It takes a village indeed... to throw our hands up, say "We can't fix it!" and do nothing. This is a potentially catastrophic blow to our quality of life in Portland and the effects will be around for many years to come, both in your neighborhood and in the courts.

The activists know all the right buttons to push to exploit our feel-good progressive values. Why is there a flood of homeless and jobless at a time when Portland's booming, the economy is healthy and we're bending over backwards to accommodate the needy?

Some of the homeless advocates know what they are doing- see the Union Gospel Mission. But many of the loudest advocates are pitching pie-in-the-sky solutions while lecturing the "housed" that they are not experiencing what they are experiencing. Harassed by a homeless junky? Didn't happen to you. Think that the open latrines smell? Oh, the homeless advocates beg to differ. You are just afraid of change.

I wanted to go to the Brentwood-Darlington meeting on the junky shantytown near Cartlandia, but decided to stay away once the homeless advocates were invited, As I have learned, the homeless advocates censored the working class folks who dare to want to take a family walk on the Springwater. Poop on the sidewalks until all junkies get a free couch and free food.

If Hales is going to put these camps in Portland neighborhoods, he should put them in Pioneer Square and Waterfront Park as well.

It's been rumored ... [fill in with whateva]

Good thing there's "I, Anonymous" because otherwise you wouldn't have a venue to share the narrowminded bigotry of a typical middle-class asshole.

Because these days there just aren't enough places for the rich and stupid to confidently mouth off about things they don't know jack about.

No actually bigotry is bigotry, and facile, substanceless responses don't negate it.

At what point does personal responsibility come into play? Haha, just kidding. It doesn't.

Homeless advocates- open your homes and backyards to the homeless. Have any of you done this instead of offering lame excuses why you don't?

The Afghani war costs taxpayers 13 billion dollars per month. That is tens of thousands of dollars per minute. You people whining about a little social service money,which is pennies, makes me sick.

Charlie Hales values your opinion. Operators are standing by!

(503) 823-4120
mayorcharliehales@portlandoregon.gov
https://twitter.com/MayorPDX

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/30/5764096/its-t…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspir…

Jesus said so you damn heathen!

@ Euphonious: "middle-class asshole." Really? When did hate get shifted from the wealthy to the middle class? As if the middle class actually exists anymore, let alone be in position to collectively do anything about the shenanigans of wealthy politicians and developers. Here's a short lesson in economics for you: middle-class people make about $50,000 - $70,000 a year (before taxes and medicare and social security), after which about 15% - 20% of that money is gone, thanks to the idea that these relatively modest incomes ought to shoulder the burden of taxation for the entire country. Hence, the "disappearance of the middle class" you might have heard about in a little thing called a newspaper. This day in age (in portland, anyway) that means typical "middle-class assholes" are also vulnerable to being outpriced and displaced. You're an idiot.

I've found homeless people don't walk up hills... in short, live on a big ass hill a good 30 min bus drive away from a panhandle and problem solved, next!

If the elected officials think this is a good idea,let the city start there. Where the elected officials live is a good idea to me.

actually the ones who choose to be homeless are exactly the ones who should have the right to be so. This does not mean they should be entitled to services or peoples money- just a place to pursue their lifestyle, and no that does not automatically equate to dope. If the retarded mayor put it in a suburb instead of the vast amount of woodlands available point the finger at the rich folks on the borders of such woodland - people who's mere disapproving stare equals ~ x100 advocates yelling for a year straight.

No. Nobody wants those disgusting people in their neighborhoods. But its already going to happen unless you favor bashing their heads in. Which I do not. Instead I say we should, I don't know, try to develop some kind of coherent, concerted policy for dealing with homelessness? Besides just letting them camp in our public spaces and foul them with their disgusting foulness and petty thievery. I also live on a hill but sometimes I come down from it so, yeah, it's a problem that is not going to solve itself. And its not going to be solved with fairy tales like "personal responsibility." I mean just telling someone to be responsible is not going to prevent homelessness or magically cure the problem. Preach personal responsibility all day long. I wash myself I do my laundry I have jobs and support myself. I do not think that preaching at homeless people is any kind of a solution to the problem. Although it apparently makes some people feel really good. Although why I can't imagine.

The argument that people want to be homeless is fine with me as long as you can provide for yourself. For those that want to be homeless, yet are fully capable of working and providing an income for themselves.... move to Alaska and become Bush People! Learn how to live off the land if that's what you so desire. Right now, it's "I choose to be homeless, but could you spare a few dollars for a meal or a beer, plus I need a place to stay?"... Fuck that! I'm all in favor of helping the needy but those people are just lazy and not in need of help.

It's all good, cause this is going to reach critical mass at some point and then the city will have to enforce against their own policies. This is a case of, "why do today, what you can put off till tomorrow?" I feel confident in the assertion that these poor folks are not enjoying being homeless. I'm also confident that for every assshat that claims they're chosing to be homeless whilst pursuing their degree in library science, there are 3,000 lost souls who are mentally ill/drug addicted/displaced/dying of AIDS/dying of Hepatitis C that we need to get services to in a meaningful way without destroying all of our neighborhoods in the process. It's faux compassion today, but it will be handcuffs and batons not too long from now. On a side note, there are no job openings for librarians in portland, just as there are no job openings for just about anything else here. #portlandisdoomed

@ Ears of hell. I'm in favor of your compassion for others but the reality is, we're a privileged generation. Portland's economy is booming. It's not difficult to get a job if you're qualified. When you major in a special interest not a career be prepared to look hard and struggle for work. Also, the pay might not be what allows you to compete with others who focused on the long term plan. There are plenty of organizations and "help" for those who need it, especially in Portland out of all places. Most of the homeless I meet throughout the day are fully capable of working. They'll need help with drug addictions... but that's another argument. If you're a young, white, homeless drug addict then it's time to take ownership over your decisions. Get help, so you're no longer addicted to drugs first.... Then getting a job shouldn't be that difficult. Any job. Don't just sit on the corner with your homeless buddies asking for a dollar.

@PandaPDX: I think you're wrong. I'm a professional and have been lucky enough to get a position in my specialty here in Portland. That said, I know lots of people (nurses, librarians, etc.) that cannot get mugged in this town, let alone get hired. So, I guess you and I are lucky, but the professionals I know without jobs are anything but lazy.

In my view, this whole debacle can be traced directly back to Adams, and Hales is just dealing with the shitty hand left to him.

I know who is true PDX. And who the Califoreigners are. The intolerant and entitled. Go home. We don't want you here