(Update) Homeless Fort Myers woman (Henrietta Hughes) offered help after Obama's town hall

[sabra]

Source: News Press

Henrietta Hughes was offered a home by Chene Thompson, wife of State Representative Nick Thompson, who heard the homeless woman’s pleas for help to President Obama before a local and national crowd.

The house is in LaBelle, the first home Scere Thompson bought after law school. She told Hughes, “Just give me the opportunity to help you.”

Hughes broke down in front of thousands when she told the president that she and her son have been homeless for more than a year. They are living in a pickup truck.

Obama hugged her after she asked her question and said his staff would help. A staffer later gave her a card to the head of the housing authority and she was told he would help her.

Hughes said she wanted to talk to the president to tell him about their problems.

“That was my desire,” the 61-year-old woman said as she cried. “I said I just pray to the Lord.”

Read more: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090210/OBAMA/90210038/1002/RSS01

[Uben]

1. We've got to help each other

Our government just can't do it for everyone, we have to get involved and help our fellow Americans get thru this tough time. Give to food banks, shelters, anyone who helps the less fortunate. Donate clothes, blankets, coats, linens, pillows......they need everything! I have cleaned out all my closets and have donated a lot of the above. The youth organization I work with has just donated $1000 to a local food bank. We would normally use these funds to put on events for our kids, but hungry people are more important than kids having a fun day. I know a lot of you are just getting by, but there are those of us who do have some to give, and we should......now more than ever!


PLEASE!

[silverweb]

2. Exactly.

I'm hoping this case sparks a flood of donations and volunteers around the country. I know it inspired me.

[roguevalley]

5. seconded. this is so awful. how can she be 61 and so dire? what

the hell kind of country are we that things should be so tough for her and her son. This is such a nice story.

[Blaze Diem]

6. Many many people like her, sad to say. They 'need their own kitchen & bathroom'.

Not much to ask for, really.
She approached the mic with dignity & grace.
She made many weep for the sorrow this Nation now carries because of Bush, the GOP and the criminals who played his game.

Bush & the GOP don't even recognize this part the human race.


This is why it is important for Pres Obama to visit with his people often.
It keeps reality close to him.

[silverweb]

19. So true.

I hope Obama holds town halls like this around the country on a regular basis. It would be a "reality show" that opens the eyes of many, many people to the plight of our own countrymen.

The sense that "we're all in this together" has been systematically destroyed for the past 30+ years and Obama could certainly help restore it in this way.

[BanzaiBonnie]

142. GOP line is that people are rich because God has smiled

on them. Because they have done the right thing they have wealth and favor in god's sight.

Yes, some problems are of our own making, but once you're down it's really hard to get out of a hole without some help.


And we also know that some have great wealth because they are sociopaths who don't care about anyone else.

[Blaze Diem]

147. How come I never hear those self righteous ones mention the "slip through the eye of a needle"

quote from the bible?

I want them to elaborate on the meaning of that one.
Just once.

[LynneSin]

14. But when you have a pResident who would treat a woman like this like she has the plague...

the others will want to do the same

That is the difference between Bush and Obama.

Thank you Obama!

[Golden Raisin]

60. First of all Miss Hughes

would never have been granted admission to any of the staged, phony, pre-fab, photo-op Bush events with their pre-screened, pre-selected, antiseptic audiences. She didn't fit the "profile" and would have been viewed as a "trouble-maker". Can you imagine Bush coming over and giving her a hug? Let alone actually looking in her eyes, speaking directly to and actually LISTENING to her? Or compassionately saying he'd try to see she got some help from his staff? That interaction was proof positive and emblematic of the change from the Bush administration to Obama's.

[NBachers]

131. How Uniquely Amurican!

[mrsadm]

133. Remember how Bush treated Cindy Sheehan?

Refused to talk to her. Drove right past her in his black limousine.

How wonderful to see kindness in our president.

[rucognizant]

173. Well actually..............

bush DID hug some of the Katrina victims; ( not the dead ones!) BUT it was all photo-op and no follow up!

[oldtime dfl_er]

61. She would never even have gotten into a bush event

let alone been able to ask a question.

[valerief]

189. Absolutely! nt

[Stellabella]

26. I paid for an elderly man's prescription for his wife last week.

He wasn't going to take the $100 meds for her stroke treatment, and I paid for it.

Felt good.

[Window]

36. That's was a wonderful thing for you to do. President Obama has

inspired me to be a better neighbor and person ever since he began campaigning. As quiet as its kept, there are so many wonderful stories of his caring for others.

Again, good for you.


Peace:thumbsup:

[blaze]

51. Thank you Sellabella

I hope he will now have a little breathing room to find some other resources to help in the future.

:hug:

[amyrose2712]

66. That is so wonderful...

brought a tear to my eye. I see so many elderly people on Medicare, even, that can't afford their meds. Thanks for doing that.

[Baby Snooks]

40. But how many just write a check to United Way?

How many just write a check to United Way and believe that helps? It doesn't. The sad reality is the only real help people have in this country is faith-based despite so many objecting to faith-based organizations receiving federal money. At least they use it to help the poor. No one else does. But these organizations, most of them churches or coalitions of churches, also depend on donations. The government isn't as generous as you believe it is. Not where the poor are concerned. Or programs that help the poor. Not programs that are really trying to help the poor. And keep them from becoming homeless.

They have to buy the food for the food pantry from the food bank which of course is usually funded by United Way. So why are the food banks selling the food? Because it allows more income and therefore higher salaries for the executive directors.

How about some reality in this country about how we "help" each other? In reality, we don't. We pay for salaries at non-profit agencies for people who tell other people there is no money to help them with. "Try another agency." Despite scandal after scandal, people continue to fund United Way. And feel very good about it. There is nothing to feel good about. You are funding a for-profit business that funds other for-profit businesses. Despite their being tax-exempt.

Communities need to finally address the problem. But in a growing number of communities the call is not for helping the homeless but merely moving them somewhere else. "Out of sight, out of mind."

Our priority in this country should be addressing the problem of the homeless and the poverty that takes the homes away to begin with.

That will not be solved by writing a check to United Way or buying a sack of groceries in the grocery store and dropping it in the bin so a food pantry can then buy it from a food bank.

Enough already with the food banks. There are food pantries running low on food because they cannot afford to buy additional food. Donate directly to a food pantry. The food banks should be donating the food. And if they can't afford to, then the executive director and the staff should take a salary cut.

Don't assume a check solves anything. It usually just pays someone's salary. It's also a lazy way to help others. "I wrote a check."

Get involved with your community. Ask why there are no options for the homeless. Find out why the homeless are not a priority in your community.

And don't buy into the "drug addicts and mentally ill" excuse. If you were homeless long enough, you would probably become mentally ill as well and turn to drugs to blot out the pain. The pain of realizing no one cares about you.

And get mad at the Democrats as well as the Republicans. They don't do much for the homeless either. Most are like Nancy Pelosi. They would prefer to have them arrested and thrown in jail. Hopefully to convince them to stay "out of sight, out of mind."

Where in all the trillions of dollars is there anything to address the cause of homelessness which is poverty?

This Congress is shameful. It is helping those who need help the least and doing absolutely nothing for those who need it most.

I think it's so heartwarming to know someone reached out to this woman but I have to ask if the person who reached out to her would have done so if there was not a lot of publicity involved in doing so.

She only helped after a very public plea to the president. So of course she looks good. What did she do before to help people? Write a check?

One person and her son were helped. Out of how many hundreds of thousands? All of whom will wonder why no one has helped them.

[Jackpine Radical]

47. I fully understand what you're saying and agree with most of it.

I agree that "faith-based" groups are the only effective ones. What I see is that most of them are pretty conservative, and many use the things they have to give as tools to compel participation in religious activities and professions of belief on the part of the recipients. In my area, the more liberal churches have a way of delivering their mercies through filters that protect them from having to make contact--even eye contact--with the unwashed ones.

Nevertheless, whatever reason may lie behind this event, I think it is a very important event. People will tell about it for generations when they talk about Obama. Its real importance is exactly its symbolism. This is a time when we need the example set for us of this kind of charity and caring. OF COURSE Obama did it in front of the cameras (and by the way there are known examples of him extending help in situations that would never benefit him.) That's how youprovide a model in this society. Christ did his acts of charity in front of witnesses too, for exactly the same reason. That's how you get the gesture to multiply itself.

This simple act says more to me, and may end up doing more for the nation, than any government action since Obama took office.

[shireen]

187. i don't have as much faith in faith-based groups ... i research each organization individually

I regularly contribute to one faith-based group because they do a lot to help homeless in Baltimore. There are secular groups, like the Maryland Food Bank, also doing a great job. Internationally, there's Doctors without Borders and Lambi Fund for Haiti.

Any group that offers aid has to be individually scrutinized. It's up to us to research each of them before we donate to them -- check their financial statements, find out how they're spending your hard-earned money, before sending them a check. That's why i refuse to donate to United Way and American Red Cross. Their CEOs salaries: half-a-million dollars each year!

[emilyg]

58. I don't. I prefer to stop people on the

street and ask them if they're hungry.

[jwirr]

124. Many homeless and hungry persons are quite invisible in that they

look just like anyone else. I and my children have been hungry, homeless, cold and no one would have ever realized it. I wrote an article for my church newsletter about the invisible poor. No one sees the woman and her children who set very quietly and leave as soon as the service is over. Nor do they see the aging veteran who walks in just before the service leaves as soon as it is over and never talks to anyone except to say hello if he is approached. Nor do they see the children who are dropped off for Sunday School and hide their coat under the chair because it looks old (my own experience) or they hide behind the church until their parent arrives to pick them up (my sil's experience). We also do not see the elderly person who is nicely dressed in clothes they have had from a better time in their life but goes home to an empty cupboard.

We need all of the organizations that offer help and we also need people like you.

[emilyg]

127. Absolutely right.

In grocery stores I look for people who pick up an idea and put it back - and do this over and over. I then try to get behind them in the check out line and ask their permission to pay for their purchase. Most agree.

I grew up hungry and know the look of hunger well. God Bless you for being so aware.

[jwirr]

172. That is a good idea. And I am not exactly aware - just experienced.

Been there - done that.

[DollyM]

63. you got me to thinking . . .

Everyone who still has a job (:)check to see if your employer has a volunteer hour match program. My mom works for wal-mart and volunteers at our local food pantry. She turns in those volunteer hours to wal-mart and every quarter they cut a check to the food pantry for $250.00. It goes directly to them and since she is there, she can hand the check to them and see the good that it does. I agree on United Way, too much of that money goes to Overhead and CEO salaries. I would much rather give to local organizations without all the corporate layers.

[riderinthestorm]

80. Faith based orgs are NOT the only way.

This is a fallacy. Secular organizations like the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Goodwill and others do magnificent work. Denigrating their efforts by saying "only" religious organizations are carrying the load is outrageous and contributes towards the grave misconceptions towards "unbelievers" as though we don't do our share.

Please correct your post to reflect the many THOUSANDS of organizations that are secular, non-profit and tremendously effective.

Thanks in advance.

[Baby Snooks]

106. They help the homeless?

"Secular organizations like the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Goodwill and others do magnificent work..."

I didn't realize these organizations helped the homeless. Red Cross and Goodwill of course are usually funded by United Way. Red Cross is wonderful in disasters. Sometimes. Goodwill of course has wonderful job training programs for the disabled. I wasn't aware Goodwill offered services to the homeless. Perhaps you meant Salvation Army. Which unless I'm mistaken is still classified as a faith-based organization. Doctors Without Borders? They aren't doing much in Mexico if an estimated 50 million Mexicans had to come to this country just in order to survive.

My experience through the years has been that any United Way agency is a waste of community support that would be better placed with agencies that are not part of the bureaucracy of United Way.

[riderinthestorm]

112. Yes they do. And many other agencies as well. Oddly enough, many heathens actually DO care

about earth and our inhabitants regardless of religious affiliation.

I've personally worked with DWB and the Red Cross, and your assertions that they aren't concerned about homeless populations is just grotesque. The homeless constitute more than 90% of their cases.

Good luck smearing all non-believers as a "waste". You're the one smearing us as shitty based on what? The United Way?

No matter your bigoted, despicable attitudes towards non-believers, I KNOW we're out there doing our part. Do a little research before you broad brush an entire segment of the population that really IS doing it's part. You're the type giving faith-based orgs a bad name when you can't even recognize the contributions going on right in front of you by anyone "outside" the faith.

Shame on you.

[Baby Snooks]

144. No, shame on you...

"No matter your bigoted, despicable attitudes towards non-believers, I KNOW we're out there doing our part. Do a little research before you broad brush an entire segment of the population that really IS doing it's part. You're the type giving faith-based orgs a bad name when you can't even recognize the contributions going on right in front of you by anyone "outside" the faith."

I am one of many who depend on help. The only ones who have helped me have been faith-based organizations. Sorry. You obviously have not needed help or you would know that faith-based organizations are the only ones who help. Everyone else gives you a list of other organizations to call. And tell you they're sorry they can't help you.

I am not a "believer" and avoid "Christians" in particular in general although I will say the "believers" in terms of helping people at least walk their talk as well as their beliefs.

In good times and bad times I have still worked with many non-profit organizations over the past 20+ years. Through the years the list of organizations I give my time to, and occasionally my money when I have it, has grown smaller. Most today are not worth my time. Or my money.

Shame on you for assuming I do not know. I do know. You do not.

[riderinthestorm]

150. For more than 20 years I've worked with secular organizations of many kinds.

In fact, the one I've been most closely associated with, the People's Resource Center in Wheaton, IL is secular - located in one of the most evangelical parts of the US. Besides physical labor at various facilities, I've written many, many grants for non-profits that help the poor with food assistance, housing, job retraining etc, and thus I'm intimately aware of their connections and affiliations. Both on the local level, national and international level.

One of DU's very own (who sadly passed away) worked tirelessly to set up a homeless shelter in Wheaton for vets (the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Vets, www.helpaveteran.org). I helped with that project and I'm damn proud that it was a group of people working together where religion was never dragged into it.

Frankly, I feel sorry for you that you are now so blinded you cannot see the good going on around you. While I'm glad you've found Christians "walking the walk", that hasn't been my experience in general. You may "know" about needing assistance but your denigration of secular non-profits is disgusting.

[Baby Snooks]

152. And for over 20 years so have I...

And I have worked with organizations across the board in Houston, Los Angeles and New York. Community organizations, international organizations, literally every disease known to man including AIDS. None of which, I might add, could have cared less when the bottom fell out on me not once but twice during the course of those 20 years despite all the things I had done for them as a volunteer including raising lots of money for them. I quickly became "out of sight, out of mind" until of course they needed someone to make a phone call or volunteer their time for an event. That alone "blinded" me. Actually it opened my eyes.

Most are complete wastes of time and money because most of the money goes to "administrative costs" which even the IRS in recent years has become concerned with.

No offense but obviously you have never needed help yourself. I hope at some point you do. And do let us know who helped you and who didn't.

[riderinthestorm]

155. .

"No offense but obviously you have never needed help yourself. I hope at some point you do."

Lovely.

:eyes: :puke:

[Yes We Did]

161. Are you seriously wishing that on someone?

That they would be in a situation where they have to rely on a homeless shelter or church for financial services?

IN THIS ECONOMY? With everything that is going on? With 600,000+ jobs lost last month?

I don't know if THAT is against the rules, but it sure has hell should be.

[Baby Snooks]

164. I only wish it on people with attitude...

And your initial response to me just reeked with attitude. You do NOT know what it is like. And you just assume all these "secular" organizations help people when in fact they do not. They do not help pay the rent or the mortgage or keep the lights on or keep food on the table. Despite your believing they do. So, yes, I hope you do know what it is like at some point. And then maybe you won't have such an attitude about it all. What offends you obviously is my stating only the faith-based organizations help people. That is just the reality as those who have come to know what poverty is like have come to know.

[Yes We Did]

176. That WAS my initial response.

And I DO know what it is like. I have been there. I have lived out of my car.

Perhaps you should read before you respond, and see who you are typing to.

And perhaps you should not paint with such a broad brush. YOUR experiences have lead you to have a certain OPINION, but that does not mean that your experiences are the same as everyone else.

You're a democrat. Act like one.

[catgirl]

183. There were NO faith based groups doing rescue after Katrina

Sure, the Red Cross was standing on the sidelines after a while, but the people on the
ground, including the animal rescuers, were not faith based.

And how can you knock Doctors Without Borders? I suppose Habitat For Humanity does
not live up to your standards either.

This whole argument that only faith based groups help people is silly and not true. Soup
kitchens are run by churches AND cities... Community gardens are set up by neighborhoods.
I could go on...

[Terran]

190. Habitat

technically is a faith-based organization, just a lot more low-key than most. I do have to seriously disagree with the earlier assessment about United Way agencies as being ineffective. In my experience that's extremely untrue. It seems silly to say the faith-based agencies are the only ones carrying the load!

[shrike]

156. The anecdotal reports I have heard re the Red Cross have not been good ones

Which is not to denigrate secular organizations in general -- I myself have donated to Doctors Without Borders.

But I don't know if the Red Cross is your best example.

[jwirr]

121. Where are these food banks that sell food? They are funded by

charitable organizations, churches, foundations and businesses. They should be reported.

[Baby Snooks]

145. They all sell the food...

I don't know of any good bank in the country that doesn't sell the food. They don't publicize it and few will openly admit it. The food pantries don't like to talk about it because they fear the food banks will cut them off. The food pantries do get the food at a discount. But they still pay for it. Which is wrong. The food banks have sufficient donations to be able to donate the food. But they don't. Because it's just more money to pay themselves with.

[riderinthestorm]

148. Prove it. With links. nt.

[Baby Snooks]

151. Prove it?

http://www.regionalfoodbank.net/FAQs.asp

"The Food Bank does ask the agencies that receive food to cooperate in the support of the Food Bank by contributing a shared maintenance fee of $0.16 per pound for most of the food they receive."

Most of the canned goods they "expect a shared maintenance fee" for are an average of 15 ounces per can. Roughly one pound. Keep in mind most of the canned goods are donated to the food bank. Not bought. Most are "off brands" that can be found in many discount grocers, at least until recently, for 3 for a dollar. So the food pantries are paying about 50 cents for every dollar of food. They shouldn't be paying anything. The food banks can call it whatever they want. They are still selling the food to the food pantry.

This particular food bank at least admits it. Most do not. For the obvious reason.

As for distribution costs, most food pantries have to pick up the food themselves. So there really are no distribution costs.

Sorry but my impression of food banks at this point is they are just another scam by opportunists feeding off the poor.

[Baby Snooks]

154. Here are some more links...

http://www.mdfoodbank.org/site/pp.asp?c=ahKKI2PKIsE&b=218171

"Our member programs contribute a small shared maintenance fee - usually 14 cents per pound – to the Maryland Food Bank to cover the costs of transporting and handling donated food and grocery products."

http://www.harrychapinfoodbank.org/faq.php

"Our member agencies gladly contribute a modest membership fee to cover costs for the processing, storage, and delivery of the desired food products. This membership contribution ranges from just a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more each year for an average agency, which in turn receives food worth tens of thousands of dollars."

http://www.idahofoodbank.org/shared-maintenance-faq.htm

"Rather, the agencies contribute Handling Fees to help partially offset the cost of the Foodbank’s services."

Imagine the costs that would be saved if the grocers and grocery suppliers just donated directly to the food pantries in their communities. And the food pantries wouldn't have to pay for it.

These food banks receive large donations from the communities and particularly from corporations and in many cities from United Way. They should not be selling the food.

And the next time you are tempted to "buy a bag" and put it in the bin at the grocery store, remember that the food pantries will have to buy the food. It would be better to give them the money. They would at least be able to buy double what is in the bag you bought.

[riderinthestorm]

157. You asserted that food banks were charging people for food.

What you are now linking to, is very different than what you originally posted.

Food banks do NOT charge people for food.

I have no problem with food banks needing to pay some money to procure food for people. I would rather they didn't have to, I would rather every single last cent went towards direct assistance but it just isn't that way and you are very naive if you ever believed big corporate ever gave anything away for free. Handling fees are SOP and you are blowing them way, way out of proportion.

I'm off for the rest of the day.

[Baby Snooks]

162. Excuse me?

I never said they charged people for the food. I said they charged the food pantries for the food. As for direct assistance, I couldn't agree more. That's why I tell people to donate directly to the food pantries instead of the food banks.

[Yes We Did]

163. Yes, you did say that.

"I don't know of any good bank in the country that doesn't sell the food" Now perhaps you misspoke... or perhaps you were just painting with a broad brush again... :shrug: But you DID say it.

And on top if that, you linked to three stories of food banks admitting to selling the food.

You okay there?

[shrike]

165. Actually, she did say that they sold to pantries, not people

I re-read her post, and that is indeed what she said. Which was followed up examples.

[Yes We Did]

178. Yes... But...

"People" give money to the pantries... Same thing.

[shrike]

188. I guess I don't really see what your problem is here

Oh well.

[Baby Snooks]

166. I was referring to the food banks selling to the food pantries...

And you apparently are the only one who didn't catch it. But then all you seemed to catch initially was "faith-based" which you obviously have a problem with. I don't. I am forever grateful to them for keeping my rent paid here and there and keeping my lights on and keeping food on the table. Which is more than the other organizations did. All they did was offer a list. A list of faith-based organizations.

[Yes We Did]

177. You are missing the point here...

A lot of organizations do a lot of good things for people; regardless if they are faith-based or not, and to broad brush paint them all is wrong.

I have been on both sides of this...

I helped the United Way fix up a shelter for battered women and children, and I received help when I was homeless from both faith based an non-faith based organizations.

Sorry you had a harder time finding help. I hope YOU NEVER have to go through it again. It is a horrible thing to go through; something ANYONE who has been there should NEVER with on anyone else.

[jwirr]

171. Here the donated foods go directly to the food shelves, the food banks

use donated money to buy foods that also go directly to the food shelves. They have workers who do the organizing and contact companies that may be willing to donate foods. That takes carries with it costs such as telephone services, storage/office space, electricity etc. Where do you think that money is supposed to come from. Our food shelves are a direct part of the food bank - they also have the same costs. Some of the work is done by volunteers but not all of it.

[CC]

170. Actually food banks do

charge pantries for the food they get. At least Second Harvest (now known as Feeding America) does. It is a lot lower than what store charge but they still charge. If you want more bang for the donation in your local community then it is better to donate directly to your local pantry, whether it is food or cash.

[xxqqqzme]

179. You are right. Anyone who has donated time to

either a food bank or shelter understands the dynamic. The homeless shelter, where I donate both time & money, get some food stuffs from the bank, some from stores and/or bakeries. That shelter has expenses property taxes, maintenance, utilities etc. The food bank, where I also donate both time & money, does charge because they buy perishables - eggs, milk, fruit, veggies - which have to be refrigerated(overhead). Our food bank is in a converted air plane hangar warehouse(rent - overhead). They have an old forklift kind of thing to move pallets of food around(driver - overhead). Just being realistic - there are expenses no matter where the food/shelter cycle begins. That's what the donations cover.

The people running the shelter own the house they converted; the woman managing the food bank is salaried, not extravagantly, but she is one of the hardest working people I know.

[peace13]

174. Faith based is not something that we should be doing.

Community Based, yes, but when religion is put in there you immediately discriminate. And I didn't know that food banks sell food.

[Carni]

49. AMEN! If you know of a neighbor with issues...

For God's sakes lend a hand and give what you (we) can before they lose their home...for one thing like Pres Obama said, it is not only the moral thing to do, but the smart thing to do.

If THEY lose their house your values will tank like a lead balloon.

I have said for months that I don't understand why neighbors within communities have not been more proactive in helping those in need. Some of these surburban subdivisions have maybe 300 homes in one neighborhood (or more)--if everyone kicked in 5 or 10 bucks here and there maybe this crisis would be averted
(to a degree)

I am so thrilled to hear that the Obama crew helped the woman in his audience today!

[Captain_Blue]

98. Yes, We Do!

Very touching.  I am a new member, offering my support and
defense of a new day, a new way.

[Virginian]

126. WELCOME to DU

We hope you enjoy your stay. :hi:
:toast:
:yourock:

:applause:

:woohoo:

[ClayZ]

130. Welcome to DU Captain_Blue

:hi:


:applause:

[skeewee08]

3. When I did me and my husband taxes on line I had the option

of donating to Oklahoma Food Bank and I did, every little bit can help:-)

[wroberts189]

4. K & R

[Blaze Diem]

7. K & R for Henrietta Hughes.

Breaks your heart.

[skeewee08]

8. I just read on Huffington Post that she has Cancer and her son

lost his job because he was taking care of his ill mother, I don't know how true this is I am still researching, but if this is true every lying RETHUG needs to go to HELL! I pray that they do for bashing this woman!

[Blaze Diem]

9. and I will bet that she watched, on some TV somwhere, every second of Pres Obama's inauguration.

With hope.
Today she was given her voice, and it has made an enormous impression.
Blessings to her..it had to move the President as it did us all.

[Beaverhausen]

11. who is bashing her?

[demo dutch]

21. read the comments underneath the article! It's just ignorant Floridians

quote
Where were the churches for Mrs. Hughes and her middle aged son? There is more to this story than meets the eye. There is a reason they were living in a pickup truck, and the reason goes beyond being poor. Of course, it would be politically incorrect to investigate Mrs. Hughes or her son for things such as criminal records that might be keeping them out of public housing. I suspect, as someone else said, she was a plant. What are the odds that Obama would call on her out of all those in attendance? The Thompsons may regret the offer they made in haste.
--
These people are so pathetic.....handouts handouts ...loosers all of them big crybabies....THIS IS DISGUSTING !!!!! How interesting she was handed a home by someone after the show ???? this was a fake setup press op for idiot president.......interesting he picked her ? no, IT WAS A SET UP FAKE FAKE FAKE !!!!!
YOU liberals are so gullible and waiting for your chance for handouts hahahahaaa
--
A homeless woman living out of her truck just happens to get a ticket to see Mr. Obama, and she's the one who he chooses out of the crowd to ask a question. What a wonderfully coincidental unscripted moment by our Dear Leader!

[Hansel]

46. These people are frightened of absolutely everything.

Acknowledging that her plight is real means it could happen to them. They are really quite pathetic.

[Sydnie]

56. why wouldn't they think those things?

After all, that IS how it worked with their pResident, wasn't it?

[MrsBrady]

119. yep -

just like my craxy ex-boyfriend a few years back..

He would always accuse me of cheating. Freaking jealous paranoid, he was. ick.
Turns out he was sleeping around behind my back.... A LOT! :eyes:

When people are liars and cheats, they think everyone is a lair and a cheat.
They don't get it that some people are actually doing the right thing.

Clueless, they are.

[Why Syzygy]

76. They'll rent public housing to felons.

But, gawd forbid you have a bad credit rating. Unpaid medical bills? Live on the street for all they care.

[Captain_Blue]

99. OK, Enough

Why do you call us liberals for our concern.  Is it because
you don't care?

[illuminaughty]

128. Welcome to DU! Captain.

I want to make sure you understood that demo dutch was quoting what those ignorant bastards were saying..I missed the "quote" word at first and was confused and I 've been on here for years. Just didn't want you to think demo dutch felt that way.

:hi:

[AyanRand Is Dead]

101. Seems like an odd setup just for President Obama's image.

After all the person who is offering Ms. Hughes the usage of here home is the wife of a Republican representative.

[Vektor]

117. I doubt it. He doesn't need a 'set-up" for his image. His image is already awesome.

Bush, he might have needed such a set-up, but it wouldn't have worked.

[proud2BlibKansan]

139. I posted this on a local board and got some bad comments there too

What Obama should have said: " Henrietta. If you're unemployed and homeless, what the EFF are you doing here listening to my BS? Really. You should be out there looking for a job.
Unemployment is 7%. That means 93% of everyone who WANTS work still HAS work.

What are you that makes you fundamentally unemployable? Can't read? Too stupid? Do you have a mental disorder? Are you an alcoholic, crack-head, a Twinkie addict, or have some other personal disfunction that prevents you from working? Trust me, you can clean rooms in hotels, wait tables, do daycare, or something because I still see millions of Mexicans who do that stuff and manage to live in America. Now get off your azz and do something for yourself for a change."

So this homeless lady just happened to wander into this ticket only event and get a seat up front? Hmmm...

And a State Rep had an extra house doing nothing. (I thought it would be Oprah) Hmmmm...

[elehhhhna]

146. whoa! they need to get acquainted with Jesus.

oops, betcha they think they are already.

[skeewee08]

24. On abc.com some of the comments

abc.com is reporting that she has cancer and is unemployed she lost her home when she lost her job, her sone lost his job as a computer programmer while taking care of his ill mother.

[Kittycat]

33. link?

[demo dutch]

34. here

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/henrietta-hughe.html

be sure to read the ignorant comments posted by readers

[Left Coast2020]

129. It is truly heartbreaking to see people suffering like this.

Wonderful though, that she is getting some support. I could just imagine what it would be like if the moron was still in office and she approached him in a time of need. Maybe I shouldn't bring that thought up. But for once, we have a President who has a heart. Good on you Mr. President.

[liberal N proud]

10. That is fantastic

President Obama inspires people to reach out to others.

:bounce:

[goclark]

12. Bless her and the thousands that are living in cars.

:cry:

[LibDemAlways]

13. I was glad she was called upon.

She would never have made it into the room at a chimp "take carefully scripted questions from well-to-do white repukes" bogus event.

Just the fact that she was there and allowed to make her plea was a vast, vast improvement over what we witnessed the last eight years. I hope Obama continues to meet ordinary citizens this way. Getting out of the bubble and interacting with ordinary people is good for him and the country in general.

[Sultana]

15. Bless Chene Thompson and Bless Henrietta Hughes & family

This makes me :cry:

No one should ever be homeless, no one.

[Lugnut]

16. K&R for Ms Hughes.

How many more families are in the same boat and have no opportunity to speak directly to their president about it?

[ChiciB1]

17. WOW! JUST WOW!! n/t

[demo dutch]

18. This is great but there are millions of others who didn't have a voice today!

[skeewee08]

25. President Obama stated that as he was approaching her!

" their are many others like you"

[demo dutch]

20. Anyone read the comments underneath the article???... pretty despicable!!! That's Florida for you!

[Beaverhausen]

22. I don't see them. Maybe they deleted them?

[demo dutch]

30. Not deleted..scroll all the way to "In your voice- First reactions to this story"

http://www.news-press.com/article/20090210/OBAMA/90210038/1002/RSS01

[GentryDixon]

23. What is wrong with these people?

They have no soul. They are disgusting.

[OneGrassRoot]

27. I've noticed that about all local papers or TV news websites.....

the vast majority of the comments -- regardless of which city it's in -- are typical Limbaugh Republican BS.

I wonder why that is...why they are the most prevalent voices at such sites?

[demo dutch]

31. Because they're ignorant and feel they MUST voice their ignorant opinion! Just like Limbaugh

[JerseygirlCT]

32. They have nothing better to do?

I've noticed the same phenomenon.

[Oak2004]

81. I've seen this, and it doesn't make sense, because they are a small minority...

But it might well make sense if what we're looking at is an organized effort, maybe even a paid effort.

And by the way, it got much worse in the last few months, everywhere, all of a sudden. Even in papers serving strongly Democratic areas.

[2Design]

90. stay at home - home schooled and trained to rabble rouse n/t

[No Elephants]

135. They are pretty well orchestrrated to do that. I haven't checked lately, but the RNC

website used to enourage them to call into talk shows, post, write to newspapers, blog, etc.

[byrok]

35. That's not Florida.

They are republican assholes. Putting 17 million people in some shitty group is pretty stupid. Remember, many of us Floridians worked our asses off to turn this state blue and elect OUR President too.

Grow up.

[SteppingRazor]

37. Thank you.

:thumbsup:

[demo dutch]

38. Heh I'm a Floridian too & let me tell you I've met lots of assholes just like it especially in

Central, West Coast and panhandle. Remeber the crowd that gathered in Naples at the Palin rally??? A another brilliant example so
what more proof do you need.

[SteppingRazor]

42. Me too. I've almost met some of the kindest, greatest people I've ever known since moving here.

I hate it when this state gets pigeonholed in a negative way. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[Dappleganger]

54. We're doing everything possible to neuter those assholes.

[old mark]

48. It's just Republics - that's the way they "think", great bunch of

"religious" conservatives with "Values".

They should all drop dead.

mark

[LanternWaste]

89. Ahhh... the joys of Regionalism...

Ahhh... the joys of Regionalism. Almost as much fun as Nationalism, but without all the messy guilt, and annoying aftertastes.

So which states are the ones in which despicable things rarely, if ever happen? :shrug:

[No Elephants]

136. Masschusetts, the ONLY state to cast its electoral votes for McGovern, not Nixon. (j/k, kind of)

[LanternWaste]

191. I've never been to MA, so for all I know...

I've never been to MA, so for all I know, you may actually be right about that. Pretty liberal state overall, right? MA's been playing around with a state version of universal health care over the past couple of years.

Sounds like a pretty cool place to me. :thumbsup:

[No Elephants]

193. It is a cool place, especially Boston, but, IMO, it is not as liberal as it once was. But, we were

first to do the right thing and recognize the legitimacy of gay marriage. We also elected both the first African American Senator since Reconstruction (a deluded "Lincoln Republican" unfortunately) and the first African American Governor since Reconstruction. (I am pretty sure of both those claims, but not 100% sure, so don't bash me if I'm wrong.)

Boston is a beautiful city too. And SO historic. Best place to celebrate July 4, too! Y'all come visit, now, heah?

Oh, and we have had a state health care plan for a while, thanks to jawboning of Romney and our state legislature by Senator Kennedy. (As in, "Do this now, you fools, or lose a lot of federal money.) However, Romney lied about the cost of the plan. and his tax cuts and those of his Republican predecessors left the state with a huge deficit that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick got saddled with. Sic semper transit Republicons.

[Fire1]

28. My heart goes out to this woman and so many like her.

[bluestateguy]

29. THANK GOD this man is the president

If that had been Bush or McCain they would have made some snide joke and moved on to somebody else.

[downindixie]

39. I have a 54 yo homeless man

living in my workshop behind my house.He was in the hospital for 11 weeks because of a infectious cyst on his spine,which has damaged his spine.He has skin cancer on his neck,growths in his nose and ear.He can't work,of course and hasn't had a job in years,other than odd jobs!He can't collect unemployment or disability,he does get food stamps.We can't find a Doctor who will donated his skills to help this man or any organization who will truly help.This man was a crack addict,but has been clean since he has been living with us,about 5 months.Its a shame that there is not an organization that will help him get well and back on his feet.

[Carni]

50. What pisses me off...WHERE ARE THE CHURCHES?

What a wonderful thing you are doing but where are these damned church orgs?

You are one individual without massive funding--where are these so called religious orgs who are supposedly dedicated to helping the poor!?!

My best to you for doing such a selfless thing!

[Baby Snooks]

104. They are everywhere...

They do what they can to keep the rent or mortgage paid and the lights on and food on the table for quite a few. They are stretched thin. Once a person becomes homeless there is little they can do. Not because they don't want to. Simply because they don't have the funds, or the political wherewithal, to do anything.

In most cities, even the suggestion of building or converting an apartment complex to house the homeless is responded to by the rallying cry of "not in my neighborhood" and there are churches who have had to deal with the rallying cry among their own congregations.

Even the Christians are having to deal with the "Christians" and their lack of any real sense of Christianity in this country that supposedly is a Christian nation. The reality is it's a "Christian" nation of "Christian" hypocrites.

[shrike]

159. "Not in my neighborhood"

Good lord, isn't that the truth. I do freelance work, and had to go cover a local zoning meeting for the newspaper. It's a long story, but the developer was trying to put in some smaller homes, next to a typical McMansion neighborhood. You should have heard the comments. One woman even said she didn't want "trash" living next door to her, and that "our children deserve to go to school with our equals." I'd have walked out at that point, but doing so would have severed my relationship with a valued source of income for us.

[DollyM]

122. going through the same shortages . . .

I heard from an old friend the other day that was the pastor of our church before he moved and took a new pastorship several hours away. He stated that the unemployment where he was in Indiana was at 12 percent and that he had several members who had experienced job losses and one was even putting their house up for sale so they could try and keep their business open and keep from laying off employees. He also said they were going to try and re-finance the building at a lower rate so that they would have more cash flow to help families in the church and the community who were going through these terrible times. Churches are made up of people who are getting laid off and losing their jobs too so their income as a whole also declines. It is not like churches are immune to the economy going down, they take a hit too in reduced giving. But overall, I think most of them try to help when they see a need and do what they can. Our church has offered to help us with groceries and medicine since we are unemployed but we do have my mother helping so we declined for now. I know there are others who may not have a family member to help them so we are just cutting back as much as we can and hanging on. I just wish we could find jobs . . . I am so tired of going for interviews and getting passed over. My husband has not had good full time work in nearly 2 years and at age 55, probably won't.

[shrike]

158. No kidding

One of the Catholic churches in our area (also in Indiana) provides the only seven-days-a-week soup kitchen open to anyone. Construction workers, working people are starting to show up there; it's a way to get a midday, hot meal. They are really struggling, because money is tight, absolutely everywhere, and parishioners themselves aren't rich. But they've vowed to keep it going, come hell or high water.

[Baby Snooks]

169. We die at 40 in this country...

"I am so tired of going for interviews and getting passed over. My husband has not had good full time work in nearly 2 years and at age 55, probably won't."

I am 55. The interviews come and go. Most of my experience is in non-profit. But I'm old. Every once in awhile I get a call from someone I interviewed with wanting to know if I can volunteer for something. At first I let it go. The past few times I have told them they should have hired me if they were that impressed with my accomplishments and hang up on them.

I do "follow up" and invariably they hire someone younger who will take less money. And then of course have to depend on volunteers to actually get things done.

The reality is we die at 40 in this country.

[DollyM]

185. I do believe money is the bottom line anymore . . .

Our background is also in non profits or at least organizations that say they are non profit! At this point we would take about anything for a job but other than dummying down our resumes, I don't know what to do. (My husband dyed his hair brown thinking that would help but so far it hasn't)

[CitizenPatriot]

41. the rushublicans should be ashamed of the way they are trying to discredit

this woman.

remember joe the plumber? ha. right. he was an upstanding guy, who lied about his name....business....taxes....etc. And Palin and her coat of many gates.

Since when did a person have to pass some morals test to be deserving of help? did Jesus ask people to submit to a test before he fed them? No, many people (homeless or not) are not going to pass the muster of intense digging. How is it relevant? So what if she did have a criminal record? How does that impact the help she deserves or her son deserves?

I mean, for a bunch of child molesting, tax-dodging, extraordinary benefit taking, backwards robinhoods stealing from the poor to pay the rich, neo-con christofascists, I find their arrogance appalling.

[norwegianblue]

43. I still get a little emotional

when I think of Barack as our pres. I love feeling proud of America again.

[jmj217]

71. A little too much trust

This Woman's plight is very sad. I very glad to see that she received a little support in her struggle. I really like that Obama is communicating with people in forums like this...it really is a much more open administration.

I'm a little worried about some of the comments I'm reading on this forum though. IMO the comments show a little too much trust in the President and his administration. No one is even willing to concede that this woman may have been planted in the audience by the administration to evoke even more sympathy and support for their plan. Even if she were a plant that doesn't mean her story is any less authentic or important but it would show that the current administration is not above a certain level of dishonesty (in this case not disclosing that the questions were screened would be a lie of omission). I'm not saying that she was planted...but maybe...just maybe she was. I'm concerned that no one here is admitting that it just MAY be possible. That kind of blind trust of what our leaders feed us is just what caused our current national plight.

I like that Obama has evoked so much hope in the collective American Heart...but HOPE is not a PLAN and a plan is not EXECUTION. A Plan takes deep thought and hard work to execute. Hope helps but it won't get the job done.

I'm not trying to be skeptical. But we must seriously supervise our government the way any boss would supervise an employee. Remember the Government is supposed to work for the people, under the law, and they have no more power than the law gives them. We must examine the work they submit to us with a keen eye. An eye that is open to the possibility of deception and failure. Otherwise we are voluntarily blind and even our most honest employees will make disastrous mistakes because of lack of proper oversight.

Remember Obama is OUR employee and a politician. Historically politicians have not been completely honest or 100% infallible, sometimes they forget who they work for and that their power is limited by the Law. Don't let your Hope go to your head.

[Why Syzygy]

75. Sounds like you can take your suspicions on over to the ABC site.

You'll have lots of company over there with your hand wringing suspicions. There are lots more just like you. Save your concern for us at DU. You can sit on it while you're at it.

[jmj217]

79. ABC Site

Well, I took you up on your suggestion and checked out the ABC site. I think the comments there were not very constructive at all and I don't agree with the general aggression and fear...it just doesn't make sense.

A small amount of suspicion (hand wringing or not) does make sense...but it should be tempered with reason.

It is unreasonable to take everything a politician says or does at face value.

It would also be unreasonable to say that a politician is not above a little dramatic political flair during a public event .

Now, don't get me wrong. I think that the event was most likely un staged and unscripted. I am just willing to admit (without emotional investment) that there is a small possibility that they could have been.

Thanks for the reply and good luck.

[Why Syzygy]

85. Your skepticism of this situation simply comes across

as skepticism of homelessness and homeless people. I know homeless people. If they get a chance to be heard, they TAKE it. Is it so unreasonable that a homeless person would do everything possible to attend an event where she might be able to be HEARD?

[jmj217]

96. Not my intent...

I understand that homeless people are real and have very real difficulties. I agree that it is not unreasonable for a homeless person to want their voice heard. I think we can both agree that it is important that they are heard and that we all should listen.

I just couldn't understand how some people seems unable to accept that there is a possibility that a politician (or his staff) could have used this woman's tragedy in a dramatic way to serve their own end.

I'm not even claiming that's what happened.

I'm just asserting that we should meet every piece of information disseminated by our government with a healthy questioning attitude.

If anything I'm skeptical of a complete lack of skepticism.

[Javaman]

153. Yikes! repeat after me, "the bush years are over". nt

[riderinthestorm]

95. I've worked with my local food bank for YEARS!

I don't care if this woman was "planted". Who gives a shit?! There are literally MILLIONS just like her.

Do you doubt that?! Who gives a shit if this woman was "put up" as a representative by some org? I don't. She is indicative of literally millions MORE just like her.

I welcome the introduction of stories that are all too common across these United States of America.

You can stuff your shit. I'm far less worried about any "staging", and far more worried about "real people".

[jmj217]

100. I actually agree with you

Her story and those like it should be heard. The woman and the homeless are not the issue I'm arguing against.

I only have a problem if an event that was presented as random was actually staged.

If it was not random and presented in such a way then I have no problem with it. I'm not even staying that it was staged. I'm acknowledging the possibility.

I definitely don't have a problem with a homeless woman or anyone else wanting to be heard. I am also sympathetic to their plight and try to help through community and public service. My argument is not with her or the homeless.

My real argument is that we should we should all share a questioning attitude when it comes to our government and should not be so quick to dismiss theories that may offer a dissenting opinion due to personal politics or emotion.

[riderinthestorm]

109. Soo.... the Obama advance team worked the audience and asked Obama to ask "that" woman @ her story

to illustrate his point about the mortgage crisis? Rather than pointing randomly to someone in the audience for "their" story?

And so by (perhaps, we don't know and you have offered absolutely zero evidence) actually interacting with the audience, Obama's staff discovers a compelling story, they aren't allowed to use it, cause it might be.... what? A plant? (even though her story is illustrative of so many other millions out there?!)

Your theory that this might be suspicious cuz it's a "plant" doesn't wash on any level: moral, political, realistically or any which ways.

Fact check: 60 something year old people are living in their cars. Many of them. No matter how you want to "spin" this, it's reality. Thank Gawd that instead of pre-screening the audience so there are only Bush supporters mouthing platitudes, there are real people telling truth. Or is it that you don't want anyone telling stories of living in their cars?!

[jmj217]

115. ...

I don't want anyone to have to live in a car.

I don't think this Woman was a plant and I'm not arguing that she was because:
1. As you pointed out I have no evidence to support that theory
2. It doesn't matter if she was a plant. Her story is just as true and compelling.

If Obama's staff discovered a compelling story they should use it. But if that is the case they should make it clear that they found the woman while canvasing the audience. I don't know if they canvassed the audience or not. It's irrelevant.

I'm sure the woman's story is very similar to thousands of people in the United States.

It sounds like we agree on at least some of the above.

I am glad when real people tell the truth.

Here is where we probably disagree:

My arguments are:

1. NOT that homelessness is a myth. It is in fact a problem the nation should work to solve.
2. NOT that she was a plant because I don't know if she was, I have no evidence that she was, and I don't care if she was.
3. IF she was pre-screened it would be dishonest not to fully disclose that detail. (Again I'm not saying that she was)
4. IT'S POSSIBLE her story was leveraged for political reasons
5. I noticed that some of those arguing #4 were immediately dismissed in a very emotional way
6. I think that #5 may be indicative of unquestioning loyalty to a political figure or party
7. I think unquestioning loyalty to a political figure or party may not be wise
8. A questioning attitude toward the government and government officials should be encouraged.

[Why Syzygy]

123. So, your real problem (argument)

is with all of DU being guilty of unquestioning loyalty to a political figure (Obama). And, that by "leveraging" this story (which is possible in your world view, but you would never suggest such a thing!); Obama sucked us in once again and fueled afresh our undying, unquestioning loyalty to everything he does, whether it is "dishonest" or not. That's what your summation indicates.

If that is the case, take a ride around DU. You'll see plenty of people questioning, not Obama's HONESTY (psst, we know he's a politician. They have a special brand of martial arts, and it's not like anyone is going to get killed, or 100,000s of foreign citizens for starters), but everything else about him, from every line in speeches, and up to and including should DU even be talking about Michelle's wardrobe, is questioned and debated! People actually disagree! A lot!

This is the most investigative and well informed venue you will find anywhere on the net.

If anyone has the (I guess to you) fatal flaw of undying loyalty to Obama, you probably won't find them around these parts.

I wonder what injustice Obama will address tomorrow. That's my question.

[glowing]

143. Are you from Florida? Its more likely there would be someone there who

is homeless or living out of a car than not. We have many families now living out of cars or scraping by in motels. We've been in recession since 2006. The avg income has never increased in FL.. We have really wealthy or really poor. Middleclass has been decimated.. many got out when the getting was good. Republicans have messed this state up for a long time. Lot's of corruption. AND the housing problems were overlooked for rampant corruption. Many were living off of extended credit for a long time. Most of the housing was speculative. Many jobs were based around the housing industry.. from ground level to banking. I'm sure there were more like her in the audience. AND there is nothing to help. If you aren't under 18 or over 65, there are NO state agencies that can help.. and Section 8 housing has a 2 to 4 yr waiting list.. with more being torn down than errected.

[2Design]

93. Republicans do plants and block anyone who is not part of their

cult from attending or going to town hall events with their president - I can understand your doubt if that is the type of people you are used to - I can understand your disappointment in the last person appointed by the Supreme Court to lead this country and prove he was incapable - this man is super smart not like the last one

[jmj217]

105. And Republicans are wrong...

to plant people at an event that will only support their point of view then try to pretend that the cards are not stacked in their favor.

My doubt does not come from the people I'm used to because most people I interact with are fairly honest and when they do lie they aren't very good at it (due to a lack of practice).

I am just a proponent of a healthy questioning attitude when it comes to our government - especially the politics. And I find it strange that so few people don't have one when it comes to the new administration.

I don't even think that this woman was a plant. I'm just willing to admit the possibility exists that she was.

[No Elephants]

138. Did he also plant the Republican woman who offered Hughes her home?

[Broadslidin]

140. Sorta like the "Jessica Lynch Rescue Public Relations Operation", huh......

Would you like some more warm milk and cookies, my dear?

[LanternWaste]

192. Mathematically it's possible...

Mathematically it's possible that she was a plant. Bit as I have no reason to think she was a plant, and have seen no evidence she was a plant, I'll play the Vegas odds on this one and trust that a good thing actually happened.

Sorry, I've just never subscribed to the ever-so-trendy and mass-marketed cynicism (available on a t-shirt near you), and still believe that Good Things actually happen from time to time...

[katty]

44. finally some good news!

[Mithreal]

45. Heartwarming but not enough!

For people interested in homelessness change has a lot of good stuff.

http://homelessness.change.org/

[roody]

52. Obama and Chavez have a lot in common.

[justinaforjustice]

78. You're Right., Both Genuinely Care About Other Human Beings.

As an American living in Venezuela, I've been struck by the fact that President Chavez genuinely cares about the plight of other human beings. Where ever he goes, he physically reaches out to people and tries to help them. People in crowds hand him notes all the time asking for things they need and he and his staff try to help them. The fact that Chavez really cares about people is one of the reasons he and his government has won 12 elections since he first came to office in 1998.

The programs the Chavez government has implemented -- providing thousands of free medical clinics and hospitals throughout the country, sending teachers into the barrios to increase literacy, providing subsidized or free housing, providing affordable food in government markets as well as cheap government restaurants where you can buy a 3 course meal for a dollar, all have enormously improved the quality of life for those who had no access to such things before. There is still poverty here, but extreme poverty has been enormously reduced, literacy is now at over 90 per cent, and the employment rate has tripled since 1998.

These are the same kind of programs we desperately need in the United States right now. I only hope that President Obama's obvious compassion for others will lead him to create the same kind of programs for Americans as Chavez has created for Venezuelans.

[Jamastiene]

53. We now have a humane and human president again.

I never thought I'd live to see it. I honestly thought I would die during the Bush administration. It got that bad. :cry:

[iconicgnom]

55. What about all the other homeless?

What about the rest, all those who don't get TV time?

Clearly the problem is that there is no social safety net, or there's at best a patchwork net full of holes. Just as clearly, the problem won't be fixed by relying on individual or "faith-based" charity, since overreliance on has allowed the problem to persist (at the very least). One act of such charity, by a politician's family, after a homeless woman pled for help on local and national TV, might garner some applause and calls for others to lend a hand, no doubt in less visible ways, but I can't see how it does anything to solve the overall problem.

[LovableScamp]

57. I just saw the clip on tv

for the first time tonight... and no matter how long people like me and others who have been involved with groups helping people in seemingly and impossible situations... you see and hear the desperation in their voices... you see it in their eyes... and it tears your heart out.

2.3 million people are facing foreclosure on their homes... and the best the freepers can say is do nothing and let the free market work its way through this. Well... I'm no saint but I will see them in hell, and remind them that the greatness and stature of a country is based on how well they treat their young and the elderly... and if we help those in between.. so be it.

[AFSCME girl]

69. Great post, LovableScamp!

Welcome to DU and thank you for all that you do to help those in need :hi:

[downindixie]

59. I have a 54 yo homeless man

living in my workshop behind my house.He was in the hospital for 11 weeks because of a infectious cyst on his spine,which has damaged his spine.He has skin cancer on his neck,growths in his nose and ear.He can't work,of course and hasn't had a job in years,other than odd jobs!He can't collect unemployment or disability,he does get food stamps.We can't find a Doctor who will donated his skills to help this man or any organization who will truly help.This man was a crack addict,but has been clean since he has been living with us,about 5 months.Its a shame that there is not an organization that will help him get well and back on his feet.

Does anyone have any suggestions for help for this man?

[morillon]

62. If he's disabled, can't he get SSDI? n/t

[Barack_America]

64. I'm sorry, I don' have any advice.

I just want to thank you for what you're doing.

:hug:

[ilrslr3]

67. Can he use you address to file for disability? Like SSI or State assistance

he may be able to get foodstamps and State insurance coverage. Call you local Department of Human Services every State has a diffrent name for it.

[downindixie]

83. He has applied for SSI

and has been turned down!

[shrike]

167. How many times has he been turned down?

It's not unusual to be turned down once, or even twice, before they grudgingly give you some money. They want to make it as hard as possible, so that you'll give up and walk away.

Your friend needs a lawyer. There ARE legal organizations that will work pro bono. With help, he might be able to find one.

[Melinda]

108. Find a Social Security Attorney in your area... he needs to appeal the denial.

SSI applications are almost always denied, which is why there are so many SSD/SSI appeals attorneys. This is an administrative matter, and your friend needs representation asap. It will cost nothing to speak with one... google SSI attorneys in your area, or contact your area/state bar association.

Best of luck to your friend, and blessings be yours for the kindness, and the compassion, and the love you give to him. :hug:

[shrike]

168. What she said. n/t

[downindixie]

180. We couldn't find a pro bono org.,

but he has found a lawyer who will take his case for a percentage! The system is set up by lawyers to help their own!

[shrike]

194. Keep trying

I just googled "pro bono" and legal services for the poor. There are organizations out there, but they vary by state. Good luck.

If you've already done this, I apologize in advance.

[Baby Snooks]

160. See if there is a social worker at the hospital where he was treated...

I assume he was in a "public health care" hospital. Sometimes the social workers at these hospitals can help patients get "into the system" by expediting Medicaid applications and SSI. We forget the social workers in our health care system. Often they are the real "miracle workers."

I had a friend who decided that instead of buying a new car every year she would "adopt a family" every year through a program at her church. Several of the church members who could afford to do so participated in the program which I was told was discontinued several years ago because no one was participating. I guess the price of designer clothes and BMWs went up and they had to cut out the things that didn't matter.

She supported the family with $25,000 with $3,000 the first month, $2,000 the following months. I think she supported five families. All "bettered" themselves in the year in which they were subsidized.

That to me is charity. As is what you have done.

[downindixie]

181. yes,the social worker at the hospital

helped him apply the first time,but now he has been turned down.I'm on disability myself so its impossibal for me to help him financially.

[notesdev]

65. Where can I sign up?

I'd like a free house, too.

[rasputin1952]

68. I just tuned into Hardball as this was being shown...

OK...I'll admit it, I burst into tears.

The faces that come with stories like this are almost always dignified, their stature is dignified and their words come straight from the heart. They are scared, but they face the fear...and then, a lone voice of an individual comes forward and helps...no questions asked, no strings attached...but a home, not just a house, was offered...Chene Thompson, you are a wonderful human being.

"My staff will talk to you"...this was a heartfelt and honest as could be...Barack, you have the power to make change, and for this woman and her son...that change was virtually immediate. Thank you sir!

I am a 57 year old student, I went back to school, because of necessity. I am the proverbial broke student, but I scrape by. My son and I have a roof over our heads, we have food and have a car. It's rough, but there is future In the Fall, my son will be going to the local Community College, by then, I should be working at a pretty good job. My heart went out to this woman because she is worse off than my son and I...there are others out there that need help. Tomorrow morning, before classes, (thank God this is my last semester), I am going to do 2 things; 1: donating what I can to the local Food Bank. 2: Doing what I can to help those in more dire straights than I.

My conscious have been rekindled...this time, I will not let the fire go down.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

70. Our President is a Smart Mutha Fv%$er!

Was this woman pre-screened? Was this planned? Of course it was. (imho) Maybe it had something to do with this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=5010630
--------
bobbolink (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-08-09 05:24 PM
Original message
Tell me AGAIN how the Democrats are going to help homeless people????
Look at what was FULLY ELIMINATED from the "stimulus bill":

• $1.25 billion for project based rental

• $2.25 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization


• $1.2 billion for retrofitting Project 8 housing


So, more homeless people and LESS housing.

Thanks, Dems, for caving. We DO appreciate you thinking of us.
-------------------
The bill that was approved by the Senate today now has to be reconciled with the House bill that was approved last week. I believe that this "event" we saw today was a pre-emptive move to sway public opinion and attract media attention, and hopefully make it easier to re-instate these measures into the finalized version.

Our President is a Smart Mutha Fv%$er!

:kick: & R

[1776Forever]

72. I am so in tune with this lady - I am her age & lived in Florida & lost my home last year.

If it wasn't for my husband's military retirement we would be homeless too. Florida is in such dire straights now and the early baby boomers are feeling it very hard! No one wants to hire you in your early 60's even though you can work rings around most others who are much younger then you. Think about that we are the same age as Hillary or Nancy Pelosi but we are not looked at seriously because of our age.

I wish this lady and her son only the best and thank our President for his compassion and caring nature. This shows the difference between a Repub President like Dubya who only allowed his "base" in to see him and our new President who is a hero to so many!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

73. 45,000,000 to go...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

74. Make that 44,999,999

Sorry.

[MasonJar]

77. The Thompsons are obviously superior citizens; how old is the son?

I guess he cannot find a job.

[Thickasabrick]

82. Wow....crappy comments at the end of that article....people are

such jerks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

137. And a few in this thread too

[madmax]

84. We're all in this mess together

I'm so grateful that we have a REAL President with integrity, intelligence and compassion.

Not some MAJOR MORON who was always 'wishing he had a magic wand' up his ass to fix the world. I HATE W!!!

[Trocadero]

86. PAY IT FORWARD

[Earth Bound Misfit]

87. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[angel823]

186. Yes

indeed!

[Turborama]

88. Fighting for our homes

Please check this brilliant campaign out and spread the word...

"The housing crisis is not just a problem for families facing foreclosure it is a problem for every homeowner in America. As long as foreclosures persist, home values will keep going down, and everyone loses.

We are collecting stories from people all over the country who have been hit by the housing crisis so we can show what is really happening on Main Street and we need your help. Have you been affected by the housing meltdown? Foreclosed on? Underwater? Trapped in a predatory loan? Do you know anyone else whose life has been turned upside down by the collapse of the real estate market? Record your story, or the story of a friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor, and send it to us."

Learn more at:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x270509

-- --- --

Thank you sabra for sharing this happy ending story.

K&R

[happygoluckytoyou]

91. in a related story.... JOHN MCCAIN offered to house 6 families in his SPARE houses..............NOT!

[helderheid]

92. Bush would have said, "Ain't America great??"

[Ilsa]

102. No shit! He would have gone on and on about how wonderful pickups are,

how you can pitch a tent in the back, etc. But he certainly wouldn't have offered her help.

[elocs]

94. For the doubting hand wringers:

I wonder if all of those years ago the woman in the airport who was going to Norway to be with her new husband and didn't have the money to pay for her extra bags was a plant when Obama, who was a complete stranger, approached her and offered to pay for the bags so she could make her flight? How very prescient of our current President to know that years later he would be running for president when that story came out.

Usually, things are exactly what they appear to be, DU tinfoil hatters notwithstanding.

[iconicgnom]

114. What has that story got to do with anything? n/t

[elocs]

116. It has to do with the fact that some believe that this woman was a plant.

I'm sorry if that was not clear.

[iconicgnom]

120. OK, I see. As if someone'd have to look so hard to find such a "plant". hehe

Whatever, I am happy that more attention is being put to problems of poverty. It's about time.

[NBachers]

132. I Love that Story!

Good point.

[WriteDown]

97. How is she going to pay for the property taxes??? nt

[ItNerd4life]

195. Please quit applying logic

to a feel good situation. People would rather feel good than solve problems.

I wish I got a house and a car. I need them too. I think she was being selfish.

[debbierlus]

103. Now lets help the rest of the people thrown out on the street, instead of bailing out the corporate

Filth...I mean wealth...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

107. I had a feeling Obama was going to to inspire humanitarianism in this country

actually, not just in the U.S., come to think of it.

I think the people of a nation take after their leader's behavior, which is why leadership is so important.

We have a much needed role model, FINALLY.

Anyone else been thinking, "WWOD" ?

I know I feel inspired to try and evolve.

[iconicgnom]

110. I agree. The US has a much better role model under Obama, than Bush.

But in the end, to instill that behavior in the popular or general mind of a nation requires deeds.

Helping this one person doesn't cut it, tho' not helping her would, of course, totally suck.
The way some poli might help one person, in the limelight, might have no association whatsoever with how the problem might be solved in general. Yet surely this is a problem to be solved, to the best of our abilities.

To my mind, when institutions of public health care exist, that are capable of dealing well with the problems of poverty, the people will be happy with the role model that they exemplify. To my mind it's to our benefit to flesh out what we mean by "universal health care", while our attention is on it. To my mind, this should be the #1 priority in Obama's so-called "stimulus package". Really.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

111. yes I agree, the safety net has been ripped to shreds.

and needs to be mended.

I don't see Pres Obama as a two faced hypocrite at all. He has a track record of integrity, and does not wall himself behind ivory towers.

I have no doubt that the health care disaster is also on his to do list.

[iconicgnom]

113. His problem is that he has to deal with an entrenched status quo.

A status quo which is fundamentally mistaken both morally and economically.

Obama is certainly no hypocrite!
His problem is how to make a change without causing an explosion. Not easy. I think he'll do a good job, though.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

149. yes, definitely--entrenched status quo

"fundamentally mistaken both morally and economically"--eggggsactly!

and the screaming wingnuts---
heh heh--- I had a picture come to mind the other day:

ya know how cockroaches in a petri dish behave as you hold it over a burner?
that's what the Rashy Masses and their demigods are reminding me of. Not that I advocate cruelty to insects.....

[MrsBrady]

118. I was getting ready to leave for class today and listening to this.

I heard Ms Hughes speak to Obama.

I was alone, and I put my hand on my mouth.
I felt like crying, but I was getting dressed to leave.
I had to drive 40 miles to school and couldn't cry.

I am so glad she got some help.

[DollyM]

125. I could actually see the compassion in his face . . .

As he moved toward her and grabbed her hand and kissed her face, you could just see him thinking "this could be my mother or my grandmother." I also saw the compassion of Christ in a President, for the first time in 8 years. I took 8 years of praying but we finally got our Godly, compassionate President.

[boobooday]

134. This woman broke my heart

And then my heart was lifted up by seeing our president had such compassion. What a concept.

I'm so happy to hear that she is getting help.

[nomorehomelessness]

141. President Obama, please end homelessness too!

Dear President Obama:

I have been dealing with homelessness since my honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969. I found myself homeless shortly after returning from Vietnam. I was also in and out of homelessness with my two sons in the Eighties, and homeless again on my own in the Nineties.

I started the American Homeless Society in 1987 while my sons and I were homeless in California. I have worked very hard alongside other advocates, and have been in several hunger strikes, marches and demonstrations for homeless rights since the Eighties but have seen little progress to date.

My longest hunger strike was 58 days against President Reagan’s “trickle down” economic policies that created more instead of less homelessness in our country. You have spoken about fixing our nation’s economy from the “bottom up” instead, and that makes more sense.

From the bottom up should mean you are starting at the very bottom of our ailing economy, however. You should start by ending homelessness instead of neglecting the neediest among us like past administrations have done.

Philip Mangano of the Interagency Council on Homelessness has been promoting 10-year plans to end homelessness in major cities across the country on behalf of the Bush Administration these past few years. We would hope and pray you make a similar commitment, i.e., to abolish homelessness throughout our nation in ten years, not just in individual cities because there are far more homeless outside these cities than their urban homeless plans will ever reach.

Why not end homelessness in the entire United States in 10 years, Mr. President? You said, "YES WE CAN!" so why can't we when it comes to ending homelessness? Slavery was abolished in America over a century ago; why not abolish homelessness today?

Homelessness is just as bad as slavery in several ways and worse in others. Men, women and children from all the races, colors, cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, religions and creeds in our diverse society find themselves homeless everyday.

Along with hunger, malnutrition, sickness, disease and premature death, America's homeless are forced to endure harassment, discrimination, persecution and violence in our nation today much like the slaves President Lincoln’s armies fought to free in the Nineteenth Century had to.

America’s homeless face nature's harshest conditions without warm homes or shelter for protection. They lack good food and nutrition, good hygiene, medicine and healthcare, and the good education, training and experience needed to qualify for the dwindling supply of jobs in today’s worsening economy.

Many of America’s homeless are even employed but underemployed and therefore unable to afford existing rentals, while thousands of others are altogether unemployable and have no income whatsoever. How can our great nation permit so many of these poor souls to continue to suffer and die needlessly on our streets and in the wilds?

I joined the Marines to fight for our country so that all Americans could have a better life, not just the rich and well-to-do who are receiving all the bailouts today. There is no justification or excuse for anyone in our nation to be denied housing and other life-sustaining needs, Mr. President.

Please, if you are serious about fixing our nation’s economy from the bottom-up, begin at the real bottom by making a firm commitment to end involuntary homelessness throughout our country in 10 years without further ado.

Sincerely,

Ruben Botello, Founder

AMERICAN HOMELESS SOCIETY

http://sananda.tripod.com/homeless/ahs1.html

[Baby Snooks]

182. You must be joking....

"Philip Mangano of the Interagency Council on Homelessness has been promoting 10-year plans to end homelessness in major cities across the country on behalf of the Bush Administration these past few years."

The Bush Administration did far more to increase homelessness than anyone else with its economic policies. I will believe he cares when he and Laura donate that other house they bought to be used as a shelter for the homeless. I cannot even fathom anyone suggesting he cares.

We need conversion programs to take abandoned apartment complexes and turn them into housing. And we need some sort of assistance programs to give these people jobs, something, anything, so they feel they matter.

That is the worst of what we do to the homeless. We make them feel as if they don't matter. To the majority of Americans, sadly, they don't.

The major problem is we have too many people and too few jobs. That is part of the Bush legacy as well. He and his father promoted "guest workers" in order to create a worker class in this country which has displaced quite a few Americans and put them under a freeway underpass.

The Bushes are the main reason why the word Republican has become a synonym for evil in this country and around the world.

[totodeinhere]

175. It great that the lady got help, but...

there are so many others who also need help who didn't get a chance to talk to President Obama. So this is a feel good story but it doesn't get to the root of the problem. The government needs to provide food, shelter and medical care to all homeless people, not just this one lady, bless her heart, who was lucky enough to get to talk to the president.

[shireen]

184. i am very glad she got some help.

It's heart-warming to see this lady get help, but does it have to be because she got the attention of the POTUS? There are so many others who did not get that same opportunity, and we -- as a country -- need to reach out to them too.

:(