The great bum purge of '09?

[ChriswUfGator]

poverty is so inconvenient

Just because you're poor doesn't mean you have to be a rude dick to people...

If these guys were even remotely polite, it wouldn't bother me. But they're not. A lot of them are so obnoxious, arrogant, and argumentative that they make you feel "attacked". That's what bothers me.

[grimss]

I'm on the Southwest CPAC (I have to admit, the meetings are generally a total waste of time IMHO), and we get regular reports from JSO about criminal activity, homeless movement, etc. I'd guess half of our "homeless" are the criminals that have been pushed out of other sectors because of  JSO crackdowns; the other half are true derelicts who naturally gravitate toward the densest part of Jacksonville, understanding that's where the services are. We have lots of familiar homeless faces here--the older gal with the dog, the Asian gal who just paces back and forth--who seem completely harmless and clearly could benefit from help. But we've also got the cross-light button pushers who hang by the bridges who totally piss me off. We all love urban living, and unfortunately these guys come with it. Still, it could be worse; I lived in NYC and had to step over bums every night to get to my door.

[stjr]

I'm on the Southwest CPAC (I have to admit, the meetings are generally a total waste of time IMHO), and we get regular reports from JSO about criminal activity, homeless movement, etc.

How's the level of renegade church bloggers on your side of town, per the JSO?  That seems to be a new priority with them!   

[David]

poverty is so inconvenily ent

Don't confuse poverty with panhandling and hustling. Those are two totally different things.

Most of the people we're talking about we see on a regular basis. Giving them a dollar isn't going to change their life.

[sheclown]

Why dehumanize a class a people who are already so desperate?  For some of them, it is all they have left. 

[BridgeTroll]

"jorts watch"

LMAO

I had to do it...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jorts

1.  Jorts 

Jean shorts. Worn mostly by children and douchebags. Jorts are perhaps the easiest way to recognize people you will not like. If you wear jorts, you probably don't talk to girls. The term "jorts" does not apply to jean shorts worn by black people, as those are entirely acceptable.
The kid next to me was definitely a total dick; he was wearing jorts.

2.  Jorts 

a combination of the words "jean" and "shorts" used to describe the hideous attire, usually sported by NASCAR afficianados and men over 40. Sometimes Jorts are accessorized with a lovely cellphone belt clip and a braided leather belt, but not always. Sometimes the Jorts wearer lets the Jorts speak for themselves.
While at a baseball game, I noticed a plethora of adult males with no shirts on, drinking copious amounts of beer while proudly wearing Jorts.

3.  jorts 

jean shorts, such as those worn by male Florida Gator fans at the Georgia-Florida football game.
"Don't talk to him; he's obviously a Florida fan with those jorts he's wearing."

[ChriswUfGator]

jean shorts, such as those worn by male Florida Gator fans at the Georgia-Florida football game.
"Don't talk to him; he's obviously a Florida fan with those jorts he's wearing."

       

[ChriswUfGator]

Why dehumanize a class a people who are already so desperate?  For some of them, it is all they have left. 

Being rude and yelling at people is all they have left?

[Shwaz]

One of the strangest things I've ever seen was while visiting Prague a few years ago.  The beggars literally prostrate themselves for hours at a time - kneeling/lying face down on the cobblestones with a cup in their outstretched hands.  It looked painful.  Apparently that is the "appropriate" way to beg; people just walked by and dropped coins in their cup, with no conversation whatsoever.  It was almost surreal, as if they were still in the Middle Ages asking for "alms for the poor."

I saw this in Prague too on the Charles Bridge. Definitely an affective, peaceful way of begging.

[The Compound]

What pisses me off is that all the bums i see in riverside asking for money, I also see them in the jiffy buying 6-packs and cigarettes. 

Last friday 3 kids were begging for money outside of the jiffy at Margaret and Post (we call it "tropical tonys").  I said I dont have any cash, and they said they were hungry, so i told them id buy them some to-go from the chineese place, so I did.. Yesterday, I was behind one of those guys at that same jiffy that I bought food for, and he bought over $10 in beer and cigs.  Im done!

[strider]

Why dehumanize a class a people who are already so desperate?  For some of them, it is all they have left. 

Being rude and yelling at people is all they have left?

Why dehumanize a class a people who are already so desperate?  For some of them, it is all they have left. 

Being rude and yelling at people is all they have left?

And everyone who posts on this forum is rude and uncaring.  Of course not, the point is that not every homeless person is either.  Characterizing all homeless (bums) into one category, as most often happens here, is as wrong as saying all blacks are lazy, all rich people are snobs, ETC., and it is just wrong to do it. You personally may think that “not all are” when you post, but the thread ends up portraying that they are.

[Karl_Pilkington]

I said I dont have any cash, and they said they were hungry, so i told them id buy them some to-go from the chineese place, so I did.. Yesterday, I was behind one of those guys at that same jiffy that I bought food for, and he bought over $10 in beer and cigs.  Im done!

Confucius say 'a fool with coin in pocket get taken to cleaner'.

[David]

See that's what most of us are talking about, situations like that. No one here is purposely dehumanizing anyone. There's other ways to help the poor besides giving a dollar to someone outside of a gas station. You have charity you can donate to, volunteer work, programs etc. Those are for people who are willing to make an effort to get back on their feet, or at least attempt to.

A lot of the characters we see around the core area simply choose not to...they've got people giving them money on a daily basis so they figure why bother.

I spent too many years of my 20's on the corner of Adams & Ocean at the London Bridge pub getting to know a lot of their stories, at least the ones downtown. Most are mentally ill or addicted to drugs and it's just beyond the reach of an average person's help.

[riverside_mail]

Don't assume all those people are penniless; I know for a fact that some of the "homeless" in Riverside receive a check on the 3rd of every month.

[David]

Exactly. I try to stick to the term panhandler.

Not all are as misfortunate as they appear.