Comments on: Homeless people relocated out of Whister, Canada, ahead of Olympics http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682241 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682241 the lead of the story clearly says "As Olympic organizers in Whistler, B.C., gear up for the 2010 Winter Games in February, the area's homeless are being forced to relocate." so i don't know why people are saying the article says nothing about them being forced. the lead of the story clearly says “As Olympic organizers in Whistler, B.C., gear up for the 2010 Winter Games in February, the area’s homeless are being forced to relocate.”

so i don’t know why people are saying the article says nothing about them being forced.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682497 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682497 hmmmm - homeless people in Whistler? I think a more apt description would be "your refer smokin' lift operator / ski bum" hmmmm – homeless people in Whistler? I think a more apt description would be “your refer smokin’ lift operator / ski bum”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682510 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682510 Actually, I shouldn't assume that they smoke the green, but I do assume that many are earning minimum wage in the services industry and cannot afford housing in such an expensive place like Whistler. Whistler is far to remote (100 km from Vancouver up a snowy mountain) to be a place for the truly destitute. I do wonder how they will handle the problem in Vancouver's east side. That said, "relocated" homeless people are being put up in shelters and fed on the taxpayers dime - not so draconian as they headline makes it seem. Actually, I shouldn’t assume that they smoke the green, but I do assume that many are earning minimum wage in the services industry and cannot afford housing in such an expensive place like Whistler. Whistler is far to remote (100 km from Vancouver up a snowy mountain) to be a place for the truly destitute. I do wonder how they will handle the problem in Vancouver’s east side. That said, “relocated” homeless people are being put up in shelters and fed on the taxpayers dime – not so draconian as they headline makes it seem.

]]> By: nox http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682258 nox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682258 With all the draconian abuses occurring in Vancouver, including curbing of free speech and artistic expression, I appreciate BoingBoing taking advantage of it's massive readership to bring attention to, sorry, I mean utterly distract from and marginalize appropriate concerns. Thanks Xeni. With all the draconian abuses occurring in Vancouver, including curbing of free speech and artistic expression, I appreciate BoingBoing taking advantage of it’s massive readership to bring attention to, sorry, I mean utterly distract from and marginalize appropriate concerns.

Thanks Xeni.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682259 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682259 Vancouver has OBVIOUSLY missed an opportunity for a new taste treat: Just remember: Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!! Vancouver has OBVIOUSLY missed an opportunity for a new taste treat:

Just remember: Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!!

]]> By: metafactory http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682273 metafactory Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682273 The unfortunate thing about your sensationalist headline and 'blurb' is that it doesn't cover some of the very real problems with the Vancouver Olympics. Naysayers will look at this and just see some sloppy coverage and 'leftist' sensationalism. The real shit is all over the place: The prime minister delaying parliament till after the Olympics, on-going question of holding the olympics on land that was never ceded to Canada by local indigenous peoples, displacement of people reliant on low-cost housing, etc. etc. The unfortunate thing about your sensationalist headline and ‘blurb’ is that it doesn’t cover some of the very real problems with the Vancouver Olympics. Naysayers will look at this and just see some sloppy coverage and ‘leftist’ sensationalism. The real shit is all over the place: The prime minister delaying parliament till after the Olympics, on-going question of holding the olympics on land that was never ceded to Canada by local indigenous peoples, displacement of people reliant on low-cost housing, etc. etc.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682787 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682787 As someone mentioned above, this happened for the Atlanta Olympics as well. Here's a link with a related story, including the plans around 1996 for an alternative mascot named SpoilSport to protest the unfair treatment of the poor in Olympic cities. http://no2010.com/node/192 As someone mentioned above, this happened for the Atlanta Olympics as well. Here’s a link with a related story, including the plans around 1996 for an alternative mascot named SpoilSport to protest the unfair treatment of the poor in Olympic cities.

http://no2010.com/node/192

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-683302 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-683302 The same thing happened in Sydney (2000). What will happen in India with the Commonwealth Games later this year????? The same thing happened in Sydney (2000). What will happen in India with the Commonwealth Games later this year?????

]]> By: CANTFIGHTTHEDITE http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682806 CANTFIGHTTHEDITE Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682806 As an interesting side note, Victoria (BC) has started flying (usually homeless) people with provincial warrants for their arrest back to the provinces related to the warrants, as a large number of these types end up in Victoria because of the temperate weather. See <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/29/bc-con-air-victoria.html">here</a>. There are more details to the story, but I'll let y'all read about them in the linked article. As an interesting side note, Victoria (BC) has started flying (usually homeless) people with provincial warrants for their arrest back to the provinces related to the warrants, as a large number of these types end up in Victoria because of the temperate weather. See here.

There are more details to the story, but I’ll let y’all read about them in the linked article.

]]> By: Kaden http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682296 Kaden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682296 The forced relocation of the homeless isn't scheduled to begin for another couple of weeks. This is the work of a buncha damned keeners trying to win brownie points with the IOC. The forced relocation of the homeless isn’t scheduled to begin for another couple of weeks. This is the work of a buncha damned keeners trying to win brownie points with the IOC.

]]> By: ShadowDancer http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682302 ShadowDancer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682302 At the beginning of December I went to Victoria. I was taken aback by the number of homeless I was being approached by who were panhandling. I have been to downtown Vic a number of times. I can't remember seeing so many people who needed shelter. In talking with some of these people, yes, they were ushered out of Vancouver as being unwelcome. At the beginning of December I went to Victoria. I was taken aback by the number of homeless I was being approached by who were panhandling. I have been to downtown Vic a number of times. I can’t remember seeing so many people who needed shelter.

In talking with some of these people, yes, they were ushered out of Vancouver as being unwelcome.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682322 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682322 In what mad universe is delaying the opening of parliament more significant than vulnerable people being forced out of town into areas where they can't get shelter? Human beings are being herded and you don't think that's a serious problem? In what mad universe is delaying the opening of parliament more significant than vulnerable people being forced out of town into areas where they can’t get shelter? Human beings are being herded and you don’t think that’s a serious problem?

]]> By: xinit http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682324 xinit Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682324 I don't doubt for a minute that the homeless are being shooed out of garages and doorways, and even shuffled off out of Vancouver and Whistler. However, it would be nice if Xeni would actually link to an appropriate article that supports the allegations made in the intro. I don’t doubt for a minute that the homeless are being shooed out of garages and doorways, and even shuffled off out of Vancouver and Whistler.

However, it would be nice if Xeni would actually link to an appropriate article that supports the allegations made in the intro.

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682589 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682589 Here's some charming doublespeak from the head of Olympic security http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/03/27/bc-no-olympic-homeless-crackdown-police.html Here’s some charming doublespeak from the head of Olympic security

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/03/27/bc-no-olympic-homeless-crackdown-police.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682590 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682590 Sorry, here's the links I meant to post previously. Nothing conclusive, but my gut tells me that homeless people don't just get on a bus to move to a town 100kms away just for the fun of it. http://www2.canada.com/chilliwacktimes/news/story.html?id=4047c8c9-2395-437a-9bc9-48fb48378380 http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Vancouver+help+house+homeless+during+cold+snap/2330863/story.html Sorry, here’s the links I meant to post previously. Nothing conclusive, but my gut tells me that homeless people don’t just get on a bus to move to a town 100kms away just for the fun of it.
http://www2.canada.com/chilliwacktimes/news/story.html?id=4047c8c9-2395-437a-9bc9-48fb48378380
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Vancouver+help+house+homeless+during+cold+snap/2330863/story.html

]]> By: xinit http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682591 xinit Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682591 That's weird... I'm pretty sure I left two comments here, and both were approved... must be VANOC. That’s weird… I’m pretty sure I left two comments here, and both were approved… must be VANOC.

]]> By: joeposts http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682339 joeposts Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682339 because if the olympic-loving mainstream media doesn't report on it, it didn't happen! because if the olympic-loving mainstream media doesn’t report on it, it didn’t happen!

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682599 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682599 Someday all cities will do this, and there will be wars between cities as they try to foist their homeless onto each other. Consider it: is it cheaper to house and feed the homeless all year, or offer them $100 and a bus ride to another city (the key would be to have the city control of the buses so the homeless couldn't get off at the first pit stop or local stop and hitchhike back.) Of course in many cities it is private non-profits that run homeless shelters, but I bet the cities would still opt to ship them out at high-profile times like conventions and Olympics. Someday all cities will do this, and there will be wars between cities as they try to foist their homeless onto each other. Consider it: is it cheaper to house and feed the homeless all year, or offer them $100 and a bus ride to another city (the key would be to have the city control of the buses so the homeless couldn’t get off at the first pit stop or local stop and hitchhike back.)

Of course in many cities it is private non-profits that run homeless shelters, but I bet the cities would still opt to ship them out at high-profile times like conventions and Olympics.

]]> By: Kaden http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682345 Kaden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682345 Vancouver has longstanding issues with poor folks, abusing them in a mindboggling variety of ways. To a large extent, the Olympics are being viewed the same way as Katrina was viewed in New Orleans: A convenient spur to the on-going goal of gentrifying prime real estate. It's a humanitarian tragedy, but it's one we're familiar with, sadly. Parliamentary shenanigans on the scale Mr. Harper is becoming accustomed to are a fresh flavour of hell with a novelty factor that draws more attention. Health care is still damned good though. Vancouver has longstanding issues with poor folks, abusing them in a mindboggling variety of ways. To a large extent, the Olympics are being viewed the same way as Katrina was viewed in New Orleans: A convenient spur to the on-going goal of gentrifying prime real estate. It’s a humanitarian tragedy, but it’s one we’re familiar with, sadly.

Parliamentary shenanigans on the scale Mr. Harper is becoming accustomed to are a fresh flavour of hell with a novelty factor that draws more attention.

Health care is still damned good though.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-683383 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-683383 This already happens pretty regularly as a matter of course. In the town where I grew up it was a pretty regular thing to see the busses coming in from the bigger cities to drop off the homeless, or busses from the mental institutions in other cities dropping off a batch of released patients when they were overcrowded. Those people of course were mostly soon-to-be homeless. Disgraceful that anyone would treat people that way. Here's my proposal: figure out the schedule of these busses, dress a little shabby and score a free ride when you need to go to another town. That'd make the 'dumping' more expensive for its effect and discourage it. This already happens pretty regularly as a matter of course. In the town where I grew up it was a pretty regular thing to see the busses coming in from the bigger cities to drop off the homeless, or busses from the mental institutions in other cities dropping off a batch of released patients when they were overcrowded. Those people of course were mostly soon-to-be homeless.

Disgraceful that anyone would treat people that way.

Here’s my proposal: figure out the schedule of these busses, dress a little shabby and score a free ride when you need to go to another town. That’d make the ‘dumping’ more expensive for its effect and discourage it.

]]> By: lego7 http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682391 lego7 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682391 HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE TAKING ALL OUR BUS SEATS, PEOPLE!! HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE TAKING ALL OUR BUS SEATS, PEOPLE!!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682402 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682402 It would be amusing to see a large group of people in Vancouver who find such practices disgusting to organise a car-shuttle to help bring these people back immediately :) It would be amusing to see a large group of people in Vancouver who find such practices disgusting to organise a car-shuttle to help bring these people back immediately :)

]]> By: Ted8305 http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682664 Ted8305 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682664 I don't know if there's any evidence of this happening in BC, but it has happened elsewhere. I was in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1994 when they had the Goodwill Games. The police there really did round up bums and truck them to the 101st kilometer. I don’t know if there’s any evidence of this happening in BC, but it has happened elsewhere. I was in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1994 when they had the Goodwill Games. The police there really did round up bums and truck them to the 101st kilometer.

]]> By: mweisman http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682409 mweisman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682409 I live in Gastown on the edge of Vancouver's infamous Downtown Eastside. Since January 1 there has been a constant police presence on our street (both Water street at our front door and blood alley behind our building). The number of homeless people in the alley has plummeted. I haven't seen anyone get taken away, but the police are always stopping to talk to the homeless people in a very intimidating way. Even if they aren't dragged out, the police are certainly making them very uncomfortable. I live in Gastown on the edge of Vancouver’s infamous Downtown Eastside.

Since January 1 there has been a constant police presence on our street (both Water street at our front door and blood alley behind our building). The number of homeless people in the alley has plummeted. I haven’t seen anyone get taken away, but the police are always stopping to talk to the homeless people in a very intimidating way. Even if they aren’t dragged out, the police are certainly making them very uncomfortable.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682412 mccrum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682412 This is pretty standard for Olympic cities, I worked Atlanta and saw homeless people asked relentlessly to get on buses about two weeks before the opening ceremonies. While the word "forced" is a little extreme, as I never saw physical force being used, I think it can be said that the homeless are hounded from their usual haunts and urged to just go somewhere else where they'll be bothered less. I mean, it's not like they could take some of the Olympic money and just start solving the problem in the first place, you know? Or maybe use the added housing afterward as a form of shelter? This is pretty standard for Olympic cities, I worked Atlanta and saw homeless people asked relentlessly to get on buses about two weeks before the opening ceremonies. While the word “forced” is a little extreme, as I never saw physical force being used, I think it can be said that the homeless are hounded from their usual haunts and urged to just go somewhere else where they’ll be bothered less.

I mean, it’s not like they could take some of the Olympic money and just start solving the problem in the first place, you know? Or maybe use the added housing afterward as a form of shelter?

]]> By: chenille http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682415 chenille Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682415 <i>The prime minister delaying parliament till after the Olympics...</i> I'd be surprised if this had much to do with the Olympics instead of, say, the inquiry about covering up handing prisoners to Afghan torturers. The prime minister delaying parliament till after the Olympics…
I’d be surprised if this had much to do with the Olympics instead of, say, the inquiry about covering up handing prisoners to Afghan torturers.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682416 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682416 I live in Denver, and there were a lot of stories of the same tactics being used here prior to the Democratic National Convention. Maybe someone not at work with more time could dig up an article. I live in Denver, and there were a lot of stories of the same tactics being used here prior to the Democratic National Convention. Maybe someone not at work with more time could dig up an article.

]]> By: Sotarr_The_Wizard http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-683193 Sotarr_The_Wizard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-683193 OH, but there IS a permanent solution. See Comment # 6. . . . (twisted grin) OH, but there IS a permanent solution.

See Comment # 6. . . .

(twisted grin)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682426 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682426 Here's a report on homeless from Vancouver claiming to have been given one way tickets to Chilliwack (a town about 100kms away from Vancouver). Here’s a report on homeless from Vancouver claiming to have been given one way tickets to Chilliwack (a town about 100kms away from Vancouver).

]]> By: PJDK http://boingboing.net/2010/01/08/homeless-people-relo.html#comment-682940 PJDK Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-682940 When I lived in Vancouver (about 2 years ago) there was a general theory that many of the homeless had been bussed there by other (colder) cities. Not that it makes this right of course. When I lived in Vancouver (about 2 years ago) there was a general theory that many of the homeless had been bussed there by other (colder) cities.

Not that it makes this right of course.

]]>