As I’ve been predicting, we’re seeing more news about homelessness and homeless people as the Spring holidays approach. The federal government managed not to shut down, but seems no closer to a set budget agreement. Storms the likes of which people say they haven’t seen in decades are destroying people’s homes and taking lives. Still, Congress plays party politics. It’s as ridiculous as Mad Magazine’s (white)Spy vs. (black) Spy.
I believe our government officials are out of touch. Otherwise, why would they play politics instead of “promoting the general welfare,” which is what we hired them to do?
[photo: a recent LA Times] 
But how did this division between Washington and every day life happen? Apathy. Have you ever met, called, written any of your government representatives? Do you actively participate in your government? DO YOU VOTE?
On CNN this morning, the Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Noori [pictured left], put things in perspective for me. To paraphrase, she asked us to imagine that we are the president of the largest 
corporation in the world. Half of your employees want you to succeed; half of them want you to fail. That is the situation President Barack Obama has faced since last year’s elections.
Our president has a tough job. I couldn’t do it; most of you couldn’t either. So unless you’re wiling to fill his shoes, maybe give him a break. At least, be informed and involved. Because although a decision to sit on the sidelines and complain is your personal right, it is affecting everyone in this country.
This week’s links follow...
The unemployed need our support not disrespect by John Florez, Deseret News [photo: John Florez] © 2011 All rights reserved.
Westminster students get a taste of homelessness by Spencer Garn, Deseret News “A couple of Westminster College students got a small taste of homelessness this week — living on $2 a day in a makeshift shelter.”
Utah top official honors vets at SLC 
shelter by Matthew D. LaPlante The Salt Lake Tribune. © 2011 All rights reserved. [photo by Chris Detrick]
Cutting assistance will put families on the street a letter to the editor by Israel Bayer, Executive Director of Street Roots, in The Oregonian
The Budget is Out by Catherine An at naehblog
A European Perspective to Ending Homelessness by Suzannah Young, Communications Officer at FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless) at naehblog
“homelessness” search: at BBC News at NPR at Scoop Independent News (New Zealand) at World News
Video Spotlight
Entertainment:
Music-Micah P. Hinson & The Red Empire Orchestra by Julian Marszalek at BBC News “...before a note has been played on this, the fourth album from Texan Micah P. Hinson. Taking into account his history of drug addiction, homelessness and jail…”
Film-Wendy and Lucy DVD out May 5th A film by director Kelly Reichardt. A post-Katrina tale of a homeless young woman heading west with her dog.
Based on the short story Train Choir by Jon Raymond.
Books-Writer Jon Raymond sees his work realized in Oregon films by Douglas Perry, The Oregonian. Raymond’s collection of short stories, Livability contains Train Choir [see above].
Events:
Benefitting- The Road Home: Do Good Feel Good Event (Mark Miller Subaru), One by One Breakfast. Salt Lake City Mission: Feinstein Fight Hunger Campaign 2011
Easter is Sunday, April 24!
Serving Easter meals: SLC Mission’s Easter Day Celebration-Pioneer Park, between 300 & 400 South and 300 & 400 West (Salt Lake City) 7 AM to 5PM Click HERE for map.
Rescue Mission of Salt Lake’s Annual Easter Dinner Saturday April 23, also in Pioneer Park (map above), or if bad weather, at the mission’s building at 463 S 400 West (Salt Lake City) 11AM to 3PM Click HERE for map
Other related links (not found above):
North American Street Newspaper Assoc. / Nat’l. Coalition for the Homeless / Nat’l. Alliance to End Homelessness / State Homeless Co-ordinating Committee (UT) / UtahDivision of Housing and Community Development & participating agencies /Palmer Court Apartments (SLC) / Salt Lake Street News (SLC’s own street newspaper) Utah Department of Workforce Services (jobs)
A favor to ask those of you who follow this blog in Salt Lake City. If possible, please attend the following event. Over 30 readers from the community, including yours truly, will share recent writing works with the audience. Hope to see some of my readers there.
Until next week, stay aware, stay active, stay alive...
—Your editor
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