Miata Mailing List: December 1999, Message #383

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On Fri, 3 Dec 1999, John T. Croteau wrote:

> Well, I was agreeing with Sean on this til I got the the homeless
> part.  NEVER EVER give ANY money to a homeless person.  Show them the
> way to a shelter instead.  The money you give would only go to the
> liquor store on the corner.

Really? The money always goes to the liquor store? And you know this how?
How many homeless people have you known? Gimme a break.

> Make a donation to the homeless shelter.. not the bum on the curb.

Yeah, cause obviously making a donation to a shelter will help them quit
drinking. Bum? Your compassion overwhelms me.

If they drink, they'll get alcohol. If they do drugs, they'll get them
too. It really doesn't matter whether or not they get the money from you.
OTOH, they might just use that money for food, too. Or maybe that girl who
just spanged $20 from you really is going to use it to buy some heroin, in
which case you may have kept her from one more night of selling herself
and possibly getting murdered. Or you're afraid of what they'll do with
the money? Give them some food instead. I knew one guy who refused to
accept money from people, and would only accept food, clothing, and
shelter.

On a less sarcastic note, just be careful you don't start caring too much, 
because you can't save everybody.


-- Sean...
   Team Voodoo!
   Team Frou-Vroom =)