I've lost all sympathy for street people

[gildo]

"but I remember totally ######ed guys working at McDonalds and other places." quote by DESS.

This is a pet peeve of mine first of all I hate the term "######ed", it's person with a disability, but i'll stoop down to DESS' level as he started this thread. Just because someone who is "######ed" can do something does it naturally mean that it's easy and anyone in the world should be able to do it. For example if someone "######ed" is working then that means that anyone can do it, well hey if "those people" can do it than anyone can right? I sat on the board at the Disabilites Services Program of Alberta for many years, people with disabilities are out there working and contributing to our city, some could easily sit back and collect there monthly AISH (assurred income for the severly handicapped) but they don't, through my experiences they pack your groceries, work in warehouses, help out in professional office settings, wash dishes, assist cooks in restaurants, pump gas just like you or I. So why is it that a "rant" about the homeless also means you can take shots at the diasbled?

It's fine if you want to "rant" but your "rant" holds more merrit if you use politically correct, professional terms and don't come across as an uneducated, unprofessional red-neck.

[flamesfever]

I heard there was something like a 2 to 3 year waiting list for subsidized housing, and I think your suggestion Captain is a very good one.

I think it would be money well spent to vastly increase the availability of low income housing in this city.

I don't know if anyone here has been involved with the "In from the cold" program that some of the churches are involved in, but I'm told to see some of the young families with children can be heart wrenching.

[Weiser Wonder]

A few things:

1. One of the major themes in this thread is street people not being happy when you offer to buy them food instead of giving them money. This is because they are almost always drug addicts and just using you for your money. That's the entire life of a addict, use people to get more drugs.

2. A lot, if not most, street people are not only drug addicts but also mentally ill. That's a situation when it becomes impossible for a person to help themselves. It's unreasonable to ask a mentally ill person to stop using drugs because they don't have the mental capacity to know to stop. It's also impossible for people who are mentally ill to get better while taking drugs. Horrible situation. There needs to be more funding to help these people.

3. I can't believe people actually think "lazy people" living on the streets living off begging is a societal problem. These people aren't lazy, they are sick.

[Dion]

Michael Pilling leaves the Foothills Emergency Shelter at 5:30 a.m. for the 15-minute walk to his furnace delivery job.

He's been in and out of shelters since a substance abuse problem crumbled his 23-year marriage about three years ago. But when he arrived at the Foothills shelter this winter, he jumped at the chance for full-time employment and has been on the job since Dec. 10.

"There are lots of opportunities up here," said Pilling, 49.

Within two months, the ticketed heavy equipment operator hopes to have enough cash stashed away to afford his own place to live.

"I am so close to obtaining a place," said Pilling, who started out at $16 an hour and is anticipating a $2 raise.

Pilling is one of 65 shelter clients who have found employment in the industrial area since the shelter opened its doors in November.

Though some nearby businesses initially said they feared increased crime with overnight clients moving into the area, so far, there have been only minor hitches along the road, said Diana Schwenk, spokeswoman for the Mustard Seed, which operates the shelter.

In fact, the job bonanza, prodded by a job fair held at the shelter in December, has delighted officials and clients, she said.

"I don't think any of us imagined what a unique partnership that could become," Schwenk said

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...a-e43ff98a40cc

[smithtofuhr86]

Originally Posted by gildo

"but I remember totally ######ed guys working at McDonalds and other places." quote by DESS.

This is a pet peeve of mine first of all I hate the term "######ed", it's person with a disability, but i'll stoop down to DESS' level as he started this thread. Just because someone who is "######ed" can do something does it naturally mean that it's easy and anyone in the world should be able to do it. For example if someone "######ed" is working then that means that anyone can do it, well hey if "those people" can do it than anyone can right? I sat on the board at the Disabilites Services Program of Alberta for many years, people with disabilities are out there working and contributing to our city, some could easily sit back and collect there monthly AISH (assurred income for the severly handicapped) but they don't, through my experiences they pack your groceries, work in warehouses, help out in professional office settings, wash dishes, assist cooks in restaurants, pump gas just like you or I. So why is it that a "rant" about the homeless also means you can take shots at the diasbled?

It's fine if you want to "rant" but your "rant" holds more merrit if you use politically correct, professional terms and don't come across as an uneducated, unprofessional red-neck.

I second that brother!

[Got Miikka?]

A domestically-challenged person outside of Safeway asked me for money once, but I'm a debit card kinda guy. I DID have food though, and he settled for a green banana.

[CaptainCrunch]

One of the things that I really pushed for a couple of years ago was that Companies that were recruiting outside of Alberta and were paying lower then average wages should bring in some Avco trailers to give temporary housing to these workers until they could save enough money to get places of their own.

The logistical problems were mind boggling though, but I thought that it was an idea that had merit.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

One of the things that I really pushed for a couple of years ago was that Companies that were recruiting outside of Alberta and were paying lower then average wages should bring in some Avco trailers to give temporary housing to these workers until they could save enough money to get places of their own.

The logistical problems were mind boggling though, but I thought that it was an idea that had merit.

It does, except Calgary seems content to pay a city council to sit around and seemingly make up laws arbitrairily and seemingly without any forethought.

For example, city council spent two weeks deliberating the legal length that lawn should be. In those two weeks, the combined earnings of all the alderman would have well exceeded 30,000 dollars.

Moreover, one can STILL demand a horse when you get out of jail downtown.

So I would imagine that your logistical problems are probably non-existent...except they exist...becuase Madeline King and her friends like easy paycheques and needed to invent some problems to "legislate".

[maverickeastwood]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

It does, except Calgary seems content to pay a city council to sit around and seemingly make up laws arbitrairily and seemingly without any forethought.

For example, city council spent two weeks deliberating the legal length that lawn should be. In those two weeks, the combined earnings of all the alderman would have well exceeded 30,000 dollars.

Moreover, one can STILL demand a horse when you get out of jail downtown.

So I would imagine that your logistical problems are probably non-existent...except they exist...becuase Madeline King and her friends like easy paycheques and needed to invent some problems to "legislate".

I've asked a cop to keep his pen after he wrote me a seatbelt fine, which he gave me surprisingly...but a horse??

[ResAlien]

My first post notwithstanding, I have little to no sympathy for the homeless. I do feel bad for the small percentage that are mentally unbalanced or what have you, but as for the rest? Screw em.

I worked for 3 years in a downtown Denver nightclub / bar, and despise these useless people. Many were simply happy trying to bum smokes, harass people, and live off of others. I'm sure they didnt like the winter, but hey, thems the breaks. Most of these guys had their families looking for them to support them, and when found would sober up for a few weeks, try to work, then go back to living in alleys with the rest of their hobo "crews". Sorry, but pick your sorry self up, sober up, and be a productive member of society. If not, then hide in your stinking alley and leave me alone.

I make a habit of asking them for change before they get a chance to ask me. They dont like that. wonder why?

[Devils'Advocate]

I have never, ever, ever in my life given a dime to a homeless person. Cutting off that cash is the only means of forcing these people to get the help that they need. I give a lot of money to charities that provide food and shelter to homeless people and from what I hear from the people that work there, there are always beds available except on the nights when it is 40 below.

#1 problem - The mentally ill are usually so mentally ill they cannot recognize that they need help. So they don't seek it. And until they break the law, we can't touch them. It's so difficult - we see people every day that we KNOW need mental help and we are powerless to do anything.
#2 problem - Those addicted to drugs might as well be mentally ill. It's not that they don't want to get off the drugs.... it's that the physical and psychological addiction has completely taken over from the rational mind. Just like the mentally ill, they are not in control of their lives. The drugs are. And again, until they are caught breaking the law, we can't get them off the streets.

I used to try to help them out. For example, there was a guy in Halifax that used to always ask for change so he could get a sandwich because he was so hungry, so I would buy him a sandwich from time to time and he was very happy with that. So here in Ottawa there was a guy who asked for change so he could catch the bus. So I gave him a couple bus tickets. Later I found him down there yelling "10 bus tickets for $5! Anyone want 10 tickets for $5?" So now, I just give money to charity and give nothing, not even non-monetary items.

[BBQorMILDEW]

Please go watch the southpark episode "Night of the living homeless"

I promise you will all laugh your ass off..

[SarichFan]

This thread is legendary.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

It does, except Calgary seems content to pay a city council to sit around and seemingly make up laws arbitrairily and seemingly without any forethought.

For example, city council spent two weeks deliberating the legal length that lawn should be. In those two weeks, the combined earnings of all the alderman would have well exceeded 30,000 dollars.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Would you prefer neighbours that don't mow their lawns? While you're selling?
For these two weeks, is that all they accomplished? Did they do nothing else except discuss lawn length? If you claim 'yes', please prove it. Show me that Calgary city council did nothing for two weeks except discuss optimal lawn length.

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Moreover, one can STILL demand a horse when you get out of jail downtown.

Damned if they do, damned if they dont.

Should city council bother addressing these antiquated laws, or should they just leave them be and assume that nobody is going to demand a horse?
If they spent any time fixing this little glitch, would you be happy or pissed off?

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

So I would imagine that your logistical problems are probably non-existent...except they exist...becuase Madeline King and her friends like easy paycheques and needed to invent some problems to "legislate".

Didja hear that from your grade 12 social teacher? Do you hear your own contradictions? You don't want city council addressing lawn laws, but you do want them addressing horse laws. And you don't like Madeline King. Sorta like disliking George Bush. Pretty easy target. Got a reason? Besides the 40 kph and the f'n traffic circle stop signs?

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Would you prefer neighbours that don't mow their lawns? While you're selling?
For these two weeks, is that all they accomplished? Did they do nothing else except discuss lawn length? If you claim 'yes', please prove it. Show me that Calgary city council did nothing for two weeks except discuss optimal lawn length.



Damned if they do, damned if they dont.

Should city council bother addressing these antiquated laws, or should they just leave them be and assume that nobody is going to demand a horse?
If they spent any time fixing this little glitch, would you be happy or pissed off?



Didja hear that from your grade 12 social teacher? Do you hear your own contradictions? You don't want city council addressing lawn laws, but you do want them addressing horse laws. And you don't like Madeline King. Sorta like disliking George Bush. Pretty easy target. Got a reason? Besides the 40 kph and the f'n traffic circle stop signs?

Hey man, was that really necessary? I haven't been in school for almost a decade now!?

I don't understand why it takes two weeks to make a decision between the length of lawn being three inches or four? Should be voted on the moment it comes up and be done with it. Takes 30 seconds.

The horse law is just hilarious. If they took two weeks to decide if it was antiquated or not, then I would be pissed off.

Madeline King like George Bush? One is the incarnation of evil and the other is the president of the US. (). And aside from the Traffic Circles, 40 kph zones, voting against paying for ribbons for city vehicles to support the troops (and instead voting to SELL them to Calgarians), how every one of her plans is 10 or 20 year plans and she will be long out of office...and lets not forget PUTTING UP A STINK ABOUT THE RED FRIGGIN MILE.

So sorry for ruffling your feathers there 4x4, but based on how you pounced on me, I am willing to suggest you may be personally connected and/or related to Ms. King. Moreover, I would hope that if this is indeed a personal reaction to my previous post that you understand Ms. King works as an elected public official, and thus her public-life decisions are open to scrutiny.

And even if she is an easy target, easy targets are east targets for a reason. Usually a very good reason, or in this case, a whole lot of reasons.

[Traditional_Ale]

(sorry, double post.)

[4X4]

No, I can't say that I'm associated with King. And sorry for "pouncing" you. The post just seemed contradictory and a little bit extraneous in this thread. Sure the vote only takes 30 seconds but maybe they need a little bit of time to consider it. The drama you intended to create by making it sound like all city functions ceased for two weeks while they decided how long lawns should be... Sorry, that just rubs me the wrong way. Then the horse thing. For them to go through all the old laws... They're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

As for King, by the end of what I disliked as a post, I was more or less just checking to see if you were doing a drive by or if you actually had a beef with King. I tend to agree wtih you about her, but like you said, my feathers were ruffled and I was already in for a penny...

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Moreover, one can STILL demand a horse when you get out of jail downtown.

Sounds like a good deal for the homeless to commit some petty offences. Spend a night in the big house out of the elements and get a horse the next day. When they demand the horse does it have to be live or can the jailbird ask for it already butchered?

[sadora]

These people are just a double edged problem. It would be both inhumane and eventually dangerous to not have a system in place that takes care of them. What I hate are the ones that exploit the system because they know that they can get away with it. Even if these people have mental issues they can go and wash dishes somewhere, go make burgers at macdonald's or f'ng pick up a broom and clean somewhere. They're such a nuisance and a problem that will never go away as long as we keep on opening up places like the mustard seed. I f'ng hate getting off work after a long tough day to have one of these filthy good for nothings ask me for change or a smoke. There is more than enough work out there so that these people could at least buy food or vices for themselves.

[FlamingLonghorn]

What I hate are those damn poor starving Africans. I am sick of seeing this skinny Ethiopians covered in flies starving to death on my television with some celebrity telling me that I need to give them money to feed them. Maybe they should stop starting civil wars or better yet leave Africa to a country that has food just not mine because lord knows I hate job stealing immigrants too. I think the best solution is to send all the homeless and starving "good for nothings" around the world to Africa and just blow it up that way I never have to be asked to give money to these lower than human species again as it is such an inconvenience that I have to rant about it on a message board and sound like an ass.