In The Spirit Of The Season

**Trainer Monkey** · 12-14-2008 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by CGM

Originally Posted by mrbig1

Originally Posted by CGM

good one.

I remember once walking down a city street, and there was a scruufy looking chap who was lying on the ground in front of a park bench. He doesn't look happy. People were just walking by without so much as a 2nd glance. I took a closer look and decided to check things out. He tells me he's not drunk, just old and tired, had fallen off the bench. So I helped him back on the bench, and we ended up having a little chat, he seemed glad that someone gave a damn. Interesting guy actually.

I can't tell you how many times I have paid attention to some down and outer and ended up with something worthwhile to take away with me.

There but for the grace of God go I. I don't even consider it charity really, just being half decent.

People like you are a dying breed.

I hope you're wrong. I don't really consider myself a do-gooder or anything. I'll tell you about something I saw on tv years ago that really influenced me in this regard. It was about some poor dude who'd had a heart attack or stroke or something, and had laid on the sidewalk for a long time with no-one helping him. He died. Apparently he would have lived if someone had helped him soon enough. His family was all busted up thinking about all the people stepping over him, and made some big emotional plea to the public about stuff like that. I live in the big city, so I do see a few people passed out out. Usually if I see someone passed out or unconcious, I'll tell a policeman and be on my way.

If it's just panhandlers, sometimes I give, sometimes I don't. But I seldom ignore people altogether. But that's just me. I understand why people will walk right by a beggar. Just don't do nothing at all about someone who may be in real trouble.

I almost allways toss coin at least. Regardless of what people think,nobody really wants to be homeless. It sucks rocks. Think about the nuts and bolts of it. Pavement isnt a comfortable bedding material. Youve got to hide what few possesions you have,just to go get a coffee at a local deli, a freedom you and I take for granted.Not to mention the real pleasure of being constantly exposed to random attacks.
And on top of it,if you live in a major city,your a couple of bad breaks away from having to street it. Your landlord wants you out of your rent controlled apartment so he can up the rent,you lose your job,anything can put you right next to the people we tend to look down upon. And half the time its a vet who just couldnt re-adjust to society when they came back from fighting our war for us.
Im not even particularly concerned if my coins are going to a 40 weight. Heck most of us will crack an extra brew if our team loses on Sunday,well their team has lost more then just Sunday. And dont give me "Go to a shelter". Because most shelters arent really much of a shelter. Theyre usually rat-holes at best. And dont give me, "Get a job" either. "The allyway between 17th and 16th" does not look good on a job application.
I dont totally despair, some people do get that ,there but for fortune, I could be there too,and do what they can to help. Not enough,but all it takes is one person to make a difference. Now if alot of people try to make a difference,alot of mountains could be moved.

**kingfrnk** · 12-14-2008 02:38 PM

ive done some nice things before i just cant remember any. i probably will later.

**mrbig1** · 12-15-2008 03:42 PM

We are living in the me generation. This was started by the right wing in Washington. They taught our young people that greed was a good thing. You know the same people who say they love Jesus.

El Kabong · 12-15-2008 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by mrbig1

We are living in the me generation. This was started by the right wing in Washington. They taught our young people that greed was a good thing. You know the same people who say they love Jesus.

And it begins...4 years of right wing bashing....kind of hard to sell that idea when a Democrat was selling a senate seat...I doubt he was going to give that money to charity or anything

**Trainer Monkey** · 12-15-2008 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lyle

Originally Posted by mrbig1

We are living in the me generation. This was started by the right wing in Washington. They taught our young people that greed was a good thing. You know the same people who say they love Jesus.

And it begins...4 years of right wing bashing....kind of hard to sell that idea when a Democrat was selling a senate seat...I doubt he was going to give that money to charity or anything

In the spirit of the season,you could have just ignored that post,I did

**CGM** · 12-15-2008 09:45 PM