First, San Fran wants to spend $50K a pop to build 100 sqare foot houses, now this. Funny how politicians never take "fact finding missions" to undesirable places. "Hmmm, it's almost winter up here, let's go to the Bahamas." Pure genius. ============================================= http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_324070614.html Nov 20, 2002 7:46 am US/Eastern (CBS) (NEW YORK) New York City officials will fly to the Bahamas on Wednesday for a "fact-finding mission" to determine whether retired cruise ships could be used to house the growing number of homeless people, a spokesman for the Department of Homeless Services said. "They will be looking at a couple of retired cruise ships," said the spokesman, Jim Anderson. "They will be questioning whether they would be safe and appropriate shelter space for homeless clients." The officials, including Linda Gibbs, the city's commissioner of homeless services, are being flown to the Bahamas on the mayor's private jet. The trip is scheduled to last for a few hours. Gibbs said the officials would be evaluating the cost-effectiveness of using cruise ships to accommodate homeless people, adding that all options must be explored. "We can't reject any idea that's offered," Gibbs said on Tuesday night. "I think we have to be unafraid to think creatively and to explore options that maybe haven't been looked at in the past." Homelessness in New York City is at an all-time high, with 36,000 people staying in shelters each night, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. The city is bound by law to provide free temporary shelter to those who say they have no place to live. City officials are expected to conduct an annual census of homeless people this winter.
After reading that article this was the first thing to come to my mind. If this plan goes thru this will be the news story we will see next year: Nov 20, 2003 9:46 am US/Eastern (CBS) (NEW YORK) New York officials were shocked and outraged Tuesday when 25.000 homeless people plunged to their deaths in the New York harbor. City officials said that nearly 36,000 people were on board the city's newest homeless shelter, the USS Cardboard Box. Rescuers were able to save 9,000 people from certain disaster. When asked why he jumped one rescued man replied, "It was that damn singing...". The quote is obviously refering to the festive rendition of If They Could See Me Now performed by special guest Kathy Lee Gifford at the NYC "Helter Shelter" Booze Cruise kickoff party. Port Authority officials say the investigation will continue and final findings are not expected until late next month. ======================================== In all seriousness though, that sounds like it may be a good plan for providing more space for increasing numbers of homeless people.
The last thing we need is an incentive for people to become homeless. Putting them on cruise ships almost makes the idea of being homeless an attractive one. I recommend using the money that would be allocated to a housing solution on rehab programs instead. Get them working, not cruising.
Yes, cause everyone loves to be homeless. You think there will be planned entertainment events on these cruises or something?
What??? You did not read my futuristic news report. I spent 10 minutes firing up the time machine to prove that they will have Kathy Lee as entertainment
Well, if that's the case, then I'm quitting my job right now and moving to New York to be homeless!!!
insert sarcasm and cruelty: maybe we can set those cruise ships a sail after they're full and ship the homeless off to another country!? flame away...
Or, in order to help get them back on their feet, the homeless people could hold monkey knife fight tournaments in international waters...
If anyone thinks taking a vacation on an old skanky cruise ship is fun (nevermind LIVING in one), please read A Supposedly Fun Thing That I'll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace. And just because it has to be posted... "Welcome aboard the New York Really Loves You Boat!"
