Skip N Barb Team
Dickinson, Texas
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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I was in Houston a short time back at a stop light, when a guy comes up and knocks on my side window. He asked for $5.00 for some gas because he was stranded. Just so happened, I had a 2 ga. gas can full in my truck. I told him to get in and we'll go to your car and I'll give you the fuel. He said....never mind, and walked away.
But hey....When you have 53% of working Americans supporting the rest, it supports their way of life....doesn't it!!
I'm retired, but stay pretty busy. However, maybe I could take 1 day a week and stand next to the guy "begging" with a sign that reads..."This guy is not real ". Please give me half of what you were going to give him, and I'll keep protecting your $$$$....at least part of it......
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Jose Angemon
Southwest USA
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Joined: 12/01/2008
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I don't think you can ever judge just by looking at the person on the corner whether their homeless situation is "real" or not....so, I have personally decided that I would rather give them a dollar or so and make a mistake .... as oppossed to letting a real homeless person go hungry. I don't give every person I see something; but, many I do.
I give generously to a favorite homeless shelter; but, even the people that operate those shelters will tell you that many homeless who are mentally ill or have committed felonies in the past are hestitant to come to their shelters for aid. These people are usually paranoid and afraid of authority....so, many homeless just panhandle.
I've made my personal choice and I am comfortable with it.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Homeless, poor folks, people that really need help are exactly the ones that are hurt by the highway ramp, street corner scrammers.
I have offered honest work to everyone I have seen holding a sign 'out of work' etc. and they turn & walk away. I have offered to 'join me for a meal' at local restaurant and have been assaulted with threats and foul language.
Those I have come across at gas stations 'need gas money'....where's your car I've got a can and we can go put fuel in......"NO"
Not once has ANY of them taking me up on the offers. NONE
What else do I do......clear conscious on that aspect. Just tired of the 'pretenders'. Doesn't take very much interaction to figure out which ones are fake.
Say John....next time you see that person begging.....offer to pay them for cleaning your property, scrubbing your driveway, anything. See how many takers vs how many don't and just put their hand out.
* This post was
edited 01/08/12 07:32am by an administrator/moderator *
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
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John Snow
Oklahoma
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Joined: 11/28/2005
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Old-Biscuit wrote:Homeless, poor folks, people that really need help are exactly the ones that are hurt by the highway ramp, street corner scrammers.
Say John....next time you see that person begging.....offer to pay them for cleaning your property, scrubbing your driveway, anything. See how many takers vs how many don't and just put their hand out.
So how do you tell the ones that really need help from the scammers, Biscuit?
I'm not looking to employ anyone, either, just hoping to help somebody out.
Good post, Jose.
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Cookielady
Tampa, FL
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Joined: 06/29/2003
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About a year ago, our local paper did an article about some of the people who approach your car wanting money. Out of the 10 they looked into, 8 were conficted felons, 7 were conficted sexual predators. The next time, you reach out to hand a dollar to one of these poor, homeless men, remember you don't know a thing about him. He could very well be someone you would never want anywhere near you or your loved ones and yet because he holds a sign and looks sad and hungry, you open your window.
Motorhome Mama
http://www.worldisround.com/home/mhmama/index.html
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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John Snow wrote:Old-Biscuit wrote:Homeless, poor folks, people that really need help are exactly the ones that are hurt by the highway ramp, street corner scrammers.
Say John....next time you see that person begging.....offer to pay them for cleaning your property, scrubbing your driveway, anything. See how many takers vs how many don't and just put their hand out.
So how do you tell the ones that really need help from the scammers, Biscuit?
I'm not looking to employ anyone, either, just hoping to help somebody out.
Good post, Jose.
My personal experience with the ones with their hand out have been scrammers
That's the reason I quit giving to 'hand-outs' and just deal directly with organized charities...
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John Snow
Oklahoma
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Joined: 11/28/2005
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Cookielady wrote:The next time, you reach out to hand a dollar to one of these poor, homeless men, remember you don't know a thing about him.
Exactly.
Your newspaper article speaks to my comment about negativity. It always sells best.
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Doug4.7
Hartselle, AL, USA
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Joined: 10/02/2003
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Old-Biscuit wrote:My personal experience with the ones with their hand out have been scrammers
That's the reason I quit giving to 'hand-outs' and just deal directly with organized charities... There is a local charity in our area that does a good job in screening "scammers" and actually helping those who need help. I contribute to them.
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Skid Row Joe
Texas and on-the-road
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Supercharged wrote:I hear they pick up $250 per day
One guy reportedly pulls down over $30,000.00 a year at an exit off I35 in suburban Dallas County Texas for years now. He even drives
a new Toyota Land Cruiser to boot. All the money is tax free, so that is the equivelant of over $40,000.00 a year begging. Not bad for doing nothing but scamming for your money.
“I want to die in my sleep like my Grandfather... Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.”
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Skid Row Joe
Texas and on-the-road
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Doug4.7 wrote:Those folks have found it easier to beg for money than to work for it. Those folks on the corner are 99.99% scam artists.
The ones that actually need help, are already receiving it through legitimate means. The ones begging on the streets, and private property parking lots are guaranteed to be scammers/panhandlers. We now always call the police on them to report them as up to suspicious and threatening behavior/activity, harrassment, tresspassing, etc. That gets wants and warrants by law enforcement done on them. Many do need help in learning to not break the law panhandling. Win win situation.
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