# Ask the organizer of the Ottawa Panhandlers' Union **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982 "2009-08-01T16:53:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/201 "2009-08-10T17:42:57Z")
Would these “street vendors” be responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax and paying income taxes on their revenue? After all, if they’re demanding social services, shouldn’t they be required to help fund them? StG ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/202 "2009-08-10T18:09:21Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > I’d like to first commend you on both your courage and your fortitude! > > Can anyone join the OPU (I live out of province and am not a street-person anymore) and if so how? I ask because, if it is possible, I’d like to become a dues paying member. If not, my organization (the “People Who Piss on Public Toilet Seats Union”) is currently accepting new members. I don’t personally piss on toilet seats, but I think it’s a valid lifestyle choice and those who chose to engage in it are frequent abused by the Establishment. Founded in 2005, we’re already up to seven bullhorns and have been mentioned on the verso of a local gated community’s resident newsletter, right below the “friendly reminder” to pick up dog waste. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/203 "2009-08-10T19:21:26Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If not, my organization (the “People Who Piss on Public Toilet Seats Union”) is currently accepting new members. That made be LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/204 "2009-08-10T19:32:07Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > I’m not avoiding or dodging anyone’s questions. I’m in the middle of trying to convince some local Wobblies to assist me in answering the questions. It’s only been a couple of days, and these people have lives. I’m asking them to donate a hefty portion of time to an exercise (replying to a handful of openly hostile posters on an obscure message board) they see as at best a waste of their effort, so you can see why they haven’t leaped instantly at the opportunity. Hey, it’s your thread. Don’t blame someone else for your lack of responses. When you start an “Ask the” thread you pretty much expect questions, don’t you? It’s rude not to answer them, and pretty lame to pass the blame onto someone else. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/205 "2009-08-16T03:58:19Z")
How’d I miss this thread? Thanks for opening it, Smashie. I’m going to read it now, and maybe learn a few things. (Look, I may disagree with you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find your POV valuable.) ---
**Author:** ![SmashTheState](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SmashTheState](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmashTheState)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/206 "2009-08-16T22:05:15Z")
I will no longer be answering any questions here. Several users of SD have made public statements elsewhere on SD accusing me of fraudulent misuse of union funds. They appear to believe this is amusing, and are doing this out of dislike of me, personally. I shouldn’t need to explain that this behaviour is so far over the line as to be beyond the pale. As a public organization under constant media scrutiny, we can’t afford to let this sort of accusation sit in a public forum, meaning we’ll be forced to get a legal opinion. My feeling is the cost and trouble of a cross-border legal action is larger than what our organization can afford, but regardless of what action we choose to take it is no longer in the interest of the OPU to answer any further questions here. Whether or not I choose to continue to contribute to this forum, it will not be in any capacity as spokesperson for the OPU. To those of you who asked questions in good faith, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/207 "2009-08-16T22:30:41Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > I will no longer be answering any questions here. Several users of SD have made public statements elsewhere on SD accusing me of fraudulent misuse of union funds. They appear to believe this is amusing, and are doing this out of dislike of me, personally. I shouldn’t need to explain that this behaviour is so far over the line as to be beyond the pale. > > As a public organization under constant media scrutiny, we can’t afford to let this sort of accusation sit in a public forum, meaning we’ll be forced to get a legal opinion. My feeling is the cost and trouble of a cross-border legal action is larger than what our organization can afford, but regardless of what action we choose to take it is no longer in the interest of the OPU to answer any further questions here. Whether or not I choose to continue to contribute to this forum, it will not be in any capacity as spokesperson for the OPU. > > To those of you who asked questions in good faith, I apologize. You are so right----This “beyond the pale” behavior by a few bad apples has me hoping that they immediately shut down the entire internet, so your tender feelings are not ever bruised again… (oh yeah, I almost forgot----FUCKK AMERICKKA) ---
**Author:** ![wierdaaron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eada6e/32.png) [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/208 "2009-08-16T22:35:01Z")
It’s almost like there are no rules. Anarchy, if you will. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/209 "2009-08-16T22:40:01Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > As a public organization under constant media scrutiny, we can’t afford to let this sort of accusation sit in a public forum, meaning we’ll be forced to get a legal opinion. My feeling is the cost and trouble of a cross-border legal action is larger than what our organization can afford, but regardless of what action we choose to take it is no longer in the interest of the OPU to answer any further questions here. Whether or not I choose to continue to contribute to this forum, it will not be in any capacity as spokesperson for the OPU. You think that’s bad? I once heard about a case where someone posted a video on a popular video sharing website, and amidst the ensuing discussion about the cinematography and overall vision of the piece, someone accused the director of preferring the intimate company of men. This accusation, having no basis in fact, was clearly libelous and could have profoundly damaged the director’s standing within the community. He thus had no recourse but to seek legal action and the file sharing site (YouTube, I think it was called) was forced to declare bankruptcy and cease operations. It’s unfortunate when a few immature individuals are able to ruin the Internet for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/210 "2009-08-17T01:27:55Z")
A shame. I actually had a question about getting local businesses invested in helping your constituents. Might have led to something useful. Edit: So, you’re contemplating legal action against the user of the Straight Dope? Oh, that’ll go well. Are you actively trying to get banned? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982/211 "2009-08-17T01:39:03Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > I will no longer be answering any questions here. Several users of SD have made public statements elsewhere on SD accusing me of fraudulent misuse of union funds. They appear to believe this is amusing, and are doing this out of dislike of me, personally. I shouldn’t need to explain that this behaviour is so far over the line as to be beyond the pale. > > As a public organization under constant media scrutiny, we can’t afford to let this sort of accusation sit in a public forum, meaning we’ll be forced to get a legal opinion. My feeling is the cost and trouble of a cross-border legal action is larger than what our organization can afford, but regardless of what action we choose to take it is no longer in the interest of the OPU to answer any further questions here. Whether or not I choose to continue to contribute to this forum, it will not be in any capacity as spokesperson for the OPU. > > To those of you who asked questions in good faith, I apologize. If you ever feel ready to have a serious give-and-take on this subject, let me know and I’ll reopen this thread, o.k? Closing thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-organizer-of-the-ottawa-panhandlers-union/504982.md?page=10)