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View Full Version : Sometimes being Generous does not help



Atlanteax
12-03-2012, 11:35 AM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/jeffrey-hillman-boots_n_2230769.html?1354543250&ncid=webmail1

Judging from the comments posted, seems others were as disappointed as I was to read that the boots are now 'gone'.

Gotta love:

He says he's grateful for the gift, but he wants "a piece of the pie" because the photo was posted online "without permission."Guess he just wants lots of $$ w/o having to work for it?

I wonder whether people (in general) underestimate the % of the homeless (and the poor) are just not going to use donations (and government $$) in a productive manner that enables them to concretely improve their standard of living (as in far likely to use it for drugs/alcohol/etc).

But *how* do we (selectively) help those that just need some $$ or other assistance to get back on their feet (ie lost home, need a place to live till a new job able to afford a home/apartment again) where the probability of the recipient doing so (once they have the assistance) is high ... as well as those who struggle because of genuine mental health issues.

So as to avoid this as per one comment:
I gave a lady gloves once.... she promptly took them off and put them in her pocket AS I DROVE OFF... I turned around and asked her why... she said. "people give more, the more sorry for me as they feel.... no hat and gloves makes people give more"

However it would seem that selectively helping those who will put the assistance to good use (afterall, donations are a limited resource in a sense) would be an abhorrent concept relative to the 'everyone is entitled' mantra.

Tgo01
12-03-2012, 11:49 AM
A few things about this. First call me a cynic but I saw this coming the moment I read the original story. Second the thing that lady supposedly said in that one comment actually makes sense, it's just like in Slum Dog Millionaire. Third while the homeless guy does seem sort of greedy for wanting a "piece of the pie" I can't say I'm entirely surprised about his reaction either, I couldn't believe it when I read earlier that the police officer was "doing the talk show rounds." I have no idea if he's getting paid for appearing on those talk shows but the homeless guy probably thinks he is. Also why is the police officer getting all of the publicity when this is the guy that is homeless that everyone supposedly wants to help? Seems kind of backwards to me.

Warriorbird
12-03-2012, 11:51 AM
Atlanteax explained:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5YWTFW5WMw

AnticorRifling
12-03-2012, 11:52 AM
Because the police officer won't go on the talk show and say "Shit son I'm just tryin to get me that paper naw mean, shit for real though...shiiiiiit" obviously.

Back
12-03-2012, 11:54 AM
That guy may need boots but what he really needs is a support group and rehab.

Tgo01
12-03-2012, 11:55 AM
Because the police officer won't go on the talk show and say "Shit son I'm just tryin to get me that paper naw mean, shit for real though...shiiiiiit" obviously.

That sounds pretty racist. Not that I'm complaining, just making an observation.

AnticorRifling
12-03-2012, 11:57 AM
That guy may need boots but what he really needs is a support group and rehab.

So you're saying that because the officer's gift wasn't good enough he should have given nothing. I see what you're saying Back, you're pretty cold.

AnticorRifling
12-03-2012, 11:58 AM
That sounds pretty racist. Not that I'm complaining, just making an observation.

I blame the Wayans brother's homeless skits.

Tgo01
12-04-2012, 12:11 PM
Too funny. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/jeffrey-hillman-homeless_n_2236965.html)

The guy isn't even homeless! He has an apartment and is receiving social security. Although to be fair I'm sure the guy never actually claimed to be homeless, he just looked the part.

Atlanteax
12-04-2012, 12:58 PM
Too funny. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/jeffrey-hillman-homeless_n_2236965.html)

The guy isn't even homeless! He has an apartment and is receiving social security. Although to be fair I'm sure the guy never actually claimed to be homeless, he just looked the part.

As one comment said:
Actually the cop did something the police tell you never to do. Don't hand out stuff on the streets because you don't know who these people really are. Give the money to charities that support the homeless instead. Nevertheless the cop did a good deed. Sad that he picked a guy who just gives all those in need a bad name.

Yet another made a good point:
It's amazing, with all that is happening in this world, how so little attention is being paid to the fact that this man is a US VETERAN. Bum, con, panhandler, homeless, lots of names being thrown around. Here's a thought. Could maybe his service to the country have something to do with his mental condition? What war did he serve in? Is this more proof that our soldiers are not getting the help they need upon return from conflict? I'll reserve my judgement till the whole story comes to light. Hero or Zero?

Likely that this fellow has some form of PTSD...

Atlanteax
12-04-2012, 01:07 PM
Atlanteax explained:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5YWTFW5WMw

WB explained:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJW1OGqBYDQ