The Homeless.

[brinny]

The boundaries. The edges of things that let us know one idea is different from another idea.

Wasn't there a term for that in the movie 1984?

 

[brinny]

I wouldn't know unless I ran a background check on them, or knew them well enough to make that assumption.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[The Lone Ranger]

The Holy Spirit moved me about 4 weeks ago to drive home from work a certain route. As I was travelling a certain highway, I saw young man, 30 yr old, with shoulder length hair almost staggering in and out of the lane along the edge of the road, barefoot, old dirty clothing, and a knapsack on a stick on his shoulder, in 100 degree weather. As I passed him, he spat on the ground in disgust. So I went down the road a quarter mile asking God if he was the reason I was meant to go that way, and the Spirit made me turn around. I passed him again by a quarter mile, and as I turned around down the road I looked in my back seat and found a quart sized bottle of water. Mind you the Holy Spirit led me to see the water. I approached the man with my car, and asked him if he would like some water, and he said "yes". I handed him the water and said "Lord Bless you", and he said the same to me, after thanking me. We are to treat everybody we meet as if they were Jesus himself (remember Jesus attacked Jacob and named him Israel). I saw the man 2 weeks later on the same road with fresh clothing, shoes, and drinking a soda. I still felt no guilt, or animosity in giving him water. The Holy Spirit led me to help this particular man.

 

[brinny]

The Holy Spirit moved me about 4 weeks ago to drive home from work a certain route. As I was travelling a certain highway, I saw young man, 30 yr old, with shoulder length hair almost staggering in and out of the lane along the edge of the road, barefoot, old dirty clothing, and a knapsack in a stick on his shoulder, in 100 degree weather. As I passed him, he spat on the ground in disgust. So I went down the road a quarter mile asking God if he was the reason I was meant go go that way, and the Spirit made me turn around. I passed him again by a quarter mile, and as I turned around down the road I looked in my back seat and found a quart sized bottle of water. Mind you the Spirit led me to see the water. I approached the man in my car, and asked him if he would like some water, and he said "yes". I handed him the water and said "Lord Bless you", and he said the same to me, after thanking me. We are to treat everybody we meet as if they were Jesus himself (remember Jesus attacked Jacob and named him Israel). I saw the man 2 weeks later on the same road with fresh clothing, shoes, and drinking a soda. I still felt no guilt, or animosity in giving him water.

You could've saved his life with the water. And i do believe as it says in Hebrews that we are quite possibly "entertaining angels unawares" when we are kind to another, especially when a need is spotted. We are admonished to give even our enemies water.

God counted what you did righteous. And yes, the very one you gave water to could very well keep extending the kindness. You've possibly begun a legacy of kindness, even if you're unaware of it.

 

[joshua 1 9]

I handed him the water

Reminds me of when McDonalds had the TY beanie babies they were giving out with their happy meal. They were actually selling for $7 each out at the flea markets. I went to a McDonalds and they had something like 300 of them and they said I could have them all if I wanted, but I had to take the meal with them. So I took the food and put it in the refrigerator and the next day took it to the soup kitchen. They were grateful and everyone was happy to be eating happy meals that day. I got the milk and one guy esp was grateful and said he does not get to drink milk very much and was happy to get some nourishment that day. We made good money when we sold the toys.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Are the homeless criminals?

We're all criminals.

Runaway government does that.

 

[brinny]

Reminds me of when McDonalds had the TY beanie babies they were giving out with their happy meal. They were actually selling for $7 each out at the flea markets. I went to a McDonalds and they had something like 300 of them and they said I could have them all if I wanted, but I had to take the meal with them. So I took the food and put it in the refrigerator and the next day took it to the soup kitchen. They were grateful and everyone was happy to be eating happy meals that day. I got the milk and one guy esp was grateful and said he does not get to drink milk very much and was happy to get some nourishment that day. We made good money when we sold the toys.

You bought 300 happy meals?

That's awesome about the guy with the milk

 

[brinny]

We're all criminals.

Runaway government does that.

That's kinda' scary.

 

[John 1:1 GodCZU]

Mercy.

First word that came to mind. Very often homeless people are victims of crime rather than perpetrators.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Many homeless people I've met are still stunned they lost their homes and their situations in life, and had never fathomed it could happen to them. One of the most causes I've heard most frequently is medical debt, which is absolutely understandable to me since I've seen my own medical bills. One surgery alone was over $39,000, and one night in the Emergency Room back in June was nearly $8000. Fortunately we have insurance (though the premiums for it are astoundingly high) and comfortable finances so it isn't a hardship for us, but for many people it most definitely is. My dad and stepmom are both physicians and have had many patients with staggering, financially debilitating medical bills. This was especially true back in the time when if you had a medical condition it was very difficult for you to obtain insurance. People who were once gainfully employed would lose their job and their benefits (not necessarily through any fault of their own), then they or their spouse or children would be diagnosed with a serious disease, and they'd lack the insurance to pay the medical bills. It wouldn't be uncommon for the debt to mount to well over $200,000. Some had far, far more. Even those who were still employed and had insurance would drown in debt because of the medicines that would be mandatory but still not covered, such as Neupogen which would cost about $2000 for less than a week's supply. They both volunteer with a family medical clinic, and many of their patients are homeless. They don't ask about their criminal histories. Some have mental health issues. Some are responsible for their own downfall. Many aren't.

We used to live near Palisades Park in Santa Monica where many homeless people would sleep because it's a safe, beautiful, and the weather is pleasant. If my parents were worried that homeless people were criminals they wouldn't have let me run my 5K there every morning beginning at age 13, or be at the park throughout the day and night on my own. Many do panhandle, but mainly near the Pier. Some make an effort to earn money through various ways. I'd got to know several homeless people. There's this guy down there I've known since I was 13 because I was there every day. I gave him some art supplies when he told me he was an artist, and he used them to make scenic paintings to sell down at the Pier to tourists. He's a veteran. A lady who was there for a long time had been a middle school teacher. She was laid off, she got Lyme disease, her husband got pancreatic cancer. He died and she was left swallowed by debt. She lost her house.

 

[brinny]

Mercy.

First word that came to mind. Very often homeless people are victims of crime rather than perpetrators.

It seems that is the first thing/word that came to mind for Jesus as well.

It may very well be true that the homeless are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators.

 

[brinny]

Many homeless people I've met are still stunned they lost their homes and their situations in life, and had never fathomed it could happen to them. One of the most causes I've heard most frequently is medical debt, which is absolutely understandable to me since I've seen my own medical bills. One surgery alone was over $39,000, and one night in the Emergency Room back in June was nearly $8000. Fortunately we have insurance (though the premiums for it are astoundingly high) and comfortable finances so it isn't a hardship for us, but for many people it most definitely is. My dad and stepmom are both physicians and have had many patients with staggering, financially debilitating medical bills. This was especially true back in the time when if you had a medical condition it was very difficult for you to obtain insurance. People who were once gainfully employed would lose their job and their benefits (not necessarily through any fault of their own), then they or their spouse or children would be diagnosed with a serious disease, and they'd lack the insurance to pay the medical bills. It wouldn't be uncommon for the debt to mount to well over $200,000. Some had far, far more. Even those who were still employed and had insurance would drown in debt because of the medicines that would be mandatory but still not covered, such as Neupogen which would cost about $2000 for less than a week's supply. They both volunteer with a family medical clinic, and many of their patients are homeless. They don't ask about their criminal histories. Some have mental health issues. Some are responsible for their own downfall. Many aren't.

We used to live near Palisades Park in Santa Monica where many homeless people would sleep because it's a safe, beautiful, and the weather is pleasant. If my parents were worried that homeless people were criminals they wouldn't have let me run my 5K there every morning beginning at age 13, or be at the park throughout the day and night on my own. Many do panhandle, but mainly near the Pier. Some make an effort to earn money through various ways. I'd got to know several homeless people. There's this guy down there I've known since I was 13 because I was there every day. I gave him some art supplies when he told me he was an artist, and he used them to make scenic paintings to sell down at the Pier to tourists. He's a veteran. A lady who was there for a long time had been a middle school teacher. She was laid off, she got Lyme disease, her husband got pancreatic cancer. He died and she was left swallowed by debt. She lost her house.

Any one of us could be homeless for a myriad of reasons beyond our control. It is tragic when all starts toppling down, one by one. Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective on the homeless.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Any one of us could be homeless for a myriad of reasons beyond our control. It is tragic when all starts toppling down, one by one. Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective on the homeless.

Noting that even when one's house is paid for, the cost of property taxes and utilities requires a steady source of income.

 

[John 1:1 GodCZU]

Noting that even when one's house is paid for, the cost of property taxes and utilities requires a steady source of income.

That's true. If they fall behind overlong the state can sell their home to recoup those monies.

 

[brinny]

Noting that even when one's house is paid for, the cost of property taxes and utilities requires a steady source of income.

Yes, and losing one's job, for instance, can cause all the dominoes to start falling, one by one

 

[SkyWriting]

Are the homeless criminals?

In about 30% of cities, yes.
I imagine outside of cities, such a lifestyle is rarely criminal.



Of the 224 cities surveyed for our report:

• 28% prohibit “camping” in particular public places in the city and 16% had city-wide prohibitions on “camping.”
• 27% prohibit sitting/lying in certain public places.
• 39% prohibit loitering in particular public areas and 16% prohibit loitering city-wide.
• 43% prohibit begging in particular public places; 45% prohibit aggressive panhandling and 21% have city-wide prohibitions on begging.

The trend of criminalizing homelessness appears to be growing. Of the 67 cities surveyed in both NCH and NLCHP’s last joint report in 2002 and in this report:

• There is a 12% increase laws prohibiting begging in certain public places and an 18% increase in laws that prohibit aggressive panhandling.
• There is a 14% increase in laws prohibiting sitting or lying in certain public spaces.
• There is a 3% increase in laws prohibiting loitering, loafing, or vagrancy laws.

 

[brinny]

In about 30% of cities, yes.



Of the 224 cities surveyed for our report:

• 28% prohibit “camping” in particular public places in the city and 16% had city-wide prohibitions on “camping.”
• 27% prohibit sitting/lying in certain public places.
• 39% prohibit loitering in particular public areas and 16% prohibit loitering city-wide.
• 43% prohibit begging in particular public places; 45% prohibit aggressive panhandling and 21% have city-wide prohibitions on begging.

The trend of criminalizing homelessness appears to be growing. Of the 67 cities surveyed in both NCH and NLCHP’s last joint report in 2002 and in this report:

• There is a 12% increase laws prohibiting begging in certain public places and an 18% increase in laws that prohibit aggressive panhandling.
• There is a 14% increase in laws prohibiting sitting or lying in certain public spaces.
• There is a 3% increase in laws prohibiting loitering, loafing, or vagrancy laws.

Would you care to elaborate?

 

[SkyWriting]

Would you care to elaborate?

It's a lifestyle decision. I rarely see my neighbor. I rarely see walking people
picked up off the street for not being at home.

If you choose to live visibly in public, you may be in violation of city laws. Make better choices.
I know homeless people in my neighborhood. If "Jack & Jill"
our local homeless people, decide to camp in my front yard,
I would write a law to stop that choice. They often relax
at our park. I have no problem with that choice.
"Jill" is a proud neighbor who's parents passed away a few
blocks from my house and left her homeless.

 

[seekingsolace]

I've seen cardboard boxes or tents set up at any kind of relative shelter from the elements being served eviction notices. Sad really.

 

[brinny]

It's a lifestyle decision. I rarely see my neighbor. I rarely see walking people
picked up off the street for not being at home.

If you choose to live visibly in public, you may be in violation of city laws. Make better choices.
I know homeless people in my neighborhood. If "Jack & Jill"
our local homeless people, decide to camp in my front yard,
I would write a law to stop that choice. They often relax
at our park. I have no problem with that choice.

Thank you for elaborating.