Comments on: Bums in San Francisco http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/ Politics, current events, culture - From Finland & United States Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:13:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: brie http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-351409 brie Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:25:07 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-351409 The large number of homeless in San Francisco can be traced back to the 1980s and Ronald Reagan, who first decreased funding for mental health services in California as Governor, and who then as President rescinded the Mental Health Systems Act put in place by Carter. With the decrease in funding and support (and the reasonable backlash to forced institutionalism that was also taking place) many state mental hospitals closed and public services for the mentally ill greatly diminished. Eventually in their place private institutions grew, but obviously that left a huge part of the mentally ill population underserved and they continue to be underserved. The large number of homeless in San Francisco can be traced back to the 1980s and Ronald Reagan, who first decreased funding for mental health services in California as Governor, and who then as President rescinded the Mental Health Systems Act put in place by Carter. With the decrease in funding and support (and the reasonable backlash to forced institutionalism that was also taking place) many state mental hospitals closed and public services for the mentally ill greatly diminished. Eventually in their place private institutions grew, but obviously that left a huge part of the mentally ill population underserved and they continue to be underserved.

]]> By: interglossa http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350907 interglossa Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:19:50 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350907 National Public Radio has been covering the homeless problem (or rather the new intolerance of the other residents) during the last couple of weeks. National Public Radio has been covering the homeless problem (or rather the new intolerance of the other residents) during the last couple of weeks.

]]> By: Heidi A. Sivonen http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350896 Heidi A. Sivonen Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:14:26 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350896 Remember a few years ago living next to SF in Marin County. When we hit the streets of Frisco and spoke with many bums, we found most were either quite mobile passing through, or they connected with other bums as sort of a "family" with nick names and the like. Remember a few years ago living next to SF in Marin County. When we hit the streets of Frisco and spoke with many bums, we found most were either quite mobile passing through, or they connected with other bums as sort of a “family” with nick names and the like.

]]> By: Kimmo W. http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350762 Kimmo W. Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:40:42 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350762 #8 When Ruben Stiller was young, he had hair. #8 When Ruben Stiller was young, he had hair.

]]> By: Punter http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350752 Punter Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:59:35 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350752 #26- Bjorn, have you noticed the recent situation in California with fires? Now perhaps maybe, just maybe, part of the reason for the police attitude towards your cigarette had something to do with that? I know if you did the same in Australia during fire season, especially with large fires burning elsewhere, you would be happy to take the fine given in The States. #26- Bjorn, have you noticed the recent situation in California with fires? Now perhaps maybe, just maybe, part of the reason for the police attitude towards your cigarette had something to do with that? I know if you did the same in Australia during fire season, especially with large fires burning elsewhere, you would be happy to take the fine given in The States.

]]> By: sam http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350742 sam Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:37:25 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350742 The funniest sign I saw in my old hometown, Boulder, CO, was one saying: "disabled porn star needs help". The funniest sign I saw in my old hometown, Boulder, CO, was one saying: “disabled porn star needs help”.

]]> By: Freeridin' Franklin http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350698 Freeridin' Franklin Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:35:40 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350698 Dave: "And on another note, did you hear about Finland’s policy on Hummer H2 vehicles. Apparently they qualify as trucks and the “auto tax” is not levied on them." In addition to that, they're VAT deductible for businesses. Priceless! Dave:
“And on another note, did you hear about Finland’s policy on Hummer H2 vehicles. Apparently they qualify as trucks and the “auto tax” is not levied on them.”

In addition to that, they’re VAT deductible for businesses. Priceless!

]]> By: Bjorn http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350695 Bjorn Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:25:44 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350695 Here in Northern Minnesota you get fined heavily for even flicking a cigarette out the window of a moving car. Last weekend I was driving to Duluth while being trailed by a highway cop. Being very absent minded, I flicked a cigarette out of my window. The little ball of fire that was the cigarette hit the highway cop's windshield and exploded, rather dramatically into a pretty impressive puff of sparks. He pulled me over, made be find and pick up the cigarette butt which took nearly half an hour, and then wrote me a ticket for $362.00. The cop got back into his car, drove past me and threw a subway pop cup out the window. Asshole. What does this have to do with bums in San Francisco? Nothing, really...I just needed to vent. Here in Northern Minnesota you get fined heavily for even flicking a cigarette out the window of a moving car. Last weekend I was driving to Duluth while being trailed by a highway cop. Being very absent minded, I flicked a cigarette out of my window. The little ball of fire that was the cigarette hit the highway cop’s windshield and exploded, rather dramatically into a pretty impressive puff of sparks. He pulled me over, made be find and pick up the cigarette butt which took nearly half an hour, and then wrote me a ticket for $362.00. The cop got back into his car, drove past me and threw a subway pop cup out the window. Asshole. What does this have to do with bums in San Francisco? Nothing, really…I just needed to vent.

]]> By: dhen http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350692 dhen Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:16:25 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350692 #7 Have you been on I-5? It runs through the Central Valley, which is redneck central. Hell, Rush Limbaugh's windbag ass got his start in Sacramento. #7 Have you been on I-5? It runs through the Central Valley, which is redneck central. Hell, Rush Limbaugh’s windbag ass got his start in Sacramento.

]]> By: Punter http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350684 Punter Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:24:12 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350684 #23. Better than the Finnish version of the same man in his 1984 Lada with his fur hat and Vanhanen stickers (Or Sasi stickers) #23. Better than the Finnish version of the same man in his 1984 Lada with his fur hat and Vanhanen stickers (Or Sasi stickers)

]]> By: Philip http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350680 Philip Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:49:54 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350680 Regarding the wealthy man littering, I'm not surprised. He's obviously very important, and if we knew who he was, we wouldn't question him (sarcasm). He probably drives a a massive SUV with a Bush\Cheney bumper sticker on it still. Regarding the wealthy man littering, I’m not surprised. He’s obviously very important, and if we knew who he was, we wouldn’t question him (sarcasm). He probably drives a a massive SUV with a Bush\Cheney bumper sticker on it still.

]]> By: horny http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350679 horny Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:47:52 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350679 phil i wanna fuck you phil i wanna fuck you

]]> By: Punter http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350669 Punter Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:43:29 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350669 #15 Dave, in Tim's Finland no doubt the homeless would be given a free house. Probably take one off the rich just to "redistribute" the wealth. As for Tim, all I can say is that with this bubble and imminent financial ruin The States are facing, thank God you pointed out the wonderful welfare that is available to the poor. All of those poor people facing ruin can get low pad jobs with WalMart AND collect benefits from the State so don't be too concerned. #15 Dave, in Tim’s Finland no doubt the homeless would be given a free house. Probably take one off the rich just to “redistribute” the wealth.

As for Tim, all I can say is that with this bubble and imminent financial ruin The States are facing, thank God you pointed out the wonderful welfare that is available to the poor. All of those poor people facing ruin can get low pad jobs with WalMart AND collect benefits from the State so don’t be too concerned.

]]> By: Antti rn http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350667 Antti rn Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:19:00 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350667 "The Toyota Prius hybrid gets fined a diesel tax while the Hummer gets a break." The civil servant behind this decision must be the stupidest person in the burocracy. Prius has a gasoline engine (right?). Now diesel tax is supposed to be a compensation for using a vehicle with low-tax fuel on public roads as maintenance of those roads is supposed to be paid by the fuel tax. Although Prius has batteries and electric motors, every joule of energy in that battery is produced by fully taxed fuel in the tank. This is probably just one court case away from being overturned. “The Toyota Prius hybrid gets fined a diesel tax while the Hummer gets a break.”

The civil servant behind this decision must be the stupidest person in the burocracy. Prius has a gasoline engine (right?). Now diesel tax is supposed to be a compensation for using a vehicle with low-tax fuel on public roads as maintenance of those roads is supposed to be paid by the fuel tax. Although Prius has batteries and electric motors, every joule of energy in that battery is produced by fully taxed fuel in the tank.

This is probably just one court case away from being overturned.

]]> By: unlce sam http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350652 unlce sam Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:04:49 +0000 http://www.finlandforthought.net/2007/10/28/bums-in-san-francisco/#comment-350652 "And on another note, did you hear about Finland’s policy on Hummer H2 vehicles. Apparently they qualify as trucks and the “auto tax” is not levied on them." You must be joking ? All this noise from Matti Vanhanen about reducing Finland green house footprint and now this ? “And on another note, did you hear about Finland’s policy on Hummer H2 vehicles. Apparently they qualify as trucks and the “auto tax” is not levied on them.”

You must be joking ?

All this noise from Matti Vanhanen about reducing Finland green house footprint and now this ?

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