I'm starting to get thoroughly disgusted at DU

[Jonathan50]

The "walking out of Wal Mart" thread has going on 4,000 hits.

And this thread: "Need outstrips beds for homeless vets... "For most of us, it's back on the streets," Has less than 90 hits.

It's quite obvious where our priorities lie.

Take a good close look at my sig picture.

[hlthe2b]

1. Ohh, for heaven's sakes....

Does it really feel so good to stand there one-footed on that high pedestal? :eyes:

[Jonathan50]

6. Maybe if you were a homeless vet..

You might have a little different view of that pedestal.

Just saying.

[hlthe2b]

14. You are so blinded by your self-sanctimony...

that you feel obliged to ASSUME that YOU are the only one here who gives a damn or is doing anything about it. You point a self-righteous accusatory figure at others without knowing anything about anyone else or their actions. .

Doing so does NOT make you the blessed savior. It shows you up for your own motives, which are apparently less about motivating others to help the homeless vet, than to draw attention to YOURSELF.


Get over yourself if you really want to help homeless vets. I can assure you there are plenty of DUers who share your concerns and could be motivated to work towards something constructive on their behalf.

[Jonathan50]

30. Who is getting sanctimonious now?

[Breeze54]

35. Are you homeless, Jonathan?

Just wondering and I admire your empathy about homeless vets.
It's a real crime that they aren't helped & funded more but
to assume that DU'ers don't care is off the mark.

I hope you aren't homeless.

[Jonathan50]

41. No, I'm not homeless, but I'm a vet..

If we miss more than one paycheck we may well be homeless.

We're down to one car a 93 with 250k miles and no money to replace it if and when it breaks.

Our only alternative will be a buy here/pay here lot since our credit is ruined by medical bills.

My only luxury is my intertubes connection.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. No, it's not obvious at all

priorities and immediate interests aren't the same.

Thousands are dying TODAY in Africa - I don't see a single thread on that subject. There's ALWAYS something more important to worry about in this world. A discussion about something a little lighter doesn't say anything about our priorities.

[Sapphire Blue]

34. You don't see those threads because they quickly sink to the archives w/few or no replies.

[Lurking Dem]

3. Darfur threads get almost no response at all.

It's the nature of the beast.

Part of it is people like to argue so they look at threads that are more contentious instead of ones where everybody agrees X sucks or Y is great.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. yes

that was pretty much my point.

People who bitch and moan that their pet issue isn't taken seriously enough on DU are just tiresome scolds.

[wtmusic]

4. Hits don't reflect priorities

usually more aligned with controversy.

99% of DU is in agreement that vets are getting the shaft. Don't be disgusted.

[Warpy]

5. The big picture includes a gigantic, predatory corporation

that has cost millions of jobs on Main Street as well as forced many other companies to move their manufacturing to China so they can compete for Wal Mart product placement (often the only store in town) at what Wal Mart is willing to pay them.

Perhaps there would be far fewer homeless vets out there if those jobs were still available.

The number of homeless vets has been a disgrace for many decades. However, war isn't the only thing keeping them there.

[bling bling]

7. Yeah, it's messed up.

Kinda like how disgusting it is that Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton make the cover of Newsweek and Anna Nicole's death dominates the headline news for days on end.

I'm sure there's all kinds of psychological reasoning behind why people gravitate towards certain types of stories over others. But I don't know what the reasons are. Regardless, it's frustrating and disappointing.

[Jonathan50]

16. I expect fluff over substance in the MSM

On DU, not so much.

[Richard Steele]

17. You've been here two whole months, so now DU needs to meet YOUR "expectations"?

Yeah, good luck with that. :eyes:

[Jonathan50]

43. I've been lurking for years.. Since Y2k in fact.

I only registered recently, since I have time to post now.

If you go and look at some of my posts I think you will see that I try to make substantive contributions.

[vote 4 democracy]

8. take a look at the titles

Walking out of Wal Mart implies something we can do to help in this situation . . . Need outstrips beds is a statement of fact that furthers what we already know, are disgusted by, but can do little about . . . which is that this administration has utter disregard for human life and is focused on profit. Which brings us back to Wal Mart. By walking out we are cutting into their profit and it sends a message that their priorities are wrong and not those of the American people. We're all here to find ways to combat the evils of this administration. We already know that it is more pervasive than we can fully comprehend and its depressing to keep discovering more and more how true that is without being able to do anything about it. If the title was "protest in your area over the abuses in the VA" you'd get more hits because it provides a course of action.

[Lerkfish]

10. no one responded to any of my posts today

somedays I get lots of responses.

:shrug:

its not worth starting a thread over. For one thing, its only 9 am in california right now on a sunday. A lot of people are in church, or sleep in on sundays.

People have differeing post schedules and also people sometimes have nothing worthwhile to add because the thread said it all.
sometimes, the thread title is misleading. Like today, april fool's day, I'm being leery of some titles that might be legit, but today aren't.

Maybe more people are interested in walmart than have a close relative that's a veteran.

:shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

18. be glad to start.

with the obligatory "No Text" in honor of today.

[Lasher]

37. I have a thoughtful response to that

April fool!! Hahahaha!!!! Sorry, I can't help myself.

Lasher

[bling bling]

11. In 10 minutes this thread has more hits than the other in 4 hours.

I guess an important element in getting people to check out a thread is the way the headline is worded.

[mudesi]

12. I grade DU on what I see on the home page

...and from there, your disgust shall disappear.

[riderinthestorm]

13. I believe the Walmart thread encompasses personal action that DUers can relate to

while the homeless vets thread is about something that makes us feel powerless. The Walmart thread challenges one on a personal level to think about what they would do in that situation. The homeless thread is telling a story of a temp shelter that is coming down for the summer.

Yes, it's outrageous that there are homeless vets, yes it's indicative of the level of apathy in our communities that no one is addressing the issue of homeless vets (and their growing numbers) by tackling root causes and/or providing permanent homes/solutions, and yes some of us actually are working for change for homeless vets (DUer Monkeyman is instrumental in creating a homeless shelter in my town, and I have contributed to his effort) but don't want to toot our own horns about our involvement (calling out Monkeyman in recognition of his efforts!)

I see your point but I'm not sure I share your level of outrage - people post on DU for so many reasons it's hard to slam others for getting more involved in the Walmart thread than the homeless vets thread.

(and trust me! You do NOT want to diss the Loungers at. all. who don't want to get into anything serious :scared: or the posse will come after ya!)

[Jackpine Radical]

15. We are facing the heat death of the Universe...

the end of EVERYthing, from the outer galaxies to the electrons that hold the chemicals of your body together,

and all you're worried about is homeless vets?

(And BTW, before you get too self-righteous on me, let me say that for a period of some months back in those wonderful late 70's I WAS a homeless vet.)

[MonkeyFunk]

22. LOL

:thumbsup:

[gollygee]

19. That's because everyone at DU agrees that vets need to be taken care of

so there isn't any ongoing discussion, which is what causes people to click on threads about Walmart over and over again and continue adding posts which continually kick them to the top and keep them active.

[Bluebear]

20. Maybe people realize how shitty vets have it, which is why we're working for change.

To accuse DU of "our" priorities based on a number of hits a thread gets is really a bit off-base.

[JNelson6563]

21. DU is tabloid stuff mostly

for all the whining that corporate news is all filler, isn't it remarkable that it is the most topical and meaningless crap that gets the views and responses here? What cracks me up is how it's so high-schoolish now with so many threads about DU and the posters.

I've got kids in high school and the similarities have increased ten fold in the last few years.

Julie

[Bluebear]

25. Yeah we're a really vapid bunch here.

:eyes:

[MGD]

23. From the Father of our Country, a bit of Wisdom regarding your point Jonathon:

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country."
– George Washington

[BlooInBloo]

24. Leaving is the only guaranteed solution I'm aware of.

[MADem]

26. You don't GET to be the DECIDER.

Pay attention to the issues that matter to you.

Hit HIDE (the fucking) THREAD on the ones that you don't want to see.

Stop trying to tell people what they should like or not like, or care about or not care about--that's not what Democrats do.

There are ways to reduce your angst. The administrators here very kindly give you tools to so do.

FWIW, I missed both threads. Lucky me!

[MGD]

27. If you want hits, say something like this: Hugo Chavez is a commie dictator and Global warming is BS

Now watch...

[Lurking Dem]

28. Or, "I'm having a circumcision at Olive Garden!"

[MGD]

29. Eeew, I thought that was Calamari in my salad

[Lurking Dem]

31. AAACK!

I live in a state where you can still smoke in restaurants. You see where this is leading, right....................?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

36. maybe it evolved from peanut butter.

the idea that we MUST accept one person's priorities over any others, well, that says it all.

[Richard Steele]

40. Oh, shame on you....

..for making me laugh so hard I hurt my back! :rofl:

[Avalux]

32. The amount of hits is meaningless.

If you're truly concerned about our veterans, take action. Getting upset about hits on a message board is just wasted energy.

[snappyturtle]

33. Here--off to the greatest. Maybe this will help...n/t

[bluedawg12]

38. The number of hits per thread are not a reflection of anything

Perhaps it is a new topic? People haven't weighed in on this one yet.

I doubt that too many threads on this topic will keep reappearing and garnering as many replies.

Perhaps people can relate to it on a personal basis and it is something we can actually do something about.

Perhaps homeless vet threads have already been discussed.

Perhaps, there are numerous heavy topics and problems facing us that are almost over whelming and a thread on something simpler gets a quick look see from folks.

Perhaps it's not for you to tell me what threads I should read and reply to?

If a topic of importance to you deserves more discussion then bring on the good discussion. Give the topic some new insights, something more than chastising people for their reading habits.

Where do we start when it comes to important topics?

Darfur?
Genocide?
Global warming?
The death of the middle class in America?
The war in Iraq?
Albertogonzo?
Misuse of the DOJ?
Misuse of the Patriot Act?
Domestic spying?
The poisoning of our food?
The Imperial presidency?
Impendig war with Iran?
Iran and nukes?
Stability in the Middle East?
The repuke agenda?
The resurrgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Perpetual war?
The new world order?
The ruling oligarchy?
Walter Reed?
The dangerous and divisive Faux cultural wars fomented by the RE?
Child predators?
Domestic violence?
The scapegoating of gays by the RW?
Stem cell research?
The congressional vote to limit funding for the war with accountability?
The rise of the theocrats on the right?


There is no shortage of serious topics in the world today and this BB does a damned good job at discussing most of them, day in, day out.

So, if folks take a moment out to discuss something small and tangible BFD.

I don't appreciate thought police telling me where to look, what to think, what to read, and when to do it.

Today it may be security checks by retailers tomorrow that I reply to, tomorrow it maybe homeless vets.

Tell me, what iota of information did you look up to enlighten me about the plight of homeless vets when I spent my precious and limited time and clicked on to your thread?

What did you do to educate me?

What glimmer of information did I learn by reading your thread other than your little cartoon at the bottom, which is not a substitute for thinking, making a statement or doing one constructive thing for the vets.

I don't want the RW telling me what to think. I sure don't want anyone on the left telling me what to think and how to prioritize my actions, either.

You got my attention on an admittedly important topic and you lbew the opportuniry to make use of it.

So here is some info to consider and discuss:

http://www1.va.gov/homeless/

VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. In fact,VA is the only Federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless persons. Although limited to veterans and their dependents, VA's major homeless-specific programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance services in the country.

.............

http://www.usvetsinc.org/
Friends of Veterans has been established to support the programs and services at U.S.VETS – Long Beach that will help homeless veterans get off the street and into lives of dignity and purpose. The membership of Friends of Veterans is comprised of people in the community who make a yearly pledge, thus becoming partners with U.S.VETS – Long Beach in our efforts to support veterans in the community who need our help. For more information contact Linda Maldonado at 562-388-8015, or by email, [e-mail].
To join us, please click on the link below. Once on the donations page, type “Friends of Veterans, U.S.VETS – Long Beach” in the Comment box. We are in the process of updating our website and will soon have a membership page. Friends of Veterans
..............

http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/Homeless_veterans_fs04.htm
The purpose of the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) is to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans.

HVRP was initially authorized under Section 738 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in July 1987. It is currently authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible applicants such as: State and local Workforce Investment Boards, public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith based and community based organizations.

Grantees provide an array of services utilizing a case management approach that directly assists homeless veterans as well as provide critical linkages for a variety of supportive services available in their local communities. The program is "employment focused" and veterans receive the employment and training services they need in order to re-enter the labor force.
...........

http://www.usvetsinc.org/results/

U.S. VETS is the largest organization in the country dedicated to helping homeless veterans, and a nationally recognized leader in the field of service delivery to veterans.

Stephani Hardy, United States Veterans Initiative Executive Director addresses members of the House Subcommittee on Veteran Affairs at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Conference in Washington D.C.

Some Results worth mentioning....

20,000 homeless individuals served annually through the U.S. VETS National AmeriCorps Program
3000 homeless veterans served by the Westside Residence Hall (our first facility) since 1993
1500 individual homeless veterans served annually by the Los Angeles Outreach Team
85% success rate in getting homeless veterans back to work within 35 days through the Veterans In Progress program
25,000 meals produced each month for homeless veterans in Los Angeles County
On-site VA Mental Health Clinic at Westside was the first of its kind
In-patient Hospital Days Reduced by 25,000 for homeless veterans participating in U.S. VETS' programs (Westside Outcomes Analysis). This demonstrates significant cost savings to the VA and significant stability & self-reliance for the veteran.
Base Closure project in Long Beach the first in the nation to be targeted to serving homeless veterans (the Villages at Cabrillo)
.........
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0208/p02s01-ussc.html
Back from Iraq - and suddenly out on the streets
Social service agencies say the number of homeless vets is rising, in part because of high housing costs and gaps in pay.

By Alexandra Marks | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

NEW YORK – Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are now showing up in the nation's homeless shelters.
While the numbers are still small, they're steadily rising, and raising alarms in both the homeless and veterans' communities. The concern is that these returning veterans - some of whom can't find jobs after leaving the military, others of whom are still struggling psychologically with the war - may be just the beginning of an influx of new veterans in need. Currently, there are 150,000 troops in Iraq and 16,000 in Afghanistan. More than 130,000 have already served and returned home.

..........
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17315490/site/newsweek/
Vets on the Street
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are ending up homeless. How could this happen?

Charles Ommanney / Getty Images for Newsweek
A homeless veteran lies on a bed at New Directions, a private nonprofit residential and substance-abuse program for homeless veterans in Los Angeles

..............
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/archive/2003/10/14/hmlssvetsintro.DTL
Conversations With Homeless Vets
Introduction

By Amy Moon, Features Editor, SF Gate
Tuesday, October 14, 2003

Living or working in San Francisco, you can't avoid the homeless. Near our office at Fifth and Mission, I walk past many homeless people every day, yet I never talk to them. And, whenever I read about them, it's about the homeless as an issue, not about individual human beings with unique lives.

For many of them, those lives have included service in the military. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 33 percent of all homeless men are veterans, as is nearly one-fourth of the homeless population in general.

As the United States ships thousands of troops worldwide to fight the "war on terror," I find myself thinking about what joining the military and fighting for one's country really means. I am fascinated with warriors, probably because as a woman in America, it's an experience I'll probably never have. I wonder particularly what it's like to have served your country and now be living destitute on the streets.
...........

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060827165206AAQYt7D

Why does America forget about all of our homeless Vets?
......
http://www.socialistworker.org/2004-2/515/515_04_HomelessVets.shtml
With my last funding award letter, I read a statement that went something like this from Labor Secretary Elaine Cho: “President George W. Bush and I are determined that no vet will be left behind.” Yeah right! Then why do I (and others around the country) have these vets here? And why could I not get anyone interested in coming to see them or even talk about their plight while on the campaign trail

........
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6394271
Nation
An Evolving Government Approach to Homeless Vets
by Libby Lewis
October 27, 2006 ·

Government estimates suggest there could be as many as 1,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.
..........

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=247816&page=1
Homeless Vets Already Overload Safety Net
........
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5436699

'When I Came Home': Fighting for Homeless Vets
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that as many as 400,000 American military veterans are homeless at least part of the time. And veterans of America's latest wars are adding to those numbers.

It's estimated that hundreds of recently returned veterans of the war in Iraq are living on the streets.

............

[hlthe2b]

42. kudos, bluedawg.... Your post should singularly be a "greatest"

thread. Very important points and well said.

[ComerPerro]

39. I could say I am disgusted with you for simply thinking reading that thread is enough

And if you ask me, that Wal Mart thread is a symptom of what is wrong with America. The OP decided that it is within her rights to be an asshole to everyone, and actually has the audacity to pass judgement on people who cooperate with the store, calling them sheep. Its that kind of libertarian bullshit that makes this country a terrible place.

[Jonathan50]

44. I've actually read a good bit of that thread

And I agree with the OP.

People should take their rights extremely seriously, it is the lack of doing so that has lead to the situation that we find ourselves in today.

Bullies respond to acquiescence by intensifying their bullying, the only way to stop them is to stand up to them.

[The empressof all]

45. Locking

Flamebait.