.
Thanks for reaching out,
Chris
I appreciate Commissioner Giunchigliani's prompt reply. As evident she applied careful thought and time in her response and I thought an accurate description of the homeless situation which means she could, as mayor, deliver an end to the atrocities of the homeless in the Las Vegas Valley.
Until election day we'll be discussing this issue but for now let's absorb this statement and judge what alternative we have if we do not elect Chris Giunchigliani as mayor. What do we have to look forward to with a Goodman win? Another 12 years of human rights violations? You've got the conch. It's your turn to speak.
Posted by Cliff Harrison
http://riverorganization.blogspot.com/2011/0http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif5/chris-giunchigliani-speaks-about.html
The Unforgiven: Hopes for Forgiveness and Healing
Posted by Cliff Harrison
I feel I am well enough to make a series of statements in my blogs on the network in regards to the local race for mayor of the City of Las Vegas. I have missed many opportunities to discuss the events as they unfolded and failed to participate in active discussion due to my sickness as many of you are aware of. However, I believe I can complete these articles, commentaries or statements so that those who follow my various blogs through subscription notices or otherwise can be aware of the most recent development concerning homelessness--my communication with Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani.
(Chris Giunchigliani: june-kil-e-ah-nee )
The next post will show Commissioner Giunchigliani’s communication with me and why I now support her for mayor in the June 2011 Las Vegas election.
My previous words have not been kind about Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. We are at the extreme opposite ends of political convictions. I have been extremely outspoken in the past against Chris Giunchigliani for her work as a local politician, as a county commissioner, a board member of RTC, UMC, and several other issues concerning the community especially homelessness.
With the mindset of a manager, of which I’ve spent my life, I’m a chain of command type of guy. As a manager I’ve always held the conviction that whatever occurred below me was directly my business and responsibility. It was my fault rather the end result was good or bad. Whatever occurred above me was also my responsibility as in the duties of the powers of persuasion. It was my job to persuade my boss to adapt a certain level of administrative attitude or style in our management policy and practice.
Therefore, I always hold those at the top responsible for whatever happens below them. Lack of knowledge is not an excuse because it is their duty to know what is going on in their area of management. With that in mind, one ought to see clearly why I blame those in charge when something goes wrong--or praise the leaders when something goes right.
I’ve tried to forgive those in political power in the Las Vegas community for their unrighteousness against the community's homeless and poor. I have weaken in my own duties to God and try as I may, forgiveness is something I continue to struggle with. Forgiving them would be like asking the devil to burn a cross on my forehead. It’s the right sign but the wrong hand writing the signature.
I was severely hurt while homeless in Las Vegas and so were an awful lot of other people. I was abused. I was treated illegally and inhumanely by the local officials and my absolute rights were refused or taken away and those scars will never go away.
One formerly homeless individual who was my associate while I was homeless, and continues to be my friend today, Shay Elliot, in speaking about my decision on rather or not to sue the City of Las Vegas and the County of Clark (as well as individual politicians responsible and neglectful), said “Forgive them after you sue them.” As humorous as it sounds, it is a choice option. I am under no pressure to sue as I have plenty of time before the statue of limitation runs out and under legal authority, allowed by special circumstances, I could receive extensions on that statue of limitations. I’m not going to elaborate here. I’d rather forgive and see real change than to litigate something which is an evil caused by a handful of people.
The best solution is to change those at the top, the managers. In this case, Goodman. Then perhaps I can begin forgiving. But never, ever forgetting.
It’s hard to like bees while you are still being stung.
I would not publish something that was communicated and taken in private--that did not concern a public issue--without permission from the one I communicated with. Commissioner Giunchigliani has agreed to have this correspondence published on the network. I do so because I want others, those who have not yet voted, or who are still undecided who to vote for as the next mayor of Las Vegas to read her statement. I also do so for the many concerned people out there, particularly the Christians who work with the homeless to know Commissioner Giunchigliani’s position--her attitude.
I was impressed with Commissioner Giunchigliani response to my inquiry. I not only share that statement, but under the consideration I hereby endorse Chris Giunchigliani for mayor of Las Vegas and ask that you vote for her as well as suggest to your friends to do the same.
Any of us who are homeless, have been homeless or helped the homeless during Oscar Goodman’s administration personally know the atrocities that Goodman and his thugs have welded upon the innocent and often defenseless homeless citizens of this community.
Chris Giunchigliani offers a change, a real change to those evil acts Goodman’s reign has inflicted upon the ten’s of thousands of homeless people in his twelve-year dictatorship.
Although our political differences couldn’t be farther apart, in regards to the humanitarian issues involving the homeless and poor, Chris Giunchigliani and I seem to tightly bond with the same attitude. Sometimes one must make a sacrifice--give up something to gain something--and this is one of those times.
No matter what political, social, economical or religious issue you discuss, nothing, but nothing is more important than how a community treats its people once they have lost everything they ever owned. When you have nothing you have nothing to lose and when you have nothing to lose the powers that be in your community decides your destiny, your fate. The humanitarianism decides rather you live or die, sometimes literally if not symbolically.
I’m eager, as Commissioner Giunchigliani mentions in her statement to me, “win or lose” (her mayor race), of opening a line of communication and discussion to help solve problems of the homelessness in our community as well as issues concerning UMC and other community problems.
I’d much rather contribute to bring about change in a constructive way in this manner of communication than by the use of the courtrooms. I’d much rather compromise and forgive than carry the Ax of Hostility into yet another battle. Besides, doing so would be the Christian way. But before I put the ax down a brutal, relentless dictator--Oscar Goodman--must go. And that means his wife can not be mayor for we all know that Oscar would continue to be actively involved in Las Vegas politics and we can not allow that to happen.
We have a choice between two people, Goodman and Giunchigliani. We know without a shadow of a doubt where Goodman will lead us--not down the road we want to travel. Giunchigliani’s correspondence gives us a sincere hope for real change for the homeless and poor citizens of this community. A change for the better. A change for a breath of fresh air without the pungency of Oscar Goodman’s hostility.
So, join me in supporting Chris Giunchigliani as the next mayor of Las Vegas. Read her statement http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifin Chris Giunchigliani Speaks About Homelessness in Las Vegas in the next post. It is a door that I knocked on. It is a door that has opened.
I wish I was in better health and could keep my blogs more up-to-date, but until then help make real change in the lives of the poor homeless souls in the Las Vegas Valley.
Posted by Cliff Harrison
http://riverorganization.blogspot.com/2011/05/unforgiven-hopes-for-forgiveness-and.html
Tired Eyes
Posted by Cliff Harrison
Safety On A Bus. On the Paradise 108 Bus.
For lots of homeless people, especially the elderly, the city buses are the only place to sleep. Safety is in the numbers. Normally, the CAT bus drivers would be screaming if they caught anyone sleeping on the bus. Under the Mayor Oscar Goodman administration American citizens are denied their most basic rights. The corrupt city and county officials of Las Vegas and Clark County have held an aggressive, hostile campaign over the Vally's homeless. On any given night there are as many as 15,000 homeless people in Las Vegas. More than 50,000 people experience homelessness ehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifvery year in Vegas. With the Great Recession and with Vegas being number one in the nation in unemployment and home foreclosure those numbers might be much, much higher. Not a single Nevada State or Federal Government agency has intervened on behalf of the homeless citizens to halt the illegal police state actions of corrupt Las Vegas officials.
Posted by Cliff Harrison
http://homelesseyes.blogspot.com/2011/04/tired-eyes.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)