Why not just take care of those who have gotten the shaft by this society? Wouldn't that make more sense?



-Laelth

They used to pass a baby between a couple of ladies when I was there a few years ago. Play on the emotions.

and sometimes I still do if the mood strikes me.

What blew it for me is I would see the same faces - with slightly different signs over and over - the ones saying they needed gas money, food, etc. And then one day I was approached by a couple asking for bus fare back to their motel which was on the other side of town - I literally scraped my purse and came up with $2.17 (I remember the amount) - I apologized and said I wish I had more but this is all I have and you are welcome to it - the man took the money and then started swearing at me and said I was the most @#@## P.o.s. he had come across and how could they get across town on that - the woman looked at me and wished me a nice trip to hell.

After that, I am very careful and most times just give to my local shelters and the charities that care for the homeless.

Yes, there are genuine cases out there, but once bitten twice shy.

I don't expect he'd want to now.

the better half went to the mall once. Upon getting out of the vehicle, someone came around the corner making the better half jump a mile high. Asked for money and then asked for a ride. Followed the better half all the way into the store. The better half notified the employees of the store and they called the police.

-Laelth

In most of the tourist areas, in our experience, it was a steady and constant stream and it really diminished the enjoyment of the trip.

My wife felt unsafe and I didn't appreciate the hassle or the smell of the city so we won't be back until it gets cleaned up.

YMMV

I love the city but when I was there for a convention some years back, the entire route we walked from the hotel to the Mosconi Centre was quite literally lined with pan-handlers. When eating in a fast-food place, you saw them standing outside looking in, with their noses pressed against the glass, and when someone got up from their table to go the bathroom, someone would dash in from outside and take the leftovers from their table. It felt downright predatory.

I never mind helping anyone out, but a former addict friend of mine rather exposed the panhandling trade to me, and now I'm rather reluctant.

The last time I gave money to a panhandler, it was when an elderly black man came up to me with a huge smile on his face, and said he was starting a new job next week but was temporarily caught short. He handed me a grubby business card that said something like Dr. Levi Weissbaum, MD, urologist.

I realised it was pretty unlikely that this was actually Dr. Levi Weissbaum, urologist, standing in front of me, but I gave him $5 for sheer effrontery and we both had a good laugh over it.

...that a beggar is scamming so
I just don't hand out and donate to my preferred charities ( wounded warrior etc...)

Not everyone is out to scam you. Most are not. Have a little compassion.

Just not for them directly...

I prefer to give to an organization that is more likely to use it in a way I would agree with.

... From Wounded Warrior Foundation than the drug addict on the corner.

Do what you like with your money and Ill do the same.


Financial Performance Metrics
Program Expenses 55.0%
Administrative Expenses 8.0%
Fundraising Expenses 36.8%
Fundraising Efficiency $0.30
Primary Revenue Growth 49.0%
Program Expenses Growth 43.1%
Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.50

Maybe it was the time of year.

Best sign ever!

Last edited Mon Feb 11, 2013, 09:04 AM - Edit history (4)

The people walk by you
And act like they know you
Call you a crack head right to your face
While laughing
Discuss how you must be illiterate
Wrinkle their noses as if you smell
Even though you had a bath that morning
Make fun of your clothes
Homeless clothes are a reason
To not let you use the restroom
But when you bought them
You had a home
And they hung in a closet
Just a short time ago
Dying of thirst
And no where is the water free anymore
Close your eyes on a park bench
During the day
And you get a ticket
My long dead wobbly father is rolling
In his grave

Its against the law to take a nap
in the city of New Orleans

This is
Your land
Buy, Buy
Woody Guthrie
We need your
Fascist killing machine
back again

OH Wait

I forgot
all the fascist killing machines
must be in by 8pm

New rules
for a new,

New Orleans

in the new gentrified
city
we used to call big easy

I might go all Villon
on their asses
one of these days
start naming names
call me illiterate
you over rated bitches and snitches
with your commissions
and citations
and decibal meters

(edited because I fucking felt like it. I am not sorry. Not one bit and I ain't gonna explain it)