John Gulick wrote:
But when the disparities become so mind-bogglingly obscene, putting
those of
the Gilded Age to shame, I seriously wonder why there aren't armed
retinues
or paramilitary squads penetrating the fortresses of these world-class
assholes and committing unspeakable acts.
.
The weirdness is just beginning John. Give it time, hopelessness, and
frustration to incubate, and bake well in the summer... It could be a
looooong hot summer, what with global warming and all....
Today's Santa Cruz Sentinel:, newspaper to a city of 55,000 and maybe
110,000 in the county.
Local News
VIDEO UPDATE: Police investigate arsons, two arrested in riot case,
local bikers ride into trouble
Arson spree hits police station, courts and mayor's business
[You read that right... someone tried to torch the Santa Cruz police HQ
(by setting the dumpster on fire... nice try.), a large modern building
with an underground shooting range that looks like a fortress, albeit it
has windows facing the street, AND the mayor's business.]
Riot breaks out at Vets Hall in Watsonville after band is no-show
(Zoot suit riot!)
A few weeks ago a local homeless person was sleeping in a local
restaurant after finding a way in from the freezing cold when it was
closed and it became a hostage situation because the morning help walked
in on him.
Of course he released the person immediately, if he ever did prevent the
person from leaving at all, but because there were knives in the kitchen
they locked down a whole major thoroughfare for hours...... I kid you not.
I call that "Practice", as in 'police state practice' on the poor.
Here's a letter to the editor on that topic. I believe this person's
tongue is firmly in cheek regarding the disingenuous wording of a SC
Sentinel article :
When do homeless people become transients?
What is the difference between a homeless person and a transient? In the
ever-intriguing language of Santa Cruz, once a crime is committed by a
nefarious character in Santa Cruz, he or she becomes a transient.
Santa Cruz welcomes the homeless because we are notorious for our
progressive compassion. Are we welcoming transients also?
It appears Mr. Kriston Carter was designated a homeless person, well
known to the police, until he locked himself in the cafe. Now he is a
transient. In terms of protecting my family and property, how do I
determine if the disheveled person standing in front of my house is a
homeless person who needs my compassion or a transient that may do me
harm? There are people who deserve our help and understanding, and no
one in Santa Cruz should be cold and hungry, but at the same time our
compassion needs to be balanced with a higher priority — public safety.
To assist me in this decision, maybe the police should be included in
the welcome wagon to do some background checks.
[...]
Also, the city is starting to develop one of the lots at the top of
Pacific street (where the coffee roasting company collapsed during the
89 earthquake, a lot that should be, by all rights, a city plaza not a
60 unit condo), and I truly wonder how long it will be before ol' Ed
Abbey shows up from the grave to .... 'disable'... those bulldozers.
How is it in your town?
Leigh
