This is so funny that it is not funny at all

[sorcerormickey]

Are you kidding me?

Panhandling is a BIG problem here in central Florida. A couple of years back they did an undercover investigation about them on the local news. The reporter posed as a panhandler for a week to see how much money they would get - the result? OVER $1,000!!

(The point of the news story was about how these people make money and don't pay taxes on it.)

And I too have seen some of these folks end their 'shift' and go get into a very nice car. We see the same guys on the same corners when we are out.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

this thread will end badly but let me throw this out there anyway,
since everyone is giving opinions based on assumptions:

is anyone sure exactly what was going on? Is it possible at all that she found this blackberry or whatever she actually had in her hands? If so concerned why not just stop and ask her...maybe find out if she needed help...if you're afraid she is armed dangerous, contagious, will bite you, simply take your mobile device and dial 9 1 1 "I think someone might need help"

Oh please. First, ANYTHING is possible, in EVERY situation posted on the DIS. Second...while I'm sure it's POSSIBLE she "found" the Blackberry, I highly doubt it. And if she did, she should turn it in. Yeah, I know...but MAYBE she was going to turn it in after she made that call.

This isn't a legal trial where, with little information, we are literally convicting this person and sending her to jail. It's a discussion board. Someone saw something, posted his observation, and people are commenting, as in "discussing" what was observed. There are no two ways around it tho...a woman begging, while on a Blackberry, DOES NOT LOOK GOOD.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh please. First, ANYTHING is possible, in EVERY situation posted on the DIS. Second...while I'm sure it's POSSIBLE she "found" the Blackberry, I highly doubt it. And if she did, she should turn it in. Yeah, I know...but MAYBE she was going to turn it in after she made that call.

This isn't a legal trial where, with little information, we are literally convicting this person and sending her to jail. It's a discussion board. Someone saw something, posted his observation, and people are commenting, as in "discussing" what was observed. There are no two ways around it tho...a woman begging, while on a Blackberry, DOES NOT LOOK GOOD.

Oh please...it is always a discussion unless you are on the unpopular side of thought or the non-judgemental side. Its not a trial but boy around here a LOT of "convictions" happen with little information and pompous attitudes. Carry on compare notes with all the others...the statement DOES NOT LOOK GOOD is the whole basis for prejudice...so this woman is automatically GUILTY until PROVEN INNOCENT because it doesn't look good and people are wonderful at pre-judging, filling in the blanks when they have little information ...sad really I can't argue anyones moral compass.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I really have no opinion either way as I tend to let the Big Man upstairs judge for Himself but heard this on the radio the other day and thought this was a pretty neat idea. This lady keeps a box in her car with Ziploc bags with a washcloth, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other little things and a gift card to a cheap grocery store or some cash. When she sees someone panhandling or that's homeless she offers them one of these bags. She said some refuse them but others are so thankful.

 

[daughtersrus]

The news did a story on this once and I was amazed. We have quite a few people asking for money in downtown and the news did a study that showed that a lot of them make more money in one day then if they had a real job. Unfortuately, because of bad apples, I don't give money to anyone. I will be more than happy to buy someone food. I find that when that is offered, they just walk away pissed off at me for suggesting it.

We recently returned from a week on Waikiki Beach. There were quite a few people asking for money on the strip and a lot of people giving to them. Several morning we go up early and walked all the way down the beach. We saw many people sleeping under shelters and trees and on park benches. After dark, the strip comes alive with people asking for money as well as others that are selling things, playing music, singing, reading fortunes...many of which had signs saying that they are homeless and would appreciate any donations. None of these people were the ones that we had seen earlier in the morning sleeping on the beach. My thought is that asking for money is their job.

At home, there is often a man standing at the exit of a highway that I use often. He's holding a sign asking for a job. I have never given him money but this summer I started bringing an extra bottle of Powerade and I give that to him. He always sounds very appreciative.

 

[luvmy3]

Oh please...it is always a discussion unless you are on the unpopular side of thought or the non-judgemental side. Its not a trial but boy around here a LOT of "convictions" happen with little information and pompous attitudes. Carry on compare notes with all the others...the statement DOES NOT LOOK GOOD is the whole basis for prejudice...so this woman is automatically GUILTY until PROVEN INNOCENT because it doesn't look good and people are wonderful at pre-judging, filling in the blanks when they have little information ...sad really I can't argue anyones moral compass.

We are discussing the OP as if it were true, thats what most people do on a message board when an OP posts somethig. Sure there could be many possibilitlies of what the truth is, but unfortunatelty none of us have a crystal ball and can only start a discussion based on the observed facts by the OP. If you want to go around introducing the "what ifs" into everything that could be, then thats okay but maybe you should steer clear of internet message boards, or general conversations for that matter.

 

[Luvchefmic]

We are discussing the OP as if it were true, thats what most people do on a message board when an OP posts somethig. Sure there could be many possibilitlies of what the truth is, but unfortunatelty none of us have a crystal ball and can only start a discussion based on the observed facts by the OP. If you want to go around introducing the "what ifs" into everything that could be, then thats okay but maybe you should steer clear of internet message boards, or general conversations for that matter.

perhaps I am touching a nerve somewhere deep down inside of you and if not and you really don't care about people perhaps you should mind your own business gving me unsolicited advice ok? YOUR way or the highway for me and my opinion..huh?

 

[Magpie]

Oh please...it is always a discussion unless you are on the unpopular side of thought or the non-judgemental side. Its not a trial but boy around here a LOT of "convictions" happen with little information and pompous attitudes. Carry on compare notes with all the others...the statement DOES NOT LOOK GOOD is the whole basis for prejudice...so this woman is automatically GUILTY until PROVEN INNOCENT because it doesn't look good and people are wonderful at pre-judging, filling in the blanks when they have little information ...sad really I can't argue anyones moral compass.

I agree with you.

Having friends who've struggled with mental illness, who've been poor (who ARE poor!), who've been homeless or lived in shelters... No one starts off their life thinking, "Hey, when I grow up, I want to sit on a street corner and beg for change!" It really sucks to be on the street, even when you've got some crummy little apartment to go home to at night.

There's any number of reasons - both good and bad - why this lady might have been using a Blackberry, and since OP didn't care to actually say, "Hi! I noticed your Blackberry. How can you afford it?", we'll never know what the truth is.

No one is forcing anyone to give money to her, and she's certainly not hurting anyone by sitting on the sidewalk with her sign. So why judge her?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Oh please...it is always a discussion unless you are on the unpopular side of thought or the non-judgemental side. Its not a trial but boy around here a LOT of "convictions" happen with little information and pompous attitudes. Carry on compare notes with all the others...the statement DOES NOT LOOK GOOD is the whole basis for prejudice...so this woman is automatically GUILTY until PROVEN INNOCENT because it doesn't look good and people are wonderful at pre-judging, filling in the blanks when they have little information ...sad really I can't argue anyones moral compass.

She has not been CONVICTED of anything.

IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD is an observation. It DOESN'T...period. It LOOKS as bad as the other example of the poster's story about someone applying for reduced lunches and then getting in a car with "Y WORK" as the plate. Maybe this, or maybe that...it looks questionable. BUT NO ONE HERE HAS SENT ANY OF THESE PEOPLE TO PRISON FOR IT, nor has expressed that she should be. Again...just a whole bunch of people discussing it.

You, as well, "filled in the blank"; you don't like anyone else's filling in the blank with the opposite opinion...why is it that your "kumbaya" opinion is more valid than others?

The discussion is about the irony. It's ironic to be BEGGING while texting on a Blackberry, whether she "found" it or not. (Geez, I have to keep my eyes open for lost Blackberries!)

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We are discussing the OP as if it were true, thats what most people do on a message board when an OP posts somethig. Sure there could be many possibilitlies of what the truth is, but unfortunatelty none of us have a crystal ball and can only start a discussion based on the observed facts by the OP. If you want to go around introducing the "what ifs" into everything that could be, then thats okay but maybe you should steer clear of internet message boards, or general conversations for that matter.

 

[Luvchefmic]

yes that's me Pollyanna all the way skipping down the highway to heaven singing Kumbaya my Lord Kumbaya...peace be with you....

 

[mster425]

I really have no opinion either way as I tend to let the Big Man upstairs judge for Himself but heard this on the radio the other day and thought this was a pretty neat idea. This lady keeps a box in her car with Ziploc bags with a washcloth, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other little things and a gift card to a cheap grocery store or some cash. When she sees someone panhandling or that's homeless she offers them one of these bags. She said some refuse them but others are so thankful.

I love this idea!

As far as the rest of the discussion, if I don't think the person asking me for money is legit, I don't give it to them, but I don't see the point in getting self righteous about it and making fun of them. Making fun of disenfranchised strangers wouldn't be fun for me.

 

[smkiya]

I remember years ago seeing a guy get off the bus one evening in a residential neighborhood, carrying his sign asking for money under his arm. I forget what it said. But as the bus was pulling away he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a large wad of money and began sifting through it. Even if they were all ones, it was a LOT! He proceeded to walk to his house.
Nothing like a hard day of tax free work.

Once I was walking through the park and a homeless man on a bench had a cup and was asking for money. I offered him my lunch (just purchased from Wendy's still in bag) and he said (very nasty) "I don't want that [bleep]!"

It's sad because it makes me skeptical of people asking for handouts, and I don't give anymore.

 

[klj27]

The president of our local coalition for the homeless is on the news often and bothers me to no end. He criticizes the homeless shelter because they place rules on the residents (curfews and request that they not be pan handling - doesn't turn them away if they do), argues when the city parks are being refurbished because they don't belong to the city... they belong to the homeless. It's almost as if he wants the homeless to live the life he feels they are choosing... homeless and not that he wants to help the homeless with their issues (economics, mental illness, addictions).

I think that is why I don't give to panhandlers. I don't think it will really help them. I really believe it is the shelters (religious organizations, drug rehabs, etc.) that can really help. I will greatly give to them.

And on to the op's example.... yep.... she was really hurting her business.

 

[Belle2667]

If I homeless, my cell phone would probably be one of the few things I would keep. I would want a prospective employer to be able to reach me.

 

[ilovesugar]

The president of our local coalition for the homeless is on the news often and bothers me to no end. He criticizes the homeless shelter because they place rules on the residents (curfews and request that they not be pan handling - doesn't turn them away if they do), argues when the city parks are being refurbished because they don't belong to the city... they belong to the homeless. It's almost as if he wants the homeless to live the life he feels they are choosing... homeless and not that he wants to help the homeless with their issues (economics, mental illness, addictions).
I think that is why I don't give to panhandlers. I don't think it will really help them. I really believe it is the shelters (religious organizations, drug rehabs, etc.) that can really help. I will greatly give to them.

And on to the op's example.... yep.... she was really hurting her business.

Of course he want's them to remain homeless. If there are no homeless, he has no job.

 

[luvmy3]

perhaps I am touching a nerve somewhere deep down inside of you and if not and you really don't care about people perhaps you should mind your own business gving me unsolicited advice ok? YOUR way or the highway for me and my opinion..huh?

Seems there is only one here who has pretty touchy nerves. As far as unsolicited advice, pot, meet kettle

this thread will end badly but let me throw this out there anyway,
since everyone is giving opinions based on assumptions:

is anyone sure exactly what was going on? Is it possible at all that she found this blackberry or whatever she actually had in her hands? If so concerned why not just stop and ask her...maybe find out if she needed help...if you're afraid she is armed dangerous, contagious, will bite you, simply take your mobile device and dial 9 1 1 "I think someone might need help"

 

[Arielle22]

The president of our local coalition for the homeless is on the news often and bothers me to no end. He criticizes the homeless shelter because they place rules on the residents (curfews and request that they not be pan handling - doesn't turn them away if they do), argues when the city parks are being refurbished because they don't belong to the city... they belong to the homeless. It's almost as if he wants the homeless to live the life he feels they are choosing... homeless and not that he wants to help the homeless with their issues (economics, mental illness, addictions).

I think that is why I don't give to panhandlers. I don't think it will really help them. I really believe it is the shelters (religious organizations, drug rehabs, etc.) that can really help. I will greatly give to them.

And on to the op's example.... yep.... she was really hurting her business.

There is a local group that is trying a new way to break the cycle. They have small apartment complexes with studio apartments that the homeless are placed into. They are given access to medical care but are allowed to continue to drink (not sure about drugs). The thought is that it is cheaper than the cycle of arresting/hospitalizing the homeless that is ongoing in the city.

The article showed several men who once in their own apartment choose to stop drinking. I found it an interesting theory but I am unsure if it would work long term.

I don't give to pan handlers because I don't want to encourage their behavior. I pass a couple on my way to work when I walk from the train station. They are not pushy (one holds up a sign that reads "if you can't give then just smile). However I have encountered a few that have turned unpleasant when denied.

As for the OP, I agree that I would have found the sight of a texting pan handler funny.

 

[smartkim]

Of course he want's them to remain homeless. If there are no homeless, he has no job.

SO TRUE!!!!!!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI: my kids have a Blackberry that they play games on. It is one that a former employer supplied to DH, and when he quit it was so old that they didn't want it back. As long as you keep it charged it works fine for playing games.

Also, even a disconnected Blackberry will work for calling 911 if it is charged up. There are charities that distribute older donated cell phones to the poor for emergency use.

I'm not saying that this was what the woman was really doing with it, but unless one were close enough to read the screen there would be no way to tell.