You know what hit me the other day while I was driving down a major street here in MI, I saw a man with a homemade house made of cardboard behind a service station next to a dumpster. He was in a wheelchair. His clothes were next to him. Even a leasing consultant told me that she saw a homeless person with a fixed up “home” outside the complex she works for. This was in what would be considered a suburb. I read an article that there’s 66,000 people homeless in Michigan.

It gets cold here in the Winter.

And this country is spending over 200 billion in Iraq. Somebody explain to why that makes sense.

soldiers are people too.

And this country is spending over 200 billion in Iraq. Somebody explain to why that makes sense.

Military contracts are worth billions and billions of dollars to connected people.

You know what hit me the other day while I was driving down a major street here in MI, I saw a man with a homemade house made of cardboard behind a service station next to a dumpster. He was in a wheelchair. His clothes were next to him.

Did you stop and talk to him? Or did you just keep driving?

I'm surprised you just realized this homeless in the winter scenario....I see homeless people almost daily.

I'm surprised you just realized this homeless in the winter scenario....I see homeless people almost daily.

OK. You must go where I don't. I rarely see that, and I log hundreds of miles a week. Do you ever stop and talk to these people?

Did you stop and talk to him? Or did you just keep driving?

I wanted to, but what can I say? I can't offer him a place to live. You think I should've talked to him? I did think about it. It's not like I'm afraid, but I can't do nothing about it. Police see him, elected officials probably do too (he was on a major highway here)

Jack, I am gonna ask my congressman why the hell we're in Iraq spending a cazillion dollars "spreading democracy" when people here in MI are living on the street.

Well, that's a very good question, PC.

The congressman's flack will send you a form letter listing the social programs available for this person to avail himself, and probably mention the private charities as well, like Salvation Army and other church-based initiatives.

I don't know about stopping to engage these people. I wouldn't, myself. They are probably lunatic, like bag ladies and trash cart men. What can you do?

When I was in college, there was a homeless guy who spent a lot of time on Frat Row. I talked to him a lot, and gave him cigarettes and beer and food. He had a family he could have gone to, but he decided to live on the streets in Newark, NJ instead. :shrug:

There are plenty of private charities where homeless people can get help. Some of them would rather live on the streets...

I live in a really rural area, so its not something we see much around here.

But when I was a kid, I used to pray for them every night, especially in the winter. :(

When I was in college, there was a homeless guy who spent a lot of time on Frat Row. I talked to him a lot, and gave him cigarettes and beer and food. He had a family he could have gone to, but he decided to live on the streets in Newark, NJ instead. :shrug:

There are plenty of private charities where homeless people can get help. Some of them would rather live on the streets...

That's what I thought: Why not live in a shelter or w/family?

I don't know why. The article I have, I only read a couple paragraphs. I need to finish it, it may answer those questions.

Half if not more of all homeless Americans are veterans... Which makes me laugh all the more at this 'support our troops' bull**** people spout with their bumper stickers as they drive by them sleeping sleeping in the snow and frowning on them in disdain.

I probably see about 3-4 homeless Americans a day on average while at school. One of who'm is the same guy, probably about 32--a veteran of the gulf war. Cowboy, he's a pretty cool guy if you stop to just chat with him for a while.

Now, I'f I go to the park I can typically see maybe 7-8 homeless Americans trying to sleep...

I'm surprised you just realized this homeless in the winter scenario....I see homeless people almost daily.

Homeless people in Canada? But...but..but...:confused:

Half if not more of all homeless Americans are veterans...

Actually, try "23% of homeless population are veterans". Fudging the numbers again, Swiftsloth? :rolleyes:

http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

Homeless people in Canada? But...but..but...:confused:


Yeah. But I don't think Canada is in the ME waging wars costing billions of dollars talking about spreading democracy!

Nor do I hear their leaders invoking God's name in vain like I do here in Christian America.



Half if not more of all homeless Americans are veterans... Which makes me laugh all the more at this 'support our troops' bull**** people spout with their bumper stickers as they drive by them sleeping sleeping in the snow and frowning on them in disdain.

I probably see about 3-4 homeless Americans a day on average while at school. One of who'm is the same guy, probably about 32--a veteran of the gulf war. Cowboy, he's a pretty cool guy if you stop to just chat with him for a while.

Now, I'f I go to the park I can typically see maybe 7-8 homeless Americans trying to sleep...


You're painting a vivid picture.

That's still a large percentage.

Getting into a homeless shelter isn't as easy as people assume it to be. Especially if you're male. There's only so many rooms, and often times people are put on waiting lists.

It's a bunch of bs. But, of course, it's no shocker to me that our country doesn't care about the homeless. :shrug: After all, what benefit are they to the greedy politicians. :shrug:

That's still a large percentage.

But it's not 50 or more.

It's a bunch of bs. But, of course, it's no shocker to me that our country doesn't care about the homeless. :shrug: After all, what benefit are they to the greedy politicians. :shrug:

I just thought y'all had this here free health care; a lot of them are crazy (at least ours) or addicted (you can lose everything you have sucking down 5 crack rocks ($100) a day. Sounds medical to me.

Doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or whatever, homelessness obviously isn't an easy problem to solve. There are probably as many different reasons for people living on the street as there are people living on the street. But I think we'd make a lot of headway if we as a nation and as communities devoted more manpower and financial resources to mental health problems, including substance abuse.

Actually, try "23% of homeless population are veterans". Fudging the numbers again, Swiftsloth? :rolleyes:

http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

Ahh man, sorry. I do fudge that sometimes--I get to thinking about the fact that 500,000 veterans are on average homeless for a year, and it turns to %50. I forget just how pathetic America is to be so rich and yet somehow have so many homeless peopel starving on the streets.

Yea, your right. 200,000 veterans aint that many.

OK. You must go where I don't. I rarely see that, and I log hundreds of miles a week. Do you ever stop and talk to these people?

Most of the ones here are addicts & are out in the streets because of their violent tendencies. My older brother was one of them, so I'd say, yeah, I've spoken to them. Some get out of that situation, some prefer it, some die before they get out. It's very sad.

Most of the ones here are addicts & are out in the streets because of their violent tendencies. My older brother was one of them, so I'd say, yeah, I've spoken to them. Some get out of that situation, some prefer it, some die before they get out. It's very sad.

You can't help those people. In college, I was staying at this professor's rental house in his back yard (converted garage) and the room had 2 beds in there. Worked fine for 3 months, I was there by myself. Came home after work (midnight) and this guy was in there. Crackhead. O Lordy. e didn't own anything, not even a toothbrush. Got to talking, he used to have everything - wife, 2 kids, 2 cars, house, and he started to smoke crack. Was spending $100/day. Only bringing in $90/day. Catches up to you. Start selling chit. Wife starts to notice. Kicks you out of the house. Dad takes him in. While Dad's at work and his mom at some friends, he puts a bunch of his parent's stuff in his dad's truck and trades it for crack.

I was out of their the next day. Didn't want my stuff gone while I was at school or work. Missed two tests that I couldn't make up, whilst moving. :not:

Can't help 'em.

The left has suddenly rediscovered homelessness.

they discovered it in Reagan's term.

Then Clitoon magically solved it.

Now homelessness returns right in time for the 2006 midterm elections.

You guys are incredibly predictable.

There are plenty of private charities where homeless people can get help. Some of them would rather live on the streets...

Actually the problem is that many of them have such chaotic lifestyles that their needs cannot be met by said charities. Indeed in many cases (and I'm thinking alcohol/drug abuse here) they are unable to recognise and ake the help that is offered to them - though they may want to.

Mark

edit: apologies for repeating anyone - didn't se second page!

JimmyJude - for goodness sake, would you shut up about 'the left'. Homelessness is a perennial problem that is very difficult to deal with - the only person that has mentioned democrats/republicans is YOU.

Also, it is worth bearing in mind that there is a whole WORLD out there beyond the shores of the US where this sort of thing happens too. :nonono:

Mark

The left has suddenly rediscovered homelessness.

they discovered it in Reagan's term.

Then Clitoon magically solved it.

Now homelessness returns right in time for the 2006 midterm elections.

You guys are incredibly predictable.

LOL Good point. I don't remember this discussion going on in the 1990s.

And this country is spending over 200 billion in Iraq. Somebody explain to why that makes sense.

Because tanks, ammunition, body armor, and building a country are more expensive than crack and cheap wine.

Because tanks, ammunition, body armor, and building a country are more expensive than crack and cheap wine.


Or anti-psychotic drugs and warm beds.

Most of the ones here are addicts & are out in the streets because of their violent tendencies. My older brother was one of them, so I'd say, yeah, I've spoken to them. Some get out of that situation, some prefer it, some die before they get out. It's very sad.

I was actually baiting you a little, and I regret it. Don't ever stop and talk to these people. Just trust me on this one thing, if nothing else.

Don't ever stop and talk to these people

Because...?

Mark

Because...?

Mark

Because...half of 'em are nuts, pal. Or drunk or cracked. Or all of the above. If a respectable young lady wants to do something for the homeless she can write a check to the Salvation Army, possibly the most noble, selfless, God-fearing, righteous, and all-around tops organization in the whole damn scuzzy world.

Here:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf

Pardon me for a minute while I send them a donation myself.

Oh my God! I take it back. ^ That is why Jack is my favorite racist. Good job, man.

I secretly have a thing for Bear Stories and want to be her hero. I think I'm coming along nicely.

Or anti-psychotic drugs and warm beds.

You can't make someone take their medicine or force them to follow the rules necessary to stay in a shelter.

Perhaps, but if a helping hand were offered to some of those people, they might take it and they might start to do the work to make the differences in their lives.

Not all of them; I get that, but there are some who might benefit from our kindness.

Because...half of 'em are nuts, pal. Or drunk or cracked. Or all of the above. If a respectable young lady wants to do something for the homeless she can write a check to the Salvation Army, possibly the most noble, selfless, God-fearing, righteous, and all-around tops organization in the whole damn scuzzy world.

And. OMG... drunk people! :eek: :rolleyes:

Here:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf

Pardon me for a minute while I send them a donation myself.

The salvation army over here are abit holier than thou but they do a reasonable job, I agree.

Mark

I secretly have a thing for Bear Stories and want to be her hero. I think I'm coming along nicely.


Okay, but I'm not singing that stupid wind beneath my wings song to you.

You know what hit me the other day while I was driving down a major street here in MI, I saw a man with a homemade house made of cardboard behind a service station next to a dumpster. He was in a wheelchair.

I'm shocked and disgusted! Why aren't the local police arresting these homeless bums? They are an eyesore, lower property values and are dangerous. Isn't vangrancy illegal? Throw these disgusting people behind bars.

Because tanks, ammunition, body armor, and building a country are more expensive than crack and cheap wine.

LOL! Good one! :nice:

You know what hit me the other day while I was driving down a major street here in MI, I saw a man with a homemade house made of cardboard behind a service station next to a dumpster. He was in a wheelchair.

I'm surprised you just realized this homeless in the winter scenario....I see homeless people almost daily.

...and you walk on right past them, go buy a $10 latte and complain to your liberal friends that evil conservatives don't do anything for the homeless. If you really care about these people, why don't you spend less time posting on internet message boards and bitching about Bush and go and help them- thats right, don't volunteer someone else's money, how about you donate YOUR OWN time and money- gee, who would have ever thought of that! :rolleyes:

Or anti-psychotic drugs and warm beds.

Sorry bub, but the goverment can't supply these things to these people. The constitution doesn't give the goverment the power to rob one group of people to supply another. Ever hear of a concept called property rights?

Ten dollar lattes? Dude, you are seriously hanging out in the wrong coffee shop.

Sorry bub, but the goverment can't supply these things to these people. The constitution doesn't give the goverment the power to rob one group of people to supply another. Ever hear of a concept called property rights?

I was actually speaking about a little human kindness, but if you want to make a gov't problem, well, then you go right ahead. Good luck with that whole looking in the mirror thing.


(and, ps? It's bitch, not bub.)

...and you walk on right past them, go buy a $10 latte and complain to your liberal friends that evil conservatives don't do anything for the homeless. If you really care about these people, why don't you spend less time posting on internet message boards and bitching about Bush and go and help them- thats right, don't volunteer someone else's money, how about you donate YOUR OWN time and money- gee, who would have ever thought of that! :rolleyes:
http://www.discussanything.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9489&stc=1&d=1124674620 http://www.discussanything.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9489&stc=1&d=1124674620 http://www.discussanything.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9489&stc=1&d=1124674620 http://www.discussanything.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9489&stc=1&d=1124674620 http://www.discussanything.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9489&stc=1&d=1124674620

Oh mighty high & righteous one...how do thee float above us like a heavenly presence...


Hey bub, didja spend Christmas handing out dinner to the hungry...or sulking over the mediocre gifts you received? You have no idea if/when/how often I give/work/donate to charitable causes so take the judgemental wish-stick from yer arse.
Man, you are a conceited facist labelling stereotyping right wing nutjob, aren't you?

And mods, it was worth every sweet drop. Especially if Rubicontra gets one for baiting :nice:

so nice I egged him twice.

He had nothing but coal in his stocking. Why do you think he's so pissed off? ;)

Hey bub, didja spend Christmas handing out dinner to the hungry...or sulking over the mediocre gifts you received?


No, cause I don't care about the poor or hungry. I also don't claim to. Its you and your kind who claim to be the holier than thou all-caring good people.


You have no idea if/when/how often I give/work/donate to charitable causes so take the judgemental wish-stick from yer arse.


If you cared so much, you'd be out volunteering, not sitting around posting online. Nuff said.


Man, you are a conceited facist labelling stereotyping right wing nutjob, aren't you?

And mods, it was worth every sweet drop. Especially if Rubicontra gets one for baiting :nice:

Shoving your own hypocrisy in your face gets you people all worked up, now don't it? :rofl:

No, cause I don't care about the poor or hungry. I also don't claim to. Its you and your kind who claim to be the holier than thou all-caring good people.
If you cared so much, you'd be out volunteering, not sitting around posting online. Nuff said.

Shoving your own hypocrisy in your face gets you types all worked up, now don't it? :rofl:

Who's hypocritacal? Trying to slam me for not caring about the homeless? I never said I was holier than thou. You are the one implying you are somehow better than anyone.
And you know what, Contra, I am better than you, because I actually give a damn, and help those who need help...I'm not a keyboard critic blowing smoke out of his ass.
You are crippled with the mindset of a child.

No, cause I don't care about the poor or hungry.....

Post of the day!

Okay, but I'm not singing that stupid wind beneath my wings song to you.

When I want singing I'll get a parakeet. Never do I ask a woman to sing.

OK, once, but that was to cover an escape. I didn't have a parakeet handy.

Absolutely no visible homeless people around these parts. We'll arrest them for vagrancy and they usually have warrants so it's off to the paddywagon.

Absolutely no visible homeless people around these parts. We'll arrest them for vagrancy and they usually have warrants so it's off to the paddywagon.

One way or another, 3 hots and a cot.

Absolutely no visible homeless people around these parts. We'll arrest them for vagrancy and they usually have warrants so it's off to the paddywagon.

Sweet deal. Maybe I'll have to move out there.