In an article on today's SFGate.com website titled "Scaled-down homeless rights law advances", the author discusses how homeless people in California will be allowed to sit and lye in public spaces without the threat of arrest. In other words, homeless people can use the entrance to buildings and stairwells to rest without the fear of being kicked out or sent to jail. The previous bill included private property and businesses, but was removed due to opposition. This new bill also states that the government should provide bathrooms and showers to these individuals.
Every human deserves to be treated kindly and respected, and are entitled to basic human rights. I am not sure how I feel about this as I am not sure what programs are already available to homeless people in regards to food, health and welfare. How will the government pay for the bathroom and showers for these individuals to access? What about safety concerns? After reading this article, my heart went out to this demographic as I cannot imagine the daily challenges they face. It is heartbreaking to see another human being without the basic needs that I enjoy everyday; I'm just not sure if this is the way to go.
This is Topic that is quite personal to me. By now every one knows of the "Leg Break seen by Millions Nation Wide". Kevin Ware the Louisville Sophomore who suffered one of the most traumatic injuries in all of sports. During the first half of the Louisville , Duke game Ware attempted to block a shot from the three point line and what seemed like a normal jump turned into a complete catastrophe.
The Video Is hard to watch but is here if you would like to see it.
May all good thoughts go out to Ware and his family. But why is so important to me. Although Kevin Ware played only limited minutes all year he was still recruited to Louisville and received a scholarship. Since the accident Louisville has actually taken away Ware's scholarship saying that he must "Apply again". Ware stated in a recent interview that he looks forward to taking the court next year, but how likely is it he will be back "If Ware looses his scholarship which he likely will" it will cut him off from all team services provided through his scholarship one being rehab services. This means he will have to come up with the money out his own pocket and these medical bills will add up. I know schools have to look into the future when making a team but it is unfortunate that they are so impatient to not wait on Ware's development instead will decide to go elsewhere.
This is not the only case where a catastrophic injury has stripped someone away of their financial security. Does anyone remember Sean Livingston??? One of the last most anticipated players to come straight out of high school. Livingston was drafted as the number 4 pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Only after a few short months in the NBA Livingston suffered this dreadful injury.
Again the video is very hard to watch.
Just a few weeks after the injury and days before the trade deadline Livingston was released from the Clippers along with his 5.8million dollar contract leaving him with a mere 375k. Livingston was forced to deal with his recovery on his own. It took Livingston nearly 3 years to make a comeback to NBA and was not until just recently in the 2012 season Livingston has found a new home in the Charlotte Bobcats.
These two players suffered traumatic injuries which drastically altered their careers, now we all know that clear business decisions were made and unfortunately its the way it goes. But I wanted to hear some of your thoughts. Shouldn't these players initially been given the chance by their respected teams to make their come back. in all honesty I know why the decisions had to be made and were apart of business. But its hard to know all that hard work doesn't pay off and you have to start all over again. BUT I am strongly for certain written agreements between players and management in a case of injury which technically are already in place. But from these two examples obviously need to be clarified.
picture courtesy of SFGate.com