Appointed Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by George W. Bush
Appointed Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by Barack Obama
Appointed Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by John Roberts
This seemed like a good thread to post this; didn't want to start a new one for something so personal.
My good wife has a sister- one of those trumpsters down there in South Alabamastan- who had an only child. He was troubled most of his life, in jail a couple of times, ultimately being consumed by a good dose of delusional paranoid schizophrenia. He left the shithole country over 15 years ago, heading for California to be a rap star. Seriously. He lived on the streets, dropping out of sight and out of contact. She tracked him down through social workers and compassionate cops, even had a kind storekeeper contact her with a picture once. But he shunned contact, refusing the advances of social services and meal vouchers and shelters, afraid of mind control procedures and microchips and all that para-schiz stuff that the mentally ill see on every corner. She didn't see or talk to him for over 15 years. It's hard to find someone who doesn't want to be found, when they are really and truly off the grid. Meds only help while you're taking them, and he wouldn't. He was totally non-violent, and it ain't a crime to be mentally ill; he was 38 years old- a grown man. He vanished more easily than I woulda thought.
While we were at my daughter's house for lunch last Sunday, my wife got a frantic, tearful call from her sister. Authorities in Walnut Creek CA had chased down his one-time fiancé, long-married with another man's children, and she immediately called his mother. Three days before, he had been sleeping in a dumpster and got tossed into a collection truck. They heard his screams over the whine of the hydraulics and shut off the compactor as quickly as possible. It took an hour and a half to get him out.
Happy Fuckin Mother's Day
His mom and her husband, who never knew the boy, flew to SFO, drove to Walnut Creek and began to wait. His entire lower body was crushed. Pelvis pulverized. Kidneys pulped. Bowel wrecked. One a ventilator. After two operations to remove one leg to the hip, his BP would not stabilize. The extent of trauma, on top of a homeless man's already compromised health, was just too much. Another surgery to take the other leg would kill him outright. They could keep him on support for a while longer, but the end was inevitable. She made her peace, gave permission and they removed all support yesterday afternoon. He passed peacefully just before 10 PM EDT last night. She is of strong faith, and seems to be grateful to be there for his last 48 hours, holding his hand till the end. Maybe that is a blessing. I won't argue that point. I believe that knowing the gruesome truth would be, for me, better than never knowing. This is someone from one of those places where they tend to believe that the homeless are lazy, low-life rapist murderers who bum for a living. Enlightened folks know that the majority of them are probably mentally ill, some severely. We know that there is little, if any, provision for these wretched refuse, unless their families can provide it. We know that that is too often not an option, and even rich parents cannot easily force a grown son or daughter into internment against their will. And most families are not rich. CA bends over backward for the homeless, at least in comparison to most of America, and especially red state shitholes.
In the course of his last two days, 2-3 of the ICU nurses came in to sit with them, and heard the story of the dirty dumpster guy who had been John Doe for three days and now had a name. They cried and prayed with them, shedding their professional detachment for a little while. And they noted that their perception of the homeless had been forcefully reset. They were sad, maybe hopeless, people with desperate families, helpless families who never stopped searching and trying.
Fuck Alabama. Fuck Georgia. Fuck the south. If I could convince my family to go with me, I would GTFO of here and away from these backward, racist, woman-hating, evangelical troglodytes. I don't wanna see my grandchildren grow up here. That is out of my hands.
Thanks, I'm sorry or your family. Y'all, the garbage guys, the 1st responders and the hospital staff will be haunted by this for the rest of your/their lives.
We suck, and not just the South. My inability to do enough or the homeless and mentally ill in the ER (South, CA Bay Area, Northern Rockies) was a career-long frustration.
A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.
-- Charlie Sykes on MSNBC
1312. ETTD.
Thanks, I'm sorry or your family. Y'all, the garbage guys, the 1st responders and the hospital staff will be haunted by this for the rest of your/their lives.
We suck, and not just the South. My inability to do enough or the homeless and mentally ill in the ER (South, CA Bay Area, Northern Rockies) was a career-long frustration.
We put more time, money and love into animal shelters than we do into homeless shelters, sometimes. Because animals are seen as helpless and lovable and blameless, while humans are seen as having "made a choice to live like that."
That is a sad story, Boat. It is remarkable how little we as a society do for/about homeless people. Grouping all into one big bag of sorriness to deride or ignore like a bunch of pariahs. It would be pretty easy for cities/states to do some things to make their lives less dangerous. It's certainly not a simple or cheap problem, though.
That is a sad story, Boat. It is remarkable how little we as a society do for/about homeless people. Grouping all into one big bag of sorriness to deride or ignore like a bunch of pariahs. It would be pretty easy for cities/states to do some things to make their lives less dangerous. It's certainly not a simple or cheap problem, though.
No, it is not. But, neither was the original moon shot, or the atomic bomb. Maybe because the homeless issue doesn't provide an avenue to massive amounts of monetary incentive for 1%-ers.
That is a sad story, Boat. It is remarkable how little we as a society do for/about homeless people. Grouping all into one big bag of sorriness to deride or ignore like a bunch of pariahs. It would be pretty easy for cities/states to do some things to make their lives less dangerous. It's certainly not a simple or cheap problem, though.
No, it is not. But, neither was the original moon shot, or the atomic bomb. Maybe because the homeless issue doesn't provide an avenue to massive amounts of monetary incentive for 1%-ers.
Agreed, and there's no great public enthusiasm for programs for homeless and/or hungry. Too many people out there who would say "make 'em work" "get a job, bum" "why do I pay taxes to give it to them?" yada.
Thanks, I'm sorry or your family. Y'all, the garbage guys, the 1st responders and the hospital staff will be haunted by this for the rest of your/their lives.
We suck, and not just the South. My inability to do enough or the homeless and mentally ill in the ER (South, CA Bay Area, Northern Rockies) was a career-long frustration.
We put more time, money and love into animal shelters than we do into homeless shelters, sometimes. Because animals are seen as helpless and lovable and blameless, while humans are seen as having "made a choice to live like that."
We do suck.
A lot of people have this fear of being taken for a fool. Sometimes you'll see a homeless person pan handling for money only to sneak off and spend it all on booze or drugs, or they'll hop in their car and drive home. Turns out they weren't homeless at all.
I think it was one of the stoics that taught this, or maybe Jesus, I don't know, but anyway, if you're tricked into giving your money away to someone who's not actually homeless, who cares? No harm is done to you. You still acted out of compassion with the intent to help someone else. The person tricking you is only harming themselves by performing the unjust act of trickery. We shouldn't let those with malicious intentions turn us away from being virtuous and helping others in times of distress, even if it means being "taken for a fool" once in a while.
That is a sad story, Boat. It is remarkable how little we as a society do for/about homeless people. Grouping all into one big bag of sorriness to deride or ignore like a bunch of pariahs. It would be pretty easy for cities/states to do some things to make their lives less dangerous. It's certainly not a simple or cheap problem, though.
No, it is not. But, neither was the original moon shot, or the atomic bomb. Maybe because the homeless issue doesn't provide an avenue to massive amounts of monetary incentive for 1%-ers.
Agreed, and there's no great public enthusiasm for programs for homeless and/or hungry. Too many people out there who would say "make 'em work" "get a job, bum" "why do I pay taxes to give it to them?" yada.
I think much of a person's "success" or lack thereof in life comes down to pure chance. Hard work plays a role, no doubt, but there are plenty of other factors that we just don't have control over - where and to whom we're born, genetic predispositions to health ailments, unforeseen tragedies and so forth. Some things we just can't control, and I think it's important to humble ourselves and understand others may have been dealt a shitty hand or maybe made some mistakes along the way. I've always digged the idea of redemption. Unfortunately many people do not and would rather see punishment meted out.
"The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away"
Further reading for Christians who haven't read the Bible:
Sometimes you'll see a homeless person pan handling for money only to sneak off and spend it all on booze or drugs, or they'll hop in their car and drive home. Turns out they weren't homeless at all.
Just cutting out the middle-man in charitable fund-raising.
I'd rather contribute directly to somebody in need than help pay "administrative costs". But the charities do provide some services and help others don't.
Sometimes you'll see a homeless person pan handling for money only to sneak off and spend it all on booze or drugs, or they'll hop in their car and drive home. Turns out they weren't homeless at all.
Just cutting out the middle-man in charitable fund-raising.
I'd rather contribute directly to somebody in need than help pay "administrative costs". But the charities do provide some services and help others don't.
It is head to tell most of the time.
Nasty cold January day, in a hurry but didn't have to be, guy with something extra on his "anything helps" sign that I noticed as I drove through the intersection, "blankets please".
About a mile away, I had 2 sleeping bags that I used as as padding. I still feel like an ass for not going to get the bags for him.
Trump: “We had the safest border in the history of our country - or at least recorded history. I guess maybe a thousand years ago it was even better.”
Sometimes you'll see a homeless person pan handling for money only to sneak off and spend it all on booze or drugs, or they'll hop in their car and drive home. Turns out they weren't homeless at all.
Just cutting out the middle-man in charitable fund-raising.
I'd rather contribute directly to somebody in need than help pay "administrative costs". But the charities do provide some services and help others don't.
Sometimes you need a middle man, like this commemorative Trump/Cyrus coin (a direct link to God) being sold for 45 bucks:
For $45, Lance Wallnau and Jim Bakker will sell you a Trump/Cyrus coin that you can use as a "point of contact" between you and God as you pray for Trump's re-election in 2020.
I’m just gonna start drawing “T”s on rocks and selling them. Fortune here I come.
How much for one of them fancy rocks?
One for $2.99 or three for $9.99. Got a special on the limited “MAGAT” model that combines your presidents favorite motto in red WITH his initial, T, in blue for $15.99ea, single order.
Wait why is three at a time more!?
When asking "What would Jesus do?" remember that throwing over the tables and chasing people with a whip are valid options
How are they a tax-exempt organization exactly? That needs to stop.
:!: Lots more.
A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.
-- Charlie Sykes on MSNBC
1312. ETTD.
Jim Bakker? Goddam, what a sleazebag he is. He should be in the trump administration. I actually saw that little asshole at Bi Lo on Four Seasons Blvd once; he used to live near there, on Dana Road, before he was arrested. I wish I had slapped his face; it would have been worth the charges and record. Hell, I'd be proud of it and list it on my resume had I whacked him. As far as that point of contact with god via the coin, I say fuck that. if you really want a point of contact, get a fork and your prayer book and sit next to an electrical outlet and when you think you're about to feel the spirit, jab that fork into the fucking electrical outlet (you may have to do so twice, as one side of the outlet will give you no insight) and be one with your creator.
"The FTC must investigate and block the attempt by Bristol-Myers Squibb to buy out Celgene. This would be the largest pharmaceutical merger ever, and as with past mergers, the result will be less innovation and much higher prescription drug costs for the public. This mega-merger will block the development and sale of affordable drugs and reduce competition precisely at the moment we need more of it. We urge you to stop this mega-merger."
A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.
-- Charlie Sykes on MSNBC
1312. ETTD.
"I strongly oppose the proposed rule to undermine the Health Care Rights Law and strip away nondiscrimination protections against transgender people. I urge you to halt this proposed rule immediately and protect access to lifesaving care to all, regardless of gender identity, sexuality or expression."
A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.
-- Charlie Sykes on MSNBC
1312. ETTD.
... The Armstrong sons, Rick and Mark, hired a heart specialist at the University of Pennsylvania to review the medical record of more than 5,000 pages. The doctor concluded that not only were the hospital mistakes fatal, Armstrong most likely didn’t need the bypass surgery then....
In other words, what the cons keep calling "the greatest healthcare system in the world" killed one of America's greatest astronauts. Irony.
A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.
-- Charlie Sykes on MSNBC
1312. ETTD.
:!: Lots more.
