3 ms·

What Republicans have to do with Austin? The city government is as Republican as San Francisco or Seattle. I've read the city is putting them into former hotels

What Republicans have to do with Austin? The city government is as Republican as San Francisco or Seattle. I've read the city is putting them into former hotels that it bought some time ago for that purpose but could not figure how to use them. Also they might have some areas outside downtown designated for encampments, last time I've read about it few were protested but there is plenty of land in Austin and the city owns thousands of acres.

hotpotamus 4y ago
Greg Abbott's house is there (I've been, but it was Rick Perry's house at the time.) along with some famous Republicans like Alex Jones, and most recently Elon Musk and maybe Joe Rogan. It seems like the hip place for famous conservatives these days. But yeah, I try to avoid downtown if I can, but I've seen the camps off I-35 for years, just haven't been by in a month or two myself.
- pandaman 4y ago
  Right, plenty of Republicans live there but the city and county governments are Democrat just like any other big city in the US. I take I-35 to/from downtown all the time and don't see any camps. There used to be a few tents on every exit and a giant camp under the elevated part of it, right across the APD HQ. Those are gone.
  - hotpotamus 4y ago
    Out of sight out of mind perhaps. It's possible that they got housed somewhere but that would be unusual in my experience. Like I said I'll go take a look for myself in a week or two - despite its problems, there's still some stuff I like to go do in Austin, and some occasional work too. Perhaps I'll remember this thread and reply back.
    - pandaman 4y ago
      Exactly. Most people's problem is not that somebody is "experiencing homelessness" as they say. Most people are bothered by people littering, blocking public right of way, consuming drugs and alcohol, exposing themselves in public, assaulting passersby, stealing and trespassing on the private property etc. We don't care if they have no place to live or are eccentric billionaires who actually have 10 houses each, we are bothered by the antisocial behavior. Prevent this behavior as the law tells you to do and you can keep your seat in the city council and legalize whatever crazy ideas you have. Protect trees, emancipate armadillo, dig a subway, etc - nobody really cares enough to vote you out.
mrguyorama 4y ago
The city will be constrained by the will of the state.

hotpotamus 4y ago

Greg Abbott's house is there (I've been, but it was Rick Perry's house at the time.) along with some famous Republicans like Alex Jones, and most recently Elon Musk and maybe Joe Rogan. It seems like the hip place for famous conservatives these days. But yeah, I try to avoid downtown if I can, but I've seen the camps off I-35 for years, just haven't been by in a month or two myself.

pandaman 4y ago
Right, plenty of Republicans live there but the city and county governments are Democrat just like any other big city in the US. I take I-35 to/from downtown all the time and don't see any camps. There used to be a few tents on every exit and a giant camp under the elevated part of it, right across the APD HQ. Those are gone.
- hotpotamus 4y ago
  Out of sight out of mind perhaps. It's possible that they got housed somewhere but that would be unusual in my experience. Like I said I'll go take a look for myself in a week or two - despite its problems, there's still some stuff I like to go do in Austin, and some occasional work too. Perhaps I'll remember this thread and reply back.
  - pandaman 4y ago
    Exactly. Most people's problem is not that somebody is "experiencing homelessness" as they say. Most people are bothered by people littering, blocking public right of way, consuming drugs and alcohol, exposing themselves in public, assaulting passersby, stealing and trespassing on the private property etc. We don't care if they have no place to live or are eccentric billionaires who actually have 10 houses each, we are bothered by the antisocial behavior. Prevent this behavior as the law tells you to do and you can keep your seat in the city council and legalize whatever crazy ideas you have. Protect trees, emancipate armadillo, dig a subway, etc - nobody really cares enough to vote you out.

mrguyorama 4y ago

The city will be constrained by the will of the state.