Homeless "Pete"

by Billygoat 14 Replies latest jw friends

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  LDH

  Last year on Dateline or 20/20 they watched this man do the same thing in LA (panhandle) at one of the busiest, wealthiest intersections.

  They filmed cars giving him BIG money (lamborghinis etc). Then after rush hour was over, he went and got in his explorer (changed clothes ON THE STREET) and went home.

  However, here in Fresno there is a homeless man who always was cleaning windshields (I use the term cleaning loosely, LOL). One day I invited him to go into the restaurant and eat with me. Man, the looks I got that day. Young, good looking prof. woman eating lunch with a bum.

  He and I have become 'friends' and I do give him things I think he needs. Last summer his bike was stolen by some thugs, so Rotary gave him a new bike, and I bought him a titanium lock.

  Also, down in SF last winter my daughter and I were rollerblading and we stopped for a bowl of chowder (and MAN was it cold). A young homeless man kept eyeballing us (he had on NO SHOES) anyhow when we finished just as we were getting ready to leave (he had asked all sorts of people for food) he asked if he could have our leftovers.

  I told him no, he couldn't, and threw them away. Then I told him "You are not my dog, if you are hungry you don't eat my leftovers. I will buy you whatever you want to eat." Then we walked over to the vendors and he picked out about three things and paid for it, and the vendor knew this guy so he REALLY filled up his chowder bowl and told me thanks also.

  So anyhow we kept him company for a few minutes, and I could tell he was mentally imbalanced. Just before we left, he had a moment of clarity and said, "You are so nice you remind me of my sister."

  Well anyhow, after I got back to the hotel, I remember that I had my cell phone with me and I wished like anything I had asked him if he wanted to call home. Maybe someone was looking for him. I will always regret not asking if he wanted to call home.

  As a general rule, I don't give bums money.
• 

  BoozeRunner

  Having grown up in NYC, I saw more than my share of beggars, window washers, etc, etc. The subway was THE place for them to be, I mean, captive audience on a train and all. LOL
  I gave money away to many during those years-to the desparate looking, and the not-so-desparate looking ones. there were times I simply rewarded the "creative beggars."
  For example, there was the guy who dressed in all black, played a saxaphone, claiming to be from outer space and needed to buy parts for his crashed spaceship. The music was bearable, at least. It was clear this was how he made his living. Also, there were times when late at nite shady characters wold harass other passengers. I saw this "alien" toss a nut-case off the train when there no police to protect the passengers. I gladly gave him money whenever I saw him.

  Then there was the window washer, who during a snowstorm in NYC held up a sign which said, "Due to inclement weather, window washing is currently suspended. All contributions will be appreciated."

  That made me laugh so hard, I gave him a buck or two.

  I dont worry who's pulling scams, if I am in the mood to give, I just do it.

  Boozy
• 

  waiting

  I think it's reasonable that's there's truely homeless people, mentally ill people (who also are homeless) drug addicts, con artists, etc. - all on the street.

  How to tell which is which? Who knows. I don't give to people who ask for money for cigarettes, beer, etc.

  But there are others, who aren't even asking for money - just wandering down the street. One guy in Ventura (lots of old people there) was mumbling & walking, had medals pinned on an old coat, lost in his own world. I felt sorry for him - he didn't ask anything, but imho, it seemed he was mental. A dollar from me wouldn't hurt me - but it might help him a little. A cup of coffee given to a man who was cold, no big deal.

  Black/white thinking about these people is too easy, too simplistic. If it was that easy - then why isn't the government taking care that there are no homeless? No mental on the streets? No con artists?

  I don't have the unfaltering faith in the USA government to provide the basic necessities for every individual in the country. Too utopia-thinking for me, like the IRS is really interested in my well-being.

  I think a lot of people fall through the cracks, particularily the mental. A program for them? Sure has been - news stories (like Dateline) showing how government spending is down and these people are put out on the streets - no place to go.

  waiting
• 

  drahcir yarrum

  I saw a homeless dude at a busy intersection this past year carrying a cardboard sign that said, "I NEED BEER, WHY LIE?"

  Ahhhh a breath of honesty!
• 

  GentlyFeral

  Good for you, LDH.

  I've been homeless (and, yes, I was a jaydub at the time; it was another couple of years before we left). Since then, I ALWAYS give to panhandlers -- be cause you never know when they might NOT be scamming.

  I always give what I can afford: one dollar. A dollar won't buy a joint, a hit of acid, or a pack of cigarettes. Hell, it won't even buy a bus ride here in the San Francisco Bay Area; but it will buy a McDonald's hamburger or one second-rate beer, or two phone calls. Not totally worthless.

  Gently Feral