It’s rare that homeless issues become a topic for public discussion beyond the narrow realm of maniacal left-wing websites, and of course, the Mercury, which is certainly way right of center, and proud of the fact. Or something. Thankfully the homeless protest outside City Hall has brought out at least one news truck: KGW sent a news team out to cover the protest and ran a surprisingly enlightened story on their website, asking their readers to “weigh in.” Interesting. Here are some of the comments:

May 1, 2008 05:15 p.m.
Yesterday it was the “need” of more money for the zoo (Yet another mismanaged public asset). Today it’s homeless shelter and truck driver “needs”. Tomorrow, how about you all start giving me some money of yours because I educated myself and worked hard and now I “want” your help because I “need” to pay my mortgage that I can’t afford because YOU all just keep giving handouts with MY money.
May 1, 2008 03:44 p.m.
Ummmm…. the city has let this go on for 6 days? I guess the lawn of city hall is now a campground. I’m always appalled by this city’s lack of response to the issue of homeless/ panhandlers who harass the working people of downtown. They are left to lay around like the detritus of society. Guess its more important to concentrate on projects like building a tram. /sigh
May 1, 2008 02:33 p.m.
Time for this city to arrest them. I am tired of seeing Portland as a garbage dump for the homeless.
May 1, 2008 01:44 p.m.
This is ridiculous. Recent college graduates who are working downtown cant even afford to work down town. Why should people with no jobs have special benefits.
May 1, 2008 12:32 a.m.

Rediculous indeed. But at least they’re TALKING ABOUT IT. Meanwhile Anna Griffin has blogged the story at the Oregonian [Why no story in the paper?]; I can’t see anything on the Willamette Week’s website, nor on the Tribune’s (although they did just go weekly and fire a bunch of people); nor on KATU, nor on KOIN. It’s odd, but where I come from, if 20+ homeless people decide to set up camp on the steps of city hall, and stay there a WEEK to protest the city’s policies on sweeping homeless from under the bridges, that’s NEWS. Why are none of our so-called news outlets covering the story? Because they support the policies? Because they value some people’s voices over others?

Go at it, people. Go at it with all your savagery and ill will. I’d rather see KATU run a fascist-baiting piece on the protest than simply pretend it’s not happening. Earn your paychecks! Or there’ll be cuts…and who knows, you might end up homeless, yourselves…