Aren’t you glad summer’s finally here? The recent reemergence of the sun makes me crave days at the beach and nights spent camping. But the recession means that for many (hell, most of us) a vacation simply isn’t that feasible this year.

We should consider ourselves lucky if that’s the worst recession can do. It’s hit a lot of people a lot harder. Every year, the number of families who are homeless skyrocket at the beginning of summer. This year has been particularly bad. People from 10 000 families will become homeless in New York alone this summer, an increase of more than 28% from last year. At last count, that number had already hit 9420—9420 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children on the street in one city. That’s A LOT of people—so many, that if you wanted to meet them all, one a day, it would take you more than 27 years.

But numbers are just statistics. They don’t tell the whole story. People do. Like 11 year old Arielle Figueras, who completed fifth grade one day and was in a shelter with her family the next. Or the Dixon family, who were evicted in April, have been separated in various homes since then, and are now reunited on the streets. Families who had found short-term solutions—like staying with relatives or asking the landlord to temporarily take pity on them—are booted out now that the weather is warmer and the kids are out of school and underfoot. Read the full story

In the middle of downtown Miami, a tent city exists not far from the mansions and beaches that Miami is famous for. Yet despite their proximity, neither community ever mixes—it’s forbidden by law. Why? Because the tent city is “home” to approximately 70 sex offenders, who are forced to live there due to a local law that mandates sex offenders who abused children must remain at least 2500 feet away from locations where there are high concentrations of children.

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In the good ol’ vein of ‘what-the-hell-is-going on’, our friend Brentin Mock highlights an interesting development in his latest column in The American Prospect.

According to published reports: “a recent Treasury Department ruling has disqualified the Gulf Coast region from a significant portion of stimulus funding specifically set aside to help low-income housing developments languishing due to the recession”.

This ruling is HUGE. Why is New Orleans disqualified from these treasury funds?

Has it been too long?

Are people starting to forget what happened?

Check out Brentin’s piece over at The American Prospect!

Yesterday, President Obama gave a speech in Cairo that has been regarded as both balanced and fair-handed as well as “discursive and uninspired”. Ultimately, the reaction was mixed. However, there’s one part of the speech that just about everyone seems to be talking about:

Essentially, Obama attempted to extend an olive branch to the Muslim world during a key moment of his speech, calling for civil discourse and an end to threats of violence and terror.

The real question is: what is hindering the relations with the Islamic world and the US? The issues are liable to make one’s head spin. But have no fear! Here at 99Problems, we’re gonna go over a few factors, AFTER THE JUMP!

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In a sign that decency and honor might actually be on the rise in our fair country, Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont has proposed a bill that would allow legal immigrants in America to pursue residency for their same-sex partners if they are not yet citizens.

President Obama has immigration reform on his agenda, though the specifics of all the pending legislation is, of course, hotly contested.  Senator Leahy’s bill appears particularly ambitious with its union of immigration and gay rights, certainly two much talked about issues with massive energy on both sides.

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Dr. George Tiller was murdered while attending Church in Wichita, Kansas yesterday. As details develop, the picture is clear: Dr. Tiller was killed for offering abortion services to pregnant women.

No other issue transcends policy and government as completely as the abortion debate.  It stretches back to the moment of creation, for each one of us. 

What fundamental, undeniable control does a woman have over her own body? At what point does the life of a growing child enter our social compact? 

I am pro choice; it feels rights to me. But in debate after debate, I have come to realize the incredible diversity of feelings on the subject. It is certainly one of the most difficult issues facing our country and our government. We need action from our administration to create policies the people of America can follow.

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Violence is a sickness….

and it goes both ways.  No matter who ends up in the ground, it is a tragedy, and it is a social illness for which the only cure is unconditional love.  It is naive to believe that trust can exist without communication.

We have to open up, believe in each other’s humanity! Honor the memory of Dr. King, honor the memory of Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, and the policemen who lost their lives needlessly.