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Is San Diego a haven for Homeless?
Burwell: I will not stoop to your level and start the name calling. I do want to comment on you saying that we probably get welfare...No, I don't receive a dime from welfare. Not one red cent. I don't even receive Social Security. I will say that there are several if not thousands of the homeless that do. Like I said earlier alot of the homeless, choose to live on the street. I'm still trying to understand why. I believe that most of the reason is they are mental (not able to judge what is in the best interest for themsleves), they are alcoholics, or drug users. I don't understand but, I know it is a very big problem. My tuition and books are paid in full by a scholarship. My attendance and grades are how I received this scholarship. I had to make an agreement to keep my grades up and to not miss more than 5 days or, I would be dropped. No ifs, ands, or buts. I really don't care what Burwell thinks about me. He is not the one paying for my tuition. He doesn't bring me a peanut butter sandwich and water, and He damn sure don't pay the water bill at St. Vinny's. Basicly, I think Burwell needs to be loved. Thats all, just a little bit of love. Ya know I'm not even mad that he blogs all these hate messages about the homeless. That is his perogative. It does show what kind of person he is. The kind that needs love. :) Love ya Burwell!— October 26, 2009 10:29 a.m.
David Ross fights for downtown bathrooms to serve homeless
Please read my "blog comment" to auntsandiegospeaks about "Is San Diego a haven for the Homeless?" Please know, we don't want to be homeless. The bottomed out economy put us here.— October 23, 2009 10:38 a.m.
Is San Diego a haven for Homeless?
To auntsandiegospeaks: I am actually a neighbor of yours. I was also angered by the drunk woman who was arguing loudly. I was angrier when SDPD showed up and knew her by name, they talked to her about moving on somewhere else then left. As soon as they left, she started her shenanigans again. Thank goodness, after 30 more minutes of the nonsense she grabbed her belongings and trodded down the street muttering to herself. You see, I am homeless too. Me and my fiancee are also constantly badgered about giving 50 cents or $1. We have to constantly remind them that we are homeless too. Being homeless is not something we want to be, its just that we fell upon some very hard times in July and ended on the streets. We do NOT drink alcohol or do drugs. We are FT students. I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA with perfect attendance. We are not the chronic homeless, I see everyday. They choose to be on the sidewalk. We take showers everyday and do not wear filthy clothes, nor do we beg for money. I can certainly understand your anger at being a rent paying resident who when you look out your window and all you see is "the eyesore" of downtown San Diego. Please understand, not all of us are loud, filthy, drunk or on drugs, or even mentally challenged. There are 6 of us, including my fiancee and myself who don't ever get loud. We pick up and clean up after ourselves. We use the restrooms "port-o-potty" on C street by the Jack In The Box and not the sidewalks or streets for urinating. We help each other out the best way we can. My fiancee looks out for us ladies because he is the only male in this group of 6. The ladies are very beautiful, thoughtful, caring women who lost their jobs. One of these ladies is elderly and so sweet. It breaks my heart to know that Burwell isn't the only person who feels that the "Homeless should be prosecuted as a crime against society and that the homeless should be incarcerated to protect society". We are human, actually "The apple of God's eye", the same as you. We are just going through some very difficult times. I will graduate in February 2010, with the hopes of gaining employment, so I can utilize my educational skills in a successful work environment. Most importantly, get off these streets. My going through this has only made me stronger as a person. It made me realize that becoming homeless can happen to anyone. Some people are just 1 paycheck away from being homeless. For me this is a minor setback for a major comeback. It will be greater later. When I go to sleep, I will pray for peace in our downtown neighborhood.— October 23, 2009 10:02 a.m.
Broken Promise
I am currently unable to decide whether to go to the "winter tent" or stay in my 5X7 tent on the sidewalk next to the Post Office. My fiancee and I are both FT students and came up on some very hard times and ended up on "the streets" in July. No, we are not Alcoholics or Drug users. I am actually maintaining a 4.0 GPA with perfect attendance, My boyfriend is maintaining a 3.2 GPA, through hard work and determination and the Grace of God. I've heard alot of bad things about the tent like stealing, drinking,and drug activity going on and those are the main reasons I don't want to go. On the other hand, I've heard some good things like, You get to take showers everynight and you are also fed while staying at the tent. I'm desperately trying to weigh out our options before the freezing weather starts. Last night was so cold on the sidewalk. I pray we don't get sick. Graduating in February is our ultimate goal.— October 22, 2009 10:59 a.m.