So... confession time.
The spot I like at the SLC Main Library gave me a rather wonderful, yet terrifying, glimpse into the minds of those who profess they want to help reduce the impact and scope of homeless problems in town, last week.
They had a little conference, of folks from various support agencies, and several things that might help will come from it, but one thing I heard has me wondering if the help providers do as much drugs as the addicts they seek to aid.
Aid and Abet, if what that moron says comes about.
Look, I agree, to reduce the clutter that the families have to muck through along South Rio Grande on Hell's Block, you need to find a way to move all the drug addicts and drunks off the walls of the Road Home and St. Vincent dePaul's buildings, just to make the sidewalks navigable and safe, but creating a "smoking area" where the cops are not to enforce the laws about narcotics and alcohol usage ain't an answer. It's sweeping the filth under a magic carpet, and acting like you solved the problem.
Yes, i do listen, morons. I may not speak, but I figure any "Brainiac" who claims to really want to help the homeless would at least talk to the more upstanding members (e.g. the non-addicts and non-criminals) before tossing out ideas willy-nilly. If folks thought Pioneer Park can be dangerous at times, or any part of the area Hell's Block (which is really more than a block, being the whole of Salt Lake City's skid row, from 200 South to 600 South, between 300 West and 600 West, with various jerrymander sections used by the druggies and drunks spiralling off that area) wait until this idea gets implemented.
Look, the real issues are indeed the need of a place for those who make no efforts to move out of the Shelter or Missions to move on. Targeting the druggies will just move them into the city, spreading east, as they did last year, bringing the crime, filth, and attitudes with them. You do not deal with addiction by creating a place to use and OD, you deal with it by sensible measures, say things like laws and funding for mandatory rehab for addicts and drunks after say six violations, even if not prosecuted... which indicates a pattern of self-abuse and public endangerment. You do it by looking at targeting the dealers that flock around Hell's Block, and taking away the CI's protection, as most of them are freaking dealing shit, feeding the cops their competitors, or those owing them money, instead of giving them a free rein to rule that area.
This idea moves forward, you will still have the fights, the stabbings, the crime, the drug-use, the overdoses, all the problems, just in a place where less of it will be seen, and thus it can escalate faster to much more dangerous levels, ones that will require the cops going in with guns drawn, not just a hand on the holstered sidearm they have to use now.
Wake up, stop feeding the addictions. Yes, we tobacco (which, unlike the narcotics, is legal to use) smokers could use some places to smoke, in peace. But, dammit, stop jamming the narcotics users in with us.
And stop thinking we are just bums who use, no matter our efforts to walk away.
Another, even better target? Yeah, I have one. A goodly number of the homeless in the shelter get an SSI or SSDI check, a GA check, or other assistance. Target that group, which has the monies that fund a good deal of the drug use, and includes many addicts in it, at getting them into some form of housing, thus removing the "Millionaire" (as those who get no funds call these folks) factor from the equation. Yes, many of them have issues that prevent getting normal housing, or desire not to go in with the addicts, drunks, and criminals. Some of those issues are related to felonies they committed, so it locks them out of a vast portion of the housing available, even if those events were not violent, not repeated, and quite a while ago. Finding a better solution towards getting those folks housed will do far more.
Reducing the money down there might just make an appreciable dent in the crimes, narcotics, and other problems. But that answer takes time, effort, and something society seems to lack these days, intestinal fortitude.
And, while I'm ranting a bit, how about doing something more productive than tossing the mentally ill back into the shelters or onto the streets. Right now, there are *3* functioning fecal matter artists smearing their wastes around places in public. In locations that range from public restrooms in the downtown and strip to the UofU restaurants, to public parks, and even lately on the sides of businesses, and enhancements to existing and new graffiti. Sorry to those on the Left who believe in keeping folks as part of Society who are so disturbed to rehabilitate them, and those on the Right too cheap to spend the money to actually solve issues, but these are walking health code violations, and after three offenses need to be locked up long-term, for treatment, true rehabilitation, and never allowed to be left unsupervised afterwards, as their recidivism is too nasty to leave the "art" they preform in the public view, where some kid could wind up touching it, and getting very ill.
So, to those who think we homelss are stupid, lazy, and useless... yes, some are, but this boy just offered you up options for some. For others.... well, real, meaningful, long-term work that comes with a living wage might be an option. Just don't offer it to me. After three years plus of searching for employment, and being denied, I've taken up a new way out, and plan to carry it through. I will write stories, trying to sell them, market my e-books of poetry as well, and just be a thorn in your sides, politically, to remind you that some of your ideas smell as bad as the above mentioned 'aritists" works.
Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Just a rant about rude e-smokers
Been a while since I ranted here, but I have a bone to pick today, so I guess it's time.
E-cig smokers are a bunch of jerks and snobs.
This comes from an encounter with one yesterday, to total slime bag, who, despite Utah laws now saying you cannot use those devices anywhere that normal smoking is prohibited, had to walk into the library bathroom and use his stupid device. Must have been a total wuss, as it was a wonderful day, at that time, about 40 degrees on the F scale, sunny still, and very little wind. But, these dumb asses, judging by his behavior, not only deserve the right to use their devices anywhere they damned well please.
After I walked out of the can, refusing to be around idiots when they are doing stupid things like that, commenting to take it outside, he waited to get on the elevators later on, catching me on my way OUTSIDE to smoke my pipe in the DESIGNATED Smoking Area here. He created an unpleasant ride down, daring to accost the law-abiding person about how he could use where ever he wanted, and there was nothing I could do about it.
So, I did the honorable thing, advised him that the laws said otherwise, if I caught him doing it again, I would advise the library security of his violation of rules, and shrugged him off.
He had to get the last word, trying to get me to swing on him, I guess. Dumb ass, like I said. But most folks, even this writer, can be at times. Even after I warned him, he pushed, daring me to rat him out. So, I turned my back on him as I got off.... and here is where the arrogant punk proved he was just a bully and coward at heart. He loudly told me to "go get a haircut and shave, you hippie."
Yeah, he made his point, but when I spun and dared him to try, he had to scuttle off to the computers, probably to boast about putting a homeless guy in his place on some social media site. Me, I waited until today, thinking it over....
And here is my conclusion. Ain't it funny how everyone breaks some law, no matter how pure and righteous we all think we are? And why is it okay for one person or one group to break a law, but nobody else can do so?
Why do folks see the hippie, not that other dude, up on the walls of so many homes and churches?
You know, one thing I have learned, being homeless, I am in good company. Moses was homeless. Noah, well, I guess the ark might count as a home to some, but in my judgment, he was homeless. John the Baptist? Homeless. Joseph with that funny coat? Homeless for a while. Lot and Abraham, homeless bums like me, the former several times. Mohammed spent time homeless, that fellow I mentioned earlier about the picture hanging so many places? Trust me, the carpenter from Nazareth did his time preaching homeless.
I ain't a hippie, either. There is only one Grateful Dead song I've ever liked, and all the hippies claim that was the "sell-out" song. Don't do dope, or any drugs beyond my pipe tobacco and coffee (unless donuts and ice cream can be proven to be narcotic substances, which I personally would contest). And, unlike a true hippie, I reject commune life as ideal form of community living.
NOW, when the rest of you can obey the laws, all of them, you can criticize me for having to break laws to survive, as your society, and it is yours, not mine, seems to deem me unworthy of being a member.
Oh, and all you E-smokers? Get your lazy butts outside to smoke. Getting wet and cold is good for you, ya wussies. And if you can't take criticism about your double standards, well, I have a rope you can relieve yourselves on, just let me know when you need it suspended from some tree, no need to return it, either.
E-cig smokers are a bunch of jerks and snobs.
This comes from an encounter with one yesterday, to total slime bag, who, despite Utah laws now saying you cannot use those devices anywhere that normal smoking is prohibited, had to walk into the library bathroom and use his stupid device. Must have been a total wuss, as it was a wonderful day, at that time, about 40 degrees on the F scale, sunny still, and very little wind. But, these dumb asses, judging by his behavior, not only deserve the right to use their devices anywhere they damned well please.
After I walked out of the can, refusing to be around idiots when they are doing stupid things like that, commenting to take it outside, he waited to get on the elevators later on, catching me on my way OUTSIDE to smoke my pipe in the DESIGNATED Smoking Area here. He created an unpleasant ride down, daring to accost the law-abiding person about how he could use where ever he wanted, and there was nothing I could do about it.
So, I did the honorable thing, advised him that the laws said otherwise, if I caught him doing it again, I would advise the library security of his violation of rules, and shrugged him off.
He had to get the last word, trying to get me to swing on him, I guess. Dumb ass, like I said. But most folks, even this writer, can be at times. Even after I warned him, he pushed, daring me to rat him out. So, I turned my back on him as I got off.... and here is where the arrogant punk proved he was just a bully and coward at heart. He loudly told me to "go get a haircut and shave, you hippie."
Yeah, he made his point, but when I spun and dared him to try, he had to scuttle off to the computers, probably to boast about putting a homeless guy in his place on some social media site. Me, I waited until today, thinking it over....
And here is my conclusion. Ain't it funny how everyone breaks some law, no matter how pure and righteous we all think we are? And why is it okay for one person or one group to break a law, but nobody else can do so?
Why do folks see the hippie, not that other dude, up on the walls of so many homes and churches?
You know, one thing I have learned, being homeless, I am in good company. Moses was homeless. Noah, well, I guess the ark might count as a home to some, but in my judgment, he was homeless. John the Baptist? Homeless. Joseph with that funny coat? Homeless for a while. Lot and Abraham, homeless bums like me, the former several times. Mohammed spent time homeless, that fellow I mentioned earlier about the picture hanging so many places? Trust me, the carpenter from Nazareth did his time preaching homeless.
I ain't a hippie, either. There is only one Grateful Dead song I've ever liked, and all the hippies claim that was the "sell-out" song. Don't do dope, or any drugs beyond my pipe tobacco and coffee (unless donuts and ice cream can be proven to be narcotic substances, which I personally would contest). And, unlike a true hippie, I reject commune life as ideal form of community living.
NOW, when the rest of you can obey the laws, all of them, you can criticize me for having to break laws to survive, as your society, and it is yours, not mine, seems to deem me unworthy of being a member.
Oh, and all you E-smokers? Get your lazy butts outside to smoke. Getting wet and cold is good for you, ya wussies. And if you can't take criticism about your double standards, well, I have a rope you can relieve yourselves on, just let me know when you need it suspended from some tree, no need to return it, either.
Friday, September 9, 2011
I don't need drugs even if you do.
I have a couple of topics to deal with today, but will try not to blend them all into one big mishmash. It may not go over well,
As so many folks over the years have accused me of doing drugs, its time to clear the air, permanently, on the record, and smack them into the wall, face first.
Just because you have or had a drug use issue, does not mean I do, did or ever will. I have never taken more than a prescription drug, and don't even like those much. I have over-reacted to most meds given me in the past, even simple anti-biotics. I don't drink constantly, I either drink for social comeraderie, or to ease a physical pain or dull emotions for a short while. I can live without my pipe, even though I would prefer to have it just as it reminds me of someone I wish I was wired more like than not.
The funny thing is this. those who make these accusations often have some substance abuse of their own that they deny or have set up on the altar of self pity that the addict recovery groups make. My vices are simple, I like a drink, I like a smoke, I love my ice cream and other junk foods. But, I can take them or leave them, as I please, to quote the words to M*A*S*H's theme song.
Look, in all my years of being on this planet, one thing has come down to me. Over two thirds of the folks I know use "recreational drugs", abuse their booze, or take perscription meds in amounts and methods not condoned by the FDA, their doctors, pharmacist, or common sense. Yet, these folks get jobs right beside me, and never get caught, even if they do something stupid.
Take the job where the buddy of the boss I could not fire when I was in charge, got my position, I had to still do all the work, while he screwed off and sold drugs out the side door of the company. His brother was part of the deal, even though he never got caught, and in the end, he got the job, and I was out the door, even after the cops came looking for the dealer. If I had been allowed to fire the two idiots for insubordination when I tried, things would have been different, but I don't have a flux capacitor, and can't afford a deLorean.
Too many times, I am surrounded by those who despite breaking the laws about drugs, who get drunk too much and at the wrong times, and lost something, usually my temper, sometimes my job, and often the respect of others. I am not the one screwing up first, but I pay the price.
I have had friends and family who were alcoholics, dated women who washed down anti-depressants with booze while telling me *I* needed medication, and been surrounded by more folks who faked for their drug tests than I care to dream about. I had several bosses and co-workers who damned near maimed or killed me with their working under the influence, or managed to hurt someone else. Yet in the end, the druggies kept their jobs most times, their positions in society, their lives, and I lost everything. Not the way it should have been, the way most folks say it is. No, its the ones who walk the straight and narrow, who don't come to work drunk/stoned or hungover that tend to pay the biggest price. We are the ones the others hurt, kill, or leave in such a rage over their behavior and the failure of society to punish them that we take the beating for not being sensitive to their needs.
What about my needs? Huh, jackasses? Look, this is all I am going to say. If businesses want to save a ton of money, ditch those drug tests. You rarely catch the users, and all it does is encourage them to get more radical in their usage and demands that we accept their endangering their co-workers. And can that crap about tolerance of their medical condition and allowing them rehab if it causes an accident or they get busted using on property. Just fire their asses when you do catch them. Those of us who obey the rules will thank you.
To the rest of you, if you do drugs, walk away from me, don't tell me about it. If you do, I will let you get what you deserve, and refuse to hit the safety stop from now on. You made the choice, live with the consequences. Or die with them. I refuse to support you and your lifestyles.
As so many folks over the years have accused me of doing drugs, its time to clear the air, permanently, on the record, and smack them into the wall, face first.
Just because you have or had a drug use issue, does not mean I do, did or ever will. I have never taken more than a prescription drug, and don't even like those much. I have over-reacted to most meds given me in the past, even simple anti-biotics. I don't drink constantly, I either drink for social comeraderie, or to ease a physical pain or dull emotions for a short while. I can live without my pipe, even though I would prefer to have it just as it reminds me of someone I wish I was wired more like than not.
The funny thing is this. those who make these accusations often have some substance abuse of their own that they deny or have set up on the altar of self pity that the addict recovery groups make. My vices are simple, I like a drink, I like a smoke, I love my ice cream and other junk foods. But, I can take them or leave them, as I please, to quote the words to M*A*S*H's theme song.
Look, in all my years of being on this planet, one thing has come down to me. Over two thirds of the folks I know use "recreational drugs", abuse their booze, or take perscription meds in amounts and methods not condoned by the FDA, their doctors, pharmacist, or common sense. Yet, these folks get jobs right beside me, and never get caught, even if they do something stupid.
Take the job where the buddy of the boss I could not fire when I was in charge, got my position, I had to still do all the work, while he screwed off and sold drugs out the side door of the company. His brother was part of the deal, even though he never got caught, and in the end, he got the job, and I was out the door, even after the cops came looking for the dealer. If I had been allowed to fire the two idiots for insubordination when I tried, things would have been different, but I don't have a flux capacitor, and can't afford a deLorean.
Too many times, I am surrounded by those who despite breaking the laws about drugs, who get drunk too much and at the wrong times, and lost something, usually my temper, sometimes my job, and often the respect of others. I am not the one screwing up first, but I pay the price.
I have had friends and family who were alcoholics, dated women who washed down anti-depressants with booze while telling me *I* needed medication, and been surrounded by more folks who faked for their drug tests than I care to dream about. I had several bosses and co-workers who damned near maimed or killed me with their working under the influence, or managed to hurt someone else. Yet in the end, the druggies kept their jobs most times, their positions in society, their lives, and I lost everything. Not the way it should have been, the way most folks say it is. No, its the ones who walk the straight and narrow, who don't come to work drunk/stoned or hungover that tend to pay the biggest price. We are the ones the others hurt, kill, or leave in such a rage over their behavior and the failure of society to punish them that we take the beating for not being sensitive to their needs.
What about my needs? Huh, jackasses? Look, this is all I am going to say. If businesses want to save a ton of money, ditch those drug tests. You rarely catch the users, and all it does is encourage them to get more radical in their usage and demands that we accept their endangering their co-workers. And can that crap about tolerance of their medical condition and allowing them rehab if it causes an accident or they get busted using on property. Just fire their asses when you do catch them. Those of us who obey the rules will thank you.
To the rest of you, if you do drugs, walk away from me, don't tell me about it. If you do, I will let you get what you deserve, and refuse to hit the safety stop from now on. You made the choice, live with the consequences. Or die with them. I refuse to support you and your lifestyles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)