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Homeless challenger gets his day in court
Message Board > Controversy and Quarantine > Homeless challenger gets his day in court
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Hang the DJ
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Read the Times Colonist today?

DAJ is on the front page.

I just want to say, that even though I only partially agree with your views on homelessness.. David, you've got guts, and I hope you do well. I appreciate your spirit and how much you stick to your beliefs.

Last time I saw you, you opened up a random shoe box on Douglas street. I should've said hi.

GOOD LUCK - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 3:09pm
DOOMHAMMER
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http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=b4cb23c3-b3e1-46da-bccf-eccd87147813&k=8415 - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 3:49pm
Mr. Hell
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"Johnston says he would sleep on someone's front garden if necessary."

Fuck, I'd pay to see that one.
"Shitkicking on homeless leech by irate tax-paying home owner."
That'll be the beautiful headline. - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 4:25pm Edited: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 4:27pm
Mutilashawn
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I respect what he's doing. - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 4:27pm
BBJones
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There is only one positive thing going on here which is keeping the homeless issue in the public eye.

Nothing, abosolutely nothing that DAJ is doing himself should be supported or respected.

He is not fighting to help solve the homeless issue, he is only fighting for his personal way of life at the expense of everyone else around him.

The only precedant I see him setting here is allowing any nutcase to make up their own lifestyle and forcing the city to accomodate them.

Here's something for you DAJ fanbois to ponder...
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DAJ wants the right to set up a home in the middle of downtown or Oak Bay and have the city (you) pay for it.

Guess what, I want to live downtown as well. But I don't have $500,000 for a condo. If I whine enough can I get the city (you) to buy one for me?

Would DAJ go live in Mill Bay if the government sets up a camp there with water and sewage?

Would you care if I had a vision and decided it should be my right to take over your front yard and shit on your flower bed?
-----------------

I see one very easy way to solve this issue, and since I'm helping to pay for it all I thought I'd share.

Sell all public land within city limits. Sell it to a private owner that will serve public interest. That way, its private land, not public, and DAJ can't do a damn thing when he gets billy club'd off the greenery. - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 5:24pm Edited: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 5:26pm
Mutilashawn
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the thing that I find most interesting is that he is shaping his environment to suit his desires ... obviously at the behest of "tax payers". however, no matter how much bitching and moaning goes on he still seems to be going full steam ahead with his plans as his weekly/bi-weekly updates seem to reveal. I have absolutely no political agenda, I just appreciate anyone who can succeed in stirring up the status quo a little bit.

homeless folks sleeping in the park will not affect me in any intrinsic way. life will go on. so the money I have to give the government anyway goes a different avenue ... not something I'm going to cry about.

the way I see it he is finding a way to successfully beat the system, despite it being on the backs of the tax paying public. I say go right ahead. - Mon, 10 Sep 2007 8:25pm
Nicholas Antoni Marek Gibas
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So Shawn, you're the new Iskra singer? - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 1:43am Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 1:43am
Mutilashawn
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NO.

I just don't care if other people use the masses to get ahead. In fact, this will come off wrong I just know it, I'm looking at it from a more spiritual/chaos/satanic view point where one constructs the universe in accordance with their will. If I could find a way to effectively live a freer life that made me happy and it also happened to step on the feet of the faceless "others" I would ... I guess I just wish I thought of it first. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 1:56am Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 1:57am
Bryn
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"Homeless challenger gets his day in court"

more like "Disgusting hippy wastes your hard-earned tax money" but best of luck to you DAJ...

I personally found it amusing that the snide-ass news story about your personal struggle was right above an article about volunteers that actually contribute to the community. Sorry dude but your right to sleep starts and stops at the door of jail or the homeless shelter. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 2:16am
BBJones
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That's coming off perfectly clear, Shawn. All it means is you're still young.

DAJ however, his brain isn't functioning correctly. That is quite a different situation.

DAJ would like everyone to have a nervous breakdown so they can ahieve an epiphany. From what I can see, DAJ would be happy with total anarchy.

I'm not sure if he gets it that if he had his way, he would be dead within 15 minutes. Take away the lovely "crown" and all you get is "the strong prevail and the weak die".

As for my comment about your youthful perspective... its not that I'm old and have finally given in and accepted what surrounds me, it is that I have seen enough of life to realize when I see a good thing.

If you don't have a mental illness yourself, you will likely end up realizing the same thing. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:31am
J. Peatman
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"If I could find a way to effectively live a freer life that made me happy and it also happened to step on the feet of the faceless "others" I would ... I guess I just wish I thought of it first"

If your chao-satanic spiritual quest leads you onto a life filled with malnourishment, disease, exposure to the elements, and dependence on other people's waste (kind of goes against those "I WILL IT" principles), then all the power to ya Shawn! - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:33am
Sati
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Yeah, just to reiterate, I'm certain BB didn't mean to be insulting by saying "you're still young". Perspectives change the more you see & experience is all. Idealism is a good thing, but hanging onto it to the point of dismissing reality is the definition of nuts.
That said, I myself prefer to teeter - its what makes life worth living! That I think is probably what you're all admiring in DAJ. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:53am
trevor corey
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You guys are trying to talk sense to
the Sodomite Necromancer, waste of time. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:55am
Sati
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^Are you being serious?

Anyway, I liked the pastor's quote at the end of that article:
Johnston might "gain by affirming others as he wants to be affirmed."

That one seems to be really elusive to a lot of people who're clearly struggling. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:01am Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:06am
trevor corey
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I meant trying to talk sense to Shawn, not Daj.
I don't really give a care about Daj anymore. I've moved on. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:21am Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:23am
BBJones
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I did find the article made a lot of sense and exposes the truth behind "what is a DAJ".

Broken family resulting in a mental breakdown resulting in an escape from the pressures of reality to never return.

Some people take the easy way out. Kinda like finding God when you're down on your luck.

Simply nothing there to admire whatsoever, only pity. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:23am
DAJ
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'Homeless By Choice': response to Times Colonist article about me

-

hello all. This is a response to an article that was in the Times Colonist on Monday, Sept. 10th (see- http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=cea70601-adbd-40b7-a56a-ce2d19d90439&k=17914 ).

RE: Homeless challenger gets his day in court

Good day. I am the person whom this article was about and I feel a need to clarify a few things written about me and this campaign to determine the 'right to sleep'.

It is often said, by those who think they have much to lose, that I am homeless by choice. I have to pause for a moment and consider what that means. There was a point where I believed it was a choice, to love truth with the apparent intensity that I do, until the truth that I loved so much made it plain that there was no choice involved. I has been my love of truth that led me to no longer use money. It was my love of truth that ostracized me from normalcy (in its revealing of why pride is sin). It was my love of truth that showed me there is no evil. It was my love of truth that made it impossible to hate all the instigational police, security guards and parks workers, even though they work so hard to raise ire... and my love of truth led me to the one truth that most everyone thinks is insane, the truth of all motion being ruled by fate. So, on one level, no, I am not homeless by choice. On another, I 'chose' to have integrity and was exposed to the reasons for, and unsustainable nature of, capitalism. Or, mayhaps, I am completely mad- would that be good reason to put fertilizer where I sleep, or to hire a security guard to stand above my head, literally, for 8 hours a night for 20 nights with the express purpose of not letting me sleep, or to drive me out of city limits 6 times, or to steal 4 years of my life in the hopes that I will just go away before everyone sees how much the city and the 'crown' have no clue how to presume innocence? As far as being discredited, I invite my detractors to do their worst.

The article mentions how I am going to take this fight to other municipalities "such as Oak Bay and Saanich". Successful completion of this challenge means every municipality in Canada, that has any 'like' bylaw, will be open to be challenged without obstruction. If I survive this challenge I will be too busy to be any more personally involved in any of the other tent-cities that pop up. As far as sleeping on anyone's front lawn, if you are a delusional monster responsible for genocide and promotion of eternal slavery, ya, I will totally be in your face.

There was no need to mention my father- we don't talk much because we don't have news to share or news gets delivered other ways.

And lastly, as far as being 'God's people', God's people know better than to support anything that believes in lies, especially the lie of pride, and if it means the fall of capitalism and subsequent 'tribulation' of a world that has over-populated itself a hundredfold, then may we keep our courage and patience even after everything has turned itself to the whirlwind.

Sincerely,

David Arthur Johnston

Victoria, BC, Canada

[email protected]

Home page- http://www.angelfire.com/apes/hatrackman

Journal of the Occupation of St. Ann's Academy (Victoria, BC, Canada)- http://www.angelfire.com/apes/hatrackman/welcome.htm

Crimes of Necessity- http://www.loveandfearlessness.com - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:23am
BBJones
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"I has been my love of truth that led me to no longer use money"

Hypocrite.

"Or, mayhaps, I am completely mad..."

Now you're finally onto the real truth. Don't stray from that one. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:28am Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:29am
Mr. Hell
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Really though, Dave. If you want to be such a public figure, you have to expect people will want to snoop around in your personal life and dig up any info or dirt that pertains to reinforcing your stance or discrediting you. Or at least explain why you are doing what you're doing.
Now we all know why you are doing what you're doing. Thank you Times Colonist. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:41am
Mutilashawn
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nothing like a bit of 2am overtired posting to stir the pot a bit.

yeah this is all youthful idealism sure, but I'm young so why not? I'm not saying that I follow those ideologies, Jasper, I just find it interesting when someone seems to employ them effectively. DAJ seems to be constructing an environment that makes him happy ... happiness being relative here of course (I don't aspire to live in squalor) ... so be it. I don't particularly care what DAJ is doing politically or what he seems to think he's accomplishing (maybe "respect" was a little off I'll admit - knee jerk reaction, fine) I just find it all interesting.

It's all pretty fucking absurd if you think about it and he's still on his way to success - I guess it's the same kind of wonder and "respect" for a guy who successfully makes it legal to dress in a chicken suit at all times.

Most people who know me will look at this and wonder why I'm spewing out mostly gibberish.

And TC "sodomite necromancer" is taken from Marlow's "Dr. Faustus" ... I'm an English major with a weird sense of humour ... give me a break. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:58am
Sati
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I knew you meant Shawn. I know he's a BM kinda guy, but from what I've seen on here he never struck me having no sense.

And sure its nothing to admire, but when you're bogged down with muzzles & responsibilities, sometimes you look at the raving lunatic and pine for their freedom to.. crap themselves. haha. only kidding, but you know what I'm getting at. Its why accountants hate artists. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:59am
Sati
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Ooops, posted at the same time. I think we said somewhere along the same thing though. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:01pm
Meantime Mike
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DAJ you really should go fight for your right to live in a park.. but why bother with Saanich, thats too easy with allt he forested areas.. be a real homeless man and go live in a park in Calgary. In January. Cemetery Hill perhaps.. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:26pm
speedymarie
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DAJ, if i find you asleep in my yard, shed, driveway, garden, i will poop on your head! - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:42pm
DAJ
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Peace Hangy. I appreciate your good will. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 1:01pm
trevor corey
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......oooohhh.....I just hate it when you do that.......HANGY!?!?!?!?.......aaargh.......oh and Shawn, congratulations on learning how to read English, want a granola bar? - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 2:24pm
Jeremy Baker
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Shawn, I was happy to read you expalin why you supported DAJ because at first I was like... WTF? but now... I can get what your saying. Don't agree, but see where fundamentally you are coming from.

Personally, I put DAJ in the same boat as Paris Hilton and I am upset at this lawsuit.

I thought this segment of the article was pretty telling:

"But for Johnston, whose previous court battles over this issue were the genesis of the whole lawsuit, the case is about more than homelessness and the poor. It's about him and civil authority.

"The homelessness and poverty stuff is just a coincidence. This is a personal thing between the Crown and me," he said.

Johnston, for whom "Crown" stands in for the powers that be, said the case is about his right to perform a necessary bodily function -- sleep -- wherever he deems necessary. It's all tied up with his personal philosophy, a mishmash of anti-capitalism, spirituality and New Age enlightenment."

---

This right here to me says that DAJ is more interested in fighting the "man" than he is with any noble cause... and we all hate the man... but in this case, his persoanl "the rules don't apply to me" campaigne costs each of us money by way of taxes.

any of us can lay down our blanket and take a nap in a park... I personally wouldn't for fear of a homeless man stealing my stuff while I wasn't looking.

BUT you *could* sleep in a park if you wanted to. the by-laws as they stand were created because *we* as a society need them to keep the parks enjoyable for all.

what this case may decide is that the city must provide services in parks akin to a camp ground... costing the city money. where does that money come from?

--do we take it from the non-profits in the city that currently enjoy a break on taxes?

--what little money is given to homeless shelters forcing them to stretch their budgets even further?

--maybe we need to pay a fee to use a park, so others may live there for free?

just because DAJ doesn't believe in money doesn't mean *we* have the same luxury

as someone said above... we'd all love to live downtown, but we don't have $500,000. Living downtown is a priviledge, not a right. if you can't afford to live somewhere... move to where you can. a lesson I am learning as I start looking to move from renting to owning. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 6:09pm
DOOMHAMMER
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I should probably avoid even responding but here is my unasked for opinion.

I pay taxes even though I am fundamentally against how they are used. You want a parade on canada day, a politician having a 20 thousand dollar dinner with other foreign politicians, or anything else? I sure dont give a fuck.

Hell im paying for the fucking pigs to harass me, pretty sweet deal there.

Ive spent many a night sleeping outside and hanging out with the down and out, and they arent all that bad. Ive seen way too many homeless punks and non punks die because they give up on life and how they have no where to go so they just drink themselves to death, or shoot up, or any of that shit.

I dont have a kid, therefore I shouldnt pay for schools. I am not sick, therefore I shouldnt pay for the sick. Im not homeless, therefore I shouldnt pay for the homeless. While stupid, atleast people have the choice to have kids, not all people have the choice to get sick or have mental issues.

Theres a lot worse shit that my money could go to. I support what he is doing, maybe not for the reasons that I hold, but im glad someone is. Good to see that not all of us have bought in/sold out/never cared.

Letting the homeless live visably in the parks and being an eyesore is one of the biggest steps I can think of to make people pissed off enough to make the government actually set up things to help them.

He's doing a lot more than me working, paying bills and still being broke and miserable, thats for sure, so all the power to him. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 6:47pm
Mr. Hell
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"Dubbed "Camp Campbell," it was originally set up as a student protest against rising tuition. But it took on a life of its own. And Johnston loved it."

I vividly remember Camp Campbell. Wow.
It started out as the student protest. Then the homeless moved in and cheapened it by creating a huge health risk with the feces spread all around the area, old moldy food rotten on the lawn and soiled blankets and clothing piled up every two or three feet.
I was working for the company that maintains the grounds at the time. They had been charged with carting away the camp in dump trucks. I had become angered by the blatant disrespect shown to an area that public money goes to maintain and was even more pissed because I worked hard to get that place looking good every week.
Fuck yeah, I volunteered to go in there at 4 am with a police escort and sledgehammer down the make shift kitchen and toss the unclaimed chattel into the dump trucks. They buggered up that place really good. Nothing was achieved in the cause, but Dave found his way.
Three weeks of freeloading and vandalism did not raise awareness, but it did turn a whole lot of people off of the homeless. Most everyone distrusts the government already, so there was nothing gained.
The most memorable moment for me was when one of the saps asked where they could pick up their stuff and I was happy to inform him that the Active Face of Hartland would be where he could claim his goods.
That was one of the most satisfying things I did with that company. Good times. - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:07pm Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:09pm
Nicholas Antoni Marek Gibas
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THIS THREADDDDDD!! - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:52pm
Bounce
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ok, here is something I really want to respond to, the whole homeless by choice thing? cool thats your right, but there are designated campsites all over the island that you could live in for quite cheap, you could work and pay rent at campsites which in turn keeps the campsites running in the off seasons etc....or maybe just go build a cabin up in Errington,,,live off the land? thats the point right.....I live downtown and i'll be damned if I catch some dude sleeping in my yard... I work for all I have, I don't care too much about the taxes I pay, I don't mind paying into social services now, because of the new welfare laws, where people can't sit on welfare for years at a time now..it's limited to six months and there for people who really need it... I have in the past.. but no one will be setting up a tent in my yard without paying rent....I understand how easy it can be to become homeless, drug addictions , mental health issues, pure shitty luck ect...those exceptions aside......but to the fucking kids who panhandle during the day and then go home to mommy and daddy at night, fuck you, you will never get my money.......it's an employees market right now.....everyones hiring.....panhandle for clothes to get a job with....not saying all homeless people are lazy, I wish I could live rent/mortgage free without bills etc, ..(yes this was my opinion too bad if you don't like it)..... - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 9:52pm Edited: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:05pm
trevor corey
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.......Queue Chopper..... - Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:45pm
Kyle
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It's good that at least people are talking about it. Everyone's responsible for his/her own shit in the end, and I find it off-putting when people act "entitled", but I don't mind throwing in some of my tax dollars to make sure people aren't dying on the street. Better that than the fucking 2010 Olympic Games. - Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:08am
Jl
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"but I don't mind throwing in some of my tax dollars to make sure people aren't dying on the street. Better that than the fucking 2010 Olympic Games."

dont know bout u but Id rather "throw" my tax dollars to something that'll bring money to the province. Sure theres alot of other things our money can be spent on; but you honestly think the Olympics are not going to generate revenue? if not for the province; then for the small business owners revelling in the fact that theres going/is such an influx of people coming and going from the province willing to spend the money for what they want/need/use etc.... Its all about money; its not about health care(like doom said, im not sick so why should i have to pay for the sick people?). Think of the olympics like a long term investment. And in long term, you dont get profits the next day... patience.

as for DaJ... I dont think I have anymore words for such idiocy. Grow up, and think about what your parents taught you. Obveously you dont seem to care what EVERYONE else around you thinks; so at least pay some respect to the people that brought you into this world and stop making our lives and parks living hell holes. Yeah I pay into the gov't and I dont particularly like it, BUT that's life... enjoy what you have whether its a loaf of bread or a big screen tv. Life is too short to bitch, complain, and waste everyone elses time. If you follow your way of life to its fullest; you'll find you dont have time for the city. So why do you wanna live here so badly? Proving a point is one thing, ruining things people pay for and maintain is just plain CHEEKY. And once again, i'll do what your parents probly neglected you, if you sleep on my lawn, and that's disipline your sorry ass off this island.

and 1 last note on the olympics, coming from an amateur competitive athelete, we need sports funding and more focus in that area. We have so many fantastic atheletes that should be competing in higher level sporting but they cant either due to the inability to train/lack of funding to their given facility or just plain old cant afford it. Thats where sports funding can help people less privilaged get a kick ass education for competing at somthing they love doing. - Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:43pm
Mutilashawn
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uh oh ... look out Kyle. - Wed, 12 Sep 2007 1:05pm
trevor corey
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yeah, I've often thought, how this this fly in Calgary? - Wed, 12 Sep 2007 4:08pm
Mofo
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DAJ...a MUCH wiser man than you said this of truth...

"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. "

You're not even close to this guys stature DAJ, not even close...nice try at emulating it though and I mean that, applaudable but somehow lacking the salt and woven cloth. - Wed, 12 Sep 2007 6:17pm Edited: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 6:18pm
speedymarie
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as much as our fair climate would potentially allow for loinclothes....please DAJ, no!
i seriously do hope that the city wins this case so that we don't end up with piles of garbage and poop all over our parks...a huge percentage of people on the street would not be there if they helped themselves....this would open resources to help the mentally ill, addicted, and just plain down-on-their-luck to get a leg up and move on in life...if you wanna have your street culture camps do it in a place where you don't take from the society you reject and cause distress to public space sharers!
when i go camping in a remote, and yes at times, illegal camp spot, to enjoy the pristine nature...and yes DAJ, perhaps some epiphany-like soul freeing(you haven't cornered the market buddy)...i make sure to bring every scrap out with me, except where i have had to er...do my business, which i do in a the most unaffecting way possible...your 'supporters' have no respect for property and are filthy! i am generalizing somewhat...the few sparkly-eyed idealists you are going to attract will be outnumbered by the stinky slobs....this is not accepatble...please go back to alberta and start your movement! see how you fare there...oh wait, did you try that already?
if our small city becomes the shitting ground for you people, we will loose a huge portion of tourism income(we already have due to our west-side like downtown) and other industries will follow, tempers will get shorter and there will be less abundance for you to take from, jerky - Thu, 13 Sep 2007 7:27am
trevor corey
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Don't worry Marie, people in this city with allot more at stake than you and me will not allow this. By chance some purple wearing acid dropping judge does, well then, Mr Hell's earlier idea of after bar extreme sport stinker beating will become a reality. As much as this is a flakey "accepting" comunity, there are still many a "redneck" . - Thu, 13 Sep 2007 2:41pm
trevor corey
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......I can just see it now.....afterbar tent jumping.......maybe some version of murderball.... - Thu, 13 Sep 2007 2:43pm
J
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Daj, did u ever consider the people in this city that dont want people like you changing our way of life? Just because WE have public parks doesn't give you and your followers EVERY right to de-face our public spaces with filth and what you call "your way of life". Why be a messiah when your not wanted? why try to change people that ARE happy(despite what you think), even if its fake happiness... id rather die thinking i had millions at my disposal(being a lie) than die wallowing away wondering why nobody supported me. Think about US for a second and maybe you'll find yourself at odds end. WE dont want you to sleep in OUR parks, WE dont want YOU here... get the hint, im tired of these "loose threats" and all this "the man hating". Grow up and stop thinking of yourself for once you leech bastard. I am happy, no matter what your opinion is... and unfortunately I dont think you'll get to enjoy life as much as if you would just move somewhere where your way of living is ACCEPTED. Why be in the city when it has nothing you want or it can offer you? Why waste your life trying to change people that are happily living their lives? Do you feel justified in trying to fuck our parks up? is there some underlying benefit that your getting for all this debacle? WHAT IS THE REAL EXCUSE FOR THIS MADNESS????? (if you answer with all that fairy spiritual shit... I'LL BITCH SLAP YA!) - Thu, 13 Sep 2007 5:03pm
speedymarie
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don't hold your breath...DAJ is not interested in responding to people who are right about him, or ask how he aquires hot cups of cafe coffee, or tailor-made cigarettes...doesn't fit in with reality he manufactures - Thu, 13 Sep 2007 5:47pm
Mofo
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not sure if this point has been made before, probably however, I'll make it again.
So let's get this straight DAJ...us the evil taxpayers pay for these parks, as such they are public ground in which ANY citizen may enjoy.
You wish to set up a tent city there, thus destroying MY and other citizens rights in the process. If you are sucessfull in your vain attempts, tent cities would pop up like mad and if Mrs.Citizen wants to take her kids to the park to play...guess what? She can't because there are a bunch of over-zealous hippies living there!
WHY should your right to sleep superceed the citizens rights to enjoy a public park in which THEY paid for it?

The purpose of a PARK is recreation, leisure and enjoyment, not for housing the homeless. As noble a cause as you are leading it seems sadly misguided.
You WILL lose in court, the Charter of Rights and freedoms does state that citizens have the freedom to assmble, but it does have its limitations. This is not assembly, this is blatant disregard for the citizens right to enjoyment themselves.

I agree with you 100% that the city, and perhaps province should be doing more to assist the homeless, and either way in doing so it will come out of the taxpayers pocket. Fine and dandy, but if that means also costing the taxpayer the additional tax of not being afforded the RIGHT to enjoy a park where is OUR RIGHTS?
Maybe the city would be better served in selling the land to an organisation who would be open minded to this notion.
I do think you have a solid premise, and yes it WOULD work and COULD work however, if you persist on doing it on public land...it will go to show that your own selfish intrests are more at work here than the legitimate ones you proclaim to be striving for. - Fri, 14 Sep 2007 9:26am
Kyle
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The ironic thing about all this is that, even if DAJ is successful, he still won't get what he wants (which is the right to build and live in a tent city).
DAJ is quoted as saying that "the homelessness and poverty stuff is just a coincidence. This is between the Crown and me", but the fact that his case has such a high profile is due to the "homelessness and poverty stuff" already being a significant issue… DAJ just makes a salable figurehead.
Assuming a “win” for DAJ, “the Crown” would respond in a manner that addresses the issue of homelessness, likely by making a commitment to provide shelter alternatives to public grounds. The presence of adequate shelter would then negate the “there’s nowhere to go so we have to sleep in the park” argument, and campers would be forced off of public land.
I think that the vast majority of the public holds one of two views: 1) These people deserve better, or 2) I want these people out of my sight. Either way, there will be no legally sanctioned tent cities, because the public doesn’t want it, and no level of government is going to legislate in favour of it. - Fri, 14 Sep 2007 2:40pm
Sati
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Hey DAJ, I know you're busy these days, but is there any chance you'll have time to respond to at least some of this stuff anytime soon?

People here are taking an interest in what you're doing and posting a lot of really well thought out arguments in these various threads. I just think its kind of a shame if all that effort is falling on deaf ears. I'd also be interested to hear your counter-arguments to some of those more direct accusations. Not all of it was simply meant to be insulting. - Fri, 14 Sep 2007 9:32pm Edited: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 9:34pm
David Arthur Johnston
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at this point, if people want a tent-city they can assert it themselves- I'm going to be happy just with the right to sleep under a tree in the park. - Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:04am
speedymarie
User Info...
AND
-the right to drink hot coffees people buy for you
-the right to eat at soup kitchens that are funded by financial donations and government subsidies
-the right to sit under a tree at pandora and vancouver and smoke dope and lay around with other vagrants
-the right to get on a plane to alberta when your mommy buys you a ticket
-the right to smoke weed that somebody paid money for
-the right to loaf at people's houses(where the PAY rent and PAY utilities)
-the right to stick your dick into someone and make a baby that other people will cover the cost of
-to be continued


yep, we live in a pretty great country! - Mon, 17 Sep 2007 4:05pm Edited: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 4:05pm
dumpstermesh
User Info...
Sati!! Why do you bother the man with such things. PEACE! PATEINCE! These are the only answers.

At least he thinks they qualify as answers. - Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:30pm
J. Peatman
User Info...
Nah, that's only to make it look like he's fine with waiting all his life for nothing to really ever happen. - Wed, 19 Sep 2007 2:33am
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