Hunger Riot?

After about 2,500 people rioted when hearing a false rumor that the government was handing out food stamps, this is what Alderman Hines had to say.

“The food crisis in Milwaukee - and throughout the United States - is worse than many of us have realized,” Hines said in a statement. “We expect long lines for free food in Third World countries; we don’t expect a line of 2,500 people waiting for food vouchers at the Marcia P. Coggs Center.”

Bull.  Let’s look at the evidence, shall we?  This is a picture from the MJS story. 

Tell me what you see.  Here’s a bit of what I see:

1) Woman talking on cell phone. 
2) Man with designer jeans.
3) Fat people.
4) Stylish pink-streaked hair.

Yes, there are hungry people out there, but that does not explain what happened today.  Most of the people in this picture are clearly well fed and have discretionary income to spend on their wants. 

1. Most of the people in this picture are clearly well fed

   Those are probably the ones who got their “misinformation” at the local food pantries.  Or the ones who will not be eligible for this special assistance (for households that incurred flood damage) because they already receive food stamps.

   there are hungry people out there

   I’m sure that they were the ones in line that got “mowed” down by the crowd.  That’s what aggrevates me about these programs - to take care of the neediest, you have to take care of everyone else too.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1241 hrs




2. Give me a break. Hines is just another cog in the entitlement chain. We can now see who gets this stuff - people who know how to play the system - and obviously don’t work - since they have time during the day to sit in a line for 2-3 hours. (now there may be a few who work 3rd shift, but you think they’d be sleeping now)

   Next time you hear that we aren’t doing enough for the poor - show them this picture!!

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1243 hrs




3. I’m sure Owen’s astute observations will not be noted in the Urinal-Sentinel…why that would be racist!

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1244 hrs




4. I need to be a little careful with my comments - I like to be more “fact-based”, and it appears that the MJS is constantly updating this story as the day progresses, but get this (the bold is mine):

   The thousands of people applying for emergency food stamps under a state disaster aid program announced last week are not required to submit any proof that they suffered damage from heavy rains earlier this month, the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services said.

   Applicants, including as many as 3,000 who flocked to a Milwaukee application site today, must prove only that they lived in Milwaukee County - or one of the other affected counties - at the time they were declared disaster areas, said agency director Corey Hoze.

   Hoze said the memo, provided by the state last week, does not require applicants to provide proof from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that flooding occurred.
   Applicants are eligible for emergency food aid, based on self-reported damage and household income. The average for a family of three would be about $400, according to Hoze, but amounts could be higher.

   Applicants are expected to have their benefits in five to seven days, he said.

   So let’s have the fat people with cell phones & designer jeans & fancy “do"s leave the table for a moment.  I don’t think I am the only one who wonders how illogical all of this is:  certain areas suffer flood damage, the government responds with special assistance to mitigate that suffering from flood damage (OK with me so far), and then basically someone who is income qualified and did not suffer flood damage gets the assistance by virtue of living in the same county as someone who actually suffered this damage.  What the Hell!?

   Note to self - buy stock in Victoria’s Secret - just like after Hurricane Katrina, I imagine they will get a bounce in revenue off of this.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1316 hrs




5. Agreed.  That’s nuts.  There are really three stories here then.

   1) The fact that a bunch of folks rioted over allegedly free food stamps.

   2) Ald. Hines’ ridiculous assertion that the riot was caused by starving people.

   3) The ridiculous nature of the program that was actually being implemented.

   Posted by Owen on June 23, 2008 at 1331 hrs




6. What’s sickening is that the MJS chooses to print the Hines tripe yet totally ignores all three of the issues in #5. MJS knows who their audience is. Don’t look to hear it on the local electronic media either accept for Belling & Sykes.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1353 hrs




7. Wow.  Great post.  This really bugs me.

   Posted by jesusisjustalrightwithme on June 23, 2008 at 1402 hrs




8. I hope the people in line aren’t the ones who would be “disenfranchised” if we implemented voter photo ID requirements.  You know, the whole argument that poor people would not have the means to go and obtain the necessary documentations to vote.

   On a different topic (the post about Governor Doyle playing golf while there was an emergency going on), what was he doing this morning?  He should have been on location helping with crowd control and assuring these people that the government would help them in this time of need.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1405 hrs




9. Yet another example of what happens when people believe ‘government’ is the solution to their problems.

   And then when they learn that is not the case, they riot, and another arm of government (cops) is called in to solve that problem. 

   *sigh*

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1407 hrs




10. “Entitlements-R-Us”

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1431 hrs




11. Well with all those ‘hungry’ people out there who “got kids to feed” I’m sure the line outside of the Milwaukee Job Fair coming up in a few weeks will be just as large and enthusiastic

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1434 hrs




12. But it’s for the children!!

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1455 hrs




13. Just wait until health care is “free”.  Imagine the lines outside of emergency rooms of demanding people for non-emergency symptoms.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1506 hrs




14. Just wait until health care is “free”.  Imagine the lines outside of emergency rooms of demanding people for non-emergency symptoms.

    Talk to anyone who works in an ER NOW!

    Waiting room is full of people on title 19 who are there with a sore throat and cough. 

    There’s no discretion of where to go or for what when you don’t have to pay for it.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1511 hrs




15. Now I know why he became Governor, he refused to go ahead with “Plan Alpha”.  Way to go Arnie!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-cL5FEdDfo

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 1523 hrs




16. The “social justice” minded bloggers in the “size-acceptance” movement will tell you that poor people are fat because “evil corporations” and “the government” make starchy, sugary, non-perishable foods affordable, not to mention the evil corporations have been brainwashing children to prefer sugar and french fries to fresh vegetables.  I agree farm subsidies are wrong, although not necessarily for the reasons they posit, and I’m willing to look at nutrition research, but I’m not sure I understand why “affordable food” is worse for low-income families than “unaffordable food.” (Or how you make people want to buy vegetables when they won’t even take free ones.)

    Posted by HeatherRadish on June 23, 2008 at 1944 hrs




17. Dear Owen, et al,

    I think it’s important to note that Pres. Hines did NOT advocate for a public sector (i.e., entitlement) solution. He is urging citizens to donate any extra food that they might have to Second Harvest. (Where his dad used to work.)

    As to whether or not overweight people can actually be considered worthy candidates for foodstamps or vouchers, I’ll leave that alone for now. I will say, however, that it is very expensive to purchase/eat healthy food. This is nothing new. The cheapest food is always the fattiest and worst for your body.

    Regardless of ideologies, there is no disputing that Second Harvest donations are down by 1 million pounds, compared to last year. Pres. Hines saw the negative “riot” of this morning as a possible catalyst for good. (Increased donations.)

    If anyone has any questions, I’m sure we’d be happy to try to answer them. Thanks for the opportunity to “discuss” an important issue.

    Best,
    Alex Runner
    Staff Asst. to Common Council Pres. Hines
    414.286.3771

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 2003 hrs




18. Alex,

    I appreciate the comment, but you’re missing the point.  Hines is advocating a “solution” for a problem that does not exist.  The riot did not happen because people are starving and can’t afford food.  Thus, donating to Second Harvest, while a good thing in general, has nothing to do with the events of today.

    Posted by Owen on June 23, 2008 at 2009 hrs




19. Dear Mr. Runner:

    Kudos to you engaging the issue. Was Pres. Hines referring to the Coggs Center incident or hunger in Milwaukee County in general?

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 2112 hrs




20. I will say, however, that it is very expensive to purchase/eat healthy food. This is nothing new. The cheapest food is always the fattiest and worst for your body.

    Really?

    -tap water is cheaper than any liquid you buy in the store and its exceptionally healthy

    -when you buy healthy food you get adequate nutrition while eating a lot smaller volume of food. 

    -you can get 6 pounds of fully trimmed chicken boneless chicken breast at sams club for $12 compared to being able to buy 2 tombstone pizzas for $12.  Which goes further?  2 pizzas or 6 POUNDS of chicken?  Which is healthier?

    -you can buy whole wheat pasta for around $1.50 a box while a can of chef boyardee canned mac and cheese yields 1/4 the amount at the same price

    -you can buy a 5 POUND pack of potates for $6 but yet an 11 ounce bag of potato chips would run you about $3.50

    Where are you shopping?  And what in the world do you consider “healthy”???????

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2008 at 2222 hrs




21. My mom works in the very building where this happened this morning (she’s retiring at the end of the year, and I can’t be happier about that), and she did NOT have a good day at work.  Don’t be surprised if this ends up costing the county in mandatory overtime for workers to clear the backlog that this will create.

    And, all they have to do is prove they lived in the county at the time it was declared a disaster area, and show some ID.  They have to show ID to get food stamps, but not to vote.  Huh.

    Posted by Coop on June 23, 2008 at 2247 hrs




22. I had a wet brick in my basement after the deluge.  Can’t wait to get free food. 

    Oh yeah, I’m not STUPID enough to get in line at 0400 like these morons did.  OTOH, none of them had to call in sick, either.

    Posted by The Asian Badger on June 24, 2008 at 0125 hrs




23. xxpilot,

    I completely agree.  I think it’s very disingenuous, if not an outright lie to say that “healthy” food is more expensive than “fatty” or “bad for your body” foods.  The problem is that it takes a lot more time and effort to cook 6 lbs of chicken breast and potatoes than it does to cook a couple frozen pizzas and a bag of potato chips.  And that problem isn’t something that the government should be trying to fix.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 0910 hrs




24. It’s sad that you assume that everyone that is fat is just lazy and eating too much.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 0935 hrs




25. The problem is that it takes a lot more time and effort to cook 6 lbs of chicken breast and potatoes than it does to cook a couple frozen pizzas and a bag of potato chips.  And that problem isn’t something that the government should be trying to fix.

    I agree… And I’m waiting for someone to tell me that all the people on welfare, unemployment, and who have time to stand in line ALL day for a freebie don’t have time to cook.

    It’s sad that you assume that everyone that is fat is just lazy and eating too much.

    Noone is assuming that Peg.

    It would be equally sad if you tried to claim that noone is fat because they are lazy and eating too much.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 1017 hrs




26. So Owen, should we be deciding what poor people can and can’t wear?  Do you know that the one pair of “designer” jeans in the picture was not gotten at a second hand store or aren’t a $10 pair of jeans?  You use that pair of jeans (which if I’m looking at the same one’s as you seem like Hilfiggers from the 1990’s) as one of four points to argue that the people in line don’t need help.  How would you know?  Because you see one pair of allegedly designer jeans, some pink hair and a cell phone amongst more than two dozen people?  I’m also hoping that actual starvation is not a prerequisite for receiving assistance in our country. 

    My guess is the majority of people standing in a large line for assistance purchasing food, actually probably could use the assistance they are waiting in line for.  Some of them probably have made poor life choices along the way (I know I have), some of them maybe haven’t. 

    The most egregious part of this post to me is that you don’t need to have had flood damage to get federal relief for flood damage.  If that’s accurate, THAT’S INSANE.  But that decision wasn’t made by anybody in that line. 

    I think you’d be hard pressed to say that its the fault of those who seek assistance that the government addresses poverty the way it does.  Yes, some people game the federal gov’t, some game the IRS (anybody ever watched a realtor do their taxes!!!), some game Wall St. and we all lose when this happens.  But the reaction on this post sure shows a lot of animosity toward people standing in that line….

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 1030 hrs




27. My guess is the majority of people standing in a large line for assistance purchasing food, actually probably could use the assistance they are waiting in line for.  Some of them probably have made poor life choices along the way (I know I have), some of them maybe haven’t. 

    So we’ll take your “guess” into consideration…

    I’ll tell you what I see.  I drive thru the ghetto on my short cuts home from downtown and I see dish network on every corner and EVERYONE has a “celly”

    We are not talking about “poverty” here Luke.  I believe thats the point.  Alderman Hines is trying to draw an equivalence between people in 3rd world countries standing in line for food and these people standing in line for food because milwaukee has a “food crisis”

    Thats insane.  I’ve seen people in 3rd world countries standing in line for food.  They didn’t live in the comfortable (comparatively speaking) houses that the people standing in those lines do.  They don’t have cell phones. (you know as well as I do 90% of the people in that line have a cell phone) they don’t have nice clothes (no matter where they got them from)

    So lets just put “poor” in pespective here.  Our country has very very very few “poor” people.  Our poor live in luxury compared to other countries.  To me, thats what is rediculous about Alderman Hines statement.

    People create this mythical concept of “poor” here in this country and its bunk. 

    Yes, some people game the federal gov’t, some game the IRS (anybody ever watched a realtor do their taxes!!!), some game Wall St. and we all lose when this happens.  But the reaction on this post sure shows a lot of animosity toward people standing in that line….

    Its very interesting to see into the mentality of how you justify sucking off the governement trough.  Its equally sad to know that the mentality in the inner city embraces this.  Its ok to do what you got to do cause everyone else is ‘gettin theirs’

    How about getting a job.  How about choosing to support yourself instead of choosing to let the government support you.  Able bodied people sucking off of the fruits of labor of those who would get up in the morning and go to work and support themselves is whats disgusting here.

    And I’ll restate my early remark.  The line outside a job fair here in Milwaukee would not resemble anything close to this one.  There is an entitlement mentality in the inner city that someone must provide for you.  There is a prevalent culture of working the system.  I know it, you know it.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 1122 hrs




28. I honestly love that 2500 people started getting in line an 4am to get free food.

    None of them look ‘starving’ so Is it too much to think that they’ll get in line at 4am for a job? or is that just wishful thinking?

    Posted by Justin Phillips on June 24, 2008 at 1327 hrs




29. I think the problem isn’t with the amount of money, food, or other assistance the so called poor receive, but the knowledge in how to use the resources available to them.  Many are just poorly informed on how to live within their means or are just plain lazy and stupid. 

    My favorite quote from someone who knows what real poverty is: “This is America, if you do not have the basic necessities, it is your fault”

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 1652 hrs




30. For you skeptics out there regarding the cost of healthy vs. unhealthy food, here’s an article that may be of interest:

    http://www.sharp.com/news/newsArticle.cfm?articleID=4572

    Additionally, a few excerpts from this article: http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/02/22/philpott/

    Why do low-income people tend to exhibit more diet-related health problems? Adam Drewnowski, professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington, posits a simple answer: people are gaining weight and getting sick because unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food—thanks in large part to federal policies.

    and

    From a short-term economic viewpoint, the Ding Dongs present a better deal: 360 calories per dollar, and no need for the time or skill to cook. “If you’re on a limited income trying to feed a family, in a sense you’re behaving rationally by choosing heavily sweetened and fat-laden foods,” Drewnowski says.

    and

    “Energy-dense foods ... are the cheapest option for the consumer,” Drewnowski says. “As long as the healthier lean meats, fish, and fresh produce are more expensive, obesity will continue to be a problem for the working poor.”

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 1705 hrs




31. mkegirl, I think if you and I went to stand at the end of the checkout line we’d see that this isn’t about families buying the cheap foods.  They are buying the packaged foods like chips and boxed cereal and candy and snacks which are VERY expensive compared to the nutitional value.

    Once again, the line of people ready to make excuses for their situation grows and grows.

    “Its ok america… nothing is your fault. If you’ve fat its cause you can’t afford to eat healthy.  If you don’t have a job, its not your fault.  Whatever addiction you have, its not your fault.  When kids drop out of school its not their fault.”

    Zero accountability.

    We had a garden in the backyard growing up.  We so much f’n zuchini and tomatoes we couldn’t GIVE enough of them away.

    Where there is a will there is a way.  Where there is an excuse there will be failure.

    Where there are those enablers ready to make excuses there will be more failure to try.

    Well done.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 2047 hrs




32. Damn racist storm!  Appears it only affected black people!!

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 24, 2008 at 2255 hrs




33. C’mon guys.  It’s racist to think that these people should have to cook instead of buying prepackaged junk food.  They are using their ovens for heat all winter so they can get the electric bill subsidy. </snark>

    Oh, and no one in the world can tell an Italian that healthy food is more expensive than prepackaged junk.  I can feed a family of 4 on less than $10 a meal, including flavored chicken or turkey sausage, pasta, sauce, vegetable sides, and milk.  Anyone with the will to do a little work instead of just holding their hand out can be shown (by yours truly) how to make homemade jerk chicken and sides for less than a family meal from Popeye’s.

    Posted by Mike Gallo on June 24, 2008 at 2345 hrs




34. From a short-term economic viewpoint, the Ding Dongs present a better deal: 360 calories per dollar, and no need for the time or skill to cook. “If you’re on a limited income trying to feed a family, in a sense you’re behaving rationally by choosing heavily sweetened and fat-laden foods,” Drewnowski says.

    This is absolute crap.

    We know that weight gain is a result of excess calories.

    It may be true that you can buy more calories per dollar by purchasing a ding dong or a ho ho than a chicken breast.  But knowing that weight gain is a result of eating too many calories, that STILL doesn’t justify people being overweight.

    If people buy high calorie food to save money, and then OBVIOUSLY eat WAY too many calories because they clearly are overweight, then clearly they are spending more money than they need to (purchasing more calories than the need)

    So the fact remains that they could be eating healthier on the food budget they have, but they choose not to.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 25, 2008 at 0940 hrs




35. How embarassing for the black race!  We look like idiots and leeches.  Supposed to be for flood victims?  These people should be ashamed!!  But they are not, this is their culture.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 25, 2008 at 0950 hrs




36. We were alwyas taught if you do not want to be stereotyped - do not act stereotypical.  The pictures do not lie.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 25, 2008 at 1403 hrs




37. wow, I am amazed by the ability people have for judging a persons life and what it means to be them based on one picture. Calling them fat, lazy, stupid, etc… must make you feel superior to them or something. I have no idea what thier life situation is but I do not envy it. Some of you have driven through their nieghborhoods so that obviously makes you privy to thier situation and everything that brought them to where they are. Maybe talking to people in these neighborhoods might give you some perspective or you can just continue making narrow minded value judgments based on a picture and preconcieved notions about who “they” are.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 25, 2008 at 1654 hrs