For this installment, in the spirit of the season, I am going to indulge myself and make this one all about me. I’m going to tell you the way it is, and […]
At Home with the Homeless: Narcs Scare IV: The Search for Solutions
In a WIRED article, “The Pain Was Unbearable. So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away?” 8/11/2021 author Maia Szalavitz writes, “A growing number of researchers believe that NarxCare and other screening tools […]
At Home with the Homeless: Narcs Scare III: The War on People with Drugs
“This article operates at the intersection of privacy law, Fourth Amendment doctrine, and prescription drug surveillance instigated by the U.S. drug overdose crisis. Reputable reporting sources frequently frame that ongoing crisis as […]
At Home with the Homeless: Narcs Scare II: The Return of J. Edgar Hoover
His testimony at kevinmd.com reads like something written during the height of McCarthyism or COINTELPRO. But it was earlier this year–July 25th–and Dr. L. Joseph Parker, research scientist and pain care specialist, […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: The necessity of adequate sleep
“Never ascribe conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.” –Robert A. Heinlein (paraphrased), Logic of Empire Sleep is one of the essential needs for humans to function. It is, as the […]
At Home with the Homeless: Jim Palmer’s abrupt resignation from Orange County Rescue Mission
Even by political standards, the announcement was terse: “After 30 years of service, Jim Palmer has resigned as (OCRM) Orange County Rescue Mission’s president. Our current COO, Bryan Crain, will serve as […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Small progress on public bathroom access
Assemblyperson Sharon Quirk-Silva, our representative in the State Legislature, has introduced a bill that contains some needed reform in public restroom access. As you’ll see from the enclosed text, it’s still a […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Is homelessness considered a sin or a crime?
The Bible, as usual, gives a mixed answer to the former. On the one hand, there are repeated entreaties to aid the stranger: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Homelessness Part 2…sort of: The Final Solution?
“Concentration moon, Over the camp in the valley, Concentration moon, Wish I was back in the alley with all of my friends, Still running free….” –Frank Zappa I wish I could quote […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: A day in the shelterhood
People who know my situation have asked, “Can you describe what it’s like to be homeless?” I’ve been pondering on that subject off and on for months. This is the result of […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Remembering Kelly Thomas part 1
You can’t discuss homelessness without having a concurrent discussion about how we as a society treat the mentally ill. And you can’t have a conversation about the homeless and mentally ill in […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS
Beware the Ides of March This is an urgent bulletin for all homeless, mentally and physically disabled people in Orange County: upcoming changes to CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits may result in limitations […]
At Home with the Homeless
To go, or not to go? That is the question. To go, or not to go? That is the question. “Even if provided free of charge, the use of a toilet is […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: THE END OF DEMOCRACY! Mercy, mercy me–Trump’s plans for the unhoused
Now that Trump is the GOP candidate for POTUS–when you can’t even win your state, the state where you were Governor, you are officially toast–time to find out what Trump has planned […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS
When help hurts, and why, and what to try instead. “I was happy three days ago. Today I’m depressed. What happened? Nothing. An inner crutch slipped. Some poorly suppressed memory rose to […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: From sidewalk to shelter to housing.
Wait, for now. Distrust everything if you have to. But trust the hours. Haven’t they carried you everywhere up to now? –Galway Kinnell Transitioning from a homeless shelter to housing can be […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Home(less) for the Holidays
First and foremost, this columnist’s honest hopes are that you had a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever spiritually-oriented holiday you just finished celebrating. While playing a favorite Christmas mixtape, these lyrics […]
At Home with the Homeless: A Day in the Life of an Unhoused
“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed.” […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: Dispatches From a Despondent Deponent
Before I became homeless, I never thought about writing this column. First, I was a full-time caregiver, and any free time was precious for self-care; second, writing a column about the homeless […]
