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Before judging, put yourself in the shoes of the homeless
Before judging, put yourself in the shoes of the homeless
Date published: 11/2/2009 Before judging, put yourself in the shoes of the homeless I am writing in response to Carroll Anne Mrozek's letter ["Stop panhandling: Make the commitment," Oct. 22]. I too have noticed the panhandling around the Spotsylvania Towne Centre, the increasing numbers of homeless people around town, and also a bush in a vacant lot where someone lived for a while. I have noticed the van that sometimes parks on my street that is home to a family with two very small children. Ms. Mrozek's question--"Where is the dignity?"--made me think of just one more reason to perhaps have a bit of compassion for "these folks," as she calls them. Imagine, if it is possible, that you lose your job and you are willing to get up at 4 a.m. and go to work--if there were any jobs to be had. Then imagine that you lose your house or apartment, and there is nowhere else to go, and everything that you had ever worked for is gone, and you have to take your children and live in your car, or a shelter, or a tent, or an alley, or a box. Then, to make things worse, comes the embarrassment of going out on the street to beg for money to feed yourself, or perhaps your 5-year-old, or buy medicine for your baby--and then realize that there is a woman who sits in her car and is so disgusted by you that she won't even look at you. The letter-writer asks, "Where is the assistance? Where are the police?" Does she feel these people should be arrested? Ms. Mrozek writes, "I would like an American taking my order at the local fast-food joint for a change. An honest day's work never hurt anyone. Ask your grandparents." From what part of America did the name "Mrozek" originate? Perhaps she can ask her grandparents. Beth Jenkins Fredericksburg
Date published: 11/2/2009
Jesus' occupation.
(posted by
leclare
, Nov. 4, 2009 5:06 pm)
Jesus was a carpenter (and in pictures looked thin enough to be mistaken for karen carpenter) but gave it up for his religious activism. He preached, and there is nothing in the good book to show that he earned his dinners by putting up a barn, a camel trough, selling bagels, or what have you. We can only conclude that he got his dinners from people that fed him without taking money for food eaten. How different from those unfortunates who frequent the charity halls--Jesus had choice, they have nothing.
psalm14415 ,,, you must be kidding ... this is a joke, right?
(posted by
sacha
, Nov. 4, 2009 9:09 am)
You said: Poor candidates would be required to submit to discipline to ensure they're not poor because of character flaws. Giving handouts only enables character deficiencies. Question: What ever happened to all the applications that Jesus received when he fed and healed the poor and infirm? What kind of "Christian" are you? Don't answer, we already know. Quit using the Bible to justify your character flaws!!!
Mandrake,
(posted by
leclare
, Nov. 3, 2009 1:49 pm)
I personally thank you for giving Sammy Davis Jr. that 10 bucks. I, too, was accosted twice in San Francisco while visiting my sister. The first time I told the guy I don't do those things. The second time I told a pretty woman (I think) that I was married and wasn't looking an AIDS vaccine life.
Allright then..I confess
(posted by
Mandrake
, Nov. 3, 2009 1:00 pm)
I have given some $ here and there.
I recal being accosted at the Embarcadero in San Francisko. It was a ragged looking middle aged black guy wearing a top hat. He said..hey Sir..could you help this Jewish boy with a few dollars so I can go to medical school and make my Jewish mother proud?"
After I stopped laughing he departed happily with my ten bucks.
So you see..I have a heart..(and no I didn't leave i there..)
"Let he who is without...."
(posted by
leclare
, Nov. 3, 2009 10:47 am)
Sure we should give some to the charitys that help the poor, homeless, etc. But think: when you are working and earning your money and get a second job to supplement your income for gas for the Escalade (2 miles per gallon), everyone says you are a go-getter. So why blame the street beggars for supplementing the meager amounts they get from the charitys: a cot, a bowl of soup, a Thanksgiving dinner, etc. Sure, some are not legitimate, but how do we discern? Some are alkies, some mentally off. Give a break.
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