REMARKS BY VP BIDEN & PRESIDENT OBAMA RE: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

Remarks by the President and Vice President at Signing of the Violence Against Women Act

2:16 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Diane. Thank you. (Applause.)

Some of you in the audience who are survivors know how much courage it takes to do what Diane did. (Applause.) Some people who don't know will say, well, she’s just recounting what happened. But every single time you stand and recount what happened, it brings it all back. It brings it all back like a very bad nightmare. But your speaking out, Diane, and so many survivors like you are literally saving the lives of so many other women who, God willing, will be able to avoid the abuse that you had to put up with.

I want to thank all the advocates who are here today. I got a chance to meet in my office with some of you a little bit earlier -- not only those on the stage who I, again, had a chance to meet with, but the many women out in the audience, as I look out and see some familiar faces like Pat Rouse and Ellie Smeal and Paulette Sullivan Moore from -- I’m being parochial -- Paulette Sullivan Moore from my home state, and so many others. (Applause.)

Those of you who have been around a while with me know that I quote my father all the time who literally would say, the greatest sin that could be committed, the cardinal sin of all sins was the abuse of power, and the ultimate abuse of power is for someone physically stronger and bigger to raise their hand and strike and beat someone else. In most cases that tends to be a man striking a woman, or a man or woman striking a child. That's the fundamental premise and the overarching reason why John Conyers and I and others started so many years ago to draft the legislation called the Violence Against Women Act.

It passed 19 years ago, and that's why we shortly thereafter instituted a hotline where women in distress could call for help. I remember, John, when we did that hotline, it was like, well, it will be useful, but I’m not so sure how much it will be used. Well, the truth of the matter is it’s been used a lot and it’s saved a lot of lives. Over 2 million women have had the courage -- the courage -- to try to get out of earshot of their abuser, escape from the prison of their own home, and pick up that phone and call to a line that you had no idea who on the other end was going to answer, and to say, I’m in trouble. Can you help me? Can you help me?

I love those men who would say when we started this about why don't they just leave. Well, if they had one-third the courage that those women -- those 2 million women had who have picked up the phone and called, not knowing what to expect, it would be a whole lot better nation.

We’ve built a network of shelters that are immediately available to women in need because we found out that the vast majority of children who are homeless on the street -- Nancy knows and others -- were there because their mothers were abused. Imagine fleeing for your life with only the clothes on your back and your child in your arms. The shelter was their only lifeline, and it’s worked.

We also have specialized law enforcement units with trained prosecutors, victim advocates, court personnel who understand the unique challenges of the access. Because of all of you in the audience that are here today, we’ve been able to train judges and train intake officers, so when a frightened woman shows up at the family court and says to the intake officer, “I want to tell you” -- “Speak up, will you?” “Well, I just -- my” -- and they turn around and walk away, because there’s only a very brief window, as all of you know, a very brief window, again, after a woman screws up the courage -- the courage -- to ask for help.

All these links in the chain have made a difference in the lives of women. It’s one woman, one girl, one person at a time, one case at a time. And you providers know that better than anyone.

With all the law’s success, there are still too many women in this country who live in fear of violence, who are still prisoners in their own home; too many victims that we have to mourn. We knew from the outset in 1994 that there was much more we could have done at the beginning if we were able to get the votes. But we did what was necessary and important, but we knew more had to be done to reduce domestic violence, domestic violence homicides, to provide new tools, as was just spoken to, to protect Native American women, to address the perplexing rate of dating violence among young women, and so much more.

But because of the people on this stage and in this room, every time we reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, we improved it. Every single time, we’ve improved it. (Applause.)

And we did this again. First, we’ve given jurisdiction to tribal courts over those who abuse women on reservations regardless of whether or not they -- (applause.) We’re providing more resources to the states so they can be trained as to how to collect evidence, acquire convictions, particularly in prosecutions for rape. We’re going to increase the use of proven models to reduce domestic violence homicides.

We’ve all focused on the tragic gun violence that has been in the news lately, but I want to point something out to you. From 2009 to 2012, 40 percent of the mass shootings in America, other than the celebrated ones you’ve seen -- 40 percent where there’s four or more people who have been shot, the target has been a former intimate partner or a close family member.

So they go into the office, just like that young man who -- or woman who stood in front of you when your husband came with a loaded pistol to shoot you. Forty percent are a consequence of domestic violence.

We created a strong -- strong -- anti-violence program. Campuses will have more tools to educate students about sexual violence. (Applause.)

So when Congress passed this law that the President will sign today, they just didn’t renew what I consider a sacred commitment to protect our mothers, our daughters, our sisters. They strengthened that commitment. And I want to thank them. I hope I don’t leave anybody out. Starting off with my old buddy, Pat Leahy, who chairs the committee. Pat, thank you very, very much. (Applause.) And Mike Crapo. Mike, this wouldn’t have happened if you had not stepped up. (Applause.) Lisa Murkowski is not here. But my friend who -- I don’t want to get her in trouble, but I know she really likes me because I like her a lot -- (laughter) -- Senator Collins. Seriously, it was Republicans coming and standing up and saying this has to be done in the Senate. So we owe you. We owe you big. (Applause.)

And by the way, if you ever want a partner to get anything important done, call Nancy Pelosi. Call Nancy Pelosi. (Applause.) And Steny Hoyer, and Congresswoman Moore -- (applause -- and my old buddy -- I hope I’m not leaving anybody out here -- but my old buddy, John Conyers. (Applause.) I’m sure I’m leaving someone out, for which I apologize.

Look, we all know we have a lot more to do, but we’re going to continue to make progress. And one of the reasons we’re going to continue to make progress is we’re going to have for at least three more years the President of the United States, my friend, Barack Obama. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, everybody! Please, everybody have a seat, have a seat.

I want to thank all of you for being here. I want to thank Secretary Salazar, my great friend, for letting us into the building. (Laughter.) Make sure, everybody, pick up their stray soda cans and stuff afterwards. (Laughter.)

I want to thank Attorney General Holder for joining us. He’s doing a great job. (Applause.)

We usually host these bill signings over at the White House. But there were just too many of you -- (laughter) -- who helped to make this happen. (Applause.) And you all deserve to be a part of this moment. I want to thank everybody on this stage. Joe just mentioned the extraordinary work that each and every one of these leaders -- both advocates as well as legislators --

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And I left out Congressman Tom Cole.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, there you go. Give Tom a big round of applause. (Applause.)

But everybody on this stage worked extraordinarily hard. Most of all, though, this is your day. This is the day of the advocates; the day of the survivors. This is your victory.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Mr. President!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back. (Applause.)

And this victory shows that when the American people make their voices heard, Washington listens. (Applause.) So I want to join Joe in thanking all the members of Congress from both parties who came together, got this bill across the finish line.

I want to say a special thanks to Pat Leahy and Mike Crapo. (Applause.) Thank you, guys, for your leadership. (Applause.) And I want to give much love to Gwen Moore, who worked so hard on this. (Applause.)

And I also want to take a minute before I begin to thank the Senators who, just a few hours ago, took another big step towards sensible gun safety reforms by advancing a federal gun trafficking bill. That’s real progress. (Applause.) Now, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent legislation to the Senate floor that would crack down on folks who buy guns only to turn around and funnel them to dangerous criminals.

It’s a bill named, in part, for Hadiya Pendleton, who was murdered in Chicago earlier this year. You'll remember I told this story about how she had marched in the Inauguration Parade, and just a few weeks later had been gunned down about a mile away from my house.

So I urge the Senate to give that bill a vote. I urge the House to follow suit. And I urge Congress to move on other areas that have support of the American people -- from requiring universal background checks to getting assault weapons off our streets -- because we need to stop the flow of illegal guns to criminals, and because Hadiya’s family and too many other families really do deserve a vote. (Applause.)

Finally, I want to thank Joe Biden for being such an outstanding Vice President. (Applause.) That's right, you can stand for Joe. Stand for Joe. (Applause.) Give it up for Joe Biden. (Applause.) Joe is a hardworking Vice President.

AUDIENCE: Yes, he is!

THE PRESIDENT: And he told me when he agreed -- when I asked him to be Vice President, he said, well, I don't want to just be sitting around. (Laughter.) I said, I promise you I won't let you just sit around. (Laughter.) And he has not. He has played a key role in forging the gun safety reforms that I talked about, largely by working closely with survivors of gun violence and their families. He forged the Violence Against Women Act 20 years ago -- never forgetting who it was all about. (Applause.)

So on behalf of everybody here and all the lives that you've had a positive impact and touched through the Violence Against Women Act -- the survivors who are alive today because of this law, the women who are no longer hiding in fear because of this law, the girls who are growing up aware of their right to be free from abuse because of this law -- (applause) -- on behalf of them and all their families, I want to thank Joe Biden for making this one of the causes of his career. (Applause.)

Now, as Joe said earlier, we’ve come a long way. Back when Joe wrote this law, domestic abuse was too often seen as a private matter, best hidden behind closed doors. Victims too often stayed silent or felt that they had to live in shame, that somehow they had done something wrong. Even when they went to the hospital or the police station, too often they were sent back home without any real intervention or support. They felt trapped, isolated. And as a result, domestic violence too often ended in greater tragedy.

So one of the great legacies of this law is that it didn’t just change the rules; it changed our culture. It empowered people to start speaking out. It made it okay for us, as a society, to talk about domestic abuse. It made it possible for us, as a country, to address the problem in a real and meaningful way. And it made clear to victims that they were not alone -- that they always had a place to go and they always had people on their side.

And today, because members of both parties worked together, we're able to renew that commitment. Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act is something I called for in my State of the Union address. And when I see how quick it got done, I'm feeling -- (applause) -- makes me feel optimistic. (Applause.)

Because of this bill, we’ll keep in place all the protections and services that Joe described, and, as he said, we’ll expand them to cover even more women. Because this is a country where everybody should be able to pursue their own measure of happiness and live their lives free from fear, no matter who you are, no matter who you love. (Applause.) That's got to be our priority. That’s what today is about. (Applause.)

Today is about the millions of women -- the victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault -- who are out there right now looking for a lifeline, looking for support. Because of this bill, they’ll continue to have access to all the services that Joe first helped establish 19 years ago: the national hotline, network of shelters, protection orders that carry across state lines. And because of this bill, we’re also expanding housing assistance so that no woman has to choose between a violent home and no home at all. That’s what today is all about. (Applause.)
Today is about all the law enforcement officials -- like Police Chief Jim Johnson -- (applause) -- they’re the first to respond when a victim calls for help. And because of this bill, we’re continuing all the training and support that’s proven so effective in bridging some gaps that were in actual enforcement of the law so that we can actually bring more offenders to justice. And we’re giving our law enforcement better tools to investigate cases of rape, which remains a consistently underreported crime in our country. Helping police officers deliver on the most important part of their job -- preventing harm and saving lives – that’s what today is all about.

Today is about women like Diane. I’m so grateful Diane shared her story. That takes great courage. (Applause.) And tragically, it is a common story.

I know we’ve got tribal leaders here today, and I want to thank all of you for fighting so hard on behalf of your people -- (applause) -- to make this bill a reality. (Applause.)

Indian Country has some of the highest rates of domestic abuse in America. And one of the reasons is that when Native American women are abused on tribal lands by an attacker who is not Native American, the attacker is immune from prosecution by tribal courts. Well, as soon as I sign this bill that ends. (Applause.) That ends. That ends. (Applause.)

Tribal governments have an inherent right to protect their people, and all women deserve the right to live free from fear. And that is what today is all about. (Applause.)

Today is about all the Americans who face discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity when they seek help. (Applause.)

So I want to thank Sharon Stapel, who’s here -- where did she go? There she is right there -- (applause) -- for the work she’s doing -- the great work she’s doing with the Anti-Violence Project. But Sharon and all the other advocates who are focused on this community, they can’t do it alone. And then now they won’t have to. That’s what today is all about. That's what today is all about. (Applause.)

Today is about the women who come to Rosie Hidalgo looking for support -- (applause) -- immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse. I mean, imagine the dilemma for so many -- if your immigration status is tied to a husband who beats you or abuses you, if you’re an undocumented immigrant, you may feel there’s too much to lose by coming forward. The Violence Against Women Act already had protections so that victims could call the police without fear of deportation, and those protections saved lives. And because we fought hard to keep them in place, they remain a lifeline for so many women. That’s part of what today is all about. (Applause.)

Today is about young women like Tye, who was brought into the sex trade by a neighbor when she was 12 years old. Tye was rescued with the help of an organization led by trafficking survivors. Today, she’s enrolled in college. She’s working full-time to help at-risk girls stay out of the sex trade. (Applause.) Couldn’t be prouder of her. So proud of her. (Applause.) So with this bill, we reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to help more girls turn out like Tye. That’s what today is all about. (Applause.)

So today is about all the survivors, all the advocates who are standing on this stage. But it’s also about the millions more they represent -- that you represent. It’s about our commitment as a country to address this problem -- in every corner of America, every community, every town, every big city -- as long as it takes.

And we’ve made incredible progress since 1994. But we cannot let up -- not when domestic violence still kills three women a day. Not when one in five women will be a victim of rape in their lifetime. Not when one in three women is abused by a partner.

So I promise you -- not just as your President, but as a son, and a husband, and a father -- I’m going to keep at this. I know Vice President Biden is going to keep at it. My administration is going to keep at it for as long as it takes.

And I know that all the advocates up here, all the legislators -- Republican and Democrat -- who supported this, I know they could not be prouder of the work that they’ve done together. And I think I speak for all of them when we say we could not have done it without you.

So with that, let me sign this bill. (Applause.)

(The bill is signed.)

END
2:40 P.M. EST

posted by SHE @ 6:40 PM 0 comments

STUNNING! worth every hoop one must jump through.. to us! (sandra! & robert!)

 BREEZE of INNOVATION    -don't remember how i first came across it; but i remember my initial reactions:  STUNNING!    -research; research; read...    and just gets better and better!  gorgeous, magical lights, a stage for bands [and just as the headframes make the most awesome stages for bands performing at the montana folk festival..  a stage/concerts on this in San Jose, CA!!]   -cafes..   views! as you walk up and along and around..    do take a look on youtube.. 

and i remember thinking/writing:  but San Jose is not currently ready for; or worthy of..    -because, based on what we've been seeing; until SJ/SCC address the issues of encampments, graffiti..  until they can reduce crime and increase safety and cleanliness..

this GORGEOUS, STUNNING, AWESOME sculpture would last around...   less than 24 hours.  that's was my guess

****

fast-forward, to when robert & i met directly, and in person, with Steve Borkenhagen, Exec Dir, of Urban Confluence, and this project!    -lots to read about regarding the origins; the design competition..

read more if inspired; i'm going to let you join us at Voyager Coffee, San Pedro Square, in Downtown San Jose, during our conversation with Steve

us to steve:    When we were leading the NOTonNOBLE protest, we had discussed amongst ourselves at that time..   wow! like how much energy it was taking..  the 80+ hour weeks we were putting in..  how taxing on every level..   but we fought, fought, fought..     and thought,    -how wonderful it would be, if we could be using this time and energy toward something good and beautiful, vs. fighting evil,  -know what we mean?     Breeze of Innovation is something we can be FOR; we can fight for...  it's an answered prayer for us..  we love it and want to learn more..

and of course, we shared our concerns about san jose being ready, clean enough, safe enough for something so magnificent   -very concerned about anyone spending that much time, money, effort etc. for something that wasnt going to be properly valued; appreciated;  -protected-

and that's when he educated us

steve to us:   do you understand about what a conservancy is? (does?)

      -and we did not.

he went on to explain, that let's say breeze of innovation is successfully built on plaza de cesar chavez.. which is in downtown and is surrounded by hotels, businesses, restaurants,   -these surrounding entities have a vested interest in protecting the landmark sculpture for all their guests...

and, in my own words, now, what i understood immediately is this:  oh! SJPD will not be responsible for protecting, cleaning, maintaining..   SJPD won't be responsible for catching/preventing graffiti and vandalism in general  -because they are already overwhelmed..   

so as long you have -several- entities, each with their own funds and human resources dedicated toward protecting..     well, now it stands a real chance!

   -and once it was clear to me, to us; that breeze of innovation has a real chance,  1. to exist at all, and 2. to be protected and enjoyed by the masses thank you to a strong conservancy

lets do this thing!  it cant happen fast enough!

and our conversation had a longer depth; and wider spectrum of topics, but.. i want to stay focused on breeze of innovation;  and..   conservancy..   which i realized, is what our sacred perc ponds have in a kind of natural and organic way..       i mean, thank God, we do have parks & rec, and the valley water who have a vested interest in protecting; but..     there are a whole lotta neighbors; everyday people who enjoy the perc ponds..   and without being paid to do it; or asked to do it; or recognized for it

    -we have a vested interest in keeping our sacred perc ponds; sacred.   free from graffiti, garbage, etc.  and there are so many unsung heros, who, when walking through..   pick up garbage/trash/litter...  who cover up/remove graffiti    -our vested interest is in getting to continue to enjoy, walk, bike, hike, bird watch, explore, fish, picnic..   safely in a clean, cared for landscape...    and for our kids; and our grandkids to enjoy the same.     and it is a sad story that we need so many everyday individuals PLUS city/park/county services to do this work on an ongoing basis; but we feel and honor that responsibility   -and dream of the day when a caught n' consequences task force helps prevent the park property destruction/vandalism in the first place.

and you know what i would do given the chance:   1.  clean it up    2.  public apology   3.  write an essay why this is wrong, and why you will not do it again       -and if you do get caught a 2nd time;  straight to jail write after you 1. clean it up   2. apologize publicly   3. write an essay why it is wrong and why you will never do it again

anyway.. 

now let's talk location.  you can research that breeze of innovations location has already moved a couple times for a variety of reasons..   

the current vision for the location is plaza de cesar chavez, and let's just say an early "happy birthday to.."   -because march 31st is..

from the picture this looks good...  it is in downtown...   it is surrounded by businesses with a vested interest in its protection..     all good really;  it would bring more attention to; awareness of cesar chavez..    

   but why does downtown get all the cool stuff?  why not BEAUTIFUL BERRYESSA!..   we want our own sonic runway, and we would LOVE to have BREEZE of INNOVATION..   as you can see by our collective and ongoing efforts to keep our sacred perc ponds; sacred   -we already have a track record of caring for, valuing, appreciating, protecting..      

        pause. daydream..   entourage, pride n joy, masses of people (just like barones/fortino) -slightly intoxicated happy dancing people at this live concert at the most stunning venue of all venues in the world!

play:   what is it about lights?  they are just so magical.  they transform and elevate and enchant everywhere you find them...  Christmas trees, boutiques, Disney's electric light parade, the water/light/music magic..    -when we light up our yard art..    when they twinkle as decor in restaurants..  when lights are strung along a walkway; when they accessorize an arch, an entry, a patio

when they are white; when they are a variety of colors, when they blink in different patterns..  when they dance with music..  the best!

they just consistently make magic.     -speaking of..   those (14)  historic headframes from the copper mine heydays in butte montana..    -someone(s) very intelligent spearheaded having them decorated in lights..    this just immediately elevated their appearance at night, making them beautiful and visible from long distances; and elevated their status as the historic icons they are

back to San Jose, and Breeze of Innovation..   plaza de cesar chavez is just too small from our point of view..  a couple acres.  if breeze of innovation looks in the real world, as i see it in my imagination based on the youtube, and online pictures..

it needs and deserves MANY ACRES..  to really be all that it can and should be; to properly handle the local people/tourist traffic

so, on my own..  i started looking at alternative locations for this best venue of all venues in the world.. this breeze of innovation... this stunning, magical place to visit, hang out and enjoy

     ...for live bands... for picnics, romantic strolls up to inspiring views...  cafes...  restaurants...  weddings, special events..  small business boutique shopping..          -of course the lights in the rods..  they will need to be able to change color!   -wonder what it looks like, by day..  when the lights arent lit..

anyway..  plaza de cesar chavez; too small...     beautiful berryessa..; not to be ruled out...  but where else?  where else?    

and it came to my mind..  where else in san jose do they already have a track record of valuing, protecting, appreciating, maintaining beautiful things?   where else in san jose, is it, ALREADY, clean and safe and pleasurable to visit, shop, enjoy live music, a pretty landscape, decorations

and, it is the 10th largest city in the nation, and i don't believe i've visited every single area... (although during NOTonNOBLE we did go to just about every. single. park. and. elementary school.)

but.. 

"of course!  Santana Row!"   -Valley Fair Mall..   gorgeous, clean, safe, pleasure to shop at; easy to bring guests/visitors and feel good about..    Santana Row..  with their beautiful hanging baskets of flowers..  pretty, pretty landscapes..   fancy stores..   wonderful variety of restaurants..   impressively convenient parking..     without realizing it, -before our conversation with Steve Borkenhagen..

well, obviously, Santana Row has a strong conservancy!  this area is well taken care of; consistently

so, ... i started looking at maps of the area..    -and i think..   across the way from...

and its been one of my fascinations my entire life; having lived in over 30 different neighborhoods in the bay area

how culturally different (safe and clean to dangerous and littered), how sometimes just one or two blocks can make all the difference..   -why some bad neighborhoods spread and grow and keep claiming more territory    

but here, don't we have a chance to take a great area, and let the great spread and grow and claim more territory..

yes.

and only very briefly before i close:   WAIT, WAIT!    how can i close without mentioning THE BEST SURPRISE from our meeting with Steve Borkenhagen   -somewhere during the conversation, he brought up to us  MY IDEA FOR LIGHTING UP SAN JOSE!   -to my knowledge; no one knows about or cares; despite my sending personal letters to over 100 churches here in san jose.  NOT ONE church responded at all  -at all-   my letters (to churches, i must remind) went UTTERLY IGNORED BY EVERY.SINGLE. CHURCH.        the embarrassment is on them as far as i am concerned. 

    -not even sure how it reached steve, but someone sent it his way and he shared that whoever that was, said, "have you seen what this crazy lady has written.."

and how funny is that!?!   it's not crazy to go into great debt for a new city hall that how many people will ever enter/enjoy? will travel across the world to see? or will even go out of their short way within this very city to make sure they get to see?  - not crazy to let illegal campers colonize and close our local shopping plazas..   not crazy for city council members to stealth vote for 100 homeless to be provided tiny homes across from an elementary school on a park, slash, water supply facility..   long list here, 

but it's considered crazy to share a beautiful vision, where said vision costs very little (relatively speaking) divided among churches/districts; different faiths; can be seen and enjoyed in all 10 districts vs. just one; is unique; beautiful; inclusive of all faiths..    and would, in fact, put san jose on the map, yield some 'awe' and attract artists, photographers, poets, writers, tourists, locals from all over the world   

    -in this case, i'll be happy to own 'crazy' as long as it's a synonym for inspired

but, honestly..  to have anyone ever; and in this case, steve borkenhagen! even mention that he knew about it;   that did make my day.

and obviously there is room for both:  breeze of innovation and light up san jose   -the more magical lights the better

  -but where was i?   

 *****

 i wonder if i can help the graffiti taggers of any given neighborhood understand?     graffiti is to property as smoking is to lungs.   you are voluntarily destroying your own chance at having a better environment.  vandalism does zero to improve your circumstances  -you just add to the ugly.       -love that analogy, what movie? denzel washington  'like getting in the boxing ring and hitting yourself in the face'

good exercise/question: would your neighborhood be a good host for something as beautiful and magical as breeze of innovation?   -when investors/artists drive by or walk around your neighborhood, do they want to invest?  or keep looking elsewhere... 

   -just the absence of graffiti can elevate an area 10 fold; the opposite also being true.

hallelujah & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:53 PM 0 comments

Dear Mayor of San Jose, Matt Mahan and City Council -from (me!) sandra harrison kay

i am inspired to respond in a thorough way to the recent email sent by Mayor Matt Mahan:

MARCHING ON

***

 specifically to the video with the beautiful young mommy-to-be

initial reactions; processed assessments; a lot of repetition from prior blog posts on the topic.

   [keeping in mind, i did vote & support Mahan for Mayor; i am entirely opposed to these densely populated caged tiny home sites  -already written about]

initial reactions    -not another mascot story, honestly..  stop it.    and mascot is my own vocabulary, to help me distinguish between sales pitches/propaganda and truth of the larger picture

that is, if you want to find public and funding support for these tiny homes [failing everywhere, the results are in and being ignored]  but if you want to continue the failing trend, then you show the public the one, or two, or maybe even 5 out of hundreds of people who are most likely to elicit compassion  --as if (said person) represents the entire demographic of who will benefit from these failing tiny home sites.  -your best example if you will,    -featuring..   a young woman whose original home was so toxic/dysfunctional she fled to the streets,   -there does not appear to be a drug, or alcohol, or mental illness issue [which is the population of homeless lining our streets, and sidewalks, and storefronts..  parks & school yards   - and the populations we most need addressed..  comprehensively; not expensively/temporarily..   

anyway,   -and she was working at mcdonald's  -commuting by bus, until that became too difficult because of how far along in her pregnancy..

[pausing here to pray blessings on you, your baby, your husband, your life journey]

now,  it bothers me still, that we are presenting some of these problems like they have never existed before..   like none of these services already exist, and we are all just now figuring out what to do..

-nothing is new here:  poverty; drug addictions; mental illness; criminals/prematurely released inmates..

and i'm going to,  for a brief moment, discuss, in an isolated way, financial hardship  -i have already written about rent control and how that could help enormously -preventing!-  the HTLC Community from being forced out on the streets..  and then having the city pay gazillions to temporarily shelter them, and then land them back in subsidized housing..

     /of course,  yes..   what does HTLC stand for?    

Hard-working, Tax Paying, Law Abiding Contributors.    -where you have a community of people who have a track record of working, contributing, and paying rent successfully, but increasing that rent forces a move..    this can and should be prevented.   we, on the whole, would spend less subsidizing rent in the first place, than allowing it to increase; scramble for what to do..   re-place everyone rent dis-placed..

I was especially struck in this video with the young mommy-to-be, when our Mayor asked how we could help.. one of things she mentions is how hard it is to come up with first and last month rent to get into an apartment.    "I second that motion sister-in-need!"    As i have also already written about, I am no stranger to financial struggles, working multiple jobs, living cash-advance to cash-advance, trying to graduate to paycheck to paycheck...   and one day, eventually -save!

what she says IS TRUE.   -sometimes you can have a person who is working full time, contributing,   -and the hourly wages meet monthly requirements, but trying to save, save, save..   when really every dollar is already exhausted with rent, food, daily expenses..   -this 'lump sum' requirement becomes a gigantic hurdle; often insurmountable   -eliminate the 'lump sum' required and these same people are able and will and do successfully pay rent monthly. 

and i'd like to pause here and dedicate a song to all the HTLC out there...   "cheers! & amen!"

in the bigger picture for me.. i believe we should create every incentive we can, and positively reinforce the genuine efforts of HTLC's..

and we want to create every disincentive we can, and have significant consequences for selling/using drugs; any type of criminal behavior; for freeloaders; for anyone who manipulates the system.. and takes without giving

   -and over and over, i realize the scope of our crisis is so tied to economics.. the cost of living vs. wage earning potential even for HTLC's

-and over and over..   write now, in our day to day lives, both my husband and i..  and anyone/everyone we talk to about it

no one has ever seen as many 'hiring now' signs  'we are hiring' signs than we are seeing every day, everywhere we go..  in fact, over the p.a. system at our local safeway, they made an announcement for shoppers to hear  "we are hiring..."

when we look around, we cannot understand how any young person could possibly be unemployed..  opportunities are everywhere!

   [thinking here of course, of that perfectly able young man, in front of safeway with his sign, 'i'd rather beg than steal'   -and i am still upset with myself for not doing what went through my mind, which was to go sit next to him with a sign that read, 'and he'd rather beg than work'

keep also in mind,  i am someone who worked 3 different jobs just to rent a room..     

and this is what we want to see  -write..   people making an effort..  doing what they can, with what they've got..    not entitlement..   not,  i'd rather steal, or beg, or collect welfare than work..

we have to pay close attention to incentives/disincentives..     pay close attention to helping vs. enabling

pay close attention to what is..  and what is NOT successful..    

am i wrong in believing that we want to DECREASE our homeless population, not watch it continue to exponentially grow..

we want to INCREASE our workforce, and DECREASE welfare..

sometimes i wonder...  

and i do wonder..   how many people living on the streets in different cities, neighboring cities of san jose,  -how many more will come as a result of these free offerings?  what is the plan when your plan attracts even more homeless?

and i wonder..    when can the public see an audit of how the services san jose already offers?

and what i would LOVE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE..  is the results

the success stories (or not) from places like Mercy Multiplied,  or Joyce Meyer Ministries, Dream Centers..  

vs. the services san jose has been offering

who is getting it write?   remember none of it is new..   the results are in:

where do we see the highest number of people succeeding? in what programs?   -so many have been around for scores and decades..      WE ALREADY KNOW 

where do we see real success?  -freedom from drug addictions?  freedom from alcohol addictions?  freedom from mental illness.. and/or a hospital/home vs. street     -freedom from a life of crime..   and/or jail, to prevent more innocent victims    -freedom from abuse; freedom from abusers..

our united states of america, and cities within are PACKED with PROGRAMS that have been in existence for very long times..   which ones are getting the best results? government? church? private?   let's audit them all and compare and share with the public at large

let's duplicate what has been working; cut what hasn't..

-there is NO NEED to spend gazillions, colonizing otherwise healthy land space [destroying middle class/creating a tiny class] with 

 densely populated caged tiny homes sites which provide free housing to drug addicts, mentally ill, prematurely released inmates, freeloaders..

and with our small percentage of HTLC who are experiencing exclusively financial hardship

    -rent control..    helping with first/last rent payment 'lump sums'...     subsidizing proactively to reduce displacement, increase stability    -it's a phD level economic issue, i realize..  but addressing living wages..  cost of living... 

****

and i mentioned before.. where you have exclusively financial hardship..  but an otherwise, good, hard-working reliable person..   let san jose screen and assess..   and create a screened/assessed list of qualified candidates for renting rooms..   and connect people who have rooms to rent, with this qualified population..    -potential win/win..

****

-drug addicts need rehab..    not a free tiny home shelter while they remain a slave to drugs and jeopardize the safety of others

-mentally ill, need medical attention & hospital homes    -not a free tiny home shelter, where they jeopardize the safety of others

-criminals belong in jail..   not free tiny home shelters where they are free to claim new victims

a number of times during open forums regarding NOTonNOBLE.blogspot.com we heard [staff] who work with homeless say 'stop criminalizing the homeless'   and, i did not think of it in the moment, but had i, i would have said, 'yes, but let's also stop decriminalizing the criminals'

  -if you only listened to this staff, it would be as if we exclusively have a population of saints down on their financial luck.     -what san jose citizens are witnessing is much more seattle is dying than i just can't find affordable housing.. 

p.s.  what rules/principles/guidelines are we employing?  i know several individuals and families who moved out of state..    -because they can't afford it here..     

i know individuals and families who moved within california, but to cities further away     -because they could afford it there

is everyone supposed to be able to afford living anywhere they want?    

when i was working a variety of jobs, i rented a room, because i could not afford an apartment..   i chose to rent a room instead of driving the distance i would have to drive to afford an apartment or studio and for proximity to my children. 

there are countless homes, neighborhoods within california, and the USA out of our financial reach; knowing this, we do not entertain the idea...

lots to consider, when it comes to the affordability factor and where we permanently or temporarily live...

****

and i will close with my recent experiences..     1.  berryessa community park, -a young teenage girl, was it drugs? mental illness? some combination?   this i dont know, but i do know, she was waving her arms all around, cussing up a storm, yelling at the sky..  a plant..    the sidewalk..

and every passerby reacted the same..   noticing..   walking waaay around her to avoid conflict/risk of potential violent outburst..       -and it kept flashing in my own mind,  seattle is dying..  this is really happening..

we are just letting high risk populations grow, and nothing is being done about it.   i imagine a time in the near future, that when we see/come across a person, like the one mentioned above   -instead of everyone noticing/going waaaay around   -while she just stays there.    -there is a number to call, and first responders with training/authority can and will relocate her immediately to the appropriate facility based on professional triage assessment. 

****

driving to and from the grocery store..    a tent/homeless camp in the middle of a sidewalk; and then a few blocks, another tent/homeless/grocery carts/garbage..   go up, and another one on the left side of the street; one on the curb, where cars are forced to drive around..

we cannot accept this.   it used to be that litter/garbage/loitering/vagrancy/disturbing the peace  -blocking a public sidewalk, taking up a bus stop, making cars drive around you, when you are the one illegally on the curb.. 

once upon a time, we did something about it.  they were removed..  relocated; placed appropriately somewhere other than the middle of the sidewalk, the entry to a small business,  -leaning against a public bathroom at a local park..

and i am not fan of 'equal distribution' thinking i hear the city of san jose employing..

-sounds so fair initially, each district sharing the burden/responsibility.. but each district is not equal when it comes to open land space, the ratio of businesses/schools to open space, etc.   amount of hospitals, services, churches, libraries, volunteer resources, etc.       

i am a fan of,  -one place [santa clara fairgrounds comes to mind, with acres and acres available]; to relocate people living in tents..  one place, the city/staff/volunteers can go to provide services; one place our garbage trucks go for garbage pick up, one place for portable toilets; supplies/maintenance; one place for food donations, etc.     this makes sense economically.. for efficiency..     and would eliminate the guess work for what to do, when we do return to allowing our law enforcement, healthcare providers, first responders in general, to proactively RELOCATE homeless away from our sidewalks, schools, parks, businesses, restaurants, parking lots, creeks, etc.

****

for wisdom, discernment, guidance

a prayer, we see San Jose restored! beautiful, safe & clean..  a great place to live, a desirable place to visit..       a city we are proud of..     a leader 

in Jesus Name,   -amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:12 AM 0 comments

SOLVE for HOMELESSNESS where the most people possible thrive by (me!) ~topps

 i am going to put aside suspicions that san jose city council members have political and/or financial agendas and motivations

and for the sake of real problem solving, give all members, the benefit of the doubt, and 

work this through, with the understanding that they  -really believe-  caged tiny home sites are an actual solution to homelessness.

i want to point out, that my husband and i, have zero political aspirations, and nothing to gain financially from trying to problem solve in a more thorough way.   our motivations are to protect our neighborhood, our schools, our sacred perc ponds     -to help prevent caged tiny home sites from colonizing places/spaces which causes way more problems than it solves. 

i must first refute the argument/suggestion that people who are against caged tiny homes sites, are also against the unhoused people they are placing inside said sites.    Nothing could be further from the truth.

We need to look at resources/infrastructure and we need to look much closer at the cost of destroying for the all in a misguided effort to help the few.

      -what we currently see, is caged tiny home sites [with very dense populations] next to homeless encampments; not replacing homeless encampments, but adding to:

i.e.,  monterey/bernal intersection in san jose.   the densely populated, caged tiny home site is just across the street from a homeless encampment.   -and in the same area, there is homeless living in their vehicle, and trash randomly along the road.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 7:08 AM 0 comments

of the government, by the government, for the government notices (me!) ~topps

 my mental mailbox is full.  in order to make room, i must:

      -so, i noticed, in a self-assess/good listener kind of way, that when i have longer conversations with, not just my husband, but friends/family..   if you were to create a check mark for each time these words were used

republican

liberal

democrat

everyone else i talk to uses those words in their discussions much more frequently than i do.   i can make entire points, share opinions, share observations, share experiences without using those labels.

in the past months, when i was reading about 'removal of political party identifiers' on ballots, for example..   i am only 100% for that.   like, i think we all need to be much more issue based and value-loyal,  vs. party affiliated.

but as i am currently in receipt of my ballot for upcoming elections,  -i am always aware of how much reading/research any given person would need to do in order to make a truly informed decision

and the amount of reading/research is quite unrealistic for the average working person and/or student; plus you often have intentionally manipulated paragraphs; you have more than one issue, (which you might support) mixed with two others (you oppose), but which requires one circle to be filled out; yes to all, or no to any.

so, i am issue based; and!  i believe all issues should be presented in a singular format; itemized for the voter.  no more some of this and a little of that..    adding on to the enormous amount of research/reading; the mandatory way this current system forces the voter to either ignore an important issue or falsely support a different issue because a mixture of values has been presented for one yes or no.

   -anyway, the point i almost forgot to make is this:  i am issue/value based; not party affiliated, but as i was reading my 3 page, front and back, ballot, with the accompanying books which are proposed to serve as more detailed guides

for the sake of time and energy and efficiency, it hit me (i am a late bloomer in every sense of the term); oh! now it makes sense..   vote for the party that is the best match for your values/beliefs..   this really does speed things up!   -so i understand it now...     

****

but! if i were queen, (which is not even a government style i support, but love the royalty reference);

we would move entirely away from our current party system and become singularly issue, value based.

the other thing i would dictate be done:   a standardized website template for all candidates running for anything.

i learned how helpful this would be during the recall of newsom.  -and i was among those who want him ousted; i am not a fan, 

but the point here is that..  40 something candidates were potential replacements..   and each candidate has their points/values/positions ideas    -somewhere....       

within their 10 or 50 page websites..

and how awesome it would be, if you clicked on this candidate, and there was a bullet point style 

issue/stance; click to read more

issue/stance; click to read more

all in the same order on each candidates page, so you could quickly easily compare and contrast..

it is ease we are all after, it is efficiency; it is factoring in time/energy; it is all about CONVENIENCE!

which is pretty much the exclusive reason for political parties to exist.

but how convenient would that be!?   

and so, based on that experience, and based on my direct experience with open forums at San Jose City Council..

with everything i've learned the pragmatic/practical way from being pulled into the political arena because of an underhanded 8-2 vote by city council to build tiny homes on a park! across from an elementary, daycare, library..  in our awesome neighborhood..

the upshot, is that over and over i realize,   currently, the way our system works is very much, 

of the government, by the government, for the government

but that is not what our founding fathers intended

what's on my heart, is investing time/energy getting us back to  of the people, by the people, for the people

and i have it in my heart/mind to work toward a set, predictable, accessible; consistent! time for open forums;  -removing the guess work (will it be in 2 hours? 6?)  -alleviating the numerous stresses and burdens currently on the people, who are sacrificing/volunteering their irreplaceable time to be seen and heard on issues that matter most to them.

  open forum as it is today is very much, of, by & for the government; we need it that fixed to

of, by & for the people!

now, i ask you:   how tall of an order is that?   on a challenge scale;  -how difficult is this:

open forums 

every 1st and 3rd tuesdays at 3pm.  1 1/2 hours alloted; first come, first serve; 2 minutes each.

every 2nd and 4th tuesdays at 7pm.  1 1/2 hours alloted; first come, first serve; 2 minutes each.

if there are no people who show up for an open forum; city council just continues on with their meeting.   if there are less people, than the 1 1/2 hour dedicated time slot; the city council just continues on with their meeting.   but if there are any people!  if there is just 1 person; if there are 10..

the meeting itself stops at 3pm, or 7pm, gives itself over to open forum,  -all council members present and respectfully pretending to listen.   

this just does not seem like a huge, awful, complex, crazy challenging thing to implement.  It seems very easy to implement and  -the people-   certainly deserve this opportunity and respect of their time and voices.

it would help guide us back toward a democracy vs. dictatorship.     -and if heard correctly among numerous conversations last night,  currently open forums are at the whim of the current council?

hideous.

open forums should be consistent regardless of who the council members are..   as the members come and go,  -open forums times/policies/procedures should remain consistent.

****

and so,  i was really smiling internally and externally, to see the group of people who attended the special meeting hosted last night by BCAC, giving us neighbors an opportunity to listen to our two mayor candidates (chavez/mahan) field questions which were submitted via email prior to the meeting, 12 to 15 questions chosen among who knows how many

and being a great listener; i regard this as one of my highest skill sets; my greatest strengths

and i could listen for an hour and a half, but my knees wont let me -sit- for an hour and a half, so..

after about an hour, i left the room to walk, stretch my legs, etc.

   -lots of script answers,  -to be expected.  and God bless them, because they do these Q&A sessions in who knows how many different neighborhoods; over and over...

each time, i imagine, improving their answers..  

in any case..

   -we were supporting mahan before the meeting; and we are still supporting mahan.   it is my guess, that is the case with 99.9% of the attendees.   -whoever you supported going in; you supported after the meeting too

i appreciate mahan wanting to employ the unemployed/homeless to help clean up San Jose.

          i ache to see San Jose cleaned up!       it was chavez that tossed out the statistic; just having a clean neighborhood reduces crime by 35%    (no fact checking; but we know the point is true...)

i am big fat favor of spending some money, time and resources in getting San Jose cleaned up!  -and as a very high priority!  it's its own problem solver on many fronts.

i also like mahan's discussion regarding the distribution of funds in the school system.  currently, very top heavy; administration getting the lion share..  no trickle down to the end user.    i would LOVE to see a transparent, bullet point, easy to read/easy to access; school by school, position by position; financial report..   the other thing i would LOVE to see, is the archive of ballots, measures, propositions, etc. which all ask for more money for our schools..   see the collection of funds received over the past 2 decades, and itemized results.

   -there is an agreement/consensus among 'the people'   -same with homeless, as with schools:

   -having the ongoing problem; the crisis, this becomes very lucrative..

solving the problem, or managing the problem, clogs the cash flow.     -if you look at all the 'one time' giant funding/grants for any given crisis.. you can clearly see the incentive/disincentives at work; and see how having a problem/crisis to solve is so financially rewarding that..     then you start to see people  -creating- problems and crises..

but i!    i imagine (because sometimes that is all you can do; imagine...) i imagine what San Jose would look like if we incentivized problem solving in a financial way..

    /these are the take aways...  voters want convenience ; open forum of/by/for the people; financially incentivize problem solving!   financially support and reward prevention!

***

the thing that makes me the most crazy, so to speak..   the City of San Jose; the candidates for mayor; the council members..

one track minds! when it comes to tiny homes.     IT IS RESEARCHABLEY FAILING.. but all we get to hear is tiny homes as a solution;   the cost and location might change, but.

no one is offering any kind of alternative.   way short-sighted and very narrow close minded when it comes to tiny homes

and i still use my imagination (because, i do have a very healthy and active imagination!) ; always visualizing a larger problem solving panel!     -this idea has to date, fallen on nothing but deaf ears..

another reason i love my blog..

like, did any of the questions i submitted for mayor candidates get asked?

well, 

here they are:  

 "Thank You!" BCAC for hosting this event!

 

Tiny Homes are a researchably failing trend. Costly. Dangerous. And do nothing to address homeless encampments.  Do you agree we need to create a new and larger problem solving panel, with more voices and a variety of disciplines contributing to a comprehensive solution?  And do you agree we need to start by employing a more specific vocabulary which addresses the different categories of homeless [healthy homeless/economic only; drug addicted; mentally ill; prematurely released inmates; freeloaders; etc.]

 

Do you agree San Jose should never build these densely populated caged tiny home sites near ANY schools, libraries, daycares, parks, nature reserves?

 

Tiny homes were falsely promoted as temporary 'bridge' housing with tenants moving into permanent subsidized housing within months.  Where is all this subsidized housing?  Why can't we fast track healthy homeless directly into permanent subsidized housing?

 

If raising rent 5% can place up to 2000 people on the streets, why don't we revisit and reestablish rent restrictions to a broader population? Do you agree smaller rent increases with more notice could be a way to proactively address our homelessness crisis? Why are we forcing them out, scrambling for what to do, spending millions on failing tiny homes, only to put them back in subsidized housing? 

 

What is your plan for when your plan attracts even more homeless?

 

Do you agree we can redirect funds currently slated for dangerous, non-productive tiny home sites, and put that money toward a hospital for the mentally ill?   -toward rehab centers for the drug addicted?

 

During the pandemic San Jose prematurely released countless inmates.  It is no surprise crime and homelessness increased.  What is your plan to combat this tragic pattern?

 

We have a severe police staffing crisis. San Jose is unable to retain and/or recruit qualified, upstanding law enforcement officers.  What is your plan to turn this tragic pattern around? 

 

Currently, working parents, individuals, students, have to go to great lengths, sacrificing their time, scheduling child care, scheduling elderly parent care, postpoing meals, leaving work early..  guessing whether or not and how long it might take to speak at open forums:  it could be 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours.. citizens are forced to guess how long it will be before they get to speak for just 60 seconds.  -Do you agree San Jose City Council Open Forums should be at a set, predictable, dedicated time? -alternating weeks, to provide both evening and day time accessibility?   Tues at 3pm, Tues 7pm, alternating.  A dedicated 1 1/2 hour set time slot.  If no one is there, council continues on..

 

We have heard about a graffiti hot line, but see graffiti in the same locations for months and years.  We see it escalating.  Do the people who respond to calls for graffiti removal do anything proactively?  Do they only respond to calls?  Do you agree it would be a great idea to proactively assign people to remove graffiti from entire neighborhoods? To (please!) take action without needing to be called.  It is everywhere!  Why should we even have to call?  Pick a street, pick a park...   

 

What is your greatest idea for elevating our city's status and improving the quality of life for people who call San Jose home, and how do you plan to implement it?

 

Do you agree we can employ our currently homeless/unemployed to help clean up the city?  -that providing a wage, a job,  and merit based subsidized housing can be a win/win?

 

What do you see as the number one reason someone should visit, live or work in San Jose? 

 

 *****

everyone visited outside after the meeting for a while..    talked politics, and just talked..

   -cant discuss homeless without discussing crime, cant discuss crime without discussing jail..

another thing making my mental mailbox full...

the painful truth of this:

               let's say you do the crime..   and you serve your time..    i have often described our current jail system as setting criminals up to fail again..     any criminal who walks out the jail door without a place to live, without a job, without a cent..    that is in fact a set up for failure.

so, people will discuss 'programs' to help inmates into civilian life..

well,   might i mention the other painful truth here:   the former inmate, (robert's nephew) who graduated from more than one anger management course, was released, and went on to violently murder his own mother.

having programs,  -which we have had and do currently..   it is not a new concept or idea at all

having program availability does not directly correlate with successful transitions from jail to civilian life.

so, the ability to assess inmate candidates who would benefit from, vs. the inmates who should in fact, just remain in jail for the safety of all   -the safety of all, being the highest priority

the ability to assess and discern this distinction..    much more important than the programs themselves.

   -but again...   the problem..  this need for programs.. (as if they have never and currently do not exist),   -a couple 'mascot' stories of success stories..   the problem itself becomes lucrative as a proposed solution..   without having to deliver results. 

******

boy does San Jose need some audits!   some public audits!    what is going on with all the current homeless services which were funded to 'solve'    -results?      are we continuing failing programs?  are we paying for all the services that currently exist PLUS paying to build failing tiny homes?

****

it is visually noticeable to me, how over the decades we moved away from self accountability and merit based culture, to a blame someone/something else, highly enabling culture 

the results are in.   and based on those results, we need to return, fast as we possibly can, to a 

personal responsibility; self accountability; merit based culture.  the return of values, work ethics, cleanliness, safety; respect; crime with consequences; integrity with reward. 

 ****

it worked!   mental mailbox; less full..

*****

i am aware 'researchabley' is not currently in the dictionary; but it should be.   where do i submit?

****

In Jesus name,   hallelujah & amen. 

 

 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:32 AM 0 comments