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More Cities Are Making It Illegal To Hand Out Food To The Homeless

Anyone Feeding The Homeless Should Be A Crime

  • Total voters
    55
jamesrage said:
Aren't schools usually in residential areas and why would you want bums hassling you?
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Is there some Constitutional right to not be annoyed by other people I am not aware of? If it rises to harassment there are already laws against that.
 
Dragonfly said:
More Cities Are Making It Illegal To Hand Out Food To The Homeless : The Salt : NPR



:shock:

What???



Helping people eat could be a crime??? With Fines?

Does this make sense?
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There are true homeless people---and by and large in the US they have severe mental problems and/or substance abuse problems----with a core problem of lazyness and selfishness.

There are the relavative few that are temporary homeless because they don't have friends or relatives to take them in from a job loss, divorce or bad relationship. But these people are not what most would classifly as the "homeless" aka "bums."

I find most welfare programs detestable. For the true bums and welfare moochers the best therapy would be to make them work for their food.

No work, no eat. Even the most lazy imbecile can hoe weeds or pick up trash. So a return to the "Poor Farm" system is sorely needed instead of the food kitchens for the freeloaders.
Churches are often the worst offenders giving out food without a stong sermon demanding improved behavior.

Next time you see a bum with a bogus sign "Will work for Food" ask them if they'd like to do some work for the rest of the day for food. Then ask if they'd like to work for several days.
 
Muhammed said:
On Netflix right now they have every episode of the Twilight Zone from 1959 to 1963.

I think I've watched all of them in the last few months.
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Yeah, I got the entire series of One Step Beyond on DVD but not the Twilight Zone. The entire Twilight Zone series was offered in Bargain Books for 200 dollars. I probably should have scarfed it up.
 
Perotista said:
Yeah, I got the entire series of One Step Beyond on DVD but not the Twilight Zone. The entire Twilight Zone series was offered in Bargain Books for 200 dollars. I probably should have scarfed it up.
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Depending on where you live, you can likely just borrow a DVD of the series from your local library.

**** paying $200!

That's what your tax dollars pay for.
 
lifeisshort said:
They are using the money to buy alcohol not food
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"Alcohol" and "food" are not mutually exclusive terms.

In fact, alcohol is a type of food.

Your logic fails.
 
Muhammed said:
Depending on where you live, you can likely just borrow a DVD of the series from your local library.

**** paying $200!

That's what your tax dollars pay for.
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The Twilight Zone, the original ran for what, 5,6 years? Perhaps 7. That is 26 episodes a year for each year it ran. That is 130 episodes to 200 dollars at a minimum and you own it and can watch any episode anytime you want. One Step Beyond ran for 3 years approximately 70 episodes I was able to get for 60 dollars. If you stop and think about it, if you were big fans of the show, that is not bad.
 
Deuce said:
I generally think of you as a clever enough person to realize how ridiculous making a statement like this is, especially in this sort of context. So I'll assume that it's just a really stupid and unfunny joke.
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It's a pretty good analogy.

Not that we should just let the homeless be wild, like the bears, but just feeding them does not change their lifestyle. Most of them are suffering from drug addiction and/or some form of mental illness. Simply feeding them is much like putting a bandage on a festering wound. It simply enables them to keep living the way they've been living for a little bit longer.
 
Perotista said:
There you go, I loved that old series. I still do. They just do not make sci-fi like that anymore. I also like one step beyond.
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Greetings, Pero. :2wave:

Thanks for posting this classic! It was just as thought-provoking and frightening as the first time I saw it! :thumbs:

On another topic: the other day when we were discussing the Buddhist monks and the celebration of "robe-giving," I forgot to ask you something. You indicated you and your wife were the guests of honor. How were you chosen for that honor? I know that you don't like to blow your own horn, but I am curious if you'd like to share.
 
X Factor said:
Totally true story, happened to me just yesterday. I was approached by a man in a parking lot asking me for $3.00. for food. I took out my wallet and gave him a $5.00. He then told me if he just had $2.00 more, he could pay for his hotel room. I gave him the $2.00 and got in my car. Now, I know what you're thinking. I'm an idiot, right, for "believing" him. I didn't believe him for a second. I know where it's going but based on biblical teachings I do try to give to these guys - my thought being that it's his money to do with what he wants once I've decided to give the money to him.

Anyway, as I started up my car, the dude approached my window and said he just needed two more dollars and I drove off. It's never enough is it?
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Never enough.

Wild bears will do the same thing, then break into your car looking for more while you're away.

But, there the analogy breaks down. The homeless need a lot more than just food and shelter. They need a hand up out of the lifestyle they're in, and just setting up more soup kitchens just enables them to continue to live the way they've been living.
 
lifeisshort said:
Alcohol is food to you? Alrighty then.:lol:
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It's not just my opinion, it's a scietific fact. :lol:

Seriously.

A six pack of Bud has significant nutrional value.
 
polgara said:
Greetings, Pero. :2wave:

Thanks for posting this classic! It was just as thought-provoking and frightening as the first time I saw it! :thumbs:

On another topic: the other day when we were discussing the Buddhist monks and the celebration of "robe-giving," I forgot to ask you something. You indicated you and your wife were the guests of honor. How were you chosen for that honor? I know that you don't like to blow your own horn, but I am curious if you'd like to share.
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We bought the cloth and learned enough Pali to be able to present it to the monks in the original tongue spoken way back then. As far as I know all Buddhist chants are done in Pali, at least the sect of Buddhism we belong to do. It was a matter of learning the rites, being able to respond in the proper fashion and language and not being afraid to do so in front of a large crowd.

I suppose it was our choice of taking on the responsibility of shall I say, learned lay persons that equated to being the guests of honor. The monks didn't have to do that, it was just something they did.
 
Perotista said:
We bought the cloth and learned enough Pali to be able to present it to the monks in the original tongue spoken way back then. As far as I know all Buddhist chants are done in Pali, at least the sect of Buddhism we belong to do. It was a matter of learning the rites, being able to respond in the proper fashion and language and not being afraid to do so in front of a large crowd.

I suppose it was our choice of taking on the responsibility of shall I say, learned lay persons that equated to being the guests of honor. The monks didn't have to do that, it was just something they did.
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Good for you! *hug* It sounds like a lot of time spent getting everything just right - language and all, and the monks understood and appreciated your effort! Kudos to both of you! :thumbs:
 
X Factor said:
"These people" need to put some work into it themselves. Nobody can do it for them.
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That's really the problem though, just handing out food doesn't teach these people to do anything more than come back tomorrow for more handouts. We're not actually teaching them how to get off the streets, we're just making it easier to stay there. The more uncontrolled food sources they have, the less likely it is that these people can get the help they actually need.
 
I'm fine with this as long as it is also illegal to give free food to anyone else. Making this apply only to the homeless violates equal protection under the law.
 
lifeisshort said:
They are using the money to buy alcohol not food
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Of course they are. A long time ago, there was this homeless guy begging outside of McDonalds. I offered to buy him a hamburger and he cussed me out, he just wanted money to buy drugs or booze. He went without both from me. They're not hungry and I won't subsidize their habits.
 
Dittohead not! said:
It's a pretty good analogy.

Not that we should just let the homeless be wild, like the bears, but just feeding them does not change their lifestyle. Most of them are suffering from drug addiction and/or some form of mental illness. Simply feeding them is much like putting a bandage on a festering wound. It simply enables them to keep living the way they've been living for a little bit longer.
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How will the mentally ill live otherwise? I mean, what's your solution?

I just don't see why, if people are willing to be generous, it's a problem to feed the needy, and why they're needy doesn't matter much to me even if what they need is self-respect. (And I want my tax dollars to go toward school breakfasts and lunches.)
 
Perotista said:
There you go, I loved that old series. I still do. They just do not make sci-fi like that anymore. I also like one step beyond.
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:agree: If you also have the one where the man and woman are trying to get out of the empty town, where they take a train to escape but find themselves passing the same buildings in an endless loop, I'd love to rewatch that one too. I won't give away the ending here, in case there are some who haven't seen it!

I bought - at a cost of only an arm and leg :mrgreen: - the entire series (6 years) of the original Avengers with Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel and Patrick Macnee as John Steed. God, I loved that TV series, and rewatch them often! Didn't enjoy the series much after Diana Rigg left - the chemistry between Peel and Steed was missing when Linda Thorson took over the part!
 
Dittohead not! said:
In other news, the national parks have outlawed feeding bears, as it makes them dependent on human food and unable to fend for themselves.
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While I agree with you when it comes to a government handing out to the homeless, if individuals wish to feed the homeless, it is there right to do so. What kind of government restricts how their citizens can and cannot spend their surplus money and time?
 
iacardsfan said:
While I agree with you when it comes to a government handing out to the homeless, if individuals wish to feed the homeless, it is there right to do so. What kind of government restricts how their citizens can and cannot spend their surplus money and time?
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Well, if I for example pass out food to 10 homeless people and feed them one meal a day I'm competing with the government. Government feels THEY should be the one's who feed people, via social programs that house, feed and otherwise supplement them. Government doesn't want competition so they outlaw it. Hell, I don't even think government likes approved charities to feed the poor as the one I used to go work at from time to time received little to no help from government. It was funded primarily though community support.
 
nota bene said:
How will the mentally ill live otherwise? I mean, what's your solution?

I just don't see why, if people are willing to be generous, it's a problem to feed the needy, and why they're needy doesn't matter much to me even if what they need is self-respect. (And I want my tax dollars to go toward school breakfasts and lunches.)
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We used to have institutions where the mentally ill could be treated. That would no doubt be a better solution.

Then, instead of waging a losing "war on drugs", let the homeless who are hooked on the really bad stuff, like heroin and meth for example, get their fixes under medical supervision while being offered the chance to get the monkey off of their backs permanently.

That would not only save money, it would save lives as well.
 
iacardsfan said:
While I agree with you when it comes to a government handing out to the homeless, if individuals wish to feed the homeless, it is there right to do so. What kind of government restricts how their citizens can and cannot spend their surplus money and time?
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The rationale is about food safety as well as where the feeding is taking place. Partly concern for safety, partly NIMBY, partly keeping the homeless dependent on handouts like the bears.
 
This really boils down to whether you are in support of people having the power to create zoning laws or not.
 
Dittohead not! said:
We used to have institutions where the mentally ill could be treated. That would no doubt be a better solution.

Then, instead of waging a losing "war on drugs", let the homeless who are hooked on the really bad stuff, like heroin and meth for example, get their fixes under medical supervision while being offered the chance to get the monkey off of their backs permanently.

That would not only save money, it would save lives as well.
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Are you seriously offering taxpayer funded recreational drugs to be given to the "mentally ill"?
 
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