Washblog

Dave Gibney Pullman

It continues to remain important to have compassion in our own communities; homelessness has become an orphaned issue, yet is still very much a real part of everyday life.

Tell us more about where you're heading with this and I'm listening.  

On the matter of Iraq, I think the point and impact have been made, at least here at Washblog, unlikely anyone here at Washblog is likely to ignore that issue.  I don't think you were trading off one issue for another, Switzer, nor trying to diminish one issue to elevate another.

"I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war." - Barack Obama

how rich . . . is the lexicon of our self-absolving

--C. K. Williams, "Thirst"

For Immediate >Release:
Contact: Jeremiah Levine (323) 842-1099
June 23, 2006, Spokane, WA
Jeremiah@Votepetergoldmark.com

One legged, homeless veteran Douglas Dawson was lighted aflame by
two delinquents this afternoon. Dawson had been sleeping near the
campaign headquarters of Peter Goldmark, candidate for Congress from
the Fifth District, which includes Spokane. Dawson was sleeping
outside the headquarters because the previous evening he was given
food, water, and blankets by Goldmark Campaign Manager Jeremiah Levine.

"My staff did the right thing," said Goldmark, "Jeremiah acted selflessly."

After finding Dawson across the street from campaign headquarters,
Levine pushed Dawson's wheelchair to the headquarters building, fed
him, and gave him blankets. Levine called six shelters in Spokane,
and none would help Dawson: five were closed, and the Union Gospel
Mission refused. The Mission argued that a disabled person would not
be able to perform the chores required of all who sleep at the
Mission. The Spokane Veterans Hospital was also not available to treat
Dawson.

"This points out that there is not enough care for veterans. We must
take better care of our veterans, and better care of our homeless
community," said Goldmark.

Levine first met Dawson at 9:45 PM Thursday night. Goldmark had just
driven Levine to campaign headquarters when Levine noticed Dawson
looking distressed in his wheelchair. When Levine asked Mr. Dawson
if he was okay, Dawson explained that he was a homeless veteran who
had just been discharged from Deaconess Hospital. Dawson complained
that he was out of money, was hungry, and had no place to sleep.
Levine provided a meal of baked beans and barbecued beef, as well as
blankets from the campaign office.

Once fed, Dawson again complained that he had nowhere to sleep.
Levine telephoned the six homeless shelters and was unable to find
Dawson a bed. At that point, formerly homeless Goldmark volunteer
Dave Bilsland helped Dawson from the sidewalk to  grassy area on
the north side of the campaign office. Dawson slept there until this
afternoon. Goldmark staff continued feeding him. At approximately
12:30 this afternoon, volunteer Ed Meadows charged into the campaign
office shouting that a man lying next to the building had been
terribly burned, and that the lawn was aflame. One staffer called
911 while volunteers Bilsland and Meadows used a garden hose to put
out the fire.

According to MSNBC, police have apprehended two young men who
confessed to having set Dawson on fire.
In honor of Douglas Dawson, Dr. Goldmark will host a free dinner for
homeless people at Goldmark Campaign headquarters this Tuesday
evening at 6 PM. The office is at 151 South Washington.

Dave Gibney Pullman

How do you propose to oppose the Republicans without opposing the Republicans. Homelessness? Are you joking? The Republicans long ago blamed the homeless for their own problems and the Democrats bought into the argument. Remember a little thing called "welfare reform"?

Come on. You have to stand up and be counted and if Maria Cantwell cannot and will not oppose the Republicans on their CENTRAL project while it is a TOTAL failure and unpopular 2-1 to boot, why should anyone believe that the Party Of Cantwell will do even one little thing for the Homeless?

It's ridicuous. The Party of Cantwell just failed even to oppose the Estate Tax rollback. That money could have gone a long way towards helping the homeless.

The issue is the Democratic party. Why? Becaus ethey REFUSE to make Republican policies the issue, thus sucking the oxygen out of all opposition.

Are you kidding me?

Seriously, THIS is not a reality-based discussion - not if we're talking about the Democratic party.

Therefore, as a political matter, you've got to oppose the enemies of the homeless - Republicans and right-win Dems. Because politics are about arguments - opposing sides.

Getting things done in the public, non-profit or private sectors is about cooperation, but politics aren't. They are about choosing what to do - differences of opinion.

The distinction I'm talking about is between doing stuff for homeless people and making homelessness an "issue". An "issue" is necessarily a political issue.