Photos: “Nickelsville”‘s final day at T-107 Park

On assignment for WSB, photojournalist Matt Durham covered the final Terminal 107 Park day for the homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville.” He was there hours before the police arrived, and through the sweep. The dozen arrestees included advocates for the homeless like 82-year-old Dorli Rainey, who has provided food, clothing and medical supplies to residents of Nickelsville since its inception. Before the arrests, it was a waiting game for residents like Gayre Jamieson (next photo) and James Noren (second photo below)

Most estimates counted about 50 officers on hand to make sure the camp was cleared and to arrest anyone who didn’t go voluntarily. We showed you a Twitpic of their arrival earlier; this is Matt’s image of that moment:

Residents weren’t sure where they would wind up:

Those who left the park voluntarily walked north to Herring’s House Park:

The encampment’s second stay in West Seattle was almost four months – much longer than the first one last fall, which was barely a week. After eight months in various other parts of the metro area, the encampment returned to West Seattle in early June at a state lot adjacent to the city lot it had occupied in September of last year; after a month and a half there, it moved to T-107 Park in late July and held a defiant open house/”1st birthday” celebration there last Saturday. Tonight, encampment residents have moved on to a short-term spot in North Seattle.

115 Replies to "Photos: "Nickelsville"'s final day at T-107 Park"

  • Sue September 30, 2009 (10:38 pm)

    We must arrest all 82 year olds who advocate humanity and help the homeless! They are armed with their conscience, altruistic motives, and good will and therefore dangerous. They must be hand-cuffed and put away. What an excellent way to utilize our civil servants’ time.

  • jamminj September 30, 2009 (10:48 pm)

    so what exactly is the answer here?
    .
    We don’t want to help them with public solutions, no more taxes, no health care, no more housing…
    .
    Even when the churches help out, people have problems with that.
    .
    so whats the answer?
    .
    many say that the government isn’t the answer…
    .
    well, what is the answer?

  • amandaroo September 30, 2009 (11:04 pm)

    if they have already been kicked out of (society) where will they go? It is a prison/millitary industial complex we are fighting here. These folks have already lost homes(s) why must they now be raped/robbed of simple dignity.Lets start with humilty…If an 82 year old woman was willing and able to be hancuffed for ALL the right reasons..where were you??Where was your advocacy? These folks who reside in “encampments” ARE infact totally CONTRIBUTING members of society…just incase you were compelled to call them ruthless stigmatized names. So much that they hold it up for eveyone else to sip on caviar by a warm fire while people contless human bodies chill in the element and can call NOwhere home. Come on people, this is why GENTRY_fication is dehumanizing. Property is only property, people make it what it then becomes! And with that, IN CLOSING I WILL STATE SOME TRUE CODES OF HONOR:..1. humilty is endless, and all work is NOBLE. By the way there can never be justice on stolen land..since that’s just what the entire seattle area is composed of!

  • Sue September 30, 2009 (11:13 pm)

    Arrest all the do-gooders and extradite the homeless to some other country where they can be treated humanely and given opportunities to become functioning members of the society with food, shelter and health care.

    I realize the plane tickets may seem expensive but think of the funds we will save in the long run.

  • kstineback September 30, 2009 (11:14 pm)

    one of the things that we can do to help is vote yes on prop 1 this november – yes on the housing levy, because everyone deserves a safe, warm, decent home to sleep in at night!

  • kevin October 1, 2009 (12:01 am)

    Don’t be too quick to feel sorry for the 82 year old Dorli Rainey who was pictured being arrested at Nickelsville.
    .
    Below is a quote taken from her very own web site.
    .
    http://www.oldladyincombatboots.com/?page_id=2
    .
    .
    “About the Old Lady”
    .
    “I’m Dorli Rainey, political activist and all-around troublemaker. This is my blog. I believe change begins in the streets, and all citizens have the power to make a difference. Together we can make our voices heard in the ivory towers of government, so lace up your combat boots, log in and turn on!”
    .
    “To comment on posts here you’ll need a WordPress user ID. You can register for one at http://en.wordpress.com/signup/. This is a dual-purpose signup form – you can get a blog of your own by selecting the “Gimme a blog! (Like username.wordpress.com)” option at the bottom of the page, or if you just want a user ID so you can comment select “Just a username, please.”
    .

  • deepness October 1, 2009 (12:01 am)

    Or, we can convince Portland to vote yes on prop 1 so all our homeless drug addicts will migrate there instead of West Seattle parks which should be safe enough for my kids to play in.

  • hmmmmm October 1, 2009 (12:04 am)

    I dont know what the answer is. I think society feels guilty and sad about allowing the people on its fringes to sink to such a desperate situation as homelessness. It is easier to lump all the people in that situation under one unwelcome umbrella than undo years of stereo typing and really see them as individuals. The homeless are mothers, sons, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, grandchildren and grandparents. They are good people. Some make bad choices. Its a mix, just like any group. Instead of feeling guilty, society should try to empathize. Walk a mile in their shoes.

    Why are there “non-living-wage” jobs? How can we expect a mentally ill parent with two young children to make it on his/her own? What about the person who is developmentally disabled with no family to speak of? Where are the support networks for our Veterans when they come home? What are we doing to help out those family members we have just lost track of over the years? What about alcoholism and/or drug addiction, how do we sway people to want help?

    Why do people fall through the cracks? Our society is guilty of letting people fall through the cracks. That is a big problem!

  • WSB October 1, 2009 (12:25 am)

    Now I know why the name Dorli Rainey sounded vaguely familiar. She filed to run for mayor this year but withdrew.
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009255575_webcandidate23m.html

  • Sue October 1, 2009 (12:42 am)

    @deepness

    Ergo all homeless are dangerous drug addicts who loiter West Seattle Parks. Another great reason for extradition. I don’t think Portland is far enough. Another country is a better solution.

  • Sue October 1, 2009 (12:47 am)

    @kevin

    I for one do not feel sorry for Ms. Dorli Rainey. I bow to her giant brass balls and say “we are not worthy.”

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (1:34 am)

    Dorli definitely looks like a trouble maker. If I was an SPD officer I would taser her without blinking an eye…just look the other way as most people do. God help you if you ever find yourself or a family member down on their luck.

  • cjboffoli October 1, 2009 (4:37 am)

    Strong work on the part of Matt Durham. Well done.

  • snakehill October 1, 2009 (6:01 am)

    Too bad she didn’t run for mayor- she may have won my votes hands down. As for her being “too old”- there are lots of old men in congress. I doubt she would fall asleep on the job.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (7:00 am)

    “If an 82 year old woman was willing and able to be hancuffed for ALL the right reasons..where were you”

    Sipping caviar by a warm fire.

    OK folks, the circus has moved on, nothing to see here anymore.

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (7:10 am)

    Dorli Rainey was arrested because, just like the others arrested, she was there illegally and given the opportunity to leave peacefully without arrest. Somehow entire families from Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia have been able to survive and provide for their entire families here. Having come from 3rd world situations, running from mass slaughter of human life, the most bombs ever dropped in one area (Laos) in history, starvation, refugee camps (wayyyyyyy worse conditions than Nicklesville). How is that… how is it that my in-laws have been able to do so well? Hard work, taking jobs cleaning toilets at local schools, etc. SOMEHOW, they all do it, SOMEHOW they don’t camp out in tents at local parks. You want to see a bad situation, check out refugee camps with thousands of people who are there because they’d be dead from bombs or their own countrymen cutting their heads off if they did not go to the refugee camp.

  • Kayleigh October 1, 2009 (7:19 am)

    Yay, Dorli! :)

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (8:00 am)

    Mike – Your comment states “entire families” all working in conjunction to provide for each other. Maybe some of these folks don’t have any family and are all alone trying to make a living…ALONE. It’s quite a bit different…

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (8:11 am)

    West Seattle – “Sipping caviar by a warm fire”? I have a feeling you don’t really know what “caviar” is.

    ID check on aisle 3…

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (8:18 am)

    “I have a feeling you don’t really know what “caviar” is.”

    Are you kidding? This is what all ‘rich people’ eat while we rob the poor. Everyone knows that there’s only poor people because us ‘rich’ people take too much of the pie.

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (8:26 am)

    You can eat caviar…I don’t “sipp” it. Unless you came up with a smoothie that contains fish eggs?

  • trouble October 1, 2009 (8:28 am)

    I sip caviar. All us aloof, well-off urbanites do. Homeless people are good for cleaning our windshield while we wait at an intersection. Why ruin a good thing?

  • Ex-Westwood Resident October 1, 2009 (8:35 am)

    Are all homeless drug addicts/alcoholics?
    .
    No
    .
    Are all homeless mentally ill?
    .
    No
    .
    Did all who are homeless choose to be that way?
    .
    No
    .
    Do all who are homeless just need a hand to get back on their feet?
    .
    No
    .
    Are all who are homeless criminals, pedophiles, sex offenders…etc?
    .
    No
    .
    What is the percentage of each group?
    .
    There are elements of ALL of those types that are homeless. To say that passing Prop 1 will give all of them a home is laughable. What are you going to do to the ones that CHOOSE to be homeless? Force them into a home?
    .
    What are going to do to the drug addicts/alcoholics that don’t want to go into treatment to break the habit? Force them into treatment?
    .
    The focus should NOT be on homelessness in general, but to focus on those that are homeless that WANT out of that situation. Those are the ones that are willing to change and, along with assistance, will make an effort to better themselves to get out of that lifestyle.
    .
    There are MANY worthy and SUCCESSFUL organizations that are NOT funded by tax dollars that do just that. Why is it the governments responsibility to solve this?
    .
    Some onus HAS to be placed on the homeless person. Because until THEY ARE READY TO CHANGE, YOU ARE JUST FEEDING IN TO THE CAUSE OF THEIR HOMELESSNESS
    .
    E-WR

  • mark October 1, 2009 (8:35 am)

    I know I slept so much better last night knowing those criminals are no longer sleeping on that toxic waste dump. Way to go Port of Seattle!!! (does this earn Tay Yoshitani a raise finally?)

  • allen h October 1, 2009 (8:44 am)

    I lived there. Was not fun but was a safe place to be. Denied public assistance though disabled and blind in one eye. These people are just that “people” trying to survive…

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (8:46 am)

    “You can eat caviar…I don’t “sipp” it.”

    Actually, that depends on how fine the eggs are and how much brine is added. Thanks for playing.

    Now, I’m off to screw the poor by being ‘rich’.

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (8:52 am)

    Good for you! I’m sure you make a difference everyday wherever you work at.

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (9:00 am)

    Leroniusmonkfish, providing for 5 children while not speaking English, in a country that has completely different views on cultural rights and wrongs… I’d say that’s way more difficult than a single individual taking care of themselves when they’ve grown up in a country that allows them to do whatever.

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (9:30 am)

    Do whatever? Sooo many options for the homeless?

  • mark October 1, 2009 (9:35 am)

    The connection between Southeast Asian Refugees and the homeless at T107 is pointless. The homeless, and if you bothered to actually visit them,would be painfully obvious, all have “issues”. Mental illness, substance abuse, etc.

  • Anna M October 1, 2009 (9:55 am)

    Regardless of what we think about Nickelsville, we need to have enough housing for vulnerable people like the elderly, disabled, working families and veterans. The most important way to continue to do this is by voting YES on Prop 1 to RENEW the Housing Levy!

    http://www.yesforhomes.org
    The Housing Levy also helps PREVENT homelessness by helping people stay in their homes when they have a temporary emergency like an illness, or job loss.

  • JamminJ October 1, 2009 (10:04 am)

    Hmmm, funny how we claim to be a christian nation, yet when it comes to issues like this, the answer is to toss them out, its their own fault, I can do better, etc.
    .
    Matthew 25:31-46
    .

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (10:16 am)

    Mark, they all have ‘issues’? I thought they were vagrants because the rich screwed them?

  • mark October 1, 2009 (10:27 am)

    You might be right about that one West Seattle. I am not “rich” but the people with the money have made the decisions to close all the mental health facilities and other safety nets most of the these “vagrants” need to survive. We still treat dogs (not their dogs) better.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (10:31 am)

    What do you consider rich for a family of 4?

  • kstineback October 1, 2009 (10:32 am)

    Did anyone read the post the other day from one of the residents of this encampment? The truth is that many of these folks are working poor or are on disability (veterans, etc.) and are just getting by. We can all argue in the comments here about whether someone has personal responsibility for being homeless but one of the facts of living in Seattle is that it is an enormously expensive City to rent an apartment in, especially for someone making minimum wage or living on a fixed income. Vote Yes on Prop 1 to renew the Housing Levy, because it creates that opportunity for someone to get stable in an affordable rental, and turn their lives around.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (10:34 am)

    Move to Yakima then. Many of the farms provide housing to their pickers.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (10:39 am)

    If it’s so expensive in Seattle how are all these Somali and Ethiopian refugees able to survive and take practically every job at Seatac? It’s called pooling resources, family unity and an ability to get along with others and a willingness to work hard and better yourself.

  • michaelkelly October 1, 2009 (10:45 am)

    VOTE YES on Prop 1. It’s a simple thing for all of us to do, but it will accomplish so much. The Housing Levy will allow us to continue to provide housing, while developing more, for the most vulnerable people in the city.

    VOTE YES on Prop 1!

  • mark October 1, 2009 (10:49 am)

    West Seattle, you don’t get it do you? The Somali’s and Ethiopians and Vietnamese DON’T have mental health issues, for the most part they don’t have substance abuse issues. Again, I know you don’t want to get your hands dirty, but spend 5 minutes with these homeless and you will soon realize they have issues.

  • jsv888 October 1, 2009 (10:58 am)

    OMG, love Dorli, she’s like Maude from Harold & Maude.

  • dawsonct October 1, 2009 (11:02 am)

    How long do we have to shout that we are the greatest nation on earth before it actually happens?

  • amysee October 1, 2009 (11:02 am)

    Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home. Even mentally ill people. Even people who sip caviar. Even people who work but can’t scrape enough money together to afford a deposit on an apartment. If you don’t want more Nickelsvilles in our city, then consider voting to renew the Housing Levy– Proposition 1. We need to get past all the arguing and support solutions that work. The Housing Levy works.

  • mark October 1, 2009 (11:04 am)

    Maybe we will be the Greatest County on Earth when we treat out poor and needy better than dogs and stop invading other countries and killing innocent people for no reason? Just a thought….

  • TK October 1, 2009 (11:08 am)

    Awesome pics!

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (11:13 am)

    One has to be willing to accept help to be helped.

  • Kayleigh October 1, 2009 (11:28 am)

    It might help to remember that being homeless is a huge psychological stress (same with prison, same with child abuse, same with PTSD.) Stress levels that severe can change the brain and/or can create a huge psychological hurdle to getting back into “normal” life. I have read case studies of people who have been homeless who often still “act” homeless even when housed until they learn different behaviors. Also, getting a stable home (even a tent city home) is a step to finding a job and feeling in control of your life. It’s hard to look for work or hold a job when you don’t know where you will sleep, if you will be robbed or worse, if you will be warm and dry, etc.
    .
    Don’t see how it’s helpful compare groups with vastly different experiences any more than it’s useful to compare individuals (some people are prima ballerinas, some are CEOs–so why aren’t we ALL ballerinas or CEOs? Well, duh, we are all different.)

  • Ex-Westwood Resident October 1, 2009 (11:56 am)

    Here’s a better idea…
    .
    Tax EVERYONE 50% of their gross yearly income.
    .
    Tax ALL their property at 50% of its value.
    .
    Then take that money and build block long, 30 story 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment buildings to house everyone. Make sure they are built within walking distance of mass transit centers and large industries/employers. Where you live is determined on the vicinity of where you work.
    .
    Build all-in-one (elem, MS,HS) schools that are in the middle of eight of these apartment buildings and will be gov’t run. Provide day-care for all so that both parents can work. Education will be determined by what aptitude a child shows in a certain fields.
    .
    Each apartment building will have community meal rooms on each floor where government approved, nutritional meals would be served for each floor.
    .
    The first floor of the building will have a retail and grocery store. Which will carry the same type of clothing and food as the rest of the buildings.
    .
    Food will be grown on gov’t owned and operated farms according a 5 year plan.
    .
    Demolish the homes that will be emptied and foreclosed on because people won’t be able to afford the taxes and turn them into parks and green belts to stop Gullible Warming.
    .
    Demolish roads that are shown to be under used.
    .
    Government officials will be given vehicles and their own lane to use.
    .
    Everyone will be paid the same wages, no matter the job.

    Sound Good???

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (12:24 pm)

    “Hmmm, funny how we claim to be a christian nation, yet when it comes to issues like this, the answer is to toss them out, its their own fault, I can do better, etc.”

    Well, we’re not a Christian nation. We’re a constitutional republic, one that guarantees the right to the PURSUIT of happiness.

    “DON’T have mental health issues, for the most part they don’t have substance abuse issues.”

    Well at least you are honest enough to admit the problem isn’t low wages, or affordable housing; it’s drunken crazies who refuse help.

  • rob October 1, 2009 (12:36 pm)

    @Ex-Westwood Resident

    Might be quicker to move to North Korea.

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (12:40 pm)

    Nah Rob, they don’t get shelter.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (12:41 pm)

    Grandma Rainey would love North Korea…at least everyone’s equal.

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 1, 2009 (12:43 pm)

    Good thing you’re an “Ex” resident…feel sorry for whatever community you now reside in?

  • dawsonct October 1, 2009 (1:04 pm)

    Jammin, WE are the solution, WE are the government. It is easy to cynically state that we really don’t have control over our govt. anymore (or ever), but I see that as the means of communication open up, our elected reps. are beginning to get more pressure from their rank-&-file constituents.
    It is our responsibility and in our best interest to provide a safety net in our society so human beings aren’t left in these situations.

    The corporations who provide most of us with the majority of our information through their propaganda arms, or “media,” have done a pretty good job of making a significant number of Americans into blind sycophants, not trusting the government sometimes violent foot-soldiers for the corporate body who have for years been receiving news coverage disproportionate to their actual numbers.
    Since the advent of e-mail and cell-phones and the immediacy of communication they provide, OUR representatives ARE starting to hear from people outside their bubbles. We need to keep up the pressure, it IS working.

    I apologize for the rant but, dammit, it’s true!

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (1:29 pm)

    ” it IS working.”

    Will your revolution be televised?

  • jiggers October 1, 2009 (1:33 pm)

    Ergo all homeless are dangerous drug addicts who loiter West Seattle Parks. Another great reason for extradition. I don’t think Portland is far enough. Another country is a better solution.

    You say ALL Sue? All…

    Sue.. You are a very ignorant person. Probably an elitist.

    You might as well line them up and shoot them all. I bet most of you here woludl enjoy that scene.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (1:34 pm)

    “making a significant number of Americans into blind sycophants,”

    Ahhhhhh, the looney far left. Calls the majority of Americans idiots, than wonders why they can never win elections.

  • Scott Sands October 1, 2009 (1:44 pm)

    I just posted a piece on the sweep of Nickelsville. It includes some information on how the port has worked with Nickelsville. There’s more to come. I should have a final piece up on Monday at cojourn.net.

    The latest piece is here: http://cojourn.net/wordpress/?p=195

    Really nice work Matt.

  • Ex-Westwood Resident October 1, 2009 (1:52 pm)

    @Leroniusmonkfish
    .
    I feel sorry for the city of Seattle if Prop 1 passes. I moved out of Seattle because the taxes were killing me. But, hey, if people in Seattle want to pay hundreds of millions of $ to support some of those that believe that it is societies responsibility to cloth, feed and house them, go right ahead.
    .
    But I have a better idea…why don’t all of the people who support Prop 1, go and pick up one homeless person and bring them home to live with them. Feed them, cloth them, give them a car so they can find work, take them to their MD and Dentist…etc. Come on, there has to be at least enough Prop 1 supporters to take care of all the people who were in Nicklesville.
    .
    I believe in helping people, but THEY need to want that help AND must be an ACTIVE participant in the help. Otherwise it is a WASTE of funds that could be used more effectively.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (3:01 pm)

    “I moved out of Seattle because the taxes were killing me.

    Good, we don’t need working class people here.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (3:01 pm)

    “I moved out of Seattle because the taxes were killing me.

    Good, we don’t need working class people here.

  • laurie October 1, 2009 (3:11 pm)

    I only care about the black lab featured here. He or she deserves a better life than being jerked around through homeless camps – that is the life that a human has made.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (3:25 pm)

    Seems to me that more then not, people are more inclined to comment/regurgitate what others have wrote…and go off bout “sippin on caviar” (which I do claim to be the authour off..) Also, to be rich is merely a state of mind…even the “poorest” can be the “wealthiest”…Still though, at the thought of a thread of compassion all I SEE IS PEOPLE WHO ARE afraid. People who are too proud to give up thier texting,vanity, and other superficialities! As far as Refugees, where is the comparrison you altruist you…if you could see the humility in the hard workings they also contribute to soicety, why must you defamate so many who are homeless?..is that fun for you? Well sorry bout ya! That speaks volumes to me and so many others! See you on the flipside if you ever make it there, if you havent already sold your soul!

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (3:34 pm)

    further more I am appaled at just how many of you are so…BOUGOIS! Might as well take the mark of the beast, in the end though g*d won’t judge..you anyway

  • michaelkelly October 1, 2009 (3:43 pm)

    @ Ex-Westwood –

    The Housing Levy simply funds the development of housing that people can afford and keeps that housing affordable for at least 50 years. The residents in Housing Levy apartments have income and pay rent. Their income may be low; they may be a senior or disabled, living on a fixed income or they may work a low wage job or three.

    The Housing Levy is not a handout – it is a resource to make Seattle more affordable. To allow people to afford housing and still have money for the basics like groceries and gas and childcare.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (3:47 pm)

    That’s ‘bourgeois’.

    It’s knowing how to spell it that makes you bourgeois.

  • kstineback October 1, 2009 (4:45 pm)

    @ Ex-Westwood

    Homeless people are not aliens, they are humans like you and me that have particular struggles (mental illness, PTSD from serving in Vietnam/Iraq, substance abuse, domestic violence). And many of them work, especially low-wage jobs that don’t earn them enough to pay Seattle market rents or they live on a fixed income due to disabilities.

    The Housing Levy is a tool to offer these folks a safe and stable place to live by creating an affordable rent structure. It is but one resource that we have as a City to combat the issue of homelessness. And, it helps people do exactly what you are arguing for – taking responsibility to improve their lives. Studies have shown that once in stable and supportive housing, many of these issues mentioned above can finally be addressed in a healthy way.

    Vote Yes on Prop 1 in November.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (5:07 pm)

    wow how petty are people? Sorry that I didn’t spell check my post b4 posting it. I am further frightened by these spelling nazis abound.. seems they’d rather be checking posts for “proper” gram/punct/sp then actually spend time driving HOME the point about the MANY faces of homelessness. Tell me… when childern become homeless (not by their own fault) anywherefrom the ages of 1-11..(rough estimate)are they drug addicted worthless people too?..b/c “KING” county has many homeless children as well who are indeed NOT addicted to KRACK (carefully dist. by your friend the CIA). Surely they don’t live in tent city’s (no kids allowed)…but does that mean they are not worthy either? did I spell everything right this time? Gosh darn, troll-ers all you sp. checkers maybe you should get a real job (that pays) proof-reading…cause your un-solicited advise does no good here..cause we’ll keep on spelling wrong..viva la revolucion!…!lol

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (5:30 pm)

    ‘even the “poorest” can be the “wealthiest”…’

    then why do you continually ask for levies to start programs teaching bums how to live themselves?

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (5:32 pm)

    ‘KRACK (carefully dist. by your friend the CIA)’

    smoke enough crack and you’ll believe anything I guess.

  • TenTruckie October 1, 2009 (5:34 pm)

    On a recent “interaction” with a former homeless man. I had cause to look from his window at his sweeping sound and mountain view and comment “Thats quite a view you have there”. He quickly replied with a sly grin and deep COPD chuckle ” I know right, those suckers over there in that building pay millions for the same view. I only pay $150 a month Ha Ha Ha.” Vote yes on prop 1..Dont let this man become homeless again. He couldn’t carry the 2 feet of crap that’s on his floor around with him. Also, How would his personal nurse find him if he lived in tent city 1,2,3,4 or 5.

  • JamminJ October 1, 2009 (5:51 pm)

    It is hard for some, but doing the right thing requires a consciousness that looks beyond their own little world and what is theirs. It doesn’t allow them to look past their own lives and lives in a world where it’s a ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality.
    There is no gray for them, they are all bums, even the children.
    .
    so what has been accomplished here, more ‘bums’ kicked out of property where they could be monitored and found if needed. Where those that do want to receive help are even in more dire need, and especially those with children. great job, hope you’re proud.
    .
    Guess we should just take down the Statue of Liberty now…
    “Give me your tired, your poor,

    Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

    The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

    Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

    I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:09 pm)

    Actually, “west seattle” if you do the research,(beyond the internet of course) and look past your MIRROR, facebook, myspace( lets not 4get twitter) maybe YOU will even start seeking the truth..it’s well documented that KRACK was dispersed into “poor” and predominantly black neighborhoods by YOUR friend the CIA. I’ll bet you are too cool 4 school and your number one goal here is to slander people! Tisk-tisk! Are you some kind of gossip whore? YOu raise no valid points, but do a good job at pissing people off. Just another MIND CONTROLED DRONE, I suppose, go back to sleep, and when you awake come find me, cause I’ll still be seeking for the truth..now, who is the quack ..sitting by your iphone of comp constantly defamating
    by your computer )or i-phone)

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (6:15 pm)

    “it’s well documented that KRACK was dispersed into “poor” and predominantly black neighborhoods by YOUR friend the CIA.”

    Pass the pipe, maybe I’ll believe you……btw, did you hear the Jews, CIA and Masons caused 9/11? It’s true, I read it on the internets.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:23 pm)

    Okay, now I get it “west seattle” …I did say other then the internet or did you sly-ly read past that? YOU must be just as VILE as all those above names you mentioned. And I see your method..just another laptop/desktop/i-phone gangster. Fighting accross the matrix, you must have a GIGANTIC SET of BRASS BALLS…go eat some viagra, and leave me the F’ alone..cause I see your tactics, and sounds like you are a classic case,..God hath mercy on ya..god forbid you ever become homeless..I know You prob have a “nice” condo…so square and fitting 4 your BOX like thought process

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:26 pm)

    Oh yeah, I LOVE YOU…even in your ignorance

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (6:27 pm)

    “god forbid you ever become homeless”

    Yes, god forbid I be that much of a f***k up.

  • JamminJ October 1, 2009 (6:32 pm)

    “Yes, god forbid I be that much of a f***k up.”
    .
    well, at least we know what you think of the 260,000 vets who are homeless. Why don’t you try serving this country like these vets, instead of just yourself.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:41 pm)

    Thanks JamminJ for your words of wisdom..It is good to know there are still some who can think out of the BOX

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (6:42 pm)

    “260,000 vets who are homeless.”

    Calling yourself a vet doesn’t mean you were knee deep in the paddy with Charlie my friend. Old myths die hard though….like that guy at the 45th St exit on I5 with his ‘Help a Vietnam Vet’ card….only problem was he wasn’t a day over 30.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:45 pm)

    did you check his ID, mr police officer..Overseer

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (6:46 pm)

    amandaroo, it was heroin, not crack.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:48 pm)

    No check again..that too(heroin) though..did ya watch American Gangster..or something?..do some MORE reading

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (6:54 pm)

    this is totally off topic now

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:56 pm)

    Okay…dig a little deeper, Mike..I wouldn’t write it if I was not able to be cross referenced..dig deep..mike

  • JamminJ October 1, 2009 (6:56 pm)

    “Calling yourself a vet doesn’t mean you were knee deep in the paddy with Charlie my friend.”….
    .
    dude, if this is your ‘story’ on whether we have hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans shows the level of ignorance you are arguing your stance. Try volunteering at the VA once in a while. You might actually learn a little something about people and realize that the world doesn’t revolve around you.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (6:59 pm)

    So If I must…you sure could google…or go to the library

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (7:01 pm)

    Is homelessness an issue, yes
    Is mental illness an issue, yes
    Is addiction and issue, yes

    Is living in a tent helping that? I’d rather people get the real help they need and not keep pushing to allow living in tents with little oversight of how government funds are supporting that lifestyle. If somebody really wants to get out of living the homeless life, I’m going to support them. I will not support extremist organizations that wish to just showboat.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (7:06 pm)

    wow, I am seeing my way out of this discussion..bottomline..IF one is vulnerable, they deserve advocacy..b/c it is w/in our human condition to help each other..not this divide and conquer type of strategy..that is not within our nature

  • Mike October 1, 2009 (7:11 pm)

    That’s probably the biggest issue, there are so many extremes on both ends that it ends up wasting more money than helping the real issue. Sticking it to the man on his front lawn/road is not helping, it pisses people off (like me) who do actually give back to those in need. I cannot and will not support groups like that. There’s no need for it. If people wish to help, they can, they don’t need government funding to provide that via taxes.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (7:30 pm)

    “not this divide and conquer type of strategy”

    So you don’t want my tax dollars? Great! Thanks, I think I’ll spend them on my kids’ educations so they don’t become bums.

  • Sue October 1, 2009 (7:33 pm)

    @jiggers

    Please make yourself familiar with the term “sarcasm.” Also see my previous comments. And, again, read the definition of “sarcasm.” You may find this useful in your future endeavors.

  • JamminJ October 1, 2009 (7:37 pm)

    “our human condition to help each other”
    .
    obviously not for some.

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (7:38 pm)

    ” Try volunteering at the VA once in a while.”

    Actually in the mid 80s, back when I was young and ignorant, I did volunteer to help the homeless. What I saw amongst homeless advocates was pathological ability to lie and distort facts to fit their agenda. It was breath taking, including the “if they are male, between 35 – 40, they are Vietnam Vets” standard for census taking of homeless populations in the city I was working in. I witnessed hustle and b*llsh*t on a scale I didn’t get to see again until I worked in the finance industry for 2 years in the go-go Clinton years…..but then I found SHARE, and my BS meter went thru’ the roof.

  • Ex-Westwood Resident October 1, 2009 (7:44 pm)

    I totally agree with help, on the flip side; UNLESS that person WANTS help, you are wasting time, money and effort that should be used for those that ACTUALLY want the help.
    .
    Many have said that ALL homeless should be given homes. What if they DON’T want one? What if they CHOOSE to live that way? Are you going to FORCE them in a home and then FORCE them to stay there???
    .
    Studies have shown the as many as 50% of the homeless ACTUALLY want to live that way!!!
    .
    Are you willing to violate their rights to FORCE them to live in a manner YOU demand they do???
    .
    Like others have said: One must WANT help before that help can be effective.
    .
    And the Gov’t IS NOT the organization that is best suited to give that help. Private organizations can do the job 100 times more effective at 100 times less the cost than politicians!!!
    .
    And before someone asks…YES! I do donate EVERY MONTH. I give to The Union Gospel Mission. One the BEST, if not the BEST, organizations in this area that helps the homeless!!!

  • The Dissenter October 1, 2009 (8:15 pm)

    Amanda, people make fun of spelling and grammatical errors when they have nothing to contribute to a discussion.

    People like to lump the homeless into a group of “bad” because then if you’re not “bad” it can’t happen to you. But I assure you, it can happen to you. You can be a “good” person and tell yourself that you’re better than the homeless all you want but rest assured, you can be a good person and do everything the right way and end up homeless. Especially in such a deep recession. Everyone is just one diagnosis away from being homeless. Many of us are one paycheck, one layoff from being homeless. Sure, some of the homeless are bad people. Some of the homeless do drugs and steal, just like some of those with homes and high paying jobs do the same.

    So go ahead and pretend you’re secure forever, that it couldn’t happen to you. But remember, the higher the horse the longer the fall.

  • amandaroo October 1, 2009 (9:06 pm)

    Dissenter, you are preaching to the choir..if this is in responce to my posting. I agrree with you..NOT disagree…I don’t have a high horse to jump from..

  • West Seattle October 1, 2009 (9:09 pm)

    “it can happen to you.”

    Sure, if I burned every bridge to every family member, every friend, every neighbor….but if I did that you’d have to ask, what the **** is his problem?

  • The Dissenter October 1, 2009 (9:54 pm)

    Sorry I was unclear, Amanda! The first part was directed at you, the second part was not! I have much enjoyed your comments in this posting. Sorry that was confusing, rereading it I can definitely see how it looks like the whole thing is for you. Fight the good fight, sister-friend!

  • The Dissenter October 1, 2009 (10:05 pm)

    To summarize…Laurie wants the homeless to just go away and die (I surmised this from her “freeze to death” comment) and West Seattle is immune to falling into hard times. Yakima is the land of economic freedom (I just moved from there and I assure you it is not) and all of us advocates should spend tens of thousands of dollars purchasing cars for and housing the homeless because that makes more sense than everyone contributing a few extra dollars. Amanda’s spelling errors mean that she doesn’t have any good points. I’ve got it now!

  • dawsonct October 1, 2009 (10:16 pm)

    Wow. I’m glad our founding fathers’ philosophy was not “you’re on your own, sucker!”

  • kstineback October 1, 2009 (10:21 pm)

    Few extra dollars = $5.50 a month for the typical Seattle homeowner (about $3.50 they are already paying because this is a RENEWAL of the Housing Levy).

    $65 a year.

    What do you spend $5.50 a month on?

  • mdb October 1, 2009 (10:25 pm)

    the single biggest housing subsidy in America is the mortgage tax deduction delivered every year to the US homeowner. this subsidy totals more that $300 billion dollars annually and has no demonstrated effect on homeownership rates, which is what is purports to incentivise.

    yeah, $5.50 a month is way too much for the homeless.

  • The Dissenter October 1, 2009 (10:29 pm)

    I would gladly pay $5.50 a month to help someone going through a tough time. It makes a whole lot more sense than each of us taking in a homeless person and purchasing an automobile for a homeless person, don’t you think?

  • mdb October 1, 2009 (10:43 pm)

    i think the homeless need many things other and more than cars. like a warm bed, hot food, and fewer people judging them.

  • walk a mile in their shoes October 1, 2009 (10:45 pm)

    West Seattle, do you do anything productive with your time? By my count, you have commented 21 times today. Your comments are mostly snide and mean-spirited, and contribute nothing meaningful to the reasoned discussion of a complicated issue.

  • hmmmmmmmmmmm October 2, 2009 (12:44 am)

    “There but for the grace of God go I.” Homelessness could happen to any one of us.

  • hmmmmmmmmmmm October 2, 2009 (12:47 am)

    “There but for the grace of God go I.” I am not sure who first said that but I think it goes with this topic.

  • Kayleigh October 2, 2009 (5:21 am)

    What I see, here and elsewhere, is that homeless people are often seen as less than human beings…as if they are not worthy of our respect and compassion. It’s okay to bash them, it’s okay to make up statistics about them (“50% WANT to be homeless! I seen it on the tv!”), it’s okay to wish for them to freeze to death (and several likely will this winter; Laurie will get her wish), it’s okay to tell them we don’t want them in our community. It’s all okay, because the homeless are “less than”. And if we just give them “tough love”, the resources to help them (Section 8, affordable housing, mental health treatment, food, etc) will magically appear, or they magically won’t NEED the resources.
    .
    I feel really badly for anybody who makes themselves feel better at the expense of some of the least powerful people in our society. I guess it’s my spiritual challenge to feel compassion for the mean-spirited and the judgmental. So far, I’m failing.

  • West Seattle October 2, 2009 (5:45 am)

    ” Homelessness could happen to any one of us.”

    If that were true, wouldn’t there be more homeless?

  • mdb October 2, 2009 (7:31 am)

    Hey West Seattle, would you like to join me in volunteering with the homeless one day before the election? we’ll call it the “whether you should vote for the levy field trip”…

  • Leroniusmonkfish October 2, 2009 (7:33 am)

    I don’t know West Seattle what do you think? Ohhh nevermind nobody cares…

  • West Seattle October 2, 2009 (8:29 am)

    I’ll vote for the levy, but fact is, it won’t help vagrants and SHARE’s community of ‘lifestyle’ bums like SHARE leader Leo Rhodes, homeless for 20 yrs ….. Or as I call him, ‘a happy camper’.

  • dawsonct October 2, 2009 (10:41 am)

    W.S., you are sadly, blindingly delusional if you think homelessness is the chosen state for most of these people

    You sound like you’re in the “park benches cause homelessness” crowd.

  • jiggers October 2, 2009 (12:15 pm)

    Let us all sing kumbaya now..

Sorry, comment time is over.