Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 3,859 
Location: Victoria, BC
Location: Victoria, BC
September 23rd, 2007, 08:31 PM
Yi ... I found this kinda weird ... I know they do the toy run and stuff, but seems like an odd place to go for help. I have met some of these guys when I lived there and rode a Harley and ya, they are nice enough if you don't cross em, but I don't think I'd be approaching them for social programs. Just seems wrong somehow.
Yi ... I found this kinda weird ... I know they do the toy run and stuff, but seems like an odd place to go for help. I have met some of these guys when I lived there and rode a Harley and ya, they are nice enough if you don't cross em, but I don't think I'd be approaching them for social programs. Just seems wrong somehow.
Quote:
Soup kitchen seeks Hells Angels' help
Facing eviction and spurned by city, volunteers ask bikers for aid
Facing eviction and spurned by city, volunteers ask bikers for aid
Quote:
Martha Tropea, CanWest News Service
NANAIMO -- After being rebuffed by city officials and their community, volunteers with the 7-10 Club -- soup kitchen that for years has handed out free breakfasts to the city's poorest residents here -- has reached out to the Hells Angels for help.
Given the unsavoury reputation of the biker gang, the bold move by Madeline Bruce and Stephanie McDowell reveals the desperate state of the Vancouver Island soup kitchen, which has less than a week to find a new location to feed the 150 regulars.
The club was evicted from St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in March and has been working for months to find a new location. They hoped to operate out of a local firehall, but council members voted to quash the rezoning application.
"The Catholic church has ejected the poorest of the poor in our city, now the neighbourhood has ejected the poorest of the poor, so I'm thinking where do you go from there?'" asked Bruce, a four-year volunteer and former club board member.
On Wednesday night, Bruce and McDowell marched up to the Nanaimo Hells Angels clubhouse, buzzed the front door and pleaded their case.
The ladies were greeted by a man in his 30s who declined to give them his name, who was neither "hard nor tough-looking."
"He was really very pleasant and kind of a sweet person," said Bruce. "He said the message will be passed on and someone will get back to me."
Bruce said she wasn't swayed by the Hells Angels' notorious links to criminal activity. "All these people who are professing to be the good, the decent upstanding citizens of Nanaimo, we can't get anywhere with them," she said. "Sometimes you can look in unusual places and find a different response."
Club president Gordon Fuller said Bruce's request wasn't sanctioned by the board and he would not consider partnering with the Hells Angels.
Nanaimo Daily News
NANAIMO -- After being rebuffed by city officials and their community, volunteers with the 7-10 Club -- soup kitchen that for years has handed out free breakfasts to the city's poorest residents here -- has reached out to the Hells Angels for help.
Given the unsavoury reputation of the biker gang, the bold move by Madeline Bruce and Stephanie McDowell reveals the desperate state of the Vancouver Island soup kitchen, which has less than a week to find a new location to feed the 150 regulars.
The club was evicted from St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in March and has been working for months to find a new location. They hoped to operate out of a local firehall, but council members voted to quash the rezoning application.
"The Catholic church has ejected the poorest of the poor in our city, now the neighbourhood has ejected the poorest of the poor, so I'm thinking where do you go from there?'" asked Bruce, a four-year volunteer and former club board member.
On Wednesday night, Bruce and McDowell marched up to the Nanaimo Hells Angels clubhouse, buzzed the front door and pleaded their case.
The ladies were greeted by a man in his 30s who declined to give them his name, who was neither "hard nor tough-looking."
"He was really very pleasant and kind of a sweet person," said Bruce. "He said the message will be passed on and someone will get back to me."
Bruce said she wasn't swayed by the Hells Angels' notorious links to criminal activity. "All these people who are professing to be the good, the decent upstanding citizens of Nanaimo, we can't get anywhere with them," she said. "Sometimes you can look in unusual places and find a different response."
Club president Gordon Fuller said Bruce's request wasn't sanctioned by the board and he would not consider partnering with the Hells Angels.
Nanaimo Daily News
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,795
September 23rd, 2007, 08:57 PM
I saw this story earlier and I couldn't believe that anyone with half an education would think of calling that group of scum for help. Any help they get from that group would likely have been stolen from someone else. The Hell's Angels are heavily into drugs and prostitution and we would solve a lot of problems if we just ran them out of town.
I saw this story earlier and I couldn't believe that anyone with half an education would think of calling that group of scum for help. Any help they get from that group would likely have been stolen from someone else. The Hell's Angels are heavily into drugs and prostitution and we would solve a lot of problems if we just ran them out of town.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,795
September 23rd, 2007, 10:06 PM
I know about the Toy Ride and the other professed "good doings" of the Hell's Angels, but these guys are part and parcel of organized crime. The so-called "toy ride" is as phony as a three dollar bill.........All these bikers carrying a half dozen or so two dollar stuffed animals is a far cry from the mileage they seek and get from it. In my mind, any gifts from this group would be tainted by the ruined lives of drug addicts and women who've been pushed into "the life" by these bastards. There are no "angels" in this group of ****heads.
Quoting lone wolf
You know what? Even big bad bikers can have hearts of gold. Ever hear of Ride for Sight - or Papa Joe's Toy Ride?... I'll bet there are Angels in the Angels....
Wolf
Wolf
I know about the Toy Ride and the other professed "good doings" of the Hell's Angels, but these guys are part and parcel of organized crime. The so-called "toy ride" is as phony as a three dollar bill.........All these bikers carrying a half dozen or so two dollar stuffed animals is a far cry from the mileage they seek and get from it. In my mind, any gifts from this group would be tainted by the ruined lives of drug addicts and women who've been pushed into "the life" by these bastards. There are no "angels" in this group of ****heads.
Time Out
Posts: 3,867
Videos: 1
Location: Honour our Fallen
Videos: 1
Location: Honour our Fallen
September 23rd, 2007, 10:15 PM
anytime someone does something good for someone else ...a fairy gets all happy somewhere and peter pan gets laid....
and he doesn't care if it was by some drug induced biker with butter dripping from his armpits and hair growing out his fingernails...
anytime someone does something good for someone else ...a fairy gets all happy somewhere and peter pan gets laid....
and he doesn't care if it was by some drug induced biker with butter dripping from his armpits and hair growing out his fingernails...
Newbie
Posts: 6
Location: Nanaimo
Location: Nanaimo
March 12th, 2008, 12:08 PM
The reason Stephanie MccDowell and I approached the Hell's Angel's with regards to renting a property to the Soup Kitchen was because, apart from anything else they may do, they are in business, they own properties and they conduct businesses out in the world just like everybody else. Case in point - A supermarket on Davie Street in Vancouver was owned by a Hell's Angel up until his death last year. According to the Vancouver Sun he had requested a formal Hell's Angel's funeral for himself. As volunteers with the Soup Kitchen, which is called the 7 - 10 Club, we were faced with the situation of being evicted from a church after 23 years residence. Also, our prospective new residence, an Old Fire Hall, was being ki-boshed by nearby residents who don't want poor people in their neighborhood. Worse, City Council voted to cancel the series of meetings set up with those residents to try to work out a cooperative solution. Where to turn? Well, the Hell's Agels are nothing if not gutsy, and wouldn't be the ones to cringe and kvetch at the sight of poor and downtrodden people. As it happened, they did not have a rental prperty available at that time. In the end, the City Of Nanaimo offered a temporary home to the 7 - 10 club in a public building. There are no cooking facilities so the clients only get a sandwich. A better location is still being searched for. The 7 - 10 Cub feeds several hundred needy people, including children, breakfast 5 days a week. Many loyal volunteers and donars have made this possible. - Madeline Bruce, Nanaimo, B. C.
The reason Stephanie MccDowell and I approached the Hell's Angel's with regards to renting a property to the Soup Kitchen was because, apart from anything else they may do, they are in business, they own properties and they conduct businesses out in the world just like everybody else. Case in point - A supermarket on Davie Street in Vancouver was owned by a Hell's Angel up until his death last year. According to the Vancouver Sun he had requested a formal Hell's Angel's funeral for himself. As volunteers with the Soup Kitchen, which is called the 7 - 10 Club, we were faced with the situation of being evicted from a church after 23 years residence. Also, our prospective new residence, an Old Fire Hall, was being ki-boshed by nearby residents who don't want poor people in their neighborhood. Worse, City Council voted to cancel the series of meetings set up with those residents to try to work out a cooperative solution. Where to turn? Well, the Hell's Agels are nothing if not gutsy, and wouldn't be the ones to cringe and kvetch at the sight of poor and downtrodden people. As it happened, they did not have a rental prperty available at that time. In the end, the City Of Nanaimo offered a temporary home to the 7 - 10 club in a public building. There are no cooking facilities so the clients only get a sandwich. A better location is still being searched for. The 7 - 10 Cub feeds several hundred needy people, including children, breakfast 5 days a week. Many loyal volunteers and donars have made this possible. - Madeline Bruce, Nanaimo, B. C.
March 12th, 2008, 12:24 PM
Quoting Beachcomber
No, of course not. The majority of their money comes from the poor and down trodden. If you run your business on drugs and prostitution, it helps to keep as many 'social' programs in place as possible which give you seemingly 'on the up and up' access to your customer base and employment pool.
Well, the Hell's Agels are nothing if not gutsy, and wouldn't be the ones to cringe and kvetch at the sight of poor and downtrodden people.
Newbie
Posts: 6
Location: Nanaimo
Location: Nanaimo
March 12th, 2008, 12:49 PM
A thoughful reply, K. I feel at a loss where to turn to these days for a totally uncorrupted group of people. Government?......well, that's very debatable, I fear. I feel heartened that CBC television is addressing the problem of homelessness in B.C., Canada. Their recent documentary, Devil Plays Hardball, narrated by Blues muscian and actor Jim Byrnes was outstanding. That was a genuine attempt to get to know just a few homeless people, and learn about the tremendous barriers they face. In order for a culture to eject or marginalize, or even kill (as in war) people, they first must de-humanize them, in the minds of the populace. - Madeline Bruce, Nanaimo, B. C.
A thoughful reply, K. I feel at a loss where to turn to these days for a totally uncorrupted group of people. Government?......well, that's very debatable, I fear. I feel heartened that CBC television is addressing the problem of homelessness in B.C., Canada. Their recent documentary, Devil Plays Hardball, narrated by Blues muscian and actor Jim Byrnes was outstanding. That was a genuine attempt to get to know just a few homeless people, and learn about the tremendous barriers they face. In order for a culture to eject or marginalize, or even kill (as in war) people, they first must de-humanize them, in the minds of the populace. - Madeline Bruce, Nanaimo, B. C.
March 12th, 2008, 12:54 PM
It is a struggle to know where to turn. I can't even imagine the hurdles you face. When it comes to the poor and the homeless, a lot of people have a lot of stupid misconceptions. It can make it next to impossible to make any progress I'm sure.
Uhm, on a side note, we have seen enough 'troll' type people on internet forums that I would suggest not putting your name and place of residence in your posts. Internet stalkers abound.
It is a struggle to know where to turn. I can't even imagine the hurdles you face. When it comes to the poor and the homeless, a lot of people have a lot of stupid misconceptions. It can make it next to impossible to make any progress I'm sure.
Uhm, on a side note, we have seen enough 'troll' type people on internet forums that I would suggest not putting your name and place of residence in your posts. Internet stalkers abound.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,795
March 12th, 2008, 02:20 PM
What I don't understand is why anyone would go to the Hell's Angels for help. I'm sure some of the homeless are in that situation at least indirectly because of some of the actions of the HA. Part of our tax money is used to fight crime. Without the HA we just might have more money to help the homeless.
Quoting karrie
There will always be the poor and homeless, and there are a myriad of ways to become one of them. Most of us are lucky enough to avoid the pitfalls that could put us in that awful predicament.
It is a struggle to know where to turn. I can't even imagine the hurdles you face. When it comes to the poor and the homeless, a lot of people have a lot of stupid misconceptions. It can make it next to impossible to make any progress I'm sure.
What I don't understand is why anyone would go to the Hell's Angels for help. I'm sure some of the homeless are in that situation at least indirectly because of some of the actions of the HA. Part of our tax money is used to fight crime. Without the HA we just might have more money to help the homeless.
March 12th, 2008, 02:26 PM
Quoting #juan
I think her comments both in the news article and here make her reasons pretty clear. Desperation, and inability to get anywhere with those who should be helping. It got the issue into the news didn't it? That in and of itself is a good move.
What I don't understand is why anyone would go to the Hell's Angels for help.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,795
March 12th, 2008, 02:51 PM
http://tinyurl.com/366wgo
Quoting karrie
Just a little information about who the Hell's Angels are and why decent people shouldn't deal with them. Admittedly the move got the situation a bit of ink in the press six months ago, but to me, it shows a bit of ignorance or naivety on the part of Bruce and McDowell. In any case the parent club did not sanction any kind of partnership with the HA.
I think her comments both in the news article and here make her reasons pretty clear. Desperation, and inability to get anywhere with those who should be helping. It got the issue into the news didn't it? That in and of itself is a good move.
http://tinyurl.com/366wgo
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,496
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
March 12th, 2008, 03:17 PM
Do you ever hear of the stuff government does to people in answer to some "bottom line"? No, Hells Angels might be, as you say, the scum of the Earth. At least, they're upfront about their agendas. It's too bad HA hadn't had a rental property available. Wouldn't that have been a clear statement to the "not in my backyard" crowd?
Here in Ontario, in 1995, a sincere-sounding fellow got elected based on the virtues of a Common Sense revolution and a war on poverty. I was one of those conned. I was one of those who paid the price too. How could anyone have known Mike Harris' war would involve attacks on the poor, the disabled and the destitute, refugees and deaths. Like 'em or not - there's honour among thieves.
Woof!
Do you ever hear of the stuff government does to people in answer to some "bottom line"? No, Hells Angels might be, as you say, the scum of the Earth. At least, they're upfront about their agendas. It's too bad HA hadn't had a rental property available. Wouldn't that have been a clear statement to the "not in my backyard" crowd?
Here in Ontario, in 1995, a sincere-sounding fellow got elected based on the virtues of a Common Sense revolution and a war on poverty. I was one of those conned. I was one of those who paid the price too. How could anyone have known Mike Harris' war would involve attacks on the poor, the disabled and the destitute, refugees and deaths. Like 'em or not - there's honour among thieves.
Woof!
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,795
March 12th, 2008, 03:45 PM
Whatever you want to say about Mike Harris, he was not a murderer or a drug dealer, nor did he run prostitutes. He was a politician who got himself elected. At the time the right wing in this country thought Harris was a hero.
Quote:
Of that there is no doubt and there is no honour among them. I'm also aware that there are other biker groups out there who are completely honourable and I don't lump the HA in with them.
Hells Angels might be, as you say, the scum of the Earth.
Whatever you want to say about Mike Harris, he was not a murderer or a drug dealer, nor did he run prostitutes. He was a politician who got himself elected. At the time the right wing in this country thought Harris was a hero.
March 12th, 2008, 03:49 PM
Quoting #juan
lol... you don't need to tell me who they are. You should see the stuff I've seen the HA do, the stuff I deleted out of my reply to Ms.Bruce. I'm more than familiar with them.
Just a little information about who the Hell's Angels are and why decent people shouldn't deal with them. Admittedly the move got the situation a bit of ink in the press six months ago, but to me, it shows a bit of ignorance or naivety on the part of Bruce and McDowell. In any case the parent club did not sanction any kind of partnership with the HA.
http://tinyurl.com/366wgo
http://tinyurl.com/366wgo
March 12th, 2008, 03:58 PM
Quoting lone wolf
oh yeah, honor. Sponsoring programs for the down and out of our world, while they beat to death prostitutes who dare to try to change their lot in life. Yep, tons of honor there.
Like 'em or not - there's honour among thieves.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,496
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
March 12th, 2008, 04:10 PM
Woof!
Quoting #juan
Mike Harris was a gangster. The only difference was he was sneakier, sanctioned and had a lot more strykers. Study up on Adams Mine and you'll see classic syndicate action that - minus the deaths - would do the Sopranos proud. He was a bigot who targeted the poor, First Nations, unions, teachers (don't ever believe the crap about him being one. At best he was a supply teacher) health care - all for the sake of enriching his friends. True, no murders were actually committed by his hand. The deaths of Kimberly Rogers, Ken Luft and Dudley George can be attributed directly to his policies. How many people were forced to drug dealing and prostitution just to eat and pay rent due to a failing economy and the Harris axe at the Social Services door will never be known. How much honour is there in a politician with an agenda?
Of that there is no doubt and there is no honour among them. I'm also aware that there are other biker groups out there who are completely honourable and I don't lump the HA in with them.
Whatever you want to say about Mike Harris, he was not a murderer or a drug dealer, nor did he run prostitutes. He was a politician who got himself elected. At the time the right wing in this country thought Harris was a hero.
Whatever you want to say about Mike Harris, he was not a murderer or a drug dealer, nor did he run prostitutes. He was a politician who got himself elected. At the time the right wing in this country thought Harris was a hero.
Woof!
