Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills • Hacker News Board

Re: Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills

#61

Post by Schiendelman » Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 11:34 PM UTC

SilverElfin wrote: post #40

Schiendelman wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do be careful. Everyone claims that, but it's almost always something like 80% local in every place that measures.

The measurements are always wrong. Volunteers tell people to lie on the point in time surveys so programs supporting them (or claiming to support them) keep getting funding. In the west coast cities the majority are from elsewhere and it’s easy to confirm if you actually talk to some of them and learn more about the backgrounds of people at the camp. They are there because not only are they tolerated and can break th…

Thinking you can confirm something statistical by talking to random people on the street is a lot of the problem with politics. Show me evidence of your claims.

Re: Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills

#62

Post by Schiendelman » Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 11:35 PM UTC

soraminazuki wrote: post #31

Schiendelman wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people experiencing homelessness are approached repeatedly by workers hoping to get them into programs that will provide them work, housing, mental healthcare. There's a lot of complexity, like people who appear homeless but do have a place to sleep, but appear mentally ill. For the most part, people in these situations are not looking for work or housing.

So what, if you lose your job, you can just sleep on the street and employers will line up to hire you? That sounds ridiculous.

Do you really want to talk about this? Using phrasing like you are makes it incredibly difficult to have real conversations.

Re: Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills

#63

Post by soraminazuki » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:24 AM UTC

Schiendelman wrote: post #62

soraminazuki wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So what, if you lose your job, you can just sleep on the street and employers will line up to hire you? That sounds ridiculous.

Do you really want to talk about this? Using phrasing like you are makes it incredibly difficult to have real conversations.

If it's another talking point taken straight off from Fox blaming it on the poor, save it. If you had something better to say, you would've instead of responding with pure rhetorical tricks like that.

Re: Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills

#64

Post by insane_dreamer » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:42 AM UTC

> The bill requires homeless defendants to pay “all or part of the cost of the treatment program to which he is assigned,” ... the average cost for residential drug and alcohol rehab treatment in Louisiana is more than $4,400 per week

> According to the bill, those who cannot afford this steep cost would be required to perform unpaid labor for the state or a local community center in lieu of payment.

WTAF? So if you're homeless you are forced to a rehabilitation center (that part isn't so bad in itself) but for which you bear the cost of, and since you have no money (or you wouldn't be homeless), you have to become an indentured servant for a very long time.

Re: Louisiana Advances One of the Country's 'Cruelest' Anti-Homeless Bills

#65

Post by Schiendelman » Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 8:32 PM UTC

soraminazuki wrote: post #63

Schiendelman wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really want to talk about this? Using phrasing like you are makes it incredibly difficult to have real conversations.

If it's another talking point taken straight off from Fox blaming it on the poor, save it. If you had something better to say, you would've instead of responding with pure rhetorical tricks like that.

Whoa there. I do not subscribe to anything the right is selling, nor have I ever watched Fox (or Newsmax or whatever). I'm a PBS guy raised on Star Trek (TNG) and my values are likely identical to yours.

I'd love to have a real conversation with you.