Inquirer: Improving Lives

Hey, so after highly scientific article on the homeless that featured a few interviews with people in Rittenhouse one morning, apparently the homeless problem in Rittenhouse is gone. The source: Why, the Inquirer, who else?

The ranks of the homeless sleeping overnight in Rittenhouse Square have dropped over the past week.

The reason? More aggressive patrols by Philadelphia police. Front page news accounts. Maybe it’s the weather.

Ha ha, so thanks to the Inquirer’s stories, the cops now have to move the homeless out of Rittenhouse Square every morning. Even during the day, when they’re, uhm, allowed there? “This park is only for those with homes” or “You have to be dressed a certain way to sit here” must be how it goes.

My favorite part of the article is the quote from Andy Rouse, a Center City resident: “I personally don’t mind having a few of these guys around in moderation.” I have to assume this guy feels the same way about alcoholics.

I really think the only way to solve the homeless problem is for the Inquirer gives a bunch of homeless people beds and Internet access, and pays them to refresh Philly.com all day. Pageviews++ and people have a place to sleep! It’s a win-win situation.

A drop in the homeless in Rittenhouse Square [Inquirer]

Philly.com Poll: City Is Lazy, Whiny

From yesterday (the totals are roughly the same still), Philly.com’s poll about homelessness:

Yes, the one with the lowest number of responses was, of course, about helping people. And the #1 response was wondering why the city didn’t do something about it. I guess if you pay your taxes…

Ben Franklin, Mayor Put Heads Together

Hip, hip, hooray! The power brokers in this town (Mayor Nutter, Ben Franklin) are finally doing something about the homeless problem. Yes, it’s “OMG THERE ARE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN RITTENHOUSE” day on Philly.com. I’m not writing about it yet because I’m willing to wait to see where they go next. It should be amazing.

Providing housing for Phila. homeless is slow going [Inquirer]

Breaking: Homeless Sleep In Warm Place

NBC 10 ran another in a long line of important exposes by the NBC 10 Investigators™ last night; this time, the social ill was homeless people sleeping at the airport.

The real highlight of the story is the interview with the self-proclaimed “newest homeless person to arrive at the airport.” Take it away, Doug Ryan:

“I think they should worry about their own business,” said 18-year-old Doug Ryan, who believes he’s the newest homeless person to arrive at the airport. “It’s warm. It’s warm, they don’t kick you out, so it’s not the worst place,” Ryan said.

“What are you doing for food?” Cahn asked.

“Trash cans,” Ryan answered. “As you can see, there’s like a pretzel store right there. Some people throw away their food, and I’ll eat it.”

The airport pays $150,000 a year to deal with the homeless population there… you think somebody could quietly slip them food. But they do have homeless counselors come in, though, so, y’know.

Airport’s Unofficial Welcoming Party Upsets Frequent Fliers [NBC 10]

‘You May Sleep On A Bench, But I’m At 8 Percent!’

Everyone likes to complain about their financial situation. Even Bill Gates probably chews Warren Buffet’s ear off about how he’s only been able to buy three jets this week instead of his usual four. But Bill Gates wouldn’t complain to me about his Microsoft stock, and I wouldn’t complain to, oh, I don’t know, a homeless person.

And so, I present, Al Taubenberger’s quote to a group of homeless people at yesterday’s homeless rally.

“Wanna hear the title of a sad book? My check book.”

Al Taubenberger’s check book is probably not as big as Michael Nutter’s. But, hey, he has a check book.

Tune in tomorrow, when Taubenberger addresses a group of wildfire victims in California who lost their house and complains about how he could really use a new bathroom.

Friday Morning Wake-Up [Metropolis]
Yesterday: Go Rally To Fight Rich Fat Cat Homeless People

Go Rally To Fight Rich Fat Cat Homeless People

Hey, know what sucks? Responsibility. Right? Bills to pay, babies to take care of, jobs to do work at, family members to wish well on their birthdays. Man, all of that sucks. Well, there’s a good way to get rid of it, and it’s just as easy as sleeping out on the street every night!

That’s right, you need to try homelessness! It’s the “consultant” or “online stock trader” of the 2000s! Why, if you’re homeless, you have no responsibility, and you get to live in a mansion or something. Or you live on a fun street with giant birds and elephants and two gay dudes and some blue and red furry blobs of indeterminate origin!

This man says homelessness seems to be worsening: “It’s starting to be younger people, in their 20s not in their 40s, it’s real bad.” That man you just heard says some people choose to be homeless in order to avoid responsibility.

There’s a rally starting right about now at City Hall where you can go rally to end homelessness, so they stop their freespending ways and start giving back to the rest of us working slobs.

City Hall Rally Held to Fight Homelessness [KYW 1060]

Evil Homeless People Nearly Disrupt Gambling

Yesterday, several buildings caught fire on the Atlantic City boardwalk, interrupting many vacationers’ plans to buy t-shirts with stupid slogans on them (”I’m not as think as you drunk I am” being the pinnacle of such shirts), to purchase items for 99 cents and to, uh, get a massage.

Also catching fire were the headquarters of the casino commission, although NBC 10 lets us know the important details.

Investigators said homeless people living illegally under the boardwalk might have started Sunday’s three-alarm blaze that destroyed five businesses and damaged casino offices. No one was hurt in the fire that broke out near Ocean Avenue, and casino officials said gaming in the city should not be affected, even though control offices were damaged.

Phew! Those terrible homeless people, starting a fire and nearly disrupting the plans of vacationers to give their money to rich people. You people are the reason why Donald Trump is leaving AC. Ugh. Can’t the homeless think of anyone but themselves once in a while?

Police: Vagrants May Have Started Atlantic City Boardwalk Blaze [NBC 10]
Officials trying to find cause of Atlantic City boardwalk blaze [AP/Philly.com]
Trump’s A.C. era could be near end [Inquirer]

I Read Phillyblog So You Don’t Have To: A Chicken In Every Pot And A Dunkin Donuts On Every Corner

Ahh, Phillyblog. As Mark B. Cohen might write, Phillyblog is “one of the most important media in Philadelphia today.” Oh, wait, he did write that.

Yes, indeedy, the last time I mentioned Phillyblog — and State Rep. Mark B. Cohen’s wish to have a “Phillyblog Day” — the faithful AOL For Dummies reader responded via comment, saying that Phillyblog members “are a major news source that professional journalists ignore at their peril.”

If there’s one thing I absolutely do not want, it is to be put in perilous situation simply by ignoring an Internet messageboard. But I care about you, dear reader, I really do. And I don’t want you — professional journalist or otherwise — to be put in said perilous situation. With that in mind, today Philadelphia Will Do launches “I Read Phillyblog So You Don’t Have To,” a weekly look at one of the most important mediums in Philadelphia today. If you see an excellent Phillyblog thread (excellent for whatever reason) and think it’d fit in IRPSYDHT (prounounced “eye-rock-paper-scissors-why-D-hat”), simply send an email to dmac@philadelphiawilldo.com.

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Blogicized: The New New Power Generation

• While some who went were less than thrilled with last night’s “Prince” — so named because he didn’t sing — concert, at least one person was totally down with spending 60 bucks to see Prince play guitar. [Pencopal's Project]

• Say what you want about homeless people, but they know that even if it’s a broken bike, it’s a bike nonetheless. And they also know a good deal when they see one. [Starting A Landslide in My Ego]

• The secret to running for Pennsylvania state house, at least in the 152nd district: Say you were the first person under the age of 21 to register to vote in Montgomery County when the law was changed. Next, he’ll reveal how he’s voted in every damn election since the founding of the union. [Above Average Jane]

• Psst… the NFL signing period begins at midnight. (Update: Okay, free agency is now delayed for three days.) Let’s pray for fewer Terrell Owens 2005 and more, uh, Terrell Owens 2004. [The World According to TMC]

Quickies: Yo Adrian!

• The National Coalition for the Homeless releases a list of the 20 meanest cities to the homeless and Philadelphia is not on the list. Take that, Sarasota! (Oh, and Chicago and New York and Las Vegas and Dallas and Houston and San Francisco and Los Angeles and Phoenix and Pittsburgh.) [KYW 1060]

• The Case of the Hit and Run Nun heats up: Police found a truck that kinda sorta matches the description of the truck that struck and killed Sister Paul Mercedes Perreca. They questioned the driver, a Northeast Philly man, but say he’s just a “person of interest,” not a suspect. If Law & Order has taught me anything, there’s about 15 more minuntes left until Briscoe and Green catch the real killer! [Inky]

• New Jersey slogan: “New Jersey: Come See For Yourself.” Eh. I don’t see that making it onto an ironic Urban Outfitters tee anytime soon. [6 ABC]

• And, KYW 3 has a slideshow of Rocky Balboa sightings. [KYW 3]