Homeless World Sacramento is much much different than what most people in our metropolis believe it to be. I have been rendered homeless and have been in this circumstance for over 20 months, now. I could never have imagined how very splendid most of the people mired, as I am, in this world are, nor how very different the challenges are "out here" than what I would have supposed. Local media and several homeless-help agencies mischaracterize things, or present matters in a wholly superficial way. They are much to blame for people's misapprehensions. Plus, the rallies and protests promulgated by Loaves & Fishes and its allied nonprofits are causal for the public to suppose that all homele

The Mayor's Winter Shelter Task Force announced on October 23 that they had $500,000 to spend on shelter beds and had succeeded in finding a magnificent 269 slots for the 4 1/2-month chilly period. In the midst of our Grand Recession, with money tight and the need at its greatest ever for chilly-season safety from the elements, a committee had come through for homeless folk, finding means and ways to stave off misery. So it was thought. It's nearly a month later, and its now known that the task force, instead of doing grade A+ work did grade F work. There never were 269 slots; only a paltry few. And that is all we have now as a major storm descends. Mr. Mayor, please show some grit. Mak

It seemed like things were splendid, with a bounty of beds [as compared to prior years] secured for the chilly season for homeless people to sleep in, but now, in the words of Loaves & Fishes CEO and Mayor's Winter Shelter Task Force member Libby Fernandez, "It seems to be falling apart." An article in the Bee on Veterans' Day "Hotel chain quits talks on winter housing for Sacramento homeless," reports that room for 100 homeless people at Extended Stay America were not secured, as expected, and the Mayor's Winter Shelter Task Force is now, quickly, moving to "Plan B," seeking space at other hotels. Beliefs and rumours in Homeless World Sacramento run the gamut. In rules-and-information

An Associated Press report tells us that the number of people in America with the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, could number as many as one million. The information is based on what Lyn Finelli, a flu surveillance official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conveyed at a meeting in Atlanta, today. A computer simulation done at the CDC projected the spread of the disease and came up with the million-person estimate of those infected. A count of identified sufferers from and victims of the disease were used in the simulation. As of today, nearly 28,000 U.S. cases have been reported to the CDC, accounting for roughly half the world's cases. The U.S. count includes 3,065

In a press release, the county of Sacramento has announce the first death in its jurisdiction from H1N1, better known as Swine Flu. It is just the ninth death from the disease in California. The deceased is identified as being a 24-year-old woman who died in the UC Davis Medical Center. There were no other details about the individual. The announcement came from Sacramento County Public Health Officer Glennah Trochet, M.D. Dr. Trochet offered advice on actions people should take to deter spread of the illness: Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze, preferably with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue after each use. If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth by coughing into your el

On what basis Sr. Libby said what is reported, I cannot imagine. Ms. Fernandez's isn't athorized to speak for homeless people any more than her support of communist groups like the League of Revolutionaries for a New America whom she hosts at Loaves & Fishes is appropriate or indicative of homeless people.

This is my understanding: The mayor (and Safe Ground) are on two tracks: Sacramento Steps Forward (housing) and the somewhat mothballed Stepping Stones (legal campground). Sacramento Steps Forward, for all its hoopla, is just the 10-year plan to end homelessness in new garb. These is sure to be ongoing movement on this. The mayor and Safe Ground will each take credit, but really this was in place during the Heather Fargo administration and is a national policy. The mayor promised to put forward a legal campground plan by last April. THAT didn't happen. Majorities on the City Council and County Supes oppose a legal campground and are cursorily aware of the communist thing, Also, the cost of a campground with security that many deem necessary makes it too expensive to make much sense. The mayor continues to promise putting forward a campground plan but it ain't going anywhere.

bbbbmer, I worry about a lot of things, big and small. You seem to worry a lot about this article in Sacramento Press, while Wall Street hoards trillions of bucks in unjust profits.

bbbbmer, My sister is in possession of two of my computers. I don't see anything untoward about using a library computer. I "label" the philosophy that is prostelytized by several homeless-help agencies "communist," because that is what it is. It calls for revoution; an end to capitalism; guaranteed jobs for all; a command economy and profound and invasive government intervention. The video from the 1/20/10 rally before the march in Sacramento, here -- http://sacramentohomeless.blogspot.com/2010/01/john-kraintz-at-san-francisco-protest.html -- gives you a taste of all that. The philosophy that is used comes from publications of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America, and the speakers SHOC & Loaves & Fishes have hired to speak to homeless people come from its group Speakers for a New America. The League of Revolutionaries for a New America is a renaming of the Communist League. I am absolutely in favor of people's well-being and seeking help for themselves. I am in favor of all of Safe Ground's "local" goals, with some caveats, but am repulsed by the foolishness and craziness of their national agenda. Unhappily the mindset of this communist connection means that the city and county have no legitimate partner to connect with to make a legal homeless encampment possible. I am not a "tea-bagger.' My politics are liberal. I write for the blog Progressive Buddhists. The BBC article that you provide a URL for has absolutely nothing to do with me. HOWEVER, I do think that people are 'entitled' to vote against "their own interests.' Indeed people and politicians should vote for what they determine is right -- best for the country and the world -- in opposition to their own selfish interests. I believe in REGULATED capitalism and am as upset about the mistakes that resulted in the collapse of the economy as anyone. I am disgusted with the greedhead bankers and Wall Street organizations, but do not believe in ideas intending to legislate, directly, against selfishness, greed, nor a mindset where people operate in their self-interest.

Thanks, all. I only have a few minutes on this library computer, but hope to reply more thoroughly tomorrow. First off, I do understand that "communism" is an inflammatory word, but it just so happens to be literally a correct one! Cathleen "Cat" Williams is a prolific writer for People's Tribune, the publication of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America. At the meetings and rallies "revolution" is what is called for. What they want America transformed into is clearly, by its elements a communist country. This has nothing to do with Obama to those of you snigling. There truly are communist ideations among executives and leaders in homeless Sacramento. Per Victor Stark's comment, and another one earlier on, I will next directly address Safe Ground and its merits and success. Safe Ground is ground zero of this communist ideation thing. As for what Safe Ground & the homeless-help agencies that are pushing it want -- tents? housing? -- it is a constantly moving crap game (as was said in that rescue mission in Pal Joey). As to whether they are getting what they want or not, what spurs them on is the INCOMING DONATIONS.