The Waste of it all.

Did you know that there are currently enough vacant homes to house every single homeless man, woman and child in the US today?  Thats right, we could ensure every American has a home, just from all the homes vacated or lost in the 2007 economic collapse.  But there is more to this.

Murica... Yeah

So, today on the nightly news, the winner of the American Strong deal was a homeless high school student who is the Valedictorian.  Hey, that is cool, I know.  It is hard to put yourself through college while couch surfing.  However, I will one up him, since his friends who knew raised forty thousand dollars for him to go to college.  I put myself through college couch surfing, working a minimum wage paying job.  He just had tons of praise heaped on him, deserved to be sure, but he is not the only one.  I later heard a story about a school that has 600 homeless students.  They are not getting all that attention. 

True Confessions of a Homeless Man

There we go, me in my humble abode.  Some of you are likely asking how did this guy get here?  His priorities are wrong, he has the internet.  That comes and goes with the wind, and also comes with the power, I get in exchange for work.  Damned it I do damned if I don't currently.  I want a shelter, a place to pitch my tent I have to do work, but if I do not do the work here, I don't have the money to go elsewhere at this time.

I hate homelessness

As much as some people seem to hate the homeless, I hate homelessness, and the greed that spawns it.  I hate the people who look down on the homeless as though we are lepers.  Then there was Maryann Edwards appointed Mayor (council member for a town out there).  Her view is that homelessness is a choice.  She also added that the homeless have refused all help, and seek to prey on the sympathy of others.   

North Korea calling the kettle black

So, amongst my journeys today I came across an article where North Korea lists out some of America's human rights violations.  I know, its ironic as all get out because, well, they have a pretty long list themselves, but lets look at the list, see how it measures up?

Other Thoughts, Concerns, and or Considerations

I often hear the poor want to be poor.  The homeless want to be homeless.  This is not true for the majority, only a minority which is overly exaggerated by the libertarian and conservative side of politics.  Few people want to be poor, to go from hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck.  You will have a few, you always will think that is all they are worth, or are perfectly satisfied with that situation.

Do you remember?

Do you remember this post, Homelessness, where I said

How many of you knew that Utah will likely end homelessness by the end of next year (2015).  I was surprised to hear that, given how conservative the state appears on the surface.  I jokingly shared the link on my facebook stating that Utah was a haven for socialism.  Really, it was a money saving scheme, but hey socialism is socialism.  Turns out that Utah did some research and found nearly a $5,000 savings in ER costs alone, when they outright gave apartments to homeless persons or families (http://www.nationswell.com/one-state-track-become-first-end-homelessness-2015/).

Soul Crushing

So many things are "soul crushing" in this world.  But on the top of that list is constantly dealing with ones on poverty, homelessness, or racism and bigotry they are forced to endure.  People seem to think that the event happens, and then its gone, but the truth is that these things tend to linger and add weight.  They never really go away, they just fester.  The longer it happens, the more your soul dies.

Welcome to the Third World... America

America, the third world country.  Welcome to our humble land, we hope you enjoy your stay.  Oh yeah, if you hear gun shots, hit the deck.

I took part in an online conversation...

Well this is nothing new.  I often take part in online conversations with people, typically the conversations range from which is true creation or evolution, the supernatural, aliens, poverty, and any number of political and or social discussions that can happen online.  Lets face it, if it can be discussed, you will find a thread, a chat room, message board, or whatever you can imagine on any subject you want to find.

Church Fleeces Elderly, and Molests Children Combined

This is something that I have been sitting on for a while now.  More information about this will follow shortly, but for the time being this is the beginning of the story.  I posted this once a while back, but it was broken into two parts, now it is combined since the first time it was written.  It is as it originally appeared, and here, will be the only alteration, the time frame has increased from 18 months to around 20 months in a tent, with an additional month floating from place to place.  Imagine spending two Christmases, two Thanksgivings, two of every major holidays and birthdays in a tent or otherwise homeless.

Global Illumination Council

(Taken from the Global Illumination Council's Facebook page)

Appreciate what you have.

I am probably the last person who should be commenting on this, but given where I have been in the past, given where I am heading in the future, it burns me.  It runs pure fury through my veins, and I find it insulting in a sense.

The Richardson Family Charity - Family Update

Excerpt posted via The Richardson Family Charity.  Family Update

This was the Richardson Tent 24 hours ago.

Facebook and A Sad Thing With Some Hope

Over the past several years, since I joined Facebook I have come into contact with a very eclectic crowd.  There is Michael, the horror film fanatic, Jared the Wiccan, Larry "the Faery" who writes here, Santana and his mother Sharron (whose heart is 10 times too big), Eden and Lisa who have both been homeless (and show the damage it does), Charles who I had referenced in some of the Psychology papers (imagine that) and a host of other people from the certifiably insane to the very sane with people of all stripes and colors in between.  Along the way, I met people like Susan, and Rino who provide interesting insights into different aspects of life.  Finally there is Lea, who I met well before the existence of Facebook, but has been one of my longest held friends.

It aint easy being.... Poor?

When someone is poor, there are constant choices to be made.  What can I afford to eat, how much money will I need to get back and forth to work, I wonder if I can carpool, or if I can get that second or third part time gig somewhere.  Am I going to have enough for rent, the power bill, phone bill (or can I round up enough money for a prepaid burner phone).  It ain't easy or cheap to be poor, or homeless.  It is the simple things that you take for granted.

Tent Survival Guide

Northwest Territory Family Cabin 8 person tent

Today for your reading pleasure, I am going to draw on past experience and craft for you all a tent survival guide.  In the future I will be charging $25.99 for the book, with illustrations.  But for the time being, it is free here. 

The Meaning Behind "The Works"

A thought occurred to me as I was responding to a thread on a another social media account.  I feel that I should have, from day one explained why I chose the name "The Works" for this blog.  Its not overly religious.  Its not religious at all.  The Works, as it stands is meant as a call to arms for like minded people.  People who want to see an end to poverty, homelessness, bigotry.  It is a sounding board of sorts where people can share their ideas, and as a means of spreading the ideas of the contributors and commentators (those who leave contents).

This is an open letter to all Christians:

An open letter written by a supporter of the Richardson Family, and the charity which is attempting to help them.

This is an open letter to all Christians:

The problem...

Houston we have a problem. As I sit here, listening to the window blow, another burst of Arctic air getting ready to wind its way through the area, I am thinking about many things.  I did not watch the AFC or NFC Championship games, I am not interested as my team barely finished with a five hundred record.  Anyway, I did watch some recaps of the games and the thing I saw was passionate fans.  I have no issue with people being passionate about a team, sport, movie, or anything else they can find something to support.  The problem is, with all the things going on in the world, it seems a waste of good energy.  Sure one day a week is good to blow off steam, everyone needs that release.

A truly sad thing...

One day Life and Death were having a discussion, and finally Life found the nerve to ask Death a question.  He asked Death "Why are we so different, I mean, why do people love me, yet the despise and fear you?"  Death pondered for a moment and then answered, "Because my old friend, you are a beautify lie, I am the horrible truth."