Patrick Joesph Schnerch, click
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Blogs by Patrick Joesph Schnerch
Book Series Going Political 6/1/2009 8:00:03 PM
"The City of Gardens Collection" is not only a socialogical catagorization, but is also quite political. I went on a major e-mail campaign to many prominent people in government, institutions and governing bodies. To my delight, I have been receiving several responses. Some are positive, others are nevgative and there are those who are defensive. If you look at it at a publicity point of view, this was a successful campaign. If you look at it as a political observation and view, it may even seem a bit threatening.
If you read between the lines of the government's explanations, you can clearly see a sense of panic and concern. Even with laws and freedom of speach to abide and be protected, the big guns get a little nervous when you see their true colour.
You cannot go wrong if you keep a civil tongue and speak the truth. The wonderful thing about the truth is that the truth is in the eyes of the beholder. My truth may not be particularily your truth. We may fully believe in our views full heartedly, but it does not mean that it is an actual proven fact.
This margin of error is not only debatable, but can also be highly inaccurate depending on your personal beliefs. An accademic will rely on numbers, stats and figures while a homeless person will base their views from actual experience.
When facing the government in a showdown you must realize that you must abide within the rules and laws of the land and you will be granted the freedom of speach to express your views without prosecution.
You can jot memories about de-intutionalization, income assistance reform, and lack of affordable housing stock. This is always a nice ice-breaker. It proves that government officials are only human. There is no denying of these facts.
It paves the way to the present situation that this too can be a great error. My research is low budget, but highly accurate for I look the mentally ill, addicted and homeless in the eye and listen to them. I also provide a platform for which their words will reach a large audience and break the silence.
Most people don't really listen to reason until you kick them in the groin. My book series does just that. My loyality is for our most vulnerable. They can't write letters to the editor, go on a TV Morning News Show or be interviewed on a radio talk show due to stigma, discrimination and unwarranted fears of our most needy.
An average Joe with balls can do this. With the heart in the right place and a strong will, we can kick up some dust and ask questions. In my research, about 85% don't have the guts to respond. I admire those who do. Positive, negative or indifferent does not matter, they took the time and effort to respond. You have to respect them for that and I really do.
Mental illness, addiction and homelessness is not only a social concern, but also very political. Their decisions directly affect those living on our streets. Not one of these issues can be singled out with acknowledging the others. It is like a tight knit sweater. The colours may be different, but it is still a sweater.
My friends on the street are never given the opprotunity to speak out. They are not considered to be not worthy of opinion, a respected member of the community or even classified as a human being. My book series will prove that theory absolutely wrong.
The government does not like to be accused of being wrong even though the facts are straight in their face. The people wield much more power than they realize. If one person can stir the pot, what would happen if there were 40,000 more in the kitchen?
Promised open communication between five cities and their partners in the system is not a viable solution. Increased affordable housing stock, increased social assistance and tailor made supports in place is the onlty real solution.
Forget the numbers, figures and stats, they are not worth the paper they were written on. The truth is in the eyes. Clear, dilated or shadowed, the truth is definately in the eyes.
As a citizen of this country, we are responsible for the welfare of those who have fallen. A soldier will never leave a comrade behind to die, why are we so different? As a nation, we are responsible to protect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. We are the people for the people.
It is our duty to protect our friends, neighbours and community from disparity. Then tell me why hundreds upon hundreds of homeless people die on our streets every year? Don't you think this is worth a letter to your government?
Society has become accustomed to tragedy, pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters. We don't give it a second thought unless it happens to us personally, then we call foul. By that time, it is too late.
We must look outside the box and see the world for what it really is. It is cold, cruel and unrelentless. It is not rocket science why so many who are homeless will take to a crack pipe or a bottle. It is pure survival.
Government figures, numbers and stats don't factor in these issues in their reports and surveys. I do. I always hated mathematics and I still have no trust in numbers. My trust is in the heart and soul of those left for dead on our Canadian streets.
When I write a government official, I am not always tactful or polite , nor should I be. I have also earned my right to speak out in accordance to the freedom of speach. I intend to open eyes, raise blood pessure or even cause a heart attack or two if need be.
I will stop at nothing for my friends on the street to be finally heard. I am devoting seven years of my life for my brothers and siters on the streets. I don't see any problem why you can not devote ten minutes to write your premier.
It is us who have the real power. Every four years, you are requested to put an X in the box. Even then, more than half will neglect their duties. I just can't come up with any flattering remarks for this neglect of duty. There are several names I would like to use, but there is always a proper time and space to express these views and it is not on the web.
I have written these blogs for quite some time now. Not once has anyone made a comment or remark. I also have a few names for that too, but I will keep it under my hat. We are allowing a group of a few to control our lives with or without our consent.
At this point of time, the governments have never expected opposition. One stupid e-mail puts them into a tailspin. To get change, you have to want it. To get it, you have to fight for it. If no one has the courage to fight them, then take me on.
