Libertarian Republic – by Father Nathan Monk
PENSACOLA, FL – Living in Florida, we don’t often have the opportunity to use the heat setting on our thermostat, but this winter we got the chance in a big way. And as a matter of fact, so many people in my neighborhood were using heaters that it blew out the transformer.
So there I was with my wife and three kids, all of us huddled under blankets with the fireplace roaring, watching the temperature continue to drop from a comfortable 65 degrees down to 45. But outside it was 17 degrees and raining and sleeting, and if you were homeless, you had to consider that if you used a blanket to shield yourself from the elements, that you might be hauled off to jail for a violation of a local ordinance prohibiting using blankets, cardboard, or newspaper to cover yourself.
This was part of a series of ordinances which prohibited using public restrooms for washing your face, panhandling, and “camping”. Though the mayor’s office and members of the city council tried to say that these ordinances were not targeted at the homeless, email correspondence between them and other city officials proved otherwise.
The anti-camping ordinance went the furthest in its limitation of basic civil liberties, making it essentially illegal, not only to cover yourself for any reason, but also effectively making it illegal to be homeless. It was a tough ordinance to fight, because if you opposed them, it gave the impression that you were supporting blight in the city. Not to mention the city council wasn’t interested in having the discussion. The then council president either would cut people off or have them thrown out during the public discussion.
The ordinances were passed, in spite of the public outcry.
One of the arguments that was constantly used during the limited debate about the ordinances, was that there was a “silent majority” that wanted to see these laws passed. So these people didn’t show up to the meetings or send emails that could be presented as part of the public record. Instead, they might have stopped a council person on the streets, so they claimed it had more weight than the hundreds of folks in the council chambers in protest. I decided to see how true this supposed silent majority was.
I started a petition, and within a day we had nearly 1,000 signatures opposing the ordinance. People began to ask the question, “Could this ordinance be used on me, or just the homeless?” And the answer from the legal staff of the city is that yes, this law was applicable to anyone who used a blanket or news paper to cover themselves in public. Even if you got stuck in a city park because it was raining and you tried to shield yourself, you would technically be in violation of this ordinance and subject to arrest. So would your wife and child if they laid down with a blanket at a picnic or festival.
The mayor quickly attempted to distance himself from the ordinances, placing blame on the council, even though it has been proven time and again that the memos came directly from his office, at his request. Then the mayor tried to downplay the concern of people saying that there was enough shelter, and that “no one was taking blankets away from the homeless.” But the problem is that the mayor was answering questions no one was asking, directed at accusations no one made. The issue is not that the mayor was taking away people’s blankets, because honestly that would be a violation of the illegal search and seizure clause in the constitution, but rather that someone could be arrested simply for being homeless.
The argument that there are shelters open and that they should just go there, showed exactly why the mayor shouldn’t be making policy about things which he doesn’t understand. Not only are there not enough shelter beds for everyone within the city limits, there is not even a shelter within the city limits for them to go to. If someone was to seek shelter, they would have to go into the county and have a valid ID. Not to mention that many folks don’t qualify for shelters for other reasons and many won’t patronize them because they are veterans who suffer from PTSD.
The major shelter in town only allows for people to stay three days a month, unless they join their drug rehabilitation and Christian indoctrination program. This is the only solution the city is willing to put forward. No matter if someone ends up on the streets due to bad decision, disability, a poor economy, or if they simply just prefer living outside to dealing with the trappings of the modern life, it should go without saying that they have an absolute right to cover themselves with a blanket.
The idea that something as basic as covering oneself from the elements could land them in jail is just about as far away from the founding documents as it gets. Then again, it is easy to pick on people that don’t have a voice. But as the poem goes, “and then they came for me.” To help fight the ordinance visit the change.org petition here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-ashton-haward-stop-the-no-blankets-for-the-homeless-ordinance
Father Nathan Monk lives in Pensacola, Florida and studied Theology at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Seminary.
Read more at TLR: Florida Ordinance Makes It Illegal For Homeless To Use Blankets | The Libertarian Republic http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/florida-ordinance-makes-illegal-homeless-use-blankets/#ixzz2spJpqigb
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During the depression of the thirties those most destitute would commit minor crimes just so they could acquire a descent meal and a warm bed for a few days. Desperate times make for desperate acts of survival.
And to think that if/when I sell my place I was seriously thinking of relocating to florida. I doubt very much that is a happening any more with the so calld law makers and LEO`s like they supposedly got there….Yea, I am so sick and tired of these BS laws like this they are passin`. Yea, time is now I guess. It is really a matter of self survival and freedom now for people…..Those law makers just don`t get it
Florida is one big police state now with sold out over zealous cops and sheriffs that will do any thing they are told to do! They have their noses so far up DHS fed ass they can’t even see day light anymore.Look at the map concerning Constitution free zones and you will see that the entire state of Florida is covered!The elitist everywhere could care less what happens to the poor and the homeless as long as they don’t have to see them!
This is the way of the whole country one small bit at a time. Florida is just one. This is not the want of the people mind you but the NWO wants us removed and little by little they are achieving their goal. Our leaders locally within the state and the counties are paid off to go the way of the Controllers. It is not right of course but research how this is coming to every state.
“If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Yep, see what happens when ya stand up to the LEO`s and the system now days. In the days of Thomas Jefferson every body had guns too. Now days the only way to deal with them F*#kers is to snip them and take them out.
Everyone loves to pick on the homeless. The most vulnerable in our society. I just wander what these elite psychos are going to do when there is no one left to screw over. I guess they will have to start feeding on each other. I don’t believe our society should allow homelessness. I know some people have given up and don’t want any help, but somehow these people need to be given shelter and give them something to do to be productive in our society. If I was a billionaire I would absolutely help out those in need to try and get them off the street. Our society has become I got mine and the hell with you society and that to me is pathetic.
One does not need be a billionaire to help reduce , eliminate the homeless epidemic in this nation.
Donating time & effort can assist in many ways to help the homeless and get many of them back to where they may not need the assistance, that is no longer being homeless.
Think of it as climbing a wall. It might be a little high, just a little boost is all that is needed to readily make it over the wall.
It is simply amazing as to how people can treat the visibly poor like absolute dog crap! They are very uncomfortable seeing the homeless, it makes them feel guilty inside. The vindictive, spiteful, and mean spirited laws they contrive are disgusting!
Tyranny Abounds
if I had the financial means, I would simply provide the homeless “ponchos” or Mexican blankets with hole in the middle for the head and walk around using the ponchos as clothing…. just like the Muslim women, or better, a robe like concoction similar to that of a judge, then tell me that I can not have it on… the political losers of the mayor and city council would not dare to demand a Muslim or a judge to “disrobe” because the clothing appears to be a blanket or covering…
WHAT KIND OF SICK, TWISTED MIND CAME UP WITH THIS CR@P???
It won’t be long now #1. Soon, these clowns are going to feel the pain from the people.
I know, Mark. It’s just that this type of SH#T just INFURIATES me!!!
I used to be homeless back in the 90s, you know.
Sorry for yelling.
I’m off to grab some lunch, back in 45 or so. 🙂
“But outside it was 17 degrees and raining and sleeting, and if you were homeless, you had to consider that if you used a blanket to shield yourself from the elements, that you might be hauled off to jail for a violation of a local ordinance prohibiting using blankets, cardboard, or newspaper to cover yourself.”
Utterly inhumane and can only come from those demons who come from the bowels of Hell. Why God has not shed his wrath on these Satanic bastards is beyond me.
“One of the arguments that was constantly used during the limited debate about the ordinances, was that there was a “silent majority” that wanted to see these laws passed.”
BAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAA!!! ROLMFAO!!! A silent majority. What a joke. Oh man, what will they think of next.