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he problem with solving homelessness is that it seems like such
a dead-end issue. Okay, so people are homeless -- what are the
rest of us supposed to do about it? You give them money, they'll
spend it on booze or drugs. You set up shelters, they'll
lose incentive to get off the streets. You look the other way,
they'll still be there when you look back again. That's generally
the way people think: it's sad, but hopeless.
And that's not wholly unrealistic. But what little support homeless
do have will evaporate if we let that attitude go overboard. We've got to continue trying to understand the
problem despite its seeming futility. What we especially tend to forget is how many homeless
are intelligent humans not too far removed from ourselves. If
you want some real perspective on the issue, read this article.
It profiles several homeless, each with his (or her) own story,
his own chances, or lack thereof, of finding a way out.
I enjoyed reading the above piece, and I also enjoyed reading
these two articles (one and two) about dog training. If you don't
believe dogs are smart creatures with a keen perception of human
emotions, expect to be convinced otherwise.
We're also got relevant articles about the sobering, non-salacious realities
of White House internships, the chances for the scenario in "Deep Impact" to actually happen, and reasons why English-only legislation
is a big chiste. But if you read any opinated article this
week, make it Captain Opinion's editorial about why stores like
Wal Mart are a good thing. This is the best Cap'n O article I've read in weeks -- it has almost turned me, a misanthropic Wal Mart
hater, into a crusader for the cause of huge, impersonal chain
stores everywhere. Almost.
Want to know what all these checkboxes are for?
Click here to find out, or just ignore them.
Mr. Smarty Pants [11]
Our resident know-it-all unearths the latest trivia.
— R.U. Steinberg, AUSTIN CHRONICLE
Odds & Ends [12]
Timed-release news capsules from the flipside.
— Devin D. O'Leary, WEEKLY ALIBI
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VOLUME I, ISSUE 49
May 11 - May 18, 1998
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Click here to find out, or just ignore them.
Street Life [2]
How exactly do people come to live on the streets? Here are the stories of five people and how they became homeless.
— John Clendenon, METRO PULSE
White House: Help Wanted [3]
Only 250 out of some 1,200 applicants nationwide are selected for White House internships each summer, fall and spring, and the demand for the coveted slots remains high.
— Suzanne Presto, GAMBIT WEEKLY
Homo Sapiens Stupidus? [4]
Humans will spend more in one day on this summer's sci-fi blockbuster movies than they'll spend in a decade to keep their home planet safe from killer comets and asteroids. Go figure.
— Dan Huff, TUCSON WEEKLY
Wag the Owner [5]
My dog is so much happier now that I am trained.
— Spike Gillespie, AUSTIN CHRONICLE
Down, Boy! The Trainers Speak [6]
Making your dog do what you want him to -- one step at a time.
Kent State Killings Shock Nation [7]
28 years ago this week.
— Sue Schuurman, WEEKLY ALIBI
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Click here to find out, or just ignore them.
Right On, Chicago [8]
An ex-Memphian touts the success of the Windy City's public schools.
— Reanetta Hunt, MEMPHIS FLYER
Corporations Make Less Gossip [9]
Angry young man or cranky old fart? You decide!
— Cap'n O, WEEKLY ALIBI
Polyglot Perfection [10]
Official English was a bad idea promulgated by narrow-minded people ignorant of America's heritage.
— Jeff Smith, TUCSON WEEKLY
Now What? [13]
Can't get enough news? You're in luck -- more news is created every day. Our Now What? page offers a plethora of recommended links to help keep you living in the present.
Build your own custom paper. To find out more
about this feature, click here.
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