I’ve spent quite a bit of time in San Francisco lately. It’s an amazing city.
Back in the mid-90′s I started a company with several friends called IRdg (Intergalactic Research and Development Group). One of the other company founders was a guy named Mike. I hadn’t seen Mike in many years and recently re-connected with him in San Francisco during the Random Hacks of Kindness event I helped organize. I also found out that he had recently moved out of the city proper because of the “homeless problem”.
Mind you, Mike was a guy who lived out of his car when he first moved to California, and is one of the most unassuming people I know…so to hear him talk about leaving the city because of the “homeless problem?”…well, it was a bit of a surprise. He underscored his point as he led 12 or so of the RHoK SF hackers on an impromptu Sunday afternoon field trip down 6th street near Mission, passing block after block of impoverished, homeless and street people. I never felt threatened, but this wasn’t something I had experienced before.
California (and San Francisco, in particular), has been lauded for their progressive social programs. It certainly seems they are overwhelmed with this issue. According to the SF Chronicle: “The city spends $200 million a year trying to get homeless people off the streets and into a better way of life – but over 20 years, the problem has only gotten worse.
The more able of the homeless find their way into shelters, counseling and housing programs. But the most chronically indigent, called the hard core, steadfastly refuse most help and stay outside. These 3,000 to 5,000 homeless at the very bottom are the most visible, and they give the city its dubious distinction of having what many call the worst homeless problem in the country.” The SF Gate has much more on the subject: San Francisco Homeless.
Orlando has had its share of challenges with homelessness. Anyone who lives or works downtown knows it’s an ongoing issue. If you can track it down, the Orlando-made documentary film, “My Father’s Son” is an excellent look at the sometimes complex reasons why some people prefer to live on the edges of “modern society” rather than be a part of it (the soundtrack includes music from several well-known Orlando bands).
I met Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) last year at the 140 Characters conference. Mark used to be homeless, and now he brings attention to the issue through his site Invisible People:
When 21-year-old Bath University student “KJ” fell into the river Avon and drowned in 2009, his Facebook page remained. As news of the death spread, rest-in-peace messages started to appear on his wall.
One of KJ’s closest friends had heard of Facebook’s “Memorialisation” feature, which allows existing friends continued access but blocks new ones and removes information such as contact details.
He wrote to Facebook with proof of death and asked for this to be done.
Friends now continue to write on the wall, even a year after the death.
Facebook’s European Director of Public Policy, Richard Allan describes this as “a new form of mourning”.
James King says God led him to 11-year-old Nadia Bloom last week.
In fact, the military contractor from Casselberry says the Holy Spirit moved so powerfully through him that, before he entered the woods, he began speaking in tongues.
Unfortunately he waited 5 agonizing days to do it. I wonder what he was doing the 4 days before that?
Members of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Warr Acres, Oklahoma have expressed outrage at the recent installation of a 10-foot tall Crucifix above the altar: Because they say it depicts Jesus with an enormously huge schlong.
The crucifix in question is based on th San Damiano cross, a common Catholic icon that originated in Italy in the 12th century and is widely associated with St. Francis of Assisi and the order he founded, the Franciscans.
“I think it’s an embarrassment to our Lord. I think it’s an embarrassment to our parishioners. And I think it’s an embarrassment to our visitors,” said one old lady.
“I was appalled at the sexualization of Christ.”
“I’m already very sensitive because of the pedophilia issue.”
One of the many tools I use to track and analyze traffic on Diggz.org is a free service from Statcounter.com. One key metric I look at on Statcounter is to determine what search terms web surfers use to find my blog.
A huge percentage of these search terms are the same…so when I saw this, it kinda stood out:
While I don’t have first-hand knowledge, I’m fairly certain Amanda Palmer is all woman, and always has been.
My funny Valentine / Sweet comic Valentine / You make me smile with my heart.
Your looks are laughable / Unphotographable / Yet you’re my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek? / Is your mouth a little weak? / When you open it to speak / Are you smart?
But don’t change a hair for me / Not if you care for me / Stay little Valentine stay / Each day is Valentine’s day.
Sunday, January 2
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Mind you, Mike was a guy who lived out of his car when he first moved to California, and is one of the most unassuming people I know…so to hear him talk about leaving the city because of the “homeless problem?”…well, it was a bit of a surprise. He underscored his point as he led 12 or so of the RHoK SF hackers on an impromptu Sunday afternoon field trip down 6th street near Mission, passing block after block of impoverished, homeless and street people. I never felt threatened, but this wasn’t something I had experienced before.
