Myths are widely held thoughts or beliefs that are not generally true. Beyond just being misinformation, myths and misperceptions are born of ignorance and often create negative attitudes and even prejudice. This is most often the case when it comes to understanding homelessness.
The myths about homelessness that you will find in my article came to me after conducting research of more than 2,000 individual comments from the public comments sections of the online edition of the Orange County Register. Common misconceptions regarding homelessness were sampled from more than 300 persons that contributed to the comments section of approximately 75 articles between February and September 2017. From the data gathered I was able to extract 30 of the top "myths" locally regarding homelessness. Note: These myths are not arranged in any particular order by frequency or popularity.
Myth #1: All homeless people live in homeless encampments or parks.
Reality: People who are living in their cars is the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, say homeless advocates and researchers. At least 30 percent of homeless people who aren't in shelters live in their vehicles, found Graham Pruss, lead researcher with the Vehicle Residency Research Program at Seattle University. Those living in cars tend to be the newly homeless. Homeless people living in their vehicles are often employed. The "working homeless" typically work at jobs that do not pay sustainable wages and the area where they work often lacks sufficient affordable housing. Before living in their cars, they may have experienced long commutes to their workplace that increased their expenses for fuel, vehicle maintenance and repairs. When someone is found living in their vehicle, it is an indication that they are one step from becoming visibly homeless and in the near future they may be living on the streets.
Myth #2: Most of the homeless have a severe mental illness.
Reality: There are relatively few people living on the streets who suffer from paranoia, delusions and other serious mental disorders. Homeless persons suffering severe mental illness often display behavior that they may be incapable of managing on their own. Sometimes the most extreme behaviors relating to their conditions come to the surface in view of the public, which in turn negatively influences public perception and creates an image of all homeless people as being somehow mentally infirm. It is an unfair misconception and further stigmatizes those individuals that are most in need of mental health services.
Many homeless people suffer depression, anxiety and PTSD as a result of their homeless condition. While not as severe as paranoia or schizophrenia they can be equally debilitating. The symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD are less likely to produce extreme behaviors publicly as seen in the more severe mental disorders and the effects can be greatly reduced when the individual becomes placed in permanent supportive housing.
According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017. 17 percent of respondents reported issues with mental health as a factor of their becoming homeless. Among the much smaller group of single adults who are chronically homeless, however, the rate reaches 30 to 40 percent. For this population, mental illness is clearly a barrier to exiting homelessness.
Myth #3: Homeless people don't need cellphones or to use the internet.
Reality: Free WiFi is one of the things that make life bearable for the homeless. In Orange County, many homeless people have a cell phone or maybe a tablet, and in some cases even a laptop. It's their lifeline to civilization. From their phones, they can gain online access and apply for jobs, access news and information and stay in touch with contacts through text, call or email. Cell phones and the internet are a way for homeless people to re-connect or stay connected to friends and family members and might likely contribute to an eventual re-unification with loved-ones as a means of ending the homelessness of the individual.
Myth #4: People are homeless by choice. Most homeless people choose to live on the streets.
Reality: No one starts life with a goal of becoming homeless. People are homeless for a wide variety of reasons, a good number of which are at least partly and often largely beyond a person's control. Homelessness occurs when people or households are unable to acquire or maintain housing. Two major factors that account for homelessness are the lack of jobs that pay a living wage and the lack of affordable housing. Additionally, people lose jobs and then housing. Women run away to the street to escape domestic violence. Many people have experienced significant trauma and simply cannot cope with life. Others struggle with mental illness, depression or post-traumatic stress. Yes, poor choices can contribute to homelessness. But outside circumstances strongly influence those choices. According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, 40 percent of homeless people said they were homeless because of employment/ financial reasons. 36 percent reported problems with finding affordable housing, evictions or foreclosures. 28 percent reported family issues including domestic violence, family dysfunction, dissolution,or a death of a family member. 22 percent reported that alcohol or drug use contributed to their homelessness. 13 percent cited medical/disability issues led to their homelessness.
Myth #5: If homeless people wanted to, they could pull themselves out of it.
Reality: Once an individual or family loses their home, getting back into housing can feel nearly impossible. Most people lose housing because of financial situations. They simply do not have enough money to provide housing for themselves or their families. Homelessness is often experienced after loss of a job or as a result of underemployment. Imagine trying to get a job when you have no address to put on a resume, no phone number, no shower and no clean-pressed clothes. Imagine not having a safe or secure place to leave your personal belongings while going to a job interview or a doctor's appointment. Often, things like physical, mental and emotional health, lack of transportation and outstanding legal issues hinder progress even more. Contrary to popular belief, the resources available in our community are not ample enough to meet the need to help every homeless person. Homeless people do not want to remain homeless, though some do 'give up' after months or even years of trying to access services that either they don't qualify for or even in some cases the services that they need do not even exist.
Myth #6: Most homeless people are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Reality: While many homeless people do report having a substance abuse issue, most report that the addiction occurred AFTER they became homeless and was not the cause of their homelessness. Often times, people experiencing homelessness turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to dull the realities that come with living on the street. While it depends on the person, many people find that once they are off the street they no longer find that they need or desire to continue with their addiction. According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, 22 percent of homeless persons reported that alcohol or drugs precipitated their homelessness. From my own personal experience, if a homeless person were to have a fifty dollar bill in his or her hand, it still would not afford them the cost of a motel room for one night of comfort. On the other hand, that same fifty dollars provides plenty of temporary comfort for someone with substance abuse issues.
Myth #7: Homeless people are lazy.
Reality: Surviving on the street takes more work than the average person realizes. Homeless men and women are often confronted with challenges that people with homes don't always understand. Being homeless can often be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausting. With no transportation and little money, one can spend all day getting to food and maybe an appointment before there is need to search for a safe place to sleep, all while trying to keep their personal possessions safe. It is not always a life of ease. Though some help is available, they may have no idea where to begin navigating the maze of social service agencies and bureaucracy. In a 2016 study from the Journal of Children and Poverty titled The Family Options Study, it was found that 17 percent of homeless adults in families, who share different characteristics than homeless individuals, had paying jobs, and 55 percent had worked during the previous year.
Myth #8: Homeless people need to "just get a job".
Reality: Getting a job is a challenge for many people these days, and incredibly difficult for a homeless person. Most lack clean clothes, showers, transportation, a permanent address and phone number. Others have a criminal past, learning disabilities and lack of education that holds them down. Some do already have a source of income through employment, disability and/or VA benefits, however their income is not sufficient enough to afford housing in our community. Many homeless are among the working poor and only a relatively small percentage receives government assistance. In Orange County, the hourly wage that a family or individual would need to earn to afford rent at the median market rental price ("housing wage") is around $25 an hour for a one-bedroom apartment. Minimum wage is only $10 per hour. General relief is the primary form of cash assistance for indigent adults who are not disabled, and it pays only about $2 per hour according to an ACLU report in 2016 titled Nowhere to Live: The Homeless Crisis in Orange County & How to End It.
Myth #9: Homeless people are dangerous.
Reality: Homelessness is often associated with drugs, alcohol, violence and crime. Life on the streets can be perilous for homeless men and women, but very few crimes are committed by homeless people against those of us who try to help them. There is however, a disturbing trend of hate crimes and violent attacks perpetrated against homeless victims. The numbers show that homeless men over the age of forty are most often the victims of violent death and the perpetrators are usually men under the age of thirty and mostly in their teens. 25% of all violence-related deaths to homeless people occur in California which leads the nation in this category. It is also reported that one in four attacks end in the death of a homeless person. This comes from a study titled: No Safe Place: A Survey of Crimes and Violence Committed Against Homeless People.
Myth #10: There should be conditions of sobriety met before housing homeless people.
Reality: Many well-intentioned people have genuine concerns about offering permanent supportive housing to homeless people suffering alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness. It is a common public belief that housing be dependent on their willingness to undergo psychiatric examinations or to get sober before given the opportunites that come with housing. Yet, there is strong evidence that shows otherwise. Housing First and Rapid Rehousing programs, provide access to housing without requiring participants to use other services such as mental health care, addiction treatment, education, job training, etc. as a pre-condition. The "Housing First" model has demonstrated widespread success in ending homelessness for even the 'hardest' to reach.
Myth #11: There are already sufficient services available to help homeless people.
Reality: While there are many organizations and programs in the Orange County community that provide housing and services for homeless individuals and families, the current level of resources do not meet the need. This unfortunately means that not everyone can get help. Our community is not alone in this reality. However, we have learned that the communities that are doing more than simply managing the need are those that have a coordinated and common strategy that meets the needs of homeless people as prescribed in the "Housing First" approach to ending homelessness. In turn, those communities are enjoying the greatest success and are reducing visible homelessness as a result.
Myth #12: If more services are provided to homeless people in OC, homeless from other places will continue to migrate here.
Reality: Homeless people who move to new areas do so because they are searching for work, have family in the area, or for other reasons not related to services. According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, 68 percent of all homeless people surveyed here were residents of Orange County for ten years or longer before becoming homeless. 90 percent were born in the U.S.
Myth #13: I would never become homeless, it will never happen to me.
Reality: Homeless people never intended or expected to become homeless. They never thought they would become homeless. Many of them have had solid jobs, houses and families. But at some point, life fell apart. Even people in relatively sound financial footing are not immune to a series of unfortunate events that can lead to homelessness. Since the homeless population varies in so many ways, it's much more likely than we think to become homeless.
Although homeless people do live in extreme poverty it's not necessarily always the sole cause of homelessness, so there are other factors to consider.
As previously mentioned, domestic abuse is a risk factor, especially for women with children. Children in foster care are also at a high risk because resources aren't always guaranteed. Other factors include not having a strong support system, dealing with mental or physical health problems, and drug use.
Myth #14: Providing food and shelter only enables people to remain homeless.
Reality: Food and shelter are essentials for life. When the most basic life-sustaining needs of chronically homeless people are provided along with permanent supportive housing according to the "Housing First" model for ending homelessness, better outcomes have been proven to be successful. Once the living conditions of homeless people are stabilized with housing, then they can be more willing to participate in their own recovery through counseling, addiction services, mental health interdiction, education, life skills and job training.
Myth #15: Homelessness Is a problem mostly in big cities.
Reality: While homelessness does appear to be a city problem, rural areas have been hit hard in recent years by homelessness, often due to economic factors.
The problem with representation here lies in what we consider to be homeless. While in the city, it's easier to come across homeless people, homeless folks in rural areas may be living with relatives or may experience homelessness for a shorter period of time compared to those in cities. Homeless people in rural areas often must travel long distances in order to connect with services while those living in large cities, particularly on the west coast, face severe shortages of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing that would end their episodes of homelessness.
Myth #16: Most homeless people are older, single men.
Reality: Although there are many single men among the homeless, the fastest growing population of homeless is families, and one out of four homeless people in the United States of America is a child. One in three homeless people were 24 and younger in 2014, and 37 percent belonged to a family, HUD's survey found. One in 45 US children experiences homelessness each year, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness.
Looking at the intersections of homelessness and gender, national reports claim women with children make up 60% of our homeless, which is often due to domestic abuse, compared to 41% of men with children. The 2017 Orange County Point-in-Time Survey indicates that 15 percent of all emergency shelter beds were occupied by families making up 36 percent of the entire homeless population in Orange County.
Myth #17: faith-based and nonprofit organizations will take care of the homeless.
Reality: The growth of the homeless population has far exceeded the capacity of charitable groups. Homelessness is a societal problem that requires a partnership between government, nonprofits, education, business and faith-based organizations along with active public support. In FY 2016-17, The County of Orange, dedicated $94,384,224 to ending homelessness out of $692,097,118 in available resources that could have been used to reduce visible homelessness. This information can be found on the last page of a 2016 report titled An Assessment of Homeless Services in Orange County.
In an Orange County Voters Survey conducted in July 2017 by Probolsky Research, 61.2 percent of respondents said that the County should be responsible for addressing the needs of the homeless. In the same survey, 43.2 percent said nonprofits and 37.8 percent said faith-based organizations should be responsible for addressing homelessness. 76 percent of those participating in the survey said that homelessness was a problem in Orange County.
Myth #18: More shelters are necessary to end homelessness.
Reality: When homelessness became a national epidemic in the 1980s, reformers responded with emergency shelters that were meant to be temporary havens. But as homelessness became more entrenched, so did shelters: Their capacity more than doubled by the late 1980s, then again a few years later. Along the way, shelters became institutionalized way stations for lots of poor people with temporary housing crises, including those avoiding family conflicts, leaving prison or transitioning from substance-abuse treatment.
Not much has changed over the years and the living truth is that shelters aren't always inviting places for the homeless, but they were never meant to be anyway. Large shelters are notoriously overcrowded and often the conditions are unsanitary, they may lack sufficient security and many homeless people complain about issues pertaining to privacy. Some shelters in older facilities are not always friendly (ADA compliant) to persons experiencing disabilities.
Some shelters have rules that frustrate homeless people. They must abide by a curfew or they can't sleep beside their partners or bring their pets. Forced to choose between a roof and their closest companions, many choose their companions.
Shelters may be the final safety net, but perhaps the need for more shelters needs to be re-evaluated and the needs of homeless people may need to be re-evaluated as well.
One fact remains. To be in a shelter, is to still be homeless, and the more shelters we build, the more resources we divert from the only real solution to homelessness: affordable and permanent supportive housing. The real homeless solution is the "Housing First" model as adopted by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) in "The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness" also known as "Opening Doors."
Myth #19: Homelessness is usually a long-term condition.
Reality: To the contrary, the most common length of time that someone is homeless is one or two days, and half the people who enter the homeless shelter system will leave within 30 days, never to return.
Long-term homelessness is relatively rare. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, about 2 million people in the United States were homeless at some point in 2009 (meaning they stayed overnight in a shelter or in a place not meant for human habitation). But on any given day, only about 112,000 people fit the federal definition of "chronic homelessness," which applies to those who have been continuously homeless for a year or more, or are experiencing at least their fourth episode of homelessness in three years.
Nearly all of the long-term homeless have tenuous family ties and some kind of disability, whether it is a drug or alcohol addiction, a mental illness, or a physical handicap. While they make up a small share of the homeless population, they are disproportionately costly to society. According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, there is an estimated cost savings of approximately $42,000,000 per year if all chronically homeless were placed into permanent supportive housing.
Myth #20: Homelessness will never end. These poor you will always have with you.
Reality: Researchers and policymakers are newly optimistic about the prospect of ending homelessness. For two decades, the goal of our homeless programs was to first treat people for their myriad afflictions (substance abuse, say, or illness) and hope that this would lead them out of homelessness. Now, the attention has shifted to the endgame: Get people back into housing as quickly as possible and the treatment for everything else can quickly follow, and with greater benefits. Many U.S. cities have established ambitious goals with 10-year plans to end homelessness.
People who haven't had a private residence in years have succeeded in these new "Housing First" programs, which place the homeless directly into their own housing units, bypassing shelters. Rent is subsidized and services are provided to help these tenants maintain their housing and be good neighbors.
While these plans to provide housing and better centralized services to homeless people are important in reducing the scope and duration of homelessness, they will not completely eliminate it everywhere for all time. But homelessness does end—one life at a time. With your help, we continue to restore the lives of hurting men, women and children every day. See the Orange County Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Myth #21: Fighting homelessness is expensive.
Reality: Studies show that simply housing people can reduce the number of homeless at a lower cost to society than leaving them without homes. According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, an estimated cost for homelessness in the county during a 12 month period in 2014-15 was $299M. Key findings in the study found that cost could be reduced to $42M if all chronically homeless individuals were housed. Additional findings indicated the the average cost for each chronically individual to taxpayers was $100,759 per year. That amount was reduced to $51,587 when the individual was entered into permanent supportive housing. This amount includes the cost of housing, counseling and drug treatment services.
Reality: In debates about homelessness, the topic of whether homeless people deserve resources is common.
It seems society is more comfortable providing housing and other resources to people who have jobs, have received treatment, or have done something to prove they're somehow "deserving" of basic human necessities.
This isn't helpful at all because by questioning whether they deserve help, we're perpetuating stereotypes that homeless people are careless and uneducated. This implies they haven't already done what they could to get help in the first place.
Without first attending to basic necessities, it's difficult to focus on other goals like finding work and receiving treatment for drug use or mental illness. We must focus on providing our homeless population with housing and other necessities that will help them become stable enough to continue to improve these conditions. The only method of reducing homelessness that has been proven successful over time is the "Housing First" model.
Myth #23: Homeless People Are Taking Advantage Of The System.
Reality: This myth assumes that all the homeless are on the dole, yet in fact, a relatively small percentage of homeless people receive government assistance. The largest part of government assistance includes either disability benefits in the form of Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, or welfare benefits in the form of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF. What are the facts? Although over 40 percent of homeless persons are eligible for disability benefits, only 11 percent actually receive them. Most homeless families are eligible for welfare benefits but only 52 percent of them receive them. Moreover, when individuals do receive benefits, they rarely receive enough to afford housing. The current maximum TANF benefit for a single mother of two is 29 percent below federal poverty level. In 1998 a person on SSI had to spend an average of 69 percent of their monthly income just to rent a one-bedroom apartment.
MYTH #24: Government benefits are enough to keep people from becoming homeless.
Reality: Occasionally you'll hear stories of people who take advantage of government assistance, but the reality is that government assistance is very limited. Let's take a look at what's available for people living under the poverty line in Orange County which accounts for 21.5 percent (CPM) of the total population.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a single individual in Orange County is $889. For a person that is homeless and has no cooking facilities, that amount increases by $84 for a monthly total of $973. Qualified SSI recipients are not eligible for CalFresh benefits (food stamps).
The maximum benefit from County Social Services (SSI recipients are ineligible) in General Relief is $355 monthly for homeless persons with no other income. The maximum benefit for CalFresh (food stamps) for a homeless person is $194.
The Fair-Market rent in OC for a one-bedroom apartment is $1324. Information is from "An Assessment of Homeless Services in Orange County" presented in 2016.
Myth #25: Homeless people are all criminals.
Reality: Targeting this population as a group of individuals to be feared has no basis in fact. Homeless people are more likely to be victims of crimes (including hate crimes) than to become criminals. In fact from 1999-2010 there were a total of 1,074 reported acts of violence against the homeless population that resulted in 291 deaths. The crimes that the homeless do commit tend to be related to non-violent crimes, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless in a study titled No Safe Place: A Survey of Crimes and Violence Committed Against Homeless People.
Most homeless people are not criminals and many of those who are technically criminals have only committed what are called status crimes. Status crimes include getting arrested for loitering, sleeping in public, or trespassing. Those are called status crimes because they are things impossible to avoid doing if one does not have a home.
This stereotype is one of the most harmful because it creates an unreasonable fear of homeless people because those who spread it can't or don't distinguish between people who got a ticket for sleeping on a bench and violent criminals. It makes many who would probably help people afraid to do so. It prevents people from getting hired or from renting a place to live. This misconception also makes it difficult for charitable organizations to open or expand facilities that provide services for the needy due to objections from nearby residents who fear for their safety.
Myth #26: Homeless people don't have the daily living skills to have an apartment.
Reality: Even chronic homeless individuals have the living skills and experiences to quickly resume a regular lifestyle in permanent housing. Some skills, habits and coping mechanisms learned during longer periods of homelessness may take a short time to fall away, but the advantages of permanent housing vastly outweigh the difficulty of life on the street.
It is important to remember that most homeless persons were permanently housed in the recent past.
Myth #27: Arresting and punishing the homeless is the best way to solve the problem.
Reality: Law enforcement is necessary, and our police officers do a praiseworthy job of protecting us and maintaining order within our communities. However, criminalization policies are costly and consume substantial state and local resources. In today's economic climate, it is important for state, county, and local entities to invest in programs that work rather than spend money on activities that are unlikely to achieve the desired result and which may, in some cases, open the jurisdiction to liability. In addition to the increase in public resources used to carry out these criminalization measures, Individuals who are arrested or fined for "act of living" crimes in public spaces now have a criminal record; resulting in barriers to work, and difficulty in receiving mainstream services and housing that often bar individuals with criminal histories.
Nevertheless, some communities have tried to utilize the legal entities of government in an effort to solve the problem of homelessness. They have arrested people living on the streets, they have criminalized the lack of a suitable domicile, and they have persecuted those who cannot seem to keep a roof over their heads. Yet all these legal approaches have proved to be only failures.
The 2009 HEARTH Act charged the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) with "developing alternatives to laws and policies that prohibit sleeping, eating, sitting, resting, or lying in public spaces when there are no suitable alternatives, result in the destruction of property belonging to people experiencing homelessness without due process, or are selectively enforced against people experiencing homelessness." One of the strategies of Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness is to reduce criminalization of homelessness by defining constructive approaches to address street homelessness and considering incentives to urge cities to adopt these practices.
Crime can be effectively controlled by punishment, because criminal activity is a choice. But homelessness, as I have clarified, is not a choice. So those efforts that are geared at punishing the homeless for the circumstances they face is hollow and senseless. You cannot manipulate human behavior if the person you are punishing has no ability on their own to get off the streets. For more information regarding the criminalization of homelessness see USICH: Searching Out Solutions.
Myth #28: It's just wrong. It goes against my values of hard work and earning your way.
Reality: The vast majority of homeless persons are victims of events beyond their control. It is an important duty and measure of society to care for our neediest members. Food, housing, medical care are no longer privileges, but the minimum aspects of a life that we should be assured of receiving at times when we cannot provide for ourselves. And who among us has not needed a "hand up" from time to time?
Myth #29: Many homeless people refuse services, they want to be homeless.
Reality: The truth is that almost all homeless people want to be safely housed, but most face difficult barriers, such as inability to work or secure employment, no family support and the lack of sufficient quantity and accessibility to affordable and permanent supportive housing. Some homeless people may be difficult to engage because of untreated mental health issues or negative experiences in their past, but persistence by trained outreach workers will usually lead to success.
Experts say it often takes weeks or months to persuade a person who's been on the streets for years to take up the offer of housing, let alone shelter.
Moreover, shelters aren't always inviting places for the homeless. Many are uncertain that the resources being offered there will work for them.
Often times persons experiencing homelessness have suffered trauma in one way or another and it may be difficult for outreach workers to establish "trust" with homeless clients in the beginning stages. The longer amount of time our client has spent being homeless, the more difficult it is to establish that relationship with him based on trust.
When I hear people say, "the homeless people don't want help. They prefer life on the street." it's a strong indication to me that not enough effort has been spent building that trusting relationship. There are three critical steps to restoring the path to a better self-sustaining future for our homeless clients and they are: outreach, engagement and case management.
When these steps are followed with sufficient effort, lives can change.
Myth #30: Providing taxpayer-supported housing to the homeless is pointless.
Reality: This is a common reaction to the "Housing First" philosophy, which suggests that it is more effective to provide housing for the homeless than focus on shelters or rehabilitative services. But opponents think that giving away homes is a perilous proposition.
In their minds, helping the homeless acquire housing prior to being "fixed" appears only to enable them to continue to "use drugs and alcohol." This mindset, however, is based purely on stereotypes and misconceptions — and not actual reality.
Indeed, a national campaign called 100,000 Homes, which has provided housing to 100,000 homeless people over four years, has had an 80 percent success rate keeping people off the streets. The organization was founded on the principle that it is too difficult for individuals to combat addictions, mental or physical health problems, or find steady employment while simultaneously being homeless.
What if it were to cost taxpayers less to house the chronically homeless than to leave them in the streets?
 According to the University of California Irvine Cost Study of Homelessness in Orange County published in 2017, the average annual cost to taxpayers for each chronically homeless individual on the streets is $100, 759. That cost is reduced to $51,587 when that same individual is placed into permanent supportive housing. That includes the cost of the housing and all services including drug treatment and medical costs. A savings of half the amount.
Homelessness within our communities is a very complex problem. The causes are very diverse, but the effects of homelessness and the ways that it negatively impacts our communities should bear more cause for concern. Given the current rate of increasing visible homelessness, the expectations should be to assume there will be even greater increases in the future unless something is done now. Homelessness is much less a moral issue and much more an issue that compromises the quality-of-life in our communities.
Perhaps the biggest myth that needs to be dispelled is that the homeless problem will go away on its' own or that someone will magically snap their fingers and all of the homeless people will disappear. The reality to this is that visible homelessness will continue to increase exponentially unless we are able to come together as a community and work together to solve the problem in a manner that benefits the lives of homeless people as well as our own lives and the lives of those we love and care about most. Together we can solve the problem of homelessness and preserve the quality-of-life in our communities so that no person ever that we love or care about will become homeless in the future.
Despite the many differences in opinions, I think that most can agree on one thing; no one wants sprawling homeless encampments along our Santa Ana River Trail or in our County Civic Center any longer. To look around and see such widespread despair and do nothing about it, bespeaks nothing towards the greatness of our society. The time must come when we say, "what we have done in the past has not worked."
That being said, now is the time for solutions. Hate and contempt focused on persons experiencing homelessness is not focusing on solutions.
The common misconceptions have all been addressed, there is no longer need to stereotype or categorize homeless people by putting them all in one box and labeling the entire box as unworthy or undeserving. Homeless people have been alienated by and discriminated against enough by mainstream society, but to what end has alienation and discrimination done to reduce the numbers of visibly homeless that we see in our communities?
It's time for everyone to re-think homelessness and seek solutions that work for everyone. We can do this.


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December 6, 2016 February 13, 2017 by dietrichknauth
Camino Day 25 – Ponferrada to Villafranco de Bierzo
We get a relatively early start, and see the Dane (his name is Kennet) again for breakfast. It's ambiguous about whether we shun him or he shuns us – at breakfast, Brenda sets her bag down, and he sits with it, but after we order from the bar we set ourselves up at another table, without our bags, and he doesn't join us. Either way I feel a bit relieved and a bit guilty.
It rains for most of the day, and its not too bad. Brenda's pack protector is a source of great amusement for us. It's a simple black poncho, that covers both her and her pack. But her pack is so tall that we can't see her head from behind, and the uniformity of it makes her seem like a monstrous hunchback.
We have coffee and breakfast in a couple of places, and plan to walk a bit beyond Villafranca de Bierzos, to cut down on St. John's ambitious-sounding 28.6km itinerary up to O Cebreiro. At one of the places, Dorcinda argues with a woman who tries to cut her in line for the bathroom. For a while, Brenda walks alone and Dorcinda and I talk. Later, I walk alone while Dorcinda and Brenda talk. We see Kennet again as we shelter in Villafranca from the rain in a cafe. He looms behind us and says hello, I turn in surprise and turn away, showing him my back while Dorcinda and Brenda exchange a few words.
The rain breaks a little and we venture forth. But it picks up again, and we have a change of heart. Our shoes are soaked through before we reach the end of town. Dorcinda wants to push on, a full 10km more, and Brenda and I are wavering. "I hate this," Brenda says. "I hate this. Did I mention I hate this?" We pass an albergue, and it's left to me to cast the tie breaking vote. Brenda looks utterly defeated, and I decide to stay. The first two albergues are full, but the second one suggests we stay at a rehabilitated monastery in the middle of town. We head back in the direction we came.
As we turn back, we see Kennet striding in the opposite direction. A sinister figure in his dark hood and the poncho over his pack making him seem like a dripping hunchback. In fairness, we probably look much the same, though somewhat more colorful in our attire and more miserable in our faces. Where are you going? he asks. I sense both judgment and despair in his voice. Albergue, we say, and he says, oh you're not going on? We leave him there on the bridge. I laugh a little because he seemed so determined, then so bewildered on seeing us pass. Part of the reason I'd wanted to press on was to put a little distance between us, and now turning back seems like an even better decision. I dance a little as we cross the bridge, and Brenda says, I think it really has gotten to his brain.
At the monastery, the receptionist manages to be incredibly busy and harried and also incredibly inefficient. There is an older Spanish couple already there, complaining about having to share a room. We don't care. We're dripping and morose and well accustomed to sharing bedrooms with strangers. The receptionist asks if we want the 8.50 room or the 5 room. We have to ask whats the difference, and she says that the more expensive room has fewer beds. She says four, but when we choose it, she puts us in a room with 5 beds, with the Spanish couple. The receptionist takes our money, but her change is in another room. She takes Brenda's money, goes away, and comes back with change. She takes the Spanish couple's money, then goes away, then comes back with change. Then she takes our money, goes away and comes back with change. She's frazzled. She tells us to wait in the kitchen, where its allegedly warmer, while she deals, slowly, with the next group that comes in. It's just as cold in the kitchen, and there's no where to sit.
The Spanish woman in our room complains loudly about all of their things being wet. Before long, the Spanish couple has transformed our room into a maze, stringing their laundry everywhere, even bringing two chairs in from outside and stringing a makeshift clothesline between them. This doesn't bother you, does it? the woman says as she places the chairs in front of the bathroom door. She doesn't ask it, exactly, she just sort of states is as fact before buzzing on to the next thing. We roll our eyes but do not argue with her. She hangs her laundry over the turned-off radiator, which is directly behind Dorcinda's bed.
Dude! Dorcinda says, guaranteeing that she won't be understood. Her tone gets through, though, but the woman says again, in Spanish, this won't bother you, will it? The woman's other topic of conversation is food. She seeks saying that she's going to go down and eat soon, and repeats it, until she finally does. When she returns, she asks, in surprise – you haven't eaten yet? She says something in Spanish quickly to Dorcinda and asks me entendes? Dorcinda, only catching the last bit says No. The woman laughs. No me entiendes! Like its the best joke in the world. She forgets or declines to make herself understood and bustles away. Her husband says little, but he smiles placidly at Brenda and promises that he will snore. She just glares. He makes good on the promise during an after-dinner nap, and we dread spending the rest of the evening with them.
Dorcinda is excited to find a free dryer, but it turns out it actually costs 4 euro. The receptionist corners me on my way downstairs to ask if I'm using the dryer. I say no, it's someone else, and she tells me to tell them its 4 euro. Then she goes around on a patrol of the rooms, opening our door and sniffing around, before asking "is everything okay?"
I go down to the bar for a quiet place to write. It's fine for a minute, but a whole classroom of shouting children piles in and does their damnedest to make as much noise as possible. Real fire alarm voices on these kids. Something funny or surprising hppens and they all shout in unison. The roof shakes, and I worry for the structural integrity of this recently-restored monastery building. Not to mention my eardrums.
After a while, we give up and decide to get dinner. But the monastery courtyard is cold, and we're freezing, and no one is there right away, so we leave. We wander down to a place and get a fairly extravagant 15 euro menu. They also have a 10 euro menu, but its the same boring options as we had last night, and the night before. So we splurge to get ox tail stew and and churrasco. It's mediocre, disappointing for the price. The dessert is something between milk and cheese, but has no flavor. Its served with a jar of honey, but there are two large flies in the jar. Dorcinda spots them, and me and Brenda exchange looks of despair as we try to decide who will talk to the waiter about it. Dorcinda volunteers, so I teach her a little Spanish. "Hay dos moscas en la miel." She says this brightly and clearly to the waiter. Thats all the Spanish I know, she says and he laughs. Aprendiendo, poco a poco. It allows him to save face while bringing out new honey. The dessert is so bad and bland that I eat only enough to make a show of it, the old "no thank you" helping. I gather half of it in one huge scoop, fill my entire mouth, and swallow it without tasting. It is soft and smooth, so the trick works, and it makes Dorcinda and Brenda laugh.
There are other Americans from the restaurant and we hear the waiter describe them as hermanos peregrinos, and I'm like no, WE'RE the hermanos peregrinos. We say hello, and later they ask advice on dessert. We steer them towards the apple pie, which can't be any worse than whatever the hell we just ate.
When we leave, our waiter hands Dorcinda the card of an albergue. Yo te recomiendo. I recommend, he says. Okay, Dorcinda says. She throws it in the garbage as soon as we are outside. Outside, we catch a whiff of bad air, and Brenda, who's been grumpy all day, says "this whole town smells like wet socks." I see a little girl wandering around behind her mother, and I think, this town can't be ALL bad. Then her mother says, let's go, we have to go dancing. It doesn't quite register at the time, but this, too, is an ill omen.
Almost to our hostel, we hear what sounds like a barbershop quartet singing the U.S. national anthem. Curious, we detour to the main square, and find out that its a recording, played as a band sets up on a huge stage. Our hearts sink again. There's going to be a loud party in the town square. And our hostel is right next to the town square. We trudge upstairs. The Spanish woman comes back and fusses around complaining that everything is still wet. She goes around the room, touching everything and tsking, esta mojado. Essa mojado. She's a regular detective.
Everything that seemed good about this town turns out to be shitty. We are staying in a pretty monastery, but we have to walk through the whole compound to an ugly dormitory with a really loud annoying woman. We escaped the Dane, but we couldn't escape the rain. There are flies in the honey.
Just as bad, I've heard "We Don't Talk Anymore" by professional dispirit Charlie Puth at least 5 times today. I heard it in the pulperia, on the way to villafranca. I heard it THREE TIMES IN ONE FUCKING BAR in Villafranca. And again at the restaurant where we ate dinner. I heard that dumb J Lo song "Ain't Your Mama" quite a few times as well. Maybe the rain really is getting to my brain.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


BRUSSELS, Belgium – The bicycle show Expo-Velo Sport will not take place this year. The exhibitors have received a letter with the announcement of the cancellation. The show was planned for October 17 – 20 this year at the Expo Heizel.
"The economic circumstances and large number of bicycle events during this period have led to a decreasing number of entries", stated Daniel Labours, general secretary of the organizing comity.
The cancellation of the Expo-Velo Sport is remarkable. This autumn show finally preceded the spring version Expo-Velo last year. The show had 14,500 registered visitors and 110 exhibitors at the fourth edition in 2007.
The organizing committee had ambitious plans for the 2008 show but the dropping out of several big players in the Belgium market forced the committee to announce the cancellation just one and a half months before the start of the show.
It is unclear if this show will restart in 2009.


From the Paarl wine-making region of South Africa's Western Cape comes Mellasat Vineyards, a family-run vineyard owned by an English Family, The Richardson's. The life-long vision of Englishman Stephen Richardson, who grew up a Norfolk farmer with a passion for fine wine ignited as a teenager by his grandfather and the wines of Bordeaux, Mellasat now produces elegant wines itself and forms part of one the oldest farms in the Cape – Dekkersvlei – which dates back to 1693. At its heart, a boutique winery, Mellasat is positioned at the foot of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains and can add breathtaking scenery to its, equally superb, yield.
Cultivars grown on the farm are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage together with the whites of Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo and Chardonnay, all take full advantage of the farms unique "terroir." The wines of Mellasat have consistently proven themselves, taking accolades vintage after vintage which is line with the vineyards ethos of distancing themselves from the "volume" producers of the industry and focusing on quality, adding to the reputation that South African wines hold.
So take a trip and enjoy the wines that Mellasat offers. You can find Stephen himself on the farm most of the year, he does however head back to England once in a while to touch base with his farm and friends in Norfolk.


text:
Tillis Sets Legislative Goals While Under The Media Microscope
North Carolina Public Radio | By Gurnal Scott
thomtillis.com
Campaign Photo, file
House Speaker Thom Tillis laid out his goals for this year's General Assembly short session Wednesday. He said the ultimate accomplishment for lawmakers will be making adjustments to the state budget in a timely manner.
Tillis said he and other legislative leaders hope their actions over the next several weeks will support the governor in his efforts to put some long awaited raises into effect.
"We will absolutely place a priority on fulfilling the promise that we made back in the February time frame for teacher raises and for state employee raises," said Tillis. "I think that if you could...if you ask me to answer the situation with the budget in one word..the word would be manageable."
While his goal is to run an efficient General Assembly short session, Tillis said he understands that his performance is being critiqued nationally.
He is in the midst of a campaign to unseat Democrat Kay Hagan from the U.S. Senate. Reporters from outside North Carolina have flocked to Raleigh to assess his leadership. Tillis said that doesn't bother him at all.
"To me, the scrutiny is good and the reason for that is the enormous success that we've had over the last three years," he said. "I want the national media to know what we've done in terms of economic recovery. I want them to know that we're the first majority that's actually created any substantial increase in teacher salaries."
Last week, Tillis bested a large field of candidates in the GOP Senate primary earning the right to face Hagan in November. National analysts say the seat could be critical to Republican efforts to win control of the U.S. Senate. The latest polls indicate it could be a close race.
PoliticsThom TillisNC General Assembly
Gurnal Scott
Gurnal Scott joined North Carolina Public Radio in March 2012 after several stops in radio and television. After graduating from the College of Charleston in his South Carolina hometown, he began his career in radio there. He started as a sports reporter at News/Talk Radio WTMA and won five Sportscaster of the Year awards. In 1997, Gurnal moved on to television as general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for WCSC-TV in Charleston. He anchored the market's top-rated weekend newscasts until leaving Charleston for Memphis, TN in 2002. Gurnal worked at WPTY-TV for two years before returning to his roots in radio. He joined the staff of Memphis' NewsRadio 600 WREC in 2004 eventually rising to News Director. In 2006, Raleigh news radio station WPTF came calling and he became the station's chief correspondent. Gurnal's reporting has been honored by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association, the North Carolina Associated Press, and the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas.
See stories by Gurnal Scott
Complete 2014 NC Primary Election Results
Eric Mennel
Biggest StoriesThom Tillis bested the wide field of GOP contenders for U.S. Senate with 45 percent of the vote. It was a wide enough margin to avoid a…
General Assembly To Reconvene To Tackle Controversial Issues
The short session of the General Assembly convenes tomorrow to address some of the state's most controversial issues: teacher pay, unemployment and coal…
NC court to decide if GOP lawmakers crossed constitutional line in redistricting
A three-judge panel will now decide whether the North Carolina General Assembly's Republican majority gerrymandered political maps with extreme, unconstitutional partisan bias.
NC inmate safety, juvenile justice changes begin Wednesday
Some North Carolina laws that took effect on Wednesday are designed to protect expectant mothers behind bars, keep more elementary school-age children accused of misdeeds out of court and force police officers to speak up about excessive force.
NC General Assembly wraps up most of its 2021 work
The Republican-controlled legislature held floor votes Monday on several measures before leaving Raleigh. Some bills are heading to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
GOP-backed elections bills alarm Democrats, voting rights advocates
Republican-backed elections bills aim to curb voter access, say Democrats and civil rights groups.
NC Democrats walk out to protest Republican joining House
Rep. Donnie Loftis of Gaston County said he was just outside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection in January. Loftis has said he had "zero involvement in the rioting" and condemned how others went inside. At least one Democrat said Loftis' rally participation crossed the line.


Joyre TCMedi Spa uses principles and methods of traditional Chinese medicine to provide Asian skin type-focused beauty treatments for its customers. Visit them and book an appointment to pamper your skin and overall health today.
© 2018 Swotfish Automation Software Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.


text:
function TouchDragEvent(type, bubbles, cancelable)
{
    if( !(this instanceof TouchDragEvent) )return new TouchDragEvent(type, bubbles,cancelable);
    TouchEvent.call(this, type, bubbles,cancelable );
    return this;
};

module.exports =TouchDragEvent;
var Object = require("./Object.js");
var TouchEvent = require("./TouchEvent.js");
var Event = require("./Event.js");

TouchDragEvent.prototype=Object.create( TouchEvent.prototype ,{
    "constructor":{value:TouchDragEvent}
});
TouchDragEvent.prototype.startX=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.startY=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.moveX=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.moveY=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.lastMoveX=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.lastMoveY=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.startDate=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.moveDate=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.velocity=NaN;
TouchDragEvent.prototype.held=false;
TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_START='touchDragStart';
TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_MOVE='touchDragMove';
TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_END='touchDragEnd';

//触摸拖动事件
Event.registerEvent(function ( type ,target, originalEvent ) {
    switch ( type ){
        case TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_START :
        case TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_MOVE :
        case TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_END :
            var event =new TouchDragEvent( type );
            event.originalEvent = originalEvent;
            return event;
    }
});

function getDistance(startX,endX,startY,endY)
{
    return endX === startX && endY === startY ? 0 : Math.sqrt( Math.pow( (endX - startX), 2 ) + Math.pow( (endY - startY), 2 ) );
};

var dataKey='__$touchDragData__';
function invoke(listener, dispatchHandle )
{
    var currentTarget = this;
    var handle = function( event )
    {
        event = Event.create( event );
        var x=0;
        var y= 0;
        var target = currentTarget; // event.currentTarget;
        var data=target[dataKey];
        var touches=event.targetTouches;
        var dragEvent;

        if( touches && touches.length > 0 )
        {
            x=touches[0].pageX;
            y=touches[0].pageY;
        }
        if( touches && touches.length === 1 )
        {
            switch( event.type )
            {
                case TouchEvent.TOUCH_START :
                    dragEvent= new TouchDragEvent( TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_START );
                    data=target[dataKey]={};
                    data.startX=x;
                    data.startY=y;
                    data.lastMoveX=x;
                    data.lastMoveY=y;
                    data.startDate=event.timeStamp;
                    data.held=false;
                break;
                case TouchEvent.TOUCH_MOVE :
                    data = target[dataKey] || {};
                    data.lastMoveX= data.moveX!==undefined ? data.moveX : data.startX;
                    data.lastMoveY= data.moveY!==undefined ? data.moveY : data.startY;
                    data.lastMoveDate=data.moveDate !==undefined ? data.moveDate : data.startDate;
                    data.moveDate=event.timeStamp;
                    data.moveX=x;
                    data.moveY=y;
                    data.held=( data.held || (data.moveDate - data.lastMoveDate) > 100 );
                    var distance = getDistance( data.lastMoveX,data.moveX,data.lastMoveY,data.moveY );
                    var ms = data.moveDate - data.lastMoveDate;
                    data.velocity = ms === 0 ? 0 : distance / ms;
                    if( data.held )
                    {
                        dragEvent = new TouchDragEvent( TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_MOVE );
                    }
                break;
            }

        }else if( event.type===TouchEvent.TOUCH_END && data )
        {
            dragEvent= new TouchDragEvent( TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_END );
            delete target[dataKey];
        }

        if( dragEvent )
        {
            Object.merge(dragEvent, data);
            dragEvent.originalEvent = event;
            dragEvent.currentTarget = event.currentTarget;
            dragEvent.target = event.target;
            dispatchHandle(dragEvent);
        }
    }

   /* listener.dispatcher.addEventListener(TouchEvent.TOUCH_START,handle, false, -1000)
    .addEventListener(TouchEvent.TOUCH_MOVE,handle, false, -1000)
    .addEventListener(TouchEvent.TOUCH_END,handle, false, -1000);*/

    listener.proxyHandle = handle;
    listener.proxyTarget = this;
    listener.proxyType = [
        Event.fix.prefix+TouchEvent.TOUCH_START,
        Event.fix.prefix+TouchEvent.TOUCH_MOVE,
        Event.fix.prefix+TouchEvent.TOUCH_END
    ];
    for(var i=0;i<3;i++){
        addListener(this, listener.proxyType[i] , handle);
    }
}

function addListener(target, type, handle)
{
    target.addEventListener ? target.addEventListener(type,  handle) : target.attachEvent(type, handle);
}

Event.fix.hooks[ TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_START ] = Event.fix.hooks[ TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_MOVE ] = Event.fix.hooks[ TouchDragEvent.TOUCH_DRAG_END ] = invoke;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Can Windows Solve Your New Jersey or New York Home's Problems?
Have you ever wondered if replacement windows could fix problems other than improving the view from your New Jersey or New York home? By now, most people know that modern window upgrades provide opportunities to enhance energy-efficiency and shave dollars off the monthly heating and air conditioning bills. However, innovative Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro window and patio door products can do so much more than give you a crystal clear of the .
Here are three practical ways that windows can enhance the comfort, beauty and health of your home.
Problem #1: My house feels dark and depressing, even with the curtains open and every light in the house on.
Sometimes, it isn't the number of windows in a home, but the style that prevents sunlight from spreading into the corners of each room to chase away the shadows. Replacing wide-framed windows with a low-profile style, such as sliders, creates a larger glass panel, allowing more natural sunlight to pass through the glass. Also, updating a solid door with a glass door provides an opportunity to bring more natural light into the home. Add side-lites and transoms to increase light flow even more.
An experienced replacement window and patio door specialist can help you explore innovative solutions that don't require extensive remodeling to accomplish your goals. After the replacement window installation, make sure to use decorating principles used by interior designers to maximize available natural light.
Problem #2: Some rooms seem smaller than they actually are. Can replacement windows help me get rid of the claustrophobic atmosphere?
When you have short, narrow interior spaces, simply replacing a bulky window with a streamlined, fixed window or gliding style sometimes isn't enough to expand the look and feel of the room. Bay windows, especially those designed for compact spaces, dramatically open up a cramped room. Configured with several window units, the bay doubles, or triples, the glass surface, ushering in abundant natural light. And, the illusion is complemented by a bit of real, livable floor space when you're replacing existing windows positioned on the wall close to the floor.
Compact spaces automatically feel roomier when you remove clutter and downsize furniture. Consider repainting the walls and updating furniture with light-colored fabric. If you don't want to reupholster, you can purchase custom-tailored or off-the-shelf slip covers.
Problem #3: My house smells stale or sickly.
That stale smell is a sure sign your windows aren't allowing sufficient airflow to keep indoor air quality high. Health benefits, including improved air quality, are one of the perks that come with installing new home windows. People who are living with aging windows that are nailed or painted shut, or that have gaps that allow dust, pollen and other allergens to flow unchecked into your home often report respiratory ailments, problems sleeping, irritated eyes and throat and frequent headaches. Remember to ask about high-quality insect screens that help prevent pollen and even the tiniest irritating insects from entering your home through an open window.
Are You Ready to Solve Your New York or New Jersey Home's Window Problems with Beautiful Renewal by Andersen Replacement Windows?
Windows are an essential part of every home in New York and New Jersey. When you fix common problems such as low light levels and poor ventilation, with modern replacement windows you'll feel better about the way your home looks and functions. And, you may even feel healthier and more relaxed with more light and without all the bothersome airborne debris floating around inside your house. Get started today by filling in the short form on this page to request a call back, or to schedule a free, no-obligation home inspection call 1-888-826-2451.
Renewal by Andersen was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year -- Sustained Excellence.
Repair or Replace Windows in an Older House in New Jersey & New York?
Which Window Is Best for NJ & NY Homes Being Re-sided?
Should You Replace Windows A Few at a Time or All at Once?


VETERAN striker Kevin Lisbie maintained Leyton Orient's 100 per cent record at the top of League One with a dramatic late winner over Port Vale at Brisbane Road.
Russell Slade's side trailed to a 21st-minute opener from Louis Dodds before dragging themselves level through David Mooney three minutes later.
Mooney's second put the hosts back in front in first-half injury time but Jennison Myrie-Williams looked to have salvaged a point for Vale before man of the match Mooney set up Lisbie to seal a 3-2 win two minutes from time.
Wolves slipped to third place despite beating Swindon by the same score at Molineux.
First-half goals from Scott Golbourne and Kevin Doyle looked set to ease the hosts home but Dany N'Guessan sparked a dramatic finale when he reduced the deficit eight minutes from time.
Kevin Foley restored Wolves' two-goal cushion in injury time but there was still time for Ryan Mason to grab a second for the visitors.
Peterborough moved above Wolves on goal difference after heaping more woe on Bristol City with a 3-0 win at Ashton Gate.
City suffered their 15th straight league game without a win after Tyrone Barnett's 24th-minute opener and two second-half strikes from Britt Assombalonga.
It could have been even worse for the home side if keeper Frank Fielding had not made a fine save to deny Lee Tomlin from the penalty spot.
Daniel Nardiello scored a hat-trick as Rotherham stayed fourth with a 3-2 win over 10-man Oldham at the New York Stadium - though they left it late.
Nardiello put the Millers in front in the 21st minute and Oldham's task got harder when David Mellor was sent off five minutes before the break.
But Cristian Montano equalised in the 44th minute and the visitors grabbed a shock lead nine minutes later through Matteo Lanzoni.
Nardiello equalised with his second from a free-kick in the 63rd minute and snatched the points when he completed his hat-trick deep into injury time.
The goals also flowed at Prenton Park where an injury-time penalty from Adam Forshaw earned visitors Brentford a thrilling 4-3 win over Tranmere.
Goals from Martin Taylor and Clayton Donaldson had given the visitors a 2-0 lead but they were cancelled out by strikes from Chris Atkinson and Adam Dugdale either side of the interval.
Donaldson's second put Brentford back in front but Cole Stockton throught he had grabbed a point for Tranmere in the final minute - but there was still time for Dugdale to handle in the box at the other end and Forshaw to keep his nerve to hit the winner.
Nakhi Wells scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season as Bradford and Colchester shared a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade.
Jeffrey Monakana cancelled out Wells' initial effort and Jabo Ibehre put the visitors in front before Wells struck again in the 53rd minute.
Carlisle made light of the midweek sacking of manager Greg Abbott by claiming their first win of the season over Sheffield United at Brunton Park.
Watched by caretaker-boss Graham Kavanagh, Matty Robson scored the only goal of the game from a 54th-minute header.
Preston's good start to the season continued with a 3-0 home win over Stevenage with goals from Paul Huntington, Scott Laird and Kevin Davies, while two from Craig Westcarr and a late strike from James Baxendale sent Walsall to a 3-0 win at Crewe.
Milton Keynes Dons maintained their unbeaten start with a 3-1 home win over bottom club Notts County.
Luke Chadwick and Shaun Williams gave the Dons a 2-0 half-time lead and despite Callum McGregor reducing the deficit, Patrick Bamford sealed the points in injury time.
Crawley and Shrewsbury shared a 1-1 draw at Broadfield Stadium with Aaron Wildig's opener for the visitors cancelled out by Andy Drury. Crawley's Billy Clarke missed a penalty with the score at 0-0.


text:
Faja Lobbi is a 1960 Dutch-Surinamese award-winning documentary film, directed by Herman van der Horst. Its alternative titles include Fiery Love en Symphony of the Tropics and it was shown at the Film Festivals in Berlin and Adelaide.

External links

1960 films
Dutch documentary films
1960s Dutch-language films
Surinamese documentary films
Films set in Suriname
Films shot in Suriname
1960 documentary films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Bill Burr Hopes to Return to The Mandalorian Season 3
Star War: The Mandalorian is well underway now, and fans are dying to get a glimpse into the mysterious third season. The show had successfully stayed airtight in the past, so leaks are rare. The plot of the next season can be guessed (thanks to the darksaber), but no one will know until the season premiere. Some of the main characters are guaranteed to return, but a few other characters don't know their fate just yet. One of those is Migs Mayfeld, played by Bill Burr.
Din Djarin and Migs Mayfeld in The Mandalorian
Bill Burr is known to have never indulged in Sci-Fi movies; the comedian has made consistent jokes about Star Wars, but that had just made him more appealing to Jon Favreau and the creative team for The Mandalorian. After his surprise appearance in the first season, fans were confused as to how he even got there. He had explained in an interview how it happened:
"I ran into Jon somewhere, hanging with Mike Binder. I should start giving that guy a commission. [Jon Favreau says to Bill] 'I'm doing this Star Wars thing do you want to do something?' and I'm like 'I don't know, I'm kind of always making fun of it.' And he goes 'I think it would be funny, I think your fans would get a kick out of the fact you're in it.' And I went in there and they're shooting it like a Spaghetti Western and I was like immediately so psyched to be a part of it."
His psyched attitude and the success of his character in the first season had opened up his return for season two, where he had some inspiring character development. That performance in season two blew fans away, so his return for season three would certainly be welcomed. Burr's acting had shown a different side of the comedian, as we got a glimpse of Migs Mayfeld's demons.
In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Burr had opened up his thoughts on returning to season three:
"Oh, I hope so. Jon Favreau and Rick Famuyiwa, who wrote both of my episodes that I did — to be a small part of something that big that is that good that means so much to so many people. I'm obviously not allowed to say anything other than I just absolutely love being on that show and I hope it continues and if it doesn't, I've had a blast."
His attitude toward Star Wars seems to have shifted. Now that he plays a role in the show, he has grown his fan base and even gotten his own Black Series figure. His character has had complex and dynamic development as he plays more than just the usual comedian with a Boston accent. Burr appears to have newfangled respect for Star Wars, the fans, and what the series can offer.
Migs Mayfeld and Din Djarin in The Mandalorian
Not only did we get a good look into Mayfeld's past and his demons, but his relationship with Djarin has gotten deeper. They aren't just mercenaries who do similar jobs anymore, but they are friends who have seen each other in their most vulnerable moments. A bond like that can be helpful in their line of work, so hopefully, we will see Djarin and Mayfeld team up again in season three of The Mandalorian.
Bill Burr hopes to return to the beloved Disney+ original show. What are your thoughts on Burr coming back in season three? Would you be excited to see his return? Comment down below or on the Facebook page!
The show has no release date, yet but fans can expect to see it late 2022. The show has begun filming, as confirmed by Carl Weathers.
The Book of Boba Fett, the spin-off show of The Mandalorian is set to premiere December 29th. The trailer had just recently released and you can check that out here.
Thank you for reading, don't forget to enter your email subscribe down below, and remember, utinni.
Bill Burr on The Mandalorian season 3, DISNEY, STAR WARS, Star Wars News, THE MANDALORIAN, the mandalorian season 3
The Emperor's Throne Room May Pave the Way for More Similar Playsets
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron Movie Gets Delayed


text:
Afghan exiles get mixed homecoming welcome
Home / Afghan exiles get mixed homecoming welcome
Jun 26, 2002 | Fariba | Reports, The Christian Science Monitor [post_comments" zero="0" one="1" more="%1$s"]
Since February the United Nations has repatriated 231 Afghans from abroad.
Kabul — After years in the West, hundreds of exiles are returning to Afghanistan and embracing a home country that some have known only through their parents. But while Afghans here have welcomed many of the returnees, tension is building in the workplace between the locals and the homecoming exiles.
Diaspora Afghans return with their degrees and multilingual skills, taking high-powered, high-paid jobs that locals say should go to Afghans who didn't flee when the going got tough. Exiles reply that they are more qualified for the jobs, and that they have given up Western luxuries to serve Afghanistan.
United Nations and nongovernmental organizations in particular are being criticized for contributing to the problem by sometimes paying exiles much more than locals. The gap in monthly paychecks can be as wide as $200 for a local, compared with $2,000 for a returned exile.
Rina Amiri, an Afghan-American who gave up a position at Harvard University to work with the UN on the loya jirga, (grand assembly), which met this month to choose Afghanistan's next government, says locals were initially grateful that professionals like her were returning. But as more exiles come back, she says locals are feeling threatened.
"I'm trying, but the diaspora hasn't really connected with Afghans yet. There's an arrogance [among the exiles]," says Ms. Amiri. "They take out their wads of money at the dinner table and talk down to Afghans."
The UN International Organization for Migration has repatriated 231 Afghan professionals from 35 different countries since February. They are placed in various organizations and ministries that pay their salaries, which are supplemented by a $100 monthly stipend from the IOM. Another 5,300 who have applied under the agency's Returning Qualified Afghans program will be placed as soon as IOM receives funding. Ahmed Dizdarevic, the head of the program, says that so far, the returnees in the program have not complained about tensions at work.
But in the new Ministry of Women's Affairs, locals and exiles have confronted one another on the issue.
Shahla Mayhandost, who persevered in the often dangerous work of women's issues during 22 years of war in Afghanistan, is now a liaison between the 30 Afghan provinces and the women's ministry. She believes she was passed up for a higher position in the ministry because she is a local hire. "When women come from the West, we're not saying, 'Don't come and work with us' but our problem is that they don't know the pain we have suffered," she says.
"My expectation from my exiled sisters is to come back and work on an equal level with us," she adds. "We'll be very happy if they do that, but in the same spirit as us, not the West." Mayhandost says local Afghan women working in all government ministries are unhappy that exiles are held above the locals and have approached international organizations to address the issue. Afghan locals say they felt abandoned by those abroad and it's unfair for the exiles to reap the benefits of reconstruction. The diaspora may not be entirely prepared for the backlash they may face.
Safia Siddiqui, director of planning and foreign relations in the women's ministry, arrived two weeks ago from Canada. She is also a delegate of the loya jirga. Ms. Siddiqui left Afghanistan in 1988 but has worked on women's rights in Pakistan and Canada ever since. She speaks English, Pashto, and Dari. But local women still tell her that she's not aware of Afghan conditions and cast doubt on what she can contribute.
Siddiqui, however, is clear on what contribution she can make: "We could change the administrative and management system because we have learned from abroad," Siddiqui says. Patricia Omidian, an American aid worker and academic who has worked with Afghans and Afghan refugees for more than a decade, says cultural differences have also played a role in the tension among the women. A number of exiles returning from the US and Britain come with expectations of a liberal Afghanistan which existed during Mohammad Zahir Shah's time 30 years ago, when women went out with bare heads and miniskirts and mingled freely with men at school and work.
"Afghanistan isn't what it was then, and the people have changed and the needs have changed," says Ms. Omidian. The majority of Afghanistan is rural, and local women tend to be more in touch with rural women than the newcomers, she says.
Not all locals feel resentment toward the returning Afghans. Says Jeena Haidari, who works as a general manager with non-governmental organizations: "Anyone who can serve the nation the best, whether inside Afghanistan or outside of it, I prefer them."
https://t.co/sddNR1XFlp 10:22:15 AM January 26, 2022 from Twitter for iPhone
RT @FatimieZahra: Thank you all who contributed to this project: @AryanaSayeed @andarabi @LNajafizada @Mariamistan @WazhmaAyoubi Aqi… 05:51:59 AM January 26, 2022 from Twitter for iPhone
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Take a look at the two pictures. The image on the left shows a normal frontal lobe while the image on the right shows frontal lobe atrophy. Both patients presented with depression, but the management was distinctly different.
The frontal lobe is one of the most important areas of the brain. Besides the presence of frontal eye fields and a number of other motor areas, the frontal lobe also maintains psychological homeostasis.It is responsible for maintaining optimal mood, behaviour and social judgement.
It controls the speed of thought and actions through its connections with the subcortical areas.
While a detailed description of its role is outside the scope of this article, I'll try to list some important aspects that clinicians should keep in mind when dealing with psychiatric presentations.
After all, the majority of psychiatric disorders can be conceptualised as fronto-temporo-limbic in origin (except Alzheimer's disease which affects the temporoparietal areas).
Some of the earliest understanding of the role of the frontal lobe came from the case of Phineas Gage.
Phineas Gage suffered a terrible accident that resulted in an iron rod driven into his left frontal lobe after he placed the iron on an explosive device.
Despite the seriousness of the injury, he was able to walk up to a cart which took him to the hospital. Following this, he showed a pronounced change in personality and behaviour becoming disrespectful and lacking in social skills and soon lost his job.
While this is a drastic scenario, in psychiatric clinical practice, a milder involvement of frontal lobe is extremely common and can be due to a range of abnormalities, e.g. vascular, vitamin deficiencies, endocrinal, structural, substance use etc.
Young female presented with depression and long-standing substance misuse. MRI revealed multiple subcortical white matter hyperintensities.
Frontal lobe functioning was abnormal as the frontal-subcortical circuits were involved.
In clinical practice, a clinician should have a high index of suspicion of possible frontal lobe involvement in treatment-resistant disorders as many clues to frontal lobe involvement come from subtle signs and collateral history, e.g. change in personality, fatuousness, untidiness, slowness of action and thought, perseveration, etc. which is not always evident on a cross-sectional interview.
A cognitive examination involving the frontal lobe can uncover this to a large extent.
Two of my favourites are the Clock Drawing Test  and the Luria 3 step test (fist-edge-palm). There are several others that one can perform (Verbal fluency, Go-No-Go test, Trail making etc.), but be sure to perform tests that test for verbal and non-verbal functions.
What one should look for is the degree of abnormality on these tests. While depression and other mood disorders can present with slowness or other milder abnormalities; structural frontal lobe involvement can present with abnormalities that are out of proportion with the mood disorder.
Luria on its own has good sensitivity and specificity in identifying neurocognitive impairment, and it takes about a minute to perform the test .
What are the similarities between a banana and an orange?
Say as many words with F / A and S.
12 is considered normal for each alphabet.
To ensure that the patient has understood the instruction, a series of 3 trials is run: 1-1-1.
To ensure that the patient has understood the instruction, a series of 3 trials is run: 2-2-2.
Then perform a conflicting series.
The examiner is seated in front of the patient. Place the patient"s hands palm up on his knees. Without saying anything or looking at the patient, the examiner brings his own hands close to the patient"s hands and touches the palms of both the patient"s hands, to see if he will spontaneously take them.
You can download the FAB here.
We covered the role of frontal lobes in depression in more detail in the case study on depression.
In treating depression, choosing antidepressants which increase dopamine in the frontal lobe (SNRIs, NASSAs or Agomelatine) may be more appropriate than ones that blunt dopamine in the frontal lobe (e.g. Venlafaxine at lower doses or SSRIs through the inhibitory action of serotonin on dopamine).
Moreover, if the orbitofrontal lobe is involved, a hypomanic/manic/ mixed affective state can occur requiring mood stabilisers.
A recent case outlined how a frontal meningioma mimicked a relapse of psychosis .
The onset of depression in frontal lobe involvement can be secondary to the decline in executive functioning along with the involvement of areas responsible for drive and motivation.
This leads to frustration and a decreased ability to cope with stress as the set-shifting ability is reduced. Patients develop anxiety related to change in routines or having to do something new.
At least I know it's not me, I can try and do things differently.
Furthermore, showing patients images of scans helps patients understand why they may be experiencing difficulties. It validates their experience visually.
It helps patients recognise the issue and try other strategies such as lifestyle modification, breaking tasks down, stress management rather than purely look at medication as the answer (when often in such cases it is only part of the solution).
The bottom line is; when the psychiatric issue seems to be resistant to treatment, think about the frontal lobes, it may just be the elephant in the room.
Eknoyan, D., Hurley, R. A., & Taber, K. H. (2012). The Clock Drawing Task: Common Errors and Functional Neuroanatomy. The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 24(3), 260-265.
Weiner, M. F., Hynan, L. S., Rossetti, H., & Falkowski, J. (2011). Luria's three-step test: what is it and what does it tell us?. International Psychogeriatrics, 23(10), 1602.
Velakoulis, D., Gleason, A., Hayhow, B., McNeil, P., & Gaillard, F. (2013). Frontal meningioma mimicking relapse of schizophrenia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.


Most of us marvel at their drive when a specialist manufacturer succeeds with one of the large auto producers. Getting an industry icon to engage in a proposition involving a new brand is unfamiliar territory to most—let alone joining forces. But that's exactly what Phoenix Systems has accomplished with their new Ford Reverse Brake Bleeder.
Not only is this innovative, new device, its kit of parts and its packaging cool-looking but also, to the best of the manufacturer's knowledge, it performs a variety of tasks not available elsewhere.
St. George, UT: Phoenix Systems is introducing two newly Ford-approved reverse brake and clutch bleeders. Both offer one-person operation and bleed all brake and clutch systems in approximately ten minutes, including ABS, which is accomplished without a scan tool.
Bleeding means removing trapped air and reverse bleeding means attaching the bleeder to a brake caliper bleed screw and simply pushing the air—and the old fluid—in reverse flow up through the brake lines and out through the master cylinder. The bleeder pump draws in fresh fluid each time the handle is released.
The larger of these two patented bleeders, the Heavy Duty Pro (PN 2002HD-Ford) is made of metal, carries a two-year warranty, and is endowed with 20ml increased capacity for faster, more efficient bleeding.
The Medium Duty brake bleeder (PN 2003-Ford) provides all the bleeding capabilities of the heavy-duty version but at a lower cost. This bleeder is constructed from high-strength Zytel nylon polymer and, like the Heavy Duty Pro-HD, is appropriate for all makes and models, including military vehicles as well as motorcycles.
Portable, lightweight and complete, these bleeding kits require neither electricity nor air—nor special tools or clips to bleed ABS. In addition, they efficiently remove trapped air from newly installed brake lines and associated components. Moreover, they have the capacity to bleed the Ford Ranger clutch in fewer than 10 minutes. Prices of complete kits start at $214.99.


Made will 100% Wairarapa Olive Oil and Makara Seawater, this Marseilles soap will leave your hair shiny and your skin soft. Finish with a little of your favourite conditioner.
Marseille soap is traditionally from the city of Marseilles in France and is made with seawater instead of the fresh water used in Castile soap. Uses for Marseilles soap can include an anitseptic, a shaving soap and a laundry stain remover, but why waste it around the house when it's so good on your body?
Unlike traditional Marseille soap this bar is Cold Processed, which means the manufacturing process starts at room temperature and uses the exothermic properties of the reaction between water and lye to heat the olive oil to an ideal temperature to make soap. Traditional Marseille soap is slow cooked for twenty days and then dried for ten - the end result is similar but slightly more harsh than the soap for sale here.


The 2018 American Society for Civil Engineers National Capital Section (ASCE-NCS) Awards Banquet was held at the Hilton Arlington on March 20, 2018. The event recognizes excellence in projects, engineers, and students who have contributed to the civil engineering profession and local community. Awards were given in categories such as outstanding civil engineering project, sustainable project of the year, meritorious service, community service, and student scholarship awards.
SK&A is proud of our team members' contributions to The Wharf Phase I, which won the Award of Excellence for Outstanding Civil Engineering Project. In addition, SK&A Structural Engineer II, Jim Palmer, EIT, LEED Green Associate, was awarded the President's Appreciation Award for his work on the ASCE-NCS newsletter over the last two years.


vs. Dragons is an old school inspired roleplaying game where you take on the persona of a Hero of the realm. You will delve through dungeons, fight monsters, defeat villains, and rescue damsels (or princes… they need rescuing just as much as the ladies!) all for glory and treasure just like you did when you were a kid.
The difference here is that you will do it around a table with a bunch of like-minded friends using paper and cards and the most powerful weapon at your disposal… your imagination.
vs. Dragons is a complete roleplaying game using the vs. M Engine. Even novice gamers will have no problem creating interesting characters, learning the rules, and starting a game. All you need is paper, pencils, a deck of playing cards, and a few friends.
Do you mind to show us the table of contents in the full preview? Thanks a lot.
I actually just clicked on the full preview, and once it loads when you scroll down a bit you do see the table of contents.
Is this the basic/original vs.M Engine, or has it been modified for the genre or the theme of the game?
It is built off our vs.Stranger Stuff: Season 2 book, with extensive modifications and new rules to fit the genre. It includes classes, a magic system, new monsters, and a bunch more. I hope that helps.
That helps, thank you for your quick reply! Oh and thanks for the full size preview! Sold!
This title was added to our catalog on December 24, 2017.


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Namibia, one of the world's last true wilderness areas is vast, fifth largest country in Africa and larger than France and Great Britain combined. It is famed for its immense landscapes that are devoid of people, limitless horizons, remarkable flora and abundant and unique wildlife; a place where elephants live in the desert and lions eat seals on beaches, an unusual spectacle!
Namibia's abundant wildlife is arguably it's greatest asset. Large game species also include rhino, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, leopard, cheetah, impala, oryx and many more. Dune-dwellers, reptiles and amphibians some of which are endemic to the country.
The plants are rare and can survive in extreme conditions such as a few drops of dew. Some are endemic to the region, the most famous being the quiver tree of the aloe family growing in the south and the welwitschia that grows only in the northern Namib. The difficult conditions under which the plants live allow very slow development: medium height plants are older than 1000 years and specimens that achieve 2m are about 2000 years!
Pretty little sleepy towns, of another era, were created when the diamond rush around 1910 began and diamonds in the Pomona area were so plentiful that they could be picked up from the ground with bare hands.
Its staggering geology boasts the world's highest sand dunes, one of the world's oldest deserts, and the second largest canyon. Climbing a dune at Sossusvlei to watch the sunrise it's easy to see why Namibia is a photographer's dream. The dunes are enchanting, totally unspoilt, and best of all, you have them to yourself.
VIEW OUR NAMIBIA SELF-DRIVE SAFARIS AND TOURS
The land's wild and relentless nature has created the "Skeleton Coast"; the name is derived from the whale and seal bones that once littered the shore from the whaling industry and latterly the skeletal remains of the shipwrecks caught by offshore rocks and fog. This pristine Atlantic coastline is about 2000 km and is most spectacular.
Flying along the Skeleton Coast you will find roaring dunes, hundred-thousand-strong seal colonies, mysterious shipwrecks, intriguing desert-adapted plants and animals, and flocks of pelicans and flamingos. Namibia Kalahari Desert, vast and empty where giant ocher sand dunes of Sossusvlei dominate the landscape to the south and the famous Etosha National Park, a silvery pan and surrounding plains in the north of the country teem with game, making this park one of the world's greatest wildlife viewing venues.
Namibia is the land of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals, some not found anywhere else, and have created wealth for the country.
Namibia offers the adventurer a wide range of activities such as hiking, parachuting, micro-lighting, hot-air ballooning, dune skiing, wild river rafting, lake diving, horse riding, and abseiling to name a few.
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The Top 40: "A billion in cuts here. A billion in cuts there. Pretty soon you realize they are all pussies"
"A billion in cuts here. A billion in cuts there. Pretty soon you realize they are all pussies"
I'd sure like to know the mentality at work with people who think this is an okay way for our country to function. I know they must be lacking in any useful long-term memory since, as I've written before, the newspaper headlines never really seem to change. "[Program/agency] in trouble! Budget shortfall! Wah!" And then there's a tearjerker story of some sad sack who's utterly, completely dependent on the government program who just doesn't know what he or she is gonna do.
Posted by Vanderleun at April 8, 2011 10:34 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
And why is it always one bone head that "needs" the gubernment program to survive? Why do THEY always find one or two to clutch at your heart strings to justify their programs?
Does one or two examples ALWAYS trump the 4 million responsible citizens rights? So the smallest minority of "troubled" folks will always dictate the structure of our country!??!!?
Why doesn't obama help those one or two folks with his money he received from his plagerized books? Then he could crow about how he really did something!
They have Planned Parenthood; why are they finding these people?
The Progs had all these years to work their nefarious will and still some schmuck is dragged in front of the cameras as a human wreck, a failure of the system.
When does the system work?
Peccable: "When does the system work?"
The Progs never want it to actually work. If it did they would lose their raison d'etre. No one to save means they've lost their reason for being.
Jimmy I agree to a certain extent. THEY never seem to have success stories due to their programs. But, wouldn't it be great if they could at least get half of da 'po folk up above the poverty level? I mean, they could then say that their programs do work...and they will still have half of da 'po folk to screw around with!
The system neither wipes out the poor, the blacks or the idiots nor gets them above poverty. It just kills.
The megilla is a charlie foxtrot from either end. I seriously doubt they reproduce; instead they kidnap children from the hospital maternity ward to raise when their numbers drop too low.


Former client, FreeMoreWest relied on Yellow Duck Marketing to provide strategic direction to the 501c3, manage their ongoing social media and online presence and event planning.
For the signature event, Taste of FreeMore, which promotes local restaurants, Yellow Duck provided branding, signage and public relations promotional efforts. The result was that the event was featured on 6 TV segments, 14 area event calendars, the Charlotte Observer and over 650 people attended the event which featured live music. Yellow Duck Marketing utilized Facebook advertising extensively to promote the event.
Additionally, Yellow Duck Marketing helped plan the first annual FreeMoreWest 5K on the Greenway, Julianne's brainchild. The objective was to introduce people to the beautiful west side and awareness for the FreeMoreWest area. As expected, the first year event financially broke even, and had over 250 registrants. People loved hanging out after the race with local breweries, food trucks, supporter tents and a DJ who spurred some line dancing like the Wobble. In year two we grew it to over 300 registrants on a rainy day which allowed us to donate $5,000 to Goodwill's new Opportunity Campus and raise funds for more FMW events. In 2015 YDM added J Leigh Events to the event team to boost efforts and help our guests have a great time!
In addition, YDM provided supportive social media, press releases and graphic design for the organization and worked with another member, Atypic, on the organization's website redesign. Since Yellow Duck was retained, FreeMoreWest tripled membership and engagement during the time that we worked with them.


MPs in Ghana's parliament, since the inception of the new 35% income tax on GHS10,000 earners, are now taking home at least GHS2000 less than they received prior to the implementation of the new tax, Kumbungu MP Ras Mubarak, has said.
"Hitherto Finance Minister's new taxes on some category of Ghanaian workers, MPs who received a take-home of a little over GHS11,000 monthly are now receiving a little over GHS 9,000", Mr Mubarak complained on his Facebook wall.
"This is not just an assault on working people, but a sad way to run a country", he lamented, adding: "Prices of everything is up except the salaries of Ghanaian workers".
"It costs me more to fly to my constituency to work than it did two years ago. It's worse when I drive, as fuel prices are so high. You simply cannot tax your way out of crass incompetence", the Minority MP said, noting that: "This introduction affects everybody", since "people depend on MPs and the middle class generally".
In Mr Mubarak's view: "If you go after our disposal income, what it means is, it will have a bearing on the number of lives we can change through the various forms of support we give".
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced the new tax, among others, when he presented the Mid-year budget review to parliament on Thursday, 19 July 2018.
Mr Ofori-Atta said government reviewed the personal income tax categories "to include an additional band of GHS10,000 and above per month at a rate of 35%".


From 2003-2007 a hare character was prominent in my work. He was inspired from the fable "The Tortoise and the Hare." The full scope of the hare's story was documented into a comic book published by Anteism. Chapters of Finding Joy were originally published monthly in Discorder Magazine.