tdog 0 #1 March 7, 2007 So I live downtown. There are a bunch of homeless guys that I see on a regular basis. Any time they go thru the trash cans, they normally are looking for food and/or used cigarettes... Today I saw the weirdest thing... A guy found a soft drink in a trash can and used the sugar water to wash his hands... Then... He got on his bike and rode down the sidewalk. He stopped suddenly and started cleaning up all the dog waste he saw using the bags provided by the city park service on a near by pole. Something obviously is clicking "wrong" in his brain, you could see the disability it in his actions. But at the same time, his obsession with making the world a better (cleaner) place is to be admired. If I had cash, I would have paid him, and it would have been the first handout I would have given to an individual - ever. As he was delivering services the city tax dollars don't do, and now our park is clean. Sometimes the beauty is hidden behind the disability. Just a warm fuzzy reminder... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #2 March 7, 2007 I seldom turn away a hand out when I'm downtown. What they do with the few bucks I give is there business. I give a hell of lot more money to the government and they waste it on stuff far worse than cigarettes. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #3 March 7, 2007 Quote I seldom turn away a hand out when I'm downtown. What they do with the few bucks I give is there business. I give a hell of lot more money to the government and they waste it on stuff far worse than cigarettes. Our downtown partnership has a cool program with fliers and marketing everywhere. It basically is a list of organizations that will help the homeless with food, sleep, and hopefully help to get them off the streets. They have documented the majority of the homeless have mental health issues that need help beyond a handout to buy adult drinks. These are non-government groups that spend money in a documented way. I will not give to an individual. It rewards begging, which if nothing else is a safety concern when cars stop on busy roads and they run into the street to collect. But I would give to organizations that work to stop the problem ans offer help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #4 March 7, 2007 Quote I will not give to an individual. It rewards begging, which if nothing else is a safety concern when cars stop on busy roads and they run into the street to collect. But I would give to organizations that work to stop the problem ans offer help. I've never been that down and out, but I've been dead broke before. I usually don't wait until they beg. If I see a homeless guy, I give him a few bucks. I also give hitchhikers rides too. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #5 March 7, 2007 Quote I also give hitchhikers rides too. That's dangerous stick to skydiving"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willard 0 #6 March 7, 2007 A friend owns an apartment buidling in Cleveland. There is a small city park behind where several homeless hang around. He pays them a small fee (I'm thinking $50/week) to keep the parking area and park cleaned up. They also keep an eye on the vehicles parked there. The situation works well. Cheapest security system I know of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #7 March 7, 2007 Quote Quote I also give hitchhikers rides too. That's dangerous stick to skydiving Ever been a foot? I had two flats coming home on my son's pickup this Summer and I dropped it off at a nearby Tire store. I walked the 4 miles home in 108 degree weather down a main street in Tulsa. Not one person picked me up. What a bunch of weenies! Christian town ... yeah, right. They must have never read the story of the Good Samritan. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #8 March 7, 2007 Quote Quote Quote I also give hitchhikers rides too. That's dangerous stick to skydiving Ever been a foot? I had two flats coming home on my son's pickup this Summer and I dropped it off at a nearby Tire store. I walked the 4 miles home in 108 degree weather down a main street in Tulsa. Not one person picked me up. What a bunch of weenies! Christian town ... yeah, right. They must have never read the story of the Good Samritan. Yea but looking at you might have sent off alarm bells. No body ever wants to pick up unsavoury looking characters "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #9 March 7, 2007 I tried smiling. But of course in the summer my skin is very dark brown. I see your point. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willard 0 #10 March 7, 2007 Quote Quote Quote I also give hitchhikers rides too. That's dangerous stick to skydiving Ever been a foot? I had two flats coming home on my son's pickup this Summer and I dropped it off at a nearby Tire store. I walked the 4 miles home in 108 degree weather down a main street in Tulsa. Not one person picked me up. What a bunch of weenies! Christian town ... yeah, right. They must have never read the story of the Good Samritan. Maybe you shouldn't have worn your rig and helmet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #11 March 7, 2007 I shoot them in the back of the head and make handbags from their skin. It's a win/win really. They are out of their misery, and I get some sweet handbags to sell on eBay. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #12 March 7, 2007 u r sick man steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #13 March 7, 2007 Quote I tried smiling. But of course in the summer my skin is very dark brown. I see your point. Ugly may also be a factor!"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #14 March 7, 2007 Quote u r sick man It's all about the free market/supply and demand. And the product speaks for itself.... (pic) -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #15 March 7, 2007 yes, but what does your looks have to do with me getting a ride? steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #16 March 7, 2007 I ran out of gas in my driveway a couple of months ago in Casa Grande. So, with my Gerry Can I set out to the gas bar about 2 miles away. I was walking along, not hitch-hiking or anything, when this lady drove by. A couple of minutes later she pulls up on my side of the street and offers me a ride. She gave me a ride to the gas station and back to my car. She was originally from Guatemala but had been in the US for sixteen years. I couldn't help but think that if she was a white lady and I was an hispanic guy, I would have walked the whole way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #17 March 7, 2007 Quote yes, but what does your looks have to do with me getting a ride? My looks have nothing to do with your getting a ride "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #18 March 7, 2007 Here's the rub. I'd prefer my wife to not pick up anyone. So I do not blame women for passing me by, but most men? Come on! What wussies! steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #19 March 7, 2007 We had a german farmer pick up four of us when we needed a ride and we were carrying weapons. He was really nice and offered us hot coffee and food. What a nice old man he was. (70yrs old he was at that time) circa 1983 Gee no wonder he went on about the russians, his older sisters were raped and murdered by them. Some people never forget who their friends are, or their enemies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #20 March 7, 2007 Quote I seldom turn away a hand out when I'm downtown. So YOU'RE the guy who keeps encouraging the career beggars. Now I know who to blame. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #21 March 7, 2007 Maybe. Of course I venture downtown Tulsa about 1-2 times a year now that my wife's job moved a mile south. steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfloyd 0 #22 March 7, 2007 I only gave 1 homeless guy money before. He was very truthful about his intentions and thats why I rewarded him. His sign read "No lie, I want to buy beer and crack!". My drinking team has a skydiving problem Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #23 March 7, 2007 Quote A friend owns an apartment buidling in Cleveland. There is a small city park behind where several homeless hang around. He pays them a small fee (I'm thinking $50/week) to keep the parking area and park cleaned up. They also keep an eye on the vehicles parked there. The situation works well. Cheapest security system I know of. I can top that, although this is not a contest... A well known developer restored a loft building on the edge of downtown. The area behind it was being redeveloped in a few years. She met a guy who was living in blankets on the land. He was a nice guy. She purchased an used trailer, parked it on the land, delivered power and water and telephone - and groceries once a week. She asked for in return he keep the land clean and free from less desirable activities. The loft was restored and doctors and lawyers (ok, rich people) moved in. They met their new neighbor and started to like him. He would walk them to their car on moonless nights and do personal favors, like walk the dog, etc... Eventually, he was given a used car and he ran errands, valet parked for parties, and became the concierge for the building. Slowly they paid him more and took away the freebees until he became an employee. Now that his trailer is replaced with new buildings, he still works at the property and is basically their door man, concierge and security. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #24 March 7, 2007 Quote Quote A friend owns an apartment buidling in Cleveland. There is a small city park behind where several homeless hang around. He pays them a small fee (I'm thinking $50/week) to keep the parking area and park cleaned up. They also keep an eye on the vehicles parked there. The situation works well. Cheapest security system I know of. I can top that, although this is not a contest... A well known developer restored a loft building on the edge of downtown. The area behind it was being redeveloped in a few years. She met a guy who was living in blankets on the land. He was a nice guy. She purchased an used trailer, parked it on the land, delivered power and water and telephone - and groceries once a week. She asked for in return he keep the land clean and free from less desirable activities. The loft was restored and doctors and lawyers (ok, rich people) moved in. They met their new neighbor and started to like him. He would walk them to their car on moonless nights and do personal favors, like walk the dog, etc... Eventually, he was given a used car and he ran errands, valet parked for parties, and became the concierge for the building. Slowly they paid him more and took away the freebees until he became an employee. Now that his trailer is replaced with new buildings, he still works at the property and is basically their door man, concierge and security. Man, I wish I had a door man who knew where to score the best dope and hookers. That would be sweet! -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
