The Power of Innuendo

My town has a homeless problem...as do many. But, my town has become entangled in an untenable web of compassion and victimization.

And, the victim is not who you would think. The victim is the residents of the city. Our collective compassion has allowed the homeless condition to encroach on the Quality of Life for the masses. Case in point: City Hall has become the new "home" for the homeless, just one block from the Convention Center that attracts visitors that could be impressed enough with our city that they would consider investing here. 

But, just a block away, our City Hall looks like the city dump with scattered Hefty Bags of belongings piled high on the entryway. Those out for an early morning walk might see feces and other litter on this city's "front porch." City staff report that it takes hours to clean up the mess from the night before. It's not where I'd invest my money or personnel.

The Mayor has attempted to rid City Hall of this scourge. City Council has blocked him, asking where else can they go?" Yeah...we have miles and miles of compassion here in the Mad City.

Council went as far as declaring the homeless a "protected class." Which, of course, only emboldens them to shit in the street and have sex on the sidewalk in the wee hours. Can't touch me...I'm protected.

Interestingly, there is a committee that oversees the building that houses City Hall...because it also houses County Government. And, last week, that committee voted to outlaw sleeping on the stoop of the building. Which is their right. It is their building.

You could say the same about the front of your building, n'est–ce pas?

But, you could imagine the outrage expressed by the "residents" of the front porch and their advocates. 

And, as I cruised through the story in the Wisconsin State Journal, I saw the name of a familiar foe.

Ann Fleischli is a community activist that opposed the development of Madison's Frank Lloyd Wright designed Convention Center. A development that spurred a sensational level of downtown revitalization and has helped this city regain its mojo.

Undeterred (because her previous opposition was so clearly wrong), she testified at the hearing regarding the banishment of overnight homelessness on the steps of City Hall: "We, as citizens of Madison, will all be branded by (the Mayor's) Nazi-like behavior."

Wow...pretty powerful innuendo. But, it's only innuendo.

Some twenty years later, I Have the opportunity to respond, once again, to her hyperbole:

Hey Ann? Nobody out there is watching. Nobody out there cares. Nobody thinks the Mayor is a Nazi. And, those few that are paying attention from around the State and nation consistently ask me, "WTF is your City doing, calling the homeless a protected class? Are you all freakin' nuts?"

And then, I'm sure, they privately smile or giggle to themselves as they realize Madison's homeless condition makes their destination more attractive.

It's all good to talk trash in Council Chambers...but the residents of Madison want our Downtown back.

 

Comments

[Tim Morrissey]

Very well said, sir.

[Bill Geist]

Sadly.