[thedean786]

I always make it a point to give change if I have some on me. During the holidays I'll give cash.

Now I know some of you don;t do this because of the old "they use it for drugs or alcohol" but the fact of the matter is your job as a citizen, hell even a human being is to help your fellow man out. What they do from that point on is between them and God.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by The Boat

I give money b/c im not a greeeeeedy asshole that spends it on a bimmer. I have a 706 fwhp rsx and give the money i saved to the less fortunate.

does your babysitter know you're on the Internet again?

[TahoeOG]

Originally Posted by thedean786

...hell even a human being is to help your fellow man out. What they do from that point on is between them and God.

I don't give money to "homeless" people. I used to when i was younger (i'm 25). Maybe not all, BUT most use it for drugs and alcohol. I would love to give them money if they will use it for something healthy, BUT the truth is, most have been "homeless" for longer than a couple of days. They do get money from people. In the US their is jobs for almost anything, from executive president of a corporation, to a toilet cleaner in a low income restaurant. if you have will to get a job you will.. BUT these people want to get what they want asking for money. It will only last so long. I would NEVER give another person money for them to get high. That puts me in the position of the dealer, and in reality, it's like i'm selling him the drug, therefor i am getting another american more hooked on drugs... They might hate me for it, but truth is, i don't condone illegal drugs. Some will even curse me out and i feel like going to rear naked choking them, but truth is, don't want them to bleed on me and i end up getting something like HIV. To each their own. Around where i live, i see begger in Newark the most. And i DON'T give them money. I see them all the time. I would love for those people to get jobs, or to say "hey, i have a problem, can you please help me with my addiction".. I would gladly help then.. but money, i think not. I think the worst thing you can do i contribute to the use of drugs on someone else. YOu "think" your helping and even if the bible says help other, your really not helping, instead your bringing them lower.

[knight]

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

I am so sorry you were injured in AFghanistan - your country appreciates your sacrifice for what it is worth and I salute you!

+1

I actually have these "homeless" guys who come the store just about everyday...possibly the worse smelling guys ever in the world, but also perhaps one of the nicest guys I ever met. Yes they come in everyday to buy alcohol and cigs, but guess what, they work for it, not ask. They'll sit near the traffic lights and sell the local newspaper. Everytime they come in, they'll take out their cash from their wallet and you can clearly see that they ain't broke..hell, sometimes man got more money than I do.

Well my co-worker finally decided to ask what they do and why are they "homeless". The man said that he was a retired vet and got a check every so weeks and that he sold papers are additional income. He said that he had enough income to actually rent a place, but he chose not to. He said that he was just fine living under the bridge and said what's the point of spending a few hundreds on rent. Still comes to store everyday...

[ZuerstBMW]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

i dont recall robin hood being that big of a douche...

I think I just pissed in my pants a little. That is as funny as hell.

[bankhead]

I have mixed emotions on this topic, but once in SF my friend was approached by this homeless guy who asked him for some money. He didn't have anything but as he walked past a McDonalds down the street, he entered and got an application. Later on that day, as my friend returned down the same busy street, the guy was still there asking for money and he approached my friend again. My friend pulled out the application and offered it to the homeless guy and his response was, ''I don't want that, I just needed some quick money to buy some crack''. Of course these people aren't living the greatest life but I will not support drug habbits and become their enablers. I have never been to a rural area where people noticed faces and saw homeless people, in high traffic areas some bums take advantage of the good in some people. One day I walked outside of this store where this guy always sat in a wheelchair begging. Two workers left who knew him and asked how much money he had gotten today, he told them it had not been a very good day and he only got $60 so far. If he worked 5 days a week that alone is $1200 untaxed income. That is more than he could make at a public job I'm sure of. Obviously every homeless person is not a drug addict or abusing the money, but I find it very hard to differentiate between the two and this leads to rational giving.

[scottwww]

I am conflicted on this one.

It would be better to be able to ask, "When did I feed you or clothe you?" and to be answered "As you did it to the least of these you did it to me." We can give not knowing whether we are doing right.

Rather than give cash to beggars, I have given to charity. Compassion International is one that I believe to be good and contribute regularly to them. Though, I do not contribute as much as I should.

This brings to mind a beggar that came into a store I worked at when I was much younger. A coworker sold him a $110 Sony Walkman. The beggar pulled out a roll of bills from his pocket. It was a HUGE roll. This guy looked like he was worth two cents, but must have been carrying several hundred. Some weeks later, I noticed this guy entering an apartment building where a friend lived. He must have had an apartment there, not homeless at all. His occupation was to beg.

On another occassion a beggar tried to hit me up for money when I was walking away from a cash machine. He told a story about his pregnant wife and having no money for food. I told him I would go to Costco and come back in an hour or two with food. When I returned, the beggar was nowhere to be found. Potentially, he had a wife who was in need, but I have reasonable doubt of that.

When I went to a trade show in New York a few years ago, I ordered lunch at what I thought was a decent restaurant. I had to take a restroom break. When I went to wash my hands, some guy was holding the soap dispenser and paper towels. I thought, "Wow! This is service." I tipped him a couple dollars.

The next restaurant I went to the same thing happened. I thought, "OK. I've done this before."

The third time this happened, I was not very happy. In New York City, you have to pay to use the restroom in a restaurant!

I went for corporate training in Portland, Oregon. A few of us went downtown to eat at a Greek restaurant (the food was great). After we parked, some guy asked for money for food for him and his pregnant wife. Most of us gave him some change when he pointed to a woman down the block a way. She looked like she was also pan-handling. I doubted his story, but he followed us for a littly way while begging. I figured it best to leave him with some money than to risk the guy scratching the car he watched us park.

Where I live now, you seldom see what appears to be homeless. Mostly, they hang out near the mission downtown. If I felt compelled to give to the local homeless, I would give to the mission, not an individual.

For those who want to be generous with the homeless, maybe take it to the next level. Take them out to dinner (doesn't need to be expensive). Have a conversation with them. Try to understand their situation and offer advice where it may be useful. Not that I have done this. I am not burdened with this.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

This guy is annoying as B-Rad.

Oh man.

you are CRAZY! B-Rad was hella entertaining! all the "older" members had no fuckin idea what he was saying and had to babbelfish all of his posts.... HAHAHAHAJAHAHAHAhAH

[Kiemyster]

in trinidad, we just dont bother with our homeless ppl. the church actually takes them in. the ones on the road are there because they DO drugs/drink. so i dont offer them money. but once in a while ill throw em a blue bill ($100). just for if i (god forbid) get in such a situation, i would hope someone to do the same. but then agian. i realize that im THE king of trinidad. so no worries!

[bmw0perat0r]

Originally Posted by 18LLC

In downtown san francisco, homeless just like others, they do work, they do have supervisor, they have to switch location in different time. The only difference is others are wearing suit, they are wearing some unpresentable uniform.

Watched a show on FOX Reality (DirecTV sat.) called "Busted" - Its about what the name implies...people busted for various things, bad behavior, crimes, lying...you name it.

One Busted segmet was about a man who stood on the side of the road and had a sign (i'm sure you've seen these people) ...guy looked like crap, so passers-by gave him money, guy collected ~$100 per day, give or take. They had him on video surveillence, which showed him leaving the particular area he "begged" and jumping into a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Ed. He changed outside the car from rags to riches - a suit. He got back in the SUV and took off...he was "Busted".

Do I give change to the poor? Hell no. Too many scammers out there and they have ruined it for the real homeless. You're better off giving donations to homeless shelters in your city/community. That will do more good and go to help them - food and shelter...

Its too bad.

I don't know whether to feel bad for them or not...we don't know their story, half of them were drug addicts - those I do not feel sorry for...its their own fault. Its not my responsibility to get them back on their feet, its their own.

[Revlis]

Bah Fug 'em all. I worked for mine... Made good decisions, didn't get wadded up or ran off the road in the process.

Screw Em' I usually pepper spray them, kick their dog and steal their carts...































OK, No I don't ... But I do get frustrated cause yeah, I end up feeling bad for doing well, it's worse cause I NEVER EVER use Cash. I have nothing to give ever.

[jetblk328i]

i Dont cause well i believe that some people deserve to be homeless, i refuse to help them, if they worked hard, didnt do drugs, and lol stayed in school, theyd be Fine!!!

[RokX]

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

I am so sorry you were injured in AFghanistan - your country appreciates your sacrifice for what it is worth and I salute you!

Thank you for the support! I see your from Italy? I had the great opportunity of spending a year and a half stationed in Vicenza. Such a beautiful country! Italians were very nice and friendly . Can't exactly say the same for the North Africans and other "immigrants" we came across

[CnoteMD]

Since I have lived in quite a few major east coast cities, I've run into my share of homeless people. Like many have mentioned, homeless people range from the alcoholics and drug abusers, to those with psychiatric disorders, as well as people who have an unfortunate set of circumstances and are working toward getting back on their feet. The problem is that is difficult to determine which type is asking you for change.

These days unless someone is VERY convincing, I do NOT give money to homeless people. I prefer to give my money to a charity that will do the "screening" for me. I used to give change to most of the homeless people I ran into. Unfortunately, I saw that most of these people would simply use it to further their drinking or drug habit (I would find them high the very next day, still asking for money).

One of the worst experiences was the time I saw a homeless woman who appeared to be at least 6 months pregnant. She caught me as I was leaving a fast food restaurant. I was still in med school at the time and had VERY limited money. She told me that she was pregnant and needed some money for food. I didn't have any money left on me, but I gave her the food that I had just purchased. She took the food, looked back at me, and threw it on the ground saying, "what the f*** am I supposed to do with that?!?!"

I was seriously hoping that was an isolated incident, but I have had several other similar episodes where people react with anger if you actually give them food.

[hav2flynow]

YOUR TAX MONEY PAYS FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP ANYONE THAT NEEDS HELP!!!!!!!!!! THE HOMELESS, THE OUT OF WORK, THE DRUG USERS, THE MENTALLY DISABLED ALL HAVE FREE HELP AVAILABLE PAID FOR WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. The Bible says "Don't feed the man that won't work." If you keep giving money to beggers they will never get a job, and for the rest in need there are plenty of organizaions that can help them, and I give to many charitys. And look at the welfare line someday, do you see any SKINNY people in the line? No one is going hungry there!!!

[RokX]

Originally Posted by hav2flynow

YOUR TAX MONEY PAYS FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP ANYONE THAT NEEDS HELP!!!!!!!!!! THE HOMELESS, THE OUT OF WORK, THE DRUG USERS, THE MENTALLY DISABLED ALL HAVE FREE HELP AVAILABLE PAID FOR WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. The Bible says "Don't feed the man that won't work." If you keep giving money to beggers they will never get a job, and for the rest in need there are plenty of organizaions that can help them, and I give to many charitys. And look at the welfare line someday, do you see any SKINNY people in the line? No one is going hungry there!!!

Exactly why we were told in Afghanistan to not give alot of handouts of food/water/etc. when we went on patrols in villages. They would take it and then start depending on us to give them handouts. "Oh the Americans will give us stuff we need, I don't need to go out and work for it myself...."

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Being homeless in the U.S. is really f*cked up.

You can't generalize about all homeless people - there are so many different reasons for being on the street. I think many are there because of addiction, others from mental illness. Some deserve handouts, others do not. Which ones? Nobody knows.

Don't forget beggers have been around since the beginning of time; it's not a U.S. problem. Unfortunately, it is really out of control here in the states.

No easy answers.

Personally, I've never given handouts, but have recently been reconsidering my policy. I think about this a lot.

How do you fix homelessness in the U.S.? I don't think cash is the answer.

+1 I'll bet that 95% of homelessness is due to mental illness and/or addicition. Fighting it requires treatment.

[Couch]

I don't. There are those there by choice, those by mental illness/addiction, and then those who just lost all hope.

But I can't determine who's addiction I'm supporting, and who is really going to Mickey-D's to by a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

My dad told me one day he saw a businessman walking by a homeless guy who kept bugging him for change or something. Then the homeless guy began to attack the guy. The guy fought back and knocked the guy out cold and continued on his way.

[ward]

I give the homeless friggin thousands every year, and it's not by choice.


every look at your paystubs and see how many dollars have been taken out by taxes? holy hell!

[findtom]

I used to but stopped when I'd see the same guys on the same corner day after day. There's one guy who I still see in the same spot from when I had an office downtown and that was 3 years ago.... he's always there. I mean, if you can put in that kind of dedication for asking for change why not just get a job?

That said, I can respect a guy out on the street begging for change a lot more than the freeloaders that abuse the hell out of the ridiculous social assistance programs they have here.

I saw Pursuit of Happyness recently and it does make you realize there are people out there that are going through a rough patch and genuinely need help... unfortunately there are too many others just out there to work the system and freeload for the people that really need it to get help.

No perfect system I suppose...

[ward]

Originally Posted by findtom

That said, I can respect a guy out on the street begging for change a lot more than the freeloaders that abuse the hell out of the ridiculous social assistance programs they have here.

how do we know the panhandler isn't abusing the hell out of social programs as well????? he may be begging for change and burning our tax dollars.

[Scarabeo]

Originally Posted by The Boat

o no here goes my terets again :*


YOU CAUGHT YOUR WIFE FUCKING THE MAILMAN
YOU THREW HER DOWN A FLIGHT OFF STAIRS
YOUR SON CAME HOME WITH 4 D'S AND AN F
YOU KICKED HIM IN THE BALLS AND IN THE FACE

IF I WAS A COP, CALLED TO YOUR HOUSE
I'D CONGRATULATE YOU FOR BEATING YOUR SPOUSE
I'D SHAKE YOUR HAND FOR BEATING YOUR SON
IF HE WAS MY SON

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS REALLY REALLY REALLY FUNNY

YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER CAME HOME PREGNANT FOR THE 3'RD OR 4'TH TIME
YOU PUT ON YOUR BOOTS AND KICKED HER IN THE STOMACH
THEN YOU CAUGHT YOUR WIFE SUCKING THE MILKMAN'S DICK
SO YOU THREW HER DOWN THE STAIRS AGAIN

IF I WAS A COP, CALLED TO YOUR HOUSE
ID OFFERED TO SHOOT YOUR NO-GOOD SPOUSE
IF I HAD TO DEAL WITH YOUR TEENAGE SLUT
I WOULDN'T GLADLY KICK HER IN THE GUT

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS REALLY REALLY REALLY FUNNY


dsl;fsajdfkdsl;fj yikes


Being Ignorant Is Awesome
I LIKE TO LAUGH AT RETARDS
I LIKE TO LAUGH AT CRIPPLES
I LIKE TO MAKE FUN OF GAYS
I DON'T LIKE TO BEAT WOMAN
I LIKE ASSUMING BLACK PEOPLE STOLE SOMETHING
I LIKE ASSUMING JEWS JERK OFF TO PHOTOS OF BANKS
I LIKE ASSUMING CHINESE PEOPLE CANT DRIVE
I DON'T LIKE ASSUMING WOMAN ARE DUMB CUNTS
I LIKE BEING IGNORANT
I DON'T WANT TO READ THE PAPER
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE NEWS
I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON
I JUST WANT TO KEEP LOVING YOU

Wow, the quality of the posts in this forum has gone down the tubes....some of these threads are just borderline ridiculous....