Some good, some bad.

"Our objective does not change whether there's 8 or 20 voices, we protest for the voices that are excluded. The homeless, the poor, the unemployed are the voices that don't make it in the summits no matter how many countries there are involved."---Noah Williams, spokesman for the Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project. 

Top Story: 

G20 Pittsburgh summit live Protesters have called for a "people's uprising" in Pittsburgh as the G20 summit begins. Follow live updates here. [photo: Reuters/Michelle Nichols]

I filled out so many applications this week, I thought my fingers would fall off. Most of them were online. If there's one piece of advice I'd give to anyone looking for a job-you have to learn basic computer skills. You need them to search for work at the job service office, and you'll need them to apply for most positions.

As a result of the week's effort, I actually talked to three real people this week. I was not offered any of the jobs.

Perhaps I'm more impressive on paper than in person.

But trust me on the computer skills.

Just some comment on this 1st article: I lived at the Regis, and the Windsor, as well as the Stratford when it was a hotel. I've also lived in The Carlton and its annex. This was 15 years ago or so, and they were crawling with cockroaches then. Unless they've made some drastic changes, I'm hardly surprised there are vermin in them now. I doubt the city is to blame. The real tragedy is that anyone should be forced to live in the conditions prevalent in these SROs.

There's a whole lot of news this week, and as usual, some is good, some bad. ---your Editor

Bug-Infested SROs Low-income tenants say city landlords are letting them be overrun by bedbugs and cockroaches. By Eric S. Peterson Salt Lake City Weekly.

New jobless-benefits claims drop in U.S., Utah [Salt Lake] Tribune Staff and Wire Reports

Utahns get 'C' in financial security By Lee Davidson Deseret News

Making a difference, 'one starfish at a time' By Molly Farmer Deseret News

Provo coalition for homeless getting new facility by Marc Haddock Deseret News

Capitalism not to blame for financial crisis and low-income woes
by Walter E. Williams 

Jobless-benefits extension urged Labor commissioners from 18 states ask Senate for 13 more weeks of aid. By Carolyn Thompson Associated Press

Obama to world: Don't expect America to fix it all By Ben Feller Associated Press

House passes bill stopping Medicare premium hikes Those receiving Social Security benefits will not get a cost of living increase this year.   The Associated Press

Police clear French migrant camp  from BBC News Includes video and relateds stories. [photo: BBC News]

also Audio Slide Show: Life in "the Jungle"

New service to benefit homeless A six-month pilot scheme to help homeless people in Portsmouth is set to start next month. from BBC News

Fears for homelessness over cuts A homeless charity in Coventry has said a cut in its budget could lead to more rough sleeping in the city. from BBC News

Hostel for homeless faces closure St Anne's, a Birmingham hostel for the homeless originally founded by a parish priest more than 30 years ago, is facing closure after having its council funding axed. by Scott Faulkner. from BBC News

Habitiat for Humanity begins blitz build in Magna from ksl.com

US Economy at 'beginnings' of recovery: Geithner from Reuters Reporting by
Tabassum Zakaria and Alister Bull; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio

Be it G8 or G20, activists say protests to continue By Mark Egan [photo: Reuters/Michelle Nichols]

ELIMINATING DISPOSABLE HUMAN BEINGS? "...there is near-absolute impunity for murdering "malandros," a colloquial term for an underclass of young addicts, small-time drug dealers, homeless people and others at the bottom of the social pile..." By Bernd Debusmann

HOMELESS CHILDREN "Gary Foxcroft of British-based charity Stepping Stones- Nigeria said children living homeless on the streets in many countries had been driven out by families or communities because they were suspected of being witches." by Robert Evans

from THE GLOBE AND MAIL:  British Columbia is drafting the country's first legislation that would give authorities the power to compel homeless people to go to shelters or even jail during extreme cold- or wet-weather periods.

As a final note, a sad personal story:

Case study: The ex-serviceman who went from the army to alcoholism In the forces it goes hand in hand – you work hard and you play hard. When you come out of the army, it is hard to adjust. "John [not his real name] left the army a decade ago...Earlier this year he hit rock bottom – homeless and sleeping rough or couch-hopping." by Helen Carter, guardian.co.uk .

Until next week...
Help each other.