Are we truely serving the homeless?

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Guest Writer

John Burbank is the founder and retired executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute in Seattle.

The organ trade

By Reuters | August 15, 2007

There’s a growing trade in human organs, and residents of the poorer nations often seek to make ends meet by becoming donors for richer western clients

HONG KONG -

Paul Lee got his liver from an executed Chinese prisoner; Karam in Egypt bought a kidney for his sister for $5,300; in Istanbul Hakan is holding out for $30,700 for one of his kidneys.

They are not so unusual: a dire shortage of donated organs in rich countries is sending foreigners with end-stage illnesses to poorer places like China, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Colombia and the Philippines to buy a new lease on life. ...

Ask a Lawyer: Real-Life Answers to Your Legal Hassles

By John Burbank | August 1, 2007

I recently applied for an apartment, and the landlord asked for $50 to do a "background check." Is that legal? May a landlord discriminate in renting the apartment based on race?

According to Terrance Keenan, attorney at Foster Pepper PLLC, it is legal for a landlord to do a background check and charge the applicant the cost of performing the check. A background check may include a credit check, employment verification, and a criminal record check. ...

Are we truely serving the homeless?

By Jessica P. Morrell and Genny Nelson | August 1, 2007

Real-world experiences in Portland

Our customers have said that a no-cost way to hugely improve the services they receive is just to treat them with dignity and respect. They acknowledge that social service line workers get the lowest pay in the agency, and that line workers don't make the policies that decide how customers are treated. They also notice that policies aren't often reevaluated to make sure they still serve their purpose and are working equally for everyone. ...