[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Repent', ' ')Instead I see signs like 'Ninga's killed my family, need money to get judo lessons'.

[Rod_Cloutier]

If I knew how to post an embedded image to this website. (I haven't got a clue).

[Ludi]

If the image is posted to another site, just put bracket img bracket and bracket backslash img bracket around around the url of the image.

[hardtootell-2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', '
')
Do you think it is useful or necessary to turn a point of view into a personal attack?

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', ' ')I am not without compassion

[Ludi]

Thank you, threadbear. There is no way I could have said that, but I agree with it.

It's hard for me not to take these kind of things personally, being one of the "failed experiments" myself.

[threadbear]

Thanks Ludi, By fascist standards I epitomize failure. I'm eccentric almost to the point of madness, and without family or state intervention, physical illness would have killed me, by my late thirties. And....I'm even starting to look lousy in lederhosen!

[JJ]

wow, just got back from an adventure to Austin, Texas on a rice buying mission. There is at least one homeless guy (or gal) on every corner and sometimes several. Some very original signs also. (I'm part of the failed experiment also, Ludi). Didn't give out any money, but saw some funny signs. (Bad guys don't give homeless money, etc.)

[Ludi]

Austin was always "home" to so many homeless people. Back in my college days they were called "Drag Worms." I was quite conservative then, so didn't give any handouts. I thought they should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. The fates sure slapped me down later in life!

[hardtootell-2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', ' ')I am not without compassion

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('hardtootell-2', '
')I know it is seasonal, but to me Scrooge is a man for all seasons.

[deMolay]

There are no apparent homeless in the small town near where I live. But the wife and I have been taking food and some money every 2 weeks to a young Native family with 5 kids. The father is in the last stages of cancer and is unable to work. Every year we always seem to find someone who needs food or help. We have always done this. Either by donating food, clothing or money to families we know need help, or by donating food to community dinners for those in need. Sometimes cooking and serving the food when possible. Tho not cooking lately since my wife has been ill. If someone asks me for money on the street, and says they are hungry I will take them to the nearest restaurant and buy them whatever they want on the menu. I will not give money to drug addicts or drunks for this reason. Many years ago when I was hitch hiking and bumming around. I stayed in a campground one night in the Mountains. Two young Native men were panhandling in the campground for money, they were fairly drunk. They asked me for money, and as I was cooking my meal for the day I offered them food. They refused the food and kept panhandling. The next morning they were found dead by the outdoor showers in the campground. They collected enough money to buy more booze and had drank themselves too death. I never forgot that experience, and was glad I had not given them money.

[WildRose]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('deMolay', ' ')Every year we always seem to find someone who needs food or help. We have always done this. Either by donating food, clothing or money to families we know need help, or by donating food to community dinners for those in need.

[Ludi]

There's no homeless shelter in my county.

[threadbear]

I'm with you deMolay. And good for you. What a big heart you have. Also, if you feel comfortable talking about your wife, on this thread--how is she?

I wouldn't give an alcoholic or anyone addicted to something that can make them violent, like meth, money either.

But would I give money to a woman hooked on heroin, trying to dull the emotional pain of having to sleep with men for a living?...yes.

[threadbear]

Oh, and one more caveat. I would give someone like Maddog, a poor Russian woman scraping buy, selling flowers at a kiosk in St. Petersburg, money, if she needed it. I'd also pay for pituitary growth hormone for her. She's a midget and confined to a wheelchair. Poor thing. After glasnost many Russians really suffered, particularly elderly widowed pensioners. But that's not quite the same as giving to someone who is panhandling. Maddog might not even accept. She has her pride.

[Maddog78]

Just give what you can, every little bit helps.

[MarkJ]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'T')here's no homeless shelter in my county.

[buddylee]

A friend of mine posted on his Facebook that he bought a homeless guy a bag of dog food for said guy's dog. That made my day.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MarkJ', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'T')here's no homeless shelter in my county.