Yeah! Damn homos! I’ll help fight 'em!!!
My favorite was a guy in DC around Dupont Circle that had a sign that said, “Need spare change to get on the internet.”
I was there pretty often and I always gave that dude a buck or two. He became kind of a cult icon to some of my classmates and I. We even brought him beers and hot dogs once. What can I say…We were bored!
I’m pretty sure Black12 was replying to SqrlCub, and rightly so. Anybody who has “some type of moderate control over herself/himself” will not starve in the US. Welfare and foodstamps exist for a reason. Black12 was right, most are not homeless by choice, they just don’t have that control over themselves. Drug/alcohol addiction is not necessarily a choice. Granted, the first hit or sip was, but at the point when they are on the street they need help, and it’s not that easy for them to just stroll into the welfare office. Similarily, mentally afflicted people have all sorts o’ problems. The problem is, people give money to the funny guys with jokes or whatever, and not to the crazies barking or stinking up a street corner. The solution? go figure. Just giving a druggie money certainly doesn’t help, and outreach programs aren’t likely to be effective b/c they have addictions/afflictions, and they aren’t going to voluntarily go along.
I give money to my local shelter, and that guy in times square got my pocket change. I’m not helping much either. I dunno. I do think to say that all homeless folk are voluntary con men is a bit simple minded tho. It’s nice to know that poor young white girls are set for life on the street, but as sqrlcub alluded to, old smelly black men barking at people are not, and its not necessarily their fault.
Sorry Pink - I was indeed responding to Sqrl’s post. Sarcasm is always a good thing in my book and I use it liberally. I would like to point out, however, that in 1997 sarcasm killed my mother in a hospital. Can I borrow a few bucks?
I’m with SqrlCub. I don’t give homeless people money. They always ask for cash to buy food. I always offer to buy them food. I will walk with them several blocks to a restaurant, store whatever and let them buy whatever they want. No booze though. It does not happen much, and I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than 5 bucks. Sometimes I get weird excuses why I should give them cash instead of/in addition to food. Sometimes the guy/gal is grateful, and sometimes both.
I never ever take anything seriously if it’s said by a shirtless man in the middle of an intersection. 'Specially if it’s written on a cardboard sign.
Oddly enough, we have a homeless guy who hangs out in front of work sometimes. He has a sign that says–>
“Homeless
Need Work”
It was folded a bit and from my angle it read
“less
Work”
I dunno, maybe it just reflected my mood, or it’s the fact that he always looks so relaxed lounging on the grass all day, but it gave me a laugh. (He just looks -so- relaxed)
I get a little generous around Christmas and will give a buck or two to the cardboard sign carrying guys. One time I gave a half a pack of cigarettes to two guys with a sign “Why lie? I need a beer!”
I know most homeless people aren’t there by choice. The developmentally delayed people that don’t quite fit the mold and are on the street should be in some type of group home. Having them go to a shelter (which is what I always tell them to do) gets them counted and will later through their tracking give them accurate numbers so that they can be housed later. Don’t give them money. Send them to a shelter. I believe Philadelphia used to give cards to the locals with addresses of local shelters and advocacy groups. Keeping them away from that by making life on the streets any easier for them is doing them a disservice.
HUGS!
Sqrl
PS. Jaytini, the club would be cool. 
anytime i could be in a club with you would be a good time (FLIRT FLIRT)
SqrlCub
I live in DC and saw the chick you were talking about. One day she magically showed up where this one other guy used to hang out. My first thought was “hey, a homeless white girl. Let’s hear it for equality.” Two days later I saw her again, counting her cash. She wasn’t being obvious about it, I just happened to catch her doing it. And let me say she had some dough.
phldennison,
I know the guy you’re talking about, I see him all the time, he’s pretty cool. My favorite guy in Georgetown is the “Rapper.” He’ll rap for you for a buck. He’s pretty good but I only see him around 2 or 3 in the morning.
Back to the OP, though, there’s a big white van that drives around DC with the driver’s message about the apocalypse and the government, and George Washington, and major league baseball… written/painted (very neatly mind you) all over it.
So don’t think that the loonies are confined to a particular corner. They’re mobile baby!
-Murphy
Here in Austin, TX, there’s the local celebrity, Leslie. He’s this homeless guy who pushes his shopping cart around the downtown business district. He’s also drag queen. His usual get-up is a thong and rhinestone high-heels. Don’t ask me where he gets 'em, but he does wear 'em. The weather’s warm enough year round to wear it comfortably.
Back in April, we had our mayoral elections and Leslie was on the ballot, with three other candidates. Of course, the incumbent won the election by a wide margin. However, Leslie placed 2nd, with 8% of the vote. The others finished at 3 & 4 percent. I wonder how they feel placing BEHIND the homeless drag queen in the election?