Make your own change

We're hearing more and more that 2010 is going to be an economic disaster. When we hear these things, it's important to remember that these analysts aren't talking about the effect on every day people like you and I; they're talking about Wall Street, the stock exchange, big business. I believe that many of our elected leaders, blinded by capitalist doctrine, personal power, and greed have lost sight of the little guy. They have no clue what a day in our life is like. Speak out every chance you get, through writing letters, attending rallies, and getting involved in advocacy for your own issues, whatever your situation. Make a difference. Don't wait for government and its agencies to handle your problems. Haven't they already proven that they can't, or won't?

A quick nod to the Ogden  Standard-Examiner. They really outdo the two major Utah papers when it comes to covering stories about poverty and homelessness. The top story comes a little late, but I thought it would promote a Big Game theme. Hope you all find someplace comfortable and safe to watch on sunday.

Top Story

Former Newark Bears mascot...homeless by Barry Carter The Star-Ledger [photo: John Munson The Star-Ledger, "Kendell Woolridge is homeless in Newark"]

Utah

Utah's poorest struggle to meet basic needs by Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune

Family struggles to survive by Kathy McKitrick the Salt Lake Tribune

Once homeless vets bumped off VA campus by Matthew D. LaPlante  The Salt Lake Tribune

[UTA] Free fare day... TRAX, buses, and Front Runner will be free Feb. 12. by Judy Fahys The Salt Lake Tribune

[St George] Neighbors seek to up park safety by Nur Kausar and Samantha Arnold The Spectrum (St. George, UT)

Democracy Day draws [citizen] activists to capitol by Josh Smith Deseret News

Volunteers...find, and count, Ogden homeless by Roy Burton Standard-Examiner staff. Article, video and slideshow.

Rapid Rehousing Program by Jamie Lampros Standard-Examiner correspondent

We should be charitable all the time Letter to the editor

[School] food drive raises awareness of needy Americans by Jamie Lampros Standard-Examiner correspondent

Nation

South Carolina Lt. governor compares poor people to stray animals by Josie Raymond change.org

2200 paroled homeless sex offenders in CA by Shannon Moriarty change.org

World

...homeless, jobless people in Tokyo by Hyun Oh Reuters

Locals brave cold to help...homeless BBC News

Winter Olympics: crackdown on homeless by Lucy Hyslop Guardian World News [photo: Chris Cheadle/Getty Images/All Canada Photos]

Art & Entertainment

...poetry written by [homeless] people... BBC News [photo: "The contributors behind Forgotten, a collection of poems and photographs about the hidden homeless in Bradford" BBC News]

Michael Rakowitz From homeless shelters to Iraqi heirlooms....by Skye Sherwin Guardian World News

Books about homelessness at amazon.com

Until next week,

your editor