My apologies for not publishing last week. I've been fighting a pretty nasty viral infection. Very happy to be back and running right where I left off. Thanks to Andy Freeze and NASNA for this weeks lead story.
-JW
"DOWN AND OUT;
IT CAN'T BE HELPED,
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF IT ABOUT.
WITH, WITHOUT;
AND WHO'LL DENY
IT'S WHAT THE FIGHTING'S ALL ABOUT.
OUT OF THE WAY. IT'S A BUSY DAY.
I'VE GOT THINGS ON MY MIND.
FOR THE WANT OF THE PRICE
OF TEA AND A SLICE
THE OLD MAN DIED."
PINK FLOYD, "US and THEM"
(from DARK SIDE OF THE MOON)
That's one of my favorite songs, but hearing it the other day as I began surfing for articles, I really heard the words for the first time. It's a song about the inequities and injustices that are tolerated. It's about how we run from, avoid, or ignore issues and problems we find unpleasant. Or do as little as possible.
Through another contact, I was referred to an individual in our city whom I was told was also interested in starting a street sheet. When I first contacted her a year ago, she acted as if she had no idea what I was talking about. Recently, we've re-established correspondence, and she mentioned that the charitable organization for which she works was simply waiting for funding approval. I've been unable to pin her down to a meeting.
I've e-mailed and phoned many people of position at various organizations around town who purport to be advocates for homeless people. Not one of them has gotten back to me to even say "piss off."
So I guess it all comes down to me...and you. Let's call it us. The time for procrastination and passivity is past. If you want to change your life, and help others, get on board. They'll say we can't do it, but I believe we can.
I know you're out there. I hope you're reading me, and hopefully following the blog regularly. The Rio Grande Report as it exists is but a small part of what I envision. My own limited resources inhibit my ability to take it further at the pace I had imagined. You, faithful followers, are the key.
If you follow this blog and would like to help build a street newspaper here in Salt Lake City, please contact me at riograndereport@live.com. Your time, ideas, photos, and experiences can make it happen, and are an important part of educating everyone regarding the issues of homelessness and working toward doing something creative and original to help. I look forward to hearing from you. Maybe some of these other folks will reach me around Christmas.(LOL)
After the new year, look for fliers at The Road Home, Weigand Center, St Vincent De Paul Center, Fourth Street Clinic, and elsewhere announcing a meeting about how we can take our message to the streets of Salt Lake City, and eventually around the State of Utah.
(Forgot to push my little "publish" button on Friday...so here we go finally.)
Lead story:
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Utah homelessness up -- but number of chronics falls again by Matthew D. LaPlante the Salt Lake Tribune
Begging limits Err on the side of compassion Tribune editorial
All I could scratch together this time. Until next...
Stay warm,
but stay "cool."
--- your editor
--JW
[The author of this blog is not affiliated with NASNA or any of the other organizations to which the posts are linked]
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