"...Get a job you ******' slob's all he replied."

So how about that man, the one who has done nothing wrong...set aside by his government, left behind by his people. Left in the cold by family, to fend on his own by society. What do you think when you see that homeless man? Tattered war vest, combat boots with holes, do you really thing anyone would hire him?

"God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues..."

Speaking of which...

I could use a loan.

I've only met one. I bought him dinner. Then he asked for my shoes...

I had to politely decline, because I hate being barefoot...

A man is no less or more a man because of what he wears.

Most homeless men I've met will show up and work their butts off if given a chance. When you have nothing, the first thing you learn is crying about it won't help you. Shame? no. Pride, I see more of that.

The least likely to be homeless is a beggar. Where I'm from, there's this guy who makes at least $200.00 a day by standing near the freeway on ramp with a hungry sign. There is alot of money to be made out there, alot of suckers including me, because I give sometimes, just in case.

That song always makes me chuckle and if the guys who wrote it 'really did know what's like' they might have done it differently.

When I was a kid I lived across the street from a park. One day a homeless guy living off of his bike came into the park. My mom went inside and made him a sandwich and gave it to the guy and talked to him for a little bit. The guy just went through a divorce and lost everything. I always donate to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Planet Aide, etc. It's important to show love and care for those who need it most.

Some beggars have a home, and a car, and a wife. In central London you get tons of professional beggars, and i tend to not give anyone there anything. I have been rude to beggars, but only when they have been rude to me first.

I was once shouted at from across the road 'OI!!!! PAL!!!! GIVE me a POUND!'

I put my hand in my pocket, pulled out two fingers at him, and then put them back(Its much cooler that way).

whitey ford sings the blues is always in my cd deck in my car...
i'm a giver and bad things do happen to good people...but i must say i'm a selfish giver, i do it because it makes me feel good...

Pride? That is usually lost when you are homeless, trust me...I've been there. I don't see how the song could have been done differently, perhaps you should write one?

There is always a wonderful to sad story behind a homeless person...If people took the time to ask and listen, rather then judge from the outside, I am sure they would be pleasantly surprised, if not shocked with what they learn...

Yes there are FAKES who rip off people for easy money for just looking poor,,,,and then their are ernest poor people who HATE to ask you for anything and THEY are the ones who need our help...You will know them by wanting to give you something back in return,,or because of their children being with them....
We can't turn our backs on everyone we just THINK is a con,,,,If you don't know,,,whats a buck to help or toss.,,ME,,,I will give a buck..
And if their wanting me to buy them a meal,,,I'll take them..
If they then say a wait a minute,,,their not honest...
Its like tipping at a restaurant where you never will be again and the waitress was not very good,,,do you tip or just leave,,,I will always tip if she at least tried to do me right...Even by my self and never to return,,

I'd rather lose a buck to 10 undeserving scammers than brush off one person who truly needed my help. I give what I can...it isn't much. What the person chooses to do with what I give doesn't change my intent. I must say, I'm more inclined to give Micky D. coupons, though. I carry them in my coat pocket...along with the address of a nearby shelter/soup kitchen. the shelter gives people cards for just that purpose.

Seems the big guys in the world take care of themselves quite nicely. Us little guys ned to take care of each other...we don't have the same resources.

When my oldest son was about 10 we ran into a homeless guy. My son noticed he had no shoes on. We had just bought his Dad a pair of tennis shoes that he didn't like. My son asked me to go home and get those shoes for that man. I said, he won't be here when we get back.
My son said he would be. So we drove 30 minutes back home(we lived in the country) and then 30 minutes back. The man was no longer there. My son tells me to turn right on this street. I was scared to, but I did hesitantly. We found him. We found the homeless man a few blocks down. My son got out with the shoes in hand. I followed, wasn't going to let him go alone. But I kept my distance. He told the man " I have no money for you but I do have these" he handed him the shoes. To my surprise they fit the man very well. The man in return gave him an autograph baseball card of Tony Gwynn. The coolest part to the whole story, my son was probably one of Tony Gwynn's biggest fans.

"Goddamn hippy liberal communists. Its this kinda stuff that ruins america, captializm, and makes baby jesus cry."

It kills me how many people sport this attitude.

God bless those who help others with compassion and sincerity.

With living in the city of Detroit, I can't walk anywhere without being approached by a homeless man. I have chosen to decline to give to everyone that approaches me. One reason is because I don't always have and I don't carry any cash on me. The second reason is because I choose to help in other ways. I am a social work student and put my money and energies into helping to reduce poverty.

You have to always remember that the individual that approaches you on the street asking for money or food could be you. I have come close to be homeless a couple times in my 28, almost 29 years. Just recognize that they are humans and should be treated with respect. If you decline to give them money directly, there are organizations that you can donate time and money to aid those in need.

me2