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Washington D.C. to Give Homeless Voice-Mail
azconservative ^ | 15 June 2006 | John Semmens

Posted on 06/22/2006 1:10:30 PM PDT by John Semmens

A new program called "Community Voice Mail" will make 350 voice-mail boxes available to the homeless. The idea is to help the homeless person find a job. Each person enrolled in the program will receive a private D.C. phone number connected to a voice-mail box. The number can be used only to check messages.

The city may not have an easy time convincing the desired clients to avail themselves of the service.

A homeless man who hangs out near the Smithsonian says he doesn't need the service. "I already have voice mail right here," said the man who calls himself "The Avenger," pointing to his head. "When I get the WORD I will put His plan into action."

A woman known on the streets as "Betty Poop," criticized the service as inadequate. "I want one of those phones that plays music," said Ms. Poop. "I also want an unlisted number. I don't want just anybody calling me. I need my privacy."

Members of congress expressed mixed feelings about the plan.

"Giving these people a phone number is a great idea," said Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "We can call them and remind them to vote. But I'm uncomfortable with the idea that these people may be pressured to find jobs. This is like saying their lifestyle is wrong. I think this may be going too far."

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) says he isn't sure what he thinks yet. "I'll need to confer with my good friend, Senator Kennedy (D-Mass), before I can be sure of what I think about this issue," said McCain. "Will undocumented immigrants be eligible? Will these phone lines be used for unauthorized political speech? There are a lot of uncertainties right now."

Thus far, almost all the requests for the service have come from drug dealers

(Excerpt) Read more at azconservative.org ...


TOPICS: Government; Humor; Society
KEYWORDS: dc; homeless; mccain; pelosi; satire; voicemail
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1 posted on 06/22/2006 1:10:38 PM PDT by John Semmens
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To: John Semmens
"I already have voice mail right here," said the man who calls himself "The Avenger," pointing to his head. "When I get the WORD I will put His plan into action."

Oh boy.
2 posted on 06/22/2006 1:15:47 PM PDT by cripplecreek (I'm trying to think but nothing happens)
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To: John Semmens

"But I'm uncomfortable with the idea that these people may be pressured to find jobs. This is like saying their lifestyle is wrong. I think this may be going too far."

What the heck?????? I know this is obvious, but is Ms. Pelosi the biggest idiot on the planet???

Has society really gotten to the point where people actually think homelessness is a "lifestyle" ???


3 posted on 06/22/2006 1:19:19 PM PDT by Awestruck (All the usual suspects)
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To: John Semmens

Senator John Kerry thought it was a good idea, perhaps, but would be willing to change his mind, depending on what Kennedy, McCain and the polls say.

(Note to JS): "Betty Poop", absolutely priceless, thanks.

.....Bob


4 posted on 06/22/2006 1:20:18 PM PDT by Lokibob (Spelling and typos are copyrighted. Please do not use.)
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To: John Semmens

Not too far off - this could happen!


5 posted on 06/22/2006 1:22:10 PM PDT by Principled
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To: Awestruck
Has society really gotten to the point where people actually think homelessness is a "lifestyle" ???

I heard a called to Michael Medved's show a while back explain that he was homeless because he wanted to be. I believe his exact words were "I don't wanna be tied down man."
6 posted on 06/22/2006 1:22:43 PM PDT by cripplecreek (I'm trying to think but nothing happens)
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To: John Semmens
"Giving these people a phone number is a great idea," said Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "We can call them and remind them to vote. But I'm uncomfortable with the idea that these people may be pressured to find jobs. This is like saying their lifestyle is wrong. I think this may be going too far."

Speechless.....

7 posted on 06/22/2006 1:27:10 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (Freerepublic - The website where "Freepers" is not in the spell checker dictionary...)
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To: John Semmens

I would appreciate it if you would clearly indicate when "news" is satirical. With the left, it is really difficult to tell the difference. I do not need any help in making myself look foolish.....


8 posted on 06/22/2006 1:30:38 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (Freerepublic - The website where "Freepers" is not in the spell checker dictionary...)
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To: Principled
Not too far off - this could happen!

The free voice mail part is true.

9 posted on 06/22/2006 1:31:38 PM PDT by TankerKC (¿José puede usted ver?)
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To: John Semmens
What does a homeless person need a voicemail box for? To call about where squeegee traffic is paying better?

There are homeless people for whom it is a lifestyle choice. Dumpster diving is an act of pride for some (there are books about it). Just another alternative lifestyle. No judgments.

Another question, how can a homeless person call voicemail to get his messages? There are no pay phones in this world anymore. Cellphones saw to that.

I saw plenty of homeless in SF that had cellphones, and have seen one or two in Houston who had one (possibly provided by a "sponsor" with a land address) but it isn't the trend.
10 posted on 06/22/2006 1:32:36 PM PDT by weegee
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To: John Semmens

Proof Nancy is just as far off her rocker as Betty Boop and The Avenger.


11 posted on 06/22/2006 1:32:47 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: Onelifetogive

You weren't, and won't be the only one to fall for it. :)


12 posted on 06/22/2006 1:34:09 PM PDT by digger48
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To: Awestruck

It always has been a lifestyle.

There were code markings they used to leave as they rode the rails.


13 posted on 06/22/2006 1:34:32 PM PDT by weegee
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To: digger48

It may be satire but the city of Houston tried to give everyone a "free email account". As if google and yahoo and hotmail and excite weren't doing that already.

The city also paid for millions of dollars in software to permit Houstonians to do word processing and other tasks.

It pays to have friends in gubmint.


14 posted on 06/22/2006 1:36:27 PM PDT by weegee
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To: TankerKC
The free voice mail part is true.

It took me a moment to even realize it was satire - no telling what's true- anything's possible with those characters.

How do you know the voice mail part is true? Any other parts true?

15 posted on 06/22/2006 1:36:30 PM PDT by Principled
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To: John Semmens
Took me a couple of minutes to figure out it was satire. I mean, sure the McCain and Pelosi quotes are correct, but, the voicemail thing tipped me off.

very tiny sarcasm tag

16 posted on 06/22/2006 1:44:55 PM PDT by dynachrome ("Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?")
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To: dynachrome; TankerKC

tankerKC told me the voicemail thing is true


17 posted on 06/22/2006 1:47:22 PM PDT by Principled
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To: Principled

It rings a bell. I think something similar was tried in Denver. Email? Voicemail? Free mailboxes?


18 posted on 06/22/2006 1:50:15 PM PDT by dynachrome ("Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?")
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To: weegee
What does a homeless person need a voicemail box for?

It's primarily for those homeless looking for jobs. A prospective employer isn't going to hire you if the number they call is the number at the local shelter.

It's also useful for family members to keep in touch in emergencies and as a number for social service & government agencies to call (such as the VA hospital, etc).

Another question, how can a homeless person call voicemail to get his messages?

At our (main) local shelter, there are three pay phones inside.

And, at least in my city, community voice mail isn't paid for by the Govt.

19 posted on 06/22/2006 1:52:21 PM PDT by gdani
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To: John Semmens
"Giving these people a phone number is a great idea," said Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "We can call them and remind them to vote. But I'm uncomfortable with the idea that these people may be pressured to find jobs. This is like saying their lifestyle is wrong. I think this may be going too far."

The sad thing is that I honestly can't tell if this is a joke or not.

20 posted on 06/22/2006 1:53:57 PM PDT by steve-b (Hoover Dam is every bit as "natural" as a beaver dam.)
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