Mayor Nutter, religious groups feeding poor, homeless, reach truce on outdoor meals

[rug]

Posted: Sat, Sep. 29, 2012, 3:01 AM
By Jennifer Lin
Inquirer Staff Writer

Mayor Nutter and religious groups that distribute free outdoor meals to the poor have reached a truce, agreeing to temporarily step away from litigation in order to address larger issues surrounding the problems of hunger and homelessness.

The interim agreement was signed Thursday by U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr.

It put on hold a federal complaint filed last June by faith-based groups arguing that the city's ban on serving outdoor meals in parks violated the exercise of their religious beliefs.

According to the settlement, the city will suspend the ban and drop an appeal of an injunction against the new rules.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20120929_Mayor_Nutter__religious_groups_feeding_poor__homeless__reach_truce_on_outdoor_meals.html

[cbayer]

1. Glad they have come to some resolution of this, even if it is temporary.

I went through Philly last summer and was stunned by the degree and depth of poverty. To make it difficult for anyone to help those in need just doesn't make any sense.

[rug]

2. My son went down there today on a school trip.

His AP U.S. Government class is going to the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall. I hope they get to see some of the city beyond the tourist areas. It is always good to compare theory to reality.

[cbayer]

3. I would be interested to hear what he sees.

We always put our GPS on "avoid freeways" when on a road trip and get to see things we (and virtually no one else) would normally see.

What we saw was mile after mile after mile of buildings falling down that appeared to be still occupied, trash strewn streets, people standing on the corners looking dazed, hundreds of homeless, children and stray dogs wandering aimlessly, graffiti, broken windows, etc. What we did not see was a significant law enforcement presence or anything even resembling social service agencies.

I have been in a lot of poor inter-city American cities, but Philly right now is the worst I have ever seen.

Now that's a field trip your son's class ought to take.

[Starboard Tack]

4. It was so bad I thought we were still in Baltimore.

[rug]

5. I haven't been there in a while but it sounds like it's been disparatly impacted by the economy.

If he has something interesting to say about the trip I'll let you know. He usually does.

[rug]

9. Well, he's back and this is what he ran into.

Pat Robertson: “...this nation belongs to Jesus”

By Kristin E. Holmes
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Televangelist M.G. Pat Robertson exhorted a crowd of thousands to reclaim the nation for God at a prayer gathering Saturday on Independence Mall.

"I don't care what the ACLU says or any athiest says, this nation belongs to Jesus," said Robertson, 82.

The founder of the 700 Club and stalwart of the Christian Right addressed a crowd who met on the mall for America for Jesus 2012, a national prayer gathering.

A park ranger estimated the crowd at 8,000 to 10,000.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120929_Crowds_pray_for_nation_adrift_at_Independence_Hall.html

[cbayer]

10. OMG!! What a coincidence.

[pinto]

6. Charge 10 cents for a plate/bag of food. Seems the city tied the issue to the "free food" aspect.

Lots of organizations serve food in public parks - veteran's groups, political campaigns, civic organizations, etc. Main difference, those groups charge. Seems the religious groups could paint the city into a legal corner by charging a token fee - 10 cents may work.

[rug]

7. But if the city wants to stop it, they could cite them for not having a licence, health code rules,

etc., etc.

By the some token if the city supported this, they could similarly clear the way bureaucratically.

[pinto]

8. Yeah. My suggestion was kind of facetious. I'd hope the food programs win on the simple merits...

(aside) A church near me, across from a park, distributes food - some cooked plates and bagged groceries. They deftly side-stepped the possibility of the same issue by distributing the food on their property. Some folks happen to take the plates and eat in the park.

The church is ideally situated, though. Large gymnasium, central location downtown, on two city bus lines, plenty of parking.