did anyone catch Oprah today on today's homeless?

[onlyadream]

It was so sad, especially the family living in the shelter (with the kids). Then they showed tent cities. Yes, this is America - one of the most wealthiest countries in the world. It's unbelievable what's going on.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I saw it. Heartbreaking.

[Callalily]

2. No, didn't see Oprah, working

at that time. But in yesterday's local paper (and I live in a small community compared to some) there was an article stating that 167 high school students are homeless, come from homeless families. Yes, it's sad, but outrageous too.

[arcadian]

3. Oprah was on the homeless?

You better get her off, they can't lift much in their weakened state.

[barb162]

16. ......

right, okay.

[vard28]

4. I did

and I want a copy of it to take to school with me to show to all the over-indulged middle school children who live in 850,000 homes, come to school dressed better than me and who have things like electronic devices I've never even seen before, and who WHINE there's nothing to do and they're so bored and their lives SUCK 'cause their parents didn't get the built-in hot tub when they built their fancy backyard pool and they have to SETTLE for the stand alone type of hot tub.

:rant:

[ThomCat]

9. I hope those kids buy a clue at some point

and contribute something positive to society when they grow up, instead of being just more social climbers out to make money and climb on top of other people.

It's a shame the way so many people turn out when they don't learn how to empathize or care. But exposure can go a long way. Please show them that video, and have a long discussion about poverty and homelessness in America if you can. :)

:hug:

[vard28]

12. What's sad is

that SO many of their families live above their means. Most of them did the interest only loans to be in those mammoth houses. Several of them have had to move 'cause their folks told them they couldn't afford to live there anymore. A good number of them have rooms that don't even have furniture in them! We even have 3 teachers that I know of at our school that live in that particular neighborhood that have had to sell and either rent a townhouse or even apartment.

The kids THINK they are "rich", but it's mostly bought on credit and it's gonna come crashing down on some of them soon.

[DarkTirade]

24. The parents want to pretend they're rich, which means sheltering their kids

from any kind of reality. They'd rather show off and buy their kids fancy stuff than let their kids learn the worth of those fancy things. Which means it will be hard for those kids to grow up and become responsible adults when its their time.

I dated a girl who came from a family like that back when I was in college the first time around. Thankfully she figured out that her parents were frauds and she was trying to get away from all of that. After quite a bit of damage was done(most namely that in their quest to show off to their rich friends how perfect they were, they'd driven her to have an eating disorder so she could be the pretty and perfect daughter), but at least she had figured it out before the age of 20.

Unfortunately I've since lost contact with her, so I don't know if she actually did get out of that life or not.

[murielm99]

14. One of my friends had a recent visit from her sister who

married rich. Her kids came with her. They were very spoiled.

My friend noticed that her own children were much happier people than the spoiled rich kids.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

10. My high school was full of kids like that

Way too much money for their own good. I actually felt grateful that I didn't have all of that crap... I could see the world for what it was, and not what my daddy's trust fund might give me.

[vard28]

11. Yup

My dad provided a comfortable home and met all of our needs, but he and my mom also taught us respect and the value of money. We had to buy our own cars, we all three kids worked starting at 11 and 12 babysitting, then got jobs in high school. They would buy us school clothes, but they were the basics. If we wanted Adidas tennis shoes or expensive jeans we had to buy them ourselves, or they'd make a deal and maybe pay half. Either way, we grew up into what I like to think are thoughtful, giving, responsible adults. Who'dve thunk?

[onlyadream]

21. good to hear that it worked for you

That's what I do with my daughter (12) who really loves Abacrombie (sp?) - whereas I'm more of a Target type. So, if she wants it, and it's not on sale, she must pay all or half. Teaching the value of the dollar is hard, but very important. Many of these rich kids won't be rich when they leave mom & dad's house - you don't come out of college making six figures. Especially now. So these kids go from mom & dad's luxury house to something very basic and they're not mentally prepared for it.

[barb162]

19. If you do that, let us know their reaction.

I suspect most (not all) of them will sleep through it. They sound like whiny snotty clueless brats who aren't reading or listening to the news.

[vard28]

25. I probably won't even be allowed to show it

but I'm gonna try and see if I can get away with it. Then I'll sit back and wait for the complaint calls from the parents to the dean. That's the kind of girl I am. :rofl:

[onlyadream]

20. you never know

those kids may end up homeless. It's happening all the time.

[marzipanni]

26. This little video might open a few eyes

http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm

[bigwillq]

5. Nope.

I don't watch Oprah.

[AlCzervik]

6. Watching it now, this isn't far from where I live.

Lots of people hurting.

[barb162]

17. What I noticed was three things

job loss, no savings (living paycheck to paycheck) and the sub prime loans. The family in the homeless shelter with the big plastic bags and they had a fucking Lincoln Navigator but were living paycheck to paycheck? What!?! I guess people thought the party would last forever. I felt very sorry for those mothers but I also felt they were not EVER going to make the same spending mistakes again when they got back on their feet. That poor little boy who had the birthday could hardly talk.

If the people can get jobs again, I bet they get some cushion before they start spending again and they will never buy a house again without a fixed rate mortgage. The combination of those three things just puts them out on the street. Those tent cities, aye-yay-yay.

[onlyadream]

23. My parents were kids during the great depression

and they're probably the cheapest people you'd ever know. It rubbed off on me, which (looking back now) was a GOOD thing! They taught me to save save save. These people are now learning that lesson - the hard way. I feel sorry for the kids.

[barb162]

27. That generation appreciates sweet rolls in the morning.

Yes, that generation believed in saving and having a cushion at all times. They wanted to make sure they never went hungry again. To them a sweet roll is a thing of beauty.

[KamaAina]

7. Welcome to the wealthiest society in human history.

:eyes:

[lunatica]

8. I'm glad she's putting her attention on the homeless, especially when children are involved

the media have been ignoring it completely. Someone Like Oprah can cut right through the dismal ignorance and apathy and start moving people to action.

[blueknight]

13. my wife and i

just got home from a local homeless cold shelter we volunteer at every wednesday night. the problem is getting worse. i dont see no end to it

[barb162]

15. Yes it was an excellent show

[barb162]

18. One more thing, what people were leaving in that one house.

That big TV, the clothes, plates, photos, just all that stuff which was probably in excellent condition. The charities couldn't use it as they were overloaded with this stuff so they just put it in dumpsters! What a waste.

[onlyadream]

22. true - our landfills don't need that! nt