Remember those less fortunate...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: NC
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
ORIGINAL: TxHarleyGuy2007
Having worked and contributed (on both a personal and corporate level) with many charitable organizations over the course of the past two and a half decades, I could not disagree more with the above statement. To suggest that 90% of those who are homeless WANT to be that way is to not have even the remotest of understandingas it relates tothe homeless situation (and its make up) resident within our society. A large number of the homeless population is made up of those suffering from legitimate mental illness(es). The vast majority of the homeless suffer daily indiginities which most of us could not even imagine; let alone having experienced. Sure, there are those who prefer (and who are quite comfortable) being 'on the streets'. But by no stretch of the imagination do those individuals account for the majority of those who have fallen upon bad times. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised at just how many folks (many right here on these boards) are ONLY ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS away from themselves being homeless. All it takes is a divorce, loss of job, or a major illness to turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Just my take.
ORIGINAL: Kolni
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
I totally agree with the above. I have seen men and women that got divorsed, lost a love one, lost job, mental problems or just lost all hope go down the drain. I have seen people that lost all hope kill themselves when if they could have waited just one more day life would have been better. Being a person that two of those things almost happen too them I agree with the above totally. If you have been fortunate enough to live the so called "NORMAL LIFE" where you were able to keep a good job through life, keep your love of your life, have healthy children, and general happiness to this point your very fortunate. For those that didnt YOU SHOULDNT KICK THEM HARDER. Mental illness is no joke. Loosing your job, wife, or what ever that put you on the street is NO JOKE. We as men want to cure the problem and walk on. Well some problems I have found you cant cure but you can make better for a while. Like growing a plant. You have to water it, feed it, and take care of it. Some people that are grown need that. If you never had a problemlike the abovethank God. All it takes is one second of your life to change your entire life. To those that never had problems like the above you most likely cant understand. To those of us that has that one second is very amazing. Amazing how that second changedyour world.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
ORIGINAL: csbreeze
I totally agree with the above. I have seen men and women that got divorsed, lost a love one, lost job, mental problems or just lost all hope go down the drain. I have seen people that lost all hope kill themselves when if they could have waited just one more day life would have been better. Being a person that two of those things almost happen too them I agree with the above totally. If you have been fortunate enough to live the so called "NORMAL LIFE" where you were able to keep a good job through life, keep your love of your life, have healthy children, and general happiness to this point your very fortunate. For those that didnt YOU SHOULDNT KICK THEM HARDER. Mental illness is no joke. Loosing your job, wife, or what ever that put you on the street is NO JOKE. We as men want to cure the problem and walk on. Well some problems I have found you cant cure but you can make better for a while. Like growing a plant. You have to water it, feed it, and take care of it. Some people that are grown need that. If you never had a problemlike the abovethank God. All it takes is one second of your life to change your entire life. To those that never had problems like the above you most likely cant understand. To those of us that has that one second is very amazing. Amazing how that second changedyour world.
ORIGINAL: TxHarleyGuy2007
Having worked and contributed (on both a personal and corporate level) with many charitable organizations over the course of the past two and a half decades, I could not disagree more with the above statement. To suggest that 90% of those who are homeless WANT to be that way is to not have even the remotest of understandingas it relates tothe homeless situation (and its make up) resident within our society. A large number of the homeless population is made up of those suffering from legitimate mental illness(es). The vast majority of the homeless suffer daily indiginities which most of us could not even imagine; let alone having experienced. Sure, there are those who prefer (and who are quite comfortable) being 'on the streets'. But by no stretch of the imagination do those individuals account for the majority of those who have fallen upon bad times. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised at just how many folks (many right here on these boards) are ONLY ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS away from themselves being homeless. All it takes is a divorce, loss of job, or a major illness to turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Just my take.
ORIGINAL: Kolni
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
I totally agree with the above. I have seen men and women that got divorsed, lost a love one, lost job, mental problems or just lost all hope go down the drain. I have seen people that lost all hope kill themselves when if they could have waited just one more day life would have been better. Being a person that two of those things almost happen too them I agree with the above totally. If you have been fortunate enough to live the so called "NORMAL LIFE" where you were able to keep a good job through life, keep your love of your life, have healthy children, and general happiness to this point your very fortunate. For those that didnt YOU SHOULDNT KICK THEM HARDER. Mental illness is no joke. Loosing your job, wife, or what ever that put you on the street is NO JOKE. We as men want to cure the problem and walk on. Well some problems I have found you cant cure but you can make better for a while. Like growing a plant. You have to water it, feed it, and take care of it. Some people that are grown need that. If you never had a problemlike the abovethank God. All it takes is one second of your life to change your entire life. To those that never had problems like the above you most likely cant understand. To those of us that has that one second is very amazing. Amazing how that second changedyour world.
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
The folks that extend themselves to help others, and the others screw up and leave them high and dry, and homeless. This is One of the reasons I feel the way I do about someone that doesn't really seem worthy of my assistance. There are some I would like to help, like dropping aChristmas dinner, and possibly a couple gifts for the kids, off on the porch and doing the old dingdong ditchem on the door bell andhide and watch the reaction
but not abusers. I don't care for the 'entitlement' crowd.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Adel Iowa
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
TxHarleyGuy2007 Date 12/15/2007 9:15:09 PM [blockquote]quote:
ORIGINAL: Kolni
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
[/blockquote]
Having worked and contributed (on both a personal and corporate level) with many charitable organizations over the course of the past two and a half decades, I could not disagree more with the above statement. To suggest that 90% of those who are homeless WANT to be that way is to not have even the remotest of understandingas it relates tothe homeless situation (and its make up) resident within our society. A large number of the homeless population is made up of those suffering from legitimate mental illness(es). The vast majority of the homeless suffer daily indiginities which most of us could not even imagine; let alone having experienced. Sure, there are those who prefer (and who are quite comfortable) being 'on the streets'. But by no stretch of the imagination do those individuals account for the majority of those who have fallen upon bad times. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised at just how many folks (many right here on these boards) are ONLY ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS away from themselves being homeless. All it takes is a divorce, loss of job, or a major illness to turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Just my take.
ORIGINAL: Kolni
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
[/blockquote]
Having worked and contributed (on both a personal and corporate level) with many charitable organizations over the course of the past two and a half decades, I could not disagree more with the above statement. To suggest that 90% of those who are homeless WANT to be that way is to not have even the remotest of understandingas it relates tothe homeless situation (and its make up) resident within our society. A large number of the homeless population is made up of those suffering from legitimate mental illness(es). The vast majority of the homeless suffer daily indiginities which most of us could not even imagine; let alone having experienced. Sure, there are those who prefer (and who are quite comfortable) being 'on the streets'. But by no stretch of the imagination do those individuals account for the majority of those who have fallen upon bad times. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised at just how many folks (many right here on these boards) are ONLY ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS away from themselves being homeless. All it takes is a divorce, loss of job, or a major illness to turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Just my take.
As hard as it is to believe Bad things happen to Good people.
TxHarleyGuy2007 Thank You for what you do.
God Bless
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
I try to donate my time as well ....Whether it be at Church or just helping a brother or someone i dont even know. We all should remember the one homeless alcoholic living on the street could have fought for our freedom and fallen between the cracks of our so called government.We are all just one breath or one paycheck or illness of losing all we have. If your breathing today wakeup and thank God for what you have. Some children never ask to be born or to be born of a poor family or a abusive family so lets remember the next time you lift your nose at someone in need...This could be you.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
It sure is good to see the majority of the responses in this thread are positive.
Look, I'm not into handing a C Note to a drug abuser or an alcoholic so that they can get their next fix, but I sure as hell can toss em my old leather jacket now that I bought my new one or ring the door bell and leave some presents for the kids down the block who's parent(s) are struggling with a layoffs etc...or help out is some similar way for the military wife who's husband is defending our freedoms in the sandbox...
Turning a blind eye to it all is easier, but it's not part of what I believe America is all about.
Look, I'm not into handing a C Note to a drug abuser or an alcoholic so that they can get their next fix, but I sure as hell can toss em my old leather jacket now that I bought my new one or ring the door bell and leave some presents for the kids down the block who's parent(s) are struggling with a layoffs etc...or help out is some similar way for the military wife who's husband is defending our freedoms in the sandbox...
Turning a blind eye to it all is easier, but it's not part of what I believe America is all about.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
ORIGINAL: IcemanVA
It sure is good to see the majority of the responses in this thread are positive.
Look, I'm not into handing a C Note to a drug abuser or an alcoholic so that they can get their next fix, but I sure as hell can toss em my old leather jacket now that I bought my new one or ring the door bell and leave some presents for the kids down the block who's parent(s) are struggling with a layoffs etc...or help out is some similar way for the military wife who's husband is defending our freedoms in the sandbox...
Turning a blind eye to it all is easier, but it's not part of what I believe America is all about.
It sure is good to see the majority of the responses in this thread are positive.
Look, I'm not into handing a C Note to a drug abuser or an alcoholic so that they can get their next fix, but I sure as hell can toss em my old leather jacket now that I bought my new one or ring the door bell and leave some presents for the kids down the block who's parent(s) are struggling with a layoffs etc...or help out is some similar way for the military wife who's husband is defending our freedoms in the sandbox...
Turning a blind eye to it all is easier, but it's not part of what I believe America is all about.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
ORIGINAL: Lincoln33
crash1292 noone threw in with you so I will. That homeless drunk/drug addict on the corner will steal anything you dont give to him. He'll intimidate women and the elderly by harassing them until they give him a dollar. After he's intimidated enough people he'll use the money to buy liquor and then pi$$ it all over the sidewalk or business front. I don'tfeed cockroaches and Idon't enable homeless trash.
crash1292 noone threw in with you so I will. That homeless drunk/drug addict on the corner will steal anything you dont give to him. He'll intimidate women and the elderly by harassing them until they give him a dollar. After he's intimidated enough people he'll use the money to buy liquor and then pi$$ it all over the sidewalk or business front. I don'tfeed cockroaches and Idon't enable homeless trash.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
Nice post. Makes we want to pick up the bible more often.
ORIGINAL: Fat Henry
I refuse to die and have the Lord say to me " I did not know you "
If in your entire Life you can make a difference in one persons life. Then it was a life well lived. Many times you may make a difference and never get to see the reward. But trust it will be given to you.
1 John 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I refuse to die and have the Lord say to me " I did not know you "
If in your entire Life you can make a difference in one persons life. Then it was a life well lived. Many times you may make a difference and never get to see the reward. But trust it will be given to you.
1 John 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
Well said Tx, and very true.
ORIGINAL: TxHarleyGuy2007
Having worked and contributed (on both a personal and corporate level) with many charitable organizations over the course of the past two and a half decades, I could not disagree more with the above statement. To suggest that 90% of those who are homeless WANT to be that way is to not have even the remotest of understandingas it relates tothe homeless situation (and its make up) resident within our society. A large number of the homeless population is made up of those suffering from legitimate mental illness(es). The vast majority of the homeless suffer daily indiginities which most of us could not even imagine; let alone having experienced. Sure, there are those who prefer (and who are quite comfortable) being 'on the streets'. But by no stretch of the imagination do those individuals account for the majority of those who have fallen upon bad times. Believe it or not, you'd be surprised at just how many folks (many right here on these boards) are ONLY ONE OR TWO PAYCHECKS away from themselves being homeless. All it takes is a divorce, loss of job, or a major illness to turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Just my take.
ORIGINAL: Kolni
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
90% of the homeless people WANT to be homeless.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada home of the TAX YOU TO DEATH LIBERALS
RE: Remember those less fortunate...
a group of us got together yesterday and were able to gather up a 5 ton truck load of non-perishable food and toys for the Salvation Army in our area. This area is somewhat depressed economically due to plant closures etc. The local TV station did basically the same thing last thursday here as well for the local food bank. They had nearly the same success rate. The amazing part is that this is a rural area of about 15,000 people. I had one lady wheel out a shopping cart full of items and tell me that she really appreciated our efforts and that @ one time she had been on the receiving end and it was now time to pay back. I can say that at the end of the day I felt great tobe able to offer the help. Made my holiday mood alot brighter. By the way the weather was -23 degrees and no there wasn't any fingerless gloves or Gerbing's in sight.