San Francisco...No Peace & Love in Haight-Ashbury! Police shuffle homeless along!

Later this month, San Francisco's finest will be enforcing a spanking-new ordinance that bans loitering (camping out) in the bustling city streets.

In particular, the men-in-blue intend to focus on a posse of homeless down-and-out beggars who hang out at the curb panhandling (and what-have-you) in the Haight-Ashbury district.

"They disrupt our businesses," one shopkeeper lamented to one eager reporter bent on nabbing up a scoop.

"I've seen them selling drugs on-the-sly," another hissed to all within earshot in disgust, in so many words.

In response, one irate transient was quite vocal about the upcoming purge about to descend in the trendy city by the Bay.

"They can't do that. This is Haight-Ashbury! Peace and Love, and all that, man!"

City dwellers may recall that the once-colorful bohemian neighborhood was a mecca for a gang of free-spirited hippies who flocked to the West Coast way back in the sixties (in the era of the anti-war "flower" movement).

Like Yorkville in Toronto (my hometown), the quaint pocket of - "a free society" - went by way of the dinosaur decades ago, and was transformed - OMG - into an upscale shopping attraction.

And, Haight-Ashbury is now a dynamic hub for enterprising businessmen, out-to-make a quick buck on the ghosts of the celebrated past.

The police have noted that they have been slow to enforce the ordinance because they are waiting for fliers to be printed up in English and Spanish which will provide information on local shelters and outreach programs where the "displaced" may take refuge when they are pushed out.

Bottom line?

City officials are anxious to sweep the nasty eyesore out-of-sight - as spring awakens - and tourists start flowing into San Francisco once again as the economy builds steam.

Once the ordinance is ripe for enforcement, where will the homeless go?

In the words of immortal Bob Dylan:

"The answer is blowing in the wind!

Or, may be in the hands of Civil Rights Advocates, anxious to take a stand in the local courts.

After all, it's a sad state of affairs, when individuals can't be free in the streets.

Is a police state (or a George Orwellian society) just around the corner?

News at 11!




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San Francisco...seen & heard in City streets! Crime to be broke!



If you're inclined to dash across a thoroughfare between pedestrian walks in bustling downtown San Francisco, you may end up the target of a demented soul, who tracks jay-walkers at random.

Once he spies an unsuspecting individual in the midst of their unlawful act, he takes it upon himself to insult 'em by screaming all-manner of obscenities in their direction.

"Use a crosswalk, a**hole," he often screams out at startled pedestrians unprepared for the verbal attack out-of-the-blue.

At least he's not vested with any powers, so a ticket for their thoughtless offense, will not be forthcoming in the foreseeable future.

Astounded tourists (and locals) pay for it in abuse, though!

Meanwhile, at the crack-of-dawn the other morning, I caught sight of one of the City's men-in-blue shaking down a homeless person wrapped in a blanket shivering in the cold.

"Do you have any money," the gruff Police Officer barked at the desperate man.

"No. Is it a crime to be broke," he responded bitterly, as he cowered in the street.

In San Francisco, the answer is "yes", obviously!

Meanwhile, the teaming masses swarm the streets, oblivious to the seamy-side of life that thrives all-around-them on well-trodden Market Street (seemingly without a care in the world).

Or, are they simply looking the other way?

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Romantic City by the Bay!

Librarians...not all sweetness & light! LA TIMES article lacked ethics in journalism!

Nasty Librarians preside over computer lab at Riordan showpiece!

I chortled out loud when I read the article in today's LA Times which blamed the "homeless" for disrupting the otherwise serene environs of a handful of the local libraries in LA LA LAND.

Granted, a few of the hapless individuals referred to have distinctive offensive body odors - and the desperate are inclined to haul their worldly possessions into the hallowed halls of the world of catalogued literature - for want of a place to stow 'em.

For the most part, though, the outcry is unfounded - an unjust promulgation by a posse of snotty library personnel who are too ignorant to fathom (make intelligent sense of) the root of the problem.

In the films of yesteryear (one old classic - "The Music Man" - springs to mind) librarians were oft singled out - as a handful of classy women - who epitomized all that was sweetness and light!

The old hags who preside over the City-run premises - in this era - leave a lot to be desired in the personality department (for starters).

In fact, a couple of the Latino staff - short, fat, crawling with nasty eruptions on the skin (who haughtily preside over the computer lab in the downtown Library with an old evil-eye in all directions) - give credence to critics' arguments that the so-called "caretakers" should never be granted too much power in respect to the decision-making process (especially when it comes to determining who is entitled to avail themselves of the services therein).

Indeed!

To become a full-fledged librarian an individual is required to painstakingly toil over books and earn a degree or two.

And, if the system had its druthers - also be required to display a modicum of personality, wit, knowledge of literature, semblance of intelligence (even a tad bit of charm) - you name it!

However, the losers at the libraries in town - who boast a GED or a course or two at the local community college (egads, what a joke!) - fall short in that regard quite honestly.

Hands down, Mr. Mayor!

In fact, it shocks the sensibilities.

Most of the losers I am referring to are under the mistaken impression that because they hold down a job on the counter (or at a lowly desk next to the loo) that they have the right to be called a bona fide custodian of books!

Go figure.

From my experience (based on an occasion-or-two when I have trekked in to the Beverly Hills Library or the fancy-schmancey facility in Santa Monica to seek assistance at the desk) few, if any, appear to be overly anxious to get off their fat butts and offer up any worthwhile assistance to the patrons!

And, that is the crux of the problem, really.

As the old saying goes:

"There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians!"

Due to budget constraints, libraries are currently being forced to limit services - and, in some cases - close their doors a day or two a week to make ends meet.

Part of the reason for the "financial crunch" is obvious to anyone with half-a-brain or an ounce of reasoning power.

Let's face the ugly truth!

The library is overstaffed with low-life employees - "lay-abouts" - and "do-nothings".

The City should turf out half-of these jerk-offs and demand that the remaining few on payroll earn their salaries!

Shame on the Los Angeles Times for its lack of fairness and ethics in journalism - and the eyebrow-raising report on a set of distorted circumstances - they have concluded has reeked havoc of late at the local libraries.

For those who missed the misguided poorly-written article?

It was a one-sided account of things  - penned by a reporter - who didn't even bother to interview any of the individuals (the homeless) cited as the disruptive force that now threatens a once-sacred refuge of the past:

The Public library!

Nuff said!

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Marian the Librarian
(The Music Man)

Salvation Army...feeding needy in streets of San Francisco! Worthy charity!

In a News report tail-end of last week, analysts at charitable organizations whined that donations were down in the public sector, with at least one notable exception.

Salvation Army still manages to rustle up millions on behalf of their kettle in the streets "campaign" each holiday season.

The heart-warming concept charms - after all - the touching images are so  "Miracle on 34th Street" and Macy's parade.

Tradition!

One night last week  - I was a little weary around the edges after running myself ragged all day -  when I ran smack dab into a stranger approaching passers-by out-of-the-blue on the dark dank streets.

“Care for something to eat from the Salvation army,“ he barked out sharply, as he thrust two cellophane-wrapped sandwiches in my direction.

Not wishing to chow down on a nourishing lifeline - intended for a needy homeless person - I was inclined to graciously pass.

Even still, the impromptu encounter managed to “feed my head” (as Grace Slick of the Jefferson Starship might succinctly put it) on an evening when I was lost in my own selfish thoughts.

It was heartening to discover first-hand  that charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army are still actively involved in the community and providing a meal (along with a smidgen of hope) to the down-and-out in these troubling economic times.

For this reason, I urge readers to consider writing a check to the “army” of well-meaning do-gooders, since the much-needed funds will surely be well spent.

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Yes, there is a Santa Clause

Randy Quaid...arrest warrant issued! Squatter's rights unfounded...

Trouble appears to be following Randy Quaid (and his wife) around these days.

Once again, the B-list actor is in hot water with the courts.

What do the Orientals say?

May you live in interesting times!

If you recall, a scant few months ago  an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Quaid, when he allegedly skipped out on a bill at a luxury Hotel and left red-faced managers holding the proverbial bag.

Quaid must have coughed up the dough for the room service tab and back-rent due, though, because he was free as a bird once again.

The shocking word out of Hollywood now?

Quaid may be broke and homeless.

Recently, the talented actor - with a half-a-dozen-or-so box offices successes under his belt - was caught (and charged) with illegally camping out in a guest house of a property he once owned.

After-the-fact, a Judge issued an arrest warrant for Quaid when he failed to appear before the bench, to answer to the allegations.

Too embarrassed to show your face, Randy?

Maybe his sensible brother, Dennis, should step in and offer some support.

Or, does he follow biblical wisdom?

I am not my brothers's keeper.

Amen!

Randy, if you're strapped for cash - or need assistance - contact the Screen Actors Guild (or AFTRA).

Maybe the actor's fund can offer up some relief temporarily during your financial crunch and legal snafu.

Worth looking into, anyway!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

\

Dennis the brother with all the brawn & brains?

L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center...awarded grant by Feds to help homeless youth!

The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center has been bestowed with the largest Federal Grant ever to be awarded an organization serving the LGBT community.

The funds are to be used primarily to help homeless gay teens in the county.

In a press release this past week - representatives for the charitable group noted that the monies will facilitate a five-year intervention program to aid gay youths in foster care and/or juvenile detention centers - and also provide assistance to kids "coming out" who are experiencing rejection in the family setting.

I was a foster child myself - and assure you - funding for projects such as these was always appreciated back home in Canada.

A handful of schools and  juvenile justice and social service agencies - not only applauded the issuance of the hefty grant - but took advantage of the occasion to note their intention to get more actively involved with the specific aim of engendering an end to hharassment, rejection, violence, and discrimination against gay teens in the community-at-large (which has escalated in recent years).

Fag flag raising!

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