| Beggars
Posted: 12/28/2007 8:56:08 AM | I always buy the Big Issue and I think it's a great way to give support genuine homeless people.
I never give money to beggars in the street because I don't want it spent on something it wasn't intended for. Occasionally I buy a pasty or something similar for someone who looks like they need it. Sometimes I buy dog food for someone begging in the streets with a dog but I really hate to see animals used as props.
I know this is a very complex issue and there are no simple answers. But, in my personal opinion I would like to see more housing made available to people on the streets (particularly ex servicemen who make up a significant number of the homeless) by providing less support to young girls who make a career out of getting themselves pregnant. There is a direct corrolation between amount of financial and housing support to the volume of teenage pregnancies. This is evidenced by the number of European countries who provide little in the way of state support and not surprisingly have a very low level of teenage pregnancy compared to the UK. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 1:43:57 AM | She had a tall man's height or more;
Her face from summer's noontide heat
No bonnet shaded, but she wore
A mantle, to her very feet
Descending with a graceful flow,
And on her head a cap as white as new-fallen snow.
Her skin was of Egyptian brown:
Haughty, as if her eye had seen
Its own light to a distance thrown,
She towered, fit person for a Queen
To lead those ancient Amazonian files;
Or ruling Bandit's wife among the Grecian isles.
Advancing, forth she stretched her hand
And begged an alms with doleful plea
That ceased not; on our English land
Such woes, I knew, could never be;
And yet a boon I gave her, for the creature
Was beautiful to see—a weed of glorious feature.
I left her, and pursued my way;
And soon before me did espy
A pair of little Boys at play,
Chasing a crimson butterfly;
The taller followed with his hat in hand,
Wreathed round with yellow flowers the gayest of the land.
The other wore a rimless crown
With leaves of laurel stuck about;
And, while both followed up and down,
Each whooping with a merry shout,
In their fraternal features I could trace
Unquestionable lines of that wild Suppliant's face.
Yet 'they', so blithe of heart, seemed fit
For finest tasks of earth or air:
Wings let them have, and they might flit
Precursors to Aurora's car,
Scattering fresh flowers; though happier far, I ween,
To hunt their fluttering game o'er rock and level green.
They dart across my path—but lo,
Each ready with a plaintive whine!
Said I, "not half an hour ago
Your Mother has had alms of mine."
"That cannot be," one answered—"she is dead:"—
I looked reproof—they saw—but neither hung his head.
"She has been dead, Sir, many a day."—
"Hush, boys! you're telling me a lie;
It was your Mother, as I say!"
And, in the twinkling of an eye,
"Come! Come!" cried one, and without more ado,
Off to some other play the joyous Vagrants flew!
To throw money? No.
To show compassion yes...
To look down on people worse off than you never..
O.p to term people as rats? I don't think so! | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 6:06:15 AM | Last of all I do not go around insinuating that someone is a liar, and I do take offence to that, I will keep my opinion about that to myself for now.It is just a shame that some people cannot debate without getting personal and trying to argue.We can all make assumtions, if the cap fits!! I can prove all I have written.
I was slighted by you somehow thinking your opinion was more valid than anyone elses because of your experiences (which we have to take at face value). That could be like saying that Fred West has more valid opinions on childcare than anyone who has yet to have kids, for all I know. I wasn't accusing you of lying. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 6:51:41 AM | Will I give to beggars, it depends, I know from experience that with some the money is spent on drugs, or on alcohol, i know from experience some are not genuine and just out to make a quick buck and scam those who feel sorry for them, I've seen them on the train with their little cards saying they don't speak English, I've had them knocking on my door saying they don't speak English those I won't give to, but i also know, that we have many a ex solider living on the streets through no fault of their own, as the government is failing in their duty to these fine men, regardless who is in government be they Labour or Tories. There was a pro gramme a while back once again covering homelessness in Britain, and the one that broke my heart was an ex solider, and I quote
"You walk past me in the street, you do not make eye contact, your nose turns up as if you have smelt something bad and you act like I don't exists, and just keep walking by, I was somebody once, I served my country, is this what I deserve? Those I will give to...... Our ex service personal deserve better than to be walked past in the street like they don't exsist...... | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 9:27:05 AM | 154 I will not get into an argument,debate yes. I did not say you accused me of lying I said in the quote you have placed in your message! "Insinuate". My opinion I suppose should/could hold more weight so to speak because of my experience, I never said it was more valid.
Then also someone else was supposed to accept your offer of a trip around a drug infested place in London that you know so well, we also have to take this at face value. In fact we have to take most things at face value or leave them,thats life, hence I will not accept a beggar at face value. We should all learn from our experiences and use them to better ourselves. Most beggars could do this in my opinion.But do not seem to want to. I have said before I can prove my statements, I dont think I should have to though. I have no reason to deceive at all, there would be no gain in it for anyone.
The beggar just before christmas hurt me very much(fish and chips) and I have learned a lesson from the incident.
My advice is anyone wishing to help the homeless, then give to an organisation not a beggar on the street . Then your help has a better chance of finding the right people to help. I am not telling anyone what to do. I personaly do not do it, but I am not going to stop anyone else. I fought for freedom. That included my own freedom and choice.
Happy new year to all | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 1:57:47 PM | Msg 151
But, in my personal opinion I would like to see more housing made available to people on the streets (particularly ex servicemen who make up a significant number of the homeless)
Its not housing that they need... Its counselling
by providing less support to young girls who make a career out of getting themselves pregnant.
I agree but use the money to provide counselling for the ex servicemen if they dont already receive it. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 2:00:40 PM | I came within about a minute of punching a beggar on Tottenham Ct Rd the other day - croaky-voiced, red-headed f*cker was shouting at me and following me down the road because I refused to give him money
I have standing orders out to several charities so I don't have to put up with this shît.
He gave up and turned back at a very well-chosen moment.... a few minutes later and he'd have been a homeless drug addict with a very sore jaw and a dazed expression. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 2:04:12 PM |
I came within about a minute of punching a beggar on Tottenham Ct Rd the other day - croaky-voiced, red-headed f*cker
Hmmm sounds like Gingerism to me ...........Would you have still punched him if he wasnt a "ginger" tramp ??? | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 2:06:55 PM | I mentioned his hair colour as it may been of interest to anyone else who's encountered that particular obnoxious c*nt. His hair colour would have made no difference - he was getting close to the point at which my patience for abuse expires, and fortunately for both of us didn't reach it (I've no particular desire to be arrested for fighting on the street...)
For what its worth one of my grandparents was ginger.. I have a slightly coppery tint myself. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/1/2008 7:55:21 PM | It all depends on the individual in my opinion...
Eg 1, A man in the tube station in London tried going through my pockets. He got shouted at and sent on his way.
Eg 2, In the town where I live there used to be a really nice lady with pink hair and a dog, who asked me (as i walked into sainsburys) if i had any spare change after I'd done my shopping could i possibly please buy her a tin of cheap dog food.
I did buy her the dog food and a sandwich and sat and talked to her for ages.
Every time I saw her I'd stop to chat, because she was a genuinely nice woman, never see her these days, hopefully she's got herself sorted.
Sorry, Im rambling...better go to bed  | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/2/2008 2:37:14 PM | [Quote]Yes because foreign homeless people are so much more horrible and evil than British ones. I hope your ignorance and bigotry wins you many dates on here with like-minded women.[/Quote]
Hmm.. im sure there not.. just curious..
When was the last time you heard about a White, Protestant/Catholic Radical Suicide Bomber Preaching about killing people by blowing himself up in the streets?
I think the point is there not all bad, but there Violent minority are sure worse than the
brittish native thugs.
As for homeless, i ignore them..
I never used to...
Sure, i feel sorry for the genuine article, but theres too many fakes and addicts doing it these days, also, the "aggressive" begging as its known, thats all too common too.
I was also spat on once by a not so nice beggar.
Frankly, as long as there not physically in my way, im quite happy to let them get on with there own existence. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/2/2008 2:59:52 PM | I see quite a few down and outs/beggers in Oxford. Mostly young guys with dogs sleeping in doorways, to be honest I usually feel more sorry for the dogs. These guys seem to be able to buy booze and ciggies.. but not look for work. ..
When I was younger we sometimes used to get the odd tramp coming around looking for work, tidy the garden, clean the car or help out at the local farm, beggers you see now don't want to work. They find that sitting in the middle of Oxford in a doorway, as the theaters, cinema's and pubs close is far more profitable.
No I don't give to beggers, I give to childrens charities, far mjore worthwhile in my eyes. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/2/2008 3:06:04 PM | Equinox
the first ever suicide bomber was a Christian, in Russia around the start of the 20th century. Also the worst-ever death toll from a suicide bomber prior to Sep 11th was caused by a deranged Christian in America sometime around 1940 - drove a truck full of explosives into a school.. (sorry, cant remember the exact details of either and too lazy to google) | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/2/2008 3:20:29 PM |
Equinox
the first ever suicide bomber was a Christian, in Russia around the start of the 20th century. Also the worst-ever death toll from a suicide bomber prior to Sep 11th was caused by a deranged Christian in America sometime around 1940 - drove a truck full of explosives into a school.. (sorry, cant remember the exact details of either and too lazy to google)
Good point. well mentioned.
However, its not really an everyday occurance in christianity these days now.. is it?
Can you say the same about our "immigrant population?" | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/3/2008 10:34:19 AM |
That could be like saying that Fred West has more valid opinions on childcare than anyone who has yet to have kids
It could be correct, too.
West did raise a family, and the other poster has been homeless. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/3/2008 10:48:53 AM | | Equinox - suicide bombings are hardly an everyday occurrence among our 'immigrant population' - every single 7/7 bomber was born in the UK and therefore a British citizen, not an immigrant | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/3/2008 11:00:13 AM | Deus, I've just stumbled into this debate and have most likely missed most of it but I was just reading the last page and...are you in any-way comparing suicide bombers from "that" faith with a Christian version?
The first may have been a Christian but the hundreds in between are all from "that" faith...
Anyway, beggars are from all walks of life. Sometimes i give, sometimes I don't but all the times I feel like it is the state that should take care of them (native or immigrant, black or white, ginger or dark)...because as long as we give...well...the state can merrily wash its hands with it.
By "giving" we only continue the problem. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/3/2008 11:05:32 AM | Why not airlift them out to Africa and Sir Bob Geldof can look after their interests. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 1/3/2008 1:40:55 PM | Why not airlift them out to Africa and Sir Bob Geldof can look after their interests
How about Australia?
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 3:34:38 AM | Saw a beggar the other day, gave him a pound, he asked for more money. (No i didnt tell him to get a job, honest)
So i gave him 20pence more. He looked at me funny.. (the ungrateful sh*t!) Cant win with them, cant win. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 3:56:06 AM | | with the wealth in countries this day and age its beggers me to know that there is still begging happening,but i can see that for some its a way to make easy money.i do not give them money myself but will happily buy them a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich and something for their dog,but someone said that they just buy booze with money they get,no not all will some think more of the pet than themselves and yes i have seen this on more than one occasion where they would give most of the food to the pet than they eat themselves. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 4:00:01 AM | | when i can afford to be pi**ed constantly and stoned all day then i will give to the homeless, im sure there are a small minority who truly are in that situation through no fault of their own, but there will be a lot that like that way of life, and i dont agree with them having dogs either, if you cant look after yourself properly how can you give a dog the care it needs? | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 4:04:33 AM | | Do use think i could open up a new thread and become this sites uk beggar ? and have donations paid into my paypal account knowing my luck the moderators would ban it. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 6:30:19 AM | | Hey, how can you compare a human being to a rat? You should be be ashamed of yourself, and Im not suprised he told you to piss off. | |
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| Beggars
Posted: 7/20/2008 6:42:01 AM | 4 today already
On skype I get loads from Ghana, asking how I am then asking for money. | |
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