In Defense of Homelessness

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? this is the most idiotic perspective and argument I have heard yet. You need to write for the newspress, not the Independent. Your stupidity belongs on De La Guerra Street.

By this same rationale, wearing no clothes is natural. When men expose their genitals to young girls, this should be deemed natural, hence normal. We should walk around nude and without a house, seeking all natural needs such as "a pint of vodka". Only bad people live in first world countries? There is no mass genocide in Africa and south east Asia? where there are millions without houses? (don't defend this b/c the bad warlords all have houses)

The "average citizen" across this nation is not losing site of your ridiculous idea that homelessness is a natural state; in contrast the average citizen views people that choose homelessness as those who fail to be a part of a modern and civil society and who also reject the modern establishment. Homelessness is a state of instability, and modern people treat instability much like a cancer is instable to the cells of a human body; they seek to be rid of it.

I live in a home, and I have never tried to extract every cent you ever earned. The next time I see a guy urinating on someone else's front lawn, I would only imagine that the guy inside the house may be urinating in his own toilet. ( your analogies are horrible ) One thing that connects social monsters is that they all have names; if you give me one bad person without a name I will give you 200 that have names (see how lame your argument is)

Enough said. Man up.

@ Siz

This is the "OPINIONS" column, and open to all writers, much like the "Letters" area. The web publication of this submission by Mr. Myers, does not make him an employee of the Santa Barbara Independent.

That being said, it also represents a viewpoint which, for all of your apparently well educated use of grammar and spelling, seems to show you as lacking of an actual understanding of the English language, as regards subtlety, sarcasm, or humour.

BTW, most people don't "choose to be homeless".

Is this sarcastic essay also going to be sent to The Onion?

I am "homeless" right now, and I only agree with one instance in this guy's opinion, and that one thing is people do try and move the problem, or get rid of the problem, by throwing money at it or just voting on some "ammendment" during the election season. Fact is, you're going to have those who want to be out here, and those who don't want to be out here, but in any case, we're all going to be lumped-in to the same category, as the "whino" who doesn't want to work, and only wants to get drunk on "vodka."

I do not fit into that category, but that's how I am perceived by the general public, regardless.

This guy's analogies are horrendous, however, and very convoluted. I mean, my parents' lived in houses their entire lives, and they didn't try to kill anyone, or take someone's last dollar, so I do have to agree with the guy who took issue with that.

Having an economy in ruins doesn't help us either. People, including police, seem to have short memories, or are just posturing obtuse when they ask us, "Why aren't you working?" Along with a large influx of "illegal immigrants" in this area of the country (I'm going to write a piece on this subject and how it ties to the homless problem at a later time.), the economy is a key factor in why a lot of us are in such trouble right now.

There are no easy answers for us, the police chase us away from the ramps, where we can make a pretty good buck "flying signs," because they say it's "unsafe," but I know better. It's not too aesthetically pleasing to see some "dirty tramp" in your town doing this, but unless someone comes up with a better idea than Labor Ready (Slaves-R-Ready I like to call them.), this might be the only way some people have to make a buck when they're down on their luck.

There is one thing some people out here can involve themselves in, and that's going back to college. If you do not have your high school diploma, get your G.E.D., and then apply for grant and loan money, and get into college. When the economy is down, school is a valid option, which I just may leap-in to by next semester.

Good luck to all my fellow brothers and sisters out here, and the next time you see one of us, please, don't judge us too harshly, we're trying the best we can just to survive. Once you're out here, it's very difficult to climb out.

Lets call these guys what they are, BUMS. SB is expensive and has few jobs so those that are here are lazy slackers. Why would anybody who really wants to improve their situation come here? Only to remain homeless and be a mooch and bum. If one really wanted to improve their situation and excel and make something of themselves, they would go to a town with more jobs and a lower cost of living.

My comments apply to all. There are many people in SB living in homes or other structures who are kidding themselves and who shouldn't be living in this town. Now it is true they have a right to live here but then don't bitch about being poor or having nothing as you chose the lifestyle!

My better instincts tell me not to validate any of the negative comments I'm reading here with a reply but I've never been one to fall prey to my better instincts, so here goes. To those who recognized my little peice for what it was: a sarcastic and humorous take on the ongoing debate over homelessness in Santa Barbara, I applaude your keen perceptions. As for those who took me seriously I can only wonder how they managed to read the article at all. Perhaps they had someone read it to them, in which case they should have had that person explain it to them as well. In any case, I appreciate all the comments, at least folks are reading it...Wayne

With so many clueless liberal apologists out there it is hard to separate satire from some people's version of reality!

For the idiot who asks why we are here right now? Well, for one, when you are "homeless," and it's November, you go where the weather is not so harsh. Believe me, I'd rather be up in Arcata right now, because people up there aren't as judgemental about folks who are down on their luck, and try to give them a "hand-up" not a "hand-out." The further south you go, though, the more attitude you have to deal with concerning this topic.

El_Informador, yeah, my guess is you have an uncle who has taken a job away from me here, and will continue to do so.

Oh, and there IS work here, just not for an American citizen, obviously.

Suleminagic:"Oh, and there IS work here, just not for an American citizen, obviously."

Oh, yeah, blame it on us Latinos, that's the ticket. Smooth, REAL smooth :) henry

Hey, I "blame" who is affecting my life, and at this time of my life, with this economy and not many jobs at hand, people like me, an AMERICAN CITIZEN should get PRESIDENCE over those who are NOT CITIZENS!

That's all I'm saying! Why should *I* have to suffer, or go hungry because someone is here ILLEGALLY, and they're doing the job *I* need for less money, undercutting me around every corner?!

Why is that "racist"?! It isn't, in fact, but reality, instead.

There's 10 million of us unemployed right now in this country, and I'm one of them, and I'm not getting any "unemployment" either.

Hey, maybe if I go to Mexico, declare citizenship, and then sneak back over to America, maybe *THEN* I can get a job!

And I'm NOT-EVEN-KIDDING.

"I lived in a hole in the side of a hill for more than a year and yet I was counted among the “homeless” by those in authority, and so a cave is not a home, and “cavemen” were homeless men. I stand by that."

So since I assume you now live in a home--as defined by traditional standards--you will now become like the deviants you described?

OK, now for the serious part: If one chooses to be homeless I defend that right, but many (I don't know what percentage) choose NOT to be. You talk about people running around naked without shelter; that works if you live in the tropics but since most live in places where it gets below 70 degrees, we have to have homes.

Your witticism would be funny if it were not for the fact that many people are homeless in cold places as those of us who are lucky enough can crank the heat up at night. Like Pritchett said: This sounds like a piece one would see in The Onion.

Meanwhile, people are freezing on the mean streets of the most "developed" country in the world.

Suliminagic, sorry bro, I am a US citizen too, although born in Cuba, a happily employed, married, self-sufficient US citizen who works his butt off so a "homeless" guy like yourself can reap the benefits of our welfare system because he won't take a "lesser" job that a supposed non US citizen would.
See, the word "supposed" applies to you too because I just categorized you in the category of a bum that won't take a job because it is actually work & you'd rather panhandle & accept federal assistance. Is that your gig?
That was based on your assertion of being homeless & being lumped into a category. Nice to be lumped, like you lumped people who work @ a job you won't take.
I agree w/ immigration control, trust me. I don't agree w/ the assertion that you can't get a job, especially after stating you wouldn't take a job "not for an American citizen" :) henry

I don't know who the author is, but it's pretty clear this piece was a satire and he's having y'all on.

What he so cleverly pointed up is the ludicrousness of generalization based on stereotyping. "All Blacks have rhythm", "All Whites are bad people", "All Mexicans are illegals", "All homeless and poor people are BUMS".

If you see yourself as having made any of those ridiculous comments, here's your sign....

My comments aren't about the actual article, just a reply to a comment by Suliminagic that really didn't have to do w/ homeless issues. Sorry for that, almost a hijack.
As for the article itself, interesting, got lost on a few points, but maybe that was the gray area between real & not :) henry

Addressing the illegal alien issue:

They are here because
A: it sucks where they come from and they see that here is better,
B: The US has no shortage of greedy employers who are thrilled at the prospect of hiring a subservient, non-English-speaking individual for $6.00 an hour to work under slavish, illegal and unsafe conditions and
C. The rest of us look the other way and spout tired old chestnuts like "Our economy would collapse without them" and "they do the work Americans won't do."

Which is utter codswallop.

I have lived in areas of the country where they haven't fallen prey to the siren song of cheap slave labor and guess what? There are plenty of Americans and legal immigrants doing all those jobs, at fair, legal wages, under fair, lawful working conditions.

It ALL boils down to taking advantage of the desperation of other human beings. Dressing greed up as compassion does not alter the fact that it is still greed dressed up in sheep's clothing. If you can't afford to pay people a decent wage to mow your lawn or watch your kids then here's a newsflash: you can't afford the lawn or the kids!

It really IS that simple.

We also need to force the governments of origin of these illegals to take care of their own people and stop using the US as a giant ATM machine. They are not going to do this voluntarily because:
A: by allowing the poor conditions at home, they get rid of their unwanted lower-echelon people
B:those unwanted people turn into suppliers of US Dollars via remittances home and
C: the US is more than happy to look the other way as those unwanted people slave away for pennies here.

Again...it IS that simple.

Wayne: the fact that many readers failed to interpret your opinion piece as satire is not, as you so discourteously suggest, due to their inability to read; I suggest instead that it's due to your inability to write. Your writing is neither funny, ironic, nor witty - and thus has none of the hallmarks of satire. It really did read like an incredibly moronic diatribe, unfortunately.

Also, here's a tip from someone who's been published many times, both in print and on websites: never comment on your own articles. The fact that you felt it necessary to do so simply emphasizes the fact that your piece utterly failed to stand on its own as a point of view; responding to comments on your own articles is also very bad form.

By the way, Holly, right on.

sheesh, you guys are taking me, and yourselves, way too seriously. Still, vfaluwshe, thanks for the spanking, you're probably right on all counts. As someone who has not been published many times, in print, on websites or anywhere else, I guess I got a little excited...

Maybe we were had by satire, but nonetheless since the name "Hitler" was mentioned in your letter and that violates the rule of Godwin's Law. I will have our official enforcer "Binky" make a calling on this and you run the risk of having him/her declare this thread null and void.

Wayne has every right to comment on this thread and his comments have been perfectfully fine. On the other hand, the writing seems to evince a certain obsession with evil which is disturbing. Wayne you need to lay off the court TV or wherever it is you pick up all of this garbage, clear out your system, and imbibe a healthier root source of inspiration. I would rather see a list of good homed or homeless people, to wit, the following were homeless for signifigant periods:

Jesus
Moses
Siddhartha
Muhammed
Baha'ullah

Now, to follow your line of reasoning, the following live not only in structures, but palaces:

The very Devil hisself

who no doubt has gold fixtures on the s*****r and marble floors. But that is also true of all the BUMS who caused the current mortgage crisis...many of whom pulled multi million dollar bonuses out of failing banks ... and so to carry Wayne's one good idea which would make a better, rewritten, article, suitable for submission to The Onion or Mother Jones or CounterPunch: the Root Cause of Homedness is perhaps the home mortgage interest deduction and the capital gains rollover, which amounts to a subsidy for homeowners and landlords.

A homeless person who does work a job, as some certainly do, who pays FICA and regular income and SS witholding tax, actually then subsidizes people who participate in tax subsidies for real estate ownership. Which said subsidies are part of the reason for the ensuing mortgage loan craze, the bubble and crash, and the multibillion dollar bailout for "those BUMS".

Probably about .5 % of the cost of the mortgage bailout, directed to providing low cost temporary housing could mitigate most of the effects of homelessness. But, for free, we can drop the stereotypes promulgated by Wayne and others in this thread. Most homeless people who don't drink and drug don't drink and drug. And many homed do. But the latter are more likely to barrel down the highway as drunk drivers as few homeless own cars and drive.

Which all goes to show (1) stereotypes are bad and stupid and it does not matter whether they are promulgated by Wayne or his hecklers and (2) we who read this thread and comment are probably the only ones who care enough to argue, which means that we are really a readership community and gotta hand it to each other for caring enough to want to argue. And ultimately, we in this thread have more in common with each other then we think, which points right back to the command of Jesus to love not only your brother and your neighbor but also your enemy...

"Birds have nests and foxes have holes, but the son of man hath nowhere to lay his head." = Gospel of Matthew

Dearest Witness,

Our thinking on this subject is more alike than different. Allow me to offer you this example, a paragraph from my original, unedited essay:

"On the other hand, there seems to be a tendency for good folks to wander the countryside unencumbered by walls and doors, free of stucco, unfettered by lathe, plaster and paint. History supports this notion. Jesus, at least during his ministry, chose to throw off the shackles of residency and urged his disciples to do the same. Except for his brief sojourns with friends, usually to observe some holy-day or other, or his visits to the homes of needy sinners, the Lord mostly lay his head upon his own folded hands and slept beneath the stars (in full view of the Father). Buddha, too, chose the wilderness route. He did not have his moment of enlightenment beneath a chandelier but beneath a tree. The biggest problem with naming all the Saints and Holy Ones who shunned the abodes of more common men and made the forest and the desert their home is that there are so many. Evil men have taken to the forest, I’ll admit, but usually only for as long as it took them to drive some innocent out of their home or to find their way to the gallows. Evil men love stout doors and sumptuous couches. "

Shibboleth

To those saying that they can't get jobs because they are undercut by illegals, I say, RIDICULOUS! You can not survive in Santa Barbara on what they pay the illegals. Find another excuse.

There was a time when people were told that the US economy needed them and they should come and not to worry about the paperwork. That was big government bureacratic red tape. The spirit of entreprenuership said screw the paperwork, just slip into the country and we'll be happy to have you at work here.

This was all good red blooded American spirit of free enterprise. And to worry about green cards and all that was namby pamby. It was lib-er-alls who were into documentation. Real Americans said fie on that and just grabbed a hammer and got up at the crack of dawn and built all those overfinanced houses which underlie the current mortgage fiasco.

Now all of a sudden in the last few years we are pulling the rug out from under them. It is like when someone is your best friends and then they say we don't like you anymore. You have the coodies.

In 1999 yeah we were all for ya. Amigos.

Then in 2005 - having really nothing to do with 9/11 - all of a sudden its like you have the coodies. You who are brown.

So what kind of people are we Americans. Are we false friends and turn coats. Are we gonna now blame our old amigos for all our problems?

Or are we going to show that we are good people and the good people who have, um, outstanding documentation issues, will, eventually be worked back into some kind of fair status.

And ditto Asarno. As hard as they work, I would not b***h too loudly. I don't see a whole lot of gringos out there picking blueberries for twelve hour shifts at $5 an hour.

Holly, my dear, methinks the lady doth protest too much.

Yeah, we see your point. But get with it. Enough infighting between oppressed groups. That is exactly what Satan loves to see.

And Wayne, keep fighting the good fight.

eyewitness: From what I've seen, the people on the street have always wanted legal entry and it's the government and business interests that have encouraged this mass entry. As I say, it's what *I* have seen but since I'm assuming we don't run in the same social circle and maybe don't even live in the same area, your experiences may be totally different.

Using my point that it's the *government* that is the main problem, I will agree with you that the U.S. government is hypocritical on this issue. Politicians talk out one side of their collective mouth about the need for law and order and "coming in the right way", yet we have a president who says "they do the work Americans simply won't do".

By the way, the last time I heard the word "fie" was on a kids show back in my youth in Chicago where the protagonist used it on a regular basis. If you are referencing that show, than let me know. Also coincidentally, the name "Asarno" was that of a teacher that taught at my school back there as well. No doubt coincidences.

Check it WAYNE. Homeless people are leaches. They want hand outs. That is why people have a problem with homeless. They don't do anything useful, they just exist. That is the problem. Maybe if the homeless were at the labor line like the rest of the people (who am I kidding, latinos) who want to make a change, fighting for a chance to work I would feel different. But they don't do anything except ask for spare change, a hand out. To me that is a waste of space, a waste of a citizen when plenty of people would die to come here. Seriously Wayne, homeless don't provide the world with anything useful. Show me something useful that they do and maybe I might listen, but I won't give a penny away. THANKS

I feel your pain. But, on the other hands, lots of people do end up "between residencies". For instance, the monks from the burned out Anglican monastery. One might say they don't "do" anything, but pray and bless visitors and intervene with God for the ailing, the troubled, the dying and the lost sheep. It is hard to really generalize without throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
I know one chronic homeless guy, a Vietnam vet, over sixty years old. Yes, he is a bit of a pain at times. But then, maybe a bit of compassion would go a long way. I wasn't there, I suspect he paid some dues in the swamps of southeast asia. I won't pass judgement on the man, even though his behavior at times alienates...
As for the comment on Latinos, I agree, most Latinos from low income are very hard working for change."who am I kidding, latinos) who want to make a change, fighting for a chance to work".
People who do care enough to post and argue and debate manifest civic passion which, though it might seem harsh, really shows a concern for the future and direction of this country. "Homelessness" is really a construct. Living in a motel or a hotel, or a Winnebago - ist that "homelessness"? Renting by the week? Renting but out of work and facing eviction? Living at your parents house after you are 21 is that homelessness? Having a huge mortgage you can't pay and can't sell the house - is that homelessness? Who is really at home, someone born and raised in So Cal, who has been at Cacique for a month - or someone from,say, Arkansas, who bought a condo and is now selling it? And if someone stays in my house for a couple of weeks, couch surfing, by my grace, is that person homeless?