Help The Homeless, Go Directly To Jail. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200.

On Monday, in a San Luis Obispo (SLO) courtroom, Dan De Vaul, a local man who has used his 70 acre ranch to help homeless persons rehabilitate their lives, was fined $1000 and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

In September, Mr. De Vaul was convicted of building safety and vehicle storage violations – both misdemeanors.

I have been following the ongoing battle between Mr. De Vaul and SLO County almost the entire length of time that I’ve been authoring this blog.

During that time, I’ve refrained from posting anything about this issue for several reasons. Primarily though, it has been because I’ve had mixed thoughts about it.  

Sarasota’s Homeless May Soon Enjoy The Opera Season

In 1697, Poet/Playwright William Congreve wrote the tragic-drama, The Mourning Bride.

That work produced a number of, now well known, quotes. Among them:

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."

It’s probably not likely that Kelly Kirschner, a city commissioner in Sarasota, Florida, had that quote in mind when he recently made a suggestion for "shooing" the homeless out of one of the city’s parks.

An article in the South Florida Herald-Times said that Commissioner Kirschner had suggested the "… piping opera or classical music" as a potential solution for deterring the homeless from "congregating" at the Five Points park.  

The Recession May Be Over, But More Americans Are Edging Closer To Homelessness

If you read, listen to or watch the news, it’s a good bet that you’re probably familiar with the phrase: "jobless recovery."

Since I’m not an economist or analyst, it’s difficult for me to completely understand the dynamics of how you can actually have an economic recovery if there isn’t any job creation taking place.

Yet, according to an Associated Press news article I read yesterday, later this week, the Government will be announcing that the recession if officially over. On the other hand, sometime next week, the Government will be releasing another set of data which is expected to point to an additional increase in unemployment.

Yes, you read that correctly: the recession is over, but the unemployment rate is going to rise.  

97 Years Old And Homeless

Homelessness is pot-marked by stereotypes and misconceptions.

I’m willing to bet that if you took a group of folks, placed them in a room and asked them to discuss homelessness, many of the most prevalent stereotypes would dominate the conversation.

I’m also willing to bet that there would be little – or nothing at all – said about the numbers of children who experience homelessness each year.

Probably less would be said about the number of senior citizens who unfortunately find themselves homeless.  

H.R. 3501: "Cash For Barkers"

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m just getting older or if I’ve becoming a bit more cynical. Of course, it could just be a combination of the two. Whatever the reason, I’ve come to the conclusion that politics and reality don’t seem to intersect too often – if at all.

Case in point –