To the editor:
Decades ago, in a high school science class, a young man shared his dream, "I wish I could go to the moon."
His instructor responded, "It can never be done."
"Why?"
"There is no way to provide gasoline stations all the way to the moon."
That made sense to me.
Not too many decades later, our family stood gazing at the moon on that gorgeous moonlit night trying to grasp the concept that Americans were actually on their way to the moon. Soon we were told of the successful landing on the moon. It was one step for mankind.
Last evening, a friend dropped by. She had a picture of our Earth taken by Voyager One from a distance of 6.4 billion kilometers from Earth. The picture was taken Feb. 1, 1990. A few days ago, the Discovery returned safely to Earth after having spent approximately two weeks in outer space.
Decades ago, our homeless citizens of Lawrence slept on 2-inch individual mats in a central room at the Salvation Army. There were two bathrooms. Our homeless citizens were allowed in, out of the weather, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Fifty years ago the Topeka Rescue Mission was formed and it became among this nation's more comprehensive programs, helping people with varying needs.
Meanwhile, now, decades later, here in Lawrence, our dozens of sober homeless citizens still sleep on 2-inch individual mats in a central room at the Salvation Army. They still share two bathrooms.
Mary Siegrist,
Lawrence
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smitty (anonymous) says…
I've got a question for the SA. Why haven't you spent some of your funding for cots?
Why exploit the sober clients because of all the negative publicitiy on homelessness wet shelter issue? Because the city has conditionally endorsed the task forces efforts?
Your organization owns the cars, homes, and builldings, many assests, etc, garnering these assests from the donations and grants for your services. There need be a point when you use those assets to secure your own financial well being. Perhaps instead of a new vehicle for the captain, buy the damn cots!!! The captain can get a new car next year.
Oh, and it would be nice if the frozen meats and better quality food items reached the clients instead of disappearing from the freezer. This information from one of your disgruntled kitchen helpers. Is it true?
The Salvation Army is one of the poverty pimps described in previous posts.
Disgraceful!!!!
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
in this post she implies that we have made space progress but no homelessness progress. first, the only homelessness progress should be measured in how many people have been brought perminently out of that condition. many of these programs seem to do little beyond enabling these homeless to continue the bad life choices which made them homeless in the beginning.
also: again how many homeless are actually criminals wanted in another jurisdiction for charges, jail time or parole? does lawrence's provision of homeless services actually attract these individuals? more homeless=more crime.
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
okay, I have an idea for progress, which could combine another city story: legalize pot for the homeless. in fact, the city should issue pot to the homeless, as a means of behavioral modification. how about aht? might be cheaper than other stuff going on now?
also, by the way, this afternoon, a homeless dude in a hawaiian shirt and visor was harrassing people on Mass st.
finally, now a federal report that potential terrorists might hide among the homeless. that's great, and another reason to issue them pot?