Rick
2009-08-26 16:34:55 UTC
The commons refers to public resources that are commonly owned. This
could be land or food or .... And this week finds Missoula's Glorious
City Representatives debating on whether or not, we as a City, should
criminalize sleeping in Our commons. These changes are being
considered for Missoula's "pedestrian interference" ordinance and they
would limit the public places where people can sleep, lie and convene.
The proposed rules would make it unlawful for people to lie or sleep
on streets, sidewalks and public rights-of-way. It would also make it
illegal for people to "walk, stand, sit, lie or place an object" where
it obstructs walkers by leaving them less than 6 feet of room to pass.
It makes some exceptions as well. For each unlawful infraction there
would be a $100 fine. And get this, all these new $100 fines for
people who Obviously, can not afford them, might even be able to be
worked off through a community service program!
See Missoulian article: "Missoula City Council committee debates 2nd
panhandling ordinance" http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_aec28efa-8d47-11de-ba3f-001cc4c002e0.html
)
Why, it wasn't to long ago that the Nazi's instituted and profited
from a community service program known as forced labor camps, and now
the City of Missoula, has embarked on handing out $100 fines to people
who can not afford them, and PRESTO! Free labor camps for Missoula!
But wait, who among our Representatives is even considering or talking
about this?
Really, if there are "problems" (during the summer months) with
homeless people in Missoula's commons, then why NOT deal with the
"problems?" If people are Forced to pee on sidewalks or in public
alleys, IT'S because, the City does NOT have adequate restrooms
downtown! If there needs? to be 6 feet clearance for pedestrians to
pass (Missoulans don't like cuddies), then
close OFF the downtown streets to CARS, and make ALL that common space
available to pedestrians! If homeless people (who are pedestrians
also, after all) need a place to hang out, why set aside some space in
some of the public places (like parks) for sleeping/tenting camps with
rules of proper behaviors of course!
Please read Montana's Constitution ...
In it, Article ll - Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons are
born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right
to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life's
basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties,
acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their
safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways.
Come on City Representatives, use your HEADS, instead of your other
parts to think!
"The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be
betrayed." "I suppose one could say that Hitler didn't betray
himself." "You are right. He did not. But, millions of Germans did
betray their selves. That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the
courage to be evil. But that millions had not the courage to be good."
from The Magus, John Fowles
As always, Think about it and I'd like to encourage your comments
about this important topic. Please feel free to ask your City
Councilor or Your City Attorney or Your City Employee (this could also
apply to County or State) ...
Rick Gold
Missoula, MT
http://mtlegal.blogspot.com/
http://mtlegal.wordpress.com/
could be land or food or .... And this week finds Missoula's Glorious
City Representatives debating on whether or not, we as a City, should
criminalize sleeping in Our commons. These changes are being
considered for Missoula's "pedestrian interference" ordinance and they
would limit the public places where people can sleep, lie and convene.
The proposed rules would make it unlawful for people to lie or sleep
on streets, sidewalks and public rights-of-way. It would also make it
illegal for people to "walk, stand, sit, lie or place an object" where
it obstructs walkers by leaving them less than 6 feet of room to pass.
It makes some exceptions as well. For each unlawful infraction there
would be a $100 fine. And get this, all these new $100 fines for
people who Obviously, can not afford them, might even be able to be
worked off through a community service program!
See Missoulian article: "Missoula City Council committee debates 2nd
panhandling ordinance" http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_aec28efa-8d47-11de-ba3f-001cc4c002e0.html
)
Why, it wasn't to long ago that the Nazi's instituted and profited
from a community service program known as forced labor camps, and now
the City of Missoula, has embarked on handing out $100 fines to people
who can not afford them, and PRESTO! Free labor camps for Missoula!
But wait, who among our Representatives is even considering or talking
about this?
Really, if there are "problems" (during the summer months) with
homeless people in Missoula's commons, then why NOT deal with the
"problems?" If people are Forced to pee on sidewalks or in public
alleys, IT'S because, the City does NOT have adequate restrooms
downtown! If there needs? to be 6 feet clearance for pedestrians to
pass (Missoulans don't like cuddies), then
close OFF the downtown streets to CARS, and make ALL that common space
available to pedestrians! If homeless people (who are pedestrians
also, after all) need a place to hang out, why set aside some space in
some of the public places (like parks) for sleeping/tenting camps with
rules of proper behaviors of course!
Please read Montana's Constitution ...
In it, Article ll - Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons are
born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right
to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life's
basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties,
acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their
safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways.
Come on City Representatives, use your HEADS, instead of your other
parts to think!
"The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be
betrayed." "I suppose one could say that Hitler didn't betray
himself." "You are right. He did not. But, millions of Germans did
betray their selves. That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the
courage to be evil. But that millions had not the courage to be good."
from The Magus, John Fowles
As always, Think about it and I'd like to encourage your comments
about this important topic. Please feel free to ask your City
Councilor or Your City Attorney or Your City Employee (this could also
apply to County or State) ...
Rick Gold
Missoula, MT
http://mtlegal.blogspot.com/
http://mtlegal.wordpress.com/