RE: http://www.joplinglobe.com/apstorysection/local_story_123111259.html

Nancy Morton is right in fighting this. Let's all come together and buy some property in the neighborhoods of those who want this at The First Baptist Church. Then they can have the drunks fall asleep on their sidewalk or the ones that litter their yards up with Vodka bottles.

I don't think Christians at the time of Jesus had to contend with people who were supported for being lazy and for being drunks. Our society enables the many of the homeless. I see all of these supposedly homeless people all day long. They look health enough to work but they don't. Where are they getting their money to go buy liquor.

Nancy Morton and those in her neighborhood have done more than most making Joplin a better place to live. They've used their own money, not government money is renovating the beautiful homes of Joplin's former glory.

So, let's all pitch and help the homeless by buying some property in the neighborhoods of those who are for this. Who knows, maybe we can make some money from it. I'm sure the government will pay us to take care of the homeless. There seems to be a lot of money in these halfway houses that litter our city.

4Joplin said:
"I don't think Christians at the time of Jesus had to contend with people who were supported for being lazy and for being drunks. Our society enables the many of the homeless. I see all of these supposedly homeless people all day long. They look health enough to work but they don't. Where are they getting their money to go buy liquor."

Jesus said:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Not all the homeless are that way through any fault of their own. Christian people whom oppose this are in no way remembering the teachings of Jesus. Be against those whom "promote" the wrongs in this world not those whom are victims of it.

When you find a beer or whiskey bottle in your yard, do not be so fast as to blame the homeless, my own experience is that more than likely it was not.

I'm glad you guys are so understanding. You will love this in your neighborhood. What part of town do you live in so we can put a City of Reguge in your backyard.

quote:

Originally posted by For Fair Play:
Not all the homeless are that way through any fault of their own. Christian people whom oppose this are in no way remembering the teachings of Jesus. Be against those whom "promote" the wrongs in this world not those whom are victims of it.

When you find a beer or whiskey bottle in your yard, do not be so fast as to blame the homeless, my own experience is that more than likely it was not.

quote:

Originally posted by 4Joplin:
I'm glad you guys are so understanding. You will love this in your neighborhood. What part of town do you live in so we can put a City of Reguge in your backyard.

quote:

Originally posted by For Fair Play:
Not all the homeless are that way through any fault of their own. Christian people whom oppose this are in no way remembering the teachings of Jesus. Be against those whom "promote" the wrongs in this world not those whom are victims of it.

When you find a beer or whiskey bottle in your yard, do not be so fast as to blame the homeless, my own experience is that more than likely it was not.

I am understanding that you do NOT understand what Christ taught and living in a homeless active area, I want you to know I have far more problems from those whom drive by and vibrate the walls and windows of my apartment and from the local party animals whom do leave beer and whiskey bottles whereever they please.

I feel sorry for you and others whom are all about yourselves. Maybe you should read the book "It's Not all About Me". You need to understand there is more to life than being wrapped up in yourself.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: For Fair Play,

quote:

Originally posted by 4Joplin:
I'm glad you guys are so understanding. You will love this in your neighborhood. What part of town do you live in so we can put a City of Reguge in your backyard.

It seems to me that a village can and must come up with a way to accomodate this.

Where the facility is now is not too bad a location, and only needs a zoning variance, which could be accomplished in 15 minutes at a Council meeting.

I also understand that there is a potential liability insurance problem associated with such a facility. Well, if we can find a way to insure the Police and Fire Departments, whose work is surely THE most dangerous known, then we can damn sure find a way to insure a shelter.

Then, it would be a good idea to make some special rules of behavior and conduct if necessary, so that the genuine and real concerns of neighbors could be handled.

As in ANY social group, it is only a VERY small percentage of homeless who are violent, negligent, loud, dirty or intoxicated. And, what is more, we must have SOME provision for homeless veterans and single parents. That is just what a decent society does.

These things ARE controllable, and what is far far far worse is to do nothing because THAT WILL result in chaos and suffering.

I worked for a large city government years ago who had this identical problem, identical. They screwed around and screwed around and listened more to the NIMBY's than to their conscience, for years. The result was that nothing got done, the homeless and drunks persisted sleeping in doorways and alleys and under bridges, and NUMEROUS businesses that had been complaining the loudest went out of business. It wasn't until the city DID something intelligent that the problem ended... but, by then, those businesses had folded and a lot of unnecessary hard feelings had been spread.

I am "4Joplin" too, I was born here a long time ago, and my family has lived here for generations. We can do what needs to be done, and good things never come for free. Somebody will have to be creative and make sacrifice for the greater good.

The City of Refuge allows their inhabitants to come intoxicated and there is not curfew. You holier than thous tell me what part of town your in and we can have the City of Refuge come to your part of town.

That Baptist Church cost $600,000, why don't the people spending that save some money and put up some cheaper housing near their homes. Who's paying this bill so we can try and relocate it to your neck of the woods.

quote:

Originally posted by 4Joplin:
The City of Refuge allows their inhabitants to come intoxicated and there is not curfew.
> There is no curfew on intoxication, and better to have the sick OFF the street where they can (and do) MUCH more harm. One of my cousins has been in law enforcement in this area almost his entire life. He once told me that more than 80% of ALL crimes have something to do with drugs or alcohol.

You holier than thous tell me what part of town your in and we can have the City of Refuge come to your part of town.
> City of Refuge is in our town, just as it is in almost every town everywhere throughout the world.

If they wish to locate in this neighborhood then there will be hearings, and I will urge special rules and zoning to accommodate their services without harm to those who already live here. There aren't, as a matter of fact, any buildings big enough or equipped properly for such a program within probably 20 blocks of here.

That Baptist Church cost $600,000, why don't the people spending that save some money and put up some cheaper housing near their homes.
> $600,000 for the services to be housed in one building is a fair price, and can be made to work compatibly with the neighbors. In today's market, a proper structure probably could not BE built for $600,000 that could be licensed and legal.

Who's paying this bill so we can try and relocate it to your neck of the woods.
> Caring people, and people who realize the pragmatic importance of handling this problem firmly, permanently, and safely.

"Who's paying this bill so we can try and relocate it to your neck of the woods."

Since you, and those who agree with your position, always return to that slogan as a way of handling your displeasure... let me turn it around on you for sake of comparison:

Other than it being not where you are, where else do YOU think it should be? "I don't care so long as it's not here." is not an acceptable response in this case.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Michael S. Bell,

How about idle hands are the work of the devil. Hang out near the homeless shelters and you will see healthy people who can work sitting idle.

I don't remember seeing "Blessed art the drunk because they shall inherit The Baptist Church"

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Bell:
4Joplin said:
"I don't think Christians at the time of Jesus had to contend with people who were supported for being lazy and for being drunks. Our society enables the many of the homeless. I see all of these supposedly homeless people all day long. They look health enough to work but they don't. Where are they getting their money to go buy liquor."

Jesus said:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

quote:

Originally posted by 4Joplin:
How about idle hands are the work of the devil. Hang out near the homeless shelters and you will see healthy people who can work sitting idle.
> Would you hire them?

I don't remember seeing "Blessed art the drunk because they shall inherit The Baptist Church"
> THAT is one of the better comebacks I have ever read or heard.
Actually though, they won't in fact inherit anything except, maybe, someplace to get out of the cold, maybe a trip to detox or rehab, and if they're lucky maybe AA, NA or Al-Anon. If they can get that far, then they might have a real shot at life again... all of which could begin at City of Refuge.

Remember please, not ALL homeless are habitually intoxicated.

quote:

They look health enough to work but they don't.

That isn't exactly a thorough assessment. Anyone know the incidence of mental illness among the homeless? No, you can't determine the relative health of someone by looking at them for a few seconds. Such a conclusion tells us much more about the person making the judgment than the person judged.

How about a working farm in rural setting for a shelter? Those who need a place to stay could help around the farm, taking care of the chickens, gathering eggs, tending a garden, doing woodwork, auto repair, etc. It would be healthy in the open air, nutritious foods, satisfying but not too difficult work, and could give some of the needy new job skills to get them back on their feet. Of couse the rural setting would potentially be far away from liquor stores and cigarette shops, so that might keep some away who could otherwise use a place to stay.

FANTASTIC IDEA!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by groucho:
How about a working farm in rural setting for a shelter? Those who need a place to stay could help around the farm, taking care of the chickens, gathering eggs, tending a garden, doing woodwork, auto repair, etc. It would be healthy in the open air, nutritious foods, satisfying but not too difficult work, and could give some of the needy new job skills to get them back on their feet. Of couse the rural setting would potentially be far away from liquor stores and cigarette shops, so that might keep some away who could otherwise use a place to stay.