Sorry Grants Pass Oregon, Collecting Bottles is NOT a Crime

 

Sadly based on my daily collecting of bottles that I then turn in to the Oregon Bottle Drop Center here in Grants Pass and then use the 20% additional bonus to help with my weekly grocery bill, one would think it is illegal here in Grants Pass Oregon.

Besides the fact I am keeping trash that I find in public receptacles and along the roads from ending up in landfills or simply as trash along the highways, I am providing for my family and making up for shortfalls that my small business now faces due to the demise of the professional aquarium industry (in large part due to Amazon & Google).
Further References:
Buying Aquarium Products via Amazon (& Chewy, eBay)
American Aquarium Supplies & Information

This is not to say that I do not meet polite and respectful individuals and local businesses, but I've found that these are often in the minority here in Grants Pass Oregon.
What is interesting is I collected bottle/cans along with cardboard in Southern California many years back to help make up for shortfalls due to family emergencies (a very sick son and a predator that harmed my family). This was originally recommend by a friend who was a chef at a restaurant I took care of aquariums for. He actually used this money to help make a down payment for a home for a family.
During this time in Southern California, I met many persons and businesses who stopped me to talk and encourage me. I can think of two in particular that we became friends (Allen at a machine shop and Ian who was the park manager at an LA County Park).

Why the difference? Well in defense of many who are rude and act like I am committing a crime, I know that here, the majority of those collecting are homeless persons looking for money for their next alcohol or drug fix.
Back in Southern California, most of the others I met doing the same thing were like me or the chef/friend who suggested this as a method to work around regular work schedules and make extra money.

HOWEVER, this does not excuse poor treatment of me any more than it is OK to treat all men with contempt just because men commit more violent crime than women (there are many more example/analogies I can make as to making generalized accusations).
The facts are I often pick up trash as I go and ALWAYS leave any area I currently collecting cleaner than when I came by. So do NOT blame me for others making a mess!!!
Sadly many have been rude even acknowledged this yet still treated me with contempt!!

This does not also excuse the condescending way some will speak to me making excuses that they are only concerned that I might hurt myself by getting stuck by a needle (this was exemplified by a dishonest and condescending lady assistant manager at the Grants Pass 7-Eleven on 6th Street who clearly needs a business management education).
First, I am a big boy with a college business management education and decades of experience in management and well know the dangers and in fact only look at the top of any container for just this reason.
Second as this one lady when confronted with her fake concern then went on to say that they could be sued. Sorry, strike two as they would have to be careless intent. Someone could just as easy get stuck placing an empty container in their often full trash cans. Legal case example would be a hospital that is required to place "sharps" in containers and does not, then they are liable, but 7-Eleven is not responsible for what goes into their outside public containers.

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On a positive note I will again note that there are some really nice people who encourage me with kind words or even save bottles for me.
A few business examples I want to thank:
* DJ's Bump & Paint
* 3 Boys Classic Towing And Auto Sales
* Hays Oil Co (F Street)
* Home Depot
* Safeway

Unfortunately there are many more businesses who either allow staff or encourage staff to treat me like I was the lowest of life forms for only trying to provide for my family.
Here are some of these businesses I will call out for this rude treatment:
*Fred Meyer
*7-Eleven (6th Street, very condescending lady assistant manager)
*C & D Short Stop Market
*Walmart
*Grants Pass Shopping Center
*Jiffy Lube
*Mill Street Car Wash
*Crater Car Wash
*Concierge Home and Business Watch
*Riverside Inn

Finally, let's get to the legality of this.
It is NOT illegal to pick up bottles along the road (like I do even in rural areas riding my bike often a considerable difference).
Nor is it illegal to pick up bottles in parks (although I ALWAYS respect other's space).
As well the Supreme Court of the USA ruled that it is legal to collect bottles in public areas (this does not include areas closed to the public or labeled "Employees/Staff only").

QUOTE from information provided to me many years back as to this Court Ruling (that covers the entire USA, not just California where the case started)
California v. Greenwood, 486 U.S. 35 (1988).
The Court believed it to be "common knowledge" that garbage left out in receptacles in public places* is readily accessible to "animals, children, scavengers, snoops and other members of the public."

*Legal Note:
"Receptacles in public places", while it may include general parking access of shopping centers or similar, it does NOT include areas marked employees, staff, etc. only.
As well, this constitutional right does not supersede laws such as litter laws, in other words making a mess while scavenging can be considered a violation of the law. Nor does this court decision protect an individual if they break loitering laws, impede ingress or egress of employees, patrons, etc., or if said individual acts in a manner that could endanger others around them.
Telling a customer they cannot pick up recyclables in a public parking (even if private property as long as it is open to the public) is no different than telling an African American to go to the back of the bus. Both are a violation of your Constitutional rights.

Huckabee Evangelical vote

Huckabee wins Iowa with Evangelical vote.



Huckabees huge victory among Evangelical Christians just further alienates me from the Republican Party (for which I am currently a member, although I do not know for how much longer).
As a Christian myself, I refuse to go along with the one issue politics of Huckabee and Evangelicals. Huckabee is not on par with many core beliefs of Republicans (myself included) and my own experience with Evangelicals both in general and politically has shown them to be very hypocritical “Sunday Christians”, which I have discussed in other blog; “My Thoughts”.

I agree with Huckabee as to abortion and Creationism, however even here I a leery of him as even the I oppose abortion in principle, I know many good Christians that have been alienated due to the stigma attached to a decision to have an abortion and his approach seems to be rather hard line here (I could be wrong). The same goes for creationism as even though I have never scientifically “bought” into evolution, even long before becoming a Christian, I still believe in all views being taught and although I believe Huckabees position is similar, I again somewhat leery of him here based on his rhetoric.

Back to Huckabee’s other views and history, I find them rather socialist (not that all my views are right wing either), but from his view on National Defense (where I think he is rather “hide your head in the sand” about) to domestic issues I have part ways.

Also the Evangelical disdain of Romney simply because of his Mormon faith further disgusts me. This is interesting as Mormon growth in Massachusetts stagnated during his tenure there as Governor, so much for using his power as a governor or president as a bully pulpit.

I hope that either Thompson or Romney can prove Iowa wrong, if Huckabee wins the nomination, I am NOT voting Republican (which I am not on my local candidates anyway, see an earlier post in this blog as to one reason: “Oregon Food Stamps”).

Speaking of this issue (Food Stamps), some may say I am looking for a hand out here, far from this, I just want politicians to stand up for what is right and just and NOT give out hand outs to those un-willing to work for them. I work 80 + hours per week and am the primary caregiver in my home as well and only expect help from the government as to what they have promised, not to mention the $1000s of tax dollars I have contributed over the years, never even tapping any government “freebies”.

The Main Stream Media, France & Israel

Updated 1/17/10

This just sickens me to hear about another UN resolution passed last week (week of Nov. 13, 2006) against Israel.
The resolution passed by a vote of 156 to 7 with six abstentions. Israel, the US, Australia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Palau voted against.
France lobbied heavily for this resolution.

Israeli UN ambassador Dan Gillerman had this to say about France: "If France was shelled from across the border, what would the French do? Would the French government send flowers to their attackers?
Well, by voting for this resolution you will be sending flowers to the terrorists, flowers which tomorrow will be laid on the grave of the next Israeli victim."

Part of the problem is the anti-Semitic attitude in France, both real and perceived.
“Two thirds of French people think that anti-Semitism is on the rise in France, despite recently released government statistics illustrating a downturn”.
As quoted in the article: Poll shows French believe in anti-Semitism rise .

Another issue is the Main Stream Media; I was watching the evening news and the way they reported the human shields was ridiculous.
These women are not heroes as the media portrayed them, but terrorists themselves by protecting these cowards who hide behind women and children.

A story about a missile attack on Israel (Nov. 16, 2006) was not even reported on the Main Stream Media outlets.
The town of Sderot is becoming a ghost town as rockets launched by the Palestinians continue to hit Israel.
A 57 year old mother of five became the sixth person in Sderot to be killed by Palestinian rocket attacks. 2 others were wounded, one critically.
This is also why the MSM in this country is out of control, they have portrayed the terrorists as people that if you just leave them alone (in Iraq and elsewhere) and give them Israel, all will be better.
Unfortunately, Evil does not give up that easily.

Of coarse Israel makes mistakes, but if anything Israel was much less heavy handed than usual last summer, which in many experts opinion, is why Israel met with limited success (reminds me off some of the US problems with trying to be too nice in Iraq).

Another reference for more information about the World wide campaign against Israel;
Joshuapundit -A DIGEST AND COMMENTARY ON THE WAR AGAINST JIHAD

I would caution readers of donating to websites such as defendjerusalem.net which although it is very Pro Israel and "gets it right" in many areas concerning Israel, the author is a person that cannot be corrected and will believe in media lies when it fits his hateful views of certain individuals such as Rush Limbaugh.
Sadly he throws some of his biggest supporters under the bus when hate clouds his thinking process and as someone that has had his family suffer profusely from this exact problem of believing rumors about myself by persons I have helped considerably, I know the damage and evil that comes from this kind of hateful rhetoric.
Please avoid this website like the plague!