Wife just posted this on FaceBook

[JanMichael]

So, I just gave this homeless guy 5 bucks to buy a sandwich...saw him as we were walking home, and said "I thought you were going to buy a sandwich...you really want a beer before you eat don't you?" And he said, "can my buddy have a beer too?" On a Saturday night in *****. I had a couple of beers with 2 homeless guys who really need jobs, and some intellectual stimulation.....they aren't bums, they are just unemployed in a crummy economy...and beers before dinner isn't a sin.

[malaise]

1. Sweet

Give that lady a hug!

Rec

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Nothing wrong with that...not one damn thing.

[JanMichael]

3. no, but it's sad when the meme is "they will just buy beer"

well, you know what? We bought both....

Saddest part? The older guy (50..he told us that) said "I sure wish I could buy a beer tomorrow and watch some football...."

Yeah. We aren't dealing too well tonight.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I can believe that...

:hug:

[JanMichael]

5. so hard

To know that we came home to a condo that we don't "like," while they are going back to the "camp."

Sickening.

[Scuba]

8. "They'll just spend it on beer" said the billionaire as he sipped his 50-year old Scotch. n/t

[JanMichael]

9. Exactly

Pathetic.

[justgamma]

51. Reminds me of "Heck of a job, Brownie"

He had the guts to get in front of the Senate hearings and say that he wouldn't let the truckloads of ice into New Orleans because they would just use it to "cool their beer" like it was a big, damn party down there.

[Creideiki]

17. That type of thinking can lead to communal thinking

What's best for all and what all can provide.

Just as Jesus would want it. And that's the Jesus that I truly do like.

[dionysus]

43. if i was homeless, i'd want a beer too.

[la la]

10. i just had a 'discussion' with neighbors this past week--

i told them about the poor down and out --and probably mentally disturbed--guy i see at the PO. i always try to give him a buck and chat with him---my neighbors about had complete breakdowns over me doing that--'you know what he'll spend it on'---' he's just a drug addict'---'you shouldn't do that' blah, blah, blah----

my neighbors are pretty much teabaggers---so, i'm continuing to donate to 'my' guy at the PO- if he uses it for something not so great---so be it--

( he pushes a shopping cart full of stuffed animals in all conditions and carries one around his neck at times --we chat about his 'little guys' --and i know it brightens his day just to have someone look him in the eyes and talk to him)

[shireen]

19. i don't know why they make those assumptions ....

it's the same thing i've been told over and over, like having it seared into my head ...

one day, it occurred to me, how do i know they'll spend it on alcohol or beer? What if they really need something to eat? Who the hell am i to judge them? Since then, I've kept $5 bills in the car so i have something to give them when i pass by them at intersections. I feel embarrassed when they thank me so profusely. I'd rather they didn't ... after all, i'm just a few steps away from being in their shoes. The only difference between them and me is luck.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

49. That makes my day, week and month!!

Lately, the one song that is really stuck in my head is Phil Collins and "Don't Care Anymore".

Some days it really does seem as though the human race is beyond redemption. Seeing a post like yours reminds us that there IS still hope and decency in the world.

Virtual :hug:

[AlecBGreen]

55. good on ya!

you are absolutely right. just having a conversation with someone in that kind of situation is a very great thing

[blueamy66]

32. yeppers

nt

[ZombieHorde]

6. Thanks. nt

[grasswire]

7. think about the thousands of them in the 1930s...

....or tens of thousands, or millions. Just can't get work. It was a shame then, and it is a shame now.

I ran into one yesterday outside the supermarket. I gave him all the cash I had -- $3. Sadly. He spent five years in prison for a joint. Released now -- to what?

[Zanzoobar]

11. Very true. It's not a sin.

Neither is it a virtue.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

23. i will agree. i on the other hand am willing to give someone the money for a pack of cigs

and though i dont care, and willingly give them money for the cigs, i know it is not a virtue

being a smoker myself, i am empathic to their (yes) need. but who is going to praise smoking.

an addiction is just that and takes money away from other essentials.

when i give someone money, i am never concerned where the money goes. either i chose to give or not. that is my only role

[annm4peace]

12. thanks for treating them with respect and not chatising them

Billions wasted on killing others and occupation. and spying on US citizens.

there is so much money that can go to jobs and also help those with disabilities.


Here is what happens when your community becomes conservative:

In the richest state in the richest country.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eiv2WzbObQ

http://norcalsocialism.org/the-road-to-tent-city

"One of the first people you'll likely to meet near the entrance is Arnold. He's a 40-year-old Latino who lives with his dog in a tattered navy blue tent.

In between cooking lunch over an open fire, he explained his journey to Tent City. "I was working at the Radisson Hotel, as a dishwasher," he says. "I became unemployed and homeless. When it started to rain, I saw people going here. I asked if I could come, too."

Last week the Fresno Alliance (a co-op newspaper) sent out an email trying to get donations to keep 2 portable toilets each tent city for another month till they received a grant. Fresno City took money for the Homeless from the Fed gov but it doesn't seem to go to those in the Tent cities.

[JanMichael]

16. Chastising them for what?

wanting a beer and dinner?

That's what we were out doing- ;)

[annm4peace]

18. I have seen others give a dollar

and tell the person they give it to .. "now don't spend it on liquor".

I don't know who i felt more sorry for .. the person who said it or the person he said it to.

[MuseRider]

13. You are a good man

I always figure if they spend it on beer or something else it must be something they need at the time. Who am I to determine what that might be or even pretend to know what is best for them?

I give them food if I have it but if I only have cash it is given without rules. Good for you, you took it a step farther than that and probably made him feel really good to have someone to share with.

My oldest son has been going through early adulthood making all kinds of changes as he moves through. He was always one who thought it was wasteful to give someone money not knowing what they would use it for. A few months ago someone stopped us and I had no cash. He stepped in and gave the guy 5 bucks. Not a word, I just smiled. He is a kind young man. He has changed again and moved along in his path. Compassion can't be denied for very long, if you have it you use it eventually.

[JanMichael]

15. We had the money for both tonight

I wish we had more. Lots more. I wish I had the Koch's brothers money. Those guys would have a home.

[barbtries]

35. my youngest son is 19

more than once he has mentioned to me that "you're a better person than me" because i give money to beggars. i always tell him there but for fortune go you and I. good to know he may just see the light by and by. sometimes i fear that i have failed him somehow because he's so tunnel visioned.

[Shagbark Hickory]

20. So none of this actually happened then?

[JanMichael]

21. what? Yes, it happened. It was our evening out?

not sure what your question is?

[Shagbark Hickory]

22. Well you said your wife posted it. And it's written in first person.

So did your wife drink the beers with these guys or did you?
Now you say it was "our" night out. Did you do this with your wife?

[JanMichael]

24. ummmm...OK. I get it. You didn't really read it. It's what she posted on

her Facebook account.

Yes. I was with her.

Does that help? She has facebook, I have DU. Neither one of us has both. Maybe that clears things up?

We live in a neighborhood where we were walking to a local restaurant; we encountered a homeless guy and gave him money for dinner...walking home we encountered him again, and my wife walked across the street and said "you really want a beer before dinner don't you?!" and that's where it started-

Hope that helps-

It's incredibly sad...one of the guys...the "buddy" the guy asked about is a veteran (had a military ID) said "I wish I could have a couple of beers tomorrow and watch football." They indicated they were in a "camp." We did NOT ask the location because the homeless campers are afraid of the cops tearing them up-

They did say they could cook at their place, and would like some "meaty" stuff- not sure what to do about that- maybe take jerky? The one guy said he hangs on that corner regularly. Also stated he had a can opener.

Anyway...hope that clears things up for you. Yes, it happened. Yes, I have a wife that does shit like that-

[Shagbark Hickory]

25. I did read it. I just didn't understand it. It sounded like a fictional story.

But now I understand...

Sorta.


Were they drinking beer on the second encounter you and your wife had with them or did she just ask them if they would like a beer?

[JanMichael]

26. heh. Are you bored shitless tonight or what?

They were on the street, and asked for money for a sandwich. My wife gave the one that asked a five.

She finished smoking her cigarette....and we were walking home and encountered the first one was across the street-- wife walked across the street and asked him point blank if he really wanted a beer before he got a sandwich.

He said yes, and said "can my buddy have one too?"

And that's when we walked 10 feet back across the street to a bar, and bought beer.

Does that help?

Want to know what we were wearing?

[Shagbark Hickory]

27. These were important details that were left out of the OP.

I am kinda curious as to what you were wearing actually. Are you bikers?

[JanMichael]

28. uh...sure. My wife was wearing her typical leather chinos with

a button down shirt (she's the preppie biker in the family), but I was just wearing shorts and a harley jacket.

WTF? Seriously? "Important details?" Important to whom?

You know, honestly? I think our conversation is over.

On edit: we were WALKING through a middle class, mid sized city in the US. If you need to know what we were wearing, take a look at the freaking Eddie Bauer catalog...pretty damned typical for around here...and no, we don't shop there but the style is the same.

Nice to have "met you."

[Name removed]

34. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lex]

37. Nobody else was confused but this one

who has a history . . .

Don't worry about it.

[kag]

39. My husband...

"All he wants is a video and a signed affidavit from uninterested parties stating that the video isn't fake. That's all."

Thanks for the laugh, at least. And thanks for being so kind. Wish I were more like your wife.

Oops. I "repiied" to the wrong post.

[cwydro]

41. He showed you his I.D.?

Now THAT is odd.

First, odd that he would show it to you. Second, if he has an ID, he must be retired and is therefore eligible for bennies.

[JanMichael]

44. We thought that too...and gave him a contact number-

He was born in '61...so, not eligible for bennies yet...but, there are some groups that "cater" to? (that's not the right word, but you know what I mean, I hope) homeless veterans. We are going to attempt to see if that would be a good fit-

[tblue37]

53. Maybe those Hungry Man soups? They have more meat in them.

Also, maybe the makings for some ham, turkey, or roast beef sandwiches with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and those vaccuum sealed packets of mayo, mustard, and ketchup plus a cooler and ice so they can have it for a day or two to eat at their leisure before the ice melts, rather than having to eat it all immediately.

Some towns also have those cafeteria style restaurants, and that would be a good sort of place to let them get a real hot dinner with a meat entree.

[Locrian]

54. dont take this the wrong way...

>>>Anyway...hope that clears things up for you. Yes, it happened. Yes, I have a wife that does shit like that-

I find that strength INCREDIBLY cool and sexy in a woman.

People talk tough shit all the time.... it takes a really strong and cool person to do what you two did.

[JanMichael]

29. wow. Sad.

two posters on "ignore" from a thread that was only intended to talk about what some homeless folks need.

Christ, sometimes I hate this country.

[shireen]

33. but more people got it and appreciate what you both did.

As long as we have those kinds of ratios, maybe there's hope. :hug:

[veness]

36. Great thread - thanks all - and a toast to good ratios! n/t

[ohheckyeah]

30. Yeah, I've been told that before

about the beer. Here's how I see it...it's my money to choose to give or keep. If I choose to give it once it is placed in the other person's hand it's their money to choose what to do with. Beer, sandwich, pack of cigs, whatever, it doesn't matter to me because it's no longer my money.

[KarenS]

47. Yes,,,,

yes, indeed.

"it's my money to choose to give or keep. If I choose to give it once it is placed in the other person's hand it's their money to choose what to do with. Beer, sandwich, pack of cigs, whatever, it doesn't matter to me because it's no longer my money."

We also give.

[pacalo]

31. If anyone needs a drink, it's the homeless.

[femrap]

38. There was a homeless guy in Cincy, OH

who had a great spot at the end of an exit ramp off I-75. He was old and toothless and so very thin. His little cardboard sign said: "I won't lie. I need money for beer." I always gave him some money. His face would just light up and he had the biggest smile. He was so grateful. He would say, "God bless you," over and over.

I really appreciated his honesty. I don't like the begging dudes who come up and say how 'cute' I am. I always say, "I'm not cute and you know it. So don't give me any of your dishonest crap. Now you've pissed me off and you're not getting one red cent. Got it? I want to be admired for my mind. I don't want to hear any crap about my looks...I'm old. Do you approach the dudes and tell them how handsome they are? You need to work on your marketing skills and learn to read your market better. You approach a woman and say, 'Excuse me. May I please have some money for food?' Forget the bull shit."

I enjoy the stunned look on their faces, but not half as much as I enjoy the big smile from the dude off I-75 in Cincy. I hope he is still enjoying a few :beer: :toast:

[hue]

40. It looks like You married a Sweetie!

This is a lovely thing to share! Thanks to both of You for being so kind!

As a nurse I sometimes ask the patients I care for who are centenarians, if they are lucid, "What
is the most important thing You've learned in Your 100 years?" One cute Lady responded, "The
most important thing is to be kind to one another!"

[tomg]

42. It is awesome about the food,

better about the beer ( as a friend says, good beer has food value but even great food has no beer value). Best about just talking with the guys. You are a good man.

[saras]

45. Wonderful story. Thank you. (and thanks for the beer)

[defendandprotect]

46. KR and agree with all the positive posts on this thread -- !!

[blueamy66]

48. the irony

I was sitting on my patio, enjoying the 75 degree weather this morning, playing on the computer....when the neighbors' dogs started going wild.

Turns out there was an older man digging through the garbage can in the alley, looking for aluminum cans to turn in for cash.

I went into the house, got a $5 bill and gave it to him.

Felt good.

:-)

[DesertFlower]

50. when i lived in NYC i worked a few hours overtime.

when i was walking to the bus a man stopped me and said "if i asked you for $5.00 to get something to eat would you give it to me"? i said "of course -- could you hold my umbrella while i get the money out of my bag"? i didn't have a $5 so i gave him a $10 bill. he thanked me and said "god bless you".

used to give money to people all the time. why not? i was making good money. didn't hurt me at all financially to help someone else out.

doesn't matter what they do with the money. you give with your heart. what they do with it is up to them.

[Sherman A1]

52. Excellent!

I have been hit up a few times when stopping for gas in the early AM (shifts start at 0500) for gas money. I am honest with the folks that I really don't carry much cash with me (usually about $3.00 or so), but I have pumped $5.00 of gas each time on my credit card (which is how I always pay for my gas anyway and it was a whole lot cheaper then than it is now), if they asked for food money the response would be the same. I will buy you a sandwich or whatever, (beer probably not, but I don't like it much myself so it's a personal choice there).

[SheilaT]

56. I work the info desk at a hospital.

A couple of weeks ago a very thin man asked me if I could buy him a sandwich at the gift shop next to me. I did, along with chips and a soft drink. He was immensely grateful. I don't even know exactly how much it cost because I get to pay with my ID badge and it simply shows up (along with all other charges I've made at the gift shop or the cafeteria) on my next pay stub. He looked like he hadn't had a good meal in a while.

About twenty years ago I heard an interview with Mike Royko, who was a columnist for several Chicago newspapers. He was asked about his policy on giving money to panhandlers, and he said he always gave them money, implying that he gave greenbacks, not change, saying that by the time someone was desperate enough to ask total strangers for money, who was he to judge? It changed my attitude towards such people.

I am, in relative terms, rich. I have a job, earn enough money to pay for my home and food and clothing and a reasonable number of luxuries, like chocolate or a day trip somewhere. While I have less money right now than I have had at times in the past, I've also been much, much poorer than this, although I've never been homeless or even too close to it. I sometimes have to struggle with not making assumptions about those without jobs, or who have fallen over the edge. I try to remind myself every single day how extraordinarily fortunate I am.