a moment of truth

[Nate]

I can no longer remember if I'm on the side of angels, or if I'm wasting my time. Should I push forward, or find a razor-blade with my name on it. Check these out, and let me know what you think.

beaconhill.komonews.com/content/mayor-plans-permanent-homeless-camp-close-jungle

homelessness.change.org/blog/view/welcome_to_nickelsville_seattles_inspiring_tent_city

www.komonews.com/news/local/105827463.html?tab=video

p.s. can't make it to this weekends game, I think.

[Ross]

Uhh...what?

Maybe I'm just having a case of the 'end-of-the-work-day' brain freezes but, I don't get it.

What is the correlation between "Tent Cities" and taking a razor blade to yourself (which you should, please, not do to yourself)?

-Ross

[Fiona]

From what I read there, I like the concept of Nickelsville and what it stands for. Being homeless does not mean you aren't hardworking, organized, or civilized. It just means that shit happens.

What I don't like is that the Mayor doesn't seem to be offering you guys any good options. That site that had a factory doesn't look like it has anything around it as far as transportation or services. I imagine most of the sites are designed to tuck Nickelsville out of sight and forget about it, which is most unfortunate. One of the newsclips mentioned a meeting that would happen today to discuss things and I have to wonder how that went. Still, was there anywhere to go during the winter?

No wonder you were running stressed out and wanting to RP so bad this past weekend.

What I don't get is why you might feel that it is time to give up. You and the tent city aren't in a good situation, but I can't imagine it's ever been easy. I'm impressed with all the things you have managed to do there. I don't know anything about being on the side of the angels, but I doubt you are wasting time, even if you are feeling like you are banging your head on a wall covered in red tape. It takes effort to stand for something and sometimes it's going to bring you low. I just hope you have someone to lean on and pick you up when you are down.

Good luck, man. I honestly hope things work out for all of you.

[richard]

My sentiments sit with the above post. Yes it is frustrating to see that the city government is doing its best to sweep the homeless community under the rug (so to speak) and yes all the proposed sights look rather devoid of public services.

But at the same time, it seems that the people of the community are hardworking and can produce a manageable living space until you get back on your feet. I look at the efforts that the people there have gone too and I am thoroughly impressed.

I hope that in the end the people of that community are given the attention and the services that are needed to move forward in their lives.

[Webmonkey]

We need to do a Noel House Blanket Drive this year. Anybody talking about that again? Those needy ladies really really appreciated that. Just being able to have a warm safe place to live saved more than lives last couple of years. We can help this problem.

[Suzy Jones]

I'm going to agree with the above posters, and even if Noel House doesn't feel the need for blankets this year, there are plenty of groups that will need them, or some other sort of help.

And really, nothing binds this community of ours together quite like sucking up our differences and helping people. Its when we're at our best and showing our real community colors.

[Skarr]

Maybe we should donate to charity year-round instead, and not just during the time of year when everyone feels like they should do it to clear their conscience and feel like they're "helping".

This shit doesn't go away just because it's not the holiday season.

[Isabella Antimony Crane]

Dec 9, 2010 18:05:31 GMT -8 Skarr said:

Maybe we should donate to charity year-round instead, and not just during the time of year when everyone feels like they should do it to clear their conscience and feel like they're "helping".

This shit doesn't go away just because it's not the holiday season.

Very true.
I seem to recall a time we did such things.

[Webmonkey]

About every other event in the past.

Then again you nerds are my favorite charity.

[Nate]

This group is helping more then you think. By keeping open doors and offering a healthy(ish) alternative, you're doing more then most. Keep in mind, things are just things, they break, wear down, get lost or stolen. But the human connection is an amazing healing tool.