Funny: protests

[renots]

It always surprised me that these people didn't move to the country, where the living is alot easier if you don't want to work.

The fact is many of these people have lost it and due to reforms that Reagan pushed through in the 80's, no one can keep them in an institution against their will. It seems to me there need to be more alternatives than the street, euthanasia clinics mascarading as homeless shelters, or jail for these people.

On the other hand one could argue that these people are saner than everyone else and having realized the insanity of living in the modern world have chosen the only 'sane' alternative they have.

[renots]

Protesting against breastfeeding? Must be a disinformation project run by the gerber baby food people.

:0)

[kame]

Yeah....

Some Hless people might be lz....some..

Most of them have mental conditions that prohibit them from been able to fend for them self. Somewhere in their past, some where in their life something happen that cause them to be like this.

Who knows, if you had the life that they had, and made the same choices they made, you might be sitting right next to them.

Product of society or is it in their genes?

Who knows, maybe a little of both.

Sim

[pennypinch]

I live in Downtown LA, and while I haven't ventured out to take a look at the tomfoolery going on this week, I have kind of followed it on TV, radio, and print (and yes, renots, they were big bad mainstream media outlets).
I just have to say I find these protests just ridiculous. I frankly don't understand why they are doing this and what they hope to achieve. I have a few pet groups that really give me a belly laugh:
the Anarchists: Hoo boy, would I like to see a day this week when Riordan or someone else just says "OK, you get your wish, anarchy for two hours!" Then let the police got at them. The fundamental premise of their idiocy is that the police are going to follow "the rules". Their entire movement is based on a questions of subversion, that the current infrastructure will continue to exist. That, and many of these "anarchists" have a really, funny warped view of "anarchy". I think its funny.
The homeless: these guys truly crack me up. What in god's name are they rallying for? An end to poverty? I admit, I am a bit ignorant to their cause. And hey, I certainly don't agree that being homeless should be a crime. However, I have very little sympathy for those that are homeless in today's economy. To me, at today's employment levels, there is absolutely no excuse for being on the street. Unlike some other eras, it truly is a function of being...lazy. You can't tell me you can't get a McJob and get your ass off the street? I don't believe it. SOMEONE will hire you. With a greater supply of "tech" or higher level jobs comes increased vacancy at lower level jobs, which creates more jobs in turn. These people seem to be either oblivious to the idea of "work" or are just content to be on the street and harassing passer-by's for money. That really is the only explanation: that the predominancce of the homeless have chosen the street. There are, of course, glaring exceptions like battered women or the mentally unwell, but the vast majority of men and women on the street are their by "choice".

I guess just the protest culture in general makes me shake my head. I mean, many are there to protest the lack of debate at the DNC, but can they honestly tell me they could sustain a cogent debate in their ranks? Bring in a person with a differing view and the guy is liable to get a street sign thrown at him. The comical irony is that these people tolerate opposing viewpoints (re: freedom of speech) about as much as those they're protesting against.
I have to work. I'm sure there'll be some responses.

[quest577]

Well obviously you expected reponses to your post....it is a bit inflamatory.
Your comment on the homeless shows a bit of ignorance to be honest, obviously you have never been homeless, or probably not even close. Just think for a minute what is required on any job application...
Address...what if you dont have one
Prior criminal record...what if you do have one
what if the only clothing you have is smelly, torn, and old? What if you are mentally disabled? What if you've been on the street so long that you have trouble interacting with others?
You have to understand that there are other mitigating circumstance surrounding a person getting off the street and getting a job. Its just not that easy at times.
Now don't get me wrong, there are tons of disadvanteged people I don't feel sorry for, basically lazy people (and I feel this is who you are talking about, but a distinction must be made), lazy people are the ones who continue receiving welfare and food stamps even if they are perfectly able bodied and just get used to the gov't's supplements.
And even some homeless people Im sure are just lazy, but its not always so black and white

[att]

obviously you've never been homeless either. homeless people tend to be well known in the areas they live, because where are they going to go, they dont usually have cars. therefore, i've found that local businesses are very supportive of these poeple when they decide they want to get a job and clean up. they've seen you at your worst, and if you go to the local mcD's and have a 1 on 1 with the manager he will most likely look past your clothes and give you a job based on your attitude. i have never known a homeless person who had a positive and realistic attitude towards their situation, and who didnt deserve to be homeless for one reason or another.
on another note, what the hell is up with those people who were protesting against mothers breast feeding their children saying it causes incest? that is insane! do they think that women have breasts just for men to play with? that is the most natural thing in nature-a mother feeding her child so it can live-what do they want parents to feed their children? blended up beef?

[pennypinch]

Quest: For a financal analyst at MSDW, I'd be surprised if you have ever been homeless either, so...
Conceding (in my first post too) that there are obvious exceptions for the truly disadvantaged, I have to raise another point that points to the degenerate nature of many homeless:
For many of us, I think becoming truly destitute to the point of homelessness would be almost impossible. The vast majority of humans have built a social web of friends, family, acquiantences, etc. that can be relied upon, yes relied upon, to help in times of true need. For a homeless person to have spurned that entire support structure signals a problem that is beyond skin deep (i.e., yukky clothes, smells bad). More than a local business owner, family and friends can and are willing to see beyond that unless they have had something done to them that has caused them to look away.
Stories of family members that helped homeless people only to have themselves robbed are the rule, not the exception. If you disagree, I'd say you were the one speaking out of ignorance. While the drug problem is rampant, and the subject of an entirely different post, homeless people by and large have alienated those that are able and willing to help them.

[quest577]

Pennypinch...First of all I never claimed to be homeless, that is why I avoided making generalizations, and stating "rules" can be applied for the most part to all homeless people.
Second, I feel as though you have contradicted yourself....you feel as though homelss people are capable of going out and getting a job, but in turn you say that the reason they are homeless is b/c they have alienated their friends and family in some way. If a person has a social or mental problem, that makes them a victim not the (opposit of that) I can't think of a proper word at the moment http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif.

[att]

it must all be the fault of the tobacco companies, they ruin everything.
as far as homeless moving to the country, it sounds like a good idea, but where do you buy crack in the country?

[renots]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by att:
as far as homeless moving to the country, it sounds like a good idea, but where do you buy crack in the country?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

A more tolerant federal regime would allow them to grow alternate and healthier mind expanding plants without threat of sanctions

Letting them get stoned in the countryside is cheaper and more acceptable for everyone.
Crack sucks bigtime anyways

:0)

[pennypinch]

I don't feel like I've contradicted myself at all. On one hand, these people can proactively change their homelessness by going out and getting jobs. Meanwhile, they are homeless because they have chosen to be asses to those that could have prevented their homelessness in the first place. The two are mutually exclusive quest. Ass-iness is the cause of a problem. Getting a job is the solution to an entirely different problem. Contrary to what some might say, stealing is not a mental problem. Don't steal. We wouldn't imprison people if stealing was a mental incapacity.
Again, regarding renots' first post, we can all agree that the truly mentally unwell do need help. I do, however, defy renots to show me an instance of a homeless shelter killing someone.
The fact remains that the act of protesting is a childish play to pander for attention. It does nothing to foster an intellectual progression of ideas, merely a parade of I-can-be-louder-than-you.

[quest577]

The main reason that you are definetly wrong in this situation pennypinch is that you really think that all people (providing that they are not mentally disabled) can prevent themselves from becoming homeless in the first place, just by not being an "ass" to people. What if they were born homeless? What if they are born into povery and all of their friends and social net is broke as well, and they are all on the verge of being thrown unto the street? Do you think all of these people struggling to survive themselves have the resources to provide for a homeless person or family?
YOu continue to look at this problem through the eyes of somebody who has never felt poverty, and somebody who has a social new of friends who are on an equal level

[Butch]

SBP - couldn't agree with you more. It used to be that protesters had a true ideology and were educated about the issues they were protesting. And, in turn, they educated others about their issues. Nowadays, the only education these people are getting at the protests is how to avoid getting arrested and how to avoid getting beaten yet still be a nuisance. A LOT of the people there don't even fully understand the REASONS they are there!

PENNY - There are restaurants in hell?? That's news to me! hehe

[renots]

http://www.honkworm.com/beans4.htm

[renots]

http://www.honkworm.com/dog1.htm

[att]

hey, flood control must be off now. anyway, i dont think any situation validates anyone's reason for being homeless, except for those that admit they prefer to be homeless and beg for money rather than the alternative. regardless of your friends and surroundings, if you want to get your situation straightened out you will, there's no reason anyone cant have anything they want in america. i know that sounds corny, it's hard to belive that we still live in the great land of opportunity, but we really do, even though we dont take advantage of it.
re renot: you're absolutely right, lets let people get high, everywhere, not just in the country, there's no reason for pot to be illegal, tobacco will never let it happen though, too much money behind too many lobbyists.

[sbp]

The vast majority of the protests are by younguns who feel guilty that they've led oh such privileged lives. Now in a foolish attempt to repent that terrible crime they go out and demonstrate. Thereby making themselves look like the idiots they truly are. Quite frankly these imbeciles don't what to protest. People are out here going to work. They don't need to put up with those numbskulls blocking streets that prevents them from going to work. These half-wits do that around me my big foot is going to kick their ass. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/mad.gif These dim bulbs are troublemakers that want to create problems not solve anything. It would do these simpletons some good to actually go out and work for once instead of causing ruckus's. Of course the stupid news media is there to encourage the morons.

<P align="right"><font size=1><A href="

[This message has been edited by sbp (edited 08-17-2000).]

[pennypinch]

Hear hear, sbp! I got sent out to Chino because of these idiots (for those of you not familiar with Chino, imagine hell. Increase the temperature by 20 degrees, and add a cow poo smell. Take away all the restaurants. You've got Chino).

[pennypinch]

As regards legalizing drugs: I'm all for legalizing some drugs in order to decrease the monetary incentive for producers. However, there are some drugs i.e., meth, that cause people to be violent, etc. Has anyone seen that picture of the guy who got hopped up on angeldust, took a piece of glass, and cut his entire face off and fed it to his dog? It's sickening, but a very graphic demonstration why some drugs cannot be legalized.