Trash and the Transient Troubles

SoHum’s troubled by transients and homeless folk.  Two weeks ago, the community held a meeting to discuss the problem. (Audio available here on KMUD.) I hear there is another meeting this Friday though I don’t know the specifics.

The photo above was sent to me along with the following story to illustrate the problem. (The person who sent this wants to be anonymous.)

I watched as the very dirty man picked up the big bag of collected garbage wrapped in a section of tent screen. He walked with the load to the center of the Bear Canyon bridge and tossed the garbage over the edge into the canyon and stream bed far below.

When I asked him about it, I was given a fear inducing glare from the man, who fixed his eyes on me as he went to the side of the road and picked up a large stick with barbs on it. It resembled a mace from the middle ages. He never spoke at all. He then picked up the remaining bag of garbage from the roadside and walked with it to a spot overlooking the highway. He returned without the bag, without the mace, and walked on into Garberville.

Out of curiosity, can anyone explain why he would go the extra step to throw it off the bridge.  Why not just leave it alongside the road to be picked up?

 

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skunk
Guest
skunk
12 years ago

Because he’s crazy, Kim. But you knew that. Long ago I decided to judge people by their actions, as opposed to their words. Jesus said something like “you’ll know them by their deeds.” We can not know what something is thinking, even if they tell what they say they are thinking. We can not know.

Anyhoo, I’m sorry the photographer didn’t call the cops.

To the more important point, while everyone is complaining about the transients harassing them, I’ll put in a word for Mother Nature. I’m sorry he didn’t throw himself off the bridge. There are too many people on the planet, says she. And sorry folks, there just are. We are overpopulated rats in a box attacking and eating each other. And there is no other expected result. Play the worlds’ smallest violin for this guy, but in the end, some microscopic entity will kill most of us because we live in such tight quarters and that, my friends, will change the debate.

Oh, and the carriers of the these diseases and the diseases themselves are already here. That will be our karma and Mother Earth’s answer to all of this. Soup Kitchen? Try for mass burials and find some one left alive to dig or burn, if you can.

So I’d suggest community toilets and showers as at least one method of giving us a fighting chance to keep people clean. They are not going away. In fact, it’s going to get worse. Toilets and baths are for all of our common good. Good luck and good morning.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Skunk is indicative of altruistic moral relatavists whose goals include suffering, self sacrifice, and ultimately death. Skunk sees life as cheap and wants others to see life as cheap. Most homeless do see their lives as cheap and refuse to fight for their own survival, they may look well fed but look in their eyes and you’ll see their soul died years ago. Humboldt can have that effect on people, the gray skies, the rain, and the hatred of humanity make it easy to lay down and die. Add the closed economy of humboldt and its a death sentence to anyones spirirt. That’s the main reason I moved to Los Angeles. I am thriving compared to when I lived in humboldt! I am solely responsible for myself and am enjoying the struggle. Course, I’ve never had my spirit killed by people like skunk, they’ve come close but in the end I remain eternal.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Skunk is indicative of altruistic moral relatavists whose goals include suffering, self sacrifice, and ultimately death. Skunk sees life as cheap and wants others to see life as cheap. Most homeless do see their lives as cheap and refuse to fight for their own survival, they may look well fed but look in their eyes and you’ll see their soul died years ago. Humboldt can have that effect on people, the gray skies, the rain, and the hatred of humanity make it easy to lay down and die. Add the closed economy of humboldt and its a death sentence to anyones spirirt. That’s the main reason I moved to Los Angeles. I am thriving compared to when I lived in humboldt! I am solely responsible for myself and am enjoying the struggle. Course, I’ve never had my spirit killed by people like skunk, they’ve come close but in the end I remain eternal.

K at the bookstore
Guest
K at the bookstore
12 years ago

Skunk is right that the individual suffers extreme mental problems and distress. And, which might comfort Skunk but makes my heart ache, the individual is suicidal.

I think it is important to remember that the actions of one person are not the actions of all.

K at the bookstore
Guest
K at the bookstore
12 years ago

Skunk is right that the individual suffers extreme mental problems and distress. And, which might comfort Skunk but makes my heart ache, the individual is suicidal.

I think it is important to remember that the actions of one person are not the actions of all.

Over the BS
Guest
Over the BS
12 years ago

Sorry but I think its funny that the holier than thou SoHum community is plagued with this “problem”. The SoHum “community” that I have experienced when I lived there was fake, greedy and did I say fake and greedy? Obviously not every single person is that way but for the most part the “community” is a fraud. Thats why Reggae fell apart and thats why the karma has their downtown crawling with “homeless” people. Everyone only cares about themselves, their road, their mountain, “their” downtown.Go back up to your property if you dont like it and be fake and greedy and dont throw crumbs to the vagrants downtown and have fake bollywood parties for the “community” park..gag,,,gag…
and just to leave on a positive note, I love this blog and I know that there must be cool people in SoHum, just not that Ive experienced.

Over the BS
Guest
Over the BS
12 years ago

Sorry but I think its funny that the holier than thou SoHum community is plagued with this “problem”. The SoHum “community” that I have experienced when I lived there was fake, greedy and did I say fake and greedy? Obviously not every single person is that way but for the most part the “community” is a fraud. Thats why Reggae fell apart and thats why the karma has their downtown crawling with “homeless” people. Everyone only cares about themselves, their road, their mountain, “their” downtown.Go back up to your property if you dont like it and be fake and greedy and dont throw crumbs to the vagrants downtown and have fake bollywood parties for the “community” park..gag,,,gag…
and just to leave on a positive note, I love this blog and I know that there must be cool people in SoHum, just not that Ive experienced.

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago

I think your energy would be put to more constructive use by speculating on how our community might better create an avenue towards finding a greater means of accommodating our ever growing population of homeless people with food, shelter, and bathroom facilities, rather than focusing on one person’s mental health issues and irrational behavior.

elsiebells
Guest
elsiebells
12 years ago

agree

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago

I think your energy would be put to more constructive use by speculating on how our community might better create an avenue towards finding a greater means of accommodating our ever growing population of homeless people with food, shelter, and bathroom facilities, rather than focusing on one person’s mental health issues and irrational behavior.

elsiebells
Guest
elsiebells
12 years ago

agree

06em
Guest
06em
12 years ago

Maybe he was thinking that some of the stuff he was tossing might lead back to himself and he was making it harder to find.

Or maybe the stuff belonged to somebody else and this was his way of getting back at that person.

There are explanations that don’t require mental illness to explain that behavior. I have to drive up Kneeland Road sometimes and it’s become a dumping ground for used-up appliances and trash. Maybe these fine citizens think it’s cool because the dumping mainly happens on timber company land, but I don’t think that matters to the local critters and Freshwater Creek.

06em
Guest
06em
12 years ago

Maybe he was thinking that some of the stuff he was tossing might lead back to himself and he was making it harder to find.

Or maybe the stuff belonged to somebody else and this was his way of getting back at that person.

There are explanations that don’t require mental illness to explain that behavior. I have to drive up Kneeland Road sometimes and it’s become a dumping ground for used-up appliances and trash. Maybe these fine citizens think it’s cool because the dumping mainly happens on timber company land, but I don’t think that matters to the local critters and Freshwater Creek.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Couple thoughts. Here in Los Angeles the cops for the most part have better things to do than harass homeless. In Los Angeles you can see motorhomes by the dozens along streets, they have families living in them. The dollar menu’s are lifesavers for people who are homeless but have some means of income. In Los Angeles there’s always wys to make money if you’re smart about it, thus a gym mambership is possible so that one can shower. As long as you’re somewhat clean and civillized people won’t even know you’re homeless, most don’t care either way. The problem in Humboldt is the lack of resources, lack of bathroom facilities, lack of cheap food, lack of opportunities even for the industrious, cops who have nothing better to do. HOWEVER, it comes down to the question of DOES THE HOMELESS PERSON HAVE SELF RESPECT?

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

Thank you, Nicholas. I hope you succeed there.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Couple thoughts. Here in Los Angeles the cops for the most part have better things to do than harass homeless. In Los Angeles you can see motorhomes by the dozens along streets, they have families living in them. The dollar menu’s are lifesavers for people who are homeless but have some means of income. In Los Angeles there’s always wys to make money if you’re smart about it, thus a gym mambership is possible so that one can shower. As long as you’re somewhat clean and civillized people won’t even know you’re homeless, most don’t care either way. The problem in Humboldt is the lack of resources, lack of bathroom facilities, lack of cheap food, lack of opportunities even for the industrious, cops who have nothing better to do. HOWEVER, it comes down to the question of DOES THE HOMELESS PERSON HAVE SELF RESPECT?

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

Thank you, Nicholas. I hope you succeed there.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

I have not only found it easier to survive as a homeless person in Los Angeles but have also found ways to start getting myself out of he en situation. I keep clean, busy myself with ways of making money and achieving my goals. I respect myself.

Ernie's Place
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

I promised myself that I wouldn’t get sucked into this no-win war in words. But, Mr. Bravo nailed it. He wanted to get out of his homeless situation. He was smart enough to realize that a small town like Garberville simply does not have the resources to help the homeless. Not even Eureka or Arcata has enough jobs or facilities to help them. They do what they can, but It is pathetically little help.

Our desire to help the homeless only gives them false hope and ends up leaving them bitter and retaliatory. No wonder they crap on our sidewalks.

Mr. Bravo wanted to help himself and realized that Humboldt Co. could not provide the basic tools for him to support himself, so he moved to Los Angeles. Moving to Garberville would have been a certain dead end for him.

All I can say is Bravo! Mr. Bravo. I hope that you continue to be able to take care of yourself and regain a certain amount of pride in who you are. Maybe someday you can return to Humboldt with a viable career. Keep your head held high.
Thank-you

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Ernie's Place

I also like the part where he suggests that a bathroom and showers help him keep his self-respect.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

I have not only found it easier to survive as a homeless person in Los Angeles but have also found ways to start getting myself out of he en situation. I keep clean, busy myself with ways of making money and achieving my goals. I respect myself.

Ernie's Place
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

I promised myself that I wouldn’t get sucked into this no-win war in words. But, Mr. Bravo nailed it. He wanted to get out of his homeless situation. He was smart enough to realize that a small town like Garberville simply does not have the resources to help the homeless. Not even Eureka or Arcata has enough jobs or facilities to help them. They do what they can, but It is pathetically little help.

Our desire to help the homeless only gives them false hope and ends up leaving them bitter and retaliatory. No wonder they crap on our sidewalks.

Mr. Bravo wanted to help himself and realized that Humboldt Co. could not provide the basic tools for him to support himself, so he moved to Los Angeles. Moving to Garberville would have been a certain dead end for him.

All I can say is Bravo! Mr. Bravo. I hope that you continue to be able to take care of yourself and regain a certain amount of pride in who you are. Maybe someday you can return to Humboldt with a viable career. Keep your head held high.
Thank-you

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Ernie's Place

I also like the part where he suggests that a bathroom and showers help him keep his self-respect.

Too bad
Guest
Too bad
12 years ago

It’s really a shame that he himself did not hurl his carcass over that bridge. The community used to prevent these problems from even happening. This is a classic example of when the pot heads out number the old timers. No more regulation.

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Too bad

I guess I’m just not comfortable with the idea that people who do bad things are worthless and should die. I’ve known people who have done some bad things. I’ve never personally known anyone I’ve thought so evil that that the world was better by their abrupt end. Do I want to stop this man from throwing trash in my community? Yes. Do I want him to die? No, and I hope most of us are not willing to call down the death penalty for littering.

Too bad
Guest
Too bad
12 years ago

It’s really a shame that he himself did not hurl his carcass over that bridge. The community used to prevent these problems from even happening. This is a classic example of when the pot heads out number the old timers. No more regulation.

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Too bad

I guess I’m just not comfortable with the idea that people who do bad things are worthless and should die. I’ve known people who have done some bad things. I’ve never personally known anyone I’ve thought so evil that that the world was better by their abrupt end. Do I want to stop this man from throwing trash in my community? Yes. Do I want him to die? No, and I hope most of us are not willing to call down the death penalty for littering.

Rocky Rivers
Guest
Rocky Rivers
12 years ago

Are the homeless we refer to really transients? Did they lose their homes here? Why do they come? The real issues we face and this is all around the country is what to do when people decide to give up trying to better themselves and they enter into a spiral of self destruction. How do we as a society save this person or these people? Do they want to be saved? Whos going to pay? How much will it cost?

As you see there are no easy answers. So what do we do as a small community to remedy our situation? We need ideas to throw around without beating up on the people who come up with ideas. After all, we know what we have now, how do we improve our situation?

I heard a fellow say the Transients are like Park Bears, feed them and watch them come. Now all these folks are different just like you and I. Some are probably never going to heal the wounds that make them live this lifestyle and some probably want the chance to get on their feet again. Perhaps some like this lifestyle? This in its-self presents a challenge as its not a one size fits all approach.

So what kind of ideas are out there? We could seek a “No Sit no Lie” Ordinance that our Sheriffs Office could enforce to keep people from loitering on our sidewalks.
We could incorporate Redway and Garberville and hire our own Law Enforcement to Bicycle the streets of Redway and Garberville. The cheapest solution for everyone is that the majority of the Transients all come to the fair and adopt a new progressive pattern toward helping themselves get out of the rut or just go back to wherever they came from.

With all the creative chopper shows I have seen, perhaps a portable weather proof cocoon can be concieved and manufactured that is a combo shopping cart, bike cart all weather enclosure that they can use in their travels to stay dry and sleep. Pushable, Foldable and can be towed by a bicycle. Another idea is to create a fund that people could contribute to so that transients could earn a bare $10 a day for a few hours work at some kind of community service (like cleaning up the streets) than that could sustain them on the cheap. (Of course we would need a director to administer the program and i’m sure labor laws probably prevent that.) As far a the bathrooms, They would be expensive to maintain when it comes to vandalism and trash..the best thing would be to provide portable ones (also funded by the action fund) serviced by a vendor, and thats only as good as the people who use them, start destroying them and its over.

One more thing, Random Drug testing for anyone receiving government assistance. If they have a substance abuse problem that is keeping them disfunctional, I don’t want my tax dollars going to support them committing a slow suicide in front of my eyes. (Remember, we jailed Dr Kavorkian for teaching quick suicide.) Tough issues require a tough stance. All these folks need help, however, we should seek to help those who really need it and for those who are bent on self destruction, perhaps some form of minimum security incarceration rehab would help. Just like Fire is taught triage, Triage these folks, if the person is spun, take them to an institutional setting for some life skills retraining before turning loose.

Lots of questions, no easy answers but ideas within reason are the start. Next.

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Rocky Rivers

I like the thoughtful way you offered information. You’ve done a lot of thinking about this and it shows. What do you think about our community approaching Betty Chin and learning from her how she makes the shower/bathroom work.

suzy blah blah
Guest
suzy blah blah
12 years ago
Reply to  Rocky Rivers

wow thanx for the great ideas Rocky. i really really like your progressive approach the to issue. Our community is known for creative inventive ideas and htinking out of the box like yours; and the positive position of creating inventive solutions instead of getting bogged down in the negativity of always pointing and complaining that we’ve been doing of late. I though hard about this when my car broke down and i was temporarily “on the street” . Ironically it happened when i was on my way to a meeting about the homeless. It made me stop and think. The same old ways of going about these things isn’t working anymore. We need to put some fresh ideas on the table. Like yours. I specially like the concept of your portable pop out shelter shopping cart. I could’ve used one while i was waiting for my car to get hauled LOL. But seriously, lets keep the progressive positive vibes towards this alive. I am sure that if any one can come up with the best solution it will come out of a place like humblodt county where so many creative things get started. I am proud to be a part of this hub of creativity and innovation. And i can easily understand why a homeless person would be proud to live here too.

j.marko unknown (@obtusemental2)
Guest

as usual nice reads-

j.marko unknown (@obtusemental2)
Guest

as usual nice reads-

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
12 years ago

I swear I passed Frodo and Sam just south of Laytonville on my way home today.

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

What? No photo?

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
12 years ago

I swear I passed Frodo and Sam just south of Laytonville on my way home today.

Staff
Member
12 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

What? No photo?

Ben Schill
Guest
Ben Schill
12 years ago

We are currently seeing lots of healthy young hipsters looking for trimming jobs. Nice backpacks, cell phones and good attitudes. Some do find work and word gets around. So we do have a job market but I’m sure the majority of wannabee trimmers are not successful.
In my opinion, this community has a hard time looking for advice or a good model. We like to invent our own solutions. Part of the problem is that we exist in a 101 funnel. Every hitcher on the road has to pass through here. In the heyday of the timber industry, a transient could find a job easily and if he didn’t like the setup he could head for the next mill. People lived in tar paper shacks and the County looked away because workers were needed and there was a shortage of housing. When I was a kid in LA the hills were full of squatters who had work but no place to live. They kept goats and chickens and yelled at us kids if we came around but everyone who wanted to work had a job. Humboldt timber built those folks houses and schools to be proud of.
Our economy is broken. We have used up our reserve of infrastructure. Two working parents has become a norm that sends our kids to emotionally sterile daycare and the society suffers. Politicians are helpless to find solutions and cooperation is non existent. We are in very big trouble and it’s not going away soon.

Ben Schill
Guest
Ben Schill
12 years ago
Reply to  Ben Schill

I should add that I was a kid in LA in 1946-7-8, right after WWII. Growing up in Pasadena, I had the benefit of the finest public schools in the State and maybe the whole Country. Corporate and personal tax rates were higher as a result of Wartime needs and it continued into Peacetime. The basis of this excellence was the general availability of good jobs, both in manufacturing and service. Many of those jobs have gone to cheap labor in other countries. Construction and timber have taken a beating as a result of the mortgage implosion. Fishing is practically nonexistent. A large marijuana operation is the current equivalent of a sawmill. Yet even with all the cash flow in the local economy, we are unable to provide extensive music and language programs in our schools because we can’t tax pot grows. Libraries reduce their hours and days. There is no future for our grandchildren in this downward spiral and the social acne of our diseased society is the homeless problem. If it took 13 years to build the Senior Housing in Garberville, how long will it take to build low cost housing in Humboldt? Low cost housing is little more than hot air. If I live to 90, I might see it. At some point, we are going to have to kick some political and economic butt to change all this but what the heck, let’s watch TV instead.

Ben Schill
Guest
Ben Schill
12 years ago

We are currently seeing lots of healthy young hipsters looking for trimming jobs. Nice backpacks, cell phones and good attitudes. Some do find work and word gets around. So we do have a job market but I’m sure the majority of wannabee trimmers are not successful.
In my opinion, this community has a hard time looking for advice or a good model. We like to invent our own solutions. Part of the problem is that we exist in a 101 funnel. Every hitcher on the road has to pass through here. In the heyday of the timber industry, a transient could find a job easily and if he didn’t like the setup he could head for the next mill. People lived in tar paper shacks and the County looked away because workers were needed and there was a shortage of housing. When I was a kid in LA the hills were full of squatters who had work but no place to live. They kept goats and chickens and yelled at us kids if we came around but everyone who wanted to work had a job. Humboldt timber built those folks houses and schools to be proud of.
Our economy is broken. We have used up our reserve of infrastructure. Two working parents has become a norm that sends our kids to emotionally sterile daycare and the society suffers. Politicians are helpless to find solutions and cooperation is non existent. We are in very big trouble and it’s not going away soon.

Ben Schill
Guest
Ben Schill
12 years ago
Reply to  Ben Schill

I should add that I was a kid in LA in 1946-7-8, right after WWII. Growing up in Pasadena, I had the benefit of the finest public schools in the State and maybe the whole Country. Corporate and personal tax rates were higher as a result of Wartime needs and it continued into Peacetime. The basis of this excellence was the general availability of good jobs, both in manufacturing and service. Many of those jobs have gone to cheap labor in other countries. Construction and timber have taken a beating as a result of the mortgage implosion. Fishing is practically nonexistent. A large marijuana operation is the current equivalent of a sawmill. Yet even with all the cash flow in the local economy, we are unable to provide extensive music and language programs in our schools because we can’t tax pot grows. Libraries reduce their hours and days. There is no future for our grandchildren in this downward spiral and the social acne of our diseased society is the homeless problem. If it took 13 years to build the Senior Housing in Garberville, how long will it take to build low cost housing in Humboldt? Low cost housing is little more than hot air. If I live to 90, I might see it. At some point, we are going to have to kick some political and economic butt to change all this but what the heck, let’s watch TV instead.

Scob Do
Guest
12 years ago

I think the homeless need to feel better about themselves. One way to do this is give them their own magazine. Call it ” Better Boxes and Crates ” Have it come out every month and feature a photo spread of the Bum of the Month, Have a fold out picture of him smiling and a couple of paragraphs of his history, how he came to be where he is and where he sees himself in 5 years. That should give him much needed self respect
Also the money from advertisers would be funneled back to the homeless. I am sure all the beer and wine companies would pay to advertise. We could have some of the homeless write articles about living on the road,and the pitfalls of that life. Maybe even some would have a recipe to share. I think this is a fantastic idea.

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago
Reply to  Scob Do

Here’s George Carlin doing the original version of this joke at 1:47 — 3:25

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago

And he tells us what to do about housing the homeless at 6:00

Scob Do
Guest
12 years ago

I think the homeless need to feel better about themselves. One way to do this is give them their own magazine. Call it ” Better Boxes and Crates ” Have it come out every month and feature a photo spread of the Bum of the Month, Have a fold out picture of him smiling and a couple of paragraphs of his history, how he came to be where he is and where he sees himself in 5 years. That should give him much needed self respect
Also the money from advertisers would be funneled back to the homeless. I am sure all the beer and wine companies would pay to advertise. We could have some of the homeless write articles about living on the road,and the pitfalls of that life. Maybe even some would have a recipe to share. I think this is a fantastic idea.

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago
Reply to  Scob Do

Here’s George Carlin doing the original version of this joke at 1:47 — 3:25

Anne on a Mouse
Guest
Anne on a Mouse
12 years ago

And he tells us what to do about housing the homeless at 6:00

elsiebells
Guest
elsiebells
12 years ago

ummmm thats just one homeless person you caught throwing something..makes no sense to me…being a school bus driver and driver of rural roads for over 20 years..please…so much more trash is thrown out by other than homeless….very sad..i live way out highway 36 and you know how many McDonalds and burger king bags and beeeer cans i have seen…actually true homeless people are very particulate and will carry there stuff as long as possible and recycle.probably take care of their trash more than your adverge travler….*HELP OUR HOMLESS*

elsiebells
Guest
elsiebells
12 years ago

ummmm thats just one homeless person you caught throwing something..makes no sense to me…being a school bus driver and driver of rural roads for over 20 years..please…so much more trash is thrown out by other than homeless….very sad..i live way out highway 36 and you know how many McDonalds and burger king bags and beeeer cans i have seen…actually true homeless people are very particulate and will carry there stuff as long as possible and recycle.probably take care of their trash more than your adverge travler….*HELP OUR HOMLESS*

skunk
Guest
skunk
12 years ago

It’s interesting how some people project thoughts onto others and then argue against them. For example, Nicholas bravo erroneously states that I think life is cheap. It’s the opposite. I think life is precious, including the fish in Bear Creek. Ironically I state that no one can know what another thinks and then Nick Bravo goes ahead and states what I think. Best not to cherry pick.

K at the bookstore conjectures that I am comforted by the notion the individual is suicidal. Again, grotesque projection groundless in its presumption. I am, in fact, disturbed and have been since Reagan opened the floodgates of the mental health institutions. That of course should really beg the question, why are there so many crazy people. And I answered that one above: because there are too many rats in the box. That’s just science. Overcrowd the critters and they go bonkers. Most times. Scientifically proven. Just look at us!

Now, violating my own rule, I’d say that someone who throws garbage over the bridge thinks that life is cheap. But I’m just making a point that Nicholas Bravo consistently states in his comments the exact opposite of the situation.

Worse, he completely ignores my call for bathrooms and showers to help the homeless stave off disease (and ultimately to feel better, like we all do after the three s’s).

So since life is precious, the fewer of us there are, the more precious we become. In the end, we’ll lose either 90% of the worlds’ population. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. And that’s why I don’t worry if someone wants off. Why wouldn’t they when people are busy having too many kids which they were taught to do to supply the armies and the cheap labor force.

And that is what it’s all about.

skunk
Guest
skunk
12 years ago

It’s interesting how some people project thoughts onto others and then argue against them. For example, Nicholas bravo erroneously states that I think life is cheap. It’s the opposite. I think life is precious, including the fish in Bear Creek. Ironically I state that no one can know what another thinks and then Nick Bravo goes ahead and states what I think. Best not to cherry pick.

K at the bookstore conjectures that I am comforted by the notion the individual is suicidal. Again, grotesque projection groundless in its presumption. I am, in fact, disturbed and have been since Reagan opened the floodgates of the mental health institutions. That of course should really beg the question, why are there so many crazy people. And I answered that one above: because there are too many rats in the box. That’s just science. Overcrowd the critters and they go bonkers. Most times. Scientifically proven. Just look at us!

Now, violating my own rule, I’d say that someone who throws garbage over the bridge thinks that life is cheap. But I’m just making a point that Nicholas Bravo consistently states in his comments the exact opposite of the situation.

Worse, he completely ignores my call for bathrooms and showers to help the homeless stave off disease (and ultimately to feel better, like we all do after the three s’s).

So since life is precious, the fewer of us there are, the more precious we become. In the end, we’ll lose either 90% of the worlds’ population. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. And that’s why I don’t worry if someone wants off. Why wouldn’t they when people are busy having too many kids which they were taught to do to supply the armies and the cheap labor force.

And that is what it’s all about.

Kyle Keegan
Guest
Kyle Keegan
12 years ago

Do we have a trash problem or a people problem? Maybe both. After hiking the streams of Humboldt doing salmon surveys for the past 15 years as well as hiking thousands of acres of land doing watershed analysis (road and sediment) surveys I would say that we (all of us) have a trash problem. Nearly all of the trash I have seen (plastic water line no longer in use, grow bags, plastic bird/deer fencing, grow pots, fertilizer containers etc..) was industry related. Much of it from years ago and it ends up in our streams or litters our back country woods. I’m guessing that most of of this trash is from people with homes…nice homes.
I agree with Ben’s comments about the new hipsters showing up and willing to work. The past two years during trim season I’m seeing more of these kinda folks. They look healthy and have been friendly and bright eyed in passing while in town. We do have a temporary bubble here while the surrounding economy flounders and if I was a young traveler and not knowing where to go in my life, I would probably stick a thumb out and see what the beautiful hills of Humboldt might offer. Actually, after getting out of college, that’s kinda what happened to me many years ago.
The issues of serious homelessness, drug addiction (meth) are hard ones for myself to see and address. It’s difficult or downright impossible to help people out while they are addicted. Who knows why the guy with the bag of trash tossed it over the bridge? I often wonder how people can justify leaving truckloads of trash out on the land that they might even live on. I think this is more than a homeless issue. Maybe it’s not feeling like this land is our home.

Kyle

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Kyle Keegan

In many ways it’s a lack of respect for others and themselves.

RefFan
Guest
RefFan
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

They have got to want the help and the change for the communities efforts to work. The first thing that needs to be done, is finding out the type of ppl that have come to this area, what are they looking for, what would be their goal if they had resources? If a community puts out money for facilities, food, etc, will that open the door for more homeless ppl who do not care about bettering their lives to come here and live off the working folks? I think that’s something to think about.

Kyle Keegan
Guest
Kyle Keegan
12 years ago

Do we have a trash problem or a people problem? Maybe both. After hiking the streams of Humboldt doing salmon surveys for the past 15 years as well as hiking thousands of acres of land doing watershed analysis (road and sediment) surveys I would say that we (all of us) have a trash problem. Nearly all of the trash I have seen (plastic water line no longer in use, grow bags, plastic bird/deer fencing, grow pots, fertilizer containers etc..) was industry related. Much of it from years ago and it ends up in our streams or litters our back country woods. I’m guessing that most of of this trash is from people with homes…nice homes.
I agree with Ben’s comments about the new hipsters showing up and willing to work. The past two years during trim season I’m seeing more of these kinda folks. They look healthy and have been friendly and bright eyed in passing while in town. We do have a temporary bubble here while the surrounding economy flounders and if I was a young traveler and not knowing where to go in my life, I would probably stick a thumb out and see what the beautiful hills of Humboldt might offer. Actually, after getting out of college, that’s kinda what happened to me many years ago.
The issues of serious homelessness, drug addiction (meth) are hard ones for myself to see and address. It’s difficult or downright impossible to help people out while they are addicted. Who knows why the guy with the bag of trash tossed it over the bridge? I often wonder how people can justify leaving truckloads of trash out on the land that they might even live on. I think this is more than a homeless issue. Maybe it’s not feeling like this land is our home.

Kyle

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Kyle Keegan

In many ways it’s a lack of respect for others and themselves.

RefFan
Guest
RefFan
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

They have got to want the help and the change for the communities efforts to work. The first thing that needs to be done, is finding out the type of ppl that have come to this area, what are they looking for, what would be their goal if they had resources? If a community puts out money for facilities, food, etc, will that open the door for more homeless ppl who do not care about bettering their lives to come here and live off the working folks? I think that’s something to think about.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Skunk, your previous comment was indicative of an unhealthy mentality that pervades humboldt county (especially in arcata) that people are expendable, and that they should be treated as a cancer upon the earth. This concept is so evil that it bears a strong response. I see human suffering and misery, it is the fault of altruism which states that self-sacrifice, suffering, and renunciation is ethical and that people are only a means to other peoples ends. I am violently opposed to it! These people who are suffering need a heaping dose of Ayn Rand philosophy of Objectivism! No individual is a means to another persons end, to treat people as such is unethical and must be stood against. This world holds nothing back in regards to its power to destroy people but when I see people willfully preaching destruction of the individual I have no choice but to stand up and speak out against it.

Laura Cooskey
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

Oh no, someone who quotes Ayn Rand. Please, NB, don’t confuse the rejection of altruism with the valuing of every single individual. In a laissez-faire world where people’s material condition (health, wealth, security) is associated with their character strength, the bullies will always “win” over the more thoughtful and sensitive people. That is, Ayn Rand’s sense of the value of “I” the individual is just a rehash of dog-eat-dog. It has nothing to do with the value of the poor, and if you put her and Skunk together on that bridge, i wouldn’t guarantee that Ayn Rand would be the one to save the guy if he tried to step off.

I have to agree with Skunk that you’ve put a lot of words into his mouth. He in no way hinted that people are a means to other people’s ends. In fact, that kind of thinking is the ethos of “The Power-of-I” (that’s an “i”, not a “one”).

Looks to me as if Skunk is merely looking at the big picture of the whole planet, and a long time frame, and seeing that we need to limit our population growth. The time to heed the Old Testament command (and that of any fundamentalist religion, incl. Basic Consumerism) of “Go forth and multiply” is dead and gone. If we don’t let go of that, we will continue to have more and more distressed, unhealthy (physically, spiritually, etc.), disruptive, angry people. I think that’s what he’s trying to say.

Of course i don’t believe it’s just the numbers… there are nations with much denser populations than ours, where people are much more peaceful and, at least mentally, healthy. But the “dog-eat-dog” world where there are “too many rats in the cage” just doesn’t work. Look around. Things break down, people break down. You see it more and more. One thing we can do to lessen the strain on the earth and on ourselves is to quit reproducing exponentially… and another is to quit producing material crap so massively that we don’t know what to do with the trash.

suzy blah blah
Guest
suzy blah blah
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

And that’s why I don’t worry if someone wants off.

@ Skunk -wait a sec, I can only take it that you wished he’d a jump’d when you said, “I’m sorry he didn’t throw himself off the bridge.” Thats not the same as not worrying about if somebody is suicidal. Thats totally hoping that they are. So going by your “altruistic” philosophy you should then commit suicide yourself. A sacrifice for others. But you didnt say youd sacrifice your life. You just wish others would kill themselves so theres more room for you. That their sacrifice be a “means to your ends”. To your ideals. Thats real selfishness. Way different than the passion for being self reliant that Nick is talking about. And totally the reverse of what i call self respect. Thats respecting a theory rather than respecting reality. What i see is that those who want to justify that others sacrifice themselves to some ideology or other, are on the same kind of power trip that those who want to rule the world are on. Nick was right when he said your comment that you were sorry that he didn’t kill himself by throwing himself off the bridge was, “indicative of an unhealthy mentality”.

Nicholas Bravo
Guest
12 years ago

Skunk, your previous comment was indicative of an unhealthy mentality that pervades humboldt county (especially in arcata) that people are expendable, and that they should be treated as a cancer upon the earth. This concept is so evil that it bears a strong response. I see human suffering and misery, it is the fault of altruism which states that self-sacrifice, suffering, and renunciation is ethical and that people are only a means to other peoples ends. I am violently opposed to it! These people who are suffering need a heaping dose of Ayn Rand philosophy of Objectivism! No individual is a means to another persons end, to treat people as such is unethical and must be stood against. This world holds nothing back in regards to its power to destroy people but when I see people willfully preaching destruction of the individual I have no choice but to stand up and speak out against it.

Laura Cooskey
Guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

Oh no, someone who quotes Ayn Rand. Please, NB, don’t confuse the rejection of altruism with the valuing of every single individual. In a laissez-faire world where people’s material condition (health, wealth, security) is associated with their character strength, the bullies will always “win” over the more thoughtful and sensitive people. That is, Ayn Rand’s sense of the value of “I” the individual is just a rehash of dog-eat-dog. It has nothing to do with the value of the poor, and if you put her and Skunk together on that bridge, i wouldn’t guarantee that Ayn Rand would be the one to save the guy if he tried to step off.

I have to agree with Skunk that you’ve put a lot of words into his mouth. He in no way hinted that people are a means to other people’s ends. In fact, that kind of thinking is the ethos of “The Power-of-I” (that’s an “i”, not a “one”).

Looks to me as if Skunk is merely looking at the big picture of the whole planet, and a long time frame, and seeing that we need to limit our population growth. The time to heed the Old Testament command (and that of any fundamentalist religion, incl. Basic Consumerism) of “Go forth and multiply” is dead and gone. If we don’t let go of that, we will continue to have more and more distressed, unhealthy (physically, spiritually, etc.), disruptive, angry people. I think that’s what he’s trying to say.

Of course i don’t believe it’s just the numbers… there are nations with much denser populations than ours, where people are much more peaceful and, at least mentally, healthy. But the “dog-eat-dog” world where there are “too many rats in the cage” just doesn’t work. Look around. Things break down, people break down. You see it more and more. One thing we can do to lessen the strain on the earth and on ourselves is to quit reproducing exponentially… and another is to quit producing material crap so massively that we don’t know what to do with the trash.

suzy blah blah
Guest
suzy blah blah
12 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas Bravo

And that’s why I don’t worry if someone wants off.

@ Skunk -wait a sec, I can only take it that you wished he’d a jump’d when you said, “I’m sorry he didn’t throw himself off the bridge.” Thats not the same as not worrying about if somebody is suicidal. Thats totally hoping that they are. So going by your “altruistic” philosophy you should then commit suicide yourself. A sacrifice for others. But you didnt say youd sacrifice your life. You just wish others would kill themselves so theres more room for you. That their sacrifice be a “means to your ends”. To your ideals. Thats real selfishness. Way different than the passion for being self reliant that Nick is talking about. And totally the reverse of what i call self respect. Thats respecting a theory rather than respecting reality. What i see is that those who want to justify that others sacrifice themselves to some ideology or other, are on the same kind of power trip that those who want to rule the world are on. Nick was right when he said your comment that you were sorry that he didn’t kill himself by throwing himself off the bridge was, “indicative of an unhealthy mentality”.

G.I.B.
Guest
G.I.B.
12 years ago

I was wondering how long it would take for then Gov, Ronald Reagan to be blamed for the homeless issue. The changes he made over 45 years ago should have been reversed by our democrat led Assembly but none were made.

G.I.B.
Guest
G.I.B.
12 years ago

I was wondering how long it would take for then Gov, Ronald Reagan to be blamed for the homeless issue. The changes he made over 45 years ago should have been reversed by our democrat led Assembly but none were made.

j.marko unknown (@obtusemental2)
Guest

housing & mental health-the Reagan era was to put the community involved-as opposed to Napa State Hospital- w/cottage for rather independent living folks w/issue-Dem.did not come up with funding for the exodus-Small adult care homes,no more then a dz. adult resident-.was to dot the state landscape-do know among the people now it be scary odd-60’s-70’s -80’s-90’s-20’soften camped out & kept my p.o. bx n Redway,now Arcata-feel like maybe a resident of late-

j.marko unknown (@obtusemental2)
Guest

housing & mental health-the Reagan era was to put the community involved-as opposed to Napa State Hospital- w/cottage for rather independent living folks w/issue-Dem.did not come up with funding for the exodus-Small adult care homes,no more then a dz. adult resident-.was to dot the state landscape-do know among the people now it be scary odd-60’s-70’s -80’s-90’s-20’soften camped out & kept my p.o. bx n Redway,now Arcata-feel like maybe a resident of late-

charlie two crows
Guest
charlie two crows
12 years ago

There’s a new book out titled; Lost Memories of Skin! Talks about some men homeless groups having convicted Sex Offenders that aren’t allowed to live around kids and schools. Does any one know if this is the case with your homeless. Does anyone know? And is the PO’s office sending their charges to the park so they won’t stay in Eureka! Can someone answer this? Thanks.

charlie two crows
Guest
charlie two crows
12 years ago

There’s a new book out titled; Lost Memories of Skin! Talks about some men homeless groups having convicted Sex Offenders that aren’t allowed to live around kids and schools. Does any one know if this is the case with your homeless. Does anyone know? And is the PO’s office sending their charges to the park so they won’t stay in Eureka! Can someone answer this? Thanks.

Ernie's Place
Guest
12 years ago

I was also wondering how long it would take for Ronald Reagan and the California State Mental Institution to come up. Those that were here, and paying attention, know that Reagan didn’t close the mental institution. He declared mental health “a neighborhood problem” and he defunded it. If you wanted to put your relative in mental health care, you could pay to put them there.

The problem being that California had premier mental health care, and people all over the United States were getting their relatives committed in California. A classic example of “build it and they will come”. The State of California could not afford to take care of the nations problems. The Mental Hospitals had to be closed, they were being over-run. Sound Familiar?

We tried the Community based mental health care, and as the person said ,45 years should be ample time to understand that Community based programs are a failure. I repeat A FAILURE. It is time to understand that mental health, vagrancy, lawlessness, and homelessness are a national problem and should be addressed on a national level. Having said that I realize that our government can’t even solve the jobless problem. What “hope” do we have???

Ernie's Place
Guest
12 years ago

I was also wondering how long it would take for Ronald Reagan and the California State Mental Institution to come up. Those that were here, and paying attention, know that Reagan didn’t close the mental institution. He declared mental health “a neighborhood problem” and he defunded it. If you wanted to put your relative in mental health care, you could pay to put them there.

The problem being that California had premier mental health care, and people all over the United States were getting their relatives committed in California. A classic example of “build it and they will come”. The State of California could not afford to take care of the nations problems. The Mental Hospitals had to be closed, they were being over-run. Sound Familiar?

We tried the Community based mental health care, and as the person said ,45 years should be ample time to understand that Community based programs are a failure. I repeat A FAILURE. It is time to understand that mental health, vagrancy, lawlessness, and homelessness are a national problem and should be addressed on a national level. Having said that I realize that our government can’t even solve the jobless problem. What “hope” do we have???