2005

by ABBY GOODNOUGH

MIAMI, May 18 - At 16, Yusimil Herrera won a suit against Florida's child welfare agency for churning her through foster homes where she said she was beaten, slapped, kicked and sexually abused from the time she was 2. At 19, Ms. Herrera, a plucky young woman with dark, thick curls, had not seen any of the $2.2 million jury award and had drifted in and out of homelessness.

On Sunday, Ms. Herrera, now 20, was arrested on charges of severely beating her own young daughter in their North Miami apartment. Eight months pregnant with her second baby, she stands accused of the same cruelty that plagued her own childhood and made her a compelling symbol of the system's deepest failings.

The police found Ms. Herrera's daughter, Angel Hope Herrera, 3, lying unresponsive in the hallway outside her mother's apartment Sunday afternoon, with black and blue marks on her stomach, chest, arms and legs, according to the police report. She was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Ms. Herrera, now charged with first-degree murder, was being held without bail at the Miami-Dade Women's Detention Center.

Peter Coats, a spokesman for the Department of Children and Family Services, said only that the department was "deeply saddened" by the "very tragic situation," that it was cooperating with the police investigation, and that he could not provide details of the case. But a state official said the agency's child abuse hot line had received two recent calls about Ms. Herrera - one in February, alleging that she had stopped taking medication for her bipolar disorder and another in March, alleging that she was hitting Angel.

The official said that in late March the agency asked Judge Sarah Zabel of Circuit Court for permission to take Angel into protective custody. But the judge rejected the request. A spokeswoman for the Miami-Dade Circuit Court declined to comment on the case.

Karen Gievers, the lawyer who represented Ms. Herrera in her lawsuit against the state, said in an interview that Angel was "a beautiful, healthy, happy" child despite her mother's hardships. She said that Ms. Herrera had recently married though was not living with her husband, and that she had appeared to be doing well when they last spoke in March.

"Nobody knows what she's been through," Ms. Gievers said of Ms. Herrera, who was placed in foster care at age 2 after her mother abandoned her and her older sister in a park, according to the suit. "She was beaten, sexually molested, battered with psychiatric medications that did who knows what to her brain. She was never given a complete education, never given independent-living skills classes that would have given her a smooth transition into adulthood. The state never gave her a family."

Minose Georges, who lives in the apartment next to Ms. Herrera's, said Tuesday that Ms. Herrera was extremely moody, did not get along with her daughter and rarely let her go outside.

"I saw her Saturday, like around 2 or 3, and she had blood all over her mouth," Ms. Georges, 22, said of Angel. She said that the child was telling her mother, "Mommy, I'm going to be good."

Ms. Georges said that when she asked about the blood, Ms. Herrera told her the girl had been biting her own lips. "Then she told Angel to wash her mouth," Ms. Georges said. "That's when Angel told me, 'I miss you, Minose.' "

According to the suit that Ms. Herrera and her sister filed in 1995, they were separated for most of the years they were in foster care, and Ms. Herrera was shuffled through 14 foster homes and institutions. The suit, in which the sisters were identified as "Two Forgotten Children," charged that the state had not done nearly enough to get the girls into good permanent homes or to prevent them from suffering abuse in unfit foster homes. Both were intermittently suicidal, it said.

"Nobody cares," the suit quoted Ms. Herrera as saying at 6, after being separated from her sister.

Ms. Gievers said that while a jury awarded each girl $2.2 million in 1999, four years after the suit was filed, an appeals court panel here overturned the verdict. Ms. Herrera settled with the Department of Children and Family Services last year, getting $260,000, Ms. Gievers said. But she ended up collecting only $80,000 after repaying the state for medical care she had received.

At a news conference sponsored by a children's advocacy group last June, Ms. Herrera spoke out about the difficulties that teenagers leaving foster care face. She criticized a new state law meant to help former foster care children succeed as young adults, saying it did not go far enough. She described attending eight high schools and said she had no job skills or home, according to an article about the news conference in The Sun-Sentinel.

The law, which required children to leave foster care at 18, provided a $900 monthly stipend to those who stayed in school and maintained good grades.

Gov. Jeb Bush has taken steps to improve the child welfare system, especially since a 4-year-old named Rilya Wilson vanished from her foster home near Miami in 2001. In particular, he has tried to reduce child abuse investigation backlogs and speed adoption of foster children.

"But we are still a long way from where we need to be," said Gerard Glynn, executive director of Florida's Children First!, the group that held the news conference last June. "So when we don't succeed with other efforts, we need to make sure we provide older foster youth with support to make sure they transition successfully into responsible adulthood. That was clearly missing in this case."

by Joe B.

POST FILM FREAK OUT

It’s late Thursday night;I’m going to store to get water for my thirsty boss around the corner, across the street.

The 100 year old Grant building has businesses and residents inside.

Again,I realize the boss has no way of knowing of my return from the store because there is no buzzer to the 3rd. Floor office building only two or three 3rd. Floor windows.

Could I be suffering from dehydration,lack of food or plain tired because when I round the corner before crossing the street I see a brother guy with the yellow receiver.

As I look contemplating if I had a small rock or pebble could it hit the window with enough force to make a noise without breaking the glass.

This guy in a wired voice asked
"what you looking at?"

"Third floor,looking a rock"

"I got rock."

That should’ve told me -back away-,go to the store.
"No,a rock for the third floor there's no buzz…"

"What you,here for why you starin’at me?"

"All I need is a pebble."

This guy is manic,mean he’s in some kinda hyper state and starts walking toward me.

"I said,what you lookin’ at?"
"I’m pointing to the third floor and suddenly realized this dudes 'not even listening.

Whatever demons he’s fighting,eats at him he’s focused on me he wants a violent confrontation.

Should I warn him of martial arts I know? (HELL NO)

He’s already freaked out.

I don’t know why,don’t care.(wanna tare his head off).

After buying the water, I still think I can hit the third floor window without cracking or breaking windows especially when spying a piece of wooden in the shape of a block.

I tried throwing it but it hit the second floor window instead.
The guy still by the phone yells,bitch,faggot, crossing the street.

I don’t know this guy's deal but I crossed the other way loudly saying
"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! LEAVE ME ALONE,YOU ASSHOLE!."

I don’t know if he has knife,gun,stun gun all I know is he wants to get close.

My stomach had those fear flutters inside,the adrenaline fight or flight response.

Is he selling,buying,or using drugs,all of these?

All I know is he is paranoid about something I walk around the corner and become his focus to abuse verbally and physically; better the former than the latter.

The boss came down,I explained what happened and soon if I can I’ll get a key to the building.

As for Hyped Up,Crazed Fool Soul Brother Psycho Case.

I keep replaying the scene over and over and don’t see where I provoked this guy maybe the white sweater shirt ticked him off,I wore nothing underneath and do have adipose tissue (extra fat in chest area makes men'schest look like breasts).

It could’ve been my lazy left eye looking at him blindly as my right eye looked at third floor.

I don’t know but he had a look in his eyes that he wanted to stomp a mud hole in me for the hell of it.

I’ll have camera with flash plus a few sharp object up my sleeve’s and in my pocket because he didn’t get to finished what began namely beating me into a bloody pulp or blowing me away which is what ‘bro’s and sista’s do to ourselves these days.

Now I must buy film, another camera cause I don’t when Hyper Intense Guy Show up again.

I haven’t fought anyone in years,now I know why some ex soldier’s,martial artist’s,and mercenaries stay in shape because anywhere any time some stranger might pick a beef for no other reason than your in front of him.

All I know now is this guy’s made go into self defense/offence mode and staying fit as humanly possible even without equipment,gyms I’ve got the basics what must be done is brush up on them and continue,get to a fighting fit state and maintain it.

My model or the kind of shape I want to be in is from images of the old Greek God’s mainly Zeus. You know Son of Chronos, Thunderbolt hurling guy?

He’s sometimes pictured youthful or disguised as swan’s or bulls to seduce beautiful mortal women.

This guy thousands of years old,gray of hair, beard,and whiskers is buffed as any warrior no wonder Hercules looked so good and so strong look at his father and his forefather’s.

Thing is I want to rebuild my physique, keep in shape so when either young or older men, women want test me I’ll always be ready.

An extra-added benefit is looking really fit for an old guy and making women think twice about sex and elderly.

Young women love making fools of young guys,old guys to be may feel like physically testing old guys before laughing at them.

Problem is,these days elder men aren’t looking, acting like elders of old – it will take time for young and mature women to get use these fit,randy,ready, sensitive,and intelligent men of wealth of modest means.

I know women process faster than men[true]but do have certain societal blocks like "No sex with father,grand father figure, old guys dying after strenuous sex,or too old to get it up or in.

Mature women are finally getting’it from young men as old men has from younger women.

Now,maybe for the first time human’s young and old physiologically speaking can relax and know whatever age their man or woman are its a good thing.

A 70 year old men may live a longer,healthier lives as more young girls 21 or can now indulge their freak on with so called "old codgers" who very well out live them or their more mature sister’s.

It’s a new world girls, metrosexual males are not only looking good on the outside they are so actively working on preventing illness from robbing them of active years.

The Mature,older women thinking men as old fools with young girls should keep their own council as they too throb younger men’ cradle’s.

Now that’s what I call true equality among the sexes.

Any May/Dec.

Or visa versa happening? Write me of do’s don’t and joys and pain of these joining and who chose whom.


Poor Magazine

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

Snail or Email

Joe at:

PO Box #204

S.F. 94102

by Staff Writer

Letter to PNN;

Hi, I am Pat LaMarche, Vice Presidential Candidate for the Greens

I was given your names by one of our supporters. I am
running for vice President of the US on the Green
Party ticket and I, (quite frankly) won't win. So we
have defined a new way of winning. For most of us,
the Green Party growing and ousting George Bush would
be enough... Frankly, I am quite happy with those two
outcomes...

In the mean time I want to do things to promote the
plight of the poor. I want to live in a different
shelter each night for 14 nights.... different states,
different kinds of shelters. i need help planning the
logistics. please write or call me to help me.

Signed, Pat LaMarche

Response from PNN co-editors;

Dear pat - thanks for contacting us - but you must know that as "poverty scholars" at POOR MAgazine/PNN we have some issues with that kind of "research"(i.e., living in shelters when you are not really homeless) as it smacks of ethnography and appropriated poverty, not to mention taking a bed away from someone who really needs it. We at POOR are all folks who have been homeless and /or are currently homeless - and our suggestion is, maybe you could use your "name" and press attention to actually support some of the existing non-profits and folks like POOR Magazine and The Coalition on Homelessness who are fighting to stay alive due to the Bush/Cheny corporation.. budget cuts, and their policies' affect on private foundations and lets not forget Schwarznegger et al. As well there are tons of folks on the brink of homelessness cause of the sec 8 program being slaughtered since 2000 ( and previous HUD policies )while all the money is stolen and funneled into the homeland (in)security program. Finally, we appreciate that you are even talking about homelessness at all but perhaps try a different road - i am attaching some links of our recent articles and our Poverty texts to give you some knowledge and further poverty scholarship

In solidarity - tiny@POOR

Response from staff writer Joseph Bolden (POOR/PNN)

Dear Ms. P. LaMarche,Vice Presidential Candidate,Green Party.

As for your idea of staying in 14 Shelter's in 14 weeks... 'um I don't think so.
As a previous shelter resident I believe it is Better to talk to those you know in your or nearby neighborhood(s)
Invite them into your house (a lot of us are decently dressed though others because they've been beaten down,sick,sleep outside and are more shabby looking. We all have stories to tell.

Joseph,Bolden

Poor Magazine Staff Writer

Final Response by Pat LaMarche

Thank you for responding to my requests. I apologize
for not being very clear. I don't want to visit and
stay at shelters as 'research'. I have volunteered
for more than 8 years at one here in Maine. I want to
stay there so the press will follow me and get the
issue additional publicity. We are also going to ask
for donations for the shelters during the tour.

Thank you for sending me the list of articles. I
appreciate you getting back to me.

Best of luck to you all.
Pat

Final Response from PNN co-editors

Dear pat - so i am thrilled that you work at a shelter and i am sure that you have dealt with budget woes in respect to that shelter- but in this area and in many cities including NYC, the shelter system is run like a jail and in fact because housing budgets have been gutted by budget cuts and poverty pimps making huge grants to build jails and shelters- it becomes the only way poor people are housed at all - the whole mess began with guiliani and then locally in SF with Newsom who based his mayoral campaign on the backs of homeless folks - So perhaps, instead of just trying to get funding for jail-like housing, i.e., shelters and perpetuating those lies - perhaps you could spend some of the time at the agencies like Coalition on Homelessness and POOR who have lost all their funding and/or protest the offices of HUD who have gutted their budgets and continue to threaten more families with homelessness- Finally, below is some info re
gavin newsome campaign and the shelter system in SF-

tiny

by Tiny/PNN

"Since Bush has been in office I have had to work 50-60 hours per week to help my daughters and sons raise their children," Words of knowledge poured out of the mouth of Dorothy Harris as she spoke at a hearing on Saturday, May 22nd on the state of welfare in light of the severe budget cuts facing California and the nation in 2004, she ended with the poignant, "They are trying to break our spirit, I won't let them break our spirit.."

As Ms. Harris spoke the bitter truth to representatives of John Burton, Jacki Spear and Nancy Pelosi who were present on this cloudy Saturday morning to listen to the concerns of the community, tears filled my eyes. My son was squealing in the background and I had to bring him with me today because I, as a very low-income working mother, and former welfare recipient couldn't afford child care, rent or much of anything else for that matter and in many ways Ms. Harris, a hard-working mother and grandmother spoke for all of the poor mothers in the room.

"The state of welfare today is dismal at best, how much more can you take from someone that doesn't have anything? " Marie Harrison, activist, writer and mother who moderated the event, summed up the pervasive feeling of the day, " Somebody has got to answer that question - and these politicians need to stop sending their aides and come themselves so we can actually get the people who make a difference to be accountable to the people who put them in office

The event was called to revisit what those of us on welfare call Welfare (de)Reform, and the impact that the Governors budget cuts will have on the already horrible situation of welfare for poor families including reducing basic cash grants, cuts to child only aid given to families who have been sanctioned or timed off, and for many, the worst cuts of all, cuts to the already meager child care subsidies.

After a short introduction from event organizers John Wilson and Bianca Henry from the Family Rights and Dignity project of the Coalition on Homelessness, Marie introduced the panel of aides who showed up to speak to the crowd beginning with Sharon Johnson from Senator John Burton's office, " Before I get started I want you all to know, in 1975 I found myself divorced with 5 children and had to enroll in AFDC, now look at me, if you raise your voices like you are doing today anything is possible", Ms. Johnson went on to explain that when the governor rolled back the vehicle license fee the counties budgets were severely harmed and that those funds haven't been replaced. She also tried to give us a view of Senator Burton's view on the current situation facing Calworks "Calworks is one of John's biggest concerns in the budget, and there is one thing that you can count on him to work on, that there will not be a budget that is balanced on the back of the poor, seniors, and disabled - and even though Schwarzenegger is rather obsessed with getting the budget out on time He (John) believes it would be more important to pass a credible budget rather than a budget on june 15th.

Dan Bernal - deputy district supervisor for Nancy Pelosi related the fact that there is a Republican congressman from California, by the name of Wally Herberg in control of the welfare reform reauthorization who proposes changes that would increase the number of welfare recipients that would be forced into work activities if the counties caseload doesn't decrease, but in the tradition of other republican mandates doesn't include any extra funding for increased costs to do that, as opposed to Democrats who are proposing changes like employment credits that would reward the states for moving people off welfare into real living wage jobs. He ended with a quote from Pelosi "until we provide people with economic opportunity to lift people out of poverty welfare reform is doomed to fail."

Paula likens from senator Jacki Spears office explained the budget process and how the Governors May revisions still need to go to the assembly and senate to be passed and that we as conscious and impacted citizens have the unique opportunity to get our voices heard by contacting legislators in Sacramento by phone, email, write and letting them how this budget is going to affect you. She ended with a statement by Ms. Spiers, " I will not abandon women, children and low income families, I will not allow the forces in sacramento to put the interests of prison guards over the interests of families.."

Julie Brown from People Organized to Win Employment Rights informed us of a pending lawsuit in San Francisco, demanding a living wage for Calworks training and workfare payments and how that is currently being fought in the courts as well as her dissatisfaction with our "democratic" mayor Newsom's approach to local welfare and poverty policy.

The statements by the representatives were followed by several poor mothers relating scholarship on issues ranging from the illogic of spending more money on the prison industrial complex rather than the support of poor families to the overspending by Child Protective Services for the taking of children from families rather than the restoring of families. At which point Marie reiterated a crucial point, " Let's be clear what we are hearing from these representatives today, "San Francisco will not win this ourselves, we have to reach out to our friends, family and legislators all across California and just as important we have to hold these politicians accountable for all their promises.

For more information on the family rights and dignity project call (415) 346-3740.

by Joe B.

Platonic Overkill

Most relationships with women for me has been as a third wheel when they get a new guy friend I’m told immediately.

From their first giddy giggle,worry about being called,or suspicion of being two timed I’m the one being turned to I found out later I have become straight guy/girlfriend sending out G-energy each time I’m there to listen, talk,or for a safe non sex sleep over.

Women have the best of both world’s a guy who isn’t gay yet will go shopping,tell her she truly,beautiful and know because they've bonded sex with him is non existent if not impossible.

My last one really had me going through fascination,lust,pals,to deep friendship,and of course relationship brake ups.

For some insane reason I stop taking her side,took the guys side of the points and really damaged our relationship I thought for good.

I metaphorically dug my claws into her emotional side and the way she treated past,current, and ex boyfriends.

I believe part of it was unconscious pushing, tarring,at the fabric, micro rips of the seams of our bonds.

Knowing parts of her past,she knowing bits of mine we didn’t talk to each other until I realized its way too late for me to be seen as lover and friend only "highly prized friend."

I don’t apologize well and don’t like doing other people’s dishes or sleep over with no sex but the woman has at times help me see as women do,been kind, even motherly when I was ill forcing me to get something eat paying for the meal.

She has also shown me her naked soul at its most raw and vulnerable.

I no longer fought the truth:we may be life long friends but never lovers.

I’ll never be seen as an object of affection as she was to me.

At work,doing little but net surfing thinking about my wayward friends traipsing across the continent,country,to other cities meeting,turning down men,while keeping touch with me in different time zones I’m actually glad she’s free of everyone including me.

Men can be (poison pills)at times.

On the net was a site called love sift,love sucks,or something and some of it was about platonic love with all kinds of funny to sad horror stories about men and women in this pure love sexless realm and from them I have solution.

I know there must have been real lust,love,and longing for my friend for me to feel such anger, pain,and frustration.

The site or one of the online writers’s says "Get more platonic girlfriends.

Another suggestion is after dating lots of women, find one,settle down,get married,but before you do call all your fem friends and be really enthused about it.

Tell them about dating and how you finally found the right girl that you still value their friendship.

Of course you must invite them to the wedding.

You’ll won’t know for awhile after you put the phone down that all your P-Women friends will be calling each other talking about you "The good friend that got away" because all of them wanted to keep it platonic,safe, without sex messing up their friendship.

I thought about it but in my case it won’t matter much my lady friend is a savvy,sexy,sensual, sensitive,politically aware,strikingly pretty young woman with beau’s current,and ex’s panting over her.

Though I will always be her No. 1 fan,trusted friend,confidant,father confessor,spiritually we both have each other’s back we’re just not physically entwined.

One terrifying fact I found out speaking of sex’s physical aspect is that some younger women cannot stand more that 30 or 45 minutes of love making (excluding foreplay).

While I’ve been taught by women f-play ‘n stay until they’re done even they’re on the phone to stay in ‘uh with her.

Maybe she and I are physically incompatible if not size then length of physical exercise but she and I will never know.

Besides for me with age comes wisdom she might be to much for me or I her its all moot now.

She is a really good friend throwing sex in the mix could ruin it.

I do understand,gain a lover loses a friend.

My best option is having lots more fem friends so many that a few will be tempted to break it.

You know the old saying a woman is never satisfied.

I say give her what she wants while finding other women who want to be bedded daily and often,let fem friends fume,and they won’t be able to argue because its their rules.

When you end up taking out if not dating more fem friends than new women pretty soon they’ll break their own rules if not there are lots of women who’ll take you off their sister’s hands for a while.

It’s a win-win scenario, your just being a good guy with lots of female friends.

That’s my plan ‘cause my fem friend doesn’t see me sexually as I do her so its time to embrace reality,let the painful fantasy go.

I don’t want to dream about her anymore.(Ok, sometimes) but its rare these days.

Please send contributions
(M.O.'s with lots of zero's to Poor Magazine.

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

For the odd "acidental" topless color photo'n phone,address(Women only) also M.O.'s (hey,I work at P-M-I that's it.

Snail or Email

Joe at:
1230
PO Box #204

S.F.,Ca. 94102

by FCC, Public Access Pt. 2

Public Access’s Future P2.

Ms. Ana,Realini, Membership Coordinator, T.J.,Mr.
[my apologies to Ms. Realini of Media Alliance, and readers for errors in reporting.]

Williams and myself along with other people of the overflow crowd.

Three members of the FCC,owners of mainstream, alternative,independent media,and well know radio personalities are on the panel looking a diverse group of folks.

My mini-recorder works but not from where I was sitting.

First many owner/ operators spoke of localism losing ground being bought out or by Clear Channel, Disney (which owns Warner Brother’s as an example).

It is decided the discussion is so lively, important,that frequent breaks are out.

Thundering Applause for two FCC members and Radio DJ personality Mr. Davy D.

"I’ve worked in radio close to 15 years… [Pieces of Mr. Davy D’s introduction missing] and probably one of the most influential radio stations in the country,which is KMEL,which is a Clear Channel Affiliate.

With that being said a few things I want you to keep in mind-Radio, generally speaking is very apt at doing what we call smoke and mirrors in the business.

That means that the images we present and image,make it sound good at selling things,crunching numbers,and painting this picture that really achieves our end.

The thing that we depend upon collectively speaking is the fact that the average person doesn’t really know what goes on behind the scenes.

The type of manipulation that takes place,all the types of games that’s played,to really paint this picture – that being said, what happens is… You have few DJ’s like myself speaking out…" There’s this whole question about localism is motivated by an economic agenda,or is it really a sincere,genuine concern what the local community needs?"

Even if they as owners disagree with that and that’s where the real question comes in.

So we have to keep that in mind-the other thing that happens is when we forget to do all the smoke and mirrors – that all these changes that we’re talking about even if you can find radio stations that can show these examples their not institutionalized.

So you know you can point to all across the country and say "good DJ’s at this station,he showed all the public love for us, oh that radio station,they did a nice thing for us, they did a concert and all that,but it isn’t institutionalized."

What happens if that local DJ who doing the favor you all doesn’t like you?

What happens if the radio station that owns 12th and Marked decides that they don’t feel your organization cause you were organizing and doing all the activism work resulted in these types of hearings?

You might not be on the airways;you won’t have access to the public.

So you have to have these things institutionalized – it might not be a radio station doing you a favor.

Mr. D. spoke at length on how many DJ’s are intimidated, and many lesser know were fired from their jobs or otherwise punished for views that are politically volatile at the time.

My eyelids feel heavy each fold its weight is felt.

Davy D. continues "All the time radio plays this winner take all mentality…"

Many parts of his speech are missed.

Before he has to leave I did a quick interview (finally,I’m interviewing not being the interviewee).

Before the interview there’s a bathroom break, orange cards with numbers for those want part public comment. Part of this open forum.

Many more voices from small,large,radio station owners,DJ’s,and average citizens too much for me transcribe all voices so Mr. Davy D’s the one I hoped to speak if only for 2 minutes.

Outside the conference, still inside the building, on the mainly blue carpet press and regular folks surround Mr. D. I had to swoop in fast,get some words from him and vanish before he vanished.

There's a personal motive,a question I must ask.

"Name is Joseph Bolden, Poor Magazine,I’m trying to break into voice over work.

Do I have to go through the same kind of crap that everybody’s going through just to…"

Davy D.-"I don’t know what you have to with voice over,I mean people that I’ve worked with that do ‘em, they do they’re own, and then they create a whole package find out a way to present their wares and tares to other people.

I think in this stage of the game;unless you have something about you and people know you its very doubtful…"
J.B.- "Its very not what you know but who you know all through the game."

Thank you very much."
Oh well,I’ve done it before tried new things some worked some didn’t.

Ms. Ana,still in her white angel gown and aluminum foil halo tells me "you have a ride to San Francisco if I go now."

I want to drive back with the group I came with but after finding T.J., knowing Ana of Media Alliance would be a the conference until it closed.

I catch my ride home hoping T.J. rode back with Ana and Mr. Williams.

I couldn’t keep eyes open in the back seat as the three friends talked of FCC,the upcoming election, though we did speak of flying cars,some economics.

Its 1:45, my phone is blinking,answer machine showing numbers of calls, didn’t know if was a girlfriend singular or plural,parent,job,or anyone else didn’t care.

I strip, pray, thinking it was a really long day, then sleep.


1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

also M.O.'s (hey, I work at P-M-I that's it.

Snail or Email

Joe at:
1230
PO Box #204

S.F.,Ca. 94102

by Iris Biblowitz (c/o Michael Lyon)

Dear Joan Ryan:

Your columns give me hope that you will write a balanced account of a
complicated story: how cuts to public health will affect vulnerable
San Franciscans.

The public face of Mayor Newsom's budget is one of minor
inconveniences and shared but manageable pain for all. This is not
true. Please investigate and publicize the details of the devastating
effects budget cuts to the Department of Public Health (DPH) will have
on our community, especially people who are homeless, poor, and
undocumented.

All the neighborhood clinics are being cut. Attached below is a fact
sheet specifically about Tom Waddell Clinic, a block from City Hall,
where I work as a nurse. Tom Waddell Clinic sees about 70,000 patients
a year. They are divided among urgent care, primary care, and
community sites such as shelters, hotels, and the Day Labor Program.

We are the main clinic for people who are homeless, and our urgent
care clinic functions like a small emergency room. Open six days a
week, it is a huge safety net for the entire city, especially for the
most marginalized, vulnerable people. Urgent care at Tom Waddell also
provides a more cost-effective alternative to the swamped ER at San
Francisco General Hospital.

There is so much PR around Care Not Cash, but we are the frontline
clinic that serves people who are homeless, and DPH Director Dr. Mitch
Katz has proposed completely cutting urgent care at Tom Waddell and
severely diminishing our ability to give care in our primary care
clinics. These cuts will lead to more than simply minor
inconveniences.

We're one of the main entry points for patients to get into detox. How
will they get into these programs now? Many of our patients have major
mental health problems. How will they navigate the system? Who will do
all the TB and STD screenings now performed at Tom Waddell? Our clinic
does critical outreach for the HIV, homeless, and transgender
communities.

All this translates into not only decimating care for the poorest
people in San Francisco but also into creating great risks to public
health in general. Many of our patients would have gone without care
and died were it not for our urgent care clinic.

The reporting about DPH cuts has given the impression that
neighborhood clinics would remain intact and that cuts would mostly
affect administration. Many nurses will be cut, and clinics throughout
the city will be in tatters. Please help us get the truth out.

I hope you will contact me and some of my coworkers. I can give you
names and contact information. Thank you for your patience in reading
this long letter.

Sincerely,

Iris Biblowitz, RN

415/285-4536

c/o ftaylor@cmp.com

by Joe B.

War‘Prez? Not In 2005

"If this were a dictatorship,it’d be a heck of a lot easier,just as long as I’m the dictator."

George Bush Jr. Dec. 18, 2000.

He was joking but now in 2004 it sends a chilling message.

Now,he floats a thought balloon about suspending the election because of possible terrorist threats?

Thanks to [q2112.com] For Open Minded Readers
As Comedian Mr. Gilbert Gottfried of MTV’s I love the ‘80’s says,"What the F_ _K was he thinking? We’ve had War President’s before

Select President Bush Jr. made war,now he seeks to use it as way to stay in power without being voted in. He wasn't voted in by the people in 2000.

American people didn't vote Bush in office the Supreme Court did.

This is a faux war President who began the war and now wants to use it to suspend elections!

Vote Bush Jr. and his cronies out,we didn't get to vote him but we sure can get him out.

Folks,we must rid ourselves of this guy quick,get rid of all of ‘em minus election machines that can be altered, reprogrammed or other wised tampered with.

Another thing lets not muck around amending the constitution to ban gay marriages.

This is way the founding father,mother’s too wanted a separation of Church and State.

Just ‘cause President Bush Jr. has qualms about gay men,women,marrying, raising children with dogs along with obligatory picket fence and apartment, house,or ranch home shouldn’t have ban laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

Thers not much more I can say as a slightly visually impaired straight Black man living in San Francisco’s Market Street, also in a low paid non profit outfit to boot my sex life is on and off but I have one.

It doesn’t mean I want gay folks to stay in the closet, stay unmarried-no you work hard,earn paychecks,and should if your blessed enough to find your other have and want to make and honest couple out each other there should be no laws barring that.

Its just human for any two people to take the ultimate trip of life long partnership.

As for the bible, church law,mortal,venial,sins its all human made therefore fallible.

Remember churches loved the Dark Ages, keeping knowledge,men,women, children,under their thumb they miss the power it seems Bush Jr. and others want some of those days back but gone are those days forever.

Whatever your beliefs voice your views.



Please send contributions
(M.O.'s with lots of zero's to Poor Magazine.

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

For the odd "acidental" topless color photo'n phone,address(Women only) also M.O.'s (hey,I work at P-M-I that's it.

Snail or Email

Joe at:
1230
PO Box #204

S.F.,Ca. 94102

by Tiny and Joseph Bolden

Over 200 poor people, mostly Black, redlined out of property and
>business ownership, shot at, harassed and profiled by cops and private
>security, homeless due to illegal evictions, condo conversions,
>demolitions, redevelopment and wide-spread gentrification, denied jobs,
>drug treatment, and mental health services stood together in San
>Francisco city hall plaza.. the first gathering of an all out class war?
>No. Just a peaceful barbeque.

A barbeque in resistance. In resistance to the implementation of one of
>the most flagrantly racist and classist legislations to come around in
>San Francisco for a long time; Care Not Cash aka Gavin Newsoms mayoral
>platform.
>

Modeled on the Rudy Giuliani/New York program - which effectively makes
>it illegal to be alive without a home and makes you pay for your shelter
>bed- instituting slave labor programs (i.e. workfare) sanctioned by the
>Welfare departments which have you work everyday just to make enough to
>pay for the shelter bed, your food and your "utilities". Care Not Cash
>lays the groundwork for Homelessness in the 21st century; the
>privatized, shelter. Government grants, private money and the sweat of
>the poor mix to create the ultimate cash cow for huge poverty pimps and
>developers; aka the modern day pauper's prison
>

"They are trying to starve poor people and people of color out of San
>Francisco - we got to fight to maintain the Bayview, the Tenderloin, the
>Fillmore, the Mission, the people who built the wealth of this city.
>

Listening to the scholarship of Julie Brown a member of People Organized
>to Win Employment Rights (POWER). I reflected on the almost two years
>and 200 or more protests, actions, committee meetings, hearings and
>finally a lawsuit challenging the legality of Care Not Cash, which
>delayed its implementation for several months. Last week the legal
>challenge was overturned by another court, giving the go ahead for our
>new mayor and the Department of Human Services to go forward with this
>dreaded legislation. Julie continued "We got to take back city Hall from
>this rich kid. The Getty's don't know what people need."
>

"If Newsom was homeless he wouldn't do this to his family," Naomi, also
>from POWER shouted angrily into PNN's mike
>

On this warm day in May, POOR staff stood in a line with all the other
>powerful poor folks waiting for our share of a tasty barbeque outside
>San Francisco City Hall. The event was organized by houseless folks and
>advocates to once again make it known that we are resisting the lies put
>out by Department of human Services, the Mayors office and the
>mainstream media (see SF Chronicle May 4, front page) As we stood there
>we pondered the concerted effort by Willies' boy Newsom to effectively
>get all the poor folks out of San Francisco.
>

"Displacement is a big part of Care not Cash - they are talking about
>outreach teams. Every mayor for the last twenty years has talked about
>outreach teams., why should those displace all the people who have
>followed the rules, worked through the system and are now in line for
>their housing, which is what this will do, just to make this mayors
>outreach team idea look good," LS Wilson from the Coalition on
>Homelessness detailed the specifics of the implementation.
>

And just as LS stated when this reporter attended the Press conference
>put on by the mayor's office that same day at the Greystone Hotel. We
>were told by one of the mayors press folks, " that (Care not Cash) will
>help homeless people because it will make housing available and
>treatment services in outreach teams"
>

In fact, as all of us dealing with the shelter system know, this
>legislation will do nothing to make more housing available, but in fact,
>just move the same meager homeless funds around, and make life more
>miserable for folks like Po poet A. Fay Hicks who reports in her last
>piece of poetryjournalism on poornewsnetwork; Barricades at the Door,
>with million dollar fingerprint imaging machines installed and
>complicated registration processes to catch the criminals of poverty if
>they dare to..?
>

Later in the day some brave warriors for the cause of economic justice
>created a civil disobedience in the mayors office demanding real
>solutions to homelessness rather than fake politician propaganda spins.
>They were arrested and released, vowing to keep up the fight.
>

As the sun bore down on our hungry bodies, a tall African descendent man
>who called himself Kelly, stood behind us in line and summed up our
>collective frustration "The man was born with a silver spoon in his
>mouth, he hates black folks, poor white folks and all folks don't have
>money, he's tryin to push everyone away.. and it jus aint right."
>

by Joe B.

Gov’s 2 word Jibe

Once in a while one leaves San Francisco to breathe different kinds of air.

Not knocking S.F. at all,its just that every few days out of a month I must pat this lovely,glittering bay lady gently on her shoulder,forehead,or rump and take a rest from her gracious arms.

I guess maybe out of a combination of frustration, anger,or tiredness the "Girlie Men" comment for legislators came for not getting the budget balanced,holding up bills or laws.

Two words belittling women,men,Transexuals. Definitely a Homophobic remark.

But when legislator’s balk bothered both these words it makes us all squirm a bit because it shows a deep dark streak of xenophobia on the Governor’s part.

A sound bite lasting three days or more than a week but if it helps move the budget crisis along, get bills,laws,signed in…

Who knows but Mr. Arnold will be paying for that remark for months or years to come.

A Saturday Night skit spoofing a body building, businessman,actor-turned California Governor,hmmm.

Thank applied science for video’s and digital video disks to go back and see what the flap is all about can be plain old research.

C-SPAN is always a good way of seeing what’s going on with what’s happening in Washington.

The Stem Cell debate with scientists,senator’s, and patients benefiting from the limited applications of adult stem cell lines is riveting.

It showed the human side of what this emerging technology is capable of in improving lives and how far it must go so all of us can benefit.

It turns political, religious,the late President Reagan is mentioned and Mrs. Nancy Reagan’s own views shows how complex this many sided issue is.

Now that I’m back, refreshed,and metaphorically kissed on my cheek,returned to her firm embrace,I am ready to begin new until again the Young mature Giantess has to much of her way with me.

Why do most men (myself included) think of certain machinery like ships, buildings,or cities as "She or Her"?

Could it be that unconsciously ships, buildings,and cities all are womb-like,warm, protective and indeed able to protect her charges as long as they in turn repair maintain,the upkeep of them - Giantess’s they’ll protect us the weak fleshy ones on or inside them.

Looks as if ‘White Flight" in Bay Area city of Concord are leaving in droves as Latino’s move in for a better life.

"W.F."is a time honored way of fleeing reality,the reality that times,people, economic conditions have slowly overtime has changed is changing.

Running away use to be an option for some it still is but as rainbow folks gain more access to education,better jobs/ careers.

To the flighty,got-to- get-away,folk there’s not many places to run to anymore unless it outer space,the asteroid belt between Saturn’s rings,the moon,or Mars.

I say let ‘em run until there’s no more places to run.

You know the saying "Justice delayed is justice denied" Well certain folks are still running away.

They’ll always be those doing that long necked flightless bird stunt with its head in the sand.

Were you a White Flighter?

Are you children of or know relatives of White Flight?

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

For the odd "acidental" topless color photo'n phone,address(Women only) also M.O.'s (hey,I work at P-M-I that's it.

Snail or Email

Joe at:
1230
PO Box #204

S.F.,Ca. 94102

by Joe B.

He Ruined My Birthday

Looking forward to a personal milestone is all set except one lady Berkeley and a dear friend out of the country the best I can do is visit the very first love in my life, mama.

We’d take a shopping cart through a one of the warehouse supermarkets buying fresh vegetable, frozen entrée’s, and nibble on mints and cookies before paying up and going home.

But the day a pall because the 40th President, B-actor and Screen Guild President , former Governor, and President Ronald Reagan after a decade in a Alzheimer haze died.

All the hoopla about the Gipper, Great Communicator, jokester, and affable down home likable, regular, country guy.
Its all too syrupy and honey glazed for me to watch as mama turned off the radio we looked at other like…

"What a load of bull chips and horse manure. How he blamed black women as welfare queen’s while most folks on welfare are white and female, the way he fired all the airline controller’s never thing what it takes to train people for such stress laden jobs. It’s part the reason so many planes fell out the sky and many lives lost.

He may have helped free the hostages, but President Jimmy Carter deserves the nod. As for being shot he did show lots of grit for and old guy but then he was closer to Mr. Grim Reaper than most presidents.

"Shining City On A Hill" give me a break. This guy on horseback was looking backward, riding into the past while most people were heading future forward.

The Berlin Wall coming down brick by brick was not by Reagan along but other presidents, officials, and many ordinary folks help pulled that wall down it just happened on his watch.

I don’t know the guy don’t hate him in fact I wished he had gotten stem cells to regenerate new brain cell replacing old dying ones he may have died with his mind intact but when Biotechnology was slowed, delayed, if not stopped altogether could have made Reagan’s last days memorable with loved ones surrounding him before his soul divested of his body continues the ultimate journey.

I should be glad for the guy. No more suffering in a long good by of that dreadful living death of a disease.

For myself there is still wine (only for breakfast and dinner).

Women(safe sex as I wear colorful French ticklers as long as I’m not with many woman until she finds me or I her).

I don’t feel any different but then I didn’t as many of my contemporaries do much drinking,drugs,pills, or wasn’t as promiscuous as men especially Black are mythically suppose to be. The upside is my body and mind isn’t as polluted inside or exteriorly rundown as some of my contemporaries.

I intend to maintain and improve my health. I was born in June of 1954. Now either its 9 or 10 year after D-Day but certainly 10 years before the baby boom group of 1964.

So I’m in the middle generation seeing what’s ahead and the generation behind me will have even better advantages.

There are experiences I want to have as in being a graduating student of Karma Sutra, a PH. D maybe. Some travel by cruise ship or plane.

The family with picket fence, dog, cat, and gardens may have passed me buy so I decide to instruct myself in math, (have a phobia there). Electronics, Chemistry, and Quantum Mechanics.

Keep up with life extension technologies. Lastly, learn a few languages and play brain teaser games, read mysteries (by women authors).

Generally keeping mind and body busy. If I had gotten married when I was younger my life by now would have been somewhat settled if not dull and I’d have my niche helping to raise children with a loving wife.

Maybe that’s isn’t my destiny as my life is at this moment.

He nearly ruined my birthday but after a few hours I know in a few months it’ll all blow over and he’ll be remembered little as all of move quicker by jet sky, sky boards,and jet packs rather than an old dead ‘Prez on horseback.




Please send donations to Poor Magazine

1095 7th & Market Street,
S.F. Ca.94103

Snail or Email Joe at:

PO Box 1230 #204

Market St. 94102

San Francisco, CA 94102

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org ©

by Joe B.

Best Destinies

The current "Star Trek: Enterprise is a retelling of the Trek saga when the first voyage,first contacts,weapons, transporter,translator, devices are all new,pre Spock,Scotty,James T. Kirk’s glancing the heavens.

An there’s the Archer Factor which is pre Kirk,Picard,Janeway time paradoxes that happens making quantum headaches for a far future Enterprise or other time ship captains who’s thankless task is keeping the timelines safe.

I wonder it there are Krusher (Wesley Crusher, Q + son,and Traveler timeline paradox alerts too?

It’s just a thought.

What I’m leading up to is two famous doctrines besides
The Prime Directivegoverns First Contact protocols.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
"Or the one." The last three words always completed the Buddha-Zen -Christ like thought.

And of course Spock’s "Commanding a starship is your first,best destiny; anything else is a waste of material."

I must thank "Movie Quotes" from www.fiftiesweb.com/movies/star-trek.htm#2

Speaking of first best destiny mines seems to be slightly stuck.

As a POOR Magazine Staff Writer/Reporter/Columnist and sometime photographer lots of people,issue’s, interviews flit by scope however unlike my employer’s polls,politics, and pol’s is not even a Z on my alphabet list.

Yes,its important to vote and people has died so I can be blasé about it.

Its just that I’ve seen what happens with news items these stories don’t stay gone but keep resurfacing which leads to more research,interviews, and paper gathering.

Holding all those facts from days to weeks to months brought out a sleeping packrat personality I never dreamed existed it threatened my section 8 housing because it is seen as a fire hazard.

After a scary asthmatic attack it dawns on me that being a newsperson with the never-ending research and updates of same it had to let go.

It took me a year or two before leaving that arena of media now it’s a rare for me.

Rare is good for me.

Columns are easier,a little research not a whole lot.

I’m 99.9 closer to my goal writing a novelette, novel’s,short stories and after being published a few weeks or months of vacation then back to writing down my wool gathering.

This is my first best destiny anything else is a waste.

I just hope I’ve really had talent for it if not then voice over or writing columns may loom large in my immediate future.

What do you think your best destiny is and what was it like to finally reach it or not?

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

also M.O.'s (hey,I work at P-M-I that's it.

Snail or Email

Joe at:
1230
PO Box #204

S.F.,Ca. 94102

by Joe B.

Health Care Organizations Unite?

Wednesday, June 4th 2004. On 1338 Mission Street between 9th and 10th Streets, time 8am. Or earlier to catch a Charter bus to Sacramento where California’s State Capital resides.

Arguing with Dee (co owner/boss of Poor Magazine).
About only having five photo ops to shoot during this all day venture results in being without a camera to shoot any film.

Maybe keep my yap shut… nah, if one is going to a function as this more than five individual shots of film is needed besides I cannot be everywhere at once as people go on and off the bus.

This is where a digital camcorder would be handy and not just film or a human portable web cam set up (a person becomes a mobile, roving web site in real
Time as it happens.)

Bottom line there was no money, its all the equipment she and arguing on the point meant no camera unless I use my own which isn’t happening because this should be digital, the more perfect copies in digital than film the images to capture and never lose to films decomposing shelf life. The old mini tape will do minus film.

Arriving early 7am. At S. E. I .U Service Employees Int. Union, where a woman waiting waits soon doors open and people enter their language’s are Russian, Spanish, Asian, Philippine, American, and other who’s dialect I don’t recognize.
Three Charter busses are ready packed with sodas, water, lunch bags. We get in, wait a bit then begin rolling to California’s State Capitol in Sacramento to protest Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cuts in health care to mentally and physically disabled people and its effects on workers, patients, and families caring for them. The Protest/rally is called: "Quality Care Begins At Home

A stop in Oakland the first leg of protests "Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Health Care Is the Way to Go."

The Highway patrol made an outer circle encircling the protestors with their ring. It almost seems a protective in a way. It’s a peaceful gathering of determined, angry, concerned, multi-lingual, culture, hued folks having our say telling Arnold –the-‘G this will not stand and he has a long fight on his hands.

We’re Here, We’re Loud…" "Arnold, Arnold Don’t you know, Healthcare Cuts Have Got To Go."

An interview within the swirl of people protesting, loud speaker’s, honking, cars, trucks, and busses makes it extremely difficult to conduct an interview let along a few.

And hour or so then to Fairfield for rest, lunch, and what’s to be done when we’re in Sacramento.

From January of 2004 to now June Governor A. Schwartzenegger has had six months to rethink his cutting the health care. For those affected work has been hard,fast,and furious to get ring the Gov’s ear have him use other means than balancing the state budget on the backs of the mentally and physically disabled. Those who’s jobs it is to help them live longer,safer,and healthier lives.

On the Capitol’lawn in Sacramento there are many eloquent public speakers. Some are health aide workers,former workers, wheel bound activist, patients,politicians,and church leaders.

All condemning the California Governor’s choice in budget cuts and balancing act.

The sun beams high, weak clouds,clear azure blue skies,need gentle breezes, water,soft drinks, sandwiches,and porta- potties insight.

My old recorder cuts in and out,my second set of batteries die making me unable to record soul stirring,heart felt speaker’s. On the bus I counted the sandwiches I’ve eaten
1 ham, 2 eggs 2 turkey, sandwiches, a diet seven up, 1 Dr. Pepper,2 potato chips and saved two apples for later at home.

It was an experience I might do again sometime.
Going home is a pleasant ride with zzzzz’s until its time to disembark.

If poor folks stopped work altogether everywhere after saving up 6 to 9 months of rent, food, medical,with support from a few who do work.

Those who have access to food,pharmacological, or other health necessities can also be of immense help. I walk to my home glad that I participated.

Thinking of my mother, if anything happened to her health how would I cope? That’s a scary thought because I wouldn’t want to spend her money down then place in a lonely old room with strangers kind people but strangers not the less taking care of her.
It’s a hard world and everyone catches their pieces of hell but it shouldn’t go on when one is the autumn of their years this is the time a rest, relaxation, and looking back, without any worries. At least that’s how I always believed about Sunset years.

And hour or so then to Fairfield for rest, lunch, and what’s to be done when we’re in Sacramento.

From January of 2004 to now June Governor A. Schwartzenegger has had six months to rethink his cutting the health care. For those affected work has been hard,fast,and furious to get ring the Gov’s ear have him use other means than balancing the state budget on the backs of the mentally and physically disabled. Those who’s jobs it is to help them live longer,safer,and healthier lives.

On the Capitol’lawn in Sacramento there are many eloquent public speakers. Some are health aide workers,former workers, wheel bound activist, patients,politicians,and church leaders.

All condemning the California Governor’s choice in budget cuts and balancing act.

The sun beams high, weak clouds,clear azure blue skies,need gentle breezes, water,soft drinks, sandwiches,and porta- potties insight.

My old recorder cuts in and out,my second set of batteries die making me unable to record soul stirring,heart felt speaker’s. On the bus I counted the sandwiches I’ve eaten
1 ham, 2 eggs 2 turkey, sandwiches,a diet seven up, 1 Dr. Pepper,2 potato chips and saved two apples for later at home.

It was an experience I might do again sometime.
Going home is a pleasant ride with zzzzz’s until its time to disembark.

If poor folks stopped work altogether everywhere after saving up 6 to 9 months of rent,food, medical,with support from a few who do work.

Those who have access to food,pharmacological, or other health necessities can also be of immense help. I walk to my home glad that I participated.

Thinking of my mother, if anything happened to her health how would I cope? That’s a scary thought because I wouldn’t want to spend her money down then place in a lonely old room with strangers kind people but strangers not the less taking care of her.
It’s a hard world and everyone catches their pieces of hell but it shouldn’t go on when one is the autumn of their years this is the time a rest, relaxation, and looking back, without any worries. At least that’s how I always believed about Sunset years.

Please send donations to Poor Magazine

1095 7th & Market Street,
S.F. Ca.94103

Snail or Email Joe at:

PO Box 1230 #204

by Tiny/PNN

"Well I'm sorry there's just no money left in the Section 8 program" The words sliced into my head slowly like a dull knife wielded by a murderer without proper tools.

"But that will render my family homeless within three months…", I started to say, but couldn't quite listen to the response I was given, something about how I waited too long to find a place (families are given 90 days to find a landlord that will take the voucher which in my case fell right in between the high-risk birth of my son and my mom getting a heart condition) and therefore I was unofficially dropped off the program and was now told my chances at reinstatement were slim. The whole conversation, which permanently closed the lid on my chances at permanent homefulness lasted all of three minutes. Homelessness, my "at risk" status and the viscous cycle of poverty for poor families can last a lifetime.

"In San Francisco we have over 18,000 families on the section 8 waiting list, many of these families are homeless, the proposed cuts will eliminate their chances of getting housing insuring that those who are homeless will stay homeless and those that were able to get vouchers will become homeless," Jennifer Friedenbach from The Coalition on Homelessness shouted into the morning wind circling around the small but determined group of families and advocates from The Family, Rights and Dignity Project of The Coalition on Homelessness holding an urgent press conference in front of the federal building on the current very serious crisis hitting the Section 8 program locally and nationally. Jennifer continued, " All of this from a president who vows to end chronic homelessness"

For the last three weeks PNN community journalists have been re-porting and supporting on the resistance by hundreds of tenants from the city of Alameda who in June were given three weeks notice by The Alameda Housing Authority that the Section 8 vouchers which were keeping them housed would be rescinded thanks to the budget cuts Jennifer referred to. With those cuts the 264 low-income families, elder and disabled tenants in Alameda would join hundreds of thousands of poor folks across the nation from New York to Los Angeles facing this same unbelievable crisis thanks to the fact that there were already cuts of over 1.92 billion to the existing Section 8 program causing San Francisco Housing Authority to stop issuing vouchers to families like mine and that there are another 1 billion in cuts being proposed for Fiscal year 2005. All of these homeless-making policies are courtesy of the Bush Administration who just diverted more than $22 billion dollars in federal money to homeland security with $2 billion dollars of that amount coming from HUD's budget, making this the largest raid on a public program used by the poor for the past twenty years!

"But the joke gets worse, Bush's so-called Section 8 reforms will introduce the very dangerous Flexible Voucher Program, " Jennifer concluded by outlining the elements of this odd "reform", which among other things will eliminate the rule that %75 of the vouchers go to extremely low-income families and individuals, i.e. disabled elders, children and families who are way below the poverty line and usually homeless.

" We are demanding that Congress restore 1.92 billion to the existing section 8 budget and oppose the flexi-voucher program." Jennifer concluded with these necessary demands and by making the correlation between cuts to HUD/Housing Authority budget and the establishment of homelessness "In the early 80's when the Federal housing budget was cut by 80% San Francisco opened its first homeless shelter."

"Without Section 8 I will never have the chance to have a place of my own, " Next up was a very pregnant fierce young woman, Laya Hill who spoke truth to the crowd" As it is now I am paying over %80 of my income on a tiny place I have to share " Laya highlighted the reason that the Section 8 program is, as it was pre-Bush, a great program for very low-income folks, as it allows you to pay 30% of your income even if that income is very low as it is for working poor folks like me or from the meager cash grant received from welfare. This insures that poor families won't become homeless when they become unemployed or go on welfare and can't afford market rate rent.

"Between July 2002 and July 2003 597 new homeless families signed up to get shelter," Advocate Bianca Henry outlined the existing numbers of homeless families in San Francisco and how they will be impacted by these cuts, "We will never be able to solve the so-called "homeless" problem in San Francisco and across the nation if we cause more homelessness through these cuts , the point is, its cheaper to keep families together rather than separating them into foster care and CPS" PNN has documented the stories of hundreds of families who due to poverty and homelessness have lost custody of their children to these racist, classist "systems"

After Bianca we heard from Dan Bernal, a representative from Nancy Pelosi's office who read a statement from Nancy denouncing the "outrageous" housing policies of the Bush Administration and her commitment to join Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts in co-sponsoring Legislation (HR 4263) that will direct HUD to fully fund housing vouchers as they have during each of the past 30 years.

"This is the plan to end chronic homelessness, it takes care of 3000 chronically homeless people in San Francisco", one of the last speakers we heard from was Angela Alioto who is working for the mayor on implementing The "Plan to end Homelessness", which I personally have serious reservations with as it only reinvents the wheel already created with the Continuum of Care policy document created by homeless and formerly homeless folks but never really funded so we keep having new mayors creating new programs on top of an old problem, but she did make a very good point which I was happy to hear as she waived the thick glossy covered "Plan…." in the air above her head, "A principal part of this plan is prevention, how do you prevent homelessness? by NOT cutting Section 8" she continued by outlining the connection between the jails, mental institutions and the foster care system as the new ways of "housing the homeless".

"Aint nobody gonna be homeless but a bunch of children and families like me, I am homeless mother of three and these cuts are affecting somebodies like me who just need a chance" as Arieanne Harrison closed out the conference I felt hopeless again. I hadn't heard from Section 8 again and although we are currently pursuing an appeal for reinstatement, Arieanne was right, these horrendous cuts are just gonna affect a lot of somebodies like her and me who just need a chance…a chance at being housed.

by Staff Writer

A spoken Word Rent Rescue Marathon (and housewarming-we just moved) on sunday, June 13th @ 4:00 pm - Youth and adult poets from the Po Poets Project, Molotov Mouths and more will be spittin words of resistance... Refreshments will be served - please come and help save our collective buts...otherwise our community will lose anotha voice of truth in a sea of corporate media lies!!!! - Take Part in the Spoken Word marathon by sponsoring yourself or your favorite poet @ $3.00 per poem

Where; 1095 Market street #307

San Francisco, (at 7th & Market)

when: sunday June 13th @4:00 pm

contact : tiny (415) 863-6306 (or cel) (510) 435-7500

cost:sliding scale - $5.00-10.00 or mo' ( or what you can afford..)

by Laurence Ashton/PNN Youth in Media

A dim street light flickered on and off, a crumpled can of malt liquor rolled back and forth and then suddenly, out of nowhere, Los Angeles street in the heart of Skid Row was awash in a blinding spotlight "Hey what are you doing near that car?" a mechanical voice shook the asphalt in half

Last week I woke up with a start - there were pictures of a 36 year old black man named Stanley Miller with a bruised and bleeding face flashing on the TV news. In the foreground was a satelite videotaped clip of Mr. Miller being beat down by LAPD after he had been "caught" for grand theft auto in Los Angeles. I tried to go back to sleep, but all I could do is toss and turn unable to get the picture of my father's face 10 years ago, three years ago and last year after he met with several flashlights belonging to one or more Lapd officers. You see my father is a Black disabled vet who is homeless in LA, he and I still talk and every so often I convince him to get a room but his inner demons get the best of him and back he goes to the streets.

Stanley Miller was hit at least 10 times by at least one officer and who knows how many more times by the other seven officers present after he surrendered to officers after a car chase. My father was hit, punched, spit at and called every name you could think of by a collective total of 36 officers of the LAPD. And of course the only reason we even know about Mr. Miller is because his attack was caught on videotape ala Rodney King.

As a young black man, I have had my DWB (Driving While Black or Brown) and WWB (Walking While Black) run-ins as all Black and brown men have had but what folks don't know is these nazi's in uniform have been harassing and violently attacking homeless people of all colors for a long long time, and who knows, who will ever know, because TV news crews rarely document Skid Row except when they are supporting a "clean-up" effort by the Pigs or some other subjugator.

"We've worked too hard to build our relationship with the community to have it jeopardized by thoughtless actions of a few,"LA Mayor Jim Hahn was quoted as saying as he worked quickly on damage control for the LAPD.

Apparently, John Hatfield, 35, a seven-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, was the officer wielding the metal flashlight. Hatfield is among eight officers pulled from patrol duty and given paid administrative assignments in the wake of the beating.

The chief of the LAPD, William Bratton has said it appears police acted "inappropriately" in the arrest, and he also urged the public to withhold judgment until the investigation is complete. In other words until the lies and cover-up are manufactured. Bratton was hired in 2002 after so much corruption and civil rights abuses of citizens by the LAPD caused the LAPD to at least appear like they were doing something to change the status quo.

The most hilarious part of all of this is, the attack on Mr. Miller occurred just a week after the LAPD said it had successfully implemented reforms mandated by federal authorities after they identified a "pattern and practice" of civil rights violations by the LAPD.

The violent attack on Mr. Miller has spurned ongoing protests by civil rights activists in LA who have long accused the LAPD of discrimination and use of excessive force against people of color, "The thing that hasn't changed is the accountability level as far as police violence goes, and particularly the department's continued failure to weed out rogue cops," said former police commissioner Melanie Lomax.

I haven't heard from my dad for over a month. I hope he is ok. He probably isn't, but at least I hope he hasn't met with any flashlights lately.

Laurence Ashton is a member of the Youth in Media project at POOR Magazine. He is also a graduate of the Poverty Studies/Media Activism Institute at POOR .

by Joe B.

Two Weeks And Half A Century Later

Last Saturday two American’s died both of humble origins.

One rose to prominence with a genius ear, voice, music, and lyrical talents.

The other able to make an audience suspend its belief first by his sheer voice, second by physical presence.

One becomes leader of superpower while another changes hearts and minds with his inner vision his second sight more powerful non seeing orbs.

Both gone, one way too soon, and yet both communicators to the masses in their perspective. Both belong to the ages.

Only Jesus and Angels guarding gates of Heaven or Hell can judge now it’s no longer in our frail mortal hands.

Its nearly two weeks after my 50th birthday.

So far my health is excellent, I’m a randy old goat instead of a young guy.

Funny, how women and men at certain ages are deemed dirty old men, women because they still in their hearts, minds, and physically able to show emotions of lust, love and caring for others.

I might as well keep my satyr status even in this conservative climate of sex = death climate.

I cannot even say it wasn’t planned, this is what happens when people in their youth do little or no drinking, smoking, drugs, or bed hopping.

A positive consequence is a body and mind fairly bursting with excess energy though having good genes also help.

I don’t regret not being married at this time many in my situation aren’t, some all of us are not mommy and daddy material.

If I had gotten properly hitched I would’ve stayed a Certified Nurses Assistant/ Dietary or Kitchen Helper working many overtime hours to support my family.

I would not have learned about painting, black & white photography and how to use chemicals darkroom to develop films, and later with POOR Magazine silk screening, reporting, writing columns, radio production, reading and speaking from scripts. Lots of interns entered, learned, and exited PM’s classes better informed, with multi faceted tools in the ever-changing workplace.

Deciding my direction has been difficult but its clear a 9to5 job is not I unless I am able to choose my hours.

Whether its voice over work, reading shortened sound bites of my written I-net columns on radio, or by some fluke on TV even if its cable it’d be a regular gig and who knows some cable shows get grabbed to become national.

Travel, languages, tinkering with electronics, Electro- magnetism and other pieces of lawful and especially outlawed or forbidden science.

As for the eternal mystery that is woman more intense study, learning, mental and physical contact is a given in less taking and more giving that always opaque, clouded, speaking-in-tongues earthy mother’s natural wisdom.

I know in my columns I’ve argued, was harsh, and really overstepped my bounds in the discussions of women and their multi sexual, dimensional, emotional selves.

There is only three ways to completely understand the opposite sex:

1) Share the properties of women’s connected brains in men.
2) Place our male electrochemical selves (equivalent of a soul) into the body of a woman.

3) If possible balance the male brain as female ones are balaced,it may be the last evolutionary key to both longevity and guaranteed survival of our species.

Ok,that maybe a little too far out for many folks out there.

If somehow women can think clearly through deep emotional pain for solutions while few men cannot.(Some can)

It seems logical to find out how this natural higher brain can be made to improve our species.

If it were to become reality guess what men would think before talking, be less color blind,be more independent of opposite sex and yet not worry about loneliness.

Men’s life span will be drastically increased and the only other biological limitation would be not being able to carry offspring within them.

I tell you some men then most of them after a time would be able to take the pain of giving birth.

They’ve already they are as nurturing and selfless in giving their lives for children and family as women are its just few are given the chance.

Imagine if men conceived children as women do?

Women have always said men would change all the abortion laws if they gave birth, true.

They also would fight to prove they too could give birth,nurture and raise children.

It would no longer be an uneven playing field with women saying,"Men couldn’t deal with the pain."

Women easily forget that if men were able to give birth war would be over, life more important because they’d know how precious, perilous,and tenuous without ever going to a war.

Women have their ("We create life, you just contribute sperm."

They’d never be able to make that boast in supreme superiority of ultimate power.

And what if men decided to have children without women’s wombs using their own it become academic that is the so-called superior sex.

Not that I would want to have a child but if by a miracle I was younger and given the choice.

I’d like to see if I,a man could carry a child to term.

If it came to a choice between a healthy infant and my death,then gladly dead I’d be.

I would watch over my child unable to my earthly bond until I know my child was safe and happy.

Only then would I appear to my child,her/his adopted parents and or wife/husband and happily go to my rest.

Hey ladies,this is what guys also think about too.

you’re not the only ones with deep emotional/intellectual, sensitive feelings.

Just because you express it more openly and verbally better does not mean your more open.

It just seems that way.

I’ve said enough.

What have women whatever your age have to say about it?(Will you say anything its all mute… For Now!

Please send donations to Poor Magazine


1095 7th & Market Street,
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by Clive Whistle/PNN

"If you don't come right away this man's gonna hurt someone" That was me last week calling the cops on one of best friends in The City who, like me, has bounced in and out of shelters and the streets for the last 5 years and was alternately holding a gun to his head and then wa ou.

The police, who as a poor black man, I do not trust, like or even want to deal with at ALL, much less call on for help were the target of my 5150 (mental illness emergency) call, because in his mind and in reality, my friend had run out of options. My friend was only a young cat, who before he became homeless was in foster care but once he reached 18, was thrown out into the cruel world with no support services or help to "fend" for himself. My friend had sought help to no avail. My friend was mentally ill.

The frightening part of my 5150 call to the police is my friend, who reminded me of Idriss Stelly, another beautiful young African Descendent brother sufferinng from mental illness murdered by SFPD after a 5150 call, stood just as good of a chance of being shot at the hands of the police as he did of shooting himself.

"With this legislation we would like to see more treatment available for juvenile inmates who suffer from traumatic exposure to street or domestic violence at an early age" District Attorney, Kamala Harris spoke to a packed crowd of politicians, bureacrats and mental health advocates gathered at City Hall on Friday to discuss the benefits of Prop 63, a legislation that would add approximately 50 million to California's Mental Health Services budget by adding a special income tax on the rich.

As it stands now, people like myself and my friend, poor folks without insurance, have to seek help at County Hospital Emergency rooms under a psychiatric emergency call, which means if you are lucky enough to actually see a therapist you might get a referral to very short term, talk therapy (one-three sessions) but most likely will get some psych meds (pills) or even more likely, nothing at all According to the statistics provided by the San Francisco Mental Health Board, San Francisco has one of the States highest rates of 5150 calls

I was holding that same gun 4 years ago, I was lucky enough to get some psychiatric care through Veterans Hospital because I am a vet and it saved my life. My friend is not so lucky.

"We are not mental health professionals" Chief of police Heather Fong spoke at the conference. She went on to say that although there are more than 250 SFPD officers on the force with crisis intervention training, she'd much rather see mental health professionals responding to day and night "well-being" checks than police officers.

"We run one of the largest mental health institutions in the state of California" , Sheriff Mike Hennesey brought out the truth that most poor mentally ill people know and he went on to say that he would like to stop that so he could "make room" for real criminals.

The proposals sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento said his vision of taxing income above $1 million with a 0.1% surcharge would create an annual funding stream of up to $1 billion statewide.

My friend made it out of that night, barely, the cops came, he was thrown in jail for 30 days where he received no treatment. After his release he was still never given any treatment and is self-medicating with Crack as I write this. I wonder how many more days or nights will pass before his internal torture lashes out again and actually does permanent harm to himself or others

Clive Whistle is a poverty scholar and community journalist for POOR Magazine/PNN. To read more journalism by folks dealing with poverty and racism go on-line to www.poormagazine.org

by Joe B.

Last Journal&"S" Site

A packet arrived the night before touting a health product that should tried out before selling.

Makes sense to me when selling a product one should test its authenticity before trying to sell it to someone else.

On the day of my fiftieth I had a few diary or journals given to me by Poor Magazine some weeks ago after moving to another location a number of items were being tossed (thrown away because they became so much unneeded junks.

My reason for waiting a few decades is because when I was younger there were many journals however becoming a houseless transient moving from shelter to mama’s house, lady friends,and Multi Service Center’s to help get me out the roving circle of revolving temporary sleeping spaces.

Lots of my poems,short stories I began writing to keep my sanity is lost but most of my journals are lost forever some stolen, ripped up while I’m out looking for work or later on work fair.

For years PM and some friends of mine urged me to begin writing a diary or journal.

I always thought of diary as what little girls and women do,between the pages are delicate dreams fairly dripping with emotion,drenched in their first secret crushes, fancies,and hurts.

Some of the secrets show the first subtle hints of girlish attempts of attraction for boys,girls, or both though they may not know it at the time.

From buds of erotic romance,titillation,a growing knowledge of changes of womanhood.

Their first embarrassed blooding can be mortifying and dreadful for young girls with only father’s, brother’s and no sibling sister’s or mothers to help them through this wondrous transition to youthful womanhood.

All the extraneous, bubbly,romantic fantasies of individuals,groups, movie,TV,star,athletes male or female.

Regular people they admire but would never admit those people because it’s too personal.

The embarrassment factors for the desired object is either too young, old,or is otherwise not part of there in-group.

For these and other reasons I’ve delayed writing anything other than poems,long or short off wall/color columns.

Only this year,on my birthday did I start.

Even then unlike young girls and women pouring their intimate selves between pages that are closed and under lock and key.

My thoughts are just that mine.

Deeper ones will be place in another journal they will be full of angst, lust,love,fevered dreams, concepts,ideas,many unorganized nebulous gossamer things.

Its difficult splitting,swirling, tumultuous,emotional urges, and feeling to another books women don’t split themselves up,what they don’t wish to write that they don’t.

So use to self-censoring few fall into the male trap of compartmentalizing their lives but maybe they too are learning to compartmentalize it could be a good thing when no overused.

So that’s one ongoing item on my to-do list.

There is a site created by women on line for those who are not sick, psychotic,neurotic,or have nymphomania.

You know of which I speak.

It is a rotten shame that grown,mature,women earning money and as my own mother said about me (her son)‘F-ing everyday cannot get off because of our puritanical Pleasure = Punishment - Sex=Death, Religious Right,Church and State co-mingling.

When are women free to just be?

Glad they’ve got their bang on.

Those same R-R folks are same ones try to make age a cut off factor as in if your in 60’s,70’s,80’s and beyond say "You can’t do that,at your age; disgraceful,undignified, and just plain wrong."

Ladies,youthful,young looking mature women thanks for a reality check.

I just receive my A.A. R.P.[American Association of Retired People] temporary member ship card.

My biological age doesn’t jive with chronological and as life extension I hope will keep it that way.

So to the women and their honest in-your-face site… Sorry,I gave myself a lovely visual. You know what I mean ladies.

though I’m not movie, TV,video star handsome, as guys would say,"Cover the head and thing good times."

I always worry about my pictures few people are perfect specimens even if they look that way so I’ll place a few up ready for rejections after that safe "S" bedding for those grown folks beyond surface ready to get busy.

For this site created for/by woman not to the exclusion but inclusion for getting their grove on without static please look up Ostelljazz@hotmail.com

My home PC is down and I’ve no webcam.

I’m so out of date, I’d rather sit in a restaurant, museum, cafe, or Golden Gate Park long walks, talks, instead of wasting excess energy dancing.

(I’d to learn ballroom dancing).

In place of sweaty separate lone dancing.

Ladies I love dancing but want Ballroom and other close body dancing rather than being far away sweating up clothes and showing off.

Any personal questions or comment(women only) about the writer

Please send donations to Poor Magazine

1095 7th & Market Street,

S.F. Ca.94103

Snail or Email Joe at:

PO Box 1230 #204



S.F. Ca. 94102

by Tiny/PNN

Landlord Greedy

Made a deal with the government

Rent been Paid

Bed been made

Bags never should have been unpacked

Just keep them poor people rolling, rolling… rawhide

An excerpt from the poem Landlord Greedy by Po Poet A. Faye Hicks from the book Houzin Project, Words, Art and Resources on Eviction, Displacement and Homelessness by POOR Magazine

"They sent me a letter three weeks ago, sayin that they weren't going to be able to pay my rent….. I have No- where to go", Alice Kennedy, a disabled African-American tenant and Section 8 recipient in Alameda stopped mid-sentence to hold back a flood of tears while she tried to outline her situation at a rally for section 8 tenants in Alameda, called for because of the recent brutal attack on the poorest citizens of AMerikka courtesy of the Bush Administration.

"After they (Alameda Housing Authority) gave me the notice they gave me a list of other places I could move in the state of California. I called all of those cities, all of them told me don't bother coming here cause we don't know what's happening with the program (sec 8)"

On May 14, to 1,659 families and over 600 landlords received notice from The Public Housing Authority of Alameda, California, informing them that there may not be any rent money for the month of June. Tenants and landlords were advised to use their security deposits to pay the rent and to negotiate a way for the renters to repay back the spent security deposits. As well, tenants were given vaguely written "vouchers" that didn't list any guaranteed rental assistance amount along with lists of referrals to other counties that apparently weren't worth the paper they were printed on.

The origin of this assault on poor folks across the nation began on April 22, when The Department of Housing and Urban Development under the leadership of Bush's Clarence Thomas alike Boy Alphonso Jackson announced unexpected—and retroactive—cuts to the Section 8 housing voucher program in 2004. The cuts left housing authorities across the country scrambling to make up serious funding shortfalls and forced them to take actions like the ones impacting Ms. Kennedy and thousands of other Sec 8 tenants locally and nationally.

On May 20, HUD announced it was fixing the problem by providing $150 million to housing authorities and making slight changes to how it determines housing authorities’ funding. Unfortunately, this "fix," while badly needed, provided less than half of the funding needed to solve this crisis.

"I pray every night that things will be ok,cause I have a six year old, my neighbor has a seven year old, my cousin has a 15 year old and we are all working , and since we got this notice three weeks ago we are essentially living here homeless," Martina Knox , a young soft spoken woman spoke quietly about her impossible situation, "I have wrote Alphonso Jackson and Barbara Boxer so many letters and they have done nothing.."

To hear Ms. Knox explain the situation of all of these working poor mothers who are left with nowhere to go, I reflected on my own impending homelessness as a section 8 recipient in San Francisco . Was the Bush administration trying to incite class war - where will we all go? Maybe the White House has some extra room. And how is this legally possible?.I was told at my Sec 8 orientation meeting that as long as I followed the "rules" of section 8, that I had just received a life-time rental assistance voucher ". Isn't that illegal termination of a contract?

As many as half of the nation’s housing authorities are facing these imminent cuts, primarily in communities where rents or incomes have changed significantly since August of 2003. All communities are affected, though, to the extent that the cuts increase the number of people who can’t afford housing, generally undermine the voucher program, and set the stage for future cuts.

And of course these drastic cuts are really just the preview of the larger plan to cause wide-spread homelessness by the Bush Administration. They already have a budget plan to cut funding for 250,000 existing vouchers in Fiscal Year 2005. And I wonder did HUD have mass homelessness in mind when they demolished most Housing Projects in the 90's and gave people a useless section 8 voucher in exchange

"I don't know what I am going to do," The sorrow -filled words of Charlie Jammer , a blind African-American man who transferred from another county so he could move to a safer location in Alameda has been told that because he only recently transferred to Alameda Section 8 he is losing his section 8 because he doesn't have "section8 seniority" which of course is just more lies as he has been on section 8 since 1995 in other counties.

" This is the richest country in the history of the world and people who are poor should not be discriminated against and deserve housing " As the horror of this situation was beginning to terrify me beyond belief , I was awakened by the determined voice of Rob Rook, who along with other tenant activists from the Campaign for Renters Rights were preparing for an action they were going to have later that day, " We are planning to take 30 to 40 tenants up to the city council and the mayor and let them know that we are not leaving, and if they proceed with these evictions, we will be setting up a tent city at City Hall."

"People need to be aware that they have rights , that they shouldn't be intimidated by landlords and their attorneys and that they have the right to stay in their apartments and pay their portion of the rent " Fierce and dedicated tenant organizer Lynda Carson was explaining the legal recourse of tenants , who were given these illegal notices, " you see as section 8 recipients, we have a three way contract between the tenant, the landlord and the Housing Authority, the contractual requirements of the tenants is to pay their portion ." she went on to explain that tenants should in fact stay in their units and force the landlords to take up legal action for the missing rent from the people not paying ; The Housing Authority.

PoorNewsNetwork /PNNis calling for a civil rights attorneys to contact us if you are interested in launching a Class action suit against the Housing Authority for illegally breaking the Section 8 contract with tenants . As well it is VERY URGENT that Congress hears the people. PLEASE Call Congress at 1-888-818-6641 and urge Members to protect housing vouchers. For more information on this situation go to www.nlihc.org or www. rollbacktherents.org. For more journalism on issues of poverty and racism or to get a copy of Houzin Project go to www.poormagazine.org or call (415) 863-6306