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# Untitled
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/eurotrash-everymans-guide-to-crossing-the-pond-part-2/
- Published: 2002-08-26T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:42:09.000Z
- Author: Dan Dunn
- Tags: Opinion, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Michael J. Beattie Samoshell*

Well, once again, my faith in my fellow man’s compassion has been shattered by SMDP. Where in the world did you ever find this Nazi wannabe Bill Bauer, and why do you continue to have only a one-sided view of economic discrimination that is repeatedly promoted by your one-sided paper. Are you thinking of a future in politics, by chance?

“As I See It” by Bill Bauer is so full of whining and discrimination against the poor people of this city that he should be ashamed of himself. His rambling whine is so full of just plain hate that he reminds me of Nazi Germany. His research is made up (40 feedings in Palisades Park with up to 1,000 people at any given feeding? Huh?) off the top of his head. He says our mayor just pouted and whined when an unscheduled subject was brought up before a report was due on the homeless issues concerning our city? If anyone is whining, it is Mr. Bauer.

I am tired of his calling this city’s poor people scum, degenerates, drug addicts, antisocial, etc. When the white man wanted to subjugate the Indians, what did he do? He attacked their food source. Sounds familiar. African-Americans had to drink out of different fountains and eat at only certain restaurants. They were not allowed in certain areas and were looked down upon for no other reason than the color of their skin.

I am a homeless person in Santa Monica who takes advantage of Samoshell, the homeless center behind the Big Blue Bus station. I am a student at Santa Monica College majoring in computer science. I do not defecate or urinate in public, panhandle or eat at food lines, but yet in Mr. Bauer’s eyes I am still considered a degenerate just looking for a free handout because I am too lazy or drunk and just want hang out and beg for free stuff.

If not for the compassionate people and mayor of Santa Monica, none of these things would be possible. There are some great programs to help people here like Samoshell, Turning Point, OPCC, Step Up on Second Street, but all Mr. Bauer can spend his time on are the few who give the rest a bad name.

One last thing concerning panhandling. While I totally agree that aggressive panhandling is way out of control and should not be tolerated, let’s be truthful about the subject. Politics is dependent on begging, it is called lobbying. Charities and special events are dependent on begging, it is called fundraising. The airport has plenty of beggars, they are called solicitors. Are you starting to get the picture yet? You can give it many fancy names, but when the truth is told it all means one thing — begging! But fancy names make it OK right?

Thank you for your time, and I hope you print this because most homeless do not have a phone number, which is required to send this so we have absolutely no voice in this community. That, I hope, is the reason that your paper is always so one-sided and only prints pro-economic discriminatory articles and letters.

Maybe you might consider allowing a homeless person a weekly column sometime or is that too much to ask? Probably! We could do point, counter-point to Bill Bauer called “The Way I See It” and “The Way It Really Is.” I doubt it, but it was worth a try anyway. (Editor’s note: We thank Mr. Beattie for sending in his letter. The Daily Press is in the process of finding a weekly columnist that can present the issues of the homeless and continue community dialogue.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 26, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082602.pdf?ref=smdp.com)