Art and the Homeless

“Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Lawsuit Concerning Treatment for Gender Dysphoria in Correctional Settings,” published Monday, January 8, 2024, validates my own conclusions regarding gender discrimination. The Statement is a legal opinion which, we may presume, is informed by expert medical opinion. Specific references are not cited. Highlighted are the words, “medically appropriate care for people with gender dysphoria," to that effect. Although specific medical opinions are not cited, we may, therefore, assume medical professionals consulted have offered these conclusions. Since I am not an expert on any aspect of the matter, it was my earnest desire to avoid expressing an offensive opinion on a matter of grave personal and public importance. I must, at least, thank you, Justice Department, for broaching the subject. Henceforth, I shall take Doe as analogous to an epidemic "patient zero," or, if you prefer, subject zero, as both concern concern the ...

My downstairs neighbor has a split personality. I can hear him arguing with himself through the floor. His outbursts occur at all hours of the day and night. His monologue can be heard AND be seen on the sidewalk outside his apartment. The fact it takes place outdoors is important because I was not, at first, certain if the heated arguments I heard indoors were, in fact, between two people -or just one. When the outbursts spilled-out onto the landing outside his door, and I discreetly looked through my window, I was able to verify that it was, in fact, only one person, not an argument between two different people. The rhetoric escalates to conflict levels, at times. At such times I have considered calling the police. I hesitate, because what would I say? That I fear he might harm himself? Eventually, one himself may kill the other, himself. I feel sorry for him but there's really nothing I can do. That, in itself, causes my conscience discomfort. It has got to the point where I hav...

San Francisco Measure C, subtitled “Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption and Office Space Allocation,” was passed by the voters in March, 2024. It passed because it is an appeal to The American Dream. Upon closer scrutiny, I think, this will prove unrealistic. I am a lifelong city person. I, too, dream the American dream but, when I dream it, it is not the city. It is anywhere but the city. It is a return to a more congenial environment, beyond the confines of the urban “environment.” Rooftop gardens are pitiful. I have spent a lot of time on rooftops, the only practical escape from the harsh, city environment. I have been an occupant of several “artist buildings,” more-or-less adapted for artist live/work use. I say an occupant, not tenant, resident, or any other such respectable title because I know I was tolerated—indulged—as a special needs tenant. All the buildings had outlived their use for industrial purposes, as are the buildings in San Francisco, now being marked for conversion ...

Nevada Senate Bill No. 155, sponsored by Nevada State Senator Ohrenschall, in February, 2023, does nothing to get homeless people off the streets. Its immediate effect is to reaffirm State authority over local government. Its secondary effect is to prevent abuse of homeless people. Although secondary, that is the effect of most importance. Well-meaning, but impetuous local interests seek to deal with the problem of homelessness by law enforcement. SB-155 moderates such enthusiasm. The immediate problem of homelessness is protecting the homeless. Without explicitly identifying threats to homeless people, they may be presumed to include well-meaning (but misguided), persons who desire to solve the problem of homelessness by any means possible. By any means possible refers, inevitably, to law enforcement. That, then, puts law enforcement on the spot. Law enforcement fights crime. Homelessness is not a crime. What is a policeman to do? Homelessness may ultimately become a Constitutional qu...

If Renaissance art in Italy had an early, a middle (or "High"), and a late phase, they all came to an abrupt end historically on May 6, 1527, the exact date of The Sack of Rome. There are many excellent histories of this important event. A synopsis of the avalanche of factors leading directly to the atrocity is presented here: “The mercenary leader Georg von Frundsberg, with a large band of German mercenaries, made for Milan to reinforce Duke Charles de Bourbon, who was engaged in the siege of Milan. In November of 1526, Frundsberg, and 12,000 men crossed the Alps. They joined Duke Charles at Piacenza on February 7, 1527 and there, with a total force of some 30,000 troops, they waited. Growing restless, the army revolted. Frundsberg confronted the leaders of the revolt, but he had the bad fortune to suffer a stroke at precisely that moment, eliminating him from the campaign. Constable de Bourbon assumed command of the army, but not control of it. The army lurched onward to Ro...